Christmas Tree Brooch/Decoration

My husband used his 3D printer to make me a Christmas tree base – it has a grid of holes that I stitched on (a bit like perforated paper).

I used pearl cotton 8.

It has a felt backing and could be used as a brooch (big but light) or a decoration.

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Filed under Bedazzle, Canvas Work, Christmas Decorations, Embroidery

2025 in Review

Some of my finishes for the year

2025 I embraced paper craft (using my Cricut).

I started an English Paper Pieces Huswif (still have that to finish).

I knit some socks – the plan of knitting a pair month didn’t pan out.

I fell in love with Dorset Buttons – I made 10 in the end.

I did some machine embroidery projects – I quite like embroidering on paper.

And I joined the Embroiderer’s Guild of W.A, which gave me an extra stitching session on a Monday afternoon (with a fabulous group of like-minded women). I have also joined the specialist canvaswork group, but I won’t start that until February.

I have re-discovered my love of Cross Stitch particularly on Aida and lower counts.

In 2026 I want to work with what I have.

Mt big project is going to be my Trinket Box

I also want to finish my Language of Love piece

Start the Denmark Dreaming piece.

Work on my monthly poems, knit socks, work on my Jane Austen Quilt, finish my huswif, finish my baby blanket and my goff mystery shawl.

I have also already booked into some courses at the Guild. So my plans are very ambitious, but so long as I am enjoying myself, it doesn’t matter what gets finished and what doesn’t.

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Finished Thing

I finished the first ornament of the 2025 Historical Sampler Company Advent Calendar.

I really enjoyed it – it is small and therefore achievable. I liked working on Aida, so much so, I have bought the Winer Woodland Stitch Along kit in Aida (I can do it while watching T.V in the evening).

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Filed under Canvas Work, Christmas Decorations, Cross Stitch, Cross Stitch, Purchases

Paper Embroidery

I have been intrigued by paper embroidery (this one is from Flourishing Fibers).

I printed the design, laid it on top of my circle and used an awl to make the holes.

I used Pearl cotton (number 8) instead of stranded floss.

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Filed under Cardstock, Christmas Decorations, Cricut, Embroidery, Inspiration

Advent Calendar – Cross Stitch 1

I am working on the first project from the Historical Sampler Company Advent Calendar.

It’s on Aida, which I haven’t used for years, and if truth be told, I have been a fabric snob, but I am loving it. I can see it with my normal glasses – no magnifying or light required.

And check out that cute needle minder!

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Filed under Canvas Work, Christmas Decorations, Cross Stitch, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Purchases

Snowflake

Snowflake Christmas Decoration

I have been making snowflakes – the file is from here.

These cut very well, but I had trouble getting the glue to stick.

I have tried many different types of glue

  • Glue pen
  • Glue tape
  • UHU glue

But in the end I found an acid free glue applied with a cotton bud worked best.

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Filed under Cardstock, Christmas Decorations, Cricut

Surprise Day Book Mark

My embroidery group had a ‘surprise day’, which is when our leader has designed a quick project for us to do. This year it was to make a bracelet, but I chose to make a bookmark.

I combined my interests; maths, stitching and dorset buttons.

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Trinket Box

I have wanted to do one of Thistle Threads caskets forever, but given the state of the Australian dollar and the cost of shipping from the United States, I couldn’t justify the expense. In a moment of weakness, I decided to purchase the Trinket Box kit.

Image from Thistle Threads

My supplies arrived yesterday

All my lovely supplies!

I am looking forward to starting this, but I should finish my Turtle first. I am being worn down by all of the long and short stitch.

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Making Matters – In Search of Creative Wonders – Clare Hunter

Making Matters – In Search of Creative Wonders – Clare Hunter

I am a fan of Clare Hunter’s. I particularly liked Threads of Life.

Here’s the blurb …

In an era of screens and machines, what a joy it is to read Clare Hunter’s inspiring new book, which summons up the creative delights of making wonderment with our own hands’
Justine Picardie, author of Miss Dior

‘Making Matters celebrates the joy of the handmade in all of its wonderful variety. In a fast paced world, it is a timely and beautiful exploration of making traditions. I loved it!’
Kate Strasdin, author of The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes

As children, we made things: snowmen, paper boats, eccentrically costumed plays. That making fired our minds and imaginations – it altered our small worlds and shaped who we became. But as adults, it is hard to find to find the space for creativity and to remember its power.

Exploring craft traditions and forms of making from across centuries and cultures, Clare Hunter encourages to engage with the world afresh. To use our hands again, to see beauty in unexpected places, to play and protest and embrace imaginative possibilities. From paper crafts to wonders made from light and snow, she searches for creative delight – making lanterns, puppets and pinhole cameras.

Inspiring and fascinating, Making Matters celebrates individual and collective creativity. It blends history, culture and politics with rich storytelling, wonderful characters and tales of remarkable objects. Read this, and then make something.

I found this interesting and the writing is lovely. I would have liked images of the items being described, but perhaps that would make the book’s price exorbitant. There is cultural and social history, but also some personal anecdotes.

Very easy to read if you are all interested in making things.

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3D Turtle Project

Stitch progress

The project for this term is this from Inspirations Magazine (I bought a digital copy of the pattern)

I am not sure if I am going to frame mine (like in the image above) or do something different.

The thread painting is slow but very satisfying.

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Filed under Embroidery, Inspiration, Magazines, Patterns