Dance of the Bees

This is the "secret" design. I really had a hard time putting it down. I actually miss stitching it. It is called "Dance of the Bees". Like most designs it would look good on almost any colored fabric. I used Tobacco colored linen and various silks. I also used a yellow metallic. Of course, the design will come with a conversion chart for DMC threads and will look great stitched with them. So, here it is!

Gift of Stitching

I am going to be in the May issue of The Gift of Stitching! There will be a brand new, never before seen Ship's Manor pattern in it. TGOS is an online magazine that you subscribe to, like a paper mag, and then download the issue at the first of the month. Check it out, sign up and look for a new design, by me, in the May issue. http://www.thegiftofstitching.com/

 I am also planning on releasing two new designs in May. One of them is done and the model is stitched. The other is currently being stitched and should be finished within the next week or so. They are both around 100x100 stitches. Just big enough to keep you busy during the summer but nothing daunting. 

So, I hope you enjoy my design in the magazine and check back here often for more exciting news!

It's a secret

I normally have a design in my head for months before I finish it. I'm telling ya...this is not normal. I was just sitting around the other day looking at my old art pictures and an idea popped into my head. "Hey, that would make a great stitch design!"  Of course it needed a lot of changes and had to be scaled down to a good size. Just out of nowhere my hands started flying and all these colors swam through my head. I had a new design in front of me and I had no idea where it came from. The last time this happened I designed 'Eventide Flora'. Eventide took me months to stitch because I kept putting it away to stitch something else. My newest "secret" design is almost done. I can't put it down. I haven't even shared it with family/ friends yet. I am obsessed with finishing this design.

Now, that you know what I have been up to...I have a question for you. Have you ever stitched something that you had a hard time putting down? A design so fascinating and fun that you couldn't wait to see what came next? Tell me about it!  I don't want to be the only one. LOL

Green thumb

It's spring. It's time to start planting seeds. Last year I built a small greenhouse. It's probably 8 feet long and 6 feet wide. Unfortunately I don't have heating in it so I have to wait until the snow stops falling before I plant my seeds. This weekend I will start planting and hopefully they will be big enough by may to plant in the garden.


Here is part of my backyard. The greenhouse is in the corner.

Here is the inside of it. It is a little messy right now since it's been sitting vacant for the winter.

and lovely strawberries.

Early release at Shepherd's Bush

If you're in the area stop by the Shepherd's Bush shop here in Ogden and see the models for Ida's Rose Garden and The Egg House. You can buy the patterns there today too!  If you're not close by your LNS can order them this Friday or you can order from your favorite online store.

Working copies.

Many people, who don't want their original patterns destroyed make working copies. Maybe you can't see well and the pattern is small so you enlarge the pattern and make a working copy. I bet when you saw this title you thought I was going to be complaining about them and talking about copyright laws?  Didn't you?  Well, I am not. I think a working copy is a great idea and if you're not sharing the pattern with anyone else then I don't see a problem with it. In fact, I put enlarged working patterns in the first 48 copies of Ida's Rose Garden. Save your paper, I made a copy for you!!!!

Round Robin and Release Date

Had some printer problems so I had to push back the release date of Ida's Rose Garden and The Egg House. Everything is good now though so printing should be finished tomorrow and my distributor will have the pattern in their hands either Wednesday or Thursday. If you live close to Shepherd's Bush shop you can see the model for The Egg House there and buy the pattern when it comes out.

I spoke to my Mother today about doing a Round Robin. The Stitcher's Village has some RR going on right now and I really wanted to participate but due to having time restraints and shipping etc. I wasn't able to. So, I am going to do one with my Mother. She has chosen a sampler as her project and I decided on a Halloween theme. It should be fun and if I take too long to get my stitching done...no one will be mad at me. lol

Speaking of The Stitcher's Village. I was there the other night chatting with some good folk. Patty was there and even Michelle from Stitchy Kitty stopped by. So, if you have the time you should come chat and waste that time.