We have arrived at 2022! Hip, hip hooray!

At the end of last week, as I prepared for this week, I was musing about what image I’d use to kick off the year here on Needle ‘n Thread. I thought a stellar composite of past and future embroidery projects would be Just The Thing.

But it just never came together.

I wasn’t feelin’ it.

Then, this morning, as I was contemplating the day in my head, I thought of my view. I thought of it literally and figuratively. So here’s a typical morning view of mine – my favorite morning view – that heralds the day here in Kansas.

Normally, I look forward to the new day. I love dawn, rosy fingers and all. It’s a peaceful, calm – and yet brilliant – time of day. It’s when my brain works best. I’m definitely a morning person.

And if I like dawn, you can imagine how much more I like the beginning of a new year!

It’s dawn x 365, all rolled into one concentrated moment of expectation, hope, wonder, determination, and resolve. And even if I know these things may likely fizzle a bit (we are human, after all), I love the fresh view of a New Year!

Stitch Snippets for 2022

This year, I’ll be introducing a new series on Needle ‘n Thread, called Stitch Snippets! I can’t wait to tell you more about it and to launch the first Snippet.

These are small projects. They’re not projects that will take a year to work, or even a month. They’re projects that can be managed in much smaller amounts of time. And they range from finished, more elaborate little things to simpler little project with simple finishing ideas. Their purpose will be to share tips & techniques while exploring different types of embroidery, and sometimes to open up possibilities for dabbling with fun or different materials and supplies.

Like last year’s series on How to Embroider (Blank) – which covered five different embroidery projects over the course of the year – the whole Stitch Snippets series will develop here on the blog so that you can follow along with the projects.

For Needle ‘n Thread members over on my Patreon page, I’ll be making the series available in PDF downloads for ease of printing and saving.

In some cases, small materials kits will be available. When these kits are available, they will contain “snippets” of supplies. That is, enough to work the project, while avoiding the cost of full spools and skeins. On some projects, I’ll even be able to use fabric remnants in order to keep the cost for you extra-manageable.

The first three snippets are planned and almost ready, so the first one will launch in January. I’ll let you know ahead of time when it’s coming and what you can expect!

Bespoke Work

I don’t normally do bespoke work for a number of reasons (which I might discuss in detail some day), but occasionally, I will take up a custom job, especially if it excites me and I consider it worthwhile on a number of levels, none of which are financially related.

This year, I’ve taken on a very exciting custom project that I will share with you as it moves forward. The details are still in the works, but my plan is to take you through the whole Nitty Gritty of custom work, from design, to sourcing materials, to stitching, to finishing.

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that it’s ecclesiastical embroidery, since that’s my Thing. I’ll be sharing tips, techniques, pitfalls, trouble-shooting, and more as the project develops.

Other Projects

This year, you’ll also see a few goodies materialize out on the website!

For example, I’ll be re-releasing some Leafy Tree kits.

I’ll be launching Jacobean Sea as a kit.

The instructional materials for Key to My Heart – plus a floche thread pack – will be available in the not-too-distant future!

There’s a goldwork kit in the wings for you, too.

And there are some other projects that will come out this year, too – like the Summer Wheels projects I started last year.

And More!

In 2022, you’ll see a slow expansion of some retail offerings on the website. Think of them as a curated collection of tools, supplies, books, and materials, that I’ll be adding a tiny bit at a time. Because I think they’re worthwhile and I’ve gleaned satisfaction from them, I want to make them easily available for you, too. They’re worth sharing!

I’m also working on some new instructional content in general embroidery practices, which will drip out slowly over the year.

Let’s Get Going!

Lots to look forward to for 2022!

I’m so grateful and happy to have you along with me as we continue our needlework journeys. I’m hoping that your 2022 is full of abundant blessings! If you had a rough 2021 (admittedly, mine was a shocker…), may 2022 be above and beyond better for you!

Onward and Upward, my friends!

Happy New Year!