This was a gift for my good friends Brian and Kristyn, who were recently married on a beach in Hawai'i. 'I ho'okahi kahi ke aloha' means 'Be one in love'. Yet another use for my beloved IKEA Ribba shadow boxes. May they never stop producing them.
I had the most fun making the flowers. I got the basic idea from this MS post, except mine are in felt and not ultrasuede. Then I modified it a bit to make it look more tropical.
The lackluster embroidery is my least favorite thing about it. I'm not a great embroiderer, but I aspire to be. I lack the patience required. It's a bit lumpy and wonky and won't lay flat. And this is the second attempt. I recommended that my friends remove the embroidery as soon as possible and replace it with a great wedding photo.
I had the most fun making the flowers. I got the basic idea from this MS post, except mine are in felt and not ultrasuede. Then I modified it a bit to make it look more tropical.
The lackluster embroidery is my least favorite thing about it. I'm not a great embroiderer, but I aspire to be. I lack the patience required. It's a bit lumpy and wonky and won't lay flat. And this is the second attempt. I recommended that my friends remove the embroidery as soon as possible and replace it with a great wedding photo.
Cute! I'm sure they loved it!
ReplyDeleteOh, you see, I like the shape of the embroidered letters...I thought that you had intentionally created them to look "tiki" if you will.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute. The linen mat just makes it!
this is so cute.
ReplyDeleteso cute, what a great gift. I do also hope ikea never stops making those frames :)
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this! My husband and I got married in Hawaii also and I would have treasured a gift like this.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so fun. Beautifully done. I also like you're embroidery...really. Isn't the point to have it look done by a human and not a machine?
ReplyDeleteThis is really cute and creative. Frankly, I think your embroidery is charming. I would never take it out and replace it with a photo. Very nice. Do you back your fabric with a little something before you stitch? I have found that if I back my fabric with a lightweight batting of some sort before I stitch, it gives the fabric a little more body and makes the stitching stand up a little better (reducing puckers, etc.). Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! My SIL is Hawaiian and I'm always at a loss for what to get her for birthdays and such. I'll have to try this.
ReplyDeletesuper fantastic! love the tropical feel to it w/ those bright colors & the linen. gorgeous!
ReplyDeletei'll have to put those shadow boxes on my IKEA shopping list :)
happy weekend!
BEA-U-TI-FUL!!! Seriously. I know they love it.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't a thing wrong with your embroidery, Ms. Pickypants. It's charming. Which is the goal, right?
And can we please schedule an Ikea trek when I'm in town?
LOVE it! My honeymoon was in Hawaii (many moons ago) and this would have been a fabulous gift. Might have to make one myself. Another crafty mom now following you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing. I've been racking my idea file for something to make for a cousin who'd getting married in Mexico. You just saved me some time!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your embroidery too! Looks so sweet.
I love this!!!! I need to get over to Ikea and fast! They have so many wonderful things over there... I just wish it were WAY closer!
ReplyDeleteHUGS!
P.S. I love your felt flowers too!
Love the embellished mat! Such a great idea, love the flowers too, and the linen. I think you've just added another favorite handmade gift to my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLindsay, YEAH, tiki, that's it! I totally meant it to look rustic and tiki-like. (wink)
ReplyDeleteChris, yesssss, but I think I need to shoot for somewhere between machine embroidery and orangutan embroidery. :-)
Mama Pea, I backed this fabric with iron-on interfacing to help. Thanks for your tips! They will help with future attempts.
Robyn, thanks, and if it somehow reads as charming I will be very gratified indeed. One problem was the lack of time, as usual. And yes, definitely a trip to IKEA. I'll seize on any excuse to go.
Cheryl, welcome!
Beverly, do share a picture of the Mexican version. I'm intrigued.
Lolly, mine is about 50 minutes away. But so worth it.
Katie, my pleasure.
it's gorgeous! the color tones are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I think it's adorable and probably wouldn't switch it out for a pic even with the ever so slightly wonky embroidery. Great job!
ReplyDeletei think that it's a perfect gift! i wouldn't change a thing... so beautiful!
ReplyDeletethat really is SUPER cute...i would freak to get this from someone! what at great gift and those flowers totally rock.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this because I LOVE those blossoms! They'll make great accessories for my handbags :)
ReplyDeleteCan you do a tutorial on those flowers? Super cute! I love the whole thing. Thanks for such awesome ideas!
ReplyDeleteLindsay, I'll add it to the list! the ever growing list...
ReplyDelete