Heartfelt Thanks and Honest Answers

Photo taken on an early morning
training walk with Miss Schatzi...on the trail at
Raccoon River Park...

I can't believe it - it just two short weeks, I will be leaving for Dallas, TX to walk in the Komen 3-Day! I feel prepared for my 60-mile journey this year and I'm going to do my best to pamper my feet, so I don't get the ridiculous blisters I got last year (different socks and shoes, plus good preparation). My mom happens to be getting married the weekend after the event and I would definitely hate to attend the wedding in flip flops, so my feet will be getting all the attention they deserve. The next couple weeks will be spent making sure I have everything I need, packing (praying I can fit the necessary supplies and camping gear in my suitcase - yes, I pack like a girl), doing my final training walks, and taking care of all those little things that need to be done before taking several days away from home/business. I would truly like to thank all my supporters and supporters of Team Twinkle Toes - every single one of you make this incredible journey possible and I am so very grateful for your love and support. I  feel extremely blessed to have so much encouragement and support from my friends, family, and the stitching community - I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I know that in this day and age, there are so many worthy causes and people in need, and it is impossible to donate to everyone - that fact is not lost on me - I am extremely thankful to everyone who has made an effort to support me and/or my AMAZING team - every little bit adds up to A LOT - and to be honest, it makes me very emotional - my heart is full. 

I will be working right up to the event, as I currently have about a million "irons in the fire"...yep, as always, I am keeping busy! Recently, I have received a few "nastygrams" about my blog and my creative endeavors - therefore, I feel it is necessary to address a few things...

I know it has been a while since brand new Blue Ribbon Designs cross stitch charts have been marketed - and I am looking at options to release new needlework designs in the near future - the problem isn't having new designs/ideas, I actually have a HUGE pile of new designs created and ready to print - the problem isn't that I have forgotten my cross stitch fans - the problem stems from a financial end. The fact of the matter is, that in the current economy, the needlework community isn't doing a lot of purchasing. The last couple years have been slow, slow, slow...and it has been a gigantic challenge to keep Blue Ribbon Designs alive - it has been an emotional roller coaster, and I am doing my best to "stay afloat" and keep my designing dream a reality. I adore the needlework industry and I would put out a new design every single day if I could - but the fact is, I can't afford to print them and have them sit in my warehouse. I have researched endless options to keep Blue Ribbon Designs in business and I do have plans for the future in both needlework and sewing/quilting; however, right now, I am focused on supplementing my income just to stay afloat (bay bills, buy groceries, keep the lights on) - hence the new website, quilting/sewing designs, Etsy shop items, book sale, magazine pieces, needlework finishing, the "Learn to Counted Cross Stitch" video, etc. I am doing everything in my power to continue to pursue my passion and work in this creative field - Blue Ribbon Designs is my life - period. So, in the future, you WILL continue to see me designing, in both needlework and quilting fields (maybe full-time, maybe part-time) - you WILL see Blue Ribbon Designs in magazines and publications - and as always, I WILL be expanding my creative passions and working on projects that make me happy. Bottom line - I haven't given up on Blue Ribbon Designs and I hope you haven't either.

That should clear up the nastiness floating around - so let's get back to the heart of my blog and talk about my projects this week. Last Friday, my dear friend Mary gave me a small pile of twelve orphan quilt blocks, thinking I might be able to use them for something fun - I just love the fact that my friends pass along their fabric stashes, quilt blocks, creative supplies to me - I'm a very blessed girl! I took one look at the quilt blocks and decided to make them into pincushions - I just knew they would make cute little 6" x 6" pillows...and now, I have all twelve of them complete with the exception of whip stitching a few of them closed. I also have three more stitching wallets completed and several owl pincushions in the making - I am hoping to start listing these in my Etsy shop tomorrow or Saturday. I am also going through my finished items cabinet and may be listing a few pillows, table runners, and/or quilts...

My autumn walks have been inspiring and a good time to think - just take a look at some of the photos I have taken the last few days...

The rain has ended for the day and the sun is now shining - Travis and I will be taking Schatzi to Blue Heron Lake shortly for an evening walk...then I plan to be in my stitching nest for the rest of the evening - I *need* to pick up a needle...thanks for visiting!