Market – Plum Street Samplers

February 26, 2018

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)…

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!)

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Pennsylvania Fraktur…

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.)

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Soul Sisters…

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.)

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Babushka's Bees…

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!

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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.

February 26, 2018

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…

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!

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

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!

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Jack's Sweet Shoppe: Woolemina is up next…

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!

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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!

September 8, 2016

2016 Harvest Market Hop Releases

Good morning!

The long, hot summer is almost over, and I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome in the cooler, less humid autumn days – as well as some autumn stitching! I hope you'll like my four new offerings for this year's Harvest Market Hop. (If you're unsure as to what I'm talking about, the Harvest Market Hop is an online "market," put together as a way to fill the void left in the industry when there was no longer an in-person market for shops to attend in the fall; it works just like a regular market, but shops order directly online from the Hop, and some shop owners are even hosting market day events, just like they would if they were returning from the Nashville needlework market!) If you see anything you'd like to stitch, just ask your shop owner to order it for you. 🙂

Here we go!

First up is one of my favorite autumn pieces I've ever designed.. (am I allowed to say that? I think I like it so much because I didn't have to stitch it – Deborah Bixby did! Thank you, Deborah!) One of these days, I would love to move into an old white Colonial house with tall chimneys…

The model for Penny Autumn was stitched on 36 ct. Wren by Picture This Plus, and it's worked in all cross stitch over two threads and a little back stitching on the birds' beaks and feet.

The stitch count is 115w x 91h.

The threads are by Classic Colorworks (with a DMC conversion on the chart) in German Chocolate, Brandied Pears, Black Coffee, Just Rust, Hazelnut, Caramel, Antique Lace, Hickory Sticks, Pebble Beach, and Honeycomb.

Sherri Berkman of Total Framing (in Fairfax, VA) did the framing on it, and as usual, she did an outstanding job! (I don't display very many of my models in my home, as about 90% of them are in boxes in my basement, but I do have this one sitting on my piano on an easel.)

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Next up is not quite a fall piece, but it is one of Sophie's favorites. Especially the driftwood style frame! (Thank you again, Sherri!)

One of my dearest friends, Pat Ryan, stitched this model, and did a beautiful job on it, as usual! The linen used was 36 ct. Sea Fog by R&R Reproductions, and it twas worked in all cross stitch over two threads.

The stitch count is 145w x 108h.

Threads used are by Classic Colorworks and Weeks Dye Works.
Here are the CC's: Cinnamon Toast, Wilderness, Avocado, Sunset.
And here are the WDW colors: Pelican Gray, Confederate Gray, Parchment, Chesapeake, Schneckley, Cayenne, and Charcoal.
A conversion to DMC is also provided in the chart.

As for the date on the design? That was the year Hans Christian Andersen had The Little Mermaid published!

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Back to fall! My third release was again stitched by Pat Ryan, who also helped me with choosing all the different "whites" for the pumpkins! If this is one you would like to stitch, feel free to play around with different shades of beige and gray, in any threads you like. Pat and I chose to use Classic Colorworks and Weeks Dye Works – and two skeins of DMC – for the model…

The linen used for the White Pumpkin Farm model was 36 ct. Olde Towne Blend by R&R Reproductions, using one strand of floss over two linen threads.

The stitch count is 130w x 118h.

From Classic Colorworks: Pebble Beach, Toasted Marshmallow, Blackbird, and Onion Skin.
From Weeks Dye Works: Red Rocks, Grits, Kudzu, and Charcoal.
DMC: 612 and 781. (DMC conversions for the other colors are given in the chart as well.)

Thank you, Sherri, for the beautiful star frame!

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Lastly, a tombstone design (I love love love old tombstones!), with a verse inspired by First Timothy 6:7…

This model was stitched by Deborah Bixby (beautifully, I might add!), on 36 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley by Lakeside Linens.

The stitch count is 118w x 130h.

The threads used for Earthly Treasures are from Weeks Dye Works in Kris' Bon Bon, Terra Cotta, Onyx, Pamlico, Pebble, Juniper, and Kudzu. A DMC conversion is provided in the chart.

The stitches used are cross stitch over two threads, and a small amount of cross or tent stitch over one thread (just the angel's facial features; there is no filling in work to do).

The chenille trim for the cushion is in the color Mossy, by Lady Dot Creates. Thank you, Lois, for always being so wonderfully patient with me!

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That's it! I hope you like what I've put together for you for the show.. if you see anything you like, just ask your shop owner to order for you! I'm so thankful you stopped by… I'll see you soon!

March 19, 2016

Nasvhille Market, Part 3

And here are the rest of the market pics! If you see something you would love to stitch for yourself, please contact your shop owner, and she/he will be very happy to help you! 🙂

The next reproduction was fascinating to me.. the colors were so vibrant, compared to the original, which is pictured just below it. It's called "Sisters," reproduced by Cherished Stitches, and the initials are so funny to me!

And last, but not least, one of Sophie's favorites, by La D Da… I don't know if it's brand new, but she fell in love with it!

Thank you again for stopping by my blog to take a look. There are so few blog visitors these days, it seems, because everything has moved to the insta-age – which is another reason I'm not on here as often as I used to be! But when I do take the time to post the photos I take, I always leave feeling satisfied that I was able to enjoy again the moment in which I took the picture in the first place.

It's not a fast process, but it is much cozier. So thank you for slowing down to visit, even as the rest of the world flies by.

I hope to "see" you soon!

March 16, 2016

Nashville Market 2016, Part 2

Welcome back!

Thank you so much to those of you who wished Sabrina a speedy recovery.. she is doing much better today! 🙂

And now on to the second batch of pictures from market.. again, if you see something you'd like to order, contact your shop owner, and it will soon be on its way to you!

Pat Ryan and I decided to exchange samplers at market this year, and it was so much fun getting to bring this beauty home! (I stitched Shakespeare's Peddler's Hannah Carter for Pat, but if you can believe it, I didn't get a photo of it!)

The photo below shows the collaboration Jeannette Douglas and I did for the Tomorrow's Heirlooms retreat last July…

I hope you enjoyed Part 2 of the virtual market tour! I'll be back soon with the next set! 🙂

March 15, 2016

Nashville Market 2016, Part 1

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! 🙂

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)!

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!

February 26, 2016

The Final Reveal!

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!

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. 🙂

February 25, 2016

Summer in Nantucket

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.

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

February 24, 2016

Previews #3 and #4!

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. 🙂

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!

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!

February 23, 2016

Preview in Sepia

Hello again!

It's time for another market reveal! 🙂

As many of you know, I love photography, and my love of old sepia photos was the inspiration for this next release. Please welcome the newest addition to Jack's Sweet Shoppe: Betsy's Tart.

I'll see you back here tomorrow with another preview! 🙂