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!