Hello hello!

Last week I finished a project that I had been working on for a few weeks. There was a lot to get done including writing instructions, photography, diagrams, video tutorial and more.

I was so focussed on the total project delivery (it had a deadline) that it took me until I handed it over and flopped back in my chair to really celebrate it and love it, love it, love it!

I designed a pattern that fits a cuff meant to be worn on your wrist. I had this idea ages ago and always put it off until a couple of months ago when I decided that the cuff will have one special feature.

That’s what got me really excited to start the project.

For most of my life I have held a strong belief that words or phrases that we focus on, can have powerful impact on our lives.

Not in some magical spell kind of way (although who knows!) but in a way that quietly brings our subconscious attention onto the message we carry with us.

The first time I felt that was when I was 17 years old and discovered a book about The American Shakers.

A strict religious community that focused on the worship and celebration of God via daily work.

As a seventeen year old I was different to most of my peers because I was obsessed with history, antiques and living in an era before modern technology engulfed our lives. My bedroom looked like a set of a film set in the year 1890. I even used an oil lamp in the evenings instead of switching on my overhead light. I kid you not.

Although I did have a Sony Walkman and a small picture of Bruce Springsteen on my wall.

When I found the book on The Shakers I was astounded. A community with structure, tidy and perfectly organised home spaces and what seemed like peace on a daily basis. The opposite of my tumultuous and chaotic teenage brain.

Plus they were master craftsmen and women.

No doubt you would have heard of Shaker furniture being famous around the world. Also the women wore long cotton dresses! Joining the Shakers was not an option, I lived in Australia they were in upstate New York. So instead I read more and added their motto to my daily journal with my fountain pen. Yes I had a fountain pen.

Their words have stayed with me for thirty seven years and are now stitched into a bag I use for knitting; “Hands to work, heart to God”.

OK OK! I got sidetracked!

I started telling you about the embroidered cuff project, but sharing the words from the Shakers I felt was of equal importance and definitely relevant.

You see the cuffs I designed come with the additional task of stitching words to the underside which will sit against your skin, around your wrist, on your pulse.

I ended up making three cuffs each with their own special message…. special to me.

The one at the top has my children’s names and birthdates on it. As I refuse to get a tattoo (fear of needles) I thought this was a great way to carry their precious names with me.
The one in the middle with the words “Here & Now” is a reminder to stay present. To live in the moment. To calm my bouncy brain that jumps from idea to idea and sometimes worries about things I shouldn’t be worrying about.
The bottom one with the words: “My heart leads the way” serves as a way to ingrain that into my being so that I can get better at listening to my intuition and remember that it’s through my heart that I stay connected to God.

I chose the colours to suit clothes in my wardrobe, but in all honesty I reckon I could keep making dozens more and I would never tire of wearing them. They’re a wonderful addition to my collection of earrings, necklaces and brooches.

You might be wondering what the third one looks like?

I will show you next week!

In fact, next Friday I’ll show you all three in even more detail. But I will admit right now that the third one is my favourite just because the colours I chose connect all my wardrobe pieces together. Basically it goes with everything!

To wrap up the cuff and Shaker story this week I’ll mention that these were designed especially for the September opening of the Making Zen Online Craft Retreat.

I’ll have links for you in the next couple of weeks but you can bet your needles and hoops it’s gonna be amazing.

In the meantime, start thinking of special words or phrases you would stitch onto your cuff and if you’re happy to share, let me know in the comments what words you would stitch.

Close up

Today I’m shifting the focus onto the use of a single colour. Monochrome patterns have a charm all of their own and I think sometimes we forget that using just one colour can have a stunning effect for embroidery.

Using just one colour also means that the actual stitching is done faster and you waste less thread. This happens because stopping and restarting to change colours wastes more thread and takes more time.

Also, if you do feel stuck or overwhelmed and have no idea what colour combination to use, deciding on a monochrome finish will take that stress out for you instantly.

Below are some examples of my own monochromatic designs. You can click on each one to see it bigger.

Maker of The Week

- ANGELA LACKEY -

Maaaaan! Talk about looking smokin’ hot! Angela smashed it out of the ball park with this dress. And I’m so glad she added a close up photo of the bottom of the dress in our Facebook group. She combined two of my designs; Olga and Mimi (the April Wednesday Tribe pattern). You’ll notice that although the design flows and wraps all the way around the dress, it is not repeated. She cleverly used different elements of the two designs connecting them together in a whimsical way. Beautiful work!

From The Tribe

A big smile covered my face when I read Sharons words in our Facebook group this week. She said: “My very first Kasia design”. And what a fabulous job she did stitching the July pattern in our tribe. Can we all just appreciate how neat her buttonhole stitch is???! 😮

This one here below is the same July pattern stitched as a smaller version and in gorgeous earthy colours on a green linen perfectly matched to the threads. I love the result of this drawstring bag by Majo.

Till Next Week!

And so here we are at the bottom of the page… I hope you’ve enjoyed the read, or the skim read, or the quick scroll through the photos!

Whatever you have time for I hope I added a little enjoyment to your day.

That’s me in my office right there. Unbrushed hair, no make up, but who cares when you’re wearing a hand embroidered cuff right!?

Sending you the biggest huggiest hugs.

xxxx

Kasia

Kasia’s Weekly Threads - Issue 72