A Heart for Pastel

About a month ago I found this easel-hook-stand-thingy at a thrift store for 50 cents. I didn't have any idea how I would use it, but it was just too cute (and too inexpensive) to pass up. 

It occurred to me a few days ago that with Valentine's Day just around the corner I could hang a heart from the stand's hook.

So, from my stash of fabrics and lace, buttons and such, I made this heart today. The stitched "Love" is my first stab at hand embroidery (no pun intended).

Now I have a pretty little Valentine decoration for mere pennies.

I like that.

Have you ever bought something at a thrift store that you just couldn't pass up even though you didn't know what you'd do with it?

Cottage Life - French Embroidery Hoop

I'm a bit of a fabric addict. It's a big reason I love quilting, sewing, rug making. . . anything that's related to textiles gets my attention. 

I can't pass up a fabric store or quilt show.

If there's an antique mall with vintage material, I'm right there.

And I've never met a box of vintage embroidered pieces in a thrift store or yard sale that I didn't like.

Hand embroidery is on my to-do list this year. I learned to embroider as a child and after noting a wonderful revival of the craft I've decided to get back into it. Which brings me to the subject of this post.

Earlier this month I ordered something special for myself, which I rarely do, and then anxiously awaited its arrival. In just a few days it showed up.

A gift to me. . .from me. 

My heart skipped a beat when I opened the package.

The pretty wrapping really did make me feel as though I was opening a gift.

And there it was. . .

my French Embroidery Hoop.

The hoop was designed by French General, a company I first discovered when I began quilting and saw their beautiful material for Moda Fabrics. After visiting French General's website I signed up for their newsletter, and that's how I first learned about the new French Embroidery Hoop.

The light-weight embroidery hoop has a brass ring and a steel coil wire which holds the fabric tightly in place.  

The hoop is just so pretty and unusual, and I can't help but believe my embroidery experience is going to be better for it. I'm already imagining winter evenings in front of the fire, French embroidery hoop in hand, stitching beautiful patterns. Très francais.

I'm not receiving any compensation whatsoever from French General for sharing this. I purchased the hoop and simply wanted to share it with you. I will tell you that you can find French General on Instagram here, and a discount code for $10 off the French embroidery hoop, if you'd like to have your own.