Stamps Ahead

 This past week I worked on two projects during a free on-line event with Making Zen Studio. Firstly, I completed a workshop with BB Henry to make this Textured Snippet.  I made mine small 3" x 1 (8cm x 2.5cm). I used fabrics from my stash - the pearls were part of a lace piece I used - I removed the and sew them on individually.  Various suggestions were given on how I could use it - a hair barrette was one not sure about that one, I feel certain I will use either as an embellishment for my junk journal or as a small gift card.   It was fun to create and I see more in my future. The second project I completed was a workshop with Heidi Iverson, Mini Button and Loop Pouch. Again, a small project finished at 3" (8cm) square.  Slow Stitching using Japanese fabrics (except for red) from my stash. Thank you for looking, Margaret 

Here is a pin I have created this afternoon suitable for wearing as brooch or in a junk journal. For the past week I have been sorting through patchwork fabrics and packing them up into packages for a local charity shop and as I worked through them there was so many beautiful small pieces of fabrics, and it got me thinking what could I do with them. So, I head to Pinterest/Instagram and found some beautiful pins by Anna-Karin Sjoqvist  from way back in August 2019 and from this photo (see link) I created my pin. Of course, I needed to make one immediately as I was inspired.  I have left thank you on Instagram.  Do yourself a favour head over to her site she has so much inspiration - I could have spent hours looking at her work. Thank you, Anna-Karin, I love it and I used some slow stitching on mine and added beads to the pin. I love the frayed look. In all it only took a very short time to make, and I can see me making many more in the future. Thank you for looking, Marga...

 Here are two more photos of slow stitching project I completed for my sister.  She had two very small leather journals and she wanted decorated.    She had a small charm from her favourite city, in the world, Paris that she wanted to apply. This one I finished with a raw edge, instead of my usual blanket stitch.  I wonder if she has not turned that edge under!  Adding the dark spotted remnant of fabric really bought this one to life. Thank you for looking, Margaret Happiness is handmade.

Making the scrap fabric cards the other day, really got my fabric on..... here are some mini projects I made last night and this morning. I started knitting and needlework from an early age. For many years I was a patchwork and embroidery teacher, also completing several commission works and selling at markets.  The call of new car and a holiday beckoned me back to the corporate world.  After 10 years I left to care for my father, teach English overseas and become a lover of papercraft and mixed media. Recently my friend was given a card for her birthday by her aunt (I cannot post that image here) that was embellished with a small, 2" or thereabouts, of stitching.   This got my fingers itching to do some embroidery again.   So, off to the internet I went.  I found references to 'slow stitching', sashiko, and boro stitching that inspired me to get out the needles, embroidery threads, scraps of fabric, lace, beads, etc and get started. The following desc...