Snowman Cocoa Mug Stitched Card

 

Shaped cold-weather card with the special touch 

of hand-stitching features mug front layer and 

reinforcing second layer that are pre-punched to complete 

a snowman (stitching chart included in cut file). 

Third layer of mug includes a cutout that surrounds 

cross-stitching as buffer. 

Whipped cream swirled dollop is layered, 

then bottom flange is inserted through mug back layers slot. 

Tie optional two-layer sentiment tag through 

mug handle front layers. 

Optional “hugs & hot cocoa” print and cut tag panel design 

can substitute for tag as desired. 

Tag measures approx. 4.125” wide x 5.6” tall 

when assembled and closed.

A companion snowflake cutout flap envelope

that is sized to fit this shaped card is available also.

(Tag will need to be adjusted toward center)

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A mug front layer with stitching holes

B mug second layer with stitching holes, cream slot

C mug back layer with stitching "buffer" window

D whipped cream contour front layer

E whipped cream base layer

F tag base with front print & cut rectangle

G tiny snowflake embellishments with twine ties

H card base with left side perforation for fold

I optional interior sentiment panel

Also select and assemble the stitching needles

(recommended tapestry blunt needles with large eye

size no. 24/26) and floss colors. The snowman will need:

white for snow; orange for nose; scarf & hat color;

black for eyes, buttons, arms.

2. Complete preparation and glue up for a few shapes

and press each flat under a heavy weight until dry:

A) layer the whipped cream contour front shape

onto the base shape, matching edges;

B) center and attach the "hugs & hot cocoa" print and cut

panel (or the plain label if preferred) onto

the tab base shape.

C) fold the card base in half along the perforation . . . 

. . . then open to position and attach

the interior sentiment label as shown.

3. Prepare the two stitching hole shapes by cleaning out

any partially attached "chad" circle cutouts from ALL holes,

using the stitching needle to push these through to

backside, then rub or individually remove.

4. Position and attach the mug front stitching shape

onto the mug back stitching shape . . .

. . . taking care that all holes are as precisely aligned

as possible. One way to accomplish this is to push

the stitching needle through several holes and

sliding until perfectly aligned, as needed.

5.  Prepare to stitch by cutting a length of 6-ply floss

approx. 30-36" long (shorter for smaller areas),

and separating TWO of the plies.

A) Line up the ends of both plies and straighten

the plies so that they are without twists.

B) Fold the two plies to line up the four ends, then

crease the loop end to create a half-way loop.

Thread the loop through the needle's eye, then . . . 

. . . pull the loop through, leaving approx. 5-6" cut ends tail.

The loop becomes the long "end", with 4 plies

together which will form cross stitches.

6. Review the following diagram to fully understand

how the cross stitches are formed uniformly

with RIGHT SLANT stitches made across the row first,

then the return half of the run completing

the LEFT SLANT stitches.

7. Refer to the Stitching Chart, either on screen,

or printed, to locate the bottom-most beard cross stitch.

This is where the first stitch will be made,

afterward working upward through the design.

8. Visualize the 'X' of the first stitch, then insert the needle

UP from backside through the top left hole of the bottom FOUR

that will create the 'X". Pull needle and thread through

leaving approx. 3-4" of loop "tail" still on backside.

9. Insert the needle into the bottom right hole . . . 

. . . then pass the needle through the loop . . .

. . . and cinch the thread up firmly on the back. 

This is the "tie on" step.

10. Continue the X stitch pattern in the next pair of holes . . .

 . . . then continue across to complete the RIGHT SLANT stitches 

across the first (bottom) row of chart . . . 

. . .  then return back across to complete 

the LEFT SLANT stitches.

11. To continue, move up to next row after each row . . . 

. . . and add the LEFT slant stitches across and

then move back across to complete each X stitch

with RIGHT slant stitches.

12. Continue in the same manner to begin and complete

rows. When floss length on needle gets close to being

too short to continue, pause in mid stitch when needle

is pulled through to backside, then slip the needle under

the adjacent 4-5 stitches. Pull the needle fully through, then . . .

. . . remove needle and trim the excess floss close

to the stitching it crossed under.

This is "tying off".

13. As stitching progressed up the chart, skip the stitch

spaces for the non-white Xs (neck scarf) as shown, working

LEFT slant stitches across row with thread "floating"

across skipped spaces on mug backside, then

returning back in same manner to complete RIGHT slants.

14. NOTE where the "half cross stitches" are on

the printed chart that will help shape the snowman body,

head, and scarf at some edges. One of these is indicated

in this photo, and its punch hole configuration includes

an extra tiny needle hole in the center of the usual four

holes that create the X. 

Complete these special stitches by making a "half-slant"

stitch as shown on the diagram.

15. Complete the white stitches for snowman body and

head, tying off and beginning new floss length as needed,

until white stitches on chart are all in place.

16. Tie on successive colors to complete scarf, hat,

arms, body buttons and coal eyes, and orange nose.

For better definition, consider tying on a two-floss length

to outline "straight" stitches around eyes and nose, etc.

17. Position and attach the "buffer" window mug back layer . . .

. . . so that outer card stock edges match, including

curved slot edges, and that the window edges

fall just beyond the completed stitching all around.

18. Begin to attach the whipped cream assembled shape

by slipping the bottom edge of attached tab

through the curved slot . . . 

. . . then apply adhesive to face where it will

touch and attach to backside of buffer shape.

Adjust cream shape so tab edges are parallel to

mug side edges, and so that the cream shows 

appropriately at bottom above mug "rim".

NOTE that the card base offset will need to mimic

the shaped edges of cream, so compare the assembly

to the card base front corresponding edges and make

adjustments to cream tab attachment before glue dries.

19. Attach the tag to the mug assembly handle

with twine bow, as desired.

20. Position and attach the mug assembly onto

the folded card base, with .125" offset margin

all around (excepting the tied-on tag).

Position and attach the tiny snowflake buttons 

with bow tie embellishments (or jewels, etc.) as desired.

Here is the completed card.