stitch-love-along // the end

Today is officially the last day of the Stitch-Love-Along, and I'm sad to see it end. Watching folks make projects from my book and add my little creatures and critters to their own projects? Well, it's pretty much the best.

Here are a few things that I've spied on Instagram these last two weeks...

A photo posted by Kappa (@kappalovescucumbers) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:42pm PDT

A photo posted by handflapper (@handflapper) on Sep 10, 2015 at 9:36am PDT

A photo posted by @kristyg5 on Sep 7, 2015 at 10:08am PDT

A photo posted by @ceciliainthestable on Sep 2, 2015 at 12:10am PDT

A photo posted by lv2create4u (@lv2create4u) on Sep 2, 2015 at 5:56am PDT

A photo posted by Faith Essenburg (@faithessenburg) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:18am PDT

Phew! So many stitches! And everyone who participated in round three gets a free pattern.



This round's pattern is a big one...to stitch a peacock! This pattern was far too large to go in the book, so I'm happy to share it this way. If you stitched along, just send me an email (molliejohanson at gmail dot com).

And if you missed any of the rounds, or are just finding out about this now, I don't want you to feel left out! Take a look at the past posts about each round, do the challenges (they aren't too challenging...I promise!), then email me when you're done. You'll still get the free patterns.

For those who joined us for the Stitch-Love-Along, THANK YOU! It's been lovely. I hope I get to see many more Stitch Love projects along the way!

Once again, many thanks to Faith and Becca for helping me with the Stitch-Love-Along! They are such supportive and encouraging gals!

stitch-love-along // round three

I'm not entirely sure where the last 2 weeks went to. But I know that some of you have kept busy by making things for round two of the Stitch-Love-Along! Take a look at what's been posted on Instagram and then see a few that I just had to share...

Stitched the Frozen Yeti Ice Pack for round two of #stitchlovealong I didn't use the templates, but just winged it! Also decided to make him blue instead of white!

A photo posted by Cathy Steger (@etownknitter) on Aug 22, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

#stitchlovealong Koala screen cleaner Mods: did not enlarge pattern, added embroidery to belly, glued belly to front, used fleece for back

A photo posted by @theshybot on Aug 26, 2015 at 1:33pm PDT

Finished round two of the #stitchlove #stitchlovealong

A photo posted by @backinbloom on Aug 26, 2015 at 9:34am PDT

Blog time! My huge stretch of customizing one of @molliejohanson's projects for the #stitchlovealong Post up at thecraftinggeek.com #legendofzelda

A photo posted by Jess (@craftinggeek) on Aug 26, 2015 at 12:48pm PDT

That last one is the firefly jar, customized to be a Legend of Zelda version. So fun!

If you participated in round two, you get a free pattern! If you aren't quite finished, don't worry about it. So long as you got it started and have plans to finish, you're good. To claim your free pattern, send me an email (molliejohanson at gmail.com) and I'll send it over to you. The pattern is a set of templates to create a special pair of mini plush (in the same style as the Awesome Outback Trio), created just for this round of the Stitch-Love-Along.

And now, here we go for round three!



This round you get to stitch a critter! Choose any embroidery motif from Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small, and embroider it on any handmade item. You can choose something you've already made, or make something new just for this.

Ideas for things that you might make with a critter or two: mug rug, zip pouch, mini quilt, napkins, placemats (like the ones from the book!) or more. This handy link will take you to some projects here on Wild Olive that might work for this too!

Round 1 // August 4-18
Stitch a Pocket Pal (any Stitch Love embroidery motif with the Pocket Pal project on page 53)

Round 2 // August 18-September 1
Make an Animal (choose a project that creates an animal)

Round 3 // September 1-15
Stitch a Critter (embroider any Stitch Love motif on a handmade item)

Share your progress on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, or your own blog. This is all about stitching along together and sharing with each other, so be sure to tag your posts #StitchLoveAlong. We all want to see your materials, your process, and of course...the finished project!

At the end of each round everyone who participates will receive a free Stitch Love pattern designed just for that round of the Stitch-Love-Along!

Many thanks to Faith and Becca for helping me with the Stitch-Love-Along! They are such supportive gals!

stitch-love-along // round two

Okay, my stitching friends. I have been having an awesome 2 weeks, and the reason is that I've been seeing the creative Pocket Pals that folks are making. Take a look at what's been posted on Instagram!

And I have a confession. This is as far as I've gotten on my own Stitch-Love-Along project:



I'm giving myself special treatment though since I'm the author. I get perks like that. So I'm not forcing myself to finish in time for the end of round one. Which ends today. (I'm pretty lenient about these things in general though, so read on!) In the meantime, take a look at a few projects that fellow stitchers made during the last two weeks!

A photo posted by Kappa (@kappalovescucumbers) on Aug 11, 2015 at 4:33pm PDT

A photo posted by BitsofStitching (@bitsofstitchingtoo) on Aug 16, 2015 at 6:39pm PDT

A photo posted by @ceciliainthestable on Aug 11, 2015 at 4:18am PDT

A photo posted by @ceciliainthestable on Aug 14, 2015 at 3:36am PDT

If you participated in round one, you get a free pattern! If you aren't quite finished, don't worry about it. So long as you got it started and have plans to finish, you're good. To claim your free pattern, send me an email (molliejohanson at gmail.com) and I'll send it over to you. The pattern is a surprise animal, created just for this round of the Stitch-Love-Along.

And now, let's move on to round two!



This round is to make an animal! What does that mean? It means choosing a project that actually forms an animal, rather than embroidering or appliquéing one. Nearly half the projects in Stitch Love fall into this category, and it's very possible to adapt or expand them. Seeing how people take an idea and run with it makes my heart go pitter pat!

To participate in this round, choose one of these projects from Stitch Love:

Awesome Outback Plush Trio
Darling Dachshund Wrist Rest
Flighty Frog Pond Game
Fluttery Butterfly Pencil Topper
Frozen Yeti Ice Pack
Gleeful Guinea Pig Plush
Glowing Fireflies Jar
Precious Possum Hanging Sachet
Restless Robin Drawstring Pouch
Sniffly Sea Turtle Tissue Cozy
Whimsical Whale Wristlet
Wild Animal Finger Puppets

Again, customize these to your heart's content! Not too long ago I saw someone who made the animals from the Wild Animal Finger Puppets, but in the style of the Awesome Outback Plush Trio. Such a fun way to make these! And I can't wait to see what you make.

Round 1 // August 4-18
Stitch a Pocket Pal (any Stitch Love embroidery motif with the Pocket Pal project on page 53)

Round 2 // August 18-September 1
Make an Animal (choose a project that creates an animal...examples to come!)

Round 3 // September 1-15
Stitch a Critter (embroider any Stitch Love motif on a handmade item...ideas to come!)

Share your progress on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, or your own blog. This is all about stitching along together and sharing with each other, so be sure to tag your posts #StitchLoveAlong. We all want to see your materials, your process, and of course...the finished project!

At the end of each round everyone who participates will receive a free Stitch Love pattern designed just for that round of the Stitch-Love-Along!

Many thanks to Faith and Becca for helping me with the Stitch-Love-Along! They are such supportive gals!

stitch-love-along // round one

I'm so very excited to officially kick off the Wild Olive Stitch-Love-Along!

Faith, Becca, and I have been organizing a stitch-along to go with my book Stitch Love, and we'd love for you to join us! The Stitch-Love-Along begins today, but if you don't have the book yet, this first round is pretty easy to make, so if you want to pick up a copy, you'll still have time.

Round 1 // August 4-18
Stitch a Pocket Pal (any Stitch Love embroidery motif with the Pocket Pal project on page 53)

Round 2 // August 18-September 1
Make an Animal (choose a project that creates an animal...examples to come!)

Round 3 // September 1-15
Stitch a Critter (embroider any Stitch Love motif on a handmade item...ideas to come!)

At the end of each round everyone who participates will receive a free Stitch Love pattern designed just for that round of the Stitch-Love-Along!



This round is to stitch a pocket pal! I love this project and its flexibility. It's also a good way to get your feet wet for the Stitch-Love-Along, or even for embroidery.

To participate in this round, look to page 53 in Stitch Love, choose your favorite motif from the book to stitch in a pocket, and get started!

Share your progress on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, or your own blog. This is all about stitching along together and sharing with each other, so be sure to tag your posts #StitchLoveAlong. We all want to see your materials, your process, and of course...the finished project!

Details for getting the special round one pattern will come when the round is done.



I mentioned that this project is flexible, and here's the tip about this. You don't have to make a shirt, although shirt pockets are adorable with a friend popping out! Just about any pocket will do, and soooo many of the embroidery patterns will work with this.



For mine, I'm using a pre-made tote bag. I grabbed some fabric and trim so that I can customize it a little...I'm thinking slightly girly for me! And I'll let you follow along on social media to see what I start stitching!

If you have any questions, just ask Becca, Faith, or me. We tend to be most active on Instagram, but anywhere you track us down will get you an answer.

We can't wait to see what you're stitching in your pocket! Ready? Let's Stitch Love!