Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Another Pattern Finish!






Hi Friends!

I finally finished this large rose stitched on white linen! This pattern was meditative to stitch. The colors always brighten my mood. Done entirely in pink and green, this impressionistic pattern celebrates my favorite flower. Stitch the rose in luminous silk thread or your favorite floss and colors. I hope this pattern inspires you to create something fresh, beautiful and handmade. Pop on over to my online shop to learn more. xx~ Jilli  

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Free Bluebird Baby Cross Stitch Pattern



Hi Everyone, It has been awhile since I posted a pattern. I've been busy working in the hospital and doing some homeless outreach. It's time for self care and that means cross stitching! I hope you enjoy this pattern. Nourish your creativity and stitch a bluebird/ You can find this pattern and other freebies in my shop by clicking on this link: Sew French Shop

Happy Stitching!
xx ~ Jilli 

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Lebanese Chicken and Saffron Rice


Hi Everyone! How are you? Today I'll be teaching you how to make my go-to Lebanese dinner.  This meal has been on roatiation for years around here. I grew up eating my grandmother's hashweh, which is a Lebanese meat and rice pilaf.  My father adored her hashweh which was always served at holiday time. My modernized version takes a departure from tradition by using ground chicken and saffron rice. I also use a rice cooker to speed things along during the busy workweek. Ground beef is traditional and wonderful. But we're always looking for new ways to prepare chicken. This is a warm and cozy dish during colder months. It's light enough to serve in summer too. The signature Lebanese flavor profile comes from a blend of warm spices. If you're looking for an extraordinary chicken recipe, then I hope you'll give this a go.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

French Blue Thread Back In Stock


Just a quick announcement that the French Blue Silk Thread is back in stock. Click on the link below and pop on over to my shop to view all my cross stitch patterns and supplies.
Happy Stitching! xx ~ Jilly  

Easy Cream Of Tomato Soup


This tomato soup is a total game-changer. Loved by children and adults alike, just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make a cozy, creamy, customizable soup. This is the best tomato soup I have ever made. The magic is in the slow-simmering. But don't let that deter you. This soup is worth the wait. It comes together quite easily and it's great the next day for lunch. Butter helps thicken the soup and make it dreamy. As they say, butter makes everything better. The soup is rich so a that less than a cup is enough for me. I usually pair it with a garden salad and keto bread for a lower-carb meal.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Rose Silhouettes





Rose Silhouettes 

This vintage-modern design is available in my shop now! The pattern celebrates my favorite flower. Stitch one rose or all of them. Select your favorite colors and have a relaxing time stitching some impressionistic roses.

Pop on over to my online shop to learn more: Sew French Online Shop
     
 Happy Summer Stitching! xx ~ Jilly 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

New Rose Silhouettes Pattern




Hi Everyone! How have you been? It's been a minute since I posted a new pattern. These past two winters, I've been involved with doing a lot of homeless outreach here on Boston's North Shore. The winters are long and cold. The shelters fill up fast. People are outside in freezing cold weather. That means passing out hot coffee, lots of blankets, arctic sleeping bag, popup tents and bagged lunches to folks shivering in the streets. It means making referrals to emergency psychiatric services and meal programs. Now that winter is over, I'm burnt-toast. I need a break. One thing that I've struggled with throughout the years of working for social justice is finding balance for prayer, church-going and selfcare. The important things that matter most. They help me from feeling lost and overwhelmed. Everything is better when I integrate all these things into my life. When I place God, prayer and church first then I'm on the right track. But I'm a flawed person. When I feel passionate about social justice, I can often neglect the gentle activities that bring stillness and peace to my life. I guess that's why I'm drawn to cross stitch. Cross stitch is slow-going, but that's why I like it. Stitching allows me to rest and be still. A hoop in my hand focuses my attention inward. I find serenity in the rhythm of a needle passing through linen. I love the way silk thread looks against linen. I'm very happy for a return to a slower pace. Isn't that what summer is about? Slowing down. Resting. Recreating. That might be why I experience  an increase in sales just before summer starts. Thank you to all my sweet customers who find joy in stitching my patterns. That makes my heart happy. I imagine my customers stitching my designs in their air conditioned condos or on their porches with a glass of iced tea or lemonade nearby. Taking care of ourselves by cooking healthy dinners, going for long walks and making something pretty are balms for the soul. Selfcare also means hugging and petting my rescued beagle much more, staying present in the moment and watching her have running-paw-dreams. Standing still feels right. It feels good. To be with my silks and linens is my re-creation

This new rose pattern is the first in a series. I hope to stitch and frame each piece and hang them on a gallery wall. My plan is to frame all the new rose patterns in simple gold frames. Roses will always be my muse. These new patterns are all about roses. A celebration of my favorite flower. I designed the silhouette roses in an impressionistic style. The pattern feels fresh, free, modern and vintage at the same time. 

The rose silhouettes can be stitched in all one color or your favorite pinks and greens. There are so many options for stitching the roses on colored linen too. Stitch one rose or all of them. The pattern is meant to inspire you to create something beautiful and handmade. Stitching my simple patterns are a stress-reducing, mindful experience. Simple is always beautiful. I don't go for a lot of changing threads. For me, lots of thread changes makes cross stitching less enjoyable and less meditative. 

This rose pattern is perfect for summer-stitching because you can take it on vacation with you. Stitch on your porch, on your couch watching Netflix or in your rose garden. Once you've completed a single rose, you can frame it or continue stitching all of the roses.  The pattern is very flexible. The detailed pattern will be for on Friday in my shop. Please feel free to send me an email with your questions or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!  

Happy Summer Stitching!
xx ~ Jilly!