My Discovery!

I think we all need a little organization when stitching a project.  Each time I start something new I look for the right floss storage as every project is unique.  

The one I am working on right now is an upcoming reproduction so I'm stitching with silk which I always put in the convenient "Floss-A-Way" bags sold in needlework stores.  Usually I put them on a ring because each bag has a hole in the corner.  I don't remember why I tried it but I slipped one of the bags into the pocket in our "Fresh From the Garden" needlebook and it fit!  They are all in there now and it's keeping me very organized while I stitch.

Back to stitching,

Diane

Sad News

Maybe some of you have heard the news already but I wanted to say a few words myself. . . . . . .the needlework magazine, "The Gift of Stitching" is going out of publication.  I had the privilege of being asked to contribute designs on two different occasions to this magazine.  It was, and is, a gorgeous publication.

I know Kirsten and the struggle she has endured publishing an e-magazine.  Each issue was very sought-after on the copyright infringing web sites.  I applaud her for fighting it as long as she did.

Have you ever heard that "sharing" a chart doesn't hurt anyone?  That needlework designers/publications can "afford" to lose the money via a few downloads?  Sharing does hurt and no, no one can afford the financial loss when it is multiplied so many times over.

I personally know stitchers who were once infringers.  Many people have recognized the harm they were doing and quit sharing and downloading.  However we have a long way to go if we're going to save this industry from a certain death.  Maybe it won't happen today or tomorrow but it will happen if all stitchers don't take responsibility and stop illegally sharing their charts.

I love designing but I too get discouraged when I see new charts downloaded hundreds of times.  To say I haven't thought of giving up would be a lie.  I'm sharing this to make a point. . . . . . . .many designers are on the verge of giving up the fight due to loss of income and respect for their hard work and I don't blame them.  Needlework is an industry like any other.  It takes money to keep it going.  Once the money is gone, so is the career and it's time to move on.

Thank you to every person who drove two hours to buy a chart, stitched it or stashed it and then bought another!  Thank you to those of you who gave away your original charts to friends rather than making copies for them.  And thank you for speaking up and telling your stitching friends NO when they asked for a copy of the chart you paid for with your hard earned money.  I am an optimist and I'd still like to believe we can turn this around and keep our designers and publications.

Thank you Kirsten for all you did for the industry by providing us with a beautiful, educational needlework publication.  You will be missed.

Diane

Getting some sun. . . . . .

These are not yet the dog days of summer but every afternoon Gracie plops herself in the warm Arizona sunshine.  This is a photo of her after she rolled around and around on her back.  She looks a little unkempt but that's what you get when you lay in dirt and grass.  :)

She better enjoy it while she can. . . . cold, wind and rain are on the way.  :(

Adam and Eve

I know there are a lot of Adam and Eve lovers who can't seem to get enough of this cute little couple.  Adam looks a tiny bit like a girl.  We can't ask Elizabeth what she was thinking when she stitched him.  This chart is a repro/adaptation taken from the original Elizabeth Hancock sampler that came out in 2011.  You may remember that I didn't reproduce the entire piece.  This adorable section was located at the bottom/middle in her finished work.

What you need to know about this design is that the words "Adam" and "Eve" were not on the sampler.  I added them myself.   The flowers were moved from another area, the birds were in the vicinity of the tree but not exactly where I put them, and I charted it for hand dyed cotton and not silk.  Stitch-for-stitch the tree, people and design elements are the way Elizabeth stitched them herself.

The frame is from Valley House Primitives and makes it look like an old sampler, don't you think???

I hope to get to the web site and update the supply lists for all three charts either tomorrow or Saturday.  Lots going on here so all I can say is I'll try!  We ship to our distributors tomorrow.

Happy Stitching,
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

The Snow Sampler!

Finally!  I am happy to say that we are shipping this reproduction to distributors the end of this week.  I feel like I've owned "her" forever!  

The sampler was reproduced stitch-for-stitch using the colors from the back side as the reference.  I have also included Louisa's genealogy for those of you who love such things as I do.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Four Corners Update

Have you ever had one of "those" moments were you say. . . . ."I knew I forgot something?"  I had one this morning when I realized that the dimensions for the overall finish of Four Corners (see last blog post) was left off of the pattern.  Most of you would  just count it out but I'll post the details here for those that are asking. . . .

Fabric: 30 Count Weeks Cocoa Linen.  Important!  Use the fabric size we recommend  or one that yields a smaller design or you may run out of thread.  32 count linen is a good alternative choice.

Size: 161 x 161 stitches.

Also. . . . . . .I have had email and phone calls on an old design I did for my LNS years back called "The Busy Needle".  It is not available for distribution.  If you own a copy, would you please pay it forward to those who wish to stitch it?  Making copies is not acceptable since the material is copyright protected.

Happy Stitching,
Diane

New! New! New!!

First in line is the Hoffman Distributing, Nashville Exclusive!

The pattern pack will include two designs. . . . one from me and one from Theresa at Shakespeare's Peddler.  There is enough thread in the pack to complete both designs.  The trim is included to finish the heart as well.  Finishing instructions are provided by each designer and are SUPER easy!  Mine is called A Stitcher's Heart.

Theresa's is called Gentle Stitches and has a design that wraps all of the way around the tube.  

Next in line is a design I did for Crescent Colours called "Four Corners."  The thread packs will release in three sets starting with the center weather vane.  After that you will get North and South together then East and West together.  

Thanks for stopping by this morning to take a peek at our Nashville releases!

Happy stitching,

Diane

It's all good!

I love it when things work the way they are supposed to!  This morning I updated the LHN web site and had no problems!  Not like last week, thank goodness.  So what that means is that the current supply lists are updated as well as the info on next month's ornament.  I promised a few shops that are not US based that I would try harder to give more advanced notice to be able to get in the supplies they needed.  So far so good!

This past weekend Ron and I made a short trip up to Phoenix to watch Juliet compete in the Starpower Dance Competition with her dance school.  It was our first time doing so and we had a great time.  Congratulations Juliet for a job well done!!!

So this is market week. . . . . .there are two surprises in store on Saturday so keep your computers pointed in our direction!  I can't wait to show you the photos!

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