Happy 4th!

Monday, July 4, 2011


Today I'm celebrating in my garden. My flowers need to be liberated from the weeds as they choke from the tyranny of overgrowth.

My blackberry "forest" is loaded with almost ripe berries. Soon Dave and I will be out doing weird yoga moves picking thousands of berries. We look forward to this time of the year. Dave loves to hack a path into the blackberries, "exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilizations in an expanding vast universe" of blackberries. Blackberry pie and jelly for all!

Barb is celebrating today with needle and thread. She is getting new patterns ready for cross stitch market in Baltimore. We will be coming out with several new patterns plus our schoolgirl sampler book with the Spencer Museum of Art published by the Kansas City Star.



The Spencer Museum has a wonderful collection of samplers and they've agreed to let us share 24 of them with you. I'm in the final days of research and writing. The book goes to the designer on Wednesday.



Half of the profits from the book go to the Spencer Museum. Hopefully this will enable them to show their collection. The samplers haven't been seen by the public since the early 1970s.
Museums must have a hard time getting the money for projects.

As I wrote about each sampler, I thought of the young girls. Wouldn't they be amazed to see their samplers studied and pictured in a book?

After I hand this book off, I'm feeling ready to cut into my fabric and stitch a quilt.

I want to thank all of you that left a comment in my last posting. I enjoyed reading all of the responses and am anxious to begin reading the books you love!!!!!

Until later dear friends!

Alma

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28 comments

  1. GiovannaJuly 4, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Look forward to your new book and charts - have a great day!

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  2. Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich)July 4, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Can't wait to see the new book and how awesome that the museum will profit as well!

    Enjoy your 4th and the rest of the week!

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  3. MargaretJuly 4, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Oh that new book will be a must for me for sure. Especially since it will help the museum. I know how much of a problem it is for museums to raise funds for exhibiting these days. Looking forward to your new designs too. Have fun with the yoga moves picking blackberries! lol!

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  4. MarleneJuly 4, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I'll purchase the book as soon as it comes out!
    The girls would be tickled pink to see their samplers in a book.
    What a thoroughly delightful thought.

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  5. KatrinaJuly 4, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Can't wait to see what you have new for market!!!!! The sampler book sounds wonderful too :-). Hope you have wonderful day! We are barbecuing with friends and family and then watching fireworks.

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  6. JoyJuly 4, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Happy 4th to you also! The new book sounds wonderful...can't wait!

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  7. JeannyJuly 4, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    I am looking forward to the new book, sounds great.

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  8. AnnJuly 4, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Happy 4th to you too, Alma. I'm spending my 4th stitching away on "Land of the Free" and enjoying every stitch!

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  9. AnitaJuly 4, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Happy 4 th!.
    Anita

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  10. millefeuillesJuly 4, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Happy Holiday to you from France.

    I simply wanted to let you know that I am a big fan of Blackbird Designs. Your designs are just beautiful.

    Stephanie

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  11. Nan ~ Threadwork PrimitivesJuly 4, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Always excited to hear about new patterns and this new book. That's great that the museum will get some of the funds. Thank you for all your contributions to the cross stitch world and Happy 4th.
    ~Nan

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  12. SiobhánJuly 4, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Zoinks!! The book is definitely a must have!

    Enjoy your Fourth!

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  13. AnonymousJuly 4, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    The new book sounds destined for my library collection. Hope you are having a wonderful 4th holiday.
    Betsy Ross would be proud of you, stitching on the special day.

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  14. AnnaJuly 4, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Happy 4th to you! I also started to celebrate by weed pulling and ooohing and ahhhhing over the plants that survived the winter!

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  15. LynnJuly 4, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Hi Alma

    Happy 4th to you....

    Can't wait for the new book.
    When is the market in Baltimore?

    I will be on the watch to purchase your new book.

    I love your designs, you ladies are my favorite....

    Lynn

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  16. Robin at The Primitive HutchJuly 4, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Hope you enjoyed the day!
    The sneak pics of the samplers already look amazing.
    Make sure you stretch before you do those yoga moves!!!
    Prim Blessings
    Robin

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  17. brigetteJuly 5, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    make sure to make some blackberry syrup too!! i can it every year and it never lasts until the next berry season.

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  18. carineJuly 5, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    I'm looking foward to the release of your new book ! Nice work. Greetings from Bruges Carine

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  19. LidaJuly 5, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Looking forward to the new book, hope it will be available in Holland soon!
    Lot os succes with the berries, here they are picked already! Greetings
    Lida

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  20. AllisonJuly 5, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Hello,
    I'm a beginner and have just found your website. It's lovely and just what I've been looking for. I needlepoint, sew, and knit. What book would you recommend to someone who has never tried these type of needlework before?
    Thank you so much in advance,
    Allison, Nantucket Mass.
    PS I've loved all of the books you mentioned. Currently reading "Say Her Name."

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  21. SharonJuly 5, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Sounds absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to get it. Happy 4th to you also.

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  22. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Sorry, specifically, cross stitch. Thank you.

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  23. AnneleinJuly 6, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Thanx for the beautiful pictures you shown us! It's always a delight to look at them.

    And I can't figure out how you two manage to achieve so much. It's very inspiring...

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  24. CarolGJuly 7, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Really looking forward to this book - I love the sampler in the pictures. Thanks for the peek!

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  25. ArwenJuly 8, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I cannot wait...and I love so much those colors....

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  26. Jane AndersonJuly 8, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Re: rhubarb and ginger sampler fabric- hooray! I love that print. I requested it in Black sometime last year. Hope you don't forget!!! Jane

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  27. AnnJuly 9, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    The new book looks great--and I'm anxiously awaiting the new patterns!

    Will any of the samplers from the museum's collection be reproduced for stitching? Just wondering...

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  28. susaneJanuary 6, 2017 at 7:33 AM

    Congratulations on your great site! Congratulations and good continuation!

    voyance par mail gratuite

    ReplyDelete

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