Oh My Stars!

FINALLY have my new design finished, framed and even made a little pincushion to go with it.  It reminds me of so many quilts I love with that star pattern.  I call it "Oh My Stars".  Hope you like it!

Sorry it took so long to get this out there, but we've had a lot going on around here.  The hubs got a new job which happens to be in a different city . . . 2 1/2 hours away.  Too far to commute.  We don't want to move . . . love our house at the lake even if we don't have a boat.  Seemed silly to throw money away on rent so we went house hunting . . . looking for something without much maintenance.  We found a condo on a golf course . . . we don't play golf.  It happens to be walkable to his work, overlooks a pond and part of the golf course . . . very pretty setting.  I've been down several times helping him unpack and decorating . . just think, more wall space for my stitching!!!!   I'm kinda liking this living apart . . . girly food, girly tv shows, undisturbed stitching time.  He comes home most weekends . . . he misses me . . . it's almost like dating again!  I can't complain!!!

Several other designs on paper waiting to be stitched for the St. Charles Market in August.  Another Market . . . Oh My Stars!  I can't wait!!!!

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Jonesborough Garden Gala

I love garden tours!  This is my 3rd year going to this one and all 3 years this house has been my favorite.  Jonathan and his partner Sherrell have added something new each year and it just gets better and better!  If you've been following my blog over the years, you've seen this garden grow.

 This wind chime has the most beautiful sound!

 I LOVE this variegated leaf "Silver Cloud Redbud" tree!  I WANT ONE!!!

 I think they've added some raised beds this year.

 They now have their own bee hive!

 Still love this weathered shed with all the cute stuff hanging on it.

 Green house envy!

 I don't think this is a working water pump . . . but, so cute!

 Counted 7 chickens in this designer chicken coop.

 Gotta put in a dry creek bed somewhere in my yard . . . LOVE!

 Cute "plate flowers"!

Their front porch is to die for!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!

The other 7 gardens on this tour were also very nice . . . but, I could live here . . . definitely my taste.

Also on the tour this year were "Storybook Princesses" at various locations.  I caught Cinderella at the Garden Tea asking "Have you seen my movies?" to a young fan.

Too cute!

Gotta get out in my garden today . . . so inspired!

I picked up my framing on Friday and will show it to you this week after I finish the pincushion that goes with it and the photography for the pattern.  Hope to have the pattern ready to send to Hoffman on Tuesday!

Almost forgot!  There were vendors at the Garden Gala and we found the most amazing potting tables!  My friend Kathie and I both bought the only two they had . . . don't you just love it?!

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God Bless America

Sorry, it's been over a month!  Lots been going on . . . finally slowing down a bit.

I'm still waiting on the framing of my new design "Oh My Stars".  I really loved the way it turned out and can't wait to show it to you . . . shouldn't be much longer.

While you're waiting . . . here's another freebie for you.

This was a quick stitch . . . I found the perfect buttons in my grandmother's button box to add to it!  I charted this without the room for the buttons so if you want to add buttons or charms you'll need to move the right side out as far as you may need to accommodate whatever you may choose . . . or stitch it as is and add nothing . . . your choice.  I just stitched some gold braid I found at a fabric shop around the outside seam.  This will great for your Americana collection, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and/or July 4th.  Hope you like it!

Don't think this came out too clear.  Let's try this one.

Let me work on this copy of the chart and see if I can't get a better copy.  I'll be back . . .

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Confusion, Correction, Completion and Coming Soon!

Confusion:  I thank those of you who emailed me with your confusion!  Old Town Sampler:  There has been some confusion about where the smyrna cross stitches are . . . and smyrna was misspelled.  There is actually only one.  It is the doorknob.  I have specifically stated where that stitch is on the more recent patterns.  Sorry about the confusion!

Correction:  Found this one myself on a recent print job.  Amazing Grace:  On the lower border there is an extra cross stitch between two of the smyrnas.  I actually stitched this mistake on the model.  Is it noticeable?  I don't really think so but, if it bothers you, there are several things you can do.  I have corrected this on the recent patterns that have gone out.  I eliminated the extra stitch and moved the central design over one stitch.  If you've already started the design you could always bring the tail of the 'g' in one stitch.  OR you can just stitch it as it's printed and pretend to be Amish . . . they always include one mistake in their work because no one is perfect except God . . . I love this!

Completion:  I had Blackbird Designs' "Where My Heart Blooms" framed . . . love it!

I've also been involved with a quilt our EGA has designed and is making for the (almost complete) Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, TN/VA.  We're on the home stretch and once it's completed and unveiled at the museum I'll show you what it looks like . . . it's turning out great!  In addition to one of the letters I stitched that you may remember I posted, I just finished this bit.  It is part of one of the boarders of the quilt.  It's the song:  "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".  This has been a wonderful collaboration of so many of our members!!!

Coming Soon:  I'm almost finished with a new design called "Oh My Stars".  It's been a fun stitch and I'm pleased with the way it's turning out . . . hope you like it!  I thank my EGA friend, Mindy, for mentioning the color Teal when I said I was adding a blue.  The blue I initially picked didn't look right . . . I'm liking the teal though!

 Spring is actually popping out all over here in Eastern Tennessee!  Forsythia is in bloom, flowering trees are out, daffodils everywhere!  I should get off the computer though as there is quite the thunder storm going on!!!

Stitch on my friends!

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Spring is coming . . . SPRING IS COMING!!!

We're getting close . . . hang on!

While you're waiting for Spring and dreaming of warmer weather, gardening and jelly beans . . . here's a little stitch piece to help foster those dreams:

Although the legend says to use DMC-white for the bunny tail (which you could), I used Wisper thread (W88).  It's a fuzzy mohair blend thread I happened to have on hand.  I just didn't want you to buy ($3.50-$4.00 for 20 yards) for such a small stitched area.  It is nice to have on hand though for beards or animals . . . your choice.

The sun is shining here today and the temps are slowly climbing . . . supposed to be 58 degrees today . . . sounds like Spring to me!!!

Hoppy Stitching!

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Ladies Prim Society

Every time I saw the projects from last year's Ladies Prim Society I regretted not signing up.  So I got on board right away this year.  If you are interested in getting involved with this, be sure to go to Dyeing To Stitch:

http://dyeing2stitch.com/subpage.php?page=primsociety

 or give them a call (757-366-8740).  You'll receive a kitted project (between $35 and $40) from Threadwork Primitives or Blackbird Designs about every 8 to 10 weeks (got my first one early last week).  What's not to like from these two designers!

As a chronic non-finisher, I'm so pleased with myself for not putting the completed stitching away to finish later.  (I have a lot of "finish later" projects!) 

Instead of finishing the edge with a closed blanket stitch (suggested finish), I used some of that vintage lace my mother gave me . . . I'm going to be heartbroken when all of that lace is gone!

Here's the back . . . I added my initials.  Should have moved the design down a bit . . . oh well.

I added a bit to the inside to make it more functional for me.   I had these cute little flower thread rings (from Kelmscott Designs) that I stitched on.  I was a little afraid to use the rusty safety pin included in the kit as the rust was rubbing off and I didn't want to soil anything.  I used a little black safety pin I had and a couple of yellow plastic head pins that I dyed with Rite Tan dye to make them look old.

Thank you Nan for such a wonderful design . . . LOVE IT ! ! !

Now I should go get my other "non-finished" projects and feel this good about finishing them!!!!!!!

GO FINISH SOMETHING TODAY

You'll be happy you did!

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Home again, home again jiggity jig!

The TNNA Nashville Needlework Market was AWESOME!  It far exceeded my expectations! Sold lots . . . met lots of great people . . . wonderful talented designers, fun shop owners and some fans of  The Nebby Needle (you're too funny Janis)!!!  It was just the affirmation I needed to stoke my creativity!!! 

  "The Fun Girls" (Jenny & Barbie) were assistants extraordinaire!!!

"Super Fan" Janis of Noteworthy Needle . . . the icing on the cake of Market!  

Check out her "Cross Eyes" :

(http://www.noteworthyneedle.com/)

. . . SO CLEVER!

 We all channeled our "inner Alma" as we decorated!  We were thrilled when Alma actually stopped by and gave it her "Alma worthy" approval ! ! !

 








 I had a little bit of time to shop as well:  "Numero" and "Nimble Netty" from sweet Jeannette Douglas (her "Common Thread Sampler" is gorgeous!  Too intimidating for me . . . I would need a class with her sitting by my side!); "Big Red House", "My Country" and "Spring Hare" from La-D-Da (Lori is a riot); "Spring Sampler" from Nikyscreations (Niky is a sweetheart . . . love listening to her Italian accent); "Count Twice" from Plum Street (fun Paulette); and "Sunflower House" and "Crow & Basket" from Teresa Kogut Creative Whims (a new designer to me . . . does a lot of punchneedle and is just getting into cross stitch design).  And if that wasn't enough, I dropped off my new designs to our local Cross Stitch & Crafts shop today and bought two more charts:  "Green On Green" from Rosewood Manor and "Vintage Inspiration" from Blackbird Designs (why I didn't pick that one up while I talked to Barb and Alma I don't know).

I only took my camera with me once when I was visiting other rooms and got these few pictures:

Paulette (from Plum Street Samplers) was next door to us.

 Unfortunately she was sold out of "Cinnamon Stars" when I got there.  

This is a "coming soon" piece . . . isn't it beautiful!

Jeannette Douglas and her treasure trove of beauties!

Farewell Nashville!  Looking forward to St. Charles in August ! ! ! 

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