06/01/2026
Hi Bella Stitchers,
I hope everyone has settled in well as we begin the year. First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the confusion and distress caused by the recent post.
As we opened the year with a splash—quite literally—I wanted to do something bold and exciting for everyone. Unfortunately, the post was shared before it was fully completed. I posted it shortly before going to sleep, and when I woke up, the page had already blown up. As many of you know, I usually respond as soon as I see concerns, but this time, the situation escalated more quickly than expected.
For those who have been with me for nearly a decade, you know that I am someone who listens and creates with the intention of making people happy. That has always been at the heart of the brand. We strive for a space where stitching is about passion, creativity, and joy—free from unnecessary drama. We may not be perfect, but we always aspire to do better.
Reading the comments when I woke up truly saddened me. I acknowledge all the emotions and explanations shared—every feeling is valid. However, being judged so quickly was deeply hurtful. Some of you may have expected an immediate response, but I chose to pause instead. I did not want to add fuel to an already intense situation. Again, I am sorry for the misunderstanding and for how the post was perceived.
To clarify, I would like to address the following points:
• About the SAL:
The Stitch-A-Long was a mystery SAL, released in the last quarter of 2024 and concluded in the second quarter of 2025. Mystery SALs are designed based on complexity and pacing, with only previews or teasers shared beforehand. Joining is entirely the stitcher’s prerogative, without seeing the full design. With that comes excitement, anticipation—and sometimes disappointment. Understanding this, I still made adjustments and provided options for those who preferred not to stitch bare-breasted sirens, which I fully respect. Not every design—or part of it—will resonate with everyone, and that is completely normal.
• Design Concept:
Mermaids are often portrayed in colorful, fairytale-like imagery. For this SAL, I intentionally explored a darker, more eerie interpretation. Subdued tones, a cold and raw atmosphere, and elements that conveyed emptiness were chosen to fit the overall theme. Each mermaid has her own story to tell—this was the heart of the 2024–2025 SAL.
• New Version Release:
Due to numerous requests via email and Facebook, I decided to create another version of the 2024–2025 design, released a year after the SAL began. This release was never intended to diminish or hurt those who participated in the original SAL. It was created for those who patiently waited and were unable to join at the time. This version features different details and more natural skin tones and is no longer a SAL, but a separate interpretation of the design.
• On Creating:
As both an artist and a stitcher, I fully understand the meticulous time, effort, and care poured into each design—from initial concept to final chart. Every piece has its own complexity, story, and interpretation. I am not complaining; I genuinely love creating.
• On Expectations:
People-pleasing isn’t always healthy, yet it is a challenge in this industry. I do my best to listen, collaborate, and make my stitchers happy. However, there will be times when requests cannot be granted due to various considerations. Comparisons are inevitable, but we must also recognize differences in ideologies, principles, and preferences.
• Growth and Change:
Over our 10-year journey, much has evolved—from Filipino-themed designs to mythical and fairytale creatures, to regal and historical queens; from printed charts to digital formats; and to SALs we had never done before. Change is part of growth, and each chapter brings new decisions aimed at improvement and serving our community better.
• Community Values:
Our brand remains committed to keeping cross-stitching a joyful and uplifting tradition. We continue to encourage respect, kindness, and support within the community.
Some of you may not know me personally, but I am always open to conversation. I respond whenever I can and give to the best of my ability.
With this, I would like to put this issue to rest. There was meant to be a separate email informing SAL participants about the design update the following day, but the situation escalated before that could happen. I sincerely hope we can pause, reflect, and recalibrate as we move forward. Let’s all choose happiness as we continue into 2026.
Thank you for listening and for being part of this journey.
Warm regards,
Drin
