
This craft project was born out of a weird midnight in-joke that went too far - Something about an enormous, clumsy moth called Caleb that met an untimely demise after an encounter with a bleach-filled toilet... I've been friends with Eleanor for 16 years now, and this is by no means the first of these bizarre characters we've concocted. It was her birthday last week, and I thought that it was the perfect excuse to crack out my embroidery threads and make a moth! I'm a needlework novice, but I'm pretty darn (haha, get it?) proud of this attempt at an embroidered brooch!



I didn't use a pattern for this, I just used a picture of a moth for reference and then stitched it freehand onto some old felt that I had lying around. I used a safety pin as the brooch closure, although you can buy little brooch pins very cheaply. I am surprised by how intuitive it was, once I started. I mean, the back of the moth looks pretty gnarly but the front looks great, and that's what matters, right? I think that half the battle with these things is threading the needle, and once that's done, you're off and away and you can start to be creative! The hardest bit to do was Caleb's little antennae. I wanted to make sure they were firmly anchored, which meant I had to tie lots and lots of tiny little knots. So fiddly! All in all, he took me a couple of evenings of gentle sewing in front of Australian Masterchef reruns. Best use of my time.

Here's Eleanor, being a stylish so-and-so, outfit completed with the addition of Caleb, chillaxing on her boob there. You probably won't be surprised to find out that Eleanor is a costume and performance designer, and she is really bloody good at it. If you're ever in need of a designer for your... performance, hit. her. up. Here's her website! Anyway, she says she loves Caleb very much, and that's encouraged me to do more freestyle embroidery, so watch this space! What should I make next?
It looks a bit like Caleb is in love with Eleanor's dragonfly necklace!
I love it, it's so random and cute
ReplyDeleteLauren
livinginaboxx
Thank you! Yeah, I guess it is kind of random, but so is my friend! :)
DeleteVery cute :) I love the randomness of it, reminds me of me and my best friend.
ReplyDeletevvnightingale.blogspot.co.uk
Ahh thanks lovely! You and your best friend sound ace! ;)
DeleteHow cute! I love inside jokes like this :)
ReplyDeletexx Mimmi, Muted Mornings
I have more inside jokes than I can count with Eleanor. It definitely annoys our other friends!
DeleteThis is so cute! I always love making odd things when I sew/crochet - shows how versatile it is really :) x
ReplyDeleteJasmin Charlotte
I know - you can make absolutely ANYTHING if you've got some craft supplies and a bit of gumption!
DeleteLooks fab! It's so rewarding to be able to wear something you've made, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think it is one of the most rewarding things! Or maybe eating something you've made is more rewarding!
Deletehaha i love best friend inside jokes like that :) and this turned out adorable, i can't believe you created that!
ReplyDeletexo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
I can't believe it either, Marlen!! Haha! :) Thanks! <3
DeleteI saw you over on Kate's blog, freaked over your blog's name (I love owls!), and I think I'll stick around. The brooch is so adorable! I don't have the patience (or skill) for something like that, so I'm definitely impressed.
ReplyDeletehttp://mwritesabout.blogspot.com
Ooh yay, please do stick around! :) Also, I am so glad you like the brooch!
DeleteWhat a lovely gift, handmade gifts are the best!! I've always wanted to give embroidery a go but I am not sure that I have the patience or steady hands for it.
ReplyDelete- Keyta
www.TheWayfarer.co
I didn't think I had the patience either - I think it helps if you've got a deadline (ie someone's birthday) to aim for though!
DeleteThat is adorable!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad you think so! :)
DeleteThis is seriously amazing! You are so talented! ☺️
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rosie! That means an awful lot coming from you! :)
DeleteWow!!! Caleb is beautiful!!! You are Si clever to have done this from a picture!!!! I will try to email you when I get back from Croatia, it's annoying typing on a phone, but definitely must share camp stories! I want to know what you play!!!!! X
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like him - I never met the real Caleb but Eleanor assures me that my version looks very lifelike! I just pretended that the thread was ink, in a way. It was a bit like sketching from a picture.
DeleteHave an excellent time in Croatia! :)
Such a wonderful post to go through ! Quite a delight to read your blog !
ReplyDeleteKeep the magic on :)
www.curiouscomponents.com
Oh thank you!! What a lovely comment! :)
DeleteMoths give me the heebliejeeblies but this one is so cute :-) and what a cute idea to make it in to a broach, really want to make something like this now!
ReplyDeletewww.bitofeverythingblog.co.uk
I hope I didn't give you the heebie jeebies!! You could make any insect/animal that you like!
DeleteSo cute ! I wish I was creative and artsy like this !
ReplyDeleteMadeline | Its a Mads Mads World
I bet you are creative and artsy and all the things you want to be!! All you need to do to be creative is to create something! <3
DeleteThat's adorable, you're really talented! :)
ReplyDeleteLipstick and Mocha
Thank you so much my dear! <3
DeleteThis is hilarious haha,
ReplyDeleteLiberty x
www.libertycanwrite.blogspot.com
I laughed until I cried when Eleanor was texting me about the moth - I'm glad you laughed too! :)
DeleteWow! It's so good! Reading this post, and actually your blog in general just made me feel like you might enjoy Enid's blog - www.enidtwiglet.blogspot.com - she's more of a crazy bird lady than a cat lady though!
ReplyDeleteI watched all of your Norway vlogs, how much fun was that! You are both such a lovely couple <3 Have a lovely weekend Candy!
www.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com
Ahh, thanks for recommending her - she's amazing and I love being recommended new blogs to read! Thanks for watching our vlogs - hopefully we'll do some more soon! <3
DeleteThis is so cleaver and adorable! And such a thoughtful gift
ReplyDeleteHarriet
Greeneyesandlongblondehair.blogspot.Co.uk
Thanks! I think she liked it, so it was definitely worth the blood and sweat! ;)
DeleteThis is so cute! You should consider selling these on Etsy or something. I know a lot of people who would love something like this. It is so intricate and beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo
Anna
Miss Anna Rebecka
Wow, that's such an amazing compliment! I was thinking that maybe one day I'd start up a little shop on my blog for my crafts, but I didn't think anyone would want to buy them. Thank you for your lovely comment my dear! <3
DeleteI'm just loving the fact that the moth is called Caleb. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that you're loving that! <3
DeleteWHAT?! This is absolutely amazing, you are one talented lady!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It makes me really happy that you like it! :)
Delete