Sleepless in the Studio

Greetings friends - happy Tuesday - I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit!

Just a note before I show you today's creative inspiration:
The Blue Ribbon Designs website is currently experiencing technical difficulties due to an X-Cart update - I have submitted a help ticket and I am not so patiently waiting for them to sort out their issue (while pulling out most of my hair and shedding a few tears...I hate it when others make my brand look bad). For now, if you need anything, please visit my Etsy Shop: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/ - thank you for your patience...and say a little prayer for my sanity. Fingers crossed it is back up and running properly soon...

Now, for some fabulous finishes to brighten your day and hopefully inspire your creativity! I have been living in my studio, barely coming up for air...trying to get caught up on client orders. Here are some of my finishes from the last week...lots of project bags and some special needlework finishing...not my stitching or designs, just my finishing work and ideas...

Brenda Gervais - Grand Olde Flag
Finished as a Stitching Wallet (my own finishing idea)
Outside/Front

Brenda Gervais - Grand Olde Flag
Finished as a Stitching Wallet (my own finishing idea)
Inside

Brenda Gervais - Ode to the Ort No. 2
Finished as a Pin Pillow/Bowl Filler (my own finishing idea)

I believe this was a class piece that was mounted on top of a box...

Small Project Bag with three Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeves

Three Large Project Bags

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...

Large Project Bag
Two Small Project Bags

Large Project Bag
Tool Bag
Artist Bag

Small Project Bag
Tool Bag

Two Large Project Bags
Artist Bag

I'll be back in the studio this afternoon, working on more project bags (made from Brenda Gervais  fabric panels) and another sampler mat...I am hoping it will be another productive day. The sun is shining and I am planning to get outside for a walk this afternoon - the fresh air will do me good!

A final note for today:
A HUGE thank you to everyone that leaves me comments, follows me on social media, orders from my websites, and sends me needlework finishing and custom sewing/quilting orders! In these challenging times of uncertainty, you all truly brighten my days and encourage me more than you know. Thank you for supporting my small business and keeping me in stitches.💓

I hope you are experiencing sunshine and creativity today...

Bountiful Bags

Today's post is all about projects bags...yes, piles of them...large project bags, small project bags, and tool bags. I have been done some serious sewing...that is, until my fancy sewing machine decided it needed to see the doctor...yep, she is acting up, so will be headed in for service (this afternoon)...she needs a little TLC (hopefully just a good cleaning). Until then, I am using my basic Singer without all the bells and whistles...which works, but is not ideal. As you can see, I have been managing to fulfill orders - they are just taking me a bit longer {sigh!}. I am still steadily working through requests, so if you are waiting, thank you for your patience! Here is just a snippet of what has been on the sewing table and keeping me busy...

Time to get cleaned up and head to the quilt shop (Joyce, I'm headed your way!) - say a little prayer or send some positive vibes to me and my baby (my sewing machine)...

I'll be back very soon with some cross stitch finishes and a couple other sewing projects...plus details on my latest magazine published designs...

Sprightly Studio

It has been a busy month in the studio and I have been steadily working through an array of creative projects (hence my absence). Needlework finishing, project bags, custom sewing/quilting and needlework designs have all been in the works...even a few Etsy items...and more packages of fabric and finishing are on the way. It is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my customers supply for their custom bags...and such a treat to finish so many lovely needlework pieces. My husband is still traveling extensively for his job, so I am trying to balance my heavy workload with the household, yard, and a puppy - some days are quite challenging...but busy is a blessing...and I am still here, chugging along. To those quietly waiting on your order - I haven't forgotten you and I appreciate your patience!! Here are just a few photos of some of my recent projects...

This assortment of Stitch Starter Ruler Sets has been listed in my
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

...and for those who have asked...I know it has been quite a while since I posted a photo of our little boy Garin...here he is with his big sister Miss Schatzi. Garin is up to 58 pounds and has quite a personality...and yes, they have quickly become best friends...

Schatzi, Sunshine, and Sewing

It is a LOVELY, sunny afternoon (at least it was when I started this post - it is now after 9:00 PM - where did the day go??)...and today, we are celebrating Miss Schatzi's 5th birthday (which doesn't even seem possible). I have had a pelthora of work demands today, so it was nice to get out in the fresh air and take her on a good walk.

Along with a technical website issue, a pile of correspondence, and a handful of phone calls, my sewing machine has been humming along today. Now that my Just CrossStitch deadlines have all been met, I am working on project bag and needlework finishing orders. Another 200 zippers arrived this week and two more bolts of fusible fleece...along with other finishing supplies that were low...and everything is organized for my sewing and finishing marathon. I'm trying to steadily work through each and every order, preparing for a Nashville vacation in late April (oh how I need a vacation!)...tips on things we *need to* see and do, please send my way...

I seem to be shipping out packages daily...here are a select few sewing/quilting items I have been working on...and the first photo is a teaser of what to look for in Just CrossStitch magazine later this year - I can't show you the cross stitch just yet...(hint: one autumn, one Halloween)...

I hope the cheerful spring fabrics brightened your day! I'll be back soon with some new needlework finishing photos...

Pre-holiday Photo Parade

Needlebook gift I stitched/created
 for a dear friend. Stitched over-one.
Design is Bent Creek - "Red Winged
Blackbird" (heavily modified and
the word "needles" added).

Happy holidays everyone! Wow - where has the time gone??...I have neglected my blog for far too long...ugh...I will definitely try to visit with you more in the coming year. I hope you have been enjoying the season, keeping warm and cozy, and finding a little bit of time to do the things you enjoy! Having a puppy in the house and the holiday rush have monopolized my time for the last couple months, but all is well. I have been stitching, sewing, quilting, and needlework finishing - happily creating almost every single day! In fact, I have so many photos to share, it will take a few posts over the next several days to get all caught up. It seems much easier to keep up with my Instagram feed - so stop by, if you are ever wondering what I am up to!

...and yes, Garin (our German Shepherd puppy) is doing quite well...growing every day! He was almost 40 pounds at his 16-week vet check-up...and he has had all his big boy shots. Today, Miss Schatzi and Garin had a long play session in the snow-covered backyard (if you follow me on Snapchat, you can see it!) - they have quickly become best friends. 😊

Here is a brief photo journey of (just some of) the customer sewing I have been doing lately...and a few pieces of customer needlework finishing. I will share quite a bit more cross stitch over the next couple days (you are in for a real treat - there are some gorgeous needlework pieces). As you can see, zippered bags continue to keep me busy - most of these were created with (beautiful) customer supplied fabrics - I work on three main sizes (large project bags, small project bags, and tool bags)...plus I have a couple other sizes I have been auditioning to add to my brand (see the last photo)...

For now, I am off to my stitching nest - I am working on a couple Christmas ornaments for Just CrossStitch magazine - yes, I'm already stitching for the 2018 holiday season!! I'll be back soon with some beautiful needlework images to share with you...