Stitches of Gratitude
Like I've mentioned in the past, as well on my latest FlossTube episode, I worked on and completed the six cross-stitch ornament portraits for this year's teacher appreciation week. If you don't know what this celebration is, it's an American holiday that runs for the first full week of May each year. It is a time to thank and show appreciation to our teachers who work so hard to educate our kids.
Two things to this:
- I'm extra thankful for my eldest daughter's teachers and paraeducators, because she's special needs. I know what it's like to try and teach her something and I know I'm not cut from the right metal to be able to do so.
- I also like to include my daughters' therapists in this week of appreciation, because they also teach my girls life skills.
So keeping that in mind, I had the task of stitching six stitch people portraits. And of course, I didn't give myself a huge amount of time to do so, because I lost track of the days. Hah!
Creative Process
In mid-April, I realised that May was only a few short weeks away and that that would mean it would be teacher appreciation week and I needed to kick my butt into gear!
My first step was to request photos (sneakily) of as many teachers and paraeducators as I could from a trusted teacher -one who received a piece last year- to design from.
Before I received those, I worked on the designs for my two daughters' as well as working on designs from memory of the therapists. Then once I received the requested photos, I completed my designs, printed the patterns, collected my floss & tools... and promptly discovered I didn't have any 14ct white Aida fabric.
A quick trip to the craft store and I was able to get started!
While recording my 73rd FlossTube episode, I quickly discovered I had missed a teacher. D'oh! So after recording, I grabbed the school class photo I had received the day prior, designed the missing pattern and caught that piece up to where the other five were at - all within 2 days.
The week before the appreciation week, I completed all of the pieces which includes:
- Washing & Drying
- Ironing (Both the piece and the backing fabric)
- Stitching my logo to the back
- Hooping
- Photographing & Videoing
Phew..! So let's see the pieces individually, shall we?
Missing Some..?
As I mentioned in last year's teacher gift post, I wasn't sure what to make for some of the women I was already stitching for (there ended up being two). I organised a gift card for Starbucks for each of them instead. Not as personal and cool, but I will definitely make them something next year since it'll be the final year my daughter is in Elementary school..!
Close-ups
I also wanted to share closer-up photos of each character. Let me know which is your favourite in the comments below!
In Closing
I received some lovely notes from all the recipients of these to say thank you, which always gives me warm fuzzies..! I always worry I haven't done a good job at representing a person and frequently have to remind myself that people will naturally look for themselves/someone they know in these kinds of pieces, so there's no use worrying!
If you would like to order a piece like this (or a portrait with full-bodies), get in touch today and we can work together to make something beautiful!
