I had the pleasure of making a 50th anniversary gift for my friend Judy Sue to give to her dear friends Stuart and Nancy. She asked me to include pertinent info like names and dates and suggested that I put in a pair of birds and a heart. As always, I began by drawing thumbnail sketches of the basic design.
About halfway through the process, when I’d already made the birds, I realized that this would be a good project to show how I work. You’d think that this would be automatic by now, but it’s always a challenge to stop and document while you’re engrossed in the middle of something. I took a few photos and also asked Rob to do some filming. You can see high action close-ups of my hand stitching, winding and arranging parts in the video below.
In this piece I tried a new way of handling thread wrapped wire. In the video, you can see me winding wire around another straight wire rod and pulling it out, creating a curled spring.
Stuart and Nancy should be receiving their gift this weekend at a surprise party. It is highly unlikely they will see this post, so I think it’s safe to publish it now. I enjoyed making the piece and it was a real honor to help Judy Sue express her love and friendship to this couple!
See what it looks like finished on the end of this post.
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SALLEY MAVOR 
Oh, Salley, your work takes my breath away – and you yourself, your colour choices and the shapes you make along the way to such loveliness. You make me think of the Japanese, who declare particular artists a National Treasure, and mean by that not just flowery embroidered words, and not even just their very serious deference; you are a blessing to my life, and I thank you for sharing yourself this way.
Oh my! Thank you so much– your kind words touch my heart, Usha.
What a lovely tribute for Stuart and Nancy.
I agree with Ushashi, your work is so lovely, I loved being able to see some of it close up
it is even more amazing in person.
Happy Sewing
This is so beautiful! What a lucky couple, and not just to get this treasure but to be there for each other for 50 years!
Beautiful! I haven’t been a follower for long and am wondering what cord you are wrapping around the wire?
Thank you!
Ann
Welcome, Ann! I use embroidery floss, solid and variegated. 1, 2 or 3 strands for wrapping wire, depending on the gauge.
I always enjoy your “little” projects ! They do inspire me so!
I am totally in awe!! I watched the video 3 times!. I look forward to your postings EVERY day. You inspire me to be a better hand sewer.
j’admire comme vous donnez vie à vos idées!
thank you so much for sharing the ” how to”. Your work is really awe inspiring. thank you again
Oh, Salley, I am so glad that you shared your beautiful project! Stuart and Nancy are so lucky to have 50 years together and this great gift!!!!!! I love what you do!!!!!!!! Nancy
What a stunning piece of work. The detail you put into your work is amazing.
ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk
Wow! Salley, you have become my favorite artist to follow. You inspire so many of us, myself included. I want to learn so many things about hand sewing and crafting. Your work is stunning and resonates with the child in each of us! Thank you for sharing.
Amo o seu trabalho, nos leva para uma dimensão fantástica, de sonhos, de infancia… Algo intocado que temos em nós, mas que não ousamos explorar…Olhando suas criações nós nos sentimos lá.
Obrigado, Dorinha!