Snow People Bluework, Done!

Here is the completed Bluework kitchen towel! It was fun and quick, mainly all back stitching with a few: straight stitches (e.g. scarf),  french knots (e.g. buttons and eyes), open chain stitches (e.g. flower earmuffs), satin stitches (e.g. red heart), fly stitches (e.g. hat's feather), and blanket stitches (e.g. hat's ribbon, mitten's wrists).

The smiles on this snow couple can be a bit confusing... what do you think?  It is almost like they have no other choice, but to serve as birds' perches, so they may as well try to enjoy it. LOL. What's your take?

I'm so tempted to start another monochromatic embroidery, but first may have to complete a couple of the projects already in progress.

Have a nice weekend! Until next time!

Bits of Stitching's Needlework Medley Video

Just testing posting videos. 
Here is a video summary of past and present needlework
projects. May consider posting more in the future.
Thanks for watching! ;-)

Baking, Evening Stitches, Vintage Carnation

Yesterday's weather was less cold than previous days, which was nice for a break. We headed out to do groceries, and find materials for a science project for one of my kids. Once back, did some laundry, vacuuming, and fixed a quick dinner. A free evening to do some stitching! Started again where I left on the Aunt Martha's Flower Quilt I was making for my mom. I think this is the Aster bloom.

Made quite a bit of progress while re-watching Emma. I do not get tire of it, enjoy watching all the versions, but my favorite one is the BBC 2009 TV Series, with Romola Garai as Emma and Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley. 
My 2nd favorite will have to be the 1996 movie with Kate Beckinsale as Emma and Mark Strong as Mr. Knightly.
Do you have a favorite period drama movie you don't get tire of?
I also like a few others by Jane Austen, but I prefer Emma.

Did the final stitches of the Bluework kitchen towel, will try to post a picture of it next time. 
This past Thursday was a rainy one. We stayed in and baked gluten free and egg free cookies, nut free banana muffins, and rum cake ;-). We did the semi-homemade approached by using box mixes for the cookies and rum cake. The muffins were from scratch.

Since all these pictures above were taken either on a rainy day, or in the evening, the lighting is not great... but you might be able to get the feel of how things went on my side of the woods.
Leaving you with a vintage embroidery pattern of a carnation... until next time!

Snow People Bluework

Started this kitchen towel couple of days ago. Was motivated by a post on Rsislandcrafts Blog dated Jan. 9, 2019... she started stitching a snowman from Bird Brain Designs and the design is so cute. I've been wanting to stitch a snowman on a tea towel, so after reading her entry I went on Amazon and searched for Bird Brain Designs and found one I liked, it is called Snowman Season Bluework and it has 3 different designs. 

I'm using Finca / Presencia Perle cotton size 8 in color no.3319 Dark Baby Blue, and a white flour sack towel from the Colonial Patterns company size 18 by 28. For transferring the design: made a copy of the original design omitting the elements of the pattern I didn't want to use, went over the lines of the design using a Sublime Stitching transfer pen in blue, and finally ironed it on the right lower corner of the towel.

It is so cold out there that my husband has helped me with running errands that are normally part of my routine, so I've had a bit more than the usual time to stitch. Almost finished stitching this towel! The little heart on the hat of the other snowman will be stitched in red ;-).
So happy to be able to use this towel in the kitchen soon! What is your favorite indoor pastime? Well, I better go now... until next time!

Warming Up In Stitches

It's super cold out there, hoping those of you being affected by winter storms are keeping warm and safe! 
Here is a freebie from my collection of vintage embroidery transfers. Perhaps you are able to take some time off, sit with a cup of your favorite hot beverage and stitch this cute pattern on a tea towel for someone you love or for yourself ;-). Or if you rather have an iced tea or lemonade go for it. Have fun stitching!
I enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee any time of the year, the same goes for iced tea ;-). Might stitch this myself in the near future.
Until next time!
PS: Please let me know if you stitch it so I can take a peek!

A French Knot Away

A couple of evenings ago I almost completed this bunny,... just a French Knot away for it to be all done, and already started the next one! It was a productive evening with my embroidery needle.

It is getting bone-chilling cold, the type of weather that exacerbates achy muscles and joints. Medications do not always work... time for regular needlework therapy. Rearranged and organized all my hand embroidery projects to have them ready to go and within reach. Hope the weather is not bad where you are, and if it is that you are finding ways to cope well!

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time!

Throwback Tuesday: Stitching Clubs (Picture Heavy)

In no particular order, this post contains a few pictures of the progress I made (awhile back) on three of the four Seasonal Stitching Clubs designed by Mollie Johanson. The only one I haven't stitch yet is the Autumn one. Hopefully I printed it, because my old desktop PC died and my old email is gone too.  These past few days I've been thinking of the Winter Stitching Club, I'm getting a bit antsy to stitch again a few of the motives on that club... so I may have to get it again because I can't find it in my printed stash of patterns :-(. 
Anyhow, perhaps you may like to know that Mollie is hosting a new Stitching Club on her blog. It is a marmalade/jam one called Jam of the Month Club... the first design is out and the project lay out for the EPP mini quilt and pattern pieces. You may want to go check it out! Mollie's blog: Wildolive.

Above Winter. Below Summer, lots of cute ones on summer!

Above and below, Summer

Above and below, Spring.

Above and below, Winter. Pictures aren't that great but hopefully you can still see how cute these designs are. I was actually working on these, in bed, while recovering from surgery few years ago. (That cardinal wearing a scarf.... how cute is that!).

Above and below, Winter. Too much cuteness! (Also below, the Laundry Hen from an Aunt Martha's pattern.)

Above Winter, below Spring. So many cute ones on the Spring club as well!

Above and below, Spring. (Also above, a design from an Aunt Martha's transfer.)

Finally, the daffodil and bird from the Spring Stitching Club. The butterfly is not from the Spring Stitching Club but from a different design by Mollie as well. 

Need to continue working on these projects! All hand sewn, portable and not complicated. 
If you decide to stitch-along with Mollie, let me know so I can go and take a peek at your progress ;-)! Till next time!

Non-affiliated links:
Mollie's shop Wildolive on Etsy... and her blog. 
Aunt Martha's transfers webstore: Colonial Patterns. 
Notes:
Fabrics are from Jo-ann fabric and craft store.

Back In The Stitchy Saddle

It definitely was a long unplanned break,... but now is time for a stitchy blog update! 

On the Count Your Blessings cross stitch project not much progress, but progress nonetheless. At least the house is up, now starting to fill it up along with the grass. Just taking my own time with this one. I'm learning a lot on this design, especially learning to keep the stitches tidier in the back, and that stiffed Aida is not my favorite fabric to stitch on. Will definitely use a soft Aida for my next cross stitch project. Cross stitching is not relaxing in my opinion, however I do enjoy seeing the design come to life little by little.

Remember my personal, long term, embroidery project using Aunt Martha's iron on embroidery transfers? (A little refresher here.) I picked it back up few days ago, and it felt so good! Simple and cheery, nostalgic and dreamy, cozy and meditative, choosing whatever patterns, colors and stitches that tickle my fancy. Very relaxing and therapeutic indeed, it definitely puts a smile on my face when I'm working on it... so will be keeping it out and work on it here and there. 
Until next time! Be well!

Notes: 
Count Your Blessings cross stitch design by Country Cottage Needleworks.
Aunt Martha's iron-on hand embroidery transfer no.675 Bunny Rabbit.