Autumn Blessings Cross Stitch

During the hot days of summer I’ve been enjoying working on cross stitch – no ironing needed.

I came across this free pattern from Plum Street Samplers called “Autumn Blessings”.   I not only loved the cute, stylized rabbits, but was especially charmed by the huge sunflowers.

I ditched the linen and the magnifying glass and got out some light oatmeal 14 count cotton Aida.  I decided to adapt the pattern into two small pieces: a boy and girl rabbit facing each other, as if they’re offering the other a gift from the fall harvest.

I drew it out on graph paper and added the crow to keep the same stitch number as the girl with the flower.  They are both 37 stitches high by 30 stitches wide to finish as 4 by 4 inch pieces.  I also made the pumpkin a little larger and changed the color of their clothes: traditional blue overalls for the boy and an orange and blue striped dress for the girl.  My initial idea was to have the crow carrying a stalk of wheat in its mouth, but it didn’t look right with the beak in yellow.  Maybe I should have changed the beak and feet to black so they would show up better.

The two little embroidered pieces turned out so sweet that I wanted to finish them right away.  I used 4 by 4 artist’s canvas, and laced them across the back. I had the idea that cinnamon sticks would make a good frame and their size just fit.  I bought 2 packages to find ones with the right length, and carefully trimmed a few which released their wonderful fragrance.  I attached them with craft glue.

Then I added a brown paper backing, and thumbtacks into the wood frame for hanging.

And the finished pieces:

For once, I worked ahead of the season so they’re ready to display from the start of fall.  I’ve also been thinking of possible projects to use some of the two fall 1/2 yard fabrics I’ve been storing and never cut into.   Are you working on or planning any autumn themed sewing or craft projects?