Lyn Briggs Designs

When I was a young girl, my Nana taught me how to embroidery on gingham fabric which we then made into all sorts of useful items like tablecloths and aprons. It was simple, and cheap and I loved it.  I’m of course referring Chicken Scratch embroidery. Do you remember it too?

When I saw this book, Chicken Scratch Embroidery by Carolyn Foster in my local quilt shop all those wonderful memories came flooding back and I couldn’t resist buying a copy. 

Not only that but I immediately went to Spotlight and purchased some gingham fabric to get started.

The book has clear instructions covering fabric, thread, needles and stitches used. There are twenty designs and examples of how they could be used like bags, table runners, and pillows. However, instructions to make the items are not included, only instructions for the actual embroidery design.

Project Bag …

When I saw how lovely some of the designs in the book looked on project bags, it inspired me to start planning my own project bag on which I will work some Chicken Scratch embroidery.  I’m planning to use my ‘Tis the Season project bag pattern with a few modifications. I’m calling it, the Retro Project Bag.

For the fabric, I couldn’t resist the pink gingham fabric, and I had the perfect blue fabric in my stash to go with it. The next step was to choose matching threads and following suggestions in the book, I will be using three strands of DMC Embroidery Floss.

Stitching in Progress …

After reading all the instructions carefully, I made a start and so far, so good.

If you are wondering, the cross-stitch is the ‘foundation’ and some more interesting stitches will follow.

Spacious Places ….

I’ve noticed that when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by, for example, an every-growing list of things to do, expectations of family or friends, financial burdens, or health concerns, my anxiety levels ramp up, and I start to withdraw into myself. Activities I like to do are no longer appealing, and I just want to be alone. My life becomes small as my problems literally press into me.

That isn’t the life God has planned for me.

Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10) God wants us to prosper in all areas of our life; spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally. King David knew this when he wrote: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” (Ps 23:6)

Next time, you feel the weight of the world starting to press down on you, remember that God is with you and is for you.  Pray bold prayers because He “… is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine…” (Eph 3:20) and wants you to live a big life without fear.

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118: 5-6)

Until next time

Lyn