Update Your Needle Work

I decided this post might be a good idea after I had a short e-conversation with my friend Elizabeth from Blue Clear Sky.  She repainted the frames of her cross stitch to make them look more up to date, which I thought was brilliant.  I decided I'd pass along some tips that will help you get your stitching out of the closet.  Plus, it's part of my evil plan to give you a cross stitch tour - bwa ha ha!

1.  This first tip is a no-brainer:  If it's anything related to holidays or food is a safe bet that it doesn't really need updating.  My family members are happy to see this basket liner filled with various candies during the fall season--since it's not specifically "Halloween" it can be used through Thanksgiving.

2.  Mix with current accessories.  Letters are fun and trendy.  How about, boxwood topiaries, birds, wall vinyl...

This cross stitch is also mixed with metal art (when this stuff goes out of style, the thrift stores are going to be full of it) and on a display ledge.

3.  Classic black (or espresso) frames don't look as dated as metal or natural wood tone ones.

4.  A classic message or motif helps, too.

5.  Make sure the colors still look fresh.  I know this isn't the best photo, but I wanted you to take note of where it's hanging and how the colors don't look dated. 

6.  Hang in the appropriate spot.  This little dolly* could look sooo 1980s...

...but put her in a better context (the Chicks' cottage bathroom), and she's right at home.

 7.  Just because.  You.  Love.  It.  Admittedly, this is upstairs in the Chicks' hallway, but I love the St. Francis of Assisi prayer so much, it will always hang somewhere.  It's got it's own honored display area.  The frame could easily be painted an espresso, if I wanted to give it an updated look.  Hmm, maybe I should...

What didn't make the cut?

These are tucked in a drawer at the moment.  The "mom" was in my hutch till I needed her frame.  The grapes haven't been hung in this house - boo hoo. 

Like any good cross stitcher, I have several a couple more tucked away.  I hope this helps you pull out your treasured cross stitch or use one you may have found at the thrift store.  (I know there are you smarties who are repurposing these into pillows, footstools, etc., too.)  *the only one I didn't personally stitch.

I'm linking with Susan and Cindy: