The Accidental Embroiderer

A really big project

When I was searching through some old files looking for things I could post here, I came across a BIG piece from several years ago. It’s not entirely mine, of course, but was made in collaboration with my friend Cherri, (at Instagram @cherriberi1) who I’ve worked with for several years. She had the ideas, I did the designs and the digitising according to her instructions, and then thankfully left to her the monumental job of stitching everything out

 

Mermaid and friends

It’s a really huge piece, as you can see. I have to say that I’m not always enthusiastic about designing and digitising the human figure, but she didn’t turn out too badly. But I just loved doing all the fish, and it was the first time I’d ever attempted a jellyfish

Cherri called it “When We Believed in Mermaids” and entered it in the Hoffman competition, where we were pleased to learn that it won two second place prizes - one in “Mixed Techniques” and one in “Best Use of Aurifil thread”. 

 

 

Better a late freebie than none at all!

It’s true that I always try to post freebies around the first of the month, but life has been a bit hectic recently so this one is a bit late. It’s been hanging around in my files for ages and I have no idea where the idea came from. I think it must have been taken from some sketches of ”baroque birds” I did some time ago

 

A Baroque Bird?

Anyway it’s a nice cheerful image which helps me to brighten up these cold Scottish winter months. HERE it is, in .pes v.6, and it’s for the 5x8 inch (130 x 180 mm) hoop

As always, if you have problems downloading it, or if you have problems with the stitching, just drop me a line and I’ll try to sort things out

If you don’t like bugs, look away now….

I know that many people don’t like bugs and beetles, and I’m not all that fond of them myself. But sometimes they are so unusual and distinctive in shape that I can’t help sketching them, and even using them in in designs.

Some time ago I got carried away and did a lot of funny-looking beetles embellished with various flower and leaf designs. Goodness knows where the ideas came from, and I can’t say that I’d ever use them myself in a quilt or a shirt, but I couldn’t resist doing them anyway.  Who knows - they might come in handy for some eccentric project

Three flower bugs

 

Now, I know I’m late with February’s freebie, but what with one thing and another things have been pretty busy here. Anyway I’ll do my best to get something up next week - and don't worry - it won't be a bug!