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

Events for the fall

I will learn how to add events to the events page, but at the moment I thought I would list it here in case you were planning a little fall getaway and wanted some great stitching event to go to! <grin> seems funny to see the word 'fall' with the spring tulip picture! I took these pictures  a few years ago and I always mean to show you some pictures I take in the different places I go and finally a few years late..... but fun to post in the season! These were taken in Paris, ON. As you know we leave for the JDD Hangin' Loose Hawaii cruise next week Wednesday!!! as Judy Bradford of Cruise Ship Centers  said to me this morning " I think I can smell the sunscreen already" that is how excited we are to be going! Stitchers we have some fun stuff for you and I look forward to sharing them with you.

In July it's off to celebrate some patriotic spirit in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Check with Sue at Stitcher's Hideaway -www.stitchershideaway.com to see the info on this middle of the week summer retreat.

The end of August (Aug 31 and Sept 1) brings a trip over the pond to the UK - and an event in a little town close to the coastal town of Ravenglass, Cumbria at Fobbles http://www.fobbles.co.uk/- a charming shop with supplies for samplers, embroidery, patchwork and beading. Come join us in the lake district and see what Jeannette has come up with for this sampler class. The following weekend (Sept 6,7) if the UK isn't in your itinerary come over the North Sea to Roden in the north of Holland to De Handwerk Boetiek- http://dehandwerkboetiek.tripod.com/index.html - and join Annemiek at her shop with Jeannette in a Dutch Sampler class!

At the end of September  (Sept 28, 29) it is off to Ohio and Crafy Ewe's - http://www.thecraftyewe.net/ weekend retreat!! Carol has the project posted so check it out! and I look forward to going to her little spot in the world and stitching with you all!

For our last time out it will be for the Dyeing to Stitch - http://www.dyeing2stitch.com/index.php- retreat (Oct 3-5) in Virginia Beach. What fun we will have. It is always a special weekend and I look forward to that too and seeing the many friends made over the years.

So you must come and stitch on a weekend somewhere! Aren't we lucky to have such a wonderful hobby that lets us enjoy people, friends and places!

See you soon!

warmly, jeannette

Spring 2013- New releases

Well there we have it, the new additions! Okay I know it took too much time, and I have a ton of excuses...... but suffice it to say that I really am not a web person and this is a task I heartily will put off and off..... and of course I struggled to do even this...... I thought I had put it into a gallery and then connected it to the blog and then the design page, but alas all that work and it was not to be! I had to redo it all..... and as I know how to blog I just did it here, so we will wait till my webgal is back to help me put it to the design page too!

ENJOY! Lots of shops were at the Nashville Needlework Market so check with your LNS and they will be able to help you.

Just a little note on the above patterns - The Tag Trio patterns - all three and the Spring Quaker Pincushions  are just available through JDD - they are full kits with linen fabric, Floss and Wool to stitch with, the wool felt or cotton fabric backing, the brads to attach it to the board, and the do-dahs... the board is purchased separately. Your local shop can order from JDD. All other patterns are available from distributors.

Below are the descriptions for each pattern.

The Four Seasons Sampler - a sampler for all seasons, with specialty stitches galore and a lovely satin stitch border in 3 colours of Lorikeet Wool - this is sure to please!

The Four Seasons Accessories - a delightful 3 piece set of smalls with a seasonal theme. The needlebook was so fun to do!

Isle of Hope -a journey from the 'old world' to a new life. 1892 is when Ellis Island opened to immigrants. Again the border is in Lorikeet Wool and the rest of the piece in silks but they complement each other beautifully.

Isle of Hope Accessories - Some delightful smalls that fit nicely into a small box, I placed a picture of my Mom and Dad on the boat they immigrated on - on the inside lid of the box, and put in a few items from my mom's sewing room in the box along with the stitched smalls.

Numero - No. - designed on the popular French style or industrial style of Numbers that are used in all ways of life - we love our alphabets but numbers are great too!

Spring Quaker Pincushions - the quick little treat to stitch in quaker style, a pincushion, a scissors fob or lovely little flower for your desk!

Tag Trio - Pins and Needles - this is in a set of three tags - the wood tag is stained a lovely grey and each board has a theme - this one is pins and needles, add a couple of pins or use as a pincushion - or hang all three with black clothes pins in your window!

Tag Trio - Scissors - this is in a set of three tags - the wood tag is stained a lovely grey and each board has a theme - this one is Scissors, add a pair of scissors between the board and pincushion - or hang all three with black clothes  pins on a rope in your window!

Tag Trio - Threads - this is in a set of three tags - the wood tag is stained a lovely grey and each board has a theme - this one isThreads, add your left over threads you've stitched with onto the thread rings- or hang all three with black clothes  pins on a rope in your window!

Take Time to Collect - the 11th in the Take Time Series. Always a fun stitch, and features some stitching collectibles from thimbles to scissors and a lovely little silver key charm.