Mother's Day gift idea

Besides my children's birthdays and Halloween, I think Mothers's day might be my favorite new holiday. I never realized how amazing mothers are until I became one. This job is so incredibly hard, but absolutely the best job I ever knew existed.

I am not a great gift giver. I never have ideas that I am totally excited about. This year though I am pretty stoked about what Piper and I are giving my mom. So, here it is. If you haven't found anything, use this idea. I have to confess that I saw this idea in a pregnancy magazine and they wanted $50 for it. Ridiculous when it is so easy to do yourself.

So you really don't have to have any skill to do this. I promise. I am doing it.

This entire project can be accomplished by going to Piper's Quilts and Comforts. My mom and sister-in-law own this shop. It is a little slice of heaven. All supplies can be purchased there, and if you buy your supplies from the shop my mom or Erin will give you free instructions. 1944 South 1100 East, SLC, 801-484-5890
www.pipersquilts.com

I am thinking you will be into this entire project $25. You will have really high end supplies that will last though.

Supplies

• One fat quarter of muslin
• Embroidery thread. One brown and one black should be fine, but choose whatever colors you like.
  
• Embroidery needle
• Micron pen
• Frame (I love IKEA frames, but whatever frame you love will do)
• Embroidery hoop

Instructions

• You will take your hand and your child's hand, or just your child's hands, whatever you choose, and trace them with a dark pen onto paper. When I traced them I made it so the thumbs were almost touching. Any position will do though. Between the thumbs I wrote Mother's Day 2011, and underneath each hand I put our initials.
  
• Place an ironed piece of muslin on top of the paper with the traced hands and writing. Get the fabric straight. Trace everything from the paper onto the muslin.
  
• You are now ready to start stitching. Place the area of the pattern you want to start stitching in the hoop. Make it super tight. This makes it easier to stitch. The embroidery thread can be used in any thickness, but the only thread I use is from Piper's and it comes 12-ply. I use 3 strands at a time while stitching. I back stitched this pattern, but any stitch will do. JW and Erin can show you lots of options.
  
• I did the hands in brown and all the writing in black. After all your stitching is done, give the project a slight press and place in a frame.
  

I am such a big fan of hand made gifts. Not only is it often cheaper, but it means so much more. I think I might make a duplicate of this for me. I love it.
Happy stitching, and to all you mother's out there, you truly make the world a better place. Thank you for all that you do.
xoxo