About
I am a midwesterner, born and raised in the Chicago area, but my heritage is English. I grew up with a teacup in my hand. There is nothing more wonderful than a cup of hot Earl Grey tea in a bone china teacup while having a piece of some kind of needleart, sewing, quilting, or knitting in my hands. An early morning in the perennial garden fills my soul. I can get lost for weeks in books and am a passionate Francophile. Music to sooth the soul is Andrea Bocelli, Adamo, and John Denver.
My grandmother, Clara Avery, taught me to knit when I was seven and instilled into me the gentle art of all kinds of needlework.
I have a small finishing business where I take other people’s cross-stitch and embroidery and finish it into something beautiful. I love the creative process in this. I also am willing to teach others to finish their own work.
Averyclaire 
Sue McB
Aug 29, 2008 @ 16:53:04
Good morning to you from Oz – thanks so much for your kind comments about my work, and I’m delighted to see my blog listed here! We have a few things in common – I was born in the UK, have been stitching all things since a child, and love both gardening and Earl Grey! I shall watch your page on the Ning site, and visit here again. All the best, Sue McB
Heidi
Jan 30, 2009 @ 07:27:20
Greetings from cold and sunny Holland!
Thank you very much for your kind words about Hannah Beeby,
it really makes me happy to share with and learn from other stitchers. In answer to your question, no, I don’t use a thread grid – I just measure out the general size of the work, and start in the corner counting as I go.
In reading your “about” I just had to smile – we have so much in common: I’m a huge tea fan myself and a large mug of Earl Grey is always by my side when stitching, quilting or reading a book. I used to live in France for many years on the coast of Bretagne, spending many days along the ocean.
Your work is wonderful and I can’t wait to see what you will create next!
cheers,
heidi
Sandy Gray
Feb 08, 2009 @ 22:47:02
Thank you so much for your comments on my blog. I know the “world” is very small when you’re on the internet, but to have a message from Chicago, really surprises me!
Our town is a small one (pop.1800), on the edge of the Outback in Queensland. Patchwork shops are few and far between, the closest to me is 3.5 hrs away towards the Coast (where most people live!) I have had the shop for 10 years and started the blog last year, just to keep in touch with MY customers who mostly live vast distances away from the town. They just love it, and tell me that it’s like ringing up for a chat or dropping into the shop, which for some, is quite a rare occurrence.
Our country is one of extremes – as is yours. Terrible bushfires in the south with devastating loss of life and homes, and floods in the far north of our state creating havoc.
I have read the recent entries on your blog and have actually visited the websites of some of the stores you mentioned. I receive the Fons and Porter newsletter, in fact Liz Porter visited here about 15 yrs ago.
Do hope your son continues to improve after his surgery. Thanks again, sincerely Sandy Gray.
Nina
Feb 26, 2010 @ 02:09:53
Hi,
Thanks for your comment and asking me, my basic thread is Madeira from Germany. This is the same quality like DMC is, but DMC is more expensive so I chose this.
If you are interested in my hand dyed fibers, please visit me here too: http://betweencrosses-sale.blogspot.com/
I’ll put them here if I have finished all of my dyeings this time.
Have a nice day,
Nina
Claudine Beaurenaud-Colmont
Dec 20, 2010 @ 23:51:37
It’s a real pleasure to walk on your blog, congratulations and thanks for the walk. What do you become, are you well ? Your French friends are sad to have not news from you.
I wish to you and your family a very good Christmas and an Happy New Yeay 2011.
Kisses and hugs from
Cl@udine 🙂
Mike Jablonski
Jul 29, 2011 @ 21:45:53
Mom, you make some REALLY beautiful things!!!! Maya, loves her hand-made quilt from grandma!!! It’s always a pleasure seeing you guys out here in CO!
Claudine Beaurenaud-Colmont
Jul 29, 2011 @ 22:08:01
Congratulations for Maya’s birth – many good things for her. I want to see her quilt.
I send many kisses for the baby.
Cl@udine 🙂
An Older Woman
Sep 07, 2011 @ 20:08:30
I have cleared my mail, and can not remember if I responded to your lovely letter. I do respond to your blogs. You are very talented and an inspiration.
And I agree. I’m drinking a cup of Earl Grey as I type this. Looking forward to more wonderful posts and photos….Patsye
Terry
Sep 09, 2011 @ 12:55:05
I was trying to find an email for you, so I can reply to your kind comments on my blog! The embroidered quilt is about three feet wide by about four feet tall at the moment. I’m not sure what kinds of borders I’ll add but I’m sure it will end up being a bit bigger. Thanks for stopping by! :0)
Barb Carey
Nov 01, 2011 @ 00:42:28
Wonderful site sis….makes me take time to smell the flowers and relax…sure wish my arthritis would co-operate with my wishes….last thing I stitched was over ten years ago when I cross stitched the quilt for my granddaughter and knitted and crocheted the couple of blankets as well….my hands have not done that since….but wish they still could.
Julierose
May 13, 2013 @ 07:16:14
Hi Avery, My Grand’mere taught me to knit when I was a little girl, too. I also love TEA of all kinds–and in bone china cups. You are right, a cup of tea and some needlework…is the best! Hugs, Julierose
whimseytopia
Mar 07, 2014 @ 10:50:55
Good Morning and thank you for the compliment about my watercolor. I was going to write this on my blog, but thought to jump to yours to see why my numerous attempts to “follow” have gone unnoticed. Something wrong in my system, I imagine. I signed up again today, both to the right and below. Perhaps one of them will work.
I’ve been through your posts many times, and it is you that is talented. We have thousands of things in common, but I just noticed that it was your grandmother, not mother, who taught you to knit. So it was with me. I think our mothers were too busy with the other children. Also, I, at this very moment, am drinking a large mug, not a small porcelain cup, of Earl Grey. Love that bergamot!
Thank you for your loyalty to my blog. Even if I don’t write promptly, know that I am reading and just as loyal to yours. Patsye
Kristina Scott
Jun 20, 2016 @ 17:57:39
Where can I purchase the L’adieu pattern? I speak French and I adore this pattern of Apollinaire. Please help!
averyclaire
Jun 20, 2016 @ 18:05:57
This pattern is by French cross stitch designer Marie Therese St. Aubin. It is available from her website…
http://mtsa.over-blog.com/pages/Catablogue_des_grilles_disponibles-1777187.html
If you search her name you may find other sites where it is available. My chart was a gift from a friend of mine in France. I LOVE it too!!! Thanks for reading my blog!!!
Valerie Laird
Sep 25, 2016 @ 20:35:29
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog ,,, and for liking my designs. It was great reading about your French Boutis adventures. Hugs, Val
Carla Greenan
Jan 11, 2017 @ 12:07:21
Hello, I am curious about a Marie Therese Saint Aubin piece you show here.
averyclaire
Jan 11, 2017 @ 16:43:36
What is it you wish to know?
Born To Organize
Mar 25, 2017 @ 19:00:31
Kerry at Love Those Hands at Home linked to your blog. What a lovely business enterprise. Your work is lovely. Alys
Debbie Perkins
Mar 24, 2019 @ 19:27:03
I love your ” Violet, a lady with charm, grace, and a beauty all her own” cross stitch picture. My granddaughter’s name is Violet and I would love to make this for her! Could I possibly get the pattern? Thank you so much.
averyclaire
Mar 24, 2019 @ 19:29:40
I am sorry. That was from a magazine long gone. And I don’t even remember which one? I am thinking it might have been Just Cross Stitch but not sure.
Elaine Wilson
Oct 19, 2019 @ 19:40:31
Do you remember the name of the pattern for the little Santa pillow you finished for AG in 2015. It had the pastel green and red colors. Such a beautiful pillow!
averyclaire
Oct 19, 2019 @ 20:52:39
I am very sorry but I don’t know the name of that pattern. Oft times people simply gave me their items and they couldn’t even remember what pattern they stitched! I have no way of contacting her.
Terri
Feb 12, 2020 @ 13:14:20
Hi I have been looking for a lovely ring cushion design to make for my brother’s wedding and came across your lovely design of the heart design. I have screenshot it is you need it. I was wondering if you are selling the design?
averyclaire
Feb 12, 2020 @ 13:17:25
Did you mean my Boutis Heart?
averyclaire
Feb 12, 2020 @ 13:21:08
If you mean my Boutis heart, I sell the PDF pattern on my Etsy page. http://www.etsy.com/shop/averyclaire
Terri Gowdy
Feb 12, 2020 @ 14:54:24
Not sure of the name sorry but have screenshot it hope it helps
averyclaire
Feb 12, 2020 @ 13:23:25
The PDF pattern with instructions to make the Boutis heart is $10.
Lindsay Carroll
Apr 28, 2022 @ 20:26:19
Do you have a pattern for the project roll you made in 2017? I am looking for a pattern that allows storage in the roll. Thank you!
averyclaire
Apr 29, 2022 @ 06:06:38
I sent you an email.
Ashley
May 09, 2023 @ 02:50:07
Do you have a pattern for the project roll you made? I’ve been looking for one for over a year now with no luck.
averyclaire
May 09, 2023 @ 04:53:33
I do not have a pattern. If you send me your email address I can explain how I made it.