If you’ve ever wondered what dedication, creativity, and organization look like in the world of needlework, look no further than Carolyn. A passionate stitcher since 1961, Carolyn has spent nearly six decades creating beautiful cross-stitch projects—and she’s as meticulous about preserving and displaying her work as she is about stitching it.
Organization That Inspires
Carolyn isn’t just a creator—she’s an archivist.
Her impressive system includes:
- Binders by designer and subject, each filled with charts.
- Ready-to-stitch projects, fully prepared with all supplies, sorted by subject.
- Yearly binders documenting her personal projects, complete with photos, fabric samples, designer info, and project costs. She maintains both hard-copy and digital records, ensuring her work is preserved for posterity.
Carolyn’s meticulously organized binders hold decades of needlework charts and finished projects, ready to inspire her next creation.
Artistic Displays in Unexpected Places
Carolyn’s talent extends beyond her stitching; she’s a master of display. Her creative flair transforms everyday spaces into showcases for her work:
Guest Bathroom: Cross-stitches arranged like wallpaper create a whimsical, conversation-starting gallery.
Guests often comment on Carolyn’s guest bathroom, where cross-stitches form a playful, wallpaper-like display.
Laundry Room: Even a small space can shine! With a vintage ironing board and a few strategic shelves, Carolyn has turned this utilitarian room into a mini exhibition.
A small laundry room becomes a creative gallery, with cross-stitches and a vintage ironing board adding charm and function.
Kitchen Peninsula: While most people reserve this space for stools, Carolyn rotates vintage food tins, metal picnic baskets, tools, and cross-stitches—a blend of function and art.
Carolyn’s unique display under the kitchen peninsula combines practical storage with seasonal cross-stitch showcases.
Entry Hallway: A printer’s type drawer display stays year-round, ensuring every wall is filled with charm.
Even the entryway is full of life and stories, thanks to Carolyn’s printer’s type drawer display and rotating x-stitches.
Master Bedroom: A 5-panel folding screen acts as both curtain and gallery, showcasing seasonal and autumn-themed cross-stitches amid thriving houseplants.
Seasonal cross-stitches shine on a folding screen in Carolyn’s master bedroom, where plants enjoy filtered light.
Storage Room: Seasonal projects, fabric stash, and photo albums live in organized binders. Every item has its place, making it easy to rotate and enjoy her collection throughout the year.
Carolyn’s storage room houses seasonal cross-stitches, binders of fabric, and photo albums, keeping everything ready for her next creative display.
A Life of Craft and Memory
Carolyn’s dedication isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about preserving memories. Each stitch tells a story, from moves during her husband’s military career to everyday joys at home. Her storage and display solutions reflect a lifetime of crafting ingenuity and organizational mastery.
Inspiration for All Makers
Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a beginner, Carolyn’s approach offers valuable lessons:
- Keep supplies and projects organized by subject or readiness.
- Document your work with photos, samples, and notes.
- Don’t shy away from creative displays—even small or unconventional spaces can shine.
- Preserve memories as much as the craft itself.
Carolyn proves that needlework is more than a hobby—it’s a lifelong art form, a way to create, preserve, and share joy with everyone who enters your home. Her spaces, both big and small, are living galleries of a life stitched with care and passion.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Carolyn for generously sharing her decades of needlework, her creative displays, and her incredible organizational skills with us. Her passion, dedication, and ingenuity are truly inspiring, and we’re so grateful to get a glimpse into the world she has lovingly stitched and curated over nearly 60 years. Thank you, Carolyn, for letting us celebrate your artistry and your remarkable journey in needlework!