all is calm || all is bright.

i stepped outside to-day and collected bits of winter to be put into a glass jar - a tradition established three years long past. as i gathered pine twigs and berries, the wind tugged the loose hairs from my messy braid and viciously pricked my skin. i was reminded in my simple task that as winter progresses, the wind becomes a more wilder creature than ever - a lonely wanderer, soughing piteously, searching every hearth and home for warmth that might be sympathetically imparted.
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these past few days have been tossed by a merciless tempest, howling pitifully while rattling the four walls of our home. the wind furiously swept the shimmering prickles of the evergreens in the midst of the storm, while it excited the icicle lights dripping from the eaves of our cottage. I fell asleep to the lullaby of rain for two nights past and woke up to brooding skies, bleak and despondent each following morning, I was beginning to believe that Christmas was to be a rainy one again. 

spirits were barely effected by the tempest blowing through this little glen o' ours, though, for christmas approached steadily, and even the thought of this holiday is an ever cheery beacon that cannot help but make the iron-cold wintry-ness appear full of warmth. and each evening has been heartened by skyping with beloved faraway friends as we took turns opening handmade christmas presents. but to-day was different. as soon as my eyes opened, soft wintry light diffused a flow of beauty into my room as naught a breeze was stirring - the entire day it has been quiet. hushed. silent. like the night before christmas should be. where there is silence, there is room for pondering and reminiscing and much laughing and merrymaking and the drinking of warm tea and the playing of card games around the coffee table and sipping chocolate by the fireside as we remember the birth of our wonderful Emmanuel.

>> merry christmas, darlings!!! << 

love you {like a lot},
the girl in her wintry wonderland. 
postscript :: some of my wintry thoughts from last year were published in this issue of my favorite magazine thanks to the beautiful miss elizabeth!!! 

:: stitched with love sundays // simple stitchin' with miss kellie ::

to where did time fly?!!! my mind simply cannot grasp that christmas is in two days. so...I have reserved the best for last, as the beautifully stunning and wonderfully talented miss kellie of accordion to kellie takes "center stage" and shows you gals how to stitch up a darling {not to mention incredibly easy} needle case that can be whipped up for those last minute projects. enjoy, m'dears, and be sure to take a minute to leave miss kellie some love for her hard work. ;) 

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Greetings, and Merry Christmas, ladies!

Today it's my delight to share a little festive crafty project that's perfect for gift giving, stocking stuffers, or simply just because.

I first saw this darling idea when my grandma gave me her special needlebook, which a little girl had made and given to her long ago. It was composed of two pieces of soft purple felt, stitched together in the middle to form a simple little book. It even had a jaunty Scottie dog on the front, complete with enormous button eye. Have I ever mentioned how partial I am to Scottie dogs?

I have come up with my own version of the little felt needlebook, and I think it's the perfect gift for all of your crafty friends... it would even make a darling baby's picture book with felt shapes stitched on each page.

Enjoy!

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To make one needlebook, you will need:

one 9 x 12" piece of wool or acrylic felt 

scissors, or rotary blade and cutting mat

embroidery floss, needles

extra embellishments such as buttons, beads, different colors of felt, etc.

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Step by Step:

1).  Select your material.

2).  Cut it exactly in half crosswise.

3).  Take one half, and cut it exactly in half crosswise again.

4).  You now have the two leaves of your needlebook, composed of one half of the origional 9 x 12" felt square.

Either by hand or machine, stitch the two leaves together in the exact center, crosswise.

 I like to use my sewing machine first, and then topstitch by hand over the machine stitching with embroidery floss. 

 It is more securely fastened that way, while still preserving the "handmade" look of hand-stitching.

Voilà!  |  Now take your finished booklet and trim the edges even.

Now for the fun part - embellishing!

For applique, here are several templates you may use - simply right-click on one to save it to your desktop. Remember, when cutting out your felt appliqué,  decide which side of the felt you wish to be on top. Most felt has a different texture on each side! The same applies when sewing your booklet together.

  

Here are step-by-step photographs for creating my "Literary Heroine" needlebook for those of you who are new to embroidery and appliqué, but your imagination is really the only limit to the way you can dress your pinkeeper up!

1).  When you have all of your appliqué/embroidery supplies, etc assembled, you're ready to sew!

2).  I used a simple running stitch to appliqué my silhouette to a square of white felt, which will form a darling little pocket on the front of the book.  For instructions on making various embroidery stitches, French-Knots.com is a wonderful resource!

To visit their embroidery stitch library, click this link.

3).  French knots were used to fasten the pocket to the front cover.

4).  Make sure that the back of your embroidery is as neat as possible, because it will be in plain sight whenever you open your needlebook!  If I find that the inside cover is simply too messy, I like to sew another piece of coordinating felt on top to hide my under stitches. It also forms an extra pocket inside!

5).  Satin bows are always in style!

There you have it - a simple, useful, and adorable project I know you'll love to create.

Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your beautiful garden, dear Grace!

Happy Sewing!

Accordion to Kellie blog // Shop // Pinterest

speical thanks to dear miss kellie, for composing such a lovely tutorial!

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thank you, dearies, for joining me in my third annual christmas event!!!

I am quite aware that during the "most wonderful" time of the year, everyone is running around in circles attempting to complete everything on their list. so I want to take a little moment to specially thank the sweet young ladies who have been following my posts {whether you commented or not}, and the beautiful young ladies who had sweetly agreed to compose posts for my event. I pray that this event has aided you in your 2012 holiday plotting and inspired you to make this christmas...
An Old Fashioned, Handmade Christmas. ;)

 with love,

Grace

:: crafting by the tree thursdays // baby, it's cold outside [part ii]::

here are a few different projects that are perfect to keep your loved one's from jack frost's chill...

honey cowl by Ann {ravelry pattern}