Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Inspiration

I've been out of the country for a few weeks visiting friends in Ireland and our daughter and her family in England. I always come home inspired with new idea for designs. While in London, we visited the V&A--Victoria & Albert Museum. I, of course, headed for the "Textile" section. I love to browse the antique samplers on display there. If you ever get the chance to go to London and you love samplers--do not miss the V&A.

When we returned home I had a huge pile of mail and magazines. While sorting through them I noticed "Quilters Newsletter" magazine. On the very last page of the magazine was a large photo of the quilt that inspired my cross stitch design "Inspiration." You will notice my creative license, but this is an amazing piece by Janet Locey of San Juan Bautista, CA. My inspiration came from a very small photo--oh how I wish I had had this larger photo to work from, but I still love my design and hope others enjoy the challenge of stitching the intricate piece.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Summer Update


After a rainy cool Saturday, July 4th here in Indiana, Sunday and all this coming week is supposed to be "normal" tempertures and dry. What's up with Mother Nature anyway? July 4th is supposed to be for grilling and fireworks. Well, I must admitt that we did have fun with our neighbors on July 4th, but there were hardy any fireworks, we had to wait for those until July 5th. Happy Belated Birthday America!


I know that my plan was to write on my blog more often, but it seems that designing, stiching and grandchildren take up most of my time. I do not know how other people do it! Between, all of that and trying to add things to Facebook--now it's also trying to "Twitter", does anyone get away from the computer long enough to relax and stitch?


I have a question for you stitchers out there. How to you store your leftover threads? I mean if you have seperated the 6 stand floss, then have some leftover, where do you put it?


I do have something new to show you--my new design "Language of the Flowers." There are several other new designs on my website http://www.rosewoodxstitch.com/.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008


On a recent trip to Colorado I was luck enough to have time to visit Golden just outside of Denver and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. You can learn more information about the museum at http://www.rmqm.org/


The quilt that Janet Locey created, which was the inspiration for my design called "Inspiration" was on display. I've wanted to see this quilt "in person" since reading about it in American Patch Work & Quilting Magazine. I was not disapointed! It is an amazing piece. As you can see from the photo it is not a large quilt, but the detail is exquisite.


If you are in the area the quilt will be on display untill August 1. Don't miss it!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Update!


OK, when I first started this blog, I thought I would have more time to work on it, but between getting ready for the needlework markets and new grandchildren arriving, I simply ran out of hours in the day!


Our first grandchild was born mid April--a boy. We think he is the best most beautiful child in the world of course. He is bringing his parents for a visit in mid July. They live in England so we will be very happy to see him again. Thank Heaven for e-mails, digital photos and Skype. We can watch him grow over the internet, but we love holding him in person the very best.


We will welcome out second grandchild into the world in late July! We don't know if it's a boy or girl and really don't care, we just want the baby is healthy and happy. Can't wait for the surprise.


On to cross stitch!


At the needlework market in June I fell in love with Valdani threads. Those little balls of color in a cute box just spoke to me and now I'm creating a design using the 3 strand little balls. The threads also come as 6 strand floss and pearl cottons. They are color-fast and dye lots do not seem to be a problem. I won't share the design info yet, but hope to have it ready for the fall needlework market in Sept. You can see the floss colors at http://www.valdani.com/ The fabric I'm using for the design is from Picture This Plus. You can view their fabric at http://www.picturethisplus.com/


Valdani threads have been popular with punch needle people and now are becoming popular with needlepoint and quilters. The colors are beautiful and they go through the linen like butter.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

My First Time!




Hello!








This is my very first time using a blog. I just want to share some information with you occasionally.








At times I may want to share news about my family, like now. Our daughter and her husband are expecting our first grandchild in mid-April. My husband and I are very excited!








Other times it may be news about some new designs I have being released soon, or maybe information I have learned in the needlework industry or maybe even new ideas for using my designs.








I may at times post some photos, like the one from earlier today. This one is of me with a quilt I made for my cousin who let us use his cabin in Flagstaff AZ for tow weeks this summer. It was supposed to be an afghan, but turned out a little larger. I hope he likes it!








I would like to create a FREE design to be posted on the first day of each month. It would be removed on the last day of that month and NOT be repeated. I'm thinking that it would be a design that could be stitched as a larger sampler or stitched individually. I am planning on starting this feature in January 1st 2008--well maybe a little later that that in January after all I have to recuperate from New Year's Eve!








I hope you will visit my website to see what I design! If you like needlework or quilting you might like to have a look.








Enjoy! Karen