Modern Hand Embroidery: The Colour of Peace

 ‘In these times, the colour of Peace is hard to pin down’. My own design on scrap calico using left over DMC threads from other projects and gold earring loops and star for the hanging letters. Stitches used: French Knots, Couching,Chain and Satin stitch. All materials including the hoop came from charity shops.

Sashiko Japanese Embrodiery: 'Temari'

Sashiko Panel ‘Temari’ (手毬) . Temari balls are a folk art form and Japanese craft. The Temari are made from embroidery and maybe used in a form of Japanese handball in use from 7th century CE. Panel sewn with 3 colours as shown.

Sashiko Japanese Embroidery: 'Raindrops on a Lilypond'

‘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.

Sashiko Japanese Embroidery: Sampler 'The Flow' by Wagara

 Sewn with Japanese variegated cotton.

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.