Polish needlework from Embroidery by Mary Gostelow It’s the annual Auckland City Libraries book sale this week – only $5 for a bag full of books. Treasure hunting time! I’ve made some wonderful crafty scores, including an amazing book about traditional embroidery styles from around the world – Embroidery by Mary Gostelow (1979). This… Continue reading Crafty book finds at the Auckland City Libraries book sale
{ Friday: Corners of my life } Simply a photo, without words, a little window on my life
Day of the dead: brain dead. Its the end of school term and I am completely exhausted, so embroidery fills the gap. All I’m good for just now is punching needles and thread. In, out, in, out, re-thread, in, out. This piece has been stretched around a hoop a few times and isn’t looking so… Continue reading Dia de los Muertos embroidery update
Its getting late at night here in New Zealand and I don’t usually blog at this hour … but I’ve decided to grab a picture of this wee lovely before I go to bed. I’ve got to be up again early, to get her finished for a birthday party at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Eeek! This… Continue reading Meet Carmen: a doll for a Very Special two-year-old
A collection of red objects from my home.
I’ve been asked to create a small collection of Puriri moths and here’s the first. She is called Marama. I love the swirls on her wings and her cheeky antenna. She has furry legs too. Thank you, Anne L. x x x
It was my mama Katy’s birthday recently and I made her another version of the sleeveless jacket vest, this time in a brown, woven fabric. She finally received it in the post, so now I can share it with you. Making gifts for other people is one of my favourite things about being creative. As… Continue reading Giving gifts that are loved
Mother Eagle is the latest textile artist to fuel my obsession with biology-inspired design. I’ve mentioned Mister Finch recently, who does awesome things sculpting birds and other creatures from fabric. The mysterious Mother Eagle is into moths too, and has been working on a collection of embroidered Lepidoptera. Look at all the French knots in… Continue reading Inspiration: Mother Eagle
Some people are known by their children, others by their dogs and others by the car they drive. Apparently Matthew at Avondale’s Sewing Workshop knows people by the sewing machine they use. He certainly remembers mine – or more specifically, he recognises the hospital admission sticker on my Brother machine. Its hard to get… Continue reading Local Love: Avondale Sewing
Meet Luna, a giant puriri moth. Aenetus virescens is a moth of the family Hepialidae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It is New Zealand’s largest moth, with a wingspan of up to 150 mm. This one emerged from my sewing studio this afternoon. And here’s a real one. Aren’t they amazing creatures?
caroline larnach 