Hand embroidery of Crowns Engine Houses, Botallack, Cornwall.

I think this is my favourite miniature embroidery so far. This is such an atmospheric place to visit and changes with the light. The day we visited was very changeable, one minute sun then the next rain. I have tried to capture the engine house in sun. The sea takes on some amazing colours in the sunshine.

Hand embroidered wedding bouquet.

I am thoroughly enjoying my embroidery and am creating some lovely designs. I have added to my shop customised embroidered wedding bouquets. They would make lovely gifts to remember a very special day. I have created an embroidery as an example from my friends sons wedding. The flowers were beautiful and have made a very pretty design. I have used a combination of DMC and Anchor thread on silk fabric chosen to compliment the flowers. Great fun to stitch.

Embroidery pendants.

I have completed three more embroidery pendants to add to my collection. I based these embroideries on places I have visited on holiday. The first piece I stitched was from a photo of a rowing boat on Lake Konigssee in Germany. The lake is a very peaceful calm place and I have tried to portray this in a small embroidery, not easy! I love the aqua colours of the water. Mainly straight stitch was used for all the embroideries. My second choice was a stitched from a photo of a beach in Cornwall with a person walking into the breeze. It was a little difficult stitching such a small person but I think I have achieved an impression of a person. My final design was of Boscastle in Cornwall looking back towards the village from the coast which is such a lovely view. I deiced to outline the houses because they weren't standing out. These pendants and brooches are a joy to sew. More to come.

Miniature hoop embroideries.

I have been having great fun designing and stitching some miniature embroidery pendants. I based them around my idea of a beautiful garden. I have embroidered three oval designs; a rose covered arch, a fountain and a garden bench. The rose covered arch has tiny french knot roses rambling around with a path stitched in straight stitch. I have tried to create shading under the arch. The garden bench is stitched with french knot roses and straight stitch shadows under the bench. Both these design are sewn on a blue silk fabric. The fountain is stitched on a gorgeous green batik.

Embroidery Spring Bookmarks.

Hi, Its been a while since I posted. I don't know where this year has gone. Lots of things have been happening and I have been very busy teaching my watercolour classes. My last sewing projects include two bookmarks for my BrushesAndBodkins Etsy shop. They took a long time to stitch but I am pleased with the results. The designs are based on two of my watercolour paintings and mainly stitched in cross stitch using a lot of half cross stitches to create the shapes of the petals. I have used straight stitch and french knots to form the details. I then stitched on a layer of  felt to neaten the backs. These were lovely to make and  corresponded with all the spring flowers and hedgerows bursting into life. I am currently working on some summer designs for necklaces which I will adapt for two summer designs for bookmarks. Watch this space.