About 10 years ago, while I was finishing up college in Utah, I started a little business. Someone I hold very dear to my heart taught me how to embroider little stitcheries, and I set to work creating a bunch of my own patterns. I made more than I can even count or remember. I actually still have a big file of most of my old patterns, and my mom has a box of a few of the samples I made. I made my patterns look as professional as I knew how, enclosed a stitching guide, photographed my samples for the front, and packaged them up. Then I took my samples in a big laundry basket to as many quilt shops as I could find to try to gain clients. I ended up selling many of my patterns in shops in Utah and Idaho, believe it or not.
I forgot to take pictures of some of the samples that my mom uses around her house, while others have been lost or sold. But, I thought it would be fun to take a little trip down my creative memory lane with you today... dust bunnies and all. They makes me smile.
When the first shop purchased patterns from me, I was so excited and called my parents up to tell them. My dad said, "There she goes!" and that has been one of those things that has stuck with me ever since. It is nice to know that there is always someone who believes unquestionably in my potential, even when, at times I doubt it.
Some pretty hard years came my way and I no longer sold my patterns, but I smile when I think of the gumption and young optimism I had in my little dream. I smile at these dumb little patterns that I so loved to create. I am very fond of this little memory.
It was fun to pull my patterns out onto the porch that my grandpa built and just remember.
This one below is my favorite. I may need to find a place for it in my new office space in my home. I think it fits me very well. Working with my hands really does feed and delight my soul.
And there were lots of others. LOTS. I had my little business in a time before Etsy, before Pinterest, and before the online world was as big as it is now. I scoured books to find my little quotes. And I never would have thought to sell them online. I'm very thankful I had that little experience because I know how different it would be today.
My little Ella was very uninterested in what I was doing. She makes me giggle so much.
I love that her boots were on the wrong feet.
She is so much like me. She insisted on wearing her butterfly dress, wanted me to paint her toenails, needed to wear the little Croc rainboots she loves to get muddy, and was running around playing with her ball. The best of all worlds I guess. What a little ray of sunshine.
I hope she always follows her dreams. And I hope that I can help her see the talent and beauty that she has to share with the world. I hope it never even occurs to her to doubt her creativity.
And I hope she will have some fond memories to keep in her heart.
Lisa Roth
Just beautiful! As is your sweet Ella, it made me smile about the shoes on the wrong feet--my daughter always did that
ljb
Oh my, those need to be on your Etsy shop! Too cute!
Marsha Curtis
Hi Kristen. I would also love to be able to buy some of your patterns. My 11 year old has recently taken interest in stitching and I know she would love these (as I would as well).
kgreen
I would love to be able to buy your patterns from your etsy store. Please consider putting them on there.
Queen of Dreams
Hi Kristen...loved all of your creations...and walking down memory road with you and Ella. My mom is an artist and she is the one who introduced me to stitching and making art like this...those memories are so precious to me. When I read your blog, I often think how lucky Ella is to have a mommy who is at home, creating and baking and having fun enjoying life each and every day. What a gift!
sara
Would love to purchase some if you ever decide to sell...or pick up the hobby again in general! Such sweet simple talent. Love it!
Alice Wingerden
They are all so beautiful! I am always amazed at the art of embroidery as I don't think it is something I could ever do 🙂 My daughter is always putting her rain boots on the wrong feet and walking around saying, "How's me look?" I love it! Your little Ella is so cute 🙂
Audrey
Thanks for sharing this little piece of yourself! How wonderful to take a little peek into your past and see some of what has made you who you are.
Ella is SUCH a doll. You do an amazing job capturing her little personality in your pictures! So adorable!
Tania Pelletier
They are beautiful Kristen! I used to embroider when I was very young... we're talking like 10, 12 years old. My mom recently gave me some of the very first embroidery I ever did... a little mouse and an owl! They are so horribly done but cute just the same! You know, embroidery is very popular right now, if this is something you still love to do you should give it a shot! You've got the whole internet world out there to market to now! :o)
Tania
April Sears
I love stitchery's! Yours are adorable! Do you have any more of the patterns? I would love to buy one. You are one seriously talented lady. I loved it when my little ones wore there shoes on the wrong feet. It always helped me remember (especially when I was frustrated) that they were just little and oh so innocent. Love those memories.
celebrate CREATIVITY in all its forms
Hi Kristen, what beautiful samples. I used to dabble in hand embroidery years ago and then lost the patience for it. So nice that you've hung on to all your early projects for posterity.
The style has an almost heirloom look to them.
Always a pleasure to browse your lovely blog.
Enjoy your day,
Lisa
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking
Those sticheries really are beautiful... do you think you may go back to making them?
Seawashed Kerrie
I love your stitchery...and all the quotes you chose. I love quotes and are a part if my creating and art too. You are correct that your lil business would have been different today with etsy and pintrest. Yo most likely would be copied and it really is disheartening. I have an etsy to sell my paintings and it is hard to know that what I am sharing with the world in my shop and on my blogs will be copied. But the joy that comes from creating beauty and customers who truly value my artwork out weighs the other.
I hope you are still able to embroider so that your sweet Ella may learn from you. It is a beautiful gift
20 North Ora
Kristen - No doubt that that precious little girl will have a ton of childhood memories to treasure. Your embroidery patterns are darling!! Why don't you see them on Etsy? I'm always looking for cute patterns for use on pillows. Think about it....
Judy
Lynn Herron
You should be very proud of your creations you made and thanks for sharing...they are wonderful!! Your daughter is so cute....love the outfit!!!
Sandy A
I just love every one of your stitcheries. They are all so precious--as is your little Ella--so cute in her butterfly dress and pink boots!
Dawn
I love them all. They make me want to get out fabric and do some stitching.
The kindred spirit one reminds me of my dear friend, Debby, who passed away after battling MS for many years. We always called each other kindred spirits. It was hard to watch her suffer. I am thankful that she is in heaven now. I do miss her.
Your Ella is so sweet.
Thanks for taking the time to share photos of your lovely projects.
Anna @ A Good Home
My son's pirate rain boots are perpetually on the wrong feet 🙂 Makes me smile every time I see them!
Love that you made your own patterns! Making things with my hands that other people actually want to buy and have in their homes is such a pleasure.
Polly McCormick
very sweet! you should be so proud of those creations!
Zimtkätzchen und Zuckerschnecke
Oh Kristen, so many wonderful things you have made. I think I write in german... Oh Kristen sooo schöne Sachen hast du gestickt! Ich mag die Sprüche und auch die schlnen Ranken und Blüten drum herum! Vielleicht bietest du ja wieder welche hier an? Ich finde sie entzückend! Und deine Kleine ist so süß mit ihren Gummistiefeln 🙂
have a nice week
DAni