ToS now mounted, with new pics on 12/09.

[LadyS]

Some of you may be aware I had planned to mount my ToS on the Sudberry House box below, to give as a Christmas gift to my mother.



I ordered the box from Crafter's Market on the second week of October (I picked them as they had a 4.95 flat rate shipping, and Sudberry House charged over 20 dollars to ship an already expensive box (65 dollars for the box). Right after that my computer was hacked and my CC number was stolen and used on online shopping, so I had to cancel my CC, after which I promptly contacted Crafter's Market to give them a new CC number. I had issues with them described here for those who didn't see the thread: http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... f=4&t=9067" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

So now I'm leaving to Brasil on the 17th sans box. I only have 2 weeks to come up with something else for my ToS to give to my mom (don't want to buy some last minute present that might be impersonal). I can't find the box anywhere else and I know for a fact mom's got too many frames on her walls, which is why I wanted to do something other than frame it for the wall.

I could get a plain box and try to mount it on the lid (without it being a glass top opening) but I've never tried that and I don't have any crafty tools like hot glue guns, etc.

I'd be so grateful if any of you had some good ideas for what to do now, that wouldn't need too much crafty talent to put together or special tools (don't even own a sewing machine at the moment, all 3 that were mine and mom's are at her house in Brasil).

[rcperryls]

Is it possible that you will be able to find something like this box in Brazil? I am not very good with things like this and have been trying to think of the different things available in the craft stores which I just walk by. What about a frame that sits in a stand? So your mom could keep it on a dresser or table but not on the wall? Or a different kind of box, like a sewing box? I think you have stumped us right now.

Carole

[pattiebelle]

how about a decorative pillow???

like a giant biscornu, it can be hand sewn at the seams ...

[mags]

I like the plain box idea, I don't think you would need a hot glue gun. Maybe finish the edges with a braid of some sort. Not sure what glue to use, maybe a light touch with pva/craft glue, but try it first with some offcut materials.

[LadyS]

Ok, so I ended up going to Hobby Lobby to see if browsing the aisles I had some ideas. I found one box that is similar to what I wanted, but rectangular instead of square. So now I could use help with solving another problem.

I took a picture of the box and the ToS. As you can see, I never left enough fabric on the left side of the tree to be able to center it on a rectangular box ('cus that I was never the plan) so I'm thinking since I can't center the image, I'll put it on the left side and then stitch something in the 4 x 5 space remaining to the right. I could write something but I have no idea what or if there's anything else that can be done.

Another option would be getting a mat specially cut at Michael's, but it'd have to be barely visible on top and bottom and then super wide on the sides in order to center the design but not cut the top and bottom of it.



EDIT: I should mention my mom is not religious or likes life lesson phrases.

[mags]

What about "Tree of Stitches"

[mags]

"Tree of Stitches" across the bottom

A sort of border down the right hand side of various stitches used in the tree.

[LadyS]

Oh, there's no room for anything on the bottom (fabric is not cut to the size of the lid yet).

Tree of Stitches wouldn't look bad I think, if I found a nice alphabet for it. Or maybe a very fancy T? (her name is Telma).

[rcperryls]

"Tree of Stitches" across the bottom

A sort of border down the right hand side of various stitches used in the tree.

That is a good idea or couldn't you just say something simple like "To Mom or Mother with Love, Laura"and the date. I know its not clever or anything, but on the afghans I've given or things like that I usually put something like that in a corner. I think its nice to have the name and the date so that in future years people won't wonder about it. Artists put their name and often the date on their works so why shouldn't you?

Carole

[mags]

If you want a nice large T you might find one here, you might have to scroll past the embroidery ones.
http://patternmakercharts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank

[LadyS]

My mom is not the "To mom with love" type of mom either.

She'd more about something witty or funny, maybe even subversive stitching.

[mags]

Good Apples never fall far from the Tree.

[LadyS]

That's a good one. If I go with a sentence I might use Portuguese, I think.

[mags]

Quotations about trees:
http://www.quotegarden.com/trees.html" target="_blank

[LadyS]

That site with the alphabets is fantastic, Mags!

And from the tree quotes I like "Trees are your best antiques" for a memory box.

[mags]

I look forward to seeing a pic of the finished box

[LadyS]

Too many to choose from, on those alphabets, too much decision to a mind that's already messed up! (on top of this trip in 2 weeks, my father in law comes next week to spend 10 days with us, and we just found out we're moving to Germany next April).

Anyway, I narrowed it down to a more straight T, instead of very beautiful monograms I saw (don't want to make the T more impressive than the tree). Now, if I do one of these, should I go with plain black like the ToS trunk or choose one of the threads used on the stitches, like silver or the light blues/purples?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_py-4V1Lnp9Y/S ... 202+07.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_py-4V1Lnp9Y/S ... +363+8.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank

[rcperryls]

I would probably go for the light blue/purples or a shade like that so that it doesn't overpower the tree. Or a lighter shade of the tree trunk. Your TOS was so pretty with the shades of silver and blue/purples that if it was me I would just want to use those colors again. If you just lay the threads on the fabric and compare you should be able to decide which will look best. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice actually.

Carole

[cristaltipps]

Hi there,
I can not really tell the dimensions of either the box or the piece of fabric your work is on but i was wondering if it would turn around and fit in the lid lengthways or is the lid a fixed one that is hinged on its longest edge which would make it look a bit odd when you open it?

Anyway just a thought, I do hope you can find a solution

Sam

[LadyS]

I thought about it too but it still wouldn't be centered as the bottom wasn't long enough and indeed, the box is hinged on the longest edge.