A most patriotic week!

As you know I was out New England way teaching the Patriotic Sampler. Oh my gosh, what a lovely little mid week retreat. The weather was hot, and airconditioning worked.... and coming from a rather wet June here in Calgary that was lovely. The Needleworking ladies who attended were awesome and got so much done on their Samplers it was amazing. I posted a picture on the Jeannette Douglas Designs Facebook page to show you the fun few days. It is always too short. Thank you ladies for coming, thank you Sue from Stitcher's Hideaway for doing a great job as usual. I did get to spend a day with Sue and we went  on a Connecticut River cruise on RiverQuest for a little tour down the River, what a scenic ride, lovely. Then I got to spend a couple of days with Pam and Bob Reed of Olde Colonial Designs and I have to show you a picture of the barn and one of the levels in it and the stack of MST boxes and JDD Acorn boxes! Awesome isn't it. I was thrilled to see the factory! <grin> I think that has been the most charming fact of being in this business is that there are people - real people behind the names of the companies that you know. It isn't a true factory in the sense that we think but rather a  home business that with dedication and hard work has flourished and created these wonderful things that our shared love of Needlework has generated. We did visit Plymouth and spent a day taking the 'fast ferry' to Nantucket which I thoroughly enjoyed. I think they were tired of me stopping at every Hydrangea bush to take a picture!!

It was a lovely early July getaway and I thank everyone for their hospitality and gifts, it was a treasure and I have lots of flower pictures!! my fave.

So what next you ask? Well I am knee deep in my pieces for both the UK and Holland - and for Crafty Ewe and Dyeing to Stitch..... it is all happening at once plus trying to do some releases. oh boy. But the cooler weather we've been having here what with the rainy June, what can I say but it is easier to work when the weather isn't calling one outside.

Happy summer stitching, warmly jeannette

July already!

How did it get to be July already! With the full travel year I have I knew I had to 'hunker' down and get things done in June and I did, yay! The weather helped, it rained alot in June and so then you end by default not really wanting to be outside except to walk the dog etc.... But those mighty rains combined with snow pack melt, made for a very messy disaster here in Calgary  and thankfully we live on higher ground and don't work downtown! But so sad to see the devastation but so heartening to see the community working for each other. I am adding into the Gallery some new finishes by Barbara Thomas, she did the Isle of Hope Sampler with some wonderful additions - like adding the names  her ancestors who immigrated - love that idea and where they came from. Fabulous! She also did the Accessories for Isle of Hope and beyond belief delightful little sweet suitcase she did find!! It is such a joy to see the fun she had in putting this together, it looks terrific, the keys and everything! And lastly she also did an amazing job on the Four Seasons Smalls and did some little changes there also which look great. Thank you so very much for sharing Barbara! and after meeting you at Needle In a Haystack in CA this spring, it means even more to me, thank you.

I am working on some new things - hopefully we'll have some to release in Sept. but mostly I have to admit I have been working madly on all the class stuff for this year.... going to be fun to share those wonderful new patterns with you, that's the exciting part for me, love the events where we meet and share. In a week I am off to Sturbridge, MA  already, it has come up so quick. Looking forward to our patriotic sampler and a few little patriotic surprises!! Should be fun.

Warmly, jeannette

April in Hawai'i

 

The month of April flew by.... the JDD Hawaiian cruise through the islands was fabulous. I think I can say for all the ladies that we had a wonderful time. And well maybe the men too, alot of husbands came along and we all had such a wonderful time together from the Pearl Harbour tour, to the Polynesian Cultural Center, from the Road to Hana to other Maui interests. From lava tubes to black beaches and hot lava flowing at night into the sea while the ship sailed past. You wouldn't know it from my pictures, I think everyday I took flower pictures.... my goodness the colours.... awesome! We had stellar weather... in fact, I was rather melting everyday.... and when Dale and I stayed for  a second week on the Big Island, we tried a new beach everyday... so I could be cool in the water or snorkle... fun!

To say Mahalo to the gals at Fiddlesticks Too - isn't enough for all they did to make us feel welcome - they were supberb! We had pupus ( appetizers) lovely and I recevied a lovely tuberose lei - that was so fragrant, it was amazing. We all chatted and visited islanders and cruisers alike and enjoyed their hospitality. It was the highlight in Honolulu! on every island we found a stitching/quilting store which was great. The bus driver even stopped for one on the tour- not on his itinerary...... but he did!

As for why it took so long to blog.... well suffice it to say that being away for several weeks.... had me a pile of mail -electronic and otherwise.... and all my fall classes staring me in the face.... and of course orders..... now that it is down to a dull roar I can think again!

Just after I came home from Hawaii I had a note from Vickie at Hedgehog Stitchery in Whitby, Ontario -  and she sent the link to a wonderful idea she had for the JCS Christmas ornaments. Here is the link and check it out! I love it! Vickie it turned out terrific, and what a super idea. Thanks for sharing.... Vickie at Hedgehogstitchery says: www.hedgehogstitchery.com

"PS...wanted to show you something I did with your Christmas stamps from Just Cross Stitch. I needed something for an ornament exchange and wanted something a little different than a hanging ornament I combined the designes, added some blackwork and everyone loved it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22657025@N00/8565652229/in/photostream/" Imagination is awesome isn't it!

Then this week I got a note from Linda at  The Craft Connection in Edmonton, Alberta  http://www.thecraftconnection.ca/en/

She loved 'Numero" and felt  inspired to work on this piece her own way... those who know me, know I love this.... make it your own is my mantra! That is the way we all feel creative and makes for unique pieces. She says she used - and she was happy to share..... WDW- Tin Roof Gingham -28ct, Valdani -Ebony Almond, WDW Onyx, Gloriana Threads- Mocha, and she laughed and says to warn you of the count..... on some squares there is compensation.... you know trying to fit odd ball things into a certain spot needs creativity to fit it!

Continue to stitch and I look forward to more 'shares' - so fun to see.... and I will be working on loading the main design page after getting another refresher on how to do it.... coming soon!

So pleased that the UK - English Beauty sampler is done and framed for Fobbles this late August early September - it is a treat, and right after this sampler I did one for De Handwerk Boetiek in Holland -Dutch Beauty Sampler and I am thrilled with both results. I see I might have to do a French and Italian or Spanish one..... so neat to do, but lots of research.... took a few years.... but the result is amazing. You know I have always liked geography......

Thank you girls for coming on the cruise with me, what fun we had. Hope you enjoy your 'Aloha Hawai'i ' piece and I see someone finished the pincushion 'Lei' - lovely!

My next journey is to Sturbridge, MA to do the Patriotic Sampler for Stitchers Hideaway retreats- wow, I love it! It was so fun and now I am enjoying stitching some smalls to go with it! I have collected a little stack of backing fabrics in patriotic colours and some wool felt and buttons - so it should be fun to finish them on this long weekend ahead.

Aloha to all, and may you have sunny spring days ahead with gardening and stitching time.... makes me think of a new pattern- how about Garden Stitches in the Stitches series - in the Acorn box - hope Bob's ankle at Olde Colonial Designs is healing well.... we may need more boxes!!

Cheers, jeannette