New Designs – Plum Street Samplers

Market, New Designs, Sneak Peeks, Stitching

New for Market!

February 21, 2023

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!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 5 Comments
Critters, New Designs

We Have a Winner!

July 17, 2019

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!

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.

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

Read More

Paulette Stewart 16 Comments
New Designs

Guess!

July 10, 2019

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.

Read More

Paulette Stewart 80 Comments
Market, New Designs, Sneak Peeks, Stitching

Market Releases – Part 2

February 26, 2018

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!)

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

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.)

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

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.)

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

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!

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

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.

Read More

Paulette Stewart 6 Comments
Chart Corrections, Market, New Designs, Sneak Peeks, Stitching

Market Releases – Part 1

February 26, 2018

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 3 Comments
Freebie, New Designs, Stitching

Flash Release!

February 9, 2018

I've been asked on more than one occasion how far in advance I come up with a design before I release it. My usual response is that I'm an eleventh-hour designer who doesn't realize it's the Christmas stitching season until about December 20.

I say all that to let you know that I had intended to come out with these designs earlier, but I couldn't, because I had not thought them up yet. 🙂

Shipping to your local needlework shop (those on my auto) next week are two new releases that I'm very excited about! I don't know why, other than each contains a favorite thing of mine: the color pink, and little stitched animals.

First, the color pink…

I've always loved Jane Austen quotes, and the one in the design below comes from Emma. My dear friend Pat Ryan stitched the model in no time at all, and she used a gorgeous linen by R&R Reproductions called In the Pink (32 ct). (The color equivalent of In the Pink would be roughly DMC 225, to give you an idea of what it should look like on your monitor.)

Stitch Count: 62w x 169h

Fabric: 32 ct. In the Pink by R&R Reproductions

Threads used:

DMC 3045 , 758, 950, and 3721;
Weeks Dye Works in Artichoke, Charlotte's Pink, Chablis, Oscar, Pelican Gray, Blackboard, and Gunmetal;
Classic Colorworks Bamboo.

There is a little bit of over-one stitching in the faces and hair, as well as a few little letters, but other than this, all cross stitch is used.

Framed beautifully by: Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, VA (Hi, Sherri!)

You'll notice the four DMC colors I listed above; I always give a conversion to DMC on all of my charts, for all of the colors. But in this case, there were two colors that were used for only a very small number of stitches. Therefore, I decided to go with the DMC color, rather than switch to a more expensive overdyed floss. Read on, if you'd like further explanation:

Generally, when I'm reviewing the colors of a chart before it's finalized, I will take very similar colors in that design and condense them into fewer colors, so that there aren't so many colors to purchase for one design. Other times, I really do prefer the subtle differences, so I leave them as they are. Recently, however, I've taken to noting how many stitches per color are in my designs, and I'm going to try to start using DMC where there are very few stitches used. Of course, if you prefer all overdyed flosses, then simply ask your needlework shop what their suggestion is, based on the dye lots they have in their inventory.

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

My next release is the first in a series of Christmas ornaments! This will be a year-long series, with two ornaments per chart released 6 times throughout the year. There are 12 ornaments total (plus one more – I'll explain in a bit!), which can be stitched as they are shown on the covers, or all together, on one piece of fabric! It just depends on if you want a larger sampler at the end of the year, or 12 + 1 individual ornaments.

And here is the first of Noah's Christmas Ark…

Here is a little bit of info for you…

If you choose to stitch these as ornaments, each block will be 58w x 48h. But if you want to stitch them all on one piece of fabric (three horizontal rows with four blocks each, pictured below), your stitch count will be 244w x 152h. This stitch count includes four blank rows (or 8 threads if using linen) both horizontally and vertically between each of the twelve blocks.

The ornaments will be stitched on 36 ct. Patriot's Brew by R&R Reproductions.

The threads used on just the Crocodiles and Giraffes are as follows:

DMC 3072;
Weeks Dye Works in Sanguine, Dove, Bullfrog, Parchment, Garrison Green, Kudzu, Grapevine, Collards, Molasses, Cayenne, and Gunmetal;
Classic Colorworks in Stepping Stones and Hazelnut.

If you want to have all the threads on hand for the entire project, regardless of how it is stitched, you will also need the following six colors:

DMC 3013 and 3033;
Weeks Dye Works in Tin Roof, Galvanized, Crimson, and Baked Apple.

I would also recomment that you have 2 Grapevine and 2 Parchment on hand.

All of the ornaments are stitched in full cross stitch over two threads, but there are just a couple of blocks with a few back-stitches or long-stitches in them.

Finishing by: Joy Hayward of Finely Finished. Thank you, Joy!

Here is a suggested layout for the ornaments, if you'd like them all stitched as one project:

I would not, however, suggest stitching all of the borders first, as there is one upcoming release that actually extends into its own border by just one stitch. I can't say which one that is, bc it's not out yet, but also because I don't know where you would like your animals placed on the grid above! It's completely up to you! 🙂

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

But wait! There's more!

As a way of introducing this series, I'd like to offer you a complimentary chart called "Noah's Welcome Mat." It's yours for the printing, and it is the 13th block in this series I mentioned earlier. The grid above shows all twelve borders for the regular releases… you may, of course, choose to stitch Noah's Welcome Mat in one of the blocks, but if you use an even-grid layout, one of your animals will have to be kicked off of the ark, so to speak.

Here is what the finished Noah's Welcome Mat looks like, stitched by my friend Pat Ryan (who also stitched the first two above, and will be stitching the entire series! Thank you, Pat!). The printable chart is available in the link under the photo.

Click here to print your chart: Noah's Welcome Mat

I hope you like these first two Plum Street charts for 2018! I think this is going to be a fantastic year, and I hope you have lots of fun with your needlework projects… even if you don't start your Christmas stitching until December 20. 😉

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit my blog… I'll see you all again soon!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 8 Comments
Friends, New Designs, Retreats, Stitching, Travel

Dyeing to Stitch! Part 1

October 4, 2017

Hello again!

I'm just sitting here trying to wrap up my second Flosstube video, so I thought I'd pop in here and share a few pictures I took while I was at the Dyeing to Stitch retreat in Virginia Beach last weekend.

The last time I visited the shop, there were hundreds of models to look at.. and this time, there were hundreds more! I am shocked and amazed at how many models Ann and Pat and their team manage to fit into the shop – every single square inch of space is inspiring! Some of these you may have seen from the last time I was there, but I loved them enough to re-take their pictures and share them again!

Hi Robin!

Here's another view of the drum collection…

I had such a fun time with Beth.. if you haven't checked out her new The Gobbler pattern, it's adorable!

One of my favorite memories was when Beth gave a few of us a "dramatic reading" of the story of The Gobbler on the back of the chart – a story, by the way, that came from her own imagination… It was a lot of fun listening to her read it!

I think I'll leave off with that for now, and pick up for part 2 soon!

Check back on YouTube for my second FlossTube video soon… and please overlook all the errors! 🙂

Read More

Paulette Stewart 16 Comments
Chart Corrections, New Designs, Stitching

Releases for July

August 1, 2017

Good morning!

I used to be an early riser.

For years it was 5 am, and then I went through a phase of 3:45 that I didn't love much, but grew to. This year I suddenly joined the 6:30 club, which I also don't care for, because I generally feel that by 7 am, my day is half over. I am happiest in the zero-five-hundred-hours range.

This morning I woke up at my beloved 5:15, which has given me lots of ambition for the day. And that translates to another blog post, right on the heels of yesterday's post. That never happens!

(After reading over what I've written, I do realize that it's a sorry state when "ambition" is defined as one blog post per day for two consecutive days.)

So here I am, coming to you with information about my latest releases, as well as a chart error or two that I've been made aware of.

The new patterns I've just shipped to shops this week are these:

A Thousand Hills… I posted about this one on Instagram, bc I've recently fallen in love with bovines. Katrina Devine stitched this (as well as converted the DMC palette to beautiful overdyed flosses), and her little granddaughter Ellie seemed to enjoy watching her stitch it, which made me smile. It made me happy that Sophie immediately claimed the sampler for herself – which also never happens.

The linen used for this sampler is 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions, and the threads used are Classic Colorworks in Tennessee Red Clay, Deep Fennel, Egg Shell, Sunkissed, Pea Pod (2 skeins suggested), Avocado, Hickory Sticks, Ye Olde Gold, Cinnamon Toast, Black Coffee, and Red Currant; Weeks Dye Works floss in Schneckley and Havana.

The stitch count is 156w x 194h, and it is mostly cross stitch over two linen threads, with the tiny black birds stitched over one thread.

THE FOLLOWING IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Berry Cottage… This one is sort of a follow-up to A Red Cottage, released a few years back. At first I had this dubbed "A Plum Cottage," but something about it wasn't working for me – and that's when I realized it was the color. So I changed it to a rosewood color, added some berries, and found I liked it much better!

This model was stitched by the delightful Penny Houser, and the linen she used was R&R Reproductions' 36 ct. Patriot's Brew. The colors used were Classic Colorworks in Tennessee Red Clay, Used Brick, Bunny Honey, Weeping Willow, Muddy Puddle, Cinnamon Toast, Blackbird, and Red Currant; Weeks Dye Works in Sandcastle and Schneckley.

The stitch count for Berry Cottage is 112w x 83h, and it is stitched mostly in cross stitch over two linen threads, with the miniature cottage stitched over one thread.

Judge Not… I almost didn't release this one! I just wasn't sure if it was going to be a keeper when I sent it to Penny to stitch, but when I got the model back from Sherri (the Fabulous Framer at Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia), I kind of liked it!

This was stitched on 36 ct. Stars Hollow Blend by R&R Reproductions, and uses colors by Classic Colorworks in Shabby Sheep, Muddy Puddle, Tea and Biscuits (don't you love that name?), Whatley Woodlands, River Rocks, Blackbird, Bunny Honey, Hickory Sticks, Cherry Cobbler, and Toasted Marshmallow.

The stitch count is 223w x 91h, and it is worked entirely in cross stitch over two threads.

Sampler House III… I've been asked how many will be in this series, and I'm not quite sure of the answer to that. I had originally decided on five, but when I decided to release them in pairs, that turned to six, and if I come up with any more ideas, then that will turn to eight, and if I find that I've awakened at 3:45 again one of these mornings, that will turn into ten, and so on. You get the picture.

Pat Ryan stitched this model on 36 ct. Stars Hollow Blend by R&R Reproductions. The threads used are as follows: Classic Colorworks in Antique Lace, Blue Corn, Hickory Sticks, Blackbird, and Ye Olde Gold (on the key on the chart, I accidentally forgot to indicate that those last three colors are by Classic Colorworks also); Weeks Dye Works in Lancaster Red and Garrison Green (my new favorite green); The Gentle Art in Schoolhouse Red.

The stitch count is 98w x 99h (all of the Sampler Houses will be approximately the same size, by the way), and it was worked entirely in cross stitch over two threads.

The finishing was done by the talented Joy Hayward of Finely Finished.

Sampler House IV… Katrina Devine stitched this fall-themed house, and I love the colors she chose to convert to for this one as well!

The model was stitched on 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions, and these are the threads used: Classic Colorworks in Olive Branch; Weeks Dye Works in Tiger's Eye, Havana, Terra Cotta, Caper, Grapevine, Charcoal, and Schneckley; The Gentle Art in Mulberry.

The stitch count for this is 98w x 99h, and the chart is worked entirely in cross stitch over two linen threads.

This one was also beautifully finished by Joy Hayward of Finely Finished.

And there you have it! Those are my releases for this month! I will be pre-releasing some new things at the Dyeing to Stitch retreat in September, as well as the Shepherd's Bush retreat class piece, Heritage Sampler. (Pat is busy working that onto a piece of 36 ct. Olde Towne Blend.) Then in early October, that set will begin making their way to your local shop.

Before I leave, I have one more chart clarification to make:

Thank you so much for stopping by! I'll return soon with more of the long weekend in Tulsa!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 8 Comments
Martha, New Designs, Sampler Houses, Stitching

Sampler Houses

June 28, 2017

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments so many of you have left on my blog, Facebook, and Instagram regarding my most recent releases! It is so wonderful to know that there is so much support in our industry, and I'd like to thank you with my whole heart.

Martha thanks you too! (She's doing cartwheels on the inside.)

Because I never officially did this, I'd like to introduce you to a new series of sampler houses I'm doing. Each one will feature a different house and a traditional motif found on some antique samplers, and is suitable for framing or stuffing or whatever your favorite finishing technique is! I'm thinking there will be 5 or 6 in the series, but I'm not completely sure yet. My fancy can be very unpredictable!

(I am a little obsessed with the color Deep Fennel by Classic Colorworks lately!)

I know they're old news by now, but I had this post started back on May 11, and I wanted to finally get it finished. May 11! I used to think about how organized my life would be and how much I'd accomplish, once the girls were all grown. Turns out that was a hilarious notion, as I was much more structured back when I was actually managing the lives of five people! These days I have to check the internet to see what day it is, because I'm not sure I believe the calendar is correct. The days run run run, one right into the other.

(How is it, with the invention of all things convenient and fast, our lives have become overwhelmed with more to do? Faster food, faster service, faster delivery – you'd think with everything being so fast for me, I'd have more time freed up for all those would-be accomplishments!)

So those are the new Sampler Houses.. I've got two more in the works for a release later in July, after I return home from the Silver Needle retreat. I've also got a few more releases to accompany those, so I'll get everything posted when I have all the information gathered!

I hope your summer is going wonderfully so far.. here in Nebraska, we've had the best mix of storms and sunshine, storms and sunshine, and I love it all! See you soon!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 8 Comments
Finishing Instructions, Nautical, New Designs, Stitching, Summer

My First Drum!

May 10, 2017

I've never designed a "drum" before, so at the urging of a couple of sweet friends, I've come up with one as a sort of spin-off of Cape Cod Keeps. This was such a fun little pattern to design, and I hope you like it! Joy of Finely Finished did a gorgeous job of transforming three pieces of stitched linen into the actual drum, and I've included her brief finishing instructions at the bottom of this post.

Here we go!

The drum was stitched on R&R Reproductions' 36 ct. Patriot's Brew by my good friend Pat Ryan.

The colors used are all by Weeks Dye Works, but the chart does include a conversion to DMC in the key. Here are the Weeks colors you'll need, if you choose to stitch it:

Onyx, Adobe, Dirt Road, Sandcastle, Gunmetal, Pelican Gray, Light Khaki, Deep Sea, Dove, Garrison Green, Confederate Gray, Tatanka, Teal Frost, Cinnabar, Cayenne, and Cocoa.

You'll need three pieces of linen in the following stitch counts:
For the side: 217w x 57h
For the top: 72w x 67h
For the bottom: 60w x 60h

There is a tiny bit of long-stitching on the comb, and a small area of over-one stitching in the mermaid's mirror.

The top of the drum features a pirate who has dropped his anchor in place to search for sunken treasure. If you look carefully at the photo above, you'll notice the seam joining the top of the drum to the side of the drum meets so that the chain links connect the anchor to the ship!

The verse I used for Mariner's Drum comes from an old sea shanty, that goes like this:

Cape Cod Girls ain't got no combs;
They brush their hair with codfish bones.

There are actually more verses (and other variations) to this shanty, but I liked this one the best.

The bottom of the drum has a little mariner's compass stitched on it. But of course, you could choose to use a piece of wool in place of the compass if you'd like to be finished with it faster. 🙂 (By the way, it wasn't until after I uploaded the photo below that I noticed a little green leaf in the center of the compass. I tend to make sure there are no stray fibers anywhere, but I'm not accustomed to looking for stray greenery!)

And speaking of finishing, the lovely Joy Hayward has provided brief finishing instructions for the drum. If you are not an experienced finisher, be sure you read all of the instructions before you attempt any cutting. This is not a difficult piece to finish, but you want to be in control of each step! I always "walk things through" in my mind all the way to the end before attempting any of it with my hands!

Download BRIEF FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MARINER'S DRUM

I truly thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope you're having a wonderful week!

Read More

Paulette Stewart 20 Comments