Friday, March 25, 2011

"Knot" your usual hop!


This month's Papertrey Ink blog hop is...ways to use embroidery floss! 
I never knew this "cheap" stuff could be so much colorful fun!

I used to cross-stitch loooong ago, and I always struggled with making French knots.  Now that there is this little thing called YouTube.com, you can learn how to do anything in a flash!  Watched 1 video, and was able to make perfect little knots after only 2 tries.


Used Green Thumb for the flowers, and Guide Lines 2 to make the background. 
Here is a close up of the French knots on the flowers:


And since I was on a roll, I made a simpler card with the Wreath for All Seasons set. 
 I always wanted to try little knotted berries!


Thanks so much for stopping by today!
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58 comments:

  1. Valentina Fussell March 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    These are both GORGEOUS!! Spring has yet to arrive here, so I am loving your dose of spring!

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  2. Kay DMarch 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Beautiful French knots- I love the sponging on the first card too, and the second card is absolutely beautiful! The French knots on the wreath are the perfect touch!

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  3. JillMarch 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I love how you colored and embellished your top image, Kelly! How clever to make a lovely flower bush out of all the different flowers from Green Thumb! And what a sweet, delicate, springy card #2! I love 'em!

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  4. Jessica GriffinMarch 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    That's so cute!! And so clever!! Great cards!

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  5. AudreyMarch 25, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Ooohh, I just got Green Thumb! Now I am itching to ink it up! Beautiful cards!

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  6. RhondaMarch 25, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Love the soft colors on the berry wreath!!

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  7. MargeMarch 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Oh, LOVE both your cards -- after I'd finished my card and post and was lying in bed, I remembered this wreath & thought I should have done a card with it, so your beautiful card made me smile!

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  8. Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin)March 25, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    I wouldn't of thought of knotted berries, great job.

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  9. LindsayMarch 25, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Love these Kelly! So soft and pretty, love those french knots!

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  10. ElenaMarch 25, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I love the french knots on the wreath. So beautiful.

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  11. Karen C.March 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    French knots are just perfect little flowers on both of your cards!! Thanks for sharing such pretty spring cards.

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  12. TeresaMarch 25, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    I love both of these card! The little topiary tree...what a great idea!

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  13. Mary DuffekMarch 25, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Too cute and creative! Awesome cards.

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  14. DianeMarch 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Darling card...cute flowers....love those French knots!

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  15. kasia c.March 25, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Ooooh fabulous french knots, and fabulous card! :)

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  16. ReneeMarch 25, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Fabulous cards!
    I love them both...
    but Wreath For All Seasons is a very fav set...
    so I just adore that one!

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  17. Jen CarterMarch 25, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    These are beautiful!! Love them both!! They are both super pretty cards! I enjoy doing this with my twine too.

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  18. Wendy ten HoveMarch 25, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Lovely idea!! It makes such pretty pretty accents this way! Love it!

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  19. Amy KollingMarch 25, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I love love the french knots! I love how you made your own little flower arrangement on the first card and added coordinating colours of knots! Your second card is just beyond gorgeous! I adore the soft colours and the simple design. That wreath just screams to have knots as flowers!

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  20. LittleSurferGirlMarch 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    SO beautiful! The French knots fit so perfectly on those images! I just love them both! Great job!

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  21. InkyfingersMarch 25, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    These are just beautiful and you have convinced me that I must get that wreath set soon!

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  22. Monica K.March 25, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Kelly, these are so beautiful!! I love how you tied the floss into french knots. I will have to try that!

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  23. Margaret MMarch 25, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Oh gosh I remember doing the french knot! Your cards are so sweet! Great Job!

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  24. LindaMarch 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Both are beautiful! So spring-y. Love your french knots. Hate making them, really appreciate seeing them!!

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  25. Lorraine March 25, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Your French knots are beautifully done and they are perfect accents for your lovely cards.

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  26. Laura IshamMarch 25, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Kelly! Wow! Love both of these cards! They are really beautiful. I'm off to check out You Tube! :)

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  27. DFMarch 25, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    Ooooh, love the wreath card especially. Good idea to put knots instead of stamped berries!

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  28. Cathy WeberMarch 25, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    You did such a good job with those knots! I especially like the wreath card with the berries and the embossing on the bottom half of the card. Great idea.

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  29. Joyce across the PondMarch 25, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    French knots are an absolute favourite of mine...love both cards but particularly the wreath one....just beautiful...well done!

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  30. Carol's Ink SpotMarch 25, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Very pretty cards with all those French knots. One of my favorite embroidery techniques.

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  31. beckynoelleMarch 25, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    very pretty, my french knots are a little sketchy, i might have to head over to youtube for some help too :)

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  32. paulaMarch 25, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Your French knots are gorgeous! I've always wanted to try them!

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  33. TerriMarch 25, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Nice job on both of them. I especially like the second one. The french knots look great on that wreath.

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  34. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Oh schirmy you used one of my favorite sets from the past and you keep 'pushing' me to buy the wreath! LOL! What a great way to show how all-season that wreath can be! So pretty!

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  35. RebeccaMarch 25, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    These both turned out great. I really like the wreath card.

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  36. Meredith MacRitchieMarch 25, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    I LOVE the french knots! I've always wanted to try those too! I also LOVE that you coined "Cherry Chic" when you saw my card - I plan to use that one! :)

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  37. SuzanneMarch 25, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Kelly, these are just beautiful! I absolutely love the soft colors.

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  38. SeattleStamperMarch 25, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Oh wow, french knots are brilliant on these cards!

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  39. Allison RankinMarch 25, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Both are so fun! Love to see Green Thumb (one of the originals!) and that wreath makes me swoon!

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  40. SharronMarch 25, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Love them both! The background paper and the cheery topiary is wonderful. My favorite is the wreath card though--SO pretty!

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  41. AnonymousMarch 25, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Great job with the french knots. They look fabulous.

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  42. LoriMarch 25, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Fabulous! Love the dimension the knots add to your projects.

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  43. JessyMarch 25, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    beautiful cards, love the knottting. it looks really cool, almost like little flower buds. adorable. :-)

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  44. KristiiMarch 25, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Absolutely beautiful!!! The embroidery floss really added a special touch!!!

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  45. June K.March 25, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Kelly, very lovely cards. Love the french knots.

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  46. Heather RogersMarch 25, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Both are so very sweet Kelley. Love your French knots. :)
    Hugs,
    Heather

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  47. Katie GehringMarch 25, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Just lovely! I never could get the hang of the french knots in home ec class, but you have inspired me to try again.

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  48. Helen F.March 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Both of these cards are gorgeous, Kelly! Great French Knots too :o)

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  49. AnthonetteMarch 25, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    Gorgeous creations! I made a card with French knots too.

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  50. Kristy SmithMarch 26, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Wow I love the little floss french knots! Great work! =D

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  51. nancyMarch 26, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Those dastardly little knots have always been a struggle. I'll have to give them another try to get these great looks. The highlighting of the flowers gives a wonderful focus to the flowers. And the wreath is as lovely as can be. Enjoy your weekend.

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  52. Karin ÅkesdotterMarch 26, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    WOW Kelly!!! Love those french knots - so BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  53. scrapsnsuch@gmail.comMarch 26, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    So much sweetness. I am lovin' that wreath!

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  54. Babies-BethMarch 26, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    OMG, your pink wreath card is perfect! Really, they both are, but because it is 28 degrees this morning, the pink Spring card is breathtaking!

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  55. Crafty Math ChickMarch 26, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Lovely French knots Kelly! Super soft, feminine and pretty!
    ~Meredith

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  56. Alice March 26, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    sweet sweet cards, Kelly! love the beautiful soft colors you used. fabulous work! love love them!

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  57. CammieMarch 27, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Both cards are beautiful, Kelly, but I want to case the second (after I watch the video-- French knots have always been tricky for me).

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  58. Kari DMarch 27, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Me either....I can not make French Knots to save my soul. So impressed you made them with such finesse! Love the flowers, but the wreath made me smile! LOVE it!

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