Because bears have thoughts too...

Naturally bears don't use words to express their thoughts, but their thoughts might just take the shape of a dark cloud... I am absolutely smitten with Cate Anevski's new pattern set called 'Animal Expressions'. The set includes seven animals, with all kinds of thoughts. You can purchase both the patterns and the finished art work in Cate's shop.

Patterns: Choose Your Own Rebellion

Radical Cross Stitch stitched by Nicole from Follow the White Bunny, pattern by Radical Cross Stitch

Fellow Feeling Stitchy blogger Nicole has been getting really into cross stitch recently and I love this piece she's stitched up from Radical Cross Stitch. I definitely recommend checking out Radical Cross Stitch's other cool patterns to.

Doilies, not just for crocheters

faux doily nearly done, originally uploaded by Smallest Forest.

I love this piece by Smallest Forest. Absolutely beautiful.

The combination of stitches is just right and it's just so very doily-ish!

Read more about it on the Smallest Forest blog. :-)

January Stitchalong: Couching 101

Last week I started off the January stitchalong and I promised you some details of my first attempt at couching. So, without further ado, here we go!

Step 1: Trace your letter onto paper, cut out, and place on your felt

Step 2: Loop your yarn to form the first part of your "h"

I chose a chunky weight yarn, but experiment with whatever yarn you have on hand. Every yarn has a different "drape" so try a few and see what you like!

Step 3: Add a few stitches to keep your yarn in place, and trim (I made my "h" with 2 pieces of yarn)

Step 4: Lay down the second piece of yarn, add a few stitches to keep it in place, and trim

Step 5: Use sharp scissors to clip into the paper carefully (without clipping your yarn!) :)

Step 6: Tug the paper out very carefully

This is the trickiest step - don't panic if your stitches come loose - just have your needle ready to re-stitch as necessary.

Step 7: Briefly admire your work :)

I'm not kidding! It looks pretty nice so far, eh? :) I kind of liked it as is, but I added more stitches just in case...

Step 8: Add remaining stitches

Stitch as much or as little as you like. Also, experiment with thread color vs. yarn color - I chose a combo that would show up nice and contrast-y for these pics. :) My advice in terms of color (since I am usually stumped) is keep it simple - I used three shades of felt I had on hand and 1 shade of floss.

One down, 4 to go! :)

For all of you who are just now tuning in - welcome to the January Stitchalong! Last week I shared a free template with you that has a nice script alphabet, two template shapes, and ideas for a banner layout:

From your comments, you guys are interested in a range of things, so feel free to experiment with couching, use the banner templates, use just the alphabet, or whatever you like!

To join in, just add your photo to the embroidery group and tag it "JanStitchalong"!


Some of you joined in right away - I love tamaratamara's elegant take on this stitchalong!

And one of you already has a banner ready to go! Bravo, kghawkes, for your first try at couching!!!

So, what do you say? I think we need to see some more stitching! :) I'll be back soon with more updates!!!

365 Lucky Days

The Artist herself: a young Lucky

Last September Lucky Jackson started a remarkable project called 365 Lucky Days. For one year she creates a new work of stitched art, each day. Within the 365 days Lucky does 'mini-series', pieces connected by a theme from portraits of family members to mug shots of celebrities to new years resolutions. My favourite might just be the 'I think I love you but I'm only a preteen and my mum says it just hormones' week. Lucky just past the '100 days of Stitching' mark so it's about time we got to know the talented lady behind the challenge a bit better!

Steve McQueen. Notice the 'jail suit' stripes in the background.

Who is Lucky Jackson?
Hmmm. I'm a mother of two gorgeous girls (4 and 6) and wife of the world's greatest husband. I am a self taught artist that loves everything vintage. I am an extremely optimistic person. I like to think I am a pretty funny gal (the jury is out on if I actually am)

Where do you find inspiration?
I have always been a bit of a recluse and have found company in books, music, movies and visual arts. I am a culture vulture. I think that is where I draw a lot of my inspiration from. I also collect a lot of vintage dresses, boots, cameras...and of course fabric. These items inspire me daily. I just kind of look around at the things I have and the things I have seen and the stories I have heard. I like to think my art is a combination of the two.

Bombshell: Marilyn Monroe

Any specific artist(s) that influence your work?
I love, graphic novelist Adrian Tomine. Luke Haynes blows me away with every new quilt he does. And I love the work of Children's book illustrator Oliver Jeffers. We collect all his books and the girls are always having to retrieve his books from my studio.

What inspired you to make a stitched work of art every day?
I keep journals of all my ideas and I kept thinking..when are you going to make them? You can spend a few hours surfing the web or you can make something.

Blog crush: Erin of www.calivintage.com 

You use some awesome fabrics in your pieces, where do you find them?
Value Village, Vinnie's (local thrift shop) my friend My Girl Thursday just gave me a huge bag of the most fabulous fabrics ever! People know what I do and there has been bags of fabric left on my door step with kind notes of encouragement. I live in the best town (Peterborough, Ontario) ever!

Richie Tenenbaum

In your 365 days project you work with different 'themes', do you have enough ideas to last you until day 365?
I have lots of ideas. What I need is more time! (ed. luckily 2012 is a leap your so this just might turn into a 366 days project!)

Family portraits

What is your personal favourite of all the pieces you made so far?
I like the portraits I did of my family. Ben and I as kids and my kids dressed up like super heroes.

What good has the project brought you so far?
I am so grateful for the press the project has received. People are so super supportive and encouraging. It blows me away. The most surprising thing about the project is how happy it makes me! I really love making something new every day.

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You can follow Lucky's progress on her 365 Lucky days blog. Some of her 365 days artwork is available in her shop.

Patterns: Jacobean Leaves

Jacobean Leaves cushion by Kel Fletcher

Ooh I love it when pattern designers I haven't noticed before post to the Embroidery Flickr pool, so it was a real treat when I checked in this morning to find this beauty. Jacobean Leaves cushion by Kelly Fletcher is a Jacobean crewel work pattern, the pattern also includes instructions on how to make the piece up into a cushion. I love crewel work patterns and there aren't that many out there, so it's a pleasure to discover a new source. You can find the pattern here, also check out Kelly Fletcher's other beautiful patterns, I particularly like the Celtic Leaves pattern. Kelly Fletcher's patterns range from beginner to advanced (Jacobean Leaves is listed as intermediate) and include crewel work, applique and beading. Some of the pieces are intended for framing but as with Jacobean Leaves, those that are intended to be made into something, Kelly gives instructions on how to make the item to.

Kelly also publishes a quarterly hand embroidery digital magazine featuring what look like lovely embroidery patterns, you can find further details about the magazine, called The Stitch and Thimble, here.

January Stitchalong!

Hey guys! It's floresita here, with the last post of the year and our first stitchalong of next year! I was up at the crack of dawn a few days ago, couldn't sleep, and instead started to brainstorm a felt banner idea for the new year. I was thinking of new year's resolutions, and mine just happened to be - try something new every month. What haven't I tried yet? Couching!



Using my own cursive, some yarn, and embroidery floss, I decided to give couching a try for the first time. If you, like me, have never tried couching before, this is a perfect simple project to try it out with!

Here's a nice video tutorial by Mary Corbet on couching: http://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/couching-video-tutorial.html

And here's a very nicely photographed tutorial by Sarah Whittle: http://sarahwhittle.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-couch.html

If you'd like to join in this stitchalong, everything you need is pictured up above - a pen or pencil, scissors, pinking shears (if you want a decorative edge on your felt), embroidery floss, yarn, and felt.



I made a pattern file with the template pieces and a nice cursive alphabet called Handsome (if you don't trust your own handwriting). :) Get the free pattern.


Your finished banner can be a new year's banner, or maybe a Happy Birthday banner - with the letters in the pattern file, it can say anything you want. All you need to do to join in is add your picture to the embroidery pool and tag it "JanStitchalong"!

You don't have to wait until you're finished - we love seeing in-progress projects (check out my progress, below)



I'll be back to check in later this week with my progress and a walkthrough of my first try at couching. In the meantime, why don't you line up some colors and materials, feel free to ask any questions here, and let's get stitching! Although, depending on how many spots I hit this evening I may not get to your questions right away tomorrow... ;) Hope you guys have a great time tonight and have lots of fun with this! :)

Too wit to woo

I think my stitchy resolution for 2012 might be 'stitch something neat on a doily'. I just love this 'Too wit to woo' piece by Kate Elisabeth Rolison (aka Poesie Grenadine). Kate stitches modern poetry on vintage linens. Read more about it on her blog. 

Do you have any 'stitchy' resolutions for the new year? Are you finally going to try and master the French Knot maybe? Or participate in an embroidery contest? Embroider more (and spend less time at the computer)? Leave your resolution here in the comments, post your photos in the Embroidery Pool with #NYR2012 and maybe you will be featured on Feeling Stitchy! 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! 

Patterns: Some Favourites of 2011

From left to right, top to bottom

1. Coming Home from Studio MME

2. On Parade Embroidery from Sarah Jane,

3. Crafting Shelves from This Tiny Existence,

4. Spring Cross Stitch from The Floss Box,

5. Winding Wool (5) from June at Noon

6. embroidered button display hoop adapted by doe-c-doe from an original design by Haylie Waring

2011 has been a fantastic year for embroidery patterns and here are but a few of the fantastic patterns that have appeared. Here's looking forward to a fantastic stitching year in 2012!

Happy Holidays from everyone at Feeling Stitchy!

You Better Not Pout, You Better Not Cry

It might be a little to late to get on Santa's nice list, but everyone is a good boy or girl according to Panta. Over on Craftster, Limeriot stitched up a cute Panta for the holidays. I love the candy cane bamboo. Her piece was the featured project for December and it is fab! Happy Holidays!

What do you do when you're upset?

Stitched by Pam

Pam stitches. And I think you and me do the same thing, too. Just a little Christmas stitching to remind you that the things you make, even in the toughest times for you, can inspire other people with a little holiday cheer. So stop worrying about who you have and haven't shopped for, and maybe just take a moment to stitch something. I think you'll feel better. :)

p.s. - The cross stitch pattern Pam used comes from CrossStitcher magazine, issue 245.

If you can't find a copy where you are, it looks like digital issues are available for purchase on Zinio.

Free stitchable gift tags from Miniature Rhino

Doing some wrapping today? Here's some sweet gift tags from Jessica of Miniature Rhino. It's a perfect way to personalize a gift in just a few stitches. Get the pattern!

Cute ice skater embroidery tutorial

Milla and Snowman by revoluzzza

Check out this adorable tutorial for a patchwork table runner with embroidery by Revoluzzza! The tutorial is in German, but just about any browser these days has a "translate" button (I use Google Chrome). If you're not feeling patchwork-y, the circular shape of the pattern is perfect to frame in a hoop, and voila, you're done. Last minute Christmas present or decoration! :) Go to the tutorial!

p.s. Am I the only one that thinks it's super sweet that snowman is "schneemann" in German? ;)

Patterns: Dala Horse

Embroidery by Pangaloon

Pangaloon has been busy making Christmas presents, one of them being the Dala Horse by Feeling Stitchy's very own Carina. Pangaloon found the pattern in this month's issue of Mollie Makes but you can also find it in Carina's store here.

'Tis the season...

1. The Mouse King Ornament, 2. hexagon christmas ornament tutorial, 3. Trio of felt portraits, 4. Tiny Snowman Ornament

...to be stitching cute Christmas ornaments! Emily has made a lovely series of patterns inspired by the Nutcracker. You can find a tutorial for Nova's Hexagon ornaments on her blog. The sweet trio is stitched by Lisa from a book called Fa la la la Felt. And I don't know much about this tiny cross stitched snowman made by thehomebird except that I think he's extremely cute..

Happy Christmas Stitching everyone!