after making a couple of bibs for fruiby the other day, i got quite carried away and made one in every colour of the rainbow:

i’ve also written a pattern, so that you can make your own if you are so inclined. it’s got pictures, diagrams, and a template, and should be very easy to follow.

just watch how quickly you use up your scraps when you start making these!

you can find the pattern in my etsy shop. i hope you like it!
essie xoxo

it seems like ages since i’ve had a new pattern to share with you, and i am excited to say, that the time has finally come! may i present, ‘hardly bear’:

this pattern is a little different - it’s customizable. where the example says “sweet” is left blank on the chart, and i’ve included charts for a whole bunch of useful adjectives, such as awesome, silly, clever, cute, pretty, etc. so you can make the most appropriate crafty message for the recipient of your masterpiece.

i’ve also included an alphabet chart, so that you can put your own adjective in there if it’s one i didn’t think of.

you can find the pattern as a pdf in the shop. i’ll be re-stocking regularly, so if you don’t see it there, check back in a little while and you’ll find it.

essie xoxox

it’s still winter here in melbourne, but there are some sneaky signs of spring popping up here and there. for example, the magnolia trees are in full flower (i always think the blooms look like flocks of birds perching in the branches of a dormant tree)…

… and little orla has her ears pricked to the sound of birds chirruping outside (don’t worry, she won’t be able to eat any - she’s an indoor cat).

i’m enjoying the cosy, rainy days while i can!

in other news, my etsy shop has been re-stocked with pdf patterns, kits, and a limited supply of needle keepers.

i have some ideas for new patterns floating around in my head, and i’ll be sure to show you as soon as they come to fruition!

essie xoxox

here is the latest pattern from penelope waits: the woodland sampler!

i wanted to create a sampler that wasn’t quite so pink as my other one, and that incorporated animals as well as botanicals. this is the result!

it’s not a traditional sampler, in that it doesn’t have a place for the date and the stitcher’s name. i thought it might be nice to keep this one as simple as possible, what with all the busy little creatures scampering across it!

as ever, you can purchase the pattern from my etsy shop if you have taken a fancy to it.

love and squirrels,
essie xoxox

i’ve got a new pattern to show you! it’s designed especially for crafty folk like us…

i’ll be hanging mine near my sewing table, with all my other crafty things.

it’s a really easy pattern, and only has two different colours in it, so it would be a great starter pattern for a beginner.

i think it would also be a lovely present from one crafty person to another.

if you’d like to stitch it up, you can find the pattern at my etsy shop.

stay crafty!
essie xoxoxoxo

here’s a project that’s very close to my heart.
as many of you know, i collect teacups. i adore my collection - it’s full of intricate designs, beautiful colours, and delicate patterns (if you’re curious, you can see part of the collection here), and it’s been the inspiration for my latest embroidery pattern:

“they retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom”
- william congreve

i’ve chosen to hang the individual teacups in their own little hoops, but they would also look very cute in little frames, or used to make a set of greeting cards.

this is my favourite of my designs so far! if you like it too, you can buy a copy of it from my etsy shop.

bottoms up!
essie xoxoxo

i am so excited to be making this post - i have been working on the pattern for a sampler for ages, and it’s finally ready to share!

i love samplers. when i’m working on one, i feel part of an ancient tradition. i can picture myself as a character out of a jane austen novel, or an arthurian courtier.

with this pattern, i wanted to draw on traditional motifs, while creating something fresh and a little different.

like the bunnies, and the squirrels, the pattern for this sampler is available in my etsy shop.

i hope you like it!
essie xoxox

what’s this? another new pattern? i am on some kind of roll!

i made this pattern quite a while ago, but i got carried away with the squirrels and it sat on the back-burner for a bit.

i am a big fan of puns. jokes that make other people roll their eyes make me chortle and grin.
so i’m afraid i just couldn’t help myself here!

if you like the pattern, you can get your hands on a copy at my etsy shop. it could be a fun message to give to someone you admire, or something to hang above the bathroom mirror as a reminder that your own buns are pretty nice too (yes, they are!).

essie xoxo

i while ago i mentioned a secret project i was working on.
i’m pleased to say that it is ready to be unveiled!

the pattern for this cute cross stitch is now available for purchase from my etsy shop!

i love the little squirrels so much, and i had the best time designing and stitching them up for you!

woodland creatures are kind of my favourites. i made friends with heaps of squirrels when my partner an i went to england a while ago. this little chap was one of them:

by ‘made friends’ i mean that i shrieked “skirril!” and ran after it whenever i saw one… but i don’t think they held it against me…

maybe after designing a pattern in honour of all the squirrels that i have loved (and chased), they’ll forgive me for loving them too much!

i really hope you’ll like this pattern. i spent ages getting it just right, and i can attest to the fact that it is fun and easy to stitch.

if you want a copy, head over to my etsy shop. if they sell out and there are no listings when you get there, check back in a few hours and i’ll have uploaded some more.

essie xoxoxox