The start of each New Year brings so many 'light and bright and sparkling' opportunities to look forward to and 2025 is no exception with it being the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen.
First Stitch Along of the Year Hannah Green 1826
January and February have been punctuated with some lovely moments amongst which was the start of a Sampler stitch along hosted by Emily (@tworivers_58 on IG) and Leslie (@leslie_stitches on IG) who sat on my table at the Great British Sampler Weekend in 2023.
They chose Hannah Green 1826 which was reproduced by Hands Across The Sea Samplers which was a 'Queen of the May' sampler (each year HATS assign a special sampler to be their Queen of the May). Here she is in progress - what a stunning and enjoyable stitch she is:
Blessing Sampler and Christmas Bauble
This year I decided to stitch a "Blessing" sampler for the first time. I don't usually like to follow anything that has overtones of superstition because my life was dominated by such things as a child with a particular relation constantly referring to the negative impact of superstitions and having sat next to a traveller's child at school who filled my head with the same nonsense which caused me lifelong anxiety that I would suffer bad things if I dropped scissors or saw a single magpie and so on. Finally, but not entirely, I am able to dismiss the stupidity of such things and so I was not nervously stitching away thinking I would have a terrible sewing year if I didn't finish it by the end of January. However, this beautiful little sampler was very quick to stitch and I absolutely love the finished piece. The pattern was included on the Hands Across The Sea 2025 calendar as a gift to stitch as a "Blessing" sampler. It is a redwork sampler stitched originally by Louise Vilvorder and I worked mine on 56 count linen using an Au Ver a Sore 100.3 silk thread in colour 384.
Also in the photo is a bauble made using English Paper Piecing which was a kit by Pretty Fabrics and Trims and was included in their Christmas Box I have each year. So festive.
Sock Test Knitting for a New Pattern by Ada and Noah Designs
I thoroughly enjoyed knitting a pair of socks as a test knit for a new pattern by Caroline of Ada and Noah Designs. I used some sock yarn I have had for some time and was wanting to try and I have to say I was very pleased with the results. I was asked to knit the small size which is not my size but will make a lovely gift.
A Very Special Gift from 2024
One day, out of the blue, in the post I received a gift of stitchy loveliness that brought me so much joy. This is a stack of tiny pillows by Stacy Nash sewn by a very talented needleworker and gifted to me as a thank you. I was absolutely delighted as I am going to be taking a class with Stacy at Cowslip Workshops this Spring.
Attending the Jingle Ball 2024
Talking of Stacy Nash I went to the Jingle Ball (an online extravaganza for stitchers held at Christmas) where I took her class and we made a beautiful needle case with some wonderful little mice on the back.
All Things Bright and Beautiful a Red Box by Hands Across The Sea Samplers February 2025
How exciting to have another Red Box released from Nicola of Hands Across The Sea Samplers. This one is called "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and contains 14 Sampler reproduction booklets and a flurry of gifts for stitchers as well as some discount vouchers. I have already taken advantage of a discount form Hobby House Needleworks to buy their new Winterbury case (made for a Potoky stand but useful for all sorts of needlework things).
Nicola showing us Red Box Number 3
I won't reveal the contents in this post as some people are still waiting for theirs.
How beautiful is that Duck Egg Blue of my new Winterbury needlework travel case and it goes so well with my smaller Liberty cube case which holds my scissors, needles and other small tools and the larger case will carry a stand, zigzag light (another purchase with a voucher from the box) and larger items I take with me on retreats.
Jane Austen 250th Anniversary Reading Lists, Events and Other Delights
There are so many wonderful celebratory events around the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen and I am hoping to enjoy books, visits and crafting this year.
First, I have been delighted to meet Tracy of Tracy's Nordic Lights Blog and YouTube Channel who has curated a list of books by and about Jane Austen as well as life in Regency England which has totally caught my imagination. Do pop over to her blog for more details and to enjoy all her creative work there. I have thoroughly enjoyed the book choices for February and am looking forward to dipping in again next month to her recommendations.
February Jane Austen Reads
So we are starting our Jane Austen year with her novel Persuasion which she wrote when she was in her early forties. It is the first of her heroines past the blush of youth which makes it so interesting. On the Jane Austen Society website they suggest that 'the influence so sweet and so sad of the autumnal months in the country' runs through the story which can be seen as both literal and metaphorical. It takes place from Michaelmas to Christmas and afterwards in Bath.
It explores the steadfast nature of love and patience as Anne holds her love for Captain Wentworth in her heart for years despite having obeyed, as a young woman, the dictates of class and wealth making him an unacceptable suitor.
Wentworth has a gentle epiphany when exploring his unexpressed feelings towards Anne, by finally acknowledging he has always loved her when he writes her one of the most famous and enchanting love letters in literature.
The novel, of course, has Jane's customary humour but also commentary on human nature and social pressures. It is absolutely one of her loveliest stories in my humble opinion.
Another book on Tracy's list was Jane Austen's Letters collected and edited by Deirdre Le Faye which perfectly complements the novel Persuasion especially if you agree that Anne is probably based on and inspired by her sister Cassandra. The letters are mostly to Cassandra and the excellent new television production of "Miss Austen" about Cassandra wanting to preserve Jane's image as it stood at her death and her belief that other aspects of her sister's character did not need to be known by the public caused her to destroy the correspondence is definitely worth watching alongside reading this book of letters.
Finally, for February Tracy chose "Jane Austen Embroidery" by Jennie Batchelor and Alison Larkin - a book I already own and have enjoyed reading and working one of the small embroideries which can be seen framed in the photograph above.
Fair Maids of February
I could not let this month go past without a visit to see these wonderful small flowers carpeting the woodland floor and we took our grandchildren to one of my favourite houses in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Burton Agnes Hall to visit the garden and enjoy so many snowdrops.
Baking and Gardening January/February
I must recommend a cake recipe given by Miranda of Seasons of Story on Substack. I made this to take with us to Yorkshire and it was so tasty and a perfect size for a large family gathering. (It is a paid for recipe but her account on Substack is excellent and worth a look).
Finally, in the garden there has been the usual work of pruning and sweeping up leaves but I have also been making plans for things to sow in the vegetable plot especially some sweetpeas but more of that next time. Here is one of my Instagram shots from the summer to inspire us for the seasons ahead, especially growing sweetpeas!
Until next time, "do small things with great love" (Mother Teresa)
