Feeling excited to try embroidery but not sure where to begin? This episode is your friendly starting point. Kathleen breaks down exactly what makes a good beginner project and shares her top picks to help you build confidence and fall in love with stitching — no perfection required.

Whether you’re stitching during nap time or carving out time for a new creative hobby, these projects are simple, fun, and totally doable.

You’ll hear about:

• The key features of a beginner-friendly embroidery project
• Kathleen’s go-to starter picks (including her Stitch Sampler Guide)
• Tips for avoiding frustration and keeping your momentum
• How to make embroidery a relaxing part of your day — even if you're busy

Takeaway:

You don’t need fancy supplies or hours of free time. Just start small, stitch with joy, and enjoy the process.

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Stitch Sampler Guide

Connect:

• Instagram: @‌artsylyons
• Website: artsylyons.com

Ever felt like you’re chasing a dream no one else understands? In this heartfelt episode, Kathleen opens up about the early days of building Artsy Lyons — when embroidery was still just a side project, and polite smiles or confused stares were the norm.

She shares how she kept going when it felt like no one “got it,” and how trusting the vision on her heart made all the difference.

This one’s for the quiet creators, the hopeful mamas, and the ones building something beautiful in the background.

You’ll hear about:

• The discouragement of explaining your dream (and feeling dismissed)
• How to keep showing up when the support isn’t there yet
• Why your dream doesn’t need validation to be worth it
• The power of finding just one person who does get it
• The slow, sacred process of proving it to yourself first

Takeaway: You don’t need everyone to understand. You just need to trust yourself enough to begin.

Connect:

• Instagram: @‌artsylyons
• Website: artsylyons.com

If you’ve ever found yourself holding back from pursuing a creative dream — this episode is for you.

In this vulnerable conversation, Kathleen shares the fears that almost made her walk away from embroidery, the moment that made her stay, and how choosing to start anyway changed everything.

Whether you’re hesitating to share your art, launch your shop, or simply call yourself a creative — you’ll find honesty and encouragement here.

You’ll hear about:

• The doubts that almost kept Kathleen from starting Artsy Lyons
• The well-meaning advice that made her second-guess her niche
• How one tiny embroidered onesie brought everything back into focus
• Why fear isn’t the enemy — it’s proof that you care
• What’s possible when you show up anyway

Takeaway: You don’t need to be fearless — just willing. Your art matters. Your ambition matters. And the first step is yours to take.

Connect:

• Instagram: @‌artsylyons
• Website: artsylyons.com

If you’ve ever said, “I’d love to be creative, but I just don’t have time,” this episode is for you. Kathleen shares how she carves out moments for stitching and creativity in the middle of motherhood, work, and everything else — no perfect schedule required.

This is a real talk guide to making time when it feels like you don’t have any.

You’ll hear about:

• Letting go of the myth that creativity requires hours of free time
• Simple ways to sneak creative time into your day
• Kathleen’s personal routines and stitching habits
• How to protect your creativity like it actually matters (because it does)
• A reminder that 10 minutes of joy is more than enough

Takeaway: You don’t need a big window of time or a dedicated studio. Just a willingness to start — right where you are.

Connect:

Instagram: @‌artsylyons

Website: artsylyons.com

Freebies:

• Free hand embroidery starter checklist
• Free hand embroidery workshop — from newbie to stitch pro in 30 minutes!
• Free 15-stitch guide and embroidery pattern collection

Think you’re not creative? Think again. In this encouraging episode, Kathleen Lyons challenges the narrow definition of creativity and helps you see how you’re already creating beauty, connection, and meaning — even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush.

Whether you're stitching during naptime or figuring out how to make dinner with what's in the fridge, your creativity is real, valuable, and worth celebrating.

You’ll hear about:

• Why creativity isn’t just about art or talent
• How motherhood helped Kathleen rediscover her creative identity
• Everyday examples of hidden creativity
• 3 practical ways to reclaim your creative confidence
• Why your creativity still matters — even if no one sees it

Takeaway:

You don’t need to be a professional to be creative. If it brings you joy and makes something new possible, it counts.

Connect:

Instagram: @‌artsylyons

Website: artsylyons.com

Have you ever felt guilty for spending time on something creative — especially when there’s laundry to do or emails to answer? In this heart-centered episode, Kathleen reframes the idea of creativity as “just a hobby” and explores how hand embroidery became her personal form of self-care.

This episode is a permission slip for any mama who’s ever downplayed her art, pushed it aside, or felt selfish for needing something just for herself.

You’ll hear about:

• Why creativity is a form of self-care
• The guilt moms often feel when we make time to create
• Kathleen’s story of rediscovering art through embroidery
• How small creative acts can make a big emotional impact
• A reminder that joy doesn’t need to be productive

Takeaway: You don’t have to monetize your creativity or prove its worth. If it brings you peace, it already matters.

Connect:

• Instagram: @‌artsylyons
• Website: artsylyons.com

New to hand embroidery and not sure where to begin — or what tools you actually need to get started? In this episode, Kathleen breaks it all down and shares the exact supplies you need (and which ones you don’t!) to start stitching without the stress or overspending.

Plus, she opens up about her very first embroidery project — a sweet upcycling moment inspired by her kids — and reminds us all that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

Episode Notes & Resources: https://www.artsylyons.com/artsy-ambition-podcast/4

Instagram: @‌artsylyons

Online Shop: artsylyons.shop

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting your handmade business? You’re not alone — and you don’t need a master plan to begin. In this episode, Kathleen breaks down how to start simple, follow your passion, and take imperfect action toward your creative goals.

Episode Notes & Resources: https://www.artsylyons.com/artsy-ambition-podcast/3

Instagram: @‌artsylyons

Online Shop: artsylyons.shop