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Spot of Tea Designs

Spot of Tea Designs

My Cross Stitch Family Portrait

in Crafts & DIY, Fabric Crafts, Home Decor

This summer I was craving a craft project that I could pick up and put down and something that would be totally cute in my home when complete. I succeeded when creating my first custom cross stitch family portrait!

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

DISCLOSURE: Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, which come at no cost to you. Know that I only promote products I personally use and stand behind. To learn more about my affiliates, please review my disclosure policy.

While I don’t consider myself a beginner sewer, it’s been a LONG TIME since used the skill for something that required precision and math.  I hemmed and hawed over buying something as I really figured I could do this on my own since I was a graphic designer! Instead of wasting too much time trying to figure it out, I bit the bullet and I purchased what seemed to be best customizing cross stitch portrait books, Do-It-yourself Stitch People by Elizabeth Dabczynski-Bean. I’m so glad I did!!

First, I want to state that while this post includes an Amazon affiliate link, this is NOT a sponsored post by the author or publisher.  I wanted to share this helpful book for any crafters out there who might be looking for a cute craft concept for their home or to begin working on holiday gifts! (Because spoiler alert, that’s what I’m doing!)

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! In progress shot #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

Do you like my little family pattern? This part is almost frameable by itself, don’t you think?

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! In progress shot #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

TIP: I actually laminated mine with some contact paper so I was able to roll it up and keep it with my craft as I worked on it at home or on a car ride without risk of it tearing!

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

This was an in progress shot (in horrible lighting as I was working on this at night, sorry). It basically shows my cross stitch E.T. family. #baldfamily

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

And here’s the final shot.  I originally sketched out my pattern with “The Nehil Family” but only used a 2 square height, not 4. As I started stitching it I realized the font was SOOOO tiny at only 2 squares. Instead, I changed it to “Nehils” at the last minute. Learn from my mistake and make it a 4 square height! (PS You’ll know what I’m talking about when you get the book!)

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

Overall, it was really fun to get back to my hands-on crafting roots and work on a creative project with such a personal and cute outcome. I HIGHLY recommend Elizabeth’s book as an initial reference to get you started in cross stitch and as a continued reference to create endless custom portraits. (It does include pets for those of you who have them!) Bonus: when you get your book, you get access to an online portal with additional designs she’s added since publishing the book!

Custom cross stitch family portrait - great for holiday gifts! #crossstitch #needlecrafts #christmasgift | spotofteadesigns.com

Oh and this frame? I loved the distressed ones I made for my family gallery wall that I had to make two more to fit in the entertainment center over the TV.

Come see what other cross stitch designs I’ve done as gifts both in frames and hoops:

Stitch People Frame for 40th birthday gift | spotofteadesigns.com
Handmade gift idea: cross stitch extended family portrait | spotofteadesigns.com
Cross Stitch Portrait Hoop Ornament Tutorial - featuring a wedding couple | spotofteadesigns.com
Cross Stitch Portrait Hoop Ornament Tutorial - featuring a disney fan | spotofteadesigns.com

Related Post:

Entryway table makeover - from reddish wood to glossy white | spotofteadesigns.com
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in Crafts & DIY, Fabric Crafts, Home Decor # cross stitch stitch people

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Comments

  1. Gina says

    September 16, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    So cute!!!!

    Reply

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What's creepier than a creepy doll? A creepy DISAS What's creepier than a creepy doll? A creepy DISASSEMBLED doll! This DIY project was one I created years ago for a client and all it took was a trip to the thrift store for a bag of dolls, some paint and shopping my house for glass vases and jars! 
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Give it a try for your Halloween party!
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#spotofteadesigns #craftersgonnacraft #makersgonnamake #painting #halloweenparty #halloweendiy #diyhalloweendecor
Here's your sign to find a crafty friend who also Here's your sign to find a crafty friend who also likes to make @cricut crafts with you and pair up to create Halloween costumes for your kids teams. 
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The 7 sets of costumes we've done together:
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#spotofteadesigns #craftersgonnacraft #makersgonnamake #halloweencostume #htv #DIYHalloweencostume #softballlife #softballmom #craftfriends #cricutcrafts #vinyallthethings
HEY YOU GUYS! I cannot believe I never shared this HEY YOU GUYS! I cannot believe I never shared this Goonies Halloween party on my blog! I styled it back in 2017 for a no longer around site that sold party supplies and I loved every minute of it! I love styling things where you can really dig into a theme, especially for a movie I watched so many times. 
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Scroll through these shots to see all the hints to this nostalgic rewatch
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#spotofteadesigns #halloweenparty #halloweentreats #trickortreat #desserttable #halloweendesserttable #craftersgonnacraft #partyinspo #makersgonnamake #goonies #gooniesneveversaydie
It's time to break out the @cricut and get some Ha It's time to break out the @cricut and get some Halloween crafting done! Stay tuned!
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#spotodteadesigns #makersgonnamake #craftersgonnacraft #cricutlove #cricutmaker #cricutcrafts #halloweenwearables #vinylallthethings #halloweencrafts
DIY Rain Cloud Halloween Costume with Poly-Fil fro DIY Rain Cloud Halloween Costume with Poly-Fil from @fairfieldworld AD
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See all the step by step photos, get a link to the exact umbrella I used, grab the free raindrop template and see how to use Poly-Fil both outside and inside this craft to make a DIY costume for a meterology lover!
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Tips to using a t-shirt ruler guide: - Press your Tips to using a t-shirt ruler guide:
- Press your shirt first to get out any wrinkles and moisture
- Lay down your tshirt ruler at the top neck
- Lightly fold your vinyl piece in half to find the center and center it on the guide
- REMOVE the guide before your place your press cloth and heat
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Comment GUIDE if you want a link to this helpful vinyl t-shirt accessory.
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