Happy Friday! This giveaway is all cuteness, my friends. Tuttle Publishing sent me this darling book: 501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs, and I was very, very tempted to keep this for myself. Normally I would have requested two copies (one for me, one for a giveaway), but these days I’m delving deeply into the minimalistic approach of letting go of things that I know I won’t get around to anytime soon. When the moment comes when I’m ready for some ridiculously adorable embroidery, I’ll purchase the book.
As such, I want to offer it up to you. The book is divided up into five parts that don’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but that might be because I’m not well-versed in embroidery. Part 1 is called “Little Scandinavian Sketches”, and these are probably my favorite designs. Here are a couple spreads from this section:
I loved these motifs from part 2, “Sweet Little Sketches”:
I noticed that the image above features only some of the letters of the alphabet, and it felt like a sign of some sort to see the letters “K” and “M” and “S”. I have a bad habit of trying to make everything mean something.
Part 3 goes into “Cross Stitch Motifs” (I didn’t take any photos of this section, sorry) and part 4 encourages us with the title “Let’s Embroider” and displays ideas for items that could be enhanced with some extra stitchery. There are even some sewing patterns included (e.g. the potholders).
Part five finishes off with embroidery techniques followed by the motifs/designs that can be traced.
Crazy cute, right?
I’m back on the deadline horse, so I am feeling not so sanguine (I had to look up that word before including it here — do you ever do that? A word pops into your mind to use in a sentence but you have only a vague idea of what it actually means, which could result in embarrassment if left unchecked. In this case, I was happy to verify that sanguine means “optimistic, positive, confident, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.” Works for me!). My non-sanguineness is partly because of the heat that feels oppressive in our unventilated house, and partly because of the heavy food I’ve been eating. I’m craving light, healthy summer dishes.
So, with that in mind, to enter the giveaway, any comment will do as usual, but I would love a summer dish/recipe recommendation. Sweet or savory! The giveaway will be open until next Friday, August 5th. Good luck and have a fabulous weekend!
Oh what a big day
Tomorrow is K’s birthday
TEN! Oh my, oh my
This book is adorable, so I will try my luck.
I am making this blueberry roll as I type: http://www.matpaabordet.no/2016/07/28/hvetestang-med-blabaer-og-marsipan/
I believe it will be good 🙂 You probably can use google translate if you wish to try it out.
I would have totally kept this for myself 😛 but Marie Kondo would be proud of you! thanks for being so generous with us, I used to cross-stitch when I was younger and would love to get back into it
This is just the cutest; thanks for sharing! 🙂 It’s not quite tomato season yet, but I’m a HUGE fan of Smitten Kitchen’s tomato and corn pie: https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/08/tomato-and-corn-pie/
Happy birthday K! I hope it’s a great day. Epicurious has a recipe for Cold Morrocan Spiced Soup– it’s a cold tomato soup with lemon, cumin and cilantro. It’s a family favorite– easy and refreshing!
So cute! My daughter and I would love this book! I am loving smitten kitchen’s avocado cucumber salad right now.
I do like needle work and this book looks so cute, thanks for the giveaway,
That’s totally adorable.
I love vegetable salads for summer. This one is great. https://food52.com/recipes/23677-tomato-salad-with-corn-summer-squash-and-roasted-onions
Also I make one with roasted beets (roast until tender, then peel and cut bite sized.) Add balsamic vinaigrette, feta or goat cheese, and chopped toasted pecans, preferably the spicy ones from Trader Joe’s. This works with cooked beluga lentils instead of beets too. Last but not least, ina gartens couscous salad.
I love learning new words! I had to look it up myself and totally agree on that feeling. Eating (thoroughly enjoying) heavy foods and unending heat can do that to anyone! I will join the Sanguine Society too! Ha! I enjoy needle work, but haven’t done any in a few months. This book would inspire me to get back to it! Happy 10th birthday to Little K who won’t be little too much longer! As far as summer recipes, I am enjoying adding fresh fruit to green salads. I like to add strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges (canned) and even mango. It really brightens the flavor and you’re getting added vitamins. Enjoy the weekend!
I’m just starting embroidery so this book would be a big inspiration.
I’m not much of a cook or baker so my best hot days homemade secret is making a pot of lemon ginger tea, freezing it in ice cube trays and plopping one or two into a tall glass of water – heaven.
It is cute! I have been a big fan of overnight baked oatmeal for an easy breakfast. Thanks for the giveaway!
Wow, I just checked this book out at our library by chance! It is way cute and I have already a few projects in mind. I would love my own copy though. FYI I am teaching my girls to sew and I am totally amazed on how well they are doing! (Far better than me when I first started) Happy Birthday K! Summer babies are so much fun, mine turns 8 in a few weeks! My favorite summer salad is a spinach strawberry bacon salad with a homemade vinaigrette. I like to experiment with different olive oils and infused vinagers. Enjoy!
I love the look of this book! Thanks for sharing x
Such a cute book! Happy birthday to K! My oldest daughter turned 5 today and my oldest son also has a July birthday. I recently made green beans with almond pesto from Smitten Kitchen – so so good!
Thanks for offering another great giveaway! It’s hot here but I’m getting up really early so I’m enjoying steel cut oats, soaked overnight and then cooked quickly in the morning, with lots of little summery toppings – blueberries, sliced strawberries, a little maple syrup or a dollop of yoghurt.
I love to make pavlova or homemade ice cream in the summer.
I run the kitchen at a summer camp, and it is so hot here, I am always up for cold salads. My current favorite is chickpeas, diced cucumber and onion, cherry tomatoes, olives, and vinaigrette.
The book looks adorable!
I like potati salad a lot. I always throw in bacon cubes, apple pickles & onion with a yoghurt dressing. The combination is just great. I always bake the bacon before, you could throw out the fat, but leaving it in does taste good too. 🙂
What a beautiful and generous giveaway! Thanks very much for sharing it. I love Salads and one of my favourite ones is the classic “Capresse’ salad with fresh tasty tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and olive oil. Yum! A cold Spanish soup called “Gazpacho” made out of tomatoes and cucumber isn’t bad either. Have a lovely summer! Pati x
These. Pancakes that taste like banana bread. They are soooooooooo amazing. I don’t even like pancakes and theses are one of my favorite things ever!
http://cookieandkate.com/2012/banana-oat-pancakes/