How inspiration is manifested in stitch

Our first family holiday in Thailand this past April was an absolute delight, thanks to my husband's thoughtful and well-researched itinerary. We truly loved the diverse experiences! From the vibrant chaos of Bangkok to the cultural immersion of Chiang Mai, and finally the relaxing coastal and island explorations, our trip offered a perfect blend of everything.

A highlight towards the end was a fantastic day trip exploring the islands off the coast of Krabi (we stayed at the wonderful Railey Beach!). This included several incredible snorkelling stops where we marvelled at the coral reefs and marine life – it was simply amazing! I captured some photos with our GoPro and was so excited to get back to our accommodation to sketch out ideas for a stitched piece.

Unusually for me, I hadn't brought a sketchbook or paints on this trip, but I did have some acrylic paint pens, so I sketched directly onto a piece of linen I'd packed. I was eager to capture the immediate feeling of being in the sea, surrounded by the vibrant underwater world. With the sketch complete, I couldn't wait to start stitching.

I worked on it steadily in the days following our return, wanting to keep the memory of the experience alive. Within a week, it was finished. I'm planning to get it stretched and framed as soon as my framer returns from their own holiday. I'm thrilled with how it has come together, and despite sketching first (a departure from my usual process), I consciously tried not to let the initial drawing limit the piece's evolution.