Happy Friday! You're in for a treat today with some itty bitty florals made by Em of @honeyandblueberries. That's a Dala horse in the picture above, made up entirely of little embroidered florals - love! Take a look at some more beautiful pieces created by Em.

No matter how difficult or stressful things might be in my life (the past week has not been one of the greatest, I'll be honest), one of the things that always manages to perk me up or let me forget life for a little while, is my creativity. I've always been a creative person, but only now am I really thinking about what that means to me and what I really get out of it. For creative people, being creative (making, writing, whatever it may be) is as essential as breathing. And in those moments when I am down, it's amazing what a pick me up it can be to reflect on something I've created that I'm truly proud of. This pic is #onefromthecuttingroomfloor of my most recent completed embroidery.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/friday-instagram-finds-no-80-with-honey.html

This lovely free cross stitch pattern was tweeted to us by Modern Folk Embroidery - and I think it couldn't be more fitting as we come together this week in the US to unite with our families and friends and to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Wherever you are or may be, I'm hoping you all can let your light shine. Thank you for this beautiful pattern, Modern Folk Embroidery - be sure to check out their shop for more cross stitch loveliness!

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/wonderful-wednesday-modern-folk.html

Hello Stitchy Friends! Can you believe there are only six Fridays left in 2016 after today? It's true! Today we're going to take a look at the Instagram feed of @thread_counted. Aren't Emily's bullion knot roses in the above picture amazing? You can see in the pictures below how Emily uses fill stitches to create beautiful pieces of embroidery. Emily also has an Etsy account.

My biggest and most detailed piece yet! A surrealist landscape of my cousin's childhood home. As a kid I used to visit this home in Massachusetts quite often. I'll never forget running around her yard playing "orphans and bandits" with the rest of our cousins

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/friday-instagram-finds-no-79-with.html

In the past week, with all that has happened, I find myself taking comfort in the qualities I see in those that I respect and admire. I don't have to listen to the voices that speak the loudest - if I can filter through and find the voices that speak the truth in love.

So this Fruit of the Spirit pattern by Clementine Patterns really speaks to me this week.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/wonderful-wednesday-27-clementine.html

Here in London the nights are drawing in as a winter chill spreads through the city. It may no longer be sunbathing weather (although I'm not sure if we really even have that in our summer!) but it is perfect weather for stitching! Liz Payne's gloriously colourful embroidery has brightened our day and I hope you find it inspiring too.


Bold and bright patterns of colour and shape are integral to Liz Payne's work. Her work is densely textured with hand embroidery, beading and fringing, which all form additional pattern within her designs.


Commonly, Liz will start out by painting fabric and canvas which are next adorned with embroidery. Known widely for her art pieces, Liz also embellishes shoes and designs her own range of bespoke jewelry.



Liz talks about her work: 'I’m not shy of using colour in my work (sometimes every colour!). Using stitch I’m able to introduce a textural dimension to my work, drawing the viewers eye into and across the intricacy of the details.'

Take a look at her Etsy shop 'Flirting with Yellow' to see more of her work.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/stitchy-snippets-bold-and-beautiful.html

Happy Friday! We're going to take a look at the feed of @makingjiggy today! I just love Jessy's pictures. There are some naughty words on some hoops, so if you're easily offended, you might want to keep that in mind.

Jessy's embroidered medals for those adulting skills we all have to do, but secretly wish someone would reward us for - like making our beds or putting on pants crack me up!!

In addition to her embroidery, Jessy is an Instructables teacher, and you can sign up for her embroidery class here. You can also check out her Etsy shop. Let's take a look!

I love how embroideries look when they're drying

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/friday-instagram-finds-no-78-with.html

Happy Friday! We're going to take a look at the feed of @makingjiggy today! I just love Jessy's pictures. There are some naughty words on some hoops, so if you're easily offended, you might want to keep that in mind.

Jessy's embroidered medals for those adulting skills we all have to do, but secretly wish someone would reward us for - like making our beds or putting on pants crack me up!!

In addition to her embroidery, Jessy is an Instructables teacher, and you can sign up for her embroidery class here. You can also check out her Etsy shop. Let's take a look!

I love how embroideries look when they're drying

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/friday-instagram-finds-no-78-with.html

This Be Brave Pattern in the Plastic Little Covers Etsy shop says everything I want to say today. For our families, friends, country, and our neighbors - be brave.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/wonderful-wednesday-26-plastic-little.html

I'm loving the colors and stitches Michelle used on her version of the free Vote pattern! You can still get the free Vote pattern here - if you've stitched it up, we'd love to see it! Tag us on Instagram or send us a pic!

Here are a few inspiring photos for today's very historical vote in the US, as a reminder that voting is a right and privilege we have not always enjoyed...


This wonderful post on Selvedge talks about Prison Embroidery by Suffragettes, 1905 – 1914.


A medal from the Birmingham Museum's collection, commemorating British Suffragette Nellie Hall’s hunger strike, 1913.


This post on The Women's Rights Movement in the US provides a nice history, and some background on that photo above.



I love this one. :)


I know we're not all ladies reading this blog, but if you're out there voting today, we're all with you! :)

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/vote-2016.html

Hello Stitchy Friends! Today we are going to take a look at the feed of @BloomThreads. Through her Etsy shop, Jackie raises funds for the Semper Fi Fund.

It's so great that Jackie uses her skills with needle and thread to give back to assist wounded, critically ill, and injured men and women in the United States Armed Forces. Let's take a look at Kacjie's work!

Plan for the day: Get strings on these Christmas ornaments and take product photos for the shop and for the #hookingforhaiti auction. . . . Mother Nature's plan for the day: Be totally rainy and grey and refuse to cooperate with picture-taking. . . . Plan B: Strings on ornaments. Hot tea. Couch. Blankets. Project plotting. #365daysofcraftingkindness

A photo posted by Jackie (@bloomthreads) on Oct 28, 2016 at 11:44am PDT

Things making me happy on Monday morning--shipping out this diaper cover (this is one of my favorite EGA pieces!), knowing that I'll be able to make another donation to @semperfifund this month (thanks to my awesome customers!), that big red dahlia (I need to find an excuse to stitch up another one of those!) #365daysofcraftingkindness

A photo posted by Jackie (@bloomthreads) on Oct 17, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/friday-instagram-finds-no-77-with-bloom.html

What a gorgeous little Wreath Pattern this is, courtesy of the Sew Jenaissance Etsy shop. I like that this pattern gives you three different text options, so you can make this pattern a little bit more your own - choose from: "Give Thanks", "Harvest Time", and "Our Harvest Home". There is also a stitch and color guide - and so many sweet details in this pattern!

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/wonderful-wednesday-25-sew-jenaissance.html

Brilliant miniature jewellery fashioned by Russian artist Julia Gorina a.k.a Fly Fenix. Intricately detailed, richly textured,complimented with hand embroidery and beadwork; I think her jewellery is irresistible. See more of her work on her website.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/11/stitchy-snippets-miniatures.html

My last few posts have shown the plushwork technique with tapestry wool and cotton floss. I wanted to keep experimenting with different flosses, so when a couple reader comments suggested pearl cotton, I decided to give it a try!

I chose an orange and green pearl cotton #5 and used the same template in my previous posts.


Layer 1: Orange

I have lots of spacing in between my stitches - but it is the first layer and I will be covering it up with more layers - so it doesn't need to be perfect!


Layer 2: Green


Layer 3: Orange


Layer 4: Green


Time to cut through the layers and remove the plastic template.



Here it is before "fluffing"..


... and after "fluffing".


I decided to trim the pearl cotton with my scissors to see if it would change the appearance.


Here it is after trimming with the scissors and fluffed.



I do like how the plushwork turned out with the pearl cotton, but I have decided the best results are when you use the tapestry wool.




P.S. I saw a reader comment on the previous post asking how the plushwork does not fall apart when you cut it. Here is a photo of the back.


It is actually the surface satin stitch - where you will bring the thread up from the back right next to the previous stitch on the same side - there are only long threads going across on the front side of your work. (This plushwork tutorial explains it also)

Compare the results from my other posts:

• Plushwork with tapestry wool
• Plushwork with cotton floss

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/mooshiestitch-monday-plushwork-with.html

Well, it was a close race, but the readers have spoken and the winning design was this one - Design #3! I really had fun stitching this up, starting bright and early this morning.

As you can see, I am already done, so I can attest to what a quick stitch this pattern is!

Download on Flickr
Download on Google Drive

Here are all the colors I used - all DMC embroidery floss this time:


I hope you let your interpretation be as free as you like, and most of all, if you are in the US, I really hope you vote! This election season has been anything but pleasant, but our right to vote is something we haven't always had - it was a long, hard fight to get it, and I hope you continue that fight by voting.

Thanks to everyone who voted in our "election", and for all the feedback we've gotten on how you've found us. I hope you enjoy this free pattern!

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/free-vote-pattern-winning-design.html

Hello all! Floresita here, subbing in for Amy, with a look at the beautiful feed of TracieChristineArt. I've been fascinated by Tracie Christine's recent projects - a series of hoops with a lovely bright blue backing fabric.

I love the simplicity of her lines and the wonderful homey feel I get from looking in on these kitchen scenes. Something about them just reminds me of home. Her fiber art is gorgeous and certainly worth a follow.






If you'd like to be featured in Amy's Friday Instagram Finds, just tag your Instagram photos with #feelingstitchyig!

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/friday-instagram-finds-no-76-with.html

I thought I'd do a little update for all of you before our voting closes tomorrow evening. Here are the results of our voting so far!



With 64 votes so far, it looks like Design #3 is in the lead! Voting will continue through 9 PM US CST tomorrow - if you'd like to vote here, visit the post and leave a comment with your favorite design.

Remember, I'll stitch up the winning design and make it available as a free pattern on Saturday, so be sure to vote for your favorite! :)

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/update-at-polls.html

Ok, I love Halloween, and I also love a quick project you can sandwich in between all of your bigger crafting projects - this Halloween PDF Pattern by Little Thimble Studios looks perfect for that!

By the way, there's a little poll on our blog right now, would you mind clicking over to see it? I'm just curious how you found us, in particular, how you found this post! As you may know Twitterfeed is going away, which is how we've been doing our auto-Twitter and Facebook posts. I'd like to know how you find us, and where you would like to see our posts. Thanks all! :)

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/wonderful-wednesday-24-little-thimble.html

Hi guys! As everyone in the U.S. heads to the polls this week and next, I thought I'd do a fun "Vote." :) I've drawn up 3 different designs - ok, so maybe only the lettering is different in each, but it's really hard for me to choose a font!

I'm collecting votes on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and here. Choose the "Vote" design you like the most, by casting your vote in the comment section.

I'll stitch up the winning design and offer the free pattern as a PDF here on the blog. Sound fun? Let's vote!

And your candidates are.....

Design #1:

Design #2

Design #3

Cast your vote in our comments by 9 PM US CST, October 28, 2016. This "vote" is open to everyone, including our overseas voters!

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/vote-for-free-vote-pattern.html

Hello my stitchy friends! Today we take a look at Zoe of the Instagram account @snowbird_artworks! Zoe creates lovely embroidery, cross stitch, and paintings. Her typography embroidery is beautifully stitched with bright colors. Her cross stitch snowflakes are delicate and gorgeous.

Zoe's Instagram account is @snowbird_artworks, and you can also find more in her Etsy shop. Take a look at some pictures from her feed, and if you read to the end, find out how you can participate in #ThankStitching.

Wildness is a necessity - John Muir

A photo posted by Zoe Hattersley (@snowbird_artworks) on Oct 10, 2016 at 3:59am PDT

Another load of snowflakes done.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/friday-instagram-finds-no-75-with.html

"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can" - this is pretty much my mantra in every crafty project I undertake, and the Start Embroidery Kit in Cozy Blue's shop on Etsy.

Cozy Blue needs no introduction here - we have featured Liz's beautiful designs numerous times - and I highly recommend a visit to her shop for some embroidery inspiration.

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/wonderful-wednesday-23-cozy-blue.html