Ann Webster

‘Here’s a project I've just completed. A small bag made from the bottom leg of a pair of jeans; big enough to hold my phone and purse. The motif is a doodle really and I made it up as I went along.

I'm really keen on wool appliqué, so I've used felt pieces as a base and then embellished with a variety of stitches. The bag is lined and the cord handle attached using small tabs and D rings, then whipped with contrasting thread. A labour of love!’

‘I’ve also recently completed this small piece inspired by Salley Maver. The idea had been floating around in my head for some time, so when I picked up this nicely-shaped piece of driftwood, it became fully formed.

The moss was stitched onto pre-shaped felt, then glued to the driftwood and the toadstool crocheted with 3 strands of embroidery thread. Then, I crocheted a few tiny, misshapen leaves to resemble woodland debris.

The whole piece is 14cms wide by 6cms high. And, yes, I admit to being pleased with it.’

Ann, the creativity in your designs is fabulous, we love it. The vibrancy and individuality of each of your projects is fun and unique, and the quality of your work is superb. You should indeed be pleased with your accomplishments; we’d be worried if you weren’t! Thank you for sharing these gorgeous pieces and be encouraged to keep up the excellent work.

Melissa Dunajski

‘I finished one of my oldest WIPs in May. It is an older Teresa Layman design. Stitched with only French and colonial knots using a single strand of DMC. I love how small it turned out. I repurposed a decorative clock and am very happy with the end result!’

What a wonderfully unique way to display such an incredible design, Melissa. Your continued efforts to finally finish one of your oldest WIPs has absolutely paid off with this intricate and gorgeous piece. You should absolutely be very happy with the end result; thank you for choosing to share this with us.

Roxanne Goff

‘I started learning embroidery around age 6 with my mom. Through the years I only did straight embroidery. Then in 1985 I moved to Iowa and met some wonderful ladies who introduced me to the EGA. I learned many different embroidery stitches and haven’t stopped since. I moved back to my hometown in Montana in 1996 and joined a group of stitchers.’

‘The embroidered cauliflower in my photo was made with wool yarn and wire. It has straight stitches and French knots. The project is Cauliflower by Julie Kniedl.

The strawberries are done on red linen using DMC perlé cotton and pulled thread stitches. The pattern is Denise Forsyth’s Festive Fruit from Inspirations magazine issue 96.

I also like to do patterns by Alison Cole and Jane Nicholas. I really enjoy designing and constructing my own art quilts.’

Roxanne, what a testament to the importance of a stitching community and how, over time, this has encouraged and developed your skills. Your years of experience are evident in your stitching, and your joy and passion for embroidery shine through your pieces. Thank you for contributing to our stitching community.

Have you stitched a design using repurposed materials? Do you use a little creativity with how you display your needlework? Or has your stitching community taught you some new skills?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com