One of the things that came out of the annual TSK survey this year was that people hadn't purchased a kit yet because they weren't actually sure what was included. Now, all cross stitch kits, whoever you buy them from, will invariably include... a pattern to follow, fabric to stitch on, threads to stitch with, and a needle. However, the specifics of these items, and the inclusion of any other items can vary significantly dependent on the creator. This can make it difficult to know exactly what to expect when buying a kit, particularly online. So I thought I would take the guesswork out of i ..read more

2023 has been an absolute rollercoaster of a year. Nothing steady, nothing as planned, nothing like I expected! This was my first full year of self employment, and I dove into it with so many plans and goals.... many of which were not achieved. I began 2023 by finally releasing one of my most requested kits, Illuminations On The Wall featuring Sycamore Gap in Northumberland. I'd had this kit designed and stitched for almost 4 months by this point, but the 2022 Christmas period was just too manic so I wasn't able to release it any earlier. But when I did, in January 2023, the reception was inc ..read more

I speak to so many stitchers who have completed multiple projects over the years but have never got round to finishing them and displaying them. So, their beautifully stitched creations join the many others they have completed hidden away in a box somewhere. I find that such a shame because so much time and energy and LOVE has gone in to making each piece of cross stitched art, so each piece should be shown off! Unfortunatley, people often tell me they haven't displayed them as they're not sure how to show them off best... resulting in them not being shown off at all! So, I asked for the help ..read more

I know I know, it's still October, but after spending 4 days at Living North's Christmas Fair, I've been thoroughly inspired by all the wonderful creatives making such beautiful items and am now thoroughly in the Christmas gift buying mood! Over the four days I spoke to a lot of crafters who were trying to not-so-subtly drop hints to their family about what they may like for Christmas, and also non-crafters who were struggling to decide on the perfect gift for the crafters in their life because they weren't crafters themselves. So I thought that, just as I did last year (see my 2022 Gift Guide ..read more

French Knots are like marmite for cross stitchers. Some love them, some loathe them. Personally, I love them! Or, at least, I learned to once I practiced enough and (more importantly) started learning to be less of a perfectionist for my own good! No two of my French Knots look the same, but you know what, that's fine! While they don't crop up often in cross stitch patterns (certainly not as much as the ,straight stitch or ,back stitch), when used French Knot's can be really effective to create a more 3D effect. For example, it seemed the perfect way to portray the softness of the cute little ..read more

When I was younger and first learnt cross stitch I was taught to stitch in one particular way, and I thought that was the way everyone stitched... until I began TSK! Since then I've heard of numerous different ways people cross stitch stitch, but two stitching methods are particularly common, the English and Danish Cross Stitch Methods. You may not have heard the terms before, but I can guarantee you that you use one if not both of these cross stitch methods. It's also likely you haven't put too much thought into how you stitch before and if it's the best way for you, so I thought I would look ..read more

Let's face it, cross stitch projects are not quick projects! We spend days, weeks, months, even years completing our project, so after all that effort, we want it to look it's best. Washing and ironing your finished project before framing can do just that as it removes any hoop marks and creases, brightens the threads, perks up any squashed stitches, and makes sure all those natural oils from your hands, that may discolour the fabric and threads in years to come, are washed clean away. Do you always need to wash your project? Personally, my answer to this is no. I only wash them if I feel the ..read more

One of the things I've loved about my journey into being a cross stitch designer with Trouvaille Stitch Kits has been becoming part of a community of wonderful cross stitch designers. So today, in honour of Holly & Co's Shop Independent Day last Saturday (24th June), I thought I would share five fabulous independent, modern cross stitch designers from around the UK. There are so many more I want to share and promise to do so at a later date, but for now, here are some to get us started! Sew Sophie Crafts Sophie of Sew Sophie Crafts not only creates cute designs full of seasonal themes and ..read more

Cross stitch alone can be surprisingly effective, but to really bring definition and detail to your finished piece of work, cross stitch patterns often use a few additional stitch embroidery stitch types. The most commonly used additional stitch type you will come across in cross stitch patterns is back stitch. It's often used to outline shapes making them pop, as well as to create softer edges of rounded shapes within the design. So it's really useful to be able to do and do well! Back stitch is a progression of the simple straight stitch, so if you haven't already done so I'd suggest going b ..read more

It's been almost a year since I dropped my first order off at the fantastic BALTIC Centre For Contemporary Arts who now stock many of my cross stitch kits in their gift shop. It was such an exciting day, so to celebrate the first year of us working together I thought I would tell you a little more about this amazing place! Situated on the Gateshead quayside, just over the River Tyne from Newcastle Upon Tyne (via the Millennium Bridge), the BALTIC Centre For Contemporary Arts is a fabulous modern arts venue housed within a historic flour mill, bringing together the worlds of industrial history ..read more