Stitched Cards + GIVEAWAY

Well… after many, many, many requests, I have a video sharing how I do stitching on my cards. Lots of information and LOTS of examples!

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

I often do stitching on paper while I am on the go and have shared pictures on Instagram. I had not intended to do a video but received a lot of requests. This video happened over the course of over two months (yes – note the many nail polish changes – lol) and it is SUPER long. But I had lots of examples to share!

I know that this type of card is not for everyone. But I also know that many of you were also stitchers or still are, so I am hoping you enjoy it. Please also know that I am not an expert  – just sharing what I find works best for me.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Be sure to watch the video to learn the basic stitching, tools used, etc. In this blog post I am just sharing close-up photos and the products used on each. For all of my cards I used a size 20 needle, DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5 Floss (but you can also use the many other options HERE), and the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die. This die is amazing!

Now for the examples…

This card was one of my first stitching-on-paper projects. I did basic cross stitches to fill the entire Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die cut area. I adhered the stitched piece with Darice Foam Adhesive Strips to a Carta Bella Light Silver Shimmer 12×12 Cardstock notecard and added a black-embossed-on-vellum sentiment from the Birch Press Make a Statement Stamp Set. I like that this stamp set has a coordinating die set so you can cut the words out perfectly. I adhered the words with hidden drops of Ranger Multi Medium Matte Adhesive.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Here is another with all cross stitches, but I really like the bright colors on the black cardstock. I added a Simon Says Stamp Happy Days mini sentiment and sun die cut, along with a vellum heat embossed Birch Press Make a Statement Stamped die cut.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This one was a favorite of mine to make. It was inspired by a sweater my friend Kathy Racoosin was wearing! I used the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die to die cut twice on cardstock to give me a bigger area to stitch. The heart is from the My Favorite Things Stitched Heart Stax Die Set and the sentiments are from the Birch Press Make a Statement Stamp and Birch Press Make a Statement Stamps. (I used the Memory Box Sew Fond of You Stamp Set on the envelope.) Finally, a few Lucy’s Cards Ice Cube Jewels for accents…

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I covered the area with random stitching and then went back to add sequins. I just made sure I left spots for them. (I always do the sequins last.)

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Here is another with all cross stitches, but this time on Carta Bella Light Silver Shimmer Cardstock. I added a vellum and black Memory Box Big Halo Hello die cut and a Winnie and Walter Sentimental Love sentiment strip.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I find that die sets like this “hello” (where there is the word die and it’s shadow die) are great for adding on top of stitching. The vellum helps the word stand out over the busy stitching.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This is the only example I have where I did stitching on felt. I realllly like the look of it but honestly enjoyed the paper stitching better. I adhered cardstock to the back of a felt piece and then die cut them together with the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die. (The die won’t completely cut through the cardstock but enough so you can stitch.) The “hello” is from the Memory Box Big Halo Hello Die Set and the sentiment is again from the Winnie and Walter Sentimental Love Stamp Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This pattern too a long time, but I like the results and hope to do more. All the stitches are basic back stitches on a diagonal.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I just had to do a rainbow! I enjoyed making this so much that I am currently making a few more just like it on kraft and black cardstock. After covering the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die Cut background with a variety of stitching, I added Kat Scrapiness Blossom Sequins with french knots.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

The layered “love” is from the Memory Box Little Halo Love Dies Set, with the stamped sentiment from the Winnie and Walter Sentimental Love Stamp Set. Oh – and the notecard is from Carta Bella Light Silver Shimmer Cardstock.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Stitching is also fun on colored cardstock. I created stitching with various colors of pink and added a vellum-and-glitter-paper-layered Pink and Main Congrats die cut.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I like that the My Favorite Things Silver Glitter Cardstock is thick and has a white core so that it can be used as a notecard.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Want to save time? Just do half stitches and skip a few rows. I like the chevron look to this one. The butterfly is from the fabulous Memory Box Stitched Butterfly Trio Die Set and the “thinking of you” is from the Simon Says Stamp Happy Days Stamp Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I decided to mix stitches on this next one. The outside is made up of cross stitches, and the inside is filled with back stitches both horizontally and vertically. (It ends up looking like little boxes.) And I love that sweet sentiment from the Paper Smooches Kindness Sampler Stamps Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I really like the look of a simple white heat embossed sentiment on a vellum heart. I find that it is not too distracting from the stitched backgrounds, but also still stand outs. Here I used a Gina K Sentimental Summer Kit sentiment along with Kat Scrapiness Blossom Sequins.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

After making lots of stitched backgrounds, I wanted to try something different. When I finished this piece, I honestly didn’t love it. But once I pulled it together into a card, I was much happier! I did little areas of different stitches… then did long stitches to separate the areas. The sentiment is white heat embossed on vellum using the Simon Says Stamp Sea You Soon Stamps Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Yep, This “blessed” card took me a long time to stitch. However, it made a few plane rides go by fast! I double die cut the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die to cover the whole background and used a metallic DMC floss to make it even more fun.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I layered two vellum hearts and added a Memory Box Blessed Perky Script stacked die cut. I can’t wait to send this to a friend!

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This next card took a lot less time. 🙂 I also show in the video a trick for adding the letters from the Paper Smooches Thanks So Much Die perfectly onto my card. That die is a new favorite of mine. Oh – and you can see the stamped cross stitch heart on the envelope from the Waffle Flower Stitched Cup of Tea Stamp Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I remember stitching this next one at my daughter’s first soccer practices. I topped it off with a black My Favorite Things Celebrate Die Cut covered with Wink of Stella Shimmer and a few layers of clear embossing powder. I love that you can get so many looks from the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

It is amazing how layers of embossing powder add so much dimension to a die cut!

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This card shows a rainbow of cross stitching with a few rows of Kat Scrapiness Blossom Sequins between. I created the word “hugs” by stacking Echo Park Script Alphabet Die Cut letters and covering them with Glossy Accents.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Time for a few teacher cards! I make a lot of teacher cards and put a lot of time into each. So stitching is perfect! This first teacher card features a background created by doing ombre cross stitching. I then topped it off with pieces cut from the SugarPea Designs Schoolscape Dies Set and a sentiment from SugarPea Designs Sweet Sentiments Teacher Stamp Set.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Isn’t this school scene so cute? That SugarPea Designs Schoolscape Dies Set is creative and I will be using it again soon. It would even look great with a non-stitched background.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I also really like this SugarPea Designs Teacher Dies Set… the perfect addition to this colorful plaid background that I created while waiting on a 4th of July parade. 🙂 I added the die cut to a piece of vellum along with a Mama Elephant Sunday Sentiment Stamp greeting.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I like that the SugarPea Designs Teacher Dies Set includes an apple that you can die cut, color and add to the “a.” So clever.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I also used the  SugarPea Designs Teacher Dies Set and Mama Elephant Sunday Sentiment Stamp Set on this next simple card. To save time, I just did a few stitched borders and left the other holes open.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

In addition to stitching, I love crafting with felt. Here I used the Simon Says Stamp Plush Daffodil and Daisy and Memory Box Plush Prairie Flowers Dies to cut felt flower and leaves. After creating my stitched background, I added the felt pieces along with a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Happy Days Stamp Set at the center.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

It is also fun to stitch borders on cards. Here I used the Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes Die to create three lines of holes. I then cross stitched the grass and added Memory Box Plush Prairie felt flowers. The sentiment is from the Paper Smooches Kindness Sampler Stamps Set. I like how these flower dies cut holes to add stitching details.

Finally, I wanted to show that you can do stitching on your cards even if you don’t have a die to create the holes. Here I created holes in a square with a needle… all about 1/4″ apart. I then added cross stitches. Simple! And I REALLY like the look of it. I topped off the stitching with Mixed Flower Sequins and a Echo Park Script Alphabet Dies Cut “hi” greeting.

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I plan to make more like this but next time I will put a piece of graph paper over my cardstock to make poking the holes much faster! 🙂

Stitching On Cards Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Whew! That is a lot of examples. And if you would like to create your own patterns with the Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die, you can print a free download HERE.

And by the way, I really like stitching on the go. In the video I shared the system I used with the Illustrated Faith Organization Bag & Kangaroo Pouch Set, Illustrated Faith Kangaroo Pouch, Plus FitCut Twiggy Compact Scissors, and 3 Inch Rings. This system REALLY works well for me.

GIVEAWAY

How would you like to win a Paper Smooches Cross Stitch Die? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 8/25/17 telling me if you have ever been a stitcher. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT asked for, paid, or sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), etc.

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747 thoughts on “Stitched Cards + GIVEAWAY”

  1. I learned how to cross stitch early on in life and I have never given it up. I have always loved it. I am a recent card makers, I really enjoy it. It means a lot to me to be able to make beautiful cards and give them to friends and loved ones. This die set combines my loves and I am extremely ecstatic about possibly winning my own… I’ve told everyone to check out the site, and I have heard nothing but how beautiful all of the creations are… I am excited to have found this site! Thanks for sharing your creations…

    1. Crud, my comment above had the wrong email… Whoops!!!

      I am a stitcher and a scrap Booker, and I make cards!!! I love it all!!!

  2. Jennifer – these cards are absolutely beautiful! I would almost hate to give them away! I was a cross stitcher for years. In fact, I did cross stitching for a craft store in a neighboring town. They used the items I stitched to display at the county fair in their booth to show examples of the different patterns they had in the store. Our examples motivates me to get stitching again because it was always a favorite past time of mine. Thanks so much for the great ideas. I love your work and your blog!

  3. I’m in love with all these beautiful cards you’ve made! I’m not a stitcher (I do crochet though) but you’ve inspired me to start!! Thank you for taking the time to put this video and blog post together. We really appreciate it!

  4. I did cross stitching when I was younger and like it. I tried it on card a few times but do all the little holes to do it bothered me. Like this die. Thanks

  5. I cross stitched everything I could possibly stitch. Jeans, bibs, shirts, purses, cards, pillowcases , wall hangings, etc etc etc. I still have things ha gong onmywalls. Great cards . I wish someone would sent me something like this.

  6. I love to cross stitched but my eyes are getting tired very easily. Thanks for your generosity.

  7. It has been so long since I have done any cross stitching and never have done it on paper before. Looks like so much fun and I may just have a new addiction.

  8. As soon as I saw this video, I was drawn right in. I love cross stitch and did this craft long before I ever thought of paper crafting! Your cards are so beautiful and so colorful. I am really taken with combining paper crafting with needlecraft. And I just LOVE cross stitch. Thank you so much for making this video!

  9. Hello Jennifer, I am totally in awe by your creativity. Discovered your website last week and am now a huge fan watching the cross stitch die card video several as well as many other videos. I started cross stitching in the 70’s and am thrilled that I can make my own designs and attach to cards as you have so eloquently detailed how to do. Thanks so much for your inspiration. Can not wait to get started cross stitching again , only this time for the front of a card. Thanks again. A new fan of yours!

  10. I LOVE TO STITCH SO I AM GOING TO TRY TO STITCH ON CARDS, I THINK IT LOOKS SO PRETTY. YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB!!!

  11. Yes, we had to learn to sew at school. Also did and still do bits of sewing with my Girl Guides group. Sewing all those cards requires a lot of patience.

  12. I used to cross stitch a lot but in recent years haven’t had much time for big projects.. I never thought of cross stitching on paper but after watching your video and examples it looks like an fun new way of using my cross stitching skills. Your cards and videos are addictive and have inspired me to start a new hobby.. Thank you so much for posting your supply lists and Favorite Things videos–they’re my go to reference for stocking my supply closet. You’re my favorite on-line teacher!

  13. As a teenager I did some cross stitch. My love of stitching is sewing, digitizing and machine embroidery. Oddly, I’ve only sewed on a couple of cards. I might have to try it again. Thanks for all the great examples.

  14. Second post from me
    Got my die last week. Loving this. I had stopped embroidering because arthritis made it hard to hold the hoop. With this, I can hold with less tension. Plus it’s more portable. I’m back in the game.

    Thanks again for inspiring me.

  15. I’m so excited!! I’ve missed my cross-stitch, and thought about adding it to cards, but didn’t get as far in my thought process as you. Thank you!!!!
    Thank you, too, Jennifer, for remembering to give suggestions to those of us who don’t have a complete card-making set of supplies. (Ie: here, no die-cutting machine) I so appreciate that you are aware of that possibility, and make helpful suggestions for replacements. Thank you for being so thoughtful (in multiple ways).
    Lastly, you are the only artist/crafter I have found on the internet who comes up with and shares new techniques for card-making. I LOVE THAT!! Not that it’s not helpful to see how different artists/crafters use a technique (watercoloring, for example), but you are so good at thinking of new ways to make cards. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

  16. I’ve been doing counted cross stitch for more years than I can count! It would be so fun to add another technique when making special cards for special people.

  17. Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards and instructions. I had a lot of embroidery thread left from my cross stitch days plus that from my mother and grandmother’s collection and this is a great way to use some of them up. (Some of the skeins had a price tag of 3 for $1. How old do you suppose those are?!) I stitch while I watch TV and have 10 pieces matched with cardstock and embellishments ready to assemble into cards. And I’m still stitching.

  18. I like that you put in the bit about how the die looks and works, even if it was taped in a different setting. Makes me realize how excellent your lighting is normally, so you can really see what you’re doing well.
    I like the stitched cards. Stitching is not my thing, but your explanation was wonderfully clear and your examples so creative that I feel like trying my hand at it. I love how you combined your hobby and your job this way.

  19. Dear Jennifer,
    I really needed to thank you again for creating this video and for showing us your passion and love for stitching. I have been considering ways to add cross-stitching and other kinds of stitching (but especially cross-stitching) for a set of special stitched cards for my Mom’s 80th birthday in December. Interestingly I had thought of adding stitching on top of stamped images as you have subsequently done in a later video but in a slightly different way. I LOVED this die and I ordered it as soon as Simon Says Stamp had it in stock. I’ve created 18 stitched backgrounds, mostly my own take on patterns except when I recently tried to duplicate your plaid, and I just purchased the MFT cross-stitch tag and hope to create with this. I will be adding some elements for crafting and bought Altenew’s crafty sentiments set too.

    I was in love with that Dayspring Illustrated Faith bag, and was disappointed when I saw it was out of stock and was waiting for the new one in October. I saw it when it was on 25% off and almost ordered it, then read a review that made me take a step back, and I decided to call my local Christian bookstore (why didn’t I think of it before). they did have it previously but it was sold out but they offered to check with their distributor, who HAD ONE AND some matching Kangaroo pouches!!! I wasn’t well enough to pick it up until last night, and I am SO EXCITED to be blessed to have this bag to organize my new joy of all things stitching!!!

    The new bag would have worked, but I loved the colors and the pattern and the bible verse on their 2016 bag and the saying “created to create”, and I can’t wait to take that bag and pouches with me when I go back east for Christmas and a visit with different family members. I can use it for any of my crafting on the go!!! To me, this bag and pouches are gifts from God and I am so grateful! I also bought Max Lucado’s new book “Anxious For Nothing”, I think we can all use help in this area, and a good friend is going through extreme anxiety and I am hoping reading bits of it to her on the phone will bring her comfort and peace…

    Thank you again for this video, I have watched it so many times and have read this posting so many too. I’d LOVE it if you came out with more on stitching and more stitches too. It seems that many are interested in this as I am. I deal with a long-standing disability from a car accident that keeps me in bed for periods of time and I’ve enjoyed stitching when I couldn’t do anything else, and I’m so grateful to you.

    Because of the cost of the floss–I did have a package of popular DMC floss colors and had bought a few, but I needed a lot more, and I ended up buying a large 105 package of floss that is used to make friendship bracelets that is in one thread as opposed to the 6 threads in regular embroidery floss, so it was easier to work with than the 6-thread and these are 100% cotton. I bought some at Michael’s and with a 40% coupon, the price went down considerably. I just thought that I’d mention this as a less expensive alternative. I saw the gorgeous size 5 floss you mentioned and it looked beautiful but out of my price range considering all the colors and the duplicates I would need. Simon Says Stamp has some of this floss too and in packs as large as 105 skeins for $19.99 I think and smaller packs of 36 (usually 2 or 3 of the same color in each pack which is good to be able to complete projects). Also, this would be a great choice for children to work with for stitching too.

    Thanking you again for your posts, my heart lights up when I see that you have posted a new one. Thank you for sharing your issues with depression, I KNOW that it’s only when we share our struggles that the mistaken perception that depression and other emotional issues are only issues for others or that one should be ashamed to admit this will disappear. Should someone be ashamed of having diabetes? Of course not! Neither should someone feel that way having depression, thank you for shining a light on this issue–in yet another way, Jennifer, you are my hero!

    Blessings to you and thank you again, I am SO THRILLED to have this Illustrated Faith bag and kangaroo pouches, and it is because of you that I will be able to take my stitching and crafting on the go and in such an organized and beautiful way. I bought the Twiggy scissors too, love them! Am waiting for an order from Joann to get some rings and the plastic floss bobbins to put onto the rings, I love silver but could only find gold ones for my order at Joann.com, no worries. I am thrilled to be able to stitch and hope to do some in felt, I found some on sale awhile ago and have been saving it. I find the dies for the felt figures expensive so I may have to find some new crafty friends who like them too who might not mind sharing dies, will see…

    Thanks again and apologies this is so long, but I had to express my gratitude to you, I am LOVING especially stitching for cards, for I can give away cards and hopefully encourage with cards. I do hope to start a group when I’m feeling a little better and have my craft room’s major reorganization complete (I now have my stamps and dies organized by subject with dies integrated), and will send a note then to seek your advice, another way hopefully of encouraging and supporting fellow Christians. I seek to encourage everyone who crosses my path, simply I have an idea that I hope to bring to fruition with the help of other card-makers… Have a very blessed Thanksgiving, I hope that you and your family enjoy this special time of year. And, I love seeing and hearing and hearing about Lila on your posts, I love it that she enjoys stitching like her Mom does too!

    Hugs and sending prayers for you and your family,

    Joanne

  20. Thanks so much Jennifer for the videos and for sharing all the pictures of your cards. I love doing this and find it so relaxing for me. I often do it in bed, propped up, watching a bit of TV when I can’t sleep. I’m getting a delivery of floss, plastic bobbin cards and 100 colors of floss tomorrow. I got the round die and embroidery hoop from Paper Smooches but I can’t figure out how to attach the embroidery hoop around my finished round stitched work. The round cardstock sits up a bit on my base cardstock, but the embroidery hoop fits around it and goes flat against the cardstock. Oh well, I guess I’ll figure out something. You have given me a treasure trove of ideas and I already have so many dies that will work! THANK YOU!!!
    Hugs,
    Judy Bennett

  21. I love stitching on cards! However, I am not very adept at making up the more intricate designs. Have you thought about publishing patterns for some of yours? Love your designs!

  22. I learned to cross stitch while we were traveling from Alaska to Florida to help pass the time. I haven’t done it in years and think that for cards it would be a great reason to do it again!

  23. I am a stitcher & I love to add stitching on my papercraft & mixed media canvas projects. ❤️
    I have learned basic stitching in school & home, but later I have learned more from youtube videos & books. 😊

  24. Oh yes, I used to cross stitch a lot. I have several large framed pieces around the house. I stopped when I had my kids and now my eyes won’t cooperate (progressive lenses, etc). Love your cards!!

  25. I have never mastered stitching!! I do have 2 sewing machines! Cannot use either…so apparently I collect sewing machines!!!😂

  26. Yes I used to cross stitch! Seeing your box of threads brought back those memories of my box! So many wonderful colors!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  27. Love these stitched ideas!! And i know i am insanely late asking, but the free download is not available anymore, not strange, after 5 years, but i only now got interested in the stitching, could i get it somewhere else?
    Thx so much 4 all your brilliant videos 👍

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