Our afterschool ritual has become pretty firmly set now. My son comes home, wolfs down all the food in sight and then we clear off the kitchen table to sit down together while he does his homework.
He reads in both English and Norwegian now, but prefers English.
My husband sat down at the computer to do a bit of homework for me. I requested return address labels and he got tons of extra credit from me for adding the little dollies photo! Wasn't that a great idea and so sweet of him to think of it and take the extra time to do it?
All his sweetness has helped me get in the Valentine's making mood...I have been working on little Valentine's Day surprises for my family.
How much to embroider? Sometimes when I am working on a project I wonder is this enough or if I add more will it be too much?
Or is it better with more? I actually like it either way.
I would like to try zillions of different ways. For this one I used a finely woven linen/cotton blend of fabric, hand appliquéd the heart and then decorated with cotton embroidery floss. It is going to be a napkin for my husband.
Here's one for Lilly.
And the one for Sebastian in the back. It was really fun deciding which fabrics the kids would like and sewing them up.
Now the homework for the day is done. My husband is reading a goodnight story and I have peace in the house. I am going to finish up and order and then do some other sewing.
I'm sure you can't share the surprise or you'll ruin it but I'm curious to see what these lovely embroidered hearts end up becoming! They really look pretty. And what a nice husband you have!
Posted by: Carolyn | February 05, 2009 at 07:56 PM
The napkins are so lovely and so sweet that each gets his or her own personalized one. :-)
Yay to your son for reading in both languages. Mine learned to read German in school and then just fell into reading English at home since that's what we speak. Now that they are in an American school, spelling is a bit of an issue (German is phonetic, English is NOT). It's so worth it though, to have bilingual kids. See, you give so many gifts to your family. :-)
Posted by: Kristin L | February 05, 2009 at 08:07 PM
the napkins are lovely, but the very first one is my favourite, understated elegence witht he touch of vintage chic....I really must get working on my Valentine gift to M... though he would probably prefer cupcakes like I did last year!
Posted by: Apryl | February 05, 2009 at 08:20 PM
adorable hearts!
Posted by: saganaga | February 05, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Your napkins are very nice, and that you are doing it for a family surprise is fantastic. Love sure is useful . . . LOL
I like the pink heart with the red outline - it seems to stand out a bit more.
They are lovely.
Posted by: Yvette | February 05, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Lovely labels. I need my daughter to do mine. I'm label-less! Sad. Pretty valentine hearts.
Posted by: Stephanie | February 05, 2009 at 09:28 PM
ohhh, so lovely!! i love the pink with red heart. it is perfect!! how great to do this as a suprise too! :)
thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: kerri | February 05, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Your hearts are so pretty and sweet!
Posted by: Beata | February 05, 2009 at 09:45 PM
I love the red knots on your husbands napkin. It's beautiful.
Posted by: Gina | February 05, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Your little hearts are so beautiful!
Posted by: Smila | February 05, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Isn't it a shame little children have so many cares?
I use scissors like those all the time. In fact I couldn't manage without them.
Posted by: Jackie | February 05, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Your son is so cute and these hearts are adorable!
Posted by: LiLi M. | February 05, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Napkins, what a lovely idea. Can I pinch it?
Posted by: joanna | February 05, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Emily, opening your sweet colorful little post is so eye-pleasing. Your address labels are awesome. Lovely fabric and even prettier embroidered hearts. You are so talented!!
Posted by: cathleen | February 05, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Lovely address labels. And gorgeous family napkins. I especially love the embroidered one--just perfect!
Posted by: sheree | February 06, 2009 at 12:05 AM
oh, i love the napkins. what a great idea.
Posted by: katie | February 06, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Hi Emily, my two sons are exactly the same - hungry all the time! love the return address labels and the napkins are great!
Posted by: Kathryn | February 06, 2009 at 01:52 AM
The little heart applique and embroidery is just lovely.
Posted by: tracey petersen | February 06, 2009 at 05:04 AM
I like this very much...and your son...I'm chinese
Posted by: Zoo | February 06, 2009 at 07:40 AM
I love how the napkins have turned out. And the I LOVE the embroidery you have done on you husbands napkin. Both versions looks fantastic, but for valentine you ca never have too much embroidery - the more the merrier :-) Thanks for some wonderful hours at your place last week. We need to have an "all girls and fabric" day soon!
Posted by: Anne Marie | February 06, 2009 at 11:18 AM
You surely have a well organised evening routine. quite productive too.
The embroidery is really pretty.
Posted by: lucy | February 06, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Hi Emily! I love your projects for Valentine, you have lovely ideas!!! The embroidery is just right, I don't think you did too much, all the details are beautiful!
Posted by: Suzie | February 06, 2009 at 04:04 PM
I love the little hearts and I think more is better!
Doesn't feel like your child's homework is also your homework!
Posted by: Jewel | February 06, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Hi Raven - Emily :)
I love everything you do , you know that already :) I keep your dolls on my work space...
You have a nice family! Your valentine projects are beautiful!!!!
Have fun!!!!
Posted by: antigoni | February 06, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Hello!
I want to inform you that I have given you The Lemonade Award.
Best
Margith, Emilies Hjørne
Posted by: Margith Bonde Clarup | February 06, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Emily, your napkins are lovely. Nice thing is that the family will always know if someone forgot theirs... and who's was forgotten. Plus you are saving the enviroment too! The hearts are really cute. I like both of the linen hearts... w/w/o the red.
Posted by: Jean C. | February 06, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I like both the hearts (with and without the red embroidery). The first one is more...simple pretty, while the second is very vivacious. After reading your post I thought, oh, I'll embroider pillowcases for my sweetie for valentines day! Then thought, maybe a little wall hanging or such (every man needs one) would be more reasonable. Whatever it is, thanks for the idea. :)
Posted by: chicago sarah | February 07, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Hello Emily!! I haven't posted this on my blog yet (will try to do it tonight) but you were the winner of my baby blankie giveaway!! Just wanted to let you know! Email me at dianedundee @ yahoo dot co dot uk
Posted by: Di | February 07, 2009 at 05:24 PM
beautiful things! you are very talented. :) and the scissors... oh my....
Posted by: amy | February 07, 2009 at 11:13 PM
What a sweet heart! The little red "roses" are beautiful on it. Lovely idea to have personalised napkins.
Posted by: Melanie | February 08, 2009 at 06:28 PM
I love Valentine's day so much. I should just make Valentines the whole year long! So many ways to be inspired, but the hand-embroidered napkins are really special. I especially love the close-up of your gorgeous French knots! So pretty against the natural linen!
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
XO
Iris
Posted by: Iris | February 13, 2009 at 02:10 AM
I love little speical details! And you really did a beautiful job.
Posted by: Oiyi | February 27, 2009 at 05:25 PM