What's
On My Table
On My Table
This is where I share what's actually happening.
Pop in often, there's always something going on.
Think FELT…
Is felt a forgotten media? I have yet to learn needle felting and often think in terms of hats…This simple material has been part of my crafting journey right from growing up. I wonder who remembers playing/ creating scenes with ‘fuzzy felts’…I was fascinated by...
Is felt a forgotten media? I have yet to learn needle felting and often think in terms of hats…This simple material has been part of my crafting journey right from growing up.
I wonder who remembers playing/ creating scenes with ‘fuzzy felts’…I was fascinated by how the pieces stuck to the board. I have tried simple felting of natural woollen fibres using dish liquid and bubble wrap, this method was taught by a talented local Gail. As a local craft group we all created beautiful flowers, including a version of poinsettias.
In the 1970s I was starting to explore stitching and loved a range of kitsets from Bucilla ©. A friend from America had been stitching Xmas items for many years and decorated every room in her home (including for the bathroom – think lid cover and more) with felt items…stockings, wreaths, ornaments, tree mat, door hangers and more. As I get bored easily I could never amass such a collection but did achieve a tree mat at the time.
Fast forward 50years and I am creating a named stocking for my great-grand-daughter. The kits are simple to follow with clear instructions for preparing each piece of printed coloured felt before it is appliqued onto the main piece – layered and stuffed as I go. I will post progress on Daydreams Facebook page and I have a range of kits available if you would like to give it a try.
Goldwork – project almost complete
If you have had a chance to follow me on Facebook – Daydreamsnz – you will have seen some progress posts of the gold work piece I am working on. I am too impatient to wait the few days needed to finish the background, and...
If you have had a chance to follow me on Facebook – Daydreamsnz – you will have seen some progress posts of the gold work piece I am working on. I am too impatient to wait the few days needed to finish the background, and mount my 3D fishhook before sharin,g so here is a progress post…
Stitch Tui is a yearly weekend held in Cambridge where top NZ and overseas tutors teach a wide range of projects to small classes ensuring all students learn the basics needed to complete at home.
I first attended in 2024 (will write about that project in future) and in 2025 I learnt a gold work project designed and taught by Shirley Pygott. The photo with work on a hoop, shows the stitching, alongside the wires that I needed to cut into specific bead sizes for each section.
The main photo is the complete padded, 3D fishhook. I would love to show you all aspects of this work at my studio when you are in town. I still can’t quite believe I have achieved this work.
Fun with paper…
I am drawn to paper construction items and now have a monthly class project on the 2nd Saturday of the month at my studio The July project was prompted by large blocks of chocolate on special at $3 each A folio to hold chocolate and...
Creating Everyday…
I joke that “I get bored easily”, when asked about having many different projects on the go. Crafting everyday creates ‘calm’ in my life and the last two weeks is a perfect example of how different endeavours meet different needs.I have had the pleasure of...
I joke that “I get bored easily”, when asked about having many different projects on the go. Crafting everyday creates ‘calm’ in my life and the last two weeks is a perfect example of how different endeavours meet different needs.
I have had the pleasure of hosting my cousin Susie, visiting from Australia – I was her companion and tour guide during her holiday in Auckland, wonderful to revisit the city I left eight years ago… However, creating space to craft was challenging.
I had, of course, packed embroidery, knitting and card-making projects in the hope of having time, but other activities e.g. shopping and eating out, took priority. This led to the reflection I am sharing OMT today.
Once home and unpacked, my desire was to stitch, I have a time-frame in mind for both my Elizabethan work and a new piece of gold-work but quickly recognised that the energy and mind-set for challenging patterns is not always on tap.
Solution = choose something that requires less concentration! Our local Senior Citizens Club have a range of activities, and the knitting group are creating slippers and beanies for our community, perfect (-:
With Double Knit (8ply) wool and 4mm needles the following beanie is easy to complete over a couple of evenings:
Cast on 90 stitches, work a K2P2 rib for 24 rows then 30 rows of stocking stitch before decreasing over 16 rows. Pull yarn through and stitch back seam et voilà, creative needs AND a gift for someone both met.
If you would like to learn to knit, please fill in the contact form and I will contact you with some options. I am also more than happy to send any knitters the decrease rows detail.
Please head over to https://www.facebook.com/daydreamsnz/ to share your favourite knitting projects . See you there…
When I want something OMT at the last minute…
Okay, so I love cooking and serving what I make to family, friends and everyone who visits my studio for classes and to ‘play’. There is always something new to try out and I love to experiment with both sweet and savoury baking.With a “call...
Okay, so I love cooking and serving what I make to family, friends and everyone who visits my studio for classes and to ‘play’. There is always something new to try out and I love to experiment with both sweet and savoury baking.
With a “call to meet” sign on my cards and fliers, I have time to bake for visitors (most of the time) however…when I hear “we’ll be there in ten!” I know exactly what I will be serving.
I miss out all the traditional steps of rubbing butter into flour etc. of a standard scone recipe. The following mix is in the oven in less than five minutes and ready to serve in ten. Hope it becomes one of your favourites.
Heat oven to 190 (Celsius). MIX 2 Cups of self-raising flour with 2 Cups of grated tasty cheese. Gently mix with enough milk to form a sticky dough (can also add 2 teaspoons of sweet chilli sauce, if serving with butter alone. Leave out if serving with jam). Place soup-spoon size ‘dollops’ onto a tray lined with baking paper and into hot oven. Bake until golden! In one of my ovens I need to turn the tray round halfway through, in the other oven I need to flip them over half way through to get perfect golden undersides. SERVE HOT.
I would love to hear if you try these (-:
OMT today – Blue silk and hand-dyed threads…My Elizabethan Embroidery Journey
My first adult embroidery experiences started at the Auckland Embroiderers and Lace-makers Guild. This group of talented women introduced me to many forms of stitching and creative design. I had the privilege to learn an Elizabethan style of embroidery, at classes and in home evenings...
My first adult embroidery experiences started at the Auckland Embroiderers and Lace-makers Guild. This group of talented women introduced me to many forms of stitching and creative design. I had the privilege to learn an Elizabethan style of embroidery, at classes and in home evenings with Dorothy Clarke. We stitched a range of designs with wools on heavy linens and I have loved gifting the bell pulls, curtain tie-backs and cushions I made to friends over the years.
Fast forward to 2023, as a member of the Wanganui Embroiderers Guild I heard an Elizabethan embroidery specialist, Maree Talbot from Australia, was to be a guest tutor of the Waikato Guild. I secured a place in her 10-day, bi-annual workshops, over the next three years, with the ultimate goal of completing Maree’s 9-paneled ‘Casket’. I have learnt new skills and stitches, along with patience and being in the moment, as I stitch Maree’s beautiful designs on 55count Kingston linen with single strands of hand-dyed silk threads.
My focus this week has been on the silk linings for a “knot-garden” box that I hope to complete and share with you in the near future. To date I have completed two full panels with new stitches on other panels started, and have also stitched a range of items to be displayed in the drawers of my ‘casket’ when complete. Not a short-term project rather a long-term heritage piece.
I look forward to your visits to my Taumarunui Studio to see these pieces in progress, and hope to have opportunities to work together on your dream projects.
Trish Hill© Sampler
As a member of the Waikato Embroidery Guild I have been able to join the "Trads" group. The focus of these stitchers is traditional work, which is my happy place - hardanger in particular.As a group we had the opportunity to purchase a Trish Hill©...
As a member of the Waikato Embroidery Guild I have been able to join the “Trads” group. The focus of these stitchers is traditional work, which is my happy place – hardanger in particular.
As a group we had the opportunity to purchase a Trish Hill© sampler kitset for a travel sewing kit. The materials and supplies provided were amazing and the charts and instructions clear and concise.
I really surprised myself, learning a range of new stitches and getting the piece completed within four months. If you get a chance to attend one of Trish’s workshops I hope you take it. It will be well worth it!
If you would like to start a cross-stitch or learn hardanger embroidery, please get in touch, I would love to work with you at my studio or at the Taumrunui Womens’ Club Craft Circle.
Think PINK
With May being our breast cancer awareness month, I am focusing on Pink Ribbon fundraising in as many ways as I can.With my love of entertaining and creating special food, I am holding two Brunches and two High Teas at my studio. I can't wait...
With May being our breast cancer awareness month, I am focusing on Pink Ribbon fundraising in as many ways as I can.
With my love of entertaining and creating special food, I am holding two Brunches and two High Teas at my studio. I can’t wait to host friends and colleagues from my local community and naturally I will post photos after each event on my Facebook page (-:
I have created a range of ‘Think Pink’ greeting cards using the Stampin’ Up © range of products shown in this photo. These cards along with pink candles, pens, and keyrings are on my table at both the Owhango Market and the Taumarunui Community Market. I hope to see you there and if a design catches your fancy I would love to show you how to make your own.
If you would like to support the cause I have a page, follow this link to ‘Alice of Daydreams’
https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/alicehedgeman28278/pinkribbonbreakfast
I look forward to hearing from you!
