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...

Fabulous Fabric Finds

I was inspired by several fabrics and projects in my stash this afternoon....there is just something about taking a few moments and finding the right project for the right day. Today, I decided I wanted to start on a quick project "just for me"...something I rarely do! I found the cutest flannel fabrics and panel for a quick quilt last week while shopping with my friend Kimber...I saw this fun model hanging in the quilt shop and just had to have it...flannel fabrics are perfect the autumn season and provide much needed comfort during the winter months. The fabric collection is "Flirty Birdies" by Michele Scott for Northcott (I love the name!) and the adorable birdies make me smile. This will be a fun throw quilt and will feature the panel with the orange polka dot for borders...the multiple birdie fabric for the back...and the blue flowers for the binding. I actually pieced the borders today on my serger and look forward to doing some simple quilting in the next week or so...

I also picked up a few fat quarters worth mentioning...not sure of their use yet, but they just spoke to me...

On the left - two fat quarters from the "So Happy Together" collection by Deana Rutter for Riley Blake...and on the right, two fat quarters from the "Cream & Sugar" collection by Ampersand Design Studio for Windham Fabrics.

Finally - I just have to share a very favorite collection...it just screams my name...Village Green by Carolyn Gavin for P & B Textiles...just seeing these fabrics I want to turn on my sewing machine ASAP and get to work...they are just wonderful!

With all this inspiration surrounding me, I definitely need more hours in the day! For now, I am back to my stitching nest to work on a fast approaching deadline. I did manage to get lots of new items listed in my Etsy Shop late last night..so if you have been waiting for something to be posted, go take a look. Tomorrow I will start cutting supplies for the "Mischief at Midnight" finishing kits - I only have limited yardage of several of the items, so I will make as many as I can...give me a few days to get them ready, then (as I mentioned previously) I will post the details here before posting them in my Etsy Shop. So, for now, I am off to take care of the dogs...and then it will be a late night in my needlework nook...

Finishing Kit Update

Folks - as I posted yesterday evening, the finishing kits for "Mischief at Midnight" sold out almost immediately - thank you for the truly overwhelming response! I only had so many supplies leftover from the class on hand, therefore, there were a very limited quantity. I have ordered additional supplies to make more finishing kits and once they arrive I will have more available. Once they are ready, I will post about them here before listing them on Etsy - these will be on a "first come, first served basis", I will not be taking pre-orders. Please expect the wait to be about two weeks (if all goes as planned), as the ordered supplies to need arrive and then the kits have to be prepared. NOTE: these are finishing kits only - you will have to purchase the design chart and stitching supplies from your favorite needlework shop. I truly appreciate all the enthusiasm and excitement (I really do), however, I do not have enough hours in the day to answer all the e-mail inquiries, Facebook messages, and comments - please be patient and keep an eye on this blog for up-to-date information. Thank you so much!

"Mischief at Midnight"

Like I mentioned in my last post, this coming Wednesday I start shipping the two new Halloween designs to needlework shops that participate in my automatic program...I am THRILLED to have two very unique Halloween pieces ready for you! Today I will tell you all about "Mischief at Midnight" (BRD-113)...and you can read the previous post to find out all about "Through The Trees" (BRD-112).

"Mischief at Midnight" is a Halloween needlework tray and matching needlework smalls. This spooky design features a Halloween scene in the base of the tray (design also suitable for framing, should the finishing scare you off)...the inside walls of the tray feature stars, bats, and ghosts...the outside walls of the tray feature a fence surrounding the entire scene (with a few jack-o-lanterns, owls, and spiders). The gate for the fence is a removable needlebook (attached with hidden magnets)...and there is a coordinating pinkeep and scissor fob to complete your needlework tray set. The tray measures approximately 8.5" x 8.5" when using the suggested 30-count linen (all measurements, instructions, and the needlebook template included in the chartpack are for 30-count linen - if you adjust your linen count, you will need to make the necessary adjustments to the finishing measurements).

Each piece is stitched with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss on Weeks Dye Works 30-count Tigers Eye hand over-dyed linen. Colors include:  Carrot, Chestnut, Galvanized, Grits, Hazelnut, Kohl, Moss, Sweet Potato, and Whiskey.

Needlework tray with needlbook gate attached and needlework smalls inside...

Stitches include:  Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Cross Stitch over one linen thread (optional), Back Stitch, Smyrna Cross Stitch, Whip Stitch, and your choice of Basketweave Tent Stitch, Continental Tent Stitch, or Half Cross Tent Stitch (diagrams for all stitches are included). The chartpack is extensive at 19 pages plus the cover and includes: charting for each of the four pieces, stitch diagrams, stitching instructions, complete finishing instructions for the tray and all three needlework smalls, needlebook template, and an alphabet/numbers for personalization.

Needlework tray with needlebook gate....

Needlework smalls...

Open needlebook gate...

Tray without smalls - base design suitable for framing....

For additional photos, visit: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/Mischief%20at%20Midnight.html
For more details and a complete supply list, visit: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD113%20Specifics.html

Expect this new Halloween design, along with "Through the Trees", to start arriving in needlework shops the first week of September!

A Touch of Autumn

Here are a couple photos of my latest batch of pincushions. The top and bottom of each tuffet is patchwork with rick rack and a button, making these pincushions reversible...the patchwork fabric is Posh Pumpkins by Sandy Gervais for Moda...and the pincushion sides are Jolly Jungle Foliage by The Henry Studio for Makower UK. I dressed up these four-patch tuffets with coordinating rick rack and buttons...and embellished each one with three decorative pins. These are now listed in my Etsy shop...along with several others I posted about in the last few weeks. I have more quilting/sewing projects in the works and hope to have additional goodies to show you soon!

For now, I am off to the Blue Ribbon Designs "warehouse" to bag charts and prepare the new Halloween designs for shipment...I can't believe they start shipping next week...

Excuses, Excuses...

I know I seem to be "missing in action" lately...but I do have a good excuse...here is just a taste of what I have been working on....

....and here is what the floor of my design studio looks like right now...yep, new designs are coming soon! Expect more details over the next several weeks...

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

On My Way To Enfield, NH...

Enfiled, NH - Mascoma Lake - the Great Stone Dewlling House is on the far right...
Click To Enlarge

My suitcase is packed again, and I am ready to fly back to the East Coast - today I leave for one of my favorite teaching destinations (The Great Stone Dwelling House in Enfield, NH) for another teaching trip. I am so excited to see good friends (there will be quite a few familiar faces) and add more new members to my stitching family...it is always fun when needleworkers take over the Enfield Shaker Museum! The New England Stitcher's Retreat has been kind enough to have me return each year....and although I normally design a Shaker project, this year they asked for a special Halloween project. The class project is titled "Mischief at Midnight" and is a needlework tray with a Halloween scene - along with a unique needlebook gate, a scissor fob, and a pinkeep. I had so much fun coming up with this class idea...and I can't wait to share it with the stitchers in attendance....we are going to have a spooktacular time! If you can't make it to Enfield NH this year and like the project, never fear, it will be released to the general public in the fall of 2013....you will just have to be patient...  And if you can't attend, but have always wanted to take a class at The Great Stone Dwelling House, I'll let you in on a little secret (sshhhhhh) - I have been asked to return in October 2013 - the details are still a little sketchy, but I will have more information in the coming months to share with you!

The event starts Friday evening, but I have a few free hours Friday during the day - I am looking forward to seeing my dear friend Ruth (who lives in NH) - she is picking me up bright and early and we are going to do a little sightseeing. We have a few places in Vermont on our list...including King Arthur Flour....I am giddy with anticipation...spending some quiet time with Ruth is the perfect treat!!

I guess I should stop procrastinating and get my travel details in order (I leave in a couple hours)... I will be taking lots of photographs and hope to share some with you during my trip (check the BRD Facebook page, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram)...my correspondence will be limited, so if you send me a message, please know I will reply, but it may take several days. To those of you attending - safe travels - I can't wait to see you - we are going to have a MARVELOUS time!

"Mischief at Midnight" Class Project - click to enlarge

"Mischief at Midnight"

I know my posts have been a bit sporadic lately - truth be told, I have been working pretty much non-stop on a large design project for the last three weeks. This is a class design for the New England Stitcher's Retreat titled "Mischief at Midnight" - this year I am teaching a Halloween themed project, as the class is in mid-October. This is my third year teaching at the fabulous Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield, NH, and I couldn't be more excited! The stitching retreats are held at the Great Stone Dwelling House, which is also home to the Enfield Shaker Museum...what a treat to stay in this historic building built in 1841, free of televisions, radios, phones, etc. - some might miss those modern day amenities, but I'll take the charm of this historic setting any day...and who misses modern technology when you have the company of talented needleworkers, fabulous views, delicious food, and a full schedule of great events. The attendees basically have the entire building to themselves for the duration of the event - making it the perfect venue for late night stitching and giggling (in your pajamas, no less)! I know there are already quite a few of you registered for this fun class and I can't wait to see many familiar faces...and meet new friends....I know you have all been waiting to see what the special class design is - and I am happy to announce it is complete...and you are seeing it here first!

"Mischief at Midnight" is a Halloween needlework tray and matching needlework smalls. This spooky design features a Halloween scene in the base of the tray (also suitable for framing)...the inside walls of the tray feature stars, bats, and ghosts...the outside walls of the tray feature a fence surrounding the entire scene (with a few jack-o-lanterns, owls, and spiders). The gate for the fence is a removable needlebook (attached with hidden magnets)...and there is a coordinating pinkeep and scissor fob to complete your needlework tray set. The tray measures approximately 8.5" x 8.5".

Each piece is stitched with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss on Weeks Dye Works 30-count Tigers Eye hand over-dyed linen. Colors include:  Carrot, Chestnut, Galvanized, Grits, Hazelnut, Kohl, Moss, Sweet Potato, and Whiskey.

Stitches include:  Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Cross Stitch over one linen thread (optional), Back Stitch, Smyrna Cross Stitch, Whip Stitch, and student's choice of Basketweave Tent Stitch, Continental Tent Stitch, or Half Cross Tent Stitch. Class will cover the stitching of the needlework tray and needlework smalls, working the various Tent Stitches and specialty stitches, tips and tricks for Cross Stitch over one linen thread, assembling the needlework tray, finishing techniques for each of the needlework smalls, personalizing your smalls, and making twisted cord - and attendees can plan to complete the scissor fob and/or pinkeep in class!

If you are interested in attending the special event, visit: http://www.stitchingretreat.com/oct-19-22-2012-retreat/ for more details. You can also see photos from my previous visits and read all about my experiences - just search my blog (the box under my followers) for "New England Stitcher's Retreat".

...and before I get a million questions - this special project has been designed specifically for this retreat and will not be available to the general public until approximately one year after the event...so if you are not attending and are excited about this design, you will have to be very patient....

So there you have it - "Mischief at Midnight" - I hope it was worth the wait!

Tray with gate...

 Needlework Smalls - Front

 Needlework Smalls - Back

 Needlebook - Open

Tray with needlework smalls...

 Tray without smalls...