The Ladybug and Old Glory

Two new designs will be out this Friday!  'Dance of the Ladybugs" and "Old Glory".

Grow your blog...

Unfortunately I was too late for the "Grow your blog" thing that was going around. So, my little blog will not grow.  But, I'm very fond of the followers I already have. It's a lovely "garden" already.

If you have no idea what I am talking about...it's ok. Because most of the time I just ramble on anyway. So, without further ado...here is Linda, The Pink Lady. She will be headed to the distributors next week. Which means....you could have her in your hands/stash very soon!

Update:  Since I had a request to pretend I was a part of "grow your blog". Honestly, I don't blog much. Never wrote in a diary. But, I did write stories all the time. I wrote many stories for my website www.shipsmanor.com 

I love crafting. I am interested in pretty much anything artistic. I've been stitching since I was a child. I also was taught to crochet when I was young. Anything that is hands on is fun to do!  I recently started building a dollhouse. Yes, my business is cross stitch but I always have something non-businessy on the side. So far the dollhouse is fun. The kit I am building from is called Beacon Hill. But, the dollhouse will be called Ship's Manor when I am done. LOL

I am extremely humbled to have been in 3 magazines so far. I was a featured designer in Cross-Stitch & Needlework and have been in Create & Decorate twice. I've also designed something for DMC and will be in something (I can't say yet) later this year. This business is all about secrets!

I love photography and gardening. I built a small greenhouse a couple of years ago. I blogged about it! I also blogged about my fascination with bonsai. Unfortunately, the cold crept up on me too quickly this year and killed my bonsai. I am looking forward to getting another this spring and pruning it...also keeping it alive.

That's about it for now!  If you'd like to see another interesting blog check out Jill Rensels!  She is amazing and I believe her link is here on the right!

Thanks everyone!

Cameo Ladies

The new year has begun!  This year is a year of charms for Ship's Manor. I've always liked how beads and charms look on stitched pieces so the majority of Ship's Manor designs, this year, will include a special charm. This year is also about the ladies...the cameo ladies. The first lady will be released the end of January. She is called Linda, the Pink Lady. The new banner on my website includes a little clue as to what she looks like. 

In order to properly celebrate this release I am selling cameo needle minders at a great price on etsy! (note: any stores who would like to carry these needle minders are welcome to contact me).  These are only being offered for a limited time!  Once they run out they are gone! Click on the link below to order.

Mini Cameo Needle Minders

Fancy Pants!

The new Ship's Manor Nutcracker 2012 will be available within the next week. His name is Fancy Pants. I've used 3 different Kreinik metallics for this design to give it some sparkle. The rest is done with DMC threads. Ask for this at your LNS or favorite online store!

Christmas

Itching to stitch something for Christmas?  Here is a new design available now!  Christmas is a new wall hanging design that uses Crescent Colours threads and Gentle Art (DMC conversion provided). Also, for that little sparkle, three colors of Mill Hill beads were used. I love watching the snow fall gently in front of the street lamps. This design is joyous and peaceful. I hope you like is as much as I did designing it! 

Hankering for a hunk of Halloween

When you're in between projects. Not sure what to do next. Take some time to get reacquainted with your old scrapbook stuff. I made these!  Super easy and fun. You can find lots of vintage (public domain) Halloween cards online. Save...print. Craft stores carry everything you will need. They have buttons, glitter sticks, glue, paper. I used Kreinik metallic thread for some embellishment around the witch and then used some glow-in-the-dark DMC thread for the other. You use what you have and I know lack of thread isn't an issue for us!  While you're at the craft store, or digging through your stash, take out the Christmas paper too! I know I will be making more for Christmas!

3 Witches!

3 Cats for 3 Witches. The "Head Witch", the "Garden Witch" and the "Potions Witch" are the unofficial titles of these ladies.

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. The colors, smells and temperature revive me. It awakens the senses and sparks creativity. Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine. But, not the slasher, scare-the-pants-off-you type. I like the organic... "hocus pocus"  type. While others are watching "Nightmare on Elm Street" I am watching Disney shows. Yes, I said it. I am a wimp.

So, this design is the lighter side of Halloween. A celebration of Autumn and comfort. I hope you like it!