Back in time

My friend, Jordan, wanted a spinning lesson, so I put aside my high-tech, computerised, do-everything sewing machine, and dusted off my low-tech spinning wheel. I hadn't done any spinning for years but I soon regained the hang of it and remembered how relaxing and soothing it is to work at a spinning wheel.

Extravagance!

When I took my sewing machine in for repairs on Christmas Eve, I looked at other machines while I was waiting - and started flirting with the idea of buying a new electronic machine (my old one has cogs for the limited range of stitches). After a few weeks of arguing with myself about why I didn't need a new machine, I took the plunge and now own this amazing new Husqvarna Designer Diamond. It seems to be able to do everything except make the tea - and it might even do that.


All I've done so far is play around with it. I decided to try all the built-in stitches but gave up after a few dozen (there are hundreds). Here's a close-up of some of the built-in stitches. If my work ever gets less busy (I thought I was retired), I'll have fun exploring what it can do.



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Cedric the maniacal ram

I've been subscribing to Stitch magazine since the first issue and I don't think I've ever made anything from it, although I love looking through every issue and dream of trying out the various designs and techniques.

After finishing one piece of embroidery and deciding that my hands were recovered and I could once again do embroidery, I looked around for another project and found this design in the Stitch magazine, which I had long wanted to do.


I painted the background using Lumiere Halo Blue-gold. The original design was goldwork but I deiced to do it in chain stitch instead, with french knots for the topknot, using a gold thread.

I don't know what I'm going to do with this piece either but I'm sure it'll find a home eventually. I'm really enjoying once again being able to do embroidery and other hand work.

Hand embroidery

Late last year, I picked up a needle and thread and tried making buttonhole rings. They worked well, so I found a piece of hand-painted silk for a background, attached the rings and kept going with more stitches, beads and shisha mirrors. Here's the result - I hope to use it on a box lid but haven't found the right size box yet.

Penguins on parade

When my son told me that his wife was expecting a baby, we bought the fabric for this quilt but I didn't make it up until late last year.


As you can see from this photo, Emma shares her father's enthusiasm for penguins.