Temperature Block Sampler

Whenever I see a craft I feel is really interesting, but don't know how to do that technique, I always try to think of a way to convert it to a cross stitched piece.   That's exactly what happened with my Temperature Block Sampler.

Last year on New Year's Eve I was trolling Facebook and found a post about crocheting a temperature blanket.  Because I had yet to teach myself how to crochet, I went into the cross stitch conversion mode.  I instantly left whatever NYE Countdown show I was watching and sat down at my computer with my notepad and started coming up with ideas.   There were a few I sketched and when charting them, they just didn't work for me.   After quite awhile I settled on a block sampler.  By that point in time it was too late into 2016 to release the design.

So, here we are just a few days before the start of 2017 and I'm releasing it in time for people to start a new "thread-a-day" piece.  I already have 3 local stitching friends that will be doing it with me.  I, of course, will be stitching using the suggested DMC colors.  Some of them will be changing colors to use overdyed fibers. 

The photo below is strictly a representation of the layout of the chart, and was based on actual daily high temperatures in Las Vegas, NV for 2015.  The greater fluctuation in your local weather, the more colors you'll have in your design.  As you can tell from this photo, Vegas is pretty consistent in temperature for days on end.

Interested in getting this design for yourself?  If so, head on over to my Etsy shop before January 2, 2017 and save $3.00 off the PDF download price with coupon code TEMPBLOG at checkout.

I'd love to see lots of color variations of this design, so if you DO stitch the design, please feel free to share pics of your WIP and finished piece over on my Facebook page.

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Editor's Note 03-06-17:  Below is a photo of the piece I'm creating, with stitching completed through January 26th:

In addition, if you'd like to see what other people's pieces look like, check out the album I've created on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Stitchnmomma/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1350622718292871 

Patchwork Pin Cushions Cross Stitch Pattern #4

Oh my, I have no clue where my mind was at last weekend.  I released the pattern through all my online venues, and forgot to add it to my blog so everyone would know it's now available.  Sheesh!

This pattern contains January (a winter them) and February (a Valentine theme).
 
The patterns provide the information on the appropriate buttons.  And as an added bonus, the printed copies of the patterns include step-by-step finishing instructions.  Unfortunately there's no way for me to provide those same instructions with the instant download version available through Patterns Online.

If these designs are something that interest you, you can locate a retailer here.   

My work life outside of Stitchnmomma has been extremely busy the pasts several months.  Please don't fear, I did NOT stop this series in the middle.  All 12 months will be done, I'm just running slightly behind.  Or as a fellow designer told me, I'm ahead of schedule for next year, LOL!

If you're stitching any of these lovely pieces, feel free to share pics of them on my Facebook page or even join our group that's also on Facebook, where ladies share their WIP and finished project pics. 

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Just Desserts: Grape Punch Cross Stitch Pattern

Back towards the end of 2015 when I did a survey of what you, my fans, wanted to see more of in 2016, there were two items that tied for first place...more Modern Dictionary designs and more quilt inspired designs.  Quilt inspired certainly isn't a problem with design ideas, but the time to create them is another story.  So, I decided to resurrect and old design with a new twist for the first quilt-inspired piece.

Several years ago I did a series of bookmarks that I called "Just Desserts".  It was a modern geometric design full of bright colors.  I took that and blended it with a log cabin quilt design for a fresh, new series, but with the old name of "Just Desserts".  

The first one I did was "Grape Punch".  Purple is one of my two favorite colors, so of course I just love this one.  And because I wanted people to be able to see that the design can have variable projects, I stitched not one, but 3 different sized models for it.

As always, the fabulous finishing was done by SnowBerry NeedleArts.  I love the variety she gave me with a wall hanging, an ornament and a scissor fob!

Here's hoping you guys love this one as much as I do, because I have plenty more in the series planned!  :)

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Thread-A-Day - Tribal Anchor Update #1

It's been a busy two weeks in the Stitchnmomma world....work, travel for the holidays and TONS of stitching going on!

I went back to OH for 3 days the weekend prior to Christmas to spend with my son and his girls.  I did take a new design model I'm working on, but didn't get much done on it.  Unfortunately I was unable to take my Tribal Anchor, as I pack really light (like only a backpack light), and there was only room for one small project in my bag.

I started the Tribal Anchor on December 11th, and in the past 17 days, I've stitched on it 11 of those.  

I have gotten quite a bit done with it.  There's one more area that needs to be stitched at the top, but I'll have to move my Qsnap for that, so I'll eventually get to it.  

And if you're thinking this is a lot of progress for just "11 threads", well that's because I've done more than 11.  I'm doing 3 threads per day on this piece, only because it's one of 3 gifts I need to have stitched and finished before the end of March, which definitely requires more than 1 thread per day.  I'm working on gift #2 at the same time, but I can't show that one as the person it's for follows most of my social media posts, and as soon as they see it they'll figure out it's for them.  The 3rd piece will be started as soon as the Tribal Anchor is completed.

In addition of the gifts and future design models I'm working on, I've also been trying to do a little bit on my Pinwheel Halloween Quilt model each week.  This is my progress as of last night:

Since the last time I shared a pic of it, I finished doing the green segments on the 2nd block and have started putting in the patterned segments on the 1st block, as well as stitching some more on the border.  I'll keep plugging away on it and will post another pic in about 1 month.

It's Sunday, and lots of stitching time ahead of me, which means I need to get off the computer and get busy.  Until the next time...Happy Stitching!  :)

Patchwork Pin Cushions Cross Stitch Pattern #3

October and November have been very busy months.  I didn't accomplish as much stitching as I would have liked, but was able to get these beauties done for you.

This pattern contains November (a harvest them) and December (a holiday theme).
 
The patterns provide the information on the appropriate buttons.  And as an added bonus, the printed copies of the patterns include step-by-step finishing instructions.  Unfortunately there's no way for me to provide those same instructions with the instant download version available through Patterns Online.

If these designs are something that interest you, you can locate a retailer here.   


I'm trying hard to be more organized, and productive at the same time.  Starting this month, new designs will be released on the 1st and 15th of each month.  If I have multiple designs releasing I'll do one blog post here per day telling you about them, until I have them all covered.  2016 will be an exciting year with the remainder of the pincushions being released, along with more silhouettes (and no, not all dogs either), more of the Modern Dictionary series, a new quilt-inspired series and plenty of other random stuff thrown in just to keep it exciting!

And if you're stitching any of these lovely pieces, feel free to share pics of them on my Facebook page or even join our group that's also on Facebook, where ladies share their WIP and finished project pics.

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!


Editor's Note:  Unfortunately the Patchwork Pincushions will no longer be available as an instant download through PatternsOnline.  Their site won't allow me to upload my file, and their IT Dept. is unable to figure out, which is extremely odd since I do use PCStitch, which is their own program.  I apologize for any inconvenience, however, the charts will still be available in print form from many other retailers.  Thank you.

Thread-A-Day - Tribal Shamrock Update #2

I've been quite the busy beaver with my stitching the last couple weeks and am happy to say I've kept current with my thread-a-day stitching.  I missed 3 days, but only because I realized I was off by one thread on my fabric and had to do some "reverse stitching", which I didn't want to try and rush in the mornings before work.  I saved that for the weekend while I was at a stitch-in, picked it all out and then caught back up to where I should have been.

This is my progress as of this morning.  I'm probably about 60-65% done with the design.

In other stitching news, as mentioned above, I was at a stitch-in near Death Valley again last weekend.  As usual, it was a great time with good company, lots of laughs and plenty of stitching going on.

I finished the November/December pincushions and shipped those off this week for finishing.  I'm expecting to have the chart released in the next week or so.

I've also been treating my next silhouette design as a thread-a-day.  It's also currently in the 60-65% range of being done.  

And because you can never take too many projects with you to a stitch-in, I decided to take along my Pinwheel Halloween Quilt.  Unfortunately I haven't given it any love since the middle of August.  :(  After finishing my pincushions, I decided to give myself a week off before I started any real serious stitching on my next design model, which means I've put a few extra stitches in the PHQ.  This is my progress as of this morning.

Not a ton done, but I have started on the first green & purple pinwheel, along with some stitches on the black border.  I'll try to get some of the non-solid colored pinwheel segments done prior to posting my next update on it.

I've also made the decision, in an effort to keep my stitching more relaxed and not feeling quite so much like work, that all new design releases will be done on the 1st and 15th of each month.  If something isn't done for a release date I'm not going to stress over it and will just have it ready for the next one.  Hopefully that will also allow you, my awesome fans, know when to expect to see new designs.

With all that being said, and my relaxation week of reading, TV watching and casual stitching over, it's time for me to start charting my next design and get busy stitching the model.

And if you happen to be stitching any of my designs, and are on Facebook, please feel free to join our group there to share photos, chat, etc.  

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Patchwork Pin Cushions Cross Stitch Pattern #2

Even though I like to think of myself as a stitching machine, it's sometimes important to have a life outside of my full-time job and stitching.  A 4-day trip back to OH to see the kids along with various other life events put me behind schedule.  They're a little later than I originally wanted, but I'm happy to say the second in the series of Patchwork Pin Cushions is finally available!! 

This pattern contains September (a back-to-school them) and October (a Halloween theme).
 
The patterns provide the information on the appropriate buttons.  And as an added bonus, the printed copies of the patterns include step-by-step finishing instructions.  Unfortunately there's no way for me to provide those same instructions with the instant download version available through Patterns Online.

If these designs are something that interest you, you can locate a retailer here.   


Now to finish my next silhouette which only requires another 2-3 hours of stitching time (look for that in the next few days), get started on the next silhouette, chart and stitch my next Modern Dictionary piece (a requested word), do something that came to me the other day while at work, and then get cranking on the November/December pin cushions.  Oh, to only have more hours in the day!!

And if you're stitching any of these lovely pieces, feel free to share pics of them on my Facebook page or even join our group that's also on Facebook, where ladies share their WIP and finished project pics.

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Pinwheel Halloween Quilt Cross Stitch Pattern

Last year I released my Pinwheel Christmas Quilt design...probably the only type of quilting I'll ever have the nerve to do.  I really enjoyed it, as well as the people that participated in the SAL I did with it.  I decided I would do other themes and make it a series.  I'm happy to announce I now have the 2nd theme available...the Pinwheel Halloween Quilt.

Since quite a few people used overdyed threads on the Christmas version, I decided to give an overdyed alternative for each of the solid pinwheels.  They also happen to be the same colors I'll be using.

If you're interested in purchasing this design, or any of my other quilt themed pieces, you can find a retailer here.  

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Patchwork Pin Cushions Cross Stitch Pattern

Almost 2 years ago I picked out a bunch of buttons from Just Another Button company for a series I had in mind.  I worked on the designs on & off, and could never get them to be something I was happy with.  I put the buttons aside and knew I would eventually find a use for them.

Several months ago the light bulb went off and I new exactly what I was going to do with them...feature them as a focal point on patchwork pin cushions.  I'm proud to announce the series is now coming to life, and as of today, the first ones are available.

Each pattern will contain two different designs with a specific theme for the month.  The first two are July (a patriotic theme) and August (a sunflower theme).

The patterns provide the information on the appropriate buttons.  And as an added bonus, the printed copies of the patterns include step-by-step finishing instructions.  Unfortunately there's no way for me to provide those same instructions with the instant download version available through Patterns Online.

If these designs are something that interest you, you can locate a retailer here.   

Stay tuned for the September/October pin cushions, along with more designs in my silhouette & Modern Dictionary series.  

Amazing Quilts

Quilting is one form of needlework I've never had any desire to learn, but I just love looking at other people's works of art.

Each year JoAnn's does a quilt contest with awesome prizes.  The first place winner receives $5,000 cash!!!

They have recently announced the winners from the 2011 contest, so I thought I'd share a couple of them with my fabulous readers!

 This is the 1st place quilt and winner of $5,000!

This is the 2nd place quilt and winner of $2,500

There are many other quilts you can look at, these just happen to be my 2 favorite.  If you'd like to see the others, just click here.  Enjoy!