Winter Inspiration

I have been on work overload the last week...playing catch-up after being gone most of the month of October for teaching events. Yesterday, I finally got my desk under control and the to-do list is almost manageable. Late last night, I was able to sit down and work on some long overdue model stitching...I actually got quite a bit accomplished (which was encouraging). Before heading to bed, I decided to sneak a peek outside to see if the snow had started yet...and sure enough, the ground was covered with big white flakes...with it being late at night (well, actually early morning at 1:48 AM) and our first snow of the season, I quickly grabbed my camera and got several beautiful shots from our front steps. The snow was so peaceful with the night sky...and the big fluffy flakes seamed to float through the air...I just had to share these whimsical photographs with you...

Later today, I am expecting a package from California...you know, the one with all my stash purchases and goodies (all the great stuff that I couldn't fit in my suitcase)...so, hopefully I will be back soon with some fun, creative things to share with you! ...and if I am really lucky, I will find some time in my hectic schedule to do a little sewing and/or machine embroidery today - the holidays are approaching quickly and I have so many gifts to prepare....

Pair of Precious Pillows

Finally, a beautiful sunny day here in Iowa...I am feeling much better...getting a bunch of work accomplished and deadlines fulfilled...the new designs are finally in printing production...and I have reached 100 blog followers (THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING)...it is a great day!

The last three days have been spent working on getting the new designs published...and this time, there was a bit of a challenge with the covers - but now, the proofs have been finalized and the printing is underway. This was a very large print order, but I am confident my printing company has it under control and I should have the new designs in my hand by the end of the day on Friday...then the *fun* begins...my weekend will be spent bagging thousands of charts, filling invoices, packaging and shipping...all in an effort to get my new charts to your favorite needlework shop as soon as possible.

I finished stitching the model for my SYHO Designer Encyclopedia this morning...it was a bit of a challenge to work with a 50 x 50 stitch count for me...but I am quite happy with this small design and look forward to sharing it with you in the future! I am now excited to work on teaching designs for 2010 and new pieces for the Nashville Needlework Market in February.
(By the way, have you heard - I will be teaching at the first New Endland Stitchers' Retreat in conjunction with ABC Stitch Therapy in June 2010 - I am super excited about this!!)

Yesterday, I took a couple hours to test two new machine embroidery designs for Shelli at Needle In A Haystack Stitchery; two beautiful Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness files - one has the ribbon filled with embroidery - the other the ribbon is applique'. I enjoyed finishing these two designs into a pair of pillows. The applique' was embroidered on wool felt (and the ribbon is wool felt)....and the ribbon fill design was embroidered on quilted cotton with rick rack for an embellishment. The fabric for the borders is one of my favorites (Karen Neuburger - 2006 Pink Ribbon Signature Fabric) and I have been holding on to it for quite some time, waiting for the perfect project! These will make very special gifts....plus taking a couple hours to sew was (again) great therapy for me!

...and although October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) has quickly come and gone, we all still need to be proactive....PLEASE do your monthly breast self-exams and your yearly mammogram - early detection is key!

A Couple VERY Good Things....

First of all - I think I am finally getting over the flu virus...at least I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to those who have sent me well wishes...healing vibes...and cold remedies! I feel better than I have in several weeks...I am down to just a dry cough and very sore throat...and I have actually accomplished some much needed work today...which brings me to my second "good thing"...

I cannot begin to tell you how I excited I am to share this with you...a sneak peek of "Just Add Tinsel"...a new design coming out in the next couple weeks...and you are seeing it here first! I have been doing my best to keep this design and idea a secret for quite some time...and now, here it is, just as I imagined. It is a needlework tree-shaped box (made from/stitched on 32-count Green Slate fabric by Lakeside Linens) and a set of three needlework smalls (stitched on 32-count Sand Dune fabric by Lakeside Linens). This design has been in the works since last fall...and turned out exactly as I envisioned. The lid of the tree-shaped box has a place to keep your threads (mother of pearl thread rings by Kelmscott Designs) and can be attached to the box, if so desired - I left mine unattached, but directions are included for attaching it to the "trunk" of the tree....and the inside base of the box has a stitching surprise - birds decorating a feather tree. The needlework smalls include a star-shaped pinkeep, a scissor fob, and a needlebook tied to look like a present! See, all your tree needs is a little tinsel. Finishing/stitching instructions are included for all pieces. I am finishing up the design files today and meet with my printer tomorrow morning, so if I goes well, I will be shipping the three new designs to automatic shops and distributors late next week...keep an eye on my website for specific details. I will be posting additional photos and design materials/specifics over the next couple days....please be patient...

Winter White Woodland Smalls

Here they are....the ornament smalls for "Winter White Woodland". If I had the stitching time, I would stitch all eight of them right now...I am so extremely pleased with how this design has turned out. I am picking up the framed sampler today...can't wait to see it...I chose a lovely deep red frame molding.

















I worked on the smalls for "Autumn Leaves and Sunflower Seeds" again last night - they are coming along beautifully...and I promise to share them with you soon...

On a personal note:
A very dear friend of mine has been fighting breast cancer this year and is having a mastectomy today. Please know I have been thinking of you and wish I could be there with you - your strength and grace continue to amaze and inspire me. I am sending you good vibes and well wishes as you continue along this journey...you are loved.

Ladies, PLEASE do your monthly breast self-exams and your yearly mammogram - early detection is key!

Finally A Finish - "Winter White Woodland"

After diligently stitching for the last couple weeks, I finally have sneak peek of a new design to show you...yes, you are "seeing it here first" on my blog. This upcoming design is titled "Winter White Woodland" (yes, I have a title!)...and I am hoping to release it sometime mid to late October. Like others in this series, it will have instructions to turn each square into a needlework small (ornament, hook hanger, or scissor fob)...so you can stitch it as a sampler and/or eight Christmas ornaments! ...and before I get a bunch of questions, the model is stitched on 40 count Nutmeg by Lakeside Linens with The Gentle Art Sampler Threads. I have another holiday release I am currently working on, so hopefully I will have more to show you soon. Keep an eye on my website in the next couple weeks for more specific details on this release ...