The Calm In Hand Work

I love sewing at my machine during the day, but after five o'clock I equally enjoy the prospect of doing handwork. I look to enjoying the calming pleasure of simple blanket stitches. This simple stitch somehow manages to look so different depending upon what thread I use. It's a simple fascination!

I have become a fan of Bonnie Sullivan's "Bertie". This little flannel bird and his whimsical antics are just so dang cute! I have "Bertie's Year" which I am working on sporadically and this little project is "Bertie's Winter". The "Winter" version is what I have been working on recently - perhaps logically!

Admittedly, I am not too much of a "cute" kind of gal so it is a bit of a mystery why I am enjoying this hand stitching so much. In the past I have also not been a fan of anything that smacks of "Block-Of-The-Month", but there is, indeed, something to be said for having the pieces already perfectly cut and ready to go. I can always change fabrics, add my own wools or otherwise customize the pieces if I choose to after all!

Although this sort of project is not much of an 'imagination bender', I do find that having handwork ready to go is a soothing way to spend an evening. In the end, I will enjoy having a seasonal wall hanging - it will be especially nice since I don't do much decorating for the holidays these days. My stitching is made "as easy as it gets" thanks to Shabby Fabrics. They provide the pattern with all of the pieces pre-cut nd ready to go! I may never be a true fan of "block-of-the-months" but, I have to admit, that I am thoroughly enjoying this easy way to spend an evening in mindful stitchery. 

There are still some more blocks to be stitched and, of course, beads to add, but I decided that to make the quilting easier it would be good to wait until all of the stitching and quilting is done before the beads go on!