Sunday, April 11, 2010

Stitch Me!






My daughters grew this amazing orchid in Brisbane and it flowered this month. I thought I would share these photos with you as an inspiration for embroidery. I think it lends itself to stumpwork. Try long and short stitch with creative needlelace stitches over the top.
I'd love to see what you can do with it!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

French Inspired Home


No longer do we have to spend hours looking for vintage fabrics at boot sales and flea markets because The French General has produced a rustic range of beautiful fabrics reminiscent of 19th. Century farmhouses. The large striped fabrics have a 10% linen content which gives an antique feel. I love to cross stitch or embroider monograms and mix them in with the linen stripes and florals for that traditional look. The monograms are great on bags, purses and household items of all kinds. Check out the cross stitch and embroidery linens and also the little Sajou Alphabet Books.The old style reels pictured are in limited supply and each one is wound with 3 to 5mtrs. of ribbon. They were specially selected to match the fabrics so add a little tag or strip of braid to you project and you'll have the perfect French style.