Cesto da Roupa...

Olá! The first weeks of this year I'll be showing some more works from Portuguese embroiderers. I believe it is a great way of beginning the year... isn't it?

And let's begin with Isabel Jardim and her blog "cesto da roupa"... I would translate it as clothes basket... Because I believe she did not mean laundry basket... but maybe the real problem is with my English. :)

I got to know her work three years ago and I loved the originality and freshness of how she worked with fabrics... so different from what I usually see. But I only discovered embroidery on her work very recently...

Some years ago Isabel begun publishing beautiful painted  laundry bags and bed sheets but soon her charming bed covers became a success and I believe that was when she started showing her embroidery stitches... soon delicate stitches began embellishing many of Isabel's works. And she brought them from the bed to the table. Later, her doll lavender bags with cute embroidered faces were the confirmation that embroidery was there to stay. :)

Today I bring you some photos of more recent pieces of work with embroidered details that make them so special and unique... 

Photos from Cesto da Roupa

Photo from Cesto da Roupa

Isabel's bunting banners and this beautiful bag embroidered with little birds show her inspiration from vintage motifs...

Photos from Cesto da Roupa

 And this toilet bag surely shows Isabel's preference for floral patterns...

Photo from Cesto da Roupa

Lately, Isabel has been dedicating some of her stitches to our little friends... and she embroidered a beautiful collection of pillows for pets...

But I will leave the best for last... so don't forget to pass by next week. I'll show you my favorite works from "cesto da roupa" and you'll learn a little more about Isabel and her relation to embroidery.

Patterns: Kate & Rose giveaway!

Kate and Rose patterns

Kate & Rose have recently launched a new line of folklore inspired embroidery patterns. I love how detailed these patterns are and what an opportunity to experiment with colour, stitch and pattern placement, on whatever you're embroidering the patterns on to (ooh I can think of pillow cases, skirts, aprons, dresses, the list is endless!). You can purchase the patterns as iron on transfers from their web store and the patterns both as iron ons and .pdfs from their Etsy store.

Kate & Rose have very kindly offered to give one of their iron on transfers to one lucky Feeling Stitchy reader! For an opportunity to win, simply comment below with the name of which pattern you would like. The giveaway is open until midnight Saturday 11th January UK time and is open internationally. The winner will be announced next week!

A bright new start...

Olá! I have to begin wishing a great 2014 and an inspiring new beginning... 

I was thinking that I wanted something really special to begin this year with. Something that could inspire us to believe that this year we can have a bright new start...

And then I remembered these photos... These pictures are a few years old... They are pictures of the first embroidery stitches of my younger daughter.

The first photo shows her first work with needles. She was 5 years old... The three flowers were hand drawn by her and she decided to add the beads on her own... For her first stitches...

The other pictures show how she became enthusiastic about embroidery... At that time she was already an expert, but still 5 years old...

Why these pictures?? To inspire us to have a new beginning this year... Do you imagine those little hands enjoying her first stitching? And how important it is not being afraid of needles (or of anything else)? And how amazing it is to learn something new?

This is what I wish for we all this year... That we may learn many new things without being afraid...

Tutorial Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I have a tutorial roundup to share with you all today on this lovely New Year's Eve. There are so many amazing New Year's-themed tutorials available in the blogosphere that can either be prepped for tonight, or made as the New Year comes underway.

If you are looking for a unique accent to your New Year's Eve outfit, this Embroidered Gem Necklace Tutorial by Taylor over at Mary Janes & Galoshes is perfect!

Some of us might need a cold pack to recover after the New Year's Eve festivities, and Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots has a super adorable tutorial for embroidered hot/cold packs.

For those of us who are starting a new semester or sending little ones back to school in the New Year, Wild Olive has a great tutorial for an embroidered pencil topper, that's sure to make the school year better.

The holiday decor is going to be stored away, and there needs to be something put in its place. Steph from the Silly Pearl {Handmade} has a darling Embroidery Hoop Wreath Tutorial that is sure to brighten up a door or entryway in the New Year.

I hope you enjoy and give some of these tutorials a try. Happy New Year to you all!

Special Christmas gifts

Olá! This Christmas, as always, many and many of my Christmas gifts were handmade by me... One or to hours before the moment we exchange our gifts I was still around needles, glue and other craft materials... Since I remember, my Christmas was always like that. And I really don't know if that is better for me or for those that receive my gifts... I believe that the best ideas are those that come when we want to make something unique for someone very special...

Some years ago I made this embroidered frame to offer my mother. She was asking for a photo of me for a long time... And I decided to give a photo with a handmade frame.

It was cross stitched with a very simple pattern and I used a burlap ribbon and then applied it all around the frame. I don't remember all the details, but I do remember that it was much more simple than it looks like...

Do you like giving and receiving handmade gifts? Is there one special gift that you remember many years after? I would love to hear it from you...

Countdown to Christmas: So many hoops!

Stitched by Rhapsody and Thread

I am in love with this festive group of holiday hoops stitched by Tabatha on Rhapsody and Thread. And I think it's the perfect amount of Christmas spirit - a TON - to wrap up the Countdown to Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all - have a wonderful day with your family and friends, and wherever life may find you, happy stitching to all!

Countdown to Christmas: Sweet Baby Jesus

Stitched by MissEnota

Isn't this an adorable rendering of baby Jesus by MissEnota? Find the free pattern on Mollie Johanson's wonderful 25 Crafts of Christmas: Embroidery.

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Birds

Stitched by floresita

I am in love with the Snow Bird pattern by Larissa Holland, and although it is late in the season I am busy crafting away at little birds for last-minute ornament gifts. A quick plug for the wonderful pattern, which is incrediby detailed, easy to follow, and well worth the purchase price. I purchased mine in combination with the stocking pattern, and they are both well-written and lovely.

To view more of Larissa's patterns, visit her store.

Countdown to Christmas: Reindeer

Stitched by Eclair B.

This sweet reindeer pillow, stitched by Eclair B. from a free Badbird pattern is gorgeous. I love the subtle earthy tones she chose for this, and the cozy throw behind it. Lovely! Get the free pattern.

Countdown to Christmas: Mittens

Stitched by katiecanavan

I love the wintery colors on these sweet mittens stitched by katiecanavan. Adorable stuff!

Countdown to Christmas: Peace

Stitched by Tanya

This ornament by Tanya combines all the things I love most: simplicity, texture, contrast, and beauty. Go to her blog for the free cross stitch peace pattern!

Christmas Star...

Olá! Passing by only to wish that the Christmas Star guides you, as it did with the Three Magi, to the true light...

I bring you a beautiful star embroidered by my dear friend Inês and the words of a Portuguese poetess, Sophia de Mello Breyner...

Inês embroidered on burel and cork fabric, our great traditional Portuguese materials. I'm amazed with her work because she didn't use a pattern to embroider, only the one she has in her head and her heart...

'It was as if the brightness of a star had approached the Earth. It was Christmas" 

Sophia de Mello Breyner

Feliz Natal!

Countdown to Christmas: Teeny pillows

Stitched by prairie.mouse

These teeny pillows by prairie.mouse are beautiful, no? I love seeing them to scale with a tiny tree beside them! To see them all, visit her blog.

Dashing for the Does

Last month Craftster and Sew Lovely Embroidery hosted a great challenge. There were some amazing entries! I loved everyone's take on the deer pattern. The winner was announced today, Pottermouth's Dashing for the Does. The Christmas sweater is just killing me.  Big thanks to everyone who participated!

We had other great entries including:

Oh Deer! From LindyV321

Deer's Cry from mnethia

Hunting from Faesissa

Tis the Season from ostera15

Countdown to Christmas: Bacon

Stitched by daisyeyes

Nothing says the holidays like bacon on your tree, especially this cute hand-embroidered bacon by Aimee!