FlossTube Episode Nine and 2021 Reflection

Happy last Friday of 2021 (almost the new year!) friends... My latest FlossTube video has been posted. This video is a holiday wrap-up, a general update and shows some holiday and personal sewing/quilting/stitching...I talk about my upcoming quilt class and show a couple sneak peeks of upcoming new cross stitch designs. Thank you to those who have subscribed to my channel and to those who have liked and commented on my videos - I appreciate the kind words! 

You can find my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace and I will post the latest video (https://youtu.be/LVbobG3ddoA) below:

In just a matter of hours, we will be welcoming the new year...and as 2021 comes to a close, I am reflecting on the last 365 days...it sure has been another busy and artistic year...2021 was full of achievements, challenges, advancement, self reflection, 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, sewing 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/patterns with open arms and share in my passion for all things done with needle and thread. As we move forward into 2022, I have many goals (too many to list) and a good amount of projects in the works...a pile of creative design ideas and (as always) exciting plans for the future. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my passion...

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 and your patience as I explore new creative avenues and ideas. In preparation for 2022, 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, quilting, and crafting projects you have accomplished. I wish you a happy, healthy 2022 filled with joy, laughter, and creativity! HAPPY NEW YEAR....

The Holiday Rush and Wrap Up

Greetings friends - happy Wednesday! I am struggling to believe we are in the final few days of 2021 - for me, this year went by in a whirlwind. Things have felt almost out of control since my last post - but I think November and December feel that way for most.

I would like to thank everyone for the happy and positive response to my 2021 cross stitch Christmas ornament design! I really enjoy seeing all the "My Frosty Friend" finishes on social media and appreciate the kind notes and comments sent my way. To those of you who visited my shop or used the Buy Me A Coffee link (I replied to all of you personally) - I can't thank you enough - I am very grateful for your support.💗

On a personal level, we had a lovely Christmas. Since moving to Kansas City, my husband and I have started a few new traditions. For those of you who don't know, my husband is in management for UPS (the reason we moved to Kansas) and he always works on Christmas Eve...so when he gets home that night, we drive down to the Plaza to see the Christmas lights. The first year, it was almost 10:00 PM and the only place we could find open downtown was the Cheesecake Factory - so we stopped in, had a cocktail and appetizer and then walked around the Plaza area. This ritual has stuck around, so for the 3rd year I can't believe this was our 3rd Christmas in Kansas), we visited the Plaza, had a light late-night meal at the Cheesecake Factory (luckily, I had made reservations way in advance, because it was 65 degrees - unbelievable for December in the Midwest - and the Plaza was packed), then drove around and looked at some of the best light displays in the KC area. The photos below are my favorite houses. On Christmas Eve day, I watch our neighbor's dog Gus (a super sweet Golden Retriever)…they were kind enough to leave me a tray of fresh cinnamon rolls ready to rise and bake for Christmas morning - how thoughtful was that?! So, Christmas morning, we slept in - then had hot, fresh cinnamon rolls and French press coffee. That afternoon, we went to the movie theater, another Christmas tradition, to see a movie - this year we saw Spider-Man: No Way Home (which was excellent!). After the movie, we went home for our traditional Christmas dinner of flatbread pizza and wine. We also exchanged gifts and I opened a couple special packages that arrived from dear faraway friends. A wonderful, relaxing holiday.

As always, I made quite a few holiday gifts this year. I did a lot of sewing and quilting this year and I'll post a few photos below. I always enjoy making gifts for those in my life who appreciate them. I also took a few stress reliever evenings and made some small items, just to give myself a break - I made a mug rug and a pin cube that I adore - plus, a fabric bowl to hold my pin boxes and tomato pincushion...

I have been keeping busy with my Etsy shop (creating/sewing more items and slowly adding PDF versions of my classic cross stitch patterns), finishing several client orders, and working on new cross stitch designs (details coming soon). Here are just a few photos of projects I have been working on (as always, the cross stitch pieces shown below are for a client - they are just my finishing work, not my stitching or my designs)…

Over the last month, I spent several days helping my local quilt shop with inventory - I also took a quilt class and attended an open sew day (both firsts since we made the move and it has been enjoyable to meet other quilters/stitchers in the area). On a fun note - I will be teaching a quilt class for The Quilted Sunflower - the class will be for my Pretty Posies Pouch! We are still finalizing the details and a date with The Creative Place where it will be held, but as soon as I have definitive details, I will be sure to share them. The class fee will include the pattern and the hardware for the wrist strap and the class will be held on a Saturday. We have discussed future classes, as well, so I hope this one is well-received. Bottom photo below is of longarm bobbin containers gifted to me by my LQS owner and friend - they work perfectly for storing small items in my studio!

If  don't make it back for another post before 2022, thank you for spending another creative year with me! It is an incredible blessing to have stitching and quilting friends from all over the world that allow me to pursue my passion. Thank you for supporting my small business, encouraging me, and sharing my love of all things needle and thread.

"My Frosty Friend" - 2021 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

Hello creative friends - thanks for stopping by for a visit! Today, I have a very special Thanksgiving post that includes my 2021 Christmas Ornament. 

NOTE: If you are a regular reader of my blog, I'm sure you recall my post about the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue (if you have not read it, please take a look for context). 

I struggled with how to release a holiday ornament this year, as I proclaimed 2021 to be the year I value myself and my artistry. I didn't want to provide my ornament design for free (for the sixteenth year) to a publication/corporation that was profiting from it, as I truly believe that artists should be compensated appropriately for their work. However, when I created my 2021 Christmas ornament, I found myself wanting to provide it directly to my fans and needleworkers for free. In a year full of challenges, unrest and divide, I wanted to do something positive and share some joy - after all, sheer happiness comes from giving. Many have needed strength, love, hope and positivity to overcome challenges and loss over the past year - and at this time of Thanksgiving, even with my own challenges and struggles, I have an abundance of blessings. Today, I want to thank YOU for a multitude of things: for allowing me the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion - for your kind support of my needlework and quilting designs - for shopping my website and Etsy Shop - for inspiring me - for your uplifting comments, notes and e-mails - and for sharing your enthusiasm of all things needle and thread with me. 

My 2021 Christmas ornament is called "My Frosty Friend" and is available as a complimentary pattern. It complements my previous ornaments and is in the same style as my 2020 ornament (Rejoicing Reindeer). I continued in my flat-finish tradition (if you stitch it on 32-count fabric, 3 1/4" circles work perfectly) and used DMC floss (321 and 505) to make two-tone twisted cord. I decided to attach a 3/8" red gingham ribbon bow with a couple 1/2" red jingle bells. I used hand-dyed 32-count fabric this year....search your stash for a darker neutral fabric...just make sure the white floss will stand out. I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss for the model and provide DMC conversions with the chart, if you prefer. I truly hope this cheerful snowman will bring you joy - please stitch it with a happy heart. 

You can find the printable PDF chart here:
https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/
I kindly ask you do not post the actual chart on the Internet/social media or on Pinterest - instead, post a photo of the finished piece and direct users to this post or my website.

UPDATE to the original post: for those who have kindly asked if they could purchase this ornament design in the spirit of valuing my work (your messages make my heart happy!): I ask you talk about my designs with your stitching friends (spread the word about Blue Ribbon Designs) and/or visit my Etsy Shop or website to make a purchase...or you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required or necessary, but truly appreciated - thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💓

I also want to note, Just CrossStitch Magazine has changed their policy going forward (starting with the 2022 Christmas Ornament Issue) - they will now be compensating  designers for submissions. I should also note -  they did not invite me to design an ornament for the 2022 issue. I want to thank each and every one of you who spread the word regarding my blog post and called out Just CrossStitch Magazine for their outdated policy. We did make a difference!...and while they did not reach out to me for the 2022 publication, I am proud of myself and everyone who stood with me to make this change that benefits all cross stitch designers working with them in the future. Thank you.

Finally - if you plan to stitch "My Frosty Friend", I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished ornament on social media and tag me, so I can see it! 

To everyone celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday 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!

Sunflower Delivery - A New Cross Stitch Pattern

Greetings friends - I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit today! I can't believe it is November already and I have been finalizing plans for our Thanksgiving holiday - where have the months gone this year?! After helping out my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) with the Jingle All the Way Kansas Shop Hop last week, I have been putting the finishing touches on all sorts of creative projects. Today, I am here to tell you all about one of those projects....yes, it's a new design alert! I just released a brand new autumn cross stitch design and it is available for digital download in my Etsy shop. This chartpack is in my new PDF format, but if you would really like to have a printed paper pattern, please send me an email - there is a link in my blogger profile - I will reply with the details, then send a PayPal invoice and ship it to you - you will be charged a little extra for printing and exact shipping fees. For now, let's get to the fun part - the new design....

Sunflower Delivery (BRD-128)

Introducing the third set of Rick Rack Rounds!
Just like Sweet Slice of Liberty and Hitchin' A Ride, these have a stitch count of 48" x 48" and are stitched on 32-count fabric, measuring 3 1/4" round. I stitched "Sunflower Delivery" (named for the squirrel delivering sunflowers to the cute autumn house) on 32-count Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens with Sulky 12 Wt. Cotton Petites (DMC equivalents are also provided). You can use almost any neutral fabric color for these autumn beauties and pick your favorite fall floss colors. The pattern includes complete finishing instructions for my Rick Rack Rounds - and you can insert pins as I did...or they look great with just the rick rack (or trim of your choice). These make great bowl fillers or could be finished as seasonal ornaments. The pattern comes with a plethora of creative ideas! I filmed a comprehensive FlossTube video showing how to do the finishing on these, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/YkBe77naAZI. These autumn rounds are quick to stitch and easy to finish...and more seasonal/holiday Rick Rack Rounds are on the way!

Additional details/purchasing information:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1063975768/hitchin-a-ride-brd-126-counted-cross

I really hope you like this new fall inspired design - I truly enjoyed creating it!

I have also been putting the finishing touches on my 2021 Christmas ornament and I will have details for you REALLY soon...so stay tuned for that...

Plus, I have piles of sewing to complete for my Etsy shop and another new winter cross stitch design that will be available in the near future, so I will be back to visit with you again before you know it! Thanks for stopping by today and for always being so supportive of my creativity...💗

Studio Snippets

Greetings friends! My studio has been a buzz since we returned from vacation and my sewing machine has been humming along. I am back today to show some of my latest needlework finishing projects and Etsy creations. This post will be a bit longer than usual, as I have quite a few creative photos to share... rather than break them up into several posts, I am going to share both needlework finishing and sewing projects all in one post...along with details on where you can visit with me later this week...and a couple photos of the kids (our fur children) at the end. I'll keep the chatting to a minimum and let the photos do the talking. First a bunch of beautiful needlework that I finished for a talented client - these are all for the same stitcher....again, not my stitching or my designs, just my finishing work (I will post the designer details I have with each image).

Be Merry and Bright  by The Scarlett House

Merry & Minty by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle and Thread

October 31st by Threadwork Primitives

Merry Christmas by Liz Matthews

Cranberry Christmas by Hands On Design

And Rudolph by La-D-Da

Merry Christmas Pinkeep by Stacy Nash

Project Bag Panel by Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Finished My Way

I have also been doing tons of sewing for my Etsy Shop...lots of large project bags, accessory bags, artist bags and small project bags....along with quite a few Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve Sets. These all sold out almost immediately - but don't worry, if you missed this group, more are in the works. I have have yardage of almost every (if not every) retired Blackbird Designs sampler fabric and many coordinates - I have more bags already cut and ready to sew. At the time of this listing, there is one  large project bag in my shop and a wide assortment of Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve sets still available. Keep an eye on my Etsy Shop for more listings soon!!

Another announcement of note...if you are in the Kansas City area, I will be helping out my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) in Spring Hill, KS with the Jingle All The Way Quilt Shop Hop this week. I will be in the shop on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - so please stop by and visit with me!

Finally today - a few photos of the kids. Last week, I took a couple fall photos of our dogs in the backyard...and I was really pleased with how they turned out. I am also including a photo of Garin that I snapped last night in the kitchen (he was being so helpful)...

Schatzi - October 2021

Garin - October 2021

Garin - momma's little helper...

How was that for a creative post? - as you can see I am keeping busy in my studio (as always). I have several new cross stitch designs in the works and quite a few Etsy items in progress, so I will be back again soon. Thank you for stopping by to visit with me!