Anniversaries of the Heart #7
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I loved reading all of your stitching tips. Thank you for taking the time to write! It makes me wish we could all get together for a sewing and stitching day. This posting also reminds me I need to join my local embroiderer's guild. I remember after joining a local quilter's guild, I learned more about quilting in a year than I had in 10 years alone.
Finally the next Anniversaries of the Heart has been handed off to the printer. Barb did this one in honor of her sweet nephew Cole. I love the idea of using the traditional leaf border for the water.
Barb's "newest" favorite color is Crescent Colours Camouflage. She used this floss on the vine that surrounds the house. After seeing this one finished, I have to admit, I ran to my local shop and got a couple of skeins. (She always has a new favorite color.)
Also included in this pattern is the first bonus. Below is a picture.
If you are stitching the entire series on one piece of linen, this is positioned in the middle of the first row.
The thing that really surprised me about these two pieces is they are both stitched on 30ct. Ligonier Latte by R &R Reproduction. The linen looked like a different color. I called Barb to make sure they were the same. I had forgotten a basic principle I had learned in art class. The framing and floss colors on the piece can make the linen take on another hue. The red frame and the lighter floss colors of the bonus piece made the linen look lighter than the linen in the black frame with the darker floss shades.
The title of the pattern is Swan Lake. It will be in my warehouse in about a week's time and then will be shipped out to distributors. Usually it takes about a couple of weeks from this point for it to get to the shops.
We got some rain last night! After our heat wave, what a relief. Dave and I sat outside last night on the porch enjoying the thunder, lightening and rain.
Until later dear friends!
Alma
35 comments
Gorgeous!! Oh I need to get all the threads so I can start stitching this series!!
ReplyDeleteThe bonus chart is fantastic. Many thanks to you both for designing the AotH series of charts. I'm stitching it on one piece of linen and loving every stitch.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and I learned something about color, framing and the linen. Makes so much more sense to me now when I'm choosing frames for samplers.
ReplyDeleteYour designs are gorgeous!
Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest
So beautiful patterns! I want them both!:)
ReplyDeleteThe house and swans reminded of love and family values!
This one is beautiful. I know that the color of the board you choose to stretch on can change the look of the linen as well.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love them both! The two of you are "just all that, AND a bag of chips!" What would the stitching world be without you both! Life just doesn't get any better than a new design from the Blackbird Ladies! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteAlma, we too finally got some rain in Indiana and it was a relief!! Not quite enough to break the heat wave, but the flowers and tomato plants were overjoyed.
ReplyDeleteLove these, specially the bonus, I am a nut over the alphabet and this one is exceptionally pretty, thank you! I too am amazed at how fabric hues will change with different fibers and frame shades! Both are beautiful, and now I can begin my Anniversaries of the Heart, when I get these in my hands.
Have a great weekend!
Love them both! The bonus chart is such a beauty!!!! Thank you and Barb for all of your hard work to make this series so fun and gorgeous!! You are both very talented and we love you! Keep them coming! pj
ReplyDeleteThe latest Anniversaries of the Heart is absolutely, positively gorgeous! I also love the border design used as the water - so clever! The bonus design is also very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love stitching this series so much! I'm about half way through with Valentine Rose, and I enjoy it just as much as Snow Garden. What a beautiful collection of samplers this will be when they're finished and framed!
Beautiful stitching. And oh... I would love to come to a stitching day... if Holland was not so far away...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely georgeous both #7 and the bonus. So glad I'm on the automatic ship from my LNS.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or does anyone else get excited to run to the computer and check to see if there is a new post from Alma? The when I see today's date and a new post I scream with excitment. I think I need the 12 step program for Blackbird addicts! For the brief moment I read the post, it brings sunshine to the rest of my day! Thank you. Hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteAnother great design! I love the bonus chart, too! Designs with alphabets are my favorites. Can't wait to get my copy.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be adding this one to my stash.
ReplyDeleteLove it! This is definitely one I will be adding to the stash! I love the choice of colors also. You and Ms Barb make a great team!
ReplyDeleteAlso just wanted to thank you again for my "prize" of the Moda fabrics! It was better than Christmas morning in my house... :)
Carol
My granddaughter just finished stitching
ReplyDeletea beautiful sampler for my collection and I am ready to have it framed. Do I have glass put on it or not? I welcome all comments. What do you do with yours?
Doris
Hi Doris,
ReplyDeleteWe frame the picture without glass for photography. After photography has been completed we remove the piece from the frame and insert glass. I love glass....I do have several pieces that are framed without glass and they have maintained their pristine look over the years. So, I think just do what makes you the happiest.
What I think I would love the best is to find some vintage glass...the ones with a bit of a wave and bubbles. It would make the piece look older. But alas, I don't have a source for older glass.
Alma
I love your cross stitch patterns, but do not know how to cross stitch, or should I say, get started. Is there a book that you would recommend? I do a lot of embroidery and applique, so would love to learn how to cross stitch. I have several of your patterns that I would love to do. Thanks for any help. I'm looking forward to your class at the Buggy Barn. See you there!
ReplyDeleteLovely sampler and stitching! Please sign me up to come for a stitching day! LOL! Actually, I've taken one of your classes and had so much fun it was like a stitching day with friends.
ReplyDeleteI know you are busy, but you are so right about EGA, you do learn so much by joining a chapter, plus
the friends you make, plus what you learn from stitching in a group....it's wonderful!
Both charts are very pretty. I shall add them to my collection.
ReplyDeleteI love the new designs and will be getting them as soon as possible. I love alphabets and this one is so pretty. Thank you for all the joy you give thru your designs.
ReplyDeletegorgeous charts! i am so excited to have that bonus ;)
ReplyDeleteI NOW CAN START MY ANNIVERSARIES!!-WAS WAITING UNTIL THE SPACE WAS FILLED SO I WOULDN'T MAKE ANY MISTAKES IN COUNTING. SOOO GORGEOUS-CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing the new designs - they're lovely!
ReplyDeleteAlma,
ReplyDeleteI love Blackbird Designs patterns! Do you have them custom framed? They are just lovely.
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteSome we have custom framed and some are not. I usually go to a frame wholesaler and pick one out. I have them make the frame and I stretch my piece and insert it into the frame. Barb has done the same thing...but lately she has had a local shop order the frame and stretch her piece and insert it into the frame.
Alma - another beauty on the AoTH series. I'm SO thankful for the bonus piece - now I can move on with my series - I was just NOT going to count across to number 4 and risk screwing up. I stitched Happy Birthday for my DM and finished it in 3 weeks which is amazing for me - once the finishing is done - I will email you a photo. Cheers! Melody
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I just love this series!
ReplyDeleteLove Swan Lake and the first bonus! Keep 'em coming! It's a great series!
ReplyDeleteHave just purchased Country Inn .
ReplyDeleteLove it love it love it.
Cant wait to start my quilt.
Having trouble getting some of the fabrics here in Australia as the book has only just become available.
Everything you both do is gorgeous.
Meg
Alma,
ReplyDeleteWhen you say "frame wholesaler", is that someone that is available to you since you are in the business, or are those types of businesses available to everyone? Don't know exactly what you mean.
I have looked at frames before at JoAnn's, but they don't have molding nearly as nice as at my local needlework store. They seem to be less expensive, though. :)
Help? Thank you.
Brenda
Alma,
ReplyDeleteThat is EXACTLY what Barb calls and says to me!!! LOL, love you both!
Barb's "newest" favorite color is Crescent Colours Camouflage. She used this floss on the vine that surrounds the house. After seeing this one finished, I have to admit, I ran to my local shop and got a couple of skeins. (She always has a new favorite color.)
Sharon Crescent
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteI do purchase the frames from a wholesale shop. They are available to us because we have a business.
Your local needlework store is able to get the same frames that Barb and I use....plus some wonderful others that we haven't even seen. We have a couple of local shops that do wonderful framing. The shop owners seem to know what will really enhance the piece too!
Alma
We continue to have great success with your fabrics in our shop. Your books we cant keep on the shelf.
ReplyDeleteNote: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.