I’ve just finished a little project I’ve been quietly excited about—laser-engraved wooden coasters, each one personalised with a team member’s name and their tea or coffee order. Whether it’s milky with two sugars or coffee, no sugar, everyone has their go-to brew—and now their own coaster to match. It’s a fun and practical way to…
Author: Marlene
A–Z Embroidered Coaster Set: A Stitch at a Time
There’s something wonderfully satisfying about watching an idea turn into something you can hold in your hands—and this latest project is exactly that. I’ve just completed a full A–Z set of coasters, each one featuring a machine-embroidered object on one side, and the corresponding letter and word on the other. From A for Apple to…
3D Printed Vernier Holder – A Handy Little Project
I recently 3D printed a simple but incredibly useful holder for my vernier caliper. It’s one of those small projects that makes a big difference on the workbench — no more leaving the vernier lying around loose, or trying to find a clear spot to tuck it away safely. The design wasn’t mine — I…
New Laser, New Possibilities – Tiny Projects, Big Joy!
I’m so excited to share that I’ve added a new tool to my creative setup — a compact laser cutter! It’s perfect for smaller projects, and I’ve already fallen in love with everything it can do. With a working area of just under 10×10 cm, it might be small, but it’s definitely mighty. I’ve been…
My 3D-Printed Coaster Collection – A Creative Journey in Layers
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching an idea come to life layer by layer – and that’s exactly what 3D printing offers. Recently, I’ve been working on a collection of coasters, each one uniquely designed and printed right here at home. In this post, I’m sharing all the coasters I’ve made so far. Whether you’re…
Afrikaans Letter Cards for My Grandson
Some projects sit in the back of our minds for ages, waiting for the right moment to take shape. This is one of those. With my grandson’s first birthday fast approaching, I’ve finally set to work on something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time—machine-embroidered letter cards with Afrikaans words. Being Afrikaans myself,…
Penguin Coasters: A Long-Awaited Stitching Project
Some projects take longer to get started than others, and this one has been on my list for the past year. My son asked me to make new penguin coasters to replace the ones I gave him many years ago, and I finally sat down to make them happen. Eight little penguins, each machine embroidered…
Reflections on 2024: A Year of Challenges and Creative Hope
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has been a challenging and somewhat unproductive time for my creative pursuits. 2024 has been a whirlwind, and unfortunately, creativity often took a backseat amidst the chaos. The summer months, which I usually associate with bursts of inspiration and resin art experiments,…
When It All Goes Wrong: Frustrations and Patience with my Embroidery Machine
As much as we love our embroidery machines, there are days when they seem to have a mind of their own, wreaking havoc on our beautifully planned projects. Today, I want to share two such incidents that turned my embroidery sessions into a test of patience and perseverance. These stories are a gentle reminder that…
‘No to 20 mph’ Design – A Special Request from a Facebook Community member
Hello, machine embroidery enthusiasts Today, I’m sharing a project requested by one of our Facebook group members. This design addresses a current issue in Wales: the ‘No to 20 mph’ speed limit change. A member of our group asked for a ‘No to 20 mph’ design. It’s always a joy to create something that resonates…