Making Memories

Once this is posted, I will be on my way to Arizona to hike the Grand Canyon...and I am beyond thrilled/excited/giddy! Dan (my mommy's husband) started planning this trip for us over a year ago and has an entire week of excursions planned for us...not only are we hiking the Grand Canyon (which is a dream in itself!), we are also headed to Monument Valley for a Navajo Spirit Tour...then driving to Sedona, where we will take a Pink Jeep Tour, a train ride, a hot air balloon ride (yes, I said a hot air balloon ride), and go horseback riding...so I will have wonderful photos and things to share with you upon my return.

Now, the fine print...
Please note:  I will be out of my studio/office through Monday, May 1st with extremely limited communication; therefore, I will respond to all correspondence (e-mails, orders, Etsy inquiries, FB messages, comments, etc.) in the order received on Tuesday, May 2nd - thank you for your patience!

Here is a little needlework inspiration for my absense - this is "Schoolgirl Samplings" - for more information on this Blue Ribbon Design, visit: https://blueribbondesigns.com/schoolgirl_samplings.html

I will see you upon my return...when I will be blogging about my newest original quilt block in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 15...and I just may have a giveaway or two...stay tuned!!

It's All About The Squirrel

Squirrels in my "Schoolgirl Samplings" design...

Today's post is all about the squirrel - this might sound funny, but I do have a reason for this statement...and I might just make you giggle while I make my point...

Squirrels have been mentioned several times on my blog...mostly when I am traveling and manage to get a photo or two....they are also found in my design work - in fact, there are multiple Blue Ribbon Designs that contain a squirrel or two...and squirrels have been part of multiple classroom conversations during my recent teaching events. In fact, on my last journey, during the New England Stitcher's Retreat, a squirrel pewter pincushion was the gift everyone wanted during the "Yankee Swap" game - that cute little squirrel was stolen quite a few times during the game (can you believe it - someone actually stole it from me! - boo hoo) and was the definitely the most desired gift...we had a lot of fun giggling about that special squirrel. On that trip, while visiting King Arthur Flour (before the Yankee Swap game), I even purchased an adorable little squirrel cookie cutter.

Since September, when I  traveled to Buffalo, New York, squirrels have come up multiple times in conversation...especially after I posted a photo of a black squirrel I took at Niagara Falls State Park. It always interests me to see the color of the squirrels at each of my teaching destinations - here in Iowa, our squirrels are mostly fox squirrels...but as I have traveled, I have seen grey squirrels, black squirrels, and red squirrels...it always seems to become a topic of conversation...one day I hope to see a flying squirrel (a girl can dream!).

A black squirrel I photographed a Niagara Falls State Park...

A squirrel I photographed at Camp Bethel in Haddam, CT (staying at Sue's Cottage
before teaching at Stitcher's Hideaway)

An Iowa Fox Squirrel

So, I guess I should (finally) get to my point - on Friday, a surprise package arrived in my mailbox...it was the cutest T-shirt...of course it has a squirrel on it and the words "The Squirrel Whisperer" - I started giggling immediately - what a delightful gift! It was actually a random act of kindness (RAK), as there was not a card or note enclosed (it came from the manufacturer)...no information, whatsoever (I am not sure if this was intentional or not). Those of you who know me well, know I send personal hand-written thank you notes...and without the information of the sender, that is pretty much impossible...so here I am publicly thanking the wonderful individual who brightened my day and sent me such a fun gift (I hope the sender is reading this)! You made me smile and I am truly thankful for your thoughtfulness and kind gesture - please know you made me so very happy, I adore my new t-shirt, and I appreciate you!

"Pocketful of Peppermint" - Ornaments

Now that the new designs have FINALLY shipped and are on their way to a needlework shop near you, last night I had time to finish up the Christmas ornaments for the Stitcher's Hideaway Retreat in October. As most of you know, I really enjoy the finishing work and had a nice time working on these while listening to the Olympics. Poor Sue, I have been promising her a photo of the ornaments and the framed sampler since January - she has been so incredibly patient! The sampler has ten specialty stitches (in addition to basic stitches). The class will cover stitching the sampler, how to work each of the specialty stitches, three types of ornament finishing, adding beads when finishing an ornament, personalizing your ornaments, and making twisted cord. This class has been filling up super fast...and I can't wait to meet the stitchers that are attending (I've read they are a TON of fun!)...I hope to finally put some faces to names and email addresses! And before I get asked this question again, I will answer it - yes, this piece will be available to the general public, but not for at least one year after the class dates. I have never been to New England before, so I am really looking forward to teaching in Enfield, NH in May (photos of class piece can be seen in my January 8th post) and then in Mystic, CT in October!

...and lastly, now that I am finally starting to get things under control, I will start taking photos of my grandmother's needlepoint pieces - I know several of you wrote to me wanting to see pictures of her framed work...and I will get them posted here soon!

"Schoolgirl Samplings"

Just a quick blog post today, as I am working hard to catch up with everything. I know these photos of "Schoolgirl Samplings" are posted on my website (I just put them up yesterday), but I just had to share them here, as I am so proud of this new design! This chart will be coming out later this month...charting includes the sampler, the octagon box, and the three needlework smalls...and complete finishing instructions are provided for the box and all three smalls (pin pillow, needlebook, and scissor fob). The idea (coordinating with my original verse) is the outside of the box and front of the needlework smalls is "land" (stitched on 32-count Strawflower) and the inside of the box and the back of the needlework smalls is "sea" (stitched on 32-count Sea Storm). In the sampler, the "land" is the center octagon and each of the four corners represents "sea". I have had this idea in the works for over a year and I am so excited to finally share it with you! I was thrilled when Paula at Kelmscott Designs came out with the mother of pearl Fish Thread Winders, as I knew they would be a perfect addition to this project (sold separately). I will be posting more photos and details (including supply lists) on my website in the next few days...but I just had to share my excitement here with you first!!

For My Grandmother

Hello dear friends and followers - I am happy to be back! Thank you all for your patience with me, while I was away....and thank you to those of you who sent me emails and notes while I was dealing with the death of my grandmother - your kindness brought me comfort. My grandmother (photo right) was a brilliant artist and needleworker...her paintings and handwork are amazing. I was blessed to ship home twelve of her framed needlework pieces (mostly needlepoint)...I plan to share them here on my blog in the near future. She truly loved living in Las Vegas (five minutes from the Strip) and I tried to find time to see her favorite things while I was out there. The Botanical Gardens, The Fountains, and Gallery of Fine Art, all at the Bellagio Hotel were among her favorites...along with the view from the Stratosphere. Below are a few snapshots...

Now time to focus on work, so I can get the new designs out this month. Visit my website "Future" page to see photos (be sure to check out "Schoolgirl Samplings" - I am so very proud of it - it has been in the planning stages for over a year!)...more info will be posted soon...and I will get a newsletter written soon (really, I will )...I have a TON of BRD stuff to share...

Schoolgirl Samplings - A Partial Sneak Peek!

Hello faithful friends and followers - thank you for your patience with my blog entries while I am busy working on the Nashville Needlework Market releases. Today I am giving you a peek at "Schoolgirl Samplings". This design is actually for a stitched needlework box and smalls...however, for those who aren't fond of the finishing work involved, I have designed a sampler you can stitch instead (or in addition to the box). The stitched box has a little bit of a twist and I am working on the construction now along with the needlework smalls....however, the framed sampler is completely stitched and here is a little sneak peek for you! The design will be released later in February at the Nashville market and will include charting and finishing instructions for the sampler, needlework box, and set of needlework smalls. Stay tuned for a photo of the box and accompanying smalls...I will do my best to keep the "Future" page on my website updated with the latest information...thank you for your patience....