![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1rYbnNNgA1uSuQ-kIGkXv0_5LTXuLEAQXkVnO1RQmLMdAAtHzujOdgwv_pfxnHWO9Z8jNqft41JlcMX76-Mlbh4o7wRet41W9CkbmmT6Xjcpj59am1pRlrZWjr2fEjykCPIVwoUrLOU/s500/happy_cat_embroidered_cushion_16.jpg)
My niece turned eighteen two weeks ago. I can't believe she's just finished her A'levels and will be choosing a university soon. She's grown into a creative, talented young lady who wants to become a photographer...we're all very proud of her.
I wanted to make a personal gift, something that had meaning to her. I love making handmade gifts, I don't always have the time, but I was determined to make time for this particular gift!
My niece drew me a picture way back when she was just six years old. I've always loved it, the expression on the cat's face and his little paw waving at me. I put it in a frame and it has been something I've looked at nearly everyday. It's moved around with us ever since from our flat in Bath, to our first home in Bristol & now onto our house in North Somerset.
I recently had an idea of transferring the image to fabric and making a piece of hand embroidery to give to her as a gift.
I put the project together over the weeks leading up to her birthday and I'm really pleased with the results. I decided to make it into a cushion cover, but it would also work stretched over a canvas to make a piece of wall art.
I'm pleased to say that my niece also loved the gift, although I had to show her the original to jog her memory...well, alot has happened in the twelve years since she drew it for me!