Hey, friends!
Okay, real talk… if you had told me a year ago that I’d be confidently stitching roses and daisies into fabric like a legit embroidery queen, I would've laughed (loudly). I mean, I couldn’t even draw a decent stick cat! But here we are, Episode 48 of the Happy Time Craftcast, and I’m officially OBSESSED with embroidery—all thanks to my sweet, talented friend Hannah Arnold of Sherwood Forest Creations.
This episode was a total joyfest from start to finish. Hannah joined me to talk all things thread, texture, and teaching, and I left our convo not just inspired—but completely stitched up with joy (sorry, couldn’t help myself).
From Therapist to Thread Artist
What I love most about Hannah is how real and relatable she is. She started embroidering in 2019, back when she was still working part-time as a physical therapist. What began as a peaceful creative outlet turned into a full-blown business with a heart-centered mission: to make embroidery fun, simple, and totally doable—even if you've never held a needle before.
I mean… that’s me. That was me.
She walked me through her journey so humbly, and you could feel how much she loves helping people discover the magic of stitching. Every kit she creates is designed to build your confidence—and spoiler alert: IT WORKS.
My Stitchy Turning Point: The Lindsay Kit
So let me tell you about the Lindsay Kit. It’s one of Hannah’s bestselling beginner kits, and it absolutely changed my crafting life. I was skeptical at first (it looks so fancy, right??), but Hannah literally said, “I guarantee you can do it.”
GUYS. She was right. I did do it! And I loved doing it!
The Lindsay Kit comes with everything: the hoop, pre-hooped fabric, the prettiest floss colors, and a QR code to access her step-by-step video tutorial. That video? Life-saving. I’m a visual learner, and Hannah’s tutorials feel like stitching alongside your best friend—with zero pressure and lots of encouragement.
New Favorite: Evelyn’s Bouquet
Hannah also shared the story behind her newer bestseller, Evelyn’s Bouquet, named after her daughter who used to bring her handfuls of daisies from the wildflower garden. I mean… how CUTE is that?! It’s got all the whimsy and heart you’d expect, and it’s just as beginner-friendly as her other kits. (Also fewer French knots, if that’s a thing that makes you nervous. )
What I Learned from Hannah
So much, y’all. But here are a few sparkly takeaways from this episode:
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You don't need to be perfect—you just need to start.
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Video tutorials > printed PDFs. Game. Changer.
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Roses are way easier than they look (trust her on this).
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Embroidery can be a form of mindfulness. Stitch by stitch, you breathe, relax, and create something beautiful.
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Creativity is contagious. Hannah’s love for teaching and stitching literally had me rethinking how I run my own Craft Club!
Favorite Quote from the Episode
“You’re not just stitching flowers—you’re building confidence one loop at a time.” – Yours truly
(But like… Hannah made me feel that way. She’s the true magic-maker.)
Come Join the Fun!
If you’ve ever thought, “I could never do that,” please do yourself a kindness and listen to this episode. Hannah will make you believe otherwise. And then go grab one of her beginner kits, pour yourself something cozy, and start stitching. You’ll surprise yourself—I promise.
Until next time, keep creating, keep laughing, and keep showing up with a full heart. And maybe a needle in hand.
Big hugs and happy stitching,
Joleen 🌈✨
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Hannah Arnold is the heart behind Sherwood Forest Creations, where she designs beginner-friendly embroidery kits and teaches online classes that make stitching feel joyful and accessible. What began in 2019 as a creative outlet has grown into a thriving business helping makers build confidence, one stitch at a time.
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Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[0:00 – 06:39] – Big Raven Farm Updates & Welcoming Hannah Arnold
[6:40 – 8:29] – How Embroidery Found Hannah
[8:30 – 10:44] – Joleen’s First Stitches (and Skepticism)
[10:45 – 17:09] – The Power of Video Tutorials
[17:10 – 22:29] – Changing the Craft Club Game
[22:30 – 24:29] – Evelyn’s Bouquet: New Fan Favorite
[24:30 – 30:14] – Stitch Along with Hannah
[30:15 – 36:14] – How Hannah Designs a Kit
[36:15 – 38:39] – What Surprises Beginners the Most
[38:40 – 41:20] – Slow Stitching and Mental Health
[41:21 – 49:59] – Building a Business from Creativity
[50:00 – 54:29] – What’s Next for Hannah?
[54:30 – End] – Thank You and Wrap-Up Hugs
Quotes from the Episode:
"I guarantee you can do it." — Hannah Arnold
"The first time someone tells you, 'I made this because of you,' you realize how powerful art can be." — Hannah Arnold
"When I started stitching, I didn’t know what I was doing — I was just making it up as I went. And that’s okay." — Joleen Emery
"I knew if I was going to teach embroidery, I had to do it in a way that actually worked for real people." — Hannah Arnold
"You don’t have to be perfect to be creative. You just have to begin." — Joleen Emery
"You’re not just stitching flowers — you’re building confidence one loop at a time." — Joleen Emery
Resources and Links:
- Hannah’s Kits & Courses → Sherwood Forest Creations,
- Use code HAPPY at checkout to get 10% off from Hannah's Kits and Courses
- Retreat Info: Big Raven Farm Retreats
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