Sew Happy

As we get closer to the actual move, I am starting to get a little more excited - truth be told, this born and raised Iowa girl really didn't want to move...but all of the waiting, unknown, complications and stress have taken a toll and now I just want to get moved and settled into our new home. Things have finally started to fall into place and we will finalizing even more details this coming weekend (window treatments and appliances). Some great news we received a couple days ago - our sod is in place - YAY! - which means we can have the fence installed as soon as we close on the house. Also exciting - thanks to a stitching friend - we have found what looks to be a fantastic kennel to board our dogs...and it is close to our new house. The next stress is finding a new hair stylist - yeah, I'm somewhat nervous about that...I can handle a completely new area and leaving my home in Iowa, but I can't handle bad hair....and with the stress of the last few months, the gray is coming in a bit faster.😄 It all started to feel real last week when I ordered "we're moving" postcards and a self-inking stamp with our new address. April 12th will be here soon!!

Oh, and one more quick thing before I get to the needlework pretties...

I am fairly new to Norwex cleaning products - in fact, I just tried them a few months ago for the first time (and although I was skeptical, I was quite impressed). I was looking for cleaning products that were environmentally (and dog) friendly and Norwex checked all my boxes. With the new home on the horizon, I have quite a wish list...I happened to mention this to a dear friend and she suggested I have an online party - I am not a big fan of this and hate to solicit family and friends, but I was assured it would help me grow my extremely small collection. So, if you happen to need any Norwex products - I would be thrilled if you placed an order...or if you would like to learn more about them - I am happy to help!!

To place an order for my online party and/or view a catalog, visit:
http://carmenjacobsen.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/party/3651994
(when you review your cart, it should show my name and details (Belinda's Starting Fresh & Green in KC - Host: Belinda Nace)
Okay - that is all on that subject - and I appreciate you listening and possibly placing an order.💓 Now on to the creativity portion of this post...

I can't wait to get settled into a new studio...but for now, here are some needlework gifts and needlework finishing photos I haven't had a chance to share with you yet. The lovely sewing bird in the upper right corner ("Sew Happy" by All Through The Night) was a birthday gift from my very dear friend Robin - I can't wait to hang it in my new studio - isn't it FABULOUS?! Next up a couple finishing photos - that were done for a customer...

Flat finishes for placing in a basket...
Fronts
Designer information unknown.

Flat finishes for placing in a basket...
Backs

Flat finish ornaments - "Blue and Silver Christmas" by Misty Hill Studio

Flat finish ornaments - "Blue and Silver Christmas" by Misty Hill Studio
Backs

The next few photos are small pieces I have stitched while my studio has been packed for the move...the first is a Christmas ornament I stitched and finished as a holiday gift for a friend. The other two are personal stitches that I will finish after we are settled...

"Christmas Biscornu" by Just Nan

"Christmas Biscornu" by Just Nan

"Noel Squared" by Lizzie Kate

"Red Santa" - Birds of a Feather

These last photos are all exquisite gifts I recently received (yes, I am blessed!). I am so *in love* with these little cross stitch sled ornaments (designed by Foxwood Crossings) - my incredible friend Robin has made me one each year since 2014 and she signs/dates the back...2014 was the squirrel, 2015 was the quilt, 2016 was the monogram, 2017 was the red bird with green background...and for 2018, she stitched the cardinal with the blue background...aren’t they AMAZING?!

...and since we all know how much I love squirrels, check out these spectacular cross stitch ornaments and fabrics, along with a needle minder and keeping bag (pen and ink pieces by one of my favorite artists Michelle Palmer!)...all of these gifts made my heart swoon!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today! I am looking forward to getting back to work and sharing fun new ideas with you. For now, I am off to do a little cross stitching - a very thoughtful friend sent me a surprise kit in the mail and I am itching to start it...

Looking Forward

Hello friends and visitors! It's been a month or so since my last post...and many of you know that is because we are in the process of moving from Iowa to Kansas. This means not only moving from our home of fifteen years, but moving my business/studio, as well. Our home in Iowa is finally under contract (sidebar - I don't recommend trying to sell a home in the middle of a terrible Midwest winter - insert eye roll here)...and we have a home under contract in Kansas - yes, things are finally coming together...whew! This whole process has been a challenge and we aren't even moving into our new home yet...

We are scheduled to close on both homes April 12th - fingers crossed - and I am a little overwhelmed with everything we have to do. I have received a lot of questions about where we will be in Kansas, as I have taught quite a few classes and retreats in the area. We are actually going to be in Spring Hill, KS - one of the fastest-growing cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Our home is new construction (see photo above)...and no, we weren't necessarily looking for new construction...but after months of looking, my husband viewed a handful of new homes and this one was perfect for us. Yes, I am excited everything will be new...but it also means we have to purchase all the window treatments and some appliances, plus have the garage door openers installed, etc. - and our home doesn't even have sod or a fence yet (kind of a big deal when you have two German Shepherds...luckily, we have a six-mile walking trail around a five-acre pond within sight). As a bonus, our backyard butts up to farmland/a farmer's fence - providing a great view - and we are told we will see cows, which makes me happy! This our first experience with a Homeowner's Association, so that is all new too...and I have to completely learn the area...so it is entirely a new journey...

I will be in Iowa until April 8th...and moving into our new home on April 13th (crossing my fingers). I am hoping Blue Ribbon Designs will be back up and running before the end of April, as I know many of you are anxious to get your project bag orders filled and finishing orders underway! Believe me, I am ready to get back to work too - having my entire studio packed for months is truly wearing on me. Once all the details are official, I will be e-mailing specifics to my clients...and as soon as we are settled, my website store and Etsy Shop will re-open for business. I truly want to thank you all for your patience and understanding during this BIG transition.

To add a little beauty and creativity to this post, here are more lovely project bags I completed before I packed up my studio for the move...geez, I never thought I would say I missed sewing bags (only because I have made SO MANY), but I really do...I can't wait to be in my new sewing room!

I actually have a few needlework finishing projects left to share with you and one more AccuQuilt project I finished up before preparing for our move...I will be back to share those when time allows. Thank you all for hanging in with me during this crazy transition!