Springtyme Pattern Booklet

I know, I know... I JUST released With One Accord... how on earth are you ever going to find time for yet another project??? So sorry, but this girl just can't stop stitching! And what better way to support my children's constant need for healthy food and larger clothing sizes?

I have 20 copies of my new booklet all ready to go out in the mail on March 2nd to anyone who wants to get in on the first batch. Never fear, this booklet will be available after that as well, since I do all of my own printing here at home; you can contact me any time, or purchase it through my etsy store. But the first 20 will sell for the early bird price of $15 (includes shipping; any following booklets will be sold for $18.

The booklet includes charts for 4 little samplers, each with a Spring theme.

Much Beloved:
Stitch Count: 53 x 65.
Cross stitch over 2 threads & petit point cross stitch over 1 thread.

Sara L 1811:
Stitch Count: 60 x 80.
Cross stitch over 2 threads and backstitch.

Olde Bouquet:
Stitch Count: 101 x 86.
Cross Stitch over 2 threads.

Maddy’s Sampler:
Stitch Count: 82 x 96.
Cross Stitch over 2 threads.

And here they are...

Any Takers?

I have been entertaining the idea of putting my needlepunch designs up for sale. But there are already SO many rug and needlepunch designs out there. Is the market already too saturated? I am very happy to just design them as I get the inspiration, but then I usually sell the finished product, as a one of a kind offering. Pretty, please, if you are someone who does needle punch, could you leave a comment letting me know whether or not you would be interested? And if so, do you prefer paper patterns, or e-patterns?

Here is an example of some of my past designs:

I am currently working on my coolest design yet... a lion in the jungle, based on a very folky old hooked rug. Just as soon as I finish it, I will be posting photos.

Too Big Fish

Recently, the little man got to go to the Sportsman's Show with his Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle and Cousin. Every year, there is this huge open pool set up for the kids to do a little trout fishing. The kids get to fish in groups for a designated amount of time. The trout are all very small, and fairly tame.

His cousin had already caught her fish, and their group time was nearing the end. He had only had a few nibbles. Suddenly, there was a large shadowy shape swimming through the water... "Look at that Monster!" one of the guys said. And then... SPLASH! It took his bait, jumping and splashing about, getting them all wet, and, unable to take it all in, our 3 year old son... Burst into tears!

Here he is with his proud Daddy, and the biggest trout any of them had ever seen! At just 3 years of age, he has already outfished them all, and by the looks of it, is still recovering...

What We Did for Valentine's Day

Way overdue for some quality time together as a foursome, we hit the road for the day, travelling down to Newport on the Oregon coast.


I wouldn't mind eating one of these for dinner...


Just after this photo was snapped, Jack turned to me and said with a smile, "MAMA! RUN! Its an OCTOPUS!" :)





This was Katie's first trip to the ocean.




This was also Skarloey's first trip to the ocean.




What a day!


Once again the ghost behind the camera, I only made it into 2 photos the whole day. Both photos are in this blog post. Can you find me?

Jack-isms, Part 4

Matt arrived home after another long day of working, stripped off his work clothes, and was laying on the couch in his boxers and tshirt. I could see Jack looking at his Daddy's legs, so I asked him, "Hey Jack, what's that on your Daddy's legs?" Without batting an eye, he replied, "Fur".

HA!

Hahahahahahahahaha..... HA!

Fabric Covered Boxes

After an entire day of cutting, dying, and glueing, I now have a beautiful stack of fabric covered boxes in my kitchen, just waiting to be dispersed. I almost hate to break up the set, because although I intended them to be sold separately, I kinda like how they look all mis-matched together!

And these three are destined for needle punch tops...

Just thought I'd share.

And while I'm sharing, here is another silhouette that I recently had the pleasure of creating. It was a secret birthday gift for a friend, commissioned by her husband. Awww...

We Have Spring Fever!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Switching Gears

Well folks, since I already have my Spring pattern booklet mostly ready to launch in March, and I don't have any new sampler ideas bursting from my brain, I am going to dust off my punch needle and make up some trinket boxes. Stay tuned for some creations along these lines...

Drawer of Wonders

Jack, 10 months old...

Katie, 12 months old...

New Pattern Release... With One Accord

I stitched the model on 28 count even-weave linen; finished size is approximately 12 by 17 inches, and the stitch count is 170 by 242.

This sampler was inspired by an old and extremely naïve motif sampler that I once saw. Full of fanciful yet primitive images, my imagination assigned the needlework to a young girl from a poor family. Without benefit of formal schooling or the use of published sampler-working books, I imagined her stitching away with only the dreams in her head for guide (and the watchful eye of her Mother!).

I duplicated the overall look of the original sampler, but deviated quite a bit by adding more cakes, animals, and flowers, and generally re-arranging to suit my own purposes! The quote was a bit of an afterthought, but until I added it to the bottom, the sampler somehow just didn’t seem “right”. I wrote the quote specifically for this sampler; it reads:

"In diligenc I stch each day
but at nit upon my nees
I hope and pray to sale away
acros the shining sees
wher choclate cake is plentyful
and little girls can play
with boncy balls and pretty dolls
all the liv long day"

I will be listing the pattern in my etsy shop tomorrow afternoon, once I have a pile of them printed and ready to ship. It will retail for $12, but if you contact me by 8 am Pacific Time Friday the 6th of February, I will consider yours a pre-order, and will sell it to you for $10.

Seriously Good Soup

I really mean this... I think it is probably THEE best soup I have ever eaten!

Even Matt, who in the past has told me he doesn't like split pea soup REALLY liked it. I got the recipe from the February issue of Country Home magazine, but don't feel bad sharing it here, since I adapted it a bit, and I am sharing MY version with you...

Curried Split-Pea Soup

1 32 ounce carton of vegetable broth
1 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1 16 ounce package dry split peas
1 Bay leaf
1 Large Yam or Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
1 Large Red Pepper, but into bite sized strips
3 Green Onions, thinly sliced
1 Large clove Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
2 Teaspoons Curry Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a 6 quart Dutch oven or soup pot with lid, combine broth, coconut milk, peas, bay leaf, and 14 ounces of fresh water (use the coconut milk can). Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in potato, red pepper, onion, garlic, soy sauce, curry, and crushed red pepper. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Remove and discard bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy. Try to not eat the whole pot all by yourself, because even though it is very healthy and full of vegetables, it really wouldn't be that good for you to eat in one sitting... but its good enough you just might want to!

According to the magazine, one serving has 10 grams fat, 47 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams dietary fiber, and 18 grams protein. But they didn't specify how big a serving is, go figure...

I Saw This Pinkeep in Person, and it is STUNNING!

If you are a collector of special one of a kind pinkeeps, then you had better go check out my sister Jen's most recent creation. Its up for sale right now on ebay.

The Final Stitches

I put the last stitches in on my new samper, "With One Accord" last night! It is drying right now after a nice coffee bath.

I will hopefully get it framed and ready for a final photo shoot tomorrow or the next day, which means a Thursday or Friday official release.

Now accepting pre-orders if you just don't want to wait. :)

February

Everyone waiting.
Poised.
On Spring's doorstep.