Sunday 5 May 2013

Embroidered Needle Case.

The last week of April was my Mums birthday. That was April the fourth month of the year.
Way back in January I remember sitting with my friends at our weekly sewing group, watching two very talented ladies working hard on some traditional hand embroidery. Both create exquisite, precise neat and sometimes quite complicated embroidery stitches. Absolutely beautiful work.

It was while I was watching their nimble fingers I remembered something my Mum had said about one day she must get around to making herself a needle case, one with labelled pages for different types of needles.  

So way back in January a little idea pinged into my teeny tiny brain! I'd make my Mum a needle case for her birthday. Yes! I had lots of time, four whole months, no rush then.

Fast forward to April, a very busy month for me stitching like mad in preparation for two craft fairs. Suddenly I only had two days left before Mum's special day! Aaaargh! Where had all that time gone, who had stolen almost 4 months away from me!

Well much frenzied stitching ensued. Even on the day of my arrival at Mum and Dads house I was very relieved to find that my parents had a hospital appointment and would have to leave me home alone for a couple hours before lunch. Perfect! That just gave me time to finish stitching the last two labels onto the pages inside and add the date to the back, phew! You can still see a slight purple fuzz around the date where the air erasable pen hasn't had time to vanish. 
I just had time to take a few quick photos before carefully wrapping it in tissue paper and hiding it away.

And yes, she loved it. All the rush and frenzy was well worth it in the end.

Till next time
love Fi x 



24 comments:

Jenna said...

That needle case is so beautiful, you did such a beautiful job on it and I think your mother is going to just love it :-)

Annie Jeffries said...

Awwww, Fiona. That is just so special. Happy Birthday to your mom.

Miss Holly said...

oh.....this is the dearest little case.....how beautiful!!
I think i may have to make myself one!!!

Chrysalis said...

I'm not surprised she liked it, Fiona - absolutely gorgeous Hope you all enjoyed the rest of her special day. xx

Sarah said...

Absolutely gorgeous, as always!!

How have you done the flowers on the tall blooms? They're not just ordinary French knots are they?

Kind regards,

S x

KC'sCourt! said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love embroidery, and have gone back to it after many years of cross-stitching.
Julie xxxxx

Jacquie said...

Oh, it's just perfect Fiona...you are an amazing needlewoman.
Jacquie x

Greenorchid said...

So pretty, what a thoughtful daughter you are... I'm sure your mother will treasure it... Cx

Annie said...

Oh Fi that is just gorgeous. A very special gift made from the heart. I'm certain your mum will treasure it.
Hugs,
A x

Plain Jane said...

So lovely - I bet your mum was thrilled x Jane

Anonymous said...

The perfect gift I would say! x jo

crazydazy said...

beautiful embroidery...is that a tana lawn Liberty fabric you used for the lining, Ali

Carol said...

Beautiful, such lovely work. Happy Birthday to your Mum.
Carol xx

French Nanny said...

Oh Fi,

That is absolutely GORGEOUS!

Penny
x

Noelle the dreamer said...

Gorgeous! Your Mum must have been beside herself with such thoughtfulness!
Blessings Dear,

Jeanne Feijó Machado said...

Olá Fiona
Lindo o presente que fizeste para sua mãe, ela vai ficar encantada. Vi a feira que participastes, mesas pequenas, muitos trabalhos para expor, aqui também é assim, só que na rua. Muito sucesso e um abraço da sua fã aqui do Sul do Brasil.
Jeanne

Claire said...

It's just beautiful Fi.........
I think we must all be the same, so much time in which to create, but then it all happens at the last minute!!
Hope your mum had a wonderful birthday.

CLaire x

Susan Smith said...

Well done, it's beautiful. Where does the time go?

Chrissie's Crafty Corner said...

It's beautiful. I made one a few years ago but after seeing yours I am going to go back to mine and label the pages for needles - that's a brilliant idea! xx

Cathy at Potterjotter said...

It is quite exquisite Fi, but I felt stressed reading about the making of it! You did her proud though! xCathy

lemonade kitty said...

That's absolutely wonderful, I guess your mum will love and cherish it forever, Lucey x

The Faerie Factory said...

Such a beautiful gift and such exquisite work. Sarah

Kay said...

i love every aspect of this, from the gorgeous embroidery to the idea of labelling each page. The little dedication on the back is lovely too. Your family are very lucky knowing they will get beautiful handmade gifts from you.

Muriel said...

REALLY BEAUTIFUL..SO MUCH DETAILED... CONGRATULATIONS...