I’ve come to realize that if I’m going to start going to more cross-stitch retreats, I should probably start putting together more of a setup. This is a picture from the retreat I went to in July. This was Mickie’s setup. You can see it’s a defined area so she can keep your things together neatly.
I don’t have anything for that.
Then after going to the retreat in August and stitching at a table, I was REALLY messy, I again thought I should get a bit of set up put together.
After the retreat, I really knew I needed a setup…especially if I was going to go to the larger retreat at Quilter’s Station. So I started thinking.
I ordered the wooden tray from Hobby Lobby.
Next, I needed something to aid me in bringing some needed tools. The rage right now with cross stitching is to buy a travel jewelry box and trip them out. At the previous retreat, Debbie brought one she made to show and share. It’s so cute.
I decided I needed a theme color. It just so happens that when I was at the last retreat, Barb gifted everyone there a cute little bag that I just loved.
Lydia, another blog reader gave me some thread bling. Between the bag that Barb gifted me and the thread bling from Lydia, I made a plan to go with a red/blue setup.
I went on Amazon and bought THIS travel Jewelry Box.
Amazon is FULL of different types and styles of jewelry boxes. They range in price from just around $5 to higher amounts closer to $20. When I got mine it was around $10. HERE is a listing of them. If you go looking to buy one there are about four things to really consider
:
1-color
2-size including depth
3-closer zipper or snap
4-what you plan on storing in it
I wanted red and zipper and not the smallest size but nothing huge. If I didn’t have a pretty bag from Barb to go with it, I might have opted for a larger one.
I had it for a while and was a little afraid to jump in and just trip it out. Then I saw that Colorado Cross Stitcher put out a video featuring Tanya from The Scarlett House showing how she redoes the boxes. You can find that video HERE. Watch the video. It’s so fun to see how they transform these boxes.
After watching the video, I jumped in.
I pulled out the center section.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the mirror or the color of the fabric. It was a peachy color rather than white like I hoped. I ended up pulling out the inside lining of the lid.
I used sticky board, fabric and a glue gun and before long I had this…
I added a couple of clips, the needle bling from Lydia, the star threader from Kathryn, a thread unstitcher, one of my needle minder pincushions, and a tweezer. I ended up not completely happy with the inside of this section. I ended up making a bottom piece for both sides.
I used the top piece that I pulled out of the lid and used it as a template.
Here is what I thought my setup might be…I liked it. The bag from Barb is the pretty blue bag. I added the crochet butterfly that a blog reader had sent me. Oh, I was pretty happy…but then I realized I needed a place to put my thread leftovers cross stitchers call orts.
I ended up finding a tin and decided to bling it up.
I covered a piece of sticky board and put it in the bottom. I added some string to dress it up.
Then I put some twill tape around the lid.
From there I found some blue fabric and wool scraps. I cut out a tomato and stitched it down. I cut out some batting and put that all on a cardboard of fabric. I added the trim and rick rack.
I added twill tape around the bottom piece too.
It’s so cute. Here it is Barb’s bag.
I’m pretty happy with this. I think it’s cute.
I don’t stitch with an Ipad so I thought I should get a chart stand. I ended up finding THIS one on Amazon.
I don’t need a lot of light or magnification so I bought THIS simple lamp too.
Once everything gets here I’ll take a picture and show you.
I think I’m going to make a little design board that matches too. You can see how to make them HERE.
I’m so happy I took the time to do this. Too often I want to do something like this and then don’t. I’m not the best at taking time for putzy things.
This is going to be so cute. I’m giddy about it all. A big shout out to Barb and to Lydia for their gifts and for inspiring me to get me going on this.
So fun!!! And it doesn’t look very difficult. Might have to get inspired and make myself a couple of those adorable boxes. I say a couple because I try to keep all the essentials in with active projects…and periodically end up somewhere without scissors or needles.
I love this idea. I don’t go to retreats anymore but I do travel with my cross stitch to different places. Right now I have a metal lunch box that I use for my small projects but seeing that redone jewelry box has my thinking!
Love and prayers
What a great idea for hand work traveling. The only question I have is where do you store the pieces you’re working on for traveling to the retreat. In a special case in your suitcase?
I used these. https://amzn.to/3OKM0sq
How cute and practical!
Very cute! You did a great job transforming that travel case in particular.
So adorable. I don’t cross stitch, but I do wool applique. This would make a great carry along. I love the lid on the ort. How did you do the batting in the lid?
Forgot to say—I have one of those lights and it is amazingly bright — you should love it.
What a cute cross stitch travel case! You did a great job on it! I’m iso mores send and enjoyed all the links too! Thank you!
Your box is so cute! You’ve put together everything you’ll need! WooHoo!
What a great idea. I am so glad you took the time to make this and it turned out beautifully. You will feel so good when you go to your next retreat and take this. Enjoy!!
Now you are all set. You go girl! Have the best time ever ♥️
JO, Have you tried the company “Temu” for boxes?
Hi Diana. I have not tried them. As tempting as it is, I’ve stayed away from that company. I heard they take your info and sell it. I don’t know if it’s true but I don’t want anymore telemarketers. HA!
What a cute set of stitching accessories! The seating at a Quilter’s Station retreat is kinda tight, so these will really be helpful!
I couldn’t get the wooden box from hobby lobby to come up on their site. Love your traveling jewelry case.
Oh No. They must be out of stock!
Your box is so cute! You’ve put together everything you’ll need! WooHoo!
Make sure you test out the light. I have a similar one, and it really doesn’t stay bright for very long. You may need to take something to be able to plug it in as you use it. You made yourself a really cute set-up!!
I was going to say the same thing. For some reason it just will not hold a bright light for the amount of time needed on hand work.
You always have such good ideas when it comes to transforming an item into something new! Thanks for sharing with us.
Very cute and very practical.
I bought the same stand from Amazon a couple of years ago, and I use it all the time. For knitting, drawing, as a book holder, a tabletop music stand. It may follow you around the house.
You are going to have so much fun on your next retreat!!!
You’re all set! Cute and organized. It’s a win! win!
What do you call that tray set up…couldn’t find anthing like it. Great blog about your new setup!