About Me

I’ve always been fascinated by acorns and oak trees – different shapes and sizes. Camping, as a child, I learned to make a whistle using the cap of acorn. I always wanted to live where Laura Ingalls lived on the show Little House on the Prairie. Of course, the TV location was southern California, but I loved the rolling hills and oak trees. For the first few years of our marriage, we lived in the foothills of Central California. Wish come true. This is where the love for acorns started.

As a young girl, my grandmother taught me how to make crosses on gingham fabric and she made aprons. It was hard to sit still, so stitching wasn’t very exciting. I did some stamped embroidery in high school and again after college. It wasn’t until my early 30’s that I started cross stitching. I absolutely fell in love with it. Holding a needle in my hand, making crosses and creating a picture was magic! Basically self-taught with some loving tips from a dear friend and fabulously creative person, I began my cross stitching journey.

Like many, I have so many works in progress (WIPs) and will never stitch all my stash. I learned there are really two hobbies – stitching and collecting patterns. So, why design my own? I would like to create something that helps to keep this wonderful craft alive for future generations. My designs are meant to be uplifting, inspiring and fun as well as appealing to both the new and seasoned stitcher.

If you wonder why I add Soli Deo Gloria (SDG) to my patterns, I am borrowing a practice from Johann Sebastian Bach. He is my favorite composer, and was known for adding SDG, which means Glory to God alone, to his music scores.

Stay tuned for more products. Your feedback and suggestions are encouraged.

Happy Stitching!

Rachale Smith

Soli Deo Gloria