I honestly didn’t intend to be away for so long. I am taking a very brief respite between groups of house guests to catch up on my recent creative endeavours. Despite the quiet on the blogging front, I have been up to all kinds recently. I have finished this hoop. I cannot express how happy … More Inspiration to Realisation – Almond Blossom on Tiled Background
This afternoon I stopped at one of the trucks selling fruit and vegetables at the side of the road. I wanted to buy a couple of punnets of strawberries. As usually happens, the man asked if I’d rather buy a whole crate. I told him that as there was only two of us, we would … More Seasonal Sicilia – Le Fragole (part 2)
In the last week it really feels like summer has begun here in Sicily. The weather is much warmer, obviously, but there are lots of other signs. I have just stepped outside to bring in the laundry from the line and the evening air was all soft and perfumed. The pace of life – never … More Summer Time
About a year ago, I started work on a satin stitch project. It began very well: a striking palette (similar to the one pictured above) and a nice strong design that translates well into embroidery. I wrote a little about it in this post. Sadly, it was swiftly abandoned because it didn’t quite work out. … More Scratching an Itch
In the last couple of weeks I signed up for Twitter (@ambrosiastitch – if you are interested in catching up with me there). Am I the only one who finds it all a bit bewildering? Instagram was easy, Facebook was frustrating, Twitter was a little overwhelming and Pinterest…. I like it but I don’t feel … More Crafting is my Therapy
After everything I said about social media recently, I came stumbled across another unexpected positive effect of all this tapping away at phones and tablets we seem to be engaged in. Scrolling through some old Instagram pictures, I came across the photo above. This was one of the very first cross stitch designs I worked … More In Retrospect
Today was one of those occasional days – a far too rare occurrence -where I Got Stuff Done. I managed to wrap up my two ongoing projects. First, I framed “Who Killed Pedro?” Having taken the photos, I now want to tweak the slightly wonky mounting job but it is an easy fix. Completing a … More Completion
I just had to use the Italian word for strawberries. Isn’t it it great? Actually, what I have been particularly in love with recent is the fragolina. Obviously, it sounds even cuter than a fragola but that isn’t the only reason. Let me explain. Fragoline, or wild strawberries are quite widely available in Sicily I … More Seasonal Sicilia – Le Fragole
This is how I have spent much of the week so far. A nasty bug has kept me at home since Monday. When I have been feeling up to it, I have been propped up in bed in a regal fashion working away on these two projects. I have struggled with both of these pieces. … More “Who Killed Pedro?”
Our car has been sick and so required two overnight stays at the garage in the last week. Finding a reliable mechanic is no easy job anywhere you go in the world, but here in Sicily it involves a rather formal introduction process. A friend will take you along to the workshop and you’ll have … More Pottering and Doodling
Ambrosia Stitches 