*FREE CHART* Grateful Thankful Blessed

My gift to you, in honor of my very favorite holiday.

Follow this link to a downloadable PDF file.

This simple little design was stitched on 40 count Patriot’s Brew by R & R Reproductions, using the threads mentioned on the chart, with the addition of some Bird Nest rick rack from Lady Dot Creates. The candle holder that it rests in was found at Hobby Lobby (Wood Pedestal Candle Holder– Small, part #1453513). I designed it specifically to fit this candle holder, which has an opening that measure 3 1/8 inches in diameter. However, you may choose to finish it in any way your heart desires, on any size linen or other fabric, with any color of threads.

My only requirement for this design is that as you stitch it you do it with a thankful heart and think about the many ways you have been blessed. It has been proven that thankfulness has the power to banish darkness from the corners of our minds. I try to operate with a heart of gratitude daily, not just during the month of November. I won’t deny that this is a big challenge, but I’ve found this practice to dramatically shift my attitude toward my circumstances in a most positive way.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have regarding this design, and also feel free to send me a picture of your finish, as well as any story you may want to share about how gratitude has changed your life.

Shop owners, feel free to print up as many copies of this design as you want, and distribute freely to your customers. Stitchers, please do the same, sharing this design with as many of your stitching friends as are interested. It is my free gift to you.

I am so thankful for the blessing of being able to create cross stitch designs that are met with welcoming arms. I could have never imagined ten years ago that I would still be skipping down this happy path; you have made it possible for me to have a dream for an occupation. As I stitched this model, it was with a Grateful Thankful Blessed heart, because of YOU.

Happy Stitching! ♥ Beth

Ode to November

November... my very favorite month, for sometimes inexplicable reasons. I do love the light and the colors and the cozyness of fires in the woodstove. The settling in of the clouds and mists and rain. But I think I love it most for its transitional, fleeting nature. I love the feeling that each and every day the world around me is changing. And I dearly love Thanksgiving, the least commercial holiday, despite its somewhat questionable roots, because it is a family gathering time, and I am blessed to have wonderfully interesting and inspirational family members that I look forward to spending time with.

I'm going to show the entire month in my selected favorite photos in this one blog post. Because I don't have words enough to capture its essence.

Today...

No matter where you are, or who you are with (or not with)... 

I wish you full hearts

and laughter,

bone-deep contentment

and hope for a tomorrow better than today.

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Lately

Early sunsets far to the Southern horizon, those two sweetest faces, the return of Winter's birds and frost, a Thankfulness Tree, piano ivories waiting to be tickled, artwork and chores, the Farmboy's abandoned coffee mug, frozen birdbath, steaming pasta pot, fifteen years' wear on the handrail, a warm fire, my instrument of choice, and a little something wintery for your desktop background.