Thanks to the wonders of the internet and all the beautiful embroidery on Pinterest, Etsy, etc., I’ve been itching to try freestyle hand embroidery for some time.  While I’ve cross-stitched since I was a child, I’ve never tried any other type of embroidery, and the idea of being able to stitch more free-form really appeals to me.  So I snagged a discount copy of “The Stitch Bible” by Kate Haxell at an after Christmas sale in January and started searching around for my first pattern to try.

While I love the idea of creating an original piece (as in, drawing a pattern, tracing it, choosing colors, etc.), I decided that for my first time out I wanted to try something a bit easier.  After drooling over patterns on Etsy for several days, I settled on a design by a lovely shop called Clementine Patterns and purchased an easy sampler called “Bless the Lord.”  Their patterns come already printed on a piece of cotton fabric (saving me a step for my first project), along with a guide which suggests what stitches you might use and some possible colors.  It all comes in a lovely little package with a color print of the model.

My first step was to choose colors.  I stuck fairly close to their model, but my colors tend more to jewel tones.  Here they are:

My colors for “Bless the Lord”

So far, I’ve really enjoyed myself.  It takes a bit more concentration that cross stitch in order to keep the stitches even, so I’m doing it in small doses.  Here’s what I have so far.

I also purchased a more difficult sampler at the same time.  If I make it through both of those, I’ll feel ready to take on a more complex project.  🙂