November 11, 2010

Veteran's Day Parade

This is our grandson Sean.  Nikki took the photo minutes ago from the starting point of the Veteran's Day parade in downtown Tucson.  He and his fellow scouts are proudly walking with the veterans today as they wind their way through the heart of the city.

November 10, 2010

The North Wind

I don't see much snow in Tucson, but I love this children's rhyme!  It was always in my head when the kids were little because it was in one of the bedtime books I read to them.  I know the cold and snow lasts a long time for many of you so this robin can keep you company.

Regarding my last post:  I have received a few emails regarding the Beatrix Potter sampler I am stitching.  It is from Needleprint and the original chart sold out.  They do however have a chart that can be downloaded for people like me who waited too long to buy it.  http://needleprint.blogspot.com/

These days I am busy designing for 2011 so I haven't cross stitched much but I have found time to teach my granddaughter, Juliet to crochet.  She is just learning but she seems to have a love of yarn already!




November 1, 2010

A few of my side projects

I am between designing projects so I decided to work on a design that I started months ago.  It's my Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler.  The colors I chose are Crescent Colours Belle Soie. . . . . . natural and beautiful.  I was faced with the same dilemma that everyone else has been faced with when sitting down to stitch this design which is color.  I went round and round on what colors to use and in the end went with the ones I thought could stand the test of time even if I changed my entire room. 
They are Cinnamon Stick, Baguette, Tortoise Shell, Mudpie,
Vanilla Pudding and Walk the Plank.


The other thing I have been doing is crocheting granny squares!
I chose just four colors. . . . black, green, cream and gold.  I rotate the two center colors and will add them every other in the finish.  I use a lot of black, gold and cream in decorating so this was a good choice for me.

The first granny squares I ever made were when I was eight.  I was taught to crochet by my grandmother who would sit beside me for hours as we stitched together.

I wish I still had that old blanket but moths found it years ago before I knew they were even interested in it.  Being all wool, I remember picking that sweet blanket up and it hung sadly with holes and falling yarn everywhere.  I had no choice but to let it go.
  Ron says he likes watching me make "pot holders". . . .  I'm ignoring that comment since he knows it will be an afghan. 

October 27, 2010

A Family Sampler Finish!

Isn't this the most adorable finish?  Look at all of the girls in pink.  It is too cute for words.  I have already added it to what I hope someday will be a gallery on my web site.  I've posted it to the bottom of the Family Sampler page.  Thank you Bénédicte for allowing me to post it.  :)  This is a shop in France!  What a clever way to use the elements!!

Just as a reminder, if you finish the sampler, press it off and photograph it or frame it first. . . . .it doesn't matter to me. . . . . .and send me a clear photo with permission to place it on my web site.  I hope to see your family there very soon!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

October 20, 2010

Grandkids

I am one lucky grandma to have so many cutie pies around me.  Yesterday was my birthday and the family came over to celebrate.  I asked the kids for one gift and that was to sit still long enough so that I could get my picture with all four of them.  It's a birthday wish come true!

October 15, 2010

Play Time

It's been a long time since I posted a Gracie picture and in this one, she isn't looking her best.  Remember the sandbox that Ron made for her?  Well, she still fits in it and as a matter of fact, there is even enough room for her brother Luke.  Don't they just look like the king and queen of the sandbox in there?  Such cute dirty faces!

October 14, 2010

Winter Band Sampler

This is the last pattern I have to show you for this set of releases.  It's called "Winter Band Sampler" and while not tiny rows stacked one upon another, it's still very banded but in Little House Style. 

I love houses and I love the color red!!  However if red isn't your color, imagine this design with white birds and flowers and a chestnut colored house.  It will be more monochromatic and very pretty.

For those who may wonder. . . . . . the letter "O" is a snowflake!  All patterns ship today to our distributors and will be in your local shops before you know it!

Happy Stitching,
Diane

October 11, 2010

Are you ready for snow?

Don't ask me the same question. . . . .I live in the desert and it's still in the 90's during the day.  I named this design "Snow White" because it is done entirely in one color.  I chose Belle Soie in "Icing".  Milly did a beautiful job stitching this model for me!

You can stitch this on brown, red, blue, or any other color you have.  Just look for contrast with the white thread.


One more pattern will follow later this week.

Diane

October 8, 2010

Recipes for a Cure

A wonderful cookbook full of delicious recipes will soon be available from The Attic Needlework. The book also includes some fun little charts for you to stitch up as well.  Proceeds from the sale go to breast cancer research.  LHN contributed a small design (the cake in the middle of the photo).  I know you all will want to reserve your copy today so click the photo above!!

October 5, 2010

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