• Market,  Stitching,  Travel

    Nashville Market 2016, Part 1

    March 15, 2016

    Hello from Omaha! I'm back from Nashville, but not fully recovered, I don't believe. I'll check again in a little while, after I've poured my fourteenth cup of coffee for the day.

    Market was so much fun, although a little more eventful than I expected! I brought Sophie and Sabrina with me this year, and both girls were very excited: Sophie, because she loves the market atmosphere and getting to meet lots of shop owners, and Sabrina, because she's never been to a market and wanted to see what it was all about. However, she ended up missing the whole thing, thanks to her wisdom teeth becoming impacted and us having to take her to the emergency room at about midnight, the night before the show started. I felt terrible for her, because my girl is not a complainer or a crybaby, so to see her in so much pain was hard for me. She ended up sleeping through most of market, but did manage to get out and about here and there.

    Since I was down by one assistant, Carol and Denise came to my rescue, and Sophie and I cannot thank them enough for all their help. (As I type this, Sabrina is upstairs sleeping – again – but this time it's because she just got home from having her wisdom teeth pulled! I've been laughing at her all morning because of how goofy the medicine has made her, although I spared taking any video of her.)

    I left the room on Sunday to visit a few suites and take some pictures, so here are the first batch.. I don't always remember who the designer is (shame on me!) because of the hundreds of photos I take, and it can get a little confusing. Only a handful end up edited and on my blog, because we would both be here all day if I uploaded every single one! But if you see something you love, and don't know who the designer is, ask your shop owner to take a look, and she/he should be able to help you. 🙂

    Here we go! Some you will recognize, and some you may not! 🙂

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    Here is Mrs. Twist from Heartstring Samplery, on the same mission as I am. Be sure to visit her blog to see her market post – it's wonderful (and you get the names of the designers too)!

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    I think we'll stop right there for today! Thank you so much for stopping by, and come back soon for more market photos! What a privilege it was for me to see all of these in person.. the cover photos on the charts never quite do them justice.

    See you soon!

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  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    The Final Reveal!

    February 26, 2016

    Goodness, at the hour! I'm sorry I'm so late!

    My final release for market is very special to me.. it is worked in all the colors I love, and in a theme I love most.  I couldn't come up with a proper name to go with A Yuletide Welcome and A Ghoultide Welcome, so this simple title will suffice:

    Liberty's Welcome!

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    Although the model says it was stitched by me, it was actually stitched by Pat Ryan of R&R Reproductions, and in record time. If it were up to me, it wouldn't be released until 2031, because I'm not exactly the world's fastest stitcher.

    The beautiful frame is from Sherri Berkman at Total Framing (in Fairfax, VA), and I think she chose the most elegant frame for the piece! It's perfect, Sherri!

    Thank you once again for checking back to see what I'll have available at market.. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I need to do some last-minute market prep things (still have stuff to mail!), and hopefully get in some fun stitching for myself over the weekend. 🙂

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  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Summer in Nantucket

    February 25, 2016

    Welcome back!

    Did you know that Nantucket is nicknamed "Little Gray Lady of the Sea?" It was called that because of what it looks like from the ocean when it is covered in fog.

    And on that note, I give you Summer in Nantucket! My fifth release for market.

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    I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday, and I'll see you back here soon!

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  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Previews #3 and #4!

    February 24, 2016

    Welcome back! 🙂

    I decided to show two previews today! The first one is dedicated to the late summer sunflowers that show up behind my fence line along the busy street… they're always such a surprise, and they almost make me forget about the traffic noise! Oh to live near a red barn and have a horse-drawn carriage deliver big bouquets of them. 🙂

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    Thank you, Deborah Bixby, for your outstanding stitching on the model!

    My fourth release combines my love love love of sheep and French tea towels! I'm always fascinated with the simplicity of those towels, with their red or blue stripes. I am frequently on the lookout for one that is embroidered with a P or PS on it, but I haven't come across one yet while perusing Etsy or Ebay. I've included an alphabet chart to personalize your sampler (just like the antique or vintage towels!). This one was stitched by Deborah Bixby as well, so you'll see her "DB" in the middle of the sheep. 🙂 Thank you again, Deborah!

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    Thank you so much for checking back, and as always, for your comments. They are always so lovely to read, and they always bring a smile to my face. I'll see you soon!

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  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks

    It’s Almost Market Time!

    February 22, 2016

    Happy Monday!

    I suppose with the spring needlework market fast approaching, I should begin showing you what Room #613 will have to offer!

    First I'd like to preview my newest little dachshund design. This one has a summertime theme, and I got my inspiration from one of my favorite things on a summer barbeque menu: beans and weenies. I hope you enjoy my take on it!

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    Jean Hohulin stitched the model for me, and she had the really fun finishing idea of using denim for the backing fabric of the cushion, and sewing a little pocket on it as well. So I rummaged through some old jeans I had intended to take to the Good Will, and cut out the tiny inside pocket on the front, just inside the main pocket on the right or left. Instead of sewing it, I used fabric glue all around where I would normally stitch it, and it worked beautifully! (I didn't have any denim-heavy needles for my machine, so glue was my choice.) Then I slid a pair of little scissors inside, and it was finished! Thank you, Jean!

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    If you're interested in ordering this chart (Note: this is a chart only; not a kit), please let your shop owner know. She/he can pick it up from me at market for you, and if they aren't attending market, I'll be shipping out orders after I return. I will be back tomorrow (hopefully) with another preview!

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  • Holidays,  Stitching,  Sunday Mystery Sampler

    The Grand Finale!

    December 20, 2015

    Well here we are.. the very last week. Twelfth Day!

    I hope you've enjoyed this stitch-along. I am so grateful to all of you who have been so willing to share your progress.. it's been so much fun! Whether you've decided to stitch all twelve days as a sampler or divide them up into individual ornaments, I hope you have a finished project you are happy with.

    Twelve Days of Christmas

    Click here to print Twelfth Day: Download Twelve Drummers Drumming

    Click here to print the Sampler Layout (one page) (optional): Download Twelve Days of Christmas Sampler Layout

    Click here to print the entire Sampler Chart (four pages) (optional): Download Twelve Days of Christmas Sampler Chart

    I wish you all a very, Merry Christmas!

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  • Autumn,  Crazy Kids,  Family

    Before the Fall is Officially Over…

    December 10, 2015

    I figured with Christmas fast approaching, these pictures were too outdated to post. But we're having fall-like temperatures around here, so why not? It's been sunny and windy and 60's-ish here, so here I go! 🙂

    Sabrina and Sophie and I took a trip to the pumpkin patch just a couple of short months ago, and as usual, we had way too much kettle corn and chili dogs and root beer. But it was so much fun! I sure do miss my girls being little, but they manage to giggle and be silly just the same.

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    Okay, I guess I can loosen my grip on fall now. Bring on the winter!

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