I learned many domestic crafts as a child — the basics of sewing, knitting, and needlepoint, but I never learned much about embroidery.  Nor did I particularly want to learn embroidery… until recently. After poking around on Pinterest, Etsy, and Carina’s Craft Blog, I became interested in and quickly obsessed with trying embroidery.

But I needed a few tools to get started. Rather than hint vigorously to my husband about what to buy, I decided to put a few embroidery basics under the tree for myself.

Two weeks later, with a copy of Doodle Stitching, by Aimee Ray, and a hoop, needles, transfer tools, and floss from Sublime Stitching, I started my first project – this embroidered ribbon.

Typically, I become overambitious with new projects, but I managed to keep this one small and simple. Following a pattern in Aimee Ray’s book, I stitched this sweet vine and flower on a grey cotton ribbon.  I have no idea what I’ll do with it, but I am inordinately thrilled, almost obsecenely delighted with it nonetheless.

For many, the new year is a time for resolutions and big plans, a time to tackle new projects, and think about taking on deferred dreams. I am no exception, only this year, I am doing it in baby steps, with small but satisyfying projects. Out with the old, and in with the new.