I learned cross-stitch in grade school and have loved it ever since. Crochet and knitting was initially taught by my Grandmother, but not extensively. Much of my crochet knowledge has been learned since high school. After I finished cross-stitching a large piece to my husband as a late wedding present, I packed things away. I stopped stitching after the birth of my first child in 2009. For the next 3 years, I had babies.

Then I saw some ladies stitching in public at a local art event. What they were making was gorgeous. The next exchange was something like this:

"I cross-stitch."
"You should join our group. The Embroiderer's Guild of America."
"There's a CLUB FOR CROSS-STITCH?????"

It was like an answer to prayers. I was completely shocked that I didn't know about this massive organization, a whole society, a whole international organization dedicated to needle arts. I attended a stitch-in in the summer of 2012, then attended a meeting. I was welcomed with the warmest open arms by some amazingly friendly women and things have been looking up ever since. It was a completely new experience to be surrounded by women of all ages who were exactly like me in one way, and often in many ways. Other women who collected floss. Other people who stitched some things, then put them down for years, only to rediscover at a later date. Other women who love to do the meticulous, repetitive, wonderful art of stitching. They were completely normal and just like me.

The next thing was to rediscover my own stash that had been packed away for fear that babies would mess things up or get hurt. I found my stuff. I found my needles and thread and patterns and hooks and needles and yarn and fabric and books and patterns, lots and lots of patterns!! Once I started stitching again, I felt peace and calm and contentment in my heart in a way that I knew had been missing for the previous 3 years. I told my husband that this club was a must for my health and well-being.

Each month we get a new pattern, kit and materials to stitch a different form of embroidery. LEARNING NEW TECHNIQUES!!!!! I have since done Brazilian embroidery, blackwork, hardanger (which I love), bead embroidery, needlepoint, and bargello, among others.

Eventually, I started crocheting again, too. The library had a book of amigurumi toys. I tried one. The kids loved it. I made another, they loved it, too. Then I was hooked.

My form of stitching tends to come in waves. One summer, I was doing a lot of hardanger. That Christmas, I stitched a nativity set on perforated paper. Then I started crocheting again.

This shop is my way to share my passion with you. I love stitching. I love making toys for my kids because they act like it's Christmas each time. I love making them pirate eye patches and ninja masks and play crowns. In fact, it's gotten to the point where they think I can crochet anything. When friends saw what I made they repeatedly said, "you could sell this,' so here we are.

Thank you for taking the time to read this far. Please feel free to convo me. If there is something specific you would like, I'd like to try to make it. Wait times and pricing would be discussed first, of course. We now have 5 children. Babies come first, then stitching.

Emily