big news // i'm writing a cross stitch book!

If you follow me elsewhere on the internet, you may already know this news, but this is something to be shared everywhere. I'm writing a cross stitch book!

Even with all of the cross stitch design that I've done in the last few years, I didn't see this coming. I am, however, delighted. Delighted, I tell you!

So now let me share a little more about this book. The title is Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy! and it's being published by Walter Foster and Quarto. As the title suggests, it's a baby theme, but not the kind with baby bottles, diaper pins, and such. It's a bit more modern with cute borders, a few smiling mini motifs, and BABY ANIMALS! But the big thing here is that it's really all about designing your own birth announcement keepsake for your own little one or as a very special gift.

So that you can design your own custom cross stitch piece, all of the patterns are mix and match. And there's an entire section in the book about how to successfully create something truly unique, along with extra tips for other kinds of customizing.

It will still be months before it comes out (we're still finishing it!), but in the meantime I've already been sharing a few peeks on my Instagram feed, and more will come. Because you want to see some behind the scenes, right?

Even though this Bundle of Joy! won't be released until July 2022, it is already available for pre-order. Yes! And soon it should have an official cover and everything.



Speaking of which, I'm working on some fun bonuses for everyone who pre-orders Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy! The first one is for a Baby's First Christmas (and Baby's First Hanukkah!) design, which includes a sweet little hedgehog. Learn more at the Walter Foster website.

There will be more free bonuses coming too, and the earlier you pre-order, the more of them you'll get!

Now before I wrap this up, let me share a quick little aside.

When I started working on my first book, Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big and Small, my editor suggested the idea of an animal theme. And I was like, ummmm...I don't really draw animals. And she said, I think you really should give it a try. And then I created a whole book of animal embroidery patterns and projects.

I find it both hilarious and fitting that my next book would also end up being filled with animal patterns, just in cross stitch form this time. I love that the God who made these sweet animals and who has given me the amazing opportunity to write books (and other kinds of content!) has also challenged and stretched me every step of the way. God is so good!

Okay, back to the new book...if you are expecting a new baby, know someone who is, or if you just want to stitch some sweet baby animals, go take a look at Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy!

Do you have any questions about the book? Drop them in the comments!