Look what I made!

An embroidered family portrait! Here's how I did it!

I've always loved this drawing of Jared and me! Isn't it adorable? Jared's brother Matt drew it on a journal that was a gift way back in 2006 (when my hair was really long). After I started cross stitching, it occurred to me that the simple lines of the drawing would be perfect for an embroidery pattern. So I took a picture, edited it so it would be bigger and black and white, then printed it out.

Next, I taped it to a window, after drawing the rest of Jared's head...

and taped fabric on top (I used an old white t-shirt that I cut up and then ironed)...

so I could trace it! I used pencil at first, but couldn't see the lines when I finished. So I traced it again with permanent marker. I figured if I messed up, I'd just cut up another old shirt!

Then, I stretched it over an embroidery hoop...

and went to town! If I had the energy to do it all again I would make a few changes. For instance, I would have used a darker brown for our hair, but I didn't have a more appropriate color floss. I would have gone to buy some but I was in a stitching trance that could not be interrupted. Also, I think the stitches on my glasses are a bit off and it makes me look angry! Oh well, lessons learned.

So what do you think? Isn't it too cool how you can take any image that inspires you and transform it into an embroidery pattern?