Best Birthday Ever Swap, Part 2

For the Best Birthday Ever Swap, each person has 3 partners. We didn't start until April but split the year into different quarters. My first partner had a birthday in June and then my next quarter was the beginning of July. So I had a busy couple weeks, but now I'm done until the final birthday in October. When I got the partner information and saw Tsum Tsum listed, I immediately started designing cross stitch patterns. In case you've managed to completely avoid this phenomenon, Tsum Tsum is a game but also a series of plush toys of Disney characters. They are ... Read More

Hugs are Fun in Cross Stitcher!

A few months ago I got an email from Katie Allen, the editor of Hoop-La! I had a project in the first issue, and I was so excited that she thought of me for an interview. I haven't gotten a physical copy of the magazine yet, but I bought a digital copy on the iPad. It's a UK publication so it's slow to make it's way to news stands here. I went and checked Joann's and Barnes and Noble and both had May and June issues. Thankfully, Nikki from Quiet Contentment was awesome enough to send me a picture! That picture of me stitching? Evie took that. Not bad for a 4 ... Read More

Free Pattern Friday – Saturn

Last summer I did a post for the &Stitches Summer Bloggin' series on stitching with LEDs. I stitched up Saturn and used the LEDs for stars. I was going through some old files this week and came across the pattern and realized I never shared it. I'm not 100% sure what colors I used but I think it might have been some of these - DMC 840 DMC 841 DMC 842 DMC 648 DMC 729 I'm not always the best at remembering to keep track, sorry! Use your best judgement, I'm sure it'll be fantastic. When stitched on 14ct Aida it's roughly 5x4". Download the PDF here – ... Read More

Best Birthday Ever Swap Gift

A few months ago I posted about sign ups for the Best Birthday Ever Swap. My friend Kristy and I have both been a bit swap obsessed recently and we decided it would be fun to organize a swap to ensure you get fun birthday gifts. My first partner's birthday isn't until June, but I decided to make something for Kristy's birthday this month even though she wasn't my partner. Kristy loves budgies so I knew I wanted to cross stitch some for her. I used water soluble canvas and stitched this design up (I found a random Japanese sticker picture doing a Google image ... Read More

Nerds Craft It Better Swap – What I Sent

I've done yet another swap, this one was the Nerds Craft It Better swap on Instagram. Sign ups were all the way back in January and the ship date is just now coming up. While I like having plenty of time for swaps I also feel like such a long deadline can be a bad thing and cause you to put things off. I already showed off the Mario 1up mushroom necklace (and shared the free pattern) but here's the rest. My partner listed other nerdy things she was into as well, but I couldn't resist sticking with the Mario theme. I designed a Mario and Luigi cross stitch pattern ... Read More

Free Pattern Friday – John Hodgman Quote

If you aren't familiar with John Hodgman, television personality and internet superstar, then you are missing out. I can't even pinpoint how he came onto my radar, but I remember listening to the audiobook version of The Areas of My Expertise* in our apartment in Milwaukee and crying from laughing so hard. We've had the pleasure of meeting him at the book signing for his second book, More Information Than You Require* and he was amazing. One of my favorite podcasts is Judge John Hodgman where he dispenses internet justice with the help of Bailiff Jesse Thorn. One ... Read More

May TSNEM – Biscornu

Making a biscornu has had a place on my to do list for a long time now. Halfway through the month I realized I needed to figure something new to try and I settled on the biscornu. I made two of them and they both went pretty quick, especially the scissor fob. I had a hard time finding a ton of information, but I mainly used the tutorial from Satsuma Street. Kelly from Craftypodes has an awesome post explaining exactly what a biscornu is, and has also been extremely patient and helpful in answering all my questions along the way. I was having a hard time ... Read More