For the past ten weeks I've been teaching a machine embroidery class in Letchworth on Tuesdays. A lovely group of thirteen ladies who get together each week to practise their machine embroidery, possibly learn one or two new techniques and hopefully have a bit of fun. This was the result of learning to stitch down lots of scraps to make new decorative fabrics which were then made into some lovely festive items.
And yesterday we made flowers and seed pods using tyvek (the material used to make the suits that "Scene of Crime Officers" wear.) I thought they did a fabulous job.
When I got home there were two parcels waiting for me. The first was a giveaway prize from Karen and although I already knew how beautiful her work is, nothing prepared me for what she had made for me.
Inside my parcel was this exquisite piece of embroidery, pieced from silk and covered with the most beautiful hand embroidery. Karen often bemoans the lack of light this time of year when trying to photograph her work and I fully appreciate what she means because my photograph comes nowhere near doing this work justice.
I tried to get lots of lovely close ups but this was the only one that came out.
Karen also sent these fun little embroidered "puffs", again silk with beautiful embroidery. Thank you so much Karen - I was quite overwhelmed. If you're not familiar with Karens work do go and take a look over at Contemporary Embroidery.
My second parcel was another consignment of wonderful wiggly bags - gorgeous colours and fun fabrics from Susan. Beautifully made by Susan and the fabrics and velcro supplied by Susan's Mum, so thank you both very much - these will definitely help to brighten up the lives of some sick children.
Was there something else...? Ah yes ... a giveaway. Last night at the Wishing Eel book launch I managed to get a signed copy of the book - signed by John Wiltshire and Gillian McClure, the artists involved with the project. But as I don't have any small children to buy presents for this year I thought maybe one of you bloggy readers might like a copy? If you would like to be entered for this draw just leave a comment with the name of the child who might like to receive this in their Christmas stocking (they don't have to be real names... "blog" names will be fine) before Sunday 7th December and the book will be sent to the winner in time for Christmas. A little present from me to you to say thank you for being such lovely bloggy friends all year.
I will also include a set of postcards of some of the illustrations from the book... and possibly some other bits and bobs too!
Am I the first?:)) Fine:)))
ReplyDeleteThe name is Kata. Lovely giveaway presents!!!
DestructoBoy and Princess Curly-Wurly would love to help that book end up all dog-eared, well-thumbed and slightly crumpled around the edges the way a oft-read and enjoyed book should be :-)
ReplyDeleteNo.1 is possibly over the age group you recommend for this book, but since she has inherited my love of books, would love to just pore over it. No.2 would, I'm sure, enjoy everything about it. And as I'm a big kid, can I put me down too? :-D
ReplyDeleteLove the things you received in your parcels - from blogs I don't know, so I'm off to check them out now.
x
Elizabeth, Francesca and Nathaniel would love to have a copy of the wishing eel. It will be well loved and can become a family heirloom with a fantastic story of how it came to be ours for them to tell their children!
ReplyDeletexxx
Wow! what lovely work your ladies have produced. Those seed pods and flowers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAs for that giveaway how could Karen bring herself to part with it.
Please could I be entered into the giveaway the three names are Willow, Archie and Brittany.
Gorgeous embroidery! I would never have the patience for that.
ReplyDelete(I haven't forgotten about wiggly bags btw. Sewing is on the project list for the weekend ;).
Miss Grace and the Eggman would love that book so please add us for the giveaway draw.
xMx
oh, yes, please.
ReplyDeleteoh, yes please. Add us in!
ReplyDeleteThe piece of embroidery you won is amazing, wow!
What fab sewing and lovely gifts Gina! Could Fred's name please go in the draw for the book? I think he would love it!
ReplyDeleteLucy x
I'm with Kitty - I love childrens books, so please can I join in? Failing that, I have a whole class of children who would love to read and look at it. Class 1 is their collective name!
ReplyDeleteOwen would love to do some wishing with the eel, the books illustrations look fantastic in the postcards.
ReplyDeleteThe flower and seedpods look great I have never heards of tyvek before what do you plan to do with them now you have made them?
I know two small people who'd love to win - Minxie and Sausage Monster :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the goodies you got in your parcels. That embroidery of Karen's is exquisite. Thanks for the link to her blog.
xxx
You lucky sausage! Karen's work is excuisite. No lets hope that I can be a lucky sausage and win your book for Will and Anna! xx
ReplyDeleteLucky you Gina. Karen's work is beautiful and very imaginative. I would like to be included in your draw if I may. I'm a big kid at heart!
ReplyDeleteI know someone who would love the book - if we win could you dedicated it to ANNA (no not me another one!!) THanks
ReplyDeleteLovely goodies. I am off to look at Karen's blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sure either Tall or Tiny Small would love the book, so could we be entered please? As feared, Tiny was feeling too rough to venture into town today so we shall be visiting the eel another day :-(
Please could I be entered in your givaway, I would love to win it for my grandson Josh,age three and a half. He loves books!
ReplyDeleteWow what a post full of beautiful things!! The flowers are fascinating, the embroidery .. WOW - i am particularly intrigued by those puffs so will pop over there to have a closer inspection, and the book giveaway is so generous. Jimmy is over the age for that though so please don't enter me for the giveaway. xx
ReplyDeletegosh what lovely gifts - such beautiful work no wonder you were thrilled!
ReplyDeletei always love looking the work you show its soo inspiring.
have no little ones now so i dont think i'm eligible for the giveaway - shame!
xx
I just love those flowers and seed pods - they look great fun to do. Beautiful embroidery too in your parcel. There is no-one in my family the right age for the book, so it wouldn't be fair to join the giveaway draw.
ReplyDeleteSamm my eldest grandson would adore this book if I was lucky enough to win it:)
ReplyDeleteI want to make a comment about the lovely tyvek seed pods, but please don't put me in the giveaway becasue it should go to someone with children and although i would love to win, mine are rather too old but have none of their own yet.
ReplyDeleteplease enter me as my best frind has offered her nursing services whilst I have this metal monster on my arm and her daughter would love it!!
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous to see your eel in the window display!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me into your giveaway.
The child in question is called Kerry and she's recently turned 4(0), and she would really love to win that smashing book.
:)
ps. She would be willing to share it with any other like minded young(er) individuals who she may or may not be related to.