Monthly Wrap-Up: December 2024
Monthly

Monthly Wrap-Up: December 2024

Let's Close Out 2024

Welcome to my December wrap-up! As we wrap-up 2024 and step into a new year, I’m taking a moment to reflect on everything this month has brought—both in my creative world and in life outside of stitching. December has been full of finished projects, festive moments, and getting ready for the year ahead. Whether it’s celebrating the completion of "Flower Field", making progress on works-in-progress, or enjoying the quiet magic of Christmas with my family, this month has truly been a wonderful way to end the year.

I’ve also added a few new blog posts to the website, received & indulged in some gifts & haul goodies, and even taken steps to get ready for 2025’s "Flower Meadow". There’s so much to share, so grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s dive into the previous month’s highlights together!

A close-up photo of a green and blue granny-square crochet blanket.
The blanket I stitched for my daughter is still a WIP.

Leading image: The cross-stitch ornament I stitched for my family last year of our kitties.


Upcoming Patterns

In December, I also designed and test-stitched two brand-new cross-stitch patterns that I’m incredibly excited about.

The first, "Owl Issues", is now officially available as of writing this post, making it my first release of 2025! This fun and quirky pattern was so enjoyable to design and stitch, and I’m thrilled to finally have it out in the world.

The second, "Losing Side", is set to release on January 20th. This pattern is equally special to me, and I can’t wait to see how it resonates with fellow stitchers once it’s available.

Looking ahead, my goal is to release [at least] one new thing every month, whether it’s a cross-stitch pattern, embroidery pattern, font, or something else entirely. Starting the year with these two designs feels like a great step toward that goal.

A close-up photograph of a cross-stitch piece on an angle. It's slightly abstract looking, but it's of the pattern called "Owl Issues" by Two Little Kits.
A section of the first pattern
Losing Side
A cross-stitch pattern called "Losing Side" by Two Little Kits
Available Soon

What’s Next?

If you want to stay updated on all my latest releases, be sure to sign up for my newsletter—it’s the best way to know when something new is available!


Finished Pieces

December was a month of celebration for finished pieces! I’m thrilled to finally share my 2024 "Flower Field" in all its completed glory—it’s been a year-long journey, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I also get to reveal two pieces that, although finished way back in July, had to stay under wraps until now—sharing them feels like a mini victory in patience for me. My final cross-stitch of the year, "Village in the Valley" by Flossy Fox Shop, was such a cosy and satisfying way to wrap up 2024. And, of course, the Christmas pieces I stitched for my family were a big hit, making the holiday season all the more special.

Let's look into all of these pieces in a bit more detail.


A large cross-stitch piece from the DIY pattern "Flower Field". It has 366 total flowers; one stitched for each day of 2024. It's very colourful and very pretty.
Grab "Flower Field" for yourself today!

"Flower Field"

I won’t go into too much detail here, as I’ve written a full blog post that dives into the process, thoughts, and feelings behind stitching my 2024 Flower Field. If you’re curious, you can read it here.

In short; this piece was truly a labour of love and a year-long creative journey. The vibrant colours, intricate details, and meaningful personal touches—like marking key dates with sparkly-thread French knots—made it a project that will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m so proud of the final result and thrilled to see how much it resonates with others. It’s been amazing to share my progress throughout the year and finally celebrate the finished piece!

Following this are four close-up photos of the "Flower Field", showcasing some of its beautiful details.

A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Flower Field" by Two Little Kits. It shows the top-left corner of the piece which has a banner saying "2024"
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Flower Field" by Two Little Kits. It shows days that snowed with little white lines on the tops of some stitches.
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Flower Field" by Two Little Kits.
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Flower Field" by Two Little Kits. It focuses on a month sign as well as some flowers.

A finished cross-stitch pattern called "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop.
"Village in the Valley Map" - Second I've stitched in this mini series.

"Village in the Valley Map"

My second finished piece to share is the "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop. This was what I lovingly called my “car project,” as the project bag lived in my car and was always ready for me whenever I found myself stuck out-and-about with nothing to do. I started this piece back in December 2023, after finishing its sister pattern, "Enchanted Forest Map" (also by Flossy Fox Shop).

There are so many delightful details in this pattern that I absolutely adore—the two foxes (no surprise there!), the mama and baby deer, and the adorable family of cats, just to name a few.

Andrea, the designer, always does an incredible job with such a limited colour palette, and this piece is no exception. It was a joy to stitch and a lovely way to end my year of cross-stitching!

A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop
A close-up photo of the DIY cross-stitch pattern "Village in the Valley Map" by Flossy Fox Shop

Three finished cross-stitch pieces based on patterns by 'Colorfully Sarah'
Three sections of three separate patterns by Colorfully Sarah.

Family Christmas Gifts

The final group of finished pieces for December were three Christmas gifts for my family, each based on patterns from Colorfully Sarah. All three were framed in 4" embroidery hoops, continuing the tradition of gifting personalised stitched pieces in hoops, just like previous years.

For my husband, I stitched Gengar from Pokémon, capturing his mischievous grin perfectly. My oldest daughter received Isabelle from Animal Crossing, a character she adores and was so excited to see stitched. And for my youngest daughter, I created a piece featuring Totoro standing in the rain with an umbrella, which brought so much joy to her Totoro-loving heart.

These pieces were such a delight to work on, and seeing how much my family loved them made all the effort worthwhile.

If you’d like to read more about the details behind each of these Christmas gifts, you can check out my dedicated blog post here.

A finished cross-stitch piece of Gengar based on a pattern by 'Colorfully Sarah'
A finished cross-stitch piece of Isabelle from ANCH based on a pattern by 'Colorfully Sarah'
A finished cross-stitch piece of Totoro based on a pattern by 'Colorfully Sarah'

Two finished cross-stitch pieces of patterns from "FuzzyFoxDesigns"
A robin & two budgies in love.

Delayed Gifts

Next, I finally get to share two special pieces that I actually completed all the way back in July 2024, before my mum came to visit us. She took these back home with her, so I had to wait months before sharing them—having to wait this long before sharing was a first for me!

The first piece was her birthday present: a robin stitched alongside the wording "As gentle as a robin, as strong as a mother." This piece was especially meaningful since her name is Robyn, and I loved how personal it felt to create it just for her.

The second piece was a Christmas gift for her and her husband, featuring two adorable budgies. The male was green and yellow, while the female had blue and white colouring, and underneath them was the text "Robyn & Howard." I framed this one in a beautiful oval hoop that complemented the design perfectly.

Both patterns were by FuzzyFoxDesigns, a designer known for their delightful Australian-themed patterns, tonnes of bird patterns and other adorable designs. It’s such a relief to finally be able to share these pieces with the world after keeping them secret for so long!

Which one of these pieces do you like best? Let me know in the comments below!

A finished cross-stitch piece of a Robin bird (with additional writing) pattern by 'FuzzyFoxDesigns'
A close-up photo of a finished cross-stitch piece of a pattern by 'FuzzyFoxDesigns'
A close-up photo of a finished cross-stitch piece of a pattern by 'FuzzyFoxDesigns'
A finished cross-stitch piece of two budgies (one girl and one boy) of a pattern by 'FuzzyFoxDesigns'

Works-in-progress

My works-in-progress this month have been a mix of cross-stitch and crochet. Mostly cross-stitch, I'll admit, but that's alright with me!

Let's see what's been happening.


Cross-Stitching

My new car project, "The Secret Grove" by Needlelot Designs, has been a joy to stitch whenever I find myself with a little free time while out and about. After finishing "Village in the Valley Map", I knew I needed another car project, and this enchanting design has been perfect.

I’ve also been making progress on "Night of the Frost Dragon" by Flossy Fox Shop, with its stunning icy blues and bright pops of colour slowly coming to life. Another project I picked up again is "The Haunted Library" by Lola Crow Cross Stitch, a pattern filled with spooky vibes and intricate details. I started this back when it was an active stitch-along but put it away [for some reason], so it's been nice to work on it again.

A work-in-progress of the stitch-along "The Secret Grove" by Needlelot Designs
"The Secret Grove" Stitch-along by Needleot Designs.
This is actually stitched on navy-coloured fabric and looks much darker in person.
A work-in-progress of the stitch-along "Night of the Frost Dragon" by Flossy Fox Shop. Plus cat fur...
"Night of the Frost Dragon" Stitch-along by Flossy Fox Shop.
This is actually stitched on a charcoal-coloured fabric and looks much darker in person.
A work-in-progress of the stitch-along "The Haunted Library" by Lola Crow Cross Stitch
"The Haunted Library" Stitch-along by Lola Crow Cross Stitch.

Crochet

On the crochet side, I’m working on the blanket for my daughter, which is coming along beautifully. The hardest part has been deciding on a border design, but once I make my choice, the finish line will be in sight. My daughter is already so excited to see it completed, which makes every stitch even more meaningful.

A crochet blanket made from 36 granny squares in blue and green yarn. I'm now working on the border which my daughter has chosen a colour I dislike. D'oh!
Working on the border! I'm likely to change what you see here as I don't like it.
Kate's cat, Milo, trying to sit *inside* the ball of yarn she is actively working with.
My "helper"…
Noodle the cat "wearing" the blanket WIP

New Blog Posts

This month, I’ve added four new blog posts to my website (plus FlossTube posts!), covering a variety of topics to inspire and help fellow stitchers - especially beginners. Whether you're diving into a year-long stitching project, looking to avoid common cross-stitch mistakes, customising your pieces with fonts, or catching up on the highlights from the 2024 ornament season, there's something for everyone.

Be sure to check out these posts:

A Cross-Stitcher’s Guide to Year-Long Projects: Patterns for Every Style
Embroidery floss skeins in a row, in a rainbow order.

View The Post

5 Common Cross-Stitch Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Bobbinated embroidery floss organised neatly in a box.

View The Post

Customise Your Cross-Stitch Pieces with Fonts for Every Style
A pangram of a cross-stitch font; "Juliet" by Two Little Kits.

View The Post

Crafting Holiday Cheer: 2024 Stitch People Recap
Five holiday ornaments stitched in 2024.

View The Post

FlossTube #90 Let's Wrap Up 2024 With Some Exciting Updates..!
Kate from Two Little Kits holding up the finished cross-stitch piece; "Village in the Valley". She is smiling widely and pointing at the piece as she holds it up.

See The Episode

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these posts (which you can do in the comment section of each post!) or any ideas you’d like me to write about next. If you don’t want to miss out on new blog content and other exciting updates, be sure to sign up for my newsletter—it’s the best way to stay in the loop.


IRL

December brought a mix of holiday cheer, personal milestones, and little moments of self-care. From enjoying a cosy Christmas at home and preparing for my 2025 "Flower Meadow" project to celebrating small victories like earning a Bloodworks pin and indulging in a festive donut, it’s been a month of meaningful highlights.

Our Christmas tree at night all lit up in colourful lights.
I love seeing the Christmas tree at night ❤

Christmas 2024

We had another quiet Christmas this year, which suits us perfectly. With extended family living in Australia, it’s become our little tradition to keep things low-key and enjoy the cosy simplicity of the holiday.

I have to admit, I’m surprised both of my girls still believe in Santa—I wonder how much longer that magic will last? Seeing their excitement as they opened their gifts was -and always is- absolutely my favourite part of the holiday. There’s nothing quite like the joy on their faces to make Christmas feel extra special. ❤

I was hoping for a white Christmas this year, but it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe next time!

Check out the photos below for a peek into our Christmas.

A bundle of envelopes (all holding a Christmas card inside). The top one has an American international stamp on it.
Decorating a gingerbread house together
A LEGO advent calendar.
The cats hanging on our tree
Christmas nails!
Baking cookies for Santa
Baking cookies for Santa
Ready for the morning.
Ready for Santa
Opening my stitch gift
Opening my stitch gift
The cats got some new toys
Aussie treats for my mister & I
I made chocolate-covered strawberries. Yum!
Christmas dinner - I couldn't finish my plate but it was so delicious!

Other Stuff

December was filled with little moments worth celebrating, too!

I have successfully donated blood eight times totel, earning a small but meaningful enamel pin from Bloodworks as a keepsake. It’s such a simple way to give back, and I’m so proud to have reached this milestone. I'm a needle-phobe, remember..!

On a lighter note, I couldn’t resist indulging in a festive Christmas-themed donut—it was as delicious as it was adorable! A little treat here and there is always a good idea, especially during the holiday season.

Lastly, I’ve been working on helping my sore toe -you know, the one I broke back in 2021- feel better with Epsom salt baths, as recommended by my doctor. We’re essentially starting from scratch in addressing the pain, but I’m hopeful this approach will make a difference. 🤞

A small enamel pin from Bloodworks Northwest that represents donating 1 whole gallon of blood
I've donated successfully eight times!
A tasty pink donut that has a Christmas tree made out of icing on it.
Tasty treat!
A left foot in a bucket taking an epsom salt bath.
Trying to help my foot with salt baths.

Flower Meadow Prep

As the year wrapped up, I couldn’t help but get excited about my next big project for 2025: "Flower Meadow". With brand-new flowers and a fresh palette of colours, this pattern feels like a breath of creative, fresh air. I can’t wait to see (and share) how it comes together throughout the year!

That said, I did have a bit of a funny mishap while getting started. Somehow, I stitched the year banner to say “2024” instead of “2025”. Thankfully, my daughter caught it right away and pointed it out—saving me from carrying that mistake into the whole project. Lesson learned: double-check your work, folks! 😅

If you’re as excited as I am to dive into "Flower Meadow" or maybe even "Flower Field", you can grab a DIY pattern here and join me in stitching a custom piece. Let’s make 2025 a year full of flowers and creativity!

A whole bunch of embroidery skeins in little ziplock bags, ready for a new project.
My project bag is ready!
A cross-stitch of the DIY pattern "Flower Meadow" that was accidentally stitched with "2024" instead of "2025"
I accidentally stitched the banner wrong. Oops!

Haul

December brought some wonderful stitchy treats my way! I finally got my hands on "Craft Psychology" by Anne Kirketerp—now I can dive deeper into the fascinating connections between crafting and mental health. I also received a cute purple shoulder bag that’s perfect for carrying multiple projects. Fingers crossed we’ll take a trip soon so I can put it to good use!

On the enamel pin front, I added some gorgeous pins to my collection. I picked up four from Karen Hallion’s inspiring "She Series"—too big to turn into needleminders, but perfect for display—and three from Joy Addict, including a lovely stamp pin to add to my current collection and two adorable postcard pins featuring inspiring quotes. I love how these little treasures bring joy to my craft space!

Christmas Gifts:

Enamel Pins:

Four enamel pins in a series called "She Series".
Pins by Karen Hallion.
Three enamel pins -one 'stamp' and two 'postcards'- by Joy Addict
Pins by Joy Addict.

Social Media

Social media has been on my mind a lot lately. I know posting more regularly on Instagram would be a huge help for Two Little Kits, but I just can’t seem to overcome this invisible wall keeping me from diving in. I think it’s the fear of sounding too “salesy” or pushing people away instead of connecting with them authentically. It’s something I want to work on, though—I know I have so much to share!

I’ve also been keeping an eye on what’s happening with TikTok in the US. It feels bittersweet—I’m glad I didn’t pour too much energy into the platform, but I feel for those who rely on it as their primary income. It’s a reminder of how important it is to diversify and adapt, even when it feels challenging.

Instagram phone mockup - January 1st 2025
January 1st stats for Instagram
(5,732 followers).
A still of Kate at her desk cross-stitching. Text overlay reads "what it's like during a ~Stitch 'n Bitch~ session:"
🔗 what it's like during a ~Stitch 'n Bitch~ session

Thank you so much for taking the time to catch up on everything that’s been going on this past month. Your support, encouragement, and thoughtful comments mean the world to me, and I’m so grateful to have you here as part of this creative journey. Here’s to welcoming all the exciting possibilities the new year holds—see you next month!

Happy Stitching!

👋 Kate

Previous
Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2024

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Hi, I'm Kate 👋

About the author

In a previous life (AKA: pre-kids), I was a web designer/developer & photographer who loved to dabble in numerous arts and crafts. Now, I'm a cross-stitch & embroidery pattern designer and full-time mum to my two daughters, with adult-diagnosed ADHD and suffering with mental health issues.

Closet nerd, self-proclaimed hermit and professional procrastinator. I have a secret crush on modern architecture, brush calligraphy, sweets, pretty nails and pastel colours.

Sign up for the newsletter

Don't worry! You won't be inundated with emails and you can unsubscribe whenever you need to.