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!

My Happy Place

Greetings friends! My apologizes for not visiting much lately...we are yet to have Internet service at our new home (a downfall of new construction), making it more of a challenge to get online for tasks that require more than my iPhone. I'm trying to get on a schedule where I can share more often...and fingers crossed, we will have WiFi by the end of June...

If you follow me on social media, then you know I have TONS of news and lots of finishes to share. First and foremost, I am working on new cross stitch designs...YES, you heard correctly...in fact, I have been model stitching for the last couple months. I have an arsenal of unreleased designs that have been sitting on the back burner for quite some time (years)...and recently, I have had a strong calling to get back to my true passion of needlework design. To be 100% honest, I have been hesitant to share this information, as I wasn't sure how well new designs would be received...and I really don't have a plan yet, as far as printing and selling/distributing, plus the high cost of it all (we all know, it takes money to make money...and that has been the issue the last few years)...but something inside kept telling me to work on all the designs swimming around in my head and somehow, someway, it would all work itself out. So, that is where I am at...designing and model stitching and hoping there will still be some interest in my work when I am ready to release them. I will be sure to keep you updated and share some more peeks, along the way. This image (top right) is a model I just finished stitching and will be titled "My Happy Place" - it is a cheerful signature sampler featuring a bunch of my favorite motifs. I have found since the move, I still feel like "a fish out of water"...but designing and cross stitch can still put me in my "happy place" and that is what this sampler is all about!

I will save my recent quilting, sewing and needlework finishing for a few future posts - I have definitely been BUSY...however, I will share a few photos of the kids (our German Shepherds - Schatzi and Garin) today. I have had a lot of questions on how they are doing since the move....so, here is a brief update. Our backyard fence has been completed and they LOVE their new larger backyard (when it has been dry enough for them to enjoy it!). Garin pretty much ignores the cows, but Schatzi is quite talkative when they visit. They have both adjusted quite well to the new neighborhood!

Speaking of the cows...I love having them as neighbors! I know it is going to be a good day when they come for a visit. My husband laughs, because I have become quite attached to seeing them every few days and miss them when they are not around. Here are a few favorite photos...

Hopefully, I will be back to visit soon - I have taken quite a few photos since we arrived in Kansas. I have a few photos of my new sewing room and some creative storage solutions I came up with out of necessity. I also have a few quilting projects, a ton of project bag photos, and some needlework finishing to share with you...AND I made my first visit to the local quilt shop a few days ago, so I have that to share too! I look forward to chatting with you soon....