Featured — I Want To Be A Turtle

July 2016: #Vintagepledge Guest blogger - A Stitching Odyssey

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October 2016: Cut Out + Keep Sewing Superstar

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one for sorrow, two for joy - Obscurae Magazine Volume 6 Issue 1

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I Want To Be A Turtle

A creative lifestyle blog which mainly focuses on my personal sewing, drawing and thread painting projects.

Claire

Self taught sewist, fabric hoarder and handmade wardrobe builder. Say hello:

iwanttobeaturtle@gmail.com

Over on Instagram

Part two complete, loving the colours in this piece. Also still enjoying the slow, mindful start to the day stitching brings.

My mother in law is getting the creative itch. She made this turtle at a local mosaic workshop and gifted it to me.

I’ve been struggling a little with burn out recently as a result of being out of my comfort zone for many months, mainly at work. I took the last two days off without any plans. I’m not surprised that I now have two embroideries on the go and a Kielo wrap dress cut from this gorgeous anniversary present from Adam. I am surprised I’ve made the best fitting trousers yet for my third Minerva Makers project. Seems I needed to top up my creative well.

Finally sharing my finished painted lady butterfly needle painting. More photos and details are on the blog (you know where the link is). I had a great time making this and super pleased with how it came out. I need to work on my blending technique but that’s for future projects.
Pattern by @emillieferris If you’re interested in giving needle painting a go, check out her patterns. I’ve got my eye on her mushroom one.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in this little corner of our home recently enjoying silent mornings of stitching or lazy evenings with Netflix. Sometimes you’ve just got to slow things down a little.

Two years today, close to ten together.
Don’t mind me while I indulge in a few select snaps of the day.

My first three embroidery pieces are now up on the wall in our bedroom. They are the perfect size for the side of the upstairs chimney breast. Patterns are Painted Lady Butterfly and Pansies by @emillieferris and Cherry Blossom by @ohsewbootiful and we have room for two more

January to April: 105 miles.
I’m still not at the level of previous years but happy to be consistently clocking up time on my feet.

It’s been a few years since I properly participated in #memademay and I was hesitating about joining in this year.
In January I cleared out my wardrobe, dramatically culling my me made wardrobe. While I’ve been sewing for myself, it’s been slow with much greater consideration to ensure the items are longer lasting. Of the items that survived the clear out, a lot of them need repairs, tweaks, or resizing for them to be worn more. So for the next month I commit to tackling that pile. I’ll also try to wear me made as much as possible to see how I get on with a limited wardrobe.
#memademay2019

Sneaking in some sewing time before another day of garden maintenance. Excited to finally use this Art Gallery Fabrics voile that has been in my stash for too long.