Stitch fish
Plus, a winner for the journal giveaway and treat yo'self to a new pin cushion
Hi friends, is March going out like a lion or a lamb where you live? It’s beautiful here, with everything greening up and my very favorite red bud trees just starting to bloom. And my other very favorite weeping cherry trees are about ready to pop. I bet in heaven the weeping cherry trees (and peonies) are always blooming.
\It’s Lent and in the Midwest that means Friday fish fry at every restaurant, Catholic church and social club. My husband and I make the rounds. I’m partial to the places that offer big slabs of homemade cake for dessert.
Speaking of fish, I thought I do a roundup of cuties you can stitch.




Congrats!
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway celebrating 500+ subscribers to Slow Stitching Circle! The winner was Beatrice from Joyful Soul Stitching. Take a look at her Substack to see her beautiful work.
Cushy cushion
I decided to treat myself to a new pin cushion, since my old one was literally bursting at the seams.
Here’s the new one:
Before I walk you through how I made it, I’m wondering if you’d like to support my stitching and writing habits with a small donation through Ko-Fi? (No pressure of course!)
To make the pin cushion, you basically make an oversized yo-yo (or Suffolk puff) and stuff it. Start by tracing a circle on a piece of fabric. Then stitch around the perimeter. Pull the stitching to gather the circle up. Add polyfil or any other stuffing material you have. I stuffed mine lightly so it would remain relatively flat.



Sew a button into the center, pulling it tightly. Use perle cotton to wrap the puff and give it a flower-like shape.



As you can see, there are plenty of needles in my pin cushion, when really I should be using a needlebook.
Well friends, that’s all for this month. I hope you find some time for peaceful stitching in our noisy world. Happy spring!
—Janice






So fun to see your article called Stitch Fish on the eve of April Fools. I was searching for vintage French postcards for April Fools muse and inspiration today. Cute pincushion too 🪡💕