The Orient Express, a Grime Guard, and a Motif Crossroads

The Orient Express

Long-time friends of the blog will know that I’m a seasonal stitcher, but did you know that I’m a seasonal reader as well? When Halloween and November roll around, I need to be reading something spooky and Gothic. Last summer, it felt appropriate to be adventuring in forests, so I had a fantasy theme for the summer. At the beginning of this month, I was in a particularly Winter-ish sort of mood and needed to read something frosty, and preferably with a lot of snow. I had never read The Murder on the Orient Express, so I checked it out from the library. Of course, I had seen the adaptation with David Suchet, so I knew the plot, but it’s such a good book that my knowing whodunnit didn’t spoil it in the least! This is one of Agatha Christie's best books, in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the time it was set in, as well as the atmosphere of being on the train (I love trains). It's such a popular and well-known railway, so there's a ton of videos related to it. Half the fun of this particular book is searching for videos about the history of the train! This video by Tasting History was very fun to watch:

David Suchet also did a wonderful documentary about the train, here's the link to IMDB.

WIP Updates

Nikolai (Russian Hunting by Riolis)

Here's what it looked like before:

And here's what it looks like now!

Drum roll, please! Maybe even some trumpets tooting a celebratory sound? Yes, I finished a column! The lower half of the column had a lot of solid blocks of green and purple. I’ve also started a new column and made it back to the sky, but that won’t last for long as the tree is getting taller, and there’s already some foliage starting in my next 10 x 10 square. There are two more columns to go before I reach the edge of the design and get a page finish! Instead of moving the Q.Snap, I’ll just have to move the Grime Guard, as there’s not enough fabric left to move. I’ve decided that when I do start a new page, I’ll move to the right, so I can start working my way across the top of the design.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera Cross Stitch Pattern by EmnEllie

I’ve made some decent progress on this one!

The first frame is finished, and I’m pleased with how the letters turned out. I came to the oh-so-common crossroads of “which motif should I stitch next?” with the choice of the chandelier or the mask. I chose the mask, and that’s what I’m working on right now. It’s not in this picture yet, but I’ve only got a few rows in, so you’ll see it next time. I’ve grown really fond of stitching on black fabric! It contrasts so well with the floss, especially this white floss.

Odds & Ends

Keep an eye out in my Etsy shop 👀I’m going to be designing more cross stitch bookmarks soon! If you want to see one I’ve already designed, here’s the link.
Why don't we do this though? Link to Instagram

Comments

Gloomy Weather Reading, Phoenixes, and a Promo Code

Photo by Alessia Cocconi on Unsplash It’s a very stormy, overcast kind of day at the Castle as I write this post. It wouldn’t take much to make me think of books I love, but doesn’t a day that makes you stay inside just make you want to read? A few years ago, I read the Phantom of the Opera. While I had seen the Emmy Rossum movie adaptation, I had never read the book, so I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was fantastic, and a real page-turner! While I do have that book as a paper-back, I’m really enjoying reading with my Kindle. I can stay up late (as late as I can before I fall asleep face first into my pillow) and hear the owls hooting or the traffic driving past my window in the distance. If the weather stays as dark and gloomy as the weatherman says it will, then I foresee reading to the sound of thunder and rain as well. What’s not to like about that? It would be absolutely unacceptable if I mentioned the Phantom ...

Jane Austen Cross Stitch Patterns

Photo by Elaine Howlin on Unsplash Happy Pride and Prejudice Day! In honor of this wonderful day, I will not only be watching Pride and Prejudice later (the 1995 BBC one) I’m also sharing a list of the Jane Austen, and Austen-ish cross stitch patterns that I’ve made. By the end of this post, you’ll have Mr. Bingley wondering at all the accomplishments cross stitchers have these days ;) Regency Silhouettes: There are two charts here, and I like to think that they’re Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. I wanted them to look like the silhouettes that you see on the walls in period dramas. Available as a freebie, here’s the link. This is a great chart for all bookworms, with motifs inspired by Victorian wallpaper and the covers of vintage books. Caroline Bingley would be stitching this for her library, because we know that she can’t survive without good literature. Available in my Etsy shop, link is here. I like to imagine Jane Austen staying up late, reading a new book, or adding s...

4 Cross Stitch Patterns for Readers

4 Cross Stitch Patterns for Readers Here are four cross stitch patterns for readers of all ages. Whether you're on the lookout for a bookish Christmas ornament, trying to gift something to a reader, or you're looking for decor for your bookshelves or your favorite reading spot, read on (see what I did there?) to find that perfect book cross stitch pattern. My Library Cross Stitch Pattern by EmnEllie This is a great chart for all bookworms, with motifs inspired by Victorian wallpaper and the covers of vintage books. The link to purchase this chart is here. Jane Austen Regency Silhouettes Cross Stitch Pattern by EmnEllie Period piece fans, I've got you covered. Here are two (yes, two!) free cross stitch patterns inspired by the great Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. They are designed to look like classic silhouettes. The link to the charts is here. Owl and the Pussycat Cross Stitch Pattern by EmnEllie Poetry and cross stitch go together like butter and toast....

EmnEllie Cross Stitch Blog

Search This Blog