Blue Jeans and Daisies - Part Two Revealed

Part Two of the Mystery Sampler Club is shipping this week - it shipped to Norden Crafts last week and they started shipping to your favorite needlework shops on Monday! I am so excited for you to see the second installment of "Blue Jeans and Daisies"...

For those of you who are not familiar with the Mystery Sampler Club - let me quickly catch you up to speed...
You have to sign up with your favorite needlework shop (you can only get it through a needlework shop - your shop of choice - LNS or ONS) - they will have all the details for the program...and before you comment/post/email "I don't have a local needlework shop" - contact the shop where you purchase your stitching stash (charts and supplies)...it can be a local shop OR an online needlework shop...OR visit the "Locate" page on my website for a list of shops that will be able to assist you.  There will be three parts to the "mystery sampler" - the first part (featured in a January post) started shipping in January - the second part (featured in this post) is currently shipping - and the third part will be released in March....together all three parts make one large sampler...with a photo of the entire project to be released with the third and final installment (hence the "mystery"). Many of you are familiar with the Lizzie Kate "Very Scary" Mystery Sampler and the With Thy Needle & Thread "Birds of a Feather" Mystery Sampler - this is the very same program.

Now that we have everyone on the same page...here is a look at part two...and a few details...

The mystery sampler is stitched on 30-count Blue Jeans hand-dyed fabric by Weeks Dye Works - this exact fabric is also available in 35-count, should you prefer a higher count linen. It is stitched with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss...and a DMC conversion is provided.

See a complete supply listing on my website: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD109B%20Specifics.html

Part two uses the following stitches (and yes, diagrams are provided): Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Back Stitch, Rhodes Heart, and Four-Sided Stitch.

The chartpack also includes part two of the Springtime Jumble. Here is a little information about the Springtime Jumble: 

The answer to the springtime jumble will be the password to open a mystery bonus design - this mystery bonus will be revealed on my website (http://www.blueribbondesigns.com) when the third and final mystery sampler installment is released. You will need to collect all three patterns to complete the Springtime Jumble and unlock the mystery bonus. Details can be found inside each package.

Each installment contains a fun finishing idea...and the finishing idea for part two is a pin pillow - finishing instructions are included. Use a motif from part one or part two of the sampler (I used the ladybug bands in the lower section on the sampler - part two) and some fabric and floss from your stash to make a springtime pin pillow (NOTE: the chart explains to use fabric and floss from your stash for the fun finishing idea - if you purchased a kit including linen and threads, it does not include amounts for the fun finishing idea). I chose to add beads around the perimeter of my pin pillow for a special touch...you could add cord - or ribbon - or trim...or leave it plain...be creative!

Specifics for part two (complete supply listings, stitch counts, stitches used, etc.) can be found on my website: 

http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD109B%20Specifics.html

Additional photos of part two can be found on my website:

http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/Blue%20Jeans%20and%20Daisies%20Part%20Two.html

Contact your needlework shop of choice to join in the fun...or if you have questions...they will assist you with obtaining the patterns, the threads, the fabric...and they can answer questions and provide you with alternative sizes and supplies.

I hope you are excited to see part two of this special springtime edition of the Mystery Sampler Club!

Blue Jeans and Daisies - Part One

The Mystery Sampler Club is kicking off this week, as patterns for part one have started shipping from Norden Crafts to your favorite needlework shops! I am so excited for you to see the first installment of "Blue Jeans and Daisies".

For those of you who are not familiar with the Mystery Sampler Club - let me quickly catch you up to speed...
You have to sign up with your favorite needlework shop (you can only get it through a needlework shop - your shop of choice - LNS or ONS) - they will have all the details for the program...and before you comment/post/email "I don't have a local needlework shop" - contact the shop where you purchase your stitching stash (charts and supplies)...it can be a local shop OR an online needlework shop...OR visit the "Locate" page on my website for a list of shops that will be able to assist you.  There will be three parts to the "mystery sampler" - the first part (featured in this post) is shipping now - the second part will be released in February - and the third part will be released in March....together all three parts make one large sampler...with a photo of the entire project to be released with the third and final installment (hence the "mystery"). Many of you are familiar with the Lizzie Kate "Very Scary" Mystery Sampler and the With Thy Needle & Thread "Birds of a Feather" Mystery Sampler - this is the very same program.

Now that we have everyone on the same page...here is a look at part one...and a few details...

The mystery sampler is stitched on 30-count Blue Jeans hand-dyed fabric by Weeks Dye Works - this exact fabric is also available in 35-count, should you prefer a higher count linen. It is stitched with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss...and a DMC conversion is provided.
See a complete supply listing on my website: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD109A%20Specifics.html

Part one uses the following stitches (and yes, diagrams are provided): Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Back Stitch, Rhodes Heart, and Fly Stitch Variation.

The chartpack also includes part one of the Springtime Jumble. Here is a little information about the Springtime Jumble:
The answer to the springtime jumble will be the password to open a mystery bonus design - this mystery bonus will be revealed on my website (http://www.blueribbondesigns.com) when the third and final mystery sampler installment is released. You will need to collect all three patterns to complete the Springtime Jumble and unlock the mystery bonus. Details can be found inside each package.

Each installment contains a fun finishing idea...and the finishing idea for part one is a scissor fob - finishing instructions are included. Use a motif from part one of the sampler (I used the Robin square) and some fabric and floss from your stash to make a springtime scissor fob!

Specifics (complete supply listings, stitch counts, stitches used, etc.) can be found on my website: 

http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD109A%20Specifics.html

Additional photos can be found on my website:

http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/Blue%20Jeans%20and%20Daisies%20Part%20One.html

Contact your needlework shop of choice to join in the fun...or if you have questions...they will assist you with obtaining the patterns, the threads, the fabric...and they can answer questions and provide you with alternative sizes and supplies.

I hope you are excited to get started on this special springtime edition of the Mystery Sampler Club!

Springtime Stitching Case

I can't tell you the last time I worked on a cross stitch design that was not my own - it seems like it has been years. Since the last several days have been a bit of a struggle for me...and I am still (yes, still) waiting on my linen order for the three designs on my current to-do list (it WILL be here Monday - I even have tracking information), I decided it was in my best interest to work on a project that has nothing to do with Blue Ribbon Designs - something quick and springy and stress-free. My choice was the new Lizzie Kate Limited Edition Stitch Kit "Birdz & Bugz"....I saw this at market and loved how cheerful it was...it just makes me happy...I even have yardage of the fabric collection used for the fold-up stitching case in my stash. The kit included the pre-made stitching case (you stitch the design on the attached banding), the chart, and the beads. I had all the required threads in my stash, so that was easy. I did the majority of the stitching last night in one (yes, one) sitting...put in the last few stitches this morning and added the beads. I will mention, since some of you may have this kit in your stash - the center arrows on the chart for the outside band (the one with the large flowers and snail) are not correct - they are not centered - they are several stitches off, so be aware if you are super picky! - I didn't realize this until I had quite a bit stitched, therefore, mine is off-center...gives it character, don't you think?? I am super happy to have this fun little stitching case complete and it was wonderful to take my mind off of work for several hours this weekend. Now it is back to the tasks at hand - I am super anxious to have some of the fabrics for my upcoming class pieces in my hands tomorrow...this week will be dedicated to the New England Stitcher's Retreat Halloween design...hopefully the rest of the project will go smoothly....

"Quilted Garden"

Hello friends! Thank you for being patient with my lack of posts...I certainly haven't forgotten you and I have definitely missed my blog. I do have a good excuse (besides getting over a terrible case of a nasty circulating stomach flu bug)...I have been working on my latest design model and preparing for market releases in August...and you are seeing a peek of this new design here first! It is called "Quilted Garden"...and I absolutely loved every minute working on this new design. It's stitched on a beautiful new color of Lakeside Linen called "Pecan Butter" with gorgeous Week Dye Works cotton floss. The entire piece is stitched in cross stitch and partial cross stitches...with the verse, initials, and year in cross stitch over-one linen thread (I am planning alternate charting to be done in back stitch for those who shy away from one-over-one work). This design will be headed to my framer first thing in the morning - and I can't wait to pick a molding to coordinate with this piece. I have some ideas for coordinating needlework smalls that may become part of this chartpack, as well. "Quilted Garden" has a tentative release date of mid-August at the Fall TNNA Needlecraft Market. So there you have it, my excuse for minimal posts - I hope seeing a sneak peek of this new piece was worth the wait...

...and a little note...there is a "Christmas In July" giveaway happening now through Monday evening on the Blue Ribbon Designs Facebook fan page...visit http://www.facebook.com/BlueRibbonDesigns for details...

Paper Pieced Patchwork

Today I am in the middle of cutting and serging 144 pieces of linen for an upcoming class, it is a big job, but actually pretty relaxing - I just put on my iPod and get in a rhythm. After I finished cutting all the pieces, I decided to take a short break. I have been anxious to work on a very intricate paper pieced quilting project...but before I started, I definitely wanted to do a little paper piecing refresher and get my brain back into that way of thinking (those of you who quilt and have tried paper piecing will completely relate). I decided to do a small heart block and use up a few more of those scraps I have been saving. This block is 8" x 8" finished...and I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet...maybe a small pillow or a pot holder. As soon as I started, I got back into the flow and I am now ready to tackle the more detailed project in my "to-do" pile. I took a class in paper piecing at a local quilt shop several years ago and many of the tips and tricks have actually stayed with me. I really enjoy foundation piecing - you get great points and exact lines, plus you can have unique and very small shapes. As much as I would like to start my bigger project today, I am going to be diligent and get back to serging my pile of cut linen....tomorrow is another day...

Little Blue Bungalow

I have always been a fan of Weeks Dye Works...not only do they have quality hand dyed products for stitchers, quilters, knitters, crocheters, and crafters - they also have fabulous, consistent, and colorfast fibers! Did you know that Weeks Dye Works is the first hand over-dye company to be certified a “Green Company” by American Textile Specialties?...or that all their dyes are organic and environmentally safe and made in America? These are just a few reasons I adore their floss, linen, wool fabric, pearl cottons and sewing thread; so when they asked me for a free chart they could post on their website, I just had to design something new and special...

So, stop by the Weeks Dye Works website and explore...check out their products....read about their dyeing process...view an extensive list of designers that use their fabric and fibers....and the check out the "Free Designer Charts" (hold your cursor over "Designers" in the top menu) to get your own copy of the new complimentary chart ("Little Blue Bungalow") that I designed especially for them! You will have to scroll down, as they listed my design at the very bottom of the page...you will need Adobe Reader to open/print the chart....and as always, this design is protected by copyright law - thank you for respecting my copyright. You will also find free charts from some other favorite designers - Cherrywood Design Studios, SamSarah Design Studio, and Just Another Button Company!

This fun little design definitely brought some springtime cheer into my household - I enjoyed working on the design and making it into a floral pillow. The model is stitched on 35-count WDW Angel Hair Linen with seven colors of WDW cotton floss...including two of the great new colors just released at the Nashville Needlework Market (Capri and Charlotte's Pink).

I hope you enjoy this special new complimentary design - another gift to you for your continued support, friendship, and encouragement - thank you for allowing me to "pursue my passion"...and if you need a new project, I hope this chart will entice you to visit your favorite needlework shop and purchase some of the larger designs in the Blue Ribbon Designs catalog!

My Stitching Nest

My home has several "stitching nests"...those special places I like to curl up with my needle and work on my current project. Whenever I am going to go stitch I always say "I am headed to my stitching nest"...there is just something cozy about calling it my "nest"...maybe it stems from my love of birds...it just feels appropriate. I even designed a piece in my early years called "My Stitching Nest" that hangs above my favorite stitching chair.

Last week, during the height of my flu epidemic, my dear friend Lorrie dropped off a belated birthday package - I was not feeling well enough to open it...in fact, I didn't even come close to feeling well enough to open it until this past Sunday. It sat on our living room table all week and everyday, my husband would say, "I can't believe you haven't opened your gift yet"...but I really wanted to wait to open it when I could enjoy and appreciate it. When I opened it, I was speechless - a handmade "Bel's Stitching Nest" sign...complete with an actual nest!

Lorrie attached a detailed note telling me about this slate tile sign and how it came to be...the thought and time that went into this project made me feel so very special...her kindness touched me deeply.

A friend painted the large piece of slate for her...but Lorrie thought it needed more, so she added the bird's nest and filled it with treasures. As you can see from the enlarged photo, the nest is overflowing with personal touches. There is a vintage pewter button (from an antique tin of buttons found in an old Indiana barn) that actually looks like it has an ear of corn on it...a piece of white linen and a red button from the drawers of her Great Grandmother's old Singer sewing machine...beautiful blue hand-dyed silk thread and ribbon...a lovely piece of lace...and even a piece of cotton sampler fabric! It truly is how I envision "my stitching nest" and such a personalized gift...isn't it wonderful?! There are not words to describe how touched I was by this gift - Lorrie, you are amazing!

I just had to share this unique handmade treasure with you and some of the details that make it super special. I am beyond blessed to have so many generous, creative, and talented people in my life. I hope reading about this will inspire you to give a gift from the heart...