I sure haven’t been slacking when it comes to making stuff this summer . . . but I have been slacking when it comes to telling you about it! Time to start catching you up.
So . . . as the Summer Olympics opened, I started working on another sampler.
I finished it not long after the Olympics ended.
And I never said a word about it here in BlogLand. (Slacker . . . )
And it’s a real beaut, too!
This sampler kit (it’s called “Marta” and it’s by Polish designer Kasia Jacquot) just set my whimsy-loving heart a’flutter as soon as I saw it advertised in a Snuggly Monkey newsletter. (And if you haven’t discovered the Snuggly Monkey website yet, well . . . if you like to stitch, you’ll thank me for that link.) The sampler hit all my project “triggers” right there in one place: fun colors, unusual background, lots of texture, French knots. Add to cart? Yes, please!
(Really . . . it was those little French knot cluster flowers that did it. Heart be still . . .)
This was a super fun sampler to stitch — and now it is fortified with happy Summer Olympic memories, which makes it even better. Simone Biles? Yep, I stitched away while she did all the impossible things. Cole Hocker? Yep, I also stitched away as he surprised the pack in the 1500. Katie Ledecky? Stitching. Pommel horse guy? Stitching. The women’s marathon? Oh, yeah. Still stitching. All those Olympic memories are part of my sampler now. And I love it. (Because the Olympics turned out to be my “sleeper surprise” of the summer this year. Who saw that coming???)
Extra bonus . . . I’ve discovered the wonderful work of embroidery designer Kasia Jacquot. She has some gorgeous designs! I am drooling over her embroidered journal covers . . . and an advent calendar design that is seriously dancing like a sugarplum inside my head. (The journal cover pattern is something I might actually end up buying, but the advent calendar – tempting as it may be – is a hard no.)
Still . . . a slacker’s gotta dream!
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How about you? What are you making this week?
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NOTE: Our Read With Us Zoom discussion for The Ministry of Time is set for Tuesday, September 17 . . . which is two weeks from yesterday! It’s easy to RSVP — just email/comment to me or to Bonny or Carole. I’ve made it extra easy with an RSVP link from my sidebar, too.
What a gorgeous piece Kym. I love it! I really like the idea of a journal cover too…just sayin’. Thanks for all the links. Vey tempting, but trying to be reasonable here….
Oh my, Kym! That is an Olympic Stunner! (and that advent calendar!! what!!) Thanks for the links as well… you enabler you! XO
What a fabulous piece of embroidery. I shall check out the website you mentioned for sure.
Wow, that is stunning! I love it when I’m making something while something important or exciting is going on and then the project has all those memories embedded in it.
Thanks for posting all of those notes. I have wondered about the color blocks on embroidery patterns. And now I need to explore that shop 😉
The sampler is lovely and very charming indeed! Also, I’m in for the read along. I have … thoughts…
What a gorgeous piece of embroidery. And a nice rabbit hole you sent me down this morning – Snuggly Monkey is pretty wonderful.
Oh My! Long time reader of Bonny and Carole, and clicked to come to your blog, and I am smitten. If I had known anyone in that crowd embroidered, I would have been here sooner. This was my first stitch craft as a small child, and I gave it up because it didn’t seem practical. It is really my favorite craft. Painting with stitches is a lovely pastime. I appreciate the links and looking at your beautiful projects. Also, I hate hoops as well!
I didn’t know Snuggly Monkey had a newsletter1
Your sampler is gorgeous! I especially like how the leaves look like fluttering wings (and yes, the French knot flowers, too). I did sneak a peek at the Advent calendar because I figured there was no chance I was going to stitch it. Wow!
What a cute design, Kym! I’d love to see it again when it’s made into a pillow!! I love doing French knots but, wow, found out the other day how out of practice I was! 😉
That is such a YOU design and I love how it holds all of your Olympic watching memories in it’s stitches. It will be a great way to remember how much you enjoyed all of it this summer. The advent calendar is really something!
the sampler is beautiful … and I love it even more that it’s *your* Summer Olympics project. Very cool!
Not only gorgeous embroidery on your part — of course — but also, what a pattern! And what a background color! Trifecta.
I’d like to RSVP for 9/17, please. Fingers crossed I can not only be present but that I will also have read the book.
I have often wished I liked embroidery. I learned early but it simply did not kick in. I’m particularly impressed by all those French knots. Mine were always awful. Will have to investigate Snuggly Monkey just for the fun of it!
What a beautiful piece of embroidery. I have not heard of the Snuggly Monkey so thank you for mentioning it and the link. How fun to have the highlights of the Olympics stitched into that bright vibrant piece. I always think it is amazing the way our handwork reflects moments in our lives.
I especially love that the background is such a lovely green instead of the usual white/ecru/cream. Speaking of French knots, my mom made me a baby quilt where EVERYTHING was solid French knots. She was pretty darned excited to be getting me!