My name is Kathy Louthan and I have been designing counted cross stitch graphs since the early 1980’s. I started out with custom designs (which were primarily houses and buildings) because of the support and enthusiasm of my local needlework shop. Eventually I was encouraged by a craft shop in Chincoteague, Virginia to develop designs for them and “Designs by Kathy” was born. From that small start I have continued developing new designs some of which have been featured in magazines and advertising for nationally known fabric and thread manufacturers.
All of my work is first hand drawn and then entered into my computer where I graph and then do the publishing layout for the design. I stitch my own models. While this does slow down producing new designs I feel that it helps to keep the colors and subject matter as accurate as possible. My specialty remains buildings and structures but I am also inspired by the natural world around us as well as our stitching heritage.
I’m married (to Chip) and have two grown sons, Matthew and Michael. I am also owned by a gray cat named April. I volunteer at a local animal shelter called Richmond Animal League and have been developing designs to help them with their fund raising. A part time job, gardening, distance bicycling, reading, birding; and, of course, needlework, all combine to keep me busy and hopefully out of trouble.
So, grab a needle, thread and fabric and join me in this wonderful needle art that’s know as “counted cross stitch.”
