Studio Snippets

Greetings friends! My studio has been a buzz since we returned from vacation and my sewing machine has been humming along. I am back today to show some of my latest needlework finishing projects and Etsy creations. This post will be a bit longer than usual, as I have quite a few creative photos to share... rather than break them up into several posts, I am going to share both needlework finishing and sewing projects all in one post...along with details on where you can visit with me later this week...and a couple photos of the kids (our fur children) at the end. I'll keep the chatting to a minimum and let the photos do the talking. First a bunch of beautiful needlework that I finished for a talented client - these are all for the same stitcher....again, not my stitching or my designs, just my finishing work (I will post the designer details I have with each image).

Be Merry and Bright  by The Scarlett House

Merry & Minty by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle and Thread

October 31st by Threadwork Primitives

Merry Christmas by Liz Matthews

Cranberry Christmas by Hands On Design

And Rudolph by La-D-Da

Merry Christmas Pinkeep by Stacy Nash

Project Bag Panel by Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Finished My Way

I have also been doing tons of sewing for my Etsy Shop...lots of large project bags, accessory bags, artist bags and small project bags....along with quite a few Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve Sets. These all sold out almost immediately - but don't worry, if you missed this group, more are in the works. I have have yardage of almost every (if not every) retired Blackbird Designs sampler fabric and many coordinates - I have more bags already cut and ready to sew. At the time of this listing, there is one  large project bag in my shop and a wide assortment of Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve sets still available. Keep an eye on my Etsy Shop for more listings soon!!

Another announcement of note...if you are in the Kansas City area, I will be helping out my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) in Spring Hill, KS with the Jingle All The Way Quilt Shop Hop this week. I will be in the shop on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - so please stop by and visit with me!

Finally today - a few photos of the kids. Last week, I took a couple fall photos of our dogs in the backyard...and I was really pleased with how they turned out. I am also including a photo of Garin that I snapped last night in the kitchen (he was being so helpful)...

Schatzi - October 2021

Garin - October 2021

Garin - momma's little helper...

How was that for a creative post? - as you can see I am keeping busy in my studio (as always). I have several new cross stitch designs in the works and quite a few Etsy items in progress, so I will be back again soon. Thank you for stopping by to visit with me!

Sewing Summary

My sewing machine has been rather busy lately (which is a great thing!) and I have finished quite a few major projects. Thank goodness the largest deadlines are complete, as I am getting ready to travel again (yep, I'm hiking the Grand Canyon this coming week). Recently, I finished six new pieces for AccuQuilt - I designed patterns and created samples for a throw quilt, a baby quilt, a table runner, a table topper, a bed runner, and a wall hanging...I can't share the details or photos with you just yet - you'll have to be patient a bit longer; however, here is a glimpse at some of the other projects I have been competing. I have been working on quite a few custom project bags and tool bags...lots of Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeves for my Etsy shop (the ones shown below are almost sold out, but I have 40 more cut and ready to sew when I return from my trip)...and couple custom quilts - one is a fabulous wall hanging that is almost complete (just needs quilting) - I will be sharing more on this unique original design in the near future. So, while it may have been a little quiet here in my blogland, there has been a plethora of activity in my sewing studio...

One last thing to mention - recently, while browsing online, I came across a cover photo for the upcoming Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue (it will be on newsstands on May 2nd)...imagine my shock when I see that I have a block on the cover...I had to double check and make sure it was really my submission - how awesome is that?! YAY!! I/they must be having some sort of issue with correspondence to/from the magazine, because I had no idea - and I have sent them several e-mails with no response. Unfortunately, this means I won't be involved in the big Volume 15 Blog Tour (boo hoo!)...but I will be posting here and revealing my block...so be sure to stop back the first week of May when I will be sharing the details and giving away a couple copies of the magazine...

That's all for today - I must get busy cleaning and packing for my trip...and we are headed out for a pizza party/birthday celebration this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend...and I'll be back real soon...

My Happy Place

I have been continuing to reside in my happy place this week - working on a plethora of stitching, sewing, and quilting projects that bring me personal joy. I can't wait to give you a little peek at my latest cross stitch model - it makes me smile from ear to ear (yes, those are the fabric and thread colors shown right)....and I charted a couple more new pieces over the last few days. I have also been catching up on some long overdue customer sewing...and I have almost completed a beautiful spring wall hanging the features 6" traditional quilt blocks and machine appliqué (more on that in the coming weeks). Plus, I have been busy creating items for my Etsy shop and listing new things - including more Stitch Starter Ruler with Pocket Sleeve sets and some new Blue Ribbon Designs cross stitch chart bundles....and I have some new zippered pouches (I call them tool pouches) that will list very soon - they measure 9.25" W x 7.25" H and are a great size for multiple uses!

I continue to go to the gym each morning and have been getting in some great 3-Day training walks in the afternoon - yes, some of them have even been outdoors, now that the weather is starting to improve...and yes, Miss Schatzi is thrilled to be getting in some good mileage outside. It has been uplifting to see the sun shining and I can't wait until spring truly arrives. I hope beautiful weather is arriving in your area and that you are feeling inspired...

A Creative Boost

Hello friends! I have been having an extra creative week...it is always good when you have a personal epiphany. The past few months had found me feeling defeated and searching for purpose - but it is amazing how a few letdowns and frustrations can bring clarity. It took being treated far less than I was worth to give me the proper attitude adjustment! So this week, I am getting back to basics and doing what I love...removing the negativity and jobs that abuse my talent...and I'm enjoying my creative journey. I have been designing new projects (both cross stitch and quilting), sewing for my Etsy shop each day, completing some custom projects for those who truly appreciate my talents, and model stitching each evening...and that makes me extremely happy (and isn't that what life is truly about?). So, I hope to be here more often, sharing the fun projects I work on each day...and the little things that inspire me!

The last few days have found me sewing up and listing a bunch of Stitch Starter Ruler Pocket Sleeves...I have been having playing in my fabric stash and fussy cutting some fabulous prints. These pocket sleeves measure 3.5" x 3.5" and hold my BRD 3" Stitch Starter Ruler perfectly - they are fully lined with no raw seams...and they use fusible fleece to give them a bit of padding and stability. To read about the BRD Stitch Starter Ruler, visit this link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/210845150/stitch-starter-ruler
...and to see the available Stitch Starter Ruler and Pocket Sleeve sets, visit:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns?section_id=11683865&ref=shopsection_leftnav_4

This afternoon, I am working on a springtime project of my own design with very cheerful colors (yes, I am ready for spring!)....and I am sewing up a few smaller zippered pouches to add to my Etsy shop (I call them tool pouches). It is supposed to warm up a bit this afternoon, so Miss Schatzi and I will definitely be taking a decent walk (which is always good for my sanity and creativity!). Take a little time to do something you enjoy today...

Sunday Samplings

Season's Greetings! I can't believe it has been several weeks since my last post...and quite a few of you have checked in to make sure I am okay. I have been so wrapped up in work projects, holiday projects, and life, that I haven't really had time to catch my breath (or write a blog post)...but the Christmas packages were sent - a few cards made it to the post office - the Christmas dinner went smoothly - the house is clean - and my pre-holiday work deadlines have been handled...so here I am to do a quick wrap up.

Let's see...on a personal note: I have been trying to stay healthy (but not exactly successfully), many of you know I had the flu when I returned from the 60-mile walk in Dallas...then I contracted a terrible upper respiratory infection that lasted what seemed like months - and the cough has been lingering for a few weeks, but getting better each day. I have been going to the gym daily - still weight training, with several days of cardio a week - it is my quiet time (my only "me" time) - I feel healthier and stronger - and my cardio consists of lots of stairs and incline, preparing for 60-miles in San Diego next year. The weather here is unusually manageable for December, but we are getting TONS of rain...in fact, the grass was still green a few days ago. I have been able to walk the dogs to the park almost everyday (don't get me wrong, I have to bundle up - there just isn't the usual snow/ice on the ground). Although, we did just get a couple inches of snow, in time to celebrate Christmas (and it looks like quite a bit of snow is forecasted for the upcoming week). Simba and Schatzi are both well and have become best friends. Travis and I stayed home for Christmas again this year - but you can't make any holiday plans this time of year when your husband is in management for UPS (they even worked Christmas Eve). We hosted his parents for a Christmas dinner on Friday and that was pretty much the extent of our holiday celebration. All in all, life is good...and we are looking forward to early February when we are leaving the Iowa winter and heading to Florida for a week of vacation with my mother and her husband.

On the creative front...there has been quite a bit happening in the Blue Ribbon Designs Studio. I finished up more designs and samples for AccuQuilt - this time for Valentine's Day...and I can't wait to share them with you (a couple sneak peeks below). I completed a handful of custom orders and managed to make gifts for nine packages...and they were all delivered BEFORE Christmas! I also made gifts for two of my local close friends...and gifts for family...so my sewing/embroidery machine and stitching fingers have been busy. I also finished the cutest winter project and tutorial for the AccuQuilt Blog that will be posted next Wednesday, the 30th - I will post a reminder about in the coming week - you won't want to miss it. Plans are underway for my January AccuQuilt project tutorial - it uses the new GO! Qube and I am having fun working on the design (think Valentine's Day). In the evenings, I have been cross stitching a couple ornaments for Just Cross Stitch Magazine that will published in 2016....and I have been working on a couple new design ideas - including one for my 2016 Komen 3-Day fundraising piece (Twinkle Toes will be walking in San Diego in 2016!). Last, but not least, I have been working on new pieces for my Etsy Shop - I am working on a BUNCH of Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeves and a pile of zippered pouches and project bags...plus I have a couple new ideas that I worked up that I will be trying in limited numbers. Then, in my "spare time", I am working on custom customer projects. Busy is a blessing...

I hope you have been enjoying this holiday season. As we quickly approach the new year - may you find joy in the celebration, beauty in your surroundings, and love in your heart...happy holidays!