About Us
Keepsake Stitches began in 1994 when I placed one of my counted thread designs on linen into the retail market. I had previously owned a needlework shop where I enjoyed teaching, but had little time to design. Once I gave up the shop, I began working on my own designs and studying the old samplers and the fascinating world of school girl embroideries. I was surrounded by different aspects of needlework growing up with my grandmothers and my mother all doing a variety of things in the sewing field.
The original designs from Keepsake Stitches are inspired by places visited and lived, my love of the Victorian era, Shaker and Quaker cultures, and my own flower garden. My samplers and needlework accessories reflect many elements from the garden. I enjoy creating items that have a historic quality, but also reflect the present. I like using a variety of stitches in a design and also using a combination of stitches for finishing techniques. I also like to put my own spin on some of the stitches for variations. My publications are done in a notebook style with detailed instructions for each aspect of the design along with complete step by step finishing instructions for the needlework smalls and ornaments.
My goal in creating each piece is to provide a lovely and unique piece of needle art that can be enjoyed today and passed on to future generations for an everlasting legacy from the 21st century.
Happy Stitching, Norma Flake