Monday, January 27, 2014

A Stitcher's Finish

Hope everyone is having a happy Monday.  I have two stitcher's finishes to show you today. 

The first was sent in from Marty.  She and friends, Judi, Sara, Pat, and Barbara stitched these "Folksy Ditty Bags".  Then, while they were at the annual needlework retreat in Williamsburg, they sewed them together and took this group shot of their finished bags.
How fun to do a stitch-a-long with a group of friends.  These turned out wonderful and gave me a big smile.  Glad they were so much fun to stitch girls.

Next, my friend Robin sent me a picture of her finished "Wintertime" piece that she had framed.  Robin said she was determined to use what she had in her stash.....love that.  She stitched this on 32ct R&R Apple Brown Bindy with Victorian Motto Sampler threads (1794 Brick Red, 1795 Faded Parsley, Dark Oak Brown and Gentle A rt Mustard Seed). 
I love seeing it this way.  It's always great to see another stitcher's interpretation of one of my designs.  It really looks great framed Robin.
I'm so glad I got the chance to see these finishes.  It's always so much fun for me.
Happy Stitching my friends.
~Nan

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Time for a Sneak Peek

It's almost time for the first Ladies Prim Society release of the year.  Yes, the Ladies Prim Society will continue again in 2014.  There's a total of 5 kitted designs for the year from myself and Blackbird Designs. The club is hosted by Dyeing to Stitch in Virginia and they are now accepting a limited number of NEW registrations, so it's not too late to join!  For more information or to sign up, visit www.dyeing2stitch.com
I love being a part of this club and I'm very excited about designing for it again this year.  I really enjoy creating pieces that are just a little different and experimenting with finishes that aren't too complicated.
Here's a little peek at what I've created for the LPS member's first kit.
The kit will include all the supplies needed to make each project.
Hope you like this little peek:)
 Have a great stitching week and l'll be back soon to show you the full reveal.
Smiles, ~Nan

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

A Stitcher's Finish

Hello my friends.
I have a beautiful stitcher's finish to show you.  Sent in by Monica, who's blog is 

She has stitched my freebie "Woodland Deer"
It is so sweet.  She finished it into a long pin pillow with a few buttons and some beautiful green velvet ribbon.   All is can say is "Wow".
Thank you so much Monica for taking the time to show me your wonderful piece.  Truly adorable. 
This and all my freebie charts can be found by clicking on the Freebie Patterns link below my blog header or by this link below.

Happy Stitching!
~Nan

Thursday, January 9, 2014

This Year's First

First design release, that is.   I hope you like it.
I wanted to design something with my friends in mind and I love the Quaker style very much.  
I thought it would be nice to do a sort of keepsake with a pair of initials on it....yours and a friends. 
I know there are many of you who exchange stitched gifts and how wonderful it is to receive a piece from a friend made especially for you.  My favorite kind of gift!

This has been in the works for some time and I'm so pleased to finally show it to you.

"Quaker Friends"

Design stitch count is 123 x 79.  Both models were stitched using The Gentle Art - Wood Trail. 
The framed piece was stitched on 35ct Abecedarian Blend and the pinkeep was stitched on 40ct Broomstick Brown.  Both from R & R.
The chart comes complete with a full alphabet so that you may personalize your piece.

I'd like to take a cue from Paulette of Plum Street Samplers, who in a recent blog post, suggested fabric substitutions.  I thought it was a wonderful idea.  It's not always necessary to use what it has been designed on.  There are so many color choices available out there and who doesn't like having choices.  Here are a few I think would perhaps work well also.
R & R Creme Brulee or Weeks Dye Works Parchment for the lighter linen and
Lakeside Fawn or Weeks Dye Works Cocoa for the darker linen.  If you see a color that looks good to you, do it and make it your own!

I'll be getting these charts off to the distributor.  So, Quaker Friends will be available from your local needlework shop soon.
I'm almost done with the new piece I've designed for The Ladies Prim Society and hope to be showing it to you soon.   I am truly thrilled with this one:)   Don't forget.....the club is open to extra members this year, if you're interested in joining.  I hope you will. 
My head is full of ideas and I have some new designs in various stages right now.  Looks to be a fun designing year ahead. Thanks so much my friends for your support and for taking the time to drop by today.  Happy Stitching to you.
Smiles, ~Nan

Monday, January 6, 2014

First 2014 Release Coming Soon

Happy Monday all......Finally got a chance to take a sneak peek picture of my newest design.  Hope to release this very soon.   Just have to do a final "once over" on the instructions.   
 This is probably one of my favorite pieces EVER.....
I've called it "Quaker Friends".
 A sweet keepsake to stitch for yourself or your best stitching pal :) 
I had a lot of my friends in mind when I was designing this.  To all of you.....Thank you.  
You always keep me inspired and feeing loved. 
Smiles, Nan