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Every stitch holds a memory. It's one of the things I love most about needlework. Every pattern I work up becomes a time capsule of the moment and place it was stitched. A patchwork heart is a reminder of a family trip to Vermont. Snow and cold, my daughter's happy squeals as she raced down the sledding slope, hot chocolate and cozy fires. All tangled up in the floss that passed between my fingers that week. A beehive design in which the buzzing bees carry memories of an anniversary getaway to Quebec City. Wandering the old streets in the rain, searching out the best poutine, and quiet afternoons in the coffeeshop with my love. The heart and beehive patterns are now in the shop, with the wish they may bring to you your own happy stitching memories.

So far you've seen me cross stitch on some pretty unconventional materials - leather, bamboo, acrylic. But the shelves of my home studio are also filled with all kinds of fabric. And of course, fabric was where my stitching adventure began oh so many years ago. I love the modern silhouette patterns that have been all the rage lately. So clean and simple and pretty when done up in a hoop. but I'm also a fan of pattern - the interplay of color and texture that keeps your eye interested. Patterns are also a whole lot more interesting to stitch than row after row of solid color. The combination of modern silhouettes and fun graphic patterns was the inspiration for my new line of cross stitch charts. There are two up in the shop now, but more are coming. My daughter has already laid claim to this little guy done in orange and blues. The bunny I'll keep for myself. Oh, one other nice thing about these patterns? They're quicker to stitch up than your standard one-color silhouette. You know I'm all about instant gratification. Head on over to the shop and check them out.

First it was necklaces, then cuffs, and now we're on to cross stitch rings! I just posted two bamboo versions in my shop, both stitched with chevrons in two different modern colorways. I had a third ring, but somehow it made it to my own jewelry box instead of onto Etsy. Go figure!

Last week I launched my new Etsy shop with a collection of teardrop-shaped pendants you can stitch. This week I've been working on some companions of a different shape. Here's a sneak peek. They'll be in the shop soon!

Earlier this week I got to do one of my favorite things: comb through my floss stash looking for inspiring color combinations. Picking colors for a project is almost as fun as the stitching itself. I don't have any fancy organization scheme for my floss, just a divided box with warm colors in one compartment, cool in another, and neutrals in their own. I love the way the colors mingle together, overlapping and entwining and hinting at unexpected combinations. I was in a green frame of mind during this particular color-picking session, and came across this beauty that must have been in my stash for a long time. Notice the label of DMC 993 compared to its newer friend. The typewriter font, the smaller size, no barcode. Who knows when I purchased it, probably decades ago. No matter. It stitched up beautifully. It's too soon to share the finished product with you - part of a collection I'm working on that I couldn't be more excited about - but soon!

Progress has been slower than I would have liked this month thanks to a sinus infection that just won't quit. But the prototypes for my new line are coming along. And that means lots of felt and paper scraps are littering my workspace. See the box of Kleenex at the back of that last photo? It's been my constant companion.

I am in love with this limited edition cross stitched bench by Dutch design duo Ontwerpduo. The bench was handmade from oak. The fabric was hand woven in the Ontwerpduo studio, and then stitched. It's lovely and oh-so-inspiring. Ontwerpduo does some amazing work (stitched curtains, anyone?). Check out their complete portfolio here.

I've been a busy little elf cooking up delicious cross stitch designs for my soon-to-be-launched Etsy shop. I'm aiming to open the shop for business in January, so while Christmas is just around the corner, it's Valentine's Day that's been on my mind. More details are to come, but for now here's a sneak peek at some sweet stitches for your sweetie. Lilac. Dusty rose. Blue in progress.