A New Year

I didn't write a 'Christmas' post, or a 'New Years' post..  but I do hope you all had a lovely festive season and have entered 2020 safely.

It has been very busy in our house during the last few weeks. Not with anything remotely embroidery related. My brother and his family, and my dad arrived a few days before Christmas and are staying with us, for the best part of three weeks. This is the first time my dad has ever been with all of his four grand children at the same time. Ranging in age from 13 to nearly 30, it is needless to say it is a very special time for him especially.
My brother and his family have taken off on a road trip on their own for a few days, and our two boys have taken their granddad out for the day - so the house feels very quiet today after so much activity.

You may recall, I had a deadline before Christmas. 
I made it!! 
Just!!!


This is the smaller, class version of a new stumpwork kit. I have named it MOTHER HEN. I will be making it into a needlebook, so I have deliberately not included any wired shapes or elements which the larger version will have.
I did take photos as I went and will share more about the various elements in this project in a later post. It is designed as a reasonably easy project - an Introduction to Raised Embroidery (or Stumpwork). For that reason, I have embroidered it using mostly common embroidery stitches, like chain, satin and stem stitch. One of the things I do love about embroidery, is that you really don't need to be accomplished in an endless amount of different stitches. Once you get to know a few, there are so many ways to use them.

As I write (and stitch, and go about my everyday 'doings') my thoughts are with everyone who are affected by the terrible bushfires burning out of control in New South Wales and Victoria. We are safe where we are, but are acutely aware of what is happening and that it could easily happen here also.

Stay safe
Anna X



Comments

  1. Wow, what a special holidays this is for all of you, Anna, so, make good and precious family memories for later on. Enjoy your time with your family to the fulllest, Anna.
    Mother Hen is absolutely gorgeous, what beautiful piece of artwork. You can 'paint' like a painter, Anna, with your magical needles and thread. It's a miracle to me how you do it, but I LOVE everything you make!
    Here, in The Netherlands, we also follow the news of the terrible Australian bushfires too. It must be terrifying to live in these dangerous areas now. Thankfully your family is safe.
    My New Year's wish for you is: stay safe and good health, prosperity and happiness!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. It is a very special time indeed with family. We will continue to follow the fires and hoping for milder conditions on the East Coast so that firefighters get at least a chance to get it under control.

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  2. Happy New Year Anna! I was just thinking about you and hoping you were safe... the news is scary and I know you are not near the fires, but it can't be easy anyway. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying a great family gathering! Those get more precious the older we get....! I LOVE your needle-book mother hen! I am going to try stumpwork one of these days!!! I look forward to seeing more! :):)

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    1. Happy New Year Betsy. Yes, the fires to put me on edge even if most are far away. In South Australia we have had a really bad fire on Kangaroo Island, with 2/3 of the entire island burned, lost of houses, live stock and wildlife destroyed and lives lost. Very sad and overwhelming.

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  3. Thank you not only for your beautiful embroidery but also for letting us know you are safe thus far. I was wondering. My heart aches for the homeless, the wildlife and the environment.

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    1. Thank you so much for thinking of us and out Australian neighbors.

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  4. Beautiful embroidery, Happy New Year!

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  5. Christmas is usually a very busy time. :)

    Mother Hen looks wonderful!

    I visit few blogs of Australian friends and it's so terrible to read about all these fires.

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  6. hey, Happy new year ahead best wishes for you. MOTHER HEN looking cool, like she is also enjoying new year.

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