One of the (many) crafting hobbies I’ve enjoyed was embroidery and I can still do it with Stampin’ Up!’s Paper Piercing Packs. I used the Occasions Paper Piercing Pack for this project.

Embroidery was one of the first crafts I learned and there was something magical about watching the picture develop with each stitch. While I’m still an afficionado, I only embroider very simply on my cards and scrapbook pages. I want to share a tutorial for an Embroidered Card with you today.

The only non-Stampin’ Up! supply I used was my embroidery needle. You can get Tapestry needles at most craft stores. Since you’ll be pushing the needle through an already pierced hole, you don’t need a sharp, pointy needle. But, if that’s what you have at home, that’s fine too! Don’t go out and buy special needles for this unless you plan on doing a lot of it (or, you prick yourself a LOT like I do–Sleeping Beauty’s got nothin’ on me!).

First, I threaded my needle with Baker’s Twine–I used White. I used about a 30″ length. Do not knot the end; you won’t need to and you don’t want a lump behind your image.

Second, I heat embossed the image I wanted to border with embroidery. I used the new Single Stamp “Hello Hello“. I L.O.V.E. this stamp!

Third, the fun started! Place your paper piercing stencil over your sentiment (or wherever you want it on your paper). I used painter’s tape to keep it in place while I was piercing. Be sure to use the Stampin’ Pierce Mat under your paper to protect your work surface and the Paper Piercing Tool which is specially created to pierce through these tiny holes.

Note: I used a half sheet of card stock because I wasn’t sure which piercing line I would use and I knew I wanted to die cut the resulting piece. I wanted to be sure I had plenty of space for my die cut!

Pierce all around the stamped and embossed image.

Bring your needle and thread (Baker’s Twine, in this case) through the back. Use a small bit of SNAIL ON THE BACK near the first hole. Stick your thread end to the SNAIL. This will secure the thread and prevent it from pulling through as you make your first few stitches.

For this embroidery, I used a simple back stitch to border my stamped image. There are lots of other great stitches you can use. I recommend visiting this website if you’re interested in learning more embroidery stitches.

These 2 photos illustrate my 3rd back stitch. You come up from the back, one hole away from your last and then bring your needle back down into the hole where your last stitch ended. This creates a nice even line.

Continue this way until you’ve surrounded your stamped image with embroidery. Tip: If you’re right handed, it’s easiest to move your stitches from left to right. If you’re left handed, it will be easiest to move from right to left with your stitches. (I’m a righty!)

Attach the end of your thread to the SNAIL you used in the beginning to secure it from unraveling.

Your embroidered section is done! Just take your time and pay attention the first few times you embroider on paper. If you make a mistake, you can un-thread your needle and VERY carefully pull your stitches out. Paper will tear if you’re not careful (OK, that may have been a “duh” statement, but don’t say I didn’t caution you!–LOL!).

So, to finish this card, I die cut the stamped and embroidered image out with my Ovals Collection Framelits using sticky notes or painter’s tape to hold the die in place.

Here is the finished card:

I used Island Indigo, Pool Party and Whisper White for this card. I used the Ovals Collection Framelits and the Occasions Paper Piercing Pack along with the Stampin’ Pierce Mat and Paper-Piercing Tool. The “Hello, Hello” image is a new single stamp, stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

If you want to try embroidering on paper, and you want a quick and easy design, try the Sweet Threads Simply Sent Card Kit Bundle! The Bundle comes with the wood mount stamps!

Make a set of cute cross stitched cards and learn to embroider on paper! Remember, all these supplies are available in My Online Store!

I hope this tutorial was helpful. Show me your projects when you try this technique!

See you soon,
Diane