The Cubby

Most of you know my Pottery Barn Cubby.  I am still in love with it and change the little squares out with the seasons.  I put some ornaments in the cubbies before Thanksgiving and took a few photos.  Just like last year, if you look hard, you'll see the last ornament for 2012.  It won't be out for a while but it's a little peek.

It looks like my candy cane came off of my Peppermint Twist ornament!  It wasn't sewn on well and now I'll have to figure out a creative way to attach it.  The silhouette is of my dad when he was a boy.  It's a memento I cherish.

And my Boyd's Bears!  I have a lot of those but these are just some of the wintry ones.

Pottery Barn still carries the cubby so if you are interested you can order it online.  They are awesome for holding small stitching pieces.

Diane

September Releases!

Happy Stitches to all!  I just finished updating the LHN web site with the new releases. . . . . . I put together a collage to share with you all. . . . . . I know some of you aren't on FB.  :)   

The photo features Winter Plaid, Country Christmas and My Sheep.

And have you seen the new little kit called Peace Tree?  It contains the chart, silk and button. . . . . you supply the frame or finishing.  Shops: this is available only at Hoffman Distributing.

New Patterns for July

I know I'm terribly late posting this but since the patterns don't even ship until Monday, I still feel like I'm within the deadline!

The ornament of the month is "Hot Cocoa".  Oh yum!  Wouldn't this make a great box topper if the box was filled with a gift of hot cocoa mix?  Just an idea.  :)

This is our newest "Inn" design called "Patriot Inn".  

It's smaller than most and comes in the Piece of Cake! design line.

Lastly we have "Around the World in 80 Days".  You will see more book covers down the road in 2013.  I think my job for the most part is a fun one.  Designing this chart definitely fell into that FUN category!

The LHN web site will be updated with supply lists within the next few days.  

Stay cool . . . . . .stay indoors and stitch!

Diane

Ding Dong

The actual name of the ornament this month is "Ding Dong Merrily on High."  And thank goodness I have Vonna doing the finishing again!  She is so creative.  I just love what she did with this one.

It is mounted on foam core and trimmed with twisted thread on the sides with a bow at the top.  All three designs will ship on Friday this week.  It won't be long now!  I hope to have the LHN web site updated that day too.

The temperature in Tucson is HOT.  It doesn't matter if it is 100 or 105.  There comes a point when it pretty much all feels the same.    

We just did some dog-sitting for Nikki while she and the family were away at Juliet's last dance competition of the season.  I caught a sweet picture of Luke and our grandson Andrew that I want to share.

It was so hot on Sunday.  Andrew stripped down to his diaper and played in the pool we had set up for Luke and Gracie.  It was clean water. . . . . I promise.  :)  The dogs were in it the day before, the water changed and then they went in after he left.

When Luke gets in he just lays in the water.  Gracie tip-toes around in it, gets a drink and gets out.

So that's all for now. . . . . thank you all for the wonderful comments on the new patterns, here and on Facebook.  

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Sleigh Bells Ring

Oh goodness. . . .this ornament might be my favorite of the year.  "Sleigh Bells Ring" is one of those miniature designs that says so much in such a small space.  

My finish was super simple, in large part because I am not that great at finishing!  But anyway, it's one you all can do.  The finished design was first anchored to the top piece of wool, then the front and back were sewn together with a blanket stitch.  Fill with a small amount of stuffing before closing.  It's primitive, homemade, and the simplicity makes the design stand out.  The supply list is already on our web site.  Shipment to distributors is scheduled for next week.

I'll have one other design to show you this week so keep watching!

Now I have to tell you something sweet.  Many of you have come to know my mom by way of this blog and the stitching she has done for me.  Anyway, just last week she taught someone to cross stitch.  Mom, who is 80, is still stitching models and came across someone who was interested in what she was stitching.  Next thing I knew she was on the phone with me telling me her news.  I remember when mom taught me to stitch using a graph rather than stamped cloth.  I was a new mom and stitched a sweet little Bambi design from a Disney book.  What special memories for all of us, remembering our first stitches.

Diane

Quaker Bird Ornament

When I designed this ornament a ton of use ideas came to me.  Of course the first was to make it into an ornament.  The second idea was to make it into a wedding or anniversary gift tag.  The third was a pincushion. . . . . . . . an so on and so on!  Originally I designed it as a monochromatic design so it can still be stitched that way.  Just choose your favorite color and off you go.  

To finish it I used two pieces of foam core.  The one is wrapped with the stitched design and the back piece with a neutral fabric.  Glue the "sandwich" together and trim with a ribbon.  I dotted mine with long pearl pins and attached a fluffy bow on top.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

February Update!

Yes, I know how long it has been since I last updated this blog!  Those close to me know how busy I've been and all that I've been involved in lately. . . . . it's all good. . . . promise!  OK . . . . so let's see what we have to talk about.  The first is a bit of news regarding the change we made to February releases.  You were expecting Louisa B. Snow this month and instead you are seeing the Spring Band Sampler.  Louisa (if she behaves herself) will come out next month.  

The Summer Sampler will be out in a few months, completing the set of four seasonal band samplers. Winter and Autumn are available for purchase now and can be viewed on the LHN web site.

Next is the second ornament of the month in 2012, "Tree Farm".  As a child I remember hunting for the perfect tree in "lots" that sold them by the hundreds.  Choosing one from a tree farm would be far more challenging but fun!

The fabric is Tin Roof Gingham from Weeks Dye Works but it isn't showing up well in the photo at all.  Trust me when I say this looks great on the check fabric!!!  I will be updating the main web site within the week but be patient with me please!  I have had nothing but trouble with browser compatibility and the site and it is giving me a lot of trouble (and headaches).

Other things. . . . . .My oldest grandchild, Juliet turned 10 this month.  Nikki and Derrick threw her a wonderful party and we all, especially Juliet, had a great time.

Arizona turned 100 yesterday!  Jessie Bell - Arizona Territory was last month's release to celebrate the event.  It can be seen below this post.

And lastly, you all know of the tragedy that Tucson, Arizona, and the country experienced a year ago last January.  I photographed the stone memorial at Safeway for all of you to see.

I will be updating this blog no later than Saturday the 25th of this month with a special surprise.  I'm sorry but I can't give any hints. . . . just stay tuned!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

"Blessed"

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

Ornament #11

Winter Forest is the 11th ornament this year.  I know there are a number of you that really enjoy stitching woodsy designs for the holidays so this one is for you!  Vonna made it into an adorable pouch. . . . a popular finishing technique since the wool seals itself rather well.  A simple blanket stitch around the design and you're done!  It would finish much smaller if you excluded the wool.  

This pattern and the New England Winter Sampler will be available in a few weeks from now.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Ornament News

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

Baked Goods

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

Just a note. . . . . .

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

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

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

Silent Night

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

Gingerbread Village

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,

Diane

A Tiny Peek!

I've received emails from stitchers who are excited about the next ornament, "Gingerbread Village", sight unseen!  I decided to show a tiny preview of the finished ornament. 

The photo looks like it is resting on a snow cloud!   Look for the full-sized photo around the first of April.  And anyone wondering, the fabric for the next three ornaments will be "Tin Roof" by Weeks Dye Works.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Deck the Halls!

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

Second ornament of the year!

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

The first of the 2011 ornaments!

As promised, I am letting you see the first of the 2011 ornaments after Christmas.  We are still quite away from shipping it out in mid-January.  The supply list isn't available just yet but when it does show up it will be on a link of the LHN web site.

Cardinal Winter



Vonna (The Twisted Stitcher) is in charge of the stitching and finishing of all twelve designs.  She continually out-does herself with the finishes.  Isn't this twig frame perfect for the design????  Even the little corners are wrapped neatly making this one look very rustic. 

There are two more designs I'll show here in the days ahead leading up to our mid-month ship date.  Stay tuned!

Thank you for stopping by my blog all year long and supporting us with your stitching and comments.  2011 will be a wonderful year full of new styles in our regular line and also a few surprises. 

I love surprises, don't you?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Diane

Last ornament of the year!

This is our last 2010 ornament, Joy to the World.  I will be posting the supply list to my web site in a day or two.  The sweet little blanket stitch finish was done by Vonna at the Twisted Stitcher.

The ornaments have been so much fun!  The next set of twelve will begin shipping mid-January, 2011.  The first one of that set is stitched, finished and waiting to be photographed!

More pattern previews will follow in the days ahead.

Happy Stitching,

Diane