Free Patterns, Colour Talk, Embroidery Stitch Along

We are deep in winter,  a time here for the fleece wear and flannel and staying cosy by the fire. Not a problem for us retirees. I just got out my winter coffee table runner that I sewed a couple of years ago.  Kathy Schmitz Snowbound fabric and EPP hexagons.

It's been through the wash a couple of times and has a nice crinkly feel to it. I mentioned at the time that I certainly would be stitching hexagons again and someone recommended this little tool below.  So I bought one on Amazon but haven't used it yet. It's supposed to make it easier on the hands with all the cutting of thin cardboard.  Any of you ever use this?

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was how do we feel about Pantone's colour of the year, viva magenta. It is a stunning colour!

 Years ago I had a student tell me she could "feel" the colour green. I am not  in touch with colour like that but there is one colour experience that is thrilling to see in person.  An offering of nature's own shades of yellow/purples/magentas.  I've had the pleasure of viewing the Northern Lights many times in my over 25 years of living in the far north and Labrador.

 I follow Newfoundland photographer, Brad James, on Facebook. Brad had the honour of this photo of his being chosen for the cover of the William Collings 2022 Bird Photographer of the Year book. It's not exactly viva magenta but those magentas are amazing especially in contrast to the little Yellow Warbler. 

Thursday's Three Free

At Freda's Hive you can find the tutorial to sew this sweet cottage.

It caught my eye because I'm a member of the  Corinne et Cecile Quilt Along group on Facebook. The present challenge is to sew houses and it's been so much fun to see the array of houses/villages folks from all over the world are stitching. 

There are also links to free patterns too of course. Houses must be a very popular pattern no matter where you live and that got me thinking about the wonderful architectural pieces to be found at Magpie's Mumblings where Mary Anne often includes buildings, barns, houses, etc. in her stitching projects. The realism is phenomenal in her fabric art. 

Beyond Valentine's, from Leslie, the Seasoned Homemaker, comes the pattern and tutorial to make this very cute Easter Peeps Mug Rug. Ah Peeps, yum!

Leslie also shares how to make the perfect Valentine Star using HST's which is really easy and neat. 

From  Subrosa comes another cross stitch freebie that is lovely and delicate like everything she creates.

And last but definitely not least, I was very happy to see this announcement from Meg at Crabapple Hill Studio. I  have stitched so many of Meg's wonderful patterns over the years and just know I will definitely enjoy whatever she designs. The Crabapple Hill 2023 Embroidery Month Stitch Along is found at the Crabapple Hill Studio site under  Other Stuff in Downloadables file.  In fact I've downloaded the first free pattern. 

How great is our stitchy world and the talented folks in it!

Also great to link with Wendy's Quilts and More where talented Wendy has made herself a lovely sheath style dress from Kaffe fabrics. Also linking with Alycia Quilts where Alycia shares a beautiful red, white and blue quilt featuring lovely Friendship Stars. Linking up with Quilting Patchwork Applique too where Frederique shows how her village of houses is coming along for the Corinne et Cecile QAL. Also joining the slow stitching folks at Kathy's Quilts where Kathy is cross stitching sweet little hearts that have deep meaning behind them. Joining too the gang at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework (yes it is!) where Cynthia shares a gorgeous pieced heart.