Spring Flags and Laundry Line: Embroidery and Applique

I loved this bright blue towel that I found on clearance at Sur la Table. 

I just had to add a little bit of whimsy!

I thought it was humorous that I used the basket stitch on the basket!

I embroidered on the dress before I cut it out to applique.

The flowers were the first time I embroidered free hand.

 

I added flags in my favorite spring colors and buttons.

 

I was happy to find this flowered ruffle from Joanne's to add to the bottom.

Welcome Spring!

Flower Power! Embroidery and Applique

A friend came over with a lovely meal for us and saw a dishtowel that I had made.  I ended up making her one to fit with her kitchen colors as a thank you. 

Project Details:  This is a very easy project.  I found the images I liked and printed them out using normal printer paper. 

Using my heat transfer pencil, I traced the image I wanted to embroider in reverse. 

 I traced the flowers I wanted to applique onto double sided fusible, adhesive web (Pellon EZ-Steam II from Joanne's).  I used my light board and traced the images in reverse.

I placed the images that I had traced onto the fabric and cut them out.

I placed all of the items where I wanted them on the towel.

I did my new trick of combining several colors to create a multicolored floss.

 

 For the bottom of my towels I often add some ribbon, rickrack, lace or cording.

 A fun project for a very generous friend!

Applique Owl on a watercolor embroidered background: Whoo can spot my mistakes?

One of these things doesn't belong: 
Can you spot the one background shape that I did in the wrong color? 
And the mistake I made on the owl?
Answers:  I had thought a light yellow would blend in well but after completing one of the shapes (by the tip of the lowest hanging branch) I decided it would be too much yellow.  I chose to leave it just for fun (or maybe I was too lazy to redo my work!)  I'll call it a little bit of whimsy and smile and go on my way!
As for my poor owl.  The owl in the image has his wings pointed out, by mistake I pointed mine the wrong way and steamed it in place!  Oh dear, Mr. Owl I apologize!  As I embroidered the image I found it helpful to refer back to the original many times.  Apparently I needed to refer to it even more often!  Another touch of whimsy - onward ho!

Image printed on regular printer paper.

Image traced in reverse with heat transfer pencil.

Project Details:  I found this image online, printed it out using regular printer paper, copied it in reverse using a heat transfer pencil and my light board and ironed it onto the fabric.  I added watercolor to the background, a light green.  I copied the applique pattern in reverse onto two-sided fusible backing and, after embroidering the background, placed it and ironed it with steam following the Pellon (bought at Joanne's-see picture below) directions.

Ready to stitch!

 

This is what I use to affix my applique in place and then I sew around it.  The applique is repositionable until you iron it!

I always trace the part I am going to embroider and on the places I am going to applique I go little bit smaller than the image so I can use my pencil marks as a guide as to where to place the applique.

Usually when I use the fusible backing I stitch around the material to keep it firmly in place if it is going to be washed (such as an apron or dishcloth).  Since this is a wall hanging I wanted the tree to look smooth and not highlight stitches so I just left it steamed into place without the stitches.

If I was to do this project again I would have laid out the colors for the background ahead of time to balance light and dark colors.  Sometimes I just want to get going and let the project evolve but I think that would have helped. 

I also thought my owl blended in too much in the finished project with such a busy background so I outlined it in orange.  Next time I might chose a solid color for the owl to set it apart.

This project served its purpose, it kept me busy while I couldn't walk and as far as my mistakes, I don't think it really matters!

Looking for advice:  The heat transfer pencil that I use comes out pink.  I would rather have one that leaves a grey mark but I haven't been able to find that anywhere.  When I buy transfer patterns they are black.  Any ideas?