Wow...

I've been busy, thanks to Nicole and Sherry. I told Nicole that her photos sure put mine to shame. I'm amazed and happy to say that I've sold five sets. So now my poor Etsy shop is looking pretty bare. I guess I need to start painting more. Unfortunately, it takes me longer to work out a design in my head than it does to actually do it. Based on the requests that I've had, the one thing that I've learned is that everyone loves sheep. This is a good thing as I love'm, too.
I've also decided to add little needle minders to the sets.
My husband is rather surprised at the interest. While, I think he's happy for me, I think he's also afraid that he'll run out of clean socks and underwear if I am painting and not doing the laundry!
Thank you for all of the nice compliments.

And the giveaway goes to...

Congratulations, Sherry! You have my husband to thank for drawing your name. I think it is very appropriate that you won since you love birds. Please send me an email with your address,

and I'll get the set right out to you.

As you can see, the bowl was full of names. Thanks to all of you that took the time to leave me a message. I really wish I could send you all a set. Like I said before, it has been my pleasure to hear from you. Your comments have been so sweet and supportive and appreciated very much.

I did manage to paint two new sets today. I should have been cleaning my house, but hey, hanging out in the craft room with Ruby and Scarlett was way more fun. Here's what I came up with.

Monday, Monday...

Happy Monday! I'm still stitching away on Isabella Brackin. It's slow going as I'm on the over one verse. I really like stitching over one, but on 40ct. linen, I sure can't go very fast. While I was out today, I found a frame for her that I think will be perfect. I love it when it's an easy choice. That doesn't happen for me too often. My friend Sandra, was concerned that I had missed stitching a bud in the border. I assured her that I hadn't. In fact, this sampler is full of irregularities such as the spacing of some motifs and odd places to change colors. It makes me wonder if the real Isabella enjoyed stitching this piece, or was she only doing it because she had to?

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Don't forget to leave me a comment on the previous post if you are interested in my giveaway. I will draw the name tomorrow night and announce it on Wednesday. Thanks to those of you that have already done so. I'm amazed at the response. Some of you have blogs that are new to me and I plan to visit as soon as I can, and as always, it's nice to hear from friends, both old and new.

I'm open, I'm open, I'm open...

The Scarlett House Etsy store is now open. I have three needle case ruler sets for sale at this time, but I will be painting more, lots more. Years ago, I sold these sets in a local needlework shop. But, like we all do, I got busy with other stuff and life in general, and stopped painting. I have wanted to do them again for some time, and having my own little Etsy shop is the perfect way to go.

I am so appreciative of all your moral support, ideas, and suggestions for designs, and comments.

As my way of saying thank you, I will be giving away this set called Six Blackbirds. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post. The winner will be drawn on Wednesday, the 28th. Good luck!

Wednesday's happenings

Today I framed the Dutch Spot~Motif Sampler. I went with a simple frame in a rusty colored wood. I think it brings out the rust in the design, and it looks okay with the goldish linen that I dyed. Now to find an empty space on the wall to hang it.

You might have noticed the button on the right for my Etsy store. I had hoped to be open for business, but I'm having issues. I'm going to be optimistic and say we'll be ready by this weekend if not sooner. I still plan to give away a needle case~ruler set when I'm officially open.

I recently won a giveaway on Rowyn's blog. This very cool chart made it all the way from New Zealand to Arizona. Thanks so much, Rowyn. I have the thread already in my stash, and I had no plans for it until now. It must have been fate.

For me, the very best thing about blogging are the friends that I've made all over the world. It's wonderful to share a common thread (no pun intended ) with other needle workers. It really is a small world after all.

Isabella Update

It seems like I'm making small progress on Isabella Brackin even though I work on it daily. There's so few colors used, and some are so pastel that they are hardly visible. Even so, I have to say that I just love this sampler. The motifs are so feminine and pretty. By the way, I forgot to thank you for the frame suggestions for the Dutch Spot~Motif Sampler. I did find a frame, and I hope to post a picture soon. As always...thanks for stopping by.

Journals

To give myself a break from painting, I went off into another direction. I really enjoy making these little books. For some time now, I've thought about keeping a stitching journal. How I wish that I would have started one a long, long time ago. I like keeping lists of things I have, things I need, and so on. I'll be offering these and others for sale eventually.
Speaking of my Etsy shop, some of you have asked when it will be open. The truth is, I'm not sure. But, I'm working on it. Thanks for your suggestions and comments. It seems that the you are all bird crazy, which is fine with me. I am, too.

Here's the first batch:

This one is made using some artwork that I did awhile ago.

My husband would say that it descibes me to a tee.

Isn't she the sweetest fairy?

Enough said...aren't we all?

Two new designs

I managed to paint two more sets recently. I'm still working on getting my Etsy shop set up, but in the meantime, I'll be showing you some now and then. You wouldn't believe how tiny Noah is, and painting the spots on the giraffes proved to be quite challenging.

I have an absolute weakness for pastoral scenes, so I always seem to find myself painting houses with sheep grazing. What should I paint next? Please give me your ideas.

I love red!

Here's a bit of progress on Isabella Brackin 1832. When I first saw this design online, I thought it must have some shade of red in it. At least, that's how it looked on the chart photo. If you scroll down to my last post, you can see it. The colors look deeper, don't they? I love red. That's one reason why we have two Boston Terriers named Ruby and Scarlett. Well, as you can see, it isn't red at all. More of a dark pink. I'm really surprised that the chart photos of my last project, and now this one are so inaccurate. Obviously, you can see the colors when you pull the threads, but who does that before you are ready to begin stitching? I'm loving this sampler, nonetheless. I even have half of the border done, and it was fairly painless. I'm off to do a little painting. I hope to have some needle cases and rulers to show soon.

Dutch Spot~Motif Sampler

is the last of the completed samplers for 2008. Remember the post about my disliking the color turquoise? Well, now that it is done, I like the colors better. Dyeing the piece helped, too. I'm not quite sure about what type of frame to use. I don't have anything in my stash of moldings that will work. Any suggestions?
My current project is Isabella Brackin 1832 by Historic Stitches. It is a wonderful reproduction of a schoolgirl sampler from Ohio. I was initially drawn to this piece because of the muted colors and the inconsistencies of it. The border changes colors in an odd place. Maybe she ran out of thread? I like it irregardless. According to the designers notes, there are two practice areas on the sampler, one for queen stitches and the other for over one crosses. Both areas are outside the formal border in the two bottom corners. She goes on to mention that Isabella's sampler is not a mirror image sampler. The left side motifs are more symmetrical, with the right side being unevenly balanced and containing errors. She suggests that Isabella probably stitched the left side under some one's watchful eye, but was allowed to complete the right side on her own. I love that. I have a bit of the border started, but instead of showing you that, here's the picture from the chart.

Thank you all for the lovely and encouraging comments about my upcoming venture and painted "stitching pretties". I hope to have more designs to show you very soon. Here's to a wonderful new year filled with lots of time for stitching!