‘Raindrops on a Lily Pond’ outdoor garden table centre piece of my own design sewn onto heavy weight white cotton drill using variegated Japanese Daruma thread and Sashiko embroidery.
This site is to show off my hobby of creative hand sewing. It has been a love of mine since I was 10 years old. Now, not only is it a very meditative past time, but it also exercises my eye & hand co-ordination after a battle with a huge brain tumour that didn't take my life but it took from me a lot of skills I took for granted. NOTHING ON THIS SITE IS FOR SALE. Items I make are for me, my family, my friends and occasionally, charity. Enjoy!
16 June 2025
01 June 2025
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).
28 May 2025
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!
26 May 2025
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.
15 May 2025
12 May 2025
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.
07 May 2025
30 April 2025
Japanese Sashiko: Dedicated to and in Homage and Thanks to Yayoi Kusama
Sampler: Krosu Tsunagi sewn in every bright colour Sashiko thread I had to hand including variegated bracelet making cotton. This joyous rom...
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Heavily inspired by the Expressionist artist Paul Klee’s modern masterpiece ‘In the Desert’ and the Japanese sewing art of Sashiko and Boro,...
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Part 3 of my ‘Kitchin Stitchin’ Project to liven up a dull kitchen wall. Parts 1 and 2 were Tomatoes and Oranges. Title: Peaches Aida: 14 co...














