Commissioned Cross-Stitch Piece - A Quirky Family Motto & a Nod to Tradition
I recently had the absolute pleasure of working on a custom cross-stitch commission for a repeat customer, and I can’t even tell you how amazing it feels to have someone come back for more! It’s like a little validation fairy tapping me on the shoulder, telling all my self-doubts to shove off because, hey, I must be doing something right!
When my customer reached out, she told me what her family motto was, and I laughed out loud—it’s not every day you hear something so funny and unique. She wanted to incorporate this gem of wisdom into a cross-stitch piece for their home. And honestly, I couldn’t have been more excited to get started.
Their family motto? "Work hard, be honest and kind, don't eat people!" It’s equal parts hilarious and practical—exactly the kind of motto that makes a home feel like it’s bursting with personality.
The Design: A Touch of Tradition
For the design, we both agreed that it should give a nod to those old-style cross-stitch pieces that always feel timeless. You know, the kind with little details, leafy borders, and everything stitched in a neat, structured way—almost grid-like. So, I created a piece that depicted their family of four (two parents, a son, and a daughter) standing "in front" (below? Hard to say!) of a sweet little house and yard. To round it out, I added their family name and a simple floral border with leafy details, all perfectly balanced for a clean, classic look.
The piece was mounted on a 6"x8" board, ready for my customer to frame it in a frame of her choosing, which I thought was a great way to make the piece feel even more personal and unique to her.
The Process: Stitching with Care
Although this isn’t my largest commission to date, it did take a little bit of time to complete. The design came together in about a week, and the actual stitching took four weeks—just enough time to savour every detail! I finished the piece in July 2024, and by the end, I was so happy with how it all came together. The little house, the family, the floral border, and of course, that wonderful motto—it all flowed so nicely.
Create Your Own Custom Piece!
If you’re looking to create something special for your home or as a gift, why not commission your own custom cross-stitch piece? Whether it’s a family portrait, a unique motto, or something else entirely, I’m always excited to collaborate and bring your ideas to life! You can place an order for your own custom piece by clicking the button below.
And don’t forget to check out my other finished works, including my largest commission to date—a detailed house cross-stitch. You can see it here.
Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to stitch something amazing for you!
