Monday, January 5, 2015

Sparkly Butterfly Pattern




Tom has been joining Ellie and I on our usual long walks by rivers and oceans. We catch glimpses of bright white migrating birds against the low winter sun. These quiet days are so nice.  I've been making lots of soups for our lunches too. My healthy Asian Noodle Soup and my Reboot Soup are easy and delicious. We have crisp white wine with creamy brie & crackers for an evening snack. Cozy meals make us feel more content during the frosty New England months. Other pursuits of contentment involve soft blankets, binge watching GIRLS and stitching small projects. I love to embroider in wintertime, don't you?





Tuesday, December 23, 2014

French Rose Pattern




Late afternoons are spent walking my beagle on the Charles River path in the crisp New England air. Cozy nights are spent under soft quilts, stitching pretty things. Evening comes early.  Candles are lit. Twinkle lights are strung and the kettle is heated for peppermint tea. Life is simple this Christmas season and it feels good.

This delicate French rose cross stitching project is charming and quick. It's a good introduction to counted cross stitch because it uses only two colors. Frame it in a hoop and hang it on a wall as a pretty piece of art. It makes a sweet ornament or handmade gift. It's a fun Valentine's Day project too.



For this project I used Needlepoint Inc Chinese silk thread. It's has a beautiful shine. I once had the pleasure of visiting the San Francisco shop, located on Union Square. All those gorgeous threads in one place, I was in heaven. But you can swap the Chinese silk floss for red and green DMC floss. Alternately, the rose can be stitched in your favorite colors. Make a pink rose or a lavender one if that's what you prefer.  I suggest stitching it while a good movie is playing on TV. Have fun and make this project your own. It's my present to you. I wish every one of you a peaceful, joyous and blessed Christmas!



Thursday, December 11, 2014

Pink Ombre Hearts Freebie & Tutorial





Learning to cross stitch isn't as hard as you may think. If I can do it, so can you! It helps to have a simple pattern to get you started. Pretty pink ombre hearts are an easy place to start.  

Winter is the perfect time to begin a new indoor hobby. Cross stitching is a cure for cabin fever. Needlework has been proven to calm frazzled nerves. It makes me feel more relaxed. I enjoy stitching under quilts with a good movie or my favorite TV shows playing in the background. 

It might be nice to give your favorite hobbyist a Christmas gift of thread, a hoop, a needle and this ombre hearts pattern. Valentine's Day is right around the corner too.