There She Goes: Welcome 2021
Hello & Happy Wednesday!
We are BACK and so excited to have you here with us! I hope that you all enjoyed the holidays in your own special way. I am looking forward to seeing a hopeful year unfold, and it all can start here, today, with a little joy & light!
I spent the holidays in Denver, Colorado - my first time celebrating Christmas in a place other than New Hampshire! Although I missed my family, I was filled to the brim with gratitude for my partner, my pup, and all of the loved ones I was able to connect with virtually.
Speaking of gratitude, I have a new blog called “How To Make A Gratitude Jar,” which you may want to check out if you are looking to cultivate more gratitude and magnetic energy this year!
I am so thrilled to share this week’s goodies with you - let’s jump in!
A Letter From Brooke
Hello Dear Readers,
Happy New Year! Happy 2021!
I am so thankful for your continued support through one of the toughest years for most. While the pandemic certainly hit my loved ones and tiny business quite hard as I find myself stuck on the other side of the Canadian border, I am trying harder than ever to find light and joy in the smallest of things. Perhaps that means lingering on a particular shade of lavender on the side of a building, the way the light shines through the trees on an afternoon walk, a kind note from a happy customer or my recent favorite, taking some down time to enjoy my morning cuppa coffee.
Some days the bits of my broken heart can fit through the eye of a needle, some days I jump with glee and others I am thankful to simply have a roof over my head and food on the table. We are all taking this change of livelihood one day at a time and I am immensely grateful that you are here. I truly believe that the needlepoint community is the world's best kept secret and I know for me, needlepoint has certainly gotten me through the stormiest of days. I know that there are countless choices that you have the opportunity to make in the needlepoint world, so I have so much gratitude that my tiny passion project is even on your radar.
With a new year, we have the opportunity to hit refresh. To reflect, regenerate and reimagine. To look within and take a moment to revisit what serves us and what doesn't. To establish boundaries, try a new hobby or simply recharge. However you are finding solace, comfort or peace is the right way. As a result, I hope you don't mind, but we took a couple weeks off from our newsletter to hit "recharge."
While I'm not one to really make any resolutions, I do try to set some intentions and keep them ongoing. Sometimes we slip up and it is equally important to grant ourselves forgiveness for being human. Progress over perfection, right? For me, I try to set intentions that bring positivity to my life, but don't have precise goals set.
For the last several years, my goal has been to "read more." Sometimes that means the news, sometimes a newspaper, sometimes a book and sometimes blog posts by folks I admire. Last year, I added "be more sustainable" to my list. This year, I'm adding "be more generous." On purpose, each of these goals are vague because they can take different forms and grow as I grow. I plan to share with you little bits and bobs as I go through my blog.
Thank you for being here, thank you for being you and thank you for uplifting my dreams. Supporting small businesses don't always require monetary support. Signal boosting by word of mouth can move mountains.
Here's to changing our stars, moving more mountains and stitching the world back to health, happiness and fortitude. I wish you an abundance of all that makes your soul happy.
Lots of love,
Brooke
New Blogs To Check Out
How To Paint Your Pet with Abigail Cecile Brooke will be using this guide to paint a needlepoint canvas of Goose!
Check out Brooke’s Personal Projects from 2020:
Starting off with …
All Stitched Up: Eva Howards Polar Bear Plunge “Oh my goodness, this project was a long time coming! I bought this sweet “Polar Plunge” canvas from Eva Howard Designs last year thinking they would serve as perfect Winter 2019 projects! I was so caught up in painting orders and moving that I hadn’t quite gotten to them.” Read on here >
Songs To Stitch To, Sing To, Get You Through The Week
I. Love On The Brain - Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs
II. Frequency (WITH LOVE) - Slyvan Esso
III. 13th Century Metal Michael Kiwanuka Mix - Brittany Howard, St. Francis Hotel
Set Aside Some Time This Week For Some Self-Care
I. Stitch while listening to an uplifting podcast or happy music.
II. Cozy up under a blanket, with a face mask & a book. Sounds dreamy right? Make it happen - you deserve it!
III. Clear the clutter on your phone - start by deleting any apps that you haven’t used in a month (you can always get them back!).
Soulful Salutations
I. “Stop acting so small, you are the universe in ecstatic motion.” — Rumi
II. “The distance between dreams and reality it’s called action.” — Laura Jones
III. “There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people.” — Lailah Gifty Akita
Uplifting Things Happening Around The World
I. Norway became the first country to sell electric cars than petrol, hybrid, and diesel engines in a year!
II. Raphael Warnock’s win is historical! Check out his amazing story and why this is such a big moment in history.
III. In the animal world - take a look at this horse in Frankfurt, Germany that takes itself on morning strolls.
Brooke’s Bookshelf
Archewell on Spotify: It's no secret that I admire the work of Meghan Markle far beyond the realm of her titles. In her latest endeavor, check out her new podcast, featuring wise words of many inspirational voices!
Bridgerton on Netflix: What's not to love?
Second Life Pod with Elaine Welteroth: Okay, I'm also a big fangirl of Elaine Welteroth, a powerhouse in the fashion communications world. Her book More Than Enough is on my short list of recommendations and I am saving this podcast interview for when I have a wee bit of down time.