Hand-stitched Ladybug Cards & Envelopes

I was so inspired by the hand-stitched thank you cards and homemade envelopes I made for Chris that immediately after I finished them, I started developing ideas for my next set.  Since Mother's Day was just around the corner (3 days away), and my mom loves ladybugs, I decided it would be perfect to make her a ladybug-themed set of hand-stitched cards.  

It wasn't until after I spent at least an hour coming up with the four designs and began the stitching process that I realized it was going to be a miracle to get them done in time.  It was already late in the afternoon on Friday, and Saturday was already packed full of events for Chris's graduation - where was I going to find the time?  First, I considered making my designs simpler to cut down on the time, but it was too late, I was already invested in the project and I knew I would never be satisfied with the final product if I cut corners along the way.  Then I considered only making two cards, but who has ever seen cards come in twos?  I HAD to at least make four, that's just stationary rules!  Plus, the thought of my mom's face when she would see the gift made me want to finish the cards in time that much more.  That's when I knew what I had to do, something that being an over-concerned college student has made me a professional at: pulling an all-nighter.  I just hoped that would be enough time!!!

But being the all-nighter pro that I am, I finished the gift at 7:30 a.m., and with plenty of time to shower and be ready for Chris's commencement at 10:00.  Even though I had some sleepy spells throughout Saturday (one of which was during dinner when I almost fell asleep on my and Chris's family, opps!), the feeling of accomplishment along with the excitement of giving the gift was so worth every second of that all-nighter. This feeling is exactly what made me feel in love with art, crafting, designing, and anything that involves creativity.

A view of all four blank cards.  I didn't have a good picture of the inside of the cards, but some had ladybug stamps in the corners, while others had more decorative paper to write a message on.

I even printed ladybug patterns to use for the envelopes.  They were lined with matching decorative paper and stitched around the top and sides in red thread.

This was my favorite of the four.  I even added some small pink beads to the middle of the flowers and used small black beads for the spots on the ladybug.  I'm so pleased with the detail I used. 

                                   

                                               All wrapped and ready to be opened!  Wrapping gifts is so much fun!

Before I had the idea of the cards, I had designed and ordered stamps with a family photo on them to give my mom.  It is almost ironic how well the two gifts went together.  I didn't want the stamps to get bent or thorn, so i decorated a manilla envelop with ladybug fabric, stamps, red ribbon, and a fabric covered button.

Here are some links to coloring pages which I used as patterns:  Ladybug on Single Leaf, Variety of Ladybugs in Different Sizes, Colored Ladybug Pattern used for Envelope.