• Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    New for Market!

    I am positively scrambling to get everything ready to leave in a week! I’ll be driving to Nashville to meet up with my sister (Audrey) and my dad (Paul) for the 2023 Nashville Needlework Market hosted by Yarn Tree and Needlework Retailer, and I am so excited!

    This year I will have six new patterns, and here they are:

    FLOAT

    Model stitched by Beth Twist of http://www.heartstringsamplery.com

    This is a collaboration done with Best Twist of Heartstring Samplery, and we had so much fun working on it! As we did with Sewn in Friendship (released in 2020), we worked it out entirely over text messaging. Her half, called Sting, will be available in her market suite – each chart is sold seperately.

    (Photographed by Beth Twist)

    (If you would like to stitch both of these pieces as one vertical sampler, you will be able to find a transition strip for downloading here at my site under “Free Charts” or on Beth’s website after the market closes.)

    Be sure to look for us in our Muhammed Ali shirts at market if you plan to be there!

    PENNY SPRING

    (Model stitched by Nataly Koplovski)

    This is a companion to Penny Autumn, which was release in 2016. I miss the little fox family that lived behind my house in Nebraska, so I decided to include one in this small spring sampler!

    SPRING MOON

    (Model stitched by Kathy Krause)

    Spring Moon was originally released as an exclusive for Fox and Rabbit, and I am finally releasing it now. I’ve got Summer Moon on its way this summer, as well as Summer Mini Moon (Christmas Mini Moon was released last December). I imagine I’ll have lots of moons in this series, so stay tuned!

    STARBARKS

    (Model stitched by Nathan Burt)

    It’s been a while since I’ve added to the doxie lineup, so I decided to come up with some coffee-colored pooches. One of these days I’m going to have to get myself one of these little characters.. I think they are just the cutest, silliest little dogs!

    TORTOISE TOWER

    I had so many ideas of what to do for the next stack, and I truly don’t know why I decided tortoises would be next, but here we are! Originally the shell colors were reversed, with the “scales” (actually called scutes) being the darker blue-grey, and everthing in between the lighter blue. At the last minute, as I was stitching the model (yes, you read that right; if you know me, you know I do not care one bit for stitching my own models), I decided to switch the colors to brighten up the piece a bit, and I’m glad I did! But feel free to stitch your stack any way you please. Brown, green, yellow, whatever you like! It’s tortoisly up to you.

    THIS I KNOW

    (Model stitched by Natalia Canaday)

    Lastly, this is my market exclusive this year. I designed it as a partner to This is the Day!, which was last year’s market exclusive. Only those attending the market in Nashville will have access to this chart for their customers, but after a short while I will release it openly to those who could not attend. I really enjoyed designing this, and my friend Katrina (who almost always does my conversions for me) suggested she coffee-dye some of the DMC flosses that are used in the model. They came out so pretty! (Instructions for coffee-dyeing floss are included on the back of the chart.) If you choose not to coffee-dye, your floss will just be a bit brighter. But that would be just as beautiful!

    I hope you like my first designs of the year.. it will be such a fun market, and I have no doubt your shop owner will show you all sorts of things you didn’t know you needed. I can’t wait!

    I’ll see you soon, and thank you so much for stopping by!

  • Uncategorized

    Hello Again!

    Some of you may remember back when I used to blog a lot. Breanna and Sabrina were teenagers, Sophie was a feisty rascal (and she knew it), and I had The Yorkie and Tasha, who used to dress up every Halloween and make the occasional blog appearance.

    I miss those days. When the girls grew up, and then people started saying “blogs are out,” I let my blogging go, only checking in once in a great while.

    I’d really like to get back to it. I’d like to get back to a lot of things I love, things I let go of because my life got busy with a whole lot of unexpected things… but isn’t that how life is supposed to go? Maybe it’s a blessing to want things to come full circle.

    So here I am! Whether I’m the only reader or not, here I am, because I loved it once. And along with it, an under-contruction website that I’ve been trying (read: thinking about) to get accomplished for some time now. Hopefully as I learn new ways of how to build it, you’ll see it progress into something that is a fun place to visit. Whether it’s the latest news from Plum Street, sneak peeks of coming-soon designs, free patterns, or just whatever my family is up to, I hope to update my site often.

    Speaking of free patterns, you can still find all of them I’ve ever published over in the Freebie link on the right sidebar. Just scroll down, click, and then scroll through. They are organized by blog post, which isn’t very user-friendly, but in time I do hope to get them all uploaded under the menu item “Free Patterns.”

    I suppose it’s time to dust off the camera (I always preferred it to my phone) and get busy! Thank you for stopping in to see my new site.. and please bear with me: I am learning!

    P.S: My old blog is still over at Typepad, but all of those posts have been imported to this blog.

  • Uncategorized

    Happy 2022!

    Goodness, it’s been almost 3 years (I believe?) since I sat here to visit with you.. inexcusable! Truth be told, I’ve really missed writing to you; things in my life have been so constantly changing that it’s hard for me to settle down and summarize how a day or moment went because it is suddenly and abruptly the next day or moment.

    Here are a few moments that made me very happy…

    I suppose I’ll stop there.. I could be here all day trying to decide which photos to share! There were so many wonderful moments, and I’m grateful for all of them.

    So tell me how you’ve been. I really have missed you.

  • Critters,  New Designs

    We Have a Winner!

    Chrissy E, you were the first to guess it! Congratulations! I am so happy there are still people who are willing to stop by my blog to check on me. 🙂 Thank you so much to everyone who guessed – I got some amazing ideas from your guesses, that’s for sure. Those were so much fun to read through!

    Tired Trio cover

    I also want to say hello to Tracy C! Welcome to my much-neglected blog, and I’m so happy you like my designs!! Woohoo!

    And to Deborah – there will definitely be a Winter Delivery at some point, but the only patterns in the series available to date are Halloween Delivery, Harvest Delivery, Spring Delivery, and Summer Delivery. If anyone has any other delivery suggestions, I’m all ears. 🙂

    By the way, Tired Trio will be releasing very very soon, along with Sampler Lesson Four and The Beekeeper.

    Tp 2

    Thank you all once again for still reading… I sure am blessed by you.

    Tp 3

  • New Designs

    Guess!

    I don't know if anyone peeks in on my blog or not, but just in case, I thought I'd pop in and let you super loyal readers (I love you!!) be the first to know that I have another animal stack coming out in a few weeks… and whoever can be the first to guess what the next animal is will win a free copy of the chart, sent to you when I send out the shop automatics!

    I won't announce this blog post on Facebook (heck, it's been so long since I logged into Facebook on my PSS page that I have no idea what my password is any more!), so only those of you who are checking the blog will know about this.. although I do believe my blog is linked to Twitter (which I also don't know the password to.. can somebody please bring me back to the 21st Century? I've been living under a rock for a few years).

    I'll give the title here, and you can guess. If no one is reading this, then I'll be the winner.

    Haha.

    The first person who responds in the comments section correctly will win the new chart when it comes out!  Are you ready? Here it is (it's an easy one!):

    TIRED TRIO.

  • Crazy Kids,  Family

    Tomorrow.

    I woke up at 4 this morning, unable to get back to sleep; I've not slept well this week, knowing that August 12 is coming up on me very quickly.

    I've been blogging for a long time, even though for the past few years, my life seems to have settled into a routine that leaves little time for taking photos. Mostly my pictures are through Instagram, and when they are of my family, I will sometimes get a comment or two about how some of you have watched the girls grow up on my blog.

    Which brings me back to August 12. Tomorrow my baby girl leaves for college.

    For those of you who have been with me for a while (thank you so much for that!), you may remember some of these moments with my crazy, sweet little Sophie…

    2

    1

    3

    Remember when Bre left for college, and Sophie snuck into her closet and played dress-up?

    4

    And since Bre's car was left at home, Sophie had a grand time being sneaky here as well…

    5

    6

    Remember when I found out she had been taking Steve Irwin selfies on my camera?

    7

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    This one was from when Bre's Tilly was a baby, and she and Sophie became fast friends…

    9

    Then we moved into the middle school years, when her hair extensions were her pride and joy…

    10

    And then came Sophie's own Tilly… She had been missing Bre's Tilly, and when the humane society had named this one Tilly too, we knew it was meant to be…

    11

    12

    13

    Sweet sixteen…

    14

    Then seventeen…

    15

    16

    17

    19

    Sophie graduated in December of 2017, so she didn't walk with her class in May of 2018. But we still surprised her with a party, and had her don Sabrina's old cap and gown…

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    And then she turned eighteen…

    20

    Today is August 11, and tomorrow we move Sophie into her new dorm at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. It's not far from home, but that hasn't really been a consolation to me. This child is my heart, just like her sisters are. She's finally beginning the part of her life she's most looked forward to – being an adult and choosing her path; the part I always looked the most forward to – being a stay-at-home mom – is ending. 

    But I know my tears won't last long, as my girl has promised to keep me updated on everything new she's experiencing. And I'll be jumping for my phone every time I hear a text come in from her! How on earth can the sadness stay, when God has given so much? 

    Please pray for my girl this week… but mostly pray for me.

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    We're coming for you, August 12.

  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Market Releases – Part 2

    Earlier this month, I released the first of a series called Noah's Christmas Ark. (Please go backwards a few posts to see all the information on the whole series, as well as the details for if you'd prefer to stitch all twelve blocks on one piece of linen.) I don't know that I'll actually stop at twelve blocks for sure, but at least for 2018 that's what is lined up. My friend Pat Ryan is stitching all of them for me as individual ornaments, and at the same time, she's stitching them all on one piece of linen for the shop. I can't wait to see it when it's finished!

    Noah's Christmas Ark II (Doves and Honeybees)…

    Noah's Christmas Ark II Cover tp

    Stitch count for each block: 58w x 48h

    Fabric used: 36 ct. Patriot's Brew by R&R Reproductions

    Threads used:

    Weeks Dye Works in Bullfrog, Parchment, Garrison Green, Kudzu, Grapevine, Molasses, Baked Apple, Galvanized, and Crimson.
    Classic Colorworks in Stepping Stones and Hazelnut.
    DMC in 3033.

    These charts are cross stitched over two linen threads, and you will back-stitch the honeybees' legs and stingers.

    The finishing was done by Joy Hayward of Finely Finished, and as I mentioned above, Pat Ryan stitched the models! :)  (It takes a village to get models done…or at least some very helpful friends!)

    *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Pennsylvania Fraktur…

    PA Fraktur Cover tp

    Stitch count: 125w x 58h

    Fabric used: 36 ct. Ligonier Latte by R&R Reproductions

    Threads used:

    The Gentle Art in Old Red Paint, Mulberry, andds used: Maple Syrup.
    Classic Colorworks in Hazelnut.
    Weeks Dye Works in Bullfrog, Charcoal, and Sanguine.

    Trim used: Vintage Pom Poms by Lady Dot Creates

    Stitches used in this design are cross stitch over two linen threads; the motto on the bottom is stitched over one linen threads, and the flower stamens are long-stitched.

    (This chart was originally released as a club piece for The Colonial Gathering club.)

    **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Soul Sisters

    Soul Sisters cover tp

    Stitch count: 62w x 169h

    Fabric used: 32 ct. Patriot's Brew by R&R Reproductions

    Threads used:

    Weeks Dye Works in Blackboard, Driftwood, Parchment, Sanguine, Garrison Green, Grapevine, Onyx, and Chrysanthemum.
    Classic Colorworks in Deep Fennel.
    DMC in 758.

    Stitches used for Soul Sisters are cross stitch over two linen threads, and cross stitch over one linen thread on the friends' faces and hair.

    The frame is by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia, and Pat Ryan came to the rescue again on the model!

    (This design is a companion to A Hundred Ways, released earlier this month, and was originally released as an extra chart for the Dyeing to Stitch retreat in the fall of 2017.)

    ***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Babushka's Bees

    Babushka's Bees Cover tp

    Stitch count: 145w x 82h

    Fabric used: 36 ct. Toasted Almond by Hand-Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie

    Threads used:

    Classic Colorworks in Clay Pot, Hazelnut, Stepping Stones, Wasabi, Rose Petal, Antique Lace, Sunkissed, Pine Needles, Cappuccino, and Hickory Sticks.
    Weeks Dye Works in Bee's Knees (new for market!), Charcoal, and River Rock.

    This design is stitched in cross stitch over two linen threads, and a tiny bit of over-one stitching on the queen bee's shoes and crown. There is also some long-stitching on the bees' wings, legs, and stingers, and a back-stitch for Babushka's lips.

    The frame (love this moulding!) is by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia, and the model was stitched by Deborah Bixby! 

    ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    And that's a wrap!

    On deck for the near future is Noah's Christmas Ark III, and I honestly have no idea what else. I'm working on it though!

    Thank you again for stopping by my blog… I know in this fast-paced, instant world we live in, it's hard to settle down to read a blog post, but I do so appreciate your taking the time to do so. It means so much to me! My blog, though mostly neglected in the past few years, has always been a place for me to settle in and feel like I'm really talking to friends. So I am grateful to you.

     

  • Chart Corrections,  Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Market Releases – Part 1

    In the past, I have shared with you my love for coffee and crowns, but until recently, I don't believe I've mentioned my love for cows. 

    (I guess I also love the letter c.)

    Perhaps you've seen my new market releases online somewhere, but just in case you haven't, I'll be posting them here, in addition to all the supplies you'll need if you're interested in stitching any of them. And don't forget to let your shop owner know, so she/he can preorder a chart for you! 🙂

    This is Bovinia

    Bovinia tp
    Bovinia tp

    Stitch count: 86w x 61h

    Fabric: 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions

    Threads:

    Classic Colorworks in Black Coffee (the first run of charts has Black Crow listed, but this is incorrect!), Toasted Marshmallow, Pine Needles (new for market!), Joshua Tree, Cinnamon Toast, Red Currant, Used Brick, and Jakey Brown. It also uses DMC in 754.

    There is mostly cross stitch over two on this chart, but the crows' faces are stitched over one thread, as well as a tiny bit of grass and Bovinia's eyes. 

    The frame is by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia, and the model was stitched by Katrina Devine!

    *************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Next up, we have The Milk & Cream Co...

    Milk and Cream Co Cover tp

    Stitch count: 123w x 127h

    Fabric: 36 ct. Vintage Pecan Butter by Lakeside Linens

    Threads used:

    Classic Colorworks in Black Coffee, Frosted Sage, Prairie Grass, Eggshell (2 skeins may be necessary), Pine Needles, and Joshua Tree.
    Weeks Dye WorksBark and Baked Apple.
    The Gentle Art in Tin Bucket.
    DMC in 632, 640, 950, 3371, 3779, 3857, and 3865

    Stitches used in this design are cross stitch over two threads, with cross or ten-stitch over one thread on the mini cows' eyes and noses. You'll also have a little long-stitching on the bucket's handle, and a tiny back-stitch on the milk maid's mouth.

    The frame is again by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia, and Katrina Devine was the model stitcher! Thank you, Katrina!

    **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Jack's Sweet Shoppe: Woolemina is up next…

    Woolemina Cover tp

    Stitch count: 74w x 70h

    Fabric: 36 ct. Weathered Shingle by R&R Reproductions

    Threads used:

    Classic Colorworks in Persimmon, Bunny Honey, Pine Needles, Weeping Willow, Cinnamon Toast, Blushing Beauty, Hickory Sticks, and Tennessee Red Clay.
    DMC in 640, 822, 950, 310, 3829, and 3813.

    Stitches in this design are cross stitch over two threads, as well as a few tiny areas of over-one stitching (Woolemina's eyes, the bee, and the tiny heart). There is also a little long-stitching on the bee's wings, legs, and stinger.

    This chart was originally intended for a Wilton's 4.5" tart pan (like all the other Jack's Sweet Shoppe patterns), but at the last minute, I decided I wanted to frame it instead! So Nataly Koplovsky, the model stitcher for this design, suggested the Etsy shop called Signed and Numbered, and I was immediately smitten with their frames! I chose the 4×4 Circle Opening Frame in the color White, with the finish Vintage.

    By the way, Nataly also named this chart. 🙂 Thank you, Nataly!

    **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

    Those are the first three designs! I'll be back shortly with the remaining four. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, and have a great Monday! 

     

  • Chart Corrections

    Correction!

    When I wrote up the instructions on the Noah's Welcome Mat (found a couple of posts down, or in the "Freebie" category in the right sidebar), I didn't realize that I had said to stitch the design with one strand over one linen thread. The design was definitely stitched over TWO linen threads!

    My sincerest apologies!

  • Freebie,  Holidays,  Patriotic,  Stitching

    Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

    I sort of really like George Washington.

    Maybe you knew that.

    So to celebrate his birthday this week, I've got a free chart for you! (This little design was inspired by one of my favorite peep-peeps, Wendy Davis, because she was thoughtful enough to send me an e-birthday card this morning – for George's birthday, of course; mine was last month. Thank you for the laugh, Wendy!)

    If you'd like to download and print the chart, the link is below the image. 🙂

    Happy Presidents Day Eve! (Don't worry, Mr. Lincoln, I love you too.)

    Happy Birthday Mr President tp

    Download and print: Happy Birthday Mr President

    I'll see you all soon!