Mabel's Designs 2026

[Mabel Figworthy]

I managed to finish the Shisha flower, getting a bit carried away so I now know what amounts to too much stitching (not that much, unfortunately), and what I can and can't do (no two-handed stitching, but it is possible to manipulate sequins and beads with minimal second-hand involvement). Still, it's my first finish of 2026! And I've made it into a card, for our minister's wife who has been organising some great Ladies' Socials as well as celebrating her 60th birthday this week.

[Serinde]

Beautiful. You are very clever in the way you combine colours and materials into always-interesting pieces. Whoever receives this lovely card will be well chuffed!

(Rest that hand!!)

[geekishly]

Hear hear! It’s a lovely finish.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I started this little tulip back in December, in the Netherlands, because I needed something to show how to attach passing thread to my cousin's two daughters that I was doing goldwork with. That sounds more complicated than it was. Anyway, I stitched the flower, and the gold on the central petal; the idea was to have more gold, experimenting with single/double and different outlines but then the hand happened. Last weekend I tried to add some of it. It's not as even as usual, but I like the look of it. Now it's back to resting the hand. Yes, I required painkillers after these bits of couching. But if I don't try, I don't know!

[Serinde]

It's only human to push the boundaries or (in this case) check the state of play in the healing process. And to have such a lovely little piece to show for it is very special.

[geekishly]

lovely work! I hope your hand continues to heal well.

[Mabel Figworthy]

The fracture clinic consultant said to let pain be my guide - discomfort is fine, pain means stop.

More gold to go on in a few more short sessions, then it will be made into a card to send to a Turkish refugee family we got to know while they stayed in the refugee hotel in our village; they have been moved to another place and I want to send them a Hope You're Settling In card (and keep in touch about how their right-to-remain interviews are going) and a tulip felt right because although they are thought of as the typical Dutch flower, they originated in Turkey

[Mabel Figworthy]

A bit more physiotherapy in the form of couching

[Serinde]

Couching is a much under-rated technique.

[geekishly]

So beautiful!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finished! though not yet made into a card.
Sadly the Turkish family had their application for right to remain turned down, and the poor lady lost her baby possibly because of the stress. I'm afraid a tulip card doesn't really seem at all adequate at a time like this.

[Serinde]

What a tragedy for everyone.

[geekishly]

Perhaps not adequate, as I don’t think most things would be. However, it does show you care and are thinking of them.

[Mabel Figworthy]

A doesn-'t-matter-what-it-looks-like-but-it-exercises-the-hand project in progress:

[geekishly]

I love it!

[Mabel Figworthy]

The card I sent to the Turkish family I mentioned. The daughter is settling in at her new school and they're appealing their application decision.

[Serinde]

Fingers crossed that what's best for the child and family is what actually comes to pass. I'm sure they would have appreciated your card.

[geekishly]

Wishing the best for them.

[Mabel Figworthy]

A small finish - with the ladybird dedicated to my grandson who loves looking for them in the garden, and my granddaughter who dressed up as one for World Book Day. I can only guess that she was a Ladybird Book.

[geekishly]

So cute!