A recent Instagram post by Italian designer, Gaia Marfurt, caught my eye.  It was her new pattern design, called “Kindred Spirits”, featuring Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.  Gaia is a talented freelance illustrator and pattern designer.  Her designs are elaborate, complex and beautiful—and packed with charming details.
Screen Grab of Gaia Marfurt Instagram Post   @FanningSparks
What a serendipitous discovery!  This sweet design struck a chord with me.  Not only does it honor one of my favorite fictional characters but it reminds me of a recent visit to Prince Edward Island.  Regular readers may recall that my husband is from “the Island” and we were in Eastern Canada to see close family members last fall.  While there, we had a chance to see a little of the Island.  It’s uncanny how many of the elements featured in Gaia’s design remind me of places I visited.
Take the lighthouse for instance.  Pictured below is the Rustico Harbour Lighthouse with a snippet from Gaia’s design.
Rustico Harbour Lighthouse with Gaia Marfurt Design Element   @FanningSparks
Other examples, shown below, are the fishing boats and the colorful fishing village of North Rustico.
North Rustico Fishing Village with Gaia Marfurt Design Element   @FanningSparks
A visit to the Island wouldn’t be complete without admiring her signature red sandstone cliffs.
North Rustico Beach Cliffs with Gaia Marfurt Design Element   @FanningSparks
At the heart of it all is Green Gables, a 19th century farmstead and literary landmark.  Notice the quote carved in the fence “It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?”  That is 100% Anne Shirley or, more accurately, 100% Lucy Maud Montgomery who created the legendary heroine.
Green Gables Homestead with Gaia Marfurt Design Element   @FanningSparks
As explained at the L.M. Montgomery Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada visitor center, “This farmstead… once belonged to Montgomery’s cousins, David and Margaret Macneill…  Montgomery never lived here, but she often visited throughout her life.  The farm inspired the fictional Green Gables and became a literary landmark.”
Barnyard and Carriage at Green Gables   @FanningSparks
The inside of the farmhouse is well worth a visit. It has been furnished to reflect how Green Gables was depicted in Montgomery’s novels.  Here are a few vignettes I captured.
Dining Room Scene at Green Gables   @FanningSparks

Dishes Stacked at Green Gables   @FanningSparks

Kitchen Scene at Green Gables   @FanningSparks

Wash Stand with Pitcher and Basin at Green Gables   @FanningSparks
The star attraction is Anne’s bedroom in the east gable.  In Montgomery’s story, Anne rushes to open the window on her first morning at Green Gables.  “Anne dropped on her knees and gazed out into the June morning, her eyes glistening with delight.  Oh, wasn’t it beautiful?  Wasn’t it a lovely place?  Suppose she wasn’t really going to stay here!  She would imagine she was.  There was scope for imagination here.
Bed in Anne’s Bedroom at Green Gables   @FanningSparks

Chair in Anne’s Bedroom at Green Gables   @FanningSparks
When Anne’s foster mother, Marilla joins her, Anne gushes over the view. “Oh isn’t it wonderful” … the garden and the orchard and the brook and the woods, the whole dear world.  Don’t you feel as if you just loved the world on a morning like this?  And I can hear the brook laughing all the way up here.  Have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are?  They’re always laughing.
The bridge pictured below crosses a “laughing brook” at the bottom of the slope below the east gable window.  The path leads to a pretty, spruce grove, that Anne dubbed the “Haunted Woods”.
Bridge Crossing to Haunted Woods at Green Gables   @FanningSparks
A visitor center exhibit explains: “No place of natural beauty inspired Montgomery more than the wooded path she named Lover’s Lane.  Montgomery discovered the tree-arched lane when she was 12 years old.  It became a sanctuary for her.  At every stage of her life, she walked the curving, red path to find solace and inspiration.  She took dozens of photographs of it over the years, more than of any other place, and she paid tribute to it in her poetry, non-fiction and fiction.  Montgomery immortalized Lover’s Lane in Anne of Green Gables as one of Anne Shirley’s most beloved places.”  Lover’s Lane, pictured below, is indeed a magical place.
Lover’s Lane Wooded Path at Green Gables   @FanningSparks
It’s heartening to know the places Montgomery described so lovingly have been preserved for all to enjoy.

More Info

To see more of Gaia Marfurt’s beautiful designs, check out her website or Instagram account.  Many of Gaia’s designs are available via her Spoonflower shop which is where I first came across her work.  I purchased a piece of fabric with the Kindred Spirits design and have been pondering how best to use it.  I plan to share the results soon.
Update Jan 26, 2021: After noodling it over, I decided to use my new Kindred Spirits fabric to make a tote bag.  See the results at Kindred Spirits Tote Bag.  Now I can carry my memories of Prince Edward Island with me whenever I head to the store or take a road trip!
For more FanningSparks’ stories and photos about Prince Edward Island, Canada, see Shutter Therapy in North Rustico and Beacons of Light.
For information about visiting Green Gables, see Parks Canada Green Gables Heritage Place or Tourism PEI All Things Anne.
For information about visiting Prince Edward Island, Canada, see the Tourism PEI website.

Today’s Takeaways

1. You never know when one of your favorite artists will create a design that strikes a chord with you.
2. Consider seeking inspiration from the locations and situations that inspired others.
3. Never doubt the joy of serendipity.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Embellishing a printed photo with hand stitching can enhance the image with texture and depth.  Paper stitching and photo embroidery has been trending on blogs and Pinterest.  I’ve been on a roll lately embroidering messages on my own favorite shots.  It’s a fun way to add punch and impact.
My latest piece is a photo of a beautiful magnolia blossom.  I was inspired to embroider the words “Hello Marvelous” after coming across this quote by Aristotle “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial @FanningSparks
The photo is further enhanced with stitching along the flowing lines of the petals.
Hello Marvelous Closeup Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
The possibilities for embroidering photos are endless.  Regular readers may recognize this technique from my previous holiday greetings and “word for the year” posts.  In the example below, I chose to embellish a stunning morning sunrise with the word “Savor” and 3 narrow columns of color-matched stripes.
Savor My Word for 2020 - Photo Embroidery   @FanningSparks
The columns started as carefully positioned vertical lines on a template.  After transferring the design to the photo, I stitched each stripe in embroidery floss to match the surrounding color.  Here’s a closer look.
Embroidered Photo of Sunrise with Floss. @FanningSparks
This next example shows a pretty photo of a camellia covered in snow.  The photo is embroidered with the words “Joyous Greetings” and further embellished with beading and lines of stitching.
Joyous Greetings 2019 - Photo Embroidery  @FanningSparks.
Small seed beads add a surprising amount of texture and interest.  I used clear seed beads to outline the flower petals and white seed beads to call attention to the edge of the snow.
Adding Seed Beads to Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
The beacons of light emitting from the lighthouse, in the photo below, were embroidered with variegated pearl cotton thread.  The stitching adds depth and drama.
Beacons of Light Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
While these examples have a similar style, there are as many different ways to apply this technique as there are artists.  Check out my Paper Stitching inspiration board on Pinterest for over 300 ideas.
Here’s another idea from a cool vintage post card that I scored at a flea market in Madrid, Spain.  The bullfighter’s costume has been completely covered with spectacular embroidery. The stitches are tiny and appear to be executed with single strands of thread.
Bullfighter Rafael Ortega – Embroidered Post Card   @FanningSparks
Whether you’d like to stitch a word or embellish a bullfighter’s costume, the following tutorial will walk you through the steps for embroidering a photo.
Hello Marvelous Embroidered Photo – DIY Tutorial
Very few supplies and tools are needed for a photo embroidery project.  Basic design and hand sewing skills are involved.  This project can be completed in a few hours but the actual working time will depend on the complexity of your design.  You may also need to factor in wait time for procuring a printed photo.
Supplies Needed
. Printed Photograph  8” x 10” photo on heavy matte paper.  See Step 1 for tips on selecting an image and Step 2 for tips on ordering a print.
. Thread  There are many options including Embroidery Floss and Pearl Cotton.  I chose DMC embroidery floss, in 3 different colors, for the stitching on the Hello Marvelous piece.  The stitches are done with only 2 (of the standard 6) strands.
. Accents (Optional)  Beads, sequins and other accents can be added.  I did not add accents on the Hello Marvelous piece.
. Cardstock  2-3 sheets in white.
. Printer Paper
. Cardboard Guide   A small strip (2 ½” x 2mm) of thin cardboard such as a manila folder.
. Piercing Mat  Make a padded mat from two layers of craft foam sheets.  Mine is ¼“ thick and measures 5 ½“ x 8“.
. Scotch Tape
Tools and Equipment Needed
. Photo Editing Software or App   Any software that allows you to import a photo and overlay text in different fonts and sizes will suffice.  I simply use Microsoft Powerpoint.
. Printer
. Marker/Pen  Fine tip marker or pen with colored ink.  I prefer red ink.
. Piercing Tool   Specialty tools are available for this purpose.  Search for “embroidery on paper tool”, “perforating tool” or “paper piercing”.  Alternatively, you could use a sharp-tipped needle for piercing the paper.
. Needle  Choose the slimmest needle that will hold your chosen thread.
. Scissors
. Soft Cloth  A piece of felt, or other soft cloth, slightly larger in size than the photo to lay on your working surface.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1   Select Image   Choose the photo you wish to embellish.  I’ve found images with interesting, but simple, lines work best.  Ensure there is sufficient blank space to add any text.  You may wish to test a few ideas with your photo editing software or app.  Here’s a peek at my experimentation for the Hello Marvelous piece.  I started with the full quote but then realized it would be too small to embroider.  In the final design, the photo is 8” x 10” and the letters are about 1½“ high.
Experimenting with the Design - Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
Step 2 Order Print(s)   This technique can be applied to any size print but I prefer 8”x10” enlargements.  I recommend having your selected image professionally printed on heavy matte paper.  I’ve had great results with SnapBox professional printing services (see More Info section below).  Their prints are high quality with sharp images and rich colors.  Their matte photo prints “feature a soft textured surface similar to traditional watercolor and etching paper”.  This thickness is ideal for stitching.  I’ve tried standard glossy prints from my local drugstore but found the paper tears and creases easily.  The heavier matte paper provides a better base for the stitching and results in a more polished and professional result.
Tip:  Keep an eye out for special prices on SnapBox.  I recently caught a 50% off sale that made my order very affordable.
Step 3 Create Design   Finalize the design for your piece.  As noted above, you can find over 300 ideas on my Paper Stitching inspiration board on Pinterest. Your design can be as simple or as complex as you like.  I chose to stitch the words “Hello Marvelous”, using Darleston text font in 138 point size, in an outline stitch.  I also emphasized some of the curved flower petals with an outline stitch.
Choose a font style for any lettering you wish to add. If this is your first photo embroidery project, I recommend choosing a large, simple font with few flourishes.  Another factor to consider is how the font will translate into stitching.  It’s difficult to vary the thickness of a stroke when stitching on paper so the letters will become a single thin line of stitching.  You’ll also need to determine the font size and overall placement on the photo.
Select embroidery stitches and threads for your design.  Pictured below are a few examples calling out the font, font size, embroidery stitch and threads used in each.
Examples of Fonts and Stitches for Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
Design any additional lines or elements to be stitched.  Stitching that follows lines of the photo, such as the edges of the magnolia petals, do not need to be shown on your template.  But all elements you wish to add, such as the beacons on the lighthouse photo shown earlier, should be included.
Print your photo and design on cardstock paper.  Try different stitches.  Try different threads—varying the colors and the number of strands.  Refine your design accordingly.
After you’ve finalized the design, use your photo editing software or app to create the template.  Copy your design and then remove the photo.  Set the color of lettering and design elements to light grey.  You can see how my template looked at this stage in the photo shown in Step 1 above.
Print template on plain white printer paper.  It should match the size of the photo you will embroider.
Step 4 Prepare Template  The next step is to mark where the holes will be placed.  Use a fine tip marker or pen with colored ink—red works well.  Make a small dot for every hole following these steps:
… Mark dots at the ends of every line.
… Mark dots at all intersections where lines cross.
… For curved lines, mark dots at the apex (or mid-point) of every curve.  Do this on both concave curves (aka valleys) and convex curves (aka mountains).
Marking Dots for Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
… Mark dots, evenly spaced, along all remaining lines. Space dots about 2mm apart.  I cut a 2 ½” strip of 2mm-wide thin cardboard to use as a guide.  Don’t mark dots too close together as the paper will tear when stitched.
Spacing Dots for Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
Step 5 Pierce Photo   Prepare to pierce your printed photo.  Cover your working surface with a piece of soft cloth to protect the surface of your photo.
Lay your printed photo on the soft cloth. Carefully position the template over the photo ensuring the design is placed correctly.  Hold the photo and template in place by wrapping a few small pieces of tape over the edges.
Insert a piercing mat under the photo.  As noted earlier in the Supplies Needed section, you can make a piercing mat from two layers of craft foam sheets.  Mine is ¼“ thick and measures 5 ½“ x 8“.
Use a piercing tool, or sharp-tipped needle, to pierce the printed photo at every red dot.  Hold the piercing tool at a right angle to the surface of the paper.  Ensure the tip of the piercing tool is centered on the design line and positioned on the red dot.  Push through each dot firmly.
Piercing Tool on Template Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial   @FanningSparks
After piercing all the holes, carefully pick up the template and photo.  Hold up to the light to verify that all holes have been punched.
TIP:  Ensure your needle, threaded with the fiber you plan to use, will glide smoothly through the pierced holes.  If you have to force the threaded needle through or pulling it through makes the holes bigger, the holes are too small.  Correct this situation by pulling the threaded needle through all the holes before you start stitching.
Remove the template.
Carefully pierce any lines of the photo which you plan to stitch such as the edges of the flower petals on my Hello Marvelous piece.  Follow the same sequence as you did in Step 4 when preparing the template—start with the ends of lines, then pierce intersection points and curve apexes, and finish with evenly spaced holes on the remaining lines.
Step 6 Stitch Photo   Prepare to embroider the first line.  If using 6-strand embroidery floss, remember to pull out the desired number of strands.  I’ve found 2 strands works best for intricate designs.  Instead of knotting the end of your thread as you would when working with fabric, tape the end of the thread to the back of the photo with a small piece of scotch tape.  Do the same with all other thread ends.
As noted earlier, I chose to use an outline stitch (aka stem stitch) for the words and lines in the Hello Marvelous piece. Here are instructions for the stem stitch from the Gathered.How website (see More Info section below).
Come up from the back at point 1, then go down at point 2. Before pulling the stitch close to the fabric, come up at point 3 with the loose thread below the needle. Pull the thread taut, then repeat.”
Stem Stitch Instructions from Gathered.How Website   @FanningSparks
Here are a few additional pointers for working with printed photos:
… Be gentle.  It’s easy to rip the photo paper by pulling too hard.  When pulling the thread taut, gently pull it through the paper and snuggle it up to surface.
… As noted in the Gathered.How instructions, “Before pulling the stitch close to the fabric, come up at point 3 with the loose thread below the needle.”  Holding the loose thread BELOW the needle works great for straight lines and concave curves (aka valleys).  But for convex curves (aka mountains), I find it’s better to hold the loose thread ABOVE the needle before pulling the stitch close.
I think of the loose thread as a loop and remind myself to “hold the loop outside the curve”.  This helps keep the stitching line aligned with the design line.  It may be necessary to switch the loop from side to side within a single stretch especially on letters.
TIP – Hold Thread Loop Outside the Curve for Outline Stitch   @FanningSparks
… Check the stitching of each line when you reach the end.  If there any spots where the stitching doesn’t align with the design line (as shown on the left of the photo below), go back and correct by taking a small stitch over the stitching line.  This is often necessary at corners and sharp curves.  Find the hole at the center of the misalignment.  Bring the needle, from the back to the front, through the selected hole along one side of the stitched line.  Gently pull the thread to the front and snug to the paper.  Push the needle, from the front to the back, through the SAME hole on the other side of the stitched line.  Gently pull the thread to the back of the paper forcing the stitched line into alignment.
TIP – Refine Alignment with Small Stitches for Outline Stitch   @FanningSparks
… If you accidentally tear the paper between holes, remove the stitch and repair the rip with a small piece of tape on the back of the photo. Re-stitch pulling the needle through the tape.
Continue to embroider your printed photo until all the design lines have been stitched.  Tidy up any areas that need it.  Then step back and admire your embroidered photo!

More Info

Check out my Paper Stitching inspiration board on Pinterest for over 300 ideas.
SnapBox offers a suite of professional photo products.  Check out the SnapBox website.
Gathered.How, publishers of Mollie Makes and other fine craft magazines, provides instructions in their Library of Embroidery Stitches for Beginners.
Previous FanningSparks’ posts featuring embroidered photos include:
Season’s Greetings 2018
Harmony: My Word for 2019
Joyous Greetings 2019
Savor: My Word for 2020
Happy Holidays 2020
Hope: My Word for 2021

Today’s Takeaways

1. “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”  Aristotle
2. Consider embroidering your favorite photos to add depth and texture.
3. Paper stitching and photo embroidery are growing in popularity.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

I’ve chosen “Hope” as my word for the upcoming year.   The choice may be obvious given the difficulties 2020 threw at us.
I find comfort in reminding myself that hope is “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment—to cherish a desire with anticipation—to want something to happen or be true”.  
Hope: My Word for 2021   @FanningSparks
I hope—desire and believe—the pandemic will be turned around this year.  I hope we’ll be able to gather freely with family and friends.  I hope my dear ones and I are safe and healthy.  I hope the same for you and yours.  I hope we’ll be able to venture away from home—to explore without fear.  I hope we’ve all learned from the pandemic and are ready to do our parts for the greater good—to find a better balance between an individualist and collectivist culture and mindset.  I hope our world leaders, in government, science and business, have learned from this terrible situation and are ready to take on other pressing global problems like climate change.  Obviously, I have high hopes!  To keep them top of mind, I’ve hung my high hopes at the center of the inspiration wall in my studio.Hope Hung on Inspiration Wall   @FanningSparks
This is the third time I’ve started a new year with a “word”.  I’ve made a piece of art—in the form of a stitched photograph—for each one.  Selecting an appropriate image, creating the design and stitching the photo are all steps in the process that allow me to mull over my chosen word.
Paper Stitching in Progress   @FanningSparks
Without quite intending to, it seems I’ve started a new New Year’s tradition.  “Harmony” was my word for 2019.
Harmony My Word for 2019   @FanningSparks
I started 2020 with the word “Savor”.
Savor My Word for 2020   @FanningSparks
I now look forward to selecting a word for the year.  It’s a tradition I plan to continue.

More Info

You may recognize the lighthouse photo from my previous post Beacons of Light.  It is the St Andrews (North Point) Lighthouse in St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.
Previous posts featuring my word for the year include:
Harmony: My Word for 2019
Savor: My Word for 2020
If you’d like more ideas for embroidering photos, check out my Paper Stitching inspiration board on Pinterest where I’ve pinned over 300 examples.
Jan 16, 2021 Update: Paper stitching is an easy project.  Only basic design and hand sewing skills are involved.  Check out the post, Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial, for step-by-step instructions to embroider your own printed photo.

Today’s Takeaways

1. What are your hopes for 2021?
2. Think about selecting a single word to represent your goals for the new year.
3. Consider combining photography and embroidery for an unusual art piece.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Photography is an art of observation.  It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place.” says Elliott Erwitt.  As an award-winning professional photographer, Erwitt is known for his candid photos in everyday settings.  He goes on to say “I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”  If there was ever a time to seek interest in the ordinary, it was this past year.  The many challenges and limitations of 2020 kept us at home for months and months.
2020 was indeed a year of finding interest and joy in the ordinary.  This became apparent as I reviewed my 2020 photos for this post.  The vast majority of my photos were taken close to home—in the everyday setting of our place on beautiful Lake Oconee.  Today I share my top 20 personal favorites from 2020—shown in no particular order.  Please note this is a photo-rich post so, depending on your internet access, it could take a little time to load.
We had lots of time to garden this past year.  The resulting flowers provided countless moments of beauty.  Pictured below is  a cluster of yellow bearded irises surrounding a bird bath in the morning sunshine.
Yellow Bearded Irises with Bird Bath   @FanningSparks
I don’t know if it’s the gorgeous shades of purple or the graceful rounded forms but I love this simple photo of a purple hydrangea blossom.
Purple Hydrangea   @FanningSparks
The early morning dew looks like perfectly placed jewels on the leaf of a strawberry plant.
Dewdrops on Strawberry Leaf  @FanningSparks
As the plants and flowers flourished, birds and insects were drawn in.  Here a carpenter bee enjoys the harvest inside the graceful curve of a cosmos bloom.
Bumble Bee in Curled Cosmos Bloom   @FanningSparks
Judging from the number of shots I took of butterflies, I could dub 2020 as “My Year of the Butterfly”.  The sunlight shining through the wings of this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) makes this shot stand out.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Coneflower   @FanningSparks
Once I started studying butterflies, dragonflies also caught my eye.  This is a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis).
Blue Dasher Dragonfly   @FanningSparks
Apparently, what looks like a photo opportunity to me, looks like a meal to the birds.  Here a splendid male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) delivers lunch to his little ones.
Eastern Bluebird with Bugs @FanningSparks
This Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) allowed me to get surprisingly close while preparing its nest.
Prothonotary Warbler Prepares Nest  @FanningSparks
On the other hand, I had to admire this family of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) from a distance.  Here the father fish hawk delivers a fish to the mother and chick.
Adult Male Osprey Feeds Fish to Female and Juvenile @FanningSparks
I spent several hours watching the osprey and was delighted to witness the chick learning to fly.  This was one of its early attempts to get airborne.
Chick Osprey Learning to Fly   @FanningSparks
Domesticated birds are also fun to watch.  Here’s a rock star Polish rooster from the free-range chicken flock at a nearby farm.
Polish Rooster Head Tilted @FanningSparksTiming, as they say, is everything.  I couldn’t have asked for better timing when I spotted this rooster leaving the hen house.
Hens at Work @FanningSparksTiming was also an important factor in this next photo.  The rainbow is beautiful but, for me, it’s the magical lighting on the clouds that makes this shot.
Rainbow with Sunlit Clouds   @FanningSparks
The eerie scene pictured below is a pecan orchard shrouded by early morning fog.
Pecan Orchard Shrouded by Fog   @FanningSparks
A considerable number of my photos are taken specifically for the blog.  I always enjoy the challenge of turning a project idea into the reality of a photo.  Sometimes the ideas don’t quite work—often it takes several tries.  Occasionally, I get a shot that becomes memorable on its own.  A few of my favorite project photos follow.
This shot for the post, Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection, highlights the charming lines of our curvy café chairs.
Curvy Chairs with Stack of Pillows   @FanningSparksI made the below trio of sailboats for the post, Sunrise Breakfast Picnic, and was so pleased with the results that I followed up with a tutorial in A Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat – DIY Tutorial.
3 Sailboats at Dock in Magic Hour @FanningSparksThe boating fun continued with the post Falling Leaves and Floating Boats and the tutorial Simple Folded Boat – DIY Tutorial.
Orange Boat Floating with Autumn Leaves @FanningSparks
Like everyone else, our wings were clipped in 2020 and travel was seriously curtailed.  My husband and I did, however, manage to go to Eastern Canada to see close family members.  It was a long drive—stopping only to sleep in hotels with rigorous COVID-19 procedures.  We went directly into strict quarantine at our destination.  We were only able to venture out after 14 days of isolation and negative COVID-19 test results.  But it was worth the effort and worry to see our dear ones.
The beauty of fall in the Canadian Maritimes was a bonus.  This shot, taken in Eastern Margaree, Nova Scotia, showcases the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves. Orange Maple Leaves in Margaree Nova Scotia   @FanningSparksA post of favorite photos wouldn’t be complete without a sunrise or sunset—so I have one of each.  This is first light at Crowbush Cove on Prince Edward Island.
Sunrise at Crowbush Cove on Prince Edward Island @FanningSparksThis is the St Andrews North Point Lighthouse at sunset in St Andrews New Brunswick.
Sunset with St Andrew North Point Lighthouse in St Andrew, New Brunswick @FanningSparks

More Info

About half of the photos in today’s post are being shared for the first time, the other half have been shared in previous posts.  In addition to the posts already mentioned, you can see more in the following:
. Our Garden Prepares to Leap
. Chasing Butterflies
. 15 Bird Photography Tips Starring the Osprey
. Crowing and Clucking in the Barnyard
. In Pursuit of Sea Glass
. Beacons of Light
You may also enjoy my Top 19 Photos from 2019.

Today’s Takeaways

Photography is an art of observation.  It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”  Elliott Erwitt
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Decorative pillows, dressed in the cheerful colors and patterns of the season, are an easy way to add a holiday touch.  I like to sprinkle them throughout the house.  But buying an extra set of pillows and storing them for 11 months of the year seems incredibly wasteful.  So I devised a way to make a temporary pillow cover-up.  I made a set of these in cheerful red and green plaid years ago and we’ve enjoyed them every December since.  It takes only a moment to dress up my regular decorative pillows for the holidays.  Then after the holidays, the pillow cover-ups are stored in a fraction of the space needed for actual pillows.
Plaid and Striped Festive Pillow Cover-ups on Sofa   @FanningSparks
Making a Festive Pillow Cover-up isn’t difficult.  It requires basic sewing skills and few hours of time.  A popular-sized 18” square pillow requires about 1 yard of fabric— ½ yard of base fabric and ½ yard of accent fabric.  Online sources, such as Spoonflower, have an endless variety of fabric designs.  The base fabric is cut into a long rectangle which is sewn into an envelope—wrapping around the pillow and overlapping to form a pocket.  The accent fabric is cut into 2 isosceles triangles which are sewn into the side seams.  When it’s time to decorate, simply slip a decorative pillow into the cover-up and tie the triangles into a pretty knot.
Of course, pillow cover-ups aren’t limited to only Christmas—they could just as easily be made in fabric for other special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween or birthdays.  They could also be used to refresh decorative pillows and left in place.
Why not give it a try?  Here’s how it’s done.
Supplies Needed
NOTES: Be sure to consider the direction of the fabric’s design—see TIP below for explanation.  The required yardage amount is based on an 18” square pillow—see Step 1 below to calculate fabric requirements for different pillow sizes.
. Base Fabric: ½ yard of 42” (or wider) cotton or other home decorating fabric.  I chose a non-directional green print with pine cones and leaves.
. Accent Fabric: ½ yard of 42” (or wider) fabric.  I chose a crisp red and white striped print.
. Thread
. Bias Tape (Optional): About 3 yards for an 18” square pillow.  I chose single fold bias tape in red.
Supplies Needed for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
TIP:  Consider the Direction of the Fabric’s Design   The orientation of the fabric’s print or pattern comes into play in this project.  It’s easiest to choose a non-directional design, such as the pine and evergreen print shown, because the fabric, and thus the resulting covered pillow, can be viewed from any direction.
Alternatively, to create a pillow cover-up with ties at the sides (as shown in this tutorial), choose the fabric designs carefully.  The base fabric will be cut into a tall, thin rectangle giving it a portrait orientation.  A regular design, which looks good with the fabric selvages positioned at the top and the bottom, will work best for the base fabric.
On the other hand, the accent fabric will be cut into a short, wide rectangle giving it a landscape orientation.  A “railroaded” design, which looks good with the fabric selvages positioned at the right and left sides, will work best for the accent fabric.
By the way, the term “railroaded” is used to describe fabrics with a directional design running from selvage to selvage.  Designs with letters, text, stripes, village scenes or landscapes are often railroaded.  Shown below are a few examples of railroaded designs from my fabric stash.  The elements in these designs (eg giraffes, palm trees, boats, houses and cyclists) have an obvious direction.
Examples of Railroaded Fabric Designs   @FanningSparks
Tools and Equipment Needed
. Tape Measure
. Scissors or Rotary Cutter with Mat and Cutting Edge
. Sewing Machine
. Iron
. Standard Sewing Notions such as Pins
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Calculate Fabric Yardage   If your pillow does not measure 18” square, start by determining the amount of fabric needed.
Measure your pillow to determine the height (h) and width (w).  Multiply the height of your pillow by 2.5 to determine the height of the base fabric rectangle.  The width of the base fabric rectangle will be the width of your pillow plus ½” for seam allowances.
The rectangle for the accent fabric has the opposite orientation.  The height will be equal to the height of your pillow.  Multiply the width of your pillow by 2.5 to determine the width of the accent fabric rectangle.
Please note the factor of 2.5 isn’t an exact science—the factor could vary from 2.3 to 2.6 —and a few inches more or less in the overlap will work fine.
Convert the size of the rectangles into yardage based on the width of your selected fabric.  Fabric for home decorating is typically 42”, 45” or 54” wide.
Step 2.  Prepare Ties   Cut an 18” (h) x 42” (w) rectangle from the accent fabric.  The ties are made from two isosceles triangles (ie a triangle with two equal sides and two equal angles).  Cut the accent fabric in half horizontally resulting in 2 – 18” x 21” rectangles.  Find the vertical center of the resulting rectangle and mark (ie at 9”). Cut from this midpoint to the top edge and the bottom edge of the opposite side (as shown below).  Repeat for the second triangle.
Cut Ties from Accent Fabric for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Finish the long angled edges of the triangles with bias tape.  I used single fold bias tape, in red, for added contrast.  Alternatively, you could finish these edges with an overcast or zigzag stitch.  Unfold the bias tape.  Align the edge of the tape with one of the long angled sides of the triangle.  Pin and stitch.
Finish Edge of Tie with Bias Tape for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Wrap the bias tape to the back tucking all raw edges inside the fold.  Pin and stitch.  I find it easiest to stitch this second pass on the front while occasionally checking the back to ensure all layers are being caught in the seam.  Repeat this process on the second long angled side of the triangle but leave the last 2-3”, at the tip of the triangle, unstitched.  Trim and fold under the end of the bias tape as neatly as possible.  Stitch the tip.  The ends should be hidden inside the seam resulting in a clean finish.  Repeat this process on the second tie.
Finished Tips on Ties for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Step 3. Prepare Base Fabric Rectangle   Cut a 42”(h) x 18½”(w) rectangle from the base fabric.  Overcast or zigzag one short edge of the base fabric rectangle.  Fold under a ¼“ seam and stitch the other short edge.  The long edges will be finished later.
Step 4. Assemble   The trick to assembling the cover-up is to layer the pieces in a specific sequence.  Start by laying the base fabric rectangle, with the right side facing up, on your working surface.  The short end with the finished seam should be at the bottom of the working surface.  Measure down 12“ from the top edge.  Mark with pins at the right and left edges.  Note if your pillow is not 18” square, determine this placement by centering the ties on the long edge of the base fabric rectangle.
Position a tie, right side facing down, over the base fabric rectangle.  Align the short, straight side edge of the tie with the left side of the base fabric rectangle at the 12“ mark as shown.  Pin in place.
Position Tie on Base Fabric Rectangle for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Repeat with the second tie along the right side of the base fabric rectangle.  Pin in place.
Position Both Ties on Base Fabric Rectangle for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Flip up the bottom edge of the base fabric rectangle folding up at the bottom edge of the ties.  Pin in place.  Flip down the top edge of the base fabric rectangle folding down at the top edge of the ties.  Pin all layers in place removing extra pins from previous layers.  Stitch the side edges with a ¼“ seam allowance.  Finish the side seams with an overcast or zigzag stitch.
Cover and Ties Sewn Together for Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks
Step 5. Finish   Turn the cover-up right side out, pull ties free and push out corners.  The opening, which is on the front of the pillow cover-up, will be hidden by the ties.  Press.
Sewn Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks

Insert the pillow into the cover-up smoothing out the layers of fabric.  Secure the ties in an attractive knot.  Presto!  Your Festive Pillow Cover-up is ready!
Tied Festive Pillow Cover-up   @FanningSparks

More Info

Please share this image or pin for later reference.
Festive Pillow Cover-up DIY Tutorial pin   @FanningSparks
The decorative pillow, shown above in its Festive Pillow Cover-up, is one of the fern photo pillows from the FanningSparks “Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection”.   Get the scoop on this collection in the post Bring in the Outdoors – Fern Collection.  This is the link to the FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower where you can order the cut-and-sew fern photo pillow covers.  The post Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial provides step-by-step instructions to make these amazingly simple cut-and-sew pillows.
The stitched wooden bowl and sphere, shown above, are projects I shared recently.  Full step-by-step instructions can be found in the posts Starry Stitched Sphere – DIY Tutorial and Stitched Wooden Bowl – DIY Tutorial.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Decorative pillows in holiday fabrics can add a festive touch to your home.
2. Dress up everyday pillows with a temporary cover-up for the holidays.
3. Festive pillow cover-ups are easy to make.
Peg - FanningSparks Author