True to our Midwest roots, I grew up making multiple 10+ hour road trips each year. Six family members plus a dog and all of our things, we were packed in like sardines. My favorite way to pass the time was to make friendship bracelets with embroidery floss on the handle of the seatback in front of me. My sisters and I also loved to do cross-stitching! So, playing off of my love for embroidery floss, I wanted to try a different use: freeform stitching!

Since I’m writing this simply to wrap up my documentation and move forward, I’ll keep it short and sweet.

I am in the middle of this beautiful “k” for my last name, which I made up as I went, looking up stitch ideas along the way! It was fun, easy, and not too time-consuming for a project of this size. I forgot how fun the colors pop right off the fabric – this is one I must finish.

But knowing that I want to be able to eventually sell something that doesn’t have to be handmade individually, I decided to do a little consumer research and order an Embroidery kit from someone who’s doing it really well! I found this whale by Cozy Blue on Etsy and couldn’t wait for it to arrive.

What I loved about this is I didn’t have to spend time choosing the perfect color for the whale, or drawing my pattern, or running back to the store because I forgot to buy some supplies; it was all there ready for me to use! I had every creative freedom to add more or stray from the original idea for this little guy. But I loved it’s simplicity so I rode it out. It was very easy, but super satisfying, and I can’t wait to get it hung in my son’s nursery to adorn!

Related: Creating Projects with a Multipurpose | Why The Heartward Project Works