I wanna go back!

We had a wonderful 3 day weekend at the coast and now it's so hard being home. The weather was amazing, no wind and lots of sun, in the 50s I think. Here it's clear too--but windy, so windy, and cold. I got some very important things accomplished at the beach, including eating a decent amount of cake, and I was able to finish the aforementioned belated birthday gift and frame it, shown above. (See a close up here.). It's 6" x 6" which is a great size for cross-stitch I think. It didn't take too long, but still is enough stitches to feel like I did something. I read a whole bunch in this book, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, and what a guilty pleasure it is, perfect beach reading, and I was able to go to my favorite needlework shop, the Twining Thread, where this book found me and begged to come home with us, so it did.

I will show some inside pages soon--it's making me all swoony every time I open it up. It is in French so Pete has had to help me a bit, but really, just the photos and charts make it worth it. It has cross-stitch charts and lovely projects, not all of which I would replicate exactly, but are lovely and so inspiring.  Maison Sajou (est. 1830) has put out this book and they also have, in a smaller format, re-printed their old charts and also have historic notions to die for, thread winders, etc, it was really hard to remain composed in the shop. I also picked up some hand-dyed lined in a deep red for my next project, I am so excited.

Thank you for the Bloggies nomination congratulations! It's so funny saying there is "best" of anything like this, you know? But I do appreciate the props, so thank you. And not to sound like a big dork, but I think every craft blog is the best, I mean it.

Comments

[pam]

Ohh how inspirational. Love the little photo!

[Julie]

Super cute cross stitch!

Oh, and I was contemplating that book but ended up getting Petits points & Toile de lin (by Marjorie Massey of Passe Compose) -- good stuff! I also bought the Ackworth book -- Quaker School Girl Samplers from Ackworth -- which is incredible. I can't wait to see photos from the Sajou book. (And I'll be posting photos from my two books soon!) I just love the French cross stitch stuff that's out right now.

[Morgan]

Miss Hillary is going to LOVE it. What a nice friend you are! Always thinking of others while still managing to fit some cake in : ) I need to see where I can fit some cake into my day today!

[melissa f.]

in the description of the carnation book the other key words are "mummy case" and "interrogation chamber".

[Veronica TM]

congratulations, Amy! And thank you for the compliment.

[Kelli]

Mmm... I want to go back too! I am my happiest perched on the beach with a good book.
Love your new header, btw. Can't wait to buy up that fabric!

[Mama Urchin]

Until the last mailorder I didn't realize what a needlework fiend you are. How did I miss that?

[hillary]

ooh ooh! it's so cute in its little frame!! I love it SO MUCH! Thank you :) xx

[Scribbles & Bits]

Congratulations on the nomination! And ooooh! I did not know about Maison Sajou! Another store that will have all my paychecks! ;)

[laura r.]

i miss the beach...this post is chalk full of very important resources.
thank you!

[Emily]

My inlaws just bought a place in Newport, and I visited the TT for the first time then! Such a cool spot! (and sweet town)...

[erin]

i love the bun girl! very cute!

[Dorothee]

As an avid reader of your blog and a French lover of "point de croix", please let me know if you need some help with the translation of this lovely book (that I didn't know and that I am going to buy by the way).

[connie]

sounds like a great weekend, and your cross stitch [and the things it is nestled amongst] are just too cute!

[Sarah Patterson]

I'm newly minted fan of French cross stitch books I have the same Marjorie Massey book already mentioned in the comments, it's a gem.