DIY: Embroidery Hoop Messages and GIVEAWAY!!!

Want to give someone a note of encouragement?  Forget the paper card, here's a super cute idea for sending messages to loved ones that they will want to hang on the wall and keep for a very long time.  

The material list is simple and you probably have most of this in your craft stash already.  

Needed: 3 Inch Wooden Hoop, Cotton Thread in various colors, scraps of material (apx 6 inch diameter), scissors, hot glue, epoxy glue, pen or pencil, ribbon.

Cut your material down to fit your hoop, leaving 1 inch of excess around so you can mount it on the hoop.

Next, pick a color to wrap your frame with.  Pull off about 3 arm lengths of cotton thread of your choice and tie an overhand knot on one end onto one side of the hoop, as close to the edge as you can get.

Then start wrapping around the frame, and be sure to tuck in the tail of your knot under your wraps as you go.  Keep the wraps straight and tight as you work your way around the hoop.

Once you get to the other end, tie another knot and then affix tail with a dot of epoxy glue on the underneath.

Next stretch your fabric square on your hoop, and use a pen to sketch out the words you want to embroider on.  Then load your needle and start stitching away.  You dont have to know anything about fancy stitches to do this, just stick with simple back stitch (google it if you are unsure).

Once I finished I decided to make it look a little more aged/vintagey, and used a bit of distress ink to color the edges of the fabric (this is optional).

Then, cut down your excess material until there is only 3/4 inch hanging and fasten to the undersides of the hoop with hot glue.  And finally, cut a 3 inch circle out of a heavy weight paper (I used Kraft paper) to add a more personal note on the inside.  You can also add a pretty ribbon on top, just tie around the metal screw.  

VOILA! Simple and quick and will make someone feel so special to receive in the mail and hang on their wall. 

Here's the fun part! A GIVEAWAY!!  I have these two 3 inch hoops ready to be inscribed with personal messages and sent to surprise someone and make them feel loved.  Just leave a comment on this post with whom you would send them to and why, or what message you would want on your wall, or something else happy and fun you would like to share, and you will be entered to win both hoops along with specially decorated envelopes to mail them in, but that's not all! Since you will be sending these to someone else, I have a very special one just for you!  I will also send you this third 3 inch hoop message I made, for you to put on your wall and remind you to keep reaching for your dreams. 

RULES TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Leave a Comment on this post by next Saturday 8/20.

More Entries can be added by spreading the word about the giveaway (one entry for every different way you promoted this giveaway, please include a link to your post, tweet, etc)

Make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you, in case you win!

Happy Saturday!

XO, HARMONY