*** Cosy Winter Sampler***

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

 for the touch of a friendly hand and for

 a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”

Edith Sitwell.

This is a Hygge mantra if ever I saw one! and it really is true.  I love our cosy evenings by the fire and embrace this cold Winter.  My Nonna used to say that if it was a very cold Winter it would kill off all the bugs and I believe her to be correct with her Italian wisdom.  It gives a fresh start to Spring, although because up until last week we were having a mild Winter the garden got confused! spring bulbs popping up and most unbelievable was that buds and flowers on my rose bushes were out!  To say they are suffering a little at the moment is a bit of an understatement.  I even have sweet peas still but they are dying now ....

I am loving the cosiness of the fires and stitching and when I have to go out, it feels like I am coming out of a little hibernation and I do not want to, loving my cosy days!

So on Wednesday I did some designing and I was happily positioned in our dinning room facing out into our garden watching Miss Muddy Beak eating the meal worms and crushed peanuts that I  put out for the garden birds, she was joined by two robins, two crows, a pair of magpies that we call the chuckle brothers and a Jay!  Squirrel Bond ( named after 007) was busy trying to bury nuts and using the garden shed and bushes like a jungle gym!  and I was happily sketching my ideas .... and playing with some watercolours as well.....

I have been trying to finish my Christmas/Winter sampler and basically I have except for the words to stitch on.  Its not the stitching that is holding me up but indeed which words to use.  Because as you can see I have based my design on the School House Patchwork design there are gaps running

through and I love that I can stitch words through there but its limited space other wise if it over laps it will look odd.  The gap that I will be stitching the words in is the one that runs right the way along under the roof.  There is a design already stitched on the piece of antique linen which when seen up close is gorgeous.  I have used couching stitch for the door and love the heart stained glass window above it.  Each chimney breast is white and red and has little cross stitches on them.  There is a Christmas tree in one window and the other is a red and white blind with embroidery detail. I have to zip around on my sewing machine to secure further then a little embroidery detail on the side and of course the all important words!


I thought about 'Come in & sit a while and have with me gingerbread cookies and Cinnamon tea' or a smaller option is 'Cosy Christmas and Winter Days'  and then there are the words by Susan Branch but it will not fit me thinks ..'Not only at Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you'  and yes dear readers I adore the one that will not fit!!!

I am at an cross roads and do not know quiet what is to be done sooooooo any ideas on the words for my sampler?

Anyway I must away and sorry I am late but was having a hugely long conversation with my Mum and it does befuddle me for a while my head spins because she is not always very with the here and now and talks what I call fruit loop speech bless her.  But I love my talk if I am not seeing her and the best time for her is early morning as the day goes on it gets worse...

Anyway have a wonderful day and please if you can think of some words for this sampler I would be appreciative or if you think one of the shorter words I have thought of is the best one please help a struggling needle woman finish this sampler and get on to pastures new.

Have a wonderful day and as always Happy Stitching! XX