Things to Remember: Don't Carry the Weight of the World

I loved the soft, subtle colours in the thread I used for this one, although Pa complained upon seeing it that it was too pale; it blended in too much with the cream fabric.
It doesn't bother me quite so much though, but I'm debating whether to add more with a darker colour in order to make it more legible.
I'm particularly pleased with the stitching on this one, the thread is a silky cotton sort and works really well, very few tangles.



"Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Diameter: 19 cm (7.5”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE!

The message is a bit of a "no-brainer", but one I find I have to repeat to myself often. I try and keep up with various news sources, the environment in particular is a big concern of mine of late.
It's very easy to sink into that feeling of being completely overwhelmed and I have to force myself to not think so globally. Focus on me, focus on the immediate. Change starts with me and how I act and how I interact with others, that's my biggest sphere of influence.

Things to Remember: One Wild and Precious Life

I love this one! New favourite. I know, every new one I do seems to become a new favourite of mine but this one in particular I enjoy a lot. I love the shape of this doily and knew I wanted to do something special for it. I adore this quote, I just like the words: wild and precious.
I also really enjoyed getting to work with the red thread, there's something about deep red crimson that stirs the soul a little bit.
I also noticed while stitching this that I write my lower case "y"s in two very different ways... huh! That's not a conscious thing.



"Tell me, what it is that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life."
Length: 27 cm (10.5”)
Height: 12.5 cm (5”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE!

What will YOU do with your wild and precious life?

Things to Remember: Do Not Hurry or Rest.

"Do not hurry. Do not rest."
Diameter: 13.5 cm (5.25”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE!



Just keep moving; slow and steady. Take as long as you like, just don't stop.

Things to Remember: Most Important Thing

"The most important thing you'll ever know is how to love and be loved in return."
Width: 10 cm (4”)
Height: 25 cm (9.75”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE.



This one took a longer time then all the previous ones; the satin stitching lettering goes a lot slower and this one had many many finicky letters.



I was watching the Moulin Rogue the day before starting this one, it's one of my favourite lines from the film!

Things to Remember: Live. Laugh. Love.

"Live. Laugh. Love."
Diameter: 20 cm (8”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE.

Things to Remember

This was a particularly special one for me. It's also the first handkerchief I've done so far.

The sentence comes from a close friend of mine who I've been having lots of discussions with of late, some of them philosophical in nature. Often the best sayings need no explanation at all.
It was advice given to him, which in turn he had passed on to me as I was dealing with some frustrating moments in life.


"Everything will work out in the end"
Not for sale.

Originally I had planned to give this to him as a gift which is why I chose the more masculine colours and the handkerchief (rather then a doily.) When talking about it to him though, he told me that I should hold onto it. The message is meant for me after all. He suggested that if I wanted to make something for him, I should come up with a message that -I- thought -he- should be reminded of.
Well, to me a message to him would be very simple to come up with. What is it? Unfortunately that's going to have to be a bit of a secret for a while; he reads this blog you know. And it's a surprise.
So if a certain Viking is reading this; do try and curb your curiosity and have some patience! Just remember; everything will work out in the end. You're just going to have to wait!

Things to Remember

A saying that particularly stands out to me because I am a procrastinator and a worrier. I have countless of times let opportunities pass me by because I was too busy trying to work out all the "what if"'s.


"We will not know unless we begin"
Diameter: 18 cm (7”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE.

Sometimes it's easier to remember that everything doesn't need to be all planned out and put into place before it is begun; it's okay for things to evolve and to go with the flow.



Once again, the only part that's by my hand is the lettering. All other embroidery and design was already done before the doily came into my hands.
I find myself reflecting not only on the words I'm adding, but also of whoever embroidered these designed originally, as the delicate little flowers and edging were all handmade as well; far too delicate for machinery.
I wonder what they were like. I wonder how old they were when they stitched these. I wonder what they would think of the words I'm adding.

Things to Remember

I've been collecting these fantastic, vintage doilies and handkerchiefs from op shops. I just find them very beautiful and wanted to do something with them.
I've been doing a lot of self reflection. A lot of reading about philosophies, mantras, and "self-help" books. I've been having a lot of discussions with willing friends.
I've started writing down quotes that speak to me. They are motivational, inspirational, philosophical or ponderable.


"Things Can Change"
Diameter: 16.5 cm (6.5”)
Upcycled doily with cotton hand-embroidered message.
FOR SALE HERE.

"Things can change" is the first of the Things to Remember series; an ongoing project embroidering inspirational, thoughtful and/or quirky messages on upcycled linens.

I've been enjoying the reactions to this one the most out of all the pieces so far. Do you find this as a positive, hopeful message? Is it perhaps a bit more sinister for you?