Fancey's Flowers

Fancey's Flowers

Pineberry Lane

40ct Linen

Required DMC Threads with 1 change

 

I know I am behind with my smalls, but momma is back in the game and trying to catch up. I started with Fancey because of her Fall colors and she is just darn cute! I did change her to a lady because I don't do witches and just decorate for the Fall season. I also changed the color of her basket so it would stand out a bit more. She was a fun stitching project!!

 

I will get started with the current project, but will post the past projects as I finish them. I hope we will continue this into 2013! I just got severely sidetracked with prom, graduation, and preparing 2 for college and the last for high school.

 

Hugs & Stitches!!

October 2012 Small

October's small is Autumn Splendor by With Thy Needle and Thread.   This small was selected for us by Brenda!  Please go to her blog and scroll down for her more pics of her finish.  She opted to finish it as a box topper and it is just gorgeous!

 

You may contact Inspired Needle and purchase this as a kit with chart, fabric and threads.  The kit will include full skeins of the overdyed threads, so the cost is a bit higher, but it is definitely worth it and you will have some extra thread for your stash!

You may select 35, 30 or 14 count fabric with Gentle Art Threads.  

30 count linen is $39.00

35 count or 14 count are $37.00.  

Also, if you would like just the chart, just the linen or just the threads please let Cathy at Inspired Needle know.  

I am sorry for the delay in this announcement!!!!!  Darn it when "real life" gets in the way of the stitching!!!!!!

Interview with Patti!

This month's small was selected by Patti.  When I think of Patti one of the things I think about is a lake in Michigan.  You see, Patti and her family have a little get-away place there.....above is a picture she took of the lake.  Isn't that just the best place to imagine spending some time to recharge your batteries and read and stitch??  Definitely!

On to the interview!

Q:   When did you start cross-stitching?  Did someone teach you?

A:  I started cross stitching when I was in my early 20's.  My Dad was into all kinds of needlework; needlepoint, cross-stitch, embroidery, sewing, crewel, and he inspired me to try.  I also belonged to a Crafts Group that got together and my friend Nancy's mom liked to cross stitch.  I did it for a few years and then stopped.  I got back into it when I met YOU!  (side-note:  Patti and I were lucky enough to meet through our blogs!  We noticed that we did not live that far from each other and we decided to meet at a stitch shop not far from our homes.  We met for lunch and shopping and the rest is history!!)
 

Q:  When and where is your favorite time to stitch?

A:  At night when everything else is done, as well as anytime with my Stitching Buddies!

Q:   Who are some of your favorite designers?

A:  I LOVE Pineberry Lane, Sampler Girl, Stacy Nash, Brenda Gervais, Little House Needleworks,  Notforgotten Farm,  Blackbird Designs,  Primitive Betty's, Prairie Schooler, Shepherd's Bush and everything else my friends stitch that I "have to HAVE!!!"
 

Q:  Can you share one of your favorite "cross-stitch memories" with us?

A:   Having some cross- stitched pieces that my Dad made around the house makes me very happy. Also spending time stitching with friends, laughing and chatting- the fellowship that brings; as well as some time alone, especially, in Michigan, when I get uninterrupted time to stitch is so rewarding.  The retreats we have all gone to have produced some good memories as well!
 

Q:  Can you tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you have stitched? 
 

A:  I love them all- especially the finished ones!!!! I think I am partial to the holiday/seasonal ones.

Q:   What would constitute the perfect stitching day?

A.  Stitching with my Stitching Buddies ANYTIME!!! And a cozy fall or winter day!!!

Thanks Patti!!!! (by the way, the picture of your finished smalls is making me hyperventilate (in a good way!))

September 2012 Small

This month's small was selected and stitched by Patti.  Isn't Miss Fancey just perfect????  This is Fancey's Sunflowers by Pineberry Lane.  I just love Pineberry Lane!!

 Patti stitched hers without the bottom part that lists the year 1799. 

Aren't these DMCs just Gorgeous!!!!!

Here is the kit information:

There are four kits this time, all with Pineberry Lane pattern, Picture This Plus Heritage linen and the 11 skeins of DMC.  The fabric counts in the kits are 40, 36, 32 and 14.  The linen kits are all $26.00 each and the 14 count Aida kit is $24.50.

Please let Cathy know which kit you would like and it will be winging its way to you!!!!  I can't wait to stitch this one.  Thanks Patti for such a wonderful choice!

 

Interview with Linda

 

Here is the interview with Linda Crowe who selected this month's beautiful small, Acorns and Sunflowers by Beehive Needleworks.  Linda has her own blog, Keeper of the Crowes, which showcases here stunning stitching!  Click her to visit:  Keeper of the Crowes

Q:  When and why did you start cross-stitching?

A:  It seems as though I’ve been cross stitching forever! Actually, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have some kind of needle in my hand, but cross stitch was just “it” for me!!!  I think it’s in my genes.  My mother knitted, hooked rugs, did various types of needlework and painted. Her father did leather tooling in New York in the 1800’s. He created and executed the designs used at that time in furniture making.  I just like that connection to the past. The funny thing is, no other female relatives in my family can even thread a needle!! LOL!

Q:  What is your stitching schedule like?  Every day?  only when you feel like it?  

A:    I stitch each morning for about an hour, then again in the late afternoon, and in the evening when my schedule allows.

Q:  How has your stitching changed over the  years?  (charts, linen, etc.)

A:  Well, I stitch on linen and prefer 36 or 40 count. I do silk conversions whenever I can. And, thanks to my stitching buddies, my awareness of so  many different designers has expanded greatly. Oh, yes, my “stash” has “ expanded”, as well.

Q:  Could you tell us about your dream stitching day?  (stitching or shopping or whatever this means to you)

A:  Fortunately I get to live my dream stitching day every time I get together with my stitching group. No one has more fun than we do!!!   

Q:  Could you tell us some of your favorite designers?

A:    Oh my gosh, there are too many to mention. But, if you ask me who I would buy sight unseen, that would have to be Blackbird Designs and Brenda Gervais.

Q:  What are some of your favorite pieces you have stitched?

A:  I can’t seem to put my Shepherd’s Bush “snowmen” away. They stay up all year!!!  I love all my patriotic designs, but my favorite designs that are being displayed at the moment are Let Us Be Truly Thankful the American Edition from Heartstring Samplery and Land of the Free by BBD.  I also love my Springtime Social  piece by Brenda Gervais.( I know it’s a favorite of yours, too, Laura.) The new Christmas Garden design by BBD  and The Birds & The Bees by Carriage House Samplings are also among my favorites. 

  

Q:    What made you pick this month's small?

 A:  The early style of the design just really appealed to me.   I love sunflowers and the fact that they are two toned, with those acorns and in that urn!!! It was a “no brainer” for me!! 

Q:  Do you believe in stitching on one piece at a time or do you switch around a lot between pieces?

A:  LOL!!! Laura, you know me too well.  Yes, I like to stitch one piece at a time. 

Thanks Linda!  It is fun to get your take on stitching!  

Interview with Karin

Karin picked the small for July and her interview is late!!  Sorry about that!  Here is the very interesting interview with Karin who now lives in Illinois, but is from Holland.

Q:  How long have you been stitching and how did you learn how to stitch?

A:  I have been stitching since I was 15 years old. I learned to stitch by myself.  The way I discovered cross stitch is quite funny.  I worked in a convenience store on the weekends and there was an offer from a cigarette brand. When someone would buy a few packs they got a mini kit from Lanarte. One of the customers didn't want the kit and offered it to me. I looked at it and as it was quiet in the store I started it right there and then!  Hooked ever since!
 

Q:   Is there a difference in stitching (shops, designers, retreats) between Europe and America?

A:  There certainly is! Of course there is more availability in America and it seems more popular, although the last couple of years I noticed more is coming out of Europe. Especially the French have more designers getting international interest which is great! Unfortunately there is not a lot of cross stitch everywhere in Europe. Before moving to the US I lived in Ireland for over 5 years and there was nothing!! Even finding DMC was almost impossible. Luckily there was the internet and I ordered everything online. So you can imagine that I was like a kid in a candy store when I moved to the US and visited a cross stitch store!  There were not many possibilities for retreats in Europe. One shop in London, Hanging By A Thread, organized classes with US designers and that was always so much fun!
 

Q:  What is your favorite cross-stitch accessory?

A:  Definitely scissors...I am a collector!

Q:  Do you have a tip for people who would like to try to stitch on 36 or 40 count?
 

A:  Just give it a try! The result is so beautiful and stitching with just one thread is wonderful, no need to worry if the threads are laying nicely. With a pair of readers or a magnifier it will even be easier!

Q:  How often do you stitch?

A:  I try to stitch every night while watching TV.

Q:  Who are 3 of your favorite designers?
 

A:  That is a difficult question....there are so many. I would say Blackbird Designs, Shepherd's Bush and I love reproduction samplers, especially Dutch ones and Quaker Samplers.

Q:   What is your favorite fabric to stitch on?

A:  36 or 40 count Lakeside Linen.
 

Q:  Can you tell us a story of a time that you were truly on a stitching "high?"

 A:  I think it is every time I am together with my stitching buddies:-)

______________________________________

Thanks for the interview Karin!!!

Coming next is the interview with the current month's small presenter - Linda!

August 2012 Small

This month's small was selected by Linda Crowe.  Linda has beautiful taste and always stitches the best stuff.  This is no exception.  The piece is called Sunflower and Acorns and the designer is Beehive Needleworks.  Just lovely isn't it???

If you would like to order a kit from Inspired Needle it will include the Sunflowers and Acorns pattern, plus DMC & Gentle Art thread, plus fabric. 

There are three separate kits.  

#1 Kit has 36 count Edinborough linen in Natural, chart and threads.

#2 Kit has 32 count Belfast linen in Natural, chart and threads.

#3 kit has 14 count Aida/Linen blend in Natural, chart and threads.

Each of the kits is $24.00.

Please note:  The pattern was charted for all DMC but Linda substituted the two flower colors with Gentle Art Sampler threads to give some nice color variation.

Happy Stitching!!!