Sparkles! I loved the sparkle in my first Art Deco pattern, so I'm continuing it in this pattern as well. Yep! I'm loving how this is turning out. #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #embroidery #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery #benitamakes #xstitch #artdeco #sunburst

If you like art demonstrations on drawing, inking, painting as well as tutorials on drawing people, please check out Scott Story's YouTube channel. Here is his latest video but he has many more on different subjects. #scottstory #fantasyart #arttutorials #drawing #painting youtu.be/X4WRJLGF01s?...

I haven't shown what I'm spinning, so, here it is. This is Montedale, an American developed sheep breed, and it's lovely! This is the second bobbin of these colors, so I should have 8 Oz of a sport weight yarn when I'm done. #spinningwool #spinningfiber #benitamakes #wip #montedalesheep #montedale

Just two more color blocks before the outlines. I can't wait for the next colors!! Art Deco is so cool!!! #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #xstitch #artdeco #wip #ilovecrossstitch #embroidery #iloveembroidery

Next part of my newest Art Deco cross stitch pattern. Sometimes the first try at a pattern is tweaking the colors, but this one (so far) is coming out exactly as I imagined it would. So happy!!! #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #wip #workinprogress #embroidery #artdeco #craft

Newest mini cross stitch design. This one is my second Art Deco design. I absolutely love Art Deco! #artdeco #crossstitch #benitamakes #crossstitchofbluesky #embroidery #wip #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery

I just finished Mia's House, but I modified it to be twice as deep, adding a shower, TV, and making the bedrooms and kitchen much larger. Now it feels like a house and not little more than a facade. #lego #legos #legofriends #ilovelegos #benitamakes

Even though I know a few, basic stitches like running, back, satin, couch, etc., I want to learn more. So, I'm doing a stitch study, beginning at the beginning. #benitamakes #embroidery #stitchstudy #learnnewstitches #iloveembroidery #learnembroidery #beginnerembroidery

While this is at the Indianapolis Airport, we have about 8.5" here northeast of Indianapolis. The snow is still falling at nearly 1pm.

It's done! If you need help with metallic thread, try combining a strand of it with a strand of normal thread. It keeps it from getting tangled up. I will get the pattern (Putting On The Glitz) up on the website tomorrow. #benitamakes #artdeco #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #ilovecrossstitch

Art Deco #1 cross stitch is coming along just as I hoped it would. I can't wait to see what the other colors will do. Can you see the glitz? Art Deco has to have glitz. #benitamakes #artdeco #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #glitz #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery #wip #craft

My newest cross stitch pattern in my early 20th century art styles series. This time it's Art Deco, which I love. I'm getting the black areas done first before the color ones are done #benitamakes #artdeco #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #wip #embroidery #ilovecrossstitch #craft #iloveembroidery

Just a reminder that I have a novel on Amazon called A Patchwork Life. If you like books like James Herriot or Mary J MacLeod, then you will enjoy my book. Also, there's a quilt block at the beginning of each chapter. The cover is a quilt created by me. #apatchworklife #benitastory #quilts #quilting

Series Two is available on www.benitastory.com under Patterns/Free Cross Stitch Patterns/Series Two. There will be 8 more designs added to Series Two as I create them. Also, check out Series One. All free!! #benitamakes #freecrossstitchpatterns #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #bauhaus #atomicart

Done! This 1950s Atomic Art styles cross stitch is called Supermurgitroid, which was slang for "With It" or "Really Cool". I need to take the pattern into Photoshop to add the French Knot dots, but I intend to have it up on my website tomorrow. #benitamakes #crossstitch #atomicart #1950satomicart

Getting closer. With any luck, I should finish this 1950s Atomic Art cross stitch by the end of tomorrow. This may be one of my favorites. #benitamakes #crossstitchofbluesky #crossstitch #embroidery #iloveembroidery #ilovecrossstitch #1950satomicart #atomicartstyle

More on the new Atomic Art. I'm really pleased how it's coming along. #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #1950satominart #atomicart #ilovecrossstitch

My Lego Defender 90 is complete, but I have one question. What's the extra engine block for? Once they have you build it, it's never shown again. #lego #legos #defender90 #Legobuilders #benitamakes #landrover

Newest cross stitch design in progress. This one is based on 1950s Atomic Art, which is one of my favorite styles. #benitamakes #atomicart #1950sartstyle #wip #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #craft #embroidery #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery

Done! This modern take on Bauhaus is called Take Pride, and the free pattern will be up on www.benitastory.com in a couple of days. This is #3 in my second series of mini cross stitch patterns. I can't wait to making design #4. #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #bauhaus #craft

Almost done. This is going to be my modern take on Bauhaus, which has been fun! I can't wait to see this final version completed, then get the pattern up on www.benitastory.com As always, it will be free. #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #embroidery #wip #craft #ilovecrossstitch

My second attempt at this design. I did finish the first one, but, basically, just to get the colors and details worked out. So far, this version is much better. #benitamakes #crossstitch #wip #crossstitchofbluesky #bauhaus #embroidery #ilovecrossstitch #crafts

Nothing like a bunch of friends camping together and looking at the night sky. I don't have many sets of the Friends theme, but I do like all the camping stuff. #lego #legos #legofriends #benitamakes #ilovelegos

It's done! The Lego Natural History Museum is ready to be viewed. It came with 5 people, but that wasn't busy enough for me. So, I added 8 more, 2 outside and 6 inside. Someone needed to be looking at the displays. #lego #Legos #Legobuilders #benitamakes #museum #naturalhistorymuseum #ilovelegos

My Lego Christmas tree has gifts beneath it, waiting for Christmas morning. Notice one of the gifts is a sewing machine. #Lego #Legochristmastree #sewingmachine #luckysomeone #ilovelegos

A few weeks ago, while Scott and I were in Detroit, we visited a small antique store. I found this embroidered and appliqued piece for $5. Today, I found the perfect fabric to go with it. 3 yds! #embroidery #applique #sewing #craft

Question for Lego builders. This is on the second floor of the Natural History Museum. I get the ship and temple, but what's between them? Also, what is this gray rocky thing? And lastly I'm guessing lunar landing stuff, but...? #Legos #Legobuilders #benitamakes #wip #Legoquestions #Legohelp

I'm not sure if I'm happy with this. I've already changed some colors and where they go. Still think the green is too dark, as well as the red. Well, that's why it's important to play with everything before committing to a final design. #benitamakes #wip #bauhaus #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky

Hamilton!!! The first chance I have had to see it. #Hamilton #Broadwayplay

Indiana is now embroidered on my US map. I used red and white for IU (sorry Purdue). This makes 14 of the 50 states completed. This is a nice, relaxing project when my brain is tired. #embroidery #benitamakes #wip #craft #embroideryofbluesky #iloveembroidery #usmap

The only thing that has changed in 90 years is the price. Seriously, the styles, obviously, are still worn today. In fact, I am currently wearing a hoodie with a pouch pocket on the front. I love fashion history. #hoodies #1930sfashion

My first actual Bauhaus influenced design. I enjoyed this very much. The colors and details are fun. I'm looking forward to exploring this and other early 20th century art. #benitamakes #crossstitch #bauhaus #wip #craft #crossstitchofbluesky #ilovecrossstitch

I couldn't sleep, so worked more on my Bauhaus design. I love how the colors bounce off one another. #Bauhaus #crossstitch #benitamakes #wip #workinprogress #crossstitchofbluesky #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery

My response to Panetone's "Color" of the year. I called this quilt "summer comes to the hills". I am sure if I searched hard enough I could find a bit of "Cloud Dance" in it--but only a bit. #artquilt #color #abstracttextile #coloroftheyear #Panetone

After deciding that my previous design was more 1950s Atomic Art than Bauhaus, I designed something closer to what I see online and in some of the books I have. Of course, it gives me more ideas. #benitamakes #bauhaus #crossstitch #wip #workinprogress #crossstitchofbluesky #ilovecrossstitch

This cat sleeps so hard, like a kitten does, but she's 7 years old. I don't know how she can comfortable as her head it below the level of the rest of her body. Her name is Anne Shirley Story, Annie for short. #torbiecat #catsofbluesky #cutekitty #sleepykitty

I have been doing more research into early 20th century art styles, and the one I just finished seems to be more 1950s Atomic art, which I love. I think the next one is more Bauhaus, so will be curious to see what you think. For example: #crossstitch #atomicart #1950sdesign #Bauhaus #20thcenturyart

It's done. My first Bauhaus design. I absolutely love it. I have the next design ready to be stitched. Give me a day or so to finalize the pattern and get it up on www.benitastory.com where it will be available for free. It will be in the Series Two category. #bauhaus #benitamakes #crossstitch

This is coming together so well. It's based on a design I found although I've altered it to suit my taste better. This has given me the encouragement to design my own original patterns. I can't wait to see this finished #benitamakes #bauhaus #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #wip #craft #embroidery

Just received this in the mail, and I can't wait to dive into it. The British Home Front during WWII interests me, and reading first-hand accounts (journals and diaries)as well as magazines and guides are the best way to go (IMO). #goodhousekeeping #WWII #greatbritain #wartime #homefront #realtales

More working on my Bauhaus cross stitch. I am loving the abstractness of this and it's really holding my attention. This is a huge win for my ADHD brain. #bauhaus #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #wip #abstractart #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery

It has been 15 months since I worked on this embroidered map of the US. Time has flown! I did Illinois today, and am thinking on what to do with Indiana next. #benitamakes #zenbroidery #usamap #embroider #iloveembroidery #ilovestitching #wip #craft #workinprogress #embroiderersofinstagram

The 2in1 Lego Christmas tree kit was built yesterday, although I personalized it somewhat. The decorations had red hearts, but that read more Valentine's Day, so I replaced them and some of the red balls with more colorful items. More my style! #Legos #Christmastree #benitamakes #Christmas #lego2in1

My newest mini cross stitch series (#2) is going to focus on art styles of the first part of the 20th century. This one is looking at Bauhaus art, which I love. Series One of 12 patterns is available for free on www.benitastory.com. #benitamakes #bauhausart #crossstitch #wip #crossstitchofbluesky

Free cross stitch patterns updated. Series one with 12 patterns is available for you to download and enjoy. Www.benitastory.com/patterns/free-cross-stitch-patterns/series-one/ #crossstitch #benitamakes #freecrossstitchpatterns #crossstitchofbluesky #ilovecrossstitch #iloveembroidery #ilovestitching

Comparing the Lego Vespa to my version. I call it my Junk Vespa, and I had so much fun finding the right pieces, ignoring the colors. This is what gave me the confidence to design and build my own buildings. #Legos #legovespa #moc #benitamakes #funwithlegos #ilovelegos

New glass cabinet from IKEA to hold non-building Legos. Now that they have a place to go, we can build more. Yay!! #Legos #ikea #storage #displaycabinet #benitamakes #ilovelegos

It's done! This is the last design in a series of 12. I still need to finalize the last two, then get everything up on www.benitastory.com Remember, all of the patterns are free, and make quick projects to do. #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #embroidery #ilovecrossstitch

Only one more color to go on this design. I absolutely love the plaid in this pattern. I think this is one of my favorites of those I've created. #benitamakes #crossstitch #crossstitchofbluesky #wip #workinprogress #crafts #plaid