• mamahood
    • homeschool
    • Maxwell
    • Natalie
    • Marigold
    • Landon
    • baby things
  • faith
    • 23 identities PDF
    • Tanzania + Compassion
  • inspiration
    • our home
    • books
    • lifestyle
    • marriage
    • homeschool
    • simple living
    • we’re debt free!
    • book recommendations
  • homeschool
  • devotionals
    • (in)courage Devotional Bible
    • 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer & Doer
  • new? start here

Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / creativity / craft project / My latest embroidery hoop project.

My latest embroidery hoop project.

February 10, 2015 · 12 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, for fun

So, funny story: A couple of months ago, my mother-in-law Cindy was visiting and we were anticipating our second baby being born (hooray, it’s a girl!). We spent quite a bit of time at home while she was here because I was either super pregnant and desperately uncomfortable, or because I had just given birth (and resting sounded absolutely blissful).

embroidery hoop art maggie whitley

But one afternoon my MIL asked me why one of my embroidery hoops hung on the wall said behave. I looked at her funny, glanced up at the hoop, and let out a little laugh as I told her it actually said be brave.

There’s a running joke with our family, both Zack’s side and mine, that I’m the sassy one in the bunch. I don’t mind asking aloud the hard questions, and I for sure don’t mind adding a little pizazz to the conversation. Basically, I like the keep the mood light while making my neighbor feel welcome to be as they are. It’s not always easy to do, but I enjoy the challenge ;)

embroidery hoop art maggie whitley

But back to my embroidery hoop saying “behave”/”be brave”.

Now, every time I look at the collage of hoops on my wall — they actually say “be love,” “be grace,” and “be brave” — I think of Zack’s mom. Here are the hoops in their glory:

statement wall art maggie whitley

Cindy’s visit with us ended and she flew back to Michigan, but I didn’t want her to forget about our little knee-slapper. So, a few weeks ago I sat down with my embroidery thread and made her her very own BEHAVE hoop. Oh, yes I did! #sassy

embroidery hoop art maggie whitley

embroidery hoop art maggie whitley

And when she called me to tell me she received a package in the mail — even said hello into the phone — I began to laugh. Me laughing made her laugh, and for a good bit of time that’s all we did on the phone together. It was amazing, and a really special moment in our relationship for me.

I love that we have this little joke to fall back on. I love that while she’s really the least-sassiest person I know, she has an embroidery hoop that says “behave”. It’s my secret dream she hangs it in her office so she can think of me while at work ;)

embroidery hoop art maggie whitley

So that’s my latest embroidery hoop project. It was a fun one to make, for sure. I’ve been stitching while I can — in between afternoon naps or while sipping my morning coffee on the weekend. It’s one of my favorite craft projects right now, probably because of the rhythmic sound of the needle hitting the cloth and the pop of color against the neutral backdrop. It’s just the best.

Related: I’ve got a fun sewing project up my sleeve. If you’d like to stay in the loop on what I’ve got going on you can join my email newsletter by clicking here.

Caroline-made zip pouch maggie whitley

Do you stitch, and if so what designs are you working on? I also love to knit (and crochet), and lately I’ve been looking at the basic watercolor set Maxwell has and thinking it would be fun to get a larger palette of colors to play around with.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn


12 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, for fun

Join over 4,400 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

« Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy 30th Birthday, Zack! »

Comments

  1. Southern Gal says

    February 10, 2015 at 4:18 am

    That made me laugh out loud! “Behabe!” is what our children would tell each other when they were little. I’ve been trying my hand at embroidery again. It’s been years so I’m rusty. Now I’m going to be adding “Behabe” to my sewing room wall. ;)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      AWWW, that’s just the cutest word! And I love that you’re going to stitch something now :) hooray!

      Reply
  2. Shelli says

    February 10, 2015 at 5:45 am

    I wish you had this as a diy kit, I’d totally buy it! Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      Thanks Shelli! I hand drew it on the canvas before stitching, you could totally do the same.

      Reply
  3. Jenna@CallHerHappy says

    February 10, 2015 at 10:34 am

    That is certainly my favorite craft. I Insta about it all the time!

    Reply
  4. Nikki says

    February 10, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    This made me giggle <3 I love it. I would love to do embroidery. I can think of so many cute things I want to put on hoops, but I don't know how to. I crochet, knit and sew… My littlest one joined the family around the same time your little did, and I haven't really been able to pick anything up. Not enough time in the day!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      It really is so easy, get on YouTube and watch a few tutorial videos :) I know finding time is hard, but maybe you could carve out a couple hours one morning a month and go to a coffee shop or book store and stitch? It would be so relaxing. Let me know what day this month you’re going to start your first project ;)

      Reply
  5. Jen says

    February 10, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I love this hoop Maggie and making special gifts like that is one of my favorite things about embroidery!! Since that’s my thing I could go on and on about my projects and how much I love it for the color and relaxation and many more reasons.

    For those of you who haven’t tried yet I promise it is one of the easiest crafts to try, don’t miss out!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Thanks Jen! ♥

      Reply
  6. cindy whitley says

    February 10, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Maggie, Oh my wonder, such a fond memory, and yes it IS hanging in my office. Thanks for sharing, I feel so special suddenly. I will send picture tomorrow. Love MIL

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      …BIG SMILES! :D

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    February 18, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    I am smiling after reading all of this… sounds like a great bonding moment for you and your MIL. I have had a few of those with mine and I love them! It’s like building blocks that cement your relationship and strengthen its foundation.

    Your hoop is super-cute… and look how neat your backside is! (that sounded a bit wrong but you know what I mean). :)

    Stitching is the best… portable, flexible, easy to master. I love that it can be as complex or as simple as the stitcher decides. I really have been wanting to learn crochet and knitting these past few years (my 8yo has been giving me lessons, haha) but somehow it doesn’t come to me as naturally as other things like sewing and embroidery.

    :)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
READ MORE >>
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Join over 4,400 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

instagram

maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
.
.
.
.
.
#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.