Just a really quick market update .... I'm still getting all of the market details finished and working on the next Loose Feathers pattern. The pictures on the tins were so small! I wanted to give a better picture here on the blog. I don't think anyone could tell how the pincushion was finished unless you looked at the pattern. The Oct. 31 kit is pictured above. This kit also includes the fabric from our fabric line Field Notes from Moda Fabrics. The herringbone stitch adds detail to the top. It's just spooky enough to hold all of your sharp pins and needles!


     The stocking kit, Never Far Away is a lovely way to celebrate a special friendship or family member. Barb included my initial and hers. There is an alphabet provided to add your own initials. The fabric on the back of the stocking is included in the kit and is from our Cinnamon Spice line.

     Until later!

Alma

    

     Getting ready for market can be overwhelming at times. Lots of details to keep in line....and many patterns to proof. Luckily we have great people that help check everything twice! I dropped this sweet one off at the printer yesterday and they made big promises of having it ready for market. (They keep their promises better than me!)  

     Sisters is our newest book. I found two early 19th century samplers from England on E-bay . I called Barb, and we decided to purchase them after about 2 seconds of discussion. They were made by sisters with the last name of Shields.

     The samplers they’ve stitched use similar motifs, but clearly reflect the nature of each girl. The older of the two used more sedate colors than her younger sister, who used orange and black with wild abandon.

     The different tones and personalities of the samplers inspired the pieces in this booklet. You’ll find reproduction charts of the original samplers as well 2 other samplers made with Halloween in mind and one just right for Christmas. Barb and I had lots of fun with this one and hope you do too!

     The book will be sold at market first and then available to shop owners from their distributors. 




     Above is Away We Ride, a single pattern designed by Barb. I love all of the windows in the witch's house. She can see someone coming from miles away! If that isn't enough to scare a person away....the tree of poison apples is sure to do it.


     Midnight Ride was designed by Barb to fit into a 6" sewing box by Lone Elm Lane. Stephanie Elmer makes these boxes by hand and they are wonderful. And to make good things even better, Stephanie will be at market too. Her Shaker boxes will be available, and she has designed some wonderful pieces to stitch herself. Just wait until you see those!
     Since the design is easily removed from the lid, we have decided to so a seasonal series for this sized box. Barb has the Thanksgiving one already stitched....I just don't have it into pattern form and won't have it for market. But Midnight Ride will be there just in time for Halloween!

     We will also have 2 exclusive market kits. I will show pictures of those next week.

Hope your weekend is lovely. We have the best weather here! It feels like autumn.

Until later,

Alma

     This piece celebrates my mother’s family. Mom’s maiden name was Lampshire, symbolized by the initial “L” in the center of the piece. The date inside the lower right heart indicates the year her parents married. The initials located on the chart belong to Mom, her parents and her brother.
     Many members of my family moved to Holland from England in search of religious freedom. During the mid-1600s, they began to emigrate to America in an effort to preserve their English traditions. This sampler reflects my Dutch heritage.
     This sampler is bittersweet for me. My mother became ill the end of May and never was able to recover. Her brother, my uncle Wayne, passed away 7 months earlier. I designed this piece before my mother and her brother became ill. I'm so glad to have this with all of their initials together.
     Use the alphabet in the sampler and the numerals provided in the chart to personalize this piece for you and your family.

Barb and I are crazy busy getting ready for cross stitch market in St. Charles. During these times of trying to gather it all together to make the deadlines we usually look at each other and wonder if we will make it.

Usually it all comes together thanks to the wonderful people who help us with our work. We will have a couple of kits, new Halloween patterns and a book. Will give some previews as we get closer to market!

Until later,

Alma