Elephants!

Just thought I'd share the latest pattern in progress...a cross stitch elephant pincushion!  This is actually going to be a biscornu, which I had never heard of until recently, but they are all the rage in needlework these days.  They're made with two squares of fabric that are offset, which gives them a funny shape.  I thought it would be fun to put my modern cross stitch spin on the biscornu, but I've never made one, so hopefully it turns out well.  If it works, the pattern should be in the shop next week!

New Patterns on Satsuma Street!

So much has been going on since launching the shop, it's been hard to keep up with blogging!  But there are lots of new, modern and hip cross stitch patterns available in my etsy shop!  This latest pattern is a new favorite of mine...it's Pretty Little Tokyo!

  Like my other city patterns, Pretty Little Tokyo channels the design sensibility of Mary Blair and It's a Small World, while bringing in modern elements such as Tokyo's Cocoon Tower and Skytree.  This pattern looks so lovely as a companion piece to my other travel themed patterns, Pretty Little Paris and Pretty Little London!  I'm so happy with how this one turned out, and I hope other modern cross stitchers agree!

In other news, I'm also blogging now on tumblr!  I'm using my tumblr page as a place to collect my favorite photos of colorful, hip embroidery and needlework; cheerful color palettes; and inspiring graphic design.  So check me out at satsumastreet.tumblr.com!

Greetings!

Hey.  Hi.  What's up?

I love welcome signs of all kinds, so I designed this cross stitch sampler as a modern, happy version of all my favorite ways to say hello!  With each word in a different font, it's a perfect project or gift for a font nerd like myself.  Available in the Satsuma Street etsy shop here!

Pretty Little City!

I thought I'd start the blog off by introducing the different modern cross-stitch patterns I'm selling in the shop!

First up is my personal favorite, and by far the most popular design in the shop right now, Pretty Little City.  This pattern is inspired by one of my favorite artists,  Mary Blair.  If you don't know Mary Blair's name, you almost certainly know her work...she was a concept artist and designer at Disney in the 1950's and 60's, and her designs were featured in Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Peter Pan, along with many other animated features.  But she is perhaps best known as the designer behind the beloved "It's a Small World" ride in Disneyland.

I've loved Blair's work for a long time, and when I started designing cross-stitch patterns, I couldn't help but be influenced by her colorful, graphic style.  So this pattern, Pretty Little City, is my tribute to her.  I loved stitching it up, and couldn't help but use just about every color of the rainbow!  If you buy the pattern I provide a floss color key so you can match my choices, but I also think this would be a great way to explore your own color choices and come up with your own palette.  I can't wait to see how different cross stitchers interpret this one!

I think this would make such a great gift for a fan of Mary Blair or vintage Disneyland.  It would also make an adorable addition to a modern baby's room or nursery!  If you'd like to purchase the Pretty Little City pattern, you can find it in my shop on etsy, Satsuma Street!  

welcome to Satsuma Street!

so glad you found me!  this is where I'll be posting updates on all the goings-on around Satsuma Street Designs.  the first big piece of news is that my etsy shop is finally open!  I'm starting out small, offering five really fun, modern cross-stitch patterns.  I'm working on more patterns as we speak, and soon I'll be adding counted cross-stitch kits, embroidery patterns, and more!