Cross-Stitch Op Art Pin

This cross-stitch pin is super easy to stitch, but I think the end result is quite high-end. I worked the design with black six-strand embroidery floss on 18-count white Aida, and then framed it in a silver-tone pin setting from the Etsy shop Kailea. The finished piece is about 1¾" square. You can use any pin setting you like, or just sew it onto a fabric backing and add a pin finding.

The directions are pretty straightforward. Just follow the chart and use two strands of black embroidery floss. Click here to download and print a copy of the chart.

Crocheted Summer Cowl

When my stash of embroidery floss gets out of control, I tie skeins together to make custom balls of crochet thread. For this cowl, I made a ball of about two dozen skeins of floss in shades of pink and magenta. I alternated light and dark shades so the finished project would have a variegated look. The pattern is a lacy double crochet-chain stitch combination.

 Directions:

With a size F hook, chain 150. Slip stitch in first stitch to form ring.

Round 1: Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around. Slip stitch to join the last stitch to the first stitch in the round.

Round 2: Chain 5, skip 1 stitch, double crochet (dc) in next stitch, (chain 2, skip 2 stitches, dc in next stitch) around; end chain 2, slip stitch in 3rd chain of starting chain. Repeat Round 2 until the cowl is the desired length. (Mine is 10 inches.)

Last round: Chain 1, (2 sc in chain-2 space, sc in dc) around. Slip stitch to join the last stitch to the first stitch in the round. Break off thread and weave in ends.

Felt Watermelon Coasters

 These cute watermelon coasters are perfect for serving summer drinks on the patio. They're easy to sew and super inexpensive--they're made from red and green craft felt.

To make the coasters, cut 3½" circles from red, light green, and dark green felt, then cut the red and light green circles in half. With black embroidery floss, make straight stitch "seeds" on the red half-circles. Use green floss to embroider green zigzags on the light green half-circles.

Pin an embroidered red half-circle to a dark green circle and stitch the straight edge in place with green floss. Pin an embroidered green half-circle beside the red half-circle and stitch the straight edge in place. Whipstitch around the outer edge of the coaster with green floss. 

Red, White & Blue Ribbon Wreath

I never throw ribbons away. I rescue them from the trash at holidays and birthday parties and store them by color until the right project comes along. My stash of red, white, and blue ribbons supplied all the materials I needed to make this simple, all-American wreath. I didn't even buy a wreath frame; I just shaped a wire clothes hanger into a circle.

I cut the ribbons into 6" lengths, cutting on an angle so the edges didn't fray. Anything in the color scheme was fair game, so I used solids, stripes, polka dots, and any other style of ribbon I had on hand. To decorate the wreath, I tied the ribbons onto the wire frame, creating an even mix of colors. My ribbon collection covered the wreath quite fully, but there's always room for more. I think I'll be adding to it throughout the summer.

The wreath gives a splash of patriotic color to a door or porch, but it can also be used to decorate a Fourth of July party table.