Finishing Fever

Today's very quick post is all about needlework finishing. My holiday finishing deadline was September 30th, so sure enough, towards the end of September the orders started rolling in...so this week, I am living in my studio, trying to get a large pile complete. The pieces shown today are all for the same client...and again, these are not my designs or my stitching - just my finishing work...

I should also add - all trims and velveteen backings are from Lois at Lady Dot Creates...she has the very best finishing supplies...you can find her products on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladydotcreates

Design info is listed with the images, if I have it available...

ABC Pinkeep by With thy Needle & Thread 

F is for Friend Thread Board by Heartstring Samplery
(adapted and finished as a pin disk)

Cape Cod Keeps by Plum Street Samplers

Primitive Crow by Threadwork Primitives

Be My Friend by The Scarlett House

Spooky Tin by J. Designs, LLC/Designs by Julie

All is Calm Thread Keeper by Romy's Creations

Those are just a few of the pieces I have been working on in the studio this week...lots of beauties that are ready to ship back to their stitcher! I will be back with more fun and creative finishes soon...

Stitch Pink - "A Journey"

When Just CrossStitch Magazine contacted me last year about the possibility of designing a special breast cancer awareness project for the October 2015 issue - I didn't even have to think about it...I had several ideas in my sketchbook ready to expand on and I was immediately "all in". Those of you who read my blog regularly know I have done quite a few designs and quite a bit of fundraising benefiting breast cancer awareness/education over the years...and I was excited to work on a piece that could reach such a large audience. I was actually stitching this model back in January and shipped it off to the magazine in March...so I was super excited on Friday when my model was returned along with a couple copies of the newly released magazine.

You can find my very special "Stitch Pink" project titled "A Journey" starting on page 57 of the magazine (Volume 33, No.5 - October 2015). The main design is mounted in a 9.5" square whitewash tray by Sudberry House (#68002), but is definitely suitable for regular framing (or would make a lovely pillow). There are also three coordinating needlework smalls to complete the set - a pin pillow, a scissor fob, and a heart-shaped wool fabric needlekeep. I cross stitched the model with Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Embroidery Floss on 32-count Buttercream Linen from Lakeside Linens; however, DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Floss conversions are provided and this design would look lovely on an array of fabric colors. Sudberry House has a variety of tray options and colors available...and a larger (11.5" square) tray available for those who would like to work on a different count of fabric.

I have had quite a few questions asking if this design is my Komen 3-Day fundraising design for 2015 - and I can happily tell you, no, it is not - as always, I have something extra special planned for this year's exclusive fundraising piece and I am hoping to share it with you very shortly...and I thank you for your patience! I know it is late coming out this year, as the walk is quickly approaching (Team Twinkle Toes is walking in Dallas in November)....but just like the subject of this blog post, my life continues to be "a journey"...and just like me, the model is still a work in progress. It will be available soon (I have been diligently working on it every evening) and I hope you will find it has been worth the wait... To the handful of you who have already made a donation on my fundraising page (we have corresponded and you know who you are - I have a list!), I will be e-mailing the chart to you as soon as it is ready - and I truly thank you for your support and encouragement!

For now, I have a pile of customer sewing/quilting to do this afternoon...then a training walk this evening...then back to model stitching. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and make time to do something you enjoy!

Halloween Treats...

Although we are in the midst of a very HOT summer, it looks like many of you are working on autumn and Halloween projects. I always enjoy checking out creative blogs and social media to see what my fellow stitchers and quilters are working on and I keep seeing fall projects popping up everywhere - perhaps you are all ahead of the game OR perhaps thoughts of autumn and winter are keeping you cool during the heatwave...OR maybe it is the release of the 2015 Just CrossStitch Special Halloween Collector's Issue. This annual issue is quite impressive with 55 spooky designs...and it looks like there is something for everyone - including Blue Ribbon Designs fans - yep, I have two (yes, TWO) spooktacular design sets in this issue!

You can find my "Tricks or Treats Bags" starting on page 37. This fun duo of easy-to-finish treat bags are quick-to-stitch and even more fun to fill. The idea behind this project is to fill the "bag of treats" with candy/treats (of course!) and fill the "bag of tricks" with fun printed slips of paper adorned Halloween jokes and riddles. Each cross stitch design is attached to the front of a bag as a pocket...the finishing is truly simple and I provided instructions. Each flat bag measures approximately 6.5" W x 11.5" H with the stitched design measuring approximately 3.5" W x 5" H....and the bags are tied closed with coordinating ribbon. I stitched the models on 28-count Platinum Cashel linen from Zweigart with The Gentle Art Sampler Threads...and DMC Cotton Floss conversions are provided.

Next, you can find my "Halloween Portraits" starting on page 55. This is a set of eight feather tree ornaments...each featuring a Halloween motif. They are quick and fun to stitch with each having a stitch count of 27 W x 27 H. These were stitched on 35-count Baby's Breath Linen from Weeks Dye Works with Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Floss (DMC conversions are provided)...and they were pillow finished with black twisted cord and embellished with 1/16" ribbon. I have designed several other sets of feather tree ornaments to accommodate additional holidays, so look for those in the future from Blue Ribbon Designs!     

          

Luck me, I stitched these designs in November/December of 2014, so I am truly ready for Halloween 2015!

....AND look for another special Blue Ribbon Designs Halloween project in the The World of Cross Stitching Magazine - Issue 233 (on sale in the UK August 13)...more details coming soon....

....AND I have a feature project in the October 2015 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine...I can't wait for you to see it...

Currently, I am stitching the model for my 2015 Komen 3-Day exclusive fundraising chart...it is coming along beautifully and I hope it will be worth the wait! I have passed the halfway point, so I will have more information and photos for you soon...

Saturday Snapshots

Fabric and threads for a pair of Halloween designs
I am working on for The World of Cross Stitching magazine...

I have been busy model stitching every night - still working on my special design for the October issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine...and switching it up with a pair of Halloween designs for The World of Cross Stitching Magazine - they both have the same deadline (which will be here before I know it), so I have been keeping my needle super busy. I have been at the sewing machine too - working on a few quilting projects and making more machine embroidered Easter Egg ornaments for my Etsy shop.

This week, I received some wonderful cards and gifts in the mail to help me celebrate my birthday - I sure have some thoughtful and talented friends...I'm a very blessed girl! Here are some creative things I am "crushing on" this week...maybe they will inspire you...

A whimsical cupcake pincushion...

An incredible wool pincushion with handmade
pins made especially for me...

Beeswax treasures...

Somebunny loves me...isn't this handmade
gift fabulous?!

Owls, jewelry, and Starbucks...so very thoughtful...

It's all about the squirrel in this cross stitch ornament - a lovely gift!

Owl cross stitch made just for me - isn't it beautiful?!

Fabric inspiration and a fun new pattern...

Easter Egg Ornaments that can be found in my Etsy shop...

I love my new GO! Big...and will be participating in the
GO! Big Blog Hop that takes place next week...
look for my project/tutorial on March 2nd...

More on the GO! Big Blog Hop will be posted on Sunday...
stay tuned...

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend...and remember, it's the perfect day to create!

Tuesday Tidbits...

Today's post is a little all over the place...kind of like me this week...as usual, I have about a hundred irons in the fire (and I am headed to Dallas for the Komen 3-Day on Thursday). I have been working on Etsy projects round the clock, trying to fill up my shop for the holidays. Yesterday and today, my focus has been on my large zippered project bags - I have a lot of requests for these and thought I would try to stock up again - so right now, there are a handful in the shop, ready for purchase. At the current moment, my embroidery machine is humming along, doing a custom order for ten of my freestanding lace teapot ornaments...and my cutting table is filled with piles of various items ready for assembly line sewing. My studio truly looks like a disaster...so add cleaning to my long list for tomorrow.

...and of course, Schatzi and I did another 7+ mile walk this afternoon...again, mostly off leash...and I snapped this photo of her with the lake in the background...

....oh, and remember this photo, I shared a while back??..it is the photo I entered in the PetSmart Bandana Blitz Instagram contest...and guess what??....Simba and Schatzi actually won a runner-up prize...a free grooming! I was hoping for two free grooming sessions, one for each (and my prize notification message sounded that way), but when my prize arrived it was only one...but I am definitely not complaining - I am thrilled they received runner-up honors with well over 5,000 entries!

I also must share this lovely, heartfelt gift I received from a friend in California - a beautiful cross stitched pincushion commemorating my Komen 3-Day 60-mile journey I am taking this coming weekend. I was very touched to receive such a treasure and I can definitely use an angel watching over me right now! Thank you so much Kate - I will treasure this special keepsake...

I am hoping to be back tomorrow with one more post before I fly off to Dallas to meet my Twinkle Toes teammates to embark on our yearly Komen 3-Day walk...I have so much to be thankful for this year and I am truly overwhelmed by all the love and support....

Saturday Samplings...

My design studio has been overwhelmingly busy this past week...and unfortunately, I can't really show you much just yet...I finished a Christmas ornament for the 2014 Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue and a Halloween ornament for the 2014 JCS Halloween Issue...and super exciting - I am finishing up an original quilt block submission for a very fun quilting magazine...I'm also just finishing up the stitching on a few small items I designed for the Elegant Stitch annual breast cancer kit...plus there are new designs that I need to prepare for release...and I am slowly, but surely, rebuilding the entire Blue Ribbon Designs website...yep, I've been burning the candle at both ends.

Another thing that is keeping me busy, is training for the Komen 3-Day in Dallas this coming November. I have received questions from several of you wanting to know if I am walking again...and the answer is ABSOLUTELY, 100% "YES" - in fact, my airline travel was booked this week! Team Twinkle Toes will be meeting up in Dallas to walk the 60-miles for breast cancer awareness/fundraising and I can't wait to get together with my teammates and lace up my shoes again...and yes, I will be asking for your help with my fundraising again this year. I have continued to train throughout the winter months, even with the bitter cold and snow/ice/wind...and with a little help from my treadmill...I just have to get back in the habit of logging each of my walks, so I can keep track of my mileage....having two dogs that need daily walks also gets me outside every single day. There will definitely be an exclusive design again this year for those who make a donation on my fundraising page - I am in the charting process now and there will be more information and photos in the coming months.

Mama Twinkle Toes has also been SUPER busy working on fundraising ideas/projects for our team expenses (which add up extremely quickly)...and the first one has been released and is a HUGE success! See the beautiful scissor holder in the upper photograph? - isn't it GORGEOUS?! It is made from an antique wooden weaving spool, polished from years of service and a lot of thread running over it....the bottom is wrapped with a black strip of 100% wool and then a little black and white gingham ribbon tied in a bow with 2 keys attached...and the bottom of the spool is covered with a circle of brown wool to protect your furniture...and little black scissors are the perfect accessory. This very unique scissor holder is the first fundraiser for our expenses - it is called "Key to Everything" - and is in very limited supply - I know the first scissor holders have sold out, but Mama Twinkle was able to get a few more of the antique spools and is now waiting for more scissors to arrive. If you would like to purchase one (or more) to help support our team, visit: http://www.elegantstitch.com/what%27s%20new.htm for all the details. The price is a very reasonable $20 + postage (and this includes a pair of those cute black scissors)...I am not sure exactly how many are still available, so if you are interested, be sure to promptly visit the link and follow the instructions for ordering. Team Twinkle Toes is so very grateful for your support - we truly are!

...and with permission (my blog readers are seeing this first!)...here is a little peek at the next fundraiser...an antique wooden domino pincube - seriously, how cute is this?!...

It is just the sweetest pincube, with needle felt sandwiched between two antique wooden dominoes, tied with a black ribbon bow, and adorned with pearlized pins...so fun!! I don't have all the details or pricing for these just yet...they are still in the works...but I will post more details when they are ready...this is just a little teaser of things to come...

I'm off to finish up my quilt block project and possibly get in a little more quilting before heading back to my stitching nest for more model work...I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend!

Birthday Blessings

I received an incredible birthday package from my very dear friend Robin this past week, so I have a few more inspiring/creative birthday gifts to share with you. You should have seen me smiling when I opened these packages - Robin knows me extremely well and spoils me beyond belief! She sent me another gorgeous cross stitch piece - she does BEAUTIFUL work - and this design is perfect for me...a quilt block with birds!! It is finished as a stand-up with gorgeous quilting fabric on the back - it is LOVELY and I am extremely touched.

She also sent me some fabulous fabrics for my stash and a new book. Robin knows I adore mini quilts, so the book Simply Charming Minis from Moose on The Porch Quilts is right up my alley - there are 16 mini quilts included ranging from 13" - 21" and they are all made with scraps and/or charm squares - several of them are already on my "must make" list! The fabric included a gorgeous panel and a 1/2 yard of fabric from the American Beauty Collection by Beth Logan for Henry Glass & Co., Inc....along with several other marvelous prints that fit nicely in my fabric collection...

...and, as if all that wasn't way more than enough, she included a new squirrel for my collection...a miniature pewter squirrel pincushion. It is just shy of 1.25" tall and is completely adorable...I put two 1" applique pins in it and they almost look too big...it is just the cutest thing!

I had a wonderful birthday - my heart is full - it was a fantastic week and I am so grateful to all my family and friends - you all spoiled me rotten and I feel like a princess - thank you!

This afternoon, Travis and I are headed to his parents house for one final birthday celebration...his mom is making her homemade pizza (my favorite)...

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend...

Books and Blessings

I have gotten a bit behind on my blog posts...and I have so many creative and inspiring things to share with you! I have been doing more stitching and sewing - having lots of fun in my studio...plus I am celebrating a birthday this month and I have received some really artistic and crafty gifts I can't wait to tell you about...each and every day has been full of beauty and surprises.

Last Thursday, I received a bright and cheerful gift in the mail from my fabulous friend Elizabeth - a lovely needlepoint scissor case! This triangular, pink and orange poppies scissor case was just what I needed to see during this long, hard winter. Inside, there is a ribbon to attach a pair of scissors - and I found the perfect pair in my collection...I just love this...

Then I got to start off my weekend right with "Friendship Friday"...yep, it was time for lunch with my BFFs Mary and Lorrie...and this time Kimber was able to join us too! We met at a local restaurant for a little food and fellowship (always my favorite Friday of the month). I had no idea the girls planned to celebrate my birthday, so when they showered me with gifts, I was a bit emotional and overwhelmed. I feel so blessed to have these three beautiful, strong, inspiring women in my life - they are all truly incredible. We enjoyed a long lunch and it was exactly what I needed. I have to share just a few of the creative gifts they had for me...

Lorrie made me tear-up with a unique stitched pocket watch...I just adore the little woman with a crown (Give Love by The Little Stitcher) that is Cross Stitch over-one...and the two vintage buttons are a great accent. I placed it on a piece of Valentine fabric my friend Mary gave me...

Lorrie also gifted me with an incredible book that she just knew I would love - The World of Wooden Bobbins: The Story of Old Wooden Textile Bobbins by Graham Fellowes (Editor), David Harban (Photographer) - ISBN 10: 0964672006 / ISBN 13: 9780964672000. This book is an excellent resource for bobbin collectors, as it contains extensive history and particulars...plus, there are more than 300 images (many color). It is extremely detailed, while remaining easy to read...and I have found it quite interesting to look up the bobbins in my collection and read about their history and uses. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in wooden bobbins...

I also received a wonderful book from Mary - Sonoran Borders: Threads of Friendship by Vickie LoPiccolo Jennet. This beautifully illustrated book follows the fictional journey of two young girls, Feliciana and Emily, who met in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona Territory more than a century ago. Although their time together was brief, their friendship spans a lifetime through correspondence and a shared love of needlework. The book includes 11 inspiring projects with unique finishing ideas...and now that I have had a chance to look through this fabulous book, I must have the author's newest release A Schoolroom Alphabet: 12 Cross-Stitch Projects Based on an Antique Handkerchief...it is definitely going on my wish list!

Mary also gave me a Thirty-One Round-About Caddy filled with tons of treasures and goodies...yes, she spoiled me, as she always does! I really like this sturdy caddy with numerous pockets - it is extremely versatile and I can think of a half a dozen uses for it...plus it is black and white polka dot...too fun!!

I have so much more to share - but I will save some for another day...just wait until you see what my extremely talented friend Kimber made for me...and I received two more packages in the mail today (which I will save and open later in the week). My heart is full - I am feeling extremely blessed and beyond spoiled....