Even Better Than The New Phone Book

It's always a nice day in the store when the latest Needlework Retailer shows up in the mail. I know it sounds like one of those fake industry magazines mentioned on The Simpsons, but it is a real magazine for LNS owners. They're often timed to coincide with cash & carry Markets and other trade shows. This issue is a preview for the Nashville Market (about 2 weeks away).

I'm still somewhat cranky about some lackluster releases, but I'll not bore my readers (all five of them*) with the Kute & Kuddly stuff I don't like.

I saw a much too small pic of a gorgeous new mermaid from my friends at The Workbasket. Of course I had to surf on over to their site to see the others. Critters, Cartouches, and Mermaids? Yes, please, I'll take all of them!

Little by Little, one of my all time favorite designers, have some adorable things coming: Hot Chocolate and Reward of Plenty. I did check, and they're not posted yet. You'll just have to take my word for it!

Have I mentioned A Most Noble Pursuit? It's a great new collaborative design from some of my favorite sampler/primitive designers. I'd like to say I can reserve a copy for you, but since I'm not attending the Nashville Market this year, I'll have to get in line and hope for the best on February 17, when Market is over. Keep your fingers crossed!

Those are the highlights. I'm scouring the web for more advance pix to keep us all amused until the stash rolls in.


*Which reminds me: If any of this is at all interesting to you, please feel free to link my blog to any of your stitching friends. Web Traffic: It's a GOOD thing!

Blue Ribbon for Blue Ribbon

Color me impressed. Blue Ribbon Designs is releasing this beauty of a design for Nashville. It's called the Red Velvet Inscription Sampler. Nice, isn't it?

I see a ton of patterns released every month, and I enjoy choosing a good variety for the shop and website. Every so often I see something that I just *know* is going to generate a good buzz here. This is why I love my job!

She's Gotta Have It

I must be having New Chart Withdrawal, waiting for all those fabulous Nashville goodies to appear. I've been stocking up on a few older titles from some of my favorite designers, who knows why? Perhaps as a hedge against things going out of print, or perhaps because I just plain like them so much. Here are a few from my recent order sheets:

Birds of a Feather's "Peace"

Birds of a Feather's "Bloom Where You're Planted"

Little by Little's "Blue Dwelling is My Station"

The Goode Huswife's "The Mustard Door"

And that's just four that I can think of from the last day or so!

I Can See Clearly Now

This is what my stitching looks like photographed with a REAL camera. Mansfield Park progress, as of this afternoon:

Bring it On!

New Nashville releases are starting to trickle into my electronic inbox. As predicted, January's lackluster new releases were just a lull before all the really cool new stuff ships. Here's Mirabilia's newest release, Stargazer, which will be in soon:



I was just saying to myself that a new Mirabilia might be needed in my rotation. Yes, I think I can see myself stitching this! It reminds me of Fairy Moon, without being a copycat. Very, very nice.

Here's a quote from Nora Corbett's email:

The Stargazer md-88

White glowing stars reflect over a gown of satin ribbons and brocade. The dress is stitched in soft greys and dusty blues and covered in swirling starry beads. As the lady watches the sky filled with luminous diamonds she wishes upon them all. Dreams placed on a star really can come true.

Stitched on 28 count Country French Cappuccino Linen by Wichelt Imports. Stitched area is 13 3/4" x 19 3/4" with a stitch count of 190 x 275. Stitched (2 over 2). Model stitched with DMC floss.

Too Skinny!

Will someone please give this Sampler Girl a cookie?!

My progress so far on Sampler Girls from the wonderful M Designs.

Going forward, I promise to take a few pix from my much better digital camera, which lives at home. The webcam is terrible, I know, but it's here at work and much easier to use!

When Store Owners Go Bad

Oops! I started something else this week! What can I say? I was having one of those days.... Here's a quick photo of my progress so far. I'm really enjoying the Crescent Colors. They've got a nice softness to them. The alphabet in the center is hard to photograph with my little webcam.

StitchStashStitchCam

Today's images are of my updated progress on Mansfield Park and Asylum.

Me Likey!

Oooh, something new from one of my favorites! Bloomin' Alphabet from La D Da.

I'll post it to the regular site when I do my next upload. And I'll take home the webcam tonight for quick shots of "Asylum" and "Mansfield Park".

A New Soft Drink or This Morning's Stitching Progress?

From the just started Mansfield Park...

Endorphin Rush

What's one more project in the rotation? Yesterday I broke down and started this. I don't think the photo does it justice. The colors are yummy on 32 count Ivory.

Come to think of it, I have the book downloaded in my Audible library. It may be time to give it a listen.

StitchStashStitchCam

For your amusement, and for my education, a test of uploading images using Blogger. Above is my current shop WIP, Jorinde & Joringel from der Feine Faden. Below is my just finished "Mirror, Mirror"


Edited to add project name. :^)

Cat Out of Bag Dept.

A week is long enough for my blog's "soft opening". I'm officially linking from my website.

Welcome strangers, lurkers, friends, family members, and general passers by. Enjoy the blog, and feel free to comment, ask a question, or share a story.

1Q 2006 Cross Stitch Design Ideas

• Cross Stitched Cootie Catcher: Confound your friends with extra long color names!
  
• Starbucks Latte Cozy: Start with white linen, watch it gradually become coffee-dyed in Boston traffic!
• Biggest Cross Stitch Ever: World Map, Actual Size
• Tree Skirt for Rockefeller Center, NYC
  

Charts and detailed finishing instructions to follow.