The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

I can't believe it has been a month since I last did a posting. My apologies, I really don't know where the time goes. Well, part of that time went to a vacation in the lovely Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. My hubby and I were there at the perfect time of year to enjoy the spectacular colors of Autumn. We went hiking, driving and antiquing. What could be better. We explored Skyline Drive and Monticello along with several other historical spots. I can't say enough about the garden at Monticello, it was gorgeous. The sampler in the photo was from the Michie Tavern, an early American tavern located down the road from Monticello. The food was exceptional. I ate southern dishes that I never experienced before and they were great, like black-eyed peas. No vacation would be complete without searching out a new cross stitch shop. I found Cross Stitch Station in Waynesboro, VA. Waynesboro is the southern access point to Skyline Drive and the Shenandoah National Park, so very conveniently located. Terry, the owner is a wonderful woman. Her enthusiasm about needlework is enough to get anyone stitching. Her shop is "an oasis" for the stitcher, with charts, threads, fabric, you name it, she has it. I hope if you are ever travelling near Waynesboro, you look up Terry.

Happy Monday!

Beth

Stitching Jubilee

Starting today through Saturday, October 14-16, at the Lancaster County Convention Center, in Lancaster, PA, the third annual Stitching Jubilee will be held. This year features 16 exhibitors, stitching technique classes and networking with stitchers from across the country. I do not have a booth, but I will be attending on Saturday to join the excitement. If you would like more information, such as directions, etc. the website is: http://www.stoneycreek.com/newjubileecom.html. I am looking forward to the experience as I have not attended in the past, but friends that have, highly recommend it.

Have a great day!
Beth

Shop Visit: The Village Stitchery

One of my very favorite cross stitch shops is The Village Stitchery outside of Lewisburg, PA. Located in an 1871 one room school house, the shop radiates warmth as soon as you enter through the back door. Lisa, the shop's owner, is a display wizard, incorporating the many, many finished models (all of which she has stitched!) along with antiques into clever vignettes throughout the shop. She carries a wide array of threads, fabrics and charts, anything the discerning stitcher needs. Lisa also offers finishing services and framing. The shop is always a source of inspiration to me. Take note in the photo with the fireplace, Lisa stitched my Nine Shaft Sampler and it is on display on a vintage chair. Thanks Lisa for creating a stitcher's heaven!! For more information on The Village Stitchery, the website is: http://www.villagestitcheryshop.com.

As Always,

Beth

Christmas Ornament using Lace Trellis chart

I sent a shipment of Lace Trellis off to Hoffman last Friday, so hopefully it will be ready for distribution this Friday. Please visit your local needlework shop and request it. If you don't have a shop, let me know and I will help you find one.

As promised here is another alternative application for Lace Trellis, as a Christmas ornament. The ornament is a cube, created from six squares of perforated paper. After cross stitching the Lace Trellis motif, I decided it needed a little sparkle to catch the light while hanging on the tree. I added a few Mill Hill beads to this effect. I then used a herringbone stitch to attach the sides together. The top and bottom are the tricky sides, my solution was to use two needles, one on each end of the thread and then create the stitch in a back and forth manner. The result is a neat little three-dimensional ornament that works up pretty quickly.

Happy Wednesday!!

Beth

Market at Washingtonburg

This past weekend, my family and I attended the living history event, The Market at Washingtonburg in Carlisle, PA. It was fun and interesting to "meet" the folks that forged through the forest of early Pennsylvania. The re-enactors took on different personas and explained about their living conditions on the Frontier. As a cross-stitcher, one of the most interesting exhibits of the day for me was the making of linen from flax. The Early American woman would take the flax grown in her own fields to create a fine fabric of durable quality. She used that fabric to cloth her family, decorate her home and of course, teach her daughters to stitch on. All of the tools needed for this process could be created from readily available raw materials, albeit the spinning wheel would take an experience woodworker to create. One of the re-enactors even shared her "housewife" with me. It was certainly an enjoyable experience and an event I look forward to attending next September.

Patera Jewelry Pendants

In my search for finding alternate finishing ideas for cross-stitch, I discovered Patera Pendants from Nunn Design. These jewelry findings are hand-cast in the USA and made from 100% lead free pewter and then plated with precious metal finishes. The pendants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I inserted my finished cross-stitch, in this case a motif from Lace Trellis, into the Patera and then covered it with DG3 Art Gel from Judi-Kins. The directions for the DG3 gel say to allow 24-48 hours of drying time. I guess fabric changes this, because it took about 5 days for mine to dry. I had pretty much given up on the idea, so I was surprised when I came back days later and found that it no longer looked like washed out paper, but had dimension from the stitches and the fabric itself. I added the remaining elements to create the necklace you see here. A note, the fabric did darken a bit during the process. I am rather new to the whole jewelry making trend, but found this to be a fairly simple process. I am now scouring through old miscellaneous bins to see what I can use in making more!! It is definitely a great gift making idea. Nunn Designs has a listing on their website for on-line vendors that carry their jewelry findings. You can find their website at http://www.nunndesign.com. I ordered mine from Country Stitches at http://www.countrystitchesonline.com.

Happy Monday!!

Beth

Lace Trellis Unveiled

Hi Friends!

Here is the completed Lace Trellis design. Stitched on 28 count Olive Green Cashel Linen by Zweigart. I stitched the model over one linen thread, so that it would have a very fine look. Don't despair, if you are not up to stitching over one, you can just stitch over two, it will not change the overall design. I finished the needlework into a pillow. Not sure if you can tell by the photo, but the needlework is backed with muslin and then just tacked to the pillow at the corners. This is a quick finishing method. I created a new pillow top for this project, but you could very easily use a purchased pillow to save yourself some time. I have also been experimenting with some other finishing ideas for this design. More to come...

The design itself is very versatile and can be used in a wide array of projects. The pattern is such that you can use part of it or extend the design for a larger purpose. It is also a relatively simple pattern and the first installment in my Stitches to Go series. The idea being that the needlework can be stitched without the need to constantly follow a chart, thus making it easier to take the needlework with you and work on it "on the go."

"Lace" Preview

Hi Friends!

Here is my newest pattern!! It will be released this September, I will let you know when Hoffman has it in hand. I still have a bit of finishing work to do with it, but the stitching is done. This worke is the first installment in a series of Stitches to Go patterns. The goal is to have designs that the stitcher can easily take with them and work on during "waiting" down time, i.e. the orthodontist's office. In fact, the model was stitched mostly during wait times during my son's recent surgery. Stitched over one on Zweigart Cashel Linen, the pattern creates a delicate lace, intertwined with "ribbons." I am also creating some fun Christmas ornaments with the design. More photos to follow in the coming days as I do the finishing work and come up with a name for it.

Best,

Beth

Welcome

Hi Friends!

I finally have my blog up and running!! Please check in often to see what new designs I am working on, what inspires me and just general thoughts about needlework. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts, so please leave comments. I would also love to feature your finished Summer House Stitche Workes designs, so send me a photo along with with any comments you have to my e-mail address. Tomorrow's post will feature a little preview to my September release. Until then...

In Stitches,

Beth