My Latest Release...

Hello and happy August to you all! :o)

I can't believe the summer is almost over... this year is certainly flying by! I mentioned on social media, recently, that my goal for the rest of 2019 is to catch up on releasing more of my previously published designs in my Etsy shop. I am pleased to announce that my 'Herbs Sampler', which was originally published in Issue 270 of The World of Cross Stitching magazine (August 2018) is now available here.

My 'Herbs Sampler' ~ first published in issue 270 of The World of Cross Stitching magazine,
August 2018 ~ photo credit: WOXS

This design is a personal favourite and was well received by WOXS readers last summer. I really enjoyed the process of creating an English country kitchen style sampler and was inspired by my collection of glass jars and classic blue & white china, which I decided to depict as 'flower pots' for the various herb varieties I am most familiar with (many of these grow in our home garden).

To help me get this design ready for my Etsy shop, my lovely Mum in New Zealand offered to stitch the model, as she planned to display the finished sampler in her kitchen/dining area. As you can imagine, I was more than happy to have her do that - she definitely saved me a lot of time! Mum had the model all beautifully stitched and custom framed by the time we visited NZ earlier this year, so we were able to take photos of it during our stay. I absolutely love her choice of cream aida and painted wooden frame, the combination gives the piece such a soft and delicate look. Thanks again, Mum! x

Herbs Sampler by home♥stitch♥ness

My 'Herbs Sampler' has been popular since I released the chart a few weeks ago and it's lovely to see an older design do well for a second time around. If you missed the design when it was first published in the magazine, now is your chance to stitch this pretty sampler for yourself! :o)

Enjoy the rest of your summer and - as always - happy stitching!

Jenny x

Time for a Catch Up...

Why, hello there! 

It's been over a year since I blogged and it is very much time to dust off the cobwebs and post an update. My oh my, where to begin? So much has happened! I think I will start with my most recent news and then work my way back through the last few months...

I have two brand new designs and the one I'd like to share with you today is a lovely little strawberry sampler called 'Berries in a Basket', which is available as a PDF pattern in my Etsy shop. This 'berry sweet' design has quickly become a best seller and I am ever so grateful - thank you! :o)

'Berries in a Basket' by home♥stitch♥ness

I've received lots of encouraging feedback about this pattern, most notably stitchers seem to really like it because it is a spring/summer themed design featuring a red cardinal, while typically we see red cardinals mostly in winter/Christmas patterns - something that never even crossed my mind when the idea came to me originally, so I find it interesting that this aspect has turned out to be such a novelty. 

The other comment many people have made is that they really like the fact that both a male and female cardinal are featured. Personally, I think female cardinals are just as beautiful as their male counterparts, so I wanted to make this pretty lady equally rich in colour using mostly golden thread... don't they make the cutest wee couple? :o) I should also mention that the chart caters for those of you that might wish to stitch a different bird by offering two other options, including a pair of European red robins and South Pacific silver eyes.

'Berries in a Basket' by home♥stitch♥ness

As a designer, it's always good to hear what resonates with an audience, as it really helps me when looking to turn more ideas into future cross stitch projects. I can't wait to show you my other release, soon - it's an autumn design, so for those of you ready to start your fall stitching, it may be your next new start! ;o)

Until then - happy stitching!

Jenny x

Give Thanks Cross Stitch Pattern

Hello Stitchers! 

Once again, it has been a couple of months since I last updated the website/blog, but if you have been following along with me on Instagram or Facebook you will know that this week I released the pattern I have been working on for... well, most of the year! I am excited to introduce my late summer/autumn inspired design 'Give Thanks'.

'Give Thanks' by home♥stitch♥ness

The phrase 'Give Thanks' is a sentiment that means a lot to me and is something I try to remind myself to do on a daily basis. For this design, I knew I wanted to stitch a floral garland with a prominent sunflower and the colours I chose seemed to lead me in the direction of an autumn harvest theme, with lots of red, orange, gold and brown threads used. Also, I could not resist including another little monarch butterfly to the design, as well - it was such a popular addition to my 'Summer Garland' pattern that it deserved to be featured again!

'Give Thanks' by home♥stitch♥ness

'Give Thanks' has been flying off the virtual shelves in my Etsy shop over the past couple of days and for a limited time, you can purchase the PDF at the special introductory price of just US$4.50. The design is quite large and fits perfectly in a 10"/25cm embroidery hoop for framing. With the autumn months just around the corner here in the Northern Hemisphere, it would be the perfect design to stich as part of your fall decor this year, and especially for the celebration of Thanksgiving! :o)

Happy stitching!  
Jenny x

Anniversary Sale...

Hi everyone! Just popping in to let you know that this week marks THREE YEARS since my original four home♥stitch♥ness design releases were accepted into several needlework stores throughout New Zealand! What a journey it has been since then...

To celebrate this anniversary, I want to let you know that there is a SALE happening all week over in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop! If you've had your eye on any patterns, you can receive 40% off by entering the code 'ANNIVERSARY' at check out. :o)

Thank you so much for your continued interest and support - I appreciate you all!

Jenny x

New Little Kiwi Cross Stitch Pattern...

Hi friends! Just wanted to let you know that my latest design - 'Little Kiwi Chick' is ready! The PDF cross stitch pattern is now available in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop for just NZ$5.00 - this special introductory price will only last until the end of October.

'Little Kiwi Chick' by home♥stitch♥ness

It has been a while since I released a 100% NZ design and this little Kiwi was so much fun to stitch! This 5" hoop art would make a super cute handmade gift for a new baby, for friends and family living overseas (read: Christmas!) or it could even be a great project to use when teaching your child how to cross stitch!

The pattern includes nine different gingham colour options.

The Kiwi can be stitched facing either left or right and you can choose from 9 different gingham colour options. I enjoyed stitching this one so much that I am going to make another one for our son's room - in blue, this time :o)

Happy stitching!
Jenny x

Summer Garland Cross Stitch Pattern

I am back again with another new design!

The 'Summer Garland' pattern is now available as a PDF download in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop! Here in the US summer has now faded into autumn, but I know everyone in the Southern Hemisphere is very excited that spring has finally arrived and the anticipation of summer is on your minds! So here is a design inspired by some of my favourite florals and the monarch butterflies that have frequented our garden over the past few months...

'Summer Garland' by home♥stitch♥ness

This pattern is listed at a special introductory price until the end of the month, so be quick and download your copy today!

Happy stitching!
Jenny x

Another Christmas Design!

I haven't been updating this website/blog as frequently as I should have, lately. I'm not entirely sure how wide a reach it actually has compared to my social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram, however I do have an exciting announcement to make - there is a new Christmas pattern in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop!

'Flowering Poinsettia' by home♥stitch♥ness 

I find that inspiration often strikes in threes, for me. This time last year, I had released my Pohutukawa and Red Flowering Gum hoop art designs but ran out of time to stitch the Poinsettia version, which was bouncing around my head as well. I decided to wait and release it this year instead.

I am pleased to say that there are now three different home♥stitch♥ness Christmas hoop art ornament patterns available. I have updated the 2014 hoops with a splash of gold paint to match the Poinsettia hoop and couldn't be happier with how the gold has added some extra Christmas sparkle to these designs!

'Flowering Poinsettia', 'Flowering Gum' & 'Flowering Pohutukawa' cross stitch patterns by home♥stitch♥ness

ALL THREE CHRISTMAS DESIGNS ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE for a limited time only - no code is necessary! It's never too early to get started on some Christmas stitching! :o)

Jenny x

New Design :: Four Seasons in Australia ::

Hi everyone! Just popping in to announce a new pattern release - 'Four Seasons in Australia' by home♥stitch♥ness. If you have been following me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have noticed that my recent stitching project looked familiar. Two years ago I released 'Four Seasons in New Zealand' and it quickly became a popular design. For quite a while now, I've had the idea of designing an Australian version since there are so many similarities between our two countries and I am pleased to say that it is now done!

'Four Seasons in Australia' by home♥stitch♥ness

For comparison, I'll post a photo of 'Four Seasons in New Zealand' below. As you can see, there are a number of similarities between the designs. Most of the colours are the same and it was easy to turn a few New Zealand icons into Australian ones - for example I switched the kowhai flowers with wattle and the pohutukawa flower with a red flowering gum blossom. The sheep farm is very similar, but instead of poplars I added a few gum trees on the horizon and a red earth lane leading up through the farmland. The autumn panel has lots of gum nuts scattered about and my favourite of all the miniature scenes is the beach with the 'beach boxes' - inspired by the bright and colourful Mornington Peninsula beach boxes that my relatives took me to visit when I was a teenager - they are so cool!

'Four Seasons in New Zealand' by home♥stitch♥ness

These patterns are really FUN to stitch! There are so many little pictures that make up the design that it is easy to stitch one scene at a time and see a lot of progress in a short time! Celebrate the changing seasons in our countries by stitching one of these designs! 

The 'Four Seasons in Australia' instant download/PDF pattern is available in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop for a special introductory price of NZD $7.00 (approximately AUD $6.60) until the end of March. I have also put 'Four Seaons in New Zealand' on sale for a limited time as well - for just NZ $12.00 you can receive your hard copy pattern (which includes 4 x red star buttons to be sewn onto the NZ flag) in the mail and postage is free anywhere in the world!

As always, happy stitching! :o)

Jenny

First Pattern Release of 2015...

Hello! And Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is off to a very good start for you all! 

I am pleased to introduce the first home♥stitch♥ness pattern release for 2015 - 'Love Blossoms' - a delicate floral heart shaped wreath inspired by the pretty pink and white flowers of the Tea Tree, which is native to both South East Australia and New Zealand (and is a variety in the Myrtle family). 

'Love Blossoms' cross stitch design by home♥stitch♥ness

The Tea Tree (or 'Mānuka', as it is known in New Zealand) is valued for it's essential oil and the amazing health benefits of pure 'Mānuka Honey' that is naturally produced in New Zealand from the nectar found in Mānuka blossom - hence the option of stitching a sweet little honey bee has been included on this design. Create a beautiful future heirloom to display in your home or give as a gift.

The finished design is approximately 4.75" wide x 3.75" high or 12cm wide x 9.5cm high when stitched on the recommended fabric count (16 count aida or 32 count linen) and the finished project fits perfectly in a 5" x 7" photo frame. The PDF pattern is available in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop for the special introductory price of NZ $6.00. 

Happy Stitching! :o)

Jenny x

New Designs and a New Direction...

Hello! It has been so long since I last posted here! Family life keeps me very busy, but I still manage to find a bit of time for stitching and if you follow me on Instagram (where I tend to post more updates - you can find me @homestitchness) you will have seen a few sneak peeks of what I've been working on lately... 

I began preparing for Christmas back in June - early, I know - but I'd had a couple of design ideas simmering away and to have them ready for release and to give people time to stitch them before the holiday season, I needed to get a head start!

Today I am very excited to present the following Christmas Ornament designs to you - the patterns are available now in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop as PDF downloads. 

Flowering Pohutukawa Christmas Ornament
home♥stitch♥ness

Vibrant Pohutukawa flowers bursting into bloom with leaves that form a Pacifica style pattern.

Flowering Gum Christmas Ornament
home♥stitch♥ness

Vivid Gum Flowers in bloom, forming a unique pattern. Another, large white flower appears in the centre when you look at this design and focus on edges of the gum leaves.

Yes - a New Zealand themed ornament AND an Australian themed ornament! It occurred to me a while ago, as I was working on a Pohutukawa flower pattern, that among the many things New Zealand and Australia share in common is a red flower that blooms during the summer months and symbolises Christmas. Even to look at, the similarities between the Pohutukawa and Gum blossom are striking. I realised that by tweaking my Pohutukawa flower pattern a little, I could create a Flowering Gum pattern using the same colours I was already working with and I am very pleased with the way both have turned out - these designs look like they belong together, don't they? Just like the unique camaraderie between New Zealanders and Australians and the way our countries tend to stick together in this great big wide world. 

Where I grew up in Northland, New Zealand, you see Pohutukawa trees everywhere and native Australian flora also thrives in the sub-tropical climate there. I have a love and appreciation of these treasured flowers and wanted to capture the brightness of summer and happiness of Christmas in both New Zealand and Australia through these designs.

These ornaments also represent the beginning of a new direction for home♥stitch♥ness - along with continuing to focus on my New Zealand designs, I also have several Australian designs currently in the works, too, which will start to become available as soon as I can stitch them up! I am excited to explore this new area of design and creativity.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of my work! Both patterns are available as PDF downloads at the special introductory price of NZ $5.00 each (through the rest of October) in the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop. 

As always, happy stitching!

Jenny x

Etsy Sale...

Just to let you know, for the rest of March, I am holding a birthday sale over at the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop! Receive 25% off your purchase by entering coupon code ONEYEAROLD at checkout. Free postage worldwide still applies on all patterns (does not include kits). Thank you for your support over the past year! Jenny x

The 2014 New Releases Are Here!

Hello Stitch Friends,

Today is the 31st of January in New Zealand and I am so happy to finally be able to show you the three new home♥stitch♥ness designs that I've been working on over the past several months! Currently they are available exclusively through the home♥stitch♥ness Etsy shop. If you can't pick a favourite and would like to stitch more than one design, I have included a couple of pattern bundle listings so that you can purchase two or three charts at discounted prices.



Together these three designs make up 'The Home Collection' and look lovely on display by themselves, in a pair or as a trio. I thought I would share with you below the inspiration behind them all. As you will have noticed by my original releases, I love cottages - especially the classic New Zealand Villa - but I'm also very interested in interior design and the pretty things we surround ourselves with, that make a house a HOME. 

♥ Bless Our Home ♥

I love hydrangeas so much and miss the huge blooms that flourish in New Zealand's climate. Where we live in the USA, the cold winters prevent hydrangeas from growing very big. The white hydrangeas are by far the most suitable for our zone... however the blue flowers are my favourite!

I love the look of cut hydrangeas in a vase and this design was inspired by the iconic New Zealand Crown Lynn Swan - I admire the simple elegance those vases bring to a room. I chose the phrase 'Bless Our Home' to accompany the design as the phrase has such a peaceful sound to it and I often pray those three little words over our family home.

♥ Home Sweet Home ♥

I am always inspired by pretty colours, gorgeous fabrics and classic patterns. Needless to say, I absolutely adore patchwork quilts! I have dabbled in patchwork a little in the past and it is on my list of personal goals to make a huge quilt one day... however it seems like such a huge project to take on, I'm sure it will take me quite a while! In the meantime, I have designed and made a cross stitch quilt :o)

To me, quilts are all about feeling comfortable and cosy at home and appreciating the love that is poured into creating something special for your family. I felt the phrase 'Home Sweet Home' was perfect for this design and I personalised it by adding 'EST. ♥ 2002' as that is the year my husband and I got married. If you don't have a particular date in mind to personalise the design with, you could always put your initials and the year you stitched the design, which is very traditional.

♥ Welcome ♥

This pretty little tea party scene was inspired by my eclectic collection of china and such. We all want to create a warm and inviting home to welcome friends and family alike and what better way to do so than with tea and refreshments! 

The tea cup and saucer is inspired by the distinctive tulip shape of the Crown Lynn Colour Glaze collection and the little jug is very reminiscent of Cornish Ware. I love tea cosies and again - I am wanting to make one just like this one, with crocheted roses on top - but for now I have stitched it instead :o) I felt the word 'Welcome' perfectly summed up this design that I imagine will look lovely on display in kitchens everywhere.

So, there you have it - the 2014 home♥stitch♥ness new design releases! Which one is your favourite? Do tell :o)

Jenny x