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.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

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.

If you enjoy my blog, you can sign up to receive my updates here.

.

---

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

---

---

And what a week it was!

• 
  A View From Above and Sunday Morning Coffee
  It’s been one of the busiest weeks ever, and I am happy to be back in my craft room. Did you see my latest addition, which I am calling A View From Above? Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee….
• 
  How to Make Beautiful Air Dry Clay Flower Frogs
  Flower arranging is an art; having the right tools makes all the difference. If you love fresh flowers in your home but struggle to keep them in place, you’ll love these DIY air-dry clay flower frogs! I recently made a set…
• 
  A Spring Flower Pillow DIY – A Handmade Spring
  Today, I am sharing a brand-new flower pillow project in my A Handmade Spring series, combining painting, embroidery, and a touch of creative innovation in my craft room. This Spring Flower Pillow is one of those projects that feels special because…
• 
  Valentine’s Day Dining Room Table Decor
  I love setting tables, and my favorite is the dining room table decor I created for Valentine’s Day! Here is a beautiful neutral table. Valentine’s Day, dedicated to celebrating love and affection, provides the perfect opportunity to transform your dining room…
• 
  Seven Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas for Your Home
  Enhancing your home with romantic, festive touches is so much fun. Today, I am sharing how to add last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas to your home. This includes using flowers, candles, hearts, colors, decor items, special touches, and baking. It’s not too…
• 
  How to Make Flower Cupcakes
  February is the perfect time to make flower cupcakes. Are you ready to get crafty in the kitchen? Let’s make buttercream flowers together. If you love making delicious and beautiful treats, you will love today’s post. I will show you how…

---

---

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!

You can pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (click the Pin button in the top left corner) or follow me on Pinterest!

For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome