Welcome to Paint Stitch Cake......
My name is Sandra. This is my little corner of the internet for sharing art, stitching and cake-making, with the occasional bit of woodwork, gardening and concrete moulding thrown in for good measure.
If you would enjoy making, creating or simply slowing down, why not make yourself a cup of something and have a browse? You’ll find ideas, projects, downloads and stories from my lifetime of making, all shared in a friendly, easy-going way, with a nod to yesteryear’s make-do-and-mend.
This website is at the very beginning of its journey, and I hope you’ll join me as it grows into a relaxed, welcoming space where everyone can share their thoughts and creativity.
I’ve spent my life learning, making, drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, chocolate making, cake decorating, sugar crafting and experimenting with all sorts of other creative pursuits along the way, often led by simple curiosity.
Over the years, I’ve picked up skills and qualifications in fashion, design, creative technology, and soft furnishings, alongside study, work as a carer for the elderly and a children’s nanny. Now in my 70s, I’ve created Paint Stitch Cake to share what I’ve learned, what I enjoy, and what I’m still discovering. Here you’ll find:
. Fun, educational downloadable activities for children
. Past projects and ideas
. Patterns from my own designs
. Guidance shared with humour and warmth
This is a place to slow down, enjoy the process, and have a bit of fun - no deadlines here.
And if you’d like to exchange ideas or join the conversation, please get in touch; everyone’s two-pennyworth is valued.
The illustrated border around my portrait above was originally commissioned as an 80th birthday gift for the friend of a friend. The two ladies met when they were 3 years old.
The original picture hangs on a wall somewhere in Texas, USA.
Download these free resources to help you get started with your next creative project—whether you're picking up a paintbrush, trying out stitching, or baking a cake for the very first time.
How often do we think, “I could never do that”?
The truth is, you can—by taking one small step, then another, and another.
That’s how I started. And you can too.
Have fun making these little buddies form wire, thread and a wooden bead. Bend them, name them, hang them on a bookbag, put them to bed at night in their little matchbox. They are a lot of fun....
If you're looking for a quiet therapeutic activity, these little ZigZag books are just the thing. They are the simplest of things to make and very tactile. Lovely to play with or display in various ways.
Download the pattern. Colour in all the parts however you like. Cut out the pieces. Join them together with buttons or split pins and have fun posing your buddy in lots of humanly impossible positions.
Start with a coaster to get used to the technique and then make this beautiful basket from a textile washing line, cotton yarn and wooden beads. A slow but very satisfying project.
A gentle, step-by-step guide to creating a stitched coaster using herringbone stitch. Includes clear instructions, photographs, and helpful tips—perfect for beginners or a relaxing project for more experienced stitchers.
Also known as Huck weaving, try this technique on a small cotton hand towel before attempting something larger. Using 5 or 6 shades of the same colour is typical of this beautiful work.
Birthday? This is the perfect cake for any liquorice allsorts lover. Start with the basic Victoria Sponge recipe and turn it into a spectacular, colourful and delicious any-day cake. Let me show you how.
Who doesn't love an apple pie?
Made with a simple homemade pastry and filled with sweet apples, this guide shares my favourite tips for creating a traditional apple pie with a lovely crumbly pastry.
A simple cake with a luxurious twist.
This guide shows you how to make a soft Biscoff cake filled and topped with creamy crunchy buttercream and finished with a gentle drizzle of warmed malt extract.
These little booklets (below) have been carefully designed with very young children in mind—an enjoyable introduction to making, reading, colouring, and building their very own mini library, with the help of a grown-up or older sibling. They can be made together,
or put together in advance as a simple, thoughtful gift.
Each story is gentle, factual, and fun, introducing children to a small creature they might spot outdoors—like a quiet little mouse going about its day. The stories are not humanised, allowing children to discover and imagine the real world in their own way.
As children help to build their book, they become part of the process, making it feel even more special. The pages are fully illustrated, with space alongside for children to add their own colouring—perfect for returning to favourite pages again and again.
Many children will enjoy building a small collection of these little books to read and re-read—because we all know how often a favourite story is asked for “just one more time.”
One of the lovely advantages of the Build-a-Book series is that once downloaded, the booklet can be printed again for personal use. So if a well-loved copy becomes worn, or little hands would like to colour their favourite pages again, you can simply print another.
Each booklet also includes clear illustrated instructions and helpful tips to guide you through building your book.
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Build a Book about a quiet little mouse…
Where do they live? What do they eat? Do they have fingers and toes? How long is their tail?
Find out as you build your very own little booklet—complete with illustrated pages, colouring space, and simple instructions to guide you along the way.
Download your Mouse booklet
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These greetings cards are part of my earlier collection, featuring original designs created freehand using a combination of paint, stitch and beadwork on calico fabric.
Each piece was carefully built up in layers, with watercolour paint, embroidery and small beads adding texture and subtle detail.
The original artworks have all been sold as framed pieces, but these printed cards allow the designs to be shared and enjoyed in a simple, affordable way.
Available individually or as part of a small collection.
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
£2.50
Printed from a hand-stitched design
Blank inside
Add to Basket
I represent the Paint section of Paint-Stitch-Cake. You’ll find me on all Paint downloads.
I represent the Stitch section of Paint-Stitch-Cake. You’ll find me on all Stitch downloads.
I represent the Cake section of Paint-Stitch-Cake. You’ll find me on all Cake downloads.
These Schoolies are designed and created by me using digital drawing tools.
They are fun little characters to make and personalise using simple materials at home.
They can be used in many different ways—from rainy day activities and group projects to
personalised bag tags, party gifts and small keepsakes.
Each pack is supplied as a printable download, with illustrated step-by-step instructions to guide you through making your own
£2.00
Download Starter Pack 1
These Schoolies are designed and created by me using digital drawing tools.
They are fun little characters to make and personalise using simple materials at home.
They can be used in many different ways—from rainy day activities and group projects to
personalised bag tags, party gifts and small keepsakes.
Each pack is supplied as a printable download, with illustrated step-by-step instructions to guide you through making your own
£2.00
Download Starter Pack 2
This gallery shares artwork created over many years, from earlier pieces through to more recent work.
Included are examples from my commissioned “Life Stories in Pictures” series — cartoon-style illustrations created as unique personal gifts and keepsakes,
often reflecting the stories, memories and experiences of the recipient.
These works are shared here as part of my creative journey and are presented for viewing only at this stage.
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This is a place where we can chat about what we are working on, exchange ideas, help each other through difficulties and share encouragement along the way. Those with more experience may like to offer tips and support to someone trying something for the very first time. You may simply wish to find out more about the projects, downloads and ideas featured throughout my site.
I would also love to hear your suggestions as the site continues to develop.
I have never been someone who follows everything strictly “by the book”. I usually work by instinct, experimenting with ideas and finding my own way of making something work. It is often helpful to begin with a pattern, method or guide just to get the feel of something, but do not be afraid to explore your own ideas once your confidence begins to grow.
Sometimes things turn out even better than expected and sometimes they do not —
that is all part of the learning and half the fun of creating.
I am sure many of you will also have your own suggestions and alternative ways of doing things to share with others here.
None of us knows everything and none of us gets everything right every time. Painting starts with one mark, sewing starts with one stitch and baking starts with mixing a few ingredients. Every skill begins somewhere, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning.
So why not come and join in?
This site is currently growing, with more ideas and projects being added. You’re very welcome to explore what’s here already.
