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!

58 comments:

Valentina Fussell said...

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

Kay D said...

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!

Jill said...

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!

Jessica Griffin said...

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

Audrey said...

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

Rhonda said...

Love the soft colors on the berry wreath!!

Marge said...

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!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

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

Lindsay said...

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

Elena said...

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

Karen C. said...

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

Teresa said...

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

Mary Duffek said...

Too cute and creative! Awesome cards.

Diane said...

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

kasia c. said...

Ooooh fabulous french knots, and fabulous card! :)

Renee said...

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

Jen Carter said...

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

Wendy ten Hove said...

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

Amy Kolling said...

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!

LittleSurferGirl said...

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

Inkyfingers said...

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

Monica K. said...

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

Margaret M said...

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

Linda said...

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

Lorraine said...

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

Laura Isham said...

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

DF said...

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

Cathy Weber said...

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.

Joyce across the Pond said...

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

Carol's Ink Spot said...

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

beckynoelle said...

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

paula said...

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

Terri said...

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

Unknown said...

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!

Rebecca said...

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

Meredith MacRitchie said...

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! :)

Suzanne said...

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

SeattleStamper said...

Oh wow, french knots are brilliant on these cards!

Allison Rankin said...

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

Sharron said...

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

Anonymous said...

Great job with the french knots. They look fabulous.

Lori said...

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

Jessy said...

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

Kristii said...

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

June K. said...

Kelly, very lovely cards. Love the french knots.

Heather Rogers said...

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

Katie Gehring said...

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

Helen F. said...

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

Anthonette said...

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

Kristy Smith said...

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

nancy said...

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.

Karin Åkesdotter said...

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

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

So much sweetness. I am lovin' that wreath!

Babies-Beth said...

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!

Crafty Math Chick said...

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

Alice said...

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

Cammie said...

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).

Kari D said...

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!