Winter Garden Release

Winter Garden is available starting today on the Needlework Online Show. I had so many stitchers request a continuation of Autumn Garden, so here is the next season. Like Autumn Garden, Winter Garden celebrates the colors of the season, in this case red, green and gold. The model is stitched over two on 30 count Ligonier Latte linen from R & R Reproductions using overdyed floss from The Gentle Art. My favorite part is the "Nordic Ribbon" border. I hope you enjoy stitching this fun little sampler. Spring is next, be looking for the chart to be release at Nashville in February.

The Needlework Online Show opens today, 20 October at 2pm EST and closes at midnight on 25 October. Here is the link. Browse through the General Viewing pages and note which designs you need to have, such as Winter Garden, and then let your favorite needlework shop know, so that they can place the order. There is also a list of the retail shops that are participating, in case you need to find a shop.

All my Best,

Beth

NorthCoast Tour de Stitch

Hi Friends!

If you live in Ohio or in a surrounding state, you are in luck this weekend. Five needlework shops have banned together to offer a "shop hop." They are offering door prizes, specially-designed needlework projects and trunk shows at each shop. My trunk show is on display at Just Stitching in Stongsville, Ohio. The other participating shops are: Clare's Stitching Post in Vermilion, Ohio, Craft Gallery in Findlay, Ohio, Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights, Ohio and The Curiosity Shoppe in Oak Harbor, Ohio. For more information follow this link. Hope you are able to join the fun! My trunk show will be on display at Just Stitching until the end of October.

Keep Stitching!

Beth

Soil and Sand restitch

Hi friends!

I recently decided that Soil and Sand needed a new look to get stitchers interested in the design. I designed this chart when I was researching weaving patterns to create my Nine Shaft Sampler design several years ago. I love the movement of this pattern. I originally stitched it in black floss on 9 count Heatherfield, I also stitched up a little needlecase at the time. I revisited my needlecase and decided to stitch it up with a bit more color. This version is stitched with Chameleon Thread's Stormy Seas space-dyed floss on Weeks Dye Works Straw linen.

This is the fourth time that I have stitched this design and each time it stitches up so quickly.

The interior features a piece of blanketstitched felt for storing your needles.

I hope the new model will inspire you to look for the chart.

Holy, Holy, Holy in Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue

The special issue of the magazine was released in the beginning part of September, so I hope you have picked up your copy. I will be getting mine this weekend and can't wait to see it, as this is the first time I have been featured in the magazine. I hope Holy, Holy, Holy becomes a special ornament on your tree this year.

All my Best,

Beth

Rain, Rain...

Go away or go to Texas, anywhere but here in Central PA.

This is the nice, tranquil Conodoguinet Creek, which flows right below my house. We are fortunate that our house is up a high bank and out of the danger zone. But...

neighbors right down the street are not so lucky. As shown in the photo, the creek is coming up to meet the house.

Here is another photo showing how fast the water is moving. Please remember our neighbors and others who are being displaced by the raging waters of Tropical Storm Lee in your prayers. The forecast for the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg is that it will have the second highest crest level in history.

One good thing about all of the rain...I just want to sit and stitch. I am restitching a couple of models to get them ready for a trunk show in October. I'll have more info on that, but I think I will save that for another post.

Hope you are keeping dry!!

Beth

Autumn Garden Patera

Hi Friends!

I have had so many people interested in how I make the Patera necklaces. They really are stunning. I wanted to share the latest one that I made using the central motif of Autumn Garden. I created this necklace and earring set for my sister-in-law. I changed the colors up a bit to fit her personality and wardrobe. The "island" colors give a different to the motif look along with the delicacy of stitching over one.

On another note; to all of you looking for Autumn Garden to turn into a seasonal series, you are getting your wish! Winter Garden is well underway in the design process and I am looking at releasing it in October during the Online Needlework Show. Stayed tuned for a sneak peek once I am in the stitching phase. I will be using Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art for the entire series. I love the look these threads give to the finished worke.

Happy Tuesday!

Beth

Baltimore Market Recap

I had an absolutely fantastic time at the Baltimore Fall Market! My mind is still reeling with all of the new ideas I have for Summer House. I learned so much and meet so many great people. The needlework industry is full of the nicest people you would ever want to encounter. Since it was my first time to exhibit on the national level, I was a little apprehensive about how long it would take to set up, etc. Brenda Kocher and I shared a suite, which worked out great. She is such a fun person and we were laughing all weekend long. We were not laughing when we initially looked at our room though. It was so much smaller than we imagined and the hotel stipulated that none of the furniture was to be moved. So, after an ice cream treat from Megan at Needlework Retailer, we decided on a plan and had our booth set up in about an hour's time. Here are some photos of our booth and the Hotel.

The "Summer House" side of the booth.

We shared space on our make shift table display across the couch.

Brenda's side of the booth.

The atrium of the Embassy Suites.

I released three new designs at Market and I can tell you that Autumn Garden was very well received. It is stitched on R & R Reproduction linen in Ligonier Latte with Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art. I had a chance to meet Kristi and Nancy from The Gentle Art and you will be seeing more of my future designs featuring their thread. I was also able to see their wool floss line and I loved the feel and stitched look of it.

As a promotion, I did a drawing for the Autumn Garden model. Cathy Habermann from Cherry Wood Design Studios drew Cathy Roginela from Inspired Needle in Lemont, IL as the winner. We laughed, because when Cathy R. filled out her ticket for the drawing, she wrote down her room number, as she was positive the model was going home with her! Congratulations Cathy!!

I also released the second design in the Fathers of Freedom series, American Ambassador, featuring Benjamin Franklin. It is stitched on Sandstone/Tea-dyed linen by Wichelt with DMC floss. The beautiful frame is from Valley House Primitives.

Detail of the frame graining pattern. MCD moulding in Lamplight with Hairpin graining.

Last, but not least is Svetlana's Biscornu. This piece was inspired by a display of Ukrainian cross stitch at Hand Dyed Fibers Needlework Exhibition in June. I love the contrast of the vibrant colors with black. This was my first attempt at creating a biscornu and it was not a difficult process at all. Finishing instructions are included in the chart.

I hope you enjoy my newest designs and I am already making plans for Nashville's Market in February.

All my Best,

Beth

Baltimore Fall Market

Hi Friends!

Well, my car is all packed up and I am ready to head to Baltimore for the Fall Market. I am really excited, as this is my first "big" show. I can't wait to meet fellow designers, shop owners, etc. It should prove to be a real learning experience for me. I will be releasing three new designs, including the next installment of the Founders of Freedom series. I will post photos soon and give you updates on all the fun at Baltimore!

All my Best,

Beth