​I made the embroidered tangerine quite some time ago, but it still makes me smile. Tangerines mean New Year! Why? Only us, those over 40 who grew up in Soviet Union will understand.  The second picture (photo from tula.air.ru) is a still from an iconic 1975 film “The Irony of Fate or Enjoy the Steam!” Can you count how many stereotypical and still beloved dishes are on that festive table? Happy Happy  New Year! 

​In cinemas all over the world the latest Star Wars movie has opened. The British Library is joining the fun with a very amusing and thought provoking article about familiar looking creatures in medieval manuscripts. You can see more pictures here.  

It is dark outside even in the middle of the day. Trees are lamenting in the wind, and rain is flogging our windows. Here is a perfect book to read on such a day: „Crewel World. Needlecraft Mystery” by Monica Ferris. Is embroiderer the murderer or the victim? I will let you know.

To all my creative friends, crafters and artists.  To all of us who know that creativity and fear are inseparable, that it is impossible to step into creative endeavor without having to encounter fear. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love”  in her new book “Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear” tells how she had to sit down and convince herself to write knowing very well that whatever she writes will never be as successful as “Eat, Pray, Love” and that her talent will be questioned. She still did it. Love her, love this book.