And the winner is ..., pics of "Les Fleurs Chics" flowers in cross stitch & list of floss & fabric for new long design "Nantucket Village Series"

And the winner is ......... Phyllis. Yeah!!. I will email her and get her address to mail out the pattern.
Thank you to all that left me a message, it is always fun hearing from you :>)
Here are some pics of the flowers from "Les Fleurs Chics" cross stitched instead of the wool applique.

And Toby wanted to say HI, he's sitting in a bowl on top of my charts

This is a little friend we found yesterday. She is nesting in a tree by the downstairs door.

I will take more pics daily and keep you posted :>)

I think I will call her "Molly"

If you are interested in stitching the new series that I am working on called" Nantucket Village Series" here is some info you will need.

The stitch count for the whole piece is 448 x 96

I am using fabric from "Fabric Flair" 28ct evenweave called Sage

on 28ct it will measure 32 x 6.85. if a yard is ordered from them it measures 34" x 40" 

The 40" gives you 4 inches extra on each side for your design and that 34" length cut is half is plenty so you have enough fabric for 2 people from a yard :)

Floss List DMC

161

169

321

498

502

503

640

642

644

725

727

728

730

732

829

830

831

832

890

3371

ecru

I hope you join me on this project. I am stitching the 1st section and the first of the 5 scenes . I will keep you posted on my progress.

Have a great night

donna

Taking names for a giveaway! Wool applique

Giveaway is for the pattern only and not the finished work :)

What another glorious day here. I just love waking up to the sound of the birds. I know they are singing praises to God. My daughter is going to get me a CD, sounds of nature with the songs of birds. Cant wait :>). (Late Mothers Day gift). I will have it playing on the porch all the time.
Well enough of my bird talk I have a giveaway for you and this one is for "Seaside Blue In Wool"
It is all wool applique but you could also applique with fabric by just adding a 1/4 inch around the pattern pieces for turning under. I will have the drawing on Friday so if you would like to please leave me a message and I will add your name to the hat for the drawing.
On my way to pick up hubby, tuck him away in bed and do some more stitching (after a little house work).
I will post more tomorrow, promise :>)
donna

2 new design for you to have a peek :>)

I hope you all had a great Mothers Day. I had mom visiting for the weekend and we watched some old black and white movies on AMC. It was fun but I did have to take hubby to the hospital again on Sunday so that took a few hours, he is still there but hopefully he will be home tomorrow.
But in my spare time I have been stitching and I just finished "Birds Of A Funky Feather #8"

I also made a "Simple Sampler" that I thought would be cute for the beginning stitcher that wants to start a Sampler collection. Sometimes SIMPLE is nice :>). I explain what some of the motifs mean and a little about samplers. Just basic cross stitching with a bit of straight stitching.

I will post again tomorrow and I will have a giveaway for "Seaside Blue In Wool" so check back to sign up then. Have a great day and it is beautiful here today. Thank you for reading my post, I will try to post more but sometimes life gets in the way (and stitching too). donna

New design on the horizon.... take a look !!

I started this design 2 years ago just playing around and adding to it. You would never guess what it looked like in the beginning but I have finally finished tweaking it and here it is.........

I have missed my seaside themes that are very large (but you can stitch these segments separate if you like)

This is separated into 5 segments with the front and back extensions as a bonus. These segments do not pertain to a separate design that can be stitched alone but add to the overall finishing if you stitch it as one long piece.
The stitch count for the whole thing is 456 x 96. Each of the 5 sections have a stitch count of 64 x 96. If these sections are stitched separate on 16ct Aida or 32ct linen over 2 they measure 4 x 6 and fit great in a 5 x 7 frame. This is all the info I have for you at the moment as I am on a search for the perfect fabric that I want to use. Something not to small, easy on the eyes but it a great color that blends with my usual palette of floss.  I am on my way tomorrow to Celebration Of Needlework and I will be at the Yankee Cross Stitch booth with my models so if you are in the Nashua NH area stop by and see us. Have a great day and I just had to share this because I am so excited to stitch it as one long scene.
Have a great day
donna

Free Finishing Pattern For Kindred Spirits and Closeups of Seaside Blue In Wool

I have made some changes to my "Kindred Spirits" cross stitch finishing. For the release I photo shopped  a black frame on to the pattern cover because I pushed for time but I kept looking at the unframed piece in my room and thought I could come up with something else. So I took out my pencil and my wool stash and came up up with this to share. I think it adds so much to the finished piece and if you click here on the word "Kindred Spirits" you will be taken to the free finishing directions to make the flowers and add them to your piece. This is also a great idea for finishing some of your other work. You can find a flower pattern, get some wool to match your stitched design and have a fun. So Many Ideas!!

And here are some closeups of "Seaside Blue In Wool"

This pattern will be available tomorrow on my Etsy, Have a great day :)  donna

New Wool Applique Design

the photo is a little dark but I will take more outside today

Good morning

I finished the stitching for my wool applique design late last night. I just have to do the finishing work with a backing and a rod pocket for hanging.I am excited and I cant wait to start the other lighthouses that I have planned. I am making them all the same size so they can be used to make table runners. You can pick which designs you want to use for either side of your runner. This design will be ready in about a week. I will have the model at Celebration Of Needlework at Yankee Cross Stitches booth along with more models of cross stitching.

On my way to Camp Wool to pick up more supplies and LeAnn will also have the model at her "Hook In" on April 27 and 28th.

thanks for reading my blog and have a peaceful day

donna

Etsy Update with Limited Edition Kits

We had our grandson Liam this weekend. He is such a joy.We picked up sticks in the yard, threw the ball.  I drew a fish for him and then he and Pop Pop colored it. Here he is with them hanging in the hallway. We are starting a collection for every time he visits. Who knows maybe there will be Funky Fins in the near Future.

"Funky Flowers" Funky Feather's" and Funky Fins" 

I also updated the Etsy shop with a couple of limited edition kits that I have available.  I am on my way to pick up the printing order and photos. I will then be folding gluing and bagging so I will have charts ready tonight. But check out the kits because once they are gone I am not making anymore of those.But I do have some of the scissor fobs in mind with different designs. I am almost ready to share with you my progress on my wool applique.

Have a great day and my thoughts are with the people from the Boston Marathon, Saying prayers all through out the day that God give them peace in the midst of this tragedy.

LOVE LIFE KIT

LOVE LIFE SCISSOR FOB KIT

New Design for Summer. Take a LOOK

Happy Wednesday, This is "Seaside Blue"

I finished framing this for you this morning. I know summer is around the corner and this chart will be available next week just in time to stitch and decorate for summer. I did teach this piece before but I changed it around and it had wool flowers coming out from the frame but I did not put those in for this design. .
I will share tomorrow my wool applique progress. That one will have the wool flowers coming out from the bottom.
I want to thank all of you for your comments. I have not been able to reply to you yet I just need more organized time. I am working on it :>)
have a great day
donna

Birds Of A Funky Feather #6 & #7 finished

Good Afternoon,
I finished #6 and #7 of the bird series and here are some photos.

I also have finished "Nantucket Blues" in cross stitch and I am working on it in wool applique.That should be ready Wednesday to share with you. I also just finished dyeing a yard of 14ct Aida for a class to be taught at Camp Wool for beginning cross stitch and it will have a new design called "A Simple Sampler". I will share that next week but I off to pick up hubby from the hospital again, then to the post office to mail out the giveaways and the Christmas ornament for Just Cross Stitch  magazine.  Then back home to stitch more. I think I have to squeeze some housework in there!! oh I dont want to...........
have a good night
donna

Peek @ Bird #6

Here is my progress on my "Birds Of A Funky Feather".

#6 is almost finished. 

I didn't finish my housework :(       but that's ok because mom doesn't care. She said it will be just fine so I am off to take the family to doctors appts.,  go get food for Easter and then pick up mom. But I couldn't leave without sharing #6 with you. So here he is and have a good day. I am OFF..................

donna

And the winners are again :>)

Happy Wednesday, I am so happy to see the sun. I have 2 winners for "16th Century Ladies Pocket".
and they are...........Dora and Lorrie. So if you 2 ladies could get back to me I will get those out this week.
I am going to share a pic of my latest Bird of a Funky Feather tonight. I am so busy today getting ready to have mom over for Easter.  So much cleaning to do :( but I am glad to do it for her. I also just finished my other design that I can share a pic of and I am also doing the same design in wool applique. And did I forget to tell you I am gong to Camp Wool today to pick a little wool that I need. So love to go there. Well I am off to put a little makeup on so I can go out, its tough getting those sun spots, I should have never used the sun lamp when I was a teen.
But have a great day and I promise to post pics tonight after the housework is finished
donna

The winners are....., and another giveaway, Birds of A Funky Feather :(

New Wool Design and Giveaway for 2 lucky stitchers

That groundhog needs glasses, or maybe it is time for Phil to retire. We have had so much snow and today is the first day of srping and more snow in the forecast :(    

 Enough!!! I need the sun and flowers.

But first things:     

The 2 winners are Chris from Tot Hill Farm Stitches and Nataly from Nataly's Needle Creations. Congratulations to both of them but I have good news for 2 more stitchers. 

I am having another giveaway for my other design called "16th Century Ladies Pocket". 

It is a wool pattern that I have available.

It would look great hanging on your wall and you can tie it around your waist or hang from your neck to hold your scissors, or hook for making rugs. Yes! we modern day ladies have cell phones to carry too! You can make them any color you would like to match your clothes or your home decor. So if you like applique or would like to try a little something different please leave me a message and I will add your name to the hat for the drawing that I will have on Saturday.

Congratulations to Nataly and Chris

And The "Birds Of A Funky Feather have not been forgotten. I have people asking about them and I am sorry I have had many things going on at the same time but it is in my schedule for this week and I will finish with the designing and then the stitching. I should have 1 more stitched by next Wednesday. They are on their way just in time for spring.

So please leave a message if you would to be in the drawing for the "16th Century Ladies Pocket" and the next give away will be for the "Kindred Spirits". I will have that one next week sometime.

Have a great day and thank you for all of your messages, 

donna

One more thing I just finished a design for the Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine. I made it as a Stitch An Inch and finished it also as a 2 inch design. Cant wait to share it with you.

 Here is a hint ! It has a _ _ _ _ _   C_T in it and a GLO _ I _ _  M _ON 

First one to guess will get a Nunn Design pendant to use for the Halloween design. 

Free Giveaway and new design ready to go :)

Chart Giveaway For 2 Lucky Winners

So sorry I have not posted in a bit. Just busy catching up on stitching :)

I am giving away 2 charts for "Les Fleurs Chics", so there will be 2 lucky winners. I just want to make sure everyone knows that if you only like to cross stitch,  this design has the instructions for just cross stitching included along with directions for the wool flowers, and I am going to post those pictures of the 5 flowers cross stitched so you can see them soon.

"Kindred Spirits"

 I am posting a pic of my other new design called "Kindred Spirits". So many people have a love of stitching of all kinds and it is wonderful when we can get together and share.

Well the sun is finally out today and it is wonderful. I hope you all have a great evening and leave me a message if you want to be added to the hat for the drawing, best of luck and thank you for all of your kind messages, they keep me going :)

donna

New Design Finished and ready for Market

I am so excited it is finished. 

The name is "Les Fleurs Chics"

I have the directions for you to either cross stitch the whole thing or do ad I did and just cross stitch the leaves, stems, and vase. Then you can applique the flowers. It was so much fun and I added some fiberfill underneath some of the petals to make them more dimensional. 

So if you are happy to cross stitch then this is for you and if you are adventuresome with your stitching then this is for you too. It will be available March 4th. The model is on the way to the trade show in Nashville. Also I am anxious for the stitched flowers to come back from April. When they do I will have more to share with you. I will finish those as small pillows, this way you can see what the stitched flowers will look like too.

Oh and one more huge thing :>).

Here is the finished photo of the design that I made for Just Cross Stitch magazine and if you like then you can purchase the magazine. The flowers are a good size that you can stitch them individually and make scissor fobs or small pincushions, or how about making needle books. 

Oh just have fun stitching and keeping out of trouble :)  

donna

Sharing my progress on a new design

sorry a bit wrinkled but i was in a rush

Happy day to all of the stitching souls out there :>)
I am sharing my progress on my new design. It does not have a name yet but any suggestions would be appreciated. And if I do pick one that you suggest I will send you a chart of the design for free. Yeah!!!
I have the vase complete with some bead work and some Rhodes stitches, eyelets, along with a little satin stitching. Then the leaves are complete with a few baby's breathes stitched with french knots in the center. And the last thing will be the flowers. I am having 5 large flowers that will be made with wool applique. And don't worry if you do not like to do wool applique  I am including the directions so that the 5 large flowers can be cross stitched :>) with some Weeks Dye Works floss.
This design will be released at TNNA in Nashville. So if your shop that you usually shop at is going to the show have them stop by Nordens booth because they will have the model and the charts.
So here is my sharing for today and I am off to visit mom
donna

Free Chart For Easter - Bunny

i just labeled some of my older giveaways as FREE DESIGNS and this one is the only that stayed at the top of the post page ? dont know why but I have to leave it here so if you never saw this one before , here you go :))


Yes Easter is still a bit away but I want you to have time to stitch up this little guy or girl. You can change the colors of the flowers to match your decor. Just pick 3 shades (light, med, and dark) of your favorite color and exchange them for mine.
You should be able to click on the white chart below and print from your computer.
Have a great weekend.
donna

Free Tutorial For Wool Roses

Happy Blizzard to everyone. :(

I have the directions to share with you for the wool roses that I made the other day

Here We Go

 Cut or rip your wool strips into 1 inch wide by however long you would like. The small ones in the wool tree that I made were 10 inches long. These are a bit longer at 14 inches.. After you have the strips, fold them in half and take your scissors and make a free hand scallop edge on one side only. See photo above. 

Thread your needle with a knot at one end. Starting at one end of the wool strip and make sure it is the straight edge make a running stitch all the way to the other end. My running stitches are about a 1/4 inch wide. Then pull your thread (not to tight) because you just want a ruffle and not a very tight ball of wool :). Secure the thread at the end so your ruffle does not come apart and get lose.  

 Start to roll your wool strip from one end. Hold it together and start to secure your rose bud with your threaded needle and a knot on the underside (The straight edge). 

 Close-up

 Keep rolling about 2-3 inches at a time and keep securing it underneath with your threaded needle. 

 When finished just secure the thread underneath with a knot and set aside

 For leaves I usually cut a long strip of wool 1 inch wide by however long I can and then I cut it into 1 inch squares. I cut around 2 opposite sides to form leaves. See sample above 

 Just waiting for the glue gun :)

An presto, all done. I like to glue these onto clothespins and place on curtains, my jacket, or anywhere for decorating. If you use the tiny clothes pins these would look great in a tree. How about different colored wool, maybe a plaid. The leaves could be a plaid also or an over-dyed wool.

 Well I hope you have fun with these, they work up easy and no two are ever the same just like real flowers :)

Oh and I wanted to mention that last weekend I was at Camp Wool for her new shop open house and she has a new web also. Here is the link. I have posted a picture of my giveaway that I had and yes I crocheted the basket :)

The other picture is of my little display. It was so nice to be there and so many people, it was fun, check out her shop, lots of warm wool, inspiration and antiques. Give her a visit if are near!