blog – ann wood handmade

celebrate 19 years! of ann wood handmade with 25% off

March 21, 2025

by annwood

the ann wood handmade 19th anniversary sale! Begins now and ends 3/26

For fun, I asked AI to write a blog post about the 19th anniversary of Ann Wood Handmade. It wasn’t bad. Pretty serviceable, actually. But it used the word journey a lot, had a certain flowery tone, and didn’t sound like me.

One thing I did appreciate, though, was how it zeroed in on community as an essential element—you all showing up here. Some of you for the whole 19 years.

Here’s what ChatGPT had to say:

“But what has made Ann Wood Handmade truly special is the incredible community that has grown around it. Over the years, makers from all over the world have connected here, sharing a love for handcraft, resourcefulness, and storytelling through materials. Whether you’ve been visiting for years or just recently discovered this creative space, your enthusiasm and support mean everything.”

And it does. I love knowing there are paper-mâché ships, earnest little birds, and dastardly owls scattered across the world. That they’ve mattered to other people too.

paper mache ship pattern

In an increasingly AI-driven world, the weird soup of human experience and imagination feels more magical than ever. It can’t be reproduced. I had to have a father obsessed with sailing, tall ships, and books, which led me to an early love of shipwrecks in literature. That had to collide with an image of a crystal chandelier shaped like a Spanish galleon, plus a lifelong devotion to paper-mâché (so accessible).

a wedding in prospect park

little bird pattern

mr. tibbles and mr. wickles

dastardly owl pattern

The little birds, and the owls, the general mood of it all? That doesn’t happen without a deeply poetic, Beatrix Potter-loving mom who took me to see this film at an apparently incredibly formative age. It doesn’t happen without mountains of scrap fabric and a sewing needle in my four-year-old hand.

It all layers together. And that mix—uniquely human, entirely unrepeatable—is what makes handmade things, and the people who love them, so special.

So happy anniversary to us! I’ll leave you with some customer/ reader projects that I love. And as always, thanks for showing up.

onward!

ann

Crow in progress by Gail

songbirds by Sue

song birds by Lynn

The collection above by Margaret includes her own modifications to the song bird pattern to create the larger robin.

A stitched vessel by Cookie – I love the button and pouf!

A magical ship by Teirney.

A sweet elephant by Lindsay.

mushroom by Steph

stitched eggs and chicks – new sewing diy

March 7, 2025

by annwood

comments 21

Why make just one fabric egg when you can whip up a whole batch? These little stitched eggs are quick, easy, and extra cute in abundance. And they are perfect, cozy homes for little chicks.

You probably already have everything you need to get started. The free little chick pattern is available here.

A couple notes:

You can mix fabrics for multi color eggs. I’m demonstrating with one fabric for the exterior of the egg and another for the lining of the front opening pieces.

These can be sewn by hand or machine – if you’re machine sewing they only take about 15 minutes to make.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN

you will need

the template
cotton scraps – fabric for the egg and lining
a basic sewing kit
optional – pinking shears
chicks

: 1.

: 2.

1. Pin the egg back template to a single layer of fabric

2. Pin the egg top and bottom to doubled fabric – right sides together. One fabric is the same as the egg back and the other will be the lining fabric.

: 3.

: 4.

3. With the right sides of the fabric still facing, mark a 1/4 inch seam line on the bottom and top and sew across each pair.

4. Press the seams open

Support free patterns like chicks and eggs! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Click here to add your support.

5. Fold at the seam- wrong sides together – and press.

: 6.

: 7.

6. Place the egg bottom over the egg back – right sides of the egg fabric together and right side of the lining fabric facing you – pin.

7. Place the egg top – right sides of the egg fabric together and right side of the lining fabric facing you – pin.

: 9.

: 10.

8. Carefully mark a 1/4 inch seam allowance all around the edge.

9. Stitch the seam.

: 10.

: 11.

10. Trim with pinking shears or clip notches into the seam allowance.

11. Turn the egg right side out and run a chopstick or similar around the inside of the seam to push the curve all the way out.

The eggs are designed to be easy for little hands to hide a chick inside and get it back out – hours of fun. Beyond the seasonal significance you could create a memory or matching game.

So easy! I hope you make lots of chicks and eggs!

we’re officially at the halfway mark of the 2025 stitch book challenge!

March 7, 2025

by annwood

comments 13

stitched collage- black goved hand on a white field with fancy stitched rings on each finger

Your habit is taking root. You’ve gained a deeper understanding of your creative process—how your mind works, where you get stuck, and what sparks your curiosity. You’re also discovering new intersections.

Intersections are connections—ideas.

One thing leads to another, if you let it…

learn about the stitch book project here

You have fifty days of work behind you. That daily commitment, however small, adds up to something surprisingly significant.

Or not. Maybe it feels like a hot mess. Maybe you still feel stuck, and subjected to a new daily dose of guilt that you missed a day (or most of the days…), or that your work isn’t what you hoped it would be.

That’s just information—feedback. Use it. Adjust. Experiment.

: stitch book page – katy baker

: stitch book page – coast and cloth

Katie Baker
coast and cloth

Some ways to shift things:

Be silly. I’m a huge fan of silly. Playfulness unlocks creativity.

Add constraints. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, limit yourself—use just one color, like blues, or stick to a single shape, like circles. Constraints can spark fresh ideas and help you see your materials in a new way.

Let go of the outcome. Just commit to 15 minutes of creative movement—hands and mind engaged. Let that be enough.

Keep going.

How are you doing at this milestone? Feeling momentum or stuck in the doldrums? Let us know in the comments.

You can check out lots more of 2025 stitch book pages on instagram. And share your progress to by using #stitchbookchallenge2025 or join the stitch club community.

the stitched vessel sewing tutorial and stitch book day 29!

February 14, 2025

by annwood

It’s like paper mache, but with fabric.

Have you got scraps? Tiny fragments of fabric you love but don’t know what to do with? Stitched Vessels are for you. And no printer? No problem – there are no templates – it’s a technique – and you can view the instructions on you computer or smart device. The process is simple, intriguing and (be warned) addictive.

You probably already have the other materials you need (they are top secret).

I made this project for the stitch club community and over the last year members have made lots of wonderful vessels in all shapes and sizes. There were also vessel workshops in France and LA last year.

The technique scales and most fabrics work (just avoid anything stretchy). This is super chill, get set up somewhere cozy, meditative, slow stitching. I’m pretty sure it makes me a more agreeable person…

You can buy the tutorial in the shop for 8 bucks or get it free when you join stitch club.

Plus February is International Scrap Month! (that’s a thing I made up that is also totally legit) and wabi sabi vessels made from your most favorite scraps are the perfect way to celebrate.

the hundred day stitch book challenge – we are at the 1/4 mark

Today – Friday- is day 29 and beginning the fifth week today – it has flown by so far. We have a solid amount of work behind us and I’m wondering how you’re feeling in the process? Each year I’m nervous to start. So worried it will feel stale or that no inspiration will appear. And once again the process is delivering energy and ideas. In the stitch club community and on instagram I’m seeing lots of imaginative stitching.

The two pages above, created by Stitch Club member Barbara, are bursting with movement and energy. There’s an incredible sense of vibrancy, drawing you in—there’s so much to explore, and it pulses and vibrates… Barbara has been a member from the beginning and it’s been super interesting to watch her tap into her intuition more and more. One of the core goals of this kind of improvisational work is to deepen that connection. I firmly believe that work, that practice, that listening delivers our best and most singular work.

PS – There will be a painting shop update next Thursday -2/20 noon-ish Eastern time.

PPS – The sunset at 5:22 yesterday – the lengthening days are such a welcome, happy thing – do you have early spring fever too? Are you on track in your 100 day stitch book? Somewhat behind? Not exactly, technically, started? Is there a scrappy vessel in your future? Let us know in the comments.

five-ish things bringing me joy right now

January 31, 2025

by annwood

3 fabric collages, scraps and sewing notions on my work table

stitch book 2025 – pages 1-3

percolating ideas – it’s all about the space between

The sensation of an idea percolating in the background is my most favorite thing in all the world. The 100 day stitch book project has the percolation phase built in. The formula is: work on a problem and then give your subconscious a crack at it.

After I add my stitches each day my brain keeps working on it – feeling for the next move. Sometimes this is entirely passive – all the magic work your subconscious does while you’re otherwise engaged. And less passively, but still without conscious effort, there’s a perspective shift – you notice things, colors, shapes, ideas that might inform your page.

Repeat this enough and new connections form. You get better at listening to yourself. Better at pulling out the deeper ideas.

This is the fourth stitch book and my pattern has been pretty consistent – days 1- 3 are more feeling around, less intensely thoughtful. I’m having a beginning and usually creating a problem. On days 4 and 5 I solve the problem. Or try to anyway. I do love having a problem to solve. Even when I fail I get tons of new insight, information and ideas.

And what exactly is a success? It’s a feeling… Something that surprises me. Something that feels balanced, energetic and compelling. The sensation of getting out of my own way. Getting someplace new.

purging

Pretty New Yearsy. I dive into this every year and then fizzle before I get to the level of possession management and relative minimalism I aspire to. This year I’m going to chunk it, make it a recurring time commitment that I can definitely follow through on.

It will be like the refrigerator situation – I review, toss, clean and make my list every Saturday. It’s a habit. The sorting and purging is getting a time slot too. A modest time slot. Let’s say Tuesday morning – 30 minutes.

So doable. I’ll chip away at this forever as opposed to making ambitious plans that run out of steam.

the glorious emptiness of my worktable

This was a happy accident new years accident. I had to totally pack up this room for some unplanned maintenance work… That resulted in removing a ton of delightful clutter. I ended up leaving most of it packed up and I’m considering carefully and slowly what I really need and want as I add stuff. Can I maintain this level of austerity? Absolutely not. But I’m inspired by it and taking a lesson from how good the emptiness felt.

The calendar is definitely a keeper and bringing lots of joy. It’s by my remarkable friend Sid.

magnetic bookmarks and a tiny mechanical pencil

This post contains affiliate links – meaning I get a small commission you purchase through the link – they are marked with an *asterisk

So much joy. I went back to an old school paper day planner last year and it agrees with me. It’s where I track the aforementioned habits. I’m the sort of person that gets a huge amount of satisfaction checking off a list item. I linked to *this planner last year and took a bunch of heat for it. As planners go it’s small and pricey. But I love everything about it and shelled out for it again this year. I’m particular about the stuff I use everyday and this one was a big win. The paper is deluxe (and very erasable). And it has an awkwardly translated quote for each day.

It’s also a place for recording ideas as soon as possible, in writing. That’s a big part of my process. This little book is always with me. And so is this *tiny mechanical pencil.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”
Linus Pauling

And for finding those ideas later – *mini magnetic book marks. They are magic. And like the little pencil and book they are aesthetically delightful. Which can’t hurt.

What’s bringing you joy right now? Are you trying the stitch book challenge? Do you have a new yearsey project? Did you know magnetic bookmarks are a thing?! Let us know in the comments.

stitch book challenge – day 1 – curiosity

January 17, 2025

by annwood

Let’s baby step our way to 100 days of creative stitching. Let’s not worry about the outcome. Let’s find out what happens when you show up in a small way consistently. Let’s watch ourselves work. Learning more about how you work is one of the benefits of working- notice where you get stuck, notice what lights you up, feel for your curiosity…

The 100 day stitch book challenge starts today! Please be sure to read these two pages completely before you start:

1 – Before you do anything else please read this page carefully.

2 – Find the tutorial for how to cut your pages and make the book here. We don’t assemble the book until the pages are done but it’s good to know where we are headed. Take special note of how the pages will be stitched together and where you might want to leave a margin.

The books above are the result of the previous stitch book challenges. The book on the right has raw edges and the book on the left has finished edges- you’ll have the option to choose when we assemble at the end of the 100 days.

a couple things to consider

15 minutes is a suggestion – a good minimum- overachievers are welcome to do more.

The process lends itself to improvisational stitching – starting without knowing – working without a plan. It’s not the only way to approach this challenge but it’s my focus and when I offer suggestions and inspiration sources it will be in that context.

Community is key. We are each other’s accountability partners. Showing work in progress can feel weird but it helps you stay on track. It’s not mandatory to post every single day but I think it’s helpful to you to take a photo of each day’s progress for yourself.

Speaking of sharing – you can share on insta etc with

#stitchbookchallenge2025

FYI Hashtags can take a while to show up on social media. You can also – totally optional – join the stitch club community – it’s the private sharing space for ann wood handmade.

Daily practice- even a small one – is hard. Give yourself credit for showing up for it and take it one day at a time.

helpful blog posts:

the shimmering space between

7 ideas for your 100 day stitchbook

day 1

day 1- 2025

One thing leads to another if you let it. You just have to start. To set myself up for success I cut some pages and gathered some scraps to work with. It was all waiting for me this morning. My to go kit is ready and I have a plan for bad days. The rest is so easy- just stitch for 15 minutes. Begin without a plan. You get somewhere new by starting without knowing, make a mark (in this case a stitch, a patch etc.) and respond to it.

day 99 2023

curiosity

Let curiosity drive you in this process. What’s around the next corner? The books, the pages, and the whole process have surprised me each year. The daily thing is really a slog sometimes. I have not loved every image, I cringe when sharing my missteps. And, it’s all totally worth it. I get to places in my imagination I never otherwise would. That is everything. It’s the “youness” thing.

“No one is youer than you.” – Dr. Seuss

The world only has one chance at what’s in there – one chance at you. I think it’s worth time, energy, embarrassment, failure and disappointment to work your way through to the deepest, most truly creative work you can do – the youest – the work of your utterly unique imagination. Listen carefully for the magic – it is there- waiting to be noticed… Listening is part of the work. That kind of listening takes practice and patience and the afore mentioned showing up.

be curious
be open
show up

the 100 day stitch book starts soon! and community sign ups are open

January 11, 2025

by annwood

The 2025 100 day stitch book challenge begins on 1/17 and ends on 4/26

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE HERE

All the info you need to participate is available at the link above – please read it carefully – don’t skim! You’ll miss stuff

The 4th annual! 100 day Stitch Book Challenge begins next Friday January 17!

I have spent a lot of time and energy in life learning how to trick myself into doing stuff, getting my ideas out of my head or working past stuckness. One of the most effective ways is daily practice. Small daily practice. It’s where my ideas show up and percolate – in my daily paintings (this is year 7!) and the stitch book project.

In the case of the stitch book project, that’s 15 minutes per day for 100 days.

learn about the 100 day stitch book challenge here

The do-able chunk of time eliminates paralysis and overthinking and invites happenstance. And I love the idea of each day building on the previous.

Committing to a do-able assignment and applying small consistent effort is as close to a magic formula as there is for growing creatively and getting unstuck.

will you join us for the 2025 challenge?

To set yourself up for success on day one- Jan 17th – take some easy actions now. Grab the checklist. Then begin with the overview here.

And totally optional- join stitch club! You don’t need to join to participate but it is a great place to find support and share your progress.

stitch club membership is open now

What happens in stitch club? It’s the private ann wood handmade community, a great place to get inspired, share what you’re working on and make sewy friends.

We just completed a fall stitch journal in the community. It was an excellent warm up for the big event beginning next Friday. It was a weekly commitment (one stitched panel per week) as opposed to the daily 15 minute commitment of the 100 day book. I struggled to keep up. It’s a super busy time of year work wise and I had the faceplant situation that messed up a couple weeks of my life but I think the lesson is the small daily thing really works best for me.

You can see my finished book below. I approached the stitching the same way I approach the 100 day book – improvisational, yes and, see what turns up.

Don’t see the video above? Click here to view on youtube.

The binding is “modified coptic” . There are so many cool ways to bind books- I think we’ll try another method in the next mini book.

stitch book challenge 2025

Just like the three previous years I’m excited and also nervous to start. Daily practice is hard. But I can’t resist. Can you? I’ve got some ideas and lessons learned from the previous years to help you get ready.

thinking of the pages in pairs

Totally optional but I have loved having a second chance at compositions by treating 2 pages as one image/idea in previous book. I mostly did not work on the two pages consecutively. When I wasn’t happy with what I’d done, putting the idea aside and letting it percolate helped a lot.

I’m also leaning towards leaving my edges raw again.

Support the 100 day stitch book project and the always growing free pattern library.

Click here to add your support.

make it easy

Make it easy to show up. Have your materials accessible and transportable. 15 minutes is even more doable if everything is already set up.

plan for the bad days

This is so important. There will be some bad days. Some too busy or sick or too something days. The secret to those days is a predetermined, minimally acceptable effort.

Protect the habit, protect the momentum and do something.

and if you do miss a day?

Keep going. Maybe do an extra 15 minutes when you can.

warm up

Putting things in a box is a great way to begin.

I’m putting things in a box now and I’ll be back on the 17th with some ideas and encouragement.

Will you join me in 100 days of stitching? Let us know in the comments.

onward!

ann

PS – LA friends – you are on my mind ❤️❤️❤️❤️

handmade christmas 2024

December 21, 2024

by annwood

Orange slice ornaments are in the oven – 2 weeks later than planned or at the exact right moment…

I’m deeply immersed with a lot of very ambitious last minute Christmas project ideas, it smells like white pine and orange peel, the stick trees are up and it’s snowing the exact right amount.

All the work things are done (at last!) and the coziness here is deep, twinkly and particular.

let’s talk about stick tree number one

An elephant and monkey are merrily attending the base and there’s a happy cat on top this year. The tree is made from several sticks bundled together and wrapped with a fabric scrap. The skirt is a bit of an old crazy quilt.

The whole thing lists significantly to the left and is festooned with:

snowmen in bad moods
jingle stars
a sleepy moon
minimalist chicken
little owl
sheep
scrap trees
and wax paper snowflakes

I wish I had some flies – maybe I’ll add that to the last minute list.

I do like my holiday decor just slightly off kilter – like these cardboard castles with austere little windows. The creature that may or may not be a cat is by my brilliant friends at Codo Experiment. The white pine branches were obtained legally and definitely not in my annual december crime spree under the cover of darkness.

and stick tree number two

Branches in a vase filled with pennies for stability (pebbles or sand work too) The ornaments are the ghosts of Christmas past- my mom’s treasures that sleep the rest of the year in the crumpled tissue she wrapped them in. The big paper star on top is made with the wax paper snowflake method but in vintage paper and tin foil.

My plan for the day is to smell the smells and make the things and bask in the twinkle. I hope you are similarly situated and your holidays are merry and bright!

After the holiday break we have lots to talk about – most importantly the 2025 100 day stitch book!

angry snowmen ornament tutorial

December 13, 2024

by annwood

When life gives you lemons…. Make angry snowman ornaments.

Fun story: just before thanksgiving, while running, in the dark, I took a huge spill. It was the end of the run so I was not at a jog but full middle aged craft lady speed. The momentum was considerable.

I broke the fall with my face. So painful. And smashed my brand new glasses. Two weeks later I’m mostly healed and new glasses finally turned up a couple days ago. The interruption at a busy time is super frustrating and I’m considerably behind on all my wassailing projects.

These little disgruntled snowmen feel like perfect expressions of my holiday rage. Look at this guy – he’s livid.

And so quick and easy to make. Plus you can turn his frown upside down if you feel like it.

let’s make some angry snowmen

you will need

the template
a basic sewing kit
fabric scraps
wool scraps
stuffing
embroidery thread – brown, orange, black

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE

: 1

: 2

1. Pin the snowman template to doubled fabric- right sides together – and cut out.

2. Separate the pieces and trace the features onto the right side of one piece.

: 3

: 4

3. Pin the pieces right sides together- mark the 1/4 inch seam line – and sew- leaving open where indicated on the pattern.

4. Clip wedges around the curves.

Support free patterns like angry snowmen! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Click here to add your support.

5. Turn right side out. Run the large end of a chopstick or similar firmly around the seam inside to push out the curves. Add stuffing.

: 6

: 7

6. Fold in the edges of the opening and whip stitch closed.

7. Embroider the simple eyes and mouth with backstitch. Use this trick to hide your knots.

: 8

: 9

8. Embroider the nose with satin stitch ( I only had sewing thread in orange and that worked)

9. For stick arms – make a knot about 2 and 1/2 inches from the end of brown embroidery thread.

: 10

: 11

10. Insert the needle in the side seam.

11. Bring it out on the opposite side and pull until the knot catches.

: 12

: 13

12. Make a knot at the seam.

13. Trim the arms.

Pro Tip – use wax or starch to stiffen the arms a little. A stiff hair product can work too. It’s all about those arms – lots of rage potential.

Tear a 1/2 inch strip of wool, tie it around his neck and trim. Add a hanging loop to the head. I’m wishing I used red and white bakers twine…

They are silly! Silly is good. Do you know somebody who needs a disgruntled snowman? Let us know in the comments and check back next week for handmade christmas 2024!

customer projects

December 2, 2024

by annwood

projects made by customers and readers

You can find all the patterns for the projects below in the shop or on the free pattern page.

Magical and imaginative work by customers and readers. I’ve added links to the maker wherever possible – check them out – the mushroom below (little mushroom pattern) and gorgeous photo are by Trish.

crow by gill

crow by anni

Crows by Gillian and Anni the wing details are fantastic!

alexandra

gabi

sue

Songbirds by Gabi, blue bird by Alexandra and colorful songbirds by Sue.

handmade textile mushrooms in a variety of vintage scraps

michelle

mushrooms by S arah and Michelle

elegant rag dolls by Marilina

barb

cris

Frogs (find it on the free pattern page) by Barb and Cris.

new sewing tutorial : turkey leg treat bag

November 22, 2024

by annwood

Did you know that the paper things they put on turkey legs are called frills? And/or booties. That’s the official name. I’m a little disappointed, I thought it would be a fancier and more obscure sounding word. If I was in charge of naming them it would be something like bufflenotters or tipplewads or whimploons. I think whimploons is perfect – who do I need to get in touch with to fix this?

This was on my mind while I was making you something fun for the holidays. It’s silly. And super easy and fast to make. It will delight somebody little or somebody big. You probably have everything you need to make it – just some brown for the turkey part and some white for the whimploon.

let’s make turkey leg treat bags

you will need

the template
a basic sewing kit
fabric scraps
ribbon, twill tape or cord
large safety pin
optional – a tiny bit of stuffing

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE

: 1

: 2

1. Pin the turkey and frill templates to doubled fabric – right sides together – and cut out. Also cut a strip from the turkey fabric that is 2 inches by 12 and 1/4 inches.

2. Mark the seam lines on the turkey and frill.

: 3

: 4

3. Fold the end of the strip 1/4 inch.

4. Fold it 1/4 inch again and stitch along the fold. Repeat the 2 – 1/4 inch folds for the other end but don’t stitch it yet – just press.

Support free patterns like turkey legs! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Click here to add your support.

5. Fold the strip in half -wrong sides together – and press. Sew the frill seam– leave it open at the top and sew one side seam on the turkey leg.

: 6

: 7

6. Press the top 2 inches of the seam open.

7. With the right side of the fabric facing you pin the strip to the edge. Begin at the seam line – 1/4 inch in from the edge. The folded edge of the strip is on the bottom and you’r matching the raw edges of the leg to the strip.

8. The other end of the strip needs to end 1/4 inch from the edge. Adjust if needed then stitch the fold in place. Pin it to the edge.

9. Stitch together at 1/4 inch.

: 10

: 11

10. Clip notches around the curves of the frill.

11. Optional – add a little stuffing. If you do it should be pretty minimal and leave the top 3/4 inch empty.

: 12

: 13

12. Pin the frill inside.

13. Fold the turkey leg sides together and pin.

: 14

: 15

14. Stitch the side and bottom seams.

15. Turn right side out and unpin the frill. Run a chopstick firmlyaround the seam to push out the curve.

: 16

: 17

16. Attach a large safety pin to a cord or ribbon. You need about 25 inches.

17. Feed it through the top channel.

Fill your drumstick with treats or treasures and tie shut.

I hope you stitch some drumsticks and happy Thansgiving!

the circus elephant pattern is in the shop

November 16, 2024

by annwood

Sleepy eyes and dimpled knees. The knees are everything… The first in the French Circus ragdoll series is available now as a pdf pattern. There are more than 70 instructional color images, full size templates and an online list of resources.

It’s super easy to make and can be sewn by hand or machine. The construction is simple and perfect for beginners.

FAQ

Will this be available as a booklet?

It will but those take forever to make – hopefully by the end of next year.

How long does it take to make?

Not long at all. Finish it in an afternoon.

How big is the elephant?

About 11 inches tall finished.

What fabric should I use?

Something soft is really nice. I used scraps from an old linen duvet for one. I love Robert Kaufman Essex Linen. It’s s cotton linen blend- washing it first makes it softer. Thrifted clothes are a good source too. I’m working on another now made from an old quilt.

the ann wood handmade 19th anniversary sale! Begins now and ends 3/26

It all layers together. And that mix—uniquely human, entirely unrepeatable—is what makes handmade things, and the people who love them, so special.

So happy anniversary to us! I’ll leave you with some customer/ reader projects that I love. And as always, thanks for showing up.

onward!

ann

you will need

Support free patterns like chicks and eggs! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

The eggs are designed to be easy for little hands to hide a chick inside and get it back out – hours of fun. Beyond the seasonal significance you could create a memory or matching game.

So easy! I hope you make lots of chicks and eggs!

That’s just information—feedback. Use it. Adjust. Experiment.

Some ways to shift things:

How are you doing at this milestone? Feeling momentum or stuck in the doldrums? Let us know in the comments.

You can check out lots more of 2025 stitch book pages on instagram. And share your progress to by using #stitchbookchallenge2025 or join the stitch club community.

the hundred day stitch book challenge – we are at the 1/4 mark

PS – There will be a painting shop update next Thursday -2/20 noon-ish Eastern time.

percolating ideas – it’s all about the space between

purging

the glorious emptiness of my worktable

magnetic bookmarks and a tiny mechanical pencil

“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” Linus Pauling

What’s bringing you joy right now? Are you trying the stitch book challenge? Do you have a new yearsey project? Did you know magnetic bookmarks are a thing?! Let us know in the comments.

a couple things to consider

day 1

curiosity

“No one is youer than you.” – Dr. Seuss

The 2025 100 day stitch book challenge begins on 1/17 and ends on 4/26

The 4th annual! 100 day Stitch Book Challenge begins next Friday January 17!

Committing to a do-able assignment and applying small consistent effort is as close to a magic formula as there is for growing creatively and getting unstuck.

will you join us for the 2025 challenge?

stitch club membership is open now

Don’t see the video above? Click here to view on youtube.

stitch book challenge 2025

Just like the three previous years I’m excited and also nervous to start. Daily practice is hard. But I can’t resist. Can you? I’ve got some ideas and lessons learned from the previous years to help you get ready.

thinking of the pages in pairs

Support the 100 day stitch book project and the always growing free pattern library.

make it easy

plan for the bad days

and if you do miss a day?

warm up

Will you join me in 100 days of stitching? Let us know in the comments.

onward!

ann

PS – LA friends – you are on my mind ❤️❤️❤️❤️

let’s talk about stick tree number one

and stick tree number two

let’s make some angry snowmen

you will need

Support free patterns like angry snowmen! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

They are silly! Silly is good. Do you know somebody who needs a disgruntled snowman? Let us know in the comments and check back next week for handmade christmas 2024!

projects made by customers and readers

let’s make turkey leg treat bags

you will need

Support free patterns like turkey legs! It’s been a priority here for years to create high quality free patterns (there are tons) on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left… Help keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Fill your drumstick with treats or treasures and tie shut.

I hope you stitch some drumsticks and happy Thansgiving!

FAQ

I hope you make elephants!

“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”
Linus Pauling