Crown and Flower Pin Cushion

This is a new piece that will be at Hoffman's and Norden's within the week. Finishing up with the printing tonight....

ebeth

Check out this site for new classes

http://www.stitchpretty.com

Carla Powell is a wonderful textile artist and she is offering woderful classes.

ebeth

Check out EbethsCapri

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87324593/lace-leather-and-button-bracelet
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87321909/charm-bracelet
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87323809/crystal-heart-bracelet

I have put some of the bracelets for sale on Etsy....will work on necklaces this week.

Enjoy! ebeth

New Bracelet

More fluxing and soldering. I have created a new bracelet combining soldered glass images with fabric, leather, buttons and a bit of fun.

I hope you enjoy. I will be posting more and will have them for sale soon.

Ebeth

Fluxing and Soldering Woo Hoo

Well yesterday I bit the bullet and bought a soldering iron and some flux....

I decided to take the plunge and just do it this afternoon. I took some of the fabric that I had painted and dyed a couple of weekends ago and I got a nice aqua blue pin and wrote words on the fabric. I encased it the fabric in glass and added the copper tape and off I went.

I have now figured out I need a third hand jewlery tool. Who knew you could just go out and buy a third hand....

Anyway, even without the third hand I managed to attach two o rings onto the top and bottom of the piece. I attached a small fabric tassle that was out of the painted fabric with more words written on the strips. I attached some aqua blue finding beads to the strips and on the back of the strips where they attach to the o ring. Then I dug through my stash and came up with double sided silk ribbon from Gloriana Threads - Wood Pond- the color matched perfect. I added two charms from Charland on to the ribbon and tied on and it is now going out to dinner with me....What fun-make a necklace in less than an hour and wear it to dinner.

I am now thinking of all the things I can now do with this and the new bracelets that I am making...Let the games begin!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

We will start Advent here in the house this week. We have two trees up and some of the ornaments on them....it is starting to look like the holidays in our new house.

Ebeth

check out this eye candy

http://absolutelyawesomethings.blogspot.com
Decorating with lovely fabrics from India. The colors just pop!!!

I am off to stitch and to do some painting on fabric. Hope to get the journal cover done this week.

Ebeth

Dyeing for the Weekend

This is what I did on Saturday. There are some panels of fabric that I painted and dyed. I will get pictures up of the finished panels later in the week.

Have a great Monday. Ebeth

I dyed today

Pictures will come tonight. I cannot figure how to upload from phone. Dyed bags and dyed and painted fabric to start making journal. Will up load pictures and will shoot pucks of new pin cushion tonight or tomorrow.

Ebeth

Another site....

http://artfabrik.blogspot.com

This lady is a quilter with a great sense of humor. She travels and teaches and her colors pop....Check it out.

Ebeth

Santa Santa Where R U

http://lowellcountrydesigns.blogspot.com

Look at this blog if you want to see some great primitive Santas....will get you in the mood.

ebeth

A little late for some of us-but did you know that

http://www.eccentricitysupplyco.com/blog/

November is create art a day month....wish I had know this. Cool ideas on how to photo your work. Interesting blog.

Ebeth....yes I am spending a moment or two looking at other sites.....

One can always look-eye candy is good for the soul. Chocolate is good for everything.

Eye Candy Mailart

http://mailart365.blogspot.com

Check this blog out....way cool. I love doing mailart....makes me want to get back into it. Like I have time to do more....

ebeth

Check out this blog

http://thelongthread.com

OMG the list of contacts is amazing....cute tutorial-just a great site. You could be lost for days....well I need to navigate back and work on a new design....

ebeth

Check out this blog.

http://michele11wa.blogspot.com/

Michele just celebrated 5 years of blogging.

She is very prolific. Check out her projects and her journal through friends and stitching.

A day of work

I have been printing an order for Hoffman. I hope to have a new picture of a piece to be released next week up soon.

I have been doing some computer work and now off to design. Well actually I may get lunch, then off to design. Have a wonderful weekend.

May you start thinking of all the things that you are greatful for in the next up coming days.

Ebeth

And another......blog

http://blackbirddesigns-stitchers.blogspot.com/

And here is a wonderful blog for the stitchers that are addicted to Black Bird Designs....It is a wonderful site and it truly will be an enabler for any of you that are itching to stitch a Black Bird piece.

ebeth

Another site to look at....

http://reina-reinaknits.blogspot.com/

Reina is a friend of mine from Facebook. This is her blog....check it out and keep up with her.

Ebeth

Check out this site if you want to start a journal

http://journalforyou.com

I have started designing a cover page for a monthly journal. It will be paper, fabric, findings and so on. Sooooo, I have started looking at the world of journaling....I hope you find something to inspire you....ebeth

New Piece

I am working on a new piece for a secret mission....Wool,colorful colors, mermaid, moon and stars....I have done research on South American and mermaids. I have found that in Bilivia the natives mixed mermaids in with Saints in the church. They regard the mermaids as sacred as the Angels and Saints. More research needs to be done on this subject. Very intriguing....

Well, Look for new pictures in the near future.

I just finished a new retail piece. Hope to have pictures soon.

Ebeth

New Bracelets

Tease-Tease-Tease is the word for the day. I just created two new bracelets. I have expanded out to using denim and writing words on fabric and attaching them. I hope to get pictures up soon.....I am thinking of how I can add wire to the pieces....Bare the door Katy the cows are out....

Have a wonderful day!

Ebeth

Working on new items

Well, I hope to have two new bracelets finished. I hope the new wool piece will be finished! So, I am off to create! Ebeth

Other Bracelet pictures

Whole bracelet. Mixed medium with leather, lace, beads, fabric, and buttons.
Fun, new class that I am just developing! I am hooked and love it!

ebeth

Another bracelet

Here is another bracelet....It is Isa's. She picked out the materials and I just finished it. I am hooked!

Ebeth

Santa Ornament Class at Stitch Pretty

This cute ornament will be taught at Stitch Pretty on November 15 at 10 am- 1pm and Nobember 22 6pm - 9pm.
Call 678-701-7131 or visit www.stitchpretty.com for more details.
ebeth

New Adventure....

Whole Bracelet

Close up of end of the Bracelet.

Close up of other end of Bracelet.

I have been a busy person today. I have created two new bracelets, here is a picture of one of them. I will put up more pictures this weekend.

I am having fun!!! I am going to make a class out of this new project. I am mixing leather, fabric, buttons, lace and beads to come up with these fun and funky new bracelets.

I working on my third one for the day! I cannot wait to teach this class. I will post the class and times as soon as I get them set.

Ebeth

Teaching

Had a wonderful group of ladies at Nimble Needle today. I taught them finishing. I will work on figuring out posting my schedule here and maybe on the website-once I find the password again....I know-well at least the blonde comes out of a bottle.

Hugs and Happy November. I am doing the putting the fingers in the ears and going la-la-la when people start talking Holidays.

I cannot believe that Christmas decorations and food is already out....UGH

Ebeth

New Ornies!

Santa Ornamnet

Noel Ornament

Tree Ornament

Here are the new class pieces that I have been working on. Mixed mediums is the name for the day. The pieces are worked on wool with printed pictures sewn onto the fabric and then the pieces are covered with used dryer sheets then embellished with surface embroidery. They are quick and fun. I will be talking with Stitch Pretty this week and hope to line up dates for the pieces to be taught. www.stitchpretty.com

I am working on a jewlery travel roll up class. I am thinking about using fabric from old clothing found at thrift stores for the base....I will let you know how that works out.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Ebeth

Happy November

This is All Saints Day, or if you are Hispanic this is Day of the Dead. May we all honor our loved ones that have moved on today. Take a moment to reflect on what that each and everyone of them did for you while they were on earth with us.

You may not be able to make a visit to their grave. But you can keep them alive in your memories. Tell stories about them to your children or friends.

Celebrate their lives by keeping them alive in your hearts.

I am off to make some ornaments for a new class that I am developing.

Ebeth

Happy Halloween

Fall is here. I am not sure I am into the cool weather, but at the moment I do not own the Ruby Slippers, so I must let Mother Nature do her thing. I got to see Night Chills, a production of Edgar Allen Poe's works performed by the Pope Drama Club this weekend. It was wonderful and the whole crew worked hard to pull off these plays.

I went on a hike Sunday and had a nice late lunch off the river. I had a Humus and Turkey sandwich with celery sticks with Dill Dressing, a nice treat because I did not have to make the lunch.

I finished my Freebie chart and it will be on its way to Norden today or tomorrow. It will make its debut at the Winter Market 2012. I cannot wait to see what kind of spin shops and others will put on this design.

Below is a wool design that I published awhile back called Autumn Surprise....enjoy.

I got my pumpkin pie pumpkins to slaughter this week. We will be having pie soon.

ebeth

Today

I am working on a design that will be given out at the TNNA Nashville show. It is worked on 28 count Cashel Cream and Ohio Lemon Pie....think flower-and summer.

More to come!

Americana Hornbook Needle Case

New release - A companion piece for Small Americana Hornbook.

Salty Yarn Retreat

Here is the festive piece that I will be teaching at the Salty Yarn this weekend. The piece is to celebrate the Day of the Dead. No it is not a horror flick thing. Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration to honor the dead. The families go and clean the graves and place food and other offereings on the sites to celebrate their dear loved ones. There are several ways to celebrate this holiday.

This piece has been designed with bright colors and fun accessories to add a spark of color and interest to anyone's stitching basket. The piece can be personalized with a dear one's name that has passed on or just leave the piece plain and enjoy the festive feel.

I cannot wait to teach this and to smell the salt air. Ocean City, MD here I come.

Taking a break and missing summer.

Summer has definately left Atlanta. I am working on getting ready to go the Salty Yarn Retreat. The Day of the Dead project is done. My suitcase is in my room and I am packing it with class kits and clothes. I am missing the warm weather of summer.

I have pulled out the boots, as you can see above. Had lunch with the kids on the way home from mass.

I a working on the computer today. I have a piece to finish tomorrow and it will be photographed and instructions will be completed hopefully tomorrow.

I hope that you are getting ready for fall and the start of the holiday run. I just saw Christmas trees out at Home Depot this week. UGH! It is not even Halloween and we are into Christmas. I am thinking we should just leave the trees up all year and try to keep the Spirit of the Season all year long.

I will be posting more this week. Hopefully it will be more work related than personal, but you will have to come back and see.

ebeth

Hello and back for a couple of days

Just finished teaching these wonderful pieces for Sit N Stitch in California this past weekend. I hope to get pictures of the class soon.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I will post new pictures soon of piece for Salty Yarn being taught 7-9 of October 2011. ebeth

Correction on Nantucket Beach

My publisher software has a mind of it's own....On the Symbol Legend the Sea Spray has a filled in black heart. The symbol should be the outline of a heart. You will see the ouline of the heart on the chart in the ocean. The filled in black heart is a symbol for Blue Coat Red outfits for the people on the beach.

I apologize for any incovience this may have caused you or your customers. Please let me know if you need more information about this chart.

As we remeber those who went before us....

May we refelct on what the events of 9/11/2001 have burden us with, and may we never forget the ones we lost, those who faced death with bravery, and may we find ways to forgive those who intend to harm us. In forgiveness we shall be able to move on and live in peace.

May we all find our own peace.....ebeth

Columbus Market

Thanks to Megan-There here is a picture of me at market....and of course, I had a mermaid around my neck...

Rain, Rain, what can I say

Having grown up on the coast, I can only say we are having fall coastal weather inland. When the storms would blow up the coast the end of summer/fall we would get these fronts that would stay and drizzle rain off and on. That is what we are having since Sunday. It is bright and sunny then bands of drizzle. It really not the way I like to see summer end. It seems to cool September off to soon and it just makes fall seem gloomy. Ugh, can you tell I am a sunny summer person. I am not ready for fall...I am going into this kicking and screaming....

Well that was my rant. Off to finish kits. I may just stitch, I just cannot get into things today.

ebeth

It is Fall....

Hopefully all of you had a safe and wonderful weekend. I have figured out that in my new phase of life I just may have to learn about.....ta dum....sports....To be honest, I know about sports, I know how the games work, I just do not watch them....by myself. All of you that know me or have traveled with me know that I do not watch TV. I actually had to call the AT&T support line one time to figure out how to turn one of my televisions off. Yes, I am admitting this on a blog for all to see....I will be looking into this new phase of my life and see how much I have to do...all I can say is I am not sure I will catch myself watching them by myself. I will be doing group watching. It might be fun to go to a game with people that I enjoy their company and who knows I may even do a tailgate thing.... I will keep you posted on this developing situation. I do need to keep up with things like our hockey team got sold and I cannot go to a hockey game here is town. (Sheepish grin-) I also have to get that there are serious fans who just freak out that there is a kick off weekend for College sports, Professional sports and so on.

But seriously, I hope that you had a good weekend. Here in Hot Atlanta, well we were only hot for Saturday. Lee came in and cooled us off, dumped rain and caused damage on Sunday with tornadoes and so on.

I finished my the stitching for my ornament for The Gift of Stitching. I created another Hornbook ornament. I have to drill the holes and make cording and shoot the pictures....I think Kirsten will be putting this out in November 2011. Keep an eye for it.

I am also stitching on a piece that will be a companion for Small Americana Hornbook.

I will shoot pictures of the companion piece this week. It will be a book that the hornbook can rest in and scissors can go in

Well, I am off to work on some stithcing and kitting.

I have one of my BFG's here from Wisconsin helping me organize my office. Well, it is so messy, that she is only tackling one corner of it before I take her to the airport.

Thanks for reading-I will be posting soon.

ebeth

Happy Birthday Pam!

This hornbook was designed to celebrate Pam from 3 Stitches birthday. The chart will be available from the shop on September 3, 2011. Happy Birthday Pam!

Long Night.....UGH

After Yoga last night I stupidly plugged in my Iphone to sync it and back it up. Something that should have taken 10 minutes max ended up lasting 5 1/2 hours later. 6 support calls and having to up-grade Apple Support Plan to get the matter fixed. I still am trying to recover my ITunes. I cannot update my Nano till I figure out what to do. It still has my music on it. My Iphone does not.....Anyway. Work not going well. I am no sleep and still working with Apple to recover data.

On a side note here it a new piece that will be released at the end of September. It was the Afternoon with your Favorite Designer at Baltimore TNNA. Acorn Pocket Pillow. The piece comes with the front and back paper pieces to make the notebook. Instructions on how to make it are included with the piece.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and to all my friends on the Eastern Shore-be prepared and be safe.

Ebeth

Finished Teaching

Had a great finishing class today at Nimble Needle. The ladies were busy putting kits together for their up coming classes.

I am off to work on some kits of my own.

Off to teach

Will be at Nimble Needle today teaching finishing. Hope to see some of you there....

New Release

New release from Baltimore Market. Nantucket Beach....A wonderful way to remember summer.

Tadadada

I finished working on kits. I made a pea pod. Now I am learning how to use chop stitchs with my left hand....not sure that is going to happen.

Charts and Kits

Well, I still have to finish sending charts to the distributors. I think I will have to go to Office Depot again for paper....I am finishing up with some kits and I am stuck....I put the linen in a special place so I could get to it and now i do not know where that special place is.....ugh

Yeah all the charts are out the door.

I got all the orders printed and out the door. I have to ship to the distributors the first of the week. I have some kits and supply ordering to handle tomorrow. No rest for me....I am hoping to maybe drop in at the pool. I have not done that in a week or so.

I did not get to stitch tonight. But hope to do it tomorrow. Then I will see how I am adjusting to my new finger...

Off to bed. Just finished with a double stuffed oreo-I think Yoga class is in the furture too.

OMG OMG I did it!!!!

The post is up and the alphabet is there. I hope to get it on the web...well that is still another long story. Have a great Friday and weekend. I am still trying to get the last orders out and kit a couple kits up....

Alphabet to be used for My Friend and Best Friend

ok-this is a new one for me and I hope that it works! Melinda from The Stitching Post caught me at Market and asked if I had put in an alphabet for My Friend and Best Friend since I had suggested that they could be changed to My Sister or My Daughter and so on. Well of course I did not, so here is the alphabet that you can use for these pieces.

From Market, From Market, From Market I Go

I have spent the week catching up with sending out charts from the show in Baltimore. I have class kits to get completed and still have thread orders coming in and getting straight.

I hope to be caught up this weekend. It is hard to get everything done with a broken finger on the right hand, but I am managing.

Pictures will be up-Do not forget you still have time to sign up for the Maritime Sewing Case in California at Sit N Stitch. I have posted the phone number earlier. I will post it again this weekend.

I am off to work-Have a wonderful day.

Working away

Trying to get things done with two broken fingers on your right hand when you are right handed is hard.

I am finishing up with getting the last of the orders out. Tomorrow should be the last day of doing this.

I am trying to get one project out the door to be photographed. Finishing is hard, but hey-I will just suck it up and deal with it.

Will start posting regularly in the next day or so. Just running out of time in the day.

Will post new things on Facebook this week and Hoffman had some of them up last Friday.

Well-off to finish the piece so I can make it to Fedex.

ebeth

Back-and posting

Hey everyone I have had a whirlwind couple of weeks. Got a few days of fun in the sun before the Baltmore TNNA show. I managed to break my finger at the beach. So getting ready for market was hard. Of course it was my right hand and my middle finger. Life goes on.

The market was slow, but shops were eager to buy. There will be announcements about future shows on the TNNA Yahoo Groups. An afternoon with your favourite designer was a blast. All of the projects were wonderful and it was an honor for me to be included with this group!

I signed up classes and I have requests for some new designs, so I will be busy.

I am on the way home and I have some printing to do and prep work for the next up coming classes this September and October.

I will be teaching on a cruise in January, more information to come! Again bright colors and fun time items. Think sea horses, fish and sea weed.

Hoffman has some of my new items. Norden will get a shipment this week and the rest of the new items will go out soon.

That is all for now more when I get home.

Writing, Writing Writing

Working on finishing instructions. Here is a peak of one piece that is being released at market. It is a teaching piece-Mary's Etui and Accessories.

Pictures are taken

New items will be posted soon.....keep watching. I have to finish the instructions and start printing....

Finishing touches on instructions

Today I hope to finish up with instructions. Waiting for pictures to finish the covers.

Waiting for supplies for kits...

Waiting is the word for the day.

New Christmas Ornament

Just finshed charting new ornament....it is set up to be kitted tomorrow. May use new thread from The Gentle Art for these....

Also, new hornbook being charted. Think water....yes it may end up having a mermaid theme...surprise.

We shall see tomorrow.

Off to Market We Go

I am busy putting the finishing touches to the new releases. The Meet the Designer Piece will be a pillow with a surpirse.

There is are two new pieces to stitch for friends or the adornment can be changed to my daughter, sister or mother.

Do not get rid or your bathing suits yet....there is a Nantucket romp in the sand coming.

Off to finish the instructions and to create more.

Oh and there is a Patriotic Hornbook to be released...

Thursday

Just working on new piece. Going to luncheon to meet ladies from Africa that are trying to make it by stitching items for sale. I will have more information later. I may have an opportunity to help these ladies, but will need to get support to do this.

I hope to be able to help these women with my skills. It may mean a trip to Africa, so fund raising will be in the future if this can happen.

Finished!

Finished cool pin pillow....with surpise addition....An Afternoon With Your Favorite Designers should have fun.....cannot wait to show this one off....

Started new project, I hope to have it done in the next day or so....and Nantucket Beach is almost finished. Stitch Stitch Stitch!

Missing in Action

Sorry-will post more soon. I just finished my piece for Market-An Afternoon With Your Favorite Designers....I have been under the weather and dealing with no hot water for two days, so I have been pre-occupied.

I have several other items that are finished or almost for Market and they will be photgraphed soon.

I will post more later, just wanted to let you know that I am still alive and kicking.

Calling it a day

Brown Cow in hand. Words with Friends on Iphone. Just finished a Cheers marathon while stitching on new piece. Will have more work tomorrow.

Have a great weekend-

Tip of the Day

I find that these small metal gum tins are great for a small pair of scissor and needle. I like to cut a piece of wool so that it fits in the tin to insert my needles. I put a small magnet in the tin and it helps the scissors from falling out and it also keeps the needls in the tin.

Remember to clean out the tin before you use it.

Off to Stitch

We are recovering from hectic night. I am starting to stitch. I have new piece worked out and hope to have another charted. I have to go out and see if I can find some ribbon later in the day-or tomorrow....but that is Saturday....

Website-I won

I finally figured out how to beat the site!!!!! I got the changes to go through. Next-I will attempt to do Dreamweaver and build the site again...There may be no stopping me....now off to make money. Actually off to bed.

I have lived through torrid rain storm, Harry Potter Premier, lost van keys, found van keys and now children that are hyped up on soda, popcorn and a movie. I am giving up and going to bed. Tips and charting for tomorrow.

Check out website. I did get information out about up coming classes

There are two classes in September. One in Spring Texas and one in Toluca California. Check them out.

UGH

Website is trying to get the better of me....but i will win....

Website UGHGHGHGHGHG

Still trying to get the info to come across. I just have to keep telling myself that I will win, I will win, I will win....

Trying to up date Website

Well I followed the instructions....and some of it went through then the new updates did not go over. Off to go to post office and other places....so will have to conquer the web later.

Close up of the tag

Here is the close up of the tag for the canvas bag. Call 3 Stitches in Spring Texas for more information. Coffee dyeing, embellishing, embroidery and more. 281-320-0133

Close up of bag

Here is the close up of the stitching lady. Call 3 Stitches in Spring Texas for more details 281-320-0133.

Bag for 3 Stitches

Here is the picture of the bag being taught at 3 Stitches in Spring Texas call 281-320-0133 for more details.

Weekend

Been stitching on the new piece. It is coming along nicely. Hopefully there I can post some pictures of it in a day or so. Tomorrow is road trip day-so there will not be a lot of news.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Will see if we can come up with a tip for the day...

Friday-

It is friday-and I am working on the new piece that I finished charting last night. I am going to take a break and hopefully chart a couple quickies to get things rolling out the door again.

I am still wondering about the tip of the day....bad when one's brain does not work.

More later. Have a great morning.

Thursday

As you can see I am on the computer again. I did almost finish the new chart. I am at Mellowmushroom right now surfing off their internet.

I figured out how to put a link from my website to the blog this afternoon. I thought I would share this information, because 1-it is scary when computer things work right the first time I do them. 2- that the end of the world may actually be near-since I am conquering the complicated skills of website desinging and maintenance.....now I have the Book for Dummies for Dreamweaver....I hope to do an overhaul of the site before the end of time and do it with this software....we shall see.

Tip of the Day

I know-it has been a couple of days. I hate it when we have a three day weekend. Well let's say I hate it when one of the days is spent on a road trip going to a place and coming right back. I am confused as to what day it is and when things are due and well-let's get back to the subject in hand.

Needle Threaders. Now do not laugh, well yes you can! In fact I hope this brings a smile to your face.

I have been stitching since I was 5 years old. My grandmother never really used a needle threader and neither did I. When I started teaching in 1989 the shop that I was working/teaching in kept giving out needle threaders. When I would teach a class all the students raved about threaders and how a stitcher could not live without one. Well, I thought I would try this contraption out. I put the thread in the hole of the threader and tried to push it through the eye of the needle. Yes, this is where you are suppose to start smiling then chuckling then laughing. Well, I did this over and over and I could not get the thread to go into the eye of the needle. Now is when you go and get the tissue to wipe away the tears of laughter.

I kept this little secret to myself and when my students kept telling me that everyone needed a needle threader and how they make life so much easier for the stitcher, well I would just smile and think in my head that all of these people were full of it and that it was a conspiracy from the Notion Departments to sell these stupid little metal things.

Then one day I was teaching and a student pulled out one of these little contraptions. I took a moment to stare at the contraption of torture. As I watched the student put the metal part of the threader through the eye of the needle then inserted the thread into the threader. The light bulb went off. And yes, for those of you that know me, I told the class my needle threader story. For the record no one actually wet themselves laughing at me, but they came pretty close to doing so.

I think of myself as mechanically inclined and an out of the box thinker. I want you to know that if I had not seen this person using this device I would have never figured out how to use it.....

So the tip of the day is to put the threader through the eye of the needle and then insert the thread. Pull the threader back through the eye of the needle and you are ready to go.

I hope that I have made you laugh or at least smile about this experience. And for those of you that are like me and could not figure out how to use one...you can now go out into the world and use this contraption with confidence.

Check out the link to Hoffman

http://hoffmandis.com/index.cfm?page=ffdet&desID=DAMES

Skulls every where

I have two skulls sketched out and they will be scanned and with the magic of the internet on their way to be made into something interesting. Cannot wait to show them.

Then I will be able to work on the bathing beauties....

Wednesday

I am in a nautical mood. I still have the mermaids floating in my head. I am working on a scaled down nantucket picture....water, life guard in stand, with ladies in bathing changing tents....and I am still working on the skull....

Survived the 4th

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th. It was a strange on here. After road trip got home in time to see the fireworks, but mother nature had other plans.....

Take care and more to come.

New design brewing.

Been thinking about mermaid love letters. Hearts, partial letters....americana theme....who knows if it will work or move forward. off to dream on this one.

Tin Roof linen is coming to mind. Now I am wondering if it should be a picture, sampler, needle book.....who knows.

Happy Fourth....

The fireworks have already started. The pets are a little spooked...Hope to get some sleep so I can do the drive to Charlotte tomorrow.

Working on new Americana piece.

I am reworking a piece that was in a magazine last year. I am going to add a scissor case to a hornbook pin keep. Maybe a fob.....off to design.

Getting Motivated

Going to be doing a road trip tomorrow, so a lost day. Hope holiday traffic not too bad.

Trying to get motivated to get work done....not in the mood. But a pool day yesterday, so work needs to get done or the bills do not get paid....ugh.

What is everyone doing for the 4th????

I am doing the road trip to Charlotte-soooo as I stated before-stay off 85!!!! Just kidding. Hope you will have time to spend it with some family and or friends. Sit for a moment and reflect on how our country was born. It takes a lot of courage to go fight for what you believe in. It also takes a lot of courage and grace to know when to step aside and let someone else take the reigns.

Please take time to reflect on what you want and how you are going to acheive it.

Have a great weekend.

I am actually going to take a small break and go to the pool. But sketch pad and maybe computer are going along.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Writing instructions

Just finished nice chat and visit with good soul sister. Beer float hit the spot.

Now off to work on instructions. Will see if they help with the grammer......

Working on instructions

Winding down and trying to finish instructions. Then maybe a drink to wind down. Then to bed early. Hope to get a lot done on Saturday....crack that whip....

Maybe a good walk and a work out.

Hope you are all getting ready for the 4th.

Holiday weekend

I hope to grace the pool sometime this weekend. I also hope to hit the gym....lot of things to do.

Tip of the day.....hummmmm....Keep a pad and paper handy with your project. If you miscount or just want to change something you can write it down and leave it with the project, so when you pick it back up you know what you did....I love post it notes for this, but I also write all over the back of my charts when I change things. Always try to have a pencil only. Ink stains and can transfer from one thing to another. Pencil you can erase out of the fabric.

Off to do more work.

Hoffman and Norden

Check out their new items. Get inspired-call your needlework shop....

If you like the bag contact....

If you like the Ladies Stitching Bag then contact 3 Stitches 281-320-0133 about the class. We are looking at doing this class the beginning of September.

We will dye the bag, distress the tag and then embellish with charms, embroidery stitches, beads and netted fabric.

Guaranteed fun and lots of laughter.

ebeth

Close up picture of tag for bag

Picture of complete bag with tag.

Up close picture of embellished bag for 3 Stitches

Computer back in running

Silence for the day yesterday was due to hard drive going bad.  I caught it in time and got new hard drive, got it installed and now up and running.  Still defraging everything and there are a couple things that I am having to mirror over, but saved most of my work.  Yeah.

Shipped some items that were ordered from TVR Seminar.  Now working on getting some thread orders together.  Will have to call them in on Tuesday since this is a holiday weekend.

Will post more later.  Behind due to not having a computer yesterday.

Finishing Class

We had a good time at Nimble Needle.  Though....I was on my pins and toes.  Had a pillow to help do-it was an inset and of course it did not want to work out....the students were wonderful and we got through it.  The pillow was not totally finished, but almost there.  We birthed two ornamens and one coaster along with the pillow.

We have set up a pillow class for October near the end at Nimble Needle....so get stitching and come and join us-I guarantee a good laugh or two....

Yoga for the relaxation

Just finished a yoga class....wish it had been offered in the am.  I think the day would have progressed better.

Finished a 5 mile run and then yoga.

Will be teaching finsihing at Nimble Needle tomorrow.  I think a side trip to JoAnn's to get some fabric to finish a project for 3 Stitches and then I do hope I get inspired to get an ornament designed and the rest of the orders out the door.

Will have to go to the basement to cut some fabric.

Tip for the day

Scissor fobs.  I know that many of you do not use them.  They are great for helping locate those pesky scissors that are in the bottom of the stitching bag.  Did you know that fobs were invented to attach to items so that if the item fell the fob would hit the ground first.  That only works if the fob is heavier than the scissors....but each pair of scissor should have a wonderful fob attached.   Hummm.....maybe I should go and design one.

Funky Shoes

The picture will have to wait.  Been getting some orders out the door.  Need to find the time to take a picture of my feet.  Not high on the list.

Coming tomorrow

If I remember-I will post a picture of my new funky shoes....those of you that follow me on Facebook know about my Hoochies-well these are not quite Hoochies-but they are fun....If I have time you will get to see some funky thong sandles with Mother of Pearl flowers and animal print thongs.....

Got to have fun-even when things seem like they are falling apart.

Love that Starbucks

Took a small break to go to Fedex to ship things and stopped in one of my fav Starbucks....as luck would have it they have purchased too many of a dessert and they were expiring tomorrow, so guess who got free dessert. 

They are always so nice to me-and no I am not sharing which one-I do not want you to get there before me....You may just have to drop in and join me and I will take you to my fav ones.

Keep watching-new tips will be coming out tomorrow.

Oh-and a Christmas Ornament will be birthed soon for The Gift of Stitching....along with the long line of other things I have to do....yes I have to pull out my magic wand and make things happen....

Calling it a day

Got some of the kits and charts out the door today.  Unpacked and put the suitcase in the attic.  Now tomorrow will be some printing and shipping.  Hope to get the design bug going.

Do not forget-will be teaching finishing on Wednesday, so if you are in town and need to get that ornament finished just call Nimble Needle and they will set you up in the class.

Tip for the day

If you are stuck in the middle of no where and the only thing you have is DMC thread that will match the project that your finishing-then coat the thread with Bees Wax and it will give the thread the strenght that you need to ust it for finishing.  Now I know there is a discussion on the EGA board about whether to use Thread Heaven or not.  Trust me ladies-it is not going to damage the piece unless you over coat the thread.  It will not do a lot of damage, it will just have a waxy residue.

We discussed this issue at in class and there were some expert Japanese Emboirdery Stitchers in the class and they said that they spit on their threads when they twist them and they will also run them across their foreheads to get some oil on the threads...so ladies and gentlemen-it is ok to put Bees Wax on your threads.

Back and hit the ground running

I got back around 3:30pm last night from teaching at Tennessee Valley Region Share A Stitch 30 in Birmingham, Alabama. 

I did figure out how to post off the Iphone, but then I got so busy I did not have time to post again.  I have to go to the AT&T store to see why the itnernet would not connect with the laptop....anyway another story.

Those ladies put on a grand show.  From opening night till we left Sunday afternoon we were on the go and everything ran like a well oiled machine.

Pre-registration was great-I think at last count we had 80 people pre-registered for next year.  (A plug for me-I am teaching Artist Trading Cards at the TVR Share A Stitch June 21-24 2012 in Kingsport, TN at the Meadowview Marriot Conference Resort and Convention Center.  So, if you missed getting this class at the National EGA Seminar and still want to take it I will get the contact information up for you.

I want to again thank Mike and Rod at Hoffman Distributors for taking time out of their Thursday morning to give me a cup of coffee and to show me around the warehouse.  I think they were extra nice to me because I stopped in Homewood, Alabama and went to Savage's Bakery 2916 18th Street South Homewood, Alabama 35209 phone 205-871-4901.  If you are in the area check them out.  Their pasteries are wonderful.  I did not get any sandwiches, but if they are anything like their pasteries then they are to die for.  I even brought home some petite fours.  They are all gone now-yummmmm.

I ran out of some of the charts at Merchandise Night, so I am packing them up at the moment and hope to have all the shipping done by mid week.

I have a finishing class at Nimble Needle in town Wednesday and Stacy says the class is a go.  There is still room if you want to slide in- call 404-843-8687.

Well, I am off to do some more printing and kitting.  I did take a break this morning.  I was lazy for a couple of hours then went to the gym. 

With some help I managed to change the filter in the refrigerator-for some reason it will not turn to the left and it is an ordeal.  Anyway-off to catch up with work and to start new designs.....Market is in August!

More than one way to skin a computer/Internet

Well after several attempts I could not get my computer to connect to the network. So I jumped on iPhone and here I am posting. Scary right?

Got to go and visit with Hoffman Dist yesterday. Mike & Rod were kind enough to show me around and spend some time with me. I did come with gifts of food. I will post name of Bakery this evening. I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Hoffman for letting me drop in.

The SAS XXXI is in full swing. Phyllis Hoffman was a delight to see and she is a very entertaining speaker.

I have had sushi two nights in a row so I am in heaven. I got a three mile run in this morning, so I am good.

Well I am off to set up room. Will post later.

Road Trip for teaching

Good Morning-it is rainy and yucky out there.....But I am packed and getting ready to hit the road for Birmingham, Alabama to teach at an EGA Regional.

It will be fun see friends and to make new ones. 

Hopefully I will get a moment to log in and post. 

This is where the eye glass case tip will come in handy-so I will not have to go hunting for my scissors.

Well, I must put my suitcase in the van and brave the elements and be on my way.  My broom stitck is in the shop or I would be traveling in style.

I am going to stop in at Hoffman Distributors to say hello.  I will let you know about the side trip and if I see any goodies out there.

OK-I am getting dangerous.

I am working on making the picture posting-but for the moment this will work. 

I hope you like the new addition to the Maritime Sewing Case.  The student will have the option to add more embroidery to the bag.  The pocket in the front is the right size for post it notes to stay inside of it and there is a pocket behind the pocket where a small pencil can be placed.

This is a fun class-adding painting, counted work, emboridery, dyeing and finishing.  There is something in it for everyone.

Remember the class is at Sit N Stitch in California-call them for details.  I cannot wait to get back out there and work with Cindy and all the other ladies in LA!

Here are the pictures of the Maritime Scissor Case and the New Addition Bag

Go to facebook page for pictures of new purse

I just posted the pitures of the new purse that goes with the Maritime Scissor Box.  I am working on getting photo albums on this site.  I am getting there!

Tip for the day

Use an eyeglass case to carry your needles, scissors, and other small stitching items when traveling.  This keeps them together and then you do not have to hunt in your travel bag for them. 

The metal cases are great to put a magnet inside of them and then the needles and pins stay in place.

Needle Minders

I have been experimenting with glue, buttons and magnets.  I have some very interesting Needle Minders/Magnets for the bulliten board coming out for the August TNNA Market.

I also have a twisted cord set that I have been selling.  I will get pictures up next week.  This system lets you twist cording without having to have someone help you.  It comes with instructions on how to do multiple colors and it is so fun!!!!

I almost have the Day of the Dead set finished sketched out.  I am waiting for a couple call backs from vendors on getting the pieces to the puzzle done.  Keep watching, I hope to have it up and running next week after I come back from teaching.

Tip of the day

If your work space is like mine there never seems to be enough room.

Threads and linen seem to take over-along with the dog fur, cat fur and other odds and ends that make life interesting.

To keep my threads handy I love to get the big loose leaf paper rings and put my threads on them either by color or by number.  I do this with companies and colors I use frequently.   I like to hang them on door knobs or on the back of ladder back chairs.

For those threads that I do not use as frequently or if the packaging does not allow them to be on ring binders-I get plastic storage carts that are clear and they have drawers.  I put the threads in the larger drawers by company.  If the thread line is too big to put them all in one drawer-I break them out into categories and put them in smaller drawer storage boxes.

Tuesday-Late start!

Good day to all,

Late start, but now have hit the floor running.  Getting a couple of kits out the door and packing.  I will be in Birmingham, Al-teaching for a regional Share A Stitch this weekend. 

I will be dropping in at Hoffman Distributors to see the staff and say hello.  Would be nice if I saw a few of my charts off to new homes.

I am packing up some reference books and finishing supplies to help the students in Studio Time.

I am still working the kinks out of the Day of the Dead Piece.  I hope to get that finished and out the door.  No, I am not going Goth.  I am doing a piece for a Retreat at the Salty Yarn Ocean City, MD in October the 14-16th.  The Day of the Dead is the holiday to celebrate loved ones that have passed to the other side.  I am working in bright colors and there will be a hornbook thread page and a paper pin book decorated with a line drawn skull.  We will be working with wool and it should be fun. 410-289-4667 for a reservation and more details.

I have finished dyeing a canvas bag that we will be embellishing with ribbon and charms in September at 3 Stitches in Spring, Texas 281-320-0133 for mor details.

I just finished a bag to go with the Maritime Sewing box.  It is based on an antique bag that I own.  We will be painting the fabric along with painting the linen and constructing part of the sewing box and the bag at a retreat in September at Sit n' Stitch in Toluca Lake, CA.  818-760-9330 for a reservation and more details.

Well, I will post more and keep you up to date on the packing.  I am going back into my basement to orgainze-well as close to it as I can.

Welcome to Dames of the Needle/Finger Work!

I want to welcome you to the creative world of Dames of the Needle/Finger Work. 

I hope you will enjoy this new journey with me as I keep you informed of new products, ideas, announcements and my travels as a teacher.

Visit frequently for a moment to smile and hopefully a couple of laughs as this new adventure starts.