Hi friends! We had so much fun creating this project. This is the first project in our yearlong collaboration with Canon USA! Today we’re taking a few of our favorite photos, printing large black and white versions and adding stitches to create colorful, textural works of art! It’s similar to this embroidered photo project we did, but we wanted to try a more abstract design and really play with color. Here’s what we did…Step 1: Print your photos! We used the Canon PRO-100 printer and their huge semi-gloss photo paper. As you can see, the quality is absolutely amazing! We were able to fit two 8×12 photos on one 13×19 piece of photo paper.
A few tips: We used the PRO-100, because of how rich the blacks are, but you could definitely pull this off with the MG6320. If you’re using the PRO-100, be sure to load the paper so that the “good side” is facing up. Super obvious, I know, but we definitely made that mistake at first, since it’s different than a lot of paper trays out there. 😉Step 2: Start stitching! We used yarn and embroidery thread to cover the photo in fun, abstract stitches! Don’t be shy—just go for it! Each photo took us about 4 hours to embroider, so we recommend doing this while watching TV or a movie for a few nights. Mad Men, anyone? 😉
A note about color: I find that using a limited color scheme (like all warm or all cool colors) on a black and white photo works really well! Whatever colors you choose, be sure to lay all the fibers out together before stitching to make sure you love the mix!Step 3: Continue stitching until all of the “white space” in your photograph is filled with random stitches. Be sure to overlap some colors and add stitches in a variety of styles and directions.Step 4: Framing! I purchased a floating frame set that was a little too large for my 8×12 prints. I added some balsa wood strips behind the photo and I love the detail it adds!Done! I’m so excited to display these pieces in our home.
Enjoy your new artwork! Which photo will you choose for this project?
xo. Elsie
This is SO CREATIVE! I love your blog. I just upgraded my camera from Canon T1i to T3i. I never learned everything the T1i could do, except the SLR’s take awesome pictures. I love you post about different lens. I just need to learn how to use them.
My dachshund and yorkie/poo are going to look good hanging in my sewing room with embroidery all over them! THANK YOU!
I would love to see a full picture of the canvas behind the beautiful stitch pictures the one with the colours…do you have a post about it??
Ann-Marie,Dublin Ireland
Oooohhhh! This gives me a gift idea. Yay! Thanks for posting this up.
amazing idea!
thanks for sharing 🙂
Cool combination – old fashioned sewing/embroidery and digital photography. Now if we could only teach grandma to hold the camera steady…
What an adorable idea! I think this would make a great mother’s day gift for my Mom with pictures of my girls 🙂
xoxo,
ConstantlyAlice
Your photos turned out great! I did cross stitches on old postcards recently, but I think we need to try stitching on photos as well! Thank you for lots of fantastic inspiration.
Love from Sweden
So so fun and cute! Lovely!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
juliettelaura.blogspot.com
So unique!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
wow those prints turned out great
Jessica
www.jumpintopuddles.com
Love this! So creative! 🙂 xx
http://glitterylove.blogspot.co.uk/
cute idea! This would look great with smaller embroidering, too, although that would take a LOT longer! Love the color scheme.
Sarah
www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
Oh my goodness these are darling! And so simple with a BIG pop. I would probably do one of our pup scout, my husband B, and myself all in a little row. xoxo, W
Altogether Smitten
ahhh such a good idea! I have a pug myself and will be borrowing this idea for some photos I’ve taken of her!
Elsie and Emma,
Do you know just how amazing you two are? Well you are amazing and oh so inspiring.
I am so thankful to have stumbled upon your amazing blog. I can’t pass a day without checking to see whats new.
xo Chelsea
Such fun!
The photos on their own seemed a little off with the stitching to me, but once they’re framed that is crazy how good they look.
Where did you get that multi-colored canvas behind the photos? Or is it a DIY? I’d love to know the details!
I am so amazed!
that is way cool!
love the contrast with the black and white image and coloured stitching!
– Janine
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
Love this idea!
I will try it this weekend!