Studio Samplings and a Much Needed Break

Greetings friends! I am headed to Florida for some family time, along with a little rest and relaxation...I leave bright and REALLY early tomorrow (Monday) morning...but before I take off for a week, I wanted to stop by for a visit. There have been so many creative things going on in the Blue Ribbon Designs Studio - projects for ThermOWeb, Poppie Cotton, and something special coming up for Oliso…plus creating for my Etsy Shop...along with a few client orders that I managed to fit in during the last few weeks of madness. I thought I would stop by and share a few photos - these were all for clients and for my Etsy Shop...sewing, quilting and needlework finishing...the needlework finishing is not my stitching, just my finishing work...

A few notes before the photos:
While I am out of my office/studio, I will have very limited (if any) access to correspondence, so please be patient if you send me a message/comment/inquiry that requires a response. All shippable items will be deactivated in my Etsy Shop. Shippable items (paper patterns/charts, project bags, Stitch Starter Rulers, etc.) will return on Saturday, February 25th. All digital items will continue to be available. I will respond to all messages, comments and emails in the order received on February 25th. Thank you so much for your patience!

I have a blog post scheduled for while I am away - one you won't want to miss - it is a special project I did for Oliso (you know, the makers of the Auto-Lift Smart Irons...and as I have shared many times, my very favorite irons) - so please stop by on February 23rd to see my creativity at work!

Okay, now on to the eye candy...

This is my Forty-Five Tote Bag, custom created in a special size 
for a client. You can find the pattern here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/941372669/forty-five-tote-bag-quilt-pattern

An 18th Century Pinwheel by The Goode Huswife

These are my cross stitch design "Sunflower Delivery"...
you can find the pattern here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1117678715/sunflower-delivery-brd-128-counted-cross

Grateful Heart Sampler

Joy of Christmas

Thanks for visiting with me today - I hope you are feeling inspired. I've scheduled the Oliso post for Thursday, February 23rd...so stop back and visit with me! I'll return to my studio on Saturday, February 25th and I'm sure I'll be back to blog soon, with TONS of fun and creative things to share with you! Have a wonderful and productive week....

My Apple Valley

It is such a blessing to have my fancy sewing machine up and running again...it has definitely been humming along in my new sewing room! May was a busy month of birthdays and special occasions...and when I know it will be well-received, I like to give handmade gifts. 

I knew I wanted to make my mommy a special little wall hanging quilt for Mother's Day. This is my own take on a pattern/kit called Apple Valley (Tiny Traditions Series #4) by Cozy Quarters - if you like tiny quilts be sure to check out Phyllis's designs...they are wonderful and her kit packaging is FABULOUS! For this design, I changed the shapes of the appliqués, but used the same layout as her pattern - I used various wool scraps for all the apples, leaves and birds and they were machine appliquéd. Once it was quilted and bound, I made a wood hanger for the back...and off it went to Illinois. I was extremely happy with the results...and I think my mom was too...

Next up, here is another recent quilted creation...
My very dear friend Robin (who just had a birthday) had asked me about fabric amounts and details for a cross stitching class/retreat mat...so of course, I made her a unique one for her special day! Over the last year or so, I have had requests and made custom retreat mats for many needleworkers that like to use them at their place setting for classes, retreats or cross stitch gatherings. These special little quilts are like a large placemat - they measure 16" H x 22" W (which could be adjusted) and can be made in variety of patterns. This particular gifted mat was made with a charm pack from the Blueberry Crumb Cake collection by Blackbird Designs and was backed and bound with coordinates from the same collection. The layout is my own design...

Finally today - here is a birthday gift I made for my BFF Terri in Illinois...a large project bag, small project bag and stitch starter ruler sleeve. The fabric has a bit of a story - I have been searching for a good Noah's Ark fabric for years to make this set (Terri and I actually met when she e-mailed me about creating a Noah's Ark cross stitch design). Every so often, I would search Etsy (and other sources) looking for a Noah's Ark fabric that wasn't too childish or cartoony...and a couple weeks before her birthday I found 1.5 yards of this border print (Country Noah Series by Daisy Kingdom) and I immediately snatched it up. After posting a photo on Instagram, I found out this fabric is vintage...from 1995! It arrived in new, perfect condition and I was thrilled. 😊 I was able to make her all three pieces and still have a yard or so left in my stash for future use...

There you have it...just a few things I have been working on since our big move...it has been great to be back at my sewing machine.

With my husband out of town all last week, I spent almost all my time in the sewing room and was able to catch up on most orders...so, believe it or not, last night I cut and prepared project bags to create for especially for my Etsy shop...in fact, as soon as I post this, I will be in my nest starting assembly...be sure to check out my Etsy Shop in a day or two if you have been waiting...

Sprightly Studio

It has been a busy month in the studio and I have been steadily working through an array of creative projects (hence my absence). Needlework finishing, project bags, custom sewing/quilting and needlework designs have all been in the works...even a few Etsy items...and more packages of fabric and finishing are on the way. It is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my customers supply for their custom bags...and such a treat to finish so many lovely needlework pieces. My husband is still traveling extensively for his job, so I am trying to balance my heavy workload with the household, yard, and a puppy - some days are quite challenging...but busy is a blessing...and I am still here, chugging along. To those quietly waiting on your order - I haven't forgotten you and I appreciate your patience!! Here are just a few photos of some of my recent projects...

This assortment of Stitch Starter Ruler Sets has been listed in my
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

...and for those who have asked...I know it has been quite a while since I posted a photo of our little boy Garin...here he is with his big sister Miss Schatzi. Garin is up to 58 pounds and has quite a personality...and yes, they have quickly become best friends...

Finishing Frenzy

It is late Wednesday morning and I thought I stop by for a visit, before sitting down at the sewing machine. It has been a productive few weeks and I am steadily working through needlework finishing and project bag orders before taking a vacation towards the end of the month.

I have been continuously ordering supplies and finishing materials to keep up with demand - placing a monster order of DMC Embroidery Floss that I use for making twisted cord earlier this week (I was almost completely out of all reds and greens, as Christmas ornaments embellished with twisted cord are always a favorite). I'm waiting on more comic book backing boards and archival double-stick tape. I also received a couple INCREDIBLE packages from Lady Dot Creates - lots of luscious hand-dyed trims, chenille and velveteen...if you finish your own needlework and have not ordered from her, you are missing out - gorgeous, consistent colors and high quality products. You can find her website by visiting: http://ladydotcreates.com or shop in her Etsy Store by visiting: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladydotcreates...

So, here is a peek at a few of the finished items that have been shipped off to their respective homes...lots of ornaments, bags, and Stitch Starter Ruler sets....

This afternoon I will be busy with needlework finishing...I have an abundance of gorgeous stitched pieces to complete for a handful of customers - starting with a hanging pillow backed in velveteen with perimeter pom pom trim and a small pin pillow with chenille trim. It's going to be a creative afternoon! Thank you for stopping by and we will visit again soon...

Humming Along

It's a quiet Friday night and I thought I would take break from a stitching marathon to post an update. I have been working on more cross stitch projects for Just CrossStitch Magazine and a new AccuQuilt design, so things are humming along. I've been trying to clean up my counter of customer projects, so there are piles of project bags cut and ready to sew, along with a couple small quilts and a wall hanging...and multiple piles of needlework finishing, all in various stages of completion...there is also a tray of Stitch Starter Ruler sleeves and several project/tool bags prepped and ready to sew for my Etsy Shop. I'm still trying to find a balance with the puppy requiring quite a bit of attention while my husband is traveling.

...and since when it rains, it pours, there were a few challenges this week. My web host tried to move my website to a new server and (of course) my e-mails are tied to my website, which caused a bit of an issue - no e-mail for a couple days, then it all started pouring in my inbox in large batches...and when a new batch would arrive, the old batch would disappear (poof!) - it seems to be fixed now and I think we recovered everything, but if by chance you sent me a message that needed a response and didn't receive one, please re-send it! I managed to get my 2017 sales taxes completed this week and started preparing our income tax paperwork for the CPA - something I dread all year, even though I am quite organized. It was just one of those super busy weeks where it doesn't seem like anything was accomplished. I got back on track yesterday and the to-do list is starting to look manageable....hopefully this coming week will run smooth (fingers crossed)!

Last Friday, I was able to have lunch with my dear friend Mary - it felt great to get out of the house and just breathe. Since the puppy arrival last October and then the holiday rush, I have been on scheduled autopilot - I really only make it out to go to the gym and to run errands, so "me time" has been pretty much non-existent - to be able to relax, even if only for a couple hours, was pure joy. After lunch, we walked over to a local quilt shop and picked fabrics for a couple small projects....and I felt refreshed and ready to tackle more of what life has been throwing at me. I have been doing quite a bit of needlework finishing for Mary and was able to return some of her beautiful stitching (these photos showcase her stitching and my finishing):

This piece has been getting quite a bit of social media buzz and we are trying
to figure out the designer/title - the consensus is that it was in a magazine,
 but I don't have specific details - if you know, please leave me a comment!

Don't you love it when seams line up perfectly!

This shows the back and the side seams...

...and for those who have been patiently waiting, I was able to get another 50+ Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve Sets listed in my Etsy shop...they have been selling out very quickly (thank you!!!) and I am always trying to keep them in stock. I have another 50 ready to sew...

Time to get Garin out of the kennel for one more play session with Schatzi before bedtime. Wishing you a creative and productive weekend...