Let’s start with the embroidery template. It started as a drawing, become a daily painting and then my first embroidery pattern.
You can download the fleeing hen template here.
And a guide to some basic embroidery stitches here.
I used backstitch for the little hen scene. This would be so sweet on a tea towel – super gifty…
*this post contains an affiliate link – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link – it’s marked with an asterisk
How can you transfer the template to your fabric? You can trace it- use a window or a light box – or- I have been using *transfer paper.
The paper comes with little ball headed styluses in a variety of sizes that work beautifully. My plan is to have templates available in the shop as pdf and iron transfers soon.
If you try it I’d love to see! You can tag me on instagram @annwood or email an image to ann at ann wood handmade dot com.
crow progress
My wings and tail are pinned and ready to stitch. You can hand or machine stitch the feathers, I’m going to machine stitch. I did use a vintage tie for some shiny black accents with my dark blue striped crow.
Check out a couple sew-along crows below – the winner (1 year of stitch club membership) will be announced right here on Friday!
Clock wise form top – wings with hand written text by Ana, crow by Ruth and crow by Kelsey
on my work table
I’m just gonna go ahead and say it- I love the calendar. I love it hard. I love thinking about it, choosing the collection and seeing it come together. It’s a mysterious and intuitive feeling around process. I change my mind a thousand times but when it’s just right I know it for sure.
PRE-ORDER YOU 2026 CALENDAR HERE
I’ve already started the 2027 calendar. This year’s addition is in the shop now for pre-order. As of this moment it’s about to sell through the first printing. I will be doing a second (probably shipping 11/19-ish).
I’m also working on the stitch club autumn journal project. For me it’s an improvisational, yes and process. I cut some blank pages and play with a pile of scraps. You can check out last years here.
and ornaments
One of the things that attracted me to ceramics was the idea of forcing myself into more simple and gestural painting. Immediate and loose – these ornaments are headed for the kiln this week. Stoneware also involves a lot of letting go – fingers crossed for a good firing.
So so amazing!!!
Frédérique
from Paris
Thank you Frédérique!
Such fun creativity! I said to a friend last night that I like being with people who are on friendly terms with life, and you are one of those! Thank you, Ann.
Thank you Jana! That’s high praise. And yes- it is truly excellent to be on friendly terms with life.
You inspire!!!
Hi Cindy!- thank you!
I’ve got two crows in progress (they were cut out during the last crow a long! Yikes). My one lonely crow eagerly awaits it’s murder buddies. (:
Love the ornaments, Ann, particularly the owls. I have made two of your little owl cloth ornaments for my niece’s tree – when I gave her the second one she said she was so glad the first one now had a friend!
What a lovely way to start my day with my pink elephant featured in a surprise Wednesday newsletter! Thank you Ann for the pattern and for continuing to inspire whimsy in the world.
I definitely see an embroidered hen (or two) in my future! Thanks so much for sharing the pattern. I love your patterns and enjoy reading your newsletter.
Pretty sure I’m making an owl mask for myself!!
Thanks for the great chicken template! I shall stitch her while I am away house/dog sitting next week overlooking Okanagan Lake, BC
Taking a quick break from applying a binding to a flying geese quilt destined for a guestroom bed. (The other bed in that room has a bear paw quilt.) I love your emails, the photos you post, and the stories of your process. Your organic approach to design, re-use of materials, and playfulness are welcomed by this quilter who often is too married to someone else’s pattern. Visiting your website is a dose of inspiration.
Can we still join this Autumn project?