June "Just Because" Giveaway Recipient

Good afternoon friends and followers!

I was quite happy to see the enthusiastic response to my latest giveaway - what a treat it was to read many of your encouraging and kind comments....to my followers (long term and new) - thank you for joining me on my creative journey...I truly wish I could award each and every one of you with a set of my designs. If you aren't the recipient of this latest giveaway, please don't be discouraged - I love to give things away...and there will definitely be more chances in the future (in fact, I already have something special planned for July)! So without further ado....here is the randomly chosen recipient:

Congratulation to Myrna - comment #3 - she posted:

MyrnaJune 12, 2012 10:11 AM

Love, love your designs!!! Please enter me into your drawing! Thanks in advance for the chance!

Myrna, you will be notified via email momentarily.





Again, thank you all for reading, following, commenting, and supporting my blog and designs - you all make me happy!

A June "Just Because" Giveaway

Let's liven things up with a Blue Ribbon Designs giveaway..."just because"...

The prize?? - a quartet of Blue Ribbon Designs needlework charts (the four shown in the photo): "Friendship Blooms", "Turn The Page", Established With Love", and "Sweet Simple Samplings"....yep, one lucky recipient will receive all four design charts...

To enter, simply leave one comment on this post - all comments will go into a random drawing where one fan/follower will receive this special set of design charts.

Fine print (read carefully):

• Giveaway is open until 11:59 PM CST Friday, June 15, 2012.
• International entries welcome.
• All entries require a valid email address. Please make sure your email address is visible in your profile (so I have a way of contacting you, should you be randomly chosen) - if you are uncertain or post "anonymously", please leave your email address and your first name with your comment - entries without a valid email will be disqualified.
• No chart substitutions.
• E-mail entries will not be accepted, you must leave a comment on this post.
• One comment per person; multiple comments will be deleted/disqualified.
• One recipient will be announced on Saturday June 16, 2012.

There you have it - all the "Just Because" giveaway details...I am thrilled to be able to thank those who continually follow my blog and leave encouraging and enthusiastic comments! I hope my future posts maintain your interest and inspire you... Good luck to all!

Stitch Into Spring...

If you are looking for a new "springy" cross stitch project, check out the latest issue of Just CrossStitch magazine (March/April 2011) where you will find an exclusive Blue Ribbon Designs project! This cheerful, springtime design is titled "Berries, Birds, and Blooms". It is mainly Cross Stitch...but does have Smyrna Cross Stitch and Back Stitch....making it a fun, quick stitch. The model was worked on 32-count Chantilly Creme from Lakeside Linens with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (DMC conversions are provided). This magazine is currently arriving in mailboxes, at needlework shops, and on newsstands...so keep an eye out if you are interested in stitching this sunny new release.

Today is the opening of the TNNA Nashville Needlework Market; a wholesale trade show for industry professionals. I have two new designs being released today "Turn The Page" and "Holiday Helpings". "Holiday Helpings" marks the release of my 100th design (not including teaching or magazine pieces)...can you believe it?!...so, to celebrate, I am working on details for a new giveaway! Be sure to check back in the next day or two, when I will have all the information posted...there will also be a fun, new complimentary chart available for March (think St. Patrick's Day)...and be sure to look for my new releases at your favorite needlework shop starting next week...

I hope you are enjoying beautiful weather in your location this weekend (it is still nice and sunny here). I will definitely be doing some model stitching and finishing, along with bagging/packaging more charts - but I do plan to take a little time off today to have a nice evening out with my husband...and Simba will definitely be enjoying his walk to the park. Take a little time to savor the sunshine...

"Turn The Page" Bookmarks

What does one do when they are snowed in??...needlework, of course!

As the snow continues to fall here in Iowa (and most of the country), I have been curled up inside as much as possible...finishing up my two new releases for the Nashville Needlearts Market in February. I gave you a sneak peek of "Turn The Page", my new bookmark sampler, a couple weeks ago...it is currently being framed (I picked what I think is a fabulous frame molding)...and the last several days, I finished up the stitching of the sample bookmarks. Today, I completed the finishing work...there are four different styles - finishing instructions will be included in the chartpack...and each one of them is quite easy to put together. I had fun picking coordinating fabric for the back of one (birds)...felted wool for finishing another (bunnies)...and the other two (grapes, hearts) use linen for the backing. I am so excited with how the sampler and the bookmarks turned out and can't wait to release this chart next month....plus I am ready to put my new bookmarks to use!

I am now focused on "Holiday Helpings", my other release for market, which is a new set of Stitch Starter Sleeves (and will include my Stitch Starter Ruler). It was a treat picking each of the holidays to represent and charting each one...and I will share a photo with you soon...

Winter is definitely here...and while I love the cozy stitching time inside, I dread the shoveling and snow blowing that needs to be done a couple times a day. I am already dreaming of spring! I hope you are staying warm and dry...and you have been able to "dig out" if you are in the majority of the U.S. with snow on the ground...

A Look Forward To 2011

In just a matter of hours, we will be welcoming the new year...and as 2010 comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the last 365 days. This year has been a good year for Blue Ribbon Designs - a year of triumphs, challenges, and rewards. Thank you for making this a special year for me and for your support, encouragement, and loyalty - there are many talented designers and teachers out there...and a vast amount of needlework patterns to choose from - I sincerely thank you for welcoming my designs into your stitching rotation and allowing my dream to be a reality. I truly love what I do and I hope you will continue to receive my designs with open arms and share in my passion for all things done with needle and thread. Looking forward to 2011, I have many projects in the works - a pile of design ideas, multiple classes across the US, and exciting plans for the future. Thank you for following me on my creative journey...

As promised, here is a sneak peek at an upcoming design titled "Turn The Page" - it is the second in my series of bookmark samplers. As with the first design, you can stitch the entire framed sampler or choose a favorite section for making a bookmark. The model was stitched on 40-count Weeks Dye Works Linen (Angel Hair) with Weeks Dye Work cotton floss. Unfortunately with the winter storm brewing, it is quite gloomy and dark - the light was not ideal for photography - but I promised a photo today...and you get the idea! I have plans to release this design in February at the Nashville Needlework Market.

Wishing you and your loved ones a new year filled with happiness, prosperity, and kindness...all the best in 2011...