This is such a lovely book!

As a long-time stitcher I went through a long, dark period where all the patterns I could find were geese with blue bows around their necks and overly twee teddy bears in human clothes. It was really, really bad.

Quality patterns and books are getting easier to find, but you do still have to dig around to make sure you're not wasting your money. Ms. Simpson's book has a collection of lovely story-book patterns, almost entirely done as silhouettes (black thread on ivory linen). Unicorn, Frog Prince, Wise Old Owl... even some tiny crowns, keys and arrows. You could make these for a little person in your life, but they'd look just fine in a cozy den or library... even your living room. What's even better is that she includes a small piece of linen and a skein of black embroidery floss, so you can get started right away (I stitched the jackalope head).

I liked the book so much that I bought her other two - Secret Garden and Stitch the Halls. Sophie Simpson's patterns are modern, sleek, and pretty. If that's what you're into, and you're also sick of geese and bears, you should pick this book up. ( )