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Brooke Bell

@brookembell

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Forever seeking beauty in the world!

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Second needlepoint project completed just in time for today’s ✈️. Luggage tag canvas is @bradleyneedlepointcompany from @stitchingfoxnc. Self-finishing luggage tag from @needlepointdotcom. Should this become a needlepoint feed. I’m happily on this needlepoint journey… taken in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by @brookembell

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a year ago

52 days ago, I watched a few YouTube videos and taught myself how to needlepoint. @brianharthoffman and I decided in January that we wanted to learn how with the ultimate goal of putting our phones down. @emilybtrotter encouraged us, FaceTimed us, and answered all of our questions.

As ones do, we ordered many canvases before we ever took the first stitch. (Shopping for needlepoint is fun, I tell you!)

As I finished my first project over the weekend, I started thinking about the “life” of my canvas. I’ve stitched fireside at Ballymaloe House in Ireland, with bakers in Skellefteå (125 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Sweden), on Delta, AirFrance, SAS, Transavia, and in too many hotel rooms to count. I started with Harry The Bell Dog in my lap, and ended with Louis in my lap… certainly with some of their Cavalier hair woven in.

This is what needlepointing has taught me so far:
🪡 It’s good to learn a new hobby, especially one that allows you to do something with your hands.
🪡 I’m not one to sit still, and as my mother-in-law says, busy hands are happy hands.
🪡 Putting my phone down and stopping the nightly scroll has made me a happier person.
🪡 Quiet moments stitching with nothing but my thoughts are healthy.
🪡 It’s the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day.
🪡 Stitching and sipping with friends is fun.
🪡 Lots of bakers are also stitchers!
🪡 Sexy neck lights are crucial.
🪡 My first canvas is the cover of Osa Johnson’s out-of-print book, but I did marry adventure. 😉

I’m living my best granny life! I don’t know who needs to read this, but I hope it encourages someone to join the movement. Who are my needlepointing friends? #needlepoint #needlepointersofinstagram #haveneedlepointwilltravel by @brookembell

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2 years ago

We lost the best of the best yesterday. Harry the Bell Dog/Harry Prince of Poinciana gave us 9+ years of love and 16 bonus months that we never expected. Your mohawk and gentle spirit will be missed. But I know you’re having steak and eggs for breakfast this morning with your friends Henry, Oliver, Olivia, Emily, and Miss B. Don’t worry, Louis is being smothered with love, and his feet might not ever touch the ground again. by @brookembell

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2 years ago

Monday, my father-in-law, John Bell, sang Evensong with his First United Methodist Church choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. There are so many feelings captured in these photos that are hard to put into words. First, I am so incredibly proud of John and his choir from Montgomery, Alabama. To say it’s an honor to sing in this historic cathedral is an understatement. But it’s also something that doesn’t happen often. This evening has been years in the works and required so much orchestration, hard work, and dedication. Walking into the cathedral was overwhelming, and the tears were instant as so many emotions came forward. We sat in the choir stalls next to a cardinal, bishops, and where so much history has taken place. I’ve long been proud of the many accomplishments of my father-in-law, but this one was a special lifetime moment. I’m thankful every day that when I married @acbell1, I gained the most incredible parents. Like everything, this evening took a village! Andy’s mom helped with months of preparations and practice and cheered on from home. @bobbinsdesign took care of our 🐶 and made this trip easy for us to make. The Bell-Gray team of support is the best! I’m leaving Jolly Old England more grateful and thankful than ever to have had the opportunity to share this life moment with my family. taken in St Paul's Cathedral by @brookembell

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

The world lost a brilliant force this week. When Phyllis Hoffman DePiano founded Hoffman Media in 1983, she set the course to impact the media world and inspire women and creatives everywhere. She followed her passion for the cross stitch craze of the 1980s by starting a magazine at her dining room table with three other women and $500 each. That was the beginning of a publishing company that would grow to encompass 11 brands and magazine readers around the world. Phyllis was a mentor, friend, and “Mama Bake from Scratch.” She took a chance on me when I began working for Hoffman Media as a food editor in 2007, but she believed in me and trusted me to lead several of her brands as editor over the years.

You knew when Phyllis entered the room because it lit up with her wit, sass, savviness, always on-point instinct, and grace. Phyllis was incredibly unique because she had the brain of a CPA and businesswoman, yet was one of the most creative women I’ve ever known. She could turn from a spreadsheet and play the organ, stitch, write, style a photo, set a table, and so much more. But greater than all of her talents was her love for others… family, friends, her Hoffman Media family, and her magazine readers. She cared deeply for others.

We shared a love for sterling, antiques, linens, Nantucket baskets, and, just recently, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I will miss our texts, our hugs, and our scheming. taken in Hoffman Media by @brookembell

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3 years ago

A Sunday love letter to San Miguel and your doors, tiled floors, brilliant colors, courtyards, conchas, pan de muerto, and people. You are a feast for all the senses! We stopped foot traffic to get the perfect photos for @thebakefeed and searched for Señor Vainilla. (Spoiler alert: we found him!) Gracias @jgdeanda and @amattewellnest for the amazing hospitality. #sanmigueldeallende #visitmexico taken in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato by @brookembell

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4 years ago

Poincianas and pink sand. It never gets old. #eleuthera #itsbetterinthebahamas #outislands taken in Governor's Harbour, The Bahamas by @brookembell

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4 years ago

Weekend dreaming… aperitivo on Lake Como. #lakecomo #bellagioitaly #italy #aperitivo #ladolcevita taken in Bellagio, Italy by @brookembell

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4 years ago

COVID research project complete. Now it’s time to start planning a big party for 2027 to celebrate 100 years. Our favorite part of this project was piecing together a timeline of everyone that ever lived in our house. So many rabbit holes to go down. Scroll over for some of some of the first photos on file in the Birmingham Public Library archives. #thisoldhouse #historichomes #homewoodalabama taken in Hollywood, Homewood, AL by @brookembell

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5 years ago

And that’s a wrap! Two @thebakefeed baking retreats in Paris, photo shoots in Strasbourg and Chinon, plus three video shoots for @williamssonoma. The streets were twinkly and the halls were decked. France sure does know how to show off during the holidays! Thankful to have spent three festive weeks with amazing bakers, old friends, and new friends. (Jane @lacuisineparis, why do I have no photos of you?) #france #paris #strasbourg #beaune #frenchchristmas #franceholiday #holidaymarket taken in France by @brookembell

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5 years ago

Happy birthday @acbell1! I am so thankful we started bumping into each other 24 years ago this week. I love living life with you and exploring the world with you by my side. taken in Aix-en-Provence, France by @brookembell

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5 years ago