Brooklyn Embroidery is 2 years old today! I can’t believe it’s been two years since I started embroidery and this blog. I’ve made lots of fun projects and had lots of fun group stitches in the past year. Here’s a look back at the projects…

I’m hoping to start the new year off right with a group stitch planned with a couple weeks advance notice! I hope that those of you I haven’t seen in a while will make it. I also hope that all of you who have been thinking of attending, but haven’t quite made it yet, will make an appearance.

Where: Flying Saucer Cafe – 494 Atlantic Avenue
When: Saturday, January 28 2pm – 5pm

As usual all crafts are welcome. Just bring yourself and your latest project. Beginner or experienced, does not matter.

I was able to be with a few of the calendar recipients at Christmas when they opened their gift. I wish I could’ve seen everyone in person.

For Christmas gifts this year I made a dozen pre-printed embroidery calendars. Each calendar had a unique embroidery design and bias edge. The pre-printed calendar fabric I ordered from September House on Etsy.

Because there were so many I’m going to break them up into multiple posts. Here are the final 4 calendars.

Quote – This one went to Paul’s Cousin in North Carolina.

Blackwork – This one went to Paul’s Mom in North Carolina. This was my first attempt at blackwork. I used the patterns from Blackwork (Essential Stitch Guide) by Becky Hogg.

Whale – This one went to Paul’s Aunt in North Carolina. The pattern is Deep Blue Sea from Sew Lovely Embroidery.

Owl – This one went to Paul’s Aunt in North Carolina. The pattern is Forest Friends from Sublime Stitching.

For Christmas gifts this year I made a dozen pre-printed embroidery calendars. Each calendar had a unique embroidery design and bias edge. The pre-printed calendar fabric I ordered from September House on Etsy.

Because there were so many I’m going to break them up into multiple posts. Here are the next 4 calendars.

Deer – This one went to Paul’s Aunt and Uncle in South Carolina. The pattern is Forest Friends from Sublime Stitching.

Blue Bird – This one went to my Mom in Pennsylvania. The pattern is a free pattern available from Doe-c-Doe.

Squirrel – This one went to Paul’s Cousin in Pennsylvania. (It’s my favorite one. I love the edge fabric and the pattern.) The pattern is Forest Friends from Sublime Stitching.

Fox – This one went to Paul’s Sister in North Carolina. The pattern is a free pattern available from Lauren Reeser’s Sketch Blog.

For Christmas gifts this year I made a dozen pre-printed embroidery calendars. Each calendar had a unique embroidery design and bias edge. The pre-printed calendar fabric I ordered from September House on Etsy.

Because there were so many I’m going to break them up into multiple posts. Here are the first 4 calendars.

Peacock – This one went to my Aunt Jerri in Arkansas. The pattern is a free pattern available from Doe-c-Doe.

Geninne Bird – This one went to Paul’s cousin Lynne in Colorado. The pattern is a free pattern available on Geninne’s Art Blog.

Owl – This one went to Paul’s Aunt and Uncle in Delaware. The pattern is a free pattern available from Lauren Reeser’s Sketch Blog.

Purple Bird – This one went to my Sister in Pennsylvania. The pattern is a free pattern available from Doe-c-Doe.

I spent 3 and a half months this Fall lifting weights with my super strong friend Jessica. Because of her many feats of strength and her ahem barbell manners I dubbed her Princess Barbell. I thought she deserved a shirt displaying the name for all to see.

Here’s a closeup of the embroidery. My favorite detail is the tiara on top of the barbell.

Here’s Jess graciously wearing the shirt, but looking a little startled.

Back in November I attended the Penguin Threads book series launch at Purl Soho. It was amazing to see the original canvases and to discover that the inner book jackets show the reverse side of the embroidery. I picked up The Secret Garden for my niece.

Over the summer I stitched up this reversible beach hat based on a pattern from Martha Stewart. I don’t know why I keep picking circular sewing projects. They are much harder than a simple straight line. This was my first time trying to follow a pattern and I did find it difficult, but it might have been the pattern and not me.

I’ve met a lot of new folks lately interested in group stitch so I thought it was time to schedule another event! I hope lots of you can make it to the October stitch on Saturday, October 22nd.

I have a bunch of Christmas projects I’m working on. Feel free to bring anything you’re working on, embroidery or not. If its portable, it’s welcome!

The October Group Stitch will be held at Vineapple cafe in Brooklyn Heights.

When: Saturday, October 22nd at 2:00pm
Where: Vineapple cafe 71 Pineapple Street, Brooklyn
Getting There: The nearest subway stations are the High Street A/C and Clark Street 2/3. View on a map.