I was SO excited today when I read Cindy's newsletter ~ Sit 'n Stitch is hosting a weekend with Elizabeth Ann Talledo of Dames of the Needle / Finger Work in September (10th-12th 2010).

The project is nothing less than spectacular (as if Elizabeth would teach anything but...). It is a 2 day finishing class with pre-stitching.

The prestitching kits will be mailed the end of July. The project finishing materials will be given out in class. Space will be limited. Students will pre-stitch the three panels with Cross Stitch over one and two, French Knots, Tent Stitch over one, Couching, Eyelet Stitch, Long Arm Cross and Alycia Lace. In class students will construct the 8" x6" three sided Etui. Students will create the ruler and scissor sheaths and cover the matte board with silk lining fabric and linen. They will Rouche the ribbon to the sheaths and hand sew the pieces together.

The first day September 11, 2010 from 1p-5p with Liz - students will cut and adhere interfacing to the lining fabric. They will also start constructing the ruler and scissor cases and apply the Rouched silk ribbon.

The second day September 12, 2010 from 9a-1p with Liz -the students will use double sided tape to attach the silk lining fabric and linen to the matte board panels. They will then hand sew the pieces together to construct the etui.

This class will held at Rancho San Rafael Recreation Center in Glendale, Ca., take 134 east to the 2N freeway exit Mountain, take right @light which is Rancho San Rafael go up hill past two stop signs, on left is the recreation center parking, we will have balloons and sign showing that's where it is.


If you need to make reservations their are several hotels very close by the airport as well as in Glendale. The airport is about 15 minutes away from Rancho San Rafael.
Hilton Hotel approximately $129.00/night, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, Ca. 818-956-5466
Marriott Airport approx., $99.00/night, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, Ca. 818-843-6000
The shop is within 10-15 minutes of the airport, Rancho San Rafael and the shop.

Stitching Treasure Box by Homespun Elegance

I don't know how Sandra does it....seriously, every time I see another one of her designs I think to myself there's no way she can top this one.....and yet, I was taking a break from work and thought I would check in to see what's new with Homespun Elegance. And there it was the most darling quick to stitch "I have to have it right now" treasure box EVER!

The Stitching Treasure Box with Sheep Waxer

I was just at the LNS the other day.....I wonder if they will think I am nuts coming back in search of this project. it is the perfect size for sitting in the stands at this weekend's T-Ball game. I'd better go right after I drop the kids off at school, I'm getting a bit too excited, can yo utell (:

I know we've chatted a lot about difficult pieces we have finished. Well here's one of mine. Celtic Banner...BR14 by Butternut Road. I stitched this piece during my pregnancy with Emma (the little cutie I am holding in the picture) and finished when she was a month old. I was terribly worried to send it out for finishing. As anyone who completes a large piece knows, it is nerve wracking to hand over your work. What if something happened? What if they cut it or ruined it? All kinds of crazy thoughts go through your mind and guess what ~ it happened. I got it back and it was TERRIBLE. The finisher cut the fabric within an inch of it's life, and really did a poor job. I was heart broken and not sure what to do. With all the time I spent on the piece I was heartbroken that it might be destroyed.

I was beside myself, not sure what to do I tucked it away in my WIP box. I went out to Just Cross Stitch in Limerick (now moved to Lederache, PA) and was introduced to Veronica Buckwalter. Ronnie is a seamstress and has finished for Carolyn's shop for years. I told her about my banner and she asked me to bring it in the following week.

The next week Ronnie assured me that although the finishing was poor (she was being EXTREMELY kind) she would be able to finx it and for me not to worry. A few weeks later I couldn't believe my eyes! It is amazing how FABULOUS the banner looks now. I was so excited to get it back I took it to my next EGA meeting (Shout out Philadelphia Area EGA Chapter) with Emma in tow.

I'm not sure what I was so worried about. I had seen Ronnie's work, she is AMAZING! Since then Ronnie has finished quite a few of my pieces (personally and professionally) and when we decided to launch the SYHO Campaign I knew exactly who to call. Ronnie will be providing the finishing instructions for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia. If you are ever in need of a finisher or not sure what to with your finished piece, this is the lady to call!

Veronica Buckwalter ~ (AKA ~ The Creative Finisher)

Just had to share this fun new design from Nancy's Needle. It's called Lavenderblue Celtic Knot Quilt. Not only are the colors FABULOUS (Caron Watercolors ~ they never disappoint!) but the design just speaks to me. It's truly a feast for the eyes. I've always thought of needlework that way....and this piece really makes my heart happy!

Need the specifics? Here they are.....

Design Area: 10.67" x 10.67" ~ Materials List: 15" x 15" 18 Ct Canvas, Brown (you may use 14" x14" but 15" is preferable) ~ 15" x 15" or (14") Stretcher Bars ~ Japanese Tacks ~ #22 Tapestry Needle ~ Caron Watercolours, 051 Abalone(3), 133 Delphinium(2), 160 Night Sky(1), 162 Periwinkle(2) ~ DMC #5 perle, 327 Dk Violet(2). # in () indicates number of skeins or cards needed.

This design is available from your LNS or you can view it on the The Needle and I website here

Today's post has little to do with stitching (well I did stitch it a bit) and more to do with thinking outside the box. I have found over the past few months that a majority of stitchers like to play it safe. They choose a design and want to stitch it EXACTLY as it is shown. Selecting the same fabric, threads and embellishments that are recommended by the designer. But who says you have to play by the rules? Who said a framed design can't be finished differently to fit your taste? To personally reflect your style? Have you ever considered stepping out of the box and transforming something you already have into something totally different and equally useful?

I must admit, I am a bit jealous of those who can make this happen. I mean seriously, how can someone be so creative? How can you look at something and think, hmmm if you put it together this way it could be something new and useful. What an amazing gift. I long to be that person, the creative mama who just got inspired and thought, I can totally use this to make that, no problem. I've been waiting for years for inspiration...and suddenly this morning it came to me!

I will transform the baby hamper (that has seen better days and has not been used in more than 2 years) into a bow and headband holder for the girls. I know you think I am nut...to be honest, I thought I was a bit crazy myself, but it actually turned out really nice!

See we have a problem in the girls room. TOO MANY HAIR ACCESSORIES! They LOVE bows and clips. They LOVE to get their hair done and unitl this morning we housed everything in an old box. All the bows were starting to get ruined b/c we had to dump the box all the time to find what we needed and we just threw everything back in when we were done. Not a great system. I have been looking for bow holders to match their room for a while. Nothing really caught my eye and I looked at the hamper this morning and thought this could work.....

I took the hamper shown here (I know the picture isn't that great but it is a pinks and cream stripe fabric) and pulled it apart (no worries, the seams ripped easily and I had PLENTY of fabric to do what I wanted to do.

I removed the bolts from the 2 wooden sides of the hamper and turned them sideways. After cutting the fabric into strips (5 strips, 3 inches wide per wooden side) and securing them (top stapled and bottom tied) I got these adorable and fun bow holders for the girls.
Total cost ~ Free

Emma's Bows



Gracie's Bows

Then we had a headband issue. Yes with 2 girls we have LOTS of headbands. Most of which (b/c they like to dress alike) we have 2. Just like the bows, these were starting to show lots of wear b/c we just threw them in the box. I was trying to figure out a way to hang them and decided to go to the basement into the big guys tool den and see if there was anything I could use. (FYI ~ this only works when the hubby isn't home, do not attempt this if he is, you'll get in trouble) (:

Anyway, not sure if you read my latest post on MomSpace.com about how the big guy built our house (if not it's a great read, here's the link) but he has LOTS of supplies in the basement that he's never used, so I thought why not take a peek! It was a gold mine.

I found PVC pipe, a PVC Adapter and I used the fabric from the hamper and some batting I had in my office. Who knew you could turn this.......


Into this....



Total cost ~ Free

I thought is was going to be too big but I see I can easily get another PVC pipe downstairs (this one is 2.5 Ft) and with the left over fabric and batting make another one. FYI ~ this is where the stitching part came into play. I had to hand stitch the fabric up the back (no sewing machine). The best job ever? Absolutely not, but it will do and no one can even see it.

I hope this story (of a girl who finally found a way to re-use and be creative) inspires you to look at things differently this week and ask yourself, how can I make this work me me! Be sure to e-mail your story to ~ Info(at)LooseThreadStitchers(dot)com ~ we'd can't wait to hear your story!

I continue to ask LTS members to share their stories about how they started to stitch and their first piece.........and yet, I don't think I ever really shared mine. This is how I came to LOVE stitching!

Growing up, my grandmother (we call her Mom Mom Sarah, her real name is Rita but that’s a whole other story…) would sit in her chair at night and stitch. I was amazed that she could look at a picture on a piece of paper and recreate the design on a blank piece of fabric. Mom Mom made the most amazing things. From Blankets, to pillows and everything in between she always found a way to find the perfect project.

I was 5 when Mom Mom took a piece of fabric and taught me how to use a needle and thread. I was BEYOND excited! I practiced each day learning to thread a needle, choosing the right colors for my project and working hard to be sure it would turn out just so. After I was able to learn the basics I got brave and charted my first design. I worked on it every night in my room and was so excited to give it to my Mom Mom.

I was 24 when I decided to start designing needlework professionally. I had a great collection of original designs to show and was a week away from my first industry tradeshow, when I had lunch at Mom Mom’s house. She took me up to her bedroom and framed on her nightstand was the first piece I ever designed. 20 years she had that piece. Mom Mom said she cried when I gave it to her. She always knew I would do something creative and was so thrilled that I chose needlework.

I have my first piece hanging on my wall in my office. Every day I go to work, I am reminded of my fabulous Mom Mom who taught me how to stitch. She gave me needlework skills that I could turn into a career that I love and made me feel like I could do anything. I have come to realize stitching is not just something to do. It is so much more than that. Stitching creates memories, builds bonds and provides a way for people to connect. She couldn't have given me a better gift!

It’s Official it’s SYHO Friday! Yippee! We are thrilled to introduce Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs, the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia April 2010 designer.

Established with Love

Design #3 in a series of 12 designs for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia

Design Size 50X50

Fabric: 32 count Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens

Fibers: Weeks Dye Works (1 skein each) Bluecoat Blue, Curry, Emerald, Hazelnut, Snowflake and Turkish Red

~ Here’s a few of our FAVORITES from Blue Ribbon Designs ~

Belinda has a unique way with Samplers. Not only does she create AMAZING motifs to frame and adorn your walls, she goes a step above and creates smalls with motifs from each design providing stitchers with a full range of options and ideas to create a personalized piece that reflects their style and taste.

Schoolgirl Samplings is a fabulous example of Belinda's talent and unique spin on samplers

Belinda's inspirational sayings should be on the walls of corporate workers worldwide! Let's create a movement to get ride of the cheesy motivational posters and replace them with these FABULOUS finds!

Finally, did you know Belinda is kind enough to share the design below on her website? It'll take a few minutes to navigate your way around to find it but believe me it's worth it! You'll be able to explore everything Blue Ribbon Designs has to offer and believe me you will not be disappointed!

Bluebirds and Daisies ~ 2008 Complimentary Chart