Sunny Stitches
Sunny Stitches
Sweet & Simple Embroidery Projects for Absolute Beginners
Celeste Johnston
Lemon Made Shop
Better Day Books
I love the undercurrent of Better Day Books. Built on a foundation of wellness, care for ourselves, for each other, for our minds. All are themes which can be underlying causes for stress - why we are not “okay” inside. As an artist myself, I believe that ‘a stitch in time’ can really save a mind. The question is, do you? Do you understand the need for wellbeing activities? Let’s use this book as a guide for that aspect of your life.
The author
I liked the fact this artist has her priorities right - her Instagram clearly states her priorities - classed as a Mamma, Wife and Friend…..then of course the artist within her flows. She has a company which produces embroidery art (https://www.instagram.com/lemon_made_shop/)
Her work has been featured in magazines and she lives in the USA.
No, we do not actually need to know author life details, often a faceless name - but as an author myself, I feel the need to share human feeling is a strong narrative of worth - we are all authors of our lives - maybe you will be more than that.
The understanding behind the publisher of this book
Their foundation belief- Based on three words of meaning - Happy, Curated, Creative. When all three collide, a spirit of wellness will be applied - not just reading to educate ourselves. To learn more about the themes behind their brand, please visit their website.
The understanding - what’s this book really about?
Imagine if you had never tried to stitch a single line, maybe too nervous. Within this book, you will learn even what fabric will be best suited to your first time feelings. This book is about learning to stitch from the very start, the base level. Yet it is not patronising, it is guided, not taught in a ‘talk down’ manner. With projects and templates - all is there.
Its layout / contents
Introduction including a Q&A from the author (where we will learn more about her life and how she balances her family relationship - this warms us to her before we learn from her teaching.
Then we are taught about fabric choices, which ones will suit our baby steps as learners and what materials we will need. When we have embroidered for years, certain aspects become so invisible and natural, it is hard to then relate to a beginner level. This author though has successfully managed that - she has not left any ‘ah buts’ for us to become fragile with. Even instructions visually to set up an embroidery hoop are applied.
Projects in sections come next - I really loved the chapter themes - I've read so many on flowers and bunnies - this is a little different - think famers market and hiking! The prelude to each project gives us insight thematically. It is ‘human’ in tone to read - take for example page thirty seven - care for us is taught as well as learning - did you ever think affirmations would be written about in a textile related title? Well here you go!
Templates are presented at the back - as the projects require them for shape administration.
Who is it for?
I see this book as great universally yes, but I know I would find it especially attractive if I felt a need to remind myself of the happy. Sometimes if we dwell within its covers enough, we will believe it’s true. So use this book to take care of yourself - the author tells you so.
Finally
This book is an antidepressant for the reader - a natural one. The colour ways are eye bright in tone - happiness spiking!
Get your prescribed playlist on (its fed to us page 8)
