Cushion Cover: Japanese Hand Embroidery: Sashiko & Boro and practicing Mottainai

This cushion cover is a cross over of Sashiko and Boro styles of Japanese hand sewing. The cover is damaged stock from IKEA ( stained slightly), the materials left over from other projects but originally purchased in a ‘oddments’ bin in a craft store, Japan. The threads Daruma Japanese brand are leftover skeins from old projects. Such fun to turn it into a thing of beauty and purpose and practicing the ethic of Mottainai (Japanese: Don't be Wasteful or Waste not Want not).

Modern Hand Embroidery: Mystical Upcycled Frog

Everything except the needle and hoop involved in sewing my frog came from deep diving into charity shop craft sections. I love visiting charity shops whenever I can …even when I’m travelling here in Australia or overseas. The design came from a half completed copyright free adult colouring book, the beads from a little packet of odd bits and pieces, the fabric from a bundle of unwanted quilting pieces, the threads are odds and ends of DMC, Semco and some unknown brands, the sequins from another packet containing hundreds of old sequins and buttons. I love the challenge of turning the seemingly unwanted into something exciting and new!

Cross Stitch: The Beatles (Project Progress)

81cm x 37cm (36 in x 17in) 114,000 stitches on 16 count Aida. I just now have to complete George and do the solid black areas.

Japanese Sashiko Embroidery: Cushion Covers

 Cushion Covers gifted to a friend: Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and Autumn Leaves (Koyo).

Sashiko Japanese Embroidery: 4 Koi Table Runner

Thread used is Daruma thick unbleached and red. I love mid century modern design hence the red koi facing the other direction. I used an embroidery stencil which I made into a Sashiko stencil. This was sewn onto regular thick Sashiko fabric and the backing is a dark blue 100% linen.

Sashiko Japanese Embroidery: Table Runner with Linen backing.

 

Sashiko Japanese Embroidery: Large Sampler

 

Sashiko (Japanese) Embroidery : ‘Mid Autumn in Japan(already heavy snow in the mountains)’

 

Crochet: Lap Throw

Pattern = Granny Wave and the yarn in a lovely soft and deliciously smooth 8ply merino wool acrylic mix from Abbey Road. I love its happy vibe!

Crocheted Throw from Scrap Wool given to a charity for homeless people

I confess I have a little obsession. I travel alot both in and out of Australia. Doing road trips in Australia I have a habit of dropping into op (charity) shops and searching for leftover balls of wool people denote. I like to make ‘scrap wool’ double thick throws from these random balls. Most I gift out but I keep one or two like this one. By double thick I mean I use two strands of yarn. This one suits a double bed. This magnificent obsession has two obvious ends: giving funds to a charity and making an extra warm throw to give away (friends or charities) or keep.