Until 7th grade, my family lived in New England. I have the best memories of growing up in a little town called Boxborough, in Massachusetts.

The colonial history of the area in which I grew up has always fascinated me. Living not far from Concord and Lexington, we field-tripped to all the popular haunts from that historical era.

And of course, as an adult, I look back on the places there that I’ve never been to, but wish I had. Places like Plymouth Plantation. Never been! Martha’s Vineyard – never been! I always think that I’ll go back and see it all with the eyes of an adult – visiting the same places, experiencing new places, and testing whether or not the charm of the area where I grew up is as real to me now as it is in my memory.

When the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston published the book Women’s Work: Embroidery in Colonial Boston, it struck a chord with me. The title encompasses two things I love: my happy memories of the place I grew up and embroidery. So of course, I had to get the book!

Two exciting announcements today!

The first announcement – registration is now open for the Vintage Strawberries online needlepainting class. The class is now sold out! (Had no idea that many spots would go that quickly! Thanks to all who jumped aboard!)

And the second announcement? Five winners of these great little “Stitch Beautifully” zipper bags!

Normally, the books reviewed on Needle ‘n Thread are embroidery technique, project, or history books. But let’s deviate a bit! This book is an example of needlework in action.

It’s a children’s book. If you have children in your life – kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends’ children, any children! – this is a fun book that makes a great gift!

A couple years ago, I reviewed Salley Mavor’s book, Felt Wee Folk, which is a project book that demonstrates how to combine felt and embroidery and dimensional objects and characters into little pictures or story boards. It is a wonderfully instructive book, and if you like working with felt, embroidery, and sculpted figures, chances are, you’ll love this book!

But today, I want to show you Salley Mavor’s creations at work, in her book Pocketful of Posies. It is, simply put, an enchanting book.

It’s strawberry time again here on Needle ‘n Thread! It’s your chance to participate in a thoroughly instructive class in needlepainting (long and short stitch shading), taught by Margaret Cobleigh.

In today’s article I’ll tell you about the class, including some insights gleaned from students who participated in last year’s run, plus let you know exactly when registration will be open. That way, if you want to take the class, you can mark your calendars and jump in to reserve your space as soon as registration opens.

Today, I’m going to take some time out from regular blog articles, tutorials, and stitchy talk to introduce you to a very special crew of needlework-related businesses – the advertisers here on Needle ‘n Thread.

The businesses that you see speckling my website are truly “hand picked,” specially selected because they fit. So while the advertisers on Needle ‘n Thread do me a service by off-setting some of the cost of running Needle ‘n Thread, they are also here to serve you – to give you top-notch resources for your hand embroidery and needlework needs.

I’d like to tell you a little bit about their businesses, and what they offer for the needleworker.

Stitch Beautifully. I think this is a great motto for embroiderers – something that we all try to aspire to in our own way.

Admittedly, I don’t always succeed! There are days when I make a perfect mess with my stitching, and I have to rip it out and start again. But that doesn’t keep me from aspiring to stitch beautifully. Pretty much, all my efforts are aimed towards that simply put phrase.

And today’s give-away is aimed at keeping us all inspired to Stitch Beautifully!

The lattice variation with French knots that we looked at yesterday lead to some questions about threads and stitches.

So, I’m turning one of those questions into a contest! That’s right – if you’re the first to answer correctly, you’ll get a prize!