Stitching progress

 I have finished the brooch ‘one perfect day’ and the ‘k for kangaroo’ wrist cuff. Very inspired to continue in this style of @viv_hensteeth . Little seed stitches, buttons and overcast edging added. Now to complete the small needle case , which I may just turn into a wee book with lots of added bits and pieces.

It was such a lovely time slowly and thoughtfully stitching by hand. Time to think and chat. Makes me realise how much I am leaning towards hand stitch, no rush, smaller but full of special moments to find in the work and the hush. 

Stitching

These three pieces are from a workshop with Viv Sliwka from @viv_hensteeth at the Brisbane Convention Centre as part of the Embroidery convention.

A cuff , a needlebook and a brooch.

Ball for a baby

Finished this ball I started on a retreat last weekend. Made for my first grandchild due in May. Slowly cut the patches for English paper piecing out of fabrics in my scrap bag that had been there from my makings of quilts and clothes for my children.

So there are rabbits and teddies, cats and elephants , butterflies and fish.
After I had started this I was searching online and found patterns for Montessori Balls which have handles for wee hands to hold onto. So I’ve started one of those as well. Might take a bit longer yet as they are a puzzle to put together.

Heart

I have finished this wee hanging heart. A project online by @sophiebroderie. Was to be finished by Valentines Day but no pressure and all in good time. I love hand work, handstitching and the slow build up to add to the image so much. Easy to take anywhere to work on. I want to add more embroidery to my small reflections on life and times around me, give depth, text, and really feel and understand the fabric and threads being used.

This is worked on a beautiful deep red fabric. It is kind of velvet like but a lower pile. 100% cotton. The threads and tiny scraps of lace are of course vintage form my collection of sourced findings. The hanging strap is a piece of french ribbon , made of silk and so soft and precious to use even though I have a long length of it left.

Pouches

Last week at Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists meeting there was a talk by a wildlife carer. She cares for possums and bought several small ones to the meeting. These had been abandoned or orphaned. The spinners and Weavers group have been making pouches for several different sizes of furry creature needs from possums, gliders , kangaroo and koala joeys. The pouches can be knitted or sewn and have to be wool on the outside with a removable inner pouch that can be taken out and washed.

So very sweet. There are brush-tails and a ring-tail.