Meet Bailey

Hi Friends!

I wanted to introduce you to the newest addition to our family, Miss Bailey. She is now 15 weeks old and filling our lives with puppy humor. The cat is still adjusting to his new canine friend and not all that convinced she is a friend. Bailey on the other hand, loves the cat!! Oh what fun our pets bring us.

Hope you all fared well in the storm. We have a bunch of branches on the ground from our trees, but that is about it. Obviously, still have power, so we lucked out there.

Still trying to work on this blogger/image thing, so more posts to come.

All my Best,
Beth

Calico Sampler M-N-O Corrections

Hi Stitching Friends!

I have a lot of stuff to share with you, but I am having issues with the blogging interface. So, since I really want to get these corrections to you, I will forgo all of the photos and other info I have for you and just concentrate on this.

The Calico Sampler No. 5 chart, which is M-N-O, has a few mistakes on the chart. The first one is that the star symbol does not have a corresponding thread. It should be GAST Carriage Black, so star symbol = Carriage Black. The second is there is not a corresponding thread for the "o" symbol. It should be GAST Brandy. Brandy is listed as the double infinity symbol, this is correct, so Brandy = o and double infinity symbol. My sincerest apologies for these mistakes. I have changed my proofing methods, so I hope to avoid these type of mistakes in the future.

On another note, the next "chapter" of Calico Sampler P-Q-R was shipped to shops on my automatic program on Saturday, ahead of the "Big Storm." It will not be sent to the distributors until after Hurricane Sandy is finished disrupting our lives. So, be looking for it. I will upload a photo as soon as I figure out how to get my photos from Flickr onto the blog.

Keep stitching and I hope you all of you on the East Coast stay safe from "Sandy!!"

All my Best,
Beth

10/30/12 - I think I am figuring out the whole "code" thing for the images!!

2012 Baltimore Market Sneak Peak

Hi Friends!

The Fall Market in Baltimore is coming up quickly! This wholesale market runs from September 7 - 9. I will have three new releases available at the Market. Without further ado, here is a sneak peak of the goodies to come...

The first is Indian Summer. I will post another photo once the frame comes in. I expect it today. It is a beauty from Priscilla's Pocket. Indian Summer features a warm autumn palette, just the right hues to remind us of the in between time between summer and fall. From the center of the design, a By Jupiter! sun charm radiates its warmth. The charm is included with the chart. The model was stitched with DMC floss on 35 ct. Lambswool linen from Wichelt.

Next is Sonnet, inspired by Shakespeare's most famous sonnet, 116. I absolutely love this design and once I started working on it the ideas kept coming, so Sonnet is a little booklet with charts and instructions for three projects. The main chart is a perfect memento of any special occasion. An alphabet is included, so you can personalize the initials and dates. If the dusty pink/reds don't fit your purpose, then changing them is very easy. Just use four shades of the same color, from light to dark, and you will change the entire personality of the piece. The model was stitched on 35 ct. Lambswool linen from Wichelt with floss from The Gentle Art.

I know, two projects stitched on the same linen? What is up with that? I absolutely fell in love with this linen and knew the moment I saw it that it was the perfect fabric for Indian Summer. Then, while choosing the colors for Sonnet, I just happened to place them on top of a scrap of the fabric and once again, there was no other fabric.

Sonnet also features a pincushion design. The model was stitched on 32 ct. Belfast linen from Zweigart in Dark Chocolate with floss from The Gentle Art.

The third project in Sonnet is something a little different, it is a mixed media piece featuring cross stitch. I enjoy the creativity that goes into one of these projects. Your imagination is the limit. The stitching medium is perforated paper, which is then added to a floral background with poem printed on it. The background piece is printed on the chart, so all you have to do is cut it out. And follow all of the instructions of course! There is plenty of room for your own creativity as well. Using the same alphabet from the main piece, you can personalize it with your own information and special mementos.

The third new release is the next line of Calico Sampler, M-N-O. No photo yet, I started writing this and realized that I hadn't taken the photo yet. So, I will upload that at the same time I add the complete photo of Indian Summer. But, while we are talking about Calico Sampler, I wanted to share a photo from a stitcher. I had a special request for the "W" a bit early from the Kranberry Kupboard in Hatboro, PA. Their stitcher wanted to create a special wedding piece and wanted to use the alphabet from Calico Sampler. Here is her finished piece, I think it turned out wonderfully!

Enjoy your last days of August, there is a chill in the evening air, so Fall is on its way!

All my Best,

Beth

Correction on Calico Sampler No. 4 Chart

Hi All!

Thought I would let you know that a mistake was uncovered on my Calico Sampler No. 4 Chart. This is the J-K-L chart. The "K" is noted with an "X" on the chart, but it should be an open heart. So, instead of stitching the "K" with GAST Pumpkin Pie, it should be stitched with GAST Heirloom Gold. So sorry for the mistake, I hope I have caught you in time before you stitch the wrong color.

All my Best,

Beth

Calico Sampler is Growing!!

Hi Friends!

Another row has been added to Calico Sampler! The chart, no. 4 in the series, is now available through Hoffman Distributing and Norden Crafts and from your favorite needlework shop.

A close up of the newest row. Five more rows to go after this one. I absolutely love how this sampler is progressing. It is just as fun to stitch in July as it was in January!

An update for those of you waiting for Summer Garden, I am stitching the model. So...hopefully I will be sending the chart off to the printer next week. That is my goal anyway!!

On another note, I have been busy designing for new releases at the Fall Market in Baltimore in September. I will give a few sneak peaks as those designs develop. I have to hurry and get Summer Garden off of my frame, cause I am "itching" to start on these new designs!

I have to share some photos of my son's new kitten, Siri. He is like a little panther and constantly busy. He loves boxes and chasing ping-pong balls around in them. He was a constant source of entertainment for us during their visit.

Hope you all are enjoying the fun of summer!! I am enjoying a day with my windows open and AC off.

All my Best,

Beth

Calico Sampler No. 3 is Released

Hi Friends!

For all of you out there eagerly awaiting the next installment of Calico Sampler, it is out! I mailed the charts to both Hoffman and Norden and also the many shops on my automatic program last Saturday. So, you should be finding it in your local needlework shop and on the distributor's "what's new" listings. I must say, this sampler is not growing old on me at all. I love each row as I create and stitch it. The next line, J-K-L, is all designed and I hope to stitch the model this weekend.

Here is a look at the complete sampler so far.



I have had many emails from stitchers about how much they are enjoying the sampler. One stitcher I thought had a marvelous idea. She is stitching the letters of her initials in darker colors, so that they will stand out more. A great way to personalize the sampler!!

Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition

I viewed the spectacular needlework exhibition at Woodlawn Plantation two weeks ago. If you live within driving distance, I would completely recommend it to you. Although the show is in it's 49th year, I had never been there before. It is so inspiring and the needlework showcased is incredible. Do try to get there if you can. Needlework in a historic home, what more could you ask for! Here is a link with more information for you. The show runs until 10 June. http://woodlawn1805.org/49th-annual-needlework-exhibition/

And once you are reinvigorated from Woodlawn, stop in at In Stitches in Alexandria, VA. It is literally a hop, skip and a jump from Woodlawn. A wonderful shop, chock full of cross-stitch and needlepoint supplies from fibers, to fabric, canvases, you name it, it is there, including charts from Summer House Stitche Workes. ;)

Happy Stitching!
Beth

p.s. Punishment for not posting for a month is that Blogger has updated its interface. While most seems to be the same as it was, the way I posted photos is not, so please bear with me, I will try to fix this code as soon as I can.

Calico Sampler No. 2 & Seasons in Stitches

Hi Friends!

A little sneak peak of the next row of Calico Sampler. I am picking up the charts this afternoon from the printers, so they will soon be on their way to shops. The photo above is the entire sampler so far, with two rows completed.

This photo is just of D, E & F, which is Calico Sampler No. 2. This row adds two new Gentle Arts threads to the palatte, Carriage Black and Heirloom Gold. Fabric is Weeks Dye Works 3o ct. Straw and I am stitching over 2 threads. I just love how this sampler is progressing. The colors compliment each other well and create a relaxed look. The borders that accompany each letter are so fun, I am imagining all sorts of little uses for them, such as bookmarks, curtain tiebacks, etc. And then there are the letters themselves. The calligraphic alphabet is so fanciful! Be looking for Calico Sampler No. 2 soon at your local needlework shop.

This little ditty is my contribution to TNNA's Seasons in Stitches collaborative project. The free-bee charts were distributed to shop owners at the Phoenix Winter Show in January and at the Nashville show in February. Thought you would enjoy a photo of the finished piece. I finished mine into a scissor pocket, using fabrics from Moda.

Happy Spring!

Beth