Monday, September 10, 2018

*NEW* Festive Little Fobs : Harvest Edition

How do you condense the three best months of the year into 9 tiny fobs? I don't know, but I sure tried! Represented in this set are September's sunflowers, October's pumpkins, and November's changing leaves, as well as a black kitty and a turkey for good measure

This series, unlike the others that I’m in the midst of, has a clear start and finish, as well as a total number of volumes. There will be 12 total, one for each month of 2018. Some will be seasonal, the rest will have general themes, good for any time of year. The intent is for there to be a whole lot of littles that you can stitch for friends and/or that you can fill a little tree with. Imagine if you worked your way through this entire series; with at least 9 different motifs per chart, that’s a total of 108 little ornaments or fobs that you could fill an old feather tree with. Or 108 friends that you could spoil with the labors of your hands.

I’ve included basic instructions for a few of the fob finishes, but I encourage you to explore the internet on your own for the fabulous DIY tutorials there are out there on Floss Tube and Pinterest. I’m far from being an expert finisher, and easily confess that my methods aren’t new. The Silver Dollar finish might be original, but the other finishes are the same that are already out there. If you’re not a person that likes to finish their own stitching, I’m sure you can find a willing person out there to do it beautifully for you for a fee.

Each new theme will remain a mystery until the date of it’s release, but I think you’re going to love them all!

Stitch Count Varies: Approximately 30 x 30 or smaller for each fob

Models stitched with one thread over two
on Weeks Dye Works’ 36ct. Parchment

Using threads from Weeks Dye Works:
Clockwork, Fawn, Havana, Lichen, Mascara, Oscar, Pecan, Terra Cotta

Conversion to DMC included with the chart.


Additional Materials Suggested:
US Silver Dollar, Acid Free Card Stock, Acid Free Gluestick,
Felted Wool, Large Lobster Clasp

Trims from Lady Dot Creates:
Mini RickRack: Bird Nest
RickRack: Mary Janes, Jack
Ribbon: Licorice, Jack, Grubby Jack
Chenille: Bird Nest



This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

*NEW* You Had Me at Pumpkin Spice

Last September I was inspired to create this design as I sat in my house on a rainy day, sipping my own homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. Which, for me, entails some very black coffee with a small splash of a Pumpkin Spice creamer. I don’t usually go for that one certain latte that has created all of the fanfare because it isn’t coffee enough for me. BUT… I do desperately and dearly love ALL THE PUMPKIN THINGS. Pie, bread, cake, lasagna, roasted, steamed, blended, reduced to a scent and put into candles… you name it, I’ve always loved it. Maybe because I was born in November. Maybe because I was genetically engineered with pumpkin-shaped receptors on my tongue. Whatever the reason… It’s about time I jumped on the bandwagon and made something stitchy for this season we now nearly ALL confess to love…

I put it into my design software last year, and this Summer, with the help of Christy Mock, a sweet soul, who gently reminded me to ask for help when I have too much on my plate (unless it’s pumpkin something, in which case don’t ask for help, just gobble it all right up), I got the drum whipped up, and then decided to add the pincushion. Because why not. Never too much pumpkin, am I right?

Pumpkin Spice Everything Drum
Stitch Count: 183 x 75
Model stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions’ 36ct. Old Mill Java
With flosses from Weeks Dye Works:
Havana, Oscar, Peach, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato

You Had Me at Pumpkin Spice Pincushion
Stitch Count: 111 x 75
Model stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions’ 36ct. Old Mill Java
With flosses from Classic Colorworks:
Autumn Spice, Pine Needles, Tea and Biscuits
And flosses from The Gentle Art:
Acorn, Sarsparilla

DMC conversion included with the pattern.

Additional Materials Recommended
Quilting fabric for back, top, and bottom of pin cushions
Favorite filling (I prefer wool roving or sawdust for drums)
Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates in the color “Jack”


This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com