The Cross-Eyed Cricket, Inc. is the stepchild of two couples and their respective families: Vicki and Robert Hastings & Nickie and Jimmy Odom. The infant Cricket was actually a needlepoint/cross stitch shop located in a picturesque Swiss dairy barn called the Barn at Lucerne. "The Barn" still exists, but the shop was closed shortly after the launch of the publishing company in 1983. The Cricket has always hailed from Chesterfield, Missouri (west of St. Louis) and both families have been near neighbors for twenty-four years.

The Cricket has two dear friends who have added creativity, enthusiasm and inspiration to the "Collection" over the years. Karen Hyslop was a driving force during the Cricket Collection's beginnings. In 1983, she was a recent college graduate and new bride alight with ideas and determination. Her three daughters (one or all can be seen on several early covers) came into the world as Cricket family. Now, all but the youngest is in college and Karen has moved on to new creative endeavors. Diane Oldfather has created several Cricket titles. Diane lives in Lincoln, Nebraska where, for many years, she owned Heart's Content. Diane is a beautifully literate and crisply witted lady who is a delightful company friend and contributor.