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Brambleberry Meadow
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  • Stitched sample squares
    Handcrafts

    Blending Threads in Cross Stitch

    ByHolly February 9, 2025February 9, 2025

    Blending threads in cross stitch, on first glance, seems like a bit of an over-the-top move. After all, DMC has 500-plus colors. Most other companies have nearly as many choices….

    Read More Blending Threads in Cross StitchContinue

  • Cross Stitch on High Count Linen
    Handcrafts

    Cross Stitch on High Count Linen

    ByHolly November 6, 2024November 9, 2024

    There seems to be a skill-progression among cross stitchers that moves from aida to linen to high count linen. I’m here to share some tips and tricks for stitching beautifully…

    Read More Cross Stitch on High Count LinenContinue

  • Cross Stitch Fabric Storage
    Handcrafts

    Cross Stitch Fabric Storage

    ByHolly September 14, 2024September 14, 2024

    When you take up a hobby like cross stitching, it doesn’t take very long before you start accumulating supplies. And one of those supplies is fabric. There are so many…

    Read More Cross Stitch Fabric StorageContinue

  • Thread Polish
    Handcrafts

    Thread Polish

    ByHolly April 5, 2024April 5, 2024

    Why to use a thread conditioner – and where to find my recipe for a homemade version.

    Read More Thread PolishContinue

  • Making Fancy Thread Drops
    Handcrafts

    Making Fancy Thread Drops

    ByHolly March 17, 2024March 17, 2024

    Why “Fancy” thread drops? Why not? I mean, my entire DMC collection is on plain white drops, because that’s just faster and easier. But I’ve never been shy about being…

    Read More Making Fancy Thread DropsContinue

  • Three fabric-wrapped embroidery hoops
    Handcrafts

    Wrapping Your Hoop

    ByHolly January 14, 2024January 14, 2024

    Wrapping your hoop makes your fabric more stable and your stitching smoother.

    Read More Wrapping Your HoopContinue

  • Stop 1: Bittersweet Quilt Shop
    Uncategorized

    Stop 1: Bittersweet Quilt Shop

    ByHolly July 5, 2026July 5, 2026

    It’s now been just over a year since JoAnn Fabrics went bankrupt and closed down. The Lamentations have been loud and prolonged. It’s certainly true that the death of that…

    Read More Stop 1: Bittersweet Quilt ShopContinue

  • Commonplace Book and pen
    Homestead Hopes

    Making a Slow Living Commonplace Book

    ByHolly May 4, 2025May 4, 2025

    If you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter, you may have noticed that it’s entitled “A Brambleberry Commonplace Book.” Are you familiar with what a commonplace book is? A commonplace book…

    Read More Making a Slow Living Commonplace BookContinue

  • Strong Churches Part C
    Bluestocking Bower

    Strong Churches Part C

    ByHolly March 7, 2025March 7, 2025

    National Strategies for Revitalization And, again, the usual disclaimer – I have no credentials, no connections, and speak with no particular authority. And I realize that some of the suggestions…

    Read More Strong Churches Part CContinue

  • The Strong Churches Playbook Part B
    Bluestocking Bower

    The Strong Churches Playbook Part B

    ByHolly March 6, 2025March 7, 2025

    And, once more, a small disclaimer. These outlines came about because discussions on these topics often get a little heated, a little frustrating, and frequently end with “Well, how would…

    Read More The Strong Churches Playbook Part BContinue

  • The Strong Churches Playbook Part A
    Bluestocking Bower

    The Strong Churches Playbook Part A

    ByHolly March 6, 2025March 7, 2025

    And a brief “disclaimer” of sorts: In recent years, many Christian Reformed congregations have faced decline—some closing their doors, others merging, and many struggling to retain younger generations. It’s a…

    Read More The Strong Churches Playbook Part AContinue

  • Milk Cake on Stand
    Baking and Food

    Scandinavian Spiced Milk Cake

    ByHolly February 3, 2025February 3, 2025

    Now that you’ve made your clabber, I thought I’d share a few recipes for things to make with it. Let’s start with Scandinavian Spiced Milk Cake. Milk cake, or mjölkkaka,…

    Read More Scandinavian Spiced Milk CakeContinue

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Today on my substack, you get... my booklist. Go Today on my substack, you get...

my booklist.

Go visit Letters From the Country Mouse to read the list.
A new wild strawberry beside the path, and a new e A new wild strawberry beside the path, and a new essay up on my substack.  It's a good morning!
Hi, all! A couple of things to catch up on: Firs Hi, all!

A couple of things to catch up on:

First, I have a new blog post up on making a Commonplace Book - both the whys and the hows. 

Second, I've been doing some more writing, both on my substack and for a few publications as well. I'll share some info on that, later. In the meantime, I'm writing a specific essay on the loss of connection to family farms, businesses, and community since WWII. If you'd like to share your thoughts, there is a survey in my linktree. Go find it in the Bio and tell me about YOUR experience!

#slowliving #rurallife #ruralheritage #familyfarms #homesteadlife
New substack post. Meanwhile, I'm working on some New substack post. Meanwhile, I'm working on some model stitching, as well as some hand work projects as well. Don't forget to drop by the blog for some of the latest posts - one on stitching with blended threads, and a recipe for Spiced Swedish Milk Cake - made with clabber.

Linktree in bio for all the goodies!
More substacking. And also more work on another mo More substacking. And also more work on another model. That piece is coming along well. I've even started wrestling some with the software to prep an attractive pattern leaflet. 

Maybe I'll take a break this weekend and bake some pastries.

#slowliving #slowlivingmovement #substackwriter #substack #countrymouse #americanacore
My husband and others have been insisting that "bl My husband and others have been insisting that "blogs are dead," and everyone is on substack. Now, I am going to insist that blogs are NOT dead. Especially for things like food and crafts that are very visible. So expect to continue to see that on the blog.

BUT - I DID start a substack. You'll find my essays over there. 

lettersfromthecountrymouse.substack
I've been working on a number of designs to get re I've been working on a number of designs to get ready for a launch of this little venture.  This is the first model finished.  I just have to stitch up the drum version, and pattern 1 will be ready to go.  I give yoy:  Holiday Hens 1 - Christmas Chooks.
I've decided that I am going to make the Avonlea S I've decided that I am going to make the Avonlea Sample available as a freebie on my new website even though I don't have the model finished, yet.  So now is a good time to head to the new website in my linktree and sign up for my email list.  Then look for an email to let you know it's available!

#crossstitchdesign #samplercrossstitch #anneofgreengables

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