The end of the year . . . . .

Just a note to let everyone know that we are taking time for family and setting most of the work load aside for a while as we head into Christmas and the New Year (which means we are closed!).  We hope you can do the same.  I have some baking planned and lots of cooking for Christmas Eve.  I'm sure you are all in the same mode I am.

Anyone who knows me knows that the Peanuts gang are some of my favorite cartoon characters.  These fun ornaments are on our tree.  

Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year!

Ron and Diane

. . . . . and Gracie!

Coming in 2013!

Information on the LHN web site will be posted soon!

December patterns and some news. . . . . . .

The end of the year comes with a bit of sadness as the ornament series comes to a close.  However I have to say, that what is coming in 2013 is more exciting for me than ornaments.  Tomorrow we will give you a small peek at what is coming in January.  All I'll say today is that it is a series of twelve designs . . . . stitch one or stitch them all.  It will be your choice just like the ornaments.  The photo of the first design will go up right after the new year instead of mid-month like we usually do.

Saltbox Village

I saved the Saltbox Village ornament for last. . . . . . I love the red bow Vonna put on top for finishing.  Thank you all for stitching and falling in loving the ornament series.  Perhaps we'll do it again some day but I'm taking a break from them for now to design some other fun stitching projects.  :)

And the very last design this year is the reproduction by Mary Ann Myers dated 1827.  The birds!  Do you see all six of them???  I fell in love instantly when I saw this sampler.  So you may be asking why I chose gingham for a reproduction.  When I began to think about how I wished to present this design as a chart, I wanted to mimic the playfulness at the bottom of the design and add more interest to the lettering.  Marking samplers are awesome, but don't you think the gingham just sets the design off?  I'd like to think Mary Ann would approve.

In the pattern itself I discuss the Quaker leanings of this design.  It is American, from Pennsylvania but is not proven to be a Quaker.  I have identified the young girl through genealogy research which is included in the chart.  I'd love to hear opinions if you have any expertise in this area of identification.

The chart has a bit of over-one stitching.  If you are an aida stitcher this design would not be for you.

And a note of a more personal nature to share with you. . . . . . my step-father passed away on October 25th.  Many of you have come to know my mom over the years and know how she has helped to play a vital role in the business.  She has put stitching on hold for now but hopefully can get back to it some day down the road.  She has stitched some of my favorite designs like Thirteen Colonies and Elizabeth Hancock just to name a few.  I'm afraid her eyes are just not cooperating were her any more to do such fine work as the eye problems she is experiencing are very troublesome.  It makes those models she has stitched even more precious to me.

The year 2013 will be very special for us!  We will be celebrating ten years in self-publishing in September.  We plan on celebrating that marker with some fun give-aways throughout the year.  

Tune in tomorrow when we announce the first of two new series!  Did I say two?  Oops!  Another secret just slipped out of the bag!  

Diane

Pinterest

With the popularity of Pinterest on the rise, I wanted to share something with you.  The items that are pinned to boards are sometimes protected by copyright.  It has become a huge problem for designers in our industry that find themselves again on the front line battling to retain their copyrights and their jobs.

Personally I do not mind if you share Little House finishes and pattern covers.  Shops do it, bloggers do it, and I do it.

This first pin is perfectly ok with me.

The second photo shows what is NOT ok.  It is a clear violation of the copyright.  Before you pin a chart, look at it carefully to see if it says it is a free chart and can be distributed or if it has a copyright and maybe even a warning.  

The industry thanks you and I thank you for continuing to educate yourself and others in this matter.  And a HUGE thank-you to those who take their time to report the illegal pins to designers.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Oldies but Goodies!

Just a few winter designs from the past.

Top Row: Snowflakes and Warm Winter Woolens

Middle Row: Gingerbread Trio and Be Merry, Belle Pepper

Bottom Row: The Angels Sang and Winter Wonderland

Something for everyone!

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

Season of Love and Bear Tree Forest

New pattern time!  We shipped both designs to our distributors yesterday.  The 11th ornament of the year is called "Season of Love".  The little snow couple is so cute holding their stick hands.  Stitch it for yourself but it would make a great gift for a newlywed couple!

"Bear Tree Forest" is another design from LHN featuring THE bears.  I know many of you love stitching "winter" so this was designed for you.  The bears can also be seen on the following designs: Snowy Pines (2010 ornament), Pinetop Lodge and Lakeside Lodge.

Next month we have the last ornament and an amazing reproduction from little Mary Ann Myers featuring six very good sized birds.  You are going to love it.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Gingerbread Cookie and Holiday House

The two newest patterns with supply lists are up on our web site!  

Only two more ornaments in the series . . . . . the countdown is on!

Gingerbread Cookie

Holiday House

Finished afghan

A few of you have requested to see a photo of the finished afghan. . . . . the one I switched from primarily black to dominate cream coloring.  It turned out beautiful using Vanna's Choice that I picked up at Michael's.  It's throw size. . . . .just perfect for little 'ole me when chilly nights arrive (if they ever do).

There isn't a pattern for the color scheme but you can see I simply alternated two blocks, swapping the cream and green with each other in the centers but then keeping the black and gold consistent in all of the blocks.  Instructions for granny squares can be found for free on the internet.

The last of summer. . . . .

Yes, I know summer is officially over but in the southwest, it isn't over until the temperatures go down and the butterflies go home.  So I guess it's still summer here because the butterflies are out in abundance!  Or are those moths?  Pretty creatures whatever they are.  And oh do they love our lantana bushes!  Remember Molly our last Golden Retriever?  She would have pounced all over these winged beauties.  Gracie acts like she doesn't even know they're here!

I know some of you have seen snow and felt cold temperatures already.  Looks like we're hanging on to summer just a little bit longer. . . . . .

Happy Stitching,
Diane