Embroidery Journal 2025 Finally Finished

 

Hello,

I finally finished my 2025 embroidery journal. It feels so good to finally complete this personal projects. I can't wait to start for the 2026 journal. 

I have to admit, I don’t embroider every single day. Some days I simply sketch the idea directly onto the cloth, and other times I jot it down on my iPhone or iPad. Keeping those little notes helps so much—when I finally sit down to stitch, I can look back at them and draw the design with clarity.

Some months feel wonderfully chaotic—especially when I’m traveling and wishing I could stitch every little moment into my embroidery, even though the space never seems quite enough. Other months are quieter, filled with everyday rhythms like house chores and sewing. But no matter the pace, there’s always something small and meaningful worth capturing.

When I first started, I hadn’t done embroidery in ages, so everything felt a little rusty. But stitch by stitch, it slowly came back to me. I’ve noticed my mood shows up in the work too—some months look a bit rough around the edges, while others turn out surprisingly refined, as if I had extra patience to spare. Among them all, the Durian (July) and the Avocado (August) are the ones I’m especially proud of.

I bough the book 365 Days of Stitches by Steph Arnold from Amazon India. It has a lot of pattern that you can refer to. I also use free icon from Flaticon. And sometimes also from my iPhone emoji! 

Project Details: 

• Fabric: Linen 
• Size: 12" x 12"  (you can also do 10 Inch or 8 inch) 
• Thread: Stranded embroidery cotton thread - 2 strands 
• Pattern sources: 365 Days of Stitches, Flaticon, iPhone emoji

 

If you ever feel inspired to start your own, there’s no shortage of ideas out there—YouTube and Pinterest are full of tutorials, patterns, and creative sparks waiting to be explored.

Looking back, this little year‑long embroidery journey has become more than just a craft project. It’s a quiet way of noticing my days, honoring the small things, and stitching a bit of myself into each month. I’m grateful for what it’s taught me—patience, presence, and the joy of creating something slowly, one moment at a time.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

Linking up to these wonderful blogs

Bag Swap

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one" ~  C.S Lewis

That's how it was started on twitter few months back.  Andriani Retno of Hayano Handmade tweeted me and then we sort of talking about our common hobby, sewing. Then one day, I tweeted, we must do swapping sometimes. She agreed. And finally, after long overdue, I made this reversible granny bag for her.

I did owl embroidery and put a detachable flower brooch there ;). It's already on it's way to Indonesia and I do hope she likes it :)

Until then....happy sewing

So many things have happened

Yes, for the last 2 weeks or so, lots of things happening. Nothing dramatic though. It’s just the weather is getting so weird and we still not getting any rain. It’s very dry and now summer seems to come a tad early.
First the kids had cough and cold and fever. And the I got it too..and how I hated it:D.  After a dose of antibiotic finally the cough gone. And then the kids are having end-term holidays for 3 weeks, which mean, less crafting time but it’s nice time to bond with them. I know I’m going to miss them once the school starts next month.

Second one, my younger son had his circumcision done. And as much as I tried to make him sit still was never successful. He’s such an active and restless boy. Finally after 4 days and lots of time of changing the dressing, the doctor gave up and let him without the bandage. And he was quite happy. Day 5th I let him play outside for awhile and he pleaded to let him ride his bicycle..:D. I told him gently that if he waits for few  more days he will be able to ride his bike with no problem, otherwise again I will have to take him to the hospital in case something happened.
Third one, my internet connection was bad for the last 4-5 day :(


BUT, there are lots of FUN things happened too….
#1: I WON the giveaway hosted by Eva in her BLOG. And she’s such a generous soul. With her beautiful pendant she sent me a whole bag of cute stuff..earrings, pendant, turtle beads, etc. Just take  a look at these:

#2: I joined SWAPBOT last month and been enjoying the experience of receiving snail mail. I used to love sending letters and I had few pen pals. It was nice…the post man was the only one I was waiting after school, in case he brought letters for me. But with this internet era, I guess sending just a letter seems unthinkable..why sending letters when there’s email..:)

I was participated in the COIN PURSE SWAP and sending my handmade coin purse to 2 girls in Australian and the Netherlands. And then there was Big fat Envelope #1 where I made one applique tote bag. The #2 Big Fat Envelope swap is going on now if you’d like to join. I joined Fabric Square Swap too..I’m still waiting for my 2  swap fabric to arrive though.

I have received:

I have sent these with little knick knacks too (not in the photo):

I recently sent Spring Embroidery Swap. I made this cute embroidery and I really hope my partner will like it…:)

oh one more thing I finished the Elephant Pouch, here it is:

I guess that’s all ….tomorrow I’ll be off to the capital for my passport renewal and a little vacation with the family…until then…HAPPY CRAFTING ^_^

Take everyday as it comes

Sometimes, before retiring at nihgt my head is full of plan for the next day. I will finish this project, will try this recipe, will clean the cupboard, etc. But very often the morning brings surprises. One of the boys suddenly has fever and cough or the other one fussy about breakfast and literally we have to drag him out of the house so he won't miss the school bus. The younger one will run around and refuse to take his bath cos he hates his current school. The electricity come and go, and sometimes it's not there for the most part of the day which mean, no recipe trial, no sewing, and no internet.

So, nowadays, I stopped making plans. I will take everyday as it comes. Even sundays, which usually my crafting time since DH will look after the kids.

Last night I managed to finish the elephant. I took the design from one of ondori book. I guess orange polkadot fabric will make a cute combination. I seem to work with lots of orange these past few days...:D

Unfinished Project(s)

I started this cross stitch project few years back. It’s still lying in my “unfinished project box”..:D It was kind of ambitious project. I took it from one old embroidery book and it supposed to be 6 seater table cloth (wow..I know). The picture given in the book is so pretty that you want to start doing it immediately..LOL.

Maybe one fine day, I will continue doing it again, when I get more free time..:D

Meanwhile, today I statred doing embroidery on my scarf I bought few months back. Simple embroidery with bullion stitch flower and satin stitch. I’m using silk thread for this one. The kids are having winter break this embroidery project will be the perfect one  for unwinding, since I won’t be able to “touch” my sewing machine till they go back to school..:D.

Ouch..the photos are a bit blurred…they were taken using my mobile cam..

Have a great crafty weekends…^_^

Personalized Coasters for Dear Friend

These are the complete set of coasters (6 of them) that I made for my friend's DH's birthday. She had some sort of cyber birthday party for him...(such a sweet gesture..dont you think..;) ;)...)
so without further a do here they are:

I hope they will like them though....well, actually I wanted to do blanket stitch all around the coasters but then I already very late for my SWAP with her so I just sent them yesterday....Ow..forgot to post what I got from my swap..:D...