After the Online Needlework Show

 "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

- C.S. Lewis

Isn't that a great quote?  It's such perfect advice, too.  There are always new things we find to interest us and to dream about.  In my last post I mentioned meeting an old friend in January and him taking me to the Iowa River to see the bald eagles there. He does nature photography and I have 7 of his large prints of eagles hanging here in one area of my office. 

Ever since that trip to the river I have a new passion -- eagles.  As I sit here working at my computer during the day I always have the webcam of one of the eagle nests up in the corner of my screen so I can see what the parents and eaglets are doing.  Yes, it seems I'm obsessed with eagles these days.

The Online Needlework Show was a lot of fun and I'm so glad I decided to participate again after taking last year off.  I made some sales, made some contacts with other designers, and met some great stitchers who participated in my doorprize offering and sent me the nicest emails.  

The orders from the shops have been shipped, the doorprizes were sent, and since I hate leaving people out, I sent email notes to the others who participated in the doorprize, sending them a discount "coupon" for a future order.

I think I'll spend some time this weekend putting my office back in order, and then get to work next week getting a few new designs drawn and begin stitching the models.  I have so many different ideas in my head (and in a notebook and sketched in several other places) and it's difficult to decide which to begin since my interests go in many different directions.  Maybe I can get a few of them done :)

Thank you to all who visited me at the Online Needlework Show!    

Joanne

Busy Times

This week I'm busy getting ready for the Online Needlework Show which begins on Thursday.  I always love spending hours looking at all the booths and making lists of designs I'd love to purchase. 

I've been procrastinating for way too long, so I'm hoping this show is just what I need to get me going again.  I have over 40 designs in various stages - sketched, notes made, some partially drawn in the software program, some charted but only partially stitched.  I need to get back to work!

Several of the designs were inspired by a winter trip in January, when I spent a week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after taking our daughter back up to Chicago for grad school.  I always take a winter vacation to enjoy some cold weather and snow since we live in San Antonio, TX, where we just don't get a real winter.  The fields were covered with snow, some ponds were frozen, and it was just beautiful.  

The best part of the trip was getting together with an old friend who does nature photography, and he took me down to a place along the Iowa River to see the eagles that were there.  I loved it there so much that I visited that spot every day the entire week.  I spent about an hour each time, walking along the bike path that ran alongside the river, enjoying the cold weather, the bare trees, the sound of geese and ducks, and the eagles who were sitting in the trees and would occasionally swoop down to the river and then head back up to the sky and soar above the trees.  It was the perfect place for some solitary time, and for creative ideas.  

I'm looking forward to getting these ideas from my head to charts, so I can share some of the beauty with all of you, too.  Hopefully, it will be soon!

Joanne


 

Let the Water Teem with Living Creatures

#OGP - 27 Let the Water Teem with Living Creatures

This sampler, originally included in my To Fly Above the Sea Book and now being released as a single design, is based on Genesis 1:20. "And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.'"

The model was stitched on 28-count Jobelan in Cameo Peach using 2 strands of DMC floss.
Stitch count is 100x98.
Finished design on 28-count fabric is 7-1/4" x 7".

Originally released in book July 2010; Released as single design April 2013

Under the Mistletoe

#OGP - 26 Under the Mistletoe

A holiday design to stitch for yourself or as a gift for a special person.  The package includes the charts for both designs, and they're a quick stitch and perfect for the holidays!  Special thanks to Linda Sue Huson for the idea.  Stitch count is 88 x 66 and the finished size on 28-count linen is 6-1/2" x 4-3/4".

Released December 2012

Lighthouse Stocking

 #OGP - 25 Lighthouse Stocking A stocking for anyone who loves lighthouses and sea themes.  Add initials, a name or date to the top of the stocking.  An alphabet chart is included, as well as a pattern and instructions for finishing.  Stitch count is 70 x 78 stitches, and the finished stocking as shown is 6" x 7".

Released in November 2012

Always In My Heart

A design inspired by old friends, but perfect for anyone who is always in your heart.  There is enough space to easily add initials and a date to commemorate a special occasion.  The chart includes instructions for both the pastel and the jewel-tone design.

Models were stitched on 28-count Wichelt-Permin linen in the shade "Lambswool".  Models were framed, but the designs could be finished as a pillow, stitched on the front of a tote bag, or used to cover the top of a pretty box.

Stitch count is 83 x 79.  Finished design on 28-count fabric is 6" x 5-3/4".

French knots or beads could be substituted for the flower centers. 

Released May 2012

Seaside Christmas

This Christmas design features some of my favorite things - a lighthouse decorated with a Christmas wreath, two fir trees with ornaments, a few traces of snow in the sand, and two Laughing Gulls on the beach.

The model was stitched on 28-count Wichelt hand-dyed linen in Stormy Gray.  The stitch count is 48 x 47 stitches, and the finished piece is 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" when stitched on 28-count fabric. 

DMC floss is used throughout.  French knots were used for the ornaments on the trees and the berries on the wreath, but colored beads could be used if you prefer.