It’s February and Sunday Morning Coffee
There’s something about February that feels quietly hopeful. It isn’t loud like the holidays. It doesn’t rush in with big expectations or long to-do lists.
February arrives softly, with a change in the air, a little more light in the mornings, and a sense that something new is beginning.
Season 6 Volume 5
Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.
About Me
Why I Love February
February 1st always feels like a gentle reset. Love is in the air, not just in the Valentine’s Day sense, but in a deeper, more personal way. It’s the month of connection. Of relationships. Of noticing the people we love and the life we’re building together. It’s a reminder to slow down and savor moments instead of rushing through them.
The weather starts to shift just enough to notice. The cold isn’t as sharp. The days feel a little brighter. The light lasts a little longer in the evenings. You can feel the edge of winter beginning to soften, even if spring is still a little way away. There’s a quiet promise in the air that warmer days are coming.
I love that February lives in the in-between. It’s not the stillness of January and not yet the bloom of spring. It’s a transition and it’s anticipation. And it’s that subtle feeling that life is starting to wake back up again.
This February feels especially meaningful in our family because we will likely welcome another grandchild. There’s something so beautiful about new life arriving during a season of love. It makes the month feel even more tender, more special, more sacred.
There’s nothing quite like waiting for a baby to arrive. The anticipation. The excitement. The quiet moments of imagining who they’ll be and how they’ll fit into our family story.
February reminds me that joy doesn’t always come in big, loud moments. Sometimes it comes in small signs of change. A little more sunshine. A warm cup of coffee in the morning light. A quiet conversation. A growing family. A heart full of gratitude.
I also love February because it’s a creative month for me. Valentine’s projects, handmade ideas, new designs, new plans, new rhythms forming for the year ahead. It feels like a bridge month, connecting winter to spring, reflection to creation, rest to momentum.
February feels full, but not overwhelming. Gentle, but meaningful. Soft, but hopeful.
As I sit with my Sunday morning coffee today, I feel grateful for this season. For the love in the air. For the change in the light and the anticipation of new life. And for the quiet beauty of a month that doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
February doesn’t demand attention. It invites presence. And that’s exactly why I love it.
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My Latest Project
What You Need to Know If You Haven’t Used Your Embroidery Machine in Ten Years
Bringing my embroidery machine back to life after ten years felt a little like opening a time capsule. Once I bought a new power cord and plugged it in, I was so excited to start creating again. I couldn’t wait to jump into projects, and honestly, I was having so much fun making embroidery pieces again. It felt familiar, creative, and joyful.
But it also came with a few unexpected headaches.
At first, everything seemed fine, but then the problems started to stack up. My thread kept breaking. The bobbin tension was off. The top thread tension wasn’t cooperating. The machine made a knocking noise I couldn’t ignore. Stitches weren’t clean. Thread nests appeared. And nothing felt smooth or consistent.
My daughter-in-law Charlotte suggested I take my machine in for a tune-up. And boy, was she right!
My favorite Brother Embroidery machine had been neglected by me! The machine worked fine. It just needed some TLC to make up for the fact that it had been sitting in storage for a decade!
Thankfully, I found some really helpful advice that changed everything. I took my machine to Pasadena Sewing and Vacuum, and they were so knowledgeable!
That knocking noise? It’s a big warning sign. It means the machine is dry and needs to be oiled. Over time, internal parts lose lubrication, and without oil, friction builds up fast. That sound is your machine asking for help.
Then there were the springs. A few are missing, which affects tension and smooth thread feeding. The inside of the machine was full of old thread pieces and dust from years of sitting unused. It wasn’t broken, it was neglected.
The needles were another issue. The ones I was using were worn, dull, and outdated. Embroidery needles don’t last forever, and old needles can cause skipped stitches, thread breaks, and fabric damage.
And then there was the thread.
The thread I was using was from 2012, purchased on Amazon more than a decade ago. The thread has a lifespan, and mine has passed it. When the thread breaks easily between your fingers, it’s done. No tension adjustment in the world will fix brittle, aging thread.
Once I realized what was happening, everything made sense. This wasn’t user error. It was time, wear, and neglect from years of inactivity.
The good news? A tune-up was all I needed.
My machine was cleaned, oiled, serviced, and repaired, and I’m so excited to get back to embroidery. New springs. Fresh needles. Cleaned interior. Proper lubrication. New thread.
A fresh start.
This experience reminded me that creative tools need care just like anything else we love. Maintenance matters. Storage matters. Materials matter.
And I can’t wait to start creating again, without the frustration, without the breaks, and without the constant troubleshooting. I’m more excited than ever to dive into embroidery projects again, knowing my machine will finally be ready to do what it was made to do.
Sometimes, bringing something old back to life just takes a little patience, a little learning, and a lot of love.
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What Worked This Week
February Window Wreaths
This week, the February Window Wreath release was a huge success, and I’m still taking it all in.
What started as a simple idea during A Handmade Christmas has become something much bigger than I ever imagined. Releasing the February wreaths felt less like launching a product and more like continuing a tradition, and the response confirmed exactly why this project works.
The downloads, the messages, the shares, the photos of windows, and the stories from families tracing together reminded me that you all aren’t just looking for decor. You’re looking for experiences. Rituals. Creative moments that feel meaningful instead of consumable. And that’s exactly what these wreaths have become.
What worked wasn’t just the designs. It was the rhythm. The monthly release. The expectation. The continuity. So many people are beginning to see this as a tradition rather than a one-time project. A creative habit. A seasonal ritual that belongs in our homes.
It also reinforced something important for me as a creator: simplicity scales. The wreaths are simple. Traceable. Calm. Accessible. They don’t overwhelm, and they don’t require perfection. That makes them inviting instead of intimidating, and that’s a big part of why they’re resonating.
This release reminded me that when creativity is rooted in intention rather than trends, it lasts longer. It connects deeper. And it grows more naturally.
The February wreaths weren’t just a win because of numbers; they were a win because of connection. Because of stories. Because families create together. And because homes are becoming a little more creative, a little more handmade, and a little more meaningful.
That’s what worked this week.
And it’s exactly the kind of work I want to keep doing.
- Make the first laser projects.
- Finish machine embroidery projects
This Recipe for Lemon Lush Dessert looks amazing.
My friend Janine at Happy Happy Nester shared Pink Crafts for Adults.
This Easy Apple Spoon Cake looks so good!
And what a week it was!
- A Baby Sprinkle and Sunday Morning Coffee
A few weekends ago was one of those moments that quietly settles into your heart and stays there. We gathered to celebrate a Baby Sprinkle for my daughter-in-law, Charlotte. I found myself smiling the entire day, not just because it was… - Meyer Lemon Cream Pie with a Twist
I made a Meyer Lemon Cream pie, which might be my favorite pie ever! This recipe is delicious and so easy to make. This cream pie is a perfect combination of creamy, sweet, and just a little bit tart, with a… - Pretty Spring Clay Dishes Made with Decorative Fruit Napkins – A Handmade Spring
These Pretty Spring Clay Dishes Made with Decorative Fruit Napkins are cheerful, easy to make, and incredibly versatile. I love projects that feel elevated yet approachable, and this one checks all the boxes. Using air-dry clay, decorative fruit-themed napkins, and a… - How to Make Vintage Garden PotsI love vintage garden pots, but they are difficult to find and often expensive. I can’t wait for you to see how I made my new terra cotta pots look old. All you need to do this is a simple gardening…
- Why You Should Always Make Your Own Salad Dressing
Salads are a cornerstone of a healthy diet, and your chosen dressing can make or break the experience. It’s time to make your own salad dressing. While store-bought salad dressings are convenient, they often come with added sugars, unhealthy oils, preservatives,… - The Best Faux Flowers for SpringThe gloom of winter has me looking for a way to add a touch of spring to our home. The easiest way is to add spring faux flowers to your décor. Even if it is snowing outside, a touch of faux…
Martha shared The Home Trends We Loved in 2025. From Warm Minimalism to Art Deco, there are some interesting trends.
I have lots of fun things to share next week. My project for A Handmade Spring is the easiest project ever!
- Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board Ideas
- Paint Your Own Valentine’s Day Cards DIY
- Textured Air Dry Clay Ideas
- Valentine Desserts
- A Handmade Spring
- The Best Cranberry Orange Scones
- It’s February – S6/V5
- Valentine’s Day – S6/V4
- A Dreamy Craft Room – S6/V3
- The New Craft Room – S6/V2
- An Exciting New Year at My 100 Year Old Home – S6/V1
You Might Also Need…
This Week’s Top Sellers
We shared many of our favorite home items this week, and here are the top sellers!
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Leslie,
Love your blog and the many ideas. Thank you for sharing.