Another Pattern Finish!

Hi Friends!

I finally finished this large rose stitched on white linen! This pattern was meditative to stitch. The colors always brighten my mood. Done entirely in pink and green, this impressionistic pattern celebrates my favorite flower. Stitch the rose in luminous silk thread or your favorite floss and colors. I hope this pattern inspires you to create something fresh, beautiful and handmade. Pop on over to my online shop to learn more. xx~ Jilli  

Free Bluebird Baby Cross Stitch Pattern

Hi Everyone, It has been awhile since I posted a pattern. I've been busy working in the hospital and doing some homeless outreach. It's time for self care and that means cross stitching! I hope you enjoy this pattern. Nourish your creativity and stitch a bluebird/ You can find this pattern and other freebies in my shop by clicking on this link: Sew French Shop

Happy Stitching!

xx ~ Jilli 

Lebanese Chicken and Saffron Rice

Hi Everyone! How are you? Today I'll be teaching you how to make my go-to Lebanese dinner.  This meal has been on roatiation for years around here. I grew up eating my grandmother's hashweh, which is a Lebanese meat and rice pilaf.  My father adored her hashweh which was always served at holiday time. My modernized version takes a departure from tradition by using ground chicken and saffron rice. I also use a rice cooker to speed things along during the busy workweek. Ground beef is traditional and wonderful. But we're always looking for new ways to prepare chicken. This is a warm and cozy dish during colder months. It's light enough to serve in summer too. The signature Lebanese flavor profile comes from a blend of warm spices. If you're looking for an extraordinary chicken recipe, then I hope you'll give this a go.

French Blue Thread Back In Stock

Just a quick announcement that the French Blue Silk Thread is back in stock. Click on the link below and pop on over to my shop to view all my cross stitch patterns and supplies.

Happy Stitching! xx ~ Jilly  

Sew French Online Shop

Easy Cream Of Tomato Soup

This tomato soup is a total game-changer. Loved by children and adults alike, just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make a cozy, creamy, customizable soup. This is the best tomato soup I have ever made. The magic is in the slow-simmering. But don't let that deter you. This soup is worth the wait. It comes together quite easily and it's great the next day for lunch. Butter helps thicken the soup and make it dreamy. As they say, butter makes everything better. The soup is rich so a that less than a cup is enough for me. I usually pair it with a garden salad and keto bread for a lower-carb meal.

Rose Silhouettes

Rose Silhouettes 

This vintage-modern design is available in my shop now! The pattern celebrates my favorite flower. Stitch one rose or all of them. Select your favorite colors and have a relaxing time stitching some impressionistic roses.

Pop on over to my online shop to learn more: Sew French Online Shop

     

 Happy Summer Stitching! xx ~ Jilly 

New Rose Silhouettes Pattern

Hi Everyone! How have you been? It's been a minute since I posted a new pattern. These past two winters, I've been involved with doing a lot of homeless outreach here on Boston's North Shore. The winters are long and cold. The shelters fill up fast. People are outside in freezing cold weather. That means passing out hot coffee, lots of blankets, arctic sleeping bag, popup tents and bagged lunches to folks shivering in the streets. It means making referrals to emergency psychiatric services and meal programs. Now that winter is over, I'm burnt-toast. I need a break. One thing that I've struggled with throughout the years of working for social justice is finding balance for prayer, church-going and selfcare. The important things that matter most. They help me from feeling lost and overwhelmed. Everything is better when I integrate all these things into my life. When I place God, prayer and church first then I'm on the right track. But I'm a flawed person. When I feel passionate about social justice, I can often neglect the gentle activities that bring stillness and peace to my life. I guess that's why I'm drawn to cross stitch. Cross stitch is slow-going, but that's why I like it. Stitching allows me to rest and be still. A hoop in my hand focuses my attention inward. I find serenity in the rhythm of a needle passing through linen. I love the way silk thread looks against linen. I'm very happy for a return to a slower pace. Isn't that what summer is about? Slowing down. Resting. Recreating. That might be why I experience  an increase in sales just before summer starts. Thank you to all my sweet customers who find joy in stitching my patterns. That makes my heart happy. I imagine my customers stitching my designs in their air conditioned condos or on their porches with a glass of iced tea or lemonade nearby. Taking care of ourselves by cooking healthy dinners, going for long walks and making something pretty are balms for the soul. Selfcare also means hugging and petting my rescued beagle much more, staying present in the moment and watching her have running-paw-dreams. Standing still feels right. It feels good. To be with my silks and linens is my re-creation. 

This new rose pattern is the first in a series. I hope to stitch and frame each piece and hang them on a gallery wall. My plan is to frame all the new rose patterns in simple gold frames. Roses will always be my muse. These new patterns are all about roses. A celebration of my favorite flower. I designed the silhouette roses in an impressionistic style. The pattern feels fresh, free, modern and vintage at the same time. 

The rose silhouettes can be stitched in all one color or your favorite pinks and greens. There are so many options for stitching the roses on colored linen too. Stitch one rose or all of them. The pattern is meant to inspire you to create something beautiful and handmade. Stitching my simple patterns are a stress-reducing, mindful experience. Simple is always beautiful. I don't go for a lot of changing threads. For me, lots of thread changes makes cross stitching less enjoyable and less meditative. 

This rose pattern is perfect for summer-stitching because you can take it on vacation with you. Stitch on your porch, on your couch watching Netflix or in your rose garden. Once you've completed a single rose, you can frame it or continue stitching all of the roses.  The pattern is very flexible. The detailed pattern will be for on Friday in my shop. Please feel free to send me an email with your questions or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!  

Happy Summer Stitching!

xx ~ Jilly!    

Raspberry & Teal

Hi Everyone! How have you been? I've been working on a few more patterns. I finally finished the monogram. "R" is for roses. I stitched the monogram on azalea-pink French linen with white silk. Monograms are heirloom pieces that never go out of style. I'll frame this one and add it to my gallery wall. I'm planning on creating a gallery wall with a mix of my own hand stitched pieces, vintage embroidery and Asian embroidery. I love gallery walls but they need to be done right. There are tips and tricks to make them cohesive. Maybe when my gallery wall is finished, I'll be able to snap some decent photos and post them to my Instagram . Yes, I'm back on Instagram. I'm still on the fence about it. If you don't pay for Instagram promotions then no one ever sees your posts. Such is life on social media. I try to update my Instagram on the regular though, whether people see my posts or not. It's fun.

I hoped to add a few more things to the shop last month but life got in the way. You know how that goes. I spend time helping homeless people. I'm trying to devote time to meditative prayer and spiritual reading because it's essential to my life.

Anyway, I'm currently stitching a large pattern now. There's always something in my hoop. This new pattern is a blooming garden rose stitched with raspberry silk on white linen. I love the way raspberry-pink contrasts with the teal in the teacup saucer too (see images above). The color-pop of pink and teal is pretty. Darker colors always ground pink and make it sophisticated. Pink and black will always be a classic too. Coco Chanel knew that.

I'm going to get back to stitching now. I have a large mug of  French-press coffee on my table. Stitching and sipping coffee is a thing on Instagram. Photos of hoops with embroidery and hands holding a coffee mug pop up in my feed very often. I never tire of looking at the coffee and stitching photos. Coffee and stitching is definitely a thing and they do go quite well together.

I'm always happy when a piece of embroidery is framed and ready to hang on the wall. Hand-stitched items really do make a home more soulful, personal and charming. I can't wait to frame my second rose heart pattern. In case you missed it, this rose heart pattern is stitched with raspberry silk on white linen. You can stitch it in your favorite colors. I hope you'll discover the joy of cross stitching. I have fun freebies in my shop with links to teach you how to cross stitch, so please visit and browse for a while. I'd like to thank you all for your support.

Happy Stitching!
xx ~ Jilly 

New Pattern Peek

For Christmas this year, my husband gave me new cross stitch software. I spent the next several days designing a garden rose pattern and eating slices of gateau basque. The local bakery sells the incredibly delicious French tart that combines flaky crust with pastry cream and cherries. The tart is one of life's sweet pleasures.

The photo above is a computer generated image of my rose pattern. The pattern is inspired by the old fashioned roses that grow in the dreamy coastal town of Rockport, MA. There, seaside cottages are surrounded by pink roses and white picket fences. Winter is long in New England. Thankfully, roses can always flow from my needle.  I'm so excited to begin stitching this design! I'm still not sure if I want to add some golden yellow thread to the center of the rose.

Stay Tuned and Happy Stitching!

xx ~ Jilly

Olive Oil & Sea Salt Brownie Cookies

Hello Everyone! Are you in the mood for something intensely chocolatey? I discovered this recipe for Olive Oil & Sea Salt Brownie Cookies on Oprah.com. Baking with olive oil is a joy because there’s not much fuss. Also, olive oil makes these cookies lighter than if they were made with butter. Thank you Katie of Butterlust for giving us this to die for dark chocolate cookie recipe. The cookies remain soft if kept in an air tight container. I can't seem to resist them for breakfast with a good cup of coffee. This recipe is a keeper! 

Paris Pink Heart Pattern

Hi Friends! How was your Thanksgiving? I hope everyone had a peaceful holiday. As usual, my husband, Ellie-beagle and I relaxed and enjoyed good food.

I stitched this Paris Pink Heart Pattern in luminous silk thread on white linen, but you can stitch it in your favorite colors. White embroidery floss on colored linen is nice too. In case you were thinking of a Christmas present for your favorite cross stitcher, the mail order pattern comes prettily packaged with a complimentary needle threader. To learn more about this pattern, visit my shop by clicking here .

I hope you have a peaceful and blessed Christmas! Happy Stitching! 

xx ~ Jilly 

Azalea-Pink French Linen Monogram

Hello Friends! Just a quick note to thank you for your continued support in purchasing my cross stitch patterns and embroidery supplies. My heart is happy when you stitch my patterns. I love receiving emails from you too. I spend a good amount of time doing homeless outreach. Designing and stitching cross stitch patterns is my stress-relief and my joy. Sew French cross stitch shop is my side-hustle. To open my sewing box and see linens and luminous silk thread soothes my soul.

It's snowing here in New England. The ocean breeze is brisk. A perfect day to get my hygge-on and bake this Tahini Banana Bread. I added dark chocolate chips to the recipe. I can't resist putting chocolate in everything. Sesame and banana are a winning combination.

February is a good month to get cozy and stitch something soulful with your hands. Right now, a monogram is in my hoop. The monogram is stitched on Azalea-pink Sajou French linen. The linen is currently sold out in my shop. I hope to get more linen very soon. The bright pink color is cheerful and beautiful. As always, my favorite French embroidery hoops and other cross stitch supplies are available in my shop too.

In support of other creatives, here's a link to my coworker's Etsy shop. Stephanie is a kind counselor who works with me in the crisis unit at the hospital. Pop on over to her shop to see what she's crafting. Also, The Thread Gatherer  sells luminous hand-dyed silk embroidery thread for those of you like me who love to stitch with silk thread. For all you knitters out there, Ginny Sheller sells beautiful hand-dyed yarn in her Etsy shop that she makes with natural botanicals. My cross stitching buddy, Jacob, from across the pond has a fun three dimensional stitching tutorial on his website too.

As I finish typing, the snow is still falling. I'm on my second cup of coffee. It's one of those beautifully ordinary days. The best kind of days. 

Happy Cozy Crafting! 

xx ~ Jilly     

Paris Pink Heart Pattern

Hi Friends! How are you? Fall is my favorite time of year in New England. As the weather is turning colder, I've been busy stitching and designing new patterns for you. My Paris Pink Heart is a sweet pattern to stitch with silk on white linen. The pink silk floss is made by the Needlepoint Inc Company. The floss I chose for this project is bright pink and just gorgeous. The low light of the winter-sun doesn't quite capture the beauty of this bright pink floss in some of the photos. The photo (directly below with the teacup) shows a more accurate color of the pink floss. But as you can see, the pattern looks pretty with light or bright pink floss.  

  

Wintertime means lots of cozy stitching under comfy quilts. Cross stitching calms my soul. A lazy weekend morning with French-press coffee is even better when I know there's something special in my hoop. Silk is my favorite floss to stitch with because it's elegant and beautiful.

I often stitch while watching movies. Have you seen The Beguiled (2017) directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst? Onmigosh, it's like viewing a painting. The costumes and set design are full of French-style-southern-gorgeousness. I've watched it many times while stitching up this heart. The movie provided me with endless inspiration for a few more designs too. I plan to offer an alphabet for monogramming soon. Once this heart is back from the frame shop, I'll show it to you. If you've stitched my French Rose Heart, this pattern is a nice complimentary piece. I hope you enjoy this pattern! Happy Stitching! xx ~ Jilly 

Pattern Description:

This pretty heart is inspired by vintage French linens. The pattern is stitched with pink silk floss (or DMC Embroidery Floss) on white linen. You may wish to stitch this heart in your favorite colors. White floss on colored linen is also a nice choice.

The finished size of the heart is approximately 7.5 x 6.5 inches 

Please note: This pattern is available as a instant downloadable PDF and mail order. To learn more about my Paris Pink Heart Pattern please click here or visit my shop. 

Pattern Progress

Since I've been busy with homeless outreach and hospital work, I haven't had much time for stitching. It's always nice to return to my linens and threads. On this rainy day in New England, a hoop in my hands is a cozy comfort. 

Right now, I'm working on another French rose heart pattern. This time, I've chosen crisp white linen and Paris-pink silk thread. Roses remain my muse.  

In other news, I'm honored to be included among the Top 100 French Blogs on the Internet. My favorite bloggers, Chocolate and Zucchini and French Country Cottage, are also on the list. If you're looking for more French-inspired blogs, click on the link on the right side bar to see the full list. 

Oh..don't forget to check out the new embroidery supplies in my shop. I'll soon be offering French embroidery linens too. I'm excited about the French linens! Until next time...xx ~ Jilly   

Foolproof Mashed Potatoes

The secret to easy and perfect mashed potatoes is The Multi Mash by Breville. This isn't a sponsored post. I'm not keen on kitchen gadgets either. But this amazing gadget is a game-changer. Perfect mashed potatoes are on the table without any fuss. No whisking, whipping, ricing or hand-mashing is necessary to produce stellar results. In fall and winter, mashed potatoes are welcome alongside roasted chicken for a cozy meal.     

Rosemary Olive Oil Cake with Dark Chocolate Chips

The moment I read the recipe for Heidi Swanson's Rosemary Olive Oil Cake, I knew I had to bake it. Rosemary is the surprise ingredient here but it's not overpowering. This cake is so simple and delicious! Olive oil, rosemary and dark chocolate complement each other in an unexpected way. I enjoy a piece straight out of the oven or have a slice for breakfast, reheated in the microwave for just a bit. The cake is a keeper!

Sajou Embroidery Hoops

Just a quick note to let you know I've added Sajou French Embroidery Hoops to the shop.

Happy Stitching! xx ~ Jilly 

Frenchy Stitchy Things

Ever since I was a little girl I've had a fascination with sewing supplies. I spent summers with my beloved grandmother in her tidy Brooklyn apartment. She lived near Shore Road in Bay Ridge. A block away was a view of  the Verrazano Bridge. My grandmother loved to go for long walks and ferry rides. We visited Manhattan and enjoyed ice cream on park benches. It was a real treat spending time with her.

Every night after a homemade dinner, she'd settle in to watch The Lawrence Welk Show. She always sewed something. My grandmother came from Lebanon. She learned to cook and sew at a young age. She used to embroider Christening gowns. 

My maternal great grandfather was a coal miner from Lithuania. He was a large man who relaxed by sewing quilts by hand. My love of hand embroidery runs deep. 

Sewing supplies are nostalgic. It's always nice to have pretty embroidery supplies in our sewing boxes, right? I'm excited to offer some French embroidery hoops and needles. They're available in my shop now. In the coming months, I'll be offering some beautiful French linens in my favorite azalea pink, frog green and crisp white too.   

Happy Stitching!

xx ~ Jilly    

Heidi's One Bowl Banana Bread Recipe

My husband loves banana bread. He's always happy to see it on the counter. Heidi Swanson's one bowl recipe is simple enough to bake on a weekday afternoon. This easy banana bread recipe is the only one you'll ever need. The banana bread is nostalgic and homey. Bananas are the star. With a cup of tea or coffee, this treat is a cozy escape.

Heidi's One Bowl Banana Bread Recipe 

Some Notes

The original recipe for Heidi Swanson's One Bowl Banana Bread is found here. Heidi uses a mix of whole wheat and all purpose flour. I didn't have any whole wheat flour in my pantry but I bet it gives the bread a rustic taste. 

I use coconut milk straight out of the can for this recipe. I haven't tried it with nuts or chocolate chips yet. A sprinkling of sesame seeds on top seems like a good idea too.    

I baked my bread for forty minutes in a square pan because I like to cut it into squares instead of slices.    

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 cups mashed, ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)

• 1/3 cup melted butter

• 3/4 cup of my vanilla sugar or dark brown sugar 

• 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk, yogurt, or sour cream

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Instructions 

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and place a rack in the center. 

Butter a 9-by 5-inch loaf pan, or equivalent. Place the mashed bananas in a large bowl. Stir in the butter, and then the sugar and coconut milk. Add the eggs and vanilla, and stir until well combined. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until the batter combines, avoid over-mixing. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until golden brown, about 40-50 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! xx ~ Jilly 

Middle Eastern Chicken Meatballs

My go-to recipe for subtly spiced Middle Eastern chicken meatballs is always in rotation around here. These meatballs are golden brown and flavorful. As they cook, the savory aroma takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen.

The meatballs are a nice change from the usual sauteed chicken breast. Fresh lemon juice, herbs and a sprinkling of Aleppo pepper are a welcome finish. Serve them with my Rustic Tabbouleh Salad  for a healthy and vibrant Middle Eastern meal.