Well, I'll Be Darn.....

A bunch of us drove out to a show in Ohio last year...little did I know my buddy

was there... and he never came out front to say hi.....:(

Sometimes.....

Yes, sometimes you start something and have no idea of the finish.  Began this piece over a year ago and kept putting it down and picking it back up.

I finally got it all stitched last week in between other projects.  And....since I'm on a drum kick or tuffet, as I've happily named this one, it seemed like the perfect finish for this too.

My love of coverlets was the inspiration behind this design!  And I love the contrast of the Black Licorice floss against the Havana linen.  A black velvet strawberry just seemed to be needed for this..

Hope you've had a fun and creative weekend...Happy Sunday Evening my friends!
Smiles, ~Nan

Reuse and Repurpose

I love to collect small quilt blocks and have always thought about reusing them and incorporating them in some way into one of my handmades.

I decided to give it a try the other day while working in my studio.

I picked out an old quilt block from my pile and tried to find a few fabrics that looked like they would have been used along side this block.  I decided to create a hanging and I'm very happy with how it turned out.  I can't wait to made a few more of these.

I felt real satisfaction to know that I reused a piece of something someone a long time ago put a lot of love and time into.  Yes, it's a bit tattered and torn, but that's part of the charm of an old piece. 

Wishing you a day of peace and satisfaction!

Smiles, ~Nan

Making of a Drum

For a long time now, I've been wanting to stitch my design "Down Virginia Way" and make it into a little drum finish.  This week I put needle to linen and got it stitched.

I had to rework it a bit to make it fit.  I removed the alphabet that was orig to the design and replaced it with a hive with some flying bees. I stitched it on 32ct Days Gone By linen, but kept the called for threads.

This afternoon I got it all finished up and I love how it turned out.  All of about 4" high.

It's a very sweet little drum indeed. 

 *   *   *

I am determined to fill up my table at the Prim Stitchers Retreat in GA next month and this will be headed down there with me.
I am always happiest on the days I am creating!
Smiles, ~Nan

That Time Again....

Yes, tomorrow night is another Primitive Handmades Mercantile update.  Not sure where the time goes.....but I do have one piece I've made especially for this posting.

I created this design as a sweet ode to March... and stitched it onto the corner of this ditty bag.

We are also celebrating our 4th Anniversary and having a wonderful giveaway!

A $60.00 cash voucher to shop with....How awesome is that?

I hope you will join my fellow prim artists and myself tomorrow evening at 9 EST.

to see all the wonderful items created for this month's update and to join in on the contest.

Smiles, ~Nan

Getting Ready....

Spending most of my time now readying myself for the Prim Stitchers Society Retreat

and Merchant Mall in Marietta GA. next month.

I can not wait to see old friends and new at the retreat.  

I will also have a table at the Merchant Mall, so I have been creating as many one of a kind handmade pieces as possible for my table. Along with a new design and new kit that will be released at the Retreat.

For more information about attending the PSS Merchant Mall

please visit this link....Marietta Calendar

Today I'm in the studio working with wool.  It's a nice change and I love playing with my piles of wool very much.   I've working in greens this month:)

I hope to see you in Marietta next month.  Dixie Sampler and Ridgley Johnson put on the best retreat and merchant mall ever and this year will be no exception.  

A yearly event that so many of us enjoy and look forward too!

Smiles, ~Nan

Happy to finally show you

....the two new designs I've been working on and ready for release....YAY!

I truly love how this on turned out on the linen from Ebeth. It's stitched on 32ct Cherry Pit Brown from Dames of the Needle. 
A very sweet sampler with a very sweet sentiment.

"WANDERING HEART"

The floss used is all The Gentle Art....Old Red Paint, Pecan Pie, and Piney Woods.

AND

Another Sampler with a bit of a twist....

"ONE BLACKBIRD"

Stitched on two different linens also by Dames of the Needle.  32ct Peep's Lost Sheep and Dirty Ewe were joined together to create this Pennsylvania Dutch inspired piece.
A clear picture and instructions for joining the linen are included. Stitched with The Gentle Art, Cinnamon and Garden Gate.

Again, a very special thank you to my model stitcher, Cindy Ruckman Cabrey. She puts all her love in every stitch and it shows.

I hope you like what I've created and I'm very happy to have these in the hands of my Distributor and in my Etsy Shop.

Headed for a get together with friends this weekend.  No better treat than hanging with friends!
Smiles, ~Nan