Two years in the making

Two years ago I started stitching with no end in mind. I was in to have a heart valve replacement and needed to have something to do that took no concentration whatsoever. So a running stitch project that was gorgeous to look at was just the thing. Almost two years to the day of the operation I finished and turned it into a bag for winter. 

It is the most densely stitched item I have ever made. But I have fallen in love with running stitch and handwork again. It's made of left over bits of blanket that had been dyed and left over bits of velvet that Jane from Stash Palace gave me. The embroidery is all sorts of thread and thread types, mainly bought from Jane too.

The inside of the bag has a magnetic clasp and a carabiner for attaching my keys, as I'm always losing them in amongst everything else. Two insert pockets and one side elasticated pocket for my phone. I'm really thrilled with it.

Linking to these places

 

Craft completions while camping

Over the Summer while we have been away I have been getting on with either finishing or starting various hand work projects.

I finished all the stitching blocks that I am going to do for a quilt that displays some of the kids Bible memory verses from school from last year. Yay, now onto the patchwork to put it all together. 

I started an applique using Asian woven fabrics  - eventually it will be the front of a  messenger style bag for me. 

I finished the hand piecing of these stretched look hexagons that I showed you when I started - here. I made a block big enough to make a new wallet and another little block to hold all my loyalty cards.

As you can see I am currently enjoying using my collection of Asian woven fabrics. So different to the normal American quilting cottons and such gorgeous textures.

I really enjoyed the hand stitching. Lately I have found myself reverting back to hand stitching things. I guess as the kids become older it is easier to do work by hand. 

I link to these places - I will be definitely linking this up to Finish it up Friday and WIP Wednesday.

Lots of time to stitch

We have come home from 9 days in Central Otago on holiday over the New Year. Now that is one place where heat and sunshine are guaranteed right. Well you would be wrong. We did get some warm days and some sun but we also had a lot of rain. Which meant the river kept going up and then making it either too cold or too swift for swimming.

 So I got quite a lot of time to stitch. I have been working on these stitcheries which are some of the memory verses that the boys had to learn at school this year. I decided to stitch some of the ones that struck a cord with me and then turn them into a quilt. Not sure yet whether I will use the quilt for fundraising if the school has something that the kids need to raise money for, or whether to give it to the boys. As it is no where near finished it is not something I need to dwell on at the moment.

The boys and Aaron did a lot of this.

I link to these places.

A finish and a WIP

All embroidered and embellished

On Tuesday I spent the day in the company of Jane Van Keulen - textile artist, and lots of other ladies. Jane comes to Kaiapoi twice a month and takes a day of stitching.

This was the first time I had juggled my work schedule to attend and I managed to finish a dove for the xmas tree and start a pig.

The back of the dove

The dove I first covered in white silk. This was then satin stitched around all the edge to hold it onto the pattern last. Then the embellishing starting. Silver thread is couched, sequins and beads attached and a little bit of stitching.

Both these projects are patterned and designed by Jane and the fabrics and threads are dyed by her. I loved having time out during the day to stitch and chat.

I do not need to start any other new projects but all of Jane's work just inspired me so much, I want to do a million things!!

I link to these places 

The start of my pig stitchery

What I am stitching

Well it is that time of year again - yes 10 weeks to Christmas (or something close like that). So the Christmas present making needs to be in full force. So while I was up in Wellington with Kerryn I started the stitching for everyone's presents.

Here are the photos of where I have gotten to. I did a few error's - I did the wrong spelling for one niece so have to redo that. I also got some of the names not quite symmetrical so am having to sort that out. But not a bad result for a weekend away.

Of course my recycling ethos is working here. All the threads are ones I have hanging around, some from old projects, some given to me. The buttons are off shirts I have recycled into other objects and the material is 100% linen from two shirts I bought at the Op Shop.

 Linking to these parties.