Works of Peace - Beginner Fiber Art

I have a deep appreciation for (and admiration of) fiber art and embroidery. I've got an entire Pinterest board dedicated to the genre actually.

To be honest, I wish I did more of it myself.

As it stands, I don't really know how to do a whole lot of different hand stitches.  Every time a project calls for a french knot, for instance, I have to google up some instructions and figure it out all over again.  That info just does not stick in my brain for life.  I just don't use it enough.  The info, not the ole noggin.  ;)

A week or 2 ago, there was a major sale going on at the big J - - and I had a coupon for some crazy high percentage off.  Burning a hole in my pocket.  I tell you what, they know what they're doing when they send you those coupons in the mail . . . it is almost impossible not to figure on something you need that you could use with that coupon, you know?

Anyway, Little Miss and I had a little mom and daughter day out together and that means not only does she get to do what she wants (lunch and custard at Culver's), but I get to do what I want as well (stop in the fabric store).  I'm not big on kits so much, but I saw this sweet little thing and thought . . . maybe this will get my juices flowing on doing more embroidery and fiber art.   

It was fun.  I revisited some stitches I knew how to do (nothing terribly wild going on here!) . . . it was mostly just practice, but I like the result.  I'd like to point out that these blue stitches you see around the peace sign below:

I had never done those before!  And I already forgot what they're called.  Everyone reading this with the most basic knowledge of embroidery is laughing at me right now. 

I haven't decided where this little sampler will live . . . perhaps if I get a gallery wall going in the girls' room, I'll add this to it.  Might also be nice elsewhere.  Once I frame it I'll have to audition a few spots.

Anyone else honing in on any new skills?