My designs are up at Hoffman!

I'm so excited! My designs are listed at Hoffman's Friday New Book Feature!! Yay!

My progress on the new Hawk Run Hollow!

I actually started this a few days ago when I got my new piece of linen. It is on 32ct. Sand Belfast with 2 threads of AVAS. I'm sure I will run out of AVAS but I will just have to replenish as needed. I am very happy with the coverage now.

$5.00 Doll Pattern Sale on Etsy! Plus a bonus!

I am having a pattern sale on Etsy for my doll patterns-just $5.00 each while supplies last. And if you buy 3 or more patterns you get a free set of 10 vintage white buttons for your dollmaking. These buttons are very old and grungy-perfect for primitive dolls! They are a mix of steel,plastic, shank, bone, and mother of pearl. All of them are guaranteed old!
The button sets are also sold separately on my website.

Yes, I'm a serial starter!

And the only thing I ever really seem to finish are my pattern models. *sigh*! But it is fun!! And someday...
Here is my latest start. It is a Colonial Tea Cozy from an old issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly.(Vol. 16 to be exact)Isn't it cute? I really want to finish this one because it will look so cute on my teapot, sitting on my china cabinet, don't you think?


And to answer Barbara's question about the fiber and fabric for my little Heart Biscornu I showed in my last post, the fabric is 32ct. Country French linen, and the fiber is from Vickie Clayton, and it is called Black Cherry.

Heart Biscornu

32 Ct. Country French Linen
2 strands Black Cherry from HDF
This is a lttle biscornu I designed for my local EGA group. We will be constructing them at our next meeting.

Exciting News!!!

My cross stitch designs have been picked up by Hoffman Distributers!! Whoopie! I am so excited!!! They placed a huge order with me, ordered everything I offer and even an old quilt design that I did in 2002! This is so great! I can finally breathe just a tiny bit, as I have really been operating on a shoestring budget, especially in the past 6 months. Now I will have more capital to invest in my business and try to really grow it!! Yay!
So ask for my designs at your local LNS and your favorite ONS, cuz they will be available nationwide now!!

Unbelievable Happy Dance here!!!!

P.S.~ I ordered a new piece of fabric to start Houses over. Now I have to decide, continue with the silks or switch to DMC? I will most likely stitch Village and Shores with DMC, so I am considering making the switch, just for consistency.

Epiphany about my Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Last night I went to my embroiderer's guild, and a lady there was working on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. She was working it on 32ct. mushroom lugana with 2 strands of DMC. It was outragiously beautiful!!!I felt inspired to pull Houses out again when I got home, and when I did my heart sank. I realized why I have been working this so slowly and why it is not a satisfying stitch. I have been working it on 40ct. with 1 strand of silk. The coverage is really skimpy, and the fabric shows through. It looks awful. It does not have that graphic folky look like it should. I never realized it until I saw how beautiful hers was. Man!

What to do!

Do I start completely over? I only have 4 1/2 houses done, so it is not an unthinkable idea. Actually I have already decided that I AM going to start over.

Do I use 2 strands of the Soie D'Alger I have been using, and then replenish when I run out? Clearly I will not have enough for 2 strands, so this is going to be an issue. Or should I switch to good ole DMC. I can always use the silk somewhere else.I am definitely goin to stitch Shores and Village at some point, and after seeing hers in DMC, I think it looks beautiful. Hmmmm.