Thursday, December 17, 2020

Notable Needlework

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Hello creative friends - it has been a full day and I thought I would briefly drop by before I head back into the studio to finish up another project bag order. I just finished setting up a new thermal printer in my office for shipping labels (a HUGE Christmas surprise that arrived today! - I have had one on my wish list for years!), packing up a few orders and answering some correspondence...so, I thought I would quickly stop by and share some needlework finishing with you. These pieces were all stitched by the same incredible needleworker and I just did the finishing (not my designs or stitching, just my finishing). I will put designer names/titles in the photo captions (when known), just in case you are interested. This stunning group of items was quite fun to work on and I enjoyed choosing the materials...one was a limited edition kit that included finishing materials and for the others, I chose the supplies...doing my best to follow directives from the needleworker. I am really happy with how each and every piece turned out...and I hope the stitcher will be quite pleased too. I packed them all up in a large shipping box when complete and shipped it off on Monday. I still have almost 100 pieces of needlework to finish for clients, so I will have more fun photos to show you soon. For now, enjoy these images...and I hope you will be inspired to pull out your most recent cross stitch piece and do a little needlework finishing yourself...

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Redbud Cottage Pinkeep by Stacy Nash Primitives

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Expect Less Strawberry by Erica Michaels
All About Berries Club - an exclusive club through Dyeing To Stitch

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Expect Less Strawberry by Erica Michaels
All About Berries Club - an exclusive club through Dyeing To Stitch

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Project Quarantine: Stay Home & Stitch by With Thy Needle & Thread

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Let's Stay Home by Samplers Forever - Claudia Ciceri

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Find Comfort by Scarlett House

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
I Collect by With Thy Needle & Thread

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Bird of Spring by Dames of the Needle

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Redbird Sampler by Heart in Hand

That's enough for tonight...I'm off to the next project! Thank you for visiting...I'll stop back again soon and share some holiday gifts and a few snapshots from my kitchen...and I'll have new photos of the canine "kids" soon...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Finishing Frenzy

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Hello friends - it is Wednesday evening and I thought I stop by for a visit, before sitting down at the sewing machine again. It has been a productive few weeks and I am steadily working through needlework finishing and project bag orders before the Christmas holiday arrives next week (YIKES!).

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their comments, shares and e-mails regarding my last post (The End of an Era: Finding my Worth). The feedback was varied and quite overwhelming - so much so, that I couldn't answer every single message. Most of the feedback was positive and uplifting...and of course I got some nastygrams, as well. I just want to make one final statement on the subject, as quite a few stitchers feel the JCS Ornament Issue is an act of volunteerism and giving back to the needlework industry:

My post was not about volunteering, giving back or charity work. Volunteering for a good cause, generally does not profit a large corporation. I have volunteered in the needlework community many, MANY times over the last twenty years and I have given back and said thank you to stitchers and my fans countless times – happily, with joy in my heart! I have shared my time, knowledge, talent, and complimentary designs…I have made countless donations…and I will continue to do so…those acts make my heart happy and are done on my terms. 

My message: I don’t want a large company (that doesn’t publish this magazine for charity) to profit off of the hard work and creativity of the artists that make it possible. Period. 

I, personally, would love to see the Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue thrive and be full of favorite designers (like you, I am a fan). My post was about asking them to step up and support the artists that provide the material that make it their "best selling issue of the year."

Whew! Enough of that - now back to happiness and creativity!

The last few weeks have been full of needlework finishing and project bag sewing - with my husband's crazy holiday work schedule (he is in management for UPS), I have had plenty of sewing and finishing marathons...most nights, working until midnight. I have been going though tons of supplies and I am waiting on several large orders of materials (delays in fulfilling and shipping orders is slowing my progress). The highlight of my week was receiving an INCREDIBLE package from (my dear friend) Lady Dot Creates - lots of luscious hand-dyed trims, twill tapes, ribbons and fabric...if you finish your own needlework and have not ordered from her, you are missing out - gorgeous, consistent colors and high quality products. You can find her website by visiting: http://ladydotcreates.com or shop in her Etsy Store by visiting: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladydotcreates...

Here are some images of recent project bag and needlework finishing orders...and I have at least a dozen more needlework finishes that I can show you in my next post...

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com


©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

For now, I am headed back to my sewing room - I finally received a large order of 3/4" cotton rick rack, so I can complete a pile of orders...it is going to be another late night. I'll be back soon to share some more needlework finishes...and I have some gifts I made that I can share with you, as well...

Wishing you some creative time during the holiday rush...I hope you can find a little time to work on a project that brings you joy!

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The End of an Era: Finding my Worth

Blue Ribbon Designs ornament from Just CrossStitch Magazine
I hope fellow needleworkers, friends, and creative enthusiasts will read this post (apologies for the length) and think about how we can support the designers and artists that fuel the stitching industry.

It's hard to believe the first Just CrossStitch Special Christmas Ornament Issue was published in 1997. Truth be told, I was a fan from the start...way before I started designing professionally. I would pick up my copy at the local needlework shop or newsstand and analyze every single page. There was just something heartwarming about the diverse selection of designers, seeing their personal photos, trying their favorite Christmas recipes and reading about their stories/memories...it was truly a treat. I would spend hours perusing the pages and choosing the Christmas ornaments I wanted to/would stitch.

I honestly can't even explain the joy I felt in 2006, when I was invited to participate in this annual issue for the very first time...it was that feeling of "wow, someone has noticed my designs...I've finally made it!" That's right, 2020 marked the fifteenth year I received an invitation to design an ornament for this special issue. Even with changes over the years and many favorite designers disappearing from the issue (believe me, I've had second thoughts about it for a few years too), I continued to feel blessed to design my ornament each year. 

About a month ago, I received my sixteenth invitation for the 2021 issue (yes, designers are invited almost a year in advance). Again, I started weighing the pros and cons of being involved - mainly, because designers are NOT PAID for this issue. You heard me correctly - Just Cross Stitch Magazine does not pay designers to be in their boasted "best selling issue of the year." If you are new to the industry, sure you can get noticed being in this issue and being paid in "exposure" might be worth it; but for hardworking designers that have been around for a number of years and built a brand, giving away work for free, just doesn't seem like the best decision. I started to think about the time involved, the supplies needed, what my art is worth and even the cost of postage to mail the ornament to the publication. Plus it takes away time from working on paid pieces...and I market it for them on social media...is this really the best use of my talents?? This is my full-time job. Then I thought about my fans and the needleworkers who stitch my pieces - will I let them down if I decline?...will they be disappointed? I started questioning why...if this is JCS's best selling issue of the year, why aren't they paying and supporting the designers that make it possible? Why do they pay their staff, but not the artist? Would this be a paying job if the needlework industry was a male dominated profession? I know, a bit over the top...but that really was my thought process. I tend to quietly let things sink in, weigh it all out and make measured decisions. I took a deep breath and formulated my response (and yes, I sent this exact response in reply to the invitation):

Hi [Editorial Assistant],

I apologize for the delay in my response. To be honest, I have gone back and forth, struggling to make a decision on whether or not to be involved with the Christmas Ornament Issue in 2021.

I have shared my talent with this special issue for fifteen years…and even before I was designing full-time, it was my favorite issue and something I looked forward to purchasing. Every year, Just CrossStitch advertises that this is the “best selling issue of the year”, yet the designers that make this issue possible are not being properly compensated. Yes, the exposure is good if you are new to the industry…but for those of us who have built a name and a brand, the exposure is doing little to compensate us. This is my full-time job and something I take extremely seriously. Giving away my work for free and enabling that behavior to continue is something I can’t advocate. I’m sure you don’t ask your staff to work for free. I have expenses, time and creativity involved – not to mention the postage to send my sample to you. Plus, I have always marketed my design in this issue on all forms of social media, something I also do without compensation. Exploiting designers on any level is not something I can support.

I have decided it is in my best interest not to participate in 2021. I truly hope Just CrossStitch will take a look at this policy going forward and start paying designers fair compensation for their work – without designers, there would be no needlework industry.

This was a tough message to write and I truly weighed my options (mostly because I don’t want to let my fans down that count on me being in this special issue). I tried to write this in a kind, yet professional way. I have always been (and I still am) a fan of Just CrossStitch Magazine and I hope we will have a chance to work on future (paid) projects together. 

Sincerely,

Belinda

[Signature]

I don't know what I thought would happen - I mean, who am I, really??...and, in all reality, I enabled this poor behavior for years. I didn't expect a big change...but I did think I would get some sort of response that would give me some closure. I did get a short, nice response from the Editorial Assistant:

Hello Belinda,

Thank you for your response to our Christmas ornament design call.  As the editorial assistant for Just CrossStitch Magazine, I personally don’t have any control over the details of this publication, but please be assured that I have forwarded your concerns. Your note was very well written. I understand and appreciate you sharing your view. 

Kind regards,

[Editorial Assistant] 

Your basic - it's out of my hands and I'll send it on....but that was it. 

What an overall disappointment - disappointment in this particular publication and disappointment in myself for enabling this behavior for fifteen years. So, here I am, sharing this - my learning experience - hoping I can make some sort of difference. 

Going forward, I plan to be selective with my artistry and work on projects that are in my best interest. I, have too many times, been way underpaid (or in this case not paid) for my creativity (hmmm, AccuQuilt also quickly comes to mind)…and, in reality, these instances started to make me undervalue myself...and that is a terrible headspace to occupy. I plan to make 2021 the year to value and believe in myself and my talents!

So, for my needlework friends and fans...I am working on some ideas for a Christmas ornament(s) for next year...I have several fun ideas floating around and I will make sure you have a BRD Woodland Series ornament available for stitching next year...and it will be on my own terms! 

I hope you will share your thoughts (positive or negative) on this post with me...and/or share this post with your stitching friends and needlework communities. Maybe you'll share your thoughts with Just Cross Stitch Magazine. Think about how you can help secure the future of our industry by supporting designers and artists...

Thank you for reading this lengthy post...I'll be back soon with positivity and creativity!

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Blue Ribbon Designs - Annual Sale

Visit my Etsy Shop or website for my annual sale - going on now through midnight on Monday, November 30th...pick up your favorite single cross stitch charts and pincushions for 20% off.  Plus all orders of $35 or more are eligible for a FREE GIFT.
Thank you for supporting my small business throughout the year!

 


Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Oodles of Ornaments

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing
It continues to be a finishing frenzy in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio...client orders are still piled across my counters and my list continues to grow. I have been super focused and productive, working around the clock to finish up the projects on my to-do tables along with preparing new designs. I have a plethora of finishing clients to take care of for the holidays (and into the new year)…and I am trying to balance it all and keep my sanity. I have been working on a variety of creative activities, including: lots of needlework finishing, pattern writing, custom sewing, custom quilting and freelance designing…plus making some gifts for the holidays…the to-do list is almost overwhelming. Of course, this time of year, I'm asked to keep many of my client finishes a secret...here is a picture album of needlework finishing that I completed over the last few weeks that I have the "okay to show" (not my designs or stitching, just my finishing work)…

Fabric shown with each was used for the backing...and the gorgeous hand-dyed ribbons, velveteen, pop-pom trim and twill tape are all from Lady Dot Creates (visit her Etsy Shop for the very best pretties and finishing materials)

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

Blue Ribbon Designs Needlework Finishing

I hope you are inspired to finish some of your own holiday projects! I am headed back to the studio momentarily to work on more client (you guessed it) Christmas ornaments...it seems like the piles are never-ending. I just took advantage of the Audible Black Friday Sale (a girl can never have too many books) and have a wonderful assortment of new titles queued up and ready for listening...  

As I look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, I have so many things to be extremely thankful for: a loving family, a wonderful husband, AMAZING friends (who accept me, my quirks, and my crazy busy schedule!), two loveable dogs, and a career I find joy in every single day...way too many things to list. I am truly grateful for all of you who share my passions, encourage me with your comments and emails, and support my designs and creative ventures - you all brighten my days!

To everyone celebrating tomorrow - and to my many international fans and friends - take a little time to count your blessings...and a little time to stitch...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Snow Buddies - A Table Runner Pattern

Snow Buddies - an original quilt pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs
Hello friends - a quick post this evening to let you know my latest quilt pattern is available in my Etsy Shop as a digital download (and will be added to my website in the near future). "Snow Buddies" is available as a high quality PDF that will print on 13 pages of standard letter size (8.5" x 11") paper.

The thirteen page digital file includes:

Page 1 - Cover Page with Color Photo 

Page 2 - Supply Page

Page 3 - Quilt Diagram

Page 4 - General Instructions and Notes

Pages 5 to 10 - Cutting and Piecing Instructions and Diagrams

Pages 11 to 13 - Applique Shapes for Tracing

This fun snowman table runner finishes 36" W x 12" H and incorporates both traditional piecing and applique...and you will want to have some basic quilting and applique knowledge. The instructions/diagrams are very thorough and I think a beginner could definitely tackle it! Snow Buddies is a great stash and scrap buster...the pattern is written to easily adapt the fabric you have on hand. I am super excited to bring this original quilt design to you...and I'm working on several more, along with some long overdue new cross stitch designs. 

Snow Buddies - an original quilt pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs

I hope this new pattern makes you smile and you will want to make some Snow Buddies of your own! This pattern has been a long time in the making - I actually designed it in 2015 - I had requests for it at the time, but it just never made it center stage. It actually worked out that I had a mini creative meltdown last week - it forced me to step away from needlework finishing orders for a few days and work on something more fulfilling. I am now back in my "happy place" and in my studio working on client finishing projects. 

I do have a small pile of handmade finished items to add to my Etsy Shop, as well - a few miscellaneous (smaller) zipper pouches and a seamstress stocking...a small assortment of items I need to photograph and list in my "spare time"...I just keep adding to the pile.

I also still have that list of things to share with you here - including recent fishes, plus what I have been up to in the kitchen...and a little designer announcement that I need some feedback on...so, stay tuned, I'll be back again soon... 

Snow Buddies - an original quilt pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs


Saturday, November 21, 2020

Singing Under the Stars Quilt Pattern

Singing Under the Stars - A Quilt Pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs ©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC
Greetings friends! I can't believe the list of things I have to share with you - I have been adding to it daily...I will do my very best to get caught up and post several times this week. My studio has been buzzing with all sorts of excitement - I have been doing piles of holiday finishing for clients, I have been working on some new designs, I have been making gifts...and I have been sewing and quilting up a storm. I have also been doing some online learning and working on some new technical skills. Yes, I have been staying quite busy. So let's get to the first thing on my list...

I had a bunch of quilt pattern requests for the "Singing Under the Stars" quilt that I designed/created for the Poppie Cotton Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour. Yep, you asked for it - so I have written the pattern. It is available in my Etsy Shop for digital download (and will be added to my website in the near future). It is a high quality PDF that will print on 16 pages of standard letter size (8.5" x 11") paper.

The sixteen page digital file includes:

  • Page 1 - Cover page with color photo
  • Page 2 - Supply page
  • Page 3 - Quilt Diagram
  • Page 4 - General Instructions and Notes
  • Pages 5 to 12 - Cutting and piecing instructions
  • Pages 13 to 16 - Applique Shapes for tracing

Singing Under the Stars - A Quilt Pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs ©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC

This whimsical quilt finishes 45" W x 60" H and incorporates both traditional piecing and applique...and you will want to have some basic quilting and applique knowledge. I am super excited to bring this original quilt design to you...and I'm working on several more, including something special for an upcoming Poppie Cotton  fabric collection.

So, if you were interested in this Woodland Songbirds pattern, make your way over to my Etsy Shop! Just a note: this quilt would look great in a variety of fabrics and I have done a breakdown in the pattern that would make it easy to convert to a favorite fabric line or fabric in your stash.
Blue Ribbon Designs Logo: ©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC

Also - you may have noticed - I have been working on my graphic design skills and have given my blue ribbon logo an overhaul! After sixteen years, it was time for a makeover...and this new quilt pattern is the first to use this new cover design art. 

Working on this delightful quilt pattern reminded me of how much I enjoy the design process and pattern writing. For me, it was the perfect project at the perfect time - just when I was getting completely burned out on holiday finishing and trying to figure out what I want to do "when I grow up", I found that little piece of joy that I have been missing. I have made a promise to myself to work on new designs - both cross stitch and quilting/sewing - each week.

So there you have it - my latest quilt pattern. I hope you will be inspired to work on something creative this weekend....and if you decide to make a "Singing Under the Stars" quilt of your very own, please be sure to share your progress with me!

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour:
Singing Under The Stars

©Copyright 2020 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday...and welcome to the Poppie Cotton Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour! I am super excited to share the quilt I created with the new Woodland Songbirds fabric collection. I always enjoy putting on my quilt designing hat and working on a project with my own vision and ideas. I knew months ago when I first saw this gorgeous collection with tiny exquisite details that I would be making a quilt featuring singing birds. If you are a regular visitor to my blog, then you know how much I love to combine piecing and appliqué (and adding additional embellishments). Designing and creating this special quilt brought me an immense amount of joy - it is such a happy fabric collection! 



"Singing Under the Stars"

My quilt design was created using EQ8 Software...I spent an afternoon playing around in the software and in my studio...and this was the result. I used two traditional quilt blocks - the Ohio Star and the Nine Patch...along with appliquéd top and bottom borders. I titled my quilt "Singing Under the Stars"...which just seemed to fit. I fussy cut the centers of the Ohio Star Blocks to feature some of the beautiful details in this fabric collection (the little birdies on the toadstools are EVERYTHING!). Most of the appliqué shapes were cut using a die cutting system…I used the fusible appliqué method and stitched them down with a Blanket Stitch. I utilized pearl cotton to hand stitch French Knots for the bird eyes…and attached a handful of coordinating buttons from my stash as flower centers. The results is a nice sized quilt measuring 45" x 60"...perfect for snuggling under on a dreary day!










There you have it - my quilt design using the Woodland Songbirds Collection by Poppie Cotton. This fabric line is in shops now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these gorgeous prints. I used a Woodland Songbirds fat quarter stack along with yardage from the Poppie Cotton Country Confetti Collection for my background, backing and binding.

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you hear my heart singing as I worked on this piece?! I am already working on a project for the next Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour in January...it is for the upcoming Dots & Posies Collection...and I can't wait to share it with you...

For more projects from the Poppie Cotton Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog: https://poppiecotton.com/poppie-cotton-blog/, where each tour stop and project is featured (and there are some INCREDIBLE pieces!).

If you make a project from the Woodland Songbirds Collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!