Carol Craig Stitchery

05/19/2026

Although I’m not participating in many markets until fall, I am still here working on ideas you have or whatever you need as special orders. Waiting for pickup are these long and short bibs in princess designs for two special needs young girls. The neckline is smaller and there is a catch-all pocket on each. Arriving tomorrow are four shirts to turn into memory aprons. Watch for those to post as soon as they are done. Showing here is Jonnie in her husband’s shirt as a memory apron. With Fathers’ Day coming, how special would it be to give aprons to family and friends as a remembrance of a special father figure! And the final photo proves you don’t have to be female to enjoy the treat of wearing dad’s shirt. No ruffle, just memories. Just check in with me if you have any creative ideas that need production.

04/18/2026

Abby has moved on to the top 5. That means this week only the number one person goes on to the finals and the number two’s go to a run off for a place in the finals. TODAY IS DOUBLE VOTE DAY. Please get your votes in today.
To introduce Abby to some of your family n friends for their vote too, let me tell you a couple little bits of info about her.
Abby teaches science to 108 fifth graders a day. She prepares projects for each of their science themes to enhance their interest, skills and information. She has a chameleon named Pascal and an axolotl named Artemis after the recent shuttle. Her students learn to respect all lifeforms and characteristics of how they live and survive.
Her students have told her she is the best science teacher they have had, and she has replied that her goal is to be the best science teacher they will ever have! Please vote each day for the next week to move Abby Carrillo into the finals of this best teacher competition.

https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/abigail-carrillo

04/18/2026

Abby is in the top 5 competition as of today. I know this has been a long haul, but she needs the help to stay in it. Please keep voting, watch especially for the double point days, and please share and encourage others to participate.
Here is a copy of what she wrote when asked: I think it says volumes about her true dedication to teaching, her students, and science education in general.

Tell us why you became a teacher
I became a teacher because school was difficult for me growing up. As a child with ADD, learning to read was a challenge, and I wanted to help students who struggle like I once did. My grandmother, a fourth-grade teacher, inspired me with her patience and support as she helped me with homework. She showed me how powerful a caring teacher can be.

What would you do with the $25,000?
I would use the funding to expand hands-on science experiences for students at my school. I would purchase lab materials, interactive science tools, and resources that allow students to explore real-world investigations. I would also enhance our classroom environment with more opportunities to observe living organisms so students can experience science in meaningful and memorable ways.

And, thank you again and again for your support.

https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/abigail-carrillo

04/16/2026

Heading to Kerrville and the TMG now moved to Spring Winter Market! Shown here are the new tissue dispensers hot off my machine. They will take a seat at the full table of inventory items from the Stitchery. If it’s raining outside, feel free to drop in at the air conditioned conference center at Inn of the Hills. We’ll be waiting to see you! And in San Antonio, if the opening festivities for Fiesta are rained out, just jump in the car and head our way! All the Stitchery quillows will be priced to sell at $60. This is a long gone price for quality workmanship and includes only the inventory on hand. Be sure to check them out before they are gone. With Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day and graduations this spring, it’s the perfect gift. And, as early as it is, at this price, holiday shopping might even be on your mind. I look forward to seeing everyone Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4:00.

04/10/2026

Abby is in the top 5 competition as of today. I know this has been a long haul, but she needs the help to stay in it. Please keep voting, watch especially for the double point days, and please share and encourage others to participate.
Here is a copy of what she wrote when asked: I think it says volumes about her true dedication to teaching, her students, and science education in general.

Tell us why you became a teacher
I became a teacher because school was difficult for me growing up. As a child with ADD, learning to read was a challenge, and I wanted to help students who struggle like I once did. My grandmother, a fourth-grade teacher, inspired me with her patience and support as she helped me with homework. She showed me how powerful a caring teacher can be.

What would you do with the $25,000?
I would use the funding to expand hands-on science experiences for students at my school. I would purchase lab materials, interactive science tools, and resources that allow students to explore real-world investigations. I would also enhance our classroom environment with more opportunities to observe living organisms so students can experience science in meaningful and memorable ways.

And, thank you again and again for your support.

I love sparking curiosity and confidence in students while making science joyful, hands-on, and meaningful every day.

04/03/2026

I have been snatching some sewing time whenever possible with the goal of spiffing up the selection of seat belt pads. This is my secret weapon category. It’s the only item I have continuously made since I began Carol Craig Stitchery. They are quite time consuming so a backlog is definitely time-worthy. Replacing that old fluffy wooly seat belt pad is a no brainer when these do the trick, are cute as can be, and shout out your favorite theme, team, or military branch. Here is a collection of my “straight-off-the-machine” variety so far. For ease of production, I sew them in color groups. I have the grays and aquas to finish in the coming days. They will be regrouped into themes for the Kerrville TMG market April 18-19. If you don’t see your favorite Texas team or military branch, it’s because I have plenty of those stored away already. Come get ‘em while they’re hot! My continuing mantra these days is, “With Joann’s stores closed, when these favorite fabrics are gone, they are really gone.” See you in Kerrville. Bring a canned good for those less fortunate. Contact me if you can’t make it and are in need! Texas Market Guide

03/27/2026

Oh, L00K! Abby qualified for the second round! This is a voting round robin for each narrowing round. She needs to be in the top 15 this second round. Somebody’s going to win this, why not her? So… give yourself a daily trigger that will remind you to vote. Then please think of even one friend or relative or coworker and ask them to vote too. Thank you all for your support and, if by any chance you are the one who nominated her, thanks a million!

https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/abigail-carrillo

03/27/2026

Oh, L00K! Abby qualified for the second round! This is a voting round robin for each narrowing round. She needs to be in the top 15 this second round. Somebody’s going to win this, why not her? So… give yourself a daily trigger that will remind you to vote. Then please think of even one friend or relative or coworker and ask them to vote too. Thank you all for your support and, if by any chance you are the one who nominated her, thanks a million!

I love sparking curiosity and confidence in students while making science joyful, hands-on, and meaningful every day.

03/16/2026

I don’t do this often, but today I am asking for a minute of your time. Someone very generously has nominated Abby Carrillo nee Craig for a national teaching award. I can verify that she definitely deserves to be included in this group as she loves teaching, loves her students, works tirelessly in their behalf and succeeds above expectations. If you know Abby through Texas Market Guide shows, and feel so inclined please vote for her. This is not a scam. Readers Digest, the Planetary Society and all the other corporate sponsors are listed. It would be so cool to be the instigation to bring Bill Nye, the Science guy, to her school as the winner of this award. You can vote daily through Mar. 26 if you care to have your morning coffee and send in your vote. Thank you for considering this request and feel free to encourage others to join us.

The winning teacher's inspiring story will appear in Reader's Digest, celebrating their remarkable influence on education.

02/09/2026

Family duties aside for a bit, I decided to take some time to play around! At holiday time, I wished I had had the time to make some gift bags so now is the time to make it happen. This one is a medium size, but the plan is for larger and smaller ones also. I was tired of cellophane tissue packs so I thought there may be many others of like mind out there. And, in the works are dozens of new and oldie-but-goodie seat belt pads which are fan favorites. Not pictured are multitudes of pouches. If you know me, you know my life is organized in pouches of every size and shape so I share them as my little contribution to the organization of mankind! Kerrville Rescheduled Winter (now Spring) Market will be my next venture with the Stitchery so I will be happy to see friends from around the greater Kerrville area and many day trippers from San Antonio too. That will be April 18-19 at Inn of the Hills Conference Center.