Lesson One: Aibileen's Advice
You Is Smart, You Is Kind, You Is Important ✨
“The Help” will forever stand as one of my most favorite books-turned-movie. The hairstyles, fashion, food and every character in between…..I adore it all.
A few years ago, when it became a “thing” to send a GIF to someone via text, my Mom sent me the GIF of Aibileen (Viola Davis) reminding Mae Mobley that she was smart, kind and important. Little did my Mom know, I was in the throes of a flat out AWFUL day and the GIF she sent, made me feel like I was wrapped in one of her warm hugs. From then on, we have always sent this GIF to one another.
Fast forward several years to me stumbling upon this canvas after I had picked up needlepoint.
Honestly, I don’t think I have ever “added to cart” faster in my life. My daughter was 1 year old at the time and I wanted this treasured sentiment to be both memorialized and passed down to her (no GIF required).
Oh and Mom, you is important to me❣️
🪡 Canvas:
“You Is Smart” by AC Designs via Penny Linn Designs
🪡 Fibers:
Silk & Ivory 01: Natural (background; used 3 skeins)
Silk & Ivory 13: Ivy (border; used 2 skeins)
Silk & Ivory 160: Rose Marie (“You Is Smart”; used 1 skein)
Silk & Ivory 164: Ramblin’ Rose (“You Is Kind” ; used 1 skein)
Silk & Ivory 161: Lida Rose (“You Is Important” ; used 1 skein)
**See Notes to Self**
🪡 Stitches Used:
Basketweave & Continental (on some of the letters)
🪡 Finishing:
Finish Type: Pillow (boxed inset with mitered corners & contrasting cording)
Finishing: LME Redesign
Finishing Fabric(s): Waverly Kate In Bloom via Mercari (sold out, similar here) and leftover heavy pink satin fabric from my wedding (similar here)
Monogramming: Anni B Monogramming
I wanted to add an extra little “touch” to this pillow and monogramming is my native tongue. I went for something a little out of my comfort zone with this monogram style. Will tweak the year placement for next project.
✍🏻 Notes to Self:
Lotta lessons learned on this beauty, especially since it was my first time doing a true color swap. I love the final result but it was a long and winding road to get there…
First and foremost, I highly recommend checking out sites like eBay and Mercari to source fabric before you finish a project. Since I had the fabric first, it was much easier to purchase fibers that were the *exact* colors I wanted (vs. trying to match the fabric to your fibers after you have already finished stitching).
When I purchased my threads at my local needlepoint shop, they were discontinuing carrying Vineyard Merino Wool and thus the fibers were deeply discounted. In the spirit of being (somewhat) economical, I purchased the colors I wanted for this canvas in wool. You can imagine my absolute horror ☠️ when I went to stitch this canvas, only to find that the wool did not adequately cover the letters. Humbly, I went back to what I know (and love) and used Silk & Ivory. I’ll go more into this story in a future post.
I share this in hopes that someone reading this can avoid the same mi$take. 💸
💡Now, I is smart(er).
All of the above aside, when I look at this pillow not only does it make me think of my mom and my first daughter (who I stitched this for), but I will also always think of my second daughter as well….since I stitched this while in labor with her at the hospital.
Exhibit A ⬇️
TBH, I think the stitching was more calming than the epidural…..
xo,
Emily 🎀
🪡 Project Timeline
January 2022 - March 2022
Excited to see more of your lessons, Emily! Adorable. Also, you hit the mom jackpot!!! ☺️
That turned out beautifully! Love the colors you chose and that fabric is "chef's kiss". 💕