Be thankful, always.....

 

  

 

Sometimes it the smallest things that bring a smile to your face, for example watching the bees and butterflies in the garden, or knowing that some little bugs are nice and cosy in the bug house they have made their home or gathering and sowing seeds, my favourite job in the garden. Or when for no reason the children just come and give you a cuddle or tell you that they love you.  Or when as I did this week, walked in to our living room and found a tea party in full swing or when I peeked through the window and saw the children very industriously cleaning their skateboards.  It's the little things like these that make up for all those not so nice times...... you could be forgiven when reading my blog for believing that I live in a perfect house, with a perfect family, with a perfect job and we are all perfectly happy at all times..... if only.... wouldn't that be..... perfect?

As a parent you do everything you can to protect your children, to make them grow up feeling happy and safe, learning and discovering, knowing right from wrong, maybe at times you create a bubble which sadly from time to time bursts and they discover that life isn't perfect, which this week, my son has found out.  The reality is that not all houses and families have the same rules and that is absolutely fine.  Our family rules mean saying NO to him going out to play at 9pm when some friends came to call,  which has subsequently resulted in him being teased and ridiculed.  He had no problem with this because naturally he was tired, he is after all just 9 himself.  It has however caused him great upset that his 'friends' could be so horrid.  What can you, and do you say to make it better, when quite honestly all you actually want to do is to go and knock on the parents door and ask them what do they think they are doing letting their children roam free at that time of night...do they not watch the news???  Then you step back and think, maybe I am being over protective, I think back to my childhood, I was certainly out playing with friends at an earlier age than I let my son out, but it has to be said, certainly not at that time of night.  But sadly things are different now, or maybe because of news coverage, we know so much more.... I have come to the conclusion that all you can do is do what you think is best and best for us is sticking to our family rules, which mean that I get to sleep at night (mostly) and know that whilst I have some control, my young family is safe and sound.  It is fair to say I think the teenage years are going to be a challenge.

It was rather apt that I had sketched this design, just the day before, I hope that this sentiment will mean something to you too. .......... 

and here's the finished embroidery, with the addition of a few extra flowers.  I love the cheerful colours, this bright colourful scheme is fast becoming my favourite. 

I used just three stitches, Back Stitch, French Knots and Lazy Daisies, which were sewn with Pearl 8 cottons.  I think another alternative would be to stitch these leaves using Satin Stitch, I wonder what you will choose to do?

As always, I love the texture the French Knots add to the embroidery.

 

My favourite part of the design is the little clusters of French Knots on the whispy green stems.  I used two shades of turquoise and the effect is so pretty, I shall definately be incorporating this into future designs.

The PDF pattern is now available HERE and HERE.  I am also accepting a limited number of commissions per month for completed hoops, which can be for any of my existing embroidery patterns or for completely custom embroidery hoop design.  Please do get in touch if you would like to have a chat.  I'm also stitching as and when a few 'ready to go' designs, I'll let you know when these are completed.  In addition I am looking into having a embroidery supplies section on my website, I would love to hear if this would be of interest to you and if so, what you would like it to have in stock.  Whilst chatting, just to let you know, for the time being Little Kitten Homemade is on hold, whilst I continue to grow Sarah Edgar Designs and Pretty Fabrics and Trims.

Anyway on another happy note, we're off on holiday on Friday...whoop whoop!!!  I can not wait.  I will be taking some embroidery with me, I would lost with idle hands.  I am also taking something new, something that has been on my to do list for ages, but more of that in the next few days, to say I am excited, would be a HUGE understatement!!

I hope you're all having a lovely week.