Follow the development of ecclesiastical embroidery

Just wait till you see this! Ruth O’Leary writes in,

I’m a textile artist based in the North East of England, and on my blog I’m documenting the work involved in a commission I have recently won to make a processional banner for Durham Cathedral. This aims to replace a lost Medieval Opus Anglicanum original, and will use traditional techniques as far as practicable.
I hope that covering the process will give readers an insight into the work involved in embroidering a large-scale piece, as well as covering any other work I have in progress.

The posts so far are fascinating! Go see Ruth’s blog. And be sure to add it to your blog reader.

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Remember floppy disks? Those square little tech relics that used to hold our precious documents and school assignments? If you’ve got a stash of them hiding in the back of a drawer—or you stumble across some at a thrift store—don’t toss them just yet. Floppy disks are surprisingly perfect for upcycled crafting, and these ideas will have you looking at old tech in a totally new way.

One of the most popular ways to breathe new life into these retro icons is by turning them into DIY wall clocks. Whether you keep it simple with one floppy as the clock face or build a larger wall piece using multiple disks, the result is a geeky, functional work of art. Check out the step-by-step guide on Instructables for building your own floppy disk wall clock—it’s a timeless craft, literally!

Want to carry your nostalgia with you? Then you’ll love the floppy disk purse or bag ideas. These functional fashion statements are made entirely from joined-up disks, forming a sturdy and super unique bag. There are tutorials on how to make a full shoulder bag, a clutch, and even a pencil case using nothing but zip ties and some creativity.

Need a conversation-starting piece of décor? A floppy disk chandelier might be just the thing. It’s bold, futuristic, and a brilliant way to show off your upcycling skills. Alternatively, you can go green and make a floppy disk planter—perfect for succulents or desk plants. Just pop out the disk’s center, line it with plastic, and add soil. It’s easy, stylish, and great for small-space gardening.

Looking for quick, crafty projects? Try turning a floppy into a notepad, a photo frame, or a cutlery holder. These smaller projects make great DIY gifts, and they’re perfect for crafters who want instant gratification. You can even make Christmas bows or flowers out of old disks for a fun and shiny holiday twist.

For those who love organizing their craft supplies or electronics, floppy disks can be transformed into component organizers or bill caddies. With a little hot glue and imagination, they make excellent mini shelving units and storage boxes.

Feeling ambitious? Dive into the more elaborate builds like a laptop desk, a lampshade, or even a quirky birdhouse made entirely from floppy disks. These projects take upcycling to the next level and are sure to impress anyone who sees them.

Make a Floppy Disk Wall Clock : 9 Steps – Instructables

Floppy Disk Bag : 12 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Geeky Floppy Note Pad — CraftBits.com

Floppy Disk Chandelier : 8 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

DIY Floppy Disk Planters – Brit + Co /

Floppy Disk Planter

Floppy Disk Art

How to Turn Old Floppy Disks Into Bracelets, Necklaces, or Belts – Instructables

Upcycled Component Organizer – Make:

Floppy disk photo frame

Wall Clock

DIY Floppy Disk Planter

Floppy Disk Art | Euromaxx

Bird house

Cutlery Holder

Floppy Disks Into Pencil Cases • Recyclart

Floppy Disk Bill Caddy : 3 Steps – Instructables

Make a Floppy Disk Wall Clock : 9 Steps – Instructables

Floppy Disk Laptop Desk/Stand – Instructables

Disk Combobulation

Floppy Disk Succulent Planter : 3 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Floppy Disk Lampshade (with Pictures) – Instructables

Recycled Flowers From DVDs, CDs, and Floppy Disks

USB Flash Diskette : 7 Steps (with Pictures) –

Christmas Bow / Flower From Floppy Disks : 7 Steps (with Pictures)

Notebook From Old Floppy Disks : 9 Steps (with Pictures)

And of course, there’s wearable tech too. You can cut up and reshape floppy disks into bracelets, necklaces, or belts that scream ’80s nostalgia. It’s retro-futurism at its finest.

Let’s not forget about combining media: recycled flowers and art pieces that use floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs together to create dazzling pieces with texture and shine. Whether you’re decorating your craft room or making a gallery-worthy art piece, these materials are a dream to experiment with.

So next time you come across a box of floppy disks, don’t see e-waste—see endless crafting possibilities. With just a few tools and a lot of imagination, you can turn outdated tech into something totally unique and totally you.

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