Margaret Brown Stitched

Hello Friends,

It's always nice to see some of your stitching of Milady's Needle designs.  Last week, as I was reading through all the blogs that I follow, I found Margaret beautifually stitched by Shannon.  And she plans to stitch Sarah also.  Shannon says she changed the colors to overdyed silks.  Isn't this simply stunning!!  You can see Shannon's other stitching at: www.lovetostitch-onestitchatatime.blogspot.com. 

Send me a picture of your completed Milady's Needle projects and I will post them on my blog.

Til Next Time...

Gloria

What's Up At Milady's House

Hello Friends,

Take a look at my personal blog ( www.samplermakerssamplerspot.blogspot.com ) for information on what's happening at Milady's home in Arizona.

We returned from a trip to Canyon De Chelly and we able to get the closets finished for moving in all my stash, work related fibers, fabrics and needlework tools. One picture says a thousand words.

Until Next Time.... Enjoy Your Stitching Time.

Gloria

Feedback Needed From Stitchers

Hello Stitching Friends,

I am in need of feedback from those of you who would like to stitch the design Cottage Charm, but have not yet purchased the kit.  The kit came with linen, floss and fabric for the needle book and pocket. 

Cottage Charm Stitcher's Pocket

Cottage Charm Needle Book Inside



The kit is no longer available, because the fabric is no longer available.  Despite searching everywhere for more of this fabric, I have been unsuccessful.  I have never discontinued any of my designs, as I still have orders for them, so I hate to do this at this point.  I have had requests from shops for the kit, but have had to disappoint them. So, it would seem that there are still those who might want this design.  Obviously those who have the kit will be ahead of the game as they have the fabric for finishing which accents the piece so well.  But, I am sure there are other fabrics available that would work nicely too.
So...I am wondering...how do you feel about offering this design as a pattern.  I would like to hear from shops as well and stitchers about this before I release this as a pattern. 

Please let me know your thoughts about this before I retire this pattern for good.  I always appreciate feedback from stitchers and shops.

Until next time...keep your needles busy.

Gloria

Oops!

Hello Friends,

Every once in awhile I get a note from stitchers who tell me of a mistake or omission on one of my charts.  I really get frustrated when this happens, as I must proof these charts at least 20 times myself and I have others do this for me too.  So, I appologize profusely to those who have purchased charts expecting to have no trouble stitching the design.





With that in mind, I have two charts that need updating. 








If you have purchased Ann Smith Blockley 1834 and plan to stitch it in DMC; the number listed for the first floss is 3784.  Thanks go to Frances S. for finding this error.  The correct floss number is: 3787. 

If you purchased Queen Anne's Pin Chest & Needle Book and you are wondering what floss color to use for the Long-Armed Cross Stitch; the color to use is Belle Soie Enchanted Forest.  Thanks go to Mary J. for finding that I omited to specify the color used for this stitch in the stitching notes.

I do so appreciate it when a stitcher contacts me regarding an error.  Things do slip by in the process of proofing.  So, if you find an error, please let me know.  Both Mary and Frances are receiving a free chart for contacting me with this information.  Thank-you so much ladies.

It's a wonderfully hot Saturday afternoon in Arizona, so I am going to get stitching on a new project that I have developed for an upcoming class.  Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding this class.

Until next time...stitch, stitch, stitch.

Gloria

Update and Drawing Winners!

Hi Sampler Friends,

Okay...so I got bitten by the bug three times and was sick for three weeks.  First Bronchitis, then the Flu and finally a virus of unknown origin.  That virus was a real winner!! My neck looked as though I swallowed a frog!!  :( 

Anwway, I am finally recovering and that's good because I am on my way to Texas for a stitching retreat.  I will be seeing long time friends who are a part of group called the Sampler Dames.  I have such a wonderful time with these ladies and stitch to my heart's content!  I will be stitching on some new designs as well as some small pieces from other designers. 

The new designs are Ann Smith Blockley's Needlework Accessories.  Won't give the specifics away just yet, but as a reminder, here is Ann's sampler for you to see the possible motifs I will be using for these designs.  I think you will like these small needlework accessories which will be a quick stitch and great for presents for stitching friends.  So, stay tuned for more details in the near future.



Well, I am sure you have been waiting for the results of the drawing.  I chose three winners this time around and they are as follows:

1st: LaDonna
2nd: Niina
3rd: Charlene

Ladies, you know who your are.  Please email me with your full name and home address so that I know where to ship the package.  Congratulations!!  For the rest of you...there will be another drawing at the next Online Needlework Show in October, so don't give up on becoming a winner!

Well, I better get packed.  I leave tomorrow for Texas.  So until next time...keep on stitching.

Gloria

2012 Spring Online Needlework Show

Hello Friends,

I guess it would help to actually post the "Online Needlework Show Post" in order for you to leave your comments for the drawing.  :) 

Take a look at the Online Needlework Show (www.theneedleworkshow.com) for the latest patterns from Milady's Needle.   There are five 2012 releases, which were pictured in my last post in March.  The sampler pendants and other kits are only available at trade shows, so if you want your local needlework store to order these for you be sure to let them know during the show. 

             Milady's Sampler Pendants I                  


        

















       

        
         Milady's Sampler Pendants II
    

To enter the drawing leave a comment to this post.  Be sure to include your email in the body of the post.  The last two shows I had extra winners, but did not hear from them or did not have an email for them to obtain address information.  Don't miss out because you didn't give me your email!!

It feels more like the beginning of summer here in Arizona, but April is supposed to still be Spring. This will be my first year here full time for the summer and I am sure I will adjust to the heat.  I did when I moved to Texas from Minnesota, so I will adjust here too. 

Have fun browsing the show!

Until Next Time,

Gloria

P.S.  To those of you who have already posted to my last post in March, don't worry....I will enter you in the drawing.  You don't  need to re-post.  :)

Nashville New Releases & Update

Hello Sampler Friends,

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted.  We are finally getting settled into our new home.  Does that mean that all the boxes are unpacked?  Nope...but our downstairs is pretty settled.  The Kitchen, Den, Living Room, Dining Room and Library are set up and liveable without boxes.  So, that feels a bit more settled.  The guest room and bath is ready for visitors, but the garage is still full and my office is still quite a mess.  Our neighbors told us it took them a year to get all their boxes out of the garage, so I don't feel so bad still having boxes around.  I just hope we get things in order sooner than a year!!

After a year of sabbatical, I am back in gear and designing again.  For the first time I flew to the market and it was quite an adventure.  Everything cost more than I thought it would, but I hope I learned some things for next time to cut down on that expense.  Which reminds me...does anyone know what the going tipping rate is for bellmen and skycaps?  It's been awhile since I had to tip someone.  For all the previous markets we drove, so we didn't use their services.  I am sure I over did it.

We forgot to take pictures of the suite, so I don't have any pictures to show, but lets get down to the really important information...the new releases.  I am excited to share the new releases and I have worked hard to bring you more of what you have said you like in the way of designs.  So here are the new items released at the Nashville Needlework Market.

Queen Anne's Pin Chest and Needle Book

Sweet Bird's Pin Nest and Needle Book

These hideaway pin cushions are stitched on Weeks Dye Works 40 Count Confederate Gray Linen using Belle Soie Silks from Crescent Colours.  Instructions for finishing are included and the pin cushion when removed from the wooden base reveals an area in which to put pins or the matching needle book. 

Queen Anne's Pin Chest and Needle Book

Sweet Bird's Pin Nest and Needle Book

Milady's Sampler Pendants I

(Market Special)

These cute sampler pendants are stitched on 36 Count Pecan Butter by Lakeside Linens using Gentle Arts Threads over one linen thread.  The fabric and fibers to do all four designs are included in the kit along with one pendant.  Extra pendants are available at your local needlework store.

Milady's Sampler Pendants II

(Market Special)

Another cute set of sampler pendants are stitched on 36 Count Pecan Butter by Lakeside Linens using Glorianna Luminescence over one linen thread. Again the fabric and fibers to do all four designs are included in the kit along with one pendant. 

And Finally....The new reproduction of  

Ann Smith Blockley 1834

Ann is stitched on 45 Count Vintage Meadow Rue from Lakeside Linens using Au Ver A Soie 100/3 silks from Access Commodities.  I loved working on this count with this silk.  Ann was great fun to stitch.  Almost everything on her sampler is asymetrical.  It could be by one or two stitches, but most motifs are not exactly the same on both sides.   The lack of symetry just adds to the charm of this sampler.  So, if you pick this piece up from your local needlework store, be sure to follow the chart carefully. 

That's all the news for this time.  I hope you like the new designs and will let me know what you think.  The next show will probably be the Online Show in April, so stay tuned.

Until next time,

Gloria