There Is No Alternative

"We must not focus our attention exclusively on the material, because though important it is not the main issue. The economic success of the western world is a product of its moral philosophy and practice. The economic results are better because the moral philosophy is superior. It is superior because it starts with individuals. " Margaret Thatcher

The moral philosophy she spoke of is none other than Christendom.

An almost done floral embroidery from Trish Burr's  'Crewel and Surface Embroidery' book. Very fun. Very relaxing. I'm using Appleton wool and DMC cotton floss and pearl. I have been allergic to every other wool I've touched however,  Appleton is an exception. It stitches up beautifully slightly fuzzy, which adds dimension. If you make a mistake, like I did it comes out easily enough. I stitched in the pale peacock blue on the leaf where I wanted pale green. It came out just fine.

Grandson's Cloth Book - Stump, Bees, Snail, Butterflies, caterpillars

My daughter went from making a Spot Sample from ideas we got from Mary Corbett's  Needle N Thread to making pages for her nephew's book. Her favorite stitches are turkey work, button hole and couching. She also used a bit of lazy daisy, satin, padded satin, french knots and a few others.

Grandson's Cloth Book - Spiders & Butterflies

A pocket of netting for the little guy to 'keep' his butterflies in. I made a pocket for ladybirds, bees and dragonflies too. He can take them out and his mommy can put them back in :)

 The spider is a Crusader made of almost all backstitch, same for the web using DMC floss and gray rayon embroidery thread. 

Grandson's Cloth Book- Ladybirds

Simple applique, stuffed ladybirds, and turkey work catapillar.