Bloggy Swap with Truly Lovely, and a HUGE announcement!!

I am so excited to blog swap with one of my favorite bloggers, Kassi from Truly Lovely!  I am guest posting on her blog today with a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Please go check it out!  Go here to learn more, and take a look around her blog while your at it, Kassi and Kayli are pretty amazing!

Hello LOVELY Ladybird Ln. readers!!!

My name is Kassi and I blog at a little place called Truly Lovely!

That's me! :)

  You can click that pretty little button to learn more about me and my blog as well as get your daily dose of the fabulous Miss Carlee!!! 

She's guest posting there while I take over her blog today!

I am thrilled to share a pillow related post with you today in celebration of Miss Carlee's pillow project!!! AND to be blog swapping with Ladybird Lane as this week's Bloggie Bestie on Truly Lovely!!!

Today I am sharing my:

Cross Stitch Pillow Cases

Our Granny taught me to embroider when I was just a little tike, so I've been at it for a long time... But anyone can do a cross stitch. 

It's so easy. Let me show you!!

Simply start with a set of embroidery hoops. You can get them for a couple bucks at any craft store. A pair of decent scissors. An embroidery needle.

An embroidery pattern. In this case, the pillow cases... And some thread.

First cut a long length of thread. Pull two strands from your thread (more than that is too thick usually, save the rest you'll need it later if it's a very big project.) Then thread your needle.

Now tie a knot in one end of the thread.
Place your pillow cases in the embroidery hoops at the point where you want to start stitching. You can't see it here, but the side of the pillow case with the pattern is sandwiched between two hoops to hold it taut.


Start your stitching from the underside of your hoops. Then stitch a little cross or X following the pattern. They KEY is to follow the pattern as neatly as possible.

The underside of the pillow case. It looks a little messy, but nobody will see this side.

When you reach the end of your thread tie it off, again on the underside. Keep all knots on the inside of the pillow case where no one will be the wiser! ;) When you're ready to switch colors, again just tie it off on the inside.

This tutorial may have been unnecessary because it's so easy and there's
instructions on the package if you buy the pillow case sets... 

But it's always fun to share a craft with some Bloggie Besties!!!

So what do you think??

I know they're not the most popular style... But I have some that my Granny made me that I will always cherish. And I think they're pretty! ;)

Plus they take forever to finish... So as a gift, they are a lot of work!

You're gift receiver will be thrilled with the effort and time that you put into making them something lovely!

My mom crochets an edge on all of hers... Adds a little something I think. Except I don't really know how to crochet...

So, I ask you lovelies, any other ideas to spruce up the opening?

Or do you think they're lovely as is??

A HUGE thanks to Miss Carlee again for having me over to share with you lovelies on Ladybird Lane!!!

Hope you'll pop over to Truly Lovely to visit Carlee and her guest post and to say hello! Have a lovely day friends!!!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today, what a beautiful pillowcase, something you will always treasure!