Amy Bruecken Designs

Thank you for participating in our Friday Feature Amy! Would you begin by giving us your background in cross-stitch?
My mom Sandra Lea Kohring, introduced me to counted cross stitch. She is a passionate stitcher. She turns a stitch into a perfect X with side by side threads and a flawless back. It was 1980, I was in college when she opened the first counted cross stitch shop in Toledo Ohio. SOMETHING EXTRA IN COUNTED CROSS STITCH AND FRAMING was her baby, I spent 25 years being fed from her enthusiasm and true love of the needlearts. If you have ever met me, you know the apple didn’t fall close to the tree. I stitch, but its a struggle, my threads are crooked, and my back is...we’ll say...puffy.

How did you get started in professional designing?
My love of needlework comes from designing. I love to draw, and I actually see a pattern before I draw it. A lot of times I stitch from my ideas. I make the graph after the stitching is done. Where my stitching friends seem to be comforted by the grids and straight lines of a pattern...I can not for the life of me, follow a pattern. In 1994 my sister and I designed and produced 6 cross stitch patterns. We used mom’s contact with Hoffman Distributing Company, submitted our designs, signed on the dotted line and Sisters and Best Friends was born. We designed together for 13 wonderful years. Last august we decided to split the business and open our own companies. AMY BRUECKEN DESIGNS and WILDFLOWER STITCHERY AND MORE. For years our schedules, obligations to family and dedication to the industry meshed perfectly. As we all know...schedules change, families grow, and priorities shift. We are still sisters and still best friends and more important to the industry, we are each still designing and distributing patterns that hopefully bring a smile.

What are a few of your favorite themes when designing and why?
I LOVE A THEME! Themes are very important and an intrical part of a planning session. It goes like this: Koneta Ann and I are driving home from a trade show in Nashville. Its been a great market and we are pumped up. We need to come up with our next set of designs and it goes something like this. “I like a chicken” “what about eggs? I love an egg with polka dots. Don’t you love the colors in an egg. Just yellow and white. So simple...We could do diner theme...no not cooked eggs. (I always wanted to do a fried egg. Now that I’m on my own I just might.) More like a nest with real pretty eggs. Maybe a sampler. Ill do a chicken with polka dots and we can pack them in a big egg with polka dots. That was one of my favorite brainstorming session and we were so into the theme we totally missed our exit and turned left when we hit Lake Erie. It always took us longer then the average traveller. But we had way more fun.

What are a few of your favorite things about being a part of the cross-stitch industry?
One of my favorite things about the cross stitch industry is...the people. I have met some of most creative, interesting people. This industry is full of little shops that truly love the art of needlework. We are an honest group and all share a common thread. (Literally) I also love the colors and textures of the fibers and fabrics. The independent shops are the soul of my business. Without them there wouldn’t be a market for me and my crazy ideas. They are a constant flow of enthusiasm and excitement. The service the little guys provide can not be duplicated by the big chains. They are a wealth of knowledge about current trends and the newest designs.

Please tell us a little about your family.
My family...oh boy where do I begin. I have the greatest family. I’m married to Bill Bruecken. Maybe the kindest man on earth. We have 2 beautiful boys. Nicholas, 22 and Andrew, 20. Nik just graduated from Ohio University and was hired by Wells Fargo before he even graduated. We are so proud, especially in this scary economy. Drew is also at OU. He is going into his junior year. Drews our gentle giant, he is 6 foot 5, and has a heart of gold. They have grown up in the industry and can both tell you what over 2 means. I remember the first time Nik helped me at one of the trade shows and someone asked for a signed copy of one of my designs. It really helped me hit a new level of cool. Not quite Michael Jorden...but a decent measure of respect! My parents, Ralph and Sandy Kohring, have to be written about. A lot of you know them from trade shows...they are the BEST! Really I am a very lucky girl! Lady?

A lot of us are thinking about taking a break this time of year, what’s your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is wherever my family is. Burt Lake, Michigan, where my dad and mom have a vacation home. My husbands idea of heaven. Or Laguna, in California, where Bills family lives. My idea of heaven.

When you’re not designing, what are a few of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
When I’m not designing...I like to read, garden, paint, shop. I like to float in a pool and eat dessert. On a great day I float and eat at the same time!

Would you mind sharing a favorite recipe?
My favorite recipe is SO easy...and looks like it took all day. Start with a beautiful glass trifle bowl. The first layer is dark chocolate brownie...must have frosting. The next layer is a custard...I use 2 boxes of banana cream pudding but fix it using the thicker pie filling method. Finally, cut big juicy strawberries. Layer the berries thick so you can see them threw the bowl. Do the layers twice...it makes alot but we never have leftovers!