buy an embroidery kit!

seriously!  i just finished my calendar kit from  that i purchased in October.  now that i’ve lived with it for four months,i love it just as much as i did when i first saw it.  the kits come with everything you need–printed fabric, floss, needles, a hoop, and instructions.  you can open the package and begin stitching.  this was an amazing plus for me.  i didn’t need a trip to the craft store; i needed something to put my hand to.  the kits are expensive.  i bought the 2013 calendar kit in October when it was 75% off.  a very good $10.  if–like me–you had something something special to commemorate last year, you might still consider it….

in the energy of finishing this project, i also finally got the nerve to try transferring some new patterns onto fabric.  i love the designs from September House.  i have Booksmart and Scandistitches.  there are also loads of free patterns on Corinne’s blog.  i can’t show you my new project because it’s a gift for someone who reads here regularly!  i used Sulky brand Sticky Fabri-Solvy and printed the designs on our computer printer.  worked great!  i was able to fit multiple designs onto one letter sized sheet of transfer paper.  then, you just peel off the backing and stick it on your fabric.  it’s a little sticky on the needle, but so far, so good.  Mabel started a new design too!  she does such patient careful work.