It's Been A While / Yumiko Higuchi: Simply Stitched with Embroidery...

Yes, it has definitely been a long while. My personal volunteer work commitment is on a regular basis nowadays. Although I still keep working on my needlework here and there, I do not feel the urge to post as I used to. 

I've been doing more printed cross stitch lately, but a couple of days ago the desire to work on a hand embroidery project was very strong. The photo above is what I have embroidered so far. The design is by Yumiko Higuchi, from her book: Simply Stitched with Embroidery: Embroidery Motifs for Purses and More. I have the Japanese version, this project is pictured on page 38, and the embroidery pattern on page 73 (on the Japanese book).

Perhaps when I complete the entire project I may stop by and upload a post. However, can't say for sure if I'll start posting more often from now on. Will see how things go. Until next time! Be well!

A Few Oldies...

...but goodies! ;-) Here I am, perusing through previous crafty photos and felt like reposting a few.

In both of these stitcheries I used Perle Cotton thread no.8. The doll and alphabet in the first picture are from a PDF design, and the second one is a printed sampler. Both designed by Charlotte Lyons. Couple more pictures below. Until next time!

Homemade and Handmade

Little by little we (older daughter and I) have hand embroidered kitchen towels with various designs. It put a smile on my face to see these few folded and stacked. Various memories tied to each one of them. Probably all of our hand stitched towels appear in previous posts if you fancy to take a look.

The cooler weather always trigger my desire for hand embroidery, and for more than one cup of coffee a day as well. The flavor of  homemade pour over coffee is the best! No fancy machines or expensive gadgets. Well, I'll take that back... since I do use the microwave to heat up my water in a glass measuring cup. I've been looking into getting a glass electric kettle. In my opinion water boiled in glass tastes much better than boiled in any type of metal. Which in turn makes the perfect cup of coffee ;-).
Until next time!

The Little Things

Last night my "sprouts" and I had a Sit-n-Stitch Evening. It's been quite some time since our last time. The hand embroidery lap quilt project is calling me, however, for some reason felt like adding some more stitches on this cute little piece I started few months ago (here). Small cross stitch sampler "Summer Splendor" by Little House Needleworks. So happy to have been able to put a few stitches in without much trouble from holding things with my hands. Red is my most favorite color, it cheers me up! I think that is why I decided to work on this particular project.

Below is a simple no bake pie, using simple ingredients. Recipe is from Publix (link at the end of this post). Very delicious! I love the mix in flavors and textures in this pie. The small one on the right is modified, using crushed GF cookies as crust, for my GF child. Easy to put together with your kids! We made this recipe this past Sunday afternoon. The only thing I will do different next time is add one more container of raspberries, yum. The girls and I are also already brainstorming on fruit and flavor variations for next time! 

I had a few rough days with this last flare. Couldn't even hold anything long enough to complete any task. On one particular day even holding the toothbrush with a light grip was painful, had to pause a few times to rest my hand. That was just the beginning of a day where it was a real struggle trying to perform everyday simple tasks. 

So thankful for a very understanding and helpful family! By last night my hands felt much better, so I was grateful to be able to stitch for a bit. Got that tiny house filled in and started the roof! Remember I'm a cross stitch newbie, so please don't snub my stitches ;-).

Autumnal sunsets are spectacular! Aren't they? They honestly take my breath away!
So many little things to be grateful for, not only for a day or two, but daily. The little things that remind me of what really matters in life, and not to take things for granted. That are a constant reminder to give my best everyday, live a life in a way that genuinely shows, not in words but in deeds, that I truly adore the Giver of it all! 

Non-affiliated link:
Publix's Chocolate Raspberry Pie Recipe

Vintage Aunt Martha's Embroidery Transfer Designs

Warm thoughts of all these previous hand embroideries are resurfacing.

Aunt Martha's embroidery transfers are the best! Have not work on any of my in progress AM's designs in some time. Cross stitching took over for awhile. 
For the past couple of days, a sudden mass of cold air have cause temperatures to drop dramatically around here. That sudden weather change must have brought the cozy warm memories of working on these mostly vintage designs to mind (the rooster is not a vintage design, but part of a Stitcher's Revolutions pattern also by the makers of AM's... the Colonial Pattern Inc.). 

Some of these were hand embroidered onto kitchen towels / tea towels / dish towels . Some on my personal lap quilt project.
May have to bring that one out and keep working on it!
Until next time!

Non-affiliated notes:
All these patterns are from various designs found at
Colonial Patterns Inc. Their website is:
colonialpatterns.com .

Garden Sampler Stitchery

Briefly stopping by to post my start on this Kathy Schmitz's design.
It is the Garden Sampler. Being stitched onto an Aunt Martha's flour sack tea towel 18"x28". Using Valdani Perle Cotton size 12 in color "Dried Leaves" O574. Transferred onto towel by using a Fine Tip Sublime Stitching transfer pen, traced the design with the transfer pen then ironed on towel.
Hand embroidery in itself is very relaxing, however not having to use multiple strands of thread at once, and using only one color through out the project takes the relaxing part to a higher level.
Kids are doing great with their curriculums,... so glad about that!
Not sure if I'll touch my cross stitch work in progress projects this week. I think this one got my full attention for now ;-).
Be well! Until next time!

Summer Mini Getaway and Stitchy Progress

Our usual getaway, right before our 2019-2020 homeschooling journey begins. It was windy out in the balcony, so had to take the pictures super fast... didn't want my stitchy goodies flying away. LOL

Bit by bit, here and there, whenever I got the chance and/or desire to stitch. Already made a few mistakes some needed fixing, some will stay.

On our last road trip, few months ago, cross stitching in the car was a smooth ride. This time around motion sickness took over. So on our way to our vacation didn't stitch, cause of dizziness.  However, on our way back, I was ready and had with me my most recent hand embroidery WIP... that went well. 

It was a very nice week! We were ocean front and it was such a treat to see the breathtaking sunrise each morning. 
Now to have fun embracing another homeschooling year! (Germs and all, sadly.) Little one caught an adenovirus, it has not been that fun yet for her. Hoping it'll past soon!

May you all be doing well and enjoy whichever season you may be in on your corner of the world!

Notes: 
Take Me to the Sea hand embroidery pdf design by Kathy Schmitz.
August Cottage cross stitch design by Country Cottage Needleworks.

Fall Is In The Air

 Going thru old photos and wanted to repost a few.
Fall is in the air around here!

 I think my hand embroidery bug is bitting again.

Will I or will I not? Haven't touch my hand embroidery needle in 
some time. Was working on some cross stitch, but as of late.
A lot going on around here. Hopefully things settle a bit soon.

Pre-printed Cross Stitch

Summer is in full swing! We are keeping busy non-stop, well maybe with a few days sprinkled in between to just sit home and rest... especially during that heat wave we experienced recently. 
I've been paying more attention to this pre-printed cross stitch kit lately.

Non-stress stitching since there is no counting involved. No Counting! For stitch placement there is a number/color key that is very easy to follow, so I do not loose count amid all the "distractions" (tv, conversations, kids, cooking, travel, etc.). There was no way I could have attempted this design with so many color changes and larger in size than the few counted cross stitch ones I've have as work-in-progress projects.

The threads I must admit are a polyester or at least they feel like a blend of cotton-polyester. However, they are not slippery. I do use them in short lengths as when working with DMC, to avoid to some extent getting them all fuzzy. The threads come with numbers that correspond to DMC floss, so if I decide to substitute these threads for DMC I could easily do so. The printed chart could also be counted cross-stitched on your choice of fabric.

An enlarged cross stitch color chart of the design, printed in glossy paper, is included. It also comes with a sheet of simple instructions inside a reusable clear thin plastic envelope. It also includes needles.
I have it on my NS4 lap stand on a 11" by 11" Q-snap, and when not stitching the rest of the things needed are kept inside one of the file zippered mesh bags.

Just FYI ... I found this one on Amazon, there are various kinds available. This one was a Prime one so it was shipped and delivered quickly. Another one I ordered was sent from outside the US, still arrived before the estimated time.
Once we start with school again, then I think I'll continue working on my counted-cross stitch projects, but for now this pre-printed no counting one will do ;-).

Cute Birdie from Sweet Stitches book by Aneela Hoey

As promised, here is a closer look at the cute birdie from the Sweet Stitches book (which I mentioned in more detail, fourth picture on this post). 
All embroidery threads are DMC skeins, color numbers I to use: 22, 326, 3781, 3881, 3895. Stitches used: Running Stitch (bird's body and legs), Back Stitch (birdie's chest / belly), Chain Stitch (cherries) Straight Stitch (beak and eye) , Stem Stitch (cherries' stems).
It is a very simple design and so cute!

Here is the picture that I posted before.
Perhaps, later on, I may want to stitch it again in a different color combo. That is, after making progress on some of my other projects... like the ones mentioned on previous post.
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! ;-)