library bag blast off or let it all dag out

This is my most recent embroidery work - I had a lovely time at the beach working on this design for Kd's pre-school/kinda library bag.

It is worked up using satin stitch and I was inspired and basically duplicated a design from a lovely book called Creative Needlecraft


I really love using satin stitch - filling up a space with colour and I very much seduced by the colours of embroidery thread. I first worked using satin stitch for a fourcast project early 2006.

It was also fun working on denim - I chopped up a favorite skirt that is a bit big for me now - the fabric is lovely and soft, with a slight stretch

I am really avoiding getting stuck into my serious sewing for my shows coming up - a nice way to spend lazy time at the beach.

(although my son told me, when I showed him the finished design, he wants a teenage mutant ninja turtle library book bag...)

Weekly Yoga posture focus: Bhastrika

I really enjoyed having a focus on a yoga asana, and what excuse is there for not doing Viparita Karani at the end of the day - so easy and you feel fantastic coming out of the pose and also a great sleep.

This week I thought I am going to spend a bit more time with a pose that helps to wake up my digestion and inner focus - which has burnt right out after Christmas and all those hot spells. It is a Pranayama Breathing Exercise called Bhastrika or Bellows Breath.
My yoga teacher first taught this breath to me before my first child was born and I haven't thought about it for a long time - I picked up a cheesy looking book from the library called The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and this was the first pose I read about.

Basically it is really quick breathing in the belly through the nose - puff puff and snort snort. Good blood pumping stuff.


Haha - just found a funny video if you are keen to check out the technique for this breathing - wow it is amazing how spending a little time on focused breathing can help make you feel really great!

In my cheesy yoga book too I found a lovely quote; "If you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear." Lao Tzu