Little House Needleworks

News and Other Things

2012-01-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

It's the first of the year, a time when I look at the new release schedule and make plans for the months ahead. This year I have decided to share a bit of what is being planned.

In no particular order. . . . . . .

Adam and Eve - this is the portion that you see at the bottom of the Elizabeth Hancock Sampler. It is the people, plants and tree from the design and does not include the grass and lambs.

Spring and Summer Band Samplers - this will complete the four seasons set (released separately).

Louisa B. Snow - at last we will be publishing the Snow sampler. You may remember that Louisa is a descendant of the Mayflower. I am planning to offer two different color ways for this design. . . . .original colors (or close to them) and Diane's alternative palette.

Olde Nantucket - this design was inspired by an antique box that I researched the genealogy on for a friend. The box actually said "Nantucket March 1829". What inspiration!

Mary Ann Myers - a wonderful reproduction chart featuring SIX birds! It's American in origin.

Those are just some of the designs you can expect in the months ahead. And of course, there is an ornament a month too. Next month we release Tree Farm.

Now onto "other things". . . . . . .the pattern called "My Lady" that we ship next week has endless possibilities for finishing. But I came up with another idea that I wish I had shared earlier. Change the browns in her clothing to various shades of white/cream/taupe/tans. . . . . make her very antique looking (you'll need a darker fabric to pull this off). Then string tiny bridal flowers onto invisible thread to make a garland to extend from one hand to another. Suspend a photo in a charm from the center of a newly married couple on their wedding day, or an antique photo of parents or grandparents to present as an anniversary gift.

Some times my mind just never shuts off. . . . . .

Happy stitching,

Diane

Jessie Bell - Arizona Territory

2012-01-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

The last of the three charts we are shipping to distributors on Monday is a sampler that commemorates the 100th birthday of the state of Arizona which takes place in February. Jessie Bell was a real little girl that I found on the census before the time of statehood. She lived in the Arizona Territory during a turbulent time in the west, when it may have been a bit scary to be a little girl. Her father worked for the railroad which is what I am sure brought them so far west.

When you look at the design you will see a misspelling, and things a bit off-kilter. It's all intentional in the spirit of making a young girl's sampler. Valley House Primitives, also an Arizona company, created this very special frame for the design. They will be updating their blog with the details on it. The threads are from Crescent Colours, also an Arizona based company.

And for those of you not "feeling" it the way it is presented, I have provided alternative lettering that says "The Old West". Something for everyone!

The LHN web site will be updated the first part of next week with the supply details on "My Lady" and "Jessie Bell - Arizona Territory". The ornament supply list is already available.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

"My Lady"

2012-01-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

So many of you have asked about the photo of the lady in the corner of my blog header. . . . . .she is a new pattern that we ship with our other patterns on Monday next week. Let me tell you about her and what makes her so special. . . . .

I love mixed media styled artwork. It's fun, a bit eclectic and very individual to the person creating it. So I thought of a way for each of you to create a personalized design that you could place in an easel and call your own. What you get in the package is the pattern for the lady. While you are stitching her, imagine what you would like to see her holding on a length of ribbon or thread. Would it be a miniature portrait of someone you love? Would it be a spectacular collection of odd buttons? Or maybe an an antique brooch. The choice is completely your own.

My Lady

I bought two packs of jewelry finds at Michael's to show you a few options. The inset photo shows the second way I set her up. Just follow the directions on the pattern for attachment. . . .it's easy!

I hope you'll love this pattern as much as I do.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

"Blessed"

2012-01-08T13:34:00.001-07:00

At long last I getting around to posting what you really want to see. . . the first ornament of 2012! "Blessed" is the sweetest little angel I could come up with to welcome in the third year of monthly ornaments. My mom stitched her for me and all the while continued to say how much she loved her. The finishing is a simple attachment of chenille to the outside edge.

And surprise! The supply list is up on our web site as is the supply list for the next ornament. Hopefully this will get everyone off to the quickest start possible!

This week I will also show you the other two new designs shipping soon.

It's a somber day in Tucson today as we remember the tragedy that struck this city one year ago. Remember to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and count your blessings.

Happy Stitches,

Diane

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T14:04:00.001-07:00

Our family is still enjoying the holiday but I made this new header and wanted to share on the first day of 2012. In it you will see a fun new design called "My Lady" that will be available at the end of the month. I'll have more detailed updates going forward in the days and weeks ahead. It's back to work on Tuesday!

Wishing you all happy stitches in the new year!

Diane

It's a Little House Christmas

2011-12-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

See if you can find the first ornament for 2012.

Little House Needleworks is closed for the holidays.

Enjoy your friends, families and keep the spirit of the season in your hearts all year.

Diane

The Second Part of the Give-Away. . . .

2011-12-19T11:39:00.003-07:00

I could hardly believe that only five stitchers responded to the second part of the give-away! I wrote your names down in the order that you responded. The random number generator chose Jo first and Petra second. So the two of you will receive a free "Elizabeth Hancock" pattern! Email me at little houseneedleworks@msn.com for instructions to claim your win!

Diane

The winning number is. . . . .

2011-12-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all. . . get out your pattern and check for #75 written in by hand. If you are the owner of this pattern, email me at littlehouseneedleworks@msn.com and I'll tell you what to do to redeem your gift of chart and silks!

Now for the surprise. . . . . . this is for those of you who whose have charts without numbers. . . . . . sort of a second-chance "happy holidays" bonus! If you hold one of those patterns, simply reply to this post and identify yourself as a chart owner of an unnumbered pattern. We will be using the random number generator to select two post writers who will each receive the chart, Elizabeth Hancock. You have until Monday to reply!!

Happy stitching,
Diane

December 15th Update

2011-12-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the drawing for the Elizabeth Hancock reproduction pattern that will be shipped complete with silks to the lucky winner. Tune in to see if your number is drawn as you will only have until Monday to email me with your win. Also, if you have a pattern without a number we want you to tune in too for a surprise "round two" to the contest.

The supply lists for the two newest patterns are posted on our web site. The patterns took off in a UPS truck yesterday headed straight to the distributors in the US.

So meet me here tomorrow. . . . . .!!

Diane

Decorating

2011-12-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

I love seeing my holiday decorations come out of hiding, don't you? Between autumn and winter, I really don't know which color palette is my favorite. But red is definitely one of my favorite colors!

This little ornament doll is one I made years ago. In fact I made a ton of them and gave them as neighbor gifts that year. She is made from a simple muslin body that only has arms and a head. The dress is a rectangle folded in half. The arm areas are left open then a neck hole cut in the middle. Gathers here and there and a hot glue gun and it's finished. Very simple even without a pattern.

What you see here is the bottom of my new Charlie Brown Tree (the top is in the view above). They sell them at Pottery barn (not by that name) in different sizes. I need one red ornament to make it look authentic. The cardinal moved on to another spot in the house. :)

This is a part of my Dept. 56 Nativity. I will share my favorite section closer to Christmas.

Happy stitching,

Diane

The last ornament in 2011

2011-12-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Good Tidings is the last ornament we ship in 2011. But we'll be back next year with twelve more!!!

A special "thank you" to my friend Vonna who stitched the ornaments in the 2011 collection. Somehow she was always able to read my mind when I described a finish or could catch the essence of what I wanted an ornament to "say".

Our boxes ship to distributors on Wednesday!!

Happy stitching,

Diane

Elizabeth Hancock

2011-12-01T08:31:00.001-07:00

The original Elizabeth Hancock Sampler was created in 1831 in England. As I have done previously, I took the original and made a new sampler, one that I think you will love, love, love! For me this totally looks like an LHN sampler which is why I like it as much as I do. Elizabeth and I must be related!

You must know that I love the color red. . . . . . I couldn't resist this color palette!

The stitching is in Belle Soie with a hand dyed cotton color conversion provided.

Stitched on 30 count Weeks Dye Works Straw linen.

The stitching, including errors have been duplicated as they were found on the original sampler. However I made this design smaller than the original and left off the bottom portion. Her name was then moved up into place to complete the design. Everything you see in the photo above, down to the star border is exactly as it appeared originally. Nothing has been moved in that upper portion but because of the changes we are calling this a reproduction/adaptation sampler.

The pattern itself includes a photo of the original and some details concerning the design. Mom stitched this for me and it now hangs in her home where she can see it every day. It looks beautiful with her English styled living room but would look great in my home too!

This design will ship mid-month along with our last ornament of the year (photo coming soon!).

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Did you notice????

2011-11-26T13:35:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving is not officially over until the leftovers have been eaten! That should be some time later today. :) Anyway, I decided that I needed to take down the blog header and put up something more festive. So I took a few pictures, created the banner and slipped a little something in you haven't seen before. The bottom right corner is a small view of the Elizabeth Hancock Reproduction that comes out in December! It's reds, greens, whites. . . . gorgeous colors for Christmas even though it isn't a winter design. And if you look carefully and with a magnifying glass, you'll also see an unreleased ornament in the cubby. I doubt you can make it out very well. That's the first ornament in January. I love how the ornaments display in the cubby. Many of you have written me to ask how to find it. Well, it's a Pottery Barn item and it must be a popular one because they still carry it. And now they even ship internationally so those of you who had been disappointed can now get one for yourselves!

Back to my happy stitching,

Diane

It's Wednesday!

2011-11-23T11:13:00.001-07:00

I am on day two of Thanksgiving Day prep here at the Williams house.

I found beautiful glitter pumpkins at Michael's a month ago and added a berry garland and fall flowers for table decorations. The grandkids will probably start tossing the pumpkins around right away but at least for today it all looks pretty. The pies are baked, the turkey thawed (yea!), and the remainder of the food in a holding pattern until tomorrow morning.

Luke got left out of the blog photos the other day but I took one of him at 2-years and 1-day. He is Gracie's little brother but we use the term "little" lightly as he stands taller and weighs more than her. He is a love bug. . . . . .can't you see it looking at his face?

Wishing all of you in the US a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Diane

2011-10-31T11:13:00.001-07:00

I don't normally preview patterns quite so early, but because of the snow seen all over the east I decided to show a little peek of an upcoming sampler. It seems winter is here for many of you!

The design is titled very appropriately, "New England Winter Sampler". Having worked with a few antique samplers, a bit of the old way in which samplers were stitched found a way into my heart. I love the large layout and randomness of the various elements.

Like I said, this is a preview of an upcoming pattern. The design won't ship until mid November along with ornament #11.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Ornament News

2011-10-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

So yes. . . I did say that 2011 was the end of the road for ornament patterns. But after listening to shop owners and stitchers who love stitching smalls, we have decided to release them for another year.

My biggest fear was that I couldn't come up with another set of twelve winter/holiday themed designs. I was wrong. The list I worked on has 16 ideas!! The first one in 2012 is titled "Blessed" and promises to be one of my favorites.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Fall Plantings

2011-10-25T15:57:00.001-07:00

To those of us in the south, fall is not much cooler than summer. With the sun shifting to a more southern position, plants that died in the summer need to be replaced in the hope they will survive what we hope is a mild winter. Ron fell in love with these petite ornamental peppers. I love them too. Not a traditional fall plant like the mums that will be in bloom soon but that makes it nice. . . . very unusual!

I am getting ready to photograph the last pattern of the year. I have already been at work designing and stitching 2012 designs. Yes. . . .2012 if you can believe that! So much to do!!

Happy stitching,

Diane

Old Tucson Studios

2011-10-18T13:48:00.002-07:00

Oh happy day! I was recently blessed with a long-overdue visit with my friend, Kim from high school. We had a wonderful time together and didn't sit still a moment she was here. Sunday our plans took us out to Old Tucson Movie Studios with the family.

Diane and Kim

Old movie set for the tv show High Chaparal

My dentist office. :)

A view of some of the new sets behind the horse and stagecoach. New building has been going on at the studio since the fire destroyed some of the best sets like those used in the series, Gunsmoke.

Gorgeous buildings with tons of southwest personality.

Thank goodness for modern washers and dryers (and clothes!).

The old train and church.

Grandchildren Sean, Jeff, Juliet and Andrew dressed in period costumes for their vintage photo shoot.

Oh did they ever have fun!!!

Lastly, Kim and I hanging out with a few of the locals. :)

Happy trails to you!

Diane

Warm Winter Woolens

2011-10-11T12:42:00.002-07:00

When I think of winter woolens I think of sweaters. Maybe you think of sheep. This design is like dipping chocolate into peanut butter. . . . . you get something totally different from both thoughts!

You can see we framed it in a Sudberry candle screen. It will look wonderful with a courting candle or candlestick beside it.

I have a goal to update the LHN web site either tomorrow or Thursday. Look for supply lists then.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

12 Days of Christmas

2011-10-10T13:59:00.002-07:00

This is not your usual 12 Days of Christmas! I always try to reinvent the wheel a bit and I'm hoping you like my interpretation of this old classic. All twelve items are represented in this design. Sorting through the various birds shouldn't be too hard. The lettering will stitch fast so if you get started right away you will have this done in plenty of time for the holidays.

This design along with Snow in Love (already previewed) and Warm Winter Woolens will ship to our distributors in a few days. Come back tomorrow for the photo of the third release.

Happy Stitching (and singing now that you've read through the 12 items!),

Diane

Snow in Love

2011-10-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's ornament reveal time!

What can be sweeter than two snow folk in love?

The last three ornaments of the 2011 series are stitched on Weeks Dye Works 30 ct. Cocoa linen.

This pattern along with two others will ship the end of this week.

Stay tuned for more design photos!

Diane

JCS Ornament Issue

2011-10-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

I LOVE the annual Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I anticipate designing for it as much as you anticipate the publication! This year's ornament is titled "Fresh Fallen Snow". It is stitched on Weeks Dye Works Cocoa with Belle Soie from Crescent Colours. Looking at it right now it reminds me of a quilt. Imagine the block repeated 3 across and three down, changing the house to red and leaving the trees green. You'd have a full sized design created with 36 individual squares!

I know there are still copies of the magazine available and it is such a bargain with so many designs to choose from! Thank you for finishing it Vonna!!

Diane

A trip up north. . . . . .

2011-10-06T15:15:00.001-07:00

Ron and I took a nice little trip up north to Sedona, Arizona. We stayed at a place that was only a few steps away from Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. It was amazing as were the sites in and around the city. The first photo looks like a scene from a European city.

Gracie went along and was welcomed everywhere we went. In fact because of her, we met a lot of really wonderful people along the way who stopped to pet her.

Orange is not my favorite color but up here it looks spectacular!

These are my two favorite traveling companions!

And have you ever seen such pretty peppers??

I'll end the post by sharing this sweet photo of a very young model who was posing near the fountain in Tlaquepaque. It's one of those moments that I found beautiful and engaging all at once.

I'll be back to stitching tomorrow!

Diane

Someone's birthday . . . . . .

2011-09-27T15:18:00.001-07:00

Every year this day rolls around! It's Nikki's birthday today. Her dad and I started a tradition years ago of taking her out on her birthday. We had fun at the mall then lunch afterwards.

Ron and Nikki had the most delicious burgers on toasted bread.

The fries were tasty too (I stole one of Nikki's).

What you see next is an ENORMOUS baked potato filled with chicken and broccoli.

Nikki is a wonderful daughter and an awesome business person I love to bounce ideas around with. Wishing you many more happy birthdays sweetie!!!

Diane (mom)

First Day of Fall

2011-09-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Even though it is as hot as summer, a wee bit of fall decorating is going on at the Williams house. Like many of you we are more than ready for cooler temps. I have two candles burning. . . . . . Frosted Pumpkin and Autumn Pumpkin. Neither smells like pumpkin. I'm out of my favorite, Autumn Harvest. And why did Yankee Candle quit making Cinnamon? They replaced it with Cinnamon Sticks but it just wasn't the same.

I also changed out a few cross stitch pieces on my walls. Right now I'm really wishing I had some smaller autumnal designs stitched for my cubby. Maybe next year. The colors of fall are my favorite for decorating and designing. Now if the temperatures would just dip below 90 I'd be a lot happier!

Happy stitching,
Diane

September Releases

2011-09-12T09:17:00.001-07:00

The newsletter is going up on our website today. The new patterns we'll ship to our distributors at the end of the week are Little Miss Sunflower, Autumn Band Sampler, and the ornament, Joy and Peace. I love fall so the two autumnal pieces are making me yearn for cooler temps, shorter days, and blue jeans!!!

This Week in September

2011-09-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Like so many of you, our days leading up to September 11th each year are spent remembering the horrible events of that awful day in history. This year has been no different as we pause to remember where we were when we heard the news, how we reacted with stunned silence and then tears when we saw the images and heard the terrible stories as they unfolded in front of our eyes.

We all know this is the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attack but our thoughts here are also with the family of a little girl born on 9/11 in Tucson who did not live to see her tenth birthday. Christina-Taylor Green lost her life in the shooting back in January that seriously injured our Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed five others. Christina was the hope for the future, the pride of her family, the reminder that out of something bad, good could come.

Let us never forget any of those who not only lost, but gave their lives that day.

We have a sampler that contains this verse:

Red for brave hearts that burn
With liberty,
White for the peace they earn
Making men free,

Stars for the Heaven above,—
Blue for the deep,
Where, in their country’s love,
Heroes shall sleep.

The first time I read it I was tearful and I thought of the lives from wars long forgotten to those more recent. It was written by Wallace Rice and is titled "Under the Stars". It seems fitting to post it this weekend.

Diane

Gracie

2011-08-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

In my opinion there are two types of naughty. . . . . . naughty bad and naughty "that's kinda funny". Gracie has never been a naughty/bad girl but she has done a few things over the year and a half we have had her that haven't been quite in keeping with the rules of the house. Every once in a while I'll walk into the living room and see her laying on the ottoman, regal as a queen without a care in the world. I don't have a good picture of that. . . . yet. But I did capture something else last evening that never fails to put a smile on my face even though I should be scolding her to get off the patio furniture. Take a look:

She's camera shy. . . hates looking directly at it.

She maintains her footing perfectly. . . gets up and down as easily as a circus seal on a rubber ball.

Here she is trying to get cozy to lay down. . . . . . she gave up and went back to "perching" on the bench shortly after I took this one.

After her "performance" she cooled off in the grass for all of 60 seconds and wanted in the house.

Me too. . . it was 107 here yesterday.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Louisa's Roses

2011-08-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

Louisa had an eye for roses. As I am charting them I see she took a lot of care to provide shading to the petals with just three shades of the coral/pink silk. Some of the roses appear to be forming buds, others full buds and then of course the open rose. The sampler was handed down through the family and was kept in a drawer which accounts for the condition it is in.

The fabric I am choosing is Vintage Buttercream from Lakeside Linens. It is a perfect match to the sampler as I view it today. If you are brave enough you might want to use a commercial product for adding instant age like "Distress It". I like tea bags that are dampened and then "pounced" onto the fabric and thread. There may be acids in one or both products which simply means it will break down thread and fabric over the next 100 years or so.

The sampler was probably made before 1850. It is undated but I have Louisa's birth date and genealogy. Here it is for those of you who are curious:

Louisa B. Snow, born 9 Aug 1841, Massachusetts
daughter of Elisha Snow (b. 1810) and Didama Kelley
granddaughter of Elisha Snow (b. 1776/78)
g-gd of Elisha Snow (b. 1745)
gg-gd of Elisha Snow (b. 1716)
ggg-gd of Ebenezer Snow (b. 1676)
gggg-gd of Stephen Snow
ggggg-gd of Nicholas Snow and Constance Hopkins (Mayflower passenger)

I'll post more genealogy information down the road a bit.

Thank you for the blog posts and emails. It helped me to make up my mind to reproduce it as you see it and provide a darker alternative to those who wish to stitch it differently. I have a goal to get it out this fall or winter instead of waiting until 2012. Let's hope!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

SNOW Sampler

2011-08-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

I'll bet you thought (or wished) I was talking about snow flakes! It's so hot and humid this summer, I know. But the SNOW I was referring to was the sampler by a young girl named Louisa B. Snow, a direct descendant of Nicholas Snow and Constance Hopkins. Everything about the sampler is a bit unusual. To start with it wasn't stitched on the customary American linen we are used to seeing. It was stitched on a fabric called Penelope linen that was first made in Germany and then here in the states.

The next striking element of the design are these large and simply gorgeous cabbage styled roses. I looked through all of my books on antique samplers and didn't find anything like this. They run in a trail across the bottom of the sampler.

Another aspect of the sampler that I fell in love with is all of the stitched virtues that Louisa included. . . . Friendship, Hope, Charity, Love and Cherish Truth. The verse itself reads:

Count that day lost whose low descending sun,

Derives from my hand no worthy action done.

After hinting that I had a Mayflower descendant sampler a while back I received quite a few emails. It took me a while to figure out the genealogy but with some help from the family who sold it to me I was able to connect the dots. Louisa was also a descendant of William Brewster. Another sweet bonus. I would like to hear from you here on this blog or in personal emails regarding the idea of stitching such an unusual sampler. It will be no easy task to chart the roses but I'm excited to do it. I will chart it for 28 count linen (exactly like Louisa's) but how do you feel about the pink roses? Keep them or go for a more antique look? Darker?? Help me decide! I will faithfully reproduce the stitches in the design but the color is up in the air. I could always stitch it in deeper colors but also provide the original colors for those wishing to stitch it exactly as Louisa did. Let me hear your thoughts on the sampler, colors, or your Mayflower connection!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Winner of "My Dwelling Place"

2011-08-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

First let me say I LOVED reading your comments! Many of you said the pattern reminded you of your own homes. I'm so happy the design made you feel something. I did mention that the design is not our actual 100th pattern. . . . it is the 100th in the full sized line. We have all of those patterns in small packaging to choose from too!

Our winner using the random number generator is Marilyn who wrote the following:
Congrats on your 100th design!
I like everything about it.
The house, tree, crow, flowers.
It all "fits"!
And the stars on the frame add a lot.
Marilyn

Please email me at littlehouseneedleworks@msn.com with your address and we'll mail your pattern out right away!

Have a nice weekend. . . . . and as always,
HAPPY STITCHING!

Diane

New Release Update and Giveaway

2011-08-15T09:02:00.001-07:00

Hooray. . . .the web site is updated with the supply info for the two new releases this month. They ship today to distributors so you'll start seeing them in shops next week some time. If you haven't already read the new newsletter, be sure to see it on the LHN web site. You'll always see a snippet of a new design that will release the next month.

My Dwelling Place

This design, My Dwelling Place, is marked pattern #100 in the full size version of our designs. It is not actually our 100th pattern as we have many others in different lines such as the ornaments and a line called Simple Samplers. But a friend had asked if I was planning anything special for pattern #100 and I said no. However the more I thought about it the more I thought I should. So I switched this one from September to August and labeled it with the magic number. Hopefully it will have a special meaning for you as it did for me when I designed it. Leave me a comment and I will use the random number generator to choose a winner for this chart on Friday morning. Just leave a comment that has anything to do with the design and how it makes you feel or what it means to you (or something like that!).

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Antique Shopping

2011-08-12T14:11:00.001-07:00

I took a few photos from a trip out to see antiques. Lots of beautiful things! The pretties I would have liked to have come home with were a bit too big for the house. Ron says we are officially out of room for anything new. Not sure I want to remember that he said that!

Have a nice weekend everyone!
Diane

My Dwelling Place

2011-08-10T13:04:00.002-07:00

In just a bit I will be posting the August newsletter to the LHN main web site. In the meantime I thought I'd tease you with a rather large snippet view of the new design "My Dwelling Place" that ships next week.

This design and the ornament are the two releases we have this month. The LHN web site will be updated with supplies next week.

If you haven't already seen Nikki's two new releases coming out next week, visit her blog to view the photos. They are adorable!!!! I am crazy about the apple design.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Are you interested in the car show?

2011-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

When Ron looked at my blog yesterday his comment was, "Where are the cars?" As you know, I blogged the beautiful doors from El Presidio (see last post). I liked the cars too but not sure that the readers of my blog would so I didn't post them. So if you like the pictures today, that's great. Any classic car lovers out there??

No wonder Pixar made two great movies about cars with personalities and faces!

When I saw this car I instantly though Bonnie and Clyde.

We ended up making friends with the owners of this car. We're meeting up with them at another car show in October this year. At one time they owned 17 old cars!!

Here's Ron checking out our favorite car. It isn't the first time we've seen this car at a show but we can't get enough of it!

Historic Tucson

2011-08-06T13:42:00.002-07:00

Ron and I went to the car show at the convention center the morning and on our way home we drove through a historic neighborhood called El Presidio. This area of Tucson was once surrounded by large walls to protect the inhabitants from the Apache Indians. The walls are long gone but some of the old historic adobe homes remain.

You all know I love houses. . . . . but doors are a favorite of mine too. I don't know when I've ever seen anything more simple and yet beautiful decorating the front of a house before.

Another beautiful example of preserving the past here in Tucson.

Nothing fancy, that's for sure, but striking against the white. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think they are spectacular!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Ornament Preview - Hallelujah!

2011-08-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

The title of the post makes it appear as though I'm saying "Hallelujah" to the fact I'm posting an ornament preview picture when in fact, it's the name of the ornament we'll ship this month.

Vonna's finishing this month makes the angels appear as though they are suspended in a cloud. How sweet is that?! This would also be adorable as a small pillow trimmed in "fluff" and hung from a shaker peg or knob. Use your imagination. We call them "ornaments" but you can make them into whatever you wish. This ornament and the other design we are releasing this month ship in a few weeks to our distributors.

For the most part, when it rains in Arizona, it pours during the summer monsoon. Yesterday I was happily stitching away when it got so dark at three in the afternoon I had to turn the lights on. Since it's August 1st I'm excitedly counting the days until fall arrives. Do any of you feel like I do???

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Remember the Cactus?

2011-07-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

The summer monsoons make the desert come alive with color. We've been watching the barrel cactus and it just started blooming this last week. The first photos I showed you were the buds. You can still see some in the top of the cactus that haven't opened yet.

The flowers are gorgeous! After the very cold winter we had there was no way to know what would live and what would die. I'm so glad the cactus made it!

I'll be anxious to get a photo of the entire thing in bloom as this is by far, the most number of flowers I've seen on it in the 18 years we've lived here.

Summer Splendor Winner

2011-07-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Oh how I loved reading the snacking comments to the last post. So did my mom. The winner (using the random number generator) was Lynda who posted the following:

I do snack while stitching...usually Dove chocolates or pretzels. I'm always getting up and washing my hands though...so that my slow stitching even slower!

Please email at littlehouseneedleworks@msn.com.

Happy Stitching (and snacking),
Diane

Snacking and Stitching. A no-no??

2011-07-24T15:21:00.001-07:00

How many of you snack and stitch? I do. I try to choose fabric-friendly snacks because more often than not I'm stitching a model. I've been working on my Beatrix Potter Quaker this weekend and today I had a craving for potato chips. NOT the type of food you eat while stitching. . . . . not unless you want a greasy needle and thread. So I stopped, took a picture of the chips in the bag, and wondered what do you snack on while stitching. . . . . . .or is it completely off-limits to you?

I did pick up a great tip from Jean Lea at The Attic Needlework in Mesa, AZ. If you want to eat chocolate like M&M's, put them in a cup and use the cup, not your hands to get them into your mouth.

Reply to this blog post with your favorite stitching snack food or snacking-while-stitching tip and I'll enter you in random number drawing for the new "Summer Splendor" chart. Let's say the cut-off is Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. Arizona time.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Are you a Mayflower Descendant?

2011-07-16T10:52:00.002-07:00

There are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Mayflower descendants living in the US today. Unless the family history was handed down to you or you made the discovery yourself, you might not know about this fun fact in your family line.

Let's see how many of the readers to this blog know their family history. . . . . . are you a Mayflower descendant?? Just this year I found that one of my family lines could be traced to Jonathan Brewster. . . . . . just like Ashley Judd.

Let me know if any of you can trace your roots back to the Mayflower. Leave a comment and let's connect! And I would especially be interested in hearing from any Hopkins or Snow descendants! I can tell you why a little later. . . . .

Happy stitching,
Diane

Gracie and the Frisbee

2011-07-15T09:55:00.001-07:00

Gracie caught her first Frisbee this week!! The orange one you see here is her third one. Up until now they have simply been chew toys. This one is pretty rough around the edges but still sails along pretty well. It's now her favorite "go to" toy as she knows she is getting the hang of what it's all about (and likes it!).

Monsoons have started in Arizona but already have tapered off. I have lived in this state thirty years and for the first time I can remember, we woke up to temperatures below 70 degrees today. It was cool and gorgeous! Of course it will be 100 by 2:00 but we certainly do enjoy surprises like that!

We are shipping patterns to distributors today so they will arrive there the end of next week for those wanting to know our release schedule this month.

Stay cool. . . . have a nice weekend!
Diane

Lear Willson - 1785 Samplings

2011-07-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Things on the internet are NOT always as they seem. I learned this lesson when I bought the Lear Willson sampler after not asking enough questions. The most pertinent one should have been. . . . . .was the design stitched over one thread??? I should have known better just by looking. So instead of creating a monster sized design full of mis-matched carnations, I opted for something a little more unique. I consolidated the carnations and made a smaller "state" sampler. You could change out the lettering to anything you wanted as long as it fit on two lines.

I used a few of Lear's carnations to create the design with some being larger than others. The birds are hers as is the blueberry motif in the center. In addition to that I reproduced the floral in the design which I thought was just gorgeous. Can you see the bird???

And the last design in the pack is an original LHN chart. Using the colors from the other two pieces, I designed a home for Lear and placed her beside it. All three pieces could be stitched and grouped on a wall making a beautiful arrangement of 1785 samplings!

I'll be posting my newsletter on the LHN site later today so keep an eye out for it. I'll have more info on the Lear Willson sampler as well as news on other upcoming patterns.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Summer Splendor

2011-07-10T09:36:00.002-07:00

Summer Splendor

If you like spot samplers, this one should make you smile. Reds, greens,and a bit of white and gold make this a perfect summer project that you can finish on the go. While stitching it I was thinking I might want to do this scene in three more seasonal designs. But we'll see. . . . . I first have to get you the spring and summer band samplers next year after I release the autumn one this year. No promises! Hopefully tomorrow I'll get the newsletter out and the rest of the photos.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Baked Goods

2011-07-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

We're back to work after taking a week off to get ready for mom's party. What better way to start the week than by featuring a new design? "Baked Goods" is the seventh ornament in the 2011 series and ships mid-month to our distributors. This is one of my favorites this year!!!!

Vonna did the stitching and finishing on this little goodie and she did a beautiful job. Don't you love that red bow on the top???? It really pops the color in the design. I'll have a supply list on my web site soon.

We will have a newsletter this month but I am not planning to do them around the first of the month but rather closer to the 10th. This date is closer to our ship-dates which means you have less time to wait between the news and actually getting the designs.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

July 4th

2011-07-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Mom had a wonderful party on Saturday. Her sister and niece came down from Phoenix and my step-sister flew in from Indiana to help celebrate. It was wonderful making her "queen for a day"!

Thank you all for helping my mom to feel so special last week with the messages you left.

It meant so much to us both!!!

Ron and I are laying a bit low this 4th of July. We feel like we've celebrated enough recently but we both carry in our hearts what this day means!

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!

2011-07-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Mom I know you've loved this little tribute this week and I'm so glad!!! You are a great mom, grandmother and so much more. We are blessed as a family to have you in it!!! You make the world a better place.

We are celebrating mom's birthday tomorrow and I'll share more pictures after the gathering.

(Mom. . . . . no model stitching today. You have the day off!!!)

Mom, Part IV

2011-06-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

There are so many great moms in the world. . . . past and present. My mom is one of them! She always put her family ahead of herself and stood by each of us with unconditional love. Even when my brother and I were teenagers! To this day, she is there for me in more ways than I can count. When I was thinking about where to start this last blog post before her actual birthday, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge of what a true blessing she is to those that know her.

That includes me mom!!

The photo comes from 1965 when we lived in Indiana.

Mom, Part III

2011-06-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Showcasing mom's life with her 80th birthday fast approaching wouldn't be complete if I didn't show you a photo from the day she married my dad in 1951.

Dad had been in the navy and was anxious to marry mom but his release from service was delayed a number of times. When they finally said their "I do's", it was a simple ceremony in my grandparents home with just family present. The war years were so uncertain for them and I know they were more than ready to begin their lives together at that point.

Mom and dad were able to reach their milestone 50th anniversary before dad passed away.

Mom is enjoying the trip down memory lane on this blog and I know she is enjoying your comments!

Mom, Part II

2011-06-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the only photo of mom as a young child.

She was born during the depression and times were tough at home. This photo was taken when a traveling photographer came to the house one day and my grandma decided to have pictures taken. I am so glad she did! Mom. . . . this is one of my favorites and I know it's one of yours too!

I love photos of family. The old photos are especially near and dear as they let us peek into the lives of family before even we ourselves were born!

Mom still loves to read. In fact I gave her a book the other day that she finished already. That must mean she isn't doing much stitching. :)

Mom's Birthday Week!

2011-06-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in a different mode this week. . . . . no stitching or designing. . . . . .just party prep for mom's 80th birthday party on Saturday. I can't spill any secrets here or she'll find out (she reads the blog!).

Mom. . . . this week is all about you!

I'm starting off with a photo of you when I was just a baby. You are as pretty now as you were then.

Everyone else. . . . keep stitching!!

Diane

Father's Day

2011-06-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Any fathers reading my blog? If there are, I am wishing you a happy Father's Day! Nikki made her dad a cake today. . . . . . .banana. . . . one of his favorite flavors. It's one of Nikki's too. It's so moist it's just falling apart!

My dad has been gone for a while now but I still remember him well. This photo goes way back and I have no recollections it it myself. But it's still a favorite of mine and I decided to share it with you.

Hope everyone has a happy week. . . . . stay cool!

Diane

Just a note. . . . . .

2011-06-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Melicent Turner and Pine Tree Inn were shipped to our distributors today. You will see them in shops close to the week of the 27th or thereabouts.

It's 104 in Tucson today. Stay cool!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Summer Silk Seasons Design

2011-06-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Renee finished the Summer Monochromatic Season design and I wanted to share it with you. She did a beautiful job stitching (she's one of my model stitchers!). It makes me think blue skies, blueberries, water and cool breezes off the ocean (I wish!). This could easily be stitched on a whole range of different fabrics to create a completely different look.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

The Hummingbird

2011-06-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hummingbirds remind me of my dad. His birthday would be tomorrow if he were still here. Ron recently bought a hummingbird feeder and is getting as much joy from the bird as dad did.

Tap the pictures to enlarge. He's a sweet litle guy.

Diane

My Cubby

2011-06-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have had so many people email about the cubby I bought at Pottery Barn. They still have it and now ship internationally!!!! HERE!

Cubby - Pottery Barn Photo from the link above

This is an awesome display for your ornaments or small finishes.

Diane

Gracie and the Arizona heat. . . . . . . .

2011-06-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Had I ever mentioned that Gracie does not like the heat. . . . . . .at all????? She is the biggest baby in the summer, wanting to spend all of her time indoors except when she is playing in the hose or out for an early morning walk. Her brother Luke still comes to play and wears her out a few mornings each week. They eat ice cubes together to keep cool (the remnants you see on the driveway) and then pass out.

What a baby!!!

And here's Luke. . . . . .just taking a moment to relax after a ruff-and-tumble morning with his sister!

The Melicent Turner Sampler - 1808

2011-06-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to finally reveal my first reproduction sampler. Not only was it the first I ever charted, but it was the first I had ever stitched. The stitching experience was wonderful but the charting was not so easy! I quickly learned that young children in this time period do not remove their mistakes and begin again, nor do they count their threads very carefully. I encountered one and sometimes three linen threads between stitches which created all types of charting difficulties. In the end it turned out just great and I am really happy with the results.

Supply details will be available on our web site before we ship to our distributors which is in the middle of the month.

Keep an eye on my web site today under the heading "Newsletters" as I will be posting our first one later in the day.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

"Pine Tree Inn" and more. . . . . . . .

2011-06-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

For all of you pine tree lovers, Pine Tree Inn"! I know how much I love them and I know many of you do too. Vonna stitched and then finished this very simply. The twine really suits the nature of the design. The supply list is posted on the main web site.

This design will be in shops near the end of the month along with the reproduction, Melicent Turner.

News. . . . . very soon I'll begin posting monthly newsletters to the LHN site. For many of you this will be a repeat of what you read here on the blog but I'll always include a few extras just to keep you interested. For those of you who aren't regular readers and want everything in one place for quick access, that's the place to look. Stay tuned. . . . . . . I think you'll enjoy the addition!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Melicent Turner Sampler

2011-05-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

Melicent Turner is the first reproduction from Little House. While it is a reproduction of the original design (which includes ALL of Melicent's mistakes), I did change the colors. The original was very faded and used even fewer colors than I did so I spiced it up a bit. The full sized photo is coming soon.

The pattern is finished, framed, packaged and ready to ship mid-June!

I am NOT going to quit designing but I have to admit that stitching this sampler was a LOT of fun!!

Diane

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Remembering. . . . . . . . . .

Fun Summer Project

2011-05-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have the perfect take-along project for you . . . . . .Summer Garden by LHN. This design is packaged with Crescent Colours cotton thread and a design that is roughly 7-1/2" x 5". We are suggesting 15 count Tin Roof Linen from Weeks Dye Works for the design. Call your local shop to order.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Colonial Welcome

2011-05-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

You may remember the little lesson on French Knots. "Colonial Welcome" is where those photos came from! This design along with the ornament shipped to our distributors yesterday so you will see the pattern in stores beginning next week.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Gardenias!

2011-05-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

You may remember me mentioning that we had an unusually hard winter here in the southwest. However the cold didn't have a negative affect on our gardenia bushes. They are just beginning to bloom and as you can see in photo three, there are a ton of buds!

Now if only the wind would calm down.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Wishing all of my friends, near and far a Happy Mother's Day!

Diane

Silent Night

2011-05-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here it is. . . . ornament #5 in the 2011 releases. It ships along with Colonial Welcome mid-month. Vonna finished it with cinnamon sticks that pick up the brown house coloring in the center and along the vine. And it smells good too!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

The weekend in pictures

2011-05-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

I was glad I had my camera with me this weekend. Color, color, everywhere!

It was a beautiful weekend. A bit windy but not hot for a change!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

She's 17 months old now. . . . . .

2011-04-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

Our girl Gracie really looks big, doesn't she? She is as fluffy as a feather boa! Well she did have a bath (shower) last night and that's why she looks so poofy. Here nose is all wet as Ron is watering right now and she keeps sticking her face in the hose to get a drink.

OK. . . . . . . don't you agree???? This is the top of one of our barrel cactus and I think the fruit (which holds seeds) look like tiny pineapples! Aren't they cute? Beautiful flowers will follow shortly.

I have just finished designing the last of the ornaments in the series. They have been fun but this will be the last year for them. But here is some happy news for those of you wanting another seasonal band sampler. . . . . Rita just finished stitching Autumn and it is on it's way back to me. I've seen a photo and I'm sure you'll like it (I do and so does Rita!). It won't be out for a while yet but I thought I'd deliver the news to those of you who had requested another one. Next year I'll get the spring and summer ones done and complete what is now, a set.

Keep stitching friends!
Diane

The Inn

2011-04-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Would you like to live here? I know I would! This design, The Inn at Fox River Mill will be shipped to our distributors at the end of this week. You can look for it in shops along with the new ornament, Gingerbread Village closer to the end of the month. I'll get a supply list on our web site in the next few days.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Fox River Mill Peek

2011-04-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

Some times the design process is a real journey and this one, The Inn at Fox River Mill was just that. Every day that I worked it it, the design continued to evolve into something that I liked more and more. In the end it has become my favorite of the Inns I have been doing since I started (Willow Tree Inn was the first). The full photo will be on the web site next week. I hope you like the preview!

Thanks for stopping by!
Diane

A Gracie post

2011-04-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Some times you take a picture and just laugh at what you see. That's what happened when I took this one of Gracie so I thought I'd share it. She looks so silly. . . . . . . . . .

Hope you all are making happy little X's today!!

Diane

The great debate

2011-04-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

In some houses people debate politics. For years and years in our house, we debated this guy. . . . . . .was he a cow or a pig? I saw cow. Just look at him. Of course he's a cow. But then again, some times he looks a little like a pig. I love folk art objects and when I saw this one made by a local crafter I had to have it.

Moo

Speaking of crafting, that is how I initially got my start. Back in the days of craft malls (where I bought the cow-pig), my mom and I rented space in a local shop. I made dolls and quilts and my mom painted acrylic wood plaques and objects. After working at it for a few years I began taking out a few ads in a crafting magazine selling doll patterns. All the while I was still cross stitching. The day came when I took a leap of faith and bought a computer program for my Mac and started designing. That's when I sold my first patterns to Leisure Arts.

Mr. Spot is back on the shelf above my desk. He needed a good dusting anyway so I'm glad I took him down to show you.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Gingerbread Village

2011-03-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Since it is almost the first of the month I'm going ahead with the full photo of Gingerbread Village. It's on 30 count Tin Roof Linen from Weeks Dye Works as are the two that will follow it.

Vonna did the stitching and peppermint finishing!

We'll ship this ornament and one more pattern to our distributors mid-April. I'll post snippets of the other design next week.

For anyone still wondering (I had emails and phone calls), the blog banner is a snippet from "Hillside Travelers." It has been tweaked a bit to give it a vintage look which is why you may not recognize it immediately.

Happy Stitching,

2011-03-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

My paternal great grandparents, Patrick and Julia are my Irish ancestors whose families were from County Cork, Ireland. I think they were a beautiful couple!

A story was handed down to me about these two that I wanted to share on St. Patrick's Day.

Grandpa Pat was working for the Pennsylvania R.R. and for one reason or another, was working in the Chicago area. Great Grandma Flynn had a room to rent. Grandpa Pat rented one of those rooms. One time he just happened to be on the scene when Grandma Julia Flynn was trying to light a fire in the wood stove in the living room, and wasn't having any luck. Grandpa Pat offered to get the fire started, which he did: and, in his cute Irish way, he told Mom, "I lit TWO fires that evening."

It's wonderful to have photos and stories like this to hand down for generations to come.

Diane
(who is wearing green today!)

The Tomato

2011-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last week my market models for "Fresh from the Garden" arrived from their trip to Nashville. The pouch and tomato were put into my stitching box (see previous post) and put to use right away. Then yesterday I had a different idea for the tomato and and I just love it so I'm sharing it with all of you.

I had previously purchased a distressed off-white candle stand from Pottery Barn (by now you all know that's my favorite store).

I set the tomato pincushion on top but it looked a little lost.

So I added a small crochet doily and the whole thing became a piece of functional art for my desk! Ask anyone who has ever seen my desk. . . . . I have needles and pins stuck in coasters, fabric scraps and even paper. If the doily was green it might even look like lettuce but I don't think I'll take it that far!

If you want to make one for yourself just look for a candle stand you like that will work in your room. Just make sure the top is not too big.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Spring has Sprung (and other things)!

2011-03-14T09:11:00.001-07:00

One of the many things I like about living in Arizona is being able to grow geraniums in March! After the very cold winter we had I am thrilled to start seeing flowers and buds in all of the pots.

The orange tree that I thought was dead has leaves all over it giving me high hopes it will make a come-back.

We shipped our new patterns to distributors today and I updated the LHN web site. While looking at the back of the "Thirteen Colonies" pattern I had a laugh. There is a typo I didn't catch. . . . the fabric is 32 count, not county! I do a lot of genealogy work on the computer and my fingers automatically type county more often. So don't let that confuse you!

This is a photo of Gracie taking a little snooze in the living room filled with drop cloths and plastic. We have been painting the walls inside and had been living in fear that Gracie would step in a paint tray or stick her nose in a wet brush. As you can see here she became bored with the whole thing early on and we had no troubles with this one year-old. Ahhhhhh. . . . . . . . .

Old Photos

2011-03-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Remember the cubby that was filled with LHN ornaments? Well now that spring is knocking on the door I removed the ornaments and added old photos. Rather than looking for small frames to fit the openings I came up with an idea that may work for you in various ways in your home.

I started by scanning the photos and resizing them to fit the small box areas. They were each printed on matte photo paper and mounted onto scrapbook paper that has the weight of card stock. I didn't use glue. I used that sticky tape that rolls out of a dispenser because I didn't want the liquid to bend the photo. The decorative paper was trimmed to make a small frame around the edge of the photo and then the finished pieces were propped to stand in the openings. Quick and easy!

The keepsake silhouette in the top center box is that of my dad when he was a young man. I filled other boxes with my summertime Boyd's Bears, greens and what-knots. Hanging off the foot of the baseball bear is a finish from "Heart and Home", an LHN design.

I had a lot of emails after posting this cubby the first time. For anyone still wondering you can get it at the Pottery Barn online. It comes in a lighter finish too.

Diane

Thirteen Colonies

2011-03-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Thirteen Colonies" was a true labor of love. Once I had designed 90% of this piece I turned to my mom and together we talked the rest of it out, worked on finishing it together, and chose threads together.

Thirteen stars frame the names of the colonies and the center scene, all of which come together to represent the "beginnings" of this country. The dates represent the first and last colonies. You will also see a crown which is the symbol of England, the country that governed the colonies before their separation.

My mom Carol is the one who stitched it which makes this design even more special for me. When I said it is my most favorite LHN design, it is all of the above that makes me feel the way I do. I hope you like it too!

This is one of "those" charts that will keep you busy for some time!
Happy Stitching,
Diane

Liberty - 1776

2011-03-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Release #2 this month is "Liberty - 1776". Don't you think the frame matches the design well??? I was thinking that if you wanted to, you could put actual buttons in the center of the stars and make it a dimensional design!

The last design, "Thirteen Colonies" is coming next!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Deck the Halls!

2011-03-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

We are decking the halls with a peppermint tree! "Deck the Halls" is the newest ornament in our 2011 series. The stitching and finishing is by Vonna at the Twisted Stitcher. I'll put the supply list up on the LHN web site soon! I'll have two more patterns to show you this week so stay tuned! All of the new patterns will ship next week so don't start looking for them just yet.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

French Knots!

2011-03-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

Most people don't like making French Knots. Every once in a while I put a few in a design so I thought I'd show you how I make them.

Most of the time I make a French Knot by wrapping one strand of thread around my needle twice. Once I do this I insert the needle back down into the fabric where I want the knot to be. I then slide the wrapped "knot" down the needle to the fabric while keeping the length of the thread taut.

Reach around to the back of the work and pull the needle through slowly so that the knot stays firmly on the needle and doesn't loosen. The key is to push the knot down to the fabric before pulling the needle through. The knots stay uniform and small. Let me know if you have any more tips to add!

And yes, you've seen a preview of a pattern we are releasing in April!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Gracie then. . . . and now

2011-03-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Some things never change. While so much of our landscaping died in the many hard freezes we had this winter, this vine did not. When Gracie was a little puppy she'd head out to the vines and just lay down in them forcing them into flat beds underneath her. Yesterday spring was in the air and she did the same thing only this time she is soooo much bigger!

As you can see, the vines are in bloom and our warmer temperatures are here now. It's one of my favorites times of the year. I think Gracie likes it too!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Project Box

2011-03-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick project I wanted to share with you. . . . . . Last year I bought a book/box at Michael's. It was very sturdy and had a magnetic closure which made it even nicer.

I also bought a new magnetic board which I hot glued to the inside flap of the book/box and then lined the interior with a small piece of quilted material. The board fell off a few times but I realized I wasn't letting the glue get hot enough. Once I did that it stayed in place.

The box is big enough to hold my project keeper which holds threads and scissors and also large enough to hold full sized patterns, hoops and of course, your stitching.

I can sit on the couch and have the lid propped up with a pillow so that I can see the chart. When I'm finished I close the lid and set the "book" on the coffee table. I have seen these boxes at Michael's again this year so if you'd like to have a project box like this one you can with very little crafting!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Weathered Vine

2011-02-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

You might think I'm talking about what my vines look like after the numerous hard freezes in my back yard but I'm not. Weathered Vine is the first Belle Soie (silk) in the seasons thread pack from Crescent Colours that released this month (see posting below).

I l-o-v-e stitching with silk but I have heard that some of you are afraid of it. Trust me. . . . . there is nothing to fear. Belle Soie comes with five strands attached to the card and within each strand are 12 ply of silk. That is double what comes in overdyed cotton or DMC. You simply tap-tap the end of the strand and pull one thread and then the second. I stitch with two strands on 30 and 32 count but some people stitch with only one on 32 and the higher counts of linen. You get REALLY good coverage with silk. It's plump and soft.

You can see there is variation in the silk so if you are one of those people who don't like striping in a design, simply switch the direction of the second piece when realigning them. Sharon did this and then I tried it myself on an upcoming design and it is beautiful. You get an aged appearance without stripes. I like the stripes/banding on rooftops and some other things but now I am sold on this other way of using overdyed as well.

Another tip. . . . . . . use a good needle! If the eye of the needle is rough you'll have problems. And too, cut the length in half if you don't like stitching with long pieces. When it is time to "lengthen" your thread in the needle don't pull on the needle. Instead move the needle by hand up the length of the silk. All of these tips should make stitching with silk super easy and give you beautiful stitches that sit nicely on top of the fabric.

One more thing. . . . . that is a look at the cocoa linen in the background. I love it! It also comes in 35 count in which case you would use one strand of the silk.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

Worth Mentioning. . . . . .

2011-02-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

If you think you may want one of the Nashville sets, "Fresh From the Garden" (see below), contact your shop owner so that they can be sure to get you a set before they are sold out. The sets are limited!

If you need to locate a shop that can order it for you, try this link at the distributor's web site:

http://www.hoffmandis.com/mainmap.htm

Happy Stitching,
Diane

New Thread Packs

2011-02-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting and waiting to show you these new silk thread pack designs from Crescent Colours and LHN. I designed them a while ago but we waited until now to release them. Each pack comes with a skein of Belle Soie (stitches like butter) and the chart. You provide the fabric and needle. The packs will be released every other month. If you have never stitched with silk before this is the time to try it!

Be sure to scroll down to the next post to see the "Fresh From the Garden" that was just released yesterday at the Nashville Needlework Market!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

2011 Nashville Release! Fresh From the Garden!

2011-02-19T11:28:00.001-07:00

FRESH FROM THE GARDEN!

We've gone country and planted a garden in rich,

dark colors that I know so many of you love!!!

Little House Needleworks, Impie, Hattie & Bea, Crescent Colours and Hoffman Distributing are happy to bring you our newest release, Fresh From the Garden! The pattern includes both charts, one for the framed design and one for the inside of the needlebook cover. The pack also includes the Crescent Colours thread you need to stitch both designs. The fabric, which is 30 count Straw linen from Weeks Dye Works is purchased separately as is the needlebook/tomato set made by Impie, Hattie, & Bea. The outside of the needlebook is a deep hunter green. The black fleamarket styled frame is from Crescent Colours and can be ordered through your local shop. The flower you see at the bottom of the frame is at the top too!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Second ornament of the year!

2011-02-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hooray! I finally have this photo of the second ornament in the 2011 series to show you. It's called "Bringing Home the Tree" and was stitched and finished by Vonna. You'll see when you get your chart that the puppy is wearing tiny boots. :) The supply list will be up by the end of the week on the LHN web site.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

An awesome gift!

2011-02-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

You all know Vonna don't you? Well one day she and I were discussing penny rugs and I was wishing I had one but didn't think I had the know-how or time to get one finished. She offered to make it for me!! Yes she did! Anyway, it arrived yesterday and all I can say is "WOW!" It is simply gorgeous. Thank you Vonna for being such a great friend AND business pal!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

It HAS been a long time!

2011-02-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not posting since "forever ago"! At first I didn't have anything to share, then I came down with the flu, then I was busy, and, and, and. . . . . .well. . . . that's how it was. LOT'S of excuses!

Yesterday my oldest grandchild, Juliet, celebrated her 9th birthday. Nikki always throws great parties. :)

I'll be previewing the next ornament this week so stay tuned!!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

New from LHN - Rosey!!!

2011-01-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here she is. . . . . . . .Rosey!!!! She is about the same size as the other two taller girl samplers, The Sampler Lady and My Needle's Work. I wrote the verse first and designed around it though I had a good idea of what I wanted it to look like before I began. With all of the red used it could easily be a display piece for Valentine's Day if you stitch quick enough!

My goal is to update our main web site today or tomorrow with supply lists for all of the designs we ship tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

NEW! Hillside Travelers

2011-01-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Houses, horses, swans, rabbits, squirrels . . . . . . . they're all here!

I am so excited to share this design with you. It is the soon-to-be released "Hillside Travelers". It's funny how the design process sometimes works. In this case I wrote the verse first then designed around it. Mom claimed it immediately and asked to stitch it (which she did).

Now and then I have trouble getting animal proportions right and the horses were a bit harder in this design because they didn't have riders on them as in past designs. So mom came over one day to lend a hand. She has a good eye for this sort of thing but was finding designing horses with "X's" instead of a pencil a bit difficult too!

Hillside Travelers

This chart releases closer to the end of the month when it gets into shop. It ships mid-month along with the ornament I previewed earlier. I'll post the supply list on the LHN web site next week. I have one more photo to show you. . . . . . stay tuned! It's full of flowers and pretty darker scarlets and greens.
Diane