Welcoming the New Year

 As we welcome the new year, I'm taking a look back at the last 365 days...it sure has been a year of ups and downs...2014 was full of triumphs, challenges, growing pains, and new directions. Thank you for contributing to the success of Blue Ribbon Designs and for your support, encouragement, and loyalty - there are many talented designers/finishers/teachers out there...and a vast amount of needlework and quilting patterns to choose from - I sincerely thank you for welcoming my designs and allowing my dream to be a reality. I truly love sharing my creativity and I hope you will continue to receive my designs with open arms and share in my passion for all things done with needle and thread. As we advance into 2015, I have many goals (too many to list) and a good amount of projects in the works...a pile of creative design ideas and exciting plans for the future. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my passion!

Here's a look back at just of few of the designs and items I created in 2014...and my studio tables are FULL of new things for 2015...

As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to thank you for supporting Blue Ribbon Designs and my blogging journey. You continue to inspire me with your creativity, kindness, and generous spirits - BRD would not be possible without you. In preparation for 2015, take a moment to reflect on the past year and the many blessings bestowed upon you...and be sure to take a look at all the beautiful stitching, sewing, and crafting projects you have accomplished. I wish you a happy, healthy 2015 filled with joy, laughter, and creativity!

Comfort and Joy

It's been a quiet week in our household...we enjoyed a small Christmas celebration/dinner with my husband's parents...and other than that, it has business as usual. For some reason, I basically skipped Christmas this year (which is unlike me)...I usually thoroughly enjoy making and sending gifts and cards, but this year, it just didn't happen. I spent the weeks leading up to the holidays working on some gigantic project deadlines and I still have a table full of custom and finishing work to complete. I am taking this afternoon to work on a couple small gifts...so the fun squirrel card I received from my "sister" in NH (shown right) is exactly how I feel! I did receive some VERY fun surprises from faraway friends across the country and they know how much I truly appreciate them and the gift of their friendship...I am a very blessed girl...and they know one day something special will show up in their mailbox from me. My sewing table and stitching nest have been overflowing with creativity and although I can't show you the projects I have been working on just yet, here are some photos of things that are currently inspiring me and making me smile....

How awesome is this memo/memory board and clips??
It was made for me by a very dear friend...

Yep - that's a cross stitch squirrel on a tiny sled...and some beautiful
fat quarters...I'm in love...

Sometimes a gift from a faraway friend brings happy tears to your eyes...
this is "so me"...isn't it perfect?!

A custom project in the works...I've used this Riley Blake fabric
before - it makes me happy!

GORGEOUS Jan Mullen fabrics from a new friend in WA - don't they
immediately brighten your mood? I haven't been able to shop for fabrics
in a while so receiving this fun assortment was a TREAT!

Working on a custom stitching wallet - the last one I will be able to make in these
cheerful  fabrics...good thing my stash is full of many other fabulous fabrics!

I hope the Christmas holiday was magical for you and filled with family, friends, and festivities!

In closing today, I want to take a moment and thank each and every one of you who has continually supported the many avenues of Blue Ribbon Designs - your love and encouragement bring me joy on a daily basis. As a designer, I put my heart and soul out there for everyone to see and you always receive it with such kindness and generosity - thank you from the bottom of my heart - your support is truly a gift.

Winter Whirlwind

Wow...I can't believe it has been two weeks since my last post - where has the time gone?? To be honest, the last couple weeks have been a whirlwind of work deadlines and I've barely had time to breathe....but it's all good GREAT, because I am still pursuing my passion...

In the Christmas department - there is no news. This year it is a quiet holiday...in fact, I have joked that I have canceled Christmas...to be honest, I have been so focused on work obligations that I haven't even thought of decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, caroling, or cards. This year is a first for me - I haven't had a chance to make one single gift or send one single package (which is something I really enjoy). Those who know me well understand - I'm definitely not bah humbug, I'm just taking a break from Christmas...

In the stitching department, I have been working on (believe it or not) Halloween designs for Just CrossStitch magazine...these designs will be published in 2015. Obviously I can't share them just yet...but here is a teaser of one of them...I have several more designs and ornaments to complete for JCS...lots of fun things are on the way...

...and since I can't show you my upcoming designs, here is a peek at what is in my personal stitching basket...Winter Wonderland by Blackbird Designs....

In the fun mail department - I have received a couple AMAZING Christmas packages with wonderful wrapped gifts (which I am saving until Christmas)...my fabulous friends who sent them had no way of knowing that I had cancelled Christmas...they'll be waiting a wee bit longer this year for a package from me. I also received the coveted Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks mug - woo hoo! - the designers who participate in the special 100 Blocks issue each receive one...who knew how fun it would be to drink out of a mug with one of my block designs on it - it is my current favorite thing!

In the kids department...we had a few clear days last week, and the snow has melted away, so Schatzi and I have been stopping at the park on our early morning walks for a few rousing games of fetch...and Simba is still looking for sunshine (which is rare this time of year) or a warm lap....

In the sewing and quilting department...my machine was purring all week long and filled with deadlines...unfortunately, I can't show you any of the finished products as they are for AccuQuilt, a magazine, and several customers...but here are a few peeks...

I can't wait to share some of these pieces with you...they are so much FUN! This coming week, I have more special projects to do, contracted designing, more magazine designs, some needlework finishing, and some customer projects (window coverings, project bags, and wall hangings) - it will be another full week and that is fine with me! Tonight I am cleaning up the studio so I can get started on list...

...but I do plan to take a couple hours off to watch a movie with my husband and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Saturday Smiles

I'm not sure where the last couple weeks disappeared to....seriously, has anyone seen them? Although my days seem to be a blur, my business is busy, which is a HUGE blessing! We've had snow...Thanksgiving...and I have been working on piles of projects (including: needlework finishing, custom sewing/quilting projects, cross stitch designs/models for JCS magazine, a design/model for a major quilting magazine, new designs and projects for AccuQuilt, new Blue Ribbon Designs cross stitch and quilting patterns, and Etsy pieces)...and if I can make time, I may be able to work on a few gifts before Christmas (although, doubtful - dear friends please be super patient with me - Christmas may pass me by before I come up for air!). As always, my list is long, but fortunately, I LOVE most of the tasks that need to be done...and if I didn't have my growing list, I would surely forget something...so, I apologize if my blog has seemed neglected - please know, it is on my list daily too...

Here is a quick photo tour of my blurred days...including some things that are making me smile...

A look out our back window...

Miss Schatzi LOVES the snow - she will play in it for hours...
here she is watching over me while I shovel and snow blow...

Custom sewing...

A surprise gift from a very dear friend...

The Thanksgiving chef (Travis's mother)...she made an
AMAZING meal!

Custom sewing/quilting for a customer...

Custom sewing/quilting for a customer...

Custom sewing/quilting for a customer...

Custom sewing/quilting for a customer...

Fabric inspiration - two of which are lovely gifts from friends...

My new favorite beverage cup from my "sister" in New Hampshire...
because it IS all about the squirrel...and who can't use "advice from
a squirrel"...this makes me SO happy!

So there you have it...a very quick weekend wrap-up. I'm having fun in my studio - keeping up with my dear friends and family - enjoying the winter weather...and I am even able to wear "real" shoes and walk daily again...I am happy and blessed!