The ultimate mindfulness project for people who stitch
Embroidery Journals or Thread Journals as they are sometimes known, are wonderful creations.
They are so simple in concept and if you stick with it and manage to complete your year of stitches then the resulting embroidery is really beautiful and well worth the time and effort involved.
However…
Its not as simple as it looks!
Here’s my 2021 attempt! I had a great start and was managing to keep up with my little stitcheries and then boom, the odd day I didn’t do it, turned in to the odd few and before I knew it I was playing catch up continually. I had to give it up eventually as it was more of a chore than a joy and thats not why I stitch! It has to be fun!!!

So, for those of you like me who love the idea of creating a visually stimulating array of motifs, but don’t want to be tied down by it, I thought it would be fun to tweak the original concept a little bit so it is more attainable for the less committed!
Embroidery Journal ‘made easy’
I have designed 2 different templates for you to choose from using the traditional format of 12 divisions – 1 for each month of the year…

Why is this journal easier than the usual?
- The big difference is this is 8 inches in size. Most embroidery journals are 10 or 12 inches which can be a lot of space to fill and become pretty overwhelming.
- There are over 150 hand drawn motifs ready and done for you – there is something for every occasion if you are struggling for your own ideas.
- This is not about stitching something every day this is a relaxed project that fits in with you – no need to play catch up and remember what you had for breakfast yesterday!
- If you haven’t stitched for a few days or even a month – fill the space with stitches – they are fun, need no thinking about and can be used for all spaces big and small!
Will it still look as amazing as a traditional journal?
Of course!
I had fun playing around with the Icons available with the template and here’s how it might look if you are someone like me who doesn’t want to play catch up, and those inevitable gaps just keep happening!…

and then, if like me you love just playing around with stitches, here’s how wonderful stitches would look filling in those spaces. You don’t need to follow a pattern, just pop in the stitches you know in any of the gaps you find!
I love it!

This is the ultimate mindfulness project if you just want to have a project you pick up and stitch! You could just do stitches each month – ooh now that is very tempting!
A How to Guide is included with your template…
…so if you are completely new to the whole concept, you will be stitching your journal in no time. Find out…
- How to transfer the motif to your journal fabric
- Lots of ideas for what to include in addition to the 150 hand drawn motifs provided.
- Where to find designs and motifs – perfect for people who don’t draw.
- Which embroidery thread to use.
- Which stitches to use.
- How to fill the empty space.

Would you like to create an Embroidery Journal made just that little bit easier?

You can purchase the following in the Stitchdoodles Shop, all contain the ‘How to Guide’ and over 150 hand drawn icons…
Embroidery Journal Template
Embroidery Journal Pre Printed Fabric
Embroidery Journal Complete Starter Kit
I can’t wait to see your Journals take place, join the Happy Stitching Facebook group and share your progress along the way as well as get lots of inspiration and ideas to add to your journal as you go through the year.
You can also tag me on Instagram with #stitchdoodlesembroidery, or send your photos to nicola@stitchdoodles.com and I will include them here with your permission.
Happy Stitching!

Hi, I love everything that I see and want to do more with my embroidery.
I plan on ordering a kit when the SSA arrives.
My question is how does one register?
It appears that you need a password to enter the Library, but I am not finding any direction for Registering.
Please help.
Thanks, Lauretta
Greetings, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you Nicole for manually registering my name. I’m so sorry that I messed that up. You kindness is greatly appreciated.
Your designs are incredibly creative and beautifully done, you are so talented
.
I can’t wait to start on my stitch journal! I have floss in hand and ready to start!
Thank you for sharing your designs and knowledge. I feel it is paramount to embrace the fine art form of embroidery. Like so many of the cherished disciplines that are forgotten.
Sincerely, Lauretta
thank you Lauretta – I wish you many hours of happy stitching!
can I purchase one of the tempplates
Please add me to your newsletter list
This project looks amazing!!!!
Hi Nicola, I am glad to be a part of this lovely family of people interested in embroidery. I learned the first steps long time ago, and now after 40 years, finally have some time to do it. My daughter’s name is Marigold, and I want to surprise her with a nice present but I cannot to find the PDF in the library. Can you help me with this issue? Thanks so much
Hi Olga, which PDF are you trying to access? Do you have the library password available on sign up to the newsletter?
I’m finding it impossible to download the pdf for the journal . Don’t know what I’m doing wrong . Help !
Hi Sandra – when you go in the library – click on the ’embroidery journal’ text which downloads the PDF for you. If you are still having trouble send me an email and I can email it to you. x
Iv decided to do my calendar with all POSITIVE things each month that Iv done. For a happy year
That’s such a great idea given how gloomy things can look at the moment!