Independence Day

Greetings, all! Independence Day is nearly upon us, and I have never seen a more appealing bunch of patriotic designs, old and new. And, before I forget, the banner photo is of "Daisy Dog," by Stitchy Kitty. It took me a little over two weeks to stitch up, working in my spare time. Wait 'til you see the framing treatment that Karen, our framer, helped me choose!

First off, our dear customer, Carol M., is stitching "Beggar's 4th" by Threadwork Primitives:

Carol's fob, which was a freebie by AuryTM. Here's a link to AuryTM's freebie charts on her website. Thank you, AuryTM, for your generosity!

I'm working on a little something called "Patriotic Poppies," by With Thy Needle and Thread. I'm using the suggested fibers: Weeks, Gentle Art Shaker, and Classic Colorworks. I'm using 40 count Legacy linen by Picture This Plus. I did make one substitution, for the sheep: Weeks' White Lightning instead of GA Shaker Parchment, as the color was too close to that of my linen.

Here's what the finished project looks like. I estimate this as being a two-week project (bear in mind I work full-time, so most of my stitching is done on the weekend and at lunch and sometimes before bed--you may finish it more quickly than I can).

Something else I plan to stitch, from Cross Stitch & Needlework Magazine (July 2014) issue: Memorial Park. I love this sweet, fun, summery design from Praiseworthy Stitches. I purchased fabric for it yesterday:  32 count Lakeside, vintage Maritime White. We have the button packs for this--absolutely adorable.

I also purchased the August 2014 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine for the Cape Cod Summer project on the cover. Looking at the proximity of the water to the cottage, I'd say it's a storm disaster waiting to happen. I'm glad I'm going to own the thread version of it! Stitched in DMCs--if you can't make it to the beach this summer, this will make you feel cooler--and it's a lot less expensive than going to the Cape!

Here are two quick-to-stitch sweet JBW designs: "Seaside Alphabet" and

"Patriotic ABCs"

These scissors, by Dinky Dyes, are perfect for your patriotic stitching projects:

By DebBee's Designs, "Wave the Flag."

New from Country Cottage Needleworks, "Sweet Land of Liberty":

A great kit by Jeannette Douglas, a Flag Needlekeep:

Here's what's in the package:

Something I plan to stitch, also by Jeannette Douglas, "Patriotic Sampler."

By Shepherd's Bush, "American Trifles."

Our address is 8800F Pear Tree Court, Alexandria, VA, and our phone number is 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12:30-4:30 p.m. the first Sunday of the month. Stitch nights are 6-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the Month.

I will post holiday hours when I've checked with Ellen. In the meantime, Happy Stitching!

Strawberry Fields Forever

Greetings, all! I've been thinking a lot about strawberries--making jam from the berries at the farmers' market; a big bowl of berries with breakfast; and most of all, the strawberries I've been stitching on Agnes Platt's Strawberry Sampler, by Blackbird Designs.

Here's a closeup of her. Full disclosure: I love stitching with silks, so I did an on-the-fly conversion from the called for cottons to Belle Soies.

I was in the shop today, and the shop ladies and I challenged ourselves to find as many strawberry-related items as we could. We came up with lots, some new, quite a few older (but still wonderful!)
Also by Blackbird Designs, Loose Feathers "Summer."

I would like to stitch this next--smaller, lovely projects by Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread: "Strawberry Hill Sampler."

By Country Cottage Needleworks: "June Cottage."

A strawberry-themed needle minder by Kelmscott.

I have this in my stash collection--love it! "Strawberry Fields Farm" from Victoria Sampler.

Of course, where would traditional samplers be without a strawberry border? "The Ann Rayner Sampler 1839" by Threads Through Time.

The world's cutest knit hat for that dear child or grandchild. I'm not sure whose yarn or pattern it is, so call the shop if you want to make one. It's very soft!

Plum Street Samplers' "On Prudence."

Another strawberry border: Gigi R's "Isabella Fox 1837":

This is my progress on Isabella.

"In the Berry Patch" by All Through the Night.

By Chessie and Me, "Berry House Stitch Book":

Create a strawberry pincushion with this fabulous kit:

Maybe you'd just prefer to stitch something on some strawberry colored linen:

One last project with a strawberry in it. Finished by me and framed by In Stitches: "July," by Prairie Schooler.

Come in and see our bounty! Our address is 8800F Pear Tree Village Court, Alexandria, VA. To order or for questions, please call 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12:30 - 4:30 on the first Sunday of each month. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. Come join us! (There's a Stitch Night coming up this week, 6/4).

Happy Stitching!