29 Aug 2019

Believe in yourself

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Believe in yourself … it’s simple really; you’re brilliant!
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This was not the post I’d planned for this #threewordthursday phrase, but time has not been my friend this week. As I sat at my machine wondering how on earth I was going to get everything done, I realised that the scene that was facing straight back at me would do the job nicely. Believing in yourself sounds simple, but sometimes it’s really quite difficult; planning, positivity and persistence all help, but so does reflecting on all of the things you’ve already accomplished – which is why it’s so important to have a tin of brilliant in the cupboard (or in your wall ?)
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15 Aug 2019

Just keep swimming

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Have you ever had to swim against the tide, or even worse, found yourself caught in a slip stream? There’s something quite terrifying – especially for a rubbish swimmer like me – about swimming as hard as you can and not getting anywhere (to be fair I can manage that with no tide at all!) I love the sentiment of the expression ‘just keep swimming’, but as you know I don’t like the word just (in hindsight, it was perhaps an odd #threewordthursday phrase to have picked for that very reason!!) ‘Just’ makes things sound easy and effortless. Sometimes to keep going, to keep swimming, is the hardest thing of all – especially when you are putting in a lot of hard work with seemingly not very much output.

Which is why, when I sat down to make this weeks picture, I decided that I wasn’t going to make a fish to ‘just’keep swimming (sorry Dory), or a duck or even a swan. My swimmer had to be a glorious synchronised swimmer, seemingly working effortlessly all the while doing so with huge strength, control and poise. Remember that next time you feel like you’re staying still, because I’ll bet you’re not xx

#ThreeWordThursday is a weekly hashtag challenge. Each week a different three word phrase can be presented or discussed in any way that inspires you. Be sure to use the hashtag so that I can find you and please feel free to share it with anyone who might like to join in! The prompt for next week is; create your future.
#justkeepswimming #youcandoit #keepongoing #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #everystitchcounts #threewordthursday
#ihavethisthingwithsewing ##communityovercompetition… Read More
8 Aug 2019

Just keep on going

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When Oscar was in preschool, he brought this picture of me home. Because he was only interested in playing with Lego, he didn’t ever do any drawings or paintings. Not so much as a cereal box sculpture came our way. So delighted was I to have finally been presented with a piece of artwork, I could almost entirely overlook the the fact that he had drawn me with a bottom that seemed to be its own state floating independent of my body ? I had to find a way of saving it forever… big bottom and all and so a product was born. I hadn’t been sewing for all that long when I made this – time hop reminded me this week that it was six years ago in fact – I didn’t plan to make it as a product to sell, it was just a way to catch a moment. A stitch in time.

I’ve had quite a few messages lately asking for business advice; how to get started, what I would recommend doing, how I did it. It feels quite strange to be presented with questions like this, as I don’t really I have any answers myself, let alone in a position to answer of their people’s question, or hand out advice. But six years after this big-bummed masterpiece made its way home to me, all I can tell you, is if you find something you love to do, find a way to keep on doing it. Just keep on going

#ThreeWordThursday is a weekly hashtag challenge. Each week a different three word phrase can be presented or discussed in any way that inspires you. Be sure to use the hashtag so that I can find you and please feel free to share it with anyone who might like to join in! The prompt for next week is; just keep swimming
#keepongoing
#throwbackthursday #tbt #childrensartwork #childrensdrawing #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #everystitchcounts #threewordthursday
#ihavethisthingwithsewing #britishstitchers #communityovercompetition… Read More
16 May 2019

Now or never

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It’s amazing how adept we are at delay tactics when it comes to putting off something that intimidates or overwhelms us. Even if it’s something we also really want. How often do you find yourself thinking “I’ll start tomorrow” ?
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In fact we can become so adept, that we might not even realise we’re doing it at all. But the result is getting nowhere fast. Focussing on tomorrow can mean you go around in circles. If you wait for the absolute perfect moment, then you may find that the moment never comes
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So forget tomorrow, the time to act is now. It’s now or never.
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#ThreeWordThursday is a weekly hashtag challenge. Each week a different three word phrase can be presented or discussed in any way that inspires you. Be sure to use the hashtag so that I can find you and please feel free to share it with anyone who might like to join in! The prompt for next week is; change is good
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#nowornever #dontwait #doitnow #do#lasvegassign #creativehappylife #creativitywithmeaning #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #everystitchcounts
#ihavethisthingwithsewing #britishstitchers #communityovercompetition #threewordthursday #startabusinessmonth… Read More
25 Sep 2018

Free motion embroidery tips

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I often forget to mention that my work is free motion embroidered – everything you see is ‘drawn’ on my machine (A Janome SMD3000) As a thank you for all of the support, here are some free motion embroidery tips for anyone who would like to give it a try;

1. Take it steady – especially when you’re starting, it’s not a race, take things slowly and concentrate on watching what you’re doing rather than hitting your foot hard on the pedal!
2. Find the best way of stabilising fabric that works for you – you don’t necessarily need a hoop; a stabilising fabric, or even plain old paper (which is what I always use) behind your material can work just as well.
3. Approach iron-away pens with caution! It can be really handy using a frixon pen as a guide, but please don’t scribble all over your work thinking it’ll be gone once you’ve ironed it – you can usually see a ghost line where the pen once was, and on some fabrics, I’ve found it completely re-appears – I would say only use one if you’re sure you’re going to stitch very close to your pen mark, or trust your artistic flair, and go without.
4. Don’t be afraid to experiment – i don’t use a hoop or an embroidery foot, but it’s what works for me. Play until you find what works for you.
5. Practice makes perfect – my work is pretty neat now, and that’s because I practice every day. My work is always improving, and yours will too – there really isn’t a trick to it, other than to keep going.
6. There are no mistakes – the very thing that attracted me to free motion embroidery is that it isn’t precise; any slips or wiggly lines can usually be incorporated in to your design – embrace the wiggles!
7. The final and most important tip is to have fun ?
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I hope that’s useful or if interest to some of you! Have a great Tuesday x. . . .
#tiptuesday #communityovercompetition #sayinghi #creativitywithmeaning #calledtobecreative #createeveryday #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #modernmakers #embroideryinstaguild #drawinginthread #ihavethisthingwithsewing #molliemakers #aurifilartisan #bristoletsyteam #smallandmightybusiness… Read More
6 Sep 2018

Keep on keeping on

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Keep on keeping on
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#tbt AurifilArtisan #aurifil #aurifilthread #creative_happylife #creativitywithmeaning #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #createinsummer #textileart #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #embroiderylove #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #threadart #threadpainting #stitchersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #makeitsewcial #sewersofinstagram #sewcialist #ihavethisthingwithsewing… Read More
5 Sep 2018

Overcoming self doubt

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September feels like a time of new beginnings – almost as much as January. There is an autumnal feeling in the air (and the promise of snuggly knits and scarves – yippee!) Most of us are back to school and work, and university will start soon. I don’t know about you, but I always find that after I’ve had a bit of a break from making, I start to worry whether I’ll be able to think of any new ideas, whether my skills will be what they were, whether I can still do it.
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Of course, once I get started it’s always fine, but isn’t it strange how we have these conversations with ourselves. So if you’re having a bit of a wobble at the moment – whatever your age – this is for you!
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Have a great day. Emma x
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(Ps, I’ve been wondering over the summer if you guys would like any more note pictures? I have plenty of ideas – although I’m always happy for suggestions – but I don’t know if you’ve had enough of these already ? as always, there’s a link in my bio if you want to have a look at products available in my shop ??)
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#overcomingselfdoubt #motivate #motivational_quotes #motivationalpictures #wednesdaywisdom #noteworthy #wipwednesday #AurifilArtisan #aurifil #aurifilthread #creative_happylife #creativitywithmeaning #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #embroiderylove #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #threadart #threadpainting #stitchersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #ihavethisthingwithsewing #heytheremaker #molliemakers… Read More

Jammy dodger pin cushions on creative fuel plate
31 Aug 2018

More from the biscuit tin

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I wouldn’t want you to think that i have any favourites … because actually I love all the biscuits, especially the pretty ones! .
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for the suggestions for new food packaging pictures; I’ve got quite the list to work through, so there will be lots of new packaging pictures coming soon yay! (And if you’re not a stories viewer, but there’s a packaging picture you think I should make, feel free to leave a comment below ?)
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Meanwhile these pin cushions, and as well as custard cream ones – are now available on my website, and the amazing creative fuel plate is from @hollyandcoworkshop .
Happy Friday everyone xx
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#foodiefriday #foodart #AurifilArtisan #aurifil #aurifilthread #creativelife #creativehappylife #creativitywithmeaning #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #textileart #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #embroideryart #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #threadart #threadpainting #stitchersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #makeitsewcial #sewcialist #ihavethisthingwithsewing #justacard #heytheremaker #molliemakes #bristoletsyteam #jammydodger… Read More
29 Aug 2018

Live colourfully

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What qualities do you associate with a colourful life and colourful people? When we say that someone is ‘colourful’, we often associate it with being a bit shocking , but why is it that being colourful is considered to be a negative thing? .
Living colourfully to me is about living an interesting life .. about curiosity … Being expressive or inventive… having confidence the confidence to try (and make mistakes) … about being our best creative selves. .
what does being colourful mean to you? I’d love to know .
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#wednesdaywisdom #wipwednesday #motivationalmonday #livecolourfully
#wip #workinprogress #summerproject2018 #secretproject #createaugust #21daysofsummer #Aurifilartisan #aurifil #aurifilthread #creative_happylife #creativitywithmeaning #drawinginthread #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #bristolcreatives #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #stitchersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #sewcialist #ihavethisthingwithsewing #heytheremaker… Read More
27 Aug 2018

Stay true to yourself – notepad artwork

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A pad of positivity for your Monday motivation this week
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I always find commission work provides a real dose of faith in people’s generosity and humanity. This picture was made for a secondary school starter. Her mum wanted some inspirational reminders to encourage her to believe in herself – isn’t that amazing?! I hope they’ll encourage you too. Happy Monday xx
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Ps, personalised notepad pictures are available to buy on my website (link in bio)
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#mondaymantra #mondaymotivation #motivationalmonday #amazingmum #staytruetoyourself #beyou #padofpositivity #notesofencouragement #AurifilArtisan #aurifil #aurifilthread #creative_happylife #creativitywithmeaning #drawinginthread #calledtobecreative #designalifeyoulove #bristolcreatives #freehandmachineembroidery #freemotionembroidery #stitchersofinstagram #everystitchcounts #stitchersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #sewcialist #ihavethisthingwithsewing… Read More

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