Hey there!

In case you missed it, we are running a big PRE-ADVENT sale…because we plan to be offline for most of Advent! You can check it out right here: https://catholicsprouts.com/pre-advent-sale-2019/

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After about a year and half of recording the Catholic Sprouts Podcast I have come to a surprising conclusion:

STORIES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN FACTS.

Not necessarily more important, but so much more powerful.

Here’s what I mean.

I love hearing from you about which episodes really resonated with you and your family, and I work to pay careful attention to what worked…and what fell a little short.

When I started producing the podcast I thought that the most important thing I could offer was a very clear, very simple EXPLANATION of the Faith. Now, I will never say that an explanation isn’t important, but telling a story on the same topic to ILLUSTRATE a concept is infinitely more successful. I see this with my own children when we listen, and I feel it in my own heart.

When it comes to teaching, stories are king.

And you know where the best stories come from?

THE SAINTS.

I LOVE learning about the saints. I love reading their journals, biographies, and hearing their legends. I love it all. And I am inspired to keep trudging up that hill to holiness so much more by looking to the examples of Saints than I am by reading passages from the Catechism (which is also SO important…just not quite as inspiring).

I am constantly working to bring the stories of the saints to my children (and yours through the podcast). I also love to have images around our house to REMIND us of these powerful stories that we have heard. All too often we hear something incredible…only to race off to the next thing and never think about it again. Or is that just me?

No! We need to hold onto these stories and allow them to guide us and inspire us daily.

In my own small way I am working to honor the saints and the stories they have given us with my newest creation:

The Saints of the Catholic Faith in Cross Stitch.

I created many of these patterns years ago, but I am thrilled to be able to give them new life with a much better book and format.

The book contains 170 different Holy Characters, including images of God, Mary, Angels, Biblical Characters and Saints.

And if you don’t cross-stitch, don’t worry! The patterns can be used for melty bead creations as well.

Now, in case this sounds all a little new and strange to you, I thought I would let you take a closer look inside of the book, and explain a few decisions I made while putting this book together.

Here is an example of a couple of pages from the book:

As the title says, Saints of the Catholic Church in Cross Stitch can be used by crafters of ALL ages, so I deliberately made the patterns simple. Here is what I mean.

Each pattern is displayed as colored stitches on a grid. There is no additional image of each saint as a “pattern” with a thread color chart and thread symbols as there was in the previous Saint Cross Stitch book. Why? Because I decided it was unnecessary.

The cross stitch and melty bead patterns I have created are simple, and yet fun to stitch for even experienced stitchers.

They use color blocking and very few thread colors for each pattern. In fact, I encourage crafters to ADJUST THE COLORS they use for these saints. Not thrilled that St. Agatha is wearing blue? Change it! Not sure you agree that St. Agnes had hair that color? Change it!

I created something that I pray will be a springboard for your creativity.

Here is what I really hope you will do with these patterns:

1. Learn about the saints and their incredible lives. Allow their stories to MOVE YOU.

2. Then, create an image of that saint to display in your home, or for your children to play with. Stitch up something or set the kids up with the Melty Beads.

3. Look often at that image and REMEMBER the stories they have given us, and keep following their example.

It’s that simple.

There are literally COUNTLESS ways to use those patterns in this book. Here are just a couple of ways that they have already been used by some Creative Catholics out there:

• Gift Patron Saint Ornaments to those you love.
• Stitch a Patron Saint onto the corner of a baby blanket.
• Create an entire Nativity Set out of Melty Beads
• Create Melty Bead Saint super heroes for the kids to play with.
• Stitch and frame each child’s patron and hang it above their bed.
• Teach and entire Little Flowers/Blue Knights group to stitch and let them pick out a saint to stitch as their first project. (these simple patterns are a PERFECT first project).
• Use the patterns with your class! Stitched Saints make a GREAT art project.

Sharing the patterns with your large family, Youth Group or class is super simple since each purchase of the book includes access to a library of digital content. Inside of that library, you will find lots of additional patterns, as well as a digital copy of the book ready to be printed and shared.

Need more ideas? Well, here are a few ways I have used them.

Saint Quote Bible Bookmark (template included with the digital resources):

Patron Saint Rosary Case (simple directions included with digital resources):

Patrons Saint Family Sampler (tutorial for creating a sampler for your family is also included with the digital materials):

By the way, here is my crew, including all of the little saints that we have waiting for us in heaven. Can you name all of those saints? 😉

Okay, have I whetted your creative pallet? Just writing this email has made me want to get back to it! Got so many Christmas gift ideas swirling around in my head right now! Ha!

The Saints of the Catholic Church in Cross Stitch is available right now, and, as part of the PRE-ADVENT SALE, you can get the book for just $20. To check out all of the deals and grab your copy of the Saints in Cross Stitch, head here: https://catholicsprouts.com/pre-advent-sale-2019/

All deals expire Monday, December 2nd at Midnight.

(because I plan to be offline for Advent ;))

Interested in reading more about the Cross Stitch book? Just head here: https://catholicsprouts.com/saintpatterns

Got a question? Just hit reply.

Your sister in the small things,

Nancy