Aimee Ray's Blog

 The all new little-dear.com is here!!

I've been working on a HUGE secret project all summer and I am SO excited to see it finally finished: the new little-dear.com has launched!!

The new site contains everything little dear, from here you can:

Shop for little dear craft patterns, kits, books, SVG files and moreLook through the Tutorials for lots of instructions, ideas and projectsCheck the Project Gallery for photos of finished embroidery samplersBrowse the Free Download Vault for tons of free projects and patternsVisit the little dear studio in an exclusive tour post!Join the little dear newsletter for updates, the Downloads Vault passcode and a $5 off coupon

It is all here for you! **This will be my last, official post here at blogspot, all future posts and updates will be at little-dear.com

The brilliant team at Aeolidia designed and built the new site, I used to work with them years ago doing illustration and have followed their projects ever since. It's been amazing to finally have them design my own home on the internet! They have truly created the site of my dreams. 

See you soon!! xo aimee

My friend Mollie Johanson has written the most adorable cross stitch book!! Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy! is out now and I am excited to be part of the blog tour this week. (Check the bottom of this post for the full schedule as well as details on how you can win a free copy!)
If you're familiar at all with Mollie's super cute style, you'll agree that she is the perfect person to design a book of baby patterns! Her sweet animals and color palettes make these projects so delightful and a joy to make and give. 

This book shows you everything you need to design your own baby gifts and announcements. It contains lots of patterns to mix and match: cute baby animals as well as borders and alphabets so you can create something super special and unique!



One of the best things you'll discover is how easy it is to create your own, personalized projects! You can put together and customize any of the design elements included to make the perfect pattern to fit your needs. You'll find detailed instructions and ideas for laying out your design, combining motifs, choosing colors, adding names and dates, as well as ways to frame and display your work when you're done. 


Even if baby gifts are not on your project list (yet) you will love this book for it's super easy, beginner's cross stitch instructions, and sweet little motifs and letters that are perfect for learning and practicing on! 


Here is the blog tour schedule for this week! Be sure to visit each stop, you'll find lots of chances to win a free copy of Bundle of Joy. To enter my giveaway, visit my post on Instagram at @aimee_littledear. Good Luck!
July 11 - Mollie Johansonblog.molliejohanson.com
July 12 - Clare Albanshttps://hellohooray.com

July 13 - Aimee Rayhttp://littledeartracks.blogspot.com

July 14 - Bev McCulloughhttps://flamingotoes.com
andCamille Ipsen
www.instagram.com/notsomodernmillie 

July 15 - Jess Swaimhttp://stitchxtocontinue.com 
July 16 - Danielle Webbhttps://sprinklesofzeal.com
andMollie Johansonblog.molliejohanson.com 

 

I am so excited to share my new book with you, Embroidered Mythical Creatures from C&T Publishing!  I’ve been a huge fantasy lover for as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawing unicorns, mermaids and dragons for as long as I could draw. So, putting all of my favorite mythical creatures into a book of iron-on transfer embroidery patterns has been a dream project for me! I think you’ll love stitching up these whimsical patterns as much as I loved drawing them. 
The book is available for pre-order now at C&T website as well as other online book sources.

The book includes more than 50 unique designs inspired by fairy tales and fantasy, as well as complete beginner’s embroidery instructions and stitch diagrams.

As a special early bonus, I have a cute little free pattern for you! This guy is one of my favorite mini motifs from the book. 

This little "butterfox" (fox-fly?) like most of my patterns, began as a tiny sketch in my sketchbook:

Here's the pattern:

Grab some supplies, download and Have fun! xo Aimee

 

I am so excited to share my new book with you, Embroidered Mythical Creatures from C&T Publishing!  I’ve been a huge fantasy lover for as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawing unicorns, mermaids and dragons for as long as I could draw. So, putting all of my favorite mythical creatures into a book of iron-on transfer embroidery patterns has been a dream project for me! I think you’ll love stitching up these whimsical patterns as much as I loved drawing them. 
The official blog tour is kicking off today, with chances to win a free copy of the book at every stop! Be sure to check the schedule at the end of this post and visit them all.

The book includes more than 50 unique designs inspired by fairy tales and fantasy, as well as complete beginner’s embroidery instructions and stitch diagrams.

As a special bonus, I have a cute little free pattern for you! This guy is one of my favorite mini motifs from the book. 

This little "butterfox" (fox-fly?) like most of my patterns, began as a tiny sketch in my sketchbook:
I love how this design looks all stitched up, you can find a step by step guide on how I embroidered mine today at the first stop on the tour, the C&T blog. You won't want to miss it! 
Download the pattern below, and Click here to stitch along with me.

Here's the tour schedule! You'll have a chance to enter at each stop along the way. Winners will be chosen and notified at the end of the tour, so be sure to leave your email or a way to contact you! :)
To enter here today, just leave a comment below, I'd love to hear what your favorite fantasy or fairy tale creature is!

Feb 28 C&T  https://www.ctpub.com/blog/
Aimee Rayhttp://littledeartracks.blogspot.com
March 1Jo Averyhttp://joavery.co.uk
March 2 Benzie Design https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials
March 3Wild Olive  http://wildolive.blogspot.com
March 4Carina’s Craft Blog https://www.carinascraftblog.com
March 7little dear Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/littledear
Snuggly Monkey https://www.snugglymonkey.com/blogs/news
March 8Cozy Blue Handmadehttps://cozybluehandmade.com/blogs/blog


Good Luck and happy stitching!xo Aimee

Share tea with me? I made this pattern long ago but I thought it was a good time to share it again. How many fights and misunderstandings could be avoided if we all just sat down to share a pot of tea, talk, understand and love each other? (Maybe even stitch something together?)

Here's the free pattern to download, stitch and meditate on working together to make the world a happier, safer place for all. 
<3 Aimee

Another woodland creatures fix is coming to Patreon subscribers in March! (you know I can' t go too long without one) Come visit Patreon.com/littledear to join and get these exclusive new designs to stitch and love.

I got this image in my head of a blue raccoon several weeks ago, and it wouldn't leave me alone. So these guys were born! It might be an odd choice, but I quite like them. :) My plan was also to use a very limited, monochromatic color palette for a change. This design will use only 3 floss colors. I think it will be fun to stitch! The sampler will be on the way to Stitch-a-Long subscribers early March.

All new woodland animal friends patterns are coming to Felt Friends subscribers, Skunk, Bear and Beaver. Aren't they sweet? 

I can't wait to share these new designs with you! Come join us at Patreon.com/littledear and stitch with us!

xo Aimee

 

Hey guys, I've got something super fun and new for you from little dear! Have you ever used Stick and Stitch embroidery patterns before? They are a really easy way to embellish clothing, linens or any other fabric craft project you're working on. 

I've just added 3 new Stick and Stitch packs to my shop, choose Woodland, Floral or Celestial themed designs to embroider and love!

These little one-use stickers are so easy, just peel the back and adhere to your fabric, stitch through sticker and fabric together, then rinse away the sticker with warm water. Be creative, use whatever colors and stitches you like!
I hope you'll try these out, I know you'll love them!Find all three sets at littledear.etsy.com
xo Aimee

 

I love to see the leaves falling all around, they come in so many beautiful colors.They inspired me to create these unique felt leaf designs for Fall and I'm so excited to share these new patterns with little dear Patreon subscribers in November!! 

I know you'll find so many uses for these fun, felt leaves, they make lovely garlands, wreaths, ornaments, table top decor and more. Felt Friends subscribers at Patreon will get the PDF pattern download to make them, it also includes SVG files for Cricut and Silhouette users, and some extra tips for tinting your felt leaves with chalk pastels! I know you'll want to make a whole pile to jump in.

Stitch-a-Long subscribers will receive this Fruit and Veggies Harvest embroidery sampler! This is the perfect companion to the mini Sweets we stitched a few months ago. (Everyone needs a balanced diet, right?)

If you'd love to get an all new felt sewing pattern download, or fabric embroidery sampler each month, please come join us at Patreon.com/littledear, we'd love to stitch with you! Subscribe by November 1 to get one (or both!) of these exclusive new designs. There's a little dear craft club that's perfect for you.

Now is a great time to start making ornaments and decorations for all your upcoming holiday and gift needs. And it's even more perfect because today and tomorrow only, ALL felt and printable/SVG downloads are 40% off at little dear and little dear prints!

All of my printable downloads at littledearprintshop.etsy.com (and most of my felt patterns) also include SVG files for your Cricut and Silhouette machines. Your crafting possibilities are endless!
This is my biggest sale this year and its only for 2 days!! Come grab all of your favorite downloads you've been saving, and get creative for the holidays.

xo aimee

 

I'm so excited to share these creepy cute new patterns with little dear Patreon subscribers in October!! 

I LOVE Fall, October and decorating for Halloween, I always have so much fun designing new projects this time of year.

Patreon Stitch-a-Long subscribers will receive this Autumn Tree embroidery sampler with a spooky secret..

I had to get out the Glow in the Dark floss for this one!! (It's DMC E940) I love how the white creepy bits aren't so noticeable at first glance. I think the design works well even with plain white floss, but of course, glow in the dark is extra fun if you are able to pick some up. 

Felt Friends subscribers will be getting the PDF download pattern for cute Skelly and Spidey! Skeletons are a fave of mine and this guy is extra special because he's jointed and posable! You'll have lots of fun stitching and playing with him and his little spidery pal.

Come join us at Patreon.com/littledear by October 1 to get one (or both!) of these exclusive new designs! There's a little dear craft club that's perfect for you.