stitching progress + epp giveaway!

**Giveaway now closed**

Those quiet moments in the evening, a few stitches on my lunch break, this pick up and put down project is slowly coming to life. It is a soothing, mindful way to relax and all the colours together look very peaceful and calming to me. 

I knew that the Kindness & Fortitude: A Quaker Sampler from Modern Folk Embroidery was going to be the first project I started in 2019. It was no coincidence that my word for the year is FORTITUDE, I did chose this pattern partly for that reason but also because it appealed to me and there is that Quaker connection.

I have to admit to not having a plan. I bought the threads - The Gentle Art Sampler Threads from Lakeside Needlecraft, you can see the colours I have here and here - and mixed it with some Watercolours by Caron pima cotton threads from Patchfinders. The pima cotton is more like perle, though it is 3 ply so you can split the threads. I chose to use them as is, which gives more texture next to the 2 plies of the sampler threads - in the picture above the paler flowers are the pima cotton.

Having finished the top section I am moving on to the motifs, firstly this sweet pair of birds. I did think about making them pigeons but instead chose to make them doves. I may create a robin too, as there are a couple more birds in the sampler. So far I really like how it's going and although I am tempted to add in more colour I think sticking with these more natural tones is going to give the vibe I want the piece to have.

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Now for the giveaway...

Yesterday I posted about my Geo Diamond English Paper Pieced block, you can read that post HERE. I truly believe hand sewing is one of the best ways to relax and have some calm time. There are great benefits to being mindful as you enjoy the meditative process of stitching and creating. Naomi Clarke is a huge advocate of this and started a movement for #selfcompassionatesewing.

Naomi is kindly offering you the chance to win a 2 month subscription to her Geo Diamond English Paper Piecing Sewalong!

"In month 1, you’ll receive clear, easy-to-follow instructions for constructing your very own EPP Geo Diamond block as well as a ‘colour-me-in’ page so you can begin to plan your colours for your final quilt. [And the following month] you’ll receive the paper pieces to make one 12” EPP Geo Diamond block."

And you can join the sewalong any time so if you want to add a subscription you can!

"The EPP Geo Diamond Sewalong will not only ensure that you’ll receive happy mail each month but it will also offer the opportunity to be part of a supportive, fun community which will encourage your creativity, your sewing, your taking-time-for-you and your skill development! On top of all of this…you’ll also have your very own stunning EPP Geo Diamond quilt at the end!"

**Giveaway now closed**

To enter the giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post... if you're struggling for something to say then let me know your favourite gemstone.

Be sure to leave your email in the comment so I have a way to contact you or you won't win! (Most people do seem to be no reply and I will just add that Google+ is being deleted by Google so some of you may want to click that no reply link for how to fix that!)

The giveaway will end Tuesday 12th February ⬥ Open internationally. 

Good Luck!