"Moonlit Midnight" - Coming in August

Over the next couple weeks, I thought I would do several blog posts featuring my new designs being released at the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Market. This fun Halloween design is item BRD-101 and is titled "Moonlit Midnight". The models are stitched on 32-count Tundra hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss. This whimsical piece is perfect for taking sections and making Halloween ornaments, needlework smalls, and holiday decorations! The chartpack contains charting for the sampler and needlework smalls shown below, stitching instructions, and complete finishing instructions for the ornaments/fobs and pins/magnets. I had a lot of fun working on the small pieces; the ornaments/fobs are made with 2" Finishing Forms by Flying Needles (http://www.flyingneedlestx.com/)...and the pins/magnets are made with Half Ball Cover Buttons by Dritz (http://www.dritz.com/) mounted on cotton fabric yo-yos....the chartpack gives you easy step-by-step instructions for making each! I will be posting all the specifics and a complete supply list on my website in the next couple weeks...and stay tuned for feature posts on two more new designs coming out in mid-August...

Unburied Treasure

Over the years, I have stitched baskets and baskets full of needlework smalls - I truly love the assembly/finishing work. In fact, in my studio, I have two very large Longaberger Blanket Baskets overflowing with needlework smalls and ornaments (many of which are my own designs) - I try to circulate them throughout our home, especially the seasonal pieces...but the truth is, there are so many, I don't always get each piece on display. Recently, I was digging through the baskets to find some summery pieces to put in my display cabinet - and I found this huswif and set of needlework accessories I stitched back in the fall of 2008...and believe it or not, I had completely forgotten about them. This was an EGA Group Correspondence Course (that I actually led for the local Chapter) called "Handy Huswif" and was designed by Cathy Trostmann. What a treat it was to find this little cotton bag in one of my baskets - it was still in the plastic bag and all the piece were still tagged from when I sent it in for evaluation. It made me smile to see how much my binding technique and sewing skills have improved over the last several years. It was almost like getting a present, as I unwrapped each piece...the huswif, needlebook, scissor fob and pin disk - plus I had made the optional sewing case to keep them clean and safe. It is amazing I could spend so much time on a single project and then completely forget it existed. Now that I have unburied this treasure, I will definitely put it to good use and keep it out for a while...

Baking Brownies

As usual, things are a bit hectic in our household...and yesterday was just one of those days where the sky fell in...a black cloud seemed to hover over my head the entire day. When I finally looked at the clock last night, it was almost 8:00 PM and I was exhausted and stressed to my maximum...so what did I do?? I made my way to my kitchen, of course! Looking for just a taste of comfort food and the solace I find when baking, I decided to make a batch of homemade brownies....and not homemade where you throw the contents of a box in a bowl...but true homemade, pull all the ingredients out of the cupboard/refrigerator, stir, mix, and bake. While a brownie mix can be convenient and quick, there is just something about making baked goods from scratch. This is my favorite tried and true recipe for brownies - it is from an old well-loved Betty Crocker cook book that I believe belonged to my mother when I was growing up - this cookbook is missing the cover and is in two separate pieces, but it is my "go to" book for recipes. This makes fabulous chewy, fudgy squares...and although I am not usually a chocolate person, I thoroughly enjoyed my homemade brownie with a hot cup of cinnamon tea latte last night!

Brownies

2 squares unsweetened chocolate (2 oz.)

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional - 1/2 cup broken nuts

Melt together the chocolate and shortening over hot water in a double boiler. Beat in eggs and sugar. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt...then stir into melted mixture. Mix in nuts, if desired. Once thoroughly combined, spread in well-greased 8" square pan (8" x 8" x 2"). Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes (top will have a dull crust and a slight imprint will be left when top is touched lightly with finger). Cool slightly, then cut into 2" squares. This recipe will make sixteen 2" brownie squares.

So, the next time you need a little stress-reliever, try baking something from scratch...the result: a happy heart and a happy tummy...

Quilted Garden Needlework Smalls

A little over a week ago, I posted about my new upcoming design "Quilted Garden" and I was so encouraged to here such positive comments/remarks from many of you - I am thrilled you like this future design. The chart for "Quilted Garden" will be released in mid-August at the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Market being held in Baltimore, MD for industry professionals. The models are 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 (the chartpack includes alternate charting for the verse and an alphabet/numbers in back stitch for those who shy away from one-over-one work). I have also designed two needlework smalls that will be included with this design pack - a scissor fob and pin pillow - charting and complete finishing instructions for these two pieces will be included, as well. There are many other fun ideas that can be taken from this upcoming design - wouldn't a row of the quilt blocks make a great bookmark?...or you could easily make a needlebook or floss ring tag using the quilt block motifs...the little quilt blocks would also make great magnets for a quilting friend...so many fun ideas keep popping into my head! Keep an eye on the "Future" page of my website, where I will be posting all the details in the next several weeks...but for now, here is a sneak peek at the scissor fob and pillow....

Personalized Quilted Journal Covers

Recently I have been working on several new Blue Ribbon Designs, leaving minimal time for sewing/quilting/other projects...but I did arrange a few hours this past weekend to finish up a birthday gift for my friend Lorrie...and do a little more piecing on my Nine-Patch Pixie quilt. I had been saving this lovely sampler fabric (Willimasburg R Presents The Sampler Collection by Windham Fabrics) with shades of blue especially for Lorrie, as blue is her favorite color...I decided I would make her a quilted journal - one of my favorite things to sew.

I have shown a couple of these journal covers to you before - they are so much fun to work on...and easy to personalize! The cover actually fits over a composition notebook that can easily be found at any office supply store - it measures 9 3/4" h x 7 1/2"w. The supply list is minimal - this is a great project for using up scraps of fabric...and they can easily be embellished with all sorts of trims, buttons, and/or embroidery. Best of all, there are two FREE patterns available online! The pattern used for the samples in the photos is from an older Quilts and More Quarterly Challenge and can be found in PDF form on the allpeoplequilt.com website. For a slightly smaller version (made to fit a spiral bound A5 art diary 8 1/4" h x 6 1/4" w) visit the Moda Bake Shop Blog for an excellent tutorial called "Journal Covers". These journals are the perfect size for making a list, taking notes, or writing down your personal thoughts....and to top it off, make a lovely gift! I have made quite a few of these and each one is unique and special - I like to embroider the recipients name on a piece of wool felt or fabric and applique it to the front...and there are so many other ways you could make these covers recipient specific. I hope you will try making one of these fun quilted journals...for yourself...and/or a friend!

"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...

Freedom and Fireworks

Today, the 4th of July, we honor the birthday of the United States and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I hope you are spending time with family and friends, enjoying this Independence Day.

I am celebrating with a quiet day...a little quilting and some model stitching...maybe later we will do a little grilling and enjoy some time outside on the deck, where tonight we will be able to view the fireworks.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday!

Fabric Infatuation

It's true, I will be the first to admit it - I love quality cotton quilting fabrics...the feel, the colors, the patterns, everything about them - it's an addiction...let me loose in a specialty quilt shop and I am in sheer heaven. Sometimes I shop with a project in mind...other times, I let the fabric pick me, then I find a project...in either case, my stash drawers are overflowing - so much fabric, so little time! In my perfect world, I would be designing fabric that would incorporate and complement my needlework designs - I would be "over-the-moon"!

Today I was able to spend the afternoon with my girlfriends visiting a couple local quilt shops - and of course, I found amazing fabric! There are certain things I always look for - I adore fabric with birds, trees, owls, or fruits (especially apples and pears)...and of course, any fabric featuring needlework samplers...so when visiting shops, I am always on a quest for fabric lines that include any of these items. Today I hit the jackpot - thanks to one of my very favorites: Riley Blake Designs...this line is Hoo's In The Forest by Doohickey Designs...and I just love it...it truly makes me happy. I was immediately drawn to the apple and cherry fabric...but then I saw the yellow fabric, featuring whimsical trees, owls, hedgehogs, deer and skunks (yes, fun little skunks) - so cute! The florals and coordinating fabrics just spoke to me...and I had to get a few Riley Blake charm packs, as well. See, it is an addiction!

I also found these fabulous fabrics - yes, I know, I'm out of control...but did I mention the quilt shop was having a sale?! I was tickled to find the pink and light blue birds on brown fabric (Love Nest by Carina Gardner for Northcott Fabrics)....and the abstract trees, birds, houses, and bicycles (Spring Street by Carolyn Gavin for P & B Textiles). Then, the last two I picked up are from a great line called Tree Huggers by Julie Dobson Miner for Studio e Fabrics - I just couldn't resist fabric with owls, birds, insects, and beavers...yes, beavers...I thought it was adorable! Do I know what I am going to do with it??...well, no, not yet...but I promise you, it will all be put to good use...

Patriotic Paisley Patchwork

I have been working on this quilt for about a week...the piecing was done on day one, but I have been doing machine quilting to embellish it for several days. This is a "Quartered Nines" quilt...meaning you make nine-patch blocks, then cut them in quarters to make new blocks. It is a very fun and easy quilt to piece and put together. My finished quilt is 36" x 36" - but "Quartered Nines" works well for just about any size you can imagine. I used my AccuQuilt GO! to cut the quilt top - utilizing the 5" Square Die, the 1 1/2" Strip Cutter Die, the 2" Strip Cutter Die, and the 3 1/2" Strip Cutter Die...but obviously, if you haven't acquired a GO!, you could easily rotary cut this project. I wanted to work on a small quilt for the upcoming 4th of July holiday and this fabric worked perfectly - it is a fabric line from a year or two ago called "Wiscasset" by Minick & Simpson for Moda. After the piecing and pin basting was completed, I started machine quilting by stitching in the ditch. Next, for the sixteen full squares, I printed a floral pattern on a piece of paper...pinned it to the center block...and then quilted directly on the lines....once I was done, I just removed the paper - this works really well if you are like me and can only dream of the day you have a longarm machine. A couple tips, if you try this quilting method - use a recyclable or thinner (cheaper) paper, that is easier to tear - I use paper that is made for paper pieced quilting...and the smaller your stitches are, the easier it is to remove the paper (I like a larger quilting stitch, so it takes me quite a while to tear away all the paper). I still want to machine quilt a complimenting pattern in the borders (I'm thinking stars), as well....but for now, I am pretty happy with the results and I will be able to use it on my table for the holiday.

Remembering My Daddy

As you all know, my normal blog posts are about stitching, sewing, inspiration, and creativity. However, in honor of Father's Day, I thought I would share a few photos of my father with you - I lost him many years ago, but he continues to play a large role in my life every single day. I don't have many photos of my dad, so the few I do have are cherished...and before anyone asks, yes, that is me he is holding (5 mos. old) - one of my all-time favorite photos.

Wishing you a very special Father's Day, filled with special moments and/or wonderful memories...

Pink Paisley Party

Yesterday was the most glorious day - I got to spend several hours with my dear friends Kimber and Merry...we got together for some girl time...a lovely tea party and lunch...which I am referring to as the pink paisley party, as Kimber had the most adorable table set for us with a pink and green paisley tablecloth and matching napkins. I wish I had a photo that did her decorating justice - the table setting was incredible (I took a TON of photos, but none of them look as inviting and exciting as it did in person). Our spring tea was held at Kimber's amazing home, a cozy 1885 farmhouse, which she lovingly refers to as Ashton House. As always, the three of us had a marvelous time! We started by having hot tea and some of the delicious treats Kimber had ready for us...seriously, look at the photos below of the table and my plate...oh my goodness! Kimber had various vintage cake plates spread across the table with all sorts of goodies, antique bowls filled with nuts and treats, a huge assortment of teas, and delicious little sandwiches. We sipped our tea, chatted, laughed, and just enjoyed each others company.

Some time was then spent opening gifts, seems even though we don't plan to bring presents, we all always have special little packages to exchange. Merry, as usual, outdid herself...not only did she make the most fabulous lunch for us, she also brought me a large assortment of gorgeous wool roving (which thrills me, as I can use it with my needle felting machine) and two jars of her homemade jam (Raspberry Rhubarb - oh my goodness, am I ever looking forward to trying it - maybe later today!). Kimber, who was gracious enough to host our gathering, had the sweetest gifts at our place settings (see photo in the top right corner of this post) - two adorable mini loaf pans with paper cups filled with vintage buttons and trims (she is SO creative!)...plus, she gave both of us a beautiful teapot that was wrapped in paisley fabric and tied with vintage bias tape (perfect!)....she even gave me a copy of a book that his been on my wishlist for months - talk about generous! We had a delightful time with our exchange.

Next, it was time for lunch...and it was scrumptious! Merry, the best cook in the world, made us homemade bread and a homemade quiche....again look at my plate - seriously - she amazes me! At Merry's request, I brought a fresh fruit salad, which (she was right) was the perfect addition to our meal. And get this - Merry made homemade macaroons (really - look how perfect they are) - they were seriously "to die for"! Having this special lunch and enjoying their company was a heavenly afternoon.

After clearing our plates, we moved to the sitting room and spent a couple hours visiting...I brought my stitching, but didn't even get it out of the bag (except to show them the new project I was working on). I was thrilled to get gardening advice from both of them - they are so knowledgeable and I a fledgling gardener, so it was great to get advice and tips! It was another excellent afternoon with my dear friends - I feel inspired, encouraged, and educated every time we get together - I truly cherish each gathering we have!

The First BRD Facebook Giveaway

Hello stitching friends! Just a quick note...

I have posted my first Facebook fan giveaway - to see how you can win one of the Blue Ribbon Designs charts on your wishlist, please visit my Facebook page for details: http://www.facebook.com/BlueRibbonDesigns

...and...there will also be a giveaway right here on my blog once I reach 500 followers...that's a pretty big milestone, so I will have to think of something really good...stay tuned...

Beautiful Button Bags

I had so much fun making these special little button bags yesterday afternoon. They were actually made for my dear friends Merry and Kimber, as we are getting together later this morning for some girl time, tea, and lunch. We have been planning this time together for several months...and as always, the three of us have been looking forward to spending a morning/afternoon sharing. laughing, and (of course) eating. We have a habit of making and bringing little gifts for one another...and I had been planning these sweet little bags for some time. I didn't use a pattern...I just had the idea and ran with it. I had found this wonderful button fabric months ago...and used my sewing machine to do the ribbon casings - and my serger to do the rolled hem edge and piecing. I added a couple fun wool/fabric/button flowers to the front and satin ribbons for closure...then filled them with handfuls of buttons (some new, some vintage, some novelty). I was just tickled with how they turned out and have made a few more for future gifts...I may even keep one for myself! I think these will be perfect for our get together today - speaking of which, I am running a little late, so I will cut this short...but I am sure I will be back later with photos of the festivities....

New On Newsstands...

The July/August issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine is currently arriving in mailboxes, at needlework shops, and on newsstands. I am happy to tell you, this issue features an ornament by Blue Ribbon Designs...in fact, my ornament made the cover! It is called "Christmas Cottage" and is located middle right in the photo...it features a little red cottage with pine branches and red birds. This ornament is stitched on Weeks Dye Works Mocha linen with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (DMC conversions are provided). Even more fun...there will be another ornament that coordinates with this one in the Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue due out later this fall...and a little hint (shhh)...it has an adorable snowman. It is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday stitching...so, if you are not a subscriber, be sure to pick up this holiday issue at your favorite needlework shop!

On an additional note...I am planning a giveaway especially for my Facebook "fans" this week...so if you haven't visited the Blue Ribbon Designs Facebook page, be sure to do so and click the "Like" button...details will be posted soon...