"Through The Trees"

This coming Wednesday I start shipping the two new Halloween designs to shops that participate in my automatic program...I am super excited to have two very unique Halloween pieces ready for you! Today I will tell you all about "Through The Trees" (BRD-112)...then we will talk about "Mischief at Midnight" in the next couple days.

"Through The Trees" is a framed design and two coordinating needlework smalls (a pin pillow and scissor fob). This spooky design with an original verse contains an assortment of specialty stitches, including: Cross Stitch over-two linen threads, Back Stitch, Four-Sided Stitch, Long-Armed Cross Stitch, Smyrna Cross Stitch, Nun Stitch, Tent Stitch, Cross Stitch with Bar, Point Croise Stitch (Double Back Stitch), Long Straight Stitch, French or Colonial Knots (minimal) - stitching diagrams and instructions are included in the chartpack. The charting also contains complete finishing instructions for the scissor fob and pin pillow with place for scissor attachment. The models were stitched on 32-count Tundra hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens...but I would also suggest Weeks Dye Works Dolphin (a little darker grey) or Weeks Dye Works Dove (a little more green) for a good Halloween look. I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss, but as always, DMC conversions are provided....and those cute little scissors you see attached to the pin pillow model (which are NOT included with the chart) are Primitive Little Gems by Kelmscott Designs.

You can find a complete supply list and all the details on my website:
http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD112%20Specifics.html

Expect this new Halloween design to start arriving in needlework shops the first week of September!

A Touch of Autumn

Here are a couple photos of my latest batch of pincushions. The top and bottom of each tuffet is patchwork with rick rack and a button, making these pincushions reversible...the patchwork fabric is Posh Pumpkins by Sandy Gervais for Moda...and the pincushion sides are Jolly Jungle Foliage by The Henry Studio for Makower UK. I dressed up these four-patch tuffets with coordinating rick rack and buttons...and embellished each one with three decorative pins. These are now listed in my Etsy shop...along with several others I posted about in the last few weeks. I have more quilting/sewing projects in the works and hope to have additional goodies to show you soon!

For now, I am off to the Blue Ribbon Designs "warehouse" to bag charts and prepare the new Halloween designs for shipment...I can't believe they start shipping next week...

A "Funky Tree" Fundraiser

Class Model - "Funky Tree"

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser for 5k for 5charitites organized by my dear friend Mary. The event took place at The Social Canvas and raised money for five fabulous organizations (Children & Families of Iowa, YESS, Iowa Department of Corrections Victim Advisory Council, Mid Iowa SART, and Blank Children's Hospital). The room was full of supporters/painters and the project for the evening was called "Funky Tree"...we had so much fun!! The Social Canvas provided the project idea, canvas, paint, brushes, apron, and easel - along with fun music, an instructor, and a beverage bar (complete with wine and cocktails)....and there were even some treats provided by our wonderful host! The instructor talks you through the painting, step-by-step...from start to finish - but everyone is encouraged to take their own path while working on their masterpiece. As you can probably tell, this project would not be something I would normally choose - it is not really my style...but it was actually quite fun to work on something outside of my creative box...something whimsical and modern - and it was for such a great cause. A marvelous time was had by all...and everyone took home a brand new piece of artwork (each one was special and unique)!

Model/project samples on the wall at The Social Canvas...

Model/project samples on the wall at The Social Canvas...

My very dear friends Lorrie and Mary - I ADORE this photo...

My blank canvas...ready to be decorated...

The instructor's area before we got started...

The backgrounds for our "Funky Tree" - mine is on the far left...

Me with my painting in progress...

Our finished trees! L-R: Belinda, Lorrie, and Mary

Mary with her co-workers and their masterpieces...

Me with my finished "work of art"...

It was a fun-filled evening with good friends for a great cause...and we got to be creative...who could ask for more?!

My Creative World...

There is a lot going on in my creative world right now. I just released two new Blue Ribbon Designs for August...I am bagging and preparing two new Halloween Designs for September...and I have two new autumn designs ready for October. Plus, I am stitching models for two holiday designs - hopefully for a November release. I have an area all set-up downstairs where I have been bagging thousands of charts...and now I am waiting for more bags to arrive, so I can continue. I have also been scheduling some sewing time into my days, preparing and designing new items for my Etsy shop. I started working on some new patchwork pincushions...and this time they are square...and I am working on a prototype for a rectangular one that will also hold a pair of scissors. In my spare time, I am drafting a pattern for a special needle case that will hold packages of needles...and a clear-front zipper pouch that allows you to see the contents inside...I even have a few sketches of some small appliqué pieces I want to try. In the next few days, I hope to start listing some new items...

This is a peek at some of the pincushions I finished over the last couple days...the patchwork "four patches" are made from the Whimsy Collection by Joanna Figueroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda...and the white/floral sides are the Lovely Collection by Sandy Gervais for Moda. I used fun jumbo rick rack and buttons to embellish each one...and they are reversible, with both the top and the bottom of each pincushion being patchwork. I am working on these using several other fabric collections...and I have pulled both Halloween and autumn fabrics. Each one measures 4.5" x 4.5" x 1.5". Look for these to be listed in my Etsy shop later this week...

For now, I am off to walk Simba and then Schatzi...afterwards, I hope to do some sewing...and finally some late night model stitching...

Overwhelmingly Blessed...

I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed today. There must be some sort of friendship intuition happening for me this week, because I have been surprised (and choked up) multiple times this week. Most of you know I have been busy training for the Komen 3-Day Event (60-miles in 3 days) taking place in San Diego this coming November...I am so excited to be walking 60-miles with my fabulous Twinkle Toes teammates to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and education. You, my friends, have overwhelmed me with your generous donations and messages - my heart is full. To date my fundraising efforts have reached an incredible $5765...that is 77% of my goal, with 99 days to go...I am so unbelievably touched by your outpouring of support and encouragement!

I am also choked up about two surprises that arrived on my doorstep this week. First, I received a brand new pair of shoes...yes, I said shoes (aren't they AWESOME?!)...and I honestly can't tell you how much these were needed. These shoes are usually good for 350-400 walking miles...and my current pair had approximately 600-650 (maybe more) miles on them...and yes, I was planning on replacing them in the very near future, but these shoes come with a price tag and I have been saving my pennies. About a week and a half ago, after a 10+ mile walk, I removed my shoes to have a large open blister on the back of my foot...I had completely worn the material down on the inside of the heel of my shoe and had no idea how bad it was rubbing until I took off my shoe to find a blood soaked sock. Needless to say, I had to take a week off training to let it heal. So, when these new shoes arrived on my doorstep, I squealed like a little girl - they came when I needed them the most...and left me completely speechless. Then today, I received another surprise in the mail...an aerosol spray of TRISLIDE. I have not tried this product before, but I am always up for anything that will stop hotspots and blisters from forming on my feet. I usually use Body Glide, but can't wait to try this TRISLIDE and see how effective it is!...what an extremely thoughtful gift. I also received an e-mail from a dear friend asking me what was on my list of needs for the walk, because she wants to send me a care package...seriously, I am so very thankful. I am truly touched by all the love and support coming my way...

When I started this journey, I knew it would be challenging, I knew it would be costly (shoes, airline tickets, gear, hotel, the list goes on and on), and I knew it would be time consuming (my average walks are 2 - 3 hours)...but I knew in my heart this was something I needed/wanted to do. I had no idea how I was going to raise the required funds to walk or how I was going to afford the needed gear and travel...but with the love and support of my friends, my goal has become obtainable. You are all incredible...and so very special...thank you.

For those of you wanting to know more about my exclusive needlework design for this worthy cause ("Red Rosies and Pink Posies"), it will be available until November...and you can read all about it here:
http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/red-rosies-and-pink-posies.html

I'm now off for a Thursday evening walk...I must break in my fancy new kicks and try out the TRISLIDE...I hear the fresh air calling my name...

Something Sweet & Simple

I like to bake from scratch...I thoroughly enjoy my time in the kitchen, especially when I am baking. Funny things is, I am not much on eating baked goods, just making them....which works out well for my husband, friends, and local nursing home residents. Although I rarely use a mix, I couldn't help but pick-up a couple of the summertime flavor cake mixes from Pillsbury...seriously...who can resist flavors like Orangesicle, Pink Lemonade, and Key Lime?? If anything, I figured I would have a couple on hand when I needed a quick pick-me-up or sugar fix. Well, tonight was that night...after the stresses of the day and mowing the lawn, I needed a little something sweet and some caffeine...so I grabbed the Orangesicle Cake Mix and coordinating Creamy Supreme Frosting...

Yep, the one for me has sugar crystal sprinkles...because I am a girlie girl and I love sprinkles! I must admit, event though I used a cake mix, these are pretty scrumptious...I may have to get a few more for the pantry...it was the perfect pick-me-up and easy peasy!

It's All About The Fabric

Are you familiar with Amy Friend's blog "During Quiet Time"...well, if you are not, you should be! Amy's blog is always full of fun sewing/quilting tutorials and amazing paper piecing patterns - I enjoy her creative ideas and interesting posts...she is continually working on the best projects. Recently Amy moved her blog...and when she did, she had a fabulous giveaway...and (believe it or not) I was the recipient of a fabulous fat quarter pack from Sew Me A Song on Etsy. Yep, I was the LUCKY winner of a FQ bundle of six Yuwa prints....and they are perfect for me! Plus, I think Sew Me A Song is going to be my new favorite Etsy shop to find unique fabrics (I've already marked her shop as a favorite and have a GIANT wish list)...she specializes in Japanese and contemporary cloth...and she has lots of those sought after texty/wordy prints that seem to be all the rage right now. I love to do fussy cutting, so her selection of fabrics are right up my alley. I am trying to decide how to use these inspiring fabrics that arrived in my mailbox this week (again, I am a lucky girl!)...maybe a new journal cover...what do you think - any creative ideas for me??

I have been diligently trying to use fabrics in my stash and cut down on quilty purchases...in fact, I haven't done very much stash enhancement this year (which is why it was AWESOME to win some new prints), but yesterday I met my girlfriends at a favorite local quilt shop and "my arm was twisted" to make a few purchases. They had the Moda pre-cuts for Nature's Basket, the new fabric line by Blackbird Designs, so I had to purchase a couple charm packs to use for items in my Etsy shop...although the colors are pretty much identical to their Blueberry Crumb Cake line, the prints were fresh and new...and when yardage is available, I will definitely have to add some to my shopping cart...

I also fell in love with Winter's Lane by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. for Moda - I picked up several fat quarters and a charm pack in this lovely collection; they will be perfect for winter decorating...I can see a few pillows and maybe a table runner in this lovely collection of prints...

Finally - I picked up a couple new fat quarters from the Esprit De Noel Collection by the French General for Moda...I would have liked to purchase more, but I was doing my best to stay within a budget... after all, who can resist French General fabrics - these two were my favorites (left). I also picked up a fat quarter from The Sweet Things Collection by Holly Holderman for Lakehouse Dry Goods (right)...because it was just too cute to resist...purple gingham birds and rick rack flower stems...seriously...if money was readily available, I would buy this entire collection...totally adorable!

Yes, I definitely have plenty of inspiration for some weekend sewing/quilting...now to make the time. I have some Blue Ribbon Designs work I *must* attend to, but then I am planning for some "me time"...plus I still have more quilting to do on the April project I shared with you last week. So, for now, I am off to do a little work, then I have some afternoon time scheduled with my husband...he is taking me out for sushi at one of our favorite places. Enjoy your weekend...take a little time to do something "just for you"....

Fabulous Friendship Friday....

Today was the highlight of my disastrous week...Friendship Friday! I was so thrilled to get together with my dear friends Mary and Lorrie for a little Friday celebration; today's Mexican fiesta was a birthday party for Mary. It was a much needed distraction for all of us - and as we enjoyed lunch, suddenly the stress of everyday life evaporated and we were all laughing, giggling, and sharing good news. The three of us have decided we need to make Friendship Friday a permanent day (or two) on our monthly calendar. We met at a favorite local quilt shop and did a little stash enhancement...even though we had all decided beforehand that we were not going to buy anything, somehow we all left with some new, fun fabrics. Next, we walked over to a favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoyed a delicious lunch...and Mary opened her birthday gifts...

Since I enjoyed making Lorrie's friendship book last month, I decided to make Mary one, as well. I used a Maya Road 3" Vintage Memory Box w/Coaster Album...and decorated it with pretty papers and a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad in Victorian Velvet. I got to use my favorite Xyron products (a Xyron 5" Creative Station, a Xyron Create-A-Sticker, and a Xyron Mega Runner) to attach decorative papers, Maya Road Blossoms and Flowers, trims and ribbbons, and photographs. And although my studio looked like a bomb exploded by the time I was finished, I was super happy with the results! Here is what I started with (the memory box is 3" square and the coaster album pages are just over 2 1/2" square):

And here is the finished product (click on photographs to enlarge):

I also wanted to give Mary a little something that I stitched, so I worked up Shepherd's Bush "My Stitching Bag"...this was a fun kit that included a pre-made zipper bag with a linen insert, cotton floss, and the little flower buttons. I purchased several of these for gifts and gave them in kitted form, but this time I actually stitched one up...

...and, as always, I like to give a creative book...and this time I opted for "Super-Cute Felt" by Laura Howard. This book is full of adorable felt projects that made me ooh and ahh...in fact, I might have to purchase a copy for myself...

Lorrie had a bag full of fabulous gifts for Mary too...and it was so much fun to watch her open everything! Friendship Friday was good for the soul...and just what we all needed...now to schedule another Friday lunch for the near future...

Coming Soon - "Feathers, Flowers, and Fruit"

Today's new Blue Ribbon Designs release spotlight is on BRD-111 "Feathers, Flowers, and Fruit". This new design, along with "Botanical Blessings" (shown yesterday), will start shipping to needlework shops on Friday, August 2nd...and will begin shipping to distributors on Wednesday, August 7th...so look for this design to be available in needlework shops in mid-August.

"Feathers, Flowers, and Fruit" is one of my signature style samplers along with two needlework smalls - a scissor fob and a snippet receptacle. For those of you are not quite sure what a "snippet receptacle" is, you may call it an "ort box" (ORT = Old Ratty Threads)...you know, a place where you put all those little snippets/scraps/cast-off ends of thread when you are stitching...

The models are stitched on 30-count Parchment hand-dyed fabric from Weeks Dye Works with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (DMC equivalents are provided)...and the chartpack contains charting for each of the three pieces, stitch diagrams, stitching instructions, complete finishing instructions for the needlework smalls, and an alphabet/numbers for personalization.

For more details and a complete supply listing, visit: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/BRD111%20Specifics.html

For additional photos, visit: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/Feathers,%20Flowers,%20and%20Fruit.html

I hope you are excited about my two new releases...they should be available at your favorite needlework shops in just a couple short weeks! Look for two more new releases the first week of September...and there will be two more new releases the first week of October, as well...