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My New Etsy Shop: Northern Belle Atelier

     Anne      Leave a Comment

Dear friends, it is with such excitement that I proudly announce the opening of my Etsy shop: Northern Belle Atelier! It’s been months in the making while I figured out what I wanted to do and learned how to develop patterns for my embroidery pieces. I’ve been experimenting a lot, and learning so many new skills. It’s been a great journey, but I am so ready for this new chapter!

 

Welcome to Northern Belle Atelier!

I have opened my shop with 4 downloadable PDF patterns for embroidery, suitable for different skill levels. Each pattern has first been hand-drawn by me, then turned into a lovely booklet full of instructions and photos. Here’s what you can expect when you purchase one of my patterns:

  • The actual pattern (and reverse pattern) to transfer
  • List of the materials & tools you’ll need
  • Thread & Stitch Key to show which colours are used where, with what stitch
  • Stitch tutorials with photos for all the stitches you’ll need in the project (you can also find more in-depth tutorials here on the blog!)
  • A section of info on how to prep your project, including how to bind a hoop, how to start & end your stitches, how to transfer your pattern, etc.
  • Detailed step-by-step instructions with lots of photos to guide you through each part of the pattern
  • Suggestions on how to care for & finish your embroidery

I’ve tried to make the PDFs as detailed as possible, but of course there is so much to say about embroidery that it can fill several books! You’re always welcome to reach out if you have any questions, and you’re also welcome to browse the various sections of my blog, where I’ve written several posts with beginners in mind, and to see samples of my work (and grab some freebies!).

 

The Patterns

Let’s have a peek at some of the designs, shall we?

 

embroidered umbrella with wisteria spilling out of it
Shop this pattern here!

 

If you’ve been following the blog for a bit, this one might strike you as familiar. That’s because I first designed it back in April 2021 after being so inspired by the wonderful novel The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. I first stitched it with a different colour palette and different lace, and wrote a whole post about it while praising Enchanted April to the skies (read it here).

I revisited the pattern later and decided to try a different palette, which I like even more than the first. The softness of the tones and the delicate lace really evoke the gloriousness of the leisure hours spent in the dreamiest Italian garden by the characters in the book. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do and that you’ll enjoy stitching it if you fancy giving it a go.

The pattern is not too difficult, but I do recommend having some previous knowledge of embroidery. None of the stitches are complicated, but it does feature a lace appliquΓ© and requires you to stitch over other stitches. This can get a little frustrating if it’s your first attempt. Luckily the nature of the wisteria is very forgivable. Little mistakes can be easily covered up with an extra tumbling flower or two. πŸ˜‰

 

Bonus:

If you want to try stitching wisteria but don’t want to commit to a full pattern just yet, I have a freebie version! A sweet branch of wisteria, perfect for practicing those lazy-daisy stitches. Find it here.

 

mouse holding a strawberry done in redwork
Shop this pattern here!

 

Also available in the shop is this cute mouse offering you a strawberry! I originally designed it for the center of an EPP hexie flower for a friend’s birthday. It was so sweet that I couldn’t resist adding it to the shop.

I stitched my version in redwork, but you could easily customize it! It’s a beginner-friendly pattern, although some might find the small details a bit challenging. It was designed to fit a 3″ hoop so it’s overall pretty small, but you can always make it bigger if you want. Most of it is done in backstitch, so not too hard at all. πŸ˜‰

 

Visit Northern Belle Atelier on Etsy to see the rest!

I can’t wait to show you what I’m planning next! I have so many ideas, and not enough time haha. While I’m only starting with PDF patterns at the moment, I do hope to add physical goods in the near future. If there’s anything in particular you’d be interested in, please let me know. πŸ™‚ Any feedback/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

For now, I really love the downloadable PDFs because you get instant access to them after purchase. No extra cost or wait on shipping! Plus, you get to use your own fabric, switch up the colours if you like, or use whatever you already have in your stash. A good win-win for everyone.

 

Freebies!

Before you go, don’t forget to have a look at the freebies section here on the blog! I have a few patterns that you can stitch if you want to practice, and you can download them for free.

I also send out a free mini pattern per month as part of the Mini-Quilt stitch-along included in my newsletter. You can subscribe here.

 

Alrighty, I think that’s enough info-dump for one post! I hope you have a great week and thank you for taking the time to read my blog today. I look forward to sharing more shop updates with you soon! Feel free to follow along on Instagram.

 

Fondly,

Of Hearts & Pretty Fabric Scraps

     Anne      4 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friend! I hope today finds you in a happy mood and that that it’ll bring you a little something sweet and loving. I’ll be honest, I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t hold any special significance for me, and I eat enough chocolate throughout the year as it is. πŸ˜‰ Nevertheless, this February I’ve felt particularly drawn to the Valentine’s aesthetic in my needlework. Soft pink and red threads, appliquΓ©d hearts, delicate little stitches, and pretty fabric scraps have been my biggest source of inspiration these last few weeks. While preparing the EPP tutorial post I shared last week, I brought my box of fabric scraps out to play, and had fun just experimenting and trying new techniques.

I spend a lot of time working on large and time-consuming needlework projects that require a lot of planning and concentration, so it was really lovely to slow down a little and work on simpler, softer projects. I just let my inspiration flow and my needle and thread carry me. Shall we have a look at some of my recent makes?

flat lay showing a variety of sewing projects (laundry bag, appliquΓ© hearts, embroidered fabric heart) and basket full of haberdashery and sewing notions

 

Needle-Turn AppliquΓ©

I confess, a lot of my inspiration comes from Instagram, where it seems all the stitchers are also gracing this month with their prettiest fabric scrap projects. I’ve been seeing so many beautifully embroidered fabric hearts, appliquΓ©d journal pages, and just general heart-and-pastels loveliness, that I had to try a little something of my own. After coming across a fantastic video tutorial by Sarah Edgar of Pretty Fabrics & Trims on needle-turn appliquΓ©, I simply *had* to set everything aside and try it immediately. I’ve dabbled in appliquΓ© before and really enjoy it, but I had never tried this method before. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and fun it was! So here are some little scrappy hearts, made with love and new-found appreciation for the technique.

flat lay showing appliquΓ© scrap fabric hearts, with some pins and spool of thread

I really should try more spur-of-the-moment experiments like this! Not only was it fun to just play around with fabric scraps, but it was also very relaxing. I will definitely be trying needle-turn appliquΓ© again and can’t wait to incorporate it in a future project. I strongly recommend having a look at Pretty Fabrics & Trims, too!

 

The Cutest Clothespin Bag

Who says laundry has to be all drab and dull?! Not with this darling accessory!

clothespin bag with wooden pegs, ribbon, lace, and fabric scraps

I’m actually really proud of this project. I put my dusty drafting skills to use to make a pattern, and rummaged through my fabric stash and notions to find a satisfactory combination. This is a birthday gift for my dear mother, you see. Her clothespins currently reside in an old plastic bread bag, which deeply offends my sense of the picturesque. I must rescue them (the bag is about to pop, after all), and thus the idea for this project was born. It turns out that Pinterest is full of these charming creations, and the possibilities are nearly endless.

I spent more time deciding how to embellish the bag than drafting and sewing combined. I was tempted to embroider all over it, and to bedeck it with lace and ribbons but had to restrain myself to one ribbon bow and two buttons. My eternally practical mother wouldn’t use it if I made it “too pretty”. She has a good point of course, this is for the laundry room after all, not the next issue of Victoria magazine! And in this case, less really is more, it’s just the right balance between pretty and practical as it is, I think.

close-up of clothespin bag details; red ribbon bow and white buttons
clothespin bag hanging from door handle

In any case, this is a wonderful project to add a touch of vintage to your home and use up some of those fabric scraps! Very simple to put together, even to draft, and so easy to personalize. With a bag as cute as this one, you might even find yourself looking forward to doing the laundry. πŸ˜‰ And the clothespins will be very pleased of their new home, I’m sure.

 

Embroidered Fabric Heart

The last project I want to share with you is this stuffed fabric heart made with the softest antique linen, and featuring a most gorgeous embroidery pattern by Nicki Franklin of The Stitchery. I’ve been admiring and sighing over Nicki’s work for a while now, but hadn’t actually used any of her patterns until now! Since I spend more and more time only embroidering from my own designs, it’s now rare that I use someone else’s. But how can one resist Nicki’s incredibly beautiful work? (Here’s a link to the specific pattern I used: February Heart.)

embroidered floral heart featuring roses, branches of leaves and hyacinths

Embroidering this heart was some of the most relaxing and soothing stitching I’ve done in a while! Everything about it is so soft and sweet, it uses only basic stitches, and it comes together fairly quickly. I didn’t have all the recommended colours so I changed up the palette a little, but that was part of the delights of making this! I’ve been hooked on Agatha Christie’s Poirot series since the fall, but only started watching the TV show recently. It was perfect to put in the background while working on this!

I’d been wanting a new scented sachet for the closet, so I decided to turn the embroidery into a stuffed hanging heart. I used a mix of polyester fiberfill and scrap bits of thread and fabric for stuffing. Since I didn’t have any lavender buds but still wanted the heart to smell nice, I used a drop or two of pure lavender essential oil directly on the stuffing and it works so wonderfully! A really handy tip I got from Helen of Whitewood and Linen. πŸ™‚

stuffed fabric heart featuring embroidered heart pattern with lots of roses, leaves and other florals
close-up of embroidered fabric heart showing roses and hyacinths
I used my Awesome Hack for the bullion knots πŸ˜‰

 

The Joys of Antique Linen

The antique linen I used for the hanging heart is easily the best fabric I’ve ever embroidered on. So incredibly soft and beautiful, it’s simply dreamy. Many lovely creators I follow on Instagram always use the most gorgeous antique linens for their projects, and now that I’ve had a go at it, I can definitely understand why! I do not wish to go back to anything else, but alas, I have only a small amount. If anyone is interested, I got it as part of a bundle from this Etsy shop. Highly recommended!

That’s all from me for now dear friend, thank you for spending some time on my blog today, and happy Valentine’s Day! I’d love to know what you’ve been creating lately, and what has been inspiring you. Does anyone else not particularly care about the holiday, but likes the aesthetic? Who else loves antique linen?

Fondly,

february inspiration
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Introducing: EPP Mini-Quilt Project for 2022

     Anne      4 Comments

I have something so exciting to announce!

 

I’ve decided to embark on a mini year-long project combining English paper piecing and embroidery, and I’m going to share all the fun with you! How would you like to receive an embroidery pattern every month this year, straight in your inbox?

In 2021, I had the immense joy of discovering English paper piecing. Each month, I made what is called a β€œhexie flower”, featuring Mollie’s cute house embroidery patterns from the Wild Olive Kawaii Crossing series. I wrote at length on this already in this post here, showing you how I make my hexie flowers.

It was so pleasant to have a new pattern to look forward to each month, and to create something in keeping with the same theme over the course of the year. I loved it so much in fact, that I’ve decided to do it again! The project will be a bit different this year; still combining EPP and embroidery, but instead of making separate hexagon flowers, I will turn the embroidered hexies into a mini-quilt. And of course, I will be using my own embroidery patterns this time!

 

Here’s what I have in mind for the mini-quilt piecing:

mini-quilt template for english paper piecing with months of the year written in 12 different hexagons

 

Embroidery Patterns

The theme will be β€œTea Party”, so think pretty pastels, delicate teacups, and delectable little treats…A celebration of all things soft and lovely. The embroideries will be quite small, designed to fit 1 ΒΌ ” hexies. Each month, I will send out the pattern to my subscribers, and you can choose to turn them into a mini-quilt like me, or use them for something else entirely!

embroidered teacup in a fabric hexagon with pins and a thimble beside it

Here is the design for January, a lacy, romantic little teacup featuring a darling bullion knot rose and polka dots. It was such fun to design and stitch up, and I really hope others will enjoy it too. The downloadable pattern includes thread suggestions and simple instructions. Previous knowledge of embroidery is recommended, but it is beginner-friendly. You can find a tutorial for every stitch I used in the Stitch Library.

close-up of an embroidered teacup with bullion knot rose and polka dots

 

The mini-patterns will be available in each month’s first newsletter (except this month) as a thank-you to my subscribers. For now, these monthly patterns will only be available via the newsletter, but new subscribers are most welcome to join in! You can subscribe to my newsletter right here, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

I look forward to seeing your beautiful creations, and I hope you will enjoy this little project. You can tag me on Instagram @northernbelle.atelier or reach out if you have any questions.

 

Here’s to a fun year-long tea party!!

 

Fondly,

Plans & Projects for 2022

     Anne      Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! 2022 is here already, waiting to be filled with new plans and projects, fresh inspiration, good books, and lots of embroidery! If you’ve read my last post, then you know how much I love making lists and planning and writing down resolutions.

flat lay featuring a 2022 planner, a lit candle, some markers, pinecones, and dried florals

I used to read the Dear Canada books a lot when I was younger, which are written as a diary from the heroine’s perspective. In Brothers Far From Home, the heroine finds her older sister’s list of New Year Resolutions, and after dutifully scoffing at it, proceeds to write her own in her journal. It stuck with me that they didn’t just make one resolution, but a whole list of them! I loved the idea so much that I took to it and have been writing my own list in my journal ever since. I make separate sections for actual resolutions, goals, and things I’d like to try.

Over the years though, I’ve found that writing down too many resolutions can be very disappointing since it’s hard to stick to them all. I like having the flexibility and the challenge of making more than one, but now I try to focus on fewer and doing them well.

I take a similar approach when it comes to craft projects, although my to-do list is always off the charts. I’m trying to accept the fact that I have too many ideas and not enough time. So this year I want to prioritize things that really bring me joy and that I’m inspired to work on. Here’s a list of plans & projects I’d love to accomplish this year:

 

Plans & Projects for 2022

 

Finish my 1860’s Ballgown Project

Le Monde Elegant 1867 Victorian fashion plate
November 1867 fashion plate from Le Monde ElΓ©gant

Oh, it would be such a dream to finally finish this dress! For those that don’t know, I was in a Costume Studies program at university. Our senior year’s final project was to re-create a gown from a fashion plate or portrait from the years 1867-69. Mine is based on the plate above. Unfortunately, the semester was cut short due to lockdown at the time, and I never finished the dress. I’m so close though! All I have left is to cut and sew the bodice, and then add the lace and other decorative finishing touches.

Why then has in been left in a box for nearly two years? Good question. Mainly because I’ve had inadequate space and equipment to work on it, but also because I just…never felt like it. I intend to change that this year though. The goal is to finish it in time for summer so I can take pretty pictures outside. I really look forward to sharing the final garment with you!

 

Sew More Clothes

Last year I really focused on embroidery, and while I did some light-sewing here and there, I didn’t sew many garments. I have a few skirts and dresses in my WIP pile that I really hope to finish, and I promised I’d make my mom a new winter skirt, so I’ll have to get sewing! I also hope to combine embroidery with dressmaking a bit more this year, so I might just need to add a new category for all these projects here on the blog. πŸ˜‰ Would that be something to interest you?

 

Learn Needlepoint

flat lay showing a box full of embroidery skeins, the Floriography book by Jessica Roux, a cross-stitch pattern, and antique scissors

I don’t need any more hobbies, but I want a new hobby. Although, since needlepoint is so similar to cross-stitch, does it really count as a new hobby? My resolution should really be to finish any and all existing cross-stitches I’ve already started, but no, I’ve a fancy to try needlepoint instead. The thing is, I’ve already started to plan this project and I’m too excited to start. I’ll be covering an antique sewing box top with a beautiful Victorian flower design.

I bought the pattern on Etsy, and while the instructions are for cross-stitch, I’ll be working it in needlepoint instead, to copy the Berlin woolwork style that was so popular in the Victorian era. I received the thread I need for it for Christmas – pictured above, beautifully packaged by mom – and will use Aida cloth for fabric. I’m honestly so excited about this project, I might start it right now!

 

Master the Basics of Crochet

I started learning how to crochet in 2020, but never practice long enough to really achieve anything. I go too long without picking up my hook and yarn, and feel like I need to re-learn the basics every time! This year, I hope to stick to it long enough to complete a nice project or two. I find it extremely relaxing, more so than embroidery, and perfect to do while watching a good movie. If anyone has any great beginner crochet tutorials or books they know of, please drop them below! I’ve been watching Bella Coco Crochet on Youtube and love her style.

 

Reading List

flat lay showing two books: Jane Austen embroidery and Floriography, as well as some lace, antique scissors, and dried plants
I received these two gorgeous books for Christmas and can’t wait to use them!

Since I shared my top reads of 2021 in my previous post, I thought I’d also share the top books that are on my TBR for this year! I’m a very moody reader and never quite know what I’ll be inclined to pick up next, but I’ve had these on my radar for many months now:

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

I mainly have the lovely Gracie over at Austens & Alcotts to thank for bumping this one up the list, since she spoke so highly of it and wrote such endearing posts on it. I saw the wonderful Season 1 of the newest TV adaptation and absolutely loved it, but I’m not sure I’d be as eager to read the book if I hadn’t been so inspired by Gracie’s words. As it is, I can’t wait to read it and am thinking of ordering myself a copy!

Howard’s End by E.M. Forster

Again, I’m being heavily influenced by Gracie πŸ˜‰. This is one of those books that I’ve seen so many people read and love last year, that I really want to join the party! I saw a film adaptation of it a while back and really enjoyed it. The book blurb definitely sounds like something I would enjoy, and there’s apparently a delightful mini-series to watch too!

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

I’m always in the mood for Alcott around this time of year, and although I’ve a strong inclination to revisit Little Women, I’d like to read Little Men too! I remembered that I own a copy of it while I was in the middle of something the other day, and since then I’ve only been thinking about it. If I don’t end up reading it, I’d at least like to read something new by Alcott. I listened to An Old-Fashioned Girl last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m eager to discover more by this amazing author!

 

***

 

And this concludes my list of plans & projects for 2022! I will probably end up deviating from my list as I always do, but I tried to keep it shorter this year and set goals that are a bit more achievable. Of course, there’s a lot more I want to do and time does have a tendency to just fly by, but I intend to make good use of what time I am given and seek to cultivate a grateful heart.

Thank you for being here, friends! I’d love to know about your own resolutions or plans. How would you like to be creative this year? What’s on your reading list? I’d love to chat with you about it!

 

Warmest wishes for the New Year,

2021 Year In Review

     Anne      Leave a Comment

I love this time of year. After nearly a week of festivities with the family including board games, whipped cream desserts, and general lazing around, I really enjoy sitting down with my journal and next year’s planner to reflect, wonder, hope, and best of all, resolve. As a to-do list lover and stationery junkie, there’s nothing I love more than writing down my New Year’s Resolutions, making plans and setting goals for the year, and writing about my highlights of the past year.

I flip through the pages of my journal and remember with fondness all the memories that were created, and find some comfort knowing that I overcame the more difficult parts. This precious time of introspection never fails to bring me renewed peace and energy. I am thankful for all I’ve accomplished, and buoyed to try new things and start new projects this year!

 

My Top 9

I thought I’d share with you my top 9 crafty accomplishments of the year! Although I believe it’s important not to value our self-worth entirely on how much we accomplish, I think it beneficial to reflect on how we accomplish different things. Seeking to grow and learn and work with a thankful heart are more important than mindlessly creating content. So, here are the 9 projects/accomplishments I’m most proud of this year!

 

1. Starting This Blog

welcome, read my first post here

This might be what I’m most proud of in 2021! Despite beating myself up for not launching sooner, I’m so, so happy to have finally started this blog! It had been on my to-do list for a while, and I was definitely not prepared for how much I didn’t know anything about blogging, but I’m really proud of how far I’ve come! I’ve been blogging steadily for 8 months now, and feel like I’ve gotten into a pretty good routine. I’m still learning so much everyday, which keeps things both exciting and frustrating, haha! I love learning new things, but am often unprepared for how long certain tasks take. Nevertheless, here we are, and I can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store for my little corner of the Internet. Thank you all so much for being here, reading my posts and supporting my work! I appreciate it more than you know.

 

2. Discovering English Paper Piecing

finished hexie flowers and basted hexagons, as well as a pile of square fabric scraps, snips, and pins

Ahhhh EPP, what a joy this has been! I had absolutely no idea what EPP was until it started popping on my Instagram often. I finally gave it a try, following this video by the amazing Mollie of Wild Olive, and loved it instantly! Then I decided to turn her monthly Kawaii Crossing house patterns into hexie flowers using the EPP method, and it’s been so much fun! I share them over on my Instagram, and I also wrote a full post on how I make them.

 

3. The Garden Bouquet Project

flat lay view of the finished garden bouquet embroidery framed and surrounded by fresh flowers

When I think back to the month of August, this project is all I remember! I made it for my grandparents and didn’t have that much time to work on it, so I crammed as much embroidering in a day as physically possible and managed to finish it in time for my visit! It turned out just as I’d envisioned and I couldn’t be more pleased. It was the perfect project to practice new skills and refine old ones. I tried a new stumpwork technique for the currant berries, worked on my long & short stitch for the wild roses, and reverted back to my beloved ribbons to make the lily. I wrote several blog posts on the making of this project, so you can have a look and follow along if you’d like!

 

4. Beaded Blackberry Branch Project

flat lay close-up on beaded blackberries project and plate of blackberries with embroidery notions and dried flowers

Another rather intense, but immensely satisfying project was this beaded branch of blackberries I made last September. Inspired by one of my favourite books, Venetia by Georgette Heyer, I designed a branch of blackberries that I could stitch partly with beadwork. I ended up using a mix of silk shading, ribbonwork, and beadwork, and absolutely love it!

 

5. Practicing Drawing & Making my Own Patterns

embroidered wisteria branch finished view from top

This year, I really tried to focus more on designing my own embroideries, rather than always using someone else’s pattern. This was a pretty big challenge since drawing doesn’t come naturally to me and it takes me hours to draw a very simple shape. But after several months of pushing myself to pick up my sketchbook and practice, practice, practice, I can definitely see an improvement! Drawing outlines for embroideries doesn’t seem so unattainable anymore, and I’ve even been able to offer a couple of my own patterns for free here on the blog!

I’m super excited to keep drawing and making my own patterns in 2022!

 

6. Scissor Case with Victorian Embroidery

flat lay view of embroidered scissor case with dried plants, lace, embroidery hoop and red bow

As much as it’s been fun to come up with my own designs, I’ve always loved using vintage and antique patterns for sewing and embroidery. Earlier this month, I made this scissor case using a Victorian pattern from a Briggs & Co. pattern book, and it was wonderful. I adapted the pattern to fit my project and stitched it on felt really easily. The scissor case ended up being a Christmas present, but I’ll definitely need to stitch one for myself. A delight to make from start to finish!

 

7. Woodland Scene Embroidery

flat lay showing a woodland scene embroidered in a vine wreath

I tried something completely new and different this month as well, and mixed watercolour and embroidery in this wintery scene. This was one of my most challenging design of which I’m really proud of, and the addition of the watercolour turned out so well! As much as I love the long & short stitch, it wouldn’t look the same if the whole thing was embroidered. I really loved adding a little paint and will definitely try it again soon! This one was also a Christmas present, and it was so hard to part with!

 

8. Free-Handing Botanicals

dandelion embroidery hoop art against backdrop of real dandelions

If I challenged myself to draw and design more this year, I also challenged myself to try embroidering something without a pattern. I couldn’t believe that these little dandelions turned out decent! Normally, I can’t function without a pattern, without directions, recipes, instructions, etc… I actually like being told what to do in most instances, lol! But anyways, I decided to just free-hand this one and used a bit of crewel wool, and behold, the sunniest dandelions! I haven’t really done anything with this piece yet, but I’m thinking it would look really cute in a journal or herbarium.

 

9. Mixing Embroidery & Pressed Botanicals

finished embroidery work with black raspberries

For Christmas 2020, I received a gorgeous flower press made by my Dad, and let me tell you it got a lot of use this year! I’ve been pressing flowers since I was young and like to use them for cardmaking and journaling, but since I love mixing medias with my embroidery, it was only natural that I should try combining pressed leaves and embroidered berries! Not only does it save you some stitching time, but the effect is so beautiful and lifelike! The only thing is that it is very fragile and I’m not quite sure how to frame or preserve them…but it’s wonderful to work, and I’ll definitely be making more!

 

Bookish Highlights:

Since my one true love is Reading Books and so much of my work is influenced by literature, I thought I’d share a few of my favourite books this year! I didn’t read as much as I normally do, but I’m officially obsessed with audiobooks now. I find that they’re the perfect source of motivation to work on a repetitive task (like stitching!) and become so absorbed that time just flies.

 

Agatha Christie

I finally, finally, read an Agatha Christie mystery this year, and oh my goodness am I hooked!! She’s mainly the reason for my audiobook obsession, because who knew how pleasantly exciting it is to listen to a murder? Apparently a lot. I started with And Then There Were None, which sent chills down my spine, and then quickly plunged into the Hercule Poirot world. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve listened to. They’re so good, and you can find many of them for free on Youtube! I’m excited to try a Miss Marple book next.

 

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

finished wisteria hoop art against book cover of The Enchanted April on iPad

This was probably my top favourite book of 2021. What an utter delight! I wrote a review of it on Goodreads, and I also have a full post on the embroidery project it inspired. Witty, charming and idyllic, Enchanted April is a flower enthusiast’s dream. The beautiful descriptions, the rich landscapes, the psychological portraits, the sweet, sweet ending…everything is perfect! The 90’s movie adaptation is also perfect, and I highly recommend it! I watched it on repeat while working on my Garden Bouquet and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

 

The Complete World of Beatrix Potter

Can you believe that I’ve only now read the tales of Beatrix Potter? I know, me neither. But there it is, I didn’t grow up with them. However, better late than never, and I can safely say that I absolutely love the darling stories! Who could resist the cutest bunnies, mischievous cats, silly geese, and other such charming creatures? Not to mention the beautiful and inspiring illustrations! I can definitely understand why she’s still so admired as an author an artist, and now proudly join the ranks of her fans. The movie Miss Potter starring RenΓ©e Zellweger is also heartbreakingly sweet, and I can’t get enough of it. Both film and tales have been a huge source of inspiration for me this year, and I’m so thankful!

***

And that’s it my friends, those were my top 9 achievements of the year, as well as my favourite literary discoveries! I hope you enjoyed reading my post, and I’d absolutely love to hear from you in the comments. What are you most proud of this year? What inspired you the most? Have you also read some really good books?

I can’t wait to continue sharing my little adventures with you in 2022.

 

Happy New Year, everyone!

 

Fondly,

A Cozy Christmas Chat

     Anne

Dear friend,

Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner once again? How I love these busy, inspiring days full of preparations. The period from now until early January just might be my favourite time of the year!

flat lay displaying woodland scene Christmas card with matching box, a candle, a small wreath decoration, and branches of cedar

There is always so much to do, but it’s so pleasant. The wreath going up on the front door, the tree to decorate, the Nativity to display…and of course, a lot of baking! I don’t typically eat sweets during Advent, but I like having a few goodies ready for Christmas day, of course. I’ve been really in the mood for gingerbread this year, and the other day I saw the cutest cookie decoration tutorial on Pinterest that I’m determined to try out! You make a simple wreath out of what looks like royal icing, and dare I say, it looks fairly doable for someone with zero cookie decoration skills? I’ll let you know πŸ˜‰.

In truth, these sweet days of homemade preparations for Christmas are nearly as exciting as the day itself! There’s something so magical in getting ready to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, in a spirit of simplicity that yet delights in taking time to prepare special things. The family recipes, the handmade ornaments, the cheerful hymns…there’s so much to take part in and be thankful for.  

The best part, naturally, is the holiday stitching. I’ve been spending too much time browsing everyone’s lovely embroideries on Instagram lately, and my Christmas-stitching-to-do-list is long enough to last twenty Christmasses and more!

 

On My Worktable

flat lay showing a woodland scene on fabric partially painted in watercolour, a stash of DMC emboidery floss, Christmas lights, pinecones, and embroidery scissors

I tried something new this week…watercolour on fabric…and I think I love it. I have Nicki Franklin of The Stitchery to thank for this. I’ve been admiring her work so much lately, and finally decided to try this idea! She often mixes a little watercolour with her embroideries and it’s so pretty.

I’m definitely no watercolour artist and painting fabric is different than painting paper, but I’m incredibly happy with how this turned out! The colours bled a little in some places, but since most of those spots will be covered with stitches later, I’m not worried about it. I had a lot of fun trying this out and am really glad I didn’t mess it up! Have you ever tried something like this? I do love mixing things up with embroidery a bit.

close-up of watercolour woodland scene on fabric, with paintbrushes and tubes of paint

 

Latest Inspirations

I’ve spent the last four or so Christmases in the country, but I don’t think I’d ever been as inspired by my surroundings as I am this year! Little animals keep making their way into my sketchbook, and I dream of snowy forests and snug log cabins, midnight skies and twinkling stars. I’ve even had a few lovely encounters with the dear woodland creatures. A hooting owl woke me up softly one morning, a cotton-tail rabbit has been spotted several times bouncing around the garden, and the most beautiful, majestic fox went for a leisurely stroll around the house a few days ago.

Fresh snow had fallen, still adorning roofs and tree branches, and out came a flash of orange amid the winter whiteness. The fox moved about unhurriedly, as though completely at home. He left straight through the garden path towards the field, his bushy tail swishing gently, leaving dainty footprints behind. It was such a picturesque sight, I wish I’d been outside to take better photos!

a fox in a snow covered garden

It’s no surprise then, that these sweet little creatures should make their way onto my embroideries…although I have to say, I’ve really been challenging myself with the actual drawing of them! I feel fairly confident in my botanical sketching abilities, but animals are another matter entirely. I’m pretty proud of how the fawn in my latest project turned out though, and am excited to stitch him. It’s turning out to be a very relaxing and calming project, the very thing to work on during these bustling days leading up to Christmas.

I look forward to sharing the finished piece with you! Since this will be my last post before Christmas, I wish you a very merry Christmas, filled with serenity and hope. This season is always a wonderful time to remind ourselves of what’s really important, and to slow down a bit and delight in the true mystery of Christmas.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Fondly,

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