Needlework designs and delights
Those antique birds – I just can’t stop stitching them! I wanted to introduce you to my newest feathered friend, this little one, surrounded by a magnificent wreath of flowers. I think it’s a cardinal – but perhaps the original stitcher took some license with the colouring – what do you think? I’ve been collecting…
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An antique reproduction (Eileen Elizabeth Mason 1923) and two pin-pillows… More of my time than I care to admit is spent searching online for antique samplers. Most are out of my price range, and many use very similar motifs, similar sentiments and have tried-and-true colour palettes. It was such a treat to find this relatively…
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An antique reproduction – special Etsy exclusive Working with antique samplers is such a privilege. While my collection mostly consists of the damaged, neglected and in need of saving, I have found a particular love of French samplers. Typically very floral, there’s a lightness and delicacy about them that keeps me intrigued. This sampler came…
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An antique reproduction and a drum This pattern arose out of friendship – the lovely Nicola from Number12StitchCo on Etsy asked me to create a special reproduction using her beautiful linen, for the first Toowoomba Stitcher’s Retreat in 2024. After going back-and-forth on a couple of designs (and hitting the inevitable design roadblocks) we decided…
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An antique reproduction Nestled among roses, Mrs Patmor’s home was clearly a haven. I like to think that the anonymous antique stitcher loved Mrs P and the home she created around her. While I can’t pinpoint Mrs Patmor in time (save Downton Abbey!), I love that we can remember her, and the kind stitcher, by…
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A stitching panel for Cottage Garden Threads’ “Work Cushion” pattern Some time ago, Katie from Cottage Garden Threads re-released a pattern she designed for a work cushion – an ingenious idea to create a cushion to use as a stitching surface that is adjustable in height, and that contains lots of clever little pockets to…
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Sometimes with designing and reproducing, a mistake can send you in a whole new direction. I started this piece many months ago, hoping to release it for Market earlier this year. I started reproducing it in overdyes and stitched almost half before I decided it wasn’t working. Now, it’s not unusual for me to have…
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An antique adaptation with heart. Sometimes a little piece of history comes your way and just captures your heart. From the moment I saw Harriett’s needlepoint sampler, I knew she was a kindred soul. While the beautiful, almost abstract flowers first caught my eye, it was the sentiment that really drew me to the piece.…
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An antique reproduction and a mini design. When I’m especially busy (or, let’s be honest, a bit frazzled), I find I reach for monochrome stitching. Working with a single colour is particularly restful, as you can just focus on the calming repetition of thread flowing through linen. And, more often than not, it’s a redwork…
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An antique reproduction I must confess – I have a real love for Victorian needlepoints and have been collecting them for some time. When I reproduced “Mary Barton’s Work” last year, I wasn’t sure anyone else would want to stitch it – and I’m thrilled that Mary’s weird little bird found so many homes with…
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Mojo Stitches 