With the new year on the way. . . . .

Such a busy time of year!  In addition to working hard to keep the printers running (oh what trouble they are giving us!) and making sure we fill the orders, we are trying to get ready to celebrate Christmas with our family.  

This year just feels different than most, probably because of all that we have been through as a family with Ron.  However, I am happy to announce, Ron is in complete remission and we want to celebrate!

Feeling so blessed. . . . . 

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I showed this photo on Facebook.  It's a preview of the February Calendar Girl.  She is so sweet. . . . holding her heart for Valentine's Day.  When possible, each of the girls reflects a season or holiday for the month they represent.  You get the idea.  :)

Many of you follow Vonna's blog (http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/).  I do.  She is a dear sweet friend of mine who is so talented that everything she does shows it.  I am so glad I discovered her and her talents a number of years ago.  She has been my finisher and model stitcher ever since.

She made this wonderful necklace for me.  When it arrived I was in awe. . . literally.  It seems she took my little house and transported it into a world of miniatures!  I LOVE it!

Thank you again Vonna!

So here's what's coming for 2014. . . . . . we have the February Calendar Girl, a design called "Hands to Work," and "The Journey" which will be featured in our new line called Tumbleweeds.  You can see the western styled blog I have set up for those patterns. http://tumbleweedsbylhn.blogspot.com/ I will always give you the link to them right here when we publish a new one.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

"The Journey" - Part One

Not long after Ron was diagnosed with cancer I felt the need to express what he was going through creatively.  It took a bit of thinking but I arrived at the perfect design for him.  It's called "The Journey" and I will reveal it as it is stitched.  I'm a slow stitcher but I hope you will come back to watch for updates.  The design is unlike anything I have ever created. . . . and rightly so.  

I saw an etching in rock on the internet of what looked like a warrior on a horse.  I remember thinking that yes, he was a warrior about to do battle with cancer.  So at that moment, I adopted a Native American Indian theme for the design.  Ron likes western memorabilia . . . . it was perfect.

Next, I needed symbolism in the design so I chose the rain cloud to depict the storm he was going through.  

Beautiful bands of color are surrounding the design, holding the rider and his horse in place along with the elements.  

Some of the stitches went in while I waited at the cancer center. Others were stitched here at home as I wove prayers into those threads as they were being stitched . . . . . . . I watched, waited and worried and often times just held the piece in my hands, my needle never moving.

I hope to find momentum to finish another large section soon.

Until then. . . . . .

Diane