A free live online event in collaboration with Creativebug!

Even though my kids are all grown up and I don’t make holiday ornaments as I did with them every year when they were little (which I documented on the very early days of my blog), I still love a holiday DIY. Which is why I am so excited to be teaming up with my friends at Creativebug for a fun little holiday project! On Wednesday, November 6 at 1pm Pacific Time/4 pm Eastern time in the US, we will be live on Zoom and I will walk you through the steps of stitching a Chicken Scratch embroidered holiday ornament.
Together on air, we will stitch a star ornament that is about 4-5″ wide using the vintage embroidery method of Chicken Scratch embroidery. There will be a printable available through Creativebug’s “Patterns & Printables” section for 3 other Chicken Scratch embroidered ornaments, so you can continue making more!
Chicken Scratch embroidery is a fun, meditative, simple vintage embroidery method that is always stitched on gingham cloth. The individual squares of the gingham are using to stitch out your motif. It is easy to learn and endlessly customizable, and a fun DIY for all ages!
Supplies needed for the live session:
- The template for the star ornament.
- One piece of gingham fabric at least 10″ x 10″. (I sell lots of my preferred gingham cloth in my shop, but you’ll need to order soon in order to have it in time!) A fat quarter of gingham (18″ x 21″) will be enough to stitch all 4 ornaments.
- 3 skeins of 6 strand embroidery floss (we will be using 3 strands at a time)
- An embroidery needle
- A 6″ hoop
- Fabric scissors
- A bit of quilt batting, polyfil, or wool stuffing to sandwich inside the layers of fabric and give the ornament some body
- A 6″ square of fabric for the backing, either a piece of gingham, or a coordinating fabric.
- If finishing by machine, a sewing machine threaded with neutral thread.
During our session, I will give you a bit of background about this stitching method, and go over the basic stitches. Once you’ve stitched your first ornament, you’ll be on your way! I love this embroidery method so much, and can’t wait to share it with you!
The final ornaments will be perfect to top a wrapped gift, to hand on a tree, or to present as a gift all on their own!

Carole Holmberg
October 31, 2024 at 4:27 pmI went to the Creativebug website to download the chicken scratch ornament templates, but I could not find them. I am looking forward to your class.
Blair Stocker
November 1, 2024 at 11:15 amCarole I am not sure that the printables are available before the event, but I have sent an email to clarify and am waiting on an answer.
Tamara Gassen
October 31, 2024 at 6:32 pmSounds like fun. I signed up. Will be great stitching again with Blair. Thanks can’t wait
Blair Stocker
November 1, 2024 at 11:15 amThank you Tamara! “See” you soon!
Terry Nyman
October 31, 2024 at 7:51 pmI couldn’t find the printable patterns for the ornaments. Can you guide me as to how I can find them
Blair Stocker
November 1, 2024 at 11:14 amTerry I am not sure that the printables are available before the event, but I have sent an email to clarify and am waiting on an answer.
Cindy Buckley
November 1, 2024 at 6:20 amHi Blair,
I’m trying to sign up as a guest for the chicken scratch ornament thru creativebug but it will not allow me to. Can you help with the link or do I need to sign up for creativebug? TIA
Blair Stocker
November 1, 2024 at 11:14 amCindy I am not sure why its giving you an issue. It’s free so that anyone can sign up. Maybe try clicking on the top banner of their website, but let me know if you still have trouble. https://www.creativebug.com/
Tamara Gassen
November 6, 2024 at 4:09 pmNot letting me download the patterns.
7 day trial free but it wants credit card & to upgrade plan. All I want is the patterns &to watch your class Thanks for your help in advance
Blair Stocker
November 7, 2024 at 11:52 amHi Tamara, my understanding is that the pattern link was provided to everyone when they signed up for the zoom by Creativebug. The session was free live, but the replay of the zoom is only viewable to folks who members of Creativebug. If you are a member, you can access the Zoom reply and the pattern from the Creativebug homepage under the “Patterns and Printables” section. Sorry for any confusion.
Tamara Gassen
November 6, 2024 at 4:22 pmAfter looking further pdf seem to be for your sampler book. Could not find anything for the ornaments or patterns
Tamara Gassen
November 8, 2024 at 11:25 pmThanks Blair I found the pattern & the downloads on the zoom page. Like you said.
Blair Stocker
November 9, 2024 at 9:35 amOh good! Thanks for letting me know, enjoy!
Claire
November 11, 2024 at 10:25 amIs the recording available and if so, can you give me a link? Thank you!
Blair Stocker
November 11, 2024 at 11:11 amHi Claire, I don’t have the link of the replay, but I believe that it requires an account on Creativebug (the live session did not).