Sunday, July 8, 2018

An update....

I forgot to show that I had finished my 4 scrappy place mats and 2 mug rugs.

These are made from strips I had left over when I prepared an African theme quilt which I am planning to sew up at retreat next weekend...  It's always great to use up every last piece.



My 'sewing' time this weekend was just organising stuff really - and sorting

I have this bag of arbitrary stitcheries I have done over the years and was trying to think of some things to make with them


I found some other precious stitcheries with them

Many years ago when we lived in Zimbabwe I did many years of work with HIV/AIDS education and care.  The organisation I worked for had a sister organisation providing skills for financial independence to women affected by HIV/AIDS, many of them infected by the virus.  One of their main income generating projects was doing embroideries and I was gifted a whole lot of them. 

This one especially meaningful as it was a thank you gift from the women


I had a lot of other ones but they were used in quilts for the eldest grandsons... but I kept a few of my favourites.

Here are a bunch of guineafowl....


… and a pair of giraffe....


The Tenda bus service - chockoblock full ....


When the women knew I was coming to live in Australia they sewed this one for me....



I do want to make things with them - probably wallhangings or cushions.  What would you do? - I need ideas

This embroidery was not done by the same women but I found it amongst my mums things. 


It is quite a small one and so that and these other two have been taken out to make up some needlecases


Most of today I just had my scrap baskets out and tipped over!


My African violet usually lives outside but we brought it indoors to protect it from the cold and it is so happy in this sunny spot.... It might have to live here permanently...


Handstitching lately has been doing a stitchery I can't show just yet - but it has taken much longer than I thought..... the main bit is done so I got onto some more blocks for My Small World.  They are taking up time too .. the finished block is 4 1/2" so those leaves are quite little and there are 5 to do altogether....


Righto, Gotto Go, I think a cup of coffee and a bit of handsewing is called for - I've been on my feet all day....


15 comments:

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Great placements and mug rugs ..lovely stitcheries I think they would make great cushions ❤️❤️

kiwikid said...

Placemats and mug rugs look wonderful Fiona. Those stitcheries are amazing enough to make a wall hanging maybe? Your African violet is beautiful, my Mum had many of those. Your little leaves blocks are very pretty.

Chookyblue...... said...

I'd combine them into a wall hanging.....how special they are beatiful . ...

Jennifer said...

Such special embroideries.....a wall hanging would be a wonderful way to show them off.

Chrissie said...

Love the placemats, so good to use up all the scraps. Your embroideries are lovely, very special, I agree a nice wall hanging to show them off really well. xcx

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

So many beautiful things you have shown today. What is on the top of the head of that lady who is knitting while she is walking and carrying a baby. I can't make out if it is an umbrella or a pepper but I don't quite understand the significance. I think I would put them together in a wall hanging.

Anonymous said...

Hi Fiona what a lovely story and I love the stitcheries that they made for you,so special, making them into cushions kept coming into my mind. I need a big cleanup in my room too and to finish off a heap of stitcheries that I have too. Your flowers are pretty love the colour,hope you had a wonderful weekend my friend xx

Michelle Ridgway said...

Great use of scrappy bits for your placemats. What special embroideries. I think I would make a wall hanging so I could see them all the time. I love African violets....my Nan used have several in her kitchen by the window just liie you. Yours is gorgeous. Love those cute little orange peels xx

Jeanette said...

Love those embroideries. They are very special. A wallhanging is a great idea to use them on. Love the placemats/mug rugs. Hugs, xx

Louise said...

The Zimbabwe stitcheries are really special! I can tell that you truly cherish them. It would be nice to have them out where you can see them more often. What about a long skinny piece, like a table topper, but you lay it across the back of your couch or across the foot of the bed? I love the fringey bit on some of them. That would be fun to have floating on top of the quilt :)

Allie-oops Designs said...

Oh golly those Zimbabwe stitcheries - wallhanging for sure, so you can look at them all the time. What GORGEOUS memories. Your scrappy mats are darling, great idea to use up leftovers! Your African violet looks so happy, and I love your little leaves!!

Janice said...

What a great idea for your scraps, especially as they aren't fabrics that will blend with the general run of the mill designs. I love the embroideries. Such a wonderful memento of your time with special people.

Anthea said...

Wow how amazing are the embroideries from the ladies, Fiona... precious indeed & definitely requiring the Perfect Use. I'm sure you will do them justice!

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

Such lovely stitcheries with wonderful memories! I reckon a wallhanging :) xx

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