NSD 2015 Challenge: Leave You In Stitches

Hi all and welcome to my blog. It's been a long time since I've posted here, but I'll fill you in on that another time.  Today, as most of you probably know, is National Scrapbook Day. Some of the Cricut Circle members and myself  have been spending the day doing some fun tutorials and challenges.  I've been spending a lot of time lately sewing, well more specifically machine embroidery, so I decided the perfect topic for me today would be stitching on your paper craft projects. I think that stitching is an easy way to add some interest to a project and also to give it a more finished appearance. Here are a few samples:

 

If you have a sewing machine and want to give it a try, here are a few pointers:
>Use a good quality, medium weight cardstock.
>A smaller needle, sz 11 or 12 works best.
>Adhere your pieces together before sewing

to prevent shifting but make sure you don't put any adhesive directly under the areas where the stitching will be. It can gum up your needle.
>Don't limit yourself to straight or even zig-zag stitches. If your machine has decorative options, give them a try.
>To prevent the stitching from coming out, pull your thread to the back side and tie it off.

 This method leaves the front of your project looking more finished without the bulkiness of back stitching.

Of course, you don't have to have a machine to sew. You can always do hand stitching or use a product such as We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy. There are also stamps available that mimic machine stitches. One of my favorite techniques is faux stitching created with a marker or pen.
 I used a white Signo Uniball pen around the edges of this card.

My challenge to you is, you guessed it, create something and put some stitching on it! It can be any project and any kind of stitching you like. (But I dare you to dust off that sewing machine and give that a try!)
You can post your project on my post on the Circle MB or, if you're not a member, you can leave a link to your project in the comments here. Please be sure to also leave me a way to contact you if you should win. The challenge will be open until 6 PM CST May 16th and a winner will be chosen by random drawing on May 17th.
 This is what you have a chance to win:

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post! It's good to be back and I look forward to getting more active on my blog again.
Here's a list of some of the other participants and their blogs. Be sure to check them out for more great ideas!
  Sara- http://sarawandrews.com/
  Colleen– http://www.scrappycol.blogspot.com/
  Francine- http://alilbitocreativity.blogspot.com/
  Erica- EKittyscraps.blogspot.com
  Heidi – http://cowgirl1hh.wordpress.com/
  Jenny- http://kozfam5.blogspot.com/