pattern // festive fruitcake house embroidery and cross stitch

It's that time of year when the world falls in love...with stitching fruitcake! And that means you're going to need this month's free Festive Fruitcake pattern. And since December is moving quickly, I thought it might be helpful to get both the embroidery and cross stitch versions ready at the same time. So that's what we have!

It's hard for me to also think that these are the last Kawaii Crossing house patterns for the year. Amazing! Next year's patterns will be a little different, but still connected my little made up town. At some point I should probably just change the name of this blog to Kawaii Crossing.

But back to the patterns...

As always, there are two sizes of patterns in the PDF. Also, the frosting on the fruitcake (which I realize isn't really traditional fruitcake, but frosting is always a good idea) is technically white. If you're stitching yours on dark fabric, you may want to use white embroidery thread. But otherwise, I put in a light blue that shows up nice for white fabric. Also, there are thicker lines under the windows, and for that I'd suggest thicker stitching. Either use more strands or stitch the lines in something like chain stitch.

DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVE FRUITCAKE HOUSE EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

This year I've also been creating an applique-ready version which I share that over on Ko-fi. This design in particular would be so cute stitched up as a felt ornament, but you could do that with any of these. And when you support me on Ko-Fi, you get a month of access to all the patterns. PLUS, I have another bonus pattern coming out very soon. Can't wait to show that off!



Now, how about a cross stitch chart?

I think it's very clear that I have fully embraced cross stitch, both to design patterns and stitch them. Once I learned a faster way to stitch, I was hooked.

The one thing that still frustrates me when I'm designing, however, is round things and unusual angles. In this case, round was particularly difficult for those little bits of fruit. Rather than making them tiny or unusually shaped (the originals were circles as you see in the embroidery version), I went for squares. Do I love this option? Not really. But it's close enough.

DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVE FRUITCAKE HOUSE CROSS STITCH CHART

And just as a reminder, I love seeing what you're stitching! Tag me if you share on Instagram (I'm @molliejohanson) or send me an email!

calendar // festive fruitcake house wallpapers

Well. December is here and that makes this the last set of Kawaii Crossing wallpapers for the year 2021! I can hardly believe how fast time has gone by and all of the amazing things this year has held. Lots of hard things too. But it has certainly been a fruitful year for me. So it's pretty perfect to have a fruitcake house for December, right?

Listen, I know that not everyone likes fruitcake, but I really do. My dad really does too, which is probably how I ended up being a fan. I've made it myself and I've also enjoyed the little loaves you find at convenience stores as well as the fancy kind that really is a gift. Again, I know that this might make me unusual.

Knowing how people feel about fruitcake might make this house one that lots of folks stay away from, so maybe its resident likes to be alone?

Now, as I start thinking about the fruitcake I want to bake, let's get you some new wallpaper for all your screen sizes!

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

By the way, I find it hilarious that if you search for the word "doorstop" on my blog, every single post from my archives is related to fruitcake. For someone who loves this festive treat, I seem to consistently refer to it this way...

pattern // sturdy tree house cross stitch

Who is ready for another free Kawaii Crossing Cross Stitch pattern? You? Yay!

As I am typing this, we're mere hours away from December, but it's still technically November, so I'm sharing a November pattern before it's too late. Would I have liked to post this weeks ago? Of course I would have, but I've been busy with some things, which I'll write a whole post about very soon. If you follow me elsewhere, you may already know.

Anyway, the November Kawaii Crossing design is a tree house, and I'm happy to say that while there are a lot of stitches in this one, it's all pretty simple. So it shouldn't take very long to stitch your leafy little home.

DOWNLOAD THE STURDY TREE HOUSE CROSS STITCH CHART

And since this is the last day of November, I guess that means we have one more house design left and it should be coming very soon. Fingers crossed that I can make it happen!

pattern // sturdy tree house embroidery design

This month's Kawaii Crossing house is a Sturdy Tree House, and today I'm sharing the free embroidery pattern in two sizes!

When I was a kid I always wanted a tree house and it never quite happened. I also happened to love Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and the tree that Hoot the Owl and Henrietta Pussycat lived in. The idea of living INSIDE a tree vs. just building a house on a tree is especially lovely. Who knows...maybe I'm part squirrel.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy stitching this new addition to the neighborhood!

DOWNLOAD THE STURDY TREE HOUSE EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

Every month I also create a version that's ready to use for applique, and I share that over on Ko-fi. If making this tree house out of felt or other fabric sounds fun to you (I really think the tree would be so special this way!), be sure to check that out for a small cost.

For my cross stitching friends, I'll have that pattern ready to go soon!

calendar // sturdy tree house wallpapers

Designing a new wallpaper each month, especially these Kawaii Crossing ones, is always fun. But sometimes I put pressure on myself and November is regularly that month. You see, this is my birthday month, so it feels like I should have the absolute perfect design for November. The perfect design for me.

The pressure was real this time and deciding what to add to my little town was too much. I kept trying to think of the childhood inspirations that would be ideal for who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult. And what did I end up with?

A tree.

That feels so no exciting, but it's a beautiful color like the trees in my part of the world are right now. And while this doesn't connect with one specific childhood moment, character, or toy, there were many tree memories that formed as I grew up. Is that silly? Even if it is, I'm going with it.

I'll try to share more of those memories through the month, but we'll start with some wallpapers for all your screen sizes.

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

pattern // corn shock a-frame embroidery design

One of the great things about making an autumn embroidery pattern for October instead of a Halloween pattern is that when you get behind and post it the last week of the month it will still work for November too. Sigh. That's my way of saying that I'm sorry this is later than is ideal for seasonal stitching.

But also, if you stitch the teeny version, it will stitch up quick!

While we're talking about the teeny version, there are some very teeny details here. Think corn husk leaves, straw on the scarecrow, and that itty bitty face. Stitch those with just one or two strands. For the corn leaves, you can stitch them with elongated lazy daisy stitches. And when you stitch the face, wrap the french knot eyes just one time. You can do it!

DOWNLOAD THE GOURDEOUS CORN SHOCK A-FRAME EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

Over on Ko-Fi, my supporters (one-time or monthly!) get a version of the pattern that's ready to go for applique. I always think of these in felt, but I think it would also be cute in quilting cotton held down with fusible web. Or maybe a mix of felt and fabric? If that's something you're interested in too, head over to Ko-Fi. It's much appreciated!

pattern // gourdeous corn shock a-frame cross stitch

Let's get some October stitching going! For this month's free cross stitch chart, a GOURDeous corn shock A-frame (see what I did there?), I was a little nervous. There are elements in the design that could have been complicated to reduce down to a 30x30 stitch area. But guess what?

I think it actually worked!

The house itself wasn't too concerning to me, but tiny details are always hard. I think we're good with the top of the corn shocks, right? And the scarecrow, which is similar in size to the snow cat from earlier this year, came out exactly as I'd hoped.

DOWNLOAD THE GOURDEOUS CORN SHOCK A-FRAME CROSS STITCH CHART

It's been a minute since I stitched any of this year's Kawaii Crossing designs, but I have been stitching a ton behind the scenes. More on that soon. And if you're looking for the embroidery version...I'll have that ready for you soon!

calendar // gourdeous corn shock house wallpapers

Welcome October with a new Kawaii Crossing calendar wallpaper! For October I went full on fall fun with a corn shock A-frame, complete with friendly scarecrow.

Normally when a new month rolls up I'm all "how is it already the end of the month!", but this time I've been thinking that it was already October for nearly a week. You'd think that would mean that I would have had this calendar posted earlier, but me thinking it was October was related to also feeling really behind. Please tell me I'm not alone in this happening sometimes?

Okay, so let me just say a few things about this month's house. First, when I was little, some good friends of ours had an A-frame house in a wooded area and I adored it. There's something special about these. But I also LOVED going to the pumpkin farm each year. I was homeschooled and it meant we got to go on not busy days/times and that made it even better.

But if that wasn't enough, I had this toy that reinforced how amazing pumpkin farms were. It was called, shockingly, Pumpkin Farm. You can see it right here. I played with that thing for hours and hours, and I think there's a possibility that it's still in our garage rafters.

Can I just say how much I love pulling inspiration from my life? It's true. And with that, how about some wallpaper for all your screen sizes?

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

pattern // shiny apple caravan embroidery design

Apples roll pretty easily...especially when they have wheels like this Shiny Apple Caravan! This month's free embroidery pattern is the perfect addition to your Kawaii Crossing town. And even though this particular resident doesn't seem to want to put down roots, you can at least stitch them in place.

I'm not sure that I've ever mentioned something here, but it's definitely come up in discussions on The Very Serious Crafts Podcast. And that is, I don't go camping. Like, never ever. Not even in a camper. That said, if you presented me with an apple caravan that had electricity and some kind of running water hooked up, I might just live there. This is what it would take for me to do anything remotely close to camping.

Stitching this Shiny Apple Caravan will be a more more pleasant experience though, I think.

DOWNLOAD THE SHINY APPLE CARAVAN EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

This one is pretty simple, with just a few small details. If you are doing any fill stitching, you may want to consider making the awning striped with teal and white like the original illustration. If you are only outlining, go for all teal. Also, the shine spots are two sizes and you can acheive that with two sizes of french knots. The traditional way to do this is by working with more or fewer strands of thread, but the easier way is to wrap one three times and the other just one time.

If you like how these embroidery designs look all filled in, but you don't want to do all that fill stitching, you should try felt applique! You can cut out the sections of the pattern from felt, but I also create a set of patterns that are already separated so you can start stitching and I share that over on Ko-Fi. When you buy me a Ko-Fi coffee, you get 30 days of access to things I share there (and I happen to have a few fun things coming in the next couple weeks!). You can even follow or support monthly so you don't miss a thing. I appreciate every bit!

pattern // shiny apple caravan cross stitch design

Who's ready to stitch this month's free cross stitch pattern? The cross stitch version of Kawaii Crossing has a new resident rolling in and they might just stay awhile.

Now, as I write this, I have a half-stitched project to my right and a page of patterns waiting to be stitched on my left. I also have a giant project to work on, a pattern to trace for my shop, and a goal of making something cute with plastic canvas. But naturally, I want to stitch this little apple. Like, so much that it hurts.

Must. Resist. New. Stitching.

Thankfully, YOU don't need to resist. You can just pick up your needle and get started. And I can't wait to see what you make. As usual, the embroidery pattern will be coming soon.

DOWNLOAD THE SHINY APPLE CARAVAN CROSS STITCH CHART

Now, if this were Richard Scarry's Busy Town, there would be a worm living in this house on wheels, but actually, lots of animals eat apples. What kind of animal do you think lives here?

calendar // shiny apple caravan wallpapers

Do you remember the Busy World of Richard Scary? This month's Kawaii Crossing house (and matching free wallpapers) is an ode to this delightful town that certainly influenced my style. We all remember Lowly Worm and his apple car, but since I'm making little houses, I went for an apple caravan!

Last year when I made the Kawaii Crossing shops, I thought it would be so cute to have a food truck for one of the designs, but it never worked out. Having a house on wheels is the next best thing...or maybe even better!

I do love apple things and I've been thinking about what apple projects I might try. At one point I thought I might crochet an apple caravan using my pumpkin pattern as the basis, but I think it's safe to say that won't happen for me. Sigh. Also, why don't stores carry Bernat Blanket yarn in red? Okay, okay...I have other things to work on.

While I get to work on those other things, go ahead and download some wallpaper for all your screen sizes!

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

pattern // fancy cabbage house cross stitch

The cross stitched town of Kawaii Crossing just got a new resident and it lives in this fancy cabbage house! It's gotta be a rabbit living here, right? I'm so happy to be sharing this latest free cross stitch pattern to the collection.

Any time I make these little houses (or last year's shops), I start by drawing them as illustrations. Sometimes I think about how they might work as embroidery patterns or cross stitch charts, but not always. This was definitely one of those designs that I didn't consider how it would translate to tiny cross stitch when I drew it. The little frilly leaves were all but impossible to capture here. I've done my best.

I also haven't sample stitched this, so I'm crossing my fingers that it all looks right when stitched.

DOWNLOAD THE FANCY CABBAGE HOUSE CROSS STITCH CHART

As a reminder, each of these house charts fits within a 30x30 area, so you can swap them in for the shops in last year's street with only a few minor grass adjustments. I've also seen at least one person who is adding these houses around the edge of the shops from last year. So fun!

Keeping this short and sweet for today because now I need to go stitch something!

pattern // fancy cabbage house embroidery design

Four words: embroidered fancy cabbage house. You may not have realized that you needed to stitch up a house that looks like a cabbage head, but we both know that you do. So that's why this is our free embroidery pattern for the month of August.

Each month's Kawaii Crossing design has some sort of special meaning for me. While I mentioned when I posted the calendar that this is an ode to my grandpa and the ornamental cabbages he grew, it's also connected to a childhood toy that I loved: Cabbage Patch Kids. Yes, I was one of the lucky kids that received one for Christmas when they were so hard to find.

I also got to meet a costume character of one of the Cabbage Patch Pets back in the 80s and I'm being totally serious when I say that it was one of the most memorable events of my childhood. I still have the note that she wrote me.

But even if you don't have the same Cabbage Patch Kids or Papa's garden memories that I do, I think you'll enjoy stitching this pattern. I think it would be really cute embroidered on a kitchen towel! Of course you can also add it to the other little embroidery patterns in the series. (Just scroll through this year's posts!)

DOWNLOAD THE FANCY CABBAGE HOUSE EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

In the pattern you'll find two sizes of patterns, both in regular and reversed designs. Stitch them using your favorite outline stitch or try filling things in like Anne-Marie has done.

Also, each month I share a version that's ready for piecing with felt applique over on Ko-Fi. When you buy me a Ko-Fi coffee, you get access to things I share there (including an upcoming printable!), you help me financially (it really does help!), and you make me smile (seriously!).

calendar // fancy cabbage house wallpapers

August is here! And so are the latest free wallpapers for your desktop, tablet, and phone. This time with a fancy cabbage house. But first, I really try not to say things like "where has the time gone" each and every month. But seriously? I'm in shock that it's August already. In my mind it feels like June still.

Okay, so back to the new Kawaii Crossing house. In August, I especially think about my grandpa whom we called Papa. August was his birthday month, but he was also a big gardener, so there were plenty of plants and produce in full bloom or harvest around this time. One of my favorite photos of him is Papa on his front stoop with a whole bunch of ornamental cabbages around him. They were huge and he looked so proud.

Thus, a fancy cabbage house in honor of Papa.

Now, grab a free wallpaper and I'll be back soon with patterns to match...as well as some stitching fun!

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

pattern // big burger house cross stitch

It's time for another free Kawaii Crossing chart! The Big Burger House is all ready to cross stitch. Yay!

There's probably something extra special in this one because it brings a whole bunch of childhood memories together. In my post about the matching embroidery pattern, I mentioned that my dad used to work for McDonald's, and my mom did too! There was a lot of car time, and she often worked on cross stitch (and candlewicking!) while in the passenger seat.

I don't remember if she ever cross stitched any McDonald's designs, but if this burger had been available all those years ago, she might have.

Before you download this chart, I do want to point out one thing. All the rest of the Kawaii Crossing houses have the same bottom edge so they sit on a line (or the grass!). If you're stitching them all together, they line up like houses in a neighborhood. Because this has a welcome mat, you'll need to make sure that the bottom of the house is in line with your other houses.

This is also another design with a tiny face on the flower box. To keep the eyes from being too small, make the french knots with just a single wrap or do a double wrap with a single strand of thread.

DOWNLOAD THE BIG BURGER HOUSE CROSS STITCH CHART

Happy Stitching!

pattern // big burger house embroidery design

The embroidered town of Kawaii Crossing is about to get bigger with a Big Burger House! This latest free embroidery pattern is definitely the cutest cheeseburger you can live in. And I know these things.

Every house I've been adding to this collection has had a special meaning to me, and many have had a childhood connection. In this case, it takes me back to McDonaldland. When I was growing up, my dad worked for McDonald's and I spent lots of time visiting lots of restaurants under the golden arches. This was my childhood. Recently I met someone who also has the same kind of McDonald's memories as me and we had so much fun chatting!

This house isn't a specific McDonald's burger, although it's similar to a few they've offered (the McDLT comes to mind!). Instead, it's a homage to them all. It's certainly not the kind of burger you could literally climb into in the McDonald's Playland. But let me tell you, I LOVED the Big Mac Climber.

So anyway, that's what this month's Kawaii Crossing house is all about. Of course, the cross stitch version will come soon and there will be another related project or two as well. I love a theme!

DOWNLOAD THE BIG BURGER HOUSE EMBROIDERY PATTERN PDF

For now, get started on some embroidery. The smaller version doesn't have the word "welcome" on the mat, but is just a pickle. You could do the same on the larger version if you want. Otherwise, stitch that bit with just one or two strands.

If you want to stitch this in felt applique (because that would look awesome!) each month I share a version that's ready for piecing over on Ko-Fi. Contributions really do help keep things going over here, and each one is so appreciated.

calendar // big burger house wallpapers

Just a quick little post today to drop some links for you. Because it's a new month tomorrow and we're celebrating July with a big burger house on some calendar wallpapers!

Things are bustling over here in Wild Olive Land, so I'm not going to talk about this month's design just yet, but grab a free wallpaper for now:

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

What I will say is that I get to participate in two fun blog hops this month, so check back for plenty of July goodness!

Also, even though it's July, it's also a good time to think about a holiday that will be here before we know it...



HALLOWEEN! If you haven't already, be sure to take a look at the Not So Spooky Stitching Club. It starts July 6 so you have plenty of time to make something fun for October. Sign up in my Etsy Shop.

pattern // charming hot air balloon house embroidery design

This is not the first hot air balloon embroidery pattern that I've designed, nor will it be the last. But it is the first one designed to have someone live inside it. And I like that. It's the perfect addition to a little embroidered neighborhood of kawaii houses (and shops!)

As with all my Kawaii Crossing patterns, this is free for you in the PDF there are two sizes, along with color suggestions. I don't have stitches listed in the PDF, but you can use your favorite stitches here. I do have a few lines on there that are thicker, and I suggest using either more strands or a thicker stitch like chain stitch for those.

DOWNLOAD THE HOT AIR BALLOON HOUSE EMBROIDERY PATTERN

I didn't embroider this version, but I did stitch the felt applique version, and you can get some ideas for stitching from that.



You can see how I used chain stitch for the ladder and lamp post, and I went for one long stitch for the ropes holding the basket and tying the balloon house down. Would I typically suggest super long stitches like this? No. But it absolutely works here!

You can use the free embroidery pattern to make yours with felt, or for those who support me via Ko-Fi, I created a version that's all ready for applique. Yay!

GET THE HOT AIR BALLOON HOUSE APPLIQUE PATTERN ON KO-FI

pattern // charming hot air balloon cross stitch

Who wants to be the first to cross stitch this Charming Hot Air Balloon House? I think it may be you! My newest free pattern is ready for you to download and I can't wait to see this one all finished. (I've been working on making the applique version this month, but this one is tempting me too!)

When I introduced this month's house, I mentioned a toy that I loved called Charmkins. These little people figures were charms that you could wear on a bracelet or necklace, as well as attach to elements on the toys. For example, there was a windmill which had hooks for the Charmkins. They were so cute, and definitely formational for me and my style.

At some point, they had a little pamphlet or ad on the back of a box showing a hot air balloon. I was smitten.

Alas, it was apparently only a proto-type, and they never widely released it. I wanted it so bad, and remember that as long as those toys existed, my mom would always check for it. I've seen mention of the elusive Charmkins hot air balloon online, and recently saw someone who was selling what is believed to be a figure shown with the prototype. It's a sheep, and even as an adult it makes me want it all the more.

Instead, I designed this Kawaii Crossing house, and I think we can all agree that a sheep lives here. And when this sheep's house isn't tethered, it flies over the fields where all the other sheep live.

DOWNLOAD THE CHARMING HOT AIR BALLOON HOUSE CROSS STITCH CHART

calendar // charming hot air balloon house wallpaper

For June we're going up, up, and away in a Kawaii Crossing hot air balloon house! Naturally, we're starting with some calendar wallpapers sized for all your digital devices.

This house is basically like a tree house without the tree. You step up a ladder to reach the door that's the balloon part. Now, I didn't give this any windows, other than the one in the door, but I'd like to think that there's a skylight up top that you just can't see.

There's a very special reason why I went with this house, but before I tell you the connection, grab a free wallpaper:

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

Just like the last few houses, this was inspired by one of my childhood memories: Charmkins. I loved those little toys and if you're a child of the 80s, you may remember them. You may NOT necessarily remember a hot air balloon, and that's exactly why I chose it for this.

To make this fun, I'd love to hear from you. First, do you know what Charmkins are? Did you play with them as a kid? And Next, do you know the significance of the hot air balloon? I'll share more when I post the matching pattern!