A Creative Boost

Hello friends. My words will be short today, with a lot of (maybe too many) photos. Truth is - I don't really have many positive things to say today and I like to keep it as happy here as possible. It is one of those days when I am questioning my life choices, my friendships, my goals, and how I want to proceed with different aspects going forward - I'm pretty sure we all have "those days" when everything is a bigger deal than it needs to be...and things are more emotional than normal. I'm learning I need to recognize and remove the negatives in my life (people and things)…and the list of negatives has been overwhelming lately. Rather than delve into the gigantic mess of me contemplating life, let's talk about the creative things that have been happening in my studio. Like I mentioned in my last post, I have been working on client orders and getting what I have on hand done and shipped out, so I can focus on my own designs and pieces that bring me joy. My finishing piles are getting somewhat manageable and I almost feel like I can breathe (and after this extremely frustrating week, I have no plans of taking on any more needlework finishing in the foreseeable future). The photos in this post are all projects I have done for clients and two gifts I created for friends (which are noted)…project bag sewing and cross stitch finishing. The cross stitch is not my stitching or my designs, just my finishing work - even though I always mention this, today a client subtly let me know that the likes and comments I receive on my photos are not based on my detailed (and many times unique) finishing work, but the original stitching and designs...ouch! If I have details on a design, I will post it with my image...oh, and I guess one of these cross stitch finishes IS actually my own stitching and design and all of the bags are finished in my own style/my own sewing pattern. I hope you enjoy this picture heavy post and are inspired to pick up your stitching, sewing or needlework finishing project...

Hands On Design - Love My Stitching
My own personal project bag pattern.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

 Country Cottage Needleworks - Snow Love

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

Glendon Place - City Sidewalks

Country Cottage Needleworks - Popsicle Cart (Snow Village 6)

Notforgotten Farm - Sewing Strawberry

Notforgotten Farm - Patriotic Strawberry

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
Finished in my own style.

Lucy Beam - Coverlet Needlebook (Outside)

Lucy Beam - Coverlet Needlebook (Inside)

Homespun Elegance - Merry Noel Sampler Santa

Blue Ribbon Designs (yes, that's me!) - Under My Wing
This is my stitching, my finishing and my pattern.
Created for a gift.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
Both finished in my own style.

Lucy Beam - Eyelet Sampler

Pineberry Lane - A Sprig of Holly

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Merry & Minty

Blue Ribbon Designs (yes - that's me!) - Cosmetic Bag
My own design - created for a gift.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Finished in my own style.

Stacy Nesh - Little Redwork Pinkeep
This is a two-sided pinkeep - top of photo is front, bottom shows front and back.

The Little Stitcher - Christmas Light (free pattern)

Little House Needleworks - Merry Skater

La-D-Da - Louisa Clark

Erica Michaels - Be Well Berry, Sunshine Berry, Give More Berry

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - L. Genders 1875
Top - Bookmark Sewing Roll - Open
Bottom - Bookmark Sewing Roll - Rolled Up

I actually have more photos, but I think that is enough for today - whew! Time for a very late lunch and to give myself a much needed attitude adjustment. Thanks for visiting with me - I hope today's post sparked your creativity and gives you a boost to finish one of your creative works...happy sewing and stitching!

Studio Summary

Happy July! I'm back with another very quick blog post...my days have been filled trying to keep caught up with customer orders (which is a great thing!).  I have been making all sorts of project bags in a variety of sizes and fabrics and I still have large quantities on order, so I thought I would stop by and share photos of some of my latest completions...plus I have been working on tons of needlework finishing over the last week...and oh my goodness, there will be some fabulous photos coming in the near future! I have some very talented clientele and I am honored that they trust me to finish their handwork. I've been spending the last couple days finishing a large order of Christmas ornaments - and I have six more large orders of needlework finishing to complete before I get back to more sewing and quilting.

Here are just a few of my latest project bag finishes...these are some beauties for a couple of my favorite customers...they always send the most gorgeous fabrics that brighten up my work table...these are my large and small project bags, along with a couple of my special clear vinyl-lined cosmetic bags...

I'm in the middle of printing a cross stitch chart order, then I am back in my studio working on more Christmas ornaments...it truly feels like Christmas in July here...😃

I hope you are staying healthy and positive this summer...and finding ways to be creative!

Studio Time and Stircrazyitis

Happy Tuesday friends - I am so thrilled you stopped by for a visit! The house is quiet at the moment, so I thought I would spend a little time writing a quick update...

First, of all - thanks to my brilliant web host, my website is back up and running properly...and even has a few new bells and whistles from the recent update that caused the issue. The home page (https://blueribbondesigns.com) now has a search bar in the upper right-hand corner...and the shop category menu on the left-hand side (desktop version) now has fly-out category menus to help you quickly find items. Thank you for your patience while we got things straightened out...and a little extra appreciation for those who have placed orders and supported my small business during this challenging time - I am truly grateful for your patronage.

I have also been keeping things running smoothly in the studio, completing another huge pile of custom orders this past week. My list is starting to feel more manageable, which is a great feeling! I finished quite a few project bags, some lovely needlework finishing (not my stitching or designs, just my finishing), and a ton of the Brenda Gervais (WTNT) fabric panel project bags (thank goodness I have them all completed at the moment - they are a TON of work, so I need to look at my pricing going forward - I definitely need a little break from these, so I am happy Brenda's shop is currently sold out). I also managed to get more face masks complete and will be working on more today (HUGE thanks to the supply fairy who shipped me twill tape for ties and interfacing!). Plus, I finished up a few gifts - some have been delivered and one is still in transit. Here just a few photos...

Hands On Design - Pomegranate Pocket & Pincushion

Customer Request - a Sampler Mat
This is the sampler rolled up...

Needlework Press - Jean Morgan 1834
Customer Request - a Sampler Mat
This is the sampler unrolled...

Special gifts - two cosmetic bags...both lined with cotton fabric and clear vinyl...

While the Core 4 counties in Kansas City are still on shelter-at-home orders (this includes our county in Kansas), I am doing my best to get outside each and every day - fresh air seems to be the best medicine for "stircrazyitis" (yep, that's what I am calling it). The kids (Schatzi and Garin) have been getting some quality backyard time...and our nosy neighbors (the cows) are back to keep them entertained. Our small neighborhood has a pond with a walking path, so walks around the pond are happening...and Travis and I have been taking evening drives around the pond (in our golf cart) at sunset. Right now, it is the little things that are keeping me sane...

That's about all the news for today. I have been doing some major cleaning and organizing this week - I seem to be in spring cleaning mode. I have a couple project bags to finish up, a pile of face masks, and more cleaning to accomplish....so after a bite to eat, my afternoon is booked. Then, I will on to the next needlework finishing order...

I hope you are well and finding ways to keep happy, healthy, and sane!