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The Winner!
Goodness gracious, I've had a terrific time trying to get an internet connection this past week.. I've been struck with Intermittent Internet Syndrome, I'm afraid, which means my modem will suddenly decide to take a nap at the most inopportune times, and I've had to resort to using my phone to get a few things done, but that didn't bode well for me either.
But instead of rambling further about my personal technology woes, I should take advantage of this small connection window and announce the winner of the Brew Haha kit!
I had so much fun reading all of your comments about what your perfect fall day looks like.. I read each and every line, and smiled at all of the different memories and descriptions. I've put together a little "word collage" below that highlights some of the comments you all contributed; but trust me when I say, this is only a very small sampling of all of the wonderful descriptions! Thank you all so, so much!
Rita, please email me your address so I can get your fabric, floss, and pins sent to you! I hope you enjoy stitching on the Stars Hollow linen.. it's the loveliest color!
Thank you all again, and I'll see you back here soon! I've got the next Serial Bowl Sampler Lesson almost ready to preview!
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Brew-Haha!
Oh my, all I've wanted for weeks is for the sun to come out and warm the place up. It finally does just that, to the tune of 100 degrees and wilting flowers, and now all I can think about is fall…
Orange leaves, bittersweet, masses of bumpy gourds on wooden carts at the pumpkin patch, and pumpkin spice lattes… opened windows for sleeping, fire pits and s'mores, new autumn designs, and new linen to stitch on.
Fall is perfect.
And when R&R Reproductions told me about a beautiful new linen color in their lineup, I got a really fun idea: I wanted to come up with a new autumn-themed design to go with the linen! And I wanted to have a pre-autumn celebration giveaway!
This is the little design I came up with to go with this brand-new linen from R&R Reproductions:
Stars Hollow Blend
Isn't that fabulous? Love love love the name!
And here's another fun new item: Just Another Button Company has come up with the most wonderful little coffee bean pins!
Now here is the giveaway part: One winner will receive a piece of 36 ct. Stars Hollow Blend linen to stitch Brew-Haha!, along with the overdyed threads (listed in the post-script) to go with it, and some coffee bean pins!
All you have to do is answer this question:
What does your perfect fall day look like?
The winner will be chosen from the comments left here or on my Plum Street Samplers Facebook page, and will be announced next week – some time after I return from Chicago. Probably next Tuesday. 🙂
And surprise! The Brew-Haha! chart is yours for the downloading! You'll find the link at the bottom of this post. 🙂
Good luck, and I hope you all have fun with this little giveaway – even if you're in the middle of a heat wave!
P.S. The Brew-Haha! chart calls for DMC, but Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach has come up with a fun conversion to overdyed threads in these colors: Classic Colorworks' Timber (3021), Eggshell (Ecru), Pumpkin Harvest (3776), Brandied Pears (434), Straw Hat (3863), and The Gentle Art's Gingersnap (400), Endive (3011), Grecian Gold (680), and Nutmeg (3826).
P.P.S. This is the bottom of the post. Download Brew-Haha! 🙂
ETA 7/15: The original color conversion called for Classic Colorworks' Gingersnap, but the correct color is The Gentle Art's Gingersnap.
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Hi!
I can't believe I'm sitting here! I've missed chatting with you all!
Hello?
Is it just me and the crickets?
I was asking on Facebook a few days ago who out there checks designers' blogs or designers' Facebook pages for new release updates, and it appears that most people prefer Facebook for the convenience of it, but they like blogs for the details – and only if a link is posted, in many cases. I really appreciated hearing everyone's feedback, although I had not really been thinking of giving up my blog; I simply have allowed my time to be consumed by other things, which has crowded out blogging (and I've always truly enjoyed blogging).
Isn't it funny how modern technology has made daily tasks so simple that you are able to squeeze in many more tasks, which only ends up squeezing out daily living?
I have been so busy in such a good way around here though (technology aside). I've had such a nice summer with my last chickadee at home, Miss Sophie, and I am trying not to think about school starting up again. I always missed my girls when they had to go off to school again. 🙁 I've also been very busy with new designs, kitting, filling orders, traveling to stitching retreats, and even stitching on some fun things just for myself.
The fourth of July was so much fun, as it always is! It's always been one of my favorite holidays because it is spent at my parents' home, in their beautiful back yard..
Have you ever played ladder ball? It's also known as monkey ball, and I believe I mentioned it last year on my blog as well. It's truly the only time I've ever seen my mother get so highly competitive, that we all have to let her win.
(I'm only kidding – you can't "let" someone win at ladder ball!)
Here are Bre and Mike, taking their turns – and Bre scored a whopping 3 points when she landed on the top wrung!
My dad is patiently waiting for his turn, while silently suffering through the smack-talk my mother is giving him on the side.
Sophie prefers to be in the audience while the game is going on..
I love it when my mom repurposes a fountain..
This is a huge whiskey barrel full of marigolds.. my mother saved all the seeds last year, and there were enough for about 20 whiskey barrels! But she gave me a bunch, so now I have a barrel-full too!
Here is the beautiful window box that is behind Sophie and my dad in the above photo..
When Breanna was little, her favorite series was Power Rangers, and she would not allow a photo to be taken of her unless she was in her best Power Rangers pose. So for old times' sake, we all tried to strike her favorite pose. Except for Mom, who has never seen an episode of Power Rangers in her life, and except for Sophie, who would only watch Power Rangers if there was a makeup review included in a segment.
And that was our July 4th annual cookout!
Now that the summer is in full swing, I'm trying to figure out what my fall design schedule will be.. a little late as far as most designers are concerned, but I've always been an eleventh-hour person. I have more energy that way it seems! (I usually don't even have any Christmas design ideas in mind until the calendar page says "December" on it.)
Hopefully I'll be seeing some of you at the Tomorrow's Heirlooms retreat on the 17th-19th of this month in Chicago! I can't wait.. and I'm really looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, as always.
I'll see you all SOON!
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New Releases for May!
I had so much fun at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago, and I still have to upload all those shop photos! What a treat it was to visit Pat and Ann and all the fun girls who attended the Spring Weekend retreat. 🙂
But first, I need to get these upcoming releases posted before it's time to send them on their way to your local needlework shop!
I've been in quite a patriotic mood lately! So it should come as no surprise that I simply had to include George and Martha (standing atop their home at Mt. Vernon) in my designing endeavors…
George & Martha
Stitch count: 78w x 95h
Fabric used: 36 ct. American Chestnut by R&R Reproductions
Threads used: Classic Colorworks in the following:
Used Brick, Bamboo, Bejeweled, Hickory Sticks, Stepping Stones, Fool's Gold, and Sunkissed.George & Martha is worked in all cross stitch over two threads.
Winsome Pair
Stitch count: 102w x 35h
Fabric used: 36 ct. Ligonier Latte by R&R Reproductions
Threads used: Classic Colorworks in the following:Blackbird, Stepping Stones, Pea Pod, Blue Corn, Timber, Ye Olde Gold, Cayenne, and Antique Lace.
Winsome Pair is worked in cross stitch over two threads. The chenille trim is called Beeskep, and it is by R&R Reproductions. A DMC conversion is provided.
Jack's Sweet Shoppe: Party Tarts
Stitch count for Elephant: 68w x 56h
Stitch count for Donkey: 66w x 61h
Fabric used: 36 ct. American Chestnut by R&R Reproductions
Threads used: The Gentle Art in the following:Freedom, Mulberry, and Oatmeal.
Both Party Tarts are worked in cross stitch over two linen threads. You can find the Wilton 4.75" tarts at www.amazon.com, and they come six to a package. Finishing instructions are included in the chart. A DMC conversion is provided.
These will be shipping soon, so let your shop owner know if you'd like her to order any of them for you!
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BYOF – Sampler Lesson Two
I might actually be recovered from the kitting whirlwind that was Sampler Lesson One.. then again, it may just be the caffeine I've had today that's giving me a false sense of invincibility.
Either way, at least for now I'm ready to begin kitting again! Sampler Lesson One was a quick, few-day project for me, and the second one was too. As with the first project, this one will feature a prudent verse that can be found on some old samplers. I've given the sampler a slight patriotic theme, and thought it was fitting for the verse. But for those of you who are out of the country that ordered the first Sampler Lesson, I've included some miniature flags for you as well.. please know that I did my best to chart your country's flags accurately, but because of the diminutive size of the motif, some details could not be incorporated.
Here are the flags included.. if you don't see your country here, please let your shop owner know. I don't take direct orders, as I'm a wholesaler, but your shop owner can place the order for you and request your flag. I'll do my best!
Something I did make note of in the chart is that there are a few colors for flags that are not included in the kit. Please be aware of this, as you'll need to use either the DMC listed or find your own conversion. To maintain the "faded" look of the overall design, I've also used faded colors for flags (as you can see in Germany's case… the black has been changed to a dark gray, and the gold has been toned down to a faded cream; in Ireland's flag, the bright orange has also been muted somewhat). But as with all of my samplers, the color key is only a suggestion; always use what you love the most!
And now, here is a peek of the upcoming Sampler Lesson Two, to be mailed out on April 30 to shops who pre-order. Shop owners, if you are not on my mailing list, please feel free to contact me for the details.
I hope you all have a lovely day! If you'd like to be on the list for this next Serial Bowl kit, please let your shop owner know!
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This Morning…
This sampler says exactly how I feel today… and the kind of mood it puts me in when I finally get a few moments to work on it…
(It's Mary Roe, by The Scarlett House, which is one of my favorites of Tanya's reproductions.)
I also took time to walk around outside this morning, and I love that the lilacs are waking up.. they are my very favorite part about the spring!
And something that made me laugh today was little Lady Martha, playing hide-and-seek. To see her pop up from behind the bed in the George and Martha Suite was so cute to me. (Because she knows she's not supposed to be in there!)
Lastly, I peeked into my Sophie's room, and felt very blessed to know I have three beautiful, God-given daughters.
The morning is almost behind me, so I should probably get busy preparing for the afternoon, and all the things there are to do today: preparing the shop newsletter for the next BYOF release, placing a print order, taking Martha to the lake for a walk, and doing laundry!
I hope you all have a lovely spring day today!
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Meet Martha
I'm sure by now most of you have either read or heard me say, "I have a new puppy!" But just in case you haven't, I'd love to introduce you to her!
First, the quick story:
As many of you know, I have a crush on George Washington, and I often joke that I was Martha's rival in another life. I just find George and American history in general to be very fascinating… so when I stumbled on a litter of English Springer Spaniels that were all named after the Founding Fathers and their wives, well what could I do? Who could blame me for what happened next? And the funny thing was, I didn't even choose one for its name – I simply clicked on the one I thought was the cutest…
So we waited and waited until she was able to leave her mama, and then the day finally came when Sophie and I could drive to South Dakota to pick her up. What an exciting day that was! She was the tiniest, sweetest little thing, and Sophie and I were instantly smitten.
Bath time wasn't her favorite thing to experience…
And neither were car rides, although she's more comfortable with them now…
It's interesting to me how many different looks she has. Sometimes she looks like a different dog altogether, depending on what mood she's in!
And the car ride again…
When she could still fit in it, she loved guarding her toys by sleeping in her toybox.
Her registered name is Meadowland's First Lady Martha. Although she doesn't much act like a first lady most days.
But she's my girl.
Lots of you have asked how the Yorkie and Tasha are getting along with her.. The Yorkie is managing to maintain her alpha status when Martha is sleeping, and Tasha does a good job of mothering her. But mostly they live peacably with her, when she's not getting on their nerves. 🙂
At 8 weeks…
At 14 weeks…And that's my Martha. Thank you for stopping by to meet her!
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You’re Invited!
I'm honored to have been asked to teach a class at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach this spring, and I'd love it if you could attend! The weekend will be full of merriment in the form of stitching, shopping, eating, coffee-drinking, and relaxing with old friends and new. If you've never visited Pat and Ann's shop, now would be a great time to do so! I'd love to meet you (and so would they!), and it all starts on Friday afternoon (April 24th) into Saturday evening (April 25th).
The event begins with an Open House at the shop from 12-5 on Friday, and there will be a special kit for the attendees. Then on Saturday we'll be at the Greenbrier Country Club where I'll be presenting a new sampler with fourteen colors, a generous stitch count, and a theme that will help to usher in our upcoming season of patriotism. There are two class times to choose from – morning or afternoon, and all the other details can be found here.
The registration for this Spring Weekend opens today! I hope you'll be there!
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My Market Releases
These are the things I released at the market… I hope you like them!
This was stitched on 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions and uses Classic Colorworks cotton floss in these colors: Barn Door, Dulce le Leche, Antique Lace, Cocoa Bean, Pebble Beach, Cobbled Peach, Weeping Willow, Lemon Grass, and Hickory Sticks.
The trim around the Lone Elm Tree 8" Dark Chocolate Shaker box is natural chenille, from R&R Reproductions.
Stitch count: 134w x 142h.
This is the third in the Jack's Sweet Shoppe series, and is stitched on 36 ct. Vintage Cedar Plank by Lakeside Linens. The threads used are by The Gentle Art in Nutmeg, Caramel Corn, Old Hickory, Roasted Marshmallow, Dried Thyme, Wood Trail, and Cherry Bark; as well as Weeks Dye Works in Williamsburg and Cinnabar.
The tarts can be found at amazon.com, wilton.com, or possibly wherever Wilton cake decorating supplies are sold. The stitch count of The Black Cherry Tart is 69w x 65h, and was model-stitched by the lovely Kathy Krause (whom I finally got to meet at market! Hi, Kathy!)
This model was also stitched by Kathy Krause! It calls for 36 ct. Vintage Sand Dune by Lakeside Linens, and uses Classic Colorworks floss in the following colors: Spun Sugar, Secondhand Rose, Bella Rosa, Stepping Stones, Barrel Cactus, Ginger Snap, Sassy Brass, Wild Oats, Pea Pod, Weeping Willow, Clay Pot, Carrie Berry, Cocoa Bean, Muddy Puddle, Brown Hen, and Boysenberry Jam.
The stitch count is 172w x 89h, and was framed by Sherri Berkman at Total Framing in Fairfax, VA. Sherri used reclaimed barn wood for the inside frame, painted to match one of the pinks used in the design. But you could easily frame it in something a bit more conservative if you'd like to lend a different flavor to the piece. Sherri does a fantastic job, if you need suggestions! (By the way, this is a companion to Harvest Delivery and Halloween Delivery.)
This model uses 40 ct. Vintage Maple Sugar, and was stitched by Rindy Richards. (Thank you, Rindy!) It uses Needlepoint Inc. silks in 696, 694, 954, 334, 692, 957, as well as Gloriana silk in Bellagio and Cinnamon.
The stitch count is 249w x 110h, and the verse was written by me, inspired by the words of Dr. Charles Stanley on the radio show In Touch Ministries.
This piece was also framed by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing. Thank you so much for your hard work and talent, Sherri!
At long last, a spring-themed Doxie piece! It's so fun when I receive emails for these little characters.. and I was asked countless times at market if I actually own a Dachshund. No, I do not, but I do find them terribly charming! And I'm so happy these designs have been so well-received.
Spring Rolls was stitched on 35 ct. Confederate Gray by Weeks Dye Works, and it calls for Weeks Dye Works floss in Artichoke, Dirt Road, Light Khaki, Kudzu, Loden, Swamp Water, Honeysuckle, Kohl, Havana, Baked Apple, Cinnabar, and White Lightning.
The stitch count is 154w x 63h, and the trim used was natural chenille by R&R Reproductions.
Lastly, the BYOF kit! Oh my word, has this been quite a ride for me! I was positively overwhelmed with all of the lovely compliments I received regarding this first semi-kitted endeavor of mine. Poor Ronny at Classic Colorworks is probably sick to death of me emailing and calling for more threads.. I've been conservative in my orders because I simply wasn't sure how this would go, but I can safely say that for the next one in the Sampler Lessons series, I'll be much better prepared.
I apologize to those of you still waiting to receive your kits.. your shop owners have done their best in trying to get them for those of you who have ordered them, and they will have them for you soon! I was bogged down by one mishap after the next, it seemed, once I returned home from market, which put me behind in my mail-outs. Please bear with me, and please forgive the delay… I promise to be more on top of this with the next release.
Sampler Lesson One was stitched on 36 ct. Olde Towne Blend (my favorite from R&R Reproductions), and the chart comes with the threads and trim only needed to complete the piece. You only need to supply your linen or backing fabric! (Aida stitchers: this piece has a small portion of over-one stitching at the top, where you see the "ABC." You can easily substitute a few tiny buttons here, or perhaps a small charm you may have sitting in your extra embellishments. 🙂 Please don't let this small area deter you!)
I'm unsure as to how long I will run each of these BYOF kits, but the next one should be out in a month or so. I hope you enjoy stitching them, and filling your baskets or bowls with all of your stitching accomplishments!
P.S. Many of you have asked me, "Why the 'Serial Bowl' name?" It's simply because I enjoy a play on words now and again, and because there will be many series in this collection. The first series just happens to be Sampler Lessons, and will be followed up by series that are themed for summer, fall, etc. Several have asked about the Cereal Bowl collection, but I'm afraid I won't be doing anything relating to Kellogg's or Post. 😉
I hope you enjoyed this spring's releases, and that you've already got this season's stitching underway! Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Original Designs by Paulette Stewart