Stitchathon!

Hello Dear Blog Readers,

I am currently organizing a 12 hour long Stitchathon! I was struck with inspiration after reading on a blog about a Readathon and thought, 'Why not a Stitchathon?'

The basic idea behind the Stitchathon is to devote as much time as possible to stitching within a 12 hour period. At the start and end of the Stitchathon, and perhaps also periodically throughout the day, participants will post progress photos on the About.com cross stitch forum so that we can all check in to see the progress that is being made.

I am currently holding voting to select a date for the Stitchathon. The choices are Sunday, November 15 or Saturday, November 21. If you are available on either of those days and would like to join in the fun, then please head over to the forum to express your interest by voting for one of the dates.

Happy stitching all!

Keepsakes Box and Stitcher's Case

Just Nan
It's never too early for some Christmas Cheer in the form of Just Nan's 2009 Christmas ornament!

Christmas Cheer
Fibers: Au Ver A Soie
Fabric: 32 ct. Summer Winds Opalescent
Embellishments: Beads
Stitch Count: 49W X 47H

Hootzi Humbug could be finished into a triangular-shaped ornament, needle cushion or sachet.

Hootzi Humbug
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Golden Sand
Embellishments: Beads, gold ring, ribbon
Stitch Count: 69W X 35H

The Williamsburg Stitcher's Case is an exclusive limited edition design commissioned by Haus Tirol to help them celebrate 30 years in the needlework business. If you find that you can't live without this case, be sure to contact them directly to purchase.

Williamsburg Stitcher's Case
Fibers: GA, DMC
Fabric: Legacy Linen

Country Cottage Needleworks
Here are two lovely, colorful designs from CCN, Sugar Plum Fairy and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Sugar Plum Fairy
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Lentil by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 57W x 84H

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Fibers: DMC, CC, WDW
Fabric: 28 ct. Examplar by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 115W x 74H

The Stitching Parlor
Here's a lovely little keepsake box for you to stitch and treasure. Shown are photos of the box lid and the inside of the box.

A Lady's Keepsakes Box
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Antique White
Embellishment: Heart charm

Happy stitching!

From Nymphs to Witches

Mirabilia
Mirabilia never disappoints, and certainly not with her newest releases - Day Nymph and Night Nymph. Have a peek at these beauties!

Day Nymph
Fibers: DMC, Valdani, Kreinik
Fabric: 32 ct. Star Sapphire
Embellishments: Beads, Treasures
Stitch Count: 150W x 141H

Night Nymph
Fibers: DMC, Valdani, Kreinik
Fabric: 32 ct. Star Sapphire
Embellishments: Beads, Treasures
Stitch Count: 145W x 138H

Beehive Needleworks
Here's a cute little pouch design to stitch up to possibly hang on a doorknob or cupboard.

Christmas Wishes Trinket Pouch
Fibers: GA
Fabric: 32 ct. Unbleached Linen
Stitch Count: 89W x 103H

Shakespeare's Peddler
Two new designs are due out next week in the Jenny Bean series - her sampler and an ornament.

Jenny Bean's Christmas Sampler
Fibers: GA
Fabric: 40 ct. Navy Bean Vintage
by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 116W x 149H

Jenny Bean's Christmas Ornament 2009
Fibers: Belle Soie
Fabric: 40 ct. Cream

Waxing Moon Designs
Waxing Moon is out with the next monthly sampler - this time it's June.

Monthly Sampler: June
Fibers: WDW, GA, DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Natural Brown
Stitch Count: 111W x 168H

One Color Wonders: Bewitched is a design that is stitched (of course!) using just one color.

One Color Wonders: Bewitched
Fibers: WDW
Fabric: 30 ct. Carrot by WDW
Stitch Count: 138W x 86H (Witch's Dance),
92W x 105H (Witch's Hat)

Happy stitching!

Favorite Designers

Hi Folks,

This is a different kind of post today. I am interested in learning who your favorite designers are so that I can add them to the list of designers that I blog about. I can't possibly cover all of the great designers out there; I have to limit myself to the one's that I think are the most popular. Of course, your feedback would be invaluable here, and in return I can bring you news of the latest designs from your favorites!

So, please do leave me a comment and let me know which designers you love most, including those that I already may blog about.

Have a great day!

Donna

Snow Much Fun

CM Designs
Let's start with cutesy, shall we? And there are no cuter designs than those Little Snowballz and Fern Folks by Carolyn Manning.

Howie, Little Snowballz
Stitch Count: 55W x 75H

Branwyn Berrybottom, Fern Folk
Stitch Count: 67W x 100H

Sue Hillis Designs
This is so true, ladies, isn't it?!? This is a PostStitch design, which means it will fit perfectly into a 5" x 7" frame.

Key To My Heart
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Angel Blush Lugana
Stitch Count: 55W x 81H

By the Bay Needleart
What a beautiful frame for this poinsettia, don't you think?

Poinsettia
Stitch Count: 56W x 59H

Little House Needleworks
I know that LHN is a favorite designer among a lot of you stitchers, so please do take a gander at her latest offerings.

Joy
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Buttercream
by Lakeside Linens
Embellishments: Beads
Stitch Count: 72W x 72H

Poinsettia House
Fibers: CC, DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Vintage Light Examplar
by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 103W x 103H

Winter Greens
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Clay
Embellishments: Beads
Stitch Count: 77W x 105H

Here is the first of three parts in the new Once Upon a Time series.

Once Upon a Time
Fibers: Belle Soie
Fabric: 28 ct. Putty
Stitch Count: 83W x 83H

Willow Hill Samplings
Here is a stitcher's take on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel
Fibers: GA, WDW, CC, Rainbow Gallery
Fabric: 35 ct. Mocha by WDW
Stitch Count: 283W X 99H

Ink Circles
Have a look at the designs Ink Circles released at the Online Needlework Show.

Quaker Floral Puzzle
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 40 ct. Charcoal by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 225W x 225H

Quaker Geometric Puzzle
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 32 ct. Attic Lace by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 225W x 225H

The Smell of Sulfur
Fibers: Carrie's Threads
Stitch Count: 73W x 73H

Mother Maya
Fibers: Carrie's Threads
Stitch Count: 187W x 225H

Bright Idea
Fibers: Carrie's Threads
Stitch Count: 129W x 146H

Celtic Quilts: Kentucky Chain is the fourth block in the quilt series of patterns.

Celtic Quilts: Kentucky Chain
Fibers: Carrie's Threads
Stitch Count: 93W x 93H

Namaste is comprised of seven mini-mandalas that represent the seven chakra. Stitch them together to make a banner or stitch the motifs individually.

Namaste
Fibers: DMC
Stitch Count: 41W x 315H

Happy stitching!

Better Late Than Never

Shakespeare's Peddler
Shakespeare's Peddler had several new releases at the St. Charles Market. One of those releases was Sarah Woodham 1770, a reproduction sampler.

Sarah Woodham 1770
Fibers: Silk N Colors, Belle Soie,
Gloriana Silks
Fabric: 40 ct. Olde Towne Blend by R&R
Stitch Count: 240W x 286H

The Jenny Bean Pin Tuffet is finished in a shaker pin box and embellished with button stick pins.

Jenny Bean Pin Tuffet
Fibers: GA
Fabric: 40 ct. Vintage Light Exemplar
by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 60W x 60H

Also new are three limited edition kits. The first is Abby Rhodes' Scissor Holder, which comes with red scissors that tuck neatly into the upper corner.

Abby Rhodes' Scissor Holder

Grandfather's Sleigh is an ornament design that would stitch up very quickly.

Grandfather's Sleigh

The last limited edition kit is called Oh the Holly.

Oh the Holly

The Primitive Needle
The Primitive Needle also had a strong showing at Market, releasing seven new designs.

Witches Hollow
Fibers: WDW, GA
Fabric: 40 ct. Vintage Pear by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 197W x 395H

Retro Halloween
Fibers: CC
Fabric: 40 ct. Vintage Homespun
by Lakeside Linens
Stitch Count: 140W x 148H

The Witching Hour
Fibers: CC
Fabric: 40 ct. Spice Blend Gravestone
by Stitches & Spice
Stitch Count: 267W x 100H

God Bless Us Everyone
Fabric: 35 ct. Confederate Gray by WDW
Stitch Count: 97W x 99H

Let Your Life Speak
Fibers: GA
Fabric: 40 ct. Heritage by Picture This Plus
Stitch Count: 250W x 147H

Tombstone Spots
Fibers: WDW
Fabric: 40 ct. Heritage by Picture This Plus
Stitch Count: 148W x 198H

Crescent Angel
Fibers: WDW, GA
Fabric: 40 ct. Heritage by Picture This Plus
Stitch Count: 98W x 137H

Heartstring Primitives
Anna's Prayer was released on Monday and is stitched over one. Good luck!

Anna's Prayer
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 26 ct. cloth
Stitch Count: 175W x 224H

Notforgotten Farm
Here are three Christmas designs for those of you who are fans of Notforgotten Farm.

Primitive Winter
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 18 ct. Linen Aida
Stitch Count: 216W x 83H

Dirty Snowmen
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 18 ct. Linen Aida
Stitch Count: 90W x 90H

Hoe, hoe, hoe...
Fibers: DMC
Fabric: 18 ct. Linen Aida
Stitch Count: 124W x 90H

Happy stitching!

A Different Kind of Gingerbread House

The Victoria Sampler
Gingerbread Stitching House is the most original cross stitch project I have seen in awhile! I absolutely love this gingerbread house that is a stitcher's box, pincushion, needle keep and scissors keep all in one. The chimney serves as the pincushion while the underside of the roof hides the needle and scissors keeps. A matching biscornu and scissors fob completes the set.

Gingerbread Stitching House
Fibers: Kreinik, Needlepoint Inc.,
Au Ver a Soie, DMC
Fabric: 28 ct. Antique Almond Cashel
Embellishments: Beads, buttons, ribbon
Stitch Count: 14W x 17H (fob),
72W x 72H (biscornu)

Sugar and Lace is an elegant Christmas sampler and beautiful sugarplum ornament.

Sugar and Lace
Fibers: Soie Perlee, Kreinik, Au Ver a Soie, Needlepoint Inc.
Fabric: 28 ct. Willow Green Cashel
Embellishments: Beads, sequins, charm, ribbon
Stitch Count: 38W x 154H (sampler),
102W x 96H (ornament)

Shepherd's Bush
Lots of goodies from Shepherd's Bush! Let's start with Jeffrey's Stocking, the 2009 annual Shepherd's Bush stocking.

Jeffrey's Stocking
Fibers: DMC, CC, WDW
Fabric: 18 ct. Natural
Embellishments: Charms, buttons
Stitch Count: 120W x 167H

Holy Night is a gorgeous nativity sampler.

Holy Night
Fibers: CC, GA, WDW, Rainbow Gallery
Fabric: 19 ct. Summer Khaki Cork
Embellishments: Buttons
Stitch Count: 40W x 209H

Holly and Ivy Sampler is another beautiful seasonal sampler.

Holly and Ivy Sampler
Fibers: Silk
Fabric: 32 ct. hand-dyed linen
Embellishments: Charms

Leaving Christmas behind, let's have a look at their new Halloween designs, including Halloween Grins.

Halloween Grins
Fibers: CC, GA, WDW
Fabric: 28 ct. Newport Khaki/
Antique White with tan lines
Embellishments: Frankenstein button
Stitch Count: 49W x 49H

We Will Go A’ Haunting is a kit that comes packaged inside of a rustic Halloween box.

We Will Go A’ Haunting
Embellishments: Tombstone button

Scaredy Sheep Fob complements the rustic Halloween box from the previous design.

Scaredy Sheep Fob

Last but not least we have Spooky Night.

Spooky Night
Fabric: 10 ct. Parchment Tula
Stitch Count: 54W x 31H

The Sampler Girl
Calling all Janeites! Here are two more Jane Austen designs for you to add to your stitching stash!

Good Tidings with Jane Austen
Fibers: GA, CC
Fabric: 32 ct. Espresso by R&R
Stitch Count: 61W X 207H

Busy Nothings Needle Cushion
Fibers: GA, CC
Fabric: 30 ct. Beige by Weeks Dye Works
Stitch Count: 70W X 60H

Happy stitching!