Making a needle book and other ideas to use your slow-stitched pieces

In this video I'm finishing the needlebook to send to Gina, using a beautiful piece of slow stitchery from the inspiring Maggie Morris. I'm also sharing some other ideas for making use of your slow-stitched handiwork.
Go to my linktree to find links to our free Discord community and Facebook group, where you can connect with lots of lovely creative people, share your inspirations and show us what you're making - linktr.ee/arty...
JOURNAL WRAP - • Kawandi-Inspired Journ...
NEEDLE WRAP - • Easy hand-stitched nee...
FLOW BOOK - • Fabric Flow Book for S...
If you would like to support the channel, please consider joining as a channel member - you can become more involved and we've created some little perks as a thank you, more info here - / @artyfartyannie

[@ChantelleArts]

this looks so cool annie!! 🥰

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much Chantelle! :) xo

[@createandcraftwithchristine]

A lovely gift for Gina and thanks for the shoutout. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend or starting it in fact 🤗 cheers, Christine 💙🧵🪡

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you! You too Christine, I reckon as I type this you should be sleeping as it's just got midnight for you, but it's a cold, crisp sunshiney midday here! :)

[@createandcraftwithchristine]

@ I got into some bad habits of staying up to midnight but now bringing myself back to school night schedule 😂

[@artyfartyannie]

Now I don't have to work the next day, I'm usually not in bed until 3.30 or so, still can't get to sleep right away, but at least I can stay in bed until 9.30 if I want to. I enjoy the quiet time at night, binge-watching stuff and stitching away at something with a blanket over my lap - and then in my craft room pretty much as soon as I get up in the morning, that's what gets me out of bed usually! :)

[@artfulyama9071]

I agree with you on your answer to why do slow-stitching. Stamp collectors should be asked “Why collect stamps, and then what do you do with a book full of catalogued old stamps?” I enjoy your videos, your creative energy, and fun spirit!

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much - yes it's a strange thing isn't it? For me, buying clothes and shoes would be a waste of money and space, but I can understand that many people really enjoy that, so I wouldn't dream of asking them what they're going to with them all :) Human beings have been making decorative items that don't necessarily have a practical purpose for millenia, it's in our programming I reckon, well it's in ours anyway eh?! :)

[@kimtownsend838]

The answer to the non slow stitching people is.... Just because 🤗 I love making rice bags, I've also made a purse with kam snap closure, 2 project bags, folding thread Catchers, a houswif, book cover, travel book and bits n bobs holder for my grandson, with mini fishing kit inside, note book pen pocket and sweetie stash pocket, and much more, it's in the blood to craft, and to try out other crafting things too. 🧶🪡🧵 I love those slow stitched pieces you have shown, Annie, so many possibilities 🤗🍄🌈

[@artyfartyannie]

Absolutely! oooh love the sound of the one you made for your grandson, that's such a cool idea! Someone shared a post about making an old specs case into a little stitching kit the other day in the FB group, I reckon that would work for a fishing kit too. We will never run out of ideas will we, when we keep on inspiring each other. Thanks for watching Kim xo

[@kimtownsend838]

Oops, I've answered this above, lol 😅😅

[@paulinedonnelly6077]

Hi Annie, greetings from a very rainy day in OZ , a nice relief from the 30 odd degrees we've been having ...... not complaining 😊😊 Loved this video, as always, such gorgeousness to look at, those stitched pieces from Maggie ( I will watch her ) are amazing xx Some great ideas for slow stitched pieces..?.I turn a lot of mine into spectacle cases for friends & family xxx love & hugs til the next video 😍😍😍😍 TFS XXXXX

[@artyfartyannie]

Hi Pauline - greetings from a VERY cold (11 degrees C INSIDE my kitchen today!! ) but bright and sunshiney UK :) Love the idea of specs cases, I'll add that to my ideas list, thank you :)

[@scrappidoodle]

I agree, Annie, Slow Stitching gives me JOY - for me, that's what it's for! Thank you for another inspirational video, love the little heart pin cushion idea as is the stitcher's friend pocket. I might adopt those, if you don't mind. I'm always losing my needle threader! Gorgeous projects, all. Thank you. Mariaxx

[@artyfartyannie]

Wonderful, that's it exactly Maria! Please do use those ideas, it would make b=me very happy, I love when we all share our ideas and inspiration. Thanks for watching :) xo

[@rhondagunderm4862]

It turned out awesome. She will love it

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Rhonda, I hope so! :)

[@sandraweiler5971]

Your needle books are so lovely. I had to take screenshots for inspiration. Thank-you for sharing!

[@artyfartyannie]

Oh thank you, that makes me very happy! :)

[@rhondagunderm4862]

Maggie's work is beautiful

[@artyfartyannie]

It really is! I'm looking forwad to trying to emulate her style working on a piece of fabric she gave me, I've got hold of some perle threads so I'm all ready to go :)

[@nellp.miller5921]

Oh, how I enjoy your programs. I am restored with all my things that I just love to touch, feel. Your comment, "making yourself a present that comes back around"!!!

[@artyfartyannie]

Wonderful! Thank you, that makes me very happy, and yes it's a great way to take a fresh look at the lovely things we already have and appreciate them in a new way. I can remember a little book I used to read to my boys when they were little, it was called "365 Birthdays", and the character in it wrapped up things in his house every day for a year, finally wrapping up the whole house and realising how lucky he was to have these things all year round. I'm not explaining it very well, but it was a very sweet story, I wonder if I could find it again ... :)

[@clnason]

LOVE here ideas. Such beautiful stitches!

[@artyfartyannie]

Glad you like them! Thank you for watching :)

[@denisemacdonald1329]

I was going to use the one I won as a needle book but have now decided to turn into a glasses case for my handbag So when I use it more people can see it & enjoy it..

[@artyfartyannie]

That's a brilliant idea Denise! :)

[@angelamcentee1277]

Thanks for sharing Annie, anything handmade is so precious with all that's gone into it.

[@rmlrhonda]

So many lovely things!

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much! :)

[@jacquimiller8983]

loved this video x

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much for watching Jacqui :)

[@carolgeorge9620]

I am new to slow stitching you are so inspiring.Thankyou 😊

[@artyfartyannie]

You’re welcome Carol😊Thank you very much for watching and for the lovely comment :)

[@oneearlybird]

I love all your ideas for using the beautiful slow stitched pieces. I recently made a piece into a cover for one of my small sketch books. I like the idea of the sketch book and pen/pencils holder so that might be my next project for my daughter who has just taken up doodle art. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@artyfartyannie]

That's a great idea to make a sketch book cover, I saw someone doing a planner cover recently too. Thanks very much for watching :)

[@mgailqster]

Clever, fabulous, colorful eye candy, talented, amazing, inspiring, prosperous, magical, artistic heaven, soul lifting, joy, joy, joy...

[@artyfartyannie]

Oh thank you, you've put a big smile on my face :) xo

[@bizzybee6342]

Thank you for sharing your ideas with us! I don't have any plans for my slow stitching pieces. Maybe I can put them together to make a pouch. I just enjoy the stitching. ❤

[@artyfartyannie]

You are so welcome, thanks for watching! Ah a pouch is a lovely idea too, and so useful for lots of things - but as you say, you can just enjoy the stitching, I totally agree :)

[@dianeford6796]

Thank you Annie for such a wonderful video, the colours are gorgeous. I loved the needle book you finished off and I'm going to make one myself. I thought I would instead of the heart make one of the tiny birds you showed us how to make out of scraps and I thought two dangly little beaded legs would look adorable.....I'm so excited! My first project of 2025 sorted. Again, many thanks Annie, Diane xxx

[@artyfartyannie]

ooooh yes a little dangle bird with beaded legs instead of the heart is a brilliant idea! Please share a pic when you make yours Diane, and tag me so I don's miss it, I'd love to see how it turns out :) xo

[@Craftaartissaurus]

Lovely video ah yes you’ve taken me down memory lane here so many fun laughable videos. Yep I did the wrap book one and use whenever I go out plan air painting lol or as I call it painting in the real world with sigh wind abale winds! Love how the needle book turned out. Have a great weekend me I have a few ideas in my head so a painting I will go.

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Paula, glad you liked it! Ah painting or even sketching outside is a challenge I've not been able to meet so far - I've even set out a few times, with my sketch book and stuff, but end up sitting or standing there unable to make a start. I verymuch admire you for being ble to do that are you going to film some of your arty adventures for your channel now? :)

[@Craftaartissaurus]

@ yes going to try today.

[@shahlaspeck3607]

Great ideas!! Thank you so much ❣️

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much for watching, I'm glad you like these ideas :)

[@SharonMiitchell]

Just look at them beautiful

[@artyfartyannie]

Ah thank you so much Sharon, I'm so happy you like them :) xo

[@reneerails]

Lovely ideas! I wish I could download your brain and talent into mine!

[@artyfartyannie]

I'd do a free download if I could Renee, but for now I'll just keep sharing ideas here - thank you so much for watching, I'm really happy you like the ideas. Would be good if we could download some extra time as well wouldn't it? :) xo

[@Jen-pr1mx]

Lots of good ideas for using slow stitch pieces Annie, however like you I’m a stitcher who absolutely loves the process and stitch for the shear joy and relaxation. I love looking back at things I made years ago and sometimes chop them up and recycle turning them into something else. Keep em coming Annie. x 💐

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Jen, yes absolutely agree, we don't really need a purpose, for these pieces, enjoying the process is a purpose in itself and it is lovely to just look through them - both pieces I've made myself and beautiful things that friends have given to me - they just make my heart smile. I think you're very brave chopping up some of your older pieces, but they do bring gorgeous colour and texture to new projects, so it's a way to enjoy them and share them with others too. Thanks for watching and I think they're going to keep coming for the foreseeable, no sign of the ideas slowing down yet! :) xo

[@groemer9913]

Love this ❤

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching :)

[@sandrabrown9864]

❤❤❤

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Sandra :)

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Loved the video Annie. Such lovely slow stitched pieces and great ideas for what to turn them into if desired. 💕

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you so much Liz :) xo

[@kalilah-o7y]

Wow. So many spectacular creations. Absolutely gorgeous. So inspiring.

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much Karen, that's so kind of you, I'm very happy you found these ideas inspiring, that makes my day :)

[@pamgrover9910]

Just found your video,so fabulous and great ideas🙌🏻❤️

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much Pam, I'm very happy that you like these ideas, I hope you'll enjoy trying some of them. Thanks very much for watching :)

[@TracyAnnemakes]

I love your ideas 💖 I'm afraid I am one of those folks sadly hampered by the need to create something useful. I blame my grandmothers, they taught me all the handcrafts and in doing so passed along some rather extreme protestant notions of what is and isn't worthy....add to that a heavy dose of waste not want not and you end up with a monstrous stash and some kind of pathological project paralysis 🤣🙈 So I'm here to learn. And unlearn.

[@artyfartyannie]

That's a very thought-provoking comment Tracy, and I can empathise with a lot of what you say for sure. It took me ages to come to the conclusion that the only way to "waste" lovely supplies is not to use them, keep on saving them for that "something special" and worthy enough of the material and the time. also to accept that it's ok to do something just for the joy of doing it, I find it so liberating and relaxing. Mind you, doing the whole KZbin thing helps to give me a purpose in my mind, and I will make stitched pieces into something useable when I can, so I can enjoy them more. I love that the waste not want not thing has become popular again - I've been upcycling since I was a kid and we didn't have a name for it, but now I don't feel weird about it! I've also enjoyed revisiting some magazines and embroidery transers from the 1930s and using the vintage threads I bought - I love how they used to adorn everyday linens and things with stitching. Must get back to my Vintage Stitchionary very soon, I abandoned it in favour of seasonal projects back in the autumn, but I'll be back to it soon. Anyway, I hope you'll find lots here and in the Discord community to inspire you and beat that PPP!! :)

[@CarolynMuraru]

Made a slow stitched washing machine cover. It's where I can see it every day, and I get to pat it ❤

[@artyfartyannie]

oh wow! I had never thought of doing that, what a GREAT idea!! In fact, now I'm thinking what else could I cover with slow-stitched pieces, I probably have enough fabrics to cover everything in the house! I would love to see a photo of your washing-machine cover Carolyn - if you're happy to, you could share pics in the FB group or Discord community, or email them to me - all the links are in my linktree in the description box :)

[@barbscott980]

I've made needle-book-like slow stitch pieces that I gave to friends who don't stitch. Instead of putting needles, pins, etc. in them I put pierced earrings in them - post and french hook. They use them to keep earrings in when travelling.

[@artyfartyannie]

That is a FABulous idea Barb, thank you so much for sharing it, I'll pass it on :)

[@atuladocuidando]

Hola from Spain Annie❣️ I found you few weeks ago and I’m fascinated with all your creations. I’m more a crocheter than a stitcher ( I know very little in fact) but now I find myself wanting to do so many things now. I’ve been a caretaker of my parents for the last 18 years. The first 12 years for my Mom, she had Alzheimer’s. The nights were endless and restless so I decided to do something creative in order to ease my mind. Now I take care of my father. Tomorrow he turns 91 and he is totally dependent. Some days all I do is take care of him and do crochet or stitch a little. My husband understands my moods and he really helps me with so many things. Thank you for marking such wonderful videos. Your voice is so calming❣️ Take care Annie

[@artyfartyannie]

Hola and hello from England, thank you for your lovely comment. Ah I know how hard it can be to care for someone in this way, I think dementia is especially cruel. I am glad you have your stitching and crochet, doing something creative with your hands can be so therapeutic and relaxing can't it? Very happy you enjoy my videos too, and sounds like you have a supportive husband, which makes so much difference. You are welcome to join our free Discord community if you would like to - we share lots of creativity in there, but also talk about lots of other things and support each other, there are a several people in there who are in a similar situation to yours. Link to Discord is in my linktree in the description box xo

[@mariaeinarsson]

❤

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much Maria :) xo

[@eugenebellion9142]

♥♥♥

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you so much Eugene! :)

[@barbkean6672]

Beautiful, just Beautiful. I follow Jo Mo . Pieceofpi, who also makes the most beautiful slow stitching pieces. My question is ,can I follow Maggie Morris anywhere? I'd love to see more if her beautiful work.

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you, yes there's so much beautiful slow-stitchign inspiration out there now isn't there, I must check out that one, I don't think I've seen her yet. Maggie doesn't have a KZbin, Instagram or FB or anywhere to follow her as such, but she's a very active member of our FB group and often shares some of her work in there, just today in fact she showed some pieces she's been working on. You'll find links to the Facebook group in my linktree in the description box :)

[@sandrahickey3593]

I like thus nesdl🎉with case Annie. I'm always losing my needle threaders and I can't see close up. I just attached mine on my needle case.

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much Sandra, I'm glad you like it - oh yes, I'm always losing mine too, it definitely pays to have several on the go! :)

[@paulinedonnelly6077]

PS What is the channel name of Maggie Morris ??? Xxx

[@artyfartyannie]

Sadly she doesn't have one Pauline, and I don't think she does Insta or anything either. She is a member of our Facebook group though, and often shares her work in there. You're most welcome to join, the link is in my linktree in the description box :)

[@ginasewsandgardens]

You too beautiful work I love sewing and I love homemade things. I'm also a gardener. But that was not really the best explanation when people asked what the purpose of these things are for. Purpose to gardening? It's supplements my grocery bill and creates beauty in the backyard while feeding the hummingbirds and the bees. And even the regular birds help themselves to help themselves and figs. It would be better to answer the purpose of these things like today you're making a needle book. I take scrap fabrics and I do a form of what the Indian women do with their used sarees. I enjoy hand sewing but it's not fast enough for me so I actually do stitches on my machine and make a quilting at a tiny little scraps of fabric. Purpose quilts for the bed quotes for the lap. That's how you should have explained what you could use the beautiful things you make.

[@artyfartyannie]

Yes, fair point, I totally agree and apologise for any offence - I did think after I'd said it that it wasn't the best example - I love gardens and I know that gardening is a beautiful, creative activity which can not only supplement your larder and improve the environment, but continue to bear fruit for years to come. I just meant that gardening is something you can do just for the joy of it, doesn't need to have a practical purpose. As you say, I didn't do a great job of my explanation, I should have thought it through before I spoke, sorry :( xo

[@rl1947]

❤