Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2025
Monthly

Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2025

November; One Stitch at a Time

November was one of those months that felt full in a quiet, layered way. There were plenty of things happening — stitching, designing, filming, and a bit of real-life juggling — but not all of it demanded attention at once. Instead, it unfolded steadily, with progress spread across multiple projects and moments.

This month included the excitement (and inevitable end) of a collaborative release, new patterns making their way into the shop, ongoing works in progress, and a continued rhythm with my weekly mini talk show. Behind the scenes, commissioned stitching and some much-needed tech upgrades also shaped how my days looked and how my time was spent.

As always, this wrap-up is a snapshot rather than a highlight reel — a way to gather everything November held, stitch it together, and move forward into the next month with a little more clarity. Let's take a look at what I got up to.

Some red-topped mushrooms that have white dots on the top

Jump to:


Leading image: All the skeins of floss for the HAED 2026 SAL.


Bookmark Collective (aka: we made magic ✨)

November saw the Spellbound Stitchers collective come to life — and just like that… it was over as well. Blink-and-you-missed-it energy, honestly. A group of incredibly talented stitchy designers came together to create a limited-edition collection of spooky, witchy bookmark patterns, and watching it all unfold was equal parts thrilling, exhausting, and deeply satisfying.

One of the most meaningful parts of the whole experience was the impact it had beyond the stitching itself. Together, the collective raised $29,737.22 for humanitarian aid, which feels a bit unreal to type out. It's a powerful reminder of what can happen when a creative community shows up with intention, generosity, and a shared goal — and I'm so proud to have been part of it.

Projects like this are special precisely because they're temporary. They exist for a short window, create a little buzz, and then quietly disappear back into the ether. If you managed to grab the collection while it was available, I hope you're enjoying diving into all those designs. And if you missed it… you're definitely not alone.

Spellbound Stitches logo
Charities for humanitarian aid - logos
Spellbound Stitches literary genres

If you're curious about how the whole thing came together, who was involved, or just want to peek at what you might've missed, I wrote a full blog post about the Spellbound Stitchers collective here. And if you're kicking yourself for missing my bookmark design specifically, don't worry — my design will be available on its own early-2026.

To the right: My bookmark addition to the collective 🧡

Cross-Stitch bookmark "Ever After" by Two Little Kits

New Patterns

November also brought a couple of new additions to the Two Little Kits shop — and with them, a bit of a milestone moment for me. With the release of Sagittarius, I'm now three-quarters of the way through my Zodiac series, which feels both exciting and slightly unbelievable. This series has been a long-term creative commitment, and seeing it inch closer to the finish line has been deeply satisfying.

At the same time, I'm very much looking forward to easing off the design pedal a little during December. After a year of fairly consistent pattern releases, I've intentionally given myself permission to slow down, catch my breath, and let ideas percolate without the pressure to immediately turn them into finished designs. Future Me will be grateful. Probably.

"Zodiac: Sagittarius"

November's Zodiac release was Sagittarius, a sign known for its optimism, curiosity, and love of freedom. As with the rest of the series, this design leans into personality rather than prediction — capturing the vibe of Sagittarius rather than attempting to say anything definitive about who someone is or isn't.

Each Zodiac pattern continues to build on the visual language of the series, and Sagittarius was no exception. Releasing it brought with it that familiar mix of relief, pride, and quiet excitement — especially knowing there are only a few signs left to go..!

🥄 "'Tism Spoon"

'Tism Spoon pattern was born out of my ongoing interest in neurodiversity, mental health, and the language we use to describe our energy and capacity. Spoon theory resonates with so many people, and this design is a gentle, slightly cheeky nod to that shared understanding — particularly within autistic and ADHD communities. It's simple, direct, and intentionally expressive, designed to feel validating rather than explanatory.

This piece sits very comfortably alongside some of my earlier work that centres lived experience, burnout, and self-awareness. It's the kind of design that says, “If you know, you know,” and I love that about it.


Works-in-progress

November was one of those months where I made solid progress, just… spread across many different projects. Because of course - it's ME, after all..! The kind of stitching month where nothing dramatically finishes, but lots of things quietly move forward — which, honestly, feels very on-brand for this time of year.

I spent more time on Flower Meadow, even though I somehow forgot to take a photo of it entirely (a true tragedy, I know 😢). and also spent time on a new family portrait commission this month, which came about in a slightly roundabout but very fitting way.

It was for the same original customer connected to my pattern commission back in October — except this time, the physical stitching landed with me. My customer wasn't able to complete the piece herself and referred her customer on, which felt like a real vote of confidence and a lovely example of how collaborative and supportive the stitching community can be. Alongside that, I also squeezed in three holiday ornaments, made steady progress on Flower Dragon Meadow (I'm a tiny bit behind, but still mostly keeping pace), and edged ever closer to the finish line on Twigs & Tea - not long left to go now!

A section of a work-in-progress cross-stitch piece, stitched on a tea-stained-looking fabric.
Cute little "painting" on the "Twigs and Tea" SAL.

Not everything moved as quickly as I hoped — my Blackwork Cat fell slightly victim to Christmas present chaos — but even that one was almost complete by the end of November, so I'm calling it a win. All in all, November felt less about big milestones and more about showing up, putting in the stitches where I could, and trusting that progress counts even when it's scattered.

"Flower Dragon Meadow" - Stitch-along by Flossy Fox Shop
"Flower Dragon Meadow" Stitch-along by Flossy Fox Shop.
"Twigs and Tea" - Stitch-along by Fine Frog Stitching
"Twigs and Tea" Stitch-along by Fine Frog Stitching.
work in progress of Blackwork Cat blackwork pattern
"Blackwork Cat" Blackwork Pattern by Trunky Stitches.
work in progress of The Starry Night Cross-Stitch pattern
"The Starry Night" Cross-Stitch Pattern by TheStitchPatterns.

And yeah… my "Flower Meadow" should be here, too. I somehow forgot to snap a pic 🙄


Mini Talk Show - Update

I continued my weekly Mini Talk Show throughout November, showing up each Wednesday to talk about whatever stitchy thought had been rattling around in my brain that week. These short videos have become a really nice way for me to share ideas, start conversations, and connect with people in a more relaxed, off-the-cuff way — no big production, just me and a topic I care about.

This month's episodes covered a mix of practical stitching advice and gentle mindset reminders. I gave a creator shoutout [ColorfullySarah], talked about the surprisingly important habit of replacing needles before they break, and shared thoughts on buying things simply because they bring you joy — no justification required. I also touched on taking your stitching with you, whether that's to an appointment, on a trip, or just out of the house to make waiting feel a little less tedious.

I've embedded one of the November episodes here if you'd like to watch, and if these kinds of conversations resonate with you, please check out my landing page that houses all the episodes & where to watch them 🧡

The Mini Talk Show


Haul (some sensible, some unhinged)

November involved a small but mighty haul, starting with a brand new laptop; but more on that later.

On the much more stitchy end of the spectrum, I finally acquired my very first Cone of Doom, which feels like some kind of crafting rite of passage. I also picked up floss and a few new tools in preparation for the Heaven and Earth Designs stitch-along starting in 2026, because apparently planning very far ahead is my coping mechanism to being patient.

Rounding things out was an order via Poroful full of stickers and enamel pins — because sometimes you just need a little joy that isn't floss-shaped.

Enamel pins & stickers from Poroful
Enamel pins & stickers from Poroful.
A large cone of DMC-310
Cone of DMC-310.
88 skeins of DMC floss.
88 skeins of DMC floss.
Tools and items used for cross-stitching, such as scissors, needles and magnets.
Tools & things for the HAED SAL.

New Blog Posts

My blog posting slowed down a little in November, largely because commissioned stitches took priority behind the scenes. Alongside my usual FlossTube updates, I still managed to publish three posts on the website: one sharing the details of the Spellbound Stitchers collective, one exploring thoughts around multitasking while stitching, and a more educational piece covering three little stitches. Fewer posts than some months, but all ones I felt good about sharing.

Spellbound Stitches Volume 5
A collage of lots of cross-stitched bookmarks.

View The Post

The Joy of Multitasking While You Stitch
A photograph of a cosy living room.

View The Post

Three Little Stitches That Make Cross-Stitch Magic
A close-up photograph of a cross-stitch pattern.

View The Post

FlossTube #113 Bookmark Design Reveal, New Pattern & a Massive Stitchy Haul
Kate from Two Little Kits being silly and using a cone of black DMC floss as a telescope, to look straight at the camera.

See The Episode


IRL

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year looked much the same as it usually does for us. Since we're not American and don't have family nearby, it was a quiet day at home with just the four of us — and honestly, that suits me just fine. We still made it feel special with a slightly “fancy” dinner, and I baked an apple pie from scratch that was not only beautiful but genuinely delicious. A rare double win.

Since my weight-loss surgery almost two years ago, I can't indulge in food the way I once could, but I thoroughly enjoyed my roast lamb with mint jelly and roasted veggies. It felt celebratory without being uncomfortable, which is a balance I appreciate more and more these days. And if you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope yours was a lovely one too.

The slightly-blurry photograph of a cat trying to steal food off a dinnerplate.
Milo trying to steal some of my delicious dinner!
A delicious-looking, cooked rump lamb.
a small plate of cut roast lamb pieces and bits of roasted vegetables.
A homemade apple pie

Family Photos

Every year around this time, I insist on getting family photos done. It's very much for me — I love having these snapshots of our lives to look back on — even though I know my family will appreciate them one day too. This year's photo shoot was a little more challenging than usual, with my oldest having a tough time, so we didn't get nearly as many photos as I would have liked.

A professional picture of a family of 4, outside on an overcast day. They are dressed very well and looking at each other lovingly.
The four of us.
A professional picture of a young couple looking at each other lovingly. They are outside on an overcast day.
My husband & I.

That said, we did get some, and that counts as a win. And I came away with a genuinely lovely photo of just me and my husband, which made the whole experience absolutely worth it.


New Laptop Setup

After months of ongoing computer frustrations -crashes, slowdowns, and general tech nonsense across both my desktop and tablet-laptop hybrid- my husband and I decided it was time for a bigger change. Instead of upgrading parts or replacing individual devices, we completely rethought my setup.

I'm now using a powerful ASUS ProArt P16 laptop with a dock, which means I effectively have one computer that does everything. At my desk, it functions like a full desktop with external monitors, keyboard, and mouse… and when I need to move, I unplug two cables and I'm good to go. I absolutely love this setup, and it's made my workdays noticeably calmer and more efficient.

A photograph of an open laptop. On the screen is Adobe Premiere Pro being used to edit a video of Kate from Two Little Kits.

And the Rest of Life Stuff

November also included a handful of smaller but meaningful moments: some low-key outings close to home, the discovery of a dangerously good little candy store that even sells a few Australian chocolates (a blessing and a curse), and the long-overdue arrival of a new fridge — thank goodness. On top of that, my youngest daughter has been doing really well with viola and even trialled a private lesson, which has been lovely to watch.

Noodle the cat (a fluffy Ragdoll breed) curled up in the bottom of a puzzle box.
Empty fridge space is weird..!
Bustling around downtown with my youngest.
Amazing candy store!
Private lesson of voila.

Wrapping Up November

As November closes out, I'm left with that familiar feeling of having done a lot, even if it didn't always look dramatic from the outside. There was steady stitching, meaningful collaboration, creative momentum, and plenty of quiet progress happening in the background. It wasn't a month of huge finishes or big announcements — but it was a solid one, and those matter just as much.

I'm especially grateful for the sense of connection that ran through the month, whether that was through the Spellbound Stitchers collective, commissioned work finding its way back to me, or conversations sparked through the mini talk show. It's always reassuring to be reminded that this little corner of the internet I occupy is shared with thoughtful, generous people.

As I head into December, I'm intentionally easing up on expectations — giving myself space to rest, reflect, and enjoy the slower pace that tends to come with the end of the year. Thank you, as always, for being here, for reading along, and for sharing this season with me.

👋 Kate

Some flat-topped mushrooms in a little group.
So many mushrooms pop up this time of year!
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