cross stitch designs & finishing “recipes”

Author: Kimberley Eklund

  • Howdy Hallloween by Cross Stitch Kim | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    Howdy Hallloween by Cross Stitch Kim | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Howdy Halloween designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 94 x 85
    Fabric: 32 count Caramel Latte linen from Roxy Floss Co
    Thread: Called for Roxy Floss palette – Garland, Butterscotch, Fossil, Carbon, Clownfish, Truffle, Betty White

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Black and white gingham fabric from my stash
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Mounting piece: 16.5″ Cream Wood Pumpkin Tabletop Décor by Ashland
    Embellishments & Trim: 1 1/2″ wired orange ribbon (stash), Brown Fall Trim Bundle, 25ct. by Celebrate It, 
    crochet flower pick (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    This was a ton of fun to design! Are they cowboy’s dressed up as ghosts? Or ghosts dressed up as cowboys? It’s all a part of the Halloween fun! I was inspired by those fun western graphic tees that always pop up this time of year with the cowboy ghosts. I may even have a few in my own closet, haha! It is a mix of whimsy and western, and I think it’s oh so sweet!
    I fully finished mine on a big tabletop decor pumpkin from Michaels…whenever I am out shopping I always have my eyes peeled for fun pieces that have surface space to slap a cross stitch on, this one worked perfectly and is free standing!
    I love how this stitch and finish turned out, I hope you like it too!

  • Love Your Family by Teresa Kogut | Framed Cross Stitch Finish

    Love Your Family by Teresa Kogut | Framed Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Love Your Family from the Let Love Reign Book designed by Teresa Kogut
    Stitch Count: 1185 x 115
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss
    DMC 310, DMC 371, DMC 420, DMC 422, DMC 434, DMC 612, DMC 613, DMC 712, DMC 732, DMC 839, DMC 898, DMC 926, DMC 935, DMC 3013, DMC 3771, DMC 3828

    The Finish

    Frame: Distressed Espresso custom frame from Michaels
    Mounted on: provided acid-free archival backing board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting

    My Thoughts

    I purchased the “Let Love Reign” booklet from Teresa Kogut because I was (and still am) obsessed with that feature sampler! What I didn’t realize at the time was that “Love Your Family” was also included in the booklet. I knew instantly that I needed to stitch it. The time in my life, and what we were going through as a family, this was the exact piece my heart needed to stitch!
    This was my first attempt at ordering a custom frame and then framing it myself! Silly me, choosing a piece with so many straight edges around the outside, it took some tinkering to get it “close enough” to straight! I followed Lori Holt’s video tutorial and am quite happy with how it turned out and I will definitely be doing it again!

  • Sunflower Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Sunflower Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Sunflower Cowboy Boot Bouquet designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count:     46 x 60
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: Roxy Floss Co: Muddy Trail, Fuji, Garland, Yellow There!, Butterscotch, Double Double, Carbon, Goldfish, Clownfish, Merlot, Betty White

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Darling Design in Marigold from the Mercantile collection
    Trim: Brown Trim Bundle by Celebrate It (Michaels), Natural Jute Twine by Ashland (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    Sunflower Cowboy Boot bouquet is the third and final design in my mini fall boot series! I love all three designs in their own way, but my favorite part of this one just might be the checkered boot! I chose to finish this one identically to the Wheat bouquet, just to have the matching pair. I think the rustic look of the twine and softness of the lace give it that perfect country look! So proud of this first little series I designed!

  • Wheat Harvest Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Wheat Harvest Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Wheat Harvest Cowboy Boot Bouquet designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 46 x 53
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: Roxy Floss Co: Muddy Trail, Peridot, Yellow There!, Butterscotch, Double Double, Carbon, Clownfish, Merlot

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Darling Design in Marigold from the Mercantile collection
    Trim: Brown Trim Bundle by Celebrate It (Michaels), Natural Jute Twine by Ashland (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    The second in my Fall Cowboy Boot Bouquet mini series! This one is both an ode to my child hood and to my province of Saskatchewan! My childhood because I grew up on a mixed grain and cattle farm where wheat was abundant and I have endless fond memories that are tied to the planting, growing, and harvesting of wheat! And of course, wheat is an emblem of Saskatchewan, which is my home!

    Wheat Harvest and Autumn Cowboy Boot Bouquets!

  • Autumn Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Autumn Cowboy Boot Bouquet by Cross Stitch Kim | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Autumn Cowboy Boot Bouquet designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 44 x 58
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: DMC 08, DMC 469, DMC 471,DMC 676, DMC 729, DMC 841, DMC 844, DMC 921, DMC 922, DMC 3777, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board and foam core board (sandwiched in the middle for extra depth)
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Darling Design in Marigold from the Mercantile collection
    Trim: Trim Bundles by Celebrate It from Michaels – I couldn’t find links to the specific ones I used, but I highly recommend their trim bundles for finishing ornaments!

    My Thoughts

    My second ever design to put out into the world for other stitchers to enjoy! This may become a series as I have so many fun ideas BUT I am so thrilled with this first design and it’s yummy fall colours. I stitched my model in DMC floss but have also included a Roxy Floss Co conversion with the pattern and I may just have to stitch it again!
    I wanted to give this finish style a try, using the technique of layering foam core board in the middle for extra thickness. It makes the ornament a little more substantial and I think cute as hanging decor or propped up on a shelf or tucked into a tiered tray!

  • Sunflower Quilt Barn by Cross Stitch Kim | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    Sunflower Quilt Barn by Cross Stitch Kim | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Sunflower Quilt Barn designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 91 x 63
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for floss. DMC 347, DMC 469, DMC 471, DMC 676, DMC 729, DMC 841, DMC 844, DMC 3031, DMC 3777, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Kerchief Design in Schoolhouse from the Autumn collection
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Mounting piece: Small Hanging Basket by Ashland (Michaels)
    Embellishments: Yellow Sunflower Paper Flowers by Recollections (Michaels), and two 18.5″ Sunflower Bush by Ashland (Michaels)
    Trim: Brown Fall Trim Bundle by Celebrate It (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    One of my first cross stitch designs I am putting out to the world for others to stitch and enjoy! I am so proud of this fun design. I just had to start out with a red barn design and with sheep of course! Sheep are near and dear to my heart as my Nana raised them and spun and knit so many beautiful things with their wool!

  • One Day At A Time by Stitching With the Housewives | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    One Day At A Time by Stitching With the Housewives | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    One Day At A Time designed by Stitching With The Housewives
    Stitch Count: 56 x 42
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: DMC 347, DMC 470, DMC 676, DMC 761, DMC 844, DMC 932, DMC 3328, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Daisy Design in Coral from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection
    Trim: Trim Bundles by Celebrate It from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    This chart was an instant must stitch for me upon release! The sentiment has been especially meaningful as of late and I wanted a pretty finish that was also clean and simple! It now lives on my night stand as a daily reminder to myself! I think it is so special that we can create something with our own hands, from scratch, that has so much meaning and will last a lifetime or more!

  • Merry Cactus by Cross Stitch Kim | Freebie Design

    Merry Cactus by Cross Stitch Kim | Freebie Design

    As a special thank you for your support please feel free to enjoy this sweet little chart I have designed. I wanted to make a cute little chart for “Christmas in July” that combined my love of cross stitch with my “country girl” lifestyle! I’ve been carrying this idea for awhile and finally decided to give it a shot. Everyone in this community has been so supportive and I wanted to share a little love back to you! The chart is an image you can save onto your device or print.

    The Cross Stitch

    Merry Cactus designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 55 x 61
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: DMC 05, DMC 08, DMC 347, DMC 469, DMC 471, DMC 597, DMC 729, DMC 841, DMC 844, DMC 921

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for back: Lori Holt’s Holly Design in Lettuce from the Hometown Holiday collection
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: 3/8″ red ribbon by Celebrate it and Natural Jute Twine by Ashland, both from Michaels
    Trinket: Creatology bells from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    I hope you like this little ornament! I had zero plans on getting into the design side of cross stitch but this idea kept scratching at me, and I finally just jumped in and tried! It was so much fun to design, colour, stitch, and finish! It also may have opened up a new door for me, as more design ideas have been pouring in. I’ve been tinkering around in a design program and having even more fun, stay tuned for more to come!

  • Canadian Sampler by Erin Elizabeth Designs | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    Canadian Sampler by Erin Elizabeth Designs | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Canadian Sampler designed by Erin Elizabeth Designs
    If you love this design she also has an American one called Red, White & Blue Sampler
    Stitch Count: 167 x 118
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for floss. DMC 310, DMC 317, DMC 320, DMC 321, DMC 435, DMC 815, DMC 3866, and DMC B5200

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Dots Design in Schoolhouse from the Autumn collection
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Mounting piece: 14″ x 9″ white tray by Celebrate It! from Michaels 
    Trim: 1/2″ white rick rack from my local quilting shop

    My Thoughts

    With Canada Day just around the corner I was eager to get this lovely piece finished up and on display! Canadian Sampler is designed by the talented Erin Elizabeth Designs who is a fellow Canadian and to whom I am honoured to model stitch for!
    I scooped up this little tray from the Canada Day collection at Michael’s for 1/2 price with this finish idea in mind. I laced the cross stitch piece before mounting it to the fabric covered board and adding the white rick rack for a little extra texture and interest! I love how it turned out, it will be a piece I keep out most of the year!

  • Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Season of Growth designed by Little House Needleworks
    Stitch Count: 77 x 77
    Fabric: 32 count Arrowroot Linen by Roxy Floss Company
    Thread: My own Roxy Floss Company conversion: Raspberry Puree, The Final Moss, Turf, Erie-sponsible, Just Navy, Betty White, Double Double, Muddy Trail

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for the back: Lori Holt’s Vintage Design in Denim from the Farmer’s Daughter collection
    Pillow Stuffing: Poly-fil Premium Fiber Fill
    Patch on back: Merino wool blend felt from the Spring Vacation collection by Over The River Felt
    Trim: 3/8″ white rick rack from my local quilt shop

    My Thoughts

    I am officially entering my over-dyed floss era. I recently took the leap and tried out some hand-dyed floss from Roxy Floss Co, and I was instantly hooked. Get ready to see a lot of fun colour conversions on older charts from some of my favourite designers…just like Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks. Believe it or not, this design is 20 years old….timeless (in my opinion)!
    I took a few creative liberties, mainly the colour conversion, but I also chose not to stitch the green within the blueberry baskets, giving those blueberries some breathing room since I was using such rich colours!
    The original design was made into a pillow, and taking that lead I too decided it needed to be a pillow, one of my favourite ways to finish!