A First Try

Although I love to quilt, I am primarily a machine quilter and that does not travel well.  I was looking for something crafty to do while watching a movie or traveling.   It seems most quilters use knitting for this sort of thing, but knitting and crocheting are not for me.  I tried them briefly but tend to pull the knots too tight, which makes me more frustrated, which make me pull tighter.  You see the problem. 

On the surface embroidery is not at all interesting to me.  I am not a sewer, really.  But then I heard several podcasters talking about using embroidery as their movie-watching craft and I was curious.  I found a few non-granny patterns from Sublime Stitching, Wild Olive and Carina's Craftblog or Feeling Stitchy and I was blown away! 

I purchased a few patterns from Sublime Stitching (which I am still working on) and this one called HappyScape from Carina's Craftblog.  I am very happy with it as my first attempt!  I still need to frame it and hang it over my quilting space, but for now lives here on my coffee table where it makes me smile.

Do you have favorite embroidery website for inspiration or patterns?  I am always looking for a new suggestion or blog to follow!