Wintery felty friends

Most things have fallen by the wayside here as things really hot up in my shop and I'm busy making kits and sending them off. 
Every so often I do find myself in the midst of packaging a kit off to Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland (to name a few of the many countries I have sent to)...and have to stop and marvel at how incredible the internet is and how priviledged and grateful I am to be in this position. Absolutely amazing!
Anyhow I digress.
The botanical sketches in stitch have been well and truly put on hold for now (that's ok, they'll be back!) But I do still crave something that I can pick up easily when the opportunity presents, and this lately has taken the form of handstitched felt friends... 

The deer are based on the deer kits I sell (here), and the fox softie sculptures are based on a pattern I will be offering in my shop shortly (fingers crossed!)

I've been sharing them on a new Instagram page I created so that my embroidery page wasn't inundated with deer spam! :) You can find more pics of my felty friends at overhillsandheather, and if you are interested in buying one you can find them in my other etsy shop here.

It would normally feel a bit premature posting such a festive pic..but the temperature here over the last few days has been well below zero (the words 'brass monkeys' come to mind!), and a thick white frost covers every available surface.....so it feels rather in keeping :) Hope you are keeping cosy xx

Mr and Mrs Deer - a new sewing and embroidery pattern

I hope you are all keeping cosy (or at least those in the cold climes).. Scotland seems to be missing winter this year which is sightly unnerving. It's been rain , rain and some more rain. 
Still, it's been the perfect weather to be working on a fun wee project. I actually made the first prototypes 2 summers ago (when there was more rain!), which just shows how long it can be before some ideas come to fruition.
Anyhow, let me introduce you to Mr and Mrs Deer.... a right pair of love birds deer! The pdf pattern is now available as an instant download, so you can make your very own here.

The 'naked version'

They've been designed so that you can get a little creative with them, and change up the details you want to add. 
Instructions are given on making both deer heads (different templates are used for Mrs Doe and Mr Deer as there are slight differences....Mr Deer has a wider brow because he's so manly. Grrr!) 
There are templates and instructions for adding doe spots, stitched fur, embroidered flowers, dahlia and rose corsages plus a bow/tie.You can also opt for leaving the mini heads as they are ----------> 

Or opt for adding a decorative backplate.

I think they'd look great in any kids bedroom or nursery. I also think they'd make the perfect little gift for a wedding , or for valentines... don't you agree? Great thing is you and mix and match to suit the special loved up couple, be it Mr and Mrs, Mrs and Mrs or Mr and Mr.

I'm working on a kit version for these...always take much longer to create and I was too impatient to wait and share!

Here's to love :)x

Applique techniques and Embroidery stitches

Applique in "official" terms, is the attachment of one fabric piece to a base fabric piece, sewn by either hand or machine.

It is a great technique that quickly fills in areas, adds texture and contrast to an embroidery design, and is heavily used as a decorative element on clothes, bags, cushions..you name it!

*This tutorial has been re-located to my website. You can find this tutorial sharing 2 different applique techniques here *