Tuesday 12 July 2022

Flat Sharing

This post is not about accommodation, and HMO* - but rather about sharing flat things. My latest Postcard Project package arrived from Kirsten on Saturday morning.

Right at the beginning, K had this inspired idea; if we used small flat boxes, we could post at Large Letter Rate, way cheaper than regular parcels. And she had two empty 'Graze' boxes which were promptly designated for this purpose.
This will hold the piece of linen, its accompanying notebook, and a brief message from one stitcher to the other. And a small surprise gift. We never agreed that at the outset, but it sort of happened instinctively. Nothing expensive, just a little added extra.
This is both great fun - and also a challenge. The gift must be flat- less than 2cm high - or it won't go in the box. There have been all sorts of items...tiny bars of soap, hanging decorations, skeins of thread, packets of beads, bookmarks, an origami star, teabags, a length of lace trim.
Last time Kirsten kindly sent me one sheet of DMC Magic Paper. 
This is a similar principle to my Cross stitch waste canvas . You draw your design on the paper, use it as a foundation for your stitching, then dissolve it in water, leaving your embroidery neatly on the fabric. K has become an expert in this technique. In May she did a beautiful tea party, using some floral fabric to appliqué the tablecloth. Then stitched the teapot etc. All ready for those Jubilee street parties and garden parties.
This month, K chose to embroider some blue and white Delft tiles, which she has seen many times at Standen, a nearby NT property [on my 'to visit' list] It is an Arts & Crafts property, so I am sure I'd love it. There are lots of tiles there - these ones are in an alcove at the bottom of a staircase. Kirsten drew them in her sketchbook and made notes. The tiles were roughly but delicately drawn by the Dutch artists.
Using two strands of blue floss, in different shades, Kirsten has recreated the bird, elephant, plant tub and fruit bowl in tiny stitches.

I had already decided to use my Magic Paper this month and Kirsten has suggested a super idea for my theme. But now I have to think of a Flat Surprise to pop in the parcel when the embroidery is done.
Do you ever pop 'added extras' in with cards or letters? 
Anybody got any novel ideas for light, inexpensive Flat Shares?

Don't forget that if you are inspired by the postcard project, I can put you in touch with someone else to do your own collaborative pieces.

[*Houses In Multiple Occupancy]



21 comments:

  1. How about a seed paper? Have you seen them, they are fun and work well. Fits in with your growing interest in planting (sorry) Enjoy today, Pam

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love updates on this project!
    What about a flat bar of chocolate? Or could Bob whittle a tiny wooden spoon on his lathe?
    Share some seeds?
    Make her an embroidery themed word search?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good ideas - but I think that in this heat, I shan't send chocolate, it would melt all over the linen

      Delete
  3. Always enjoy your blog. An idea is a pretty notelet, or postcard that they can use to cheer someone they know.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you both - pretty cards and notelets are always useful

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eden sell lovely bookmarks. Sample face cream packs are nice. If you shop at Loccitane you always get free samples and I save them as little extra gifts. Pretty writing pen, neat little rubber. Actually does anyone use rubbers now? I do for patchwork erasing. Um, a recipe card, a length of ribbon to wrap a present.......now I have run out if ideas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Free sample cosmetics are good. Yes, I still use an eraser . And recipe cards are always fun. I use them as bookmarks in cookbooks

      Delete
  6. This sounds like such fun! I love your stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have tried including a specially nice new card in with the card I am writing so the recipient can use it themselves. I had some lovely postcards of the interior of Buckingham Palace, people especially enjoy those.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very pretty embroidery. Yes, I've been known to add a little something extra to cards and packages I send. :) I like the suggestions others have made - cards, seeds, etc. I'll suggest a sheet of stickers, some buttons, a fridge magnet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stickers and fridge magnets - fun and witty!

      Delete
  9. The great thing about embroidery is all the stories they create inside your head meanwhile.
    This "flat mail" kinda reminds me of Flat Stanley a lot of classrooms participated in over the past years.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I enjoy following the postcard project and seeing the lovely embroidery you both create.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bushlady. I don't think I realised just how much joy it would bring when K & I began the PP!

      Delete

Always glad to hear from you - thanks for stopping by!
I am blocking anonymous comments now, due to excessive spam!