O is for Old Glory CHART CORRECTION

Here I am again with a chart correction, this time for the "O is for Old Glory" design.

I neglected to put symbols at the top of the shield for the stars. You can leave them un-stitched if you want, but on the model I used the same "white" as I used for the eagle's head and stripes at the bottom of the shield.

A note about the "white" used. It is charted for "Caramel Corn", but it has been pointed out that some batches of that color are quite "tan". A good substitute if you want a brighter "white" would be to use The Gentle Art's "Parchment" in place of the "Caramel Corn".

*NEW* O is for Old Glory: The Alphabet Series #1

I didn’t originally intend this to be the beginning of a series. It was simply a patriotic design idea that I loved. But as I sat stitching it, my mind began to wander and in a matter of minutes I had ideas for at least half of the alphabet. Why not? I asked myself. And the answer was a resounding Go for It!

I don’t have a planned release scheduled for this series. With 26 letters to chart, it might take me ten years to get through them all, since I have other ideas and plans and designs in the works too. They won’t be released in alphabetical order, but instead, as inspiration strikes.

The one thing you can count on is that they will all be round, designed to fit into the same frame, which can be found on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/178555694/6x6-picture-frame-with-circle-opening?ga_search_query=circle+frame&ref=shop_items_search_2

When you purchase a frame from their shop, they have generously offered a coupon code just for my customers! Enter HEARTSTRING10 at checkout to get ten percent off of your order (this coupon code won't work in MY shop, but only in the SignedandNumbered shop).

You could buy one frame and swap out the letters as you see fit, or a grouping of four or more of them for a nice collection to spell out your last name or a favorite word. Or, you could choose to finish your pieces as pincushions or ornaments for an alphabet tree. The options are multiple; use your creativity!

Stitch Count: 76 x 70
Model stitched with one thread over two on Picture This Plus 32ct. Ale

All threads are from The Gentle Art: Brethren Blue, Old Hickory, Caramel Corn, Endive, Piney Woods, Pecan Pie, Ruby Slipper
Conversion to DMC included with the chart.

Frame by Signed and Numbered: 6” Circle Opening Super Vintage Navy

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

May

I am struggling to figure out where in the world all of those gorgeous days of May went. The past month was a blur of science fairs, grass growing way too quickly, recitals, field days, hair cuts, flowers bursting out in bloom, dental appointments, deck quotes, swimming lessons, the Oregon Primary, jam making, and concentrating hard on finishing the school year as far ahead as possible.

Not to mention all of the regular stuff we do. Designing, filling orders, laundry, church, band practices sometimes twice a week (church band and the just-for-fun band), volunteering for the local food pantry, groceries, cleaning house, hosting fellowship group, did I mention laundry? It's no wonder I have grey hairs cropping up all over my crown.

I spent three long years not feeling well most of the time and struggling to just make dinner each night. Now I'm fully restored and burning the candle at both ends, it would seem.

Today is our last day of official school work, tomorrow is an all-school field trip to a local amusement park to play and turn in our loaner lap tops. And then... ah... the freedom of Summer! We have our first read aloud all ready to go (the Hobbit), and the Summer Vacation Rules are posted on the refrigerator, with a Summer to-do list in the works. My toenails have been painted and the picnic quilt is waiting by the door. We. Are. Ready.

When you come to the picture of the really, really, really, delicious chocolates, you're going to be wanting some for yourself. Scroll back up and click here to be redirected to the web site where you can learn all about them. They were a gift from one of my lovely customer friends, and I think you all need to discover them as well.

Finishing April

The rhubarb is growing like crazy, which means jam and streusel muffins and soon, custard pie. My mouth is watering now, just typing the words.

I've been stitching like crazy on two small patriotic designs and two samplers, with another installment in my coverlet series on its way home to me from a model stitcher. I hope your needles are greased and ready, because my designing mojo is not slowing down one tiny bit.

We had an amazing thunderstorm blow through the other day, a perfectly sunny day quickly turning dark and stormy. I adore thunderstorms. They make me feel adventurous and a bit wild. The kids were playing outside, unaware of the coming storm, and came running into the house when the rain started, one excited about the thunder in the distance, the other wide eyed and scared. They sat together on the porch swing watching the rain roll in, counting seconds in between thunder and lightning, the younger one holding onto the older one for dear life. It was the sweetest thing ever. Until the most gigantic clap of thunder ever happened, and she just couldn't stand it any longer. We all jumped a foot off of the ground, she squealed and ran into the house while the boy and I laughed until we cried.

There were some seeds left over from the Russian Kale that I fell in love with and grew in the garden last Summer, so the Farmboy planted a patch in the green house for me this Spring. It has now officially taken over, and I am eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yum.