• Autumn,  Contest Winners,  Freebie,  Friends,  Stitching

    The Winner!

    Goodness gracious, I've had a terrific time trying to get an internet connection this past week.. I've been struck with Intermittent Internet Syndrome, I'm afraid, which means my modem will suddenly decide to take a nap at the most inopportune times, and I've had to resort to using my phone to get a few things done, but that didn't bode well for me either.

    But instead of rambling further about my personal technology woes, I should take advantage of this small connection window and announce the winner of the Brew Haha kit!

    I had so much fun reading all of your comments about what your perfect fall day looks like.. I read each and every line, and smiled at all of the different memories and descriptions. I've put together a little "word collage" below that highlights some of the comments you all contributed; but trust me when I say, this is only a very small sampling of all of the wonderful descriptions! Thank you all so, so much!

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    Winner

    Rita, please email me your address so I can get your fabric, floss, and pins sent to you! I hope you enjoy stitching on the Stars Hollow linen.. it's the loveliest color!

    Thank you all again, and I'll see you back here soon! I've got the next Serial Bowl Sampler Lesson almost ready to preview!

  • Autumn,  Freebie,  Friends,  Stitching

    Brew-Haha!

    Oh my, all I've wanted for weeks is for the sun to come out and warm the place up. It finally does just that, to the tune of 100 degrees and wilting flowers, and now all I can think about is fall…

    Orange leaves, bittersweet, masses of bumpy gourds on wooden carts at the pumpkin patch, and pumpkin spice lattes… opened windows for sleeping, fire pits and s'mores, new autumn designs, and new linen to stitch on.

    Fall is perfect.

    And when R&R Reproductions told me about a beautiful new linen color in their lineup, I got a really fun idea: I wanted to come up with a new autumn-themed design to go with the linen! And I wanted to have a pre-autumn celebration giveaway!

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    This is the little design I came up with to go with this brand-new linen from R&R Reproductions:

    Stars Hollow Blend

    Isn't that fabulous? Love love love the name!

    And here's another fun new item: Just Another Button Company has come up with the most wonderful little coffee bean pins!

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    Now here is the giveaway part: One winner will receive a piece of 36 ct. Stars Hollow Blend linen to stitch Brew-Haha!, along with the overdyed threads (listed in the post-script) to go with it, and some coffee bean pins!

    All you have to do is answer this question:

    What does your perfect fall day look like?

    The winner will be chosen from the comments left here or on my Plum Street Samplers Facebook page, and will be announced next week – some time after I return from Chicago. Probably next Tuesday. 🙂

    And surprise! The Brew-Haha! chart is yours for the downloading! You'll find the link at the bottom of this post. 🙂

    Good luck, and I hope you all have fun with this little giveaway – even if you're in the middle of a heat wave!

    P.S. The Brew-Haha! chart calls for DMC, but Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach has come up with a fun conversion to overdyed threads in these colors: Classic Colorworks' Timber (3021), Eggshell (Ecru), Pumpkin Harvest (3776), Brandied Pears (434), Straw Hat (3863), and The Gentle Art's Gingersnap (400),  Endive (3011), Grecian Gold (680), and Nutmeg (3826).

    P.P.S. This is the bottom of the post. Download Brew-Haha! 🙂

    ETA 7/15: The original color conversion called for Classic Colorworks' Gingersnap, but the correct color is The Gentle Art's Gingersnap.

  • New Designs,  Stitching

    New Releases for May!

    I had so much fun at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago, and I still have to upload all those shop photos! What a treat it was to visit Pat and Ann and all the fun girls who attended the Spring Weekend retreat. 🙂

    But first, I need to get these upcoming releases posted before it's time to send them on their way to your local needlework shop!

    I've been in quite a patriotic mood lately! So it should come as no surprise that I simply had to include George and Martha (standing atop their home at Mt. Vernon)  in my designing endeavors…

    George and Martha 1000

    George & Martha

    Stitch count: 78w x 95h
    Fabric used: 36 ct. American Chestnut by R&R Reproductions
    Threads used: Classic Colorworks in the following:
    Used Brick, Bamboo, Bejeweled, Hickory Sticks, Stepping Stones, Fool's Gold, and Sunkissed.

    George & Martha is worked in all cross stitch over two threads.

    Winsome Pair 1000

    Winsome Pair

    Stitch count: 102w x 35h
    Fabric used: 36 ct. Ligonier Latte by R&R Reproductions
    Threads used: Classic Colorworks in the following:

    Blackbird, Stepping Stones, Pea Pod, Blue Corn, Timber, Ye Olde Gold, Cayenne, and Antique Lace.

    Winsome Pair is worked in cross stitch over two threads. The chenille trim is called Beeskep, and it is by R&R Reproductions. A DMC conversion is provided.

    Party Tarts 1000

    Jack's Sweet Shoppe: Party Tarts

     Stitch count for Elephant: 68w x 56h
    Stitch count for Donkey: 66w x 61h
    Fabric used: 36 ct. American Chestnut by R&R Reproductions
    Threads used: The Gentle Art in the following:

    Freedom, Mulberry, and Oatmeal.

    Both Party Tarts are worked in cross stitch over two linen threads. You can find the Wilton 4.75" tarts at www.amazon.com, and they come six to a package. Finishing instructions are included in the chart. A DMC conversion is provided.

    These will be shipping soon, so let your shop owner know if you'd like her to order any of them for you!

  • Retreats,  Stitching,  Travel,  Workshops

    You’re Invited!

    I'm honored to have been asked to teach a class at Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia Beach this spring, and I'd love it if you could attend! The weekend will be full of merriment in the form of stitching, shopping, eating, coffee-drinking, and relaxing with old friends and new. If you've never visited Pat and Ann's shop, now would be a great time to do so! I'd love to meet you (and so would they!), and it all starts on Friday afternoon (April 24th) into Saturday evening (April 25th).

    Spring Weekend Blog Announcement

    The event begins with an Open House at the shop from 12-5 on Friday, and there will be a special kit for the attendees. Then on Saturday we'll be at the Greenbrier Country Club where I'll be presenting a new sampler with fourteen colors, a generous stitch count, and a theme that will help to usher in our upcoming season of patriotism. There are two class times to choose from – morning or afternoon, and all the other details can be found here.

    The registration for this Spring Weekend opens today! I hope you'll be there!

     

  • New Designs,  Stitching

    My Market Releases

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

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    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.

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    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!)

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    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.)

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    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!

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    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.

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    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,  Stitching,  Travel

    Nashville Market – Part 3

    Welcome back! Here are the last set of photos from this year's market, hosted by Yarn Tree and Needlework Retailer. They did such a wonderful job, right down to all the fine details, and I can't thank them enough for everything! I hope they continue to host more markets for all of us – just as soon as they recover from this one, that is. 🙂

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    I hope you enjoyed looking through the market photos.. again, if there is anything you'd like to have stitched for your home, simply contact your shop owner and let them know what it is you'd like! They most likely already have it in their shop, with your name on it. If you're not sure what the name of a chart is called that you see here, you can give your shop owner the address of this blog and the number of the photograph (hover your mouse over the image and it will reveal its magic number to you), and they should be able to do the rest.

    Have you hugged your shop owner today? 😉

  • Market,  Stitching,  Travel

    Nashville Market – Part 1

    What a fabulous market it was!! I always have so much fun reuniting with good friends, going out to fun restaurants in big groups (there were 20 of us one night!), chatting with all of the shop owners, and getting to see all of the new designs (and some of the previously-released ones) everyone has worked so hard to get released in time for the big weekend! I stepped out a few times and snapped some pictures of some of the models and the cute decorations. If you see a design you like, please contact your shop owner and ask them about it, because chances are, they will know exactly what it is and how to get it into your hands!

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    This picture is for you, Niky!

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    I think we'll stop there for today! Come back tomorrow, and I'll have Part 2 posted!