Because life’s celebrations shouldn’t cost the Earth

Friday, 19 July 2024

 

Personalised Bunting 

Appliqued Graduation Garland





Graduation season is upon us and this personalised bunting is for a very special scholar indeed. Not only did she gain entry to Oxford University, an achievement in itself, she absolutely aced it by graduating with a First Class Honours degree! 

I originally planned a Simpkin IV gift (read about him here) but my daughter said it was 'lame' 😂! Plan A duly discarded, I instead stitched up this bunting, featuring varsity style lettering and the Hertford College crest.




The shield is officially described as 'Gules, a stag's head caboshed argent, attired or, between the attires a cross pattee fitched at the foot of the last'.

In everyday day speak this translates as a red shield featuring a stag's head, cut off behind the ears and a Templar cross, with its bottom end sharpened!

As I didn't have a pattern I was very grateful that the crest has recently had a redesign, although it was still a little tricky to hand draw, cut out and then free motion embroider!








It hardly seems like yesterday that they were all starting school. I took this photo on their very first day and whilst some of the children were crying this is Jenny, my daughter Alice, and their friend Ella, all rushing in the very minute the doors opened!  

Jenny was actually the First (see what I did there!) in and her love of learning has clearly continued 🎓 Alice has just graduated from Durham University and Ella is studying dentistry.


First Day of School - St Godric's Durham 2007



Sunday, 25 February 2024

 

Personalised Baby Boy Gift 

Jungle Theme Applique Bunting Garland



Cute Giraffe Pendant Flags



A friend asked me to stitch up some teal and brown bunting for her little nephew who adores giraffes. It took me a few attempts to draft a suitably cute giraffe. I then drew a 'Varsity' style font, as I felt this would balance the 'babyish' feel of their faces! The wide polka dot bias binding finally pulled it all together beautifully.



Lola was very keen to help with the sewing!


Peek-a-Boo



The giraffes and letters were all hand drawn and cut before being stitched on normal sewing machine.