I’m looking out on a very gray, very foggy morning, so of course I’m thinking of Spring!The needlework industry is like others – we work ahead of the seasons and holidays. On this mid-February morning my thoughts are on Easter and beyond. In my immediate future is the Nashville Needlework Market, and I’m frantically preparing …
Have you ever reflected on the “why” of needlework? Not the need to create, but the physical act of pulling needle and thread through fabric or canvas? Recently I’ve been thinking about the soothing comfort of needlework, or the mechanics of stitching. A lot of my projects begin with an outline, a relatively simple stitch …
Happy New Year! I’ve already started my traditional New Year’s Resolutions, back in September when I started my diet and exercise program – 16 pounds lighter so far! But, like so many of you, the prospect of a new year turns my thoughts to goals and projects for the coming year. The blank canvas beckons, …
Earlier I designed a project for a round finish into a kissing ball, and it turned into a prototype. Normally I hate stitching something more than once, but this time it was a useful exercise. I learned stitches that would work, and stitches that wouldn’t, like Rhodes stitches. Also, because of the steps used in …
I finished my first release for next year – A Bump In The Rhodes! This one will be released at the Phoenix TNNA show at the end of January, and is all Rhodes stitches, perfect for beginning counted canvas stitchers. I stitched it with Sullivans #5 pearl cottons and flosses on 18 ct. Rose Blush …
The retreat weekend is over, and I learned several things in addition to getting lots of stitching done! First, I took a class in peyote beading. I enjoyed the class, but I won’t be adding any peyote beading patterns to my designing efforts, or taking up beading in my spare time. I do hope to …
This week I’m looking forward to a stitching retreat. And like the rest of stitchers, the first thing I consider is which stitching projects I’ll be taking with me! Here’s a peek at what’s in my stitching bag: First, I’m working on an alphabet project for Cross Stitch and Needlework’s Keepsake Calendar for 2013. This …
Welcome to our new and improved website! We’re taking a couple of big steps, with the ability to blog and with a shopping cart for our customers. Before I talk about those steps, though, let me show you around a little. The designs are all up to date, including the new designs we showed at …