A Magic Potion Just For You

Find a very tall black hat;

Fill it with a squeaky bat.

Catch a clever shiny crow;

Gather up the pumpkins' glow.

Call your black cat home to you;

Summon up a ghost or two.

Throw in lots of special treats,
Like candy corn and lizard feets.

Simmer, bubble, stew and wait....
Then it's time to celebrate!

Need a Pile of Leaves to Play In?

I had so much fun stitching up last month's LAHAINA BREEZES I decided to create a new series which plays around with this surprisingly fun patchwork/abstract/collagey/impressionistic format. And here's what I came up with for this month:

I'm calling it "TURNING LEAVES" (which is sort of a play on words as well, because it's got lots of different leaf patterns in it, and they're turning all over the place!)

Here's a section of it up close:

It was a blast to stitch and throw in every fun type of leaf pattern I could think of, plus the focal point - a swirling box of oak leaves and acorns. How fall-ish is THAT?!?!

And it uses two different Watercolours threads: 144 "Pomegranate" for the variegated oranges, plus a brand-new one 285 called "Sherwood Forest" in rich greens and browns with spots of orange. And I also put in a lot more beads than usual... I found some longer bugle beads that are a yummy variegated greenish color, so I had to add those along some smaller gold bugle beads, plus a handful of amber seed beads, as well as the larger gold ones that always stand out well on 18 ct. canvas.

If you're intrigued by this new TURNING LEAVES design, please visit my website for a more detailed thread list and other ordering particulars!

Oh, and Happy Friday, Stitchers... I hope you get lots of fun fall stitching done!

Add a Little Mystery to Your Life!

In the latest issue of Needlepoint Now(Sept/Oct), there's the start of a three-part project of mine called "Triptych Mystery". Here's what the whole design looks like (since they've revealed the whole design in the magazine, I'll also share it with you here):

Each month a different square will be shown and stitchers can do the whole design, or just one block at a time, as they prefer. I've chosen favorite stitch patterns that are fun and interesting to stitch. And the 4" blocks do work up rather fast... and can make great abstract ornaments as well. (I can see them turned on point with a tassel added for a hanging ornament...or all three worked as a small banner - apprx 4" x 12".) Here's what the first installment looks like up close:

If these abstract squares intrigue you, check out the latest Needlepoint Now magazine and get started stitching!

But also please take note: the Watercolours thread used for the whole piece should be Watercolours 231 - Ethiopia (not 257 as written in the instructions). When proofing the pages I totally overlooked the thread number and the wrong one slipped by me! Rats... Sorry for the mistake, stitchers... but once you see the gorgeous purples, golds and browns of 231 Ethiopia you'll love working with it as much as I did!

Whoops!

Just a little correction to make to my new LAHAINA BREEZES pattern: I listed the main Watercolours "Caribbean" as number 008 -- it should be 089. (Oh drat.... those numbers will trip me up every time!)

Sorry about that, Stitchers.
And Thank You, Sue from Kelsey's Needle Krafts for telling me about the error...

Aloha, Stitchers!

Direct from my Hawaiian-print pants to you: it's LAHAINA BREEZES!

Boy, was this a fun one to stitch up! It's a 10" x 10" design that I worked up on the bright aquamarine 18 ct. canvas for a little bit of island flavor. And the patterns I chose worked up so fast and easy it was an unexpected surprise to have it all stitched up in 7 days.

Here's a close-up of some of the fun patterns:

And see at the bottom of the photo, I even snuck in a wavy row of jazzy bugle beads, for a totally different texture... plus there are some crystal beads sprinkled around the piece as well.

And here's a side shot so you can see some of the shiny Ribbon Floss stitching in the plumeria flower section, that adds an extra dimension of color and light movement to the piece:

If you're interested in sampling these LAHAINA BREEZES yourself, please visit my website for all the pattern particulars.... ALOHA AND HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND, STITCHERS!!

A Little Repanelling Project

Over the past few weeks I've had some nice chats with several stitchery store owners about their having classes for my ONE LONG PANEL design in particular. It's been very satisfying to know that stitchers are having fun stitching up these panel projects.... and even more satisfying to know that stitchers are expanding their own creative knowledge and confidence by changing colors and making the panel design their OWN through their color picks!

Recently I received a call from TWO THE POINT in Overland Park, Kansas. They're planning to hold a class in a few weeks and were ordering a few more patterns, since they've had more people sign up. The stitchers there are all choosing their own color combinations, so each one will be a unique surprise for the stitcher when it's done. How fun is that?

And a while ago, THREAD & EYE in London, Ontario sent me a link to see the photos from the group of stitchers who were also taking a ONE LONG PANEL class in the store. Go check out www.threadneye.com and then click on the "One Long Panel Class" listed on the right side of the website. You'll see all sorts of color combinations for this design. And each one looks totally different than the next!

Hearing from stores and stitchers about how much they are enjoying stitching my projects really gives me a boost of creative energy. I'm so glad stitchers are having fun with my pieces ... and let me tell you: it inspires me to keep on stitching and designing fun projects to share with all of you! So Thank You, Stitchers for all your interest and support for my designs. I truly, truly appreciate hearing from you all!!

A Stitching Journey

I'm happy to announce another new quilt design for this summer: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. I've called it that because I wanted to revisit two of my most favorite quilting motifs and combine them in a larger, more complex design. Here are some of the flying geese triangles

and here's one of the lone star blocks...

It's a larger quilt design (12.5" x 12.5") on 18 ct. mono canvas that I decided to work on the bright aquamarine canvas (even though you don't see much of it after you've finished all the stitching). I've stitched this all in #5 pearl cottons, but it could certainly be done in stranded floss or silk, if you prefer.

And I've listed three different colorways for this design. The Blue Version (which is the model shown above and is built around 2 skeins of Watercolours 192, "Elderberry Wine") plus a Pink Version that is built around 2 skeins of Watercolours 048, "Far Horizons"

and a Red Version that is built around 2 skeins of Watercolours 008, "Nefertiti."

So many times, when I stitch something up I "see" it in other color combinations, which is why I've included the pink and red colorways as well. As much as I loved working in the cool palette of Amish-type colors, I would also love to see it stitched in warm pastels of pinks, golds and greens... not to mention the traditional primary palette of red, blue, green and gold.

If you'd like to take this SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY yourself, please visit my website for more information about ordering this pattern.
P.S.: I've started rebuilding my website with a new host, so it has a fresh new look. It's a long and tedious process, but I've started by putting on the most recent patterns and information, and of course I will continue adding stuff in the coming weeks. There are bound to be a few unforeseen glitches along the way, so I appreciate your patience while my new website is "under construction."