An update on an oldie and I'll never do laundry again

I have always loved playing with colors. This is why so many of my designs have alternate color options or two different cover models. I enjoy stitching over one thread, on lots of different types of fabric. It just makes each piece more interesting to me. One thing I haven't worked on before is black fabric. Soooo, I decided to experiment. I took an older design, MBT-134 Rejoice and Be Glad, and did a little tinkering. It looks completely different and I love it!

I used 32 ct. "Chalkboard Black" linen, and Weeks Dye Works thread Parchment, Straw, Artichoke, Raspberry and Madison Rose. The frame is from Michael's (#10484379) and I like it so much that I bought a second one while I was there yesterday. The original version was done on Raw Natural Cashel linen with only four colors of thread. All this to show that you should play with your thread!

If you have seen just a small sample of my line, you know that I have a slightly twisty sense of humor. In the most recent batch of releases it was a spider design. There is nothing to fear but fear itself... and spiders. Oh, let me tell you what happened last week. Not just a spider. That I could handle with grace and dignity. Nope. It was a tarantula. In my laundry room. Inside. My. House.

There is no amount of rational argument that can make me be okay with it being inside the house. I understand they eat harmful spiders and that they are a part of creation. I get that. But inside the house? Thankfully hubby saw it first and swooshed it outside with the broom. It is their migration season and it has added a new level of paranoia to yard work.

Upcoming designs continue to progress so look for some in the not-so-distant future! I'm waiting on some new circle frames to arrive for the next two releases in that series. My hope is that they will look just as good as the other ones, but be more accessible. I did a little bit of framing yesterday and the next chicken chart is ready to go. I'm still not certain I like the frame with the next scripture word series (similar to MBT-160 Walk by Faith) so that one is just sitting on the shelf and I'm thinking on it.

Enjoy each one of those x's :o)

So much new, so little time!

It has been a whirlwind of a week. Since I was sick for our anniversary I decided to sketch out a little bit of what I would like as a new structure for my website. With all of fifteen minutes before they returned home from vacation, I wrote up some ideas and handed it off to hubby, thinking it would be a few months before we tackled it. Nope. He went with it! This means I needed to redo hundreds of images, come up with text, proof... all in the middle of new releases. Can you hear the crazy from where you're at? So I have not only four new chart releases, and specialty pin releases, AND needle minder releases... I HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!!! It is so much easier to navigate, has great new pics of alllllll of the needle minders and Gingher fobs (now each one is available in long and mini) and most of the pins. I even added a picture and fob of the elusive Laurel 4" scissors. All of the design images have been reworked. I'm still doing some updating but I'm so excited for how far we have come already. 

Now for the new designs!!!

MBT-223 A Place for Everything 

A place for everything and nothing in its place. This has been my life during every. single. move. I know I can fit all of our stuff where it needs to go, minus some things that need to find new homes, but it seems like nothing is where it needs to be! Stitch count is 67w x 99h. Stitched on 32 ct. jobelan, "Queen Anne's Lace" with Weeks Dye Works thread and accented with Just Another Button Company buttons. Frame is a standard 5x7 by Mainstays.

MBT-224 Nothing to Fear

He he he he. I love this design. I was in a mood. "There's nothing to fear but fear itself and spiders." It has the cutest little stitched arachnids that seem to be reaching out to touch things that they shouldn't. They're like little toddlers! Design also includes a sweeter version that just has "There's nothing to fear but fear itself." Stitch count is 68w x 68h. Stitched on 28 ct. jobelan, "Queen Anne's Lace" with Weeks Dye Works thread and accented with Just Another Button Company raspberry swirly bud button. The frame is from Green Tree Gallery and used to be gold. I love spray paint.

MBT-225 Embrace Moments

This is the next step in the circle series. Through the past year, and all of our changes, I have learned to Choose Joy (MBT-213) and I would make a decision to rejoice even in the struggles. Through that is to Love Completely (MBT-217) and know that any sacrifice in done in love, remembering to Cherish Friends (MBT-221) because they are a gift from God. Now I am needing to Embrace Moments and take advantage of the time together because we won't get them back. There will be more in the series, one with family is coming up, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Stitch count is 63w x 63h. Stitched on 32 ct. country french linen, "Cafe Mocha" with Gentle Art Sampler Threads. 

MBT-226 Prayer of Saint Francis, Simple Peace Prayer of St. Francis Assisi

Oh, I can't tell you how much I loved stitching this design. From the planning phases, it was created to be affordable to frame. It is designed so that the left and right edges run into the frame rabbit of a standard 16x20 frame, when stitched on 32 count fabric. This gives it a custom look without the custom price. The total framing costs on this was... ready for it?... under $35. This included the frame (on sale at 50% off), mat, lacing materials, and spacers. Stitch count is 257w x 304h. Stitched on 32 ct. country french linen, "Cafe Mocha" with Gentle Art Sampler Threads. The frame is from Green Tree Gallery. 

Specialty Pins - Bees Knees Garnet, Blue, Amber

 Specialty Pins - Daisy Days Spring Green, Aqua, Yellow

 Specialty Pins - Silver Wings Glacier, Pink, Spring Green, Purple, Silver

Phew, that was a lot of stuff! It is a huge weight off to be this far and be able to share these with you. I have kept them fairly quiet even though they have been ready for a month, just because I wanted them spaced out a little bit from the February releases. For the next batch, I have a new one in the Quaker Seasons series - just have to find the frame in the garage. May need to tie off with a rope so I can find my way back out of the boxes... There will be a fifth in the circle series and then I have a few options of what else to include. I'm working on a new hymn, some new scripture, a new chicken one and some new sassy. It is a good season for stitching.

I have figured out that I love hiking. I have always enjoyed exploring, but the state parks here are beautiful at this time of year and I love being in them. It is early enough that there aren't a lot of mosquitoes, and the temps are mild, but late enough that everything is green and starting to bloom. So lovely! We have been doing family day trips to check out the parks and it has been renewing. Then the pollen attacks and I get sick for a week, but I'm enjoying what I can :o) God is good.