Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Giveaway Winner...

WOW! - I sure didn't expect so many entries...thank you all for reading my blog. There can only be one winner this time...and the Random Generator (as seen below) picked Stitching Kath from the United Kingdom...Kath, I have sent you an email. For those of you wondering about my numbering system...I started with number 1 for the first post and left out the two posts with "forgotten emails", one post from a friend that already has one (love you Terri), and one duplicate entrant...leaving us with 44 entries.

If you read my Monday post, you know there will be another giveaway in the near future...so please don't be discouraged...there will be more chances!

I have a full day today...including writing the Blue Ribbon Designs newsletter for October (visit the newsletter page on my website to subscribe), finishing up a new design chart, and some model stitching! Wishing you all a happy and productive day....

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Another Embroidered Envelope & Last Chance for Giveaway

I am having so much fun playing with embroidered stationery...can you tell?! Here is the embroidery for another special envelope I am making on my sewing/embroidery machine. I just adore this Dupioni Silk pocket embroidered with rayon and metallic threads. The digitized embroidery design is from the same collection I have shared with you before - "Hoop! Sew! Go!" by Lena Mattsson. I hope to make all seventeen of the designs in this lovely collection...then start digitizing some of my own stationery pieces. It is such a joy to be able to combine my love of sewing, embroidery, and the hand-written note all in one project. I will post another photo when this envelope is completed....I was excited with the embroidery so far, so I just had to share...










One final note for today - this is your last chance to enter the giveaway for the needle case I posted last week (see below: Easy-To-Sew Stitching Gift & Giveaway) - I will be choosing a winner by random generator tomorrow morning (Wednesday, September 30th).

Monday, September 28, 2009

Playing With Pouches

I've been trying to "brush up" and perfect some basic sewing skills...you know the ones many of us shy away from....like zippers and buttonholes. Today I wanted to play with some autumn fabrics, so I decided to make some pouches and/or project bags with zippers. Now for those of you who are a little afraid of zippers, there are some great patterns to help you perfect this skill. A great skill starter pattern for pouches with zippers is "Perfect Pouches" (#113) by Lazy Girl Designs....easy instructions to make three sizes of pouches - and the largest 9" x 13" is perfect for a cross stitch project bag! The smallest - 5" x 7" is the top left pouch in my photo and is great for those stitching treasures and accessories. For those of you with a sewing/embroidery machine you can make some of these great pouches completely "in-the-hoop"! The Purple Hat has some wonderful digitized pouches you can make with your embroidery unit...take a look at: Large Purses, Purse Essentials, Pencil Cases, and Wet Wipes Cases... easy and quick to make zippered pouches made entirely in the hoop. I had so much fun making these little project bags...I got a little carried away...looks like there may be another contest in the future to give one (or some) away...

Remember, you can still enter to win the needle case giveaway (see previous blog entry)...I will chose a winner by random generator on Wednesday morning, September 30th...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Easy-To-Sew Stitching Gift & Giveaway

Today I want to share with you a sewing favorite of mine...so much a favorite, that I have made four of these as gifts for stitching friends! The design is titled "Needle Case" (#105) and is from Lazy Girl Designs. This cute little needle case has two pockets (one on the inside bottom and one on the outside back)....the middle panel on the inside will hold your pins and needles...the pocket on the inside will hold your scissors (up to 4") and an assortment of other stitching goodies such as a needle threader, floss, needle minder, or small ruler....the pocket on the outside back is perfect for a package of needles. It folds up into a small-sized case (see images below) approximately 4" W x 3" H....so it is perfect for putting in your stitching bag. This design has great instructions and requires very few materials....and it can be embellished a number of ways with ribbon, buttons, and trims...I even used two colors of fabric to "spruce" it up. A great little project for the beginner or the advanced seamstress...and a fun gift for a stitching/sewing friend...

Would you like to have one of these needle cases for your very own??..well, I may be able to help you with that! I have one already made...yes, made with my own two hands...using the same fabrics above, but not identical...that I am going to give away to one lucky reader.
Simply leave a comment regarding this post and you will be entered to win...let me know what you would put in your needle case or where you would keep it or how you would put it to good use...
I will use the random generator to choose a winner next Wednesday, September 30th. Please leave your email address in your post (if it is not in your profile), so I have a way to contact you should be the lucky recipient. Overseas entries welcome.
...and one final note: the giveaway is for one needle case only - you will need to fill it with your own pins, needles, scissors, and accessories. Good luck to all...

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Embroidered Stationery

Back in July, I shared a Saturday Sewing project with you...an embroidered cutwork envelope. As many of you know, I have a passion for handwritten notes and stationery...and since the response to my last envelope was so enthusiastic, I thought I would share the envelope I finished today. This envelope is embroidered on a lovely green Dupioni Silk with Robison-Anton rayon and metallic machine embroidery threads...and the digitized embroidery is from the same collection (Husqvarna Viking #215 - "Hoop! Sew! Go!, digitized by Lena Mattson). I placed a handwritten thank-you note on a green card inside and it is ready to put in the mail....just a little something special to brighten the day of a dear friend! Take a little time to brighten the day of someone special in your life...

Monday, September 21, 2009

Finally A Finish - "Winter White Woodland"

After diligently stitching for the last couple weeks, I finally have sneak peek of a new design to show you...yes, you are "seeing it here first" on my blog. This upcoming design is titled "Winter White Woodland" (yes, I have a title!)...and I am hoping to release it sometime mid to late October. Like others in this series, it will have instructions to turn each square into a needlework small (ornament, hook hanger, or scissor fob)...so you can stitch it as a sampler and/or eight Christmas ornaments! ...and before I get a bunch of questions, the model is stitched on 40 count Nutmeg by Lakeside Linens with The Gentle Art Sampler Threads. I have another holiday release I am currently working on, so hopefully I will have more to show you soon. Keep an eye on my website in the next couple weeks for more specific details on this release ...



Saturday, September 19, 2009

Picking Perfect Fabric

Today, while Simba was being groomed, I made my monthly trip to Quilter's Cupboard in Ankeny...I was on a quest for some perfect fall fabrics. Last week, I machine embroidered some wonderful autumn designs with the plans to make several seasonal pillows and I wanted to find some great accent fabrics. Like many other quilters, I have a large fabric stash and multiple fabrics that would work...but I just couldn't resist a trip to the quilt shop to see "what's new"! There were so many great fabrics, I had a hard time narrowing down my selection...4 yards and 7 fat quarters later (obviously, not all autumn themed), I was ready to head home with my adorable, freshly groomed dog and enough fabric to make a heaping pile of pillows. Now I just have to find the time to put the pillows together....maybe tomorrow...Sunday seems like a good sewing day...hopefully I will have some finished projects to share with you soon...

Wishing you a fabulous weekend, filled with your own special projects!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Model Rotation

Today I needed a little change of scenery. As many of you know, all my cross stitch models are on display in my home, along with stitching from an assortment of other designers...some are out year-round and I some I rotate through the seasons. Today it was time to put the autumn and Halloween designs out on display. My newest Halloween designs are on loan to Norden Crafts for the TNNA Needlecraft Market in a couple weeks, so I will have to wait several weeks to find the perfect places to put them....but the rest of the models are in their temporary homes, enjoying their moments in the spotlight! It was also an opportunity to put out my new quilted autumn table runner I made a couple weeks ago...in the center basket are several of my Halloween ornaments, surrounded by bay leafs and cinnamon sticks.

Monday, September 14, 2009

AMAZING Accessories!

Several weeks ago, I got the most wonderful surprise package from Paula at Kelmscott Designs. I have wanted to share this with you since the day the package arrived....however, these pieces are new releases at the St. Charles Needlecraft Market later this month and I wanted to wait until Paula was ready for the world to see her fabulous new creations. I can't tell you how excited I was when I received these adorable little Fish Thread Winders - they are so much fun!! I was so impressed with these, I immediately started brainstorming an idea for a future design that would incorporate these 2" mother of pearl fish. Kelmscott Designs also has a new pair of scissors called "Tudor Rose" (beautiful), a new needle minder called "Adam and Eve" (gorgeous!)...and a new Handmade Wooden Box. If you are new to Paula's fabulous creations, you must peruse her website and checkout all of her extraordinary needlework treasures - you will be amazed (Paula can also be found on Twitter under the name Needleminder)....and make sure to check out your favorite needlework shop for the newest Kelmscott Releases following the TNNA Market September 25-27th.

Another thing to note...be sure to check this out...
Kelmscott Designs is also a distributor for several needlework designers, including one of my personal favorites ...when I was three designs..., who also has a new release for the St. Charles Market in a couple weeks called "it's all about the hat" - how cute is this?! A spooky wool pincushion hat embellished with ribbons, cording, fabrics...a bat flying past the moon...it even holds Orange Little Gems scissors (sold separately)...it is the perfect little Halloween treasure! The complete kit (minus a tiny bit of stuffing) has all the materials to make this "spooktacular" pincushion. Keep an eye out for this special design at your favorite needlework shop in the coming weeks....
With all the new designs, accessories, and supplies hitting the shelves of needlework shops this fall, I am absolutely positive you will be able to find the perfect project to add to your stash!! Take a little time to stitch....

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A PINK Post

This afternoon was the annual local Horizon of Hope Luncheon benefiting local breast cancer charities. It is a lovely event held each year by local Longaberger consultants - a wonderful lunch, an auction, a guest speaker, and a preview of the new Longaberger holiday line. The event this year was held at Bravo! Italian Restaurant (yummy)....and an abundance of baskets filled with goodies were auctioned off for the John Stoddard Cancer Center and Susan G. Koman - For The Cure Des Moines Affiliate. I was thrilled to have the high bid on a gorgeous Mail & Bill Basket filled with note cards, a pen, a sticker maker, pink scissors, an address book, a candle, and a Longaberger pink travel mug - what an awesome basket! When I purchased the luncheon ticket, it also included the 2009 Horizon of Hope Note Basket and the Horizon of Hope Tote....so I had a pile of "good things" to bring home from the event. It was an afternoon filled with friendship, food, and fun....all raising money for a terrific cause - I can't think of a better way to spend my Sunday.

Remember, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, please educate yourself ~ more and more people we know are being challenged by this life-threatening disease ~ cherish the time you have with family, friends, and loved ones....and ladies, PLEASE do your monthly breast self-exams and your yearly mammogram - early detection is key!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Teeny Tiny Sneak Peek...

It is that time again...I am frantically model stitching on a couple new designs for release this fall. Everything else is put on the back burner, as I work hard to get things ready for my framer. That means blog posts are at a minimum...and I have little to share with you, other than my current project. So...here is a teeny tiny peek at what I am currently working on...it is a new winter design...and I still haven't come up with the perfect title (I have a few ideas, but the right words haven't surfaced yet). This should be enough to keep you guessing for a while...just a peek to whet your appetite...now back to my stitching nest...

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Personalized Patchwork Pillow

With the long holiday weekend, I thought I would take a little time off from Blue Ribbon Designs and do some sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery. I started off with a pillow for my in-laws...Monday is their 37th Wedding Anniversary! I used the same "Lovebirds Linework" design I posted before (thanks Shelli! - Needle in a Haystack Stitchery)...I added the personalization with my 4D Software....and used coordinating fabrics to make a patchwork border. I made an envelope back and slipped in a 14" pillow form. Sometimes the simplest things make me so very happy...being at my sewing machine is an instant uplift and can turn around even the ugliest of moods. I have already embroidered several additional designs to make more of these pillows...so look for me to share them with you real soon! For now, I am off to deliver this gift...and help the happy couple celebrate their anniversary with a family dinner...

Friday, September 4, 2009

My Afternoon at the Zoo

It is a beautiful day here in Iowa...the sun is shining...the perfect temperature...just gorgeous! After doing some landscaping work in our yard this morning, I decided to take my mother-in-law out for the afternoon. We made a trip to the Blank Park Zoo and then went out for lunch...what an excellent way to spend part of my day! Des Moines is blessed to have such a wonderful zoo - my husband and I are zoo members and visit often. Currently, my favorite animal on exhibit is the Red Panda - I also adore the penguins! During this visit, all of the penguins were swimming and fun to watch. We also got up close and personal with an Emu...walked right up to us...was feeding on vegetation right along the walking path. The giant tortoises were also out today...and I caught a photo of one SLOWLY moving. However, the most active animals today were the giraffes - they were all moving about, feeding, and close to the walking trail - they were only a couple feet from us! It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon...



Thursday, September 3, 2009

In An Autumn Mood

I'm in an autumn mood...I'm not sure if it is because the weather is starting to finally cool...or all the hard work I have been doing on Halloween designs...or because school is back in session. In any case, today I felt the need to work on something for fall. This is a simple table runner went together rather quickly...it is one of those little laminated cards from Pieced Tree Patterns called "Frame Up" (#22). My local frame shop had a model made up using these fall colors and I knew it would look great with my Sage colored Longaberger dishes. I was drawn to the gorgeous large autumn print in the center - the gold accents really make it spectacular. I pieced the entire runner together and quilted it in an afternoon. A nice addition to an autumn table setting...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Monogrammed Heart-shaped Pincushion

As you can tell, I like to make most of the gifts I give throughout the year...so much joy in the making, so much joy in the giving! I have learned there are those out there who appreciate a handmade gift much more than others...and hopefully I do a good job of matching the gift to the person. Here is yet another birthday gift I made this past month...I couldn't show it to you earlier, as I hadn't had a chance to give it to the recipient. I machine embroidered the design on Weeks Dye Works Wool Fabric...it was done in a 5" x 7" hoop and is a nice sized pincushion. The digitized design is from a set by Fancy That Designs called "Redwork Pincushions" and I used my monogramming software to add the letter M. I was very happy with the end result and plan to make a few more in the future....maybe even one with the letter B (because you all know I love my pincushions!)...