40 Years of Stitchery

Friday, October 28, 2011
Last year there was a very popoular stitch-along doing the rounds in the blog world.  I really loved it and wanted to do it, but thought I would wait until this year and do 40 squares in the leadup to my 40th birthday.

Then Leanne Beasley introduced us all to her Sew, Laugh, Love stitchery which seems to be another variation of the stitch-along. There were things I loved about her stitchery too - like the fabric borders and the spacing in between the little squares.

So I dragged out my graph paper one day and drew up my own stitchery - significant to my very self and my 40 years of life. Some of the squares have significance and some don't - I just put them there because they're pretty. I've taken inspiration from many different places. Here is a sneak preview. What do you think?

The little boat represents my grandfather's boat, the Bravo, and the 'A' is for the year that we moved from Blenheim to Auckland. The Palm tree is for the year I spent at University in Hawaii.


Who remembers being 17? What a wonderful age - I just had to celebrate it by numbering it.
And the red dress the year before represents my 6th form highschool ball - I wore a red dress, went with my best friend, and was kissed for the first time in my life.
The American flag is for the wonderful year I spent in Chicago.


I have a bit of catching up to do before the big day on Tuesday (I'm only up to square 27 - but wasn't 27 a lovely age! I was in my first year of marriage, no children, just my husband and me in our little house and a wonderful year of happiness), but I think I can manage it!

I plan to border the stitchery with fabric and frame it.

8 comments :

betty-NZ said...

What an absolutely wonderful project! I know it will be a fabulous family heirloom.

Diane N. said...

How wonderful! Is it going to be a piece to hang on the wall?

Unknown said...

Lovely! I love the spacing between the squares!!

octabis said...

It's beautiful ! Such a nice way to remember good moments !

Leanne said...

Sounds a wonderful project.
Looking forward to seeing more photos & stories of it.

Love Leanne

Heather L. said...

I love your idea!!! I think I'm going to have to do that someday!!! Since I'm sentimental and love embroidery...... :) I hope you have a very special birthday!!!!

Roz said...

This is gorgeous - what a wonderful idea - have a happy birthday

Cate said...

Looks wonderful Rachel - I really enjoyed doing mine last year, but am yet to decide how to display it, so will be watching how you finish your with interest.

Happy Birthday! xx

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