Holiday Hen Candle Board

I'm very happy to finally show you my last design release in the candleboard series. 

Here is the third design in the series called 
"Holiday Hen".

This is a collaboration with Kelmscott Designs. It's mounted their pre-painted reproduction candle board, which was custom made for the design. 

Stitched on 32ct Vintage Exemplar from Lakeside Linens.  Each piece in the series was stitched on this count and color. 

It stitched with Classic Colorworks Red Manor floss and trimmed with Colonial Tea chenille from Dames of the Needle.

This new design, along with the candleboard can be purchased from your favorite needlework shop or directly from me in my Etsy Shop.

Thank you all for your continued support and as always, 
  Happy Stitching! ~Nan

Primitive Handmades Mercantile Tonight

Hope you'll join us tonight at 9EST on Primitive Handmades Mercantile. 

I'll be offering a finished Merry & Bright Pillow that I've stitched in a different silk colorway just for this update. http://primitivehandmadesmercantile.com/

Smiles, ~Nan

Merry & Bright

I'm so happy to finally show you my latest design.  This one was truly fun to create

and I really loved mixing in a bit of wool on this.

"Merry & Bright"

The model was stitched one over two linen strands on 32ct Dirty Ewe linen by Dames of the Needle with Classic Colorworks Belle Soie Red Fox.  I love the variation the silk gives and it's so wonderful to stitch with.  The wool trees were a breeze to stitch on and a template is provided with the pattern.  I purchased the wool from The Merry Hooker.  The color is called Pepperberry and matched the Red Fox silk perfectly.

I did a simple trim around the edge with a matching red yarn.

Stitch Count 107 x 108.

Finally, I want to thank my dear friend Cindy Ruckman Cabrey for stitching the model.  Every stitch is always beautiful.

This will be available in shops very soon and will also listed in my Etsy shop for your convenience. 

Thank you very much my fellow stitchers for all your continued support.

Happy weekend and happy stitching. 

~Nan

A sneak peek and some creative time

Thought I'd share with you a sneak of my soon to be chart release, "Merry & Bright".  Back from my wonderful model stitcher, Cindy Ruckman Cabrey.  I'm hoping to get this printed and out this week. I can't wait for you to see the finish.  Another cross stitch and wool combo!

 I locked myself in my studio for most of the day....Working on a few things for this month's Primitive Handmades Merc.  I have a large bin of scraps that I've saved....and I use them to mix and match for the backings of pinkeep, etc.  It has done my heart and mind good to sew and get creative today.

Wishing you a day of good creativity too!
Smiles, ~Nan

"Bountiful Blessings"

I am very happy to share with you my latest design.

I thought it would be a good time to release this with Fall and Thanksgiving coming.

"Bountiful Blessings was a kit back in 2013, but now available as a chart.
I've updated it with new linen, 32ct Vtg. Pecan Butter, a beautiful linen from Lakeside Linens and new ric rac, Aged Saffron from Dames of the Needle. 
Floss is a mix of WDW, Moss and Bright Leaf and DMC 869 and 300.

The pattern contains a set of numbers for changing the year and an Oak Leaf template for the making the applique for the back. It's fun to make the back of pinkeeps as interesting at the front.

At the moment you can find this chart in my Etsy shop and it should be out to my distributor soon.

As always, thank you so much for your support of my designs and happy stitching!
Smiles, ~Nan

Friday Finishing

Worked away on this finish today...I purchased an old box just right for this piece. Theresa Meloon of Dulaney Woods Treasures originally did this finish for her new release "All Hallows Eve" and I loved it so much I had to copy the idea for my piece. 

I started out making a box cushion finish.......
Here is the tutorial I used as a refresher course...figuring out the depth is key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk6tgiPhRyU

made sure it fit well inside the box.......

I felt more comfortable making a box cushion first and sewing the cross stitched piece to it once it was stuffed, rather than using my stitched piece for the actual box finish.  I haven't done this finish much and I didn't want to risk ruining my stitching...I'm sure you all can understand that...lol

I stuffed it firmly with wood shavings before sewing the stitched design on top of it.

It fit firmly inside my old box and I then cut some zig zag orange wool to finish it off.  Oh, I just love how it turned out...and look at this wonderful new linen color, Aged Saffron, by Dames of the Needle.....it is so prim.

I have to thank Theresa for this finishing idea.  I will cherish this piece as Tee, as I call her, is a very dear friend of mine.  She has just begun to design and I am very proud of her and one of her biggest fans.

If you get a chance, please check out her new designs and her Etsy Shop.

Happy Friday my friends and happy stitching!

~Nan

Updated Design

Worked on updating this piece yesterday...New linen, 32ct Lakeside Vintage Butter Pecan.. new ric rac, Aged Saffron from Dames of the Needle, and a new date stitched with 2016!.....I'll be working on releasing "Bountiful Blessings"....this was a kit back in 2013, but will be released as a chart soon.

Happy Fall stitching my friends!
Smiles, ~Nan

It's not often I get to post a stitch that's not a model and something that's just for me...but I finished stitching this today...My dear friend Theresa Meloon's newest design "All Hallow's Eve". I fell in love at first sight with this and now want the finishing done soon, so I can display it for Halloween. Thanks for an awesome stitch Tee!

Used everything that was called for..Aged Black by Valdani and Gentle Art Gingersnap...and if you haven't tried Aged Saffron linen by Dames of the Needle...well, it's about as prim as you can get my friends.

Here is a link to her wonderful design in case you'd like to stitch it too!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/468421788/all-hallows-eve?ref=pr_shop

Happy stitching my friends.  ~Nan

Today was finishing day. I had done this finish previously, but wanted one of these for myself. "Wicked" was a freebie from Lisa of The Primitive Needle. I created the "Crow" design using Lisa's design as inspiration.

These are now ready to hang and were so much fun to make.

Hope your day was fun and productive too.

Smiles, ~Nan

Pics from my trip.

I spent last weekend with lots of my stitch friends and it is always the best time.  We stayed in Lynchburg, VA and stitched to our heart's content.

This is an annual event for us and we always kind of take over the hotel lobby, as it is the biggest area we can find and there is always a lot of us.  It seems to grow bigger each year and it is so much fun meeting, talking and getting to know new stitchers, who then become friends.

We attended the Gathering at Notforgotten Farms, which is a short distance away from our hotel.  We wait all year for this event and get to see even more of our artist friends.

One of my most favorite vendors is my Primitive Handmade Merc. sisters Susan and Dorrie of Olde Threads...I bought lots of their handmades this year and was so happy I hit their booth first!

They make wonderful primitive boards...which I just can't seem to resist and lots of other prim creations like their beautiful velvet pumpkins...can't leave without one of them.

Today I spend a bit of time cleaning my sewing studio and got most of the boards I purchased arranged in my big prim shelf.  I just love the way they look all together.

As always, the weekend went way too fast and I am missing all my sweet friends already.

There will be other adventures....and I just can't wait for the next one!

Smiles, ~Nan

Just a few things....

Can't believe tomorrow night is our update for Primitive Handmades Mercantile.

I had a quite a few things ready, but with leaving tomorrow for the Gathering at Notforgotten Farm, I've decided to only list a two and save the others for next month.

Now I'm ahead for next month and I feel less stressed and less panicked already...LOL

Here is one of the items I'll be posting.

"Crow and Moon Drum"

I hope you'll join me and the other wonderful PHM artists tomorrow night at 9 est.

Smiles, ~Nan

Release Day is Here...

and I could not be more excited to finally show you my two new designs.

"Eternal Sleep Threadkeep"

I think this is such a fun piece to use and display at Halloween and couldn't resist adding a Moon pocket on the back for scissors and such.  This is my first tombstone design. It came about as a request from my friend, DixieSamplar, who found a picture of an old unusual grave stone and asked if I'd chart a design around it.

Stitch Count:  91W by 95H

Linen: 32ct Vtg. River Rock by Dixiesamplar Hand Dyed Fabrics

Gentle Art: Carriage Black and Heirloom Gold

Blackberry Primitives Wool: Slate and Yarrow

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Bittersweet October"

I created this design to insert into one of LeHay's #2 Shaker Carriers, but this could also be finished on top of an oval paper mache box. 
This model was stitched so beautifully by my dear friend Cindy Ruckman Cabrey.

Stitch Count: 82W by 49H

Linen: 32ct Americana Froth by Dames of the Needle

Gentle Art: Pumpkin Pie, Burlap, Gold Leaf.  

Classic Colorworks: River Rocks, Pea Pod

Finished in a LeHay's #2 Shaker Carrier in Antique Natural.

I hope you like what I've created for this new Fall season!  These will be available in shops very soon and are also listed in my Etsy shop for your convenience. 

As always, thank you for stopping by and many happy stitches my friends!

Smiles, ~Nan

Two Sneak Peeks

Just a sneak peek of the designs I plan to release this week.  "Bittersweet October", which is stitched on 32ct Dames of the Needle Americana Froth and finished in a #2 LeHay's Shaker Carrier.

And 

a cool tombstone design I've been working on that a friend, Terri aka Dixie Samplar asked me to create called "Eternal Sleep".  This was stitched on 32ct Vtg. River Rock by Dixie Samplar Hand Dyed Fabric.

Can't wait to show you the full reveals and the finishes.  I'll be back soon.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.
Smiles, Nan

It is....

 a very content feeling when you begin a design that you've worked very hard to make the best it can be and then to begin stitching it.  

In my element....design finalized, threads and linen pulled and I am excited to start stitching on the next Tomorrow's Heirlooms Club design.

For me...this truly has been the most enjoyable club and with this last design due out in November, I have to thank the shop owners, Kim and Pam for that.  Of course, I also want to thank all the members for joining in on this 18 month stitching journey.

Smiles, ~Nan

Oh La La Velvet

Played around in the studio today with something not cross stitch...can you believe it?...LOL

Anyway, I had some luscious black velvet, a sweet little tin bucket, a curly stem, I had dried from a batch of pumpkins from last year and a seed label.

Here's what came of it all......

Took a few times to get the pumpkin just right, but I'm really very happy with the it's prim~ness.

Another piece to add to my PHM offerings next month!

Enjoy your evening all.....

~Nan

A Fall Finish

Here is the little Fall ditty I started stitching last week.  I collect slaw boards and thought it would be fun to create a hanging for one.
This will be one of my listings on PHM next month.

In case you are wondering.....A slaw board...or cabbage cutter is a term used for these old wooden slicers.  I have quite a collection of them.  
I try to find ones that different and 
have a nice patina to them.  I display and hang them around our kitchen.

Happy Monday all.....~Nan

Framed....

Got this framed this morning in one of the tin frames that hubby just spray painted matt black for me.

Simple and sweet...and I love how it turned out.  Wanted it to have a Autumn feel, so I used oranges, golds and grays.

I may try to get another done, since I have one more frame already repainted.

Hope your day is a creative one too!
Smiles, ~Nan

More Creating!

Bought some of these tin frames years ago at the Dollar Store. They were magenta...not anymore. I have a sweet design I want to stitch that will fit the opening perfectly. Something for next month's Primitive Handmades Mercantile.

AND

I'd like to invite you to become a member "Friends of Threadwork Primitives". A new group that was created for fellow stitch friends who enjoy my designs. Get updates on new releases and special freebies. See finishes by members and find inspiration! It's a closed group, so just request membership.

Smiles, ~Nan

Stitching

My favorite morning activity.......

Happy Monday!

~Nan

Don't Forget......

Our Primitive Handmades Mercantile update is this Thursday Aug. 18th at 9PM EST.

I've been busy in the studio creating some one of kind pieces for my listings.

I'm still stitching Summer related items...just not ready to move on to Fall stitching yet...

maybe next month.

Here's a peek at a few of the pieces I've been working on....
Hope you'll join us for our Thurs. update
Smiles, ~Nan

Big Release Day!

Dear Friends, 
I'm excited to announce I have two new designs ready for release. One is a Quaker style sampler with a fun twist and the other is a cross stitch and wool combo design. I've been asked many time to create a piece that combines both cross stitch and wool, so I hope you'll like what I've come up with.

"Never Fading"

I have a great fondness for anything in the Quaker style. This is a sampler I've designed with that style in mind, but I wanted to give it a bit of a twist. I've added a wool patch on the bottom, so you can add your favorite little treasures, such as buttons, keys, pins etc., of which I have many....and rather then have them sit in a drawer unseen, they now have a special place for display. The bonus pinkeep design is also included in the chart pack. 

Design Info: Stitch Count: 128 x 117 (sampler), 80 x 74 (pinkeep). 32ct Vtg. Sand Dune and 36ct Pecan Butter by Lakeside Linens. Blackberry Primitives Wool ~ Yarrow. Beautifully model Stitched by Cindy Ruckman Cabrey and framed by Patti Nicolosi of By My Hand Needlewerks.

"Nightingale's Garden"

I've been having lots of fun working with wool lately and thought it would be great to finally combine the two in a design. This was a fun piece to create and I love how prim it turned out. The wool farmhouse was inspired by one that is right down the road from us. 

Design Info: Stitch Count: 158 x 51. 30ct Tin Roof linen by Weeks Dye Works. Blackberry Primitives Wool ~ Boulder and Slate. Beautifully framed by Patti Nicolosi of By My Hand Needlewerks.

Both of these new designs can be purchased from your favorite needlework shop or directly from me in my Etsy Shop. These and all my designs are listed there. Thank you for all your continued support and as always, happy stitching! ~Nan

The True North

I've designed a Canadian version of
"Land that I Love.....for all my dear friends in Canada.

If you would like to purchase this version, just add a little
note at checkout in my Etsy Shop and it will be added in to the chart packet along with the original design.

A few of my friends have already stitched it and it just makes me smile.

Happy Stitching,
~Nan

Release Day!

"Autumn in Bloom"

My new threadkeep design is now available,
 along with the bone thread rings that go with this project.

Please visit my Etsy shop for all the details.  

This was stitched on 32ct Dirty Ewe by Dames of the Needle.  This wonderfully prim linen is available from Elizabeth Talledo here if you find you're in need of some.


Happy Friday all and many, many thanks for your support.

Smiles, Nan

Happy to share with you one of the few new designs I have coming out for release.

"Autumn in Bloom" Threadkeep.  
A fun stitch for Fall.

Stitched on 32ct Dirty Ewe by Dames of the Needle and backed with a beautiful wool from Blackberry Primitives, called Cocoa.  
I'll be adding these stained bone rings to my Etsy shop this week and this new chart will be in the hands of my Distributor and direct order shops by Firday.

I'll be posting info on my other 2 designs very soon.  
Happy little x's my friends!
~Nan

Land That I Love

Just in time for Summer and the 4th. A patriotic design featuring a golden basket overflowing with blue flowers and our flag waving above. 

"Land that I Love"

This design is worked on 36ct Americana Froth linen by Dames of the Needle.
It's finished into a large pinkeep using a beautiful Blackberry Primitives wool in Cornflower and then attaching the stitched design onto it. 
Super easy to do. 

 The stitch count is 122 wide by 45 high and the finished pinkeep is approx. 9 3/4" x 5 1/2". 

Floss colors are: The Gentle Art, Mustard Seed, Otter Creek and Aged Pewter. Classic Colorworks, Polliwog and Calico Kitty. 

Now available in my Etsy Shop and will soon be available at your local needlework shop.

Smiles and Happy Stitching, Nan

And We Have A Finish....

This is the finish I decided on for the "My Little Sampler" stitch.  AND....I'm even a day early and now ready for my Primitive Handmades update...
Woot Woot!

Anyway......I decided on a wallpocket for the finish and used the stitching for the front pocket. I think it would be sweet hung with a little bit of Sweet Annie in the pocket or maybe some old note cards.

I'm feeling very happy that I got to spend the day creating and also that I'm now ready for tomorrow's update.
Hope you'll join me and my prim sisters at 9pm EST.
http://primitivehandmadesmercantile.com/

Smiles, ~Nan

On to the Finish

Hello again my friends....I'm back to show you the progress on the stitch I started yesterday.....all done and on to the finish.  I may just have this done in time for the Primitive Handmades update on Thurs.......phew!

I am loving this linen that just arrived from Lakeside Linens....it's called Vintage Tundra and I have not had the pleasure of using this color before.  I did add some extra staining to it, but that's just my need to make it more prim..... I have a cool finish planned....but need to pick out a nice fabric to go with the design and get sewing on the machine.  I'll be back to show you the completed piece soon:)
~Nan

Stitching Away

It's almost time for our monthly Primitive Handmades Mercantile update.  Boy, this one came around quick.  I'm determined to have a few  pieces for sale and hope you will join me and the rest of my prim sisters when we post this Thurs. night at 9 pm est.

This is the start of my prim blue peacock...on some wonderful linen I stained up this morning.....I hope to have this finished into something special come update time.  Wish me luck!

Smiles and a very happy Monday to you all!
~Nan

May Releases

I am so excited to share with you what I've been designing the last few months.

As you may know, I'm doing a series of candle board designs. It's a collaboration with Kelmscott Designs. "Sunbird" is the 2nd in the series.  The design was again inspired by an old butter mold and I was just loved the carving of the bird and the sun.

It's mounted on a pre-painted reproduction candle board, which was custom made for the design. Stitched on 32ct Vintage Exemplar from Lakeside Linens. 

Each piece in the series will be stitched on this count and color. It's trimmed with Colonial Tea chenille from Dames of the Needle.

~*~*~*~*~

"Leaping Stag" was the 1st in the series and was released this past January.

~*~*~*~*~

My other release is pretty special to me. It's called "Garden Peacock" Pin box.  This little design was created especially for this box and the Prim Stitchers Society Retreat that I just attended in April.  This is stitched on 32ct Dirty Ewe linen by Dames of the Needle.  
These sweet boxes were created by my dear friend, Patti Nicolosi of by My Hand Needlewerks, just for us stitchers.  They are perfect for a few sewing necessities and re about 3 1/2" sq.  If you'd like to purchase a pin box from Patti, please contact her at annnico65@yahoo.com.  I know she will be happy to create one for you.

All of these designs can be purchased from your favorite needlework shop or directly from me in my Etsy Shop.  Thank you all for your continued suppor and as always, 
  Happy Stitching! ~Nan