There She Goes: Celebrating Women & The New Moon
Hello & Happy Wednesday!
Monday was International Women’s Day and I hope you all took some time to celebrate yourself or an amazing lady in your life ❤️
All of this feminine energy feels right for the New Moon, which is occurring on Saturday! Do you pay attention to the moon cycles? What I’ve learned about this moon in particular is that it’s a Pisces New Moon, signifying an opportunity to feel things deeply and lean into your creativity. New moons in general are a prime time to birth new ideas and craft new intentions. Have fun with it!
I also wanted to share a few resources that Brooke and I have reviewed together this week. Our mission is to create a community that is inclusive to all and we are constantly looking to learn and grow so we can do just that. While our continued learning and adapting shows us to use the term “women,” especially towards trans women, we understand that “womxn” can be empowering for those who choose to use it to identify themselves. Reading articles like this and this were helpful, as well as speaking with others. If you ever have suggestions for ways we can expand our bubble further, to hold everyone in our community, please let me know.
Okay - let’s dive in!
New For You
In celebration of International Women's Day, we’re excited to share a new E-Book Chart (the first photo in this newsletter). The pattern is designed to create a 7.5" W x 5.5" H needlepoint on 13 mesh and 15% from each purchase will be donated among three favored NGOs that combat menstrual poverty and create educational opportunity for vulnerable young girls in rural Kenya! Grab yours here! Be sure to check out the painting tips at the bottom of this email.
One of our most-loved kits - Birdie - is back in stock! Grab yours before it’s gone here!
Set Aside Some Time This Week For Some Self-Care
I. Set some boundaries and see how they can help you be more expansive. Perhaps do this with screen time, emails, comparison, relationships, things that don’t align…
II. Set new moon intentions! Light some candles, burn sage, make a vision board - whatever makes you happy!
III. Let your creativity flourish! Pick up a paintbrush, brainstorm ideas, try something new!
Soulful Salutations
I. “The world needs exactly who you are.” — Jaqueline Whitney
II. “I live in the space of thankfulness — and for that, I have been rewarded a million times over. I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased. That’s because — for sure — what you focus on expands. When you focus on the goodness in life, you create more of it.” — Oprah Winfrey
III. “I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.” — Hafiz of Shiraz
Uplifting Things Happening Around The World
I. Alaska is the first state to open COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 16 years and older!
II. Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall Of Fame
III. Checkout how an independent pharmacy in Pennsylvania is vaccinating thousands. Spoiler, Superman is invovled.
Brooke’s Painting Tips
Three Canvas Painting Tips:
1. Allow yourself a 2" border of blank canvas around a design. This will make it more friendly for stitchers who prefer frames or like to expand their backgrounds. At least 1/2" of blank canvas is required for finishers to work their magic, so it's better to measure twice and cut once. If it's for personal use, you can probably get away with about a 1" border, but for handling and ease of stitching, it is often best to err on the side of caution as the weave can fray on the edges.
2. A little spritz bottle with water will help elongate your time with your acrylic paint. No need to go overboard, but a spritz here and there will help keep your palette fresh. I scooped up this one from a local Zero Waste Grocer.
3. Another good rule of thumb is to keep the orange "selvedge" on the left hand side. There are different rules of thought for this between the US and the UK (Left in US, Bottom in UK) but it is an excellent habit to get into. It is helpful for both the integrity of the warp and weft while also helping create consistency on needlepoint shop walls.
Photo: My heart was so happy the other day to see a photo of my dear friend, Jessica Radford, stitching our Poppy Love canvas @thejessrad on Instagram. She is easily one of my favorite humans and kicks major ass in the boardroom. I feel so very lucky to have been connected to her in Boston when I met her for coffee years ago to hand deliver a kit she had ordered.
— written by Brooke