Christmas Countdown #24: Sew Jenaissance

Loving this festive Merry and Bright Embroidery pattern by Sew Jenaissance - lots of fun colors and and items to stitch!

Christmas Countdown #7: Ellucy Stitches

Maybe the holidays just aren't your thing? Then express your holiday grump quite elegantly with this Go Away pattern by Ellucy Stitches. Unwelcome Christmas cheer need not get any further than the door this year. :)

Christmas Countdown #6: Roxy Creations

How cute are these little Felt Gnome Santa patterns by Roxy Creations? This looks like hours of delight with little pieces of felt and fuzz - perfect!

Wonderful Wednesday #50: Cinder and Honey

I am truly taken aback by the delicate loveliness of this Butterfly Embroidery Pattern by Cinder and Honey. The beauty of this piece is undoubtedly in the masterful stitching, and yet it's encouraging to see that the stitches themselves are not difficult ones to try. Lovely!

Stitchy Snippets - Cosmic Cross Stitch

Photographer Navid Baraty has embroidered a stunning collection of planets which include: Earth, Jupiter, Neptune and Mars. Baraty's love for astronomy led him to create this embroidery project. Using actual planetary images, for his source of inspiration, Baraty designed each cross stitch pattern. I would love to get the entire set! Navid Baraty has an Etsy shop for his patterns here. Or perhaps you feel inspired to create your own? I didn't find Venus on the list.

Wonderful Wednesday #48: Sweater Doll

I love this Free Adventure Embroidery tutorial on the Sweater Doll blog! If you've been on a summer adventure, this looks like a wonderful way to memorialize it.

Allison, who blogs at Sweater Doll, wrote to us recently to tell us about her new digital magazine, Stitch Cafe:

She was kind enough to send us the first issues to look over, and there are loads of cute projects, recipes and ideas to be found there. Instead of having to subscribe, you can purchase issues one at a time from her shop, and at $6 an issue, there are a quite a few nice projects to be had in there.

There are also many wonderful free resources Allison so kindly provides on her blog, like an Embroidery School series that walks you through a lot of invaluable beginner information. I really enjoyed the first post on materials:

Thank you Allison, for sharing your wonderful talent with us!

Wonderful Wednesday #36: Hoffelt and Hooper

What a beautiful kit this is, by Hoffelt And Hooper, on Etsy! This kit comes with: Printed cotton fabric (and I love that blue), 5" embroidery hoop, full skeins of DMC embroidery floss, Embroidery Needle, and a PDF stitching guide.

I can't think of a lovelier gift for a stitcher of any skill level! To see more loveliness by Sarah, visit her Instagram.

Wonderful Wednesday #32: Threadfolk

How beautiful are the colors and textures in this gorgeous negative space embroidery pattern by Threadfolk on Etsy? This gorgeous design, designed by Lauren Merrick and stitched by Threadfolk is part of an artist series of patterns in her shop.

I feel like this is the perfect message for today, and describes exactly where I am. We are all dealing with a fair amount of negative space in our world, and this is the mantra I feel we need to come back to, again and again. We are continually dealing with people of all kinds, people with different views from our own - and when we interact with others, I feel very strongly that it is kindness that makes the difference. You may never be able to change another person's point of view, but when that person is part of your family, or part of your world, what can you do with them? I think, you can be kind to them.

I'm so glad our stitching community is so warm and welcoming and I hope that it will always stay that way. We may come from every point in the ideological spectrum, but we all find a comfort and source of inspiration in stitching and in each other. Living in community with each other is never easy. But even if it isn't easy, we can always be kind.

Wonderful Wednesday #30: February Flowers

How lovely are these February Flowers - the monthly PDF pattern by Sarah K. Benning, available in her Etsy shop? And even lovelier still, Sarah has pledged to donate from her pattern sales this month to the ACLU - bravo Sarah!

Christmas Countdown #22: September House

These Festive Flock patterns by September House are gorgeous - I love the elegant colors and imaginative stitches:

Christmas Countdown #19: Betz White

A teeny tiny felt Sewing Machine pattern by Betz White is perfect for your crafty friends!

There are plenty more delightful ornament patterns in Betz White's shop as well:

Fa La La La Lllama pattern

Hot Chocolate Ornament pattern

Christmas Countdown #16: iManuFatti

I adore this Cute Christmas Robin pattern by Etsy seller iManuFatti. Seriously, it is filled with delightfulness, if that is even a word. :)

And there are so many more sweet holiday ornament patterns in Manuela's shop:

Just wonderful - for more visit iManuFatti's shop!

Christmas Countdown #15: Noia Land

I can't think of anything more delightful than this Mouse Elves pattern by Noia Land. If adorable patterns are your thing, there are lots more to be found in Noia Land's Etsy shop!

Christmas Countdown #14: Bumpkin Hill

This Friends For Tea ornament pattern in Bumpkin Hill's shop is adorable, isn't it? We featured this Friends for Tea pattern a few years ago, but it is totally worthy of a repost, in my opinion!

Catherine also has some delightful new patterns in her shop as well:

Thanks Catherine, for pointing these out via email - to see more, visit the Bumpkin Hill Etsy shop!

Christmas Countdown #13: Erica Hite

Continuing the vintage Christmas charm are these lovely Felt Christmas Ornaments patterns by artist Erica Hite. I love how these patterns can either take a lot or a little embellishment and still look fantastic!

Christmas Countdown #12: Daisy Eyes Handmade

This Silent Night pattern by Daisy Eyes Handmade has so many beautiful touches. I love the variety of colors and stitches, and the wonderful vintage look.

Christmas Countdown #10: Little Thimble Studios

Simple, sweet, and lovely - this Merry and Bright pattern by Little Thimble Studios is just perfect! This shop is a lovely place to visit for some Christmas cheer, and exquisite hand-embroidered artworks.

Christmas Countdown #8: Satsuma Street

These exquisite Christmas Baubles cross stitch patterns by Satsuma Street are full of bright, happy color and Christmas cheer! Again, I love the bright, nontraditional colors for a welcome twist on holiday crafting.

Christmas Countdown #6: Little Beach Hut

How about this adorable Christmas Badgers cross stitch pattern in Little Beach Hut's shop? So cute, and perfect to give as a gift or ornament.

There's also a beautiful kit version of this pattern in her shop as well!

What a lovely shop!

Wonderful Wednesday #27: Clementine Patterns

In the past week, with all that has happened, I find myself taking comfort in the qualities I see in those that I respect and admire. I don't have to listen to the voices that speak the loudest - if I can filter through and find the voices that speak the truth in love.

So this Fruit of the Spirit pattern by Clementine Patterns really speaks to me this week.