• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Welcome
  • Family Recipes
  • Let's Celebrate
  • Book Club
Home » Blog » Mom Life » Crafting » Sweet and whimsical travel themed patterns for getting started with cross stitch

Sweet and whimsical travel themed patterns for getting started with cross stitch

Aug 19, 2015 by Tiffany Dahle

  • Share
  • Yummly
  • Tweet

These adorable travel-themed cross stitch patterns are perfect for mixing into a vacation photo wall gallery.

affiliate-linksIt's been a rough couple of weeks over here. We've had some family things to deal with behind the scenes and now I'm facing sending off Little Pea to Kindergarden in just a few days. Big changes and life challenges are leaving me feeling a bit out of sorts.

When life gets a little too crazy, I tend to retreat into creative projects as a coping mechanism. I have learned in the last couple years how I am completely addicted and drawn to colorful objects. I think some of my favorite hobbies started because of an initial attraction to color and pattern. I love to quilt and sew simple things and I've done countless cross stitching projects over the years. But since our crazy move a few years ago, both of those loves have been set aside.

The other day I fell down a creative wormhole. My stress levels were at a peak and I wanted a happy distraction. This is how my own personal "If you give a mouse a cookie" moment went:

I got an email newsletter from the Fat Quarter Shop (if you are even remotely interested in sewing, I highly recommend a peek) that mentioned the new fabric line by Bonnie & Camille was now available. It made me realize it had been months and months since I had seen an update from Camille on her blog Simplify. I have been a longtime fan of everything she designs and shares, her entire blog is pure eye candy to me.

Camille doesn't blog much anymore but she is active on Instagram. I realized I wasn't following her over there so I took a peek at what she has been sharing recently. Which is how I finally discovered Satsuma Street by Jody Rice over on Etsy.

Camille showed off her finished Pretty Little London project and it immediately jumped out at me as I scrolled through her pictures.

  • Colorful? Check!
  • Whimsical? Check!
  • Travel Themed? Check!

Seriously, how adorable are these city scape pieces?? I spotted London, Paris, Italy, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York, Chicago all in her drool worthy shop:

Getting started with cross stitching

But you know how I was finally sold??

Check out that colorful castle in the bottom right photo above. Does that remind you of anything?

I immediately gasped upon seeing it and thought: "She's designed It's a Small World!"

It's a Small World | Disneyland

Sure enough, Jody's Etsy listing for the pattern says she is highly inspired by Mary Blair, the designer for the Small World attraction at Disney:

"I'm a huge fan of the artist Mary Blair, who was a designer in the 50's and 60's. This design is my little tribute to her, inspired by her concepts for It's A Small World. A little happy city just waiting to be stitched by you! A finished piece from this pattern would make an amazing gift for any vintage Disney fan."

I immediately purchased London & Paris as a set because I was drawn into the little double decker buses in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But I have my eyes on Italy and the Small World-inspired castle next.

Getting started with cross stitching

The basic supplies you need to get started cross stitching:

If you're just getting started with cross stitching, all you really need are a few simple tools. 

  1. A frame to hold your fabric. Skip the traditional round hoops (they're TERRIBLE) and grab this 8-inch Q-snap frame. It is easier on your fabric, the perfect size to hold, and easy to adjust.
  2. A set of stitching needles, I prefer this size.
  3. A small, sharp scissors. How cute is this peacock one??
  4. Fabric: many beginners use Aida cloth where the holes are obvious and clear. But, if you want a tiny extra challenge and a much more professional looking project at the end, I HIGHLY recommend attempting to sew on linen. I selected this natural colored linen which is a large enough piece to trim down and get at least 4 of the patterns from Jody to fit. In person it is a slightly lighter color than burlap and has a nice rustic feel to it.
  5. Thread: You can buy sets online, but for specific projects you're better off heading to a local craft store to get what you need. All the colors have a number & a name to reference and thread is the cheapest part of this endeavor.
  6. Optional extra: I love having my threads neatly organized in this plastic container. It keeps things from being tangled and I can find exactly what I need with a glance.

Share this:

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Previous Post: « 4 back to school organization tips that will save your sanity
Next Post: Welcome to North Carolina: Making new family memories after a big move »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenn

    May 18, 2020 at 9:06 am

    I loved doing this when I was on school I think I still have one in my sewing kit ,I should get it out and finish it.. I would love to see on Pinterest an adult party (bday) theme ...mine is coming up on in July and I would love to see some of your ideas and themes would be great . I love country- or themes!!!❤️🙌

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pattern Blog says:
    July 31, 2016 at 3:42 am

    This Pattern Is A Whimsical

    [...] fit. In person it is a slightly lighter color than burlap and has a nice rustic [...]

    Reply
  2. FREE crochet pouch pattern any beginner can make in time for Christmas says:
    December 12, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    […] Sweet and whimsical travel themed patterns for getting started with cross stitch […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Tiffany! I'm a mom to two sweet peanuts and author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids. I love to celebrate the seasons and make time for monthly book club fun.

More about me →

Popular

  • The best book club picks for 2021 for busy women who want FUN books
  • 10-minute Trader Joe's meals: the best busy night dinners in a hurry!
  • Make ahead breakfast burritos are magic on busy mornings
  • The only homemade chicken soup you need this flu season

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2021