Michelle Dompierre Southern's Blog
Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern
I love checking out new designs, whether those be for cross stitch, quilting, crochet, embroidery, or sewing. When StitchCraftDesigns offered my readers a free download of a gorgeous "Yin Yang" pattern, I was ecstatic -- and wrote about it for you so you can nab a great chart from an up-and-coming design company.
The pattern is shown in red, for Valentine's Day, but you can choose the colours you wish for whatever holiday or occassion you want. Use one motif, or line them up in a row to make a very zen border.
The design incorporates different shades, so it's suitable for a more challenging project if you wish, but you can also just use a single colour if you're a beginner or want a quicker project to work on.
Let me know what you think! And check out StitchCraftDesigns to find more free downloads, and unique charts created from original photgraphs and artwork.
Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern
I wrote on December 6 in my last Suite101 blog entry: "I've just spent a goodly amount of time sitting on my purple couch in the front room, staring out of the big bay window at the huge pines and flurries, sipping a raspberry chocolate coffee."
That was the last relaxing day I had this month, until today.
I had planned to write and publish twenty-five holiday crafts in twenty-five days here at Suite 101, providing you with my original, easy sewing and needlework projects that could be done in time to enjoy the season and still have a beautifully decorated house and plenty of gifts to give away as well.
My editor, Barbara, thought the idea a little ambitious, and boy, was she right.
I managed to get a solid week of articles in before the Christmas rush swallowed me whole. I had underestimated how much time I'd be away from the house (and as a result, my computer). I saw the days slipping by with no time to post articles, and while some people do great under pressure I find that panic really does nothing for creativity (not to mention stress levels).
My kids are no longer babies and for them, the holiday season is huge... not only is Santa coming, but they both played the lead role in their Christmas concerts this year; and every day a new piece of artwork came home, along with tons of requests for homemade treats for parties and visits. I spent a lot more time with my kids and their friends the past few weeks because I had more opportunities to, and I really, really enjoyed it. I volunteered in the school, making hot chocolate from scratch and serving a feast of treats to several kindergarten classes. I took them to friend's houses, parties, shopping, and drives around the neighbourhood to check out the lighted decorations at night.
I know that soon they'll think me as just "that gal who cramps my style", so every moment I can spend with them and have fun doing it is something I need to have. They are still young enough to like having me around, and I'll take that for as long as it lasts.
So I did not succeed in providing you with those other articles, and for that I do apologize. To make up for it, though, I will be putting up the rest of the articles throughout the next year, not only providing you with lots of time to make all of the holiday gifts and decorations you need, but the time for me to publish fun, informative articles that you want to read and will love to use.
I hope you'll continue stopping by, and to all of those wonderful souls who have sent me kind notes of support and emails filled with compliments, I want to thank you. I appreciate hearing from everyone and invite you to contact me with your questions and comments. In the meantime, enjoy what is left of December... have a merry Christmas... and may your quiet time be filled with stitches!
~ Michelle
Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern
Right now the snow is falling gently from a cloud-covered sky. I've got soft holiday instrumentals playing, instead of a blaring television. Candles are lit all over the house, scented wax with romantic names like "Warm Wishes" and "Crackling Fire" are melting in their homey ceramic burners. I've just spent a goodly amount of time sitting on my purple couch in the front room, staring out of the big bay window at the huge pines and flurries, sipping a raspberry chocolate coffee. It's that time of year again, the four hours out of every winter that you can actually enjoy the winter season.
I have all of my shopping done, and the "hard" stuff like making lists and deciding on gifts and fighting traffic and crowds and finding parking spaces is over. Now all I have left to do is the fun part: making cookies with my kids, compounding my special mixes in the kitchen, wrapping up baskets of goodies and treats for friends and family, spiffying up my new house with Christmas decorations, visiting and partying and sipping and eating and indulging.
Of course, there's always the horrible part of the season to look forward to, with the things I won't mention because they will descend on you soon enough (and anyway, who really looks forward to the horrible parts of winter?). But for now, if you haven't already, pour yourself a hot cup of mulled cider or cocoa, put on some soft music, stare out the window, and allow yourself to do nothing at all. Nada. Zip.
Doing so will serve you well in April, when you reflect on how much you used to love winter when the snow was fresh and the sky still blue, and the season of peace was upon you.
~ Michelle Dompierre Southern
Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern
If you live in North America (and maybe in other places throughout the world as well), after Thanksgiving is over the Christmas holidays are in full swing. And baby, it is ON. We all dream of that Norman Rockwell family, enjoying cocoa around the fire and everyone getting along and the perfect presents wrapped prettily under the tree.
Unfortunately, most of us live in the real world, where it's a mad rush to the mall and budgets to keep within, and little kids screaming because they are hungry or too hot, and traffic to fight through.
Those of us who like to craft, sew, and stitch find it hard to squeeze in any time to work on a project with all of the parties, cooking, cleaning, eating, drinking, shopping, and hangovers to deal with. The irony is that indulging in something we love would greatly reduce some seasonal stress.
So I've put together twenty-five articles with quick, easy, and fun ways to make handmade items that will please both you and their recipients (should you decide to part with it!). Every day, I'll add a new one. The beauty part is that even if you decide to do each project (or a project from each article) you'll still be done before Christmas day.
I've added an index with the entire Project Listing, which will be updated every day with the link to the day's article. Today's article is Easy Holiday and Seasonal Quilts.
If you don't celebrate Christmas, you'll still find all of these articles helpful and appropriate... they aren't holiday-specific. They apply to birthdays, Secret Sisters, teacher's gifts, Mother's Day, and everyday. So no matter whether you are heading into Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or just want ideas for extremely quick ways to finish your projects, these articles are for you.
Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern
Starting tomorrow, I'll be adding a new article every day for twenty-five days. Each one will give you instructions on how to make specific projects, or ideas for making your sewing and needlework projects speedy and completed for gift-giving or display. I'll feature quilts, cross stitch, sewing, ribbon embroidery, and many other techniques for making the holiday season one you'll enjoy stitching through. Projects are perfect for giving to family, friends, teachers, Secret Santas, quilt club sisters, and kids.
Enjoy the holidays -- whether that means Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, winter solstice, or another celebration -- with stitching, sewing, and smiles. I think you'll like these projects over the next 25 days, and I look forward to hearing from you with your comments: sewingneedlework@suite101.com.
See you tomorrow! :)
~ Michelle.
