Greenup’s Threaded Treasure Local Cross Stitch Shop Brings Community Closer Stitch by Stitch

Greenup’s Threaded Treasure

Local Cross Stitch Shop Brings

Community Closer Stitch by Stitch

Ellen Keaton

The Ashland Beacon

In the heart of Greenup, Kentucky, a quaint cross stitch shop is quickly becoming the heart of the town’s stitching community. “Bluegrass Blessings” is nestled in a small shopping center at 2027 Ashland Road, Greenup, and offers more than a selection of colorful threads and patterns—it’s a warm gathering place where stories are shared, friends are made, and new skills are learned.

The shop was opened by Diana Wireman in a garage workshop at her mother’s home in 2019, and then COVID arrived. By August 2021, Diana decided to reopen the shop in its current location. However, by 2023, she was thinking of closing the business. “I have Addison’s Disease, and there are lots of things I just can’t physically do. The shop was just getting to be too much for me. I didn’t want to close but just didn’t know what else to do. I had prayed and prayed about it, and I really felt like God didn’t want me to close. That’s when I met Stacy Henson.”

Stacy had become a frequent customer at the shop, and her husband, who was an excellent handyman, occasionally visited the shop with her. Diana and her husband were planning to sell their house and needed some repairs before listing the home. They hired her husband to do the needed repairs. Diana continued, “Stacy came with him while he worked, and we stitched together, and I just felt a kinship to her. I guess you could say the rest is history. After they left, my husband said he thought she wanted to be my partner. Stacy and I, along with our husbands, went to dinner and talked. We wrote a contract, and she became my partner. I tell her all the time I know that God sent her to me because without her, Bluegrass Blessings would have had to close. I can tell you one thing: God is the one that opened this shop, and that is why I called it Bluegrass Blessings. I prayed when I opened that it would feel welcoming to everyone that walks through the doors and that when they leave, they felt they had welcomed here.”

Bluegrass Blessings’ shelves boast a vibrant array of supplies. According to Diana, cross stitch has changed so much from the days of going to the local department store and buying a prepackaged kit. Bluegrass Blessings truly serves as a one-stop shop for all your cross stitch needs. From a wide selection of colorful threads to multiple fabrics and unique patterns—both classic and modern—there’s something for every project and personality. Whether you need supplies or just inspiration, you’ll find everything under one roof, making it easy for both beginners and longtime stitchers.

The shop is more than a retail space; it’s a community hub. According to Diana, the stitching room is always open. “You can come in any time, go to the stitching room, and stay as long as you want. Typically, Saturday is our busiest day, but you are welcome to come stitch any day we are open, Wednesday through Saturday.”

Bluegrass Blessings hosts what is quickly becoming a favorite event called a “Stitch In.” These days are fun filled, where neighbors and sometimes folks from out of town gather with their hoops and needles, sharing not only their projects but also laughter and friendship. The next Stitch In is scheduled for February 21st. You can call Bluegrass Blessings at 606.566.4814 for additional information.

Once a year, the shop also hosts a Stitch-a-Palooza at the Greenup County Extension Office. It’s a two-day retreat in September and is coordinated with the Greenup Farmers Market. Bluegrass Blessings welcomes all skill levels—even if you have never done cross stitch before, they will teach you how.

Diana and Stacy also do a Facebook Live. When describing the Facebook Live events, Diana laughs and says, “It’s a comedy show with no real direction. We show what we are stitching, some new patterns, we do framing also and will show the things we have framed, and then we do flash sales of store items. I call it Friday Night Fight Night because there is only one of the sale items, and we assign a special word to that item. The first one that says the correct word gets the item at that price.” They also have a YouTube channel called Bluegrass Blessings. This is a more structured show that is pre-recorded and highlights many of the store’s offerings. You can see these shows anytime by searching Bluegrass Blessings.

Despite challenges faced by small businesses, Bluegrass Blessings continues to grow. “During COVID, there was a resurgence of what I call ‘grandma hobbies’—knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and even weaving and spinning. Cross stitch is one of those that has really come back and is timeless and beautiful,” she says.

Whether you’re searching for your next creative project or simply seeking a place to reminisce with old friends or make new ones, Greenup’s Bluegrass Blessings opens its doors wide, inviting all to add their own unique stitch to the fabric of the community.