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 

French Monogram

Hello Friends!

Many of you have written to me about this French Monogram. Thank you for your interest. I stitched the design about ten years ago. The monogram remains one of my favorite pieces. I had such a relaxing time working on this pattern. Cross stitching allows us to slow down and make something with our own hands. With each stitch, the stress of the day fades away.

It's also amazing to me how a simple piece of handmade textile art can turn up the charm in a room. Everyday, I admire the gentle scrolls, flourishes and quiet elegance of this French monogram. Fresh roses in mint julep cups and pearly-shells are part of the decor here too. I was schooled in the simple elegance of flowers in julep cups by a high-end florist I worked for in Philadelphia. Julep cups make garden roses and even supermarket flowers into something elegant and special. Effortless flower arranging at its best.

Anyway...back to the monogram. I cannot recall the exact color of the linen I used to stitch this monogram. I think it was 32-count Confederate Grey Belfast Linen made by the Zweigart Company. The color is a very light blue-grey. I usually stitch all my pieces with 32-count linen made by Zweigart. They have a nice range of colors. I used French white silk thread to stitch this piece. The French silk thread is available in my Shop.

I've contacted the French company that makes this monogram. If I can offer the monogram in my shop, I will. I'm waiting to hear back from them about whether I can sell this pattern by itself. The chart is clear. There's an alphabet of letters for personalizing the design. At present, the company only sells the pattern as a kit with natural linen. If you're interested in their kit, it's available at Rouge du Rhin. Click here to go to their website. 

Happy Stitching!
xx ~ Jilly 

Garland Of Roses Cross Stitch Pattern

I stitched this Garland Of Roses pillow many years ago. It's a lovely pattern I found at a French company that eventually went out of business. Ever since I posted the pillow on my blog, my customers have asked me where to buy the pattern. I have taken their suggestions to heart and designed my own version. 

I'm so happy to offer this timeless design
 in my petite SHOP.

Happy Stitching!

xx ~ Jilly 

Eiffel Tower Counted Cross Stitch Pattern

New Pattern!

Click on the link to visit my shop: Eiffel Tower Counted Cross Stitch Pattern

The possibilities are endless for this cute Eiffel Tower pattern. Depending on your selection of colors, it can look romantic or rustic. With the pattern, I suggest my favorite color combinations like black, red or navy floss on natural linen for a French farmhouse look. 

Black silk floss on pink linen is flirty and feminine. Hot pink floss on white linen is fun. Select your favorite colors! Experience the joy of making something with your hands. It's a great beginners pattern because it uses one color; Zen-stitching at its best!

Happy Stitching!
xx ~ Jilly

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