Busy Little Worker Bee

Hello blog friends! I have been a busy little worker bee lately...working on upcoming class/teaching preparations and kits...model stitching several magazine/book designs...designing/kitting some new cross stitch pieces...and sewing/quilting items for my Etsy shop. I have also been working on a release schedule for my new cross stitch designs - I have been holding off on releasing new charts while the economy has been a bit slow, but have a pile of pieces ready for printing production - right now my plans are to release a couple new designs in November and then a couple every other month or so, making my releases a bit more "scheduled"...look for more details in the next month or two. 

Today, I finally had a chance to list a pile of new items in  my Etsy shop...several more project bags, more stitch starter ruler sets, and FINALLY an assortment of needlebook scissor cases. These are all in the Sew It Book Collection by the Vintage Workshop, Amy Barrickman for RedRooster Fabrics....I made several project bags in this fabric line last week and they flew out of the shop. I received quite a few requests for more pieces in this fabric collection, so I did my best to comply....unfortunately, my understanding is that this collection is discontinued (I have had it in my stash for quite some time) - I still have some odds and ends and was able to secure a bit more...but pieces will be limited. 

I changed up my needlebook scissor case a pattern a bit by adding interfacing to the pockets and cover...and used fusible fleece for padding (instead of batting), which makes them more durable and quite sturdy - I am happy to get another one of my patterns perfected. I also enjoyed going through my vintage button stash to find coordinating buttons.

More sampler fabric project bags will be coming soon (thank you for the enthusiastic response!)...as well as more needlebook scissor cases (and yes, some will be in the Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric line by Blackbird designs)...I have a pile cut and ready to be constructed. Just be patient with me - I have quite a few deadline at the moment and I am dong my best to balance everything...

After finishing up a few details at my desk, I plan to get some fresh air and take Simba to the park...then I will be headed to my stitching nest to work on a cross stitch magazine model...I have lots of stitching to do...enjoy what is left of your Thursday!

The Iowa State Fair in Photos

The 2012 Iowa State Fair Butter Cow

It was a beautiful August day, as my husband and I headed to the Iowa State Fair for our yearly visit. The Iowa State Fair is the largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country - annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world. Of course, there are exhibits and attractions we *have to* see at the fair each year - the butter cow, the big bull, the big boar, the fabric and threads exhibition, the photography, the ugly cakes....and of course, we must have some fair food! There are so many AMAZING things to see each year...even the gardens on the fairgrounds are well maintained. I always enjoy seeing the barnyard animals and livestock (especially the rabbits!)....and the photography and dollhouses....along with the fruit, vegetable, and food ribbon winners. Here is a little photographic journey of our visit (heavy on needlework and quilting)....I'll let the photographs do the talking and add little captions when necessary....click on individual photos for a large look...
(Those of you who use Instagram can see some additional photos I took on my smartphone - username: BRDGIRL)

Blue Ribbon Needlework

Holiday Needlework

Best of Show Fabric and Threads

I love spicy food - the hotter, the better - therefore, I couldn't resist
 taking a photo of the hot pepper entries....

Check out the details on the Victorian house cake...
and the peacock cake was gorgeous!

Ribbon winning slices of cake...

The turtle cake was AMAZING in person....

Ribbon winning candies...

I feel in love with this Mini Lop rabbit - so ADORABLE!

 The  Animal Learning Center has agricultural education exhibits and
 features live births of various species including cows, sows, nanny goats and ewes.
I loved seeing all the newborn animals....

The horses are always wonderful to see - here is one having a bite
 to eat before a showing....

2012 Big Bull (World Super Bull) - 2,646 lbs.

2012 Big Boar - Reggie - 1,335 lbs.

New this year: the "World's Largest Chocolate Moose in Captivity" - weighing 320 pounds...
 standing more the 10 feet high and 118 inches in length. Hundreds of pounds of Dutch
chocolate were applied in layers and hand-carved by Chocolaterie Stam to create the moose...
...as you can see, I needed to be a bit taller to get the entire moose in one photo!

Photography Exhibit

Photography Exhibit

Best of Show  Photography Exhibit

Best of Show Doll House (with a green house!)

Best of Show Miniature Room

A blue ribbon winning log cabin doll house...

Garden on the fairgrounds...

Garden on the fairgrounds...

Garden on the fairgrounds...

Garden on the fairgrounds...

Sewing Up A Storm...

Remember the new project bags I told you about a few weeks ago...the ones I was perfecting my pattern for...the ones that would be perfect for carrying an entire needlework project?? Well, I finally have a pile of them completed and listed in my Etsy shop. After working on several prototypes, I decided on a size of approximately 14" W x 10.25" H...and the zipper placement to be across the top, instead of in the front - which makes it easier to insert your stitching chart and materials. A full-size (8.5" x 11") pattern or book fits easily inside with plenty of room for your fabric, threads, and essentials. Each bag is padded with fusible fleece, making it sturdy and perfect for protecting the contents....and it is fully lined with NO raw, exposed, or serged seams. They are a bit time consuming to make - hence, the delay and finishing this first batch...but I am thrilled with the results. Next up, I will be finishing a pile of needlebooks that I have been promising you for some time....they are on the way...really, they are....I have set a goal to have them completed this week...

For now, it is off to my stitching nest...where I am working on a model for The World of Cross Stitching Magazine...it is in my signature style and is coming along very nicely. I feel extremely blessed with the state of the economy/industry to have teaching engagements, magazine/book projects, and my Etsy shop to keep Blue Ribbon Designs going strong...there will be new needlework charts on the way, I am just trying to make the best business decision for their release...rest assured there will be new designs from Blue Ribbon Designs in the coming months - I'll keep you updated as to when...

Friendship and Fabric

My last week has been consumed with model stitching - I finished up a pair of winter designs for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine...stitched and finished some needlework smalls for an upcoming class...and got quite a bit completed on a model for The World of Cross Stitching magazine. After taking the entire day off on Monday for a road trip with my girlfriends, I have been frantically trying to complete my ever-growing to-do list...but what's new?! I haven't had a single moment of time with my sewing machine, which is making me cranky...so that may happen later today...I have a huge pile of items cut and ready to sew for my Etsy shop.

I did have the most special mail day on Friday...a (complete) surprise package arrived from my very dear friend Robin - Robin is one of those friends that makes me smile on a daily basis, even though she is miles away. Her friendship is a true blessing and (although she may not know it) she has taught me many meaningful lessons - she truly brightens my days with her beautiful spirit. Robin's package included a lovely handmade card...an adorable pattern for cinnamon roll pincushions (which I have never seen before)....and two cuts of "perfect for me" fabric - both with birds, of course! The seagull fabric is Sandy Shores by Whistler Studios from Windham Fabrics (Sue Donnelly, if you are reading this, it brings me back to our drive along the ocean shore and your hysterical laughter as I took millions of photos of the seagulls)....and the fabric panel is Feather Your Nest by Diane Knott for Clothworks. I am definitely looking forward to trying out the "On A Roll!" pattern (Susie C Shore Designs) and finding the perfect use for my new stash of fabric! 

Well, I think I will try to get in that quilting time this afternoon - the house is quiet and I really need some alone time with my sewing machine...my days are just better when I can play with fabric and thread....