Saturday Snippets

One of the "perks" for being an active business in the needlework industry for so many years is getting new fabric and fiber samples for use in my models...and yesterday, I was excited to receive the sixteen new DMC floss colors! I had seen the new colors advertised by needlework shops and on the DMC blog, but it was wonderful to see them in person - these are fabulous new colors and are a welcome addition to the DMC color pallet. In case you haven't heard, DMC is adding 16 brand new colors to the line of Cotton Embroidery Floss - these are the first new colors to be added since 2001, and were developed based on input from some of your favorite needlework designers. The new colors expand on several of DMC‘s existing color families, and are split into two distinct palettes: eight soft, natural shades and eight bright, vibrant hues...and they are numbered from 3880 - 3895. These new colors will be available in a package containing all sixteen colors and will be available only in the United States (and come with several free patterns) - rumor has it these special packs will be available in October...so look for them very soon! Your favorite needlework shops are taking pre-orders for this special set of new colors and you can visit DMC’s website for additional information...

On a personal note...
I also wanted to share an update on our German Shepherd puppy...Schatzi is now just over six months old and is already 67 pounds!...yes, she is growing up very quickly!! Just like Simba, Schatzi has her own webpage on the BRD website and you can follow her adventures and see her grow. She is still puppy 2.0, but is learning commands very quickly and is starting to walk better on a leash (thank goodness)...she continues to surprise us with her intelligence every day. One of her skills is being an alarm clock and she seems to wake us every morning at the same time (which has gotten earlier and earlier over the last several weeks). We concluded this might be because of the light shining in her kennel, so last weekend, armed with 6 yards of black bottomweight canvas, I made a cover for her kennel. I was actually thrilled with the results, as I didn't have a pattern - I just measured the kennel (which is HUGE - 49"L x 30.5"W x 32.25"H), devised a plan and started ironing, cutting, serging, and sewing. It did manage to give us an extra 45 minutes of quiet time in the early morning hours, so my three hours last Sunday were well spent! It is now so dark in her crate, I can barely see her inside...

....and for those of you who ask about Simba...he is adjusting well to his new sister - they aren't best friends yet, but they get along...and I'm sure this will improve drastically when Schatzi is a little older and not so hyper! Simba is still my little boy and never leaves my side...and yes, he is still spoiled - he lives like a little king...here is hanging out with me outside on our deck...

I am now back to my stitching nest to work on a new BRD model (the perfect afternoon activity on this rainy Saturday)...it has been a productive morning and although I have a hundred irons in the fire, I'm feeling good.
Enjoy your weekend!

My Stitching Nest

My home has several "stitching nests"...those special places I like to curl up with my needle and work on my current project. Whenever I am going to go stitch I always say "I am headed to my stitching nest"...there is just something cozy about calling it my "nest"...maybe it stems from my love of birds...it just feels appropriate. I even designed a piece in my early years called "My Stitching Nest" that hangs above my favorite stitching chair.

Last week, during the height of my flu epidemic, my dear friend Lorrie dropped off a belated birthday package - I was not feeling well enough to open it...in fact, I didn't even come close to feeling well enough to open it until this past Sunday. It sat on our living room table all week and everyday, my husband would say, "I can't believe you haven't opened your gift yet"...but I really wanted to wait to open it when I could enjoy and appreciate it. When I opened it, I was speechless - a handmade "Bel's Stitching Nest" sign...complete with an actual nest!

Lorrie attached a detailed note telling me about this slate tile sign and how it came to be...the thought and time that went into this project made me feel so very special...her kindness touched me deeply.

A friend painted the large piece of slate for her...but Lorrie thought it needed more, so she added the bird's nest and filled it with treasures. As you can see from the enlarged photo, the nest is overflowing with personal touches. There is a vintage pewter button (from an antique tin of buttons found in an old Indiana barn) that actually looks like it has an ear of corn on it...a piece of white linen and a red button from the drawers of her Great Grandmother's old Singer sewing machine...beautiful blue hand-dyed silk thread and ribbon...a lovely piece of lace...and even a piece of cotton sampler fabric! It truly is how I envision "my stitching nest" and such a personalized gift...isn't it wonderful?! There are not words to describe how touched I was by this gift - Lorrie, you are amazing!

I just had to share this unique handmade treasure with you and some of the details that make it super special. I am beyond blessed to have so many generous, creative, and talented people in my life. I hope reading about this will inspire you to give a gift from the heart...

Happy Birthday To My Dear Friend!

One of my very dear friends (who by request will remain nameless) is having a milestone birthday tomorrow...yep, the big 50. She is truly one of the most giving people I know and is always volunteering and making things better for those less fortunate...and although, she is not one to have people make a fuss over her, that is exactly what we did today! Another dear friend and I have been planning (or should I say plotting) her birthday celebration for months...we decided since she was turning 50, she should have 50 gifts to open...and not just 50 single gifts, we decided each gift should be something with a quantity of 50. A few months ago we started making a list of gifts...both of us took 25 items of 25 and started collecting...and to make it even more fun (if that is even possible) we wrote little notes for each item. For instance one of my items was cotton balls - so I wrapped 50 cotton balls with a note that said "50 Cotton Balls - to remind you not to get soft in your old age!"....another one was "50 Thank You Cards - to thank people for forgetting how old you really are!"...and so on. We tried to come up with 50 things that she really could use...and as we did our shopping, our lists did fluctuate a little bit for size and cost reasons....and some of the little notes had to do with her age, but some were just sweet little sayings. My list included 50 skeins of DMC, 50 needles, 50" of rick rack, 50 pins, 50 mini candy bars, 50 wet wipes, 50 oz. of oatmeal....you get the idea! Over the last couple weeks, I have been foofing (wrapping) and labeling my share (25) of the fifty gifts (shown below). To carry all the gits, I made her the cutest market tote bag with one of her initials on a pocket (shown right)...but of course, all of my gifts didn't fit into the tote, so I had to use a big gift bag, as well. My other "partner in crime" put her gifts in a neat recyclable tote bag...and also brought a bouquet of flowers and a singing balloon (yes, you heard me correctly, the balloon would sing "Happy Birthday" at the push of a button). We met today at a wonderful local Thai restaurant called Cool Basil...and it was a good thing we arrived early, because during our meal, the power went out and all the businesses around were without power for most of the afternoon. You would think the biggest laugh for the day would have been opening the gifts; however, that was not the case....when my "partner in crime" arrived with the balloon and flowers, she accidentally popped the balloon on the way to the table (it touched a hanging light and popped immediately)...first a loud "POP", then it started singing "Happy Birthday"....we all had a very good laugh about it...especially the staff in the restaurant! After a fabulous lunch and opening presents, we did a little shopping together - and although many places were closed due to the power outage, we still made it enjoyable - the three of us always seem to have the best laughs. I truly hope this was a "birthday to remember" for my friend - she certainly deserved all the fuss!

Needlework On-The-Go

Talk about perfect timing...I just purchased some fabulous stash, and look what arrives in the mail...a DMC Travel Portfolio! Recently, I was asked to share some photos of my stitching studio and some organizing/stitching tips with the DMC Threads Blog readers....and as a thank you for my participation, Emma Broidery sent me this fabulous travel portfolio. What a perfect way to carry my on-the-go project...and I am super impressed with all the pockets, ties, tabs, and rings to hold my accessories! I will definitely be putting this to good use and filling it with my current stitching project.

If you happened to miss the DMC Threads blog entry featuring my studio, you can see it here: http://dmc-threads.com/?p=1613

...and if you are interested in the DMC Travel Portfolio, you can read more about it and/or purchase one in the DMC Shop: http://www.shopdmc.com/nossu1545s.html

Thank you Emma Broidery!

Inside My Stitching Studio

Hello friends and followers!

I am SWAMPED preparing for my teaching event at the New England Stitchers Retreat in a couple weeks and the Columbus Market in June, but I just *had to* share a link with you. Today on the DMC Thread Blog, you can see a peek inside my stitching studio! DMC Threads kindly asked me to share some photos and tips regarding my stitching/designing space for their segment on "Organize Your Stitching Studio"...today, I am featured...

http://dmc-threads.com/?p=1613

I hope you enjoy this rare look inside my stitching nest....and make sure to take a look at the other designers/crafters featured in this series - there are many tips and photos to inspire you!!