This year Todd and I decided that we would give each other handmade presents for Valentine’s Day. Okay, so, really, I wanted to give each other handmade gifts. He hasn’t embroidered anything in almost two years, and I miss seeing what he can do!

Todd wanted to make something for me in a genre that he couldn’t remember I had ever stitched. He dug into my Irish roots and made me this awesome, very Celtic-looking claddagh.

Todd did something else for me that I’m not going to get upset about, even though he spent money. He sponsored a chimp for me from Chimp Haven, Inc. His name is Midget, and I am in love with him! Todd said he looked at all of the chimps you can sponsor several times before deciding on Midget. He reminded him most of me…he sticks up for the underdog, is very vocal, and he’s super friendly.

For Todd, I embroidered this pattern from Sublime Stitching. I had fun with it since I tried a new stitch – the chain stitch (bottom outline of the heart). I also fell in love with a stitch I had previously disliked – the stem stitch (all of the blood vessels). I found this neat tutorial on YouTube for the stem stitch that made it so much easier to do.

I wanted to do something else for Todd, something that he could keep with him. He’s been going through some tough times, and I wanted to remind him at any point in the day or night that I love him, and I’m here for him. I used the Tim Holtz Ideaology pocket watch to create this little vignette.