Sunday, July 8, 2012

Embroidery Art - Day of the Dead Pillow

 Where has the year gone?  Can you believe by the end of this week we're already half way through July.  I'm already counting down till we get to October.....I can start decorating for the Holiday's. Woo-Hoo!!!

This project that I'm going to share with you was for one of our great friends Birthday.  Her lovely parents were the lucky ones to receive the Patriotic Pillow.  I want to thank all of the lovely blogger's who featured it.  I tried to grab all of the feature buttons, if I'm missed one I'm sorry - please let me know if you don't see yours.

The theme of this pillow is a little early in the year to celebrate....that is if you do! It is usually celebrated November 1st.  I don't celebrate the day, but I do love the art work of everything.  Some of the art work is simply stunning. If you like that sort of thing. I went on-line to get some inspiration for this project.  If you look up Day of the Dead art, you'll see skulls with flowers, hearts, webs, crosses and swirls, in many different colors.  Well my friend LOOOOOVES this kind of stuff and I knew she would be extremely happy when she saw what I made for her.

Here is some information on Day of the Dead History

(Picture quality is not the best, but I'll try to explain as best as I can.)
1.) I folded a sheet of paper and drew a couple of half skull shapes.
2.) Then I cut them out and decided on the one I liked the best.
3.) I traced (2) skulls on a sheet of blank paper and made copies of that.
4.) Then with the inspiration from the net, I drew out the skulls.  You know it's not very easy to draw teeth.  I had such a hard time, I kept drawing and erasing. 
1.) I ended up drawing (8) different skulls, I chose the 4 I liked the best.
2.) I pinned the skulls onto foam board with tissue paper over it to trace.
3.) I then traced the skulls with black permanent marker.
4.)  I cut out the tissue traced skulls and set them aside.
5.)  Now I was ready to start.  I pinned it onto the fabric, then put it onto the hoop. 
       Embroidering on the tissue paper was easy, I was able to tear away and pick out the pieces.  I didn't really have a plan, I just picked different colors.  As I finished each skull I took it off the hoop to pin the next skull where I wanted it to be.  I really loved the way it all came out.
Drawing out the skulls, embroidery and sewing took me about 27 hours combined....it probably would have been less if I wasn't watching re-runs of Ugly Betty or The Office, lol.
For the back I chose a black with white polka dots.  I have to say my favorite skull has to be the last  one with the blue flower.

  I'm happy to say that she was really excited to receive this gift.  I'm glad!!

Thanks for stopping by to view this weeks project.

Everyone have a fabulous week.

Linking up Here and










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49 comments:

  1. That's amazing and so cool work!!! Impressing work! Have a lovely week!

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  2. Oh this is so cute and also funny, I like the work you have done, it is also colorful, very nice.

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  3. Cute and I know and recall the relaxing feel of embroidery as I used to do it when I was a much younger nurse. Olive

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  4. Very cute u r so talented.
    came from Make it pretty Monday
    Have a great week
    RaNae

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  5. I don't usually like the skulls much, but I think they are CUTE!

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  6. Love it! I can think of many friends that would love this!
    found you on the Inspire me Monday hop!
    Diane
    Treasuringgrace.blogspot.com

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  7. Cool project. I have a young friend who will love this. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. how fun! I was embroidering a skull last night, how spooky is that?

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  9. Holy Moly! These are great!! Awesome blog!
    - Roopa
    http://brightphosphenes.blogspot.com/

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  10. What beautiful embroidery! LOVE this!

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  11. That turned out great! I have never seen the technique using the tissue paper. How clever! Thanks for the tip.

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  12. It turned out great and was worth everyone of those 27 hours.

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  13. Wow! That is a lot of work - it turned out beautiful. Thanks for sharing at the Creative Corner Hop.

    Holly
    Holly's Stamping Addiction

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  14. I don't think I've ever seen such adorable skulls! Love them all. Thanks so much for sharing your project at Etcetorize this week!

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  15. Love the colours you used for skulls. Your embroidery is lovely.
    Your tissue paper idea is great. Have a lovely week. Ali x

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  16. I have a friend who would gobble this up! IT's so cute!

    Happy seeing beautiful!
    http://seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/

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  17. Wow! I am so impressed with your work - amazing!

    Thanks for sharing on Show and Tell Wednesday at SNAP!

    xoxo, Tauni

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  18. Oh!!! I'm loving these!!! Did you make them in bed? :)

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  19. This is awesome!! I'll bet she was thrilled!

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  20. That is cool. I'm also happy you shared your technique of drawing and stitching over tissue paper. I definitely will have to try that!

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  21. This is awesome! You are very talented. I am learning how to embroider, hopefully I can get even half as good as you :) Visiting from bearrabbitbear link up - have a great weekend!

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    1. It's really fun!! I'm still learning.....but you'll get there.

      You have a great weekend yourself.

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  22. Very very cute!! - and cool ;)
    Greetings from Australia♥
    ~Pernilla

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  23. Believe me, you're not the only one who gets distracted by Ugly Betty re-runs. I'd call them evil if they weren't so awesome. The result however is marvelous!

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  24. That is so cool! Love the colors! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

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  25. Now embroidered and colorful skull heads is definitely something I haven't seen before. Crazy how you have made them almost happy. :D Thanks for sharing on BeColorful this week.
    p

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  26. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  27. Great job! I like the one with the flowers too. That must be one good friend because I know that's a lot of work! I'm glad she loved it! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!

    Holly

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  28. How darn cute, and you talent is showing through. I like the one with the flowers too. I used to do a lot of embroidery, but haven't in years. Just today I looked at a piece I did over 20 years ago. Still looking for that right space. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

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  29. These are so cute! It made me laugh :)

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  30. Wow! This looks awesome! Love all the skulls!
    Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo!
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  31. Beautiful! I am so impressed!

    Thank you for following me over on http://smallorganizedhome.blogspot.com/. I am now following you! I can't wait to explore the rest of your blog!

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  32. I love this and I am so impressed you are so far ahead! I am always scrambling the week before any holiday. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you tomorrow.

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  33. They are so fun and colorful! I bet your friend loves them!
    Thanks for linking this week!
    Kim

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  34. This looks great! I love all of the colors you used. You did a great job drawing the skulls. Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!

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  35. Very creative! I'm impressed that you have a 27 hour attention span to make a pillow. Jealous too! It turned out great...Thanks for linking! xo Jami

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  36. these turned out really nice, Yvonne! I am totally pinning it. thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see what you'll share this week! Have a fun weekend!

    Hugs,
    Lelanie

    to-sew-with-love.com
    tocookwithlove.com
    villaportillo.blogspot.com

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