Christmas in July: State String Art

I love giving handmade gifts around the Holidays, but too often I don't start making them until December and gifts end up getting put off until a year (or two) later.  If you find yourself falling into this pattern as well, I'd like to help.  Every Sunday in July, I'll be sharing some homemade gifts that you could make now and stockpile for December.  This project was entirely inspired by the string art done by Curiously Wrought on Etsy who isn’t currently taking orders.  I decided to make my own as a wedding gift for a couple getting married in Texas and used the colors of the state flag.  This could be customized with any state and colors, perhaps someone’s school colors or just something to match their décor. 

To make this string art, you need a shadow box (mine is 8" square), a piece of foam core cut to fit the shadow box, cardstock in two or three colors, metallic silver embroidery thread, and a box of sequin pins (in the sewing department).  First, cut out an outline of the state (just use google to find a picture) and a heart at least 3/4" in height.  Glue the outline and heart onto the foam core positioning the heart on the person’s home city, college town, or the state capitol.  The next part is going to hurt your fingers, so put on a thimble if you have one.  Outline the heart in pins, placing them as close together as you can, without the heads touching (you need to be able to fit the embroidery thread between them).  Then outline the state with more widely-spaced pins.  Tie a knot around one of the outer pins and then begin wrapping the thread around the pins, alternating between the inner and outer pins.  You’ll have to use the inner pins multiple times since there are many more outer pins.  The closer spacing of the heart pins and the wider spacing of the state pins will create the starburst pattern.  A personalized gift appropriate for almost anyone on your list and it is done in less than an hour.  What could be better?

Looking for a different project for the geography-lover in your life, I'd recommend a fabric-scrap map like I made for Geoff last Valentine's Day.