Sometimes things our plans don’t materialize in the ways we think. I’ve had just such a plan go off the rails. But in this case, it’s a good thing!
I do a lot of work for various publications. Over the years I’d say I’ve done at least 40 designs intended not for release by DebBee’s Designs, but in other outlets. The reasons are various. Sometimes a publication wants something a little different to include with their other offerings. I’ve done a fair number of designs for hard bound book collections; most of the other designs in the books are cross stitch, and then mine, either canvas work or Hardanger. I participate in the Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue every year for the last 12 years, and now I’m being included in the Halloween issue as well. I’ve done designs for Needlepoint Now and Needlepointers. Sometimes the designs are buy outs – the publication purchases all the rights to the design, and it’s theirs. Sometimes the publication has a limited right, for about 6 months or so, and then I can do other things with it.
I like to keep a hand in these various publications, especially the ones that are mostly cross stitch, to hopefully expose other people to counted canvas work and get them interested. I was recently asked to create a colorful design for a catalogue company, so I got to work on it and designed this:
This is Spectacular Spectrum. It’s 8″ x 8″, and stitched with mostly floss, a couple of #8 pearl cottons, and a few metallics. I finished stitching it this weekend, then contacted the catalogue company. Alas, their plans have changed, so good news – I have a new design almost ready for release!
Nothing is ever wasted. Sometimes I start a design, and don’t like it, but use elements that I do like elsewhere. Sometimes what I intended for one thing doesn’t work out, and I use it another place. So that’s the case with this design, coming soon to a local needlework shop near you!
I’ll continue working on designs for other publications, and hopefully they’ll work out. But if they don’t, I almost always have another place I can use it!