Val's Stuff is a brand of cross stitch patterns and kits known for its bright, whimsical designs that often feature seasonal and holiday themes. The designs are characterized by their small to medium size, making them suitable for ornaments, mini frames, and other decorative finishes. According to the provided source material, the brand's offerings are primarily sold through online retailers like EverythingCrossStitch and 123Stitch. The source data does not contain any information about free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs related to Val's Stuff. Therefore, this article will focus on the available details about the brand's product characteristics, specific pattern examples, and purchasing information as presented in the source documents.
Product Characteristics and Design Philosophy
Val's Stuff cross stitch patterns are described as leaning toward a bright and whimsical aesthetic. The designs are often small in scale, which allows them to be completed relatively quickly and displayed in various settings, particularly during the holidays. The source material emphasizes that these patterns are "momentum friendly," suggesting they are designed for stitchers who appreciate seeing progress and finishing projects without excessive time investment.
The patterns are designed to be tidy and readable. They can be stitched on perforated paper or linen, and the finished pieces are noted to "pop" when displayed on items such as trees, wreaths, and trays. This versatility in display options is a key feature highlighted in the source. The brand's portfolio includes designs suitable for multiple seasons, with a notable focus on holidays like Christmas and Halloween, as well as seasonal themes for spring and winter. The designs frequently incorporate playful characters, such as pumpkins, black cats, Easter bunnies, and snowmen, often accompanied by short, cheerful phrases or motifs.
Specific Pattern Examples and Details
The source data from 123Stitch provides detailed listings for several specific Val's Stuff cross stitch patterns, including their content, suggested materials, and pricing. The following patterns are explicitly mentioned:
Dear Santa - Christmas Cross Stitch Kit: This is a kit rather than a pattern-only purchase. It is priced at $18.00 (with a listed sale price of $16.19). The kit includes charts for a stocking, a sampler, and an ornament. It also contains all necessary components for assembly: instructions, wool felt for holly leaves, freezer paper, a heart button, two black buttons, and cording. This kit is designed to provide a complete project in one package.
April Showers - Cross Stitch Pattern: Priced at $8.00 (listed sale price $7.19), this pattern features a rabbit in the rain with the phrase "April showers bring May flowers." It is suggested for stitching on 32-count Banana Popsicle fabric using DMC or Weeks Dye Works threads, with Anchor threads also listed as an option.
Goodbye Winter - Cross Stitch Pattern: Available for $13.00 (on sale for $10.39), this design features a cat and a snowman. The pattern specifies stitching on Lugana 28ct Ice blue fabric. The stitch count is 115 wide by 57 high, resulting in a finished size of approximately 4.07 inches wide by 8.21 inches high.
Peek A Boo - Cross Stitch Pattern: Priced at $6.00 (sale price $5.39), this pattern is modeled on 28-count Blue Jeans Gingham fabric from Weeks Dye Works, using Weeks Dye Works Floss and buttons from Just Another Button Company. The stitch count is 62 by 38, with a finished size of 4 inches by 3 inches.
Was It The Hare? - Cross Stitch Pattern: Costing $11.00 (sale price $9.89), this design depicts a rabbit in a garden with the phrase "Spring is here and my garden is bare...was it the deer, or was it the hare"? It is stitched on 32-count Banana Popsicle linen, with a stitch count of 68 wide by 168 high. The finished size for 30-count fabric is listed as 4.53 inches wide by 11.2 inches high.
Talk Dirt To Me - Cross Stitch Pattern: This $10.00 pattern (sale price $8.99) features a gardener with sunflowers and the phrase "Talk dirt to me." It is intended for stitching on 28-count Ice Blue Lugana using Weeks Dye Works and DMC threads, with a stitch count of 97 wide by 122 high.
Bats Take Flight - Halloween Cross Stitch Pattern: Priced at $9.00 (sale price $8.09), this Halloween-themed pattern is presented in leaflet format. The model is stitched on 36-count Week's Guacamole Linen using Weeks hand-dyed flosses. The stitch count is 78 by 112, with a finished size of 4.33 inches by 6.22 inches. The design includes the text "Bats take flight and ghost give fright."
Bless This House - Cross Stitch Pattern: This $6.00 pattern (sale price $5.39) features two tall cats next to a house with the words, "Bless this house and all the cats who own it." The model is stitched on 26-count linen using Gentle Art Sampler Threads, with a stitch count of 79 wide by 112 high, resulting in a finished size of 6.08 inches by 8.62 inches.
Spring - Cross Stitch Pattern: Available for $7.00 (on sale for $5.59), this pattern features an Easter bunny in a spring setting. It is suggested for stitching on 32-count Banana Popsicle fabric using Weeks Dye Works and DMC floss or all DMC floss. The stitch count is 61 by 86, with a finished size of 4.52 inches wide by 6.37 inches high. The pattern includes a snowflake button.
Buzzed Bunny - Cross Stitch Pattern: Priced at $8.00 (sale price $6.39), this pattern features a bunny rabbit that has "had one too many jelly beans." It is stitched on 28-count Demoiselle Lugana using DMC threads. The stitch count is 69 high by 45 wide, with a finished size of 3.21 inches by 4.93 inches.
It's Spring Fever - Cross Stitch Pattern: This $8.00 pattern (sale price $6.39) features a bunny rabbit and the phrase "It's spring fever." It is designed for stitching on 28-count Demoiselle Lugana using DMC or Anchor threads. The stitch count is 63 by 60, with a finished size of 4.5 inches by 4.29 inches.
Purchasing and Availability
The source data indicates that Val's Stuff patterns and kits are sold through specific online retailers. The primary sources referenced are EverythingCrossStitch and 123Stitch. On the 123Stitch website, patterns are listed with sorting options such as "Most Popular," "Low Price," "High Price," "Newest First," "Name A-Z," "Name Z-A," and "On Sale." This suggests that the platform offers a curated selection of Val's Stuff designs, and consumers can filter based on their preferences.
Pricing for the patterns ranges from approximately $6.00 to $18.00, with many items appearing on sale. The "Dear Santa" kit is the most expensive item listed, at a full price of $18.00. Patterns are typically sold as digital charts or leaflets, though the "Dear Santa" item is specified as a kit that includes physical materials. The source material does not provide information on shipping costs, international availability, or return policies for these retailers. It also does not mention any free trials, samples, or promotional giveaways for Val's Stuff products.
Seasonal and Thematic Focus
Val's Stuff patterns are heavily influenced by seasonal and holiday themes. Christmas is a significant focus, with patterns like "Dear Santa" and designs featuring snowmen and winter motifs. Halloween is also represented with the "Bats Take Flight" pattern. Spring themes are abundant, with multiple patterns featuring rabbits, flowers, and references to the season (e.g., "April Showers," "Was It The Hare?," "Spring," "Buzzed Bunny," "It's Spring Fever"). Other themes include gardening ("Talk Dirt To Me") and domestic life ("Bless This House"). This seasonal variety allows stitchers to find designs that match the time of year or specific holiday celebrations.
Technical Details and Stitching Information
The provided source data includes specific technical details for many patterns, which can be useful for stitchers planning their projects. These details often include:
- Fabric Count and Type: Patterns suggest specific fabrics such as 32-count Banana Popsicle linen, 28-count Lugana (Ice Blue or Demoiselle), 26-count linen, 36-count Week's Guacamole Linen, and 28-count Blue Jeans Gingham.
- Thread Recommendations: Most patterns recommend specific thread brands, including DMC, Weeks Dye Works, Anchor, and Gentle Art Sampler Threads. Some patterns offer multiple thread options.
- Stitch Counts and Finished Sizes: For most patterns, the stitch count (width x height) and the approximate finished size are provided. For example, the "Goodbye Winter" pattern has a stitch count of 115w x 57h and a finished size of 4.07" x 8.21". The "Bless This House" pattern has a stitch count of 79W x 112H and a finished size of 6.08" x 8.62".
- Special Components: Some kits or patterns include additional items. The "Dear Santa" kit includes felt, buttons, and cording. The "Spring" pattern includes a snowflake button. The "Peek A Boo" pattern is noted to use buttons from Just Another Button Company.
Conclusion
The available source material describes Val's Stuff as a brand of cross stitch patterns characterized by bright, whimsical, and seasonal designs, often sized for ornaments and small frames. The patterns are sold through online retailers like EverythingCrossStitch and 123Stitch, with prices generally ranging from $6.00 to $18.00, and many items are available at a discount. Specific patterns are detailed with information on their themes, suggested materials, stitch counts, and finished sizes. The source data does not contain any information regarding free samples, promotional offers, no-cost trials, or other freebies associated with Val's Stuff. Consumers interested in these patterns can find them for purchase on the specified retail websites, where they can review detailed product listings and select designs that fit their seasonal interests and project preferences.