New Kits available

Well it was a hectic week. We had a small birthday party for our grandson Liam who turned 8. So I picked up mom and she stayed for the weekend. Then hubby's issue that always lands him in the hospital started, so I had to take him there, I was not feeling well with diverticulitis issues that I try to keep at bay and then mom was achy all over and she will be 80 in November. So no matter how much I want to get done I must learn to go with the flow :)  I did manage to get to the printer and will fold and glue pictures today for "Autumn In Vermont", also on the burner was "Give Thanks" Kit that I finished this morning. I just listed it on Etsy.
It was fun to make because I always love working with wool. Then I remembered something from long ago:  it was drawing on fabric, coloring in with crayons and then highlighting with embroidery. So I figured I would take the design I just made, draw it out and try my hand at it. It was fun and what a great idea for you to do with your kids or grandchildren. They could help with the coloring and then you could teach them to embroider or just do it yourself. I love it because it looks handmade and so old fashion.
Here is a you-tube link that I found with a little instruction about how to prepare your fabric for coloring.
She used colored pencils but the suggestion about the freezer paper is a good idea.

a closeup of my leaves

So that is my share for today, hope you have a peaceful fall day

donna

Autumn In Vermont new design

Autumn In Vermont

I have been busy stitching a new design called "Autumn In Vermont" 

It will be gong out to automatic store customers on Wednesday 9/24 and will be available on Etsy Thursday 9/25. So pre-order your copy today for Thursdays shipment.

Here is a list of some of things you should know:

Stitch Count:116 x 146

Fabric: 28ct Sandstone linen from Wichelt Imports

Fibers:

DMC

304

814

816

830

832

833

834

839

3371

5200

Weeks Dye Works

1166

1323 (2)

2201

2220 (2)

2226 (2)

2240 (2)

2241 (2)

Since I stitch with 3 strands of floss on 28ct linen I needed 2 packs of the Weeks Floss that are marked (2)

I made sure that I had my HUGE trees again and thought it was time for a Vermont Covered bridge. 

I have been working on an Etsy shop exclusive that should be ready by Saturday, a little wool, a little cross stitch and maybe even some embroidery with a hint of coloring with crayons. Who knows may be it is something you could work on with the kids or grand kids. 

White Pumpkin Patch is this weeks HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL

This weeks HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL is "White Pumpkin Patch". I designed this in 2006. I love some primitive ( not all ) but some. Some is just to dirty looking for me, but I do love the coffee dyed and tea stained look. So this was my attempt at a bit prim. I stained my fabric so you could see the pumpkins better and made it a bit dirty. I am also into vinegar staining wood and stained this frame myself.  This is about the time I started thinking about making designs that could be easily framed without losing an arm and a leg.  I made this design so if stitched on 32ct linen or 16ct Aida it would fit great in a 4 x 6 frame. Always thinking of you :) (and me too)

You can find this chart for the special of $5.00 instead of the regular $7.00. This week only on Etsy. 

I did have another special for the month of September on Etsy that for every customer I would email the PDF chart for "Autumn Fleur" and 2 pieces of fabric that I dyed myself. This was as long as my dyed fabric supply lasted. Well it is gone :( I had so many orders :)

But I will still send the PDF chart free to any Etsy customer for the month of September.

While you are there check out my USED Book Sale .

Wool Crazy Blue Bird of Happiness

Embellish packs available on Etsy

I have a new kit that is available. Wool crazy "Blue Bird Of Happiness"

I had my "Birds Of A funky Feather #10" printed onto Kona cotton. 

I have the embellishment kit available with the layout for this little pin pillow. You could make this into anything like a pillow, book cover, pocket, and so much more. The embellishment pack comes with, 1 crocheted pansy, 1 crocheted green fan, 10 pre-cut wool leaves, safety pin with beads, a pack of yellow beads for the branch areas, and printed  fabric with blue bird in a nest. 

When finished it should measure 8 1/2 by 5 1/2. 

The embellishment pack is mailed to you and the layout along with general directions and photos will be emailed as a PDF. These are general directions and no stitch directions are given or finishing. Use your imagination :)

Thank you for reading my blog

donna

  

On Etsy some Prairie Schooler, Cricket Collection charts plus more

I just uploaded about 20 or so counted cross stitch charts onto Etsy. Some are Prairie Schooler, Cricket Collection and more. I am cleaning out my stash and will post some more books tomorrow. Check them out and here is a peak, some are also OOP.

September special and Wool Crazy pincushions !!!

Happy September to all. I have been busy stitching with wool. Here are my crazy quilt pincushions
I have them available on Etsy,  so much fun to make with many decisions, like fibers, colors, stitches, buttons and more. Here is a photo of 3 but check out Etsy for more photo details :)

Wool Crazy Pincushions on Etsy

AND I HAVE A SPECIAL FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IN THE ETSY SHOP :)

Limited to 1 per Etsy customer 

                                      A FREE THANK YOU GIFT FROM ME TO YOU For being my Etsy customer

• I will send by email the PDF chart for "Autumns Fleur" 
• I will also add 2 pieces of 6 x 7  26ct hand dyed Laguna fabric to stitch some of these Autumn flowers. THIS WILL BE LIMITED TO MY FABRIC STOCK. 
• And don't forget that the PDF directions for finishing it with wool can be found on my blog here

I have a teaching schedule developing for the fall. It is mainly for the Wool Feather Tree and another class for making decorations for it.  Here is my current schedule,  if you live in the area or would like to make a special trip call the shops to reserve a spot or get more info.

WOOL FEATHER TREE / CAMP WOOL

Saturday Nov 1st   10:00 - 12:30
Saturday Nov 1st   1:30 - 4:00
Saturday Nov 15th 1:30 - 4:00
Saturday Dec 6th   1:30 - 4:00

WOOL FEATHER TREE / YANKEE CROSS STITCH

Saturday Oct 25th  10:30 - 1:00

DECORATE YOUR WOOL/FEATHER TREE CLASS / YANKEE CROSS STITCH 

Saturday Nov 8th 12:30 - 3:00

I will post more info on these classes this week. The cast iron tree stands that I used to use are not in stock this season. The distributor is out and will not have any more until some time next year. So hubby and I put on our thinking caps and have come up with a solution. Working on them this week and as soon as I have one finished I will post a picture. Cant wait to share the tree stands with you.

SET A SIDE Saturday OCT 18th if you are in the area to visit me in the Studio/Shop for an OPEN HOUSE
more info coming soon.................

This weeks Etsy HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL IS "Love Life"

I designed this in 2011 to be part of a class that I taught at Celebration of Needlework in Nashua NH
I remember at the time that Joyce Meyers was having a retreat that was called Love Life and I thought how appropriate for a message that we can always find Love in our life. It certainly has its difficult times but there is always Love to be found. In it I have another of my crazy extra large trees that just happens to be a flower along with my favorite stitches like Rhodes and French knots. So the special is for $8.00 instead of the retail $10.00   If you would like the info for floss, fabric, and stitch count please visit my By The Bay Needleart Design Blog 

thank you, hope you are having a peaceful long weekend and I will post more God willing tomorrow :)

donna 

Highlight Special for the week.

Happy Monday, I just finished moving furniture again.. I admit I am obsessed with moving the furniture in the house. So I am once again fixing the porch to give classes and have an OPEN STUDIO in the fall. This event is scheduled for Oct 18, same day as Harvest-fest  in York Maine, seeing I live in York :).

This weeks Highlight Special is "Autumn Cove" and can be found on Etsy here 

This is the same back ground scene as last weeks special "Halloween Cove"
I have the large tree with HUGE fall leaves in luscious Autumn colors and the grass is starting to change with the cool fall morning air.
I am busy stitching and had to take hubby to the hospital again so maybe that is how I release my stress by moving furniture. Goodness knows I am feeling lighter after moving and organizing with a fresh look.
Well check out  Etsy for this weeks special. It is a 20% disc.off the chart because it is usually $10.00 and is $8.00 for the week with no shipping charge in the US.
have a good day
Blessings
donna
and I hope you enjoyed last weeks newsletter with the little freebie :) 

Flower Girls Mixed Media Cameo Brooches/ this week HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL and a photo share from Donna

I just added to the Etsy shop some of my Mixed Media Flower Girls. I have 3 at the moment and will be working on more. I have been stitching my new design but not enough to share yet. But  do have the photos from Donna of all of her beautiful work. 

First here are the girls

Nadine

Brigette

Alexis

Next I have my HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL of the Week and it is "HALLOWEEN COVE"

Halloween Cove

I designed this in 2010. It is part of the Cove series with the same houses, hills, and my large tree. I just love tree's. This picture has everything I could think of:  a witch, moon, pumpkins, spider webs, spiders, bats, black cats, head stones, fall purple leaves and a pirate ship. It was fun designing and trying to get everything in the same scene but I did it. This is the HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL for the week. Check it out on Etsy and if you need more info here is the link with the floss, fabric and more info about this design.  

And last but NOT LEAST is Donna's collection of finished work

She made all of these with my designs and some kits. She added her own touch and I think they are just BEAUTIFUL. I am so thankful for her sharing all of these it surely brought a smile to my face when I saw her email. I would link you to her but she does not have a blog 

(She should think about getting one - RIGHT!!)

This is today's update and newsletters should be going out soon. 

have a great day

donna

Kim is having a Halloween Exchange

KimM from Wisdom With Needle and Thread is having a Halloween ornament exchange. I never joined one of these before but decided if I can organize my time and set some aside I can make an ornament. It might not be cross stitched but I do love to embroider and use the punch needle, a bit of wool applique, along with buttons.....so a big mess of everything :) If you are interested check out her site. It should be fun.
I do have more things to share soon, Donna has sent me so many photos of her work that she did with some of my designs and I will share those. I have been working on a new fall design and some needle felted "Flower Girls".
So check back again because I have busy stitching fingers lately

Mother Daughter Day @ Arundel Barn Playhouse August 2014

We had a great day at The Arundel Barn Playhouse. The play was wonderful despite the downpour at intermission and especially when we left. We were soaked on the way home but it was good spending time together. 

The next day Meagan went to a farm stand and came home with a wonderful surprise for me. 

SUNFLOWERS yeah!!!! one of my favorite. 

Large Sunflowers (So grown up) and small Black Eyed Susans (remembering when she was young)

We have Liam our grandson for the day and I am off to get ready :)

have a good day

donna

Great PDF finishing directions.

I just wanted to share a great finish tutorial I found on Pinterest. It is from Threads That Bind and click on this sentence to go to her site and there is a PDF download for finishing some of your work. This one is for punch needle but I am sure you could use it for a cross stitched piece also.
I am off for a mother-daughter day. We have not had one of those in years. Going to see a play in Maine "Legally Blonde"
Well have a good day and check out this web site with finishing directions.

Threads That Bind