Friday, December 30, 2011

Sweetheart Needle Book

I have been working on a new Needle Book design and came up with this one. Lots of hearts.....Sweetheart Needle Book. Beautiful red fabric with tiny hearts. I stitched 3 sewing charms on the front. The Singer sewing machine, scissors and the Silk cord charm. I attached a mini pin cushion....shaped like a heart of course with a heart shaped charm that says made for you....and inside are lots of felt hearts. The larger white hearts(gorgeous wool felt) are pockets to stuff goodies in, the medium red heart is a pocket and the three little hearts are just the right size for needles. Tie the needle book closed with ribbon and it is adorable.
I will be selling complete kits soon. Everything will be in the kit. The outer fabric, interfacing, all the hearts are already cut out for you, ribbon, the 4 charms and even a little bit of quilt batt to plump up the heart on the front cover and stuff the pin cushion. I like to buy a kit that has everything you need to complete it instead of searching in several stores.

I will be having a give-away soon and I will give a kit to several winners so stay tuned.

Happy stitching!
Nancy

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Winners of the Merry Christmas Give-aways! Floss, charts, & trims

Congratulations stitchers! I am announcing the names of all the winners this evening....since my grandsons that help me draw the names couldn't wait any longer!!! So here goes...
Please contact me: nbelgian@aol.com


Winner of the 25 skeins of floss is Lynn.

 Chart of your choice in pdf format: (we picked 11 winners)
Kathy Ellen
Hoki Quilts
Mindi
Raven/Missy
Katrien
Nemetne Adri
SoCal Debbie
Musicwoman
Carissa
szaberka65
Anastacia

Small trim packs (browse my store inventory of the small trim packs)
stores.ebay.com/Victorian-Motto-Sampler-Shoppe
Winners: (we picked 11 instead of 5!)
jan
cucki
Shari
Daisy
nan-ThreadworkPrimitives
Kerry
Suzanne
Anne
stitchinpeanut
CalamityJr
Karen

I want to thank all of you for participating in the drawings and I want you to know we will be doing LOTS of give-aways all year long so stay tuned. I have some great ideas for Valentines Day to be announced right after New Years.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Nancy

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Hand Dyed Floss Give-Away on New Years Day!

Lets do it again!!! Lets give some floss away on New Years Day. Some beautiful spring colors to start the year off right. 15 skeins (20 yards each), 300 yards of stitching fun!
Lets give 15 skeins to 2 lucky winners!

Rules: You must be a follower and post a comment here.
If you post the give-away on your blog you get two entries.
Add the give-away on Facebook and get a third entry.
Tell a friend to join, tell them to say you sent them, get another entry!

I love to share...and this is fun!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season. I know I am!
Nancy

Motto Sampler Kit Give-away!

It's time to give away a motto sampler kit! Let give away TWO! Two lucky winners will get to choose a kit from my store. Have you tried stitching on perforated paper yet? It's the easiest stitching you will ever do! No hoop, no counting, just fill in between the lines to create a beautiful heirloom. I have hundreds of kits to choose from in my ebay store. Shown here is just one sample of the beautiful kits I have. And you can pick any color floss for any kit...just tell me what you would like. Browse through my ebay store to see all the choices you have.
http://stores.ebay.com/Victorian-Motto-Sampler-Shoppe

RULES: You must be a follower and you must put a comment on this post. Winner to be announced New Years Day.

I LOVE sharing with all you stitchers!

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Nancy

Winner of the 1st Hand Dyed Floss Give-away!

And the winner of the 1st Hand Dyed floss give-away is:

Joyce Clark Frank. I need your email address so please contact me.

NOW.....CHECK BACK LATER TODAY LADIES AS I WILL BE POSTING ANOTHER FLOSS GIVE AWAY FOR NEW YEARS DAY!!!! LOTS OF SPRING COLORS TO STITCH WITH.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Merry Christmas Give-away! Hand dyed floss, charts and hand dyed trims!

It is time for the Merry Christmas give-away! Instead of just giving away floss this year, I thought I would give floss, charts and hand dyed trim packs to several lucky winners.
 So...lets give 25 skeins (20 yards each), 500 yards of beautiful hand dyed floss to one lucky winner.

I will also give a chart of your choice from my store to 10...yes 10! lucky winners. chart in pdf format.

I will also give 5 lucky winners one of my small hand dyed trim packs.
Please make sure I have your email address and be sure to check back when I post the winner's names.

Enter now! YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER AND PUT A COMMENT ON THIS POST.
You can also enter the floss give-away shown in the post below.
Put this give-away on your blog and I will put your name in the hat twice!
Drawing to be on Christmas Day.

Thank you for participating in the fun. I love sharing with all of you stitchers and treasure all the friendships I have made. That is the very best part of it all.
I hope each and every one of you have The Merriest Christmas!

Nancy
The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hand Dyed Floss Give-Away for Christmas!

Yes Ladies...it's time to give away some floss! A beautiful assortment with lots of reds and greens, after all....it is almost Christmas!
25 skeins (20 yards each) of my own Hand Dyed floss in beautiful colors. 500 YARDS OF STITCHING FUN!
So....you must be a follower and you must put a comment on this post. Tell you friends to join in on the fun.
*****POST THIS GIVE AWAY ON YOUR BLOG AND I WILL GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE TO WIN.....I WILL PUT YOUR NAME IN THE HAT TWICE!
Drawing to be on December 17th. That way we will have time to do it again for Christmas! Hurry and tell your friends...I love to share at Christmas!

Good Luck everyone and thank you for joining in on the fun.
Nancy

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Christmas Card Holder

I decided to take my Christmas Stags and put them on a Christmas Card Holder. Hung with a simple ribbon this will hold lots of cards this season. I used to display cards all over...didn't we all...but this is so much easier...and neater.
This is such a "colorful" time of the year with all the Christmas fabrics and stitched goodies. Add the Christmas decorations, gift wrap and baked goods...I wish this would last all year long!

Happy stitching.
Nancy

Friday, November 25, 2011

A beautiful gift

I received a beautiful gift from my dear friend Faye.....just lovely. This is a wonderful time of the year for sharing but as many of you well know...Faye shares all the time. Friendship is such a treasure...and I treasure so many of you gals I have met over the years. I am truly blessed.

Nancy

Winners of the Black Bird and Christmas Charts!

We have lots of winners of charts today.....20!!!! So....here are the lucky winners!
Carine
Pauline                                                                 Lynn
Williemejn                                                            Bronny
Dekenstikster                                                       Amy
Riet                                                                      Maggee
Lida                                                                     blueladie
Witji                                                                     Suzanne
Maksi Taksi                                                         Judith
Ineke
chevremont
Verona
Tatkis
Faye
 THANK YOU ladies for participating in the drawing. Pleas EMAIL ME so I can send these pdf charts out to you. Enjoy!!!

Nancy

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

New Black Bird Design

In keeping with the Black Bird line of designs, I decided to do a crowing rooster...made of Black Birds of course! All kinds of black birds.....and the title is "Birds of a Feather Crowing Together". The  stitch count is 147 x 80. I have it pictured on gold linen.
   
I thought this design would be perfect for the Black Birds collectors, Rooster Collectors, the Checkerboard collectors........and make them all happy at the same time.

I plan on doing a lot of small primitive designs after Christmas. I am not ready to think spring just yet...as I enjoy winter too much. I like to savor every cold, cozy day and stitch and design till my heart's content. Don't we all?

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. We all have so much to be thankful for...I know I do.

Nancy

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Black Bird Christmas Charts

What could be better than a family of black birds singing We wish you a Merry Christmas? Shown stitched on linen, design size is 103 x 55. I also did the Noel bell with black birds this week. Some days it is hard to work on patterns with so much to do this time of the year but I give it my best. One can only do so much......

I am adding these two charts to the selection for the chart winners to pick from....only a few more days to go until the drawing on the 25th. Good luck ladies!

Back to patterns......
Nancy

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Christmas Chart give-away!

It's time to give away a few Christmas charts!!! Lets give a chart to 10...yes 10.....lucky winners.I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE AWAY 20! SO MANY STITCHERS ARE GIVING SUCH NICE COMPLIMENTS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! Pick a Christmas chart of your choice. Jolly Reindeer, Christmas Reindeer, Black Bird Wreath, Black Bird Christmas Tree, etc. You choose. Patterns in PDF format.  S0..... YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER and you must put a comment on this post. Tell your friends to enter...spread the word. I love to share!!! Drawing to be Novenber 25th. Gives you lots of time to stitch before Christmas.  
I will need your email address. 
Good luck stitchers!
Nancy

Jolly Reindeer

Everyone needs a few Jolly Reindeer to stitch for Christmas. Nice as a small cushion or on a wall hanging....I will probably use it on a Christmas card holder to hang on the wall. Design is 108 x 53.
Back to the patterns.....

Nancy

Friday, November 11, 2011

Black Bird Christmas Wreath

I was barely done with the Black Bird Christmas Tree and had a pattern in mind for a wreath....so here it is. This one is in dark red and green. I just love Christmas patterns....I could do those all year long. Not a bad idea....

Happy stitching.
Nancy

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Black Bird Christmas Tree

Keeping busy with new patterns as usual...always another pattern to do! I thought a Christmas tree of Black Birds would be nice....for all of the Black Bird fans. Design is 75 x 55. On 14ct    5.4" x 3.9".     
On 16ct     4.7" x 3.4"
On 18ct     4.2" x 3.1"
Chart is available in my ebay store or direct through me. nbelgian@aol.com.


Back to the drawing board.....Nancy

Monday, November 7, 2011

Basket of Thanks

I was thinking of this pattern late last night...so while I was sending lots of emails and charts to the winners of the drawing I did this pattern for Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for.....I know I do. I thought a whimsical pattern with a whole basket of thanks would be adorable. I rarely have time to stitch all the patterns I do so thank goodness for good stitching programs and I can draw and stitch  it as I go!
Design is 89 x 60.

Nancy

Winners of the Christmas Ornament charts

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES! Merry Christmas early! I will send pdf charts to all of you!!! I just love to share and think you should all have charts...soooooo.....I would like each of you to please send me an email with your email address. nbelgian@aol.com
Thank you for participating in the drawing and I hope you enjoy your Christmas ornaments.

Happy stitching!!!
Nancy

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Christmas Reindeer Charts

The Christmas Reindeer charts are completed...another one down....only a million to go......

Tomorrow is the big day for the drawing....I know a secret...this time I know the winnders in advance! Curious??????? Check back tomorrow for the answer!

Nancy

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Christmas Reindeer

I finished stitching a pair of stags(borrowed from a an Antique German Sampler and did my own motif in the middle......I will finish this into a small cushion.....haven't decided if I want to add A Merry Christmas to it yet. Lots of stitching still needs to be done on ornaments as I am decking the halls around here...literally. One can never have too many Christmas decorations.
I will have this pattern available in a few days.
Nancy

Thursday, October 27, 2011

FRIENDSHIP TRIBUTE SAMPLER

I worked on a Friendship Tribute Sampler pattern over the summer and am just getting the PDF file completed for it. Frames are in the works....there is always so much to do after the pattern is drawn....I had the help of two friends to stitch these for me. I stitched two because there is an alternate ending on the sampler. One says: We have chatted daily together, enjoyed the very same things. Had lots of rainy weather, but know what sunshine brings. Whatever life may choose to send, I hope to keep you my good friend. The alternate ending block says: I hope to keep all my good friends. I thought that one would be good for hanging in your own home and the other would make a great gift for a best friend. The sizes are 11x15 on 18ct Aida and 13 x 17 on 28ct linen. I used my own floss of course. The pattern will be available tomorrow.
I also had one of my Quaker patterns stitched with my new Antique Blue Variegated floss and I love how it turned out. I always liked the Flo Blue china and this reminds me of it with the way the colors flow on the pattern.
It flows from very dark blue to light blue grey. I think I will stitch a few more patterns in this color and do a series in the Quaker line.
Time to get back to the patterns....................
Happy stitching!

Nancy

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

One can never have too many Christmas ornaments.....so lets give away some patterns!

I think I have skipped over Halloween and gone right to Christmas. The house will be decorated tomorrow and I can focus on more ornaments....one can never have too many! I did these patterns last month and will have them available in my ebay store tomorrow. I love to add new patterns and wish I had time to do more than I do....maybe I need to set an impossible goal and keep to it....like a pattern a day for a year....wonder if I would live through it! Just a thought......and it certainly would keep the stitchers busy! A dozen stitchers!

Lets give away some patterns....shown above...I will give 5 sets of patterns to 5 lucky stitchers. Winners to be announced November 7th. Please watch for the winning names and be sure I have an email address for you. Be a follower and post a comment here to be entered in the drawing. I will pick 5 names out of the hat and then email you a pdf file with the patterns. Good luck everyone!!!

Happy stitching.
Nancy

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Hand Dyed lace trims for Autumn

Autumn is a favorite time of the year for many people, including myself. The cool crisp air, the leaves turning gorgeous colors and slowing drifting to the ground to create puddles of color all around the yard. There are times I wish I was a kid again so I could rake them into a big pile and jump in! The simple things in life....that we didn't appreciate as much as we should have at the time and it takes getting older to realize what we had.

As I dyed all of these new trims these past few weeks I had the pleasure of seeing all the Autumn colors right in my hands......even though I am working inside. Dyeing trims and fabric is like painting a picture for me and blending just the right hues.

Here is a sample of some of the trims I have been dyeing. Cotton eyelet, cluny lace trim in several styles and widths, and cotton/rayon blend thick laces to embellish all those stitches goodies. If I EVER get done with the dyeing...I can get back to stitching and finishing. All in good time.
I hope all of you take the time to play in the leaves!

Nancy

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Winners for the trims give-away!

And the winners are:

Karen
diamond c
Lynn
Rita
Babs in Alabama

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will need your addresses so please contact me with the details.

I appreciate all you ladies entering the give-away as I love to share my goodies with all of you. I promise to do this again real soon....in fact, I am working on new packs of hand dyed lace this week.......so we will have another give-away soon!

Back to the dye pot..............

Nancy

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Hand Dyed Trims Give-away, enter now!

I have been very busy dyeing new trims this summer and now I want to share with some of you. I have a nice assortment package I sell on ebay and I would like to give some away. Instead of one lucky winner to win it all, I thought I would give  trim pack assortments to 5 lucky winners. The assortment includes 15 yards of ric rac, one yard per color, 10 colors of cotton chenille, 2 yards per color, 4 colors of cotton twill tape, one color per yard and 20 hand dyed buttons, 4 buttons per color.

Lets give it away September 20th so you have lots of time to use your trims this fall.
Rules are simple, just be a follower of my blog and put a comment on this post. I will announce the winners on the 20th. Good Luck!

Nancy

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Ric rac for Autumn, beautiful Pumpkin color

I dyed a beautiful light pumpkin color for a project I am working on for a friend. I also dyed cinnamon, cinnamon bark and nutmeg.  Love the Autumn colors....hurry autumn!

Nancy

Chenille trims, Cinnamon and Spice

I had another request for cinnamon chenille and ric rac trims so the dye pot has been very busy once again. I added two shades of cinnamon and am working on more spice colors this week. First shown is light cinnamon. This is 1/4 inch trim and a little flatter than the round and plump chenille...personally, I like it better. The cinnamon color is mottled for an antique look.

Nancy

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

New Quaker Pattern Be True in Heart

I always loved this motto and had to see it in a Quaker design. Of course I love reds......so red it is.
Speaking of which, I need to dye new red floss to add to the inventory. I am amazed at how many ladies like the reds and how popular they are. The least I can do is keep adding them to the store.

Thank you for stopping by.
Nancy

Saturday, July 30, 2011

To Thine Own Self Be True

A friend requested this motto so I did this small pattern....it is stitched in Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe over dyed floss on 28ct linen. I thought it would also look nice as an insert on a Quaker design....love the Quaker patterns and they are fun to do. It is like putting a puzzle together each time and hoping it turns out without any missing pieces! I really do enjoy designing them and plan to add new patterns on a regular basis. Thanks for stopping by!
Nancy

Sunday, July 24, 2011

New Quaker Sampler patterns added to my inventory

I have been very busy the past couple months, first with the usual spring gardening and then moving 1500 day lilies which was quite a task that I am glad is behind me. At times I wonder why I take on these projects.....

I then decided it was time to get back to fun things and of course that meant all new patterns. I wanted  to do Quaker patterns and have several shown here in the blog with a link to my ebay store. You can also email me direct to purchase if you don't use ebay. I went with the pdf format with these patterns so all of my customers can have the file quickly and not have to pay postage. I asked quite a few stitchers and they like the pdf patterns so it was the way to go. I am sure there are some who still like to collect charts but this was an easier way for me to put out more patterns quickly. I have a few ladies stitching for me now so I can focus on patterns as they are very time consuming, especially the Quaker designs.

I have always like the mottoes Love one Another and Forget Me Not....so I decided to do a pair of Quaker frames with a different motto in the center of each. I then did the pattern in two colors so you can see how different they look just by changing the color. I like the Jane Greenoff program as it allows me to show the pattern stitched on linen and it looks very nice even if it is not framed. Again, this gives me more time to work on patterns instead of stitching.
I will also be adding new floss and trim colors over the next few weeks so I can be ready for the quickly approaching stitching season when summer ends. I love that time of the year...to be done with yard work and focus on stitching in a cozy house on a chilly day..........hurry Autumn!

Thank you for stopping by.

Nancy

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Chenille trims on sale, buy 5, get one free! 9 New Colors!

I am having a Chenille trim pack sale on ebay....buy 5 packs of Chenille trim (Chenille only packs) and get one free. No limit....I love to share! I have added 9 new colors today and they are 5 yards packs. They are $2.99 per pack. I have 4 new mini Chenille trim colors: Faded Celery, Pale Antique Blue, Antique Green and  Variegated Fawn. The Medium (regular) Chenille colors are: Champagne, Buttercream, Variegated Tan, Caramel and Moss Brown.
Get them while the sale lasts!

I would write more today but I am sneezing from all this fuzz from the Chenille in this room!!!!!!!!
Nancy

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Victorian Rose color hand dyed trims, eyelet, twill tape,ric rac, etc.

The Victorian Rose was definitely my favorite color this week. The colors are softer than they look in the photo...look very antique. There are two shades of rose ric rac, 1 shade of eyelet trim, 2 sizes of cotton twill tape, soft rose pink and soft green vintage rayon seam tape. Plenty of goodies to stitch up some antique looking gifts. I plan to use all of these on needle books later this spring and will post pictures when I am finished.
Thank you for stopping by to peek at my newest trims...back to the dye pot.....
Nancy

Pastel Peach seam ribbon,cotton twill tape and eyelet trim

The Pastel Peach collection will include 2" eyelet, 2 sizes of cotton twill tape, a large 1/8" and 1/2" tape, peach and soft green vintage seam ribbon tape. More colors coming soon......

Nancy

Antique champagne color trims

I am adding more pastel colors this week; this is my Antique Champagne color...reminds me of all the yellowed antique laces you find. This set will have 2" eyelet, 1/2" ric rac, and two sizes of cotton twill tape...the kind you use as a tie for needle books and things...so many possibilities. I will be using this on my new line of needle books which will be available late spring. I am working on several designs right now. I will add more Champagne color trims in the weeks to come.

Nancy

Friday, April 1, 2011

Pale Violets seam ribbon, ric rac, eyelet lace, buttons & Chenille

I have been working on a Pale Violet collection for spring and I am happy with the results. I put 2 shades of hand dyed ric rac, 2 shades of hand dyed 2" eyelet trim, 20 hand dyed buttons, 5 yards of cotton chenille and 10 yards of vintage seam ribbon tape in violet and soft green. I think this trim collection would compliment several projects and still have some left over. I will have a few new patterns in the coming weeks and use all of the soft colors I have been dyeing recently. I have recruited several ladies to help me stitch models and will be sending them their goodies shortly. There is just no way I can dye all of these trims, keep up with current orders on kits, frames and floss and stitch all of these by myself...even if I never stopped to sleep!

I am also working on a pale mint, antique rose collection,  and several others. I truly love working with all of these beautiful trims.....part of why I love my work!

Thanks for stopping by to peek at my newest goodies.


Have a great day!
Nancy

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Vintage Seam Tape Ribbon is here!

The Vintage Seam Tape Ribbon has arrived...or at least the first wave of it. I will list a dozen colors today...stock and right off the roll. Now....next week I will begin to over dye some of it for a WOW vintage look. I experimented already on some bright red and brought it down to a deep antique red and was very pleased. Next week I will work with the pastels and tint them a bit. The stock ribbon will be $2.50 for 5 yards on a card. The over dyed will be $2.99 for 5 yards. This is rayon and has a soft sheen to it but not too shiny so it looks vintage. Great for edging pillows and cushions, making flowers and sewing them on little gifts. I make  the same ribbon  flowers (that I used to make tiny flowers) and use the larger ribbon. Then you can sew them in place on all your projects. I like to finger press them flat for a vintage look. I will show some examples of this in weeks to come. There are only so many hours in a day...and believe me, I wish there were more! A dear friend of mine asked if I ever sleep or do I run on a battery pack! I didn't want to let the secret out...but I have several battery packs!

I will also be listing some hand tinted cotton seam tape next week. It is a nice  quality tape and still very flexible like the rayon is but has a more textured feel. I thought I would experiment with dyes on this...I only have 1,000 yards of the cotton so far...hard to find it on rolls from suppliers....but if there is some out there I will find it!

I should have dozens of colors of rayon ribbon tape listed in the weeks to come....then I need to find the next trim....off hunting again!!

Nancy

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hand dyed pastel chenille and ric rac trims

Another busy week adding new pastel chenille and ric rack colors. I thought a soft pink, gold, aqua and purple would be nice for Easter...or any time of the year. This chenille trim is the widest I have and is about 3/8" wide and thicker than the other two sizes I have. I have also dyed it in honey and taupe. I love to add new colors on a regular basis but it is a lot of work and does take some time for the trims to dry.
I will be listing different sets of trims this week, some with eyelet trim and some ric rac and chenille sets.

I hope to be done with the dyeing soon so I can have a chance to "play" with trims on some projects. I love to see the projects you ladies create and I am always browsing your blogs and admiring your work. One can't work all the time!

Speaking of which...I need to go list some trims!
Nancy

Monday, March 21, 2011

Vintage Seam Tape Ribbon will be here soon!

Yes, I have had a request for another product that will be added to my inventory next week. Vintage seam tape ribbon, that beautiful silky rayon ribbon you see used on lots of Blackbird Designs. One of my favorite customers told me she loved shopping in my store because she could find everything in one place. I think I will have to add quite a few more items to the inventory but I appreciate the compliment. And believe me...I am working hard on adding all these trims and sewing notions to my store.

I will post pictures after the seam tape arrives and is available. I will try to do a few creative things to the ribbon and see how they turn out. Watch for the announcement!

I will also be dyeing more colors of the chenille trim this week....I wish there were more hours in the day! I keep telling my best friend that I will continue to work 7 days a week for another year but then it is vacation time. It has been 12 years since I took a vacation...I am due!

I will post the new chenille trim colors later this week......back to the dye pot......

Nancy

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Mini cotton Chenille trim is here!

This has been a fun week and a busy but productive one. I have been dyeing lots of mini cotton chenille trim. This mini trim is great for all of those little pillows, pin cushions, boxes, jar lids and anything else you can think to decorate. The possibilities are endless. I am even going to do a sampler with this mini trim as a divider between sections...pattern in the works right now. The mini trim is 1/8" wide.

I like to sew my trims on rather than glue them on. No chance of a glob of glue on a precious needlework project. The couching technique for sewing on the trim is the easiest for me. The trim is put into any position you want and sew stitches over the trim to hold it down. Don't pull the stitches too tight and it won't ripple and pucker...unless that is the look you were aiming for.

You can make flowers by cutting small pieces of trim and sewing them down as shown in this picture. Sew the trim in a straight line...or curve to fit the shape of an object... zig zag it like ric rac trim. Have fun and be creative.


You can leave it fluffed and round or flatten it....if you were wanting it to border a photo in a scrap book it will lay flat when pressed. Finger pressing is usually all it requires.

I will be listing pastel colors and a wider Chenille trim next week.
For now.....it's back to the dye pot!

Nancy

Hand dyed cotton eyelet and Mini cotton chenille trim

I have been very busy this week dyeing mini cotton chenille and eyelet trims. I will be adding new colors as I add them to my inventory but I  decided to start with some basic stock colors; colors that I will repeat and keep in stock. Shown above are a few of the new colors for eyelet trim. Paprika red, golden yellow, pastel pumpkin, Robins egg blue and carmel browns. The cotton eyelet trim is 2" wide and is 4 yards per package for $2.99.
 
The mini chenille trim colors are paprika red, golden yellow, Robins egg blue, spice, cranberry wine and dark forest green. The mini chenille is 1/8" wide and there are 5 yards on each card for $2.99.

I will be listing these trims later today in my ebay store.

I will be adding fancy lace trim next week along with pastel chenille colors and  a wider chenille trim. After all...you can list all these goodies at once!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Nancy

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Cotton Chenille yarn trim coming soon!

Yes ladies....cotton chenille yarn trim will be here soon. I have ordered a ton of it...well, not quite a ton, but a LOT and as soon as it arrives later in the week I will begin to dye it in dozens of beautiful colors. I will have several sizes to choose from and I will post pictures as soon as it is finished. I had several customers ask me to add this item to my inventory and I was happy to do so after a long hunt for the product!

Watch for my post announcing it's "arrival"....I can hardly wait!

Nancy

Saturday, March 12, 2011

My Soul is fed by Needle and Thread

My latest design that a customer recently requested; I stitched this one in soft shades of antique rose and sage greens. Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe floss of course......on punched paper. I may have to do a chart for this one as requests are already coming in. I get caught in the middle...me and my regular customers love to stitch on perforated paper for the antique motto look....and then there are the counted cross stitch ladies....so I need to make everyone happy!

I need to get back to dyeing trims but I had to stop to stitch this motto.....after all.....my soul is fed by needle and thread!

Nancy

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Hand Dyed Ric Rac

And then there's ric rac...one of my favorite trims of all time. Maybe because it looks so old fashioned...and adds so much to all those little pillows, ornaments and other goodies. And of course you have to have it in delicious...over dyed.....slightly variegated antique colors for all those great finishes. Red, brown, toffee, caramel, antique blues, soft faded green, etc. One can never have enough trims if you ask me.....just look around here...it always looks like a factory exploded everywhere! You gotta love it.....
I use 1/2" cotton ric rac that I purchased in a bulk lot. I like the slight variations in the weave of cotton that make it look antique....gotta look antique around here. It is hard to find anything new in this house. Eccentric might be a good description of me....a very good description but at least I admit it!

I have dyed some eyelet trims and lace and will be listing them soon.....still experimenting with colors. I would love to just dye trims all day long but the regular orders and daily work slow me down....or maybe age....can't tell which! I will be posting more pictures soon....

Bye for now.

Nancy

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Hand Dyed Buttons...EVERYWHERE!

There is always a new project going on around here.....so now it is hand dyed buttons. I love adding buttons to my stitching projects...but don't really like the colors out there. So what do I do? Dye buttons!!!! I have been busy for a week...dyed over 100 pounds of buttons...yes...they are EVERYWHERE! Lots of colors....Pumpkins, Yellows, Toffee, Butterscotch, Reds, Blues, Violets, etc. I will dye some trims to match soon...and some fabrics. Sounds like a lot of projects to keep me busy for sure. I am selling them in packs of 20 for $1.99. I like to price my items reasonable...in this economy we need reasonable! I have listed them in my ebay store today and will add trims and fabrics as they are available. I guess I better get back to counting buttons...one....two...three....

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!
Everyone was a winner! The 22 ladies who put a post on the original give away entry day.

Thank you for entering once again. I had my grandsons help me with drawing the names as usual...and the three lucky winners of my newest kits are :
Jules
Carin
Mary
Please send me an email with your address and choice of kit. Pick from the Home Sweet Home bird designs or the Love and you shall be loved. You can have 28 count linen or Aida Rustico 18 count fabric.

BUT.....it's Valentines Day......so all the  other ladies who put a comment on the post for the give away  will receive ****ONE OF MY CHARTS**** for my newest designs. You can choose which chart you would like. Send me an email with your choice and your address. Nbelgian@aol.com. Charts are being printed and I will mail them out in a day or two.

Thanks for participating and have a very Happy Valentines Day!

Nancy

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Valentines Day give-away ENTER NOW

This the the third kit that will be given away for Valentines Day. This is from the Home Sweet Home Collection and called Mothers' Little Helpers. I decided to do another wall hanging to compliment the  True Love kit. You will have your choice as to which one you would like. Three winners will be drawn and announced on Valentines Day. You can choose this kit, True Love, or Love And You shall be Loved. Kits are on 18 count  Aida Rustico Oatmeal or linen and you will be able to choose which fabric you would like.

*******You need to be a follower and publish a comment on this post to be entered in the drawing.***

Good luck, thanks for participating in the drawing. I love to share!!!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Another Valentine's Day Gift

This will be the second kit I will give away for Valentines Day. It is from my Home Sweet Home Collection and is called True Love. This 7 x 7 inch wall hanging is the center part of a larger design.   This will also be available in a larger design with the words true love in it. Model is stitched on 18 count Rustico Oalmeal Aida but will also be available on 28 count linen. The surrounding fabric is a cotton print, black with tan leaves and compliments the bird nest design. Backing is black fabric on this wall hanging. I decided to make my own twist cord as I wanted a custom color...I get a little carried away with custom colors as you can tell....so I made my own cording. I think I will make twist cording in several custom colors for my kits because I like to have a unique item that you cannot find any where else. I will do limited editions on the kits when they become available in February.
I will announce the details of the give-away soon.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!
Nancy

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Valentines Day Give-away

Preview of Valentine's Day give-away

I thought I would show you my latest design....and one that I will be giving away for Valentines's Day next month. I will announce the give-away on another post so keep tuned. I will be giving away three kits of my latest designs. I will be offering these as leaflets and kits after I get everything printed and packaged.
I put this finished piece in a frame to show one way it could be displayed and then I made it into a little pillow...a wonderful gift for a special friend.

The design is 5 x 6 inches so it fit nicely into a small frame and a small pillow. I remembered I had a huge roll of a very tiny trim and I decided to use it on this piece to dress it up. I went with a light colored fabric to surround the piece and for the backing. I tried several fabrics...the darker colors made it look more casual and the lighter dressed it up. I used a high quality muslin fabric as I like the tiny flecks in it that complimented the coloration in the Aida Rustico Oatmeal fabric that I stitched this on. I will also offer this on linen and will have that picture at a later date.....you can only stitch so many at a time!

I will be showing you the other two kits that I will be giving away very soon.....and then give the details of the drawing. I have to say....I love to share!!!!!

Have a great day!

Nancy

Friday, January 7, 2011

From Me to Thee

From Me to Thee.....a little token of friendship made into a small pillow 6x6 inches. I stitched this in soft tones of antique green, gold and faded rose for lettering. I added two small butterflies that I had dyed to match. When you stitch the body with a few stitches, the wings lift up a bit off the fabric....just adorable. I bought these trims many years ago and finally found a use for them. When I offer this as a kit, two butterflies will be included in each one. I hope to have charts and kits completed in two weeks....lots of work to do for sure. There is never a shortage around here!

I will also offer this kit available on linen as well as aida. I ordered 40 yards of assorted linen and will dye some for new patterns as well as these I have just completed. They will be pictured on both fabrics. I wish they would add more hours to the day and then I could do all I need to do! I also need to add on to this house and I have taken over half of it (and we already remodeled once to double the size), the whole basement and we have a building 30x60 we use as a work shop for the frames. Who would have thought a motto collection would turn into an all-consuming passion....but I do love what I do.
Back to the drawing board.......

Nancy

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Kindred Spirits

We should all be lucky enough to have a kindred spirit. Mine is my dear friend Eunice in Ireland and I cherish the friendship. We are all brought together for a reason and she is the joy in my life. Distance does not keep us apart; if we don't write every day we are thinking of each other every day and that is the beauty in it. Together, yet so far apart.

Scatter Smiles....says it all!



New year, new designs

      I like to put some humor in some of the mottoes....you can't be serious all the time! This is a mini motto pattern I did recently and decided to stitch it on paper first and will stitch it on fabric soon. It is small so it lends itself for a small pillow. Of course it is stitched with Victoriam Motto Sampler Shoppe floss. I will do the chart for this soon and it will be available in my shop. I have been working on 5 small designs that I will post shortly......there are only so many hours in the day and I am always looking for more...I must have left some around here some where....

Have a great day!

Nancy