Make and Bake cross-stitch

Looking pretty on kitchen wall

Today I've finished this picture for my kitchen.  A combination of cross-stitch and random scraps as a border
I'm rather pleased with how it's turned out.   I began it as the frame was redundant, a colour change in the lounge meant neither the dark wood frame or red-themed picture fitted.   After realising the box frame held potential I began to think what I could put inside.

All ready to fit the frame



I came across the little cross-stitch picture on Pinterest.   The cr0ss-stitch design is by Amanda Gregory and is a free chart for personal use.  There is added background detail in the design which I didn't add in as it was so tiny.   It turned out much smaller than I was expecting!  The outer square is the right size to fit in the box mount, so I had to find a way of filling the space.I used to do a lot of cross-stitch and have kept a basket full of supplies for years.   Since I last used Aida my eyesight has deteriorated to the point that my vari-focals could barely cope.   Another time I will either need to use a magnifying glass or regress to the large count Aida I used to make a sampler in junior school.The border comprises scraps which were already destined for the bin as I thought they were too small to do anything with, scraps of lace and ric-rac, random buttons and a zip which I have had forever (and is never quite the right length for anything useful).

Code Blue chalk paint

Having completed the stitchery, it was time to re-vamp the dark wood frame.   I gave it a very light sanding and initially roughly brushed on a light coating of palest grey acrylic in the hope it would show throw the top coat if I rubbed the final coat back.    Drying almost immediately I applied 2 coats of Code Blue Autentico chalk paint.    I used this paint on my kitchen table and the colour is perfect; a warm blue with grey tones.   Very impressed with this paint, a little goes a long way and it's a dream to paint with.  

Preparing the frame

Once dry, I lightly sanded the frame in places, this means that on the frame itself there is a trace of the grey underneath visible.   I've also sanded very gently at some points on the edges to reveal a trace of the original wood - it's turned out very well.   I finished the frame with a light coat of clear wax to protect it.   This is worth doing as it brings out the warmth of the colour and evens it out.

For the size of the finished picture, this took forever to do.  Overall I'm pleased with it and I may be tempted to do some more cross-stitch, albeit on a larger thread-count base.