Friendship In Bloom

Today I am sharing my cute little "Friendship In Bloom" design - this small complimentary design is available exclusively to members of The Samplerlife (a Yahoo! Group and Facebook Group) that I have been a member of for many years. The Samplerlife is a large online group dedicated to the needlework sampler lover in all stitchers - members share a love for historic, reproduction, and new samplers. It is basically a forum for all things needlework sampler related...and of course, a place to enable and be enabled. This year, the lovely Ina (admin of the group) organized a designer stitch-a-long exclusive to members of The Samplerlife - the SAL started in January and 25 designers provided a 50 x 50 square design. Some members are stitching each design separately, while others have chosen to do all the designs on one piece of fabric with a stitched border - it is quite fun to see the in-progress photos! This month, my "Friendship in Bloom" design is being featured and I can't wait to see how it fits in with the designs everyone has stitched so far. I designed my piece with gift-giving in mind - I actually made my stitched piece into a pincushion and then gifted it to my very dear friend Robin (I thought the little stitched robins made it a perfect gift for her!). My model was stitched with Weeks Dye Works threads (DMC conversions are provided) on 35-count Angel Hair linen from Weeks Dye Works, which made it the perfect size for a pincushion. I used coordinating fabrics when finishing and added a yellow ribbon/bow to make it cheerful.

If you are stitching this design, I would love to see your finish...and if you are not a member, but would like to join, there is still time...
Visit The Samplerlife Yahoo! Group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/thesamplerlife/
Visit The Samplerlife Facebook Group here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thesamplerlife/
Once your membership is approved, there are directions posted on how to get signed up for the SAL. Designers that generously put together a square for the stitchalong include: Tams Creations, The Primitive Jewel, Little House Needlework, Tempting Tangles, Faby Reilly, Wendy KC Designs, Janie Hubble, HAED,  Thea Gouverneur, Dames of the Needle, Rosewood Manor, Paula Kelmscott Designs, Jardin Prive, AuryTM-Designs, Kooler Design Studio...that is to name a few - there are more!

If you are new to Blue Ribbon Designs or are looking for other small designs, visit my website to see my complete catalog (and you'll find a handful complimentary patterns as well!)...

More Needlework Book Offerings...

As I mentioned in my previous post - my studio bookshelves are overflowing and I have been needing to simplify and narrow them down for months...and although I adore my book collection, it is time to start letting a few of them move on to new homes where they will continue to be loved and cherished. If you collect books about needlework or antique samplers or have a love for historical needlework, then you just may find a treasure you have been searching for...

Over the coming weeks, I will be posting photos (scans of front and back cover) and details of the actual books in my collection, along with pricing information in US dollars. If you are interested in any of the listings, simply send me an e-mail. E-mail messages will be honored in the order received. I will provide you with shipping options (please tell me where you are located or your mailing address in your e-mail message, so I can give you an exact quote), then I will send a PayPal invoice. I ship world-wide, package items very promptly and carefully, and I will combine shipping if you are interested in multiple books. Once a book is spoken for, I will remove it or mark it as sold as quickly as possible. I have treasured these books and taken extremely good care of them - they come from a smoke-free home - and I will try to provide you with as many details as possible. My hope is to find new, loving homes where these special books will continue to be enjoyed...

Many of the books listed are rare and/or out of print (OOP) - they are priced in-line with the current market value. Serious inquiries/e-mails/comments only - thank you! Please click on photos for larger images.

A Winterthur Quide to American Needlework by Susan Burrows Swan
Good - $5.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 1976 - 5.5" x 8" - 144 pages - black and white images
ISBN: 0-517-521776  Publisher: Crown Publishers, Inc.
Cover wear and sticker residue - all pages intact - no markings inside.

"Behold the Labour of My Tender Age" Children and Their Samplers, 1780-1850
by Gayle A. Rettew, William H. Siener, and Janice Tauer Wass
Very Good - extremely rare/hard to find - $200.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 1983 - 8.5" x 11" - 60 pages - black and white images
ISBN: None  Publisher: Rochester Museum and Science Center
Great condition - very light cover wear.

British Samplers: A Concise History by Jane Toller
Very Good (like new) - $24.50 plus shipping
Softcover - 1980 - 5.5" x 8.5" - 63 pages - color and black/white images
ISBN: 0-85033-383-0  Publisher: Phillimore & Co., Ltd.
New condition - small original price sticker inside front cover.

British Samplers by Mary Eirwen Jones
Good - $8.50 plus shipping
Softcover - 1988 - 7.5" x 9.75" - 96 pages - color and black/white images
ISBN: 0-7134-5634-5  Publisher: B. T. Batsford Ltd.
Slight cover wear, sticker residue on front cover, and minimal
writing inside front cover.

The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin Volume 24, Number 2 April 1959
Includes: New England Crewel Embroideries
AND
The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin - Volume 52 - Summer/Fall 1987
(Includes:  A Middletown Cameo: Mary Wirght Alsop and her Needlework by Glee Krueger)
Both Very Good (like new) - $25.00 plus shipping for 2 book set
Softcover - 6" x 9" (both) - 1st listing 64 pages, 2nd listing 230 pages,
black/white images
Both in great condition.

Discovering Embroidery of the 19th Century by Santina M. Levey
Very Good - $5.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 1983 - 4.5" x 7" (pocket size) - 64 pages - black/white images
ISBN: 085263398X  Publisher: Shire Publications Ltd.
Very light cover wear - original owner wrote name in pencil
inside front cover, then erased.

Embroidery Motifs from Old Dutch Samplers by Albarta Meulenbelt-Nieuwburg
Good - $40.00 plus shipping
Hardcover - 1974 - 6.5" x 9.75" - 192 pages - black/white images
ISBN: 0 684 13678 3  Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons
Dust jacket is worn, but cloth book is in excellent condition - original
owner's name written inside front cover.

English Embroideries of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
in the Collection of the Ashmolean Museum by Mary M. Brooks
Very Good (like new) - $16.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2004 - 5.85" x 8.25" - 96 pages - color images
ISBN: 1-85444-192-2  Publisher: Jonathan Horne Publications London

Guide to English Embroidery (Victoria and Albert Museum) by Patricia Wardle
Good - $22.50 plus shipping
Softcover - 1970 - 9.5" x 7.25" - 93 pages - black/white images
ISBN: 11 290030 5  Publisher: Victoria and Albert Museum
Slight cover/corner wear - original price in pencil inside front cover.

The Fourth of Joan Edwards' Small Books on the History of Embroidery
Gertrude Jekyll - Embroiderer, Gardener and Craftsman (1981)
Good - Rough spot on cover, slight bend lower right corner cover,
sticker residue on back.
AND
The Fifth of Joan Edwards' Small Books on the History of Embroidery
Sampler Making 1540-1940 (1983)
Very Good - light cover wear, pricing marks on cover
$25.00 (two book set) plus shipping
Softcover (both) - 5.85" x 8.25" - 1st listing is 24 pages, 2nd listing is 20 pages, black/white images
ISBN: 0-907287-03-4 and 0-907287-04-2 Publisher: Bayford Books

Old-Time Tools & Toys of Needlework by Gertrude Whiting
Very Good (like new) - $14.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 1971 - 6.5" x 9.25" - 357 pages - black/white images
ISBN: 0-486-22517-8  Publisher: Dover Publications, Inc.

Patterns of Childhood: Samplers from Glasgow Museums by Rebecca Quinton
Very Good (like new) - $20.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2005 - 5.85" x 8.25" - 96 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-7136-7476-8  Publisher: Herbert Press

Pioneer Memorial Museum Samplers - Daughters of Utah Pioneers
Very good (like new) - $16.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2004 - 9" x 7.5" - 67 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-9749100-0-7  Publisher: Wasatch Marketing

Samplers by Pamela Clabburn
Very Good (like new) - $9.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2002 - 5.85" x 8.25" - 40 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-7478-0365-X  Publisher: Shire Books

Samplers from A to Z by Pamela A. Parmal
Very Good (like new) - $16.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2000 - 8.75" x 9.5" - 64 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-87846-481-6  Publisher: MFA Publications

The Theodore H. Kapnek Collection of American Samplers (Sotheby's Exhibition/Auction Guide)
Good/Very Good - $63.95 plus shipping
Softcover - 1981 - 8.75" x 9.25" -172 pages color and black/white images
ISBN: None  Publisher: Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc.
Slight cover/corner wear.
This is a sale catalog for an auction held at Sotheby's York Avenue
showroom on January 31, 1981. Sale # 4531Y. The sale consisted of the remarkable
 collection of American samplers assembled by Theodore Kapnek. 

This Have I Done: Samplers and Embroideries from Charleston and The Lowcountry
by Jan Hiester and Kathleen Staples
Very Good (like new) - $35.00 plus shipping
Softcover - 2001 - 8.25" x 8.25" - 46 pages - color images
ISBN: 1-928584-03-9  Publisher: Curious Works Press and The Charleston Museum

For additional available titles, please see yesterday's post...

If you are looking to add to your needlework book collection, please check back over the coming weeks, I still have a large list to add. If you are looking for a specific title, please e-mail me and I will let you know if I have it available....and you are welcome to send me a message with any questions you may have...

Thank you so much for all the inquiries and purchases - I am so glad my collectible books are finding good homes!

Handwork and Historical Samplers

My studio bookshelves are overflowing and I have been needing to simplify and narrow them down for months. For some reason, my collection keeps growing - could it be my obsession for all things done with a needle/thread and my endless quest for knowledge?? - I'm guessing so - in all honesty, I just love curling up with a beautiful and inspiring book...but when the book collection is starting to get stacked on the nearby table and on the floor, it is time to do a little house cleaning. Years ago, I began a large collection of books about handwork and historical samplers - quite a few of these books are out of print (OOP) or very rare....but it is time to start letting a few of them move on to new homes where they will continue to be loved and cherished. If you collect books about needlework or antique samplers or have a love for historical needlework, then you just may find a treasure you have been searching for...

Over the coming weeks, I will be posting photos (scans of front and back cover) and details of the actual books in my collection, along with pricing information in US dollars. If you are interested in any of the listings, simply send me an e-mail. E-mail messages will be honored in the order received. I will provide you with shipping options (please tell me where you are located or your mailing address in your e-mail message, so I can give you an exact quote), then I will send a PayPal invoice. I ship world-wide, package items very promptly and carefully, and will combine shipping if you are interested in multiple books. Once a book is spoken for, I will remove it or mark it as sold as quickly as possible. I have treasured these books and taken extremely good care of them - they come from a smoke-free home - and I will try to provide you with as many details as possible. My hope is to find new, loving homes where these special books will continue to be enjoyed...

Please click on photos for larger images.

Blue Ribbon Sampler: A Prize Winning Cross Stitch and Counted
Thread Sampler by Olwyn Horwood
SOLD Very Good (like new) - $190.00 plus shipping SOLD
Softcover - 2000 - 8.5" x 11" - 88 pages - color images
ISBN: 09-582105-3-5 Publisher: Georgeson Publishing Limited

Olwyn's Treasured Samplers by Olwyn Horwood
SOLD  Very Good (like new) - $47.50 plus shipping SOLD
Softcover - 2002 - 8.25" x 10.75" - 88 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-958-21058-6 Publisher: Georgeson Publishing Limited

Samplers by Rebecca Scott
Very Good (like new) - $22.50 plus shipping
Softcover - 2009 - 7.5" x 10" - 128 pages - color images
ISBN: 978-0-74780-706-3 Publisher: Shire Books

Emblems for a Queen: The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots by Michael Bath
Very Good (like new) - $65.50 plus shipping
Softcover - 2008 - 8" x 10.5" - 172 pages - color images
ISBN: 978-1-904982-36-4 Publisher: Archetype Publications

Youth is the Time For Progress: The Importance of American
 Schoolgirl Art 1780-1860 by Olive Blair Graffam
SOLD - Very Good (like new) - $50.00 plus shipping - SOLD
Softcover - 1998 - 8.5" x 11" - 76 pages - color images
Publisher: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - DAR Museum
 Catalog of the exhibit of samplers Dec 5, 1997 - May 4, 1998 at the
National Society of the DAR, Washington DC

A Gallery of American Samplers: The Theodore H. Kapnek Collection
by Glee Krueger
SOLD Good - $13.50 plus shipping SOLD
Softcover  - First Edition (1978) - 8.5" x 11" - 96 pages - color images
ISBN: 0-525-47515-X  Publisher: E. P. Dutton
Originally purchased used - cover corners/edge wear.

New England Samplers to 1840 by Glee Krueger
SOLD - Good - $62.50 plus shipping - SOLD
Softcover - 1978 - 7" x 8.5" - 227 pages
Illustrated with black and white photographs.
Publisher: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Originally purchased used - cover wear, edge wear
- all pages present - see scanned images.

Needlework: An Historical Survey by Betty Ring
 (Antiques Magazine Library)
SOLD - Good - $55.00 plus shipping - SOLD
First Edition (1975) - Softcover - 8.5" x 11" - 17 pages
Illustrated with black and white photographs.
ISBN: 0-87663-922-8 Publisher: Main Street/Universe Books
Originally purchased used - small tear in lower left front cover,
original price blacked out on back cover - all pages present
 - see scanned images.

Samplers by Carol Humphrey (Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks)
Very Good (like new) - $20.95 plus shipping
Softcover - 1997 - 7" x 9.5 "- 140 pages - 64 color plates.
ISBN: 0-521-57592-3 Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This is just my very first offering - if you are looking to add to your needlework book collection, please check back over the coming weeks, I have a large list to add. If you are looking for a specific title, please e-mail me and I will let you know if I have it available. You are welcome to send me a message with any questions...

For now, I am back to stitching on my 2014 Komen 3-Day special design - it is nearing completion and I can't wait to share it with you...

Woodland Tree Farm

For the last week, I have been furiously finishing up details for the two new winter designs and getting them ready for printing production. Today, the spotlight is on BRD-116 "Woodland Tree Farm" - this is the first design in my new "Seasonal Samplings Series" (a relatively cost effective series of quick to stitch seasonal style designs). I wanted to do a line of designs without needlework smalls or special finishing that would be perfect for gift giving...projects that are good in a frame or on a box top...or could be used in a quilt block or in a sewing project. "Woodland Tree Farm" has a stitch count of 110 H x 109 W...and is stitched on 40-count hand-dyed linen (Confederate Gray by Weeks Dye Works), but would be perfect on just about any count or color of fabric. The model uses The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, but DMC equivalents are also provided...and the entire design is Cross Stitch over two linen threads, with a just little bit of Back Stitch. This special series of designs is printed on 8 1/2" x 11" pages folded down to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and packaged in 6" x 9" bags, just like the Mystery Sampler was put together. The sign for the "tree farm" has a place for your initials and the year...and an alphabet and numbers are provided, along with an enlarged chart of the sign for easy personalization.

Visit the following links for more information:
Additional Photos
Design Specifics and Supply List

Look for this new design (along with "Quilt Block Christmas", which we will discuss tomorrow) in needlework shops very soon...I am hoping it will be ready for shipment in the next few days...

"Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents"

Hello friends - I know this blog post is long overdue...and my apologies. Unfortunately, I have been under the weather with a TERRIBLE case of the flu...in fact, the girl who never slows down (who has to constantly be busy) has been in bed for eight completely miserable days. I don't ever remember being this sick, nor spending this many days out of commission - and truth be told, this blog post is being written on my laptop from the comfort of my bed...while I feel well enough to sit up and partially function, I am still pretty miserable and experiencing nasty symptoms. Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes and comforting notes and emails my way....I am hoping to be back to "normal" soon!

I do have something fun to share with you today - I designed a special signature sampler for The World of Cross Stitching magazine and it is being featured this month in Issue #199. You can see "Garden Sampler" (I call it "Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents") on the top right corner of the magazine cover and find it inside starting on page 18. This springtime "herb garden" design uses Weeks Dye Works cotton floss on Zweigart 28-count Cashel Platinum (3281-770)...and includes the following stitches: Cross Stitch over two linen threads, Back Stitch, French (or Colonial) Knots, and Smyrna Cross Stitch. WOXS199 went on sale in the UK on Janurary 3rd...and will be available in the US soon....

I do have some wonderful things to share with you in the near future (or should I say when I am feeling a bit better) - before getting the flu, I received a wonderful Christmas package from my friend Terri with some special stitchy things to share with you...and I celebrated the holidays with my friend Lorrie - she gifted me a couple beautiful and unique stitched pieces (that I can't wait to show you) and some fabulous sewing...so when I am up and about I will share those with you. Plus, I recently (prior to the flu) completed a large AccuQuilt appliqué wall hanging and I have some tips and tricks to share with you! For now, I am going to continue to rest...hoping to possibly pick up a needle tonight and do a little stitching...

Cross Stitch for Christmas

It was a peaceful Christmas holiday in our home. We hosted Christmas dinner at our house - and I cooked a huge feast...and although it was only for four people, it was devoured, leaving little room for dessert. I had planned to take some photos of the meal for you and share some recipes - but the only photo I managed to get was of the table before our guests arrived (and it was taken with my smartphone - sorry). After a big meal and a small gift exchange, we enjoyed an afternoon of conversation in front of the fire...and then had dessert. It was a comfy, cozy, and quiet holiday...and when I say quiet, I mean it - I even turned off the phone and the computer for the day - something I need to do more often. After my husband's parents left - I walked Simba to the park (in the snow, ice, and bitter cold), cleaned up the kitchen, then spent the evening watching movies with my husband.

I did finish opening the Christmas package from my dear friend Robin in Virginia...and I just *had to* share the contents with you...because it included not one, but TWO cross stitched gifts! A beautiful ornament...and a gorgeous framed sampler - aren't they both treasures?! I feel so blessed to have these on display in my home...both exquisite reminders of  our friendship across the miles! Robin has a knack for making the perfect stitched gifts...she always picks colors that match my style - and designs that match my personality...and her work is superb. I love that the framed designed is personalized by having the letter "B" and the letter "R" stitched in black...it is so very special! I will be hanging this in my stitching nest, along with the lovely friendship piece my friend Mary gave me a couple weeks ago - two gorgeous stitched samplers from two amazing friends. I am proud to hang their heartfelt gifts among my personal stitching and BRD models. I must say, I am so very blessed....my heart is full. Robin - thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with me and for giving me so much to be thankful for this holiday season!

*UPDATE* from Robin:  the chart for the framed piece is called "Sew Sew" by iStitch Designs - the fabric is 32-count Vintage Buttercream from Lakeside Linens and the floss is HDF silks in Primitive Barn Red and BeGrimed.  I stitched the letters ‘B’ and ‘R’ in BeGrimed (they are my initials, they are your first initial and my first initial and they also stand for Blue Ribbon which was how our friendship began). The ornament details:  the chart is called "Merry Virginia" by Homespun Elegance - the fabric is 32-count Flax and the floss is Weeks Dye Works and DMC.


Remember the fabulous winter scene fabric Robin sent me?? Well, her package also contained several other beautiful cuts - including this unique bluebird panel from the Tend the Earth collection by Deb Strain for Moda...I haven't decided how I will use this unique panel yet - but it will be used for something special!

....and I have one more stitched gift to share with you...this beautiful cross stitched stocking was given to me back in October at the New England Stitcher's Retreat. It was stitched by one of the hosts - my sweet, sweet friend Gail. I met Gail at the very first New England retreat in May of 2010 and we have kept in touch ever since...she has attended all three retreats and is such a joy to be around! This year, when I arrived at the Shaker Dwelling House, she had a placed a fantastic gift bag in my room filled with treats - including this gorgeous stocking (it is about 6.75" H) - complete with a couple presents inside. Many of you know I just adore stockings and teeny tiny packages, so this LOVELY gift touched me deeply! I have been admiring it the entire holiday season and I just had to share it with you...

I hope you are having a magical and heartfelt holiday - filled with family, friends, food, and festivities!

Blue Jeans and Daisies

Today I have a fun little teaser to share with you...this is a little peek at the mystery sampler, which I have titled "Blue Jeans and Daisies". I originally shared a few details with you about the Mystery Sampler Club at the end of November - now I have a special "teaser" photo to entice you a little bit more!

Still keeping you in "suspense", here are a few details I can share with you about the Mystery Sampler Club...

• The title is "Blue Jeans and Daisies"...
• It has a "springtime" theme...
• Each chart will contain a fun finishing idea...
• Collect all three designs to unlock a mystery bonus on my website when the 3rd and final part is released...
• The first part is set to be released on January 21, 2013...
• Stitch count for the entire sampler is 150H x 300W - each installment will be approximately 150H x 100W...

For additional details or to sign up, visit your favorite needlework shop or stitchy website (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. There will be three parts to the "mystery sampler" - the first part is scheduled to be released in January - the second part in February - and the third part 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"). 

(NOTE: before you comment/post "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.)

So without further ado, here is just a taste to whet your appetite!

Sunflower Serenade

I'm back to share more Blue Ribbon Designs news with you. Yesterday I shared my big announcement that I have designed a mystery sampler for the Norden Crafts Mystery Sampler Club (thank you all for the very positive feedback!)...and today I am sharing the first of two new releases with you!

I have two new designs ready to start shipping within the next week (Sunflower Serenade and Berries, Birds, and Blooms)...today we will talk about BRD-107 "Sunflower Serenade". This is a Midwest/Kansas-inspired design - it features a few of the Kansas state symbols: the state flower (Sunflower), the state bird (Western Meadowlark), and the state insect (Honeybee). This piece was actually designed for a special class I taught for the Heart's Desire Cross Stitch Camp...but I had so much wonderful feedback, I decided to release it in my regular line. As winter continues to arrive, I thought I would release a couple pieces with a springtime feel to keep your stitching rotation bright and cheerful! This design chart contains charting for the sampler and two needlework smalls - a scissor fob and a pin pillow with a place to attach your scissors....it also includes stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, complete finishing instructions for both the needlework smalls (including a paper template to help you cut the hexagons for the pin pillow), and an alphabet/numbers for personalization. The models were stitched on 28-count Jobelan Bone fabric - but I also suggest a linen: 30 or 35-count Baby's Breath by Weeks Dye Works....and for threads, I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss - but a DMC conversion is also provided.

You can find all the details and a complete materials list on my website:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD107%20Specifics.html 
...and additional photos can be found here:
www.blueribbondesigns.com/Sunflower%20Serenade.html

Automatic shop orders start shipping tomorrow and distributor orders will be shipping next week - so look for this new design to arrive at your favorite needlework shop (or online at your favorite webshop) very soon!
(NOTE: before you comment/post "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.)

Tomorrow, I will return with all sorts of information about "Berries, Birds, and Blooms"....

A BIG Mysterious Announcement!

Today is the day! I can finally share with you some details on a HUGE project I have been working on for several weeks. I have been invited by the needlework distributor
Norden Crafts to be their next mystery sampler designer - yep, that's right I have designed the next project for the Mystery Sampler Club!

For those of you who are not familiar with the Mystery Sampler Club...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. There will be three parts to the "mystery sampler" - the first part is scheduled to be released in January - the second part in February - and the third part 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.

Still keeping you in "suspense", here are a few details I can share about my "mystery" with you...

• It has a "springtime" theme...
• Each chart will contain a fun finishing idea...
• Collect all three designs to unlock a mystery bonus on my website when the 3rd and final part is released...
• The first part is set to be released on January 21, 2013...
• Stitch count for the entire sampler is 150H x 300W - each installment will be approximately 150H x 100W...

So there you have it - the big announcement I have been waiting to share with you - I hope you will join in my excitement and contact your needlework shop of choice for all the details! 

(NOTE: before you comment/post "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.)

Start out your New Year with a fun, new, springtime project!

From the Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery

The class project and several Blue Ribbon Designs
on Display in the classroom...

Happy Wednesday friends! I have returned from my teaching trip to the Buffalo, NY area - and it was a wonderful experience - and (as always) I have a lot to share with you. I was blessed to spend several days in Lockport, NY teaching a workshop class to members of the Buffalo Chapter of the EGA. I had a small but very creative/talented group and definitely enjoyed my two days working with the attendees! The class took place on Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn...and we spent two days stitching and sharing our mutual passions for needlework. I was able to cover all sorts of fun finishing ideas and techniques in class...and even had time to share some of my favorite tips and tricks! It was a FABULOUS group and it was wonderful to get to know each and every one of the talented needleworkers in attendance.

Buffalo Chapter EGA Workshop attendees Marilyn and Stephanie hard at work in class...

I arrived in New York on Friday afternoon, as class was scheduled for Saturday morning....and I am so glad I arrived with time to see the From the Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery at the Kenan Center in Lockport, NY - hosted by the Buffalo Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America. It was a FANTASTIC display of needlearts and I was excited to see the extensive collection of pieces on exhibit - this is one extremely talented group of needleworkers! There were hundreds of pieces on display - including (but not limited to) Cross Stitch, Bead Embroidery, Stumpwork, Needlepoint, Surface Embroidery, Petite Point, Brazilian Embroidery, Hardanger, Crazy Quilting, Bargello, Blackwork, Schwalm Embroidery, and White Work (to name a few)...seriously, this exhibit contained just about any/every form of needlework I could think of!

To make this show even more impressive, it was held at the Kenan Center House Gallery - the perfect venue for such an impressive collection of works! The Kenan House is an exquisite example of late 19th century Italianate architecture and was a beautiful gallery for a needlework exhibit - the foundation of the house was laid in 1850...and when the house was nearly completed, a fire destroyed all but two walls...the house was entirely rebuilt by 1859. The Kenan's purchased the house in 1912 for $18,500 and did extensive remodeling during their first year of ownership. Before his death in 1965, Mr. Kenan deeded his home and property to the First Presbyterian Church for development as a community center. The Kenan Center is situated on 25 beautiful acres...and although it was raining during my visit, I could tell the gardens and grounds are extremely well maintained - along with the Kenan House & Gallery, the property includes multiple gardens and an orchard, an Education Building, the Taylor Theatre, a large greenhouse, and the Kenan Arena. The needlework display was incorporated throughout the Kenan Center House Gallery...making wonderful use of each room - it was a treat to see needlart intermixed with beautiful woodwork, white marble flooring, fan-shaped and floor to ceiling shuttered windows, chandeliers, and elaborate fireplaces. Here are some photos of the house and interior, along with needlework on display (click on any of the photos for a larger look)...

The Kenan Center House Gallery

Living Room

Left: Pennsylvania Sampler Sleuth - Marie Socha

Top to bottom:
How Much is that Doggie in the Window? - canvas - Peggy Lynn Kresovich
Cleopatra's Cat - canvas - Margaret M. Stoll
Cleopatra's Cat - counted canvas - Gerry Stark
Quaker Mother Bear - cross stitch - Gerry Stark
Quaker Baby Bear - cross stitch - Gerry Stark

Master Bath

The Nativity - Cross-Stitched by Anne G. Koberstein - Fireplace Screen

Wooden Peperkor Tree with 14 Folk Art Ornaments (Crewel Embroidery) -  Wilma Nantka

One of my favorite items on display: Winter Village Houses
(Mill Hill  Bead and Button Kits on Perforated Paper) - matted and placed in
a room screen - Paula Rychtarik - GORGEOUS!

Three Pumpkins - Beverly Molak
Stitching Witch Halloween - Susan A. Koch

Oriental Needlework Display - South Bedroom, 2nd Floor - Victorian Marble Mantlepiece

Shuttered arched windows...

Breathtaking Beaded Needlework by Stephanie Drehs

Framed - Schwalm Sampler - Patricia Karpenko
Crazy Patch Quilt Block - Surface and Bead Embroidery - Marjorie Tritto
So Dear To Thy Heart, Lamb Needlebook, LeNouveau Palais Royal - Counted Thread and Crewel Embroidery - Stephanie Drehs
Quaker Ball, Leaf Ball, Noel - Cross Stitch - Beverly Molak

Jacobean Blanket Chest - Original Furnishings of William and Alice Kenan
Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Hepplewhite-style Chair - Original Furnishings of William and Alice Kenan
Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Theme Basket Auction Items

To read more about the Kenan Center, visit http://kenancenter.org/...and if you visit the page for the Kenan Center House Gallery, you can see a small slideshow of the exhibit. If you are in the area, the From The Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery will be on display through September 30, 2012 - make the trip, you will not be disappointed! Oh, and did I mention - they have a lovely shopping mall with many items for purchase (including handmade and hand stitched items)...and a wonderful theme basket auction?!

While in Western New York, the event coordinator (and my personal tour guide) Stephanie made my stay extremely memorable - she took me to Niagara Falls for my first visit! I will share that experience with you tomorrow...