Funny title…cross-stitch people…that is exactly what I’m sharing today. I’m not the creative genius behind this idea. If you don’t love this idea, you can blame Martha. I saw this in her magazine a couple of years ago and thought it would be so cute to make little cross-stitch versions of all my Mother-in-law’s grandchildren as a gift for her.
I know cross-stitch isn’t everyone’s thang, but this is really cute, right? My sons and their cousins are all steps and stairs right now, so that makes it fun!
The oldest is 6′ 7″ now and he’s only fifteen! The youngest is ours…Brennan!
They were pretty simple to do. All you need is graph paper and colored pencils to get started.
I “sketched” out each child on graph paper first.
I tried to dress them in clothes they actually own. My nephew is an Eagles fan…
I think I was able to pull that off…
My niece wore this dress to a party at our house:
After making a pattern for each person, I cross-stitched them following the patterns. It’s framed to match her decor.
For my mom, I wanted to give her our family photos, so I added Brennan and Jack in cross-stitch to the center photo area of this frame. It makes it so much more special.
These are my boys and my mom’s grandcat. 🙂
I used the same pattern from my MIL’s gift, but it would have been even cuter if I had made them in the same clothes they were wearing in the photo.
I thought these would be the perfect project to share for this week’s Get Your DIY on party! Our theme is Handmade Gifts, perfect as we are freaking out and desperate for last-minute Christmas gift ideas Christmas is just a round the corner! Here’s what my lovely co-hosts came up with:
Burlap on Canvas Photo Holders The Hankful House
Creative Gifts Under $10 Just a Girl and Her Blog
DIY Sugar Scrub The Happy Housie
Super Sweet Snowman Feet House by Hoff
Our new Get Your DIY on link party theme: Handmade Gifts, Starts Sunday at 7:00 EST. Come share or just come by to get inspired!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
P.S. I’m participating in two Holiday Home Tours this year. You can see Part One here. Part two is tomorrow so make sure you come back to see!
You can see many amazing holiday homes shared by my bloggy friends now! Click on each image to take you to the links and schedule! Enjoy!
MacStabby says
This. Is. AWESOME. I love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Mandy Hank says
Holy Schmoly girlfriend! This is amazing. My mom cross stitches and the work that goes into this is amazing. You did an awesome job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Mandy! 🙂
sew~amy says
Thank you, I think I know what I’m giving my grandma this year now! You rock!
Christy K. James says
They can be tough to buy for! I’m sure she’ll love this 🙂
Andi says
I love cross-stitch! These are so cute! I’ve never made my own pattern before though. And I have lots of projects that I’ve started and never finished… Now I’m depressed.
-andi
Christy K. James says
Fun huh? Luckily for you, you don’t have to pump out project after project…we’ll come visit you to read about toilets, insulation, generators…because we know there will be laughter involved, sometimes uncontrolled…with tears. 🙂
Krista @ the happy housie says
Oh my gosh Christy I am so impressed with your super-crafty cross stitching! It is so adorable and absolutely perfect for Grandma. Can’t believe you designed it yourself on graph paper. Wow!!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Krista! I give Martha some credit since she got the wheels turning…after the first one it was pretty simple. Glad you liked it! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
This is SO cute! My mom and MIL would love these! I’m sure yours did too. Thanks so much for sharing, Christy!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Abby! Sometimes they’re tough to shop for…they loved these! I’m struggling with what to get my MIL this year…eek!
April Hoff says
I LOVE that they’re all wearing clothes that they actually have! It makes it so personal!
Christy K. James says
I thought so too, April! It probably would have been cuter if I had shown the original photos I used as guides, but oh well…have a great weekend! 🙂
beth says
LOVE! I am going to try and attempt this over during 2014 to give as a gift to my Mom for Christmas….
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad you like it, Beth! My MIL loved it! 🙂
Maria says
Oh this is just BEAUTIFUL! What a wonderful gift, so personal and so creative!!!! I love this idea!!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maria! My MIL and mom loved receiving these 🙂
JaneEllen says
If I received a gift like that from our dil or our daughter I’d cherish it forever. What you’ve made is extremely special and how wonderful of you to make it. Grama’s love gifts like that as it shows the respect and regard you hold for person you made it for. Keep being such a good person, it’s appreciated by whomever is recipient of these gifts. You did a wonderful job. I think I could even do that from your photos of how you made the kids look like themselves. Great gift. Happy wishes for a wonderful, happy, healthy holiday.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JaneEllen! The funny thing about a handmade gift like this is I was just as excited to give it to my mother-in-law as she was to get it. Thanks again for your very sweet comment, as always 🙂 Have a wonderful Holiday! XO
Shannon [Our Home Notebook] says
Such a neat idea! It’s beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Shannon! 🙂
Yana says
Very cool! I don´t have the time to finish it till christmas… but perhaps next year?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Yana! You can pin it for next year 🙂
Shelly-MinettesMaze says
CUTE CUTE CUTE! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase!
Shelly
minettesmaze.blogspot.com
Hani Shabbir says
This is an adorable idea.. Thanks for linking up. 🙂
Brynne@TheGatheredHome says
This is such an awesome idea! Your cross-stitch came out SO cute! I’m going to have to make one of these of our little family (me + husband + cat + chinchilla). No seriously, I kind of want to run out to the craft store right now for all the supplies! 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Brynne! I hope you did run out for supplies, this was such a FUN project! 🙂
Brynne@TheGatheredHome says
P.S. I found your blog from the Work It Wednesday link party 🙂
ECKDesign says
LOOOOOOVE this! Goodness! Does this mean that I am going to add another craft to my list of to-dos? 😉 Did you do the framing yourself also? They’re beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, I’m so glad you like it! I cheated a bit on the framing. I found a picture at Homeogoods in the size I needed and swapped the picture for my little cross-stitch people. My MIL loved it. 🙂
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
These are so cute! I don’t know many other cross stitchers out there.. It is cool that you do it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kim! It made for a fantastic gift 🙂