Heather from Silver Lotus

This week's Blogger of the Week has been an online friend of mine for many years now.  She runs a great SAL which encourages us all to get at least 12 finishes per year!  That is, if you manage to complete a Small each month.   She's a fellow Teresa Wentzler fan and her list of TW designs has to be seen to be believed!  Please welcome Heather from

Stitching Lotus

1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

My name is Heather. I live just north of Toronto, Canada with my husband and son in a cozy little house full of yarn, stitching, and Lego.

2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

I’ve been stitching since some time in middle school (that’s grades 6-8), which means I’ve been stitching for more than 25 years. My grandmother had actually tried to teach me to stitch when I was much younger, but I was hopeless. Then, on a shopping trip with my mom down in the U.S. I came across a stamped cross stitch design that I loved. I bought it, stitched it up and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’d like to think my grandma would be very proud of me.

3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start? Is there a story behind your blog title?

I’ve been blogging since July 2003, and most of those posts are still available on my blog. However, my focus was different back then (more based on Tarot, etc.) and I’ve culled some of earlier posts. Back then my blog was called Reflections in the Pond and it was an extension of another site I ran. I changed focus to needlework back in 2009, and I changed the name to Stitching Lotus (a play on my alias of Silverlotus) in 2012.

I started blogging about my needlework because I wanted a place I could share what I was working on. At the time I didn’t have many real life stitching friends, and the ones I had I rarely saw. I get out a bit more now (especially since my son is no longer a baby), but I’m still very shy and sharing things online is much easier for me.

4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?

I jump around a lot, even though I would love to be more focused. For the past few years I’ve been trying to focus more on special projects, like the stockings I’m stitching for my family. I also start and complete a small project every month for a stitch along that I host.

5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

Teresa Wentzler is my favourite designer. She is so talented, and I think we have all missed out on so many wonderful designs due to her retiring from designing.

Overall, I’m very drawn to more realistic (or at least not cartoony) fantasy designs. Mirabilia and Passione Ricamo are some more of my favourites. I also really like Jennifer Aikman-Smith’s designs—her dragons are just adorable. And an honourable mention goes to Laura Dickson of Enchanting Lair. Her outlined dragons and clever book and box designs are wonderful.

Canvaswork is another passion of mine, and I especially love the work of Carolyn Mitchel and Lorene Salt.

Curves and Corners by Lorena Salt

6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

It is really hard to choose just one. But if pressed I would say Chang Er Moon Goddess by Pinn Stitch that hangs in my bedroom. It doesn’t have any beads or speciality stitches; nothing makes it flashy or special looking, I just happen to really love it.

Chang Er Moon Goddess by Pinn Stitch

7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

I was about a third of the way through Dragon Dream’s Santa’s Dragon, on hand-dyed fabric, when I realized that it was so badly off centre I wouldn’t have anywhere near enough fabric on one side to stitch it all let alone frame it. Instead of picking it all out I just binned the whole thing. It made me feel so much better!

8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

I’ve got a kit from Gingerbread Girl Designs for a technique called Casalguidi embroidery. It is a set of absolutely beautiful cupcakes with all the materials for stitching and finishing. But, to be honest, I’m very nervous about starting it. I don’t want to mess it up!

Another Gingerbread Girl design - Lilies

9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

I have piles of things that need to be made into ornaments or frame. They live in a box in my craft room closet waiting for the day I finally get around to them.

My favourite way to finish something is to make it an ornament. That’s why I love doing smalls on perforated paper—add a hanger and you’re done!

Gingerbread Christmas House by Douglas Designs

10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

Nearly all of them, I think. I rarely stitch something I don’t like, even as a request or commission. (In fact I almost never do commissions since stitching is my hobby not my job, and I want to keep it fun and relaxing.)

11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything!

I lick my floss and sometimes I tie knots. Oh, and my backs aren’t very neat!

12. Anything you would like to add?

Don’t be afraid to change designs. You are the boss of your stitching, so change colours, use a different fabric, leave things out or add things. Create something that you will be proud to hang in your home.