I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
April 20, 2020
An idea has been bubbling around in my brain for a while.
And since this past weekend was a perfect weekend for some quick, simple, quite embroidery, I decided to execute the idea from start to finish.
April 16, 2020
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that it’s always a good idea to pick colors you enjoy embroidering with. If you Absolutely Cannot Stand a certain color palette, it would be difficult to carry through an entire project working with those particular colors.
Now, I love a blue-and-white, or a blue-and-yellow, and even a blue-and-natural color palette. And that’s what I had in mind for a Jacobean design that I have now started (and stopped on) twice.
Third time’s a charm?
I was having a hard time nailing down a range of blues I really liked. I tried to mix in some yellows to see if that would help. And then I tried blues and natural tones. And I was just never satisfied.
Then I kicked everything aside with a resounding harrumph (metaphorically speaking), and sat on it all for a while (equally metaphorically speaking).
April 14, 2020
Well, at long last, for those who have been waiting for The Leafy Tree in e-book form, it is finally available! Yay!
If you’re familiar with the Leafy Tree project as it was presented on the website, please note that there are significant changes in this e-book, which is sold independently from any kit.
So please read everything below so that you understand what you’re receiving with this e-book. I don’t want anyone to be disappointed!
April 12, 2020
To all my Needle ‘n Thread friends, Happy Easter!
In my family’s traditions, Easter has always been a very joyful holiday. After Lent and the solemn days of Holy Week, on Easter Sunday, we normally have a big gathering of family and friends, Easter egg hunts, a good meal, and fun all around.
Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, which for Christians has always been the ultimate sign of hope. Regardless of the present crisis, this doesn’t change. So even if my family can’t all be together, we are still reveling in the joy of the day and celebrating as circumstances allow.
For me, today is a glorious day, despite the separation and the modifications to our normal Easter festivities. And I hope that you are seeing some of that glory and joy in your life, too!
For your Easter Entertainment, here’s another seasonal Eye-Spy game for you, as well as a link to a coordinating jigsaw puzzle. I hope they bring you a smile!
April 10, 2020
Today is Good Friday, a solemn day in the Christian calendar commemorating the crucifixion of Christ, so I thought I’d put together a collection of ecclesiastical embroidery designs for crosses – the predominant symbol of Christianity – for those looking for something sacred to stitch.
All of them can be used for hand embroidery projects, but they can also be used for other crafts, including paper crafts for card-making.
You’ll find below a list of links to the free designs.
April 8, 2020
Just to prove that something really does get accomplished occasionally in my embroidery world, here are two finishes since the beginning of the week.
I’ve actually finished so many tasks since Monday morning, that I feel a little justified in taking at least part of today off. I think I’ll go out to lunch, go see a movie, do a little shopping… oh wait.
Nyah. I’ll just stay here and work. Why not?!
Ok, let’s browse through these finishes. I’ll add some commentary about what you’re seeing, but I’ll try to keep it pretty short!
April 6, 2020
What a weekend! You’d think that, with the whole isolation thing going on, it would be really easy to focus and achieve Great Things when it comes to needlework projects.
For me, I’m more like the dogs distracted by the squirrels in Up. “Squirrel!”
Or the goldfish swimming around the bowl with its every-three-second discovery: “Oh, look! A castle!”
It was so easy to completely forget what I was supposed to be doing and to be instantly distracted by something else.
This is not a good thing, as I’ve established a number of deadlines for myself.
But deadlines are never as attractive as The Next Thing. That Big Idea. The Experiment I Should Try Right Now. Those Videos I’ve Been Meaning to Watch. (Squirrel!) Those Hexies and That Audiobook. That Little Bin I Found to Organize those Things. What Bin? (Hey Look! A Castle!)
That’s how my weekend went. I was the Queen of Procrasti-distraction. Maybe it’s not the worst personality foible, but it doesn’t get one very far. I was a little dismayed that Monday came without much to show for the weekend.
But at least Monday came! And it’s a good day to begin again!
So let’s talk about a needlework finish that’s not finished.
