I'm always on the lookout for projects that are sure to make friends and family smile but also show that I put a little effort into things. Although you might usually give flowers on Valentine's Day, try giving hand-stitched foliage instead!
Over at Family Chic, Camilla has taken a simple stem and transformed it into something wonderful. By using a plain old backstitch, these leaves are now sentiments of her love for all to read.
I think they'd be a great idea for those who are trying to give local gifts and don't have fresh flowers this time of year — or are gifting to someone who might not be as frilly as some flowers feel. When dried, this note will last forever as it would look quite stunning matted and framed. More over at Family Chic.
VIA: Craftzine
Image: Family Chic

Sprout Side Table
I'm not sure why, but that picture made part of my brain explode.
Very cool. Is that real or fake greens? Would it make real greens turn brown?
I know the foliage is already dead but the idea of stitching on it just seems...wrong. I just couldn't do it.
If only there was a fail blog for DIY...
That looks....painful. Failblog indeed!
Oh! Ouch. No.
I agree with the other readers. I know it's completely mental, but threading a needle through those leaves seems cruel indeed!
I think it's cute! It reminds me of that movie where the girl gives her boyfriend a love tree...what movie was that...? hmmm
I don't like it either. It's just two things that don't belong together. You're right, <gochrisgo>, I think it would make the area where the needle poked through turn brown.
Sorry. Forgot my tags. D'oh!
I think it's really a cool idea. Cute. Simple. it's funny that people seem bothered about poking holes in a leaf when the branch was already cut off the plant.
I think its fresh and fun, more than painful. Surprised so many AT'ers are so shocked by it.
Weird.
Absolutely no way! why torture the poor plant!?
sacrilege.......
Not a fan of Valentine's Day and seriously not a fan of this!
Oh yes, so cruel. The person who did this probably writes on paper, eats lettuce, and lives in a wooden house!! [gasp]
I think the idea is original and surprising...and it makes me smile as any good valentine should do.
Why is everyone so scandalized? It's a leaf, already plucked from the tree, and put to use in a sweet, simple project.
This is cute! And a lot less 'cruel' than purchasing flowers sourced from certain South American countries that tolerate overworking and underpaying their female laborers, with looser regulations on governing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Yeah, I take a LOVE-stitched leaf any day.
http://laborrightsblog.typepad.com/international_labor_right/2010/03/rights-for-working-women-on-international-womens-day.html
South American exporters also benefit from looser regulations governing the use of pesticides and fertilizers — items that can boost yields.