I'm back

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post but here it is Labor Day once more.  Last year at this time I fell and broke my arm at the shoulder and was immobilized for months!  I have had enough *Life Happenings* to last me quite a while.  The most impacting was having knee replacement surgery and then spending 7 weeks in a rehab facility for extended physical therapy.  Not very pleasant. My broken shoulder and torn rotator cuff made my rehab more difficult to say the least.  But I am doing well now. I have gotten lots of reading done and found a couple of new hobbies. 

I'm working on a couple of new projects so hopefully you will be seeing more of me soon. 

Until next time....

As Promised!

English Heritage

Here it is...English Heritage.  The next in the International Series.  I got carried away with the motifs and used lots of backstitching for detail.  Then I was reminded that lots  of people do not enjoy backstitching as I do.  So I revamped it and made a diligent effort to limit the amount of backstitching used.  But feel free to use more if you like!  It is worked entirely in cross stitch and has a stitch count of 253w x 234h 

 

A Room Without Books...

A Room Without Books is also now available.  Sorry the photo is not the best.  This one would be perfect for anyone who loves books! It is worked entirely in cross stitch and has a stitch count of 252w x 124h.  You can easily use the titles of your favorite books to personalize it.

I hope you enjoy these.  Until next time...

At Last!

I am sorry I have been away so long but a hospitalization and the holidays really put me behind.  Between illness and family obligations  I missed my release deadline in January.  But I am happy to report that I am feeling much better and am back on schedule!

I have  finally finished the next design in the International Series.  Can you guess which one?  It is English Heritage and I will add a photo on the release date.  Until then just imagine all the wonderful icons and imagery from Great Britain!

The last of the new releases is a sampler for readers and book lovers!  This one is a surprise and will be revealed on the tentative release date of March 12th.  Please come back to check it out.  I think you will like it!

Till next time...

New Release!

French Elegance II

I am thrilled to announce the release of my newest design in the international series --  French Elegance II.  French Elegance was such a hit that I thought you might also enjoy this one.  It measures 279 x 279 and features motifs representing the French way of life--Tour de France, fluer de lys, haute couture, beret, art, wine, breads, bistros, fragrances, and lavender .  Also several important landmarks such as the Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame, Point du Nour, Statue of Liberty and, of course, the Eiffel Tower are illustrated.  I think this one truly represents the French culture. 

It was model stitched on 40 count hand dyed linen from Lakeside Linen in Vintage Sand Dune using Gloriana Silks.  This design can easily be stitched using one color of floss but I chose to add additional colors to create depth and definition to the piece.  Colors include  Cranberry (main color), Rosewood (optional), and Cinnamon (optional).  I also added just a touch of #4 Petite Gold Braid (also optional).  I truly enjoyed designing and stitching this one and hope you will also.  You can also stitch the smaller motifs for smalls, ornaments, etc.  Feel free to "change it up" to your own personal taste.  I can visualize it in many different colors.  

Until next time.... 

Here is the photo I promised for American Glory.  This was just released today and will be available from your favorite LNS as soon as they can get them from Kelmscott.

It was very difficult to get a good photo of this one for some reason but I assure you it is wonderful in real life.  The white and touches of gold just don't show up very well in the photo.  Among the motifs are Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness, Justice, e pluribus unum, Home of the Brave, Land of the Free, and In God We Trust.  The verses are: One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One nation evermore--Oliver Wendall Holmes, From Sea to Shining Sea from America the Beautiful and From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam from God Bless America.  The postal abbreviations for each of the fifty states surround the motifs in alphabetical order to form the border.  The overall design is 228w x 206h.  It was model stitched on 40 ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Sandune using GAST threads but I must warn you that there is quite a bit of over one stitching so if you have trouble seeing that, you might want to use a 32 ct instead.   The GAST colors used are Schoolhouse Red, Presidential Blue, and  Chalk, with just a few touches of Gold Leaf.  Can you identify all the pictorial motifs?

I really hope you like this one.  I really enjoyed designing and stitching it.
Until next time...

Christmas gift for you

2013 has been a very productive one for me and I want to thank each of you for your support.  My newest design American Glory will be released later this week and I will show you a photo then.  But for now I wanted to give you this small design in time for the Christmas Season.  If you wish to share, please do so by sending your friends to my blog.  Thanks in advance for doing that.  (If there is anyone out there familiar with blogspot can tell me how to add these as pdf.s please let me know.)

	Christmas at the Yellow House
Designed By:	Kathy Geddes Bonham
Company:	Lady K Needlearts
Copyright:	©2013
Fabric:	Aida 14 or evenweave (28 over 2) Platinum
	78w X 78h Stitches
Size:	14 Count,   5-1/2w X 5-1/2h in

Floss Used for Full Stitches:

	Symbol	Strands	Type	Number	Color
	S	2	DMC	310	Black
	,	2	ThreadworX	1122	Smokin’ Guns (DMC 318)
	j	2	ThreadworX	11213	Wrought Iron (DMC 414)
	*	2	DMC	727	Topaz-VY LT
	#	2	ThreadworX	10371	Rich Chocolate (DMC 898)
	'	2	DMC	971	Pumpkin
	.	2	DThreadworX	10302	Reflections (DMC 5200)
	x	2	ThreadworX	1097	Devilish (DMC 321)
	?	2	ThreadworX	11611	Tropical (DMC 700)
		1	DMC	995	Electric Blue-DK

1

MH PGS Bead

42010

Ice

Notes:

Backstitch using one strand of floss: 

House, windows, porch, columns and benches in DMC 310

Steps and snowman in ThreadworX Wrought Iron 11213 (DMC 414)

Wreath and bush branches in ThreadworX Tropical 11611 (DMC 700)

Scarf in ThreadworX Devilish 1097 (DMC 321)

Bow on wreath in DMC 727 or use a metallic gold braid #4

Icicles strands in ThreadworX Reflections 10302 (DMC 5200)

Substitute French knots for beads or vice versa.

Enjoy!

***Please remember that while this is a gift to you, it is still under my copyright. 

American Glory is Finished

I just got American Glory back from the framers and I really like it.  I sure hope you will as well.  I am trying to get a good photograph for the cover and to share here with you so keep checking back over the next few days.  Today it was overcast and I just couldn't get the colors to show up well.  This is the next one in the International Series along with Spanish Flair, French Elegance, and Celtic Charm.  (I wonder which country will be featured next!)  This one was designed using Gentle Arts Sampler Threads in  Schoolhouse Red, Chalk (white), and Presidential Blue.  It has just a touch of gold for accent.  I stitched it on Lakeside linen Vintage Sand Dune so the white shows up well.  I will share the photo as soon as I can.

Now I am back at the design board putting the finishing touches on the next one.  Hope to start stitching it soon.

Until next time...