I had a project I’ve been meaning to do but I knew I would need help, ie someone with artistic flare.

I chose Daisy. Lucky Daisy, though possibly not because she did most of the work.

I keep everything including a tin box full of old brooches that I can’t sell (tried and failed) and don’t want to wear.  I know some were my mother’s and the rest, possibly my Great Great Aunt Kate’s and Great Granny’s.

This is a Victorian mourning brooch and full of meaning and history. I am just not sure whose.  The hair belongs to a baby.  So possibly my great-uncle who died at 6 months old from meningitis.

This is a fibula pin – silver filigree Hamsa hand (Hand of Fatima) with red glass cabochons,

So, firstly, I bought an gilt oval frame off Fleabay and then 1m of padding and another of cotton black velvet.  I had a plan.

OH made a wooden back to the frame. Daisy marked and cut out the padding to the right shape.

At first we were undecided about whether we needed the padding or not. It was bulky behind the velvet.  We tried it both ways and in the end decided to keep it.  It would make attaching the brooches easier.  Then I stapled the fabrics to the board and Daisy cut off the excess material.

Some of the brooches aren’t in fact brooches but are shoe or dress ornaments so needed sewing on.  I tried, and failed three times.  I hate sewing.  Daisy, however, was brilliant.  She worked like a surgeon.

And here is the finished result. I love it – just how I wanted it to turn out. I’ve hung it in my work shed.

Aunt Kate and her cousins are also in my room.

I am so glad the brooches didn’t sell and are out on display (ignore the ceiling – there was a leak last winter).

They are hanging where they should be.