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...

Happy Labor Day!

I cannot believe it is September already!  Hope you had a great weekend.  I spent most of my time stitching on my newest model--American Glory.  I love how it is turning out and cannot wait to share it with you.  But even as I am stitching on this one I am also in design mode.  I have had some wonderful suggestions and have been  inspired by many of you and I can't seem to design fast enough.  

I have also designed a smallish design that I am going to offer here on the BB as a gift to my followers.  So keep checking back.  You never know when it might show up.

Until next time...

Designing Updates

I have just completed the designing of one of my larger pieces that I plan to release in October.  I am preparing  to model stitch it now.  It is going to continue the *International Series* which includes Spanish Flair, French Elegance and Celtic Charm.  This one will be called American Glory and I sure hope you like it.

I also finished up the *tiles* but need a name for them.  I am still undecided how I will release them but I am leaning toward releasing them one a month for four months.  It was also suggested that I stitch them in different colorways to give the stitchers a choice.  So I am contemplating this as well.  

Please check back often as I will update as I can.  Thanks to all of you who enjoy Lady K Needlearts.  It is a joy to design for you.

Until next time...

Designing dilemma

I am currently designing a series of-- for lack of a better word-- "Tiles".  There will be at least 4 of them all using the same colors which can be framed, of course, but would also be great to sew into a quilt or wall hanging.  My dilemma is whether to release them one or two at a time or all four together.  Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  I've thought of releasing them all together in one chart at a higher price but then I've been thinking that stitchers might prefer getting them individually at a smaller price per chart.  What do you think?

The models for the first two are being stitched now and the other two will soon follow.  Then I will decide whether to add the last two or stop at four.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time...

New Design for Nashville Release

I am so pleased to announce the release of my latest design which will debut in Nashville! It is a companion to Spanish Flair and French Elegance.  It is called Celtic Charm.  It is a bit larger at 307w  x 307h and is stitched on 36 (or 40) ct linen using ThreadworX fibers.  The ThreadworX colors are 1048 Woodland Green (20 yd skein), 1105 Sunset (20 yard skein), 1049 Parrot Bay (5 yd skein), 1046 Lemon Grass (5 yard skein), 11291 Grape Ice (5 yard skein), and 1125 Arboretum (5 yard skein).   There is also a small bit of DMC (Black 310 and Red 321) used.  The model was stitched using 1 strand of floss on 36 count linen.  If using a larger count fabric or using 2 strands you will need an extra skein of the 1048 and 1105.  This was so much fun to design and stitch.  It is available for pre-order now and will be available for order after Nashville Market.    I hope you like it.

The model was custom framed by The Stitch & Frame Shop in Rock Hill, SC.

Catching up...

It has been a crazy fall and holiday season and 2013 has started off with a bang!  I contracted the nasty version of flu right after Christmas and have had a time shaking it off.  But I am on the mend and I am now trying to get ready for the Nashville market.  Unfortunately, as a result of this setback, I have only one design finished as of now rather than the three I had planned.  I still have hopes of finishing the model of the second design but we will see.

My large design is another in the series to accompany Spanish Flair and French Elegance.  But this time I have wandered away from the red and black to a luscious green and gold and have added touches of a few other colors for accents.  Can you guess the theme for this one?  I can't tell you more right now but I hope you will like it.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Now for more news!   I am starting a new series.  It is a series of tiles taken from quilts and floor tiles from centuries past.  This will be a grouping of  six (or more) designs all the same size and using the same color palette. They have a stitch count of 150w x 150h and no specialty stitches are used.  The colors can easily be changed to suit your tastes. They would be lovely stitched as one piece and made into a wall hanging or quilt but also will look great framed and hung as a grouping--or alone.  I am really excited about these designs and hope you will like them as well.  If I can get the model finished the first one will be released in Nashville.  But since that is not looking promising at the moment, I will probably release it in April.  I am still debating whether to release them one at a time every other month or to release two at the same time.  Any opinions?

Keep watching.  I will keep you updated here.  Thanks for your support.  Until next time...

Release Day!

Today is the day for my fall releases and I am so excited.  I have three releases and each is different.  

The first is my large design for this fall--A Christmas Tree Garden.  It is a Christmas design but I think you might find it a bit different.  It is a mandala type design with four completely different Christmas Trees for you to decorate as you see fit.  I have added lots of sparkle to my trees by using an opalescent fabric, lots of metallic fibers, beads, charms, crystal treasures.  You can use my ideas or use them as inspiration for your decorating ideas.  There are a couple of simple specialty stitches in it.  The Rhodes Circles for the white ornaments on the Norwegian Blue Spruce.  The Scotch pine is stitched with Straight Stitches.  And the Frazier Fir is stitched with Back Stitches.  The Cedar has some couching of Rainbow Gallery's Precious Metals garland.  The stitch count  is 231w x 233h.  It was stitched using silk and metallic fibers but a DMC conversion is given for your convenience.  I really hope you like it.  This one was so much fun to stitch.

Next up is my set of Christmas ornaments for 2012.  They are called Roses for Christmas.  There are three different designs using similar color palettes.  The color palette would be easy to change for yellow, pink, coral or other color roses.   They were professionally finished by Claudia Bourgeois from Baton Rouge, LA.  who did an absolutely fabulous job on them.  Thank you so much, Claudia!   Complete finishing instructions are included in the chart.

 

My last project requires a bit of background explanation.  Recycling has always been a big thing for me.  I am always looking for different ways to use things other people call trash.  You know that plastic container that is carelessly thrown away, or that three ring binder with writing all over the front that your job description/human resources guide came in from four jobs ago. You know what I mean!  Well I was looking at a Crystal Light container a while back and thought there had to be something I could use it for.  Then it came to me.  It would be great to hold my eyeglasses on my desk to keep them from getting lost or damaged.  The thing I really liked about these containers are that the label comes off of it and leaves no writing or residue on the container. The oval ones are the perfect size and shape for spectacles and the round ones are great for a pen/pencil holder.

Therefore, I have created a set of Flourish Desk Accessories which include a Stitching Journal Book Cover, an Address Book Cover, an Eyeglass Holder, a Pen/pencil Holder, a Ruler pocket (not shown) and a BONUS Sewing Box (also not shown) which can be used for paper clips, rubber bands or other desk supplies.  An Alphabet is included so you can personalize things as you wish.  And detailed finishing instructions are included.

 Add other accessories for your desk--see what else we can recycle. 

If you like these designs please check with your Local Needlework Shop.  If you don't have a Local Needlework Shop feel free to stop by my shop at MadStitcher.com .

I am already working on projects for the Nashville Market in February so visit often, you never know what I might think of next!  Until next time...

September Releases

It has been a while since I was here and I am very sorry for that.  But I have been very busy--both in the shop and designing some new things for you.  But I am hoping you will be pleased with what I have come up with. First I have a larger Christmas design.  Here is a small sneak peek:

I am such a tease! Aren't I? But you will get to see it all very soon.



I have also finished my Christmas Ornaments for 2012.  They are called Roses for Christmas and I think you will like them.  Not only can they be used for Christmas but they can be used all year long.  And they have detailed finishing instructions included. There are three designs included just as did the Christmas Trio from last year.  And since these roses only use four or fewer colors for each bloom it will be easy to change the color of the roses by just selecting a dark, med,light, and extra light shade in any color range you desire.

 My friend Claudia Bourgeous from Baton Rouge, LA did the finishing for me and she did a fantastic job.  If you ever have need of finishing work just contact her.  I highly recommend her. 



Lastly, I have designed a set of desk accessories.   I was fooling around at my desk one day and realized I needed a better way to organize it.  Couple that with my recycling habit I found several containers and other items that worked perfectly for what I needed.  However, they didn't look that pretty.  So I designed covers for them and came up with a nice set of accessories.  

Can you guess what this was in it's former life?



They include a Stitching Journal, an Address Book, an Eyeglass Holder, a Pen/Pencil Holder, a Ruler Pocket and a Bonus *Sewing Box* that can otherwise be used to hold paperclips, rubber bands or other desk supplies.  With a complete alphabet included you can change it to whatever you like.  The design is also easily converted to make other tools as needed.  Just use your imagination.  I cannot wait to show you everything but I have been told I must.  But they will be released in mid-September so keep watching! 

Well, the Nashville Needlework Market was a success!  I am so pleased that my new designs were so well received.  Thank you all.

I am presently working on two new designs.  One of them is a Christmas design that I am hoping to release in July so that you will have plenty of time to stitch it before the holidays.  I am presently stitching the model and making changes in my choices of threads and colors.  This fine tuning always take the longest time for me to do.  But I am hoping you will like the final result.  I may give you a sneak peek soon!  ;)

The other design is something a little different.  The model is complete but I am having to get all the finishing instructions complete and you know how difficult it is to make someone understand finishing without actually being able to show them.  So this is taking a bit of time.  But you will be the first to know as soon as it is ready.

Please come back often.  You may get a surprise or two!

Until next time...

Very Informative article

Today I read a very informative post and wanted to share it with you.  Although the topic is once more *Copyright infringement* it is one of the most well researched that I have read.  If everyone of the abusers would read this maybe some of them (at least) would see the damage they are doing to our industry.  Thank you, Nicole, for writing this.

I hope you will take a few minutes to read this:
A Sad Day

Nashville releases

I can now show you the new releases for Nashville Market. I am very pleased with how these turned out.  As stated in my last post this one is the fourth in the garden tapestry series--Chrysanthemum Garden Tapestry.

And the next one is French Elegance.   These will be available on February 24th from your favorite LNS.  If you don't have an LNS please check here




















I look forward to your comments. Please be sure to send me photos of your wips or finished pieces. Enjoy!

Nashville Market Update

I have been working frantically to get ready for the Nashville Market and will have two new designs to release.  I had hoped to have a couple more finished but my recent hospitalization has made that impossible.

I am pleased to announce, however, that my newest design in the Tapestry Garden series is ready.  Chrysanthemum Tapestry Garden is the fourth in this series and represents all the wonderful colors of autumn.  It is stitched using a combination of cross stitches and specialty stitches including the Rhodes stitch, Rice stitch, Flame stitch (Bargello) and alternating Scotch stitch as well as a modified eyelet--all of which are illustrated.  The model is stitched on 28 ct white Lugana with the overdyed fibers from ThreadworX, Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid, and lots of Mill Hill Glass Seed Beads.  I really enjoyed doing this one and hope that you will also.

The other design I will be releasing is French Elegance.  Sampling those wonderful French motifs so popular in the 19th century, it reminds us of those wonderful red samplers of yesteryear.   It can be a companion piece for Spanish Flair.  It is of comparable size and I stitched it in matching colors but  it can easily be stitched in any color or color combination you might choose.  I used Crescent Colours Belle Soie Silks for the model and stitched it on 36 ct white Edinborough Linen.  Here is a small preview to whet your appetite! I do hope you like it.

I am hoping to get the other designs finished and released shortly. I am just so disappointed that I couldn't get them finished in time for this show. But keep checking back.  I may have a surprise or two for you.

Until next time...