Finishing Frenzy

It's been a finishing frenzy in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio the last few weeks. I have been super focused and working round the clock to finish up the projects on my to-do tables, so I can start on some new original creative endeavors...I am ready to work on some of my own designs and ideas (I have a sketchbook full of ideas that I *need to* make reality!). I am down to one last project or at least I was until a moment ago (an expected box of fabric for a custom order arrived while typing this post). I have been working on a variety of creative activities, including: lots of needlework finishing, custom sewing, custom quilting, and freelance designing. Here is a picture album of some needlework finishing I completed earlier in the week (not my designs or stitching, just my finishing)...these were all for the same customer...

La-D-Da - "My Friend"

La-D-Da - "And Rudolph"

Sisters & Best Friends - "Boo!"

Cricket Collection - "Autumn Blooms"

Abby Rose Designs - "Tea for Two"

Prairie Schooler - "Christmas Tree"

After a brutal 6-mile run/walk with weights in 105 degree extreme heat yesterday, my body is recovering...so I will be taking it a bit easy today. For now, I'm off to complete some light chores...then I will be working on a quilted wall hanging later today and a birthday gift...and maybe have time for some cross stitching tonight (I'm working on a new design model and a small gift). I'll be back tomorrow with more customer needlework finishes to share with you! I hope you find a little time to be creative today...

Midnight Meeting

Can you believe how quickly the summer months have passed?? - I can't believe it is already almost September...where does the time go?! Halloween items are popping up everywhere...and stores are already getting out their Christmas holiday displays...personally, I'd be content to keep the summer months here just a little bit longer...but it is time to start working on Halloween and holiday items, if you want to have them completed in time to display this year...

The current issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine (October 2016) features a Halloween Ornament Spooktacular that includes twelve ornaments to stitch up and decorate your Halloween tree....and yes, you can find Blue Ribbon Designs in this feature. My Halloween ornament this year is titled "Midnight Meeting" and is a fun, quick stitch!  You can locate my ornament and all the details on page 43. The entire ornament is worked in cross stitch...and I used Weeks Dye Works linen (Confederate Gray) and Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (a DMC conversion is also provided). There are TONS of fabulous ways to finish your Halloween ornaments - for this particular ornament, I chose a flat-finish....and I used two-tone twisted cord in gold and black for a special touch. This is the autumn issue, so there are a plethora of fall designs, as well...including Seasons in Chalk Art: Fall (a collaboration by Priscilla Blain and Cathy Habermann of Hands On Design) and Amish Apple Sampler from Nikyscreations. You can find this issue of Just CrossStitch magazine at your favorite needlework shop or on newsstands now...

"Halloween Hangings"

I was super excited to receive several
e-mails from faraway friends last week telling me that they received the latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine (WOXS 233) and they can't wait to stitch my "Halloween Hangings" featured in the issue. I was excited to receive my copy of the magazine today and was thrilled to finally see the layout (and inset photo of one of my pieces on the front cover)!

We all know I enjoy working on Halloween projects...and I LOVE working with this particular publication - Ruth (the Editor) asked I use hand-dyed threads and 28-count evenweave fabric - so I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss and Zweigart Cashel in Summer Khaki (3281-323)...but the charts include a DMC color conversion and the designs would look lovely on a higher count hand-dyed linen.

A here's a little tidbit that will shock many of you...I personally stitched the designs, but the magazine finished them into the hangings. We all know that I adore the finishing process and I thoroughly enjoy putting things together...but the magazine had an idea in mind and wanted to do the finishing, so this control freak designer *had to* give the reigns to someone else for a change...and I am very happy with simplistic/folky finishing I see in the photo!

I am always impressed with this particular publication and the variety of projects...plus it has beautiful large color pages and photos...and the heavier weight cover/pages hold up to all the page turning and project picking. If you are a Halloween stitcher, be sure to check out the "Spooktacular" section on pages 47-54...it has 31 Halloween motifs and fun finishing ideas...there are some super cute ideas!

Those who subscribe to this magazine are currently receiving their issues...for those looking for it on newsstands - it is The World Of Cross Stitching (WOXS 233, October 2015) - it went on sale in the UK on August 13, 2015...those in the United States will need to be a little patient, as it usually takes a month or two for this magazine to arrive at shops and booksellers...

Halloween Treats...

Although we are in the midst of a very HOT summer, it looks like many of you are working on autumn and Halloween projects. I always enjoy checking out creative blogs and social media to see what my fellow stitchers and quilters are working on and I keep seeing fall projects popping up everywhere - perhaps you are all ahead of the game OR perhaps thoughts of autumn and winter are keeping you cool during the heatwave...OR maybe it is the release of the 2015 Just CrossStitch Special Halloween Collector's Issue. This annual issue is quite impressive with 55 spooky designs...and it looks like there is something for everyone - including Blue Ribbon Designs fans - yep, I have two (yes, TWO) spooktacular design sets in this issue!

You can find my "Tricks or Treats Bags" starting on page 37. This fun duo of easy-to-finish treat bags are quick-to-stitch and even more fun to fill. The idea behind this project is to fill the "bag of treats" with candy/treats (of course!) and fill the "bag of tricks" with fun printed slips of paper adorned Halloween jokes and riddles. Each cross stitch design is attached to the front of a bag as a pocket...the finishing is truly simple and I provided instructions. Each flat bag measures approximately 6.5" W x 11.5" H with the stitched design measuring approximately 3.5" W x 5" H....and the bags are tied closed with coordinating ribbon. I stitched the models on 28-count Platinum Cashel linen from Zweigart with The Gentle Art Sampler Threads...and DMC Cotton Floss conversions are provided.

Next, you can find my "Halloween Portraits" starting on page 55. This is a set of eight feather tree ornaments...each featuring a Halloween motif. They are quick and fun to stitch with each having a stitch count of 27 W x 27 H. These were stitched on 35-count Baby's Breath Linen from Weeks Dye Works with Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Floss (DMC conversions are provided)...and they were pillow finished with black twisted cord and embellished with 1/16" ribbon. I have designed several other sets of feather tree ornaments to accommodate additional holidays, so look for those in the future from Blue Ribbon Designs!     

          

Luck me, I stitched these designs in November/December of 2014, so I am truly ready for Halloween 2015!

....AND look for another special Blue Ribbon Designs Halloween project in the The World of Cross Stitching Magazine - Issue 233 (on sale in the UK August 13)...more details coming soon....

....AND I have a feature project in the October 2015 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine...I can't wait for you to see it...

Currently, I am stitching the model for my 2015 Komen 3-Day exclusive fundraising chart...it is coming along beautifully and I hope it will be worth the wait! I have passed the halfway point, so I will have more information and photos for you soon...

"Owls in Moonlight"

Can you believe how quickly the summer months have passed?? - I can't believe it is already September...where does the time go?! Halloween items are popping up everywhere...and stores are already getting out their Christmas holiday displays...personally, I'd be content to keep the summer months here just a little bit longer...but it is time to start working on Halloween and holiday items, if you want to have them completed in time to display this year...

The current issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine (October 2014) features a Halloween Ornament Spooktacular that includes ten ornaments to stitch up and decorate your Halloween tree....and yes, you can find Blue Ribbon Designs in this feature. My Halloween ornament this year is titled "Owls in Moonlight" and is a fun, quick stitch!  You can locate my ornament and all the details on page 55. The entire ornament is worked in cross stitch...and I used Weeks Dye Works linen (Confederate Gray) and Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (a DMC conversion is also provided). There are TONS of fabulous ways to finish your Halloween ornaments - for this particular ornament, I chose a flat-finish....and I used two-tone twisted cord in orange and black for a special touch. This is the autumn issue, so there are a plethora of fall designs, as well...including a Quaker Acorn Etui by Praiseworthy Stitches and Give Thanks by Hands On Designs. You can find this issue of Just CrossStitch magazine at your favorite needlework shop or on newsstands now...

Bats, Cats, and Ravens

My embroidery machine has been stitching up a storm - filling some customer orders and making more Halloween and autumn freestanding lace ornaments for my Etsy shop. I have replenished some of the sold out Halloween ornaments, as well as the autumn leaves...and I have been working on two brand new ornaments, as well - a handful of "Gothic Bats"...and several "Soaring Ravens". These two new ornament additions to my shop are digitized by Urban Threads (should you own an embroidery machine and want to make some for yourself)...and I just adore them! The bat has quickly become one of my favorite holiday ornaments and I have several hanging on my small Halloween tree...and the soaring raven is so wonderfully unique with it's moving parts. The raven is actually four individually embroidered pieces - the body/head, a tail feather, and two wings...then they are attached together using small brads, making the wings and tail feather movable...I was just tickled with how these stitched up!

For those of you who are not familiar with an embroidery machine or freestanding lace, here is a little idea of how these ornaments are made - using digitized designs, the machine embroiders the ornaments on water-soluble stabilizer...once the design is completely stitched, you put it in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving you with a beautiful piece of lace made completely of embroidery thread. I like to put a piece of ribbon through the hanger on ornament before placing it in a card or on a gift. Each large motif can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour to make...the larger and more detailed the design, the longer they take to embroider. They are quite sturdy and will stay looking great for years to come...and freestanding lace can be pressed with a hot iron at any time...and starched, if needed...

 

         

Also currently in the shop - more Mischief at Midnight Finishing Kits...and a limited number of Harvest Huswif Finishing Kits - these are the same finishing materials used for the model and original class kits...and all the supplies are pre-cut and ready for use (NOTE: these are finishing kits only - you will have to purchase the chart and the stitching supplies from your needlework shop of choice).

I am now headed to my sewing machine to work on a custom order...then I am off to my stitching nest to do some model work - I am knee deep in fast approaching deadline that I am hoping to finish up in the next day or two...I hope you are having a creative and productive day!

Tidbits and Teapots...

Hello friends - happy Tuesday! So today, we will start off by talking about the finishing kits for "Mischief at Midnight". I have put together 50 more finishing kits and will be listing them in my Etsy shop tomorrow morning (Wednesday, September 25th). These are finishing kits only - you will still have to purchase the needlework chart and stitching supplies (linen and threads) from your favorite needlework shop. These are the same kits provided when this project was taught as a class. The finishing kit includes:

13 Pre-cut pieces of stiffened felt - Eazy (E-Z) Felt:
  • 2 - 8½" x 8½" (tray base)
  • 8 - 1½" x 8½" (tray walls)
  • 2 - 2" x 2" (pinkeep)
  • 1 - 3" x 8½" (needlebook)

4 Pre-cut pieces of fusible lightweight interfacing
  • 2 - 2½" x 2½" (scissor fob)
  • 2 - 3½" x 6½" (needlebook)

1 - 10" x 10" pre-cut piece of  cotton quilting fabric (tray bottom)
1 Small bag of transparent nylon thread (approximately 4 yards) (tray)
2 Round neodymium magnets ½" diameter (tray and needlebook)
1 Pre-cut piece of black Moda wool fabric (needlebook)
2 - 12" pieces of ⅛" black grosgrain ribbon (needlebook)
2 - 2" x 2" pieces of heavy cardstock (pinkeep)
1 - 9" piece of black baby rick rack black (pinkeep)
12 Black ball point pins (pinkeep)
#10 Beading needle (found on the precut piece of black wool)

NOTE: These pieces are cut specifically for use with 30-count linen (as instructed with the chartpack) - if you have adjusted the count of your linen, these pre-cut pieces will not fit accurately.

I have completely used up all the cotton quilting fabric that was originally used for the bottom of the tray and it is discontinued, but (thanks to a very dear friend) I have been able to locate a fabulous substitution that matches perfectly. The original fabric is shown on the left and there are only a few kits with this print - the new substitution is shown on the right and is in the majority of the new finishing kits. This fabric is used on the bottom of the tray. I will list the two separately in the shop and once the kits with the black polka dot fabric are gone, that fabric is completely gone. I do have more of the fabric on the right arriving, so if the demand is high, I will be able to make more kits in the near future.

Orders placed for the finishing kits (through the Etsy shop) on Wednesday will ship on Thursday.

Also ready for the Etsy shop are some new freestanding lace ornaments - this time, an assortment of teapots! I recently received a message from my friend Missie (Traditional Primitives...formerly Hallbrook Designs) with a photo of a 3D freestanding lace teapot - it was the neatest thing...and it inspired me to make some teapot ornaments. I found some wonderful digitized designs by C-Some-Stitches that stitched out beautifully - there are 10 different teapots, each one unique! They measure (on average) 3.9" W x 3.7" H and are absolutely perfect for including in a card to surprise a dear friend. I have already made them in white and a lovely shade of blue...and photographs have already been taken to list them in the shop (hopefully this evening). I think these are just perfect for my ornament collections...

...and I have replenished the Halloween ornaments....and more seasonal items are in the works! So, check out my Etsy shop on Wednesday morning for the "Mischief at Midnight" finishing kits...and while you there, check out my other special items...

Tomorrow I will be back to tell you about the new Blue Ribbon Designs shipping to needlework shops on Friday...

Halloween Hang-ups

I promised I would be back with photos of my freestanding lace Halloween ornaments...and here they are...aren't they fabulous?!! I have been having so much fun working on these machine embroidered ornaments - and this is just a small selection...there are 20 different ornaments in this digitized Halloween Lace collection by Anita Goodesign (this is an older and harder to find collection from 2007) and I have been working on them in an assortment of colors. If you read my blog yesterday, then you know these are done on an embroidery machine...using digitized designs, the machine embroiders the ornaments on water-soluble stabilizer - once the design is completely stitched, you put it in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving you with a beautiful piece of lace made completely of embroidery thread. These spooktacular ornaments are larger in size most measuring over 4" x 4" and would be perfect for decorating a Halloween tree, wreath, or garland...and they look fabulous hanging in a window with light shining through them! If you happen to have an embroidery machine, I hope you will try making some of these detailed decorations yourself...but for those of you who would like purchase some that are ready to hang, I have a good assortment listed in my Etsy shop...

These ornaments stay looking great for years and can be pressed with a hot iron and/or starched at any time to keep them sturdy and flat.

I can't wait to start decorating our home for Halloween/autumn - I need to get my seasonal cross stitch designs exchanged...and some of these spooky ornaments will definitely make my ornament tree stand out! Do you decorate you home for the seasons?? - I would love to hear some of your fall/autumn decorating ideas...

Oh...one more thing...for my dear friends and students who know the "bat story", yes, there is a bat ornament! :-)

All Hallows' Eve

Happy Halloween to all my friends, family, and followers! A while back, I mentioned I would post an early photo of me dressed up for Halloween...well, yesterday I was sent a gentle reminder of that statement...so here I am making good on my promise. This is an early childhood photo of me dressed up for Halloween (well actually two photos I scanned and edited to make one)...don't I make an adorable monkey??! Truth be told, these are the only two photos I have of myself dressed up for Halloween...and seeing them always makes me giggle...
My sister and I loved to go trick-or-treating each year...and our goal was to go to every house in our small town...we would run from door to door and collect as much candy as possible...plus, back in the day we would get all sorts of homemade goodies (popcorn balls, caramel apples, cookies, etc.). I remember helping my mom pop popcorn all day and filling small Halloween paper treat bags...we would add candy corn and small sweets to the popcorn bags and hand them out to children who visited our house in costume. I also have vivid memories of my mother placing our bags of Halloween treats on top of the refrigerator, so we couldn't "fill-up" on candy....the day after Halloween, my sister and I would trade candy with each other, so we each would have our favorites...and I'm sure mom and dad got some of our goodies too!

Over the past ten years or so, I have celebrated my love of Halloween by designing quite a few needlework charts and patterns especially for this time of year...I thought you might enjoy seeing a collage that includes many of my spooky pieces...you can find additional information on each of these pieces by exploring my website...enjoy!

May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future's veil and show
What fate now holds for you.
                                                           -Author Unknown

Six Bats and a Black Cat

Isn't it interesting how Halloween has become such a celebrated holiday? I have vivid memories from my childhood of dressing up in homemade costumes and going door to door for treats (note to self: I should post some childhood photos on Halloween day)...we lived in a small town and each year we tried to stop at every house that participated in "trick-or-treat" night - I remember we would collect HUGE bags of treats! Back in the day, there were always a few houses with spooky decorations and scary sounds/music to set the mood - but now, it seems Halloween decorating has become almost as popular as Christmas decorating. I know there are still some needleworkers out there that "don't do" Halloween...and years ago, I didn't either - but I have found over time, I really enjoy working on Halloween designs....in fact, they are some of my best sellers! I have designed quite a collection over the years...I even have enough Halloween ornaments to display a small all-stitched ornament tree....and of course I have "Behind the Gate" (BRD-072) my Halloween advent calendar. It is definitely time for me to put away the summery designs and put up my Halloween pieces, something I enjoy doing each September.

This year I was asked by Just CrossStitch magazine to design a framed Halloween piece for their special 2012 Halloween Collector's Issue. I have designed several Halloween ornaments for their publications over the years, but this time I was asked to work on a larger piece. It is titled "Six Bats and a Black Cat"...and it is featured on the cover! I received my model back from the magazine this week, along with a copy of the magazine - and I have to say I am quite impressed with the variety and creativity of the designs in this special publication....if you have "been on the fence" whether or not to add it to your collection, think no more, it is definitely worth the price. Where else can you get 48 designs for $9.99....at an average of $0.21 per design, it is a STEAL! If you enjoy the Halloween holiday, this issue will keep you inspired with all sorts of spooky stitching and finishing...and plenty of projects to keep you busy for years to come. The 2012 JCS Halloween Collector's issue is on sale now (find it at your favorite needlework shop or newsstand) and my design (show below) can be found starting on page 53...

Blue Ribbon Designs: "Six Bats and a Black Cat"
Photo Credit to Just CrossStitch Magazine (Hoffman Media)

Halloween Feather Tree Ornaments

How fun are these little Halloween ornaments?!

Quite some time ago, I was shopping in Galena, IL with my dear friend Terri and I found this fun Halloween fabric (Spooky Hollow by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics) and I immediately thought it would be perfect to fussy cut for feather tree ornaments...well, it took me a couple years, but I finally made time to put together a couple dozen. I decided to use wool felt for backing and black baby rick rack for hangers; I thought they turned out extra cute! They are an excellent size at approximately 2 1/4" square...and I was able to put together 24 of them in just a couple hours. I have a fun wrought iron tree I plan to decorate with these spooky little beauties...they will be a great addition to my Halloween decorations...

"Boo Mansion"

Look what is arriving on newsstands now: the Annual Halloween Issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine...and I am delighted to share my Halloween ornament made the cover! It is called "Boo Mansion"...so by the title, I hope you know my ornament is in the upper right corner - the haunted house with the ghosts exiting the chimneys. When I first started designing, I never dreamed I would have so many Halloween designs on the market or that I would be designing ornaments especially for Halloween - but they really are a treat to stitch and design! This ornament model is stitched on 35-count Straw Linen from Weeks Dye Works...and uses Gentle Art Sampler Threads. I backed the pillow style ornament with a second piece of linen and used DMC six strand embroidery floss (310) for the twisted cord. It is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday stitching...so, if you are not a subscriber, be sure to pick up this Halloween issue at your favorite needlework shop!

Today I spent the majority of my day bagging charts (I started with just over 4,000 to package and I am down to about 1,000...so I did make a big dent in the boxes) and organizing/rearranging my warehouse, trying to make the stock of the new designs fit - ugh, what a job - I am worn out! I never dreamed I would have more than 100 design charts on the market...I am feeling very blessed - thank you all for supporting Blue Ribbon Designs!

Finally - I know I mentioned a giveaway when I reached 500 official followers...and IT IS coming soon - I am just working out the final details....please do stay tuned...

"Moonlit Midnight" - Coming in August

Over the next couple weeks, I thought I would do several blog posts featuring my new designs being released at the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Market. This fun Halloween design is item BRD-101 and is titled "Moonlit Midnight". The models are stitched on 32-count Tundra hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss. This whimsical piece is perfect for taking sections and making Halloween ornaments, needlework smalls, and holiday decorations! The chartpack contains charting for the sampler and needlework smalls shown below, stitching instructions, and complete finishing instructions for the ornaments/fobs and pins/magnets. I had a lot of fun working on the small pieces; the ornaments/fobs are made with 2" Finishing Forms by Flying Needles (http://www.flyingneedlestx.com/)...and the pins/magnets are made with Half Ball Cover Buttons by Dritz (http://www.dritz.com/) mounted on cotton fabric yo-yos....the chartpack gives you easy step-by-step instructions for making each! I will be posting all the specifics and a complete supply list on my website in the next couple weeks...and stay tuned for feature posts on two more new designs coming out in mid-August...

Questions Answered...

Have you seen the cover of the new Just CrossStitch Halloween Collection Book? This fun new Halloween soft cover book is due out later this fall...and I have received several questions about it, so I thought I would share what I know with you. First of all, this is NOT replacing the Just CrossStitch Halloween Ornament Issue - there will still be an annual Halloween issue...how do I know??...because I designed an ornament for it...so look for that special magazine issue later this year, as well. The soft cover book is a separate release - it is 100 pages...and has over 50 Halloween designs (40 of them brand new - including an ornament from Blue Ribbon Designs). This special Halloween Collection Book has a tentative release date of 09/01/11, so be sure to pre-order one from your favorite needlework shop! And if the ornament in lower left-hand corner looks familiar, you are right, it is a Blue Ribbon Design...yep, I was thrilled to see my ornament made the cover of this whimsical Halloween book...it's a cat on top of a jack-o-lantern with a bat flying overhead. I hope this post clarifies a few of the questions floating around...and I hope the Halloween stitchers out there are excited to add these new designs to their stitching collection....