I was in my final year of college when depression hit me hard. As I looked for things to help me cope, I turned to a hobby I had learned from my mother and grandmother when I was younger: cross-stitch. It was simple enough to pick back up easily, and difficult enough to hold my attention when my mind started wandering to dark places.
While waiting for a doctor appointment, I came across an article in Martha Stewart Living about cross-stitch family portraits. I liked the idea, but felt the designs could use some tweaking, so I took a few creative liberties and developed a unique style of cross-stitch character that I really liked. I made my first Stitch People portrait—a family portrait of my immediate family, complete with pets and spouses—for my mom for Christmas that year.
Now, Stitch People helps stitchers all over the world make their own personalized and meaningful portraits to gift to family and friends. From celebrating birthdays and graduations, to commemorating life's big moments like anniversaries, retirements, and new family additions, a Stitch People portrait can be just the thing to help expand your creativity and bring you and your loved ones together.