• New Designs,  Stitching

    My Market Releases

    These are the things I released at the market… I hope you like them!

    CH tp

    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.

    BCT tp

    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!)

    SD tp

    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.)

    SiTL tp

    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!

    SR tp

    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.

    SL One tp

    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. 🙂

     

     

     

     

  • Market,  New Designs,  Serial Bowl Collection,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    B.Y.O.F.

    Oh my, the countdown to the Nashville market is on, and I barely feel ready!

    This market is a special one to me because I'll be releasing my very first Bring-Your-Own-Fabric kit. I've always loved kits because they take the challenge out of pulling everything together, and they're easy to grab-and-start when I need something new to work on. And while I've always toyed with the idea of releasing a kit myself, I've held back because of the simple fact that not everyone may like the same linen color or count I choose to work on.

    So I lamented a bit about it to my good friend Pat, and she suggested this: "Why don't you just do the chart and threads?" And I thought, "Of course! The chart, the threads, and the finishing trim!" And that's how my very first B.Y.O.F. kit came into my imagination.

    Tp 2

    As a stitcher, one of the things that I find so appealing is a bowl full of pin cushions or other "smalls" that I stumble across online (or better yet, in person!). I suddenly get this extreme urge to hunt down every design I see represented in that bowl so that I can have one of my own collections – Patriotic cushions, Christmas cushions, Halloween cushions – I want them all! (Isn't that one of the best parts of this wonderful hobby of ours – to find something that makes our hearts sing? Or all-out bellow, like mine does?)

    With that in mind, I've decided to release a series of small designs, in various themes, to satisfy that part of me that needs to just put stuff in bowls. Which brings me back to my first-ever chart-and-threads-and-trim kit, which will release at market.

    I'm calling this endeavor the Serial Bowl Collection. There will be different themes in this collection in the coming months, but the first theme is going to be titled Sampler Lessons, which are designs bearing some of the honest and valuable teachings that young girls stitched onto their samplers long ago.

    The photo above shows the luscious threads from Classic Colorworks that will be carded up and included in the chart pack, and below you'll see a peek at the finished design.

    Tp

    Also included in this pack will be the chenille trim from R&R Reproductions for the finished cushion. As for fabric, I've got listed on the chart what the model uses, but of course you can go smaller, bigger, brighter, or more neutral, if you'd like. There are so many beautiful fabrics that your shop owner can get for you, so pull out the thread card and do a few floss-tosses onto different colors of fabric to see what suits your eye the best.

    Remember, our stitching is for our fancy, so whatever you find beautiful will go beautifully in your home. Don't worry about  "what looks right."  If it is lovely to you, it will make you happy to stitch it!

    I hope you like my first go at this… I will be bringing a limited number of these packs to market, but I haven't decided yet if, after market, I'll continue them in their packaged form or if I'll go forward with just the chart. Since I've never done this before, I have no idea what to expect, so I really don't know what my plan is after this first run.

    Please let your shop owner know if you are interested in one of these packs, and hopefully she or he will find me at market! It's going to be an exciting one!

  • A Colonial Gathering Club,  New Designs,  Stitching

    A Colonial Gathering: 2015 Edition

    I'm so excited to announce that we're beginning another year of Colonial-inspired projects! I really hope you'll join us if you haven't yet! All of the information is below…

    ACG 2015 Announcement

    And now I'd like to present to you the first sneak peek of this new season of Colonial-Club-Stitching; this little cushion was designed by me, and was inspired by one of my favorite Colonial figures, Mr. John Adams, who wrote the following paragraph in a letter to his wife and "dearest friend," Abigail:

    "…I begin now to think All time lost, that is not employed in Farming. Innocent, healthy gay, elegant Amusement! Enchanting Employment! How my imagination roves over my rocky Mountains and through my brushy Meadows!" (Philadelphia, January 22, 1794)

    Image

    Tanya and I, and the ladies at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach are really looking forward to this new year, and we hope you like what we've got planned for you!

    Yours, ever, ever, ever yours (as Mr. Adams signed),

    Paulette

  • Autumn,  New Designs,  Stitching

    Fall Releases, Part 3

    Me again, back to show you my final two autumn releases (in case you haven't seen them already)!

    The first design below was originally released at last year's Dyeing to Stitch retreat in Virgina Beach, as an accompanying small to Jack's Bash. It was named Jack's Birthday Tart, but since I've decided to design a series of these tarts, I've changed the name to Jack's Sweet Shoppe: The Birthday Tart.

      The Birthday Tart

    Jack's Sweet Shoppe: The Birthday Tart

    Stitch count: 71w x 66h
    Linen used: 35 ct. Espresso by R&R
    Threads used: The Gentle Art (with DMC equivalents in parentheses) in the following colors:

    Raven (310)
    Aged Pewter (647)
    Piney Woods (730)
    Pumpkin Pie (781)
    Apple Cider (829)
    Brandy (834)
    Sarsaparilla (975)
    Walnut (646)
    Parchment (3023)
    Old Hickory (640)
    Mustard Seed (832)
    Oatmeal (Ecru)
    Endive (3012)

    This design was stitched over 2 threads, and a personalization chart has been included. Additionally, a short tutorial on how to finish this design into a tart is included.

    I found the 4.75" tarts on Amazon (sold in sets of 6), but since they're by Wilton, you should also be able to order them from Wilton's website or perhaps find them in a cake decorating aisle or hobby store. And if you're really lucky, your shop owner may have some on order, and you can pick one up with the chart!

    Finally, my last release for this glorious, orange-and-gold season! The second in the Jack's Sweet Shoppe series! This one features a cat motif similar to what can be found on lots of very old samplers.

    The Autumn Tart
     

    Jack's Sweet Shoppe: The Autumn Tart

    Stitch count: 67w x 65h
    Linen used: 36 ct. Ligonier Latte by R&R
    Threads used: The Gentle Art in the following colors:

    Carriage Black (3799)
    Harvest Basket (644)
    Piney Woods (730)
    Gingersnap (400)
    Apple Cider (829)
    Sarsaparilla (975)
    Walnut (646)
    Old Hickory (640)
    Oatmeal (Ecru)
    Endive (3012)

    All cross stitch over two threads, with a chart for any personalization you may want to include. There is also a short tutorial on the personalization page that tells you how to put the tart together.

    And thank you to the best mom in the world, Marsha Kwaak, for stitching this for me! I love love love you, Mom!

    I haven't even begun to think of winter and Christmas designs yet, but I do have the Twelve Days of Christmas about 1/4 of the way finished. I told so many of you that I'd be releasing it this year, and I'll do my best, but I am so sorry to say that I don't know if it will make the cut. I'm working as fast as I can though, and will do my very best!

    In other news, I'll be posting the Shepherd's Bush retreat photos soon, in case there are those of you who'd like to see how it went. I'm pre-blogging this post before I've even left for Utah, but I can definitely say that it will go most excellently, and I can't wait to share the experience with you!

    One last note: All of the designs I've shown you this week can be pre-ordered from your favorite shop, and will be sent out to them very soon. However, any re-orders or add-ons that your shop makes will not get sent out until the end of the month, as I'll be out of town with my newly-minted 21-year-old daughter, Sabrina. (We've planned this trip together since she was a middle-schooler!)

    I hope you all have a wonderful day, filled with love for one another, blessings, no poxes, birds in autumn boughs, and plenty of sweets.

    See what I did there?

  • New Designs,  Stitching

    Fall Releases, Part 2

    This next release was inspired by old Pennsylvania Dutch watercolors that I find so fascinating! I hope you enjoy my autumn version.

    Autumn Fraktur

    Autumn Fraktur

    Stitch count: 239w x 107h
    Linen used: 36 ct. Ligonier Latte by R&R
    Threads used: The Gentle Art (with DMC equivalents in parentheses):

    Nutmeg (433)
    Old Hickory (612)
    Sarsaparilla (632)
    Aged Pewter (646)
    Piney Woods (730)
    Brandy (833)
    Espresso Bean (3371)
    Wood Trail (3781)

    All cross stitch over two threads, and stitched amazingly fast by Kathy Krause! Thank you so much, Kathy!

    Framing by Sherri Berkman (love this girl) at Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia. (703.426.0660)

    I'll be back with my last two autumn releases tomorrow. And just a reminder: the shops on my auto will have these charts very soon, so if you'd like to preorder any of them, let your local or online needlework shop know!

  • Autumn,  New Designs,  Stitching

    Fall Releases, Part 1

    What a busy, busy, busy, busy, busy month! It's flying by! Where on earth did January even go?

    I've got some new releases to show you, and if you like them, just let your shop know! The shops on my auto will receive theirs very soon, and they've already got the info in hand for the supplies you'll need if you choose to stitch any of them.

    First up is Love One Another, stitched by the lovely Nicole Neville.

    LOA tp

     Love One Another

    Stitch count: 133w x 77h
    Linen used: 36 ct. Vintage Cedar Plank by Lakeside Linens
    Threads used: Classic Colorworks in the following colors (the DMC equivalent
    is given in parentheses):

    Roasted Chestnut (400)
    Zach Black (645)
    Fool's Gold (832)
    Pea Pod (3011)
    Antique Lace (Ecru)
    Black Coffe (310)
    Calico Kitty (356)
    Whatley Woodlands (869)
    Stepping Stones (3021)

    All cross stitch over 2 linen threads.

    Framed by Sherri Berkman at Total Framing in Fairfax, VA. (703.426.0660) (By the way, the moulding is really deep and absolutely fabulous in person!)

     Next up is Primitive Moodkeep… as stitchers, we have all kinds of "keeps" we stitch, like pinkeeps, threadkeeps, scissorskeeps.. so why not a little pillow to let others know what mood you're keeping that day? One side for a good stitching day, and another for a day of frogging. 😉

      Primitive Moodkeep Blessings to Thee

    Primitive Moodkeep A Pox Upon Thee

    Primitive Moodkeep

    Stitch count for Blessings to Thee: 138w x 77h
    Linen used: 40 ct. Olde Towne Blend by R&R
    Threads used: Weeks Dye Works in the following colors:

    Swamp Water (844)
    Tarragon (3011)
    Cocoa (611)
    Tatanka (3031)
    Oak (3782)
    Copper (3776)

    Stitch count for A Pox Upon Thee: 142w x 72h
    Linen used: 35 ct. Creek Bed Brown
    Theads used: See above list.

    All cross stitch over two threads.

    Optional embellishments: The Gold Quaker Star button, sewn to the Blessings to Thee side, is by Just Another Button Company. The rusted safety pin attached to the A Pox Upon Thee side was made by my mom. I'm not sure how she made them, but I believe you can find a tutorial online.

    These designs were stitched on two very different colors and fabric counts, and although they were sewn back-to-back to form one pillow, you can just as easily use two matching fabric counts or colors. And if you don't ever find yourself in a dark mood, feel free to make a single-sided pillow wishing blessings upon all who enter your home. 🙂 Or maybe stitch it as a birthday gift for a dear friend!

    I'll be back tomorrow with another release to show you! In the mean time, enjoy this gorgeous fall day, wherever you are!

  • New Designs

    October’s Coming!

    Oh my, has my work been cut out for me! Packaging, shipping, designing, every single day since market, and all I can do is thank the Lord that I'm so blessed to be working at something I love with all my heart.

    Thank you again, so kindly, to those who emailed to ask if everything is okay, and how Mike's leg is faring. He still hasn't been cleared to go back to work, and his leg is quite painful and swollen most days, but he hardly complains. Mostly he just busies himself however he can – going to physical therapy, playing bored games with buddies, and offering to help bag Plum Street charts. (I timed him once, and I got 9 charts bagged to his 1. He kept asking me what I was snickering at.)

    Other than that, Sophie has started high school, Sabrina is in her senior year in college (and is planning a trip to Botswana to study abroad next year, if all goes well), and Bre just moved to her beloved mountains this past weekend to start her new life in Colorado.

    In the mean time, here I am packaging, shipping, designing, and finally sitting down here to show you what's out (if you haven't seen it) and what's up next.

    If you got the Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue last year, you may have seen Ghoul Tidings. But if you missed it, and you'd like the chart, your shop owner should be able to get it very soon, as they'll be off to the distributors tomorrow!

    GT tp-2

    Ghoul Tidings

    Stitch Count: 133w x 89h

    Stitched on: 28 ct. Foglifter by R&R Reproductions.

    Threads used:
    The Gentle Art in Carriage Black (DMC 310), Gingersnap (920), Baked Clay (422),Pumpkin Patch (402), Wood Smoke (3787), Chamomile (3011), and Oatmeal (Ecru).

    All cross stitch, except for the long-stitching on the reins.

    The frame is, of course, by Sherri Berkman at Total Framing. (I told her I thought the texture in the moulding looked like an old broom handle, so it was quite fitting!)

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

    And at last, at last, Jack's Bash will be released! This was a class piece for the Dyeing to Stitch retreat last year, and I am thrilled to death that so many people have emailed me over the past year to ask when it will be releasing. Thank you so much! The big mail-out day is October 1, and the shops on my auto will be getting it in their shops first. Shortly thereafter, I'll send it to the distributors.

    Jack's Bash tp

    Jack's Bash

    Stitch Count: 168w x 185h

    Linen used: 35 ct. Abecedarian by R&R Reproductions.

    Threads used:
    The Gentle Art in Raven (DMC 310), Aged Pewter (647), Piney Woods (730),
    Pumpkin Pie (781), Apple Cider (829), Endive (3012), Brandy (834),
    Sarsaparilla (975), Walnut (646), Parchment (3023), Old Hickory (640),
    Mustard Seed (832), and Oatmeal (Ecru).

    Cross stitch over two, some over one thread.

    Verse reads:

    Here in the rust and autumn bower,
    The knobby gourd and bitter flower;
    We merry-make and sing Hooray!
    To our friend Jack on his birthday.

    (When I use poems written by others, I always credit them; when no credit is given, it is my own. This is one I wrote myself, and you'll notice that the "s" in "rust" actually looks like the letter "f." Sometimes you'll find this in old samplers, and I've always loved it, so I went with it!)

    The absolutely gorgeous frame was done by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Fairfax, Va. If you ever see a frame you have to have, give her a call at 703-426-0660, and she'll help you out!

    For those of you asking for Jack's Birthday Tart  (the class piece that went with this sampler), that will be hopefully releasing later this fall. I'm working as quickly as I can to get a few more pieces released as well, but there are only so many hours in the day! And it looks like it's almost the dinner hour around here, so I'd better scoot and go figure something out before Big Papa and Sophie start acting like one of those people in the Snickers bar commercials.

    Have a fantastic week! And is it too late to post market pictures? I know they're all around here somewhere, gathering dust… I'm so sorry I never got around to doing that!

     

  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    At Last!

    Welcome to the opening day of market! I can hardly stand the excitement!

    As promised, for those of you who are still with me, here is my final fall market release:

    IMG_1448

    A Ghoultide Welcome

    Stitch Count: 332w x 176h

    Linen used: 36 ct. Vintage Sand Dune by Lakeside Linens. A great substitute
    would be 36 ct. Lingonier Latte by R&R Reproductions.

    Threads used: Needlepoint Inc. silk (with their DMC equivalents in parentheses):

    903 (435)
    964 (645)
    962 (648)
    692 (677)
    245 (730) (2 skeins suggested)
    241 (733)
    981 (822) (2 skeins suggested)
    954 (611)
    694 (833)
    767 (975)
    316 (830)
    976 (3021)
    588 (3371) (3-4 skeins suggested)
    721 (3830)
    124 (3772)

    Please note: while each stitcher's floss usage is different, I've included what I think would be best for you to have on hand, in case you run just a little short. If you choose to use a lower-count linen, please know that you may need more floss, just as you may need less if you use a higher count. However, since these are not overdyed threads, you will most likely be safe if you don't have all the skeins you need on hand right away, as dye lots for these silks don't vary as much as an overdyed silk or cotton would. It's possible that you've had a different experience, but mine has been one of color consistency among these particular threads.

    The frame for A Ghoultide Welcome is extremely complimentary to the piece, and was chosen by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing in Virginia. I never see my pieces before she sends them to me, as I like to be surprised. I trust Sherri implicitly, and she never disappoints! If you'd like more information on this frame or any others used on my designs, please give her a call at 703-426-0660.

    There is a small area of personalization on this chart that will require either a tent stitch (basically a half stitch, or a stitch that hasn't been crossed) or a full over-one-thread stitch, whichever you choose to do. An alphabet chart has been provided for you to graph out your own name, or you can certainly fill the area instead with a motif from elsewhere in the chart.

    IMG_1451

    I hope you've had fun looking at the previews this week! I'm very excited to get back to the drawing board and see what comes out of the mouse. It almost never matches what is in my mind, but that's okay. I'm always up for surprises!

    Happy Market to You!

    P.S. A patriotic-themed "Welcome" is brewing…