Finding My March Rhythm

Hello, lovely stitchers! I am so incredibly happy you are here to look back at the month of March with me. I’ll admit I’m playing catch-up a little bit with these posts, but there is something deeply comforting about taking a slow, intentional step backward to reflect on where our hands and hearts have been. March was a month that beautifully illustrated the balancing act of running a creative business while navigating the messy, wonderful, and sometimes chaotic rhythm of real life.

Behind the scenes in the studio, the energy was focused heavily on building and completing. I spent a lot of time tucked away on the digital side of things, refining new ideas and bringing a massive, year-long landmark project to its official finish line. It was a month where I prioritised the physical act of stitching and designing over the constant hum of content creation, allowing myself the grace to find a quiet, grounding flow state with my needle.

Of course, life outside the studio hoop never quite stands still, does it? From unexpected weather curves and simple family milestones to a literal, heart-stopping project disaster that had me rushing to the public bathrooms, March kept me entirely on my toes. Grab a glass of water, settle into your favourite stitching spot, and let’s dive into everything that made this month so incredibly memorable.

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StitchKit

If you happened to tune into FlossTube ep.122 recently, you might have caught me mentioning a little project my husband and I have been quietly keeping under wraps: StitchKit. March marks the very first time I’m officially pulling back the curtain on it, and I am so incredibly excited to finally share what it’s all about. In short, StitchKit is a tool I’m building behind the scenes to help us take the guesswork, friction, and mild math-induced headaches out of our pattern planning and stash tracking.

We’ve got a packed roadmap ahead for where this tool is headed. The main focus right now is creating an intuitive, seamless experience that acts as your ultimate digital stitching companion. We are actively working on building out smart features to help you track your thread inventory, calculate fabric cuts without the stress, and organise your current projects all in one place. It’s all about creating a digital sanctuary that supports your physical stitching time, making the prep work quick so you can get straight to the grounding, repetitive magic of the needle.

Because this is a true labor of love, I want to make sure it is completely polished before it launches to the wider world. We are rapidly approaching the phase where we will need some wonderful humans to jump in, play around with it, and tell us what they think! If you want to be part of the journey and get a front-row seat for when it officially opens for Beta and subsequent public release, you can sign up for the StitchKit waitlist here.

Zodiac Collection

I mention a little later in this post that Zodiac: Pisces is done. And because of that, it means something incredibly huge for me: after twelve full months of designing, charting, and sketching, the entire Zodiac collection is finally complete! Reaching the end of this series feels like such a massive creative milestone. It has been a long and absolutely beautiful journey through the stars, and seeing all twelve signs gathered together at last is a bit of a “pinch-me” moment.

When I first set out to design this tarot-inspired collection a year ago, I wanted to create a series that focused on clean lines, symbolic depth, and a calm, grounding aesthetic. What I didn’t entirely anticipate was just how much this project would wind up anchoring my own creative practice month after month.

While my inner stitcher usually thrives in the middle-ground of a slow work-in-progress, there is a distinct, wonderful sense of mental lightness that comes from seeing a year-long powerhouse project like this officially cross the finish line.

Shop the Collection

Works-in-progress

March turned out to be a bit of a balancing act on the stitching front. Between navigating a minor project emergency, finding a sudden burst of nostalgic inspiration, and juggling multiple distinct styles of cross-stitch, my rotation felt incredibly alive this month. I love having multiple pieces on the go because it means there is always something that matches my exact energy levels, and March definitely tested that theory across a mix of slow-burn projects, fresh designs, and unexpected finishes.

Stitched

My main project rotation has seen a lovely mix of progress this month, ranging from quick rows added to some major milestones behind the scenes. We’ve got a bit of everything happening right now: I had to officially move my Fairytale HAED SAL in its Q-Snap after filling an 8”x11” area, and I resurrected my old Firefly Sampler out of sheer excitement for the newly announced animated reboot.

There’s also a new Stitch People demo piece on the go, some heavy focus on the [surprisingly] inspiring colour palette of Fantasy Post-Apocalypse, and a brief car-stitching stint on The Secret Grove after an accidental drink spill on Extraordinary Birds washed away my dot-grid layout! Along with Flower Prairie and Circular Logic, it’s a beautifully busy hoop lineup.

Finished

I had a wonderful surprise addition to the rotation this month that moved at absolute lightning speed: “Undiagnosed, But”. This piece was actually both started and finished entirely within the month of March! While the stitching is officially complete, it’s not quite ready for its full public reveal just yet, as it will be launching as a brand-new shop item early next month.

Designed

Over on the digital side of things, I’ve been putting our upcoming tool to the test and actually worked on a fresh design right inside StitchKit!

This upcoming pattern is tentatively titled “1900s Baby”, and it’s a fun, affectionate design that pokes a bit of gentle fun at those of us who happened to be born before the turn of the century.

New Patterns

March brought some incredibly fun and meaningful additions to the shop. Alongside wrapping up a massive year-long series, I also released a little typographic tribute to the quiet nature of our shared craft. Both of these are fresh off the drafting table and ready for your hoops!

“Zodiac: Pisces”

The twelfth and final sign in our tarot-inspired series has officially arrived! “Zodiac: Pisces” captures the ethereal, creative, and deep-feeling spirit of the Fish.

Featuring two graceful fish circling one another in a harmonious, mirrored dance, this design uses a soft palette of 14 colours, all nestled within the collection’s signature arched frame. Like the rest of the series, it is entirely full cross-stitches with no backstitching required, making it a beautiful, meditative stitch for any skill level.

Purchase "Zodiac: Pisces"

“Introverted Club”

If your favourite way to recharge after a long day of “peopling” is to curl up with a needle and thread, this one is for you. “Introverted Club” is a playful, “meta” typographic design celebrating the quiet magic of our hobby.

Stitched using just 10 striking colours, it features an engaging mix of three distinct lettering styles. It’s the perfect, tongue-in-cheek piece to hang in your stitching nook or gift to a fellow maker who understands the introvert struggle.

Purchase "Introverted Club"

Haul

A couple of very exciting packages found their way to my doorstep this month, bringing a fresh wave of creative energy and some incredibly practical tools into the studio.

First up, the lovely humans at NeedleLot Designs reached out to ask if I would like an early copy of their upcoming book, “Fantasy Cross-Stitch”. Of course, I couldn’t say “yes!” fast enough! My copy arrived right at the tail end of the month, and it is absolutely packed with magical inspiration.

I also placed a much-needed restock order over at 123stitch.com, loading up on a bunch of fresh fabric -mostly 18ct Aida- and picking up two highly-recommended embroidery hoops by Nurge. These hoops are famous for holding your fabric wonderfully taut even when being handled constantly, making them the perfect companion for my rotating WIPs.

New Blog Posts

If you’ve noticed the blog and video feeds have been a little quieter than usual lately, there is a very good reason for it: I’ve been so deeply focused on the actual stitching side of Two Little Kits that I haven’t really felt like leaning into heavy content creation.

It has been incredibly nice to just let my mind quiet down and purely enjoy the rhythm of the needle without a camera or script always attached to it. That being said, I did have something to share..! First, I put together a guide on 10 Essential Tools every cross-stitcher needs in their stash, and I also uploaded usual FlossTube Episodes.

IRL

Drink Spill

On the real-life front, March kicked off with what can only be described as a stitcher’s absolute worst nightmare.

I was out and about with my Extraordinary Birds WIP tucked safely into my favourite tote bag alongside a drink when the unthinkable happened — the drink spilled, completely flooding the inside of the bag and soaking the fabric. My heart absolutely stopped!

Thankfully, after a lightning-fast rescue mission involving a quick rinse in the public restroom, a gentle wash in the machine and some patient air-drying, the piece itself is completely unscathed; the thread colours didn’t bleed and the printer ink didn’t stain. The only casualty was my meticulously placed water-soluble dot-grid, which completely washed away — as expected. It was a massive scare, but it served as a very good reminder that our work is often much more resilient than we give it credit for.

Reading

If you follow along with my FlossTube posts (specifically on my website), you might have noticed my current reading list pop up — I’ve finally gotten back into reading! It’s a habit I slowly managed to rebuild all the way back since September of last year, and it has brought so much quiet joy back into my routine.

To be entirely transparent, I’m not actually interested in sitting down to physically read a book. Instead, I am incredibly thankful that nearly every major book released nowadays comes with a fantastic audiobook version, making storytelling accessible while keeping my hands completely free to stitch (or while I’m driving, cooking, cleaning… etc.).

Miscellaneous

Rounding out the month, life at home brought a lovely mix of cozy surprises and exciting household milestones.

Mother Nature decided to throw us a bit of a curveball with another sudden, completely unexpected snowfall that blanked everything and actually stuck around for a few days, forcing us into a few slow, cold days.

Inside the house, we welcomed a brand-new robot vacuum to the family, much to my daughter’s absolute delight! She is completely obsessed with robot vacuums, so watching it trundle across the floor has become her new favourite spectator sport.

Finally, my youngest kiddo got a much-needed, absolutely adorable new haircut. After a really rough, disappointing salon appointment a few weeks prior left her a bit frazzled, I took her to see my personal hair stylist this month instead. The experience was a total night-and-day difference; she walked out so happy, and her new style looks incredibly adorable on her.

Closing the Hoop: Final Reflections

Looking back at everything we managed to pack into these four short weeks, my overwhelming feeling is one of immense gratitude. March taught me a lot about resilience, both in my creative practice and at home — proving that whether we are dealing with a ruined dot-grid on a favourite piece or a completely botched haircut, there is almost always a gentle way to fix things if we just take a deep breath and change our approach. Crossing the finish line on huge milestones like the full Zodiac collection has left me feeling creatively refreshed and eager for the chapters ahead.

Looking forward into next month, I can’t wait to pull back the curtain even further on the things we’ve been building. Between the exciting journey ahead for StitchKit and some highly anticipated new arrivals hitting the shop shelves early next month, the design board is looking beautifully vibrant. I’m so thankful to have this wonderful community walking alongside me, reminding me every day that the magic of handwork is as much about the shared journey as it is about the final stitch.

Before you head back to your own hoops and projects, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! Have you ever survived a terrifying project spill, or have you managed to dive back into a long-lost hobby recently like I did with my audiobooks? Let me know what you’ve been working on, be gentle with yourselves, and happy stitching!

👋 Kate

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 wild, 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 finish 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.

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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!

1. Needleminders by GingerStitchAU.

2. Embroidery hoops from ISewNeedItCrafts.

3. 18ct Aida fabric from my local craft shop.

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!

• Understanding Dye Lots in Cross‑Stitch

• Needleminders: The Tiny, Personal, Magnetic Tool That Every Stitcher Needs

• The Finish Line: A Gentle Guide to Washing and Pressing Your Stitches

• FlossTube #120 - Why I Unpicked Part of My Finished Piece + Big, Exciting News!

Mini Talk Show - Update

Check out the episodes I released during February for my Mini Talk Show.

• Hand & Arm Care - FEB 4th

• Messy or Neat? The Back of Our Work - FEB 11th

• Starting a New Cross-Stitch Project - FEB 18th

• Breaking Stitchy Rules - FEB 25th

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

A Gentle Start to 2026

Hello and welcome to the first wrap-up of the year! I know I am a little late getting this January update out to you, but if there is one thing I have embraced in my creative journey, it is that handmade work takes time and life often has its own rhythm. Between juggling the business, parenting my two daughters, and managing my own energy limits, January felt like a slow but steady exhale after the rush of the holiday season.

This month has been about finding my footing again and returning to the grounding practice of stitching. Whether it was finishing a long-awaited custom design or simply sitting with a work-in-progress during a quiet moment, I have been leaning into the idea of progress over perfection. It is so easy to get swept up in the pressure of “New Year, New Me” resolutions, but I prefer to focus on what feels thoughtful, calm, and genuinely helpful for my well-being. Using this time to reflect on the year ahead has been a lovely way to prioritise what truly matters in my craft and my life.

Finished Pieces

January brought two very different but equally special completions. I finished a bespoke “Save the Date” commission, adapting a wedding invitation into a timeless keepsake! I also completed a miniature “The Starry Night” cross-stitch. It’s my absolute favourite painting and marks the first entry in my new “mini art museum” series. Both projects were such a joy and a grounding way to kick off the year’s stitching.

A Custom “Save the Date” Commission

January started with a really special custom project. I was contacted through my website by a lovely customer who was looking for something quite specific: she wanted to turn her niece’s “Save the Date” card into a cross-stitch pattern.

The goal wasn’t just to replicate the card, but to adapt it so it would “stand the test of time.” Instead of a reminder for a future event, we wanted the finished piece to feel like a beautiful celebration of a wedding that had already taken place. I absolutely jumped at the chance to help create such a meaningful keepsake!

I really enjoyed the process of translating those illustrative elements —like the moon, the rolling hills, and the delicate string lights— into a stitchable format. Seeing it all come together in the final design was so rewarding, and I hope it’s a piece the couple treasures for a long time.

Do you have a custom idea in mind?

Working on bespoke designs like this is one of my favourite parts of running Two Little Kits. If you have a special memory, an invitation, or a unique idea you’d love to see turned into a pattern, please do reach out! I’m always happy to have a chat and see if we can bring your vision to life.

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A Miniature Masterpiece

Another finish for January was a piece very close to my heart: a miniature cross-stitch of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. This has always been my favourite famous painting, so being able to recreate those iconic swirls and that glowing moon in thread was such a joy. The pattern is by TheStitchPatterns, and it was a truly lovely, grounding project to work on.

I think it’s just so cute! This finish is actually the first of a set of six similar patterns I’ve collected from the same designer. My plan is to stitch them all as a little series — like my very own miniature art museum. There’s something so charming about seeing these grand, historic works of art rendered in such a small, tactile format.

New in the shop: “Zodiac: Capricorn”

I am so happy to finally share that the Zodiac: Capricorn pattern is officially released! I had every intention of getting this one out to you in December, but as we all know, the holiday season has a way of sweeping up every spare moment. It feels wonderful to have it polished and available for you to stitch now.

Reaching this point in the Zodiac series is incredibly exciting — we only have two more designs to go! As you might have spotted in my works-in-progress, I’m already well into the home stretch. Finishing this collection feels like such a milestone for Two Little Kits, and I can’t wait to see the full set completed.

Purchase "Zodiac: Capricorn"

Works-in-progress

If there is one thing I’ve learnt about my stitching style, it’s that I truly love the process of a work-in-progress. There is something so grounding about having a variety of projects to turn to depending on my mood or how much “brain space” I have available. January was a busy month of chipping away at some old favourites and diving into a few new challenges.

Stitched

January was a bit of a whirlwind in the actual stitching ‘arena’. I actually managed to get ahead of myself with “Flower Prairie” and accidentally stitched the February section before January was even finished! It was a classic “oops” moment, but it’s hard to stop when you’re in a good rhythm. I’ve also been surprisingly tucked into the Fairytale HAED SAL. As my first-ever large, full-coverage piece, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the scale, but I’m finding the process incredibly grounding and much more enjoyable than I anticipated.

On the design-sample front, I am so close to finishing Flower Dragon Meadow, though I’m still debating whether to unpick the top-left red dragon and restitch it as a little yellow friend instead. Meanwhile, Sunflowers has become my dedicated “desk project” for virtual appointments, and I’m making steady progress on the sample for my Boy Band design. I’m really keen to finally get that one out into the world soon!

Designs

Behind the scenes, much of my creative energy has been focused on the final stretch of the Zodiac series. Working on the Pisces design feels like a huge milestone, and I’m so excited to see this entire collection finally come together. I’ve also started a second Stitch People demo piece. My daughters’ school is having a silent auction later this year, and I’m hoping to have this finished in time to donate as a way to support the school community.

Saving the Scraps

This is a project I have been meaning to do for so long — since well before I even got my Cricut machine! I’ve finally gathered the courage and completed my ORT shadow boxes, and I absolutely love how they turned out. I cannot stop staring at them!

For years, I’ve been diligently saving all my ORTs (Old Ratty Threads). Every single thread scrap from every project I’ve worked on since I restarted stitching has been collected year-by-year in individual glass jars.

For the boxes themselves, I used 5”x5” shadow box frames that I got in a pack of 8 from Amazon. I used my Cricut to cut custom vinyl stickers for each year and applied them to the glass (which for some reason, I thought sticking them to the inside of the glass would be better..?), and then took the corresponding jar of ORTs and arranged them inside the frame.

It’s like looking at a colourful history of my life in floss! Each box feels like its own little abstract piece of art — and I love them so much..! Now, my only dilemma is working out exactly where I want to hang them in the house so they get the spotlight they deserve.

The only downside is that I’m unfortunately missing my 2018 jar. I am continuing to hunt for it, but I’m not confident I will find it, which is definitely a bit sad, but the rest of the collection is just perfect.

New Blog Posts

I’ve been quite the busy bee on the blog this month, sharing a mix of practical tips, deep dives into the “why” of our materials, and a look at some of my own personal finishes. Whether you’re curious about the mystery of knots in your floss, the hidden geometry behind your Aida, or if you’ve been wanting an intro to the “parking” method, there is plenty of new reading to sink your teeth into.

I also shared a more personal look at the Blackwork Christmas gifts I made for my daughters, which was such a special project to document. And of course, if you’d rather just sit and stitch along with me, FlossTube #118 is up — complete with the usual WIP updates, finishes, and just a little bit of “help” (read: harassment) from the cat!

A Quick Fix for “Kathy”

I had a bit of a “wait, what?” moment this month with my Kathy font. A lovely customer reached out to ask about the design for the capital letter “U” — only for me to realise that, in the years since I released it, I had accidentally included two versions of the capital “T” instead!

I’m not quite sure how I managed that, but I’ve now designed the proper uppercase “U”, updated the pattern, and sent the fix out to everyone who had previously purchased it. It was a silly mistake, but I’m so glad it’s finally sorted!

You can get “Kathy” for yourself here if you like the look of it!

Mini Talk Show - Update

I’ve also been having so much fun with my Mini Talk Show series lately. It’s been a wonderful space to chat about the more personal and practical sides of our craft. This month, I shared about my planned Book Jumper, which will be a wearable record of my reading progress. I also sat down to discuss the perennial debate of Parking vs. Cross-Country stitching, sharing my own experience with trying out new methods to see what sticks.

We also took a moment to appreciate the “why” behind embroidery scissors — something I guess I’ve been accidentally collecting! They are such a vital tool for our work, and it was fun to dive into why having the right pair matters. Finally, we talked about the creative freedom of swapping colours in a pattern and my recent example of doing so. It’s one of the easiest ways to truly make a design your own, and I loved sharing some tips on how to approach those changes with confidence.

Episodes:

• Fun, personal project: Book Jumper

• Parking & Cross-Country Stitching

• Embroidery Scissors - Why?

• Swapping Colours in a Pattern

Check out the Mini Talk Show

IRL

While my stitching keeps me grounded, life outside the hoop has been quite eventful this January. It’s been a month of significant personal milestones alongside those small, quirky moments that make up the “everything else” of being a parent and maker.

Reflections on WLS

January 19th marked exactly two years since I underwent gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y). I’ve spoken before about how I struggled to lose weight on my own for over fifteen years, eventually facing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, which led me to that life-changing decision in early 2024. Looking back today, I feel an immense sense of gratitude, though I want to be honest about the fact that it hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road.

The reality of life after surgery is a bit of a double-edged sword. While I am mostly thankful, I still struggle with how restrictive my eating has become. The constant focus on protein can be incredibly tiresome, and the uncomfortable, heavy feeling of “fullness” that comes with even a proper, healthy meal is genuinely frustrating — some days, it feels like a punishment for trying to eat well. However, when I look at how far I’ve come —having shed so much weight, regained my energy, and feeling the confidence of being 3-4 sizes smaller— I know I would never go back. It was undeniably the right choice for my health and my future.

Toe Troubles, Sneaky Stitches, and Small Wins

The rest of the month was a bit of a mix!

My poor toe decided to cause trouble again, landing me in Urgent Care and then an emergency appointment with my foot doctor. It turns out I have Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which essentially means my circulation isn’t a fan of the cold. Since I’m living through a Washington winter, this is going to be an interesting new challenge to manage! On a much lighter note, I had a bit of a “crafty” moment at the cinema. My girls went to see Monsters University with their mentor-friend, “T”, and while I joined them, I wasn’t really feeling the movie. I ended up sitting in the back with my neck light on, getting some sneaky stitching done in the dark!

We also celebrated Australia Day on the 26th. My youngest is so proud of her Aussie roots and gave a little talk to her class about Australia. I even used my Cricut to make her some tiny Australia-themed stickers to hand out, which she absolutely loved. Finally, I officially hit my one-year milestone with the Finch app! I actually missed three days during 2025, so I had to wait a little into this year to get the achievement, but I can’t recommend it enough. It has been such a helpful tool for keeping me on track with self-care and looking after the house when things feel a bit overwhelming.

Final Stitches and Fresh Starts

Reflecting on January, I am struck by how much “life” happens in between the stitches. From the milestone of my two-year surgery anniversary to the simple joy of finally framing my ORT shadow boxes, it has been a month of meaningful growth. Even the frustrating moments —like navigating a new diagnosis or the physical limits of my recovery— remind me why having a slow, repetitive craft is so vital for staying grounded. These personal reflections are just as much a part of my journey as the patterns I design.

As I look toward the rest of the year, I’m excited to keep sharing this journey with you, focusing on the stories behind the patterns rather than just the finishes. I have a lot planned for February, including giving the Aquarius zodiac design its proper spotlight and hopefully making some real headway on my “mini museum” of art masterpieces. Thank you for being here and for supporting this little artist-led business of mine; it truly means the world to have such a kind and encouraging community.

👋 Kate

Clearing the Decks: A December Wrap-Up

Welcome to the final monthly wrap-up of 2025! December is always a bit of a whirlwind, but this year it felt particularly transformative for Two Little Kits. Between a surprise moment of “going viral” on Instagram and the quiet satisfaction of finishing projects that have been on my hoop for months, it’s been a month of both high energy and deep reflection.

As I look back on the last few weeks, I’m struck by that wonderful “clearing the decks” feeling. There is something so restorative about finishing a year-long project or finally winding floss for a new adventure while the house is quiet. Whether you’re here for the stitching updates, the design sneak peeks, or just a bit of “real life” chat, I hope this update brings a little bit of that calm, end-of-year clarity to your day.

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CrAzY growth over on Instagram

December kicked off with something I genuinely did not see coming: a huge spike in growth over on Instagram — almost entirely thanks to one very spontaneous Reel I shared on December 2nd.

The Reel itself was a simple “sequence” response to a post by @laurensbookdiary, where she shared the idea of embroidering patches of the books you’ve read onto a jumper (and showed off her own glorious “booktop” as proof). It immediately made my brain light up. I filmed a quick response saying, in essence, “I have to do this”, “this idea is incredible”, hit post… and thought nothing more of it. The whole thing took maybe 60 seconds from idea to sharing.

Well, apparently the algorithm liked it too. 😅

I started December with 5,770 followers and ended the month on 7,347, which is a jump I’ve not experienced since early 2021. By the end of December, that single Reel had been viewed over 1 million times, with 38k likes, 529 comments, 29k shares, 346 reposts, and 7k saves — numbers that still feel slightly unreal to type out.

What I loved most about this wasn’t just the growth, though, but how it nudged me creatively. It’s made me seriously consider turning the “booktop” idea into a fun side project of my own.

I haven’t settled on the how yet -whether it’s books I’ve already loved, only books I read in 2026, or something else entirely- but it feels like one of those ideas that deserves follow-through. If I’m going to gush about it online, I may as well put my money (and my stitches) where my mouth is.

Follower Count

Reel Stats

New in the shop: “Flower Prairie”

December also saw the release of a brand new and final-in-this-series DIY cross-stitch pattern: “Flower Prairie”. This one quietly made its way into the shop during what was already a very full month, but it still feels like a meaningful addition to the growing “flower” family of designs here at Two Little Kits.

“Flower Prairie” continues that familiar theme of little florals and considered colour choices, while still being its own distinct piece. Releasing a new pattern in December always feels a little bit bold -everyone is busy, festive, and stretched in a dozen directions- but it also felt like the right time to let it out into the world, especially for the end of the year (in preparation for a brand new year).

Purchase "Flower Prairie" Today

Finished Pieces

December turned out to be an unexpectedly productive month when it came to finishes — the kind where you look back at the end and think, wait… I finished how many things?! Between festive stitching, gift-making, and finally wrapping up a few long-standing projects, I managed to complete a surprising number of pieces before the year came to a close.

There’s something especially satisfying about finishing projects in December, too. It feels like clearing the decks before the new year begins — tying bows on ideas, literally and figuratively, and giving these pieces a moment to be properly appreciated before moving on to what’s next.

Twigs & Tea

Twigs & Tea was one of those projects that felt genuinely relaxing to work on from start to finish. It’s a stitch-along cross-stitch pattern by Fine Frog Stitching, and it struck that perfect balance of being engaging without ever feeling overwhelming. Some sections took as little as 30 minutes to complete, which made it incredibly easy to keep momentum going — ideal for fitting stitching into busy December days.

One of my favourite things about this design was the intentional colour palette, particularly the choice to completely avoid greens. It gives the whole piece such a cohesive, cosy feel and really lets the other colours shine. Stitching along with everyone else was a lot of fun, too, and it’s definitely left me looking forward to seeing what Steph might release next as a future stitch-along.

Custom Ornaments

This year’s holiday ornaments looked a little different to usual, with just three pieces to stitch — all for the same customer.

Having a smaller batch meant I could move through them much more quickly than my typical ornament workload, which was a welcome change during a busy December. Two of the portraits were stitched on 14ct Aida, while the third was done on 18ct to allow me to squeeze in all the necessary details. There was even a small post-stitch tweak required when I discovered a couple of names had been misspelled in the original information — thankfully, the way I finish my pieces meant I could carefully open it up, make the correction, and send it off without any drama, plus my customer was local, so she was still able to gift them on time.

Get your own ornament

Family Portrait

This family portrait was a particularly interesting piece to work on, as it came to me in a slightly roundabout way. I was commissioned to create the design itself, and once the stitcher realised she wouldn’t be able to complete the piece in the timeframe needed, she kindly referred the customer on to me to stitch it as well. It turned into a full-circle project, where I was able to see the piece through from concept all the way to a finished hoop.

The design features six characters -mum, dad, two boys, one girl, and a pet cat- and I used my “Alison” font for the family name underneath. That font holds a special place for me, as it was the very first font I ever released, so it felt fitting to use it here. This piece does come with a bit of bad news attached, though, and while December wasn’t the right time to unpack that, it’s something I’ll be sharing more about in a future blog post where I can talk about the project as a whole in more detail.

Order a Piece For Yourself

Christmas Gifts

It wouldn’t be a December wrap-up without mentioning the gifts I made for my daughters. This was actually the fourth year in a row that I’ve made them a special Christmas stitch.

As of writing, I’ve actually already written a deep-dive blog post about these specifically, so consider this a little “sneak peek” into the process before you head over there for the full story 😉

I decided to try something a bit different this year by creating full-coverage designs where the blackwork actually wraps right around the edge of the inner hoop. It had been quite a long time since I'd picked up any blackwork stitching, and I truly enjoyed the process of getting back into that rhythmic, geometric flow. Most importantly, my girls absolutely loved their pieces — and at the end of the day, that's really all that matters!

Flower Meadow

It's finished! My second year-long DIY flower project has finally come to a conclusion, and I honestly couldn't be happier with it. Looking at the full meadow now, it feels like such a lovely, tangible record of the year.

I’m planning a much deeper dive in a future blog post—complete with all the stats and technical details — but for now, I just wanted to share the joy of the finish. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t stitch every single flower on the exact day it represented, but that’s the beauty of these projects. I am so proud of how it came out, and I love that I finally have a completed physical piece to show you as an example of what this DIY pattern can become.

If you’d like to start your own year-long stitching adventure, you can find the pattern in the shop below!

Shop "Flower Meadow" DIY Pattern

Works-in-progress

Even with the focus on finishes, I managed to tuck into a few active projects. I’m currently working through part five of the “Flower Dragon Meadow” stitch-along (I am secretly hoping the final dragon is a bright yellow one!) and I eventually sorted a kerfuffle with my email to get a head start on the HAED “Fairytale” SAL. Perhaps most satisfying was stitching the years “banner” for my upcoming “Flower Prairie” piece on New Year’s Eve, so I was ready and raring to go for January 1st.

On the design board, I’ve been busy wrapping up the final pieces of my Zodiac series. I’ve officially finished the designs for Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, and it feels like such a weight off my shoulders to have them ready to be turned into actual patterns. I’m really looking forward to getting these out into the world very soon.

Stitched

Designs

Haul

I treated myself to some new bits this month, including enamel pins I’m planning to convert into needleminders and two pairs of scissors from TikTok (because one can never have too many. Right?). One pair is regular and elegant, while the other is a teensy, spring-loaded set with a matching sheath.

I also had a mid-project organisational pivot for my Heaven and Earth Designs piece; I swapped my 88 floss colours from Floss-Away bags to plastic bobbins and a proper container. It took quite a bit of time, but I’m 100% certain it’s making the stitching much easier!

Have you treated yourself to any neat stitchy tools or supplies lately? Jump in the comments!

New Blog Posts

Between the general December “madness” and my focus on finishing projects on time, I didn’t find as much time for the blog as I’d hoped — a bit of a carry-over from November’s trend. I did manage to share some thoughts on realigning our expectations with Etsy and posted regular FlossTubes, the final one of the year being I chatted about a missing pattern (the HAED SAL) and marked 10 years of living in the USA.

I’m really hoping to shift back into a more regular writing rhythm throughout January, so stay tuned for more updates soon!

• Etsy Isn’t Broken - But Our Expectations Might Be

• FlossTube #116 - Where Is My Pattern?! + 10 Years in the USA

Mini Talk Show - Update

I’m so pleased that I’ve managed to keep up with my Mini Talk Show tradition throughout the month. While there were certainly weeks where motivation felt a bit thin, the “short and sweet” format makes it so much more doable when life gets busy.

Because December gave us five Wednesdays, I was able to share five mini-episodes covering everything from the practicalities of holiday stitching and using metallic floss to the more personal side of things, like navigating overall burnout and handling negative feedback. I wrapped up the series for the year with a 2025 wrap-up, reflecting on my massive collection of finished pieces within 2025!

• Holiday Stitching

• Metallic Floss

• Overall Burnout

• Negative Feedback

• 2025 Wrap-Up

IRL

While a lot of my December was spent behind a hoop, there were plenty of “real life” moments that kept me busy outside of Two Little Kits. It wasn’t a month filled with huge, sweeping events, but the small traditions and personal updates made it feel special in its own way.

Christmas

Our family continued the tradition of opening our LEGO advent calendars each morning. Even though some days are a bit of a “flop” in terms of what’s behind the little door, the ritual itself is something I still love each December. Being a parent on Christmas Day remains such a joy for me. I was actually trying to explain to my daughter that even though I don’t have a mountain of presents to open myself, watching them experience the morning brings me more than enough happiness.

I’m also quietly amazed that both of my girls still believe in Santa! It’s definitely getting trickier to keep that magic alive for an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old, but my husband and I managed to pull it off for another year — at least, I think we did!

Fun Hair

I finally went through with the “fun colour” I’d been chatting about with my hair stylist. I ended up with a beautiful, deep purple on the left underside of my hair, wrapping around the base to the back. Because my hair is quite fine and delicate, my stylist & I agreed and opted not to do any bleaching beforehand.

While that meant the purple came out a bit darker than I’d originally envisioned, I still absolutely love how it looks!

And Other Life Stuff

The rest of the month was a bit of a mix. The colder weather has brought back some recurring toe issues, so I’ve been using my foot bath much more than I’d like just to keep things warm. On the brighter side, I received some new LEGO sets for Christmas, so I’ve been happily knuckling down with those. I also nearly made it through a full year of using the Finch app — I think I hit 362 days, which I’m pretty proud of!

Whenever the weather was kind (and my toe wasn’t acting up), my youngest and I would head out for walks around the neighbourhood. She’s still using her pedal-less bike, and while I love our time together, I do find myself wishing she’d finally give the pedals a go! 😂

Ready for January’s First Stitch

Wrapping up December always feels like closing a book, and this year is no different. From the bright pops of colour in my finished “Flower Meadow” to the quiet, geometric rhythm of the blackwork gifts for my girls, it’s been a month that reminded me why I love this craft so much. Stitching remains such a grounding practice for me, especially during the holiday rush, and I’m so grateful to have had these moments of slow, intentional handwork to keep me centered.

As we step into January, I’m feeling refreshed and ready for what’s next. I have new patterns to format, a fresh year-long prairie to grow, and hopefully, a few more walks around the neighbourhood (perhaps with some pedals involved this time!). Thank you for being part of this journey with me throughout 2025.

I can’t wait to see what we all create in the year ahead. Happy stitching!

👋 Kate

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.

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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.

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.

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..!

Purchase "Zodiac: Sagittarius"

🥄 “’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.

Purchase "'Tism Spoon"

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!

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.

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 🧡

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.

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

• The Joy of Multitasking While You Stitch

• Three Little Stitches That Make Cross-Stitch Magic

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

October: Rain, Stitches & Real Life

This October wrap-up is arriving fashionably late — but honestly, that feels pretty fitting for how the month itself unfolded. October was busy in a quiet, layered way, with creativity, family life, health hiccups, and everyday chaos all happening at once. Rather than one big headline moment, it was made up of lots of smaller pieces that slowly added up.

Over the course of the month, I released new patterns, kept a rotating cast of works-in-progress moving along, and tried something completely new with the launch of my Mini Talk Show. There was stitching, designing, experimenting, and a fair amount of “I’ll come back to this later” energy. Which, as it turns out, is very on brand for me.

Alongside all of that, real life continued doing what it does best: being unpredictable. From a very wet Halloween and vet visits, to donating blood, battling an unexpected ear infection, and finding joy in the tiniest, silliest creative detours, October was full in a way that felt very human.

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So, slightly late or not, here’s a look back at everything that made up my October. 🍂🪡

Finished Pieces

“Suspicious Stitches”

I stitched Suspicious Stitches as part of a little Instagram challenge that encouraged people to create spooky art throughout September and October — and honestly, the timing could not have been better. I’d just recently bought the book Witchy Stitching by Meg Black of The Witchy Stitcher, and this design immediately jumped out at me as the perfect excuse to jump in. Moody, a little mysterious, and delightfully witchy? Say no more.

This piece was such a pleasure to work on alongside my other active WIPs. It only uses two colours, which made it wonderfully low-effort on the decision-making front, and it wasn’t tricky or fiddly to stitch at all — very much a “pick it up, put a few stitches in, feel productive” kind of project. The end result feels bold and graphic, and I loved having something spooky on the go without it demanding too much brain power from me. Honestly, a great reminder of how satisfying smaller, simpler pieces can be.

I highly recommend the book if you haven’t gotten it already - it’s excellent!

“Ever After” (Bookmark Test Stitch)”

October also saw me finishing the test stitch for “Ever After”; my contribution to Spellbound Stitches Volume 5: The Bookmark Book — and I’m still a little bit giddy about this one.

This is my very first bookmark design, which meant there was a lot of learning baked into the process. Designing for a long, narrow format is a very different beast compared to a standard piece, and this project taught me so much about proportions, readability, and — perhaps most importantly — how the finishing really matters when something is designed to live inside a book.

One of my favourite parts of this design is that I made it customisable, which feels like such a fun little bonus for stitchers who want to make it their own. The “Ever After” bookmark will be released as an individual pattern in early-2026, but if you’d like to stitch it sooner (and grab a whole collection of beautiful bookmark designs while you’re at it), the collective is absolutely the way to go while it’s still available.
I’ve written a separate blog post with all the details about Spellbound Stitches Volume 5, so if you’d like to learn more about the designers involved and what’s included, you can head over there for the full rundown.

Stitch People Pattern Commission

I also finished a Stitch People portrait for a fellow stitcher — and this one was a really lovely project to work on.

The customer is a friend of mine who regularly creates Stitch People portraits herself, but she designs all of hers by hand, which honestly blows my mind. For this particular piece, she needed the pattern created digitally for specific reasons, but didn’t want to dive into learning new software just for one project, so she handed it over to me.

I was given around half a dozen reference photos to work from, and pulling everything together into a cohesive, recognisable portrait was such a satisfying process. Thankfully (and reassuringly!), she was really pleased with the final result — always the best feeling, especially when the recipient is someone who truly knows the craft inside and out.

If you have a pattern idea of your own and need help bringing it to life -whether it’s a portrait, a custom design, or something you’re not quite sure how to tackle- you’re always welcome to reach out. I’m more than happy to chat things through and see what’s possible.

Works-in-progress

Stitching

October was very much a “lots of plates spinning” kind of month on the stitching front, with a healthy mix of staying on track and cheerfully falling behind. I’ve been doing my best to keep up with Flower Dragon Meadow, but I’ll be honest — a new part released this week and I’m still working through the previous one. Oops. That said, I’m still absolutely loving the process and am choosing to believe that catching up is a future-Kate problem. On the plus side, I have managed to stay up to date with Flower Meadow, which feels like a small miracle and deserves a quiet round of applause.

A few other long-running projects continued to tick along nicely. Twigs & Tea is getting so close to the finish line now, with only a few parts of the SAL left to go, and I’m so excited to see how it all comes together as a whole. I also put some stitches into other pieces (see below), all of which fall firmly into the “slow and steady, enjoy the journey” category for me. No rush, just vibes — and floss.

I also officially started thinking about Christmas by putting a few stitches into Blackwork Cat, with the intention of it becoming a gift. Starting early is the goal; actually finishing early is… aspirational. We’ll see how that goes. I continued working on Boy Band as well — a future pattern that I’m hoping to release before the end of 2025 — and it’s been really fun watching that one slowly take shape. All up, a very full WIP roster, but the good kind where everything feels interesting rather than overwhelming.

Designing

On the design side of things, October brought both steady progress and one very loud, very urgent idea that refused to be ignored. Enter ‘Tism Spoon — one of those designs that barged into my brain and immediately demanded to be made right now. You may know the type. I try to follow that creative impulse wherever it wants to go, and while it’s still very much a work-in-progress, it already feels like one of those pieces that just needs to exist.

I’ve also been continuing work on Zodiac: Sagittarius, keeping the momentum going on the Zodiac series as a whole. This one really feels like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, which is both exciting and slightly surreal. There’s something very satisfying about being deep enough into a series that it starts to feel cohesive, intentional, and -dare I say- achievable..?

Mini Talk Show - A New Little Experiment

October also marked the very beginning of something a little different for me: my Mini Talk Show. I recorded and released the first two episodes this month, and honestly, this series came from one of those quiet-but-loud creative nudges that wouldn’t leave me alone. I didn’t sit down with a grand plan or an end date in mind — it was more of an “I think I need to do this” feeling, paired with the very practical knowledge that short-form video tends to work well on social media. Sometimes those two things line up, and when they do, I try to listen.

The idea behind the Mini Talk Show is simple: short, honest conversations about one topic: stitching, creativity, running a small business, mental health, and all the messy overlaps in between. I genuinely don’t know how long this series will run for, and that feels oddly freeing. If you’re curious to learn more about what it is (and what it isn’t), I’ve put together a landing page with all the details — feel free to check it out.

And if you have topics you’d love for me to talk about in future episodes, I’d really love to hear them — feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post with your suggestions.

New Patterns

October was a meaningful month for new pattern releases, with two designs that sit at very different — but equally important — points in my creative work.

One was part of an ongoing, structured series that I’ve been steadily building throughout the year, and the other came from a much more immediate, emotionally driven place. Together, they feel like a really honest snapshot of where my head and heart were at creatively during this time.

😋 “No Hiding”

No Hiding was an absolute joy to design and stitch, which isn’t something I say lightly.

This piece came together in a way that felt genuinely fun from start to finish, and it reminded me how energising it can be to fall completely in love with a design while you’re making it. I also took the opportunity to try out a new cross-stitch person DIY maker for this pattern — and wow, it’s excellent. It made the whole process smoother, more flexible, and honestly just really satisfying to work with.

No Hiding ended up being one of those rare projects where the idea, the execution, and the finished result all lined up beautifully, and I loved every stitch of it.

♏ “Zodiac: Scorpio”

Zodiac: Scorpio is the next instalment in my Zodiac series, and it felt good to keep the momentum going with this one. Scorpio is such a rich sign to work with visually and thematically — intense, intuitive, and unapologetically itself — which made it a really enjoyable design to bring together.

Each new Zodiac pattern helps the series feel more complete, and with every release I feel more confident in the overall cohesion of the collection. It’s also been really lovely knowing people connect with “their” sign as the series grows.

New Blog Posts

October was a noticeably quieter month on the blogging front — and that’s OK! Between design work, stitching, and real-life happenings, I didn’t publish a large volume of written posts, but what did go live still felt intentional and useful. Sometimes a month is about depth rather than output, and this was very much one of those seasons.

I shared a couple of pattern-focused blog posts, including one for the new K-Pop Demon Hunters pattern and the second instalment in my Zodiac Series deep dive (alongside my regular FlossTube episodes). While it wasn’t a big blogging month by any stretch, I’m learning to be comfortable with these ebbs and flows — especially when the creative energy is being spent elsewhere in meaningful ways.

• The Movie My Kids Can’t Stop Watching (and the Pattern I Had to Stitch Because of It!)

• Zodiac Series Continues: Four New Star Signs Released!

IRL

🎃 Halloween (Rain, But Make It Magical)

Halloween this year was… wet. Like, absolutely poured-with-no-mercy wet. But despite the relentless rain, my youngest daughter and I still had a really great night.

We met up with some of her friends, braved the weather together, and made the most of it — soggy socks and all. She dressed up as Marceline from Adventure Time, which was perfection, and I made a cardboard axe bass to go with it. Sadly, the axe bass spent most of the night safely tucked away in my car to protect it from the rain, which was probably for the best… even if it deserved its moment.

To fully lean into the situation, I decorated my umbrella with fairy lights on the underside — partly for visibility, partly for joy, and partly because why not? It turned out to be such a hit, and I got so many compliments on it throughout the night. When the weather refuses to cooperate, sometimes the only option is to add lights and carry on. Honestly, it felt very on theme for how October went in general.

Crocheted a Cat Hat & Scarf (Against the Cat’s Will)

At some point in October, I got the overwhelming urge to crochet a tiny cat hat and scarf. For no practical reason whatsoever. So naturally, I spent a few hours finding patterns and making them instead of doing something more sensible. My cat was deeply unimpressed, but oh my gosh — the results were adorable. You know when an idea latches onto your brain and refuses to let go? Yes. That. Possibly ADHD, definitely worth it.

New Glasses Toppers (An Ongoing Problem?)

I also added to my ever-growing collection of glasses toppers from Pair Eyewear, which is starting to feel… potentially excessive? In my defence, they keep releasing designs that are both extremely cute and somehow feel emotionally necessary. I may need to tone it down at some point, but that point is apparently not for this past October.

And the Rest of Life Stuff

October also included a handful of less glamorous, but very real, life admin moments. The cats ended up going to the vet three times over the course of a few days, which was a nuisance and a half — but they’re worth it, and everyone’s doing fine. It’s just one of those things that eats up time and energy without leaving much behind to show for it, other than a lighter wallet and some very spoiled cats.

On the more positive side, I donated blood again, which always feels grounding in the best way. It’s something I try to do as often as I’m allowed, and it still gives me that quiet sense of “OK, I did one good, useful thing today.” Balance, right?

And then there was the ear infection. In an adult. In this economy. Truly, what the heck? Add in a scattering of smaller, forgettable moments — errands, appointments, general busyness — and that about sums up the rest of October. Nothing huge on its own, but all together, it made for a very full, very real month.

Wrapping Up October

Looking back on October as a whole, it feels like one of those months that was full in a very quiet, cumulative way. There wasn’t one big, dramatic highlight that overshadowed everything else — instead, it was lots of smaller moments stitched together: steady creative progress, a couple of new releases, ongoing projects inching forward, and a whole lot of real life happening in between. The kind of month that doesn’t necessarily announce itself while you’re living it, but definitely makes itself known in hindsight.

Creatively, I’m really proud of what came together during October, even if not everything moved at the pace I originally imagined. New patterns went out into the world, existing series continued to grow, and I found myself trying new things — from launching the Mini Talk Show to experimenting with new tools and formats. There was a lot of learning, a lot of making, and a lot of trusting my instincts, which is something I’m trying to do more of as I go.

As for everything else? October was a reminder that life doesn’t pause just because you’re busy being creative. Appointments, rain-soaked Halloweens, sick ears, vet visits, and moments of joy all coexisted, often on the same day. And that’s OK. Not every month needs to be tidy or perfectly productive to be worthwhile — sometimes simply showing up, making what you can, and keeping things moving is more than enough.

👋 Kate

Crisp Air, Cosy Vibes, and Plenty of Stitching

Somehow September has already come and gone — and honestly, I’m still wondering where it went! Between the changing seasons, some exciting new pattern releases, and plenty of smaller creative moments, it was a month that felt both busy and peaceful all at once. I spent a lot of time stitching (as always!), designing, and making progress behind the scenes for Two Little Kits, while also enjoying those everyday life moments that make each month feel unique.

September also brought a bit of a personal refresh for me — from ordering new t-shirts that actually fit (what a concept!) to revisiting the kind of pieces I want to stitch just for fun. I even managed to sneak in a few small indulgences and celebrate wins, both big and small, across the month.

As the leaves started to change and the air cooled down, I found myself feeling more grounded and grateful for this slower, cosier time of year. So let’s take a look back at what happened in September — from new patterns and fair ribbons to little life updates that made me smile.

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Ordered T-Shirts

I finally did it — I ordered myself some new t-shirts! Most of my wardrobe still consists of pre-weight-loss clothes that absolutely swim on me, so I decided it was time to treat myself to a few tops that actually fit (and to test out more of my own designs while I was at it!).

I ended up getting four: Stitch Repeat (one of my all-time favourites, now in a size that fits me properly), Floss Daily, True Crime (the one that really pushed me to place the order — I had to have a top from my latest collection!), and Embroidery Love.

All of these designs are available to purchase, and they ship quickly — so if you’ve been eyeing one for yourself, now’s the perfect time to grab it!

Shop all stitchy t-shirt designs

New Patterns

September was a busy and creative month for new designs — I released three new cross-stitch patterns!

If you missed any of these new releases, you can find them all in my pattern collection — ready to stitch and add to your growing pile of WIPs!

♍ “Zodiac: Virgo”

First up was “Zodiac: Virgo”, continuing my celestial series. This one captures Virgo’s grounded, detail-oriented nature with soft, balanced colours and elegant motifs that mirror the sign’s love of order and calm.

Curious about some earlier signs? You can see the first four designs in this blog post.

Purchase "Zodiac: Virgo"

😋 “Send Memes”

Then came something a bit cheekier — “Send Memes”, a fun, text-based design that perfectly blends my love of internet humour with the cosy art of cross-stitch. It’s simple, modern, and makes me laugh every time I see it!

I’m always up for people sending me funny memes, reels or clips. You know where to find me!

Purchase "Send Memes"

♎ “Zodiac: Libra”

I wrapped up the month with “Zodiac: Libra”, a design full of harmony and gentle beauty, celebrating Libra’s Venus-ruled sense of balance and connection. I’ve really loved seeing how each zodiac piece develops its own distinct personality while still tying into the overall series.

Want to see the fifth to eighth zodiac patterns? Yes - including Scorpio, which wouldn’t release until October! You can do so in this blog post.

Purchase "Zodiac: Libra"

Works-in-progress

September was definitely a “hands in many projects” kind of month! I touched on quite a few projects — some familiar faces and a couple of brand-new starts. One of those newcomers is actually a sneaky early peek at a pattern that’s coming soon… but I’m keeping the details under wraps for now. (You’ll just have to wait and see what I’ve been quietly stitching away on!)

Among the ongoing pieces, I kept making progress on Extraordinary Birds, Flower Dragon Meadow, and Twigs & Tea. Each one brings something so different to my stitching sessions — from the colourful charm of Flower Dragon Meadow (I still can’t get over those colours!) to the cosy sweetness of Twigs & Tea, which just makes me smile every time I pick it up. And Extraordinary Birds continues to be such a lovely, detailed piece to lose myself in for a bit of calm stitching time.

State Fair

One of the biggest highlights of September was getting to pick up my pieces from the Washington State Fair, and finding out how I faired! This year I entered three projects: “Farming Magic” Stitch-along by FlossyFoxShop, “Fox & Butterflies” by Pigeon Coop Designs, and “Believe in Yourself” from the book “Cross Stitch for the Soul” by Emma Congdon.

I’m thrilled to say I walked away with three honourable mention ribbons (and a participation ribbon for good measure)! I honestly couldn’t be happier — especially because none of these were stitched with the fair in mind. I just worked on them for the joy of stitching, so the recognition felt like a lovely little bonus. I’m sure I could’ve gone neater or pushed for perfection if I’d planned ahead, but this result feels extra special because it came from pieces made with genuine love. Yay me! 🎉

I’ll definitely be keeping in the back of my mind the thought of “should I stitch this for the State Fair?” as I work on future projects — who knows what next year might bring!

Finished [Future] Pattern

“No Hiding” Future Pattern

I had one big finish this month — and it’s one I’m so excited about! It’s the cross-stitch pattern No Hiding, which I wrapped up stitching in September (though it didn’t officially release until early October). You might already know a little about it from my blog post, “The Movie My Kids Can’t Stop Watching (and the Pattern I Had to Stitch Because of It!)“.

You all have been just as excited as I am for this one, and honestly, that makes it even more fun to share! I’m so pleased with how the characters turned out — I used a different person template creator this time, and it gave the design such a fresh, polished look that fits the piece perfectly.

If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, you can stitch along now!

Get the "No Hiding" pattern

New Blog Posts

I had a real mix of blog posts go up in September — everything from thoughtful reflections to helpful lessons (and a little bit of stitching chaos in between!). I talked about when and why a handmade Stitch People portrait makes the perfect gift, shared some honest thoughts in Making Art When the World Feels on Fire, and even debunked a trending TikTok stitching “hack” that got a few things wrong about Aida fabric and waste canvas.

There were lighter, more personal moments too — like a post all about embracing a messy desk instead of seeing it as failure (a lesson I’m still learning daily), a deep dive into the mystery of whether DMC-868 ever really existed, and of course, a new FlossTube episode where I chatted all things “Send Memes, stitching dreams, and flossy things”.

You can catch up on all of September’s posts below if you missed any!

• Perfect Occasions to Gift a Stitch People Portrait

• Making Art When the World Feels on Fire

• That Tik Tok Hack Is Wrong: Aida ≠ Waste Canvas

• If You Think a Messy Desk Means Failure; Think Again

• Did DMC-868 Ever Exist? (Spoiler: No!)

• Team Cross-Stitch or Team Embroidery? Cast Your Vote!

• FlossTube #109 - Send Memes, Stitching Dreams & Flossy Things

IRL

🍁 Autumn is Here

September brought one of my favourite transitions of the year — the shift from summer to autumn! 🍂 I love watching the trees change colour day by day, turning everything from green to a beautiful patchwork of golds, reds, and oranges. There’s something so magical about stepping outside and seeing the ground covered in crunchy leaves, with that unmistakable coolness finally creeping into the air.

It’s hands-down my favourite time of year — the perfect weather for stitching under a blanket, sipping something warm, and soaking up all the cosy, colourful goodness.

🌌 Other Stuff

Aside from soaking up all that autumn beauty, September had a handful of smaller moments worth sharing — each one special in its own way!

C had a dentist appointment where she got a full mouth scan, and it turns out braces are likely in her future. She’ll actually be having a tooth removed in November to (hopefully 🤞) help one of her “lazy” adult canines move into place. Poor kiddo. Keep us in your positive thoughts!

On a lighter note, I reached 250 adventures with my Finch, Penelope! I still adore using the app for daily and weekly task reminders — it’s been such a helpful little app.

Meanwhile, A melted my heart by making an “I love Jinu” graphic in Procreate on my iPad, featuring stills from K-Pop Demon Hunters. It was so adorable — I couldn’t stop ‘naww’ing!

And finally… I treated myself to a giant Squishmallow (of course it had to be Fifi 🦊). I wanted something soft to cuddle or lean against while working at my desk, and she’s already earned her place as an essential office companion. 🧡

Another Month, Another Thread in the Story

And just like that, another month was stitched up and tucked away, albeit a bit late..! September might not have been the loudest or busiest month, but it was one that quietly filled my creative cup. Between finishing up No Hiding, releasing a handful of new designs, and seeing my work displayed at the Washington State Fair, I ended the month feeling both proud and inspired.

There were plenty of personal highlights, too — those small, heartwarming moments that make daily life feel special. Whether it was celebrating a Finch milestone, cheering on C through her dental adventures, or watching A create art inspired by K-Pop Demon Hunters, these little pieces of life added so much joy to my days.

As we head deeper into autumn, I’m looking forward to more stitching, more cosiness, and (hopefully!) more creative energy. Thanks for following along with me through another month of projects, patterns, and life’s little snippets. Here’s to seeing what October [brought]! 🍁

👋 Kate

Stitches, Sparklers & Back to School: August in Review

August was one of those months that felt both jam-packed and slow at the same time — full of tiny moments, new projects, and a couple of milestones that made me pause and go, “Wait, how are we here already?” Between juggling shop updates, designing and stitching, celebrating a birthday & an anniversary, and getting the kids ready for back-to-school, I definitely had my hands full.

It was also a month where I leaned more heavily into the stitching side of things. I still published a handful of blog posts (and my regular FlossTube episodes!), but my needle definitely saw more action than my keyboard. Honestly, it was the balance I needed — and it reminded me why I love creating both in front of the screen and with fabric in hand.

So, let’s take a look back at August: the finishes, the WIPs, the little everyday joys, and the moments that made last month feel special.

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New Collection

🩸 “True Crime”

This month I launched my True Crime collection, and I tried something new with it: opening pre-orders at a discounted price. The idea was to gather orders up front, place a bulk order, and then handle distribution myself. It sounded like a smart way to streamline things — but, as with most experiments, it didn’t go quite as planned. I didn’t push the marketing side hard enough and ended up with a grand total of… zero orders. Whomp whomp.

I’m definitely not discouraged, though! It was a learning curve, and I already know what I’ll do differently next time: put more energy into the marketing build-up, and make sure I’ve got a sample in hand before launching.
Sometimes you just have to learn the hard way, right?

That said, I’m still really proud of this collection. The design is simple, fun, and (if you ask me) very relatable. The pieces are all still available -just without the pre-order discount- and include a t-shirt, hoodie, mug, and tote bag. I hope this one eventually finds its audience, because I really do believe in it.

Check out the collection

New Patterns

August brought not one, but two fresh new pattern into the world — each with its own very different energy! One came as a spur-of-the-moment idea I just couldn’t ignore, while the other continued my steady journey through my Zodiac series.

🕹 “The Game”

This pattern was a total surprise — “The Game” popped into my head out of nowhere, and I knew I had to stitch it into life right away. It’s a cheeky throwback to that classic internet joke, dressed up with rainbow stripes and a pixel-style broken heart that’s equal parts groan-worthy and fun.

You can read more about the design in this blog post.

Buy "The Game" pattern

♌ “Zodiac: Leo”

Balancing the silliness with something bold, Leo roared onto the scene as the fifth instalment of my Zodiac series. With a fiery palette of reds and golds, it perfectly captures the confidence and drama of this star sign.

Curious about the earlier signs? You can see the first four designs in this blog post.

Buy "Zodiac: Leo" pattern

Finished Piece

Stitch People Portrait

My one completed piece for August was a Stitch People portrait commission, which was such a joy to work on. My customer wanted a heartfelt birthday gift for her long-time boyfriend, featuring him and his two children together.

To make the portrait extra personal, I worked using individual photos of each person in outfits they normally wear. With my customer’s blessing, I even replicated the clothing shown in the photos -especially the dad’s graphic tee and the son’s shirt- to capture those little details that make a piece feel truly unique.

This was a fun, quick little stitch, and also my first portrait order in quite some time. It felt so good to dive back into a commission again and stitch something that I knew would become a meaningful keepsake. I loved powering through this one!

Order your stitch people portrait today!

Works-in-progress

August was definitely a month of juggling a variety of projects — some on the fabric, some on paper (or, well, the screen).

Stitched

I kicked off two new stitch-alongs this month: “Flower Dragon Meadow”, which is running with monthly releases, and “Twigs and Tea”, which is releasing weekly or biweekly. For the latter, I only have the frame stitched so far since the first part dropped in early September — but that’s OK! I also powered through a lot of work on the “Extraordinary Birds” stitch-along, which is now fully released. That means I officially can’t get any further behind (ha!). I’m also keeping myself more or less on track with my “Flower Meadow” by stitching the flowers in little bursts — tackling several at once when I can.

On top of that, I started a new personal WIP called “Circular Logic”. This one comes with a funny little rule: I’m only letting myself stitch it while under the influence of some… “adult gummies.” 😏 If you catch my drift.
So far, so good — no noticeable mistakes, and the piece is looking gorgeous thanks to a Threadworx variegated floss I picked out. I’m absolutely loving how it’s turning out.

Design

On the design side, my head got a little scrambled. I accidentally jumped ahead and designed Scorpio first, forgetting that Libra actually comes before it in the zodiac lineup. Whoops!

Unfortunately, none of my Libra drafts by the end of the month were ones I was happy enough to share publicly. So, for now, Scorpio stands on its own while Libra sat quietly in the design folder, waiting for its glow-up (Don’t worry - you’ll see it soon!).

Haul

August came with a few new goodies that I couldn’t resist adding to my collection. First up was the newly released cross-stitch book “Witchy Stitching”. I shared about getting it over on Instagram and the response was massive — clearly I’m not the only one who was excited for a bit of spooky stitchy goodness!

I also treated myself to four new needleminders from Hawthorn Handmade. Since they’re based in the UK, I decided to snap them up before the De Minimis changes kicked in, and I’m so glad I did. They’re adorable and already getting plenty of use.

And, because I can never resist adding some flair to my everyday life, I picked up three new toppers for my glasses. Two of them are transparent, which makes them extra fun and versatile (since I have two base frame colours).
I absolutely love being able to swap out toppers daily — it’s a small thing that genuinely makes me feel good inside. My collection is getting pretty extensive now… but honestly, I’m not even mad about it.

If you’d like a pair of my glasses where you can swap toppers of your own, you can check them out here.

New Blog Posts

It was a little quieter on the blog in August compared to some of my recent months, but I still managed to hit publish on four new posts (plus two FlossTube episodes!). I think the balance tipped more toward actually stitching this month, which honestly felt wonderful — sometimes the needle and fabric just call louder than the keyboard.

That said, the posts I did share covered a mix of thoughtful reflections, helpful guides, and a bit of light-hearted fun. From tackling burnout to navigating tricky patterns, there’s something for everyone.

You’ll find the links for each below if you’d like to catch up on any you missed.

• What Cross-Stitch Teaches Me About Managing Burnout

• From Grids to Freestyle: Your Guide to Two Stitchy Worlds

• The Cross-Stitch Pattern That Always Makes You Lose

• What To Do When Your Cross-Stitch Pattern Is a Hot Mess

• FlossTube #107 - Stitching for the State Fair + Merch Pre-Orders!

IRL

Birthday & Anniversary Celebration

August was a milestone month in our household. My husband turned the big 4-0 — though he might not appreciate me broadcasting that fact! I tried to make his cake extra fun with sparklers on top, but instead nearly smoked out our kitchen. Thankfully, all we ended up with was a lingering burnt smell and a funny memory.

We also quietly celebrated our 23rd anniversary (of when we started dating — much more meaningful to us than our actual marriage date). He was under the weather, and with us trying to be mindful of money, we kept things low-key with a simple dinner at home followed by a cozy couch snuggle. Honestly, it was just the kind of celebration I love best.

Back to School

Both of my girls headed back to school at the end of the month, and I still can’t quite believe my oldest is now in middle school..! How did that happen so fast?! Her new schedule means she’s out the door by just after 7am for the bus — which is going to feel especially early once the mornings turn darker in a month or two. But for now, I’m enjoying seeing the sunrise.

My youngest was thrilled to discover how many friends ended up in her class this year. After “meet the teacher”, she was absolutely buzzing with excitement and is 100% smitten with her 4th-grade teacher. Here’s hoping the school year continues on this happy note!

Everything Else

I’m still absolutely loving my DIY gel nail kit from last month’s birthday haul. It turns out I feel just a little bit fancy when I’m stitching with cute, shiny nails — like a glamorous twist on the usual needle-and-thread routine.
They’re not making my nails feel any stronger when I take them off (boo), but they are protecting against those annoying breakages and keeping my cuticles much happier. Honestly, it feels like a win all around.

Another sweet highlight of the month was introducing my youngest daughter to the world of pen pals. Once I explained the idea, she was instantly on board, so I hopped into a Facebook group and found her two girls her age to connect with. She jumped right in and started writing her first letters — I have a feeling this is going to be such a magical little adventure for her. I remember loving receiving letters from pen pals when I was her age.

And rounding things out, I’m still going strong with the Finch app, which continues to be a quiet but steady anchor in my daily routine. I hit over 250 days of use in August and even “fully explored” London in the app, which felt like a fun little milestone. It’s amazing how something so simple helps me stay grounded and on track. Penelope -my Finch- is the best!

Threading It All Together

Looking back, August had a bit of everything: some wins, some lessons learned (putting sparklers down in the kitchen = bad idea, who knew? 😂), and a whole lot of stitching joy. I didn’t push out as much digital content as I sometimes do, but instead I sank deeper into my WIPs and personal projects — and I think that was exactly what I needed.

With new designs percolating, stitch-alongs keeping me busy, and family life falling back into schedule & rolling right along, I’m also excited to share what September has brought. If August taught me anything, it’s that the balance between work, play, and life isn’t always perfect — but there’s always beauty to be found in the stitches along the way.

👋 Kate

(August Slipped Away… But)

July blessed us here this year in the Pacific Northwest with some truly wonderful weather. My family and I were able to enjoy the sunshine without the intense heatwaves or storms that other parts of the world sadly experienced. I feel so grateful to live in an area where we could take advantage of the looong summer days and make some happy memories.

That being said, I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown since then. August has absolutely whizzed by in the blink of an eye! Suddenly I find myself at the very end of the month, realising I still hadn't pulled together my July wrap-up. Oops.

So here we are, sneaking it in just in time! From new patterns and stitchy finishes to colourful hauls and family adventures, July was packed full of goodness. Let's take a look back together.

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Finished Piece

Court of Crows

July also brought me the joy of finishing a project I'd been stitching along with for a while: the Court of Crows cross-stitch stitch-along. I really enjoyed the pace of this SAL — the parts were released quickly enough to keep the momentum going without ever feeling overwhelming.

The colours in this design were absolutely delightful to work with, too. It was somehow refreshing to have a piece that didn't rely on any black or whites. The jewel-like tones really made the crows come to life and feel like royalty. Seeing it all come together at the end felt so satisfying!

Works-in-progress

Of course, no month is complete without a few works-in-progress! July kept me busy with a few ongoing projects, and it is always lovely to have a mix of pieces to rotate between. From the next, upcoming instalment of my Zodiac series (Virgo), to a sweet little Stitch People portrait, to the detailed stitches of "Extraordinary Birds" and the colourful fields of this year's "Flower Meadow", each one brought something different to my stitching time.

I didn't make huge leaps on every project, but I always enjoy the variety. Some days called for relaxing with simple, cheerful stitches, while others felt right for diving into "work-oriented" pieces! It's always fun to see them all slowly growing together.

Haul

What's a wrap-up without a peek at the little treasures that joined my stash in July?

First up: fabric! I picked up some gorgeous new pieces from a couple of Etsy shops (here and here), and I can't wait to put them to use in future projects. I love having a variety of colours and textures tucked away — it always feels like having possibilities ready and waiting. But two of these fabrics will be used in future stitch-alongs. You'll see next month!

I also treated myself to a pair of new enamel pins, which of course I immediately turned into needleminders (because why wouldn't you?). If you'd like to try the same trick, I have a handy blog post on how to turn enamel pins into needleminders.

And finally, a little something non-stitchy but still craft-adjacent (somehow?): I picked up four new glasses toppers — they snap right onto my frames and make switching up my look super easy.

If you'd like a pair of my glasses where you can swap toppers of your own, you can check them out here.

New Blog Posts

As usual, July's blog posts were a bit of an eclectic mix — something I really love about writing them! I think the most helpful one for many stitchers will be my step-by-step guide on how to mount your finished cross-stitch onto a sticky board, since it's such a handy finishing technique. On the other end of the spectrum, I had a lot of fun diving into the quirky story of IKEA's cross-stitch marketing campaign; such an unexpected concept, and so interesting to explore!

Let's get into all the posts themselves:

• Revealing the "FlossTube Celebration" Mystery Kit!

• From Robots to Rainbows: IKEA's Surprising Love Affair with Cross-Stitch

• What Every Stitcher Needs (Hint: It's Not More Floss)

• A Purr-sonalised Gift in Cross-Stitch

• How To: Mount Cross-Stitch on Sticky Board for a Perfect Frame

• FlossTube #105 - What Could The Mystery Pattern Be..?

IRL

Pacific Science Center Visit

While my husband was away for work, the girls and I kept ourselves busy with a few adventures to help the week go by faster.

One of our favourites was an outing to the Pacific Science Center in the heart of Seattle. It was such a fun way to explore, learn, and spend time together — we all really enjoyed it.

4th of July

We joined our neighbours to watch the local fireworks display on the 4th of July, which (to my, my husband's & my kids' dismay) didn't even start until 10 PM. OH MY GOSH, we all were so tired by the end!

Still, I absolutely love fireworks, so despite the late night, it was a wonderful time and a memory I'll treasure, especially because we met up with families of my kids' friends.

My Birthday

July also brought my birthday — my last year in my 30s has officially begun! (How is that even possible?)

I was spoiled with lovely presents, including a semi-cured gel nail kit, some knuckle rings, a "learn to knit" kit, a lightbox for help with recording videos, and (naturally) a new enamel pin that's now a needleminder (😆). Best of all, I got to spend plenty of time doing what I love most: stitching.

Everything Else

July was also sprinkled with smaller but equally delightful moments.

On the Finch app, I hit 200 "consecutive" days (though I may have missed one — oops!) and my little finch, Penelope, even wished me a happy birthday.

My new gel nail kit means I finally have pretty nails that don't chip instantly, and they're even growing some length — such a novelty for me!

Noodle provided his usual entertainment by "hiding" behind a pot plant (hilarious, given his size), while my youngest and I bumped into 'Nemoy', the cuddly neighbourhood cat, on a walk.

Plus some other things! 🧡

Wrapping Up July

Looking back, July was a wonderful mix of creativity, connection, and little joys. I loved sharing new patterns, celebrating a fun & unique stitch-along finish, and juggling a handful of WIPs — each bringing something different to my stitching time. Add to that the thrill of new stash, an eclectic set of blog posts, and plenty of special family moments, and it really feels like the month was brimming with life.

Even though this round-up is arriving a touch fashionably late, I'm OK with that. It's a chance to pause and relive it all before heading full-steam into what's next. August may have snuck past me (and hopefully I can publish that post a little earlier this time!), but I'm excited to see what the months ahead hold, both in my stitchy world and beyond.

Here's to more colour, more creativity, and more memories in the making!

👋 Kate

Sunshine, Stitching and So Much to Say!

June was a month packed to the brim with colour, celebration and creativity. With school wrapping up, birthdays rolling in, and the sun (somehow?) showing its face more often than not here in the PNW, I still managed to squeeze in a whole bunch of stitching goodness.

From a personalised portrait to bus-themed thank-yous, I kept my needle busy and my heart even busier. Let’s take a look back at everything I stitched, shared, and soaked up in June!

Finished Pieces

June saw two very special types of finished pieces come to life — one for a school auction, and another set to thank some very hardworking and kind bus drivers. It always feels extra rewarding when a stitched gift is meaningful both to me and to the recipient, and these projects were no exception!

A Colourful Portrait for a Wonderful Family

I had the absolute pleasure of finishing a Stitch People portrait for an auction winner from our school community!

This portrait featured a mom, dad, daughter, son, plus their two cats and one sweet pup. It’s always a joy to stitch pets alongside people — and this one was particularly fun with its burst of colours and tiny details. The daughter’s floral dress was a highlight for me — so cheery and sweet!

The portrait was framed in a 6-inch beechwood embroidery hoop and looked right at home when I handed it over (yes, in person — it’s always nice when you don’t need to rely on the postal service!).

I’ll have a full blog post coming soon with all the details and close-ups, so keep an eye out!

Order a Portrait

School Bus Driver Gifts

The school year might be over, but I’m still glowing from the joy of making gifts for our local bus drivers. I stitched seven pieces in total—five featuring a sweet little bus with a Stitch People character, and two showcasing just the iconic yellow bus on its own.

These designs have been in the works for months in preparation for the end-of-year rush, and I’m thrilled with how they turned out. There’s a whole blog post where you can read about each one and see the photos: check it out here!

New Pattern

♋ "Zodiac: Cancer"

A new month meant a new addition to the Zodiac series! As a proud Cancer, I had to make sure this one was adorable. This little crab is just perfect! It’s the fourth sign to join the collection and holds a special place in my heart.

You can read more about this pattern and the other three signs (Aries, Taurus and Gemini) in the full series blog post here: The Stars Have Aligned.

Purchase the Pattern

Works-in-progress

I wrapped up June with five WIPs on the go. One of the most exciting things to note: I finally started stitching "Extraordinary Birds" by Lola Crow Cross Stitch — and oh my goodness, it is already a joy. And I'm not even that far into it..! I’m also staying strong with "Flower Meadow", which feels wonderful to say out loud. It’s such a beautiful piece and I’m proud to be keeping up with it consistently.

Meanwhile, "The Secret Grove" has taken a short nap in my project bag — it was my car stitching piece, but it’s now temporarily swapped out for "Night of the Frost Dragon" by Flossy Fox Shop. Because dragons. And cuteness.

1 * Oops!

New Blog Posts

I went on a bit of a writing spree this month and ended up publishing seven new blog posts — yes, seven! From travel tips for portable stitching, to advice on ordering a custom pattern, it’s been a wonderful outlet to share more behind-the-scenes details and helpful tidbits.

My personal favourite post this month was all about the quieter, more introverted ways of sharing our stitchy work. If you haven't read it yet, I’d love for you to check it out: Quiet Sharing.

• Why I Never Leave Home Without My Cross-Stitch

• Your Story in Stitches: Why a Custom Cross-Stitch Pattern is Worth It

• Cross-Stitch Isn’t Just for Grannies: A Quick History and How It’s Thriving Today

• The Power of Handmade: A Stitch People Gift That Speaks Volumes

• Sharing Your Stitching Quietly Is Still Valid (and Powerful)

• School Bus Driver Appreciation via Handmade Gifts

• The Stars Have Aligned: Meet My First 4 Zodiac Patterns

IRL

Birthdays

Birthday season hit our household!

Both of my daughters celebrated their birthdays this month — our youngest turned 9 (complete with a fun sleepover party) and our eldest turned 11, which we celebrated with a family trip to a cat café.

Yes, it was purr-fect.

End of School

The 2024/25 school year is officially done and dusted.

It’s bittersweet because my oldest has graduated from elementary school. She’ll be heading into middle school this August and, well, I’m absolutely not emotionally prepared 😓

The Cats

Our trio of feline troublemakers kept things lively around the house—as usual! I did manage to catch a few sweet photos of them being cute (rather than chaotic), which I wanted to share.

Everything Else

I’m still using the Finch app daily for task tracking and mental health boosts. It’s such a gentle way to keep myself organised and encouraged.

It’s also been weirdly sunny in the Pacific Northwest this June, so we’ve been soaking up all the rays and vitamin D we can. I’m not complaining… but I am suspicious.

And in the crafty corner of life — I learnt how to finger knit! Do I know what I’m going to do with this new skill? Absolutely not. But I’m glad to have it in my toolbox now.

Lastly, I mailed out the “FlossTube Celebration” mystery kits and, aside from a few delivery delays (cheers, postal service), everything seems to have arrived safe and sound! If you haven’t seen the reveal yet, you can check it out here: FlossTube Celebration Reveal.

So Long, Sunshiney June!

Looking back, June really packed a punch — in the best way possible. Between finishing sweet portraits, releasing a new zodiac design, and writing up a storm on the blog, I feel like I accomplished so much this past month.

With the kids home now, I expect July to feel a little more unstructured (and maybe a bit louder?), but I’m hopeful for lots of stitching time in the sunshine (Well, specifically the shade 😆). Thank you for reading and coming along with me — whether you’re here for the patterns, the blog posts, or the cat photos!

Until next time, keep those needles threaded and the drinks cold ♥

👋 Kate

Mystery Kit, Another Zodiac Sign, and a Whole Lot of Stitching

May felt like one of those months that hums along quietly in the background… until I sit down to write a wrap-up and realise, "Oh! I did get a lot done!".

It wasn't an action-packed month outside of stitching, but it was still filled with beautiful creative moments, exciting new releases, and a handful of special memories with my family. All before summer starts! Let's take a look back at everything that happened in May, shall we?

"FlossTube Celebration" Mystery Kit

This little experiment was such a fun surprise! To celebrate reaching my 100th FlossTube episode, I put together a small "FlossTube Celebration" mystery kit — and I'm thrilled to say it was a [modest] little success! Seeing people enjoy the mystery and dive into a secret project made my heart happy.

It's definitely got the cogs turning in my brain about future mystery kits I could offer. I've got ideas brewing!

New Patterns

🐟 "Le Poisson" (Free Pattern)

After a bit of back-and-forth deliberation, I decided to officially release Le Poisson as a free cross-stitch pattern on the website — and honestly, I'm so glad I did! It's silly, it's sweet, and it brings me joy every time I see it. Sometimes you just need a goofy little fish to brighten your day.

Download the Pattern

♊ "Zodiac: Gemini"

And speaking of joy: "Zodiac: Gemini" joined the collection this May, and I have to admit… I think this one is my favourite Zodiac design yet! There's something about the twin symbolism and the vibrant colours that just click. With this release, we hit three signs in, and I can't wait to keep revealing the rest as each star sign arrives over the coming year.

Purchase the Pattern

🌼 "Be Yourself"

I also quietly brought "Be Yourself" on to my shop after waiting the required timeframe from its release of the "Stitcher's Collective", back in November last year, and released it as its own standalone pattern. It's a bright, affirming little design that encourages exactly what it says on the design — a gentle, colourful reminder to, well, be yourself.

Purchase the Pattern

Finished Pieces

May also saw me wrapping up my Teacher Appreciation Week gifts — a whole collection of stitched tokens of gratitude for the incredible teachers, therapists, and paraeducators in my daughters' lives. I'd already finished two of them back in April, and I powered through the final five in early-May. In total, there were four custom Stitch People portraits and three hand-embroidered pieces — each one a heartfelt thank you for the amazing people supporting my girls every day.

If you're interested in seeing/reading more about these pieces, you can check out the blog post I made about all seven pieces.

Order your own portrait

Works-in-progress

It was another delightfully full month in the WIP department, with my needle touching a variety of projects.

"Flower Meadow" continues to bloom steadily — though I've found myself eyeing the remaining fabric with a bit of nervous curiosity (please let it all fit!). I've been inching closer to finishing parts 1 and 2 of "Night of the Frost Dragon", and my big 7-character Stitch People portrait is nearly ready for its final stitches. The "Court of Crows" stitch-along remains one of my favourites — I'm staying on track and loving every moment with it. I also made a start on "Zodiac: Cancer" (my own star sign, so it feels a little extra special), and finally got going with the "Extraordinary Birds" stitch-along — I'm currently tackling the frame. "The Secret Grove" has reached the halfway point, and while it's been slow and steady, I'm really enjoying the calm energy it brings to my car stitching time.

New Blog Posts

Over on the blog, May was full of ideas, reflections, and a few giggles. I talked about how I use floss blending to add lifelike details to my Stitch People portraits, shared the silly story behind Le Poisson (yes, that fish), and even offered some tips for getting kids involved in stitching — something near and dear to my heart as a mum. I also opened up about how cross-stitch has helped me build better habits and improve my mental health, and recapped all the handmade pieces I created for Teacher Appreciation Week.

And let's not forget — I hit FlossTube episode 100 this month (🥳), which still feels a bit surreal! Each of these posts felt meaningful in their own way, and it's been lovely seeing how many of you have connected with them.

• My Secret Weapon for Lifelike Stitch People: Floss Blending

• The Silliest Stitch I've Ever Made (And It's Free!)

• 5 Ways to Involve Kids in Cross-Stitch and Embroidery

• Building Better Habits: How Cross-Stitch Can Change Your Life (Yes, Really!)

• Seven Handmade Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025

• FlossTube #100 - After Almost 4 Years; Here We Are. What A Milestone!

A Little Stitchy Haul

It's been a while since I treated myself to some new stitching accessories, but this month I finally snagged four new cross-stitch project bags — two smaller ones and two larger ones. For years, I relied on a lovely friend who handmade all my project bags (and did such a awesome job!), but she stopped making them a while ago, which left me on the hunt for a new maker.

It actually took me ages to find someone who made bags in the sizes I wanted — turns out, most project bags out there are huge! And while I love a roomy bag as much as the next stitcher, I really needed something a bit more compact. I'm happy to report the wait was worth it — these new bags are fantastic quality, and I'm genuinely so pleased with them. I'm hoping I don't need any more (because wow, I've got a lot now!), but if I do, I'll definitely be heading back to the same shop.

IRL

Life outside the needle and thread was pretty quiet this month — which, if I'm honest, was exactly what I enjoy. There weren't any major events or hectic schedules, and the slower pace gave me space to breathe, reflect, and create.

That said, there were still a few sweet moments sprinkled throughout the month. My youngest daughter has been learning to ride her bike (cue this proud mum beaming from the sidelines!), and she also had her school choir night — always a treat. I was finally able to donate blood again after working through some iron-level issues, which felt really good. And of course, it's that time of year when the neighbourhood comes alive with the cutest baby animals. Squirrels! Bunnies! Tiny deer [not pictured unfortunately]! I'm not made of stone, folks.

Until Next Month…

June is already wrapping up and -as always- is much "crazier" & hectic, but I'm grateful May gave me a chance to slow down and do what I love most: stitch, dream, and share it all with you.

Thanks for being here and following along. See you in next month's wrap-up!

👋 Kate

Look, I know what you’re thinking—Kate, it’s almost June! And you're absolutely right! May has been an absolute whirlwind (as it always is), and trying to find quiet moments to sit and write about the previous month has been like trying to cross-stitch on a rollercoaster. But hey—better late than never, right? So here it is: my slightly-belated-but-still-full-of-goodness wrap-up of April 2025!

Let’s dive into everything that bloomed, buzzed, and stitched its way through last month.

New Patterns

"Not Less"

This pattern is incredibly close to my heart. “Not Less” was created with my Autistic daughter in mind, and it's a celebration of the truth that being different doesn't mean being less. With bright, bold colours and a message I hope resonates with many, this pattern was a joy to create.

If you haven’t read about the inspiration behind it, I shared more in this blog post, and I’d love for you to give it a read.

Zodiac Series Begins: Aries & Taurus

April kicked off a whole new series for Two Little Kits — the Zodiac cross-stitch series! These patterns will be released at or near the beginning of each star sign's calendar dates.

First up were the dynamic and determined Aries and the grounded, reliable Taurus. I'm so excited to keep going with this series (and yes, I’m especially looking forward to doing my own sign: Cancer!). I'd love to know yours, too — drop your star sign in the comments below!

"Le Poisson"

Le Poisson started as a cheeky little mini design I called "Le Poisson": Which is based off the meme of "Le Poisson Steve".

At the end of April, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with him — should he just be a silly thing I stitched or a gift to the community? Well, after some very passionate feedback, I turned him into a freebie! You can now grab him on the website and add a bit of quick, fishy fun to your next project.

Works-in-progress

April was a good month for chipping away at a few WIPs!

I stayed on track with Flower Meadow, adding more blooms and keeping the momentum strong. The Court of Crows SAL continued to be one of my weekly joys — I’m really enjoying the manageable chunks each week brings. The Secret Grove is nearly fully released now, and… well, I’m quite behind, haha. But it’s on the list, promise!

And yes — I completely forgot to take in-progress photos of two of the teacher appreciation gifts I was working on. Oops!

Finished Pieces

Speaking of those gifts… the first two of my Teacher Appreciation Week presents were all wrapped up before the end of April!

Due to some scheduling quirks, I needed them finished early, and I’m so pleased with how they turned out. (You’ll get to see rest in next month’s post!)

New Blog Posts

I had a flurry of new blog posts go up in April! There was a lovely mix of personal stories, helpful guides, and stitching inspiration, which you can find below.

If you missed any, you can find them all below, or on the Two Little Kits blog!

• Stitching for Inclusion: A Pattern Inspired by My Autistic Daughter

• Unravelling Cross-Stitch: A Beginner’s Journey into the Craft

• Creative Ways to Display Your Finished Cross-Stitch Pieces

• A Stitch in Time: Remembering Finn

• A Stitch a Day Keeps the Blues Away

• Say It with Stitches: How to Pick (or Design!) the Right Font for Your Cross-Stitch

• FlossTube #98 - It's Been A Very Busy Fortnight. So Much to Share!

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IRL

Camp

This was a big one! My eldest had her fifth-grade camp — a two-night adventure at a YMCA camp nestled in nature.

Because of her special needs, I chaperoned the trip [as her same-sex parent], and it was such a rewarding experience. She stepped outside her comfort zone, did some really hard things, and came home feeling proud of herself. I didn’t sleep much (hello, bunk beds, excited girls and snoring!) but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

Everything Else

April also brought Easter celebrations, in our own secular-but-sentimental family tradition. Our cat Milo turned 6 (cue the kitty treats and extra butt smacks), and the spring flowers absolutely exploded into colour, which always brings me joy.

Oh, and we went to see the new Minecraft movie at a fancy cinema - one of those ones where you get food delivered to you during the showing. I actually really enjoyed the movie, which I wasn't expecting!

Wrapping it All Up 🎀

So yes — this post is fashionably late, but not forgotten. Between Teacher Appreciation Week, end-of-year school chaos, birthdays, and planning for the summer ahead, May & June are always a bit of a whirlwind around here. But I love writing these wrap-ups too much to skip one (even if they're just for my benefit!).

Thanks, as always, for following along. Whether you’re here for the stitchy updates, the personal bits, or both — I appreciate you being part of this journey.

Here’s to whatever May brings (and yes, that wrap-up will be coming… eventually 😅).

Until next time; Happy Stitching!

👋 Kate

Want to see the whole post? Tap here.

March might have felt like a slower stitching month on the surface, but behind the scenes? So much good was happening! The real star of the month was definitely the progress I made on the six(!) bus driver gift pieces I’m stitching for early-June; before the end of the school year. I’ve been planning them out, designing each one, and steadily stitching away—and I’m actually ahead of schedule for once! It feels so good to be working on something thoughtful and personal for the people who are so kind to my big girl every day. 🧡

Between all that and being unwell for what felt like forever (thanks mystery infection—you could've left anytime), I still managed to wrap up a few creative wins, chip away at ongoing projects, and sprinkle in a little Two Little Kits business goodness too. Let’s dive in!

New Pattern Release: "Missed Opportunities"

March was a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity at Two Little Kits, and I’m honestly so chuffed with how much I managed to tick off. I released a brand-new cross-stitch pattern, “Missing Opportunities,” which plays with subtlety, sarcasm, and—of course—variegated floss. To support that, I also published a blog post all about mastering variegated floss, packed with tips and encouragement for those wanting to give hand-dyed threads a go.

Purchase the Pattern

"Missed Opportunities" uses 11 colours (one of which is a variegated floss) and measures 100×49 squares. When stitched on 14ct Aida fabric, it will fit perfectly in a 6" embroidery hoop with the border wrapping over the edges of the hoop frame. 😘👌

Finished Pieces

Stitch People Demo Family Portrait

This has been on my “should do” list for years—and I finally did it! I stitched up this sweet demo family portrait to use as an example, for my kids' school silent auction. I’d done a portrait for them before and was told that having a real, tangible example helped people visualise exactly what they could get. So, I created a six-character sample complete with two parents, three kids (of varying ages), a little black cat, and a bold family name underneath.

Order a Piece For Yourself

"Not Less" Cross-Stitch Pattern

Just released in early April (so just a little blurb about this for now), my new pattern "Not Less" is -as of writing this post- officially out in the world! It’s a heartfelt one—inspired by my Autistic daughter—and I'm really proud of how it turned out. I’ll talk more about the release next month, but it was definitely something I wrapped up and finalised in March.

Works-in-Progress

Here’s a peek at what I had in the hoop (or on the frame!) throughout March:

• Flower Meadow - I didn’t do well staying caught up over the entire month "properly", but I did manage to catch up at the end of March. That’s something, right?

• Court of Crows SAL - Part one came out right at the end of March, and it was a quick little section to get started with. I love the dark vibes of this one.

• The Secret Grove SAL - Still working through Part 3 and enjoying how all the colours blend together. It’s shaping up beautifully.

• Night of the Frost Dragon SAL - Still catching up on this one, but I’m nearly done with Parts 1 and 2. I’m stitching it on charcoal fabric and, let me tell you… my eyes are not thanking me!

• Bus Driver Gifts - These are coming along brilliantly! Two are nearly finished, and all six designs are sketched out and ready. I’m way ahead of schedule, which feels amazing.

• Designing the Bus Driver Gifts - I’ve been loving how the digital mockups are turning out too. I can’t wait to show you all six together—they’ll make the cutest little collection.

Let's have a look at the visual progress though, shall we?

My Current WIPs

Two Little Kits' Stuff

March was a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity at Two Little Kits, and I’m honestly so chuffed with how much I managed to tick off. I released a brand-new cross-stitch pattern, “Missing Opportunities,” which plays with subtlety, sarcasm, and—of course—variegated floss. To support that, I also published a blog post all about mastering variegated floss, packed with tips and encouragement for those wanting to give these beautiful flosses a go.

Alongside that, I shared a few more blog posts throughout the month. One explored the wonderfully quirky world of ORT jars, another delved into how perfectionism can be gently unravelled through cross-stitch, and there was also a post on why cross-stitch symbols aren’t always universal—a gentle reminder to always check your pattern’s key! For any budding designers out there, I also published a beginner’s guide to designing your own cross-stitch patterns to help people take those exciting first steps.

And lastly, I showed off two finished pieces: my “Serenity Poem” embroidery commission from 2021, and the sweet little Mice Family commission I shared in last month’s wrap-up!

On the more business-y side, I ordered some new fabric from 123stitch.com (because clearly, my stash needed beefing up… again 🙃), and I put in an order with Moo for some fresh, updated business supplies.

And yes… I may have signed up for yet another Lola Crow Cross Stitch stitch-along. I just can't help myself—I absolutely adore her designs! The new one is called “Extraordinary Birds”, and as of writing this, the frame has just been released. I do have all my materials ready to go-just have to wait for that release date..! Priorities, right?

Upcoming

What's Coming Next?

April is already shaping up to be busy in the best way, and I’ve got quite a few creative plates spinning.

Some of the things I’m planning or working on:

• Two or maybe even three new cross-stitch patterns - You can already check out the first two, and if you watch an upcoming FlossTube, you can see the potential third!

• Teacher & therapist appreciation gifts - With Teacher Appreciation Week the first [full] week of May, I’m starting on these soon so I’m not scrambling at the last minute. (Famous last words?)

• More blog posts - I’ve got a few educational ones in the works, plus some behind-the-scenes bits that I think you’ll enjoy.

• Fresh content on social media (I hope) - I’m aiming for a good mix of relatable stitching content, updates from the studio, and maybe even a silly Reel or two.

• More iPad designing time - I’ve been itching to spend more time in Procreate, sketching out some new ideas. Hopefully, I can sneak in some quiet hours to just draw and play.

So yes, it’s going to be a full month… but I’m ready for it. Or at least, I will be once I’ve had one more EarlyBird drink!

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IRL

Life Outside of Stitching

Outside of Two Little Kits, March was full of small moments and shifting seasons. We saw our final flurries of snow at the beginning of the month, which was honestly lovely—I do love a bit of snow when I don’t have to drive in it! Spring started nudging its way in not long after, and I’m already noticing buds and blooms popping up around the neighbourhood.

We had a bit of excitement mid-month when a wild windstorm blew through. No damage, thankfully, but it did wake up our eldest in the night. She took it in stride, though; she's such a good girl..!

Now, the not-so-fun part: I was sick for so long in March. It started with cold symptoms, then just… lingered. Eventually I had to go on antibiotics to clear it up properly, which thankfully worked. It really knocked me around for a couple of weeks though, and I definitely fell behind on a few things because of it. But I’m back in action now (touch wood) and feeling more like myself again.

On a brighter note, I was lucky enough to be sponsored on Finch this month! It was such a lovely little surprise and gave me a much-needed lift during the snot-filled days.

And lastly, we tackled one of those delightfully nerdy family puzzles—from The Magic Puzzle Company, no less. We worked on it together over a number of days… only to discover a piece was missing at the very end! Classic, right? Still, we had such a good time puzzling it out together, and the girls are already asking when we’ll do the next one.

Finch

Miscellaneous

The Cats

I wanted to share [more] photos of my kitties as I got some cute ones during March!

Slowly but Surely, Still Stitching On

Even though March didn’t exactly race by in a blur of finished projects, I’m still proud of the quiet, steady progress I made—especially while battling being unwell for half the month. From slowly stitching away at my many SALs, to prepping thoughtful gifts and releasing new designs, the heart of Two Little Kits stayed happily busy. April’s already shaping up to be full of excitement (and maybe a little chaos? LOL!), but I’m ready for it—needle in hand!

Happy Stitching!

👋 Kate

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February was a month of slow but steady progress—both in stitches and in life. I wrapped up some projects, made progress on my year-long Flower Meadow piece, and (of course) picked up yet another stitch-along because I just can’t resist! On the crochet front, I finished a special lap blanket for my youngest daughter, though my own scarf project is looking a little... wonky.

Beyond crafting, the month was filled with a lot of snow, a fun family movie outing, and a bit of a medical scare that thankfully resolved itself. Plus, I’ve continued using the Finch App, which has been such a cute and surprisingly helpful addition to my daily routine.

Let’s take a look back at everything February had to offer!

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New Pattern Release: "Love Reminder"

February saw the release of a new cross-stitch pattern, "Love Reminder"! This is a design I’m really proud of—it's perfect for anyone who struggles with maintaining a positive relationship with themselves and their mental health. And of course, like all cross-stitching, it comes with the added benefit of mindfulness while you stitch.

"Love Reminder" uses 11 colours and measures 69x70 squares, making it a great project for a thoughtful stitch. It’s part of my "Adulting" series, which focuses on the ups and downs of navigating life as a grown-up—because let’s be honest, it’s not always easy!

Whether you’re looking for a mindful stitching project or just need a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself, "Love Reminder" is a design that speaks to the heart. It’s a small but meaningful stitch that fits right into the Adulting series, offering both creativity and self-compassion in every stitch.

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Finished Pieces

This month, I had the joy of wrapping up two special projects—one in cross-stitch and one in crochet! From a fun commissioned piece to a cosy, handmade blanket for my youngest, each finish came with its own challenges and rewards. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of seeing a project come together and knowing it’s loved just as much as I loved making it!

Cross-Stitch

A Finished Commission: No Cheeses for Us Meeces!

Back in January, I shared a special commission I had designed, and in February, I got to bring it to life! This piece—featuring five adorable old-timey-dressed mice characters—was such a fun stitch, especially since it skipped the usual embroidered hair that comes with my Stitch People portraits. That made it super simple and relaxing to work on!

I finished and shipped it just in time for my customer’s wife’s birthday (phew!), and it looked absolutely perfect in an oval hoop, which really complemented the design.

Best of all, both my customer and his wife loved how it turned out! That’s always the best part—seeing a finished piece bring joy to the person it was made for.

I will be writing a blog post about this piece in the future with more imagery to peep at, so stay tuned for that!

Don't forget; if you want to order a piece that could be seen as 'random' or 'wacky', send me a message and let's chat!

Crochet

A Cosy Finish: My Daughter’s Granny Square Blanket

February also saw the completion of a special crochet project—a granny square lap blanket for my youngest daughter!

It’s far from perfect (there’s a back-to-front seam, the tension is all over the place, and it could really use some blocking, just to name a few issues), but it was made with love, and she absolutely adores it. That’s what truly matters!

The blanket measures [roughly] 20x20 inches and was surprisingly simple to create, using only about three different stitches. The yarn—three different balls of Caron Blossom Cakes—was all handpicked by my daughter, and the beautiful gradient effect comes from the natural colour shifts within the yarn.

I followed two different tutorials to put this blanket together—one for the squares and another for the border. What do you think?

Works-in-Progress

February wasn’t just about finishes though—I also made some great progress on several WIPs! I balanced my ongoing year-long project, tackled some stitch-alongs, tested a new design, and even picked up a crochet scarf (though I have thoughts about that one…). Some projects flew along smoothly, while others, well… let’s just say they’re teaching me patience.

Cross-Stitching

Stitching Adventures 🧵

I’m proud of myself for keeping up with my "Flower Meadow" project, and February’s snowfall made for such a striking section in the piece! I also worked on a few other projects, including a test stitch for an upcoming pattern (which, as of writing, is now available—you can check it out here!), plus a demo Stitch People portrait which I can’t wait to share the finished piece with you next month ♥

As if I needed more WIPs, I of course picked up another stitch-along: "Court of Crows" by Fine Frog Stitching. I just couldn’t resist! I also continued chipping away at "The Secret Grove" by Needleot Designs—Part 2 feels like it’s been going on forever, but I’ll get there. And finally, I made a teensy bit of progress on "Pretty Little Seattle" by Satsuma Street, which is still such a fun and colourful piece to work on.

Crochet

cHaOs (AKA: My Wonky Scarf) 🧣

This month’s crochet project? A scarf for myself… which, unfortunately, is looking very wonky. The tension is all over the place, and I’m seriously debating frogging the whole thing and starting fresh—maybe even with a different pattern. The yarn itself is gorgeous, but the colour changes aren’t as smooth as I’d hoped, which is a little disappointing.

Do you have a favourite crochet scarf pattern? I’d love some recommendations—free or paid! Drop them in the comments or send me a message. Please?

Website Stuff

New Blog Posts

Awesome New Content!

February was a bit quieter on the writing front compared to January, but I still managed to publish four blog posts (plus my usual FlossTube updates!).

This month’s topics ranged from practical how-tos to heartfelt reflections—whether it was learning to take better photos of your stitching, making your own needleminder, or sharing the story behind a special family gift, there was a little something for everyone. I also explored the impact of ‘invisible’ stitches in embroidery, proving that even the smallest details matter in a piece.

If you missed any of these, you can find them below! 😊

1. How To: Photograph Your Finished Stitches

2. I Stitched a Meaningful Family Gift in 10 Days: The Story Behind 'This Is Us'

3. How To: Make A Needleminder From An Enamel Pin

4. White on White: Why Even ‘Invisible’ Stitches Matter

5. FlossTube #94 - An Interesting, New, Finished Commission To Share!

It’s been great to cover such a variety of things, and I’m excited to keep the momentum going into next month! If you haven’t checked them out yet, you can find them all here.

Social Media

Another month, another dip in Instagram followers—at this point, it almost feels like a routine! But on the flip side, Threads has been growing steadily, which has been a nice surprise. Engagement has been a mixed bag, but one unexpected highlight has been TikTok, where the short clips I’ve been making from my FlossTube episodes have been performing better than I expected. They’re a bit of a pain to put together, but seeing them actually gain traction makes the effort feel worthwhile!

That said, I keep telling myself I’ll post more regularly, and each month, I fall short. Lately, I’ve been stuck in a “I have nothing to share” mindset, and getting past it has been tough. I know I just need to push through, but easier said than done, right? If you’ve been in a creative slump with social media, I’d love to hear what helped you get back on track!

IRL

Life Outside of Stitching

February brought a bit of everything—winter weather, family outings, and a medical mystery! The biggest change was the snow, which covered everything for nearly half the month. It only gave the kids one actual snow day off school, but it was still such a nice shift in scenery.

We also had a fun family trip to the cinema to see Dog Man, which was a big hit with both kids—especially my youngest, who absolutely loves the books. And speaking of my youngest, she gave us quite a scare with a bizarre, unexplained sore on her fingertip. It wasn’t painful (somehow?!) and didn’t seem to affect her movement, but we still had to go through an x-ray and a round of antibiotics to be safe. Thankfully, after about 10 days, it healed completely. Still no clue how it happened, though—parenting is full of mysteries!

On a lighter note, I’ve still been using the Finch App, and it’s been both adorable and genuinely helpful. There’s just something about checking in and seeing my little virtual bird buddy that makes self-care feel a little easier and a lot more fun!

Snow

Dog Man Movie

X-Ray & Finch

Looking Back on February: Finishes, Progress, and Stitchy Joy

Looking back, February was a bit of a mixed bag—some exciting finishes, plenty of WIP progress, and a few unexpected twists along the way. While social media has been feeling a little discouraging, I’m reminding myself that creativity isn’t just about what gets posted online. The stitches I put in each day, the projects I experiment with (even the wonky ones!), and the joy of making things just for the sake of it—that’s what really matters.

Here’s to another month of stitching, learning, and maybe even figuring out what to do with that janky scarf…!

👋 Kate

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