• 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
  • 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)…

    Noah's Christmas Ark II Cover tp

    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…

    PA Fraktur Cover tp

    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…

    Soul Sisters cover tp

    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…

    Babushka's Bees Cover tp

    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
  • 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…

    Bovinia tp
    Bovinia tp

    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...

    Milk and Cream Co Cover tp

    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…

    Woolemina Cover tp

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

    Sampler Lesson Five

    May 4, 2016

    We made it! We are at the final release in the Sampler Lessons series of the Serial Bowl Collection. I've really enjoyed this series, and have had fun looking for interesting admonitions from old samplers to use; there were an awful lot of words of wisdom among those young stitchers!

    As with the other kits, this will come with plenty of floss for you to stitch your project once, using one strand of floss over two linen threads, as the model is stitched. Have fun with your fabric – choose whatever you'd like to use!

    Tp

    Sampler Lesson 5 COVER

    Thank you so much to Pat Ryan for stitching this model for me! She used 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions.

    Thank you once again for stopping by my blog.. it's been very busy around here (as I'm sure it is at your house too!), and I've got a few different models in the works right now. I've got fall fever! What on earth is wrong with me? I just can't help myself. 🙂

    Read More
  • New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Release Number Two

    May 3, 2016

    A

    B

    C

    D

    E

    F

    G

    H

    I

    J

    This is American Sampler, which was a class piece I taught at the Dyeing to Stitch retreat in Virginia Beach last year. The information for it is below, and if you'd like to order it, just let your shop owner know, as I'll be shipping out next week!

    American Sampler MODEL fb

    Stitch count: 227w x 189h

    Linen used: 36 ct. Winter Brew by R&R Reproductions

    Threads used: Classic Colorworks in Calico Kitty, Antique Lace, Cayenne, and Red Currant;
    Weeks Dye Works in Pelican Gray;
    The Gentle Art in Uniform Blue, Black Licorice, Soot, Parchment, Piney Woods, Linen, Endive, Brandy, and Wood Trail.

    The frame was done by the lovely and talented Sherri Berkman at Total Framing in Fairfax, Virginia! Thank you, Sherri!

    Thank you for stopping by my blog today… I've got the last Sampler Lesson to show you, and I'll be back soon to do just that! Enjoy your Tuesday!

    Read More
  • New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    A New Release

    May 1, 2016

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    Here is one of three new releases mailing out very soon to your local or online needlework shop!

    John & Abigail Cover

    The model, stitched by my good friend Pat Ryan, was done on 36 ct. Stars Hollow Blend (stitch count: 122w x 74h). The threads used are by The Gentle Art in Grecian Gold, Old Red Paint, Oatmeal, Cameo Pink, Piney Woods, Heirloom Gold, Island Blue, Endive, Garden Gate, Wood Trail, Uniform Blue, Cherry Bark, and Lambswool. A DMC conversion is provided in the chart, but you may wish to note that Cameo Pink is used very little in this chart, so if you find that inconvenient, you may want to use the DMC equivalent (3779), or perhaps find something that's a good substitute! (Only John and Abigail's cheeks are blushed with this color.)

    As for the trims, I used Lady Dot Creates' pom trim in Mossy along the bottom edge of the finished cushion, and pom trim in Vintage along the other three sides. To finish it off, I used silk ribbon trim in Vintage to form a bow, which I then sewed into place using a tiny button.

    Tp

    I hope you like my followup to last year's George & Martha! I'll be back soon with my other two new releases!

    Read More
  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    The Final Reveal!

    February 26, 2016

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

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

    Liberty's Welcome!

    Tp 1

    Tp 2

    Tp 3

    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. 🙂

    Read More
  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Summer in Nantucket

    February 25, 2016

    Welcome back!

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

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

    Tp

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

    Whale2

    Read More
  • Market,  New Designs,  Sneak Peeks,  Stitching

    Previews #3 and #4!

    February 24, 2016

    Welcome back! 🙂

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

    Fb

    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!

    Fb

    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!

    Read More