Pair of Precious Pillows

Finally, a beautiful sunny day here in Iowa...I am feeling much better...getting a bunch of work accomplished and deadlines fulfilled...the new designs are finally in printing production...and I have reached 100 blog followers (THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING)...it is a great day!

The last three days have been spent working on getting the new designs published...and this time, there was a bit of a challenge with the covers - but now, the proofs have been finalized and the printing is underway. This was a very large print order, but I am confident my printing company has it under control and I should have the new designs in my hand by the end of the day on Friday...then the *fun* begins...my weekend will be spent bagging thousands of charts, filling invoices, packaging and shipping...all in an effort to get my new charts to your favorite needlework shop as soon as possible.

I finished stitching the model for my SYHO Designer Encyclopedia this morning...it was a bit of a challenge to work with a 50 x 50 stitch count for me...but I am quite happy with this small design and look forward to sharing it with you in the future! I am now excited to work on teaching designs for 2010 and new pieces for the Nashville Needlework Market in February.
(By the way, have you heard - I will be teaching at the first New Endland Stitchers' Retreat in conjunction with ABC Stitch Therapy in June 2010 - I am super excited about this!!)

Yesterday, I took a couple hours to test two new machine embroidery designs for Shelli at Needle In A Haystack Stitchery; two beautiful Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness files - one has the ribbon filled with embroidery - the other the ribbon is applique'. I enjoyed finishing these two designs into a pair of pillows. The applique' was embroidered on wool felt (and the ribbon is wool felt)....and the ribbon fill design was embroidered on quilted cotton with rick rack for an embellishment. The fabric for the borders is one of my favorites (Karen Neuburger - 2006 Pink Ribbon Signature Fabric) and I have been holding on to it for quite some time, waiting for the perfect project! These will make very special gifts....plus taking a couple hours to sew was (again) great therapy for me!

...and although October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) has quickly come and gone, we all still need to be proactive....PLEASE do your monthly breast self-exams and your yearly mammogram - early detection is key!

Time For Some "Therapy"

Now that I am finally starting to feel better, I am frantically trying to meet a pile of deadlines...I am completely overwhelmed to say the least...I am finally starting to make some progress on the "task list", but my stress level is at an all time high. So, I decided it was time for some sewing and quilting therapy...just a couple hours to regroup and re-prioritize...and to be honest, it was just what I needed to clear my head and lower my blood pressure. So here is a little bit about my Sunday sewing project...

I have had my hot pads and pot holders for years...haven't replaced them as long as I can remember...I have my favorites and use them all the time...they are not pretty anymore...they have stains and burn marks and look "well loved". I never gave them too much thought, until Shelli sent me her new "Hot Pads" project to test...and then I decided I needed to make new ones. This is a great "You Can Sew This" project...the tutorial was quick and easy...and best of all, it is FREE at YouCanMakeThis.com! There are fabulous step by step instructions and color photographs - a beginner could easily handle these. The finish size is about 9" square...and they use 2 layers of Warm & Natural Batting and one layer of Insul-Brite (insulated batting), so they are nice and thick. The supply list is minimal...and I made two in a short amount of time. I made my own bias binding, but the directions show you how to use purchased bias tape...and I used grosgrain ribbon for the hangers, but the directions show you how to use bias tape. A fun and very useful project...I will be making more of these...maybe some for holiday gifts...

Now back to that ever-growing task list...but at least I feel rejuvenated! Make a few hours to do something you enjoy...

Capture A Miracle

Today, I thought I would share with you a newly finished embroidered pillow...with this terrible pharyngitis/flu hanging around, it took me several days to complete this project (instead of a couple hours), working in small doses. This is another test project for Shelli at Needle In A Haystack Stitchery called "Miracle"...and it will soon be available for both hand stitching and machine embroidery. I decided to turn the stitched piece into a quilted pillow (12" H x 16" W) with a rick rack border for an accent. I was quite pleased with how this turned out...and look forward to testing more of Shelli's fun designs!

As I start to feel better, I am once again busy trying to get the new designs ready for release...I know you are all anxious, but please be patient, this flu has put me behind schedule...I am still hoping for an end of October/beginning of November release...and I am working as hard as my system will allow to bring the new pieces to you in a timely manner. I will be trying to finish up "Just Add Tinsel" this week and then all three new pieces will go to print at the end of the week (or first thing next week)...keep an eye on my website for the latest updates.

Harvest Delight Follow Up...

I took a little time late last night and early this morning to finish testing the "Harvest Delight" design for Needle In A Haystack Stitchery. This time I worked on the 5" x 7" design and framed it in an 8" x 10" frame....and yes, I used fabric for the "mat" around the design. This was a very fun project to work on...and a great break from my own designs! Sewing always heps me clear my head...

Now back to work on the upcoming releases...doing hand finishing today! I will have an update for you soon...

Harvest Delight

I just had an immense amount of fun testing out this new design by Shelli at Needle In A Haystack Stitchery...how cute is this pillow?! This design is called "Harvest Delight"...you can find the digitized design for machine embroidery available at SWAK Embroidery.....and for you hand embroiderers, the design will soon be available for you, as well. I enjoyed picking out small scraps of autumn fabric for each of the pumpkins and decided to go with only one fabric for the border (so it wouldn't be too busy). I used the 6" x 10" design file...and made it into a pillow using a 14" x 14" pillow form. I am so excited to have this new pillow ready for display...it is the perfect time of year...plus it just makes me happy!

Now back to official Blue Ribbon Designs work...I am just completing the stitching on the needlework smalls for "Autumn Leaves and Sunflower Seeds" and hope to start the finishing work later today....fingers crossed, I will be able to post a photo for you soon...