Nights of delicate and intricate stitching have paid off for Shelley Reilly of Ashburton.
The 53-year-old won the People’s Choice Award at a recent biennial Ashburton Embroiderers’ Guild exhibition.
The Magic of Needle and Thread finished at the Ashburton Art Gallery on Sunday.
The exhibition featured works members had completed over the last two years.
Reilly said she was surprised, excited and happy to win the award, with her piece called Owlfred.
Owlfred came in a kit from South Africa.
‘‘I saw the kit online. I love owls and colours, so ordered it,’’ Reilly said.
‘‘I was really fortunate as the designer of the kit Hazel Blomkamp tutored me online, so I could practice before feeling confident enough to stitch it on the canvas,’’ she said.
In some areas of the work, there were four layers of stitching required, to create depth.
There was a variety of materials used, including cottons, metallic threads and beads.
Reilly has been embroidering for more than 30 years. The win came with a special award, the Lois Burridge Memorial Trophy.
The trophy was established by the club to remember the late Lois Burridge who died last year. Burridge held several roles and was a member of the club for more than 40 years.
‘‘As the inaugural winner of the trophy, it’s fantastic. I think, knowing Lois, she would be chuffed that this trophy has been established,’’ Reilly said.
