Making Zen "Embroidered" Pocket

Oh my life epic Making Zen workshop. 

On Day 4 of the retreat (Thursday 7th May 2026) there was a session by Giovanna Zara  ( and here ) called The Stitcher's Pocket Companion. 

I knew it was a little more involved so I left it to be done at my leisure after the retreat. 

As we were experiencing a heatwave here in the UK, a slow stitching project was just the ticket. 

I had to cut into a second pair of my son's old jeans for the base fabric. I don't have "batting" so used some felt of which I have loads! 

I also have loads of embroidery floss.

Even more now that I have scrapped a couple of old half done cross stitches I hadn't looked at in decades. That is freeing in itself. 

I used up lots of scraps of thread on this project too.

So then what is the difference between Embroidery and Slow Stitching. I had a definition in my mind but googled it anyways and it is just what I was thinking.

"Embroidery is a technique focused on creating a specific, predefined image or motif, whereas Slow Stitching is a meditative practice where you stitch intuitively without worrying about the final product...."

I love the freedom of Slow Stitching but having an Embroidery background it's naturally a bit more stitch focused for me. 

There was no plan I just filled the fabric with lots and lots of "Stitching in Colour". I incorporated a few stitches or designs from other sessions on the retreat whilst I was at it. Namely,  the "Sunburst" butterfly the ribbed spiderweb "shell", the "Living Line" and "Dragonfly" design.

I also added a ribbon tab to the front inside edge to make it easier to open.

Then to the concertina pockets on the inside. Never constructed those before, what a great idea.

I used a remnant of fabric which I got at our local scrap store for the pockets - I had just enough. I had some bias binding which I bound the top edges with too.

All in all quite delighted with the project.

WOYWW #886 - Don't Mention the HEAT!

Oh my life I struggle with the heat at the best of times but this heatwave is torturous. My Back continues to bug me too so not a great time body wise.

Fortunately have my air-con in my bedroom come craft room so I'm holed up in there most of the time. I even leave the machine running overnight as the room is south facing on a corner so is hit by the intense sun in the day and oozes all the heat retained in the night!

Despite all this I have been a busy bunny - I have started a slow stitching project from the Making Zen workshops called the Stitchers Pocket Companion so it will be a little pouch when constructed after all the stitching on the outside.

I sorted my embroidery floss out too (on desk above). I have abandoned a cross stitch started decades ago, which I'll use for a fabric journal - so glad Zen gave me "permission" oh the idea to do this, so now I have lots of extra floss.

I forgot to show some pages last week so here's a recap...

Lots of watercolours in my little watercolour journal.

I did a freebie 7-day course culminating in the painting bottom left which I stuck to the inside cover of my journal as a pocket for the day's pieces leading up to it. The flower mandala was on of the days.

More journal pages also from the Mixed Media Expo, sessions and extra courses. There is also a collage, I was just going to lay down some background collage pieces but I liked it as it was!

Sunday was Pentecost and far too hot for me to go to church so I did the Making Zen Page by Casey Turner, love her style. 

Plus the JOTW May Mixed Media challenge page which took an unusual twist after locating the old stamps which were a required item.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #885 - Loads of Art Classes

I seem to have signed up to all the free mini courses on the back of the Mixed Media Expo the past 2 weeks! 

We've been looking at my favourite colours in one which I used for another 2 all on my desk.

Yep definitely love pinks and purples.

Leafed through a magazine and this is what jumped out at me!

I did a mini class on affirmations cards.

Quite like orange with pink and turquoise too.

Here's the last few pages from the Expo.

I did the Farewell page whilst watching Neet's funeral service so it's dedicated to her.

Treated myself to some new watercolour brush pens I saw in Sainsbury's - my others must be over 10yrs old.

Must get some Neocolour II watercolour crayons soon...

I also did a Zen session on pattern making and carved me a little flower stamp which goes well with a square one I made a while back.

My head is so full of arty stuff at the moment.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #884 - 17th Anniversary

Oh my word 17 years of this blog hop. I joined in in March 2012 so just 14 years for me!

Here's my anniversary ATCs on my desk. Only had the inspiration yesterday, thinking I'd combine my current/recent on-line stitching and mixed media retreats.

Watercolour & Pen with Embroidery.

Here's a collage of the rest of my Making Zen makes. Still loads I want to make. 

Love the little lip balm pouch. 

The house is a purse when you turn it round the roof folds over.

Pin cushion pot found in the conservatory and I repainted the back which had all chipped off.

However back to the Mixed Media Expo which doesn't end till Thursday 14th (a full 2 weeks).

Such a vast range of lessons it is difficult choosing as I have lots of days to catchup since stopping for ZEN last week.

Happy WOYWW 17th Anniversary Everyone.

WOYWW #883 - Tribute to Neet Week

A big thank you to Neet for all her contributions to this group and her loving thoughtful comments, her last one to me....

8th Oct 2025 :Neet: The double spread tree pages are wonderful. I love the autumnal vibe. Also the tree you managed to get in your Bible. I always love your Bible paintings.Good luck for next week. Prayers will be on there way, Hugs, Neet 1 xx

Here's a dandelion decoration made with you in mind. Sorry I never got to meet you in person but your kindness lingers on, you will be sadly missed.                      Farewell dear friend.

Here's a moment on my "double" retreat desk this week. 

I made the owl as a response to a Mixed Media paint session warming up for Making Zen week. The facing page combines 6 of the 8 lessons on Zen Day 1.

Tuesday we went to Wisley to see the Wisteria Walk - honestly quite disappointing, I prefer our own Wisteria. 

So just one Zen workshop piece Day 2.

I have managed 9 of the Mixed Media sessions, they are quite involved and certainly challenging. There have been 3 a day since 1st May and it finishes on 14th May all available free till then so still time to catch up...

Some in my faith journal, some in my little watercolour book and one in my fabric book. 

Bottom right is the stitch to join 2 journal pages together for an accordion book, just had to give it a go as it looked like blanket stitch - it wasn't!

I finished off Faith Fest at the end of April, plus filling in a page in my journal whilst I was at it.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.