Starting a Simple Stitching Practice This Summer

There’s something about the slower days of summer that seems to invite me to pick up something gentle and meaningful with my hands. Perhaps it’s the longer evenings, or the unhurried rhythm that naturally follows the school year winding down, or in my case, a considered return to the gentle art of homemaking.

Whatever it is, this season feels like the perfect time to begin—or return to—a quiet stitching practice.

Needlework has long been a companion to peaceful moments. Whether it’s the soft click of knitting needles, the rhythmic pull of thread through linen, or the satisfying neatness of tiny cross-stitches forming a pattern, there is a kind of stillness that settles over me when I work with my hands. It's a way of grounding myself, of inviting beauty and creativity into the everyday.

This summer, I’m leaning into those slower moments by spending more time with needle and thread. I find that cross-stitch and embroidery offer just the right amount of focus to quiet the mind, while knitting feels wonderfully meditative—especially when paired with a cup of tea and a breezy open window.

Needlework has threaded its way through may seasons of my life - some joyful, some trying - and it's always brought a sense of clam and comfort. 

Needlework has been my companion through many a season. It has been a link from my role as a young homeschooling mother with days packed with learning and the challenges that parenting can bring, through the transition over the turbulant rapids of discovery throughout that empty nest season, into the still waters of acceptance and a new season.

I recently spent some time sorting through the stitching supplies and fabrics I’ve gathered over the years and came across three unfinished projects, along with materials set aside for others I’ve yet to begin. I'm so grateful I took the time to store these treasures carefully—they’ve waited patiently, ready to be picked up again.

This summer, I’ll be returning to these three projects, gently weaving a simple stitching practice into the rhythm of my days and weeks.

A Little Winter Robin

This little "Feathered Friend" stitchery in issue 234 of The World Of Cross Stitching magazine which I started in 2018. 

It was going to be a gift for my grandmother, we have shared a love of the little British Robin since my childhood. Sadly she passed away a few years ago and I never got to gift it to her. 

It's a stark reminder to not put off for tomorrow what we can do today. 

I think that finishing this little chap and displaying him in my home this Christmas time will be a beautiful tribute to her. 

I can imagine it catching my eye as I work in the Kitchen during that joyful season, and to be reminded of her. It will be like she is with me in the ordinary moments of my days. So my goal is to finish this project over the next 8 weeks.

Forest Snowfall

I started this Country Cottage Needleworks chart, Forest Snowfall, about two years ago. It's been tucked away for far too long, and I would love to complete it in time to display during the early winter months.

In my mind’s eye, I can see myself gently packing away the festive decorations after Twelfth Night, the house quiet once more after the joyful flurry of the holidays. In their place, I hang this wintry stitched scene—a quiet nod to the season, full of charm and stillness.

There is something so comforting about those first weeks of January, when the world slows down and home becomes a sanctuary once again. This sweet little chart reminds me that the return to simple domestic rituals are their own kind of celebration.

Changing Seasons

This was a more recent start. Autumn is by far my favourite season—there’s something quite magical about it. Outside, nature begins to slow down. Leaves shift from summer green to rich golds and russets, a final glorious flourish before the stillness of winter, when all things rest and gather strength for the season to come.

Yet even in this slowing, there are new beginnings. The rhythm of the year turns toward harvest celebrations and the quiet anticipation of winter festivities. It’s a season of both stillness and expectancy—a slowing and a quickening.

This chart was designed by Durene Jones for the World of Cross-Stitching Magazine. You can buy this design from her Etsy Shop.

I love to decorate my home for autumn with natural items gathered from nature, warm blankets, autumn scented candles and of course, my homespun stitchery's. I try to make something new for my home each year and I think this little sampler would be a great addition.

Starting a Simple Stitching Practice This Summer

What I love about this hobby is that you don’t need to be an expert or have a drawer full of supplies to begin. A simple hoop, a few threads, a free chart found on Pinterest, or better yet, treat yourself to a lovely cross-stitch magazine packed with charts and advice ... is all it takes to open the door to hours of peaceful creativity. And in a world that often moves too fast, returning to these traditional crafts can feel like reclaiming a bit of quiet joy.

As I settle into this slower rhythm, needle and thread in hand, I’m reminded that creativity doesn’t need to be grand or complicated to be meaningful. There’s such comfort in the familiar motion of stitching, in watching something beautiful emerge little by little. It’s a quiet, grounding practice—one that draws me back to the heart of home, to peaceful winter afternoons and the gentle blessing of making something with my own hands.

So why not pick up your needle and thread, find a quiet corner, and begin? You might just rediscover a deep and quiet joy waiting to unfold, one stitch at a time.

The Seasonal Home in Early Summer

With today’s golden light and long hours, it feels safe to say—summer has well and truly arrived.

In our homeschooling days, I used to share a monthly series on seasonal themes and plans. They were simple collections of ideas, rooted in the rhythm of the year, which guided our learning and helped shape our days at home. Those posts held everything from nature study to liturgical observances—threads that wove beauty and meaning into the fabric of our family life.

Time, of course, moves on. But lately, I’ve felt the nudge to revisit that practice—this time through the lens of a homemaker.

Observing the seasons has always helped me to slow down and notice. It gently lifts my eyes from the rush of the world and turns my heart back to what matters most: faith, family, home, and the quiet beauty of the present moment. It reminds me to give thanks for what I already have, rather than dwell on what I don’t. And when we live with a heart of gratitude, peace often follows.

In a world that feels increasingly hurried—and one that seems, at times, to drift far from the Christian and traditional values I hold dear—I find great comfort in tending to what I can influence. My home. My heart. The atmosphere I cultivate each day.

So, as this new season begins, I’m turning my gaze once again to God’s goodness, and asking Him to help me keep His priorities at the centre of my days.

Biblical Encouragement for the Homemakers Heart

The past six or seven years have brought a steady stream of changes—some welcome, others challenging. It’s been a long season of transition, and I’ve often tried to navigate it all in my own strength. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that my wisdom is sorely limited! So this month, I’m intentionally laying things down at the Lord’s feet—choosing to trust Him not only with the big concerns, but also with the everyday details of life at home.

Here are a few gentle practices I’ll be focusing on this June—simple rhythms that help lift my eyes heavenward and steady my heart.

🌿 Enjoy Creation

June offers so many beautiful glimpses of God’s handiwork. I’ll be making a point to step outside, feel the sun on my skin, listen to the birdsong, and simply notice. As Psalm 19:1 reminds us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

🕊 Practice Hospitality

There is something sacred about opening our homes, even in simple ways. A pot of tea, a slice of cake, a welcoming heart. Hebrews 13:2 gently encourages us:

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

✨ Rest and Refresh

In a culture that praises busyness, making space for true rest is a spiritual act. This month, I’ll be carving out quiet moments to simply be—to rest in the presence of the One who calls me His own.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Early Summer Homnemaking Tasks

Each season offers its own rhythms in the home. Here are a few June-specific tasks I’m gently weaving into my days:

✨ Deep Clean & Declutter

• Windows: Clean inside and out to let the summer light stream in. Don’t forget window screens!

• Carpets & Rugs: Give them a good vacuum and spot-clean for freshness.

🌼 Outdoor Maintenance

• Patios & Decks: Sweep, wash, or power-wash surfaces and freshen up outdoor furniture.

• Garden & Lawn: Weed, mulch, trim, mow—and plant cheerful summer flowers or veg.

• Gutters: Clear out debris to prepare for any summer downpours.

🍓 Kitchen Refresh

• Fridge & Pantry: Wipe down shelves, check expiry dates, and make space for summer produce.

• Grill Ready: Clean and prep the barbecue for sunny days ahead.

• Freezer Meals: Start slowly stocking up with baked goods and pre-prepped meals—especially handy for busy or hot days.

Light & Lovely June Décor

Small seasonal touches can bring a sense of joy and freshness into our homes.

🌞 Light and Airy

• Colours: Swap out deeper tones for whites, soft blues, and buttery yellows.

• Fabrics: Choose breezy cottons or linens for bedding and cushions.

🌿 Nature Indoors

• Fresh Flowers: A simple vase of daisies or sunflowers can completely lift a room.

• Potted Greenery: Bring in a few leafy plants to add life and freshness.

🪟 Outdoor Living Spaces

• Cosy Corners: Add cushions, throws, and even an outdoor rug to make patios or balconies inviting.

• Lighting: Twinkling fairy lights or lanterns can create a magical atmosphere for evening relaxation.

🐚 Seasonal Accents

• Coastal Vibes: Think driftwood, shells, or a nautical print here and there.

• Wall Art: Swap in a few summer-themed pieces to reflect the season’s warmth and light.

Simple June Joys & Home Care

🍉 Summer Activities

• Host a casual picnic, an impromptu BBQ, or a relaxed garden tea with loved ones.

• Plan outdoor adventures—walks in nature, beach days, or countryside rambles.

🛠 Light Home Maintenance

• Pest Check: Keep an eye out for seasonal critters and take preventative steps.

• Smoke Alarms: A quick test gives peace of mind.

• Irrigation: Adjust sprinkler or watering routines as the weather heats up.

And Finally...

Let June be a month of gentle purpose—a time to realign with what truly matters and to invite beauty into both our hearts and our homes. May we not be overwhelmed by to-do lists, but instead see each small act of homemaking as a quiet offering—an opportunity to reflect God’s care and goodness in the daily rhythms of life.

And as always, may our homes be places of peace, our hearts tuned to grace, and our eyes lifted to the One who holds all seasons in His hands.

Lets Catch Up!

 Hello my lovely friends. 

How I have missed you all! 

As regular readers will know, I decided to see if I could take my legal studies further and enrolled on the Bar Practice Course last year.

It has been an immense challenge and I can see why they say it is one of the most challenging courses you can do next to medicine. 

It has been all consuming in every single way. There have been times when I thought it might never end and where I felt that I was a mere shadow of the person I once was. 

But, the end is in sight and I am slowly gaining a bit of the old me back! 

Face to face tutorials have ended and we have entered exam season which feels more managable, now that I don't have lectures to prepare for. I even have time to venture out of my study and to start playing with yarn and stitching again and I'm reading a book that is in no way related to legal studies! YAY!!

The first thing I did this week was give my home a good old spring clean and lavished some Easter love on my home by putting up my Easter wreath and decorations - a seperate post on that!

Down the Garden Path

I've also spent a bit of time getting the garden spring-ready. What a blessing!

We made a trip to the garden centre over the weekend and bought 40 primrose plants to plant up all the window boxes on the deck and the various pots around the garden. Everything is looking Easter-egg Hunt ready!

I found this ladybug mooching about in the primroses this morning. I couldn't help thinking that being the Vernal Spring Equinox today that it seemed rather fitting. Isn't it just so sweet! I am going to make this a little nature journal entry at some point.

Before we leave the garden, I wanted to show you these sweet little clay mushrooms that my daughter made. It was a craft she did for the Homeschool Nature Study members. They are so beautiful and make the most wonderful potplant decorations, especially in the winter when everything is dormant. I'll share a little reel on Instagram later this week. I just love them!

Yarn Update

This morning I dashed out to my yarn supplier (I'm so lucky to live in the same city where they have their warehouse) and stocked up on some more fingering weight yarn. I will be dying up some lovely spring inspired colours, including some more Miss Potters Paintbox. I've been out of stock of that one for ages now so it will be really nice to dye it up again.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you will have seen that to celebrate the official start of spring I am giving you a 15% discount on everything in my Etsy shop. Just use the code SPRING15 when you check out.

On The Needles

Like I said earlier, I have not lifted a needle, hook or yarn since September last year. But yesterday I realised that I was in a pretty good place with my revision for my first exam which is happening tomorrow (Thursday) and I have been feeling a desperate need to pick up something creative once again - oh how I have MISSED beging able to create!

I had started the Dune blanket designed by the lovely Lucy from Attic 24 about 2 years back. Unfortuntatly having left working on it for so long I couldn't work out where I was ini the pattern so I ripped it all out and started again. You can see this project on my Ravelry page and connect with me there if you use Ravelry.

I spent a couple of glorious hours yesterday hooking away while watching Miss Marple - is there anything better?

Well lovelies, the sun has just peeked out and there is some blue sky showing so I'm going to pop out into the garden and make sure the birds are all fed - I may make a cup of tea and have a little stroll around the garden to see what is new since yesterday. This is such a great time of the year isn't it?

I shall see you back here very soon. Have a wonderful Spring Equinox!

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Weekending - Wonderful Wales and Wool

 It is finally done! I have officially finished my law degree and now I have about 6 weeks to wait until I find out how I have done.

I knew that one day I would reach this point but honestly there were days in these last few weeks where it felt like I was trying to climb a mountain with bricks attached to my feet! The feeling was not helped with all the fantastic sunny weather that we had in May for I was stuck in my study researching and writing away while my lovely family were outdoors soaking up the sunshine.

It was with great joy that I submitting my final assignment late last week. We decided to celebrate this weekend with a visit to a National Trust property.

This is one of our most favorite things to do at the weekend and we have many happy family memories of visiting wonderful places and imagining the lives and times of the people who once lived in these grand houses.

We decided to head into Wales and visit a property called Plas Newydd. The weather was absolutely gorgeous so we decided that we would slap on some sunblock, pack a picnic and enjoy an alfresco lunch in the gardens. 

The house is right on the Menai Strait which is the channel that separates Anglesey from the mainland of north-western wales which means that there was a lovely cool breeze cooling things down a bit.

Apparently, there are lots of red squirrels here. I have never seen a red squirrel as the grays have done a good job of relegating them to the more northern reaches of the UK. Sadly we didn't spot any but we enjoyed our picnic in the arboretum.  They have a spectacular collection of magnificent trees and we enjoyed watching a little blackbird catching insects for it's lunch as we enjoyed our own picnic.

We then took a wander through the Italian Terraced Gardens which must have been spectacular in it's day. I was a little disappointed that some of the water features were not working and the gardens looked like they could have had a bit more attention given to the planting.

Walking back to the car we walked through the the wildflower meadow which was previously the cricket oval. Imagine having your own cricket oval growing up! I always think that these places must have been incredible childhood homes. Of course, I wouldn't like to have foot the bill for such a home!

We are so lucky to live in a country that has such a rich heritage of places to visit right on your doorstep! I don't think I will every tire of exploring and discovering new places.

As most you will know, my yarns are inspired by our lives lived Under An English Sky. I draw inspiration from the childhood literature shared with my daughters while they were growing up, places we visit, the countryside, seasons and British folklore.

I recently added a few new colourways to my Etsy Shop that were inspired by Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree series. As we sat on the grass in the arboretum enjoying our picnic and being surrounded by so many magnificent towering trees I said how it reminded me of those lovely stories and the children's adventures. My husband and I recalled how magical those books were to us as children and how they fueled our imaginations. 

As I lay on my back on the rolling grass which was dotted with buttercups and gazed up into the branches of the trees into the blue sky beyond, my creative mind started making knitting plans for two of my colourways. Inspiration strikes at the most strangest of times but it is usually when I am surrounded by nature and feeling relaxed.

Toffee For Moonface is a lovely soft,speckled yarn full of yellow and toffee coloured tones. I thought that it might make a lovely autumnal sweater. I have the Tourist Sweater saved to my Ravelry list. I think that it would look so pretty knitted up in this yarn. I think I will cast that on at the weekend (loving all this free time I now have!).

The other yarn that I want to cast on is View From the Hayloft which was inspired by Robert Louise Stevenson's poem of the same name.

When I read the poem, I pictured exactly this sort of wildflower, grassy meadow that we walked through. I pictured it being hand-mown by scythe in Robert Louise Stevenson's day. It would all left to dry in the summer sun before being packed into the hayloft ready for the winter.

I think this would make a lovely lace shawl or perhaps these stronger colours would look nicer for the sweater pattern and use Toffee for Moonface for the shawl. That's the problem now, I have too many things I want to knit! But it's a nice problem to have. I like to knit all year round, I'm not a seasonal knitter. I want to have new knitwear ready for autumn which will come around soon enough!

Anyhoo, we had a lovely time weekending this weekend. If the weather holds through this next weekend I think we will be finding a new place to explore! We have a lot of exploring to catch up on after this year of sacrifice!

Wishing you all a fabulous week!

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Autumnal Delights at Home

Hello my lovely friends! Are you enjoying autumn so far? I certainly am. I've been indulging in all my favourite autumnal things and this post is full of them. Of course, I'd love to hear what you have been doing to celebrate the season so please do let me know. Here's what has been going on in my home...

Through the Kitchen Window

I write a monthly post for Homeschool Nature Study members (formerly The Outdoor Hour Challenge) which focuses on the home and seasons. One of my inserts is called Through the Kitchen Window and it was inspired one late afternoon as I was finishing up in the garden as the sun slipped away. My eye was drawn to my kitchen which was lit up and looked cosy as I stood in the nippy air.

It suddenly struck me once again what an important part of the home the kitchen is. It's where we prepare nourishing food for our families, where we share a cup of tea with friends and neighbours, where we cook delicious things that have no nutritional value whatsoever but oh my...they taste so SO good.

Yes, a lot of living happens in the kitchen.

I have also been bitten by the nesting bug. It happens every autumn and spring. I feel the need to cosy up my home in autumn and cook and bake so that the chest freezer is packed with warming soups, and other homely dishes which comfort our souls in the cold weather. 

This has revealed that I am in dire need of more freezer-safe containers so it's on my list of things to deal with this weekend!

In the Garden

The garden is still looking rather lovely although it is definitely on borrowed time. The crowning glory at the moment is the Virginia Creeper that is covering the garage which I showed you in the last post.
 

Autumn is the time for planting spring bulbs so that is exactly what we did this past weekend.

We planted 300 bulbs in the garden. We already have a fair few but I have visions of spring being a riot of colour. We planted a significant amount of bulbs in our woodland garden. Lots of bluebells which I love. Apparently, they are best in their second flowering period so I will try not to be too disappointed if next May we have a poor show.

Autumn Walks

Need I say more? Who else has been enjoying autumn walks this month? I wish I had time to sit down and work in my nature journal to capture the season but I simply do not have it!

Seasons of life I guess... the time will come again when study commitments will fall away and I shall have time to enjoy the simple creative pleasures that make my heart sing.

Please do share what you have been up to this beautiful month. Until next time...

Musings on Building a Homespun Business

From the moment I became a mother I knew that I wanted to be at home and have some sort of creative business that I run from home. Why? because I am in my element when I enter any type of needle work store. Fabric, wool and threads make me happy. I suspect other crafters are the same hence the 'stashes' we acquire.

Years ago I had dreams of spinning my own yarn and dying it up. Except I had no idea how to spin yarn, there were no spinners nearby to take classes from and part of my ideal was that it would be my own homegrown fleeces that I would be doing this with. For the longest time that fact that I did not live on a smallholding and have my own sheep is what held up my dream of starting a homespun business. It was my excuse not to start because the ideal in my head did not match up to my suburban reality.

Then I started to think outside the box. I may not be able to live on a smallholding, raise sheep and spin my own yarn but I could source undyed yarn and dye it.

A fellow home educator had dabbled in dying yarn and she was only too happy to share who supplied her undyed yarn and where to get dyes etc. I will forever be grateful to her for her generosity in sharing that information as I really did not have a clue on where to start. 6 years later I have a little crafty business that is ready to grow.

History repeats itself... for the past year I have wanted to develop my business in two ways. First I would love to be able to design my own knitting patterns. But where to start? I feel that I'm in the same space I was 6 years ago wondering how I start a yarn dying business. 

The second bit that tugs at my heart strings is to host cozy gatherings every so often. But in my head I'm thinking...but I need the perfect setting! My home has to look just right, I want to have a little mercantile store where workshop ladies can go shopping. My dream looks so different to my reality!

Recently the light switch suddenly went on and a new realization dawned. Funny how that can just suddenly happen don't you think?

First, if I want to learn how to design knitwear than I need to invest in the tools and time to learn to do so. So I bought a book on designing knitwear and for the foreseeable future I will need to learn all I can about it and practice, practice, practice. I mean you are never going to get good at anything or grow if you don't invest the time right?

Secondly, I may not have that adorable little mercantile store attached to my home like Chris from the Cozy Club has (*sigh* I wish) but I can still begin to develop my classes and now that I have my little summer house it can be utilized as a creative studio/mercantile. 

Point is...I know that I for one can find every excuse under the sun and every reason why I shouldn't do something and then feel frustrated that I am not moving forward in my (humble) dreams. Yet I am the only one standing in the way of building the life that I want. I'm waiting for the 'perfect' this or that 'perfect' that instead of doing anything at all!

Do you find that? Is there something you are hoping and wanting to do but it feels that you are stuck in treacle and unable to move?

What steps could you take (even baby steps) to build the life you want? These are questions I am currently mulling over in my head. 

I think back to my young 20-something self with a baby on her hip and a dream in her heart and I think that I am finally brave enough to stop making excuses and actually turn that dream into a reality. My reality is starting to look like I will be able to do this. 

Last year reduced my work week to a three day week. This has been wonderful but still not enough. I plan to be home full time in the next few months - by September at the latest.

The goal? Not to make millions! But to bring in enough with my business so that I can turn my attention to it full time in the near future. 

Why? Because having worked for 3 years in a professional environment I know that it's not for me. Its time to be brave and try build the life I want. The simple life. A life where I have time to focus on my faith, on being available for my family and friends in the way I want to and doing things that I love to do. Things that bring joy to my heart.

Do you have any dreams that you are holding back on because you are waiting for things to be just perfect? Perhaps 'just good enough' is better than waiting for 'perfect'. 

Knitted Cotton Dishcloths

 Hello lovelies! I hope that you are all happy and well.

Look at this! I think I've found my blogging creative mojo! It feels so lovely to create, write, dream and visit with you here!

So today I want to talk to you about dishcloths which might seem strange but let me tell you that once you use a hand-knitted dishcloth it's hard to go back to anything store-bought. They are a perfect size, absorbent, pretty, washable, and last for a very long time making them a great 'green' option.

I also love that it reflects my homespun home heart. I love creating for my home and I love seeing homespun things in other people's homes. It just evokes such a sense of peace, tranquility, and comfort when I see homespun items.

My love of hand-knitted dishcloths started 15 years ago when I spotted a post on a blog. The author was showing her hand-knitted dishcloths. 

Dishcloths! I thought - how random and why? 

But curiosity got the better of me and off I went to my local yarn shop and purchased two balls of 100% cotton yarn. Using one of my favorite knitting stitches I whipped up a couple of dishcloths. They looked so pretty and after day 1 of use I knew I would never go back to store-bought for all the reasons I mentioned at the top of this post.

It's been an age since I knitted up some fresh dishcloths because they last such a long time but for one reason or another my current stock needed replacing. After a lecture to the family on why we really should NOT clean knives blade-side up 😄 I embarked on a marathon dishcloth knitting spree. I can knit a complete dishcloth in a few hours in the evening which is a lovely way to keep hands busy...I struggle to just sit and not do anything.

 

And there we have it, some lovely navy and red dishcloths which will keep us going for a little while. I have a few more colours in my stash so I'm keen to knit up a few more and keep them to give away as gifts. I'm thinking of trying my hand at soap making over the summer so I think they would make lovely little gifts at some point. Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts? I want to say yes but we are in May already and half way through it at that!

Anyhoo lovelies, I'm going to get back to me needles and I look forward to chatting with you again very soon!

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