Short Days, Long Stitches: My February Wrap-Up
Hello, lovely friend! I know I'm playing a bit of catch-up with this one, but February was such a whirlwind that it's taken me a moment to sit down and actually put it all into words. Even though it's the shortest month of the year, it certainly didn't lack for excitement — both inside and outside the studio. From the quiet magic of the first snowfall to the somewhat more... vivid experience of a blood donation gone wrong, it's been a month of total contrasts.
In the studio, things have been just as busy. I've been focusing heavily on wrapping up the Zodiac series, which has been a labour of love for so long now, while also finding time to release some fun new patterns and tackle a big "dragon dilemma" in my stitching. It feels so good to see the "to-be-stitched" pile actually moving and to share some of that progress with you all.
So, grab a cuppa and settle in! We've got a lot to cover this time around — from whimsical dragon finishes and fandom-inspired designs to the slightly chaotic reality of life with ADHD and two very confused cats. Whether you're here for the progress updates or just for the "real-life" stories, I'm so glad to have you along for the ride.
Leading image: Me: trying to stitch. Milo: "I NEED A CUDDLE!"
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New Patterns
It's always a lovely feeling when a project I've been sitting on for a while finally gets its moment in the spotlight. February was a mix of celestial milestones and a bit of a deep dive into some fandom-inspired fun. Whether you're looking to finish a series or start something a bit more "evil" (in the best way possible!), I hope these new additions spark some joy for you.
♒ "Zodiac: Aquarius"
The "Zodiac: Aquarius" pattern is officially here! I'm incredibly proud of how this design came out. I'll admit, I spent a lot of time pondering how to depict the "water bearer" without relying on a complex human figure, but I think the final symbolic approach captures that airy, visionary energy perfectly.
Releasing this one feels particularly special because it means the series is nearly complete (technically, by the end of February, I had actually finished stitching all the pieces in the collection). It's a bit of a "pinch-me" moment to be so close to the finish line with this set!
🎤 "Boy Band"
I also finally got around to releasing the "Boy Band" pattern! This one features the Saja Boys — the five main "evil" characters from the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie. I actually designed the majority of this pattern last year, so it felt like high time I got it polished and released for you all.
It does take quite a few colours to bring these boys to life, but I actually really enjoyed the creative challenge of reducing the colour count during the design process to keep it stitcher-friendly without losing the characters' essence. It works perfectly as a companion piece to my "No Hiding" pattern, so if you're a fan of the film, you can now have the set on your hoop!
Finished Piece
It feels so wonderful to finally share my finished "Flower Dragon Meadow" piece! This was the most recent stitch-along from FlossyFoxShop, and I actually managed to wrap it up just four weeks after the final part was released. If you've stitched any of her patterns before, you'll know they are always a treat — this one is just bursting with vibrant colours, pure whimsy, and, of course, a few of her signature darling foxes. Because the project was so joyful to work on, I actually managed to stay on top of the SAL almost every single month, which kept the momentum going right to the very end.
However, I did have one major internal debate before I could officially call this one "done." Ever since Part 5 was revealed, I had it in my head that I really wanted a yellow dragon in the composition rather than the small red one. I spent a good two or three weeks "umming" and "ahhing" about whether to make the change, but eventually, I just had to rip the proverbial bandaid off. I grabbed my seam ripper and started hacking away at the original red stitches before I could talk myself out of it!
I am so incredibly glad I took the plunge. I swapped the red for a sunny yellow, using colours already present in the stitch-along palette so the change would blend flawlessly with the rest of the piece. I've included a "before and after" shot here so you can see the difference for yourself, but I truly think the yellow brings a perfect balance to the final piece. Plus, it makes the little guy pop so well!
I'd love to know your thoughts — which version do you like best, the original red or my yellow dragon swap? I won't be offended!
Works-in-progress
While February is the shortest month of the year, it certainly didn't feel like it at the embroidery frame! I've been juggling a few long-term projects alongside some newer pieces that have been calling my name. There is something so grounding about having a variety of projects on the go — it means there is always something to suit my mood, whether I need a complex challenge or just some rhythmic, "brain-off" stitching.
Stitched
The progress this month has been incredibly satisfying. On my "Flower Prairie" piece, I've officially hit the two-month mark — that's two months down and only ten to go! It's lovely to see the piece starting to take shape. I also had a bit of a powerhouse month with my Fairytale HAED SAL. This is my first large, full-coverage piece, and I am still surprised by how much I'm enjoying the process. I managed to jump from 5,900 stitches (6.66%) all the way to 12,328 stitches (13.91%) in February! Doubling my progress on a piece of this scale feels like a massive win.
Over on the "Extraordinary Birds" frame, I've been working on the peacock, and he is looking absolutely gorgeous. His vibrant colours are going to be a total joy to look at. Meanwhile, "Sunflowers" is tantalisingly close to being finished! I'm sticking to my self-imposed rule of only working on this one during virtual appointments, so it remains my dedicated "desk project." Finally, I've made a start on "Fantasy Post-Apocalypse". I absolutely love this pattern — it was actually part of a recent haul that I'll be chatting about a bit later in this post, but I simply couldn't wait to get some stitches into it.
Designed
On the design front, things have been a little quieter as I've been focusing most of my energy on wrapping up the Zodiac series. Because I'm so close to finishing that entire collection, I've mostly been "dabbling" in new ideas rather than diving into full-scale production. However, I have been toying with a new design called "Deserve Joy." This one is destined for my "Adulting" series, and it's a sentiment that I think we all need to be reminded of from time to time. It's still in the early stages, but I'm really enjoying the process of letting the idea breathe while I clear the decks of my other projects.
Haul
Bits & Bobs
Is it even a real month of stitching if there isn't at least one cheeky Etsy order? February was a bit of a "treat yourself" month for my toolkit, and I'm so glad I restocked some of the essentials.
I picked up a fresh supply of trusty beechwood embroidery hoops —because you can truly never have enough of the "good" ones— and some gorgeous new needleminders from GingerStitchAU to keep my needles from wandering off. And grow my collection 😂
I also finally sourced the specific fabric I needed for my new nathnolu patterns (see below). There is something so satisfying about having the perfect piece of fabric prepped and ready to go; it makes the transition from "buying" to "stitching" feel much more official!
New to the Pattern Library
On the pattern front, my "to-be-stitched" pile grew a little larger this month with some stunning additions. I couldn't resist grabbing the four patterns in the Cosy series from nathnolu, who I [somehow?!] only just discovered.
I also picked up the Magic series from FlossyFoxShop. It's an "unofficial" series of five patterns that each depict a different magical scene in various locations, and after finishing my Flower Dragon Meadow, I knew I needed more of that whimsical energy in my life. I also grabbed a slightly different style pattern; "Post-Apocalypse Fantasy". It called to me 🫥
New Blog Posts
February was a little busy for the website, and I've added a few new resources to the library that I hope you'll find genuinely helpful! I've shared a deep dive into the importance of dye lots (and why they matter for your thread and fabric consistency), a beginner-friendly lesson on what a needleminder is, and a step-by-step guide on washing and pressing your finished pieces to give them that perfect, crisp "spa day" finish.
To top it all off, FlossTube #120 is also live, so you can catch up on all the latest studio chatter and see what's been happening on my frame while you settle in with your own projects!
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Mini Talk Show - Update
Check out the episodes I released during February for my Mini Talk Show.
IRL
A Snowy Milestone for the Flower Prairie
February brought the very first snowfall of the season! While it was delicate and light, it definitely counted as a proper winter moment. There was something so incredibly peaceful about sitting by the window with my "Flower Prairie" hoop in hand, watching the real snowflakes drift down while I stitched those first bright, springtime flowers. It was a lovely, quiet contrast that made those particular stitches feel like a little celebration of the seasons shifting outside my window.
Life Lately: Chaos, Cats, and (Too Much) Hydration
Outside of the snow, the rest of the month was a bit of a whirlwind. Valentine's Day was truly wonderful — without getting into too many sappy details, my husband absolutely hit the nail on the head this year, and I was spoiled with a bouquet of the most gorgeous flowers. We also finally hung up the ORT shadow boxes I mentioned in January's post, and I am obsessed with how they look on the wall! Even the cats got a February treat: a new running-water bowl. Watching them try to figure out the logistics of drinking from a moving stream has provided endless amusement for us.
However, it wouldn't be a month in my life without a little bit of "real world" drama. Thanks to a classic ADHD moment, I managed to get pulled over by the police simply because I'd completely forgotten to pay my car tabs — that made for a very expensive and busy day of fixing mistakes! To top it all off, I went to donate blood and, apparently, I was extremely well-hydrated. I managed to squirt blood everywhere, including all over the phlebotomist's shoes! It was definitely a "laugh so you don't cry" moment, though I'm not sure the poor technician found it quite as funny as I did.
Looking Ahead: From Winter Snow to Spring Glow
Looking back at February, I'm struck by how much can happen in just four weeks. It was a month of major milestones for me, especially finally being able to call "Flower Dragon Meadow" finished. That yellow dragon swap might have felt like a scary risk at the time, but it's such a perfect reminder that our projects are ours to play with and change. Between that finish and doubling my progress on my HAED SAL, my creative cup is feeling very full.
As we move into March, my main goal is to "clear the decks." I am tantalisingly close to finishing the Zodiac collection, and I can't wait to finally have that entire set ready for you all. There's a specific kind of mental lightness that comes when a long-term project finally reaches its conclusion, and I can feel that finish line getting closer every day. It's also been lovely to reflect on the "real life" moments, too — even the police tabs and the blood donation mishap. They're the messy, funny, and sometimes expensive bits of life that make the quiet time with a needle and thread feel even more valuable.
Thank you for being here and following along with my little corner of the world. Whether you're working on a year-long project like the Flower Prairie or just starting something new and "cosy" from my recent haul, I hope your stitches are bringing you lots of joy. I'd love to hear what's currently in your hoop — come and chat with me in the comments! Until next time, happy stitching!
👋 Kate
