Molly was born on the 5th February 1913. Supportive,selfless, caring and kind. Supplied bucketloads of unconditional love. My Nan.

My daughter is a bright joy, constantly surprising me with profound questions and keen, funny pieces of observation. At age 8 she is kind, thoughtful, plucky, curious, and very much has her own mind. She loves to make people laugh but also has great perceptiveness, thinking seriously about how people feel and what they believe. It is a privilege to be her mother.

My mother is insightful, funny, and has always had a wonderful ‘eye’ for the interesting, small, or beautiful things in life. It is from her that I learned to look closely in places where others may not pay attention. She writes wonderful letters. I love the way she listens and with her I feel accepted and not judged. As the first born child of Dutch immigrants, she has always worked hard. She walks fast, is amazing at organising, has a terrible sense of direction, has twinkly, smiley eyes. Her patience and originality in playing with my children is extraordinary. She is sensitive and underneath she has terrific gumption, energy, and a steeliness that I admire incredibly.

Nora is the name of my paternal grandmother who I called ‘Nanna’ or ‘Nan’. It is from her that I share Welsh heritage. She had a song for everything and recited delicious poems — my favourite was The Green-eyed Yellow God. I never learnt to embroider but gave this project a go in honour of the other things she taught me, like how to arrange flowers (she was a florist by trade), how to make roses from crepe paper, how to knit…and most importantly she told me that our family was good with our hands, that we were nimble and dexterous. The way she shared this made it seem like the acquisition of skills was an inheritance, that it was inevitable, so that the repetition and practice involved in learning something new was like uncovering a birthright that had always been there.

My grandmother Katie Smauels was born in the late 1890's in Swansea, South Wales. One of 4 children and the only one to marry not once, but twice! She was widowed at 21 with a baby girl "Letty". She returned home to live. Her sister Florence house-kept for their father and 2 brothers who were both seaman. Florence looked after baby Letty as my Gran had to go out and work as a cleaner (no government pensions in those days). Gran cleaned at The Gentlemans Club. One day while scrubbing the outside step, my grandfather stepped on the wet step, Gran looked up and said "Just watch where you going" and then her red hair fell down from her bun; and that was when Bachelor Fred in his mid-30's found his wife. They went on to have 6 children plus Aunty Letty. Gran made sure her children all had a good education and jobs. In her 24 grandchildren she instilled love, honesty and always be proud to be Welsh.

Dale has been a kind influential friend for 30 years. We met at a speaking club. Dale invited me to join her at Interior Design classes. Dale went on to be the secretary of the Nannette Cameron Interior Design Guild for years. Dale also invited me to join her Book Club. 30 years of interesting exciting activities.

Janice is my mum, a long-time talented sewer and stitcher. A woman who’s rarely idle, her stitching tin is never far from reach. Whether she’s in the passenger seat of the car, at a cafe, on the beach, or at home on the back verandah, her busy hands will be weaving through a piece of fabric, stitching flowers or bees, fish or trees - whatever images and ideas bring her joy. Me, however, I’d never embroidered before, hence the irregular and occasionally wonky stitches in this piece. But the process made me quietly reflect on my Mum, feeling pride in her skill at this handicraft, and appreciative of the delight and fulfillment this hobby brings her.

This is dedicated to my Nonna Immacolata (1911-2004) who brought so much joy and wisdom to our lives. I miss her so much.

I made Rosalie Gascoigne. I love her work - the repetition and re-use or repurpose of signs. This is my version. Also, she was a New Zealander living in Australia - like me!

With great pleasure I submit this embroidery for my late grandmother 'Caterina'. Born 13/10/1908 and left us on 20/10/92. She was my guide, mentor and love. Throughout my childhood as a daughter of original immigrants from Calabria Italy to Buenos Aires in Argentina where I was born in 1962 and then migrants for a second time to Sydney in October 1972. She was with me after school, the home maker while my parents worked factory night shifts, guided me through my teenage years where I felt lonely and didn't fit in with my peers at school. She constantly lifted my spirits and made me feel like no-one else in the world was prettier or more talented at age 12-15!! All the way through to when I became a young mother and wife at the age of 20, teaching and sharing her wealth of life skills. She never had the opportunity to read or write but gave so much to our home. She will be part of this incredible project and be now remembered forever.

Judith is my mother, I often think of her. She was an only child raised by her mother, her father passed away when is was just seven. She was a strong, independent and loving mother. Judith married and had 10 children.

When things were really bad for me, years ago, I met Diane and it’s no exaggeration to say she saved my life. The picture in my head that accompanies every thought I have of her is her hand reaching out for me from a lifeboat.
She was very old when we met & died some years ago, but her story is well & truly alive in my heart. She loved me.

Lyra is my 1year old granddaughter with almond eyes and a rosebud mouth. She inspires me to look at the world through her eyes- where life is an adventure full of discovery and joy at what is around her. The wind, the sun, the rain, the sea, the sand, flowers, trees even a blade of grass are a source wonder. She reminds me that something as simple as a smile brings so much joy. A Lyra smile will keep me smiling throughout the day.

I chose my mum, who is wonderful and always an inspiration to me. The emotional strength, resilience, and intelligence of my mum is something I have always looked up to and is (hopefully) being passed down to us. She's taught me to keep challenging my own worldview, to be accepting of my path in life, and that at the end of the day fun with family is what’s important. T

I chose to celebrate the life of my maternal grandmother Jeannette, whom I called Popo. She passed exactly 1 month to the day I completed her embroidered name. A women of quiet strength + gentleness + the biggest role model in my life. She was always caring for others in need & welcoming all walks of life without judgement, but instead, entirely with love.

Sylvia is my older sister by 5 years and as young girls growing up I was very much influenced by choices she was making.
In high school I chose the same subjects she had chosen, one of which, fortunately, was Art.
After high school I also chose the same career as her; nursing.
To this day she still continues to be my "influencer" and I am the better for it.

Judy Setford was my next door neighbor when I was growing up. She was an artist whose wonderful paintings I loved. She used her maiden name, Judith Perrey in her professional life and her skill amazed me. Her work was influential in forming my interest in Art, and my secret desire to be a painter. It has taken time, but I have found my artistic expression in other media, but it is Judy who was the original key and her inspiration has lasted a lifetime and I’m forever grateful to have known her.

Lynne was my first guitar teacher. Not only was the guitar a lifeline for me as a teenager but I later went on to make a career as a guitarist. It was a pretty male dominated profession then so I'm especially grateful that my first teacher was a woman.

Joelene is my daughter . She’s 40 this year. Mother to my 2 grandsons.
She’s taught me much over the year. She’s strong smart and cares for people she comes across in life It shows with her friends and acquaintances. She loves her family. It’s the most important thing to her.

Kate is my 24 year old step daughter. I’ve watched Kate grow into a wonderful young women. Who cares about her family and has taken on her new family with love and acceptance

Joelene and Kate both lost a parent and that shared loss has brought them to where they are. They now have each other.

I’m so very lucky , my two

Marion (1936-2019) is my mother. She died suddenly last year and I miss her every day. She was a loving, giving, spiritual woman who put her faith into action for the benefit of those around her. Mum was engaged, growing, learning, giving and nurturing – living a full and blessed life right to the end.

My longtime school friend Pip (Philippa Mcnair, nee Street) passed away on 8 April during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown. Aged 50 years. Pip suffered for 30 years from multiple sclerosis. She was a strong, intelligent, caring and courageous woman.
This project is a tribute to her.
Pip’s signature was copied off a birthday card I received and transposed onto the St Cuthberts tartan. (An old school uniform) Pip proudly wore this in her 7 years at St Cuthberts College.
Pip loved Japan so it is appropriate that my random stitching was inspired by my favorite artist Yayoi Kusama.
‘By love serve’ and arohanui my special friend

My daughter Sheridan decided to do my name - Belinda but shortened it to "Bell" as it was easier. I would love to pass on "the joy of trying new things, curiosity and making good use of what you already have" to my daughter.

My daughter and I worked on it together which was very special. I did mine to honour my mother - Gloria, who was always willing to try new things and who is very resourceful and creative.

This piece is dedicated to my mum, Priscilla. I remember her always giving crafting a go when I was a child. I guess I caught that bug.