Creating Behind the Scenes

Hello friends - I am so happy you stopped by to visit with me today! I have been extremely busy creating behind the scenes. I am working on more new cross stitch designs...and I am working on client needlework finishing and sewing projects. It is a creative summer and I am enjoying a quiet couple months in my studio. I'm making a little time to reset, refresh my spirit, and find my joy. Thank you for the lovely comments and compliments regarding my latest cross stitch designs - it makes my heart happy to put more of my artwork out into the universe. I also uploaded two new FlossTube videos this week...

FlossTube Episode Six is an in-depth look at my three new summer cross stitch releases - you can find it here: https://youtu.be/tln8xkjIIoY

FlossTube Episode Seven is a full finishing tutorial for the rounds in my new "Rick Rack Rounds" seasonal/holiday series. It covers all the materials and how to put one together. You can find it here: https://youtu.be/YkBe77naAZI

I hope the new cross stitch design releases and two new videos will inspire you to create something special this week!

Happiness = New Cross Stitch Designs

Hello friends! I have so much to share today...I am not really sure where to start...but I guess I will begin with a big THANK YOU! I am overwhelmed by the positive and kind comments regarding my last couple posts - it is not always easy to share when I am struggling, but you have all provided me with comfort. I truly appreciate all the uplifting messages - I replied to many of you, but some of you are marked "no reply", so I have no way to contact you directly...just know you are appreciated. I am still trying to focus my energy on tasks and work while I am in "my funk", so as you will be able to tell from this post, I have been quite productive...

Three new cross stitch designs have been listed in my Etsy Shop...and I feel extremely blessed by the enthusiastic response on social media. I hope you can feel the love and joy I put into each piece. It feels good sharing new cross stitch designs, even if they are in a different format. I feel like I wasted so much time trying to fit into the "industry mold" of how things are supposed to be done...and now that I am doing what works best for me and my small business, my creativity is flowing. As I mentioned in previous posts, 2021 is the year for "finding my worth" and putting out new designs on my own terms is a HUGE step for me! I am learning daily...and I now realize that there is no mold that my business has to fit into - I need to make my own mold. Today is a great day - I have put more of my artwork out into the world - I have found my joy...and I am crossing my fingers theses new designs will be well received and I can continue to pursue my passion...

Without further ado, here are the new releses. Each one is available in my Etsy Shop in digital download format. Each design includes charting in both color AND black and white - that way, if you are printing, you can save ink and print the black and white version OR if you are stitching from a device, you can use the color chart...the best of both worlds. Each design also includes full finishing instructions.

First up is "Sweet Slice of Liberty"...this is the first design in my new series "Rick Rack Rounds" (yes, there will be more of these in the future...in fact - spoiler alert - the Halloween Rounds are currently in my design software!). These have a stitch count of 48" x 48" and stitched on 32-count fabric measure 3 1/4" round. I stitched them on 32-count Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens with Sulky 12 Wt. Cotton Petites, but almost any fabric color will work for these red, white and blue beauties...and the DMC equivalents are provided. The pattern includes complete finishing instructions for my Rick Rack Rounds - and you can insert pins as I did...or they look great with just the rick rack. These make great bowl fillers or could be finished as seasonal ornaments. The pattern comes with a plethora creative ideas! If there is interest, I may film a FlossTube video showing how to do the finishing on these - let me know if that is something you would like to see...
Visit https://www.etsy.com/listing/1028614966 for more information.

My second new release is titled "Pink Positive." This uplifting sampler design was originally created as a fundraiser years ago - after quite a bit of interest, I have decided to give it a makeover and release it in my regular collection. This is a signature Blue Ribbon Designs counted cross stitch sampler with finishing instructions for the quilted wall hanging and a pin pillow. It was the perfect time to revamp this pattern - right now, I think we can all use the positive message in this design - I definitely felt the urge to hang it up in a place of prominence in my studio! The models are stitched on 35-count Linen (yes, Linen is the color) hand-dyed fabric from Weeks Dye Works and I used Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss...again, you can use your favorite neutral fabric and DMC equivalents are provided. This design has a very special place in my heart and I am excited to release it in my regular collection...
Visit https://www.etsy.com/listing/1042823783 for more information.

Last, but definitely not least, is "Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents" - an herb garden signature style Blue Ribbon Design! Some of you may recognize this design - it was originally in a UK magazine publication (many years ago), but I have put it in a fancy frame and designed needlework smalls to coordinate with it. You can stitch the entire sampler, or select some of your favorite motifs for smaller projects. This design is stitched on Zweigart 28-count Cashel Platinum (3281-770) with Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss (DMC equivalents are included). Complete finishing instructions are included for the scissor fob and pins & needle keep. I thoroughly enjoyed creating the pins & needle keep - it is a new finishing concept I created - holding pins on one side, needles on the other. The  sections in this design are the perfect size for bowl fillers...and a couple would be perfect for a small framed designs...you could even make a lovely selection of ornaments. The full design would look great in a tray, on a box top or as a quilted wall hanging. My signature samplers are created in sections that look good together or on their own - with each option having extensive stitching and finishing possibilities...and this design definitely hits those marks!
Visit https://www.etsy.com/listing/1029152154 for more information.

Front of Scissor Fob
Pins Side of Pins & Needles Keep

Back of Scissor Fob
Needles Side of the Pins & Needles Keep

I truly hope one or all of these new designs will speak to you...and you will find joy in stitching one for yourself or a friend! I am already working on more new cross stitch releases - seriously, I have piles (yes, piles!) in the works...so if these are well-received, I will continue to bring you pieces that make my heart happy.

A couple other notes:

I have been slowly be converting my vintage cross stitch designs to digital download format and listing them as I go - ten have already been listed in my Etsy Shop. If you have a favorite you would like to see available in PDF format, send me a message or drop me a comment.

Also I am doing some work on the Blue Ribbon Designs website. There were some glitches after a recent software update and I am working to make things a bit easier to navigate. For the next couple weeks, you may notice some of the menus are missing or a few cosmetic issues, but know I am in the process of making some changes behind the scenes. Thank you for your patience. I have already updated my website with the new design images and details. I am still working on listing the digital designs for sale on my website (there is a learning curve), so for now, visit my Etsy Shop to purchase the new designs...

Finally - I will be filming a new FlossTube video this week...so look for that in the future. I will share/discuss the new designs and catch you up with all the creative things happening in my studio...you can find my YouTube Channel here: 
https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and sharing in my happiness...I hope you are inspired by this post to work on something that brings you joy!

Catching Up...and Creative Inspiration....

After two weeks of being completely miserable, I am finally feeling better...I spent last night and this morning cleaning, washing, and giving everything the "Lysol treatment", hoping the flu bug is gone for good! I still have a few sinus issues - but I am functioning and getting back to work. Thank you all for your well wishes, notes, and comments - I am doing my best to get caught up on correspondence - if you have been waiting on a response from me, thank you for your patience...

A few highlights to share with you...then some creative things to inspire you!

Part one of the Mystery Sampler "Blue Jeans and Daisies" shipped to Norden Crafts last week - and they begin shipping it to needlework shops tomorrow...so those of you joining in the springtime mystery fun should have the first part of the sampler very soon! I will post a photo of part one in the near future...

I have finished the project for the Elegant Stitch Workshop being held in April - Lois will be posting the photos very soon and then I will share all the detail here! I can tell you, the project is called "Bluebird Sewing Box" - it is a wooden box with a hinged lid - you stitch a piece for the top of the box, a piece for inside the lid of the box, and a piece for the inside base of the box....then there are three adorable needlework smalls - a tiny bird shaped pincushion, a wool felt scissor fob, and a bitty button bag. I am super excited about this project and my trip to California....and there are a few seats still available - I sure hope you will join us! Stay tuned for photographs...

I am now getting to work on the project for the New England Stitcher's Retreat taking place October 4 - 7 in Enfield , NH...this class project will feature on an oval Shaker Shallow Carrier Box (11" H x 7 3/4" W x 2 3/4" D - with a 9" H handle). This special design is inspired by my research on the Shaker culture and gift drawings, the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle, and the beauty of the autumn season. We will be stitching a padded base for the inside of the carrier box - along with several needlework smalls – giving you a unique stitched Shaker-style display. I will keep you updated on my progress...

I received my copy of The World of Cross Stitching magazine that features my design "Garden Sampler" - what a beautiful publication!...and I was also excited to see the latest video by The World of Cross Stitching that features my herb garden design...this video is all about using hand-dyed threads...enjoy!

Two more quick things:
Many of you have asked about my walking and training progress for the Komen 3-Day (60-miles in three days!)... with the terrible flu bug, I have been unable to do much walking lately...but I plan to get back in the swing of things this week. It is snowing today and bitter cold, so looks like I will be using the treadmill for a little bit longer - I can't wait to get outside and log many more miles in the fresh air! A huge THANK YOU to those who have made a donation supporting my walk - to date, I have raised $780.00 of my $6,000.00 goal - I am so thrilled with my progress, but still have a LONG way to go to reach my goal...I really appreciate your support! Together we can fight this disease and find a cure for breast cancer...

• If you would like to learn  more about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day - visit: http://www.the3day.org/
• If you would like read more about why I am walking, make a donation to help me reach my goal, or see my  training updates - visit: http://www.the3day.org/goto/belinda

On the sewing machine front - the parts for my sewing/embroidery machine have FINALLY arrived and I have an appointment to have my machine fixed tomorrow afternoon! I am so EXCITED - I can't wait to have "my baby" repaired and ready for hours of sewing/embroidery time. I have so many fun projects on my list and can't wait to get back to work on items for my Etsy shop. I have my fingers crossed that the new parts keep the belt in place and I will be able to enjoy hours of sewing and machine embroidery time!

Now on to a few creative photos to inspire you!
A couple weeks ago, I met my dear friend Lorrie for lunch to celebrate the holidays. Lorrie is so extremely talented and gives the BEST gifts - she is so versatile with her creative endeavors and is always working on something extremely inspiring and creative. Her gifts to me were so thoughtful and unique - I just know they will inspire you...

First up - a set of GORGEOUS patchwork placemats - Lorrie used wonderful winter fabrics that match my dining room perfectly! I love that these can be used for an elegant or casual table setting...and she sized them for the plate to fit perfectly on one side and silverware on the patchwork side. If you would like to try your hand at making a set, Lorrie has a great tutorial and information on her blog: http://www.astitcherssnippets.blogspot.com/2012/12/placemat-tutorial.html

Next - Lorrie gifted me a with LOVELY cross stitch hanging - "Gone Sledding" (design by The Sampler Girl)...I love the jute hanger and have this wonderful piece hanging in our entry on the door to our garage. She also gifted me with another one of her FABULOUS fabric pine cone ornaments - I just adore these...

Saving the biggest gift for last, Lorrie made me this incredible stitching chest - isn't it AMAZING?! After finding the small wooden chest (7.5" H) in a hobby store, Lorrie was inspired - she stained the box and drawers with walnut stain and creatively mounted a stitched piece on top (Tin Toppers: 8 Quaker Friendship by Samplers and Such). This piece is truly spectacular - and she even put gifts in the drawers - a pair of scissors and some hand-dyed ribbon and trims. I hope this will inspire you to make a unique gift for a friend!

I also wanted to share with you a gift I made for Lorrie - a special "LOVE" pin pillow. Last fall, my friend Ruth gifted me with yards (basically an entire bolt) of beautiful retired alphabet fabric (Elsie's Kitchen by Anna Griffin for Windham Fabrics) and I have been having so much fun finding special uses for it. I wanted to spell out Lorrie's name, but with each letter block measuring approximately 2" H x 2.5" W, it became larger than I wanted...so I decided to use the word "LOVE". I was thrilled with the results and look forward to making more of these fun pillows....

So there you have it - all sorts of fun information, a video, and inspiring photos! I will be back this week with photos of some more stitchy gifts from my friend Terri, photos of the workshop project for Elegant Stitch, and photos of Part One of the Mystery Sampler....
Enjoy the rest of your weekend...and stay healthy and warm!

"Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents"

Hello friends - I know this blog post is long overdue...and my apologies. Unfortunately, I have been under the weather with a TERRIBLE case of the flu...in fact, the girl who never slows down (who has to constantly be busy) has been in bed for eight completely miserable days. I don't ever remember being this sick, nor spending this many days out of commission - and truth be told, this blog post is being written on my laptop from the comfort of my bed...while I feel well enough to sit up and partially function, I am still pretty miserable and experiencing nasty symptoms. Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes and comforting notes and emails my way....I am hoping to be back to "normal" soon!

I do have something fun to share with you today - I designed a special signature sampler for The World of Cross Stitching magazine and it is being featured this month in Issue #199. You can see "Garden Sampler" (I call it "Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents") on the top right corner of the magazine cover and find it inside starting on page 18. This springtime "herb garden" design uses Weeks Dye Works cotton floss on Zweigart 28-count Cashel Platinum (3281-770)...and includes the following stitches: Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Back Stitch, French (or Colonial) Knots, and Smyrna Cross Stitch. WOXS199 went on sale in the UK on Janurary 3rd...and will be available in the US soon....

I do have some wonderful things to share with you in the near future (or should I say when I am feeling a bit better) - before getting the flu, I received a wonderful Christmas package from my friend Terri with some special stitchy things to share with you...and I celebrated the holidays with my friend Lorrie - she gifted me a couple beautiful and unique stitched pieces (that I can't wait to show you) and some fabulous sewing...so when I am up and about I will share those with you. Plus, I recently (prior to the flu) completed a large AccuQuilt appliqué wall hanging and I have some tips and tricks to share with you! For now, I am going to continue to rest...hoping to possibly pick up a needle tonight and do a little stitching...