Archive - 2020

Colour Palette - December 2020

I know a lot of us are upset we haven't been able to see family for a long time now. So to help with this year's holiday blues, I thought it might be nice for another cheery, festive-looking photo for this year's final colour palette.

I'm a Speaker at the Stitch People Virtual Gathering

Next week, Stitch People are having their 2nd virtual gathering -this time, it is Holiday themed- and I was asked to be a speaker for one of the days! So it looks like my thoughts from back in February came to fruition in a way. I had wondered whether I should ask if they would like me to speak. I didn't need to offer myself up - they came and asked me!

Colour Palette - October 2020

The weather is getting colder here in the PNW (Pacific North West) which I love. This will be my first 'proper' winter since moving to America and I'm nervous but also excited! We've been to the obligatory pumpkin patch and I have cold weather gear sorted for the family.

Latest Stitch People Portraits and Time Breakdown

It's been a little while since I last shared some recent stitch people portraits and since I've recently completed some wedding-related ones, I thought it might be a good time to share but also to give a breakdown of how long it actually takes me to complete pieces, since both of the ones shown [in detail] here are quite different from each other.

How To - Use The Basics of PCStitch

PCStitch is a PC-version-only program that allows you to create cross-stitch and blackwork patterns either for personal use or for sale. I first purchased the software back in 2018 after trying to design my own patterns using only pencils and paper and hating it. It felt clunky, time consuming and inefficient. I did some research, found a discount to PCStitch and haven't designed a pattern entirely on paper ever since.

Colour Palette - September 2020

How are we all holding up? Is where you live still in quarantine/lockdown? In the greater-Seattle (where I am), we are still unable to go about regular, usual day-to-day behaviours. I'm feeling the isolation, hard!

Recent Embroidery Work I've Completed

Embroidery is an umbrella term for anything needlepoint (aka: using a needle loaded with something such as floss, ribbon or yarn to decorate a medium such as fabric or clothing) and cross-stitch is one type of embroidery stitch.

Colour Palette - August 2020

Still in lockdown from the Coronavirus, but still plodding along with life (as naturally as we can, given the circumstances). I hope this past month has been a good one for you all!

How To - Take Care of Your Fabric Scissors

It's likely you've seen memes online about not using your mother's or grandmother's crafting/fabric scissors. That these sacred tools are not to be trifled with, despite doing 'just one cut' or something similar.

Colour Palette - July 2020

Let's make a new palette of colours! It's amazing the older you get, the quicker the months and years disappear behind you. So it seems it's already time to post another colour palette! I was pleasently surprised after seeing these colours come together. I assumed it would be two vibrant, bright colours (the eyes) against some muted colours but it's a lot calmer than that is.

How To - Cross-Stitch Using Black Aida Cloth

If you've had the pleasure of stitching using black Aida cloth, you know how difficult it is to use. Yes, patterns can look absolutely amazing on it as it brings out a totally different dimension, style and illusion to a piece.

Latest Cross-Stitch Pattern; 'Survived 2020'... and you can customise it yourself!

I can't remember what made me decide to trial a pattern that you could DIY, but since I like to trial new things (whether they flop or not!) I just had to give it a go. Since it was released in mid-March this year, I've been playing a lot of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Colour Palette - June 2020

Phew, a June palette post, making it just in the nick of time. Not that May's one actually happened... oops.

Colour Palette - April 2020

Yeah, March didn't happen. COVID-19 did, which threw an enormous wrench in my usual routine and my ability to handle/cope with life. So I've been a bit AWOL.

March Meet The Maker 2020

I'm not sure when the whole thing started, but last year I noticed people I was following were posting on Instagram themed posts with the hashtag #marchmeetthemaker.

Colour Palette - February 2020

First - Happy Leap Day! I really love the 29th of February for some reason. Anyway; Each month, I am taking a photograph I quite like aesthetically and choosing a colour palette from it. Then from there, taking those colours and converting it to DMC flosses. Again, just in case [legal reasons and yada yada]; I'm not endorsed by the company DMC, I just love the quality and options provided.

Stitch People Gathering in Utah

So like I mentioned in a previous news post, I recently took my first interstate-USA trip (kid free!) to attend the February 2020 Stitch People Gathering event!

Colour Palette - January 2020

I've decided this year to try out swatch ideas for inspiration not only for myself, but for anyone! Each month, I plan on taking a photograph I quite like aesthetically and choosing a colour palette from it. Then, taking those colours and converting it to DMC flosses. As you've no doubt realised, I work exclusively in DMC floss. I'm not endorsed by the company DMC, I just love the quality and options provided.

Symmetra cross-stitch pattern now available!

I'm heading to Utah - Here's what I will be packing to stitch!

If you follow my social media profiles you probably know by now that I plan on attending the #stitchpeoplegathering that's happening in Provo, UT (That's south of Salt Lake City, for those non-Americans out there!) on February 1st.

I won a 2019 'Stitchy Award'!

Earlier this year it was brought to my attention that I had won internet points (😂) without realising! I didn't actually know that Stitch People were doing a bunch of awards, so when I found out, I was not only pleased, but extremely surprised!

Stitch People Pieces from Nov & Dec Last Year

I never intended to make myself busy for the end of the 2010s decade. But -I guess as expected- I found myself with orders and with ideas I had given a strict timeframe, so stitching the last 6 weeks of the year away, 2019 went out with a bang.

Most recent Overwatch heroes; Junkrat and Roadhog!

It's been a bit quiet in here. If you follow me on any of my social media channels, you'll know that I've been really busy with stitch people projects. Given the time of year, it's not terribly surprising of course..!