Happy upcoming 4th of July!!!  

Even though the 4th of July is nearly 2 months away, I was thinking about what it means to me.  Then another related idea came to mind  as I read in the news that scientists are vigorously searching for another  planet like earth. We have such a wonderful world as it is, I surely would not want to leave.
  





My thoughts centered on this country, though my idea can apply any where.  The words on my new design reflect just how I feel about all the people that make up my country, your country, and this great world.  "We are many, Yet we are one -  from sea to shining sea."

As the U.S. Independence Day approaches, that this is a good reminder that with all our various and different histories, religions, colors, interests and ways of thinking, we are all one here on this our only Earth and in this time.
I hope that as you stitch this design you will realize that no matter where we live, what we do or are, we are indeed ONE.  We are Humanity.

This design will be out to shops very near to June 1.  We Are One is a fairly quick stitch. :-)  It took me only 20 days and that was with re-designing, thinking, frogging and restitching here and there.  Very soon, I will post a full photo with a notice on  my main site. 

• Design size 156 wide x 142 high.
• Model was stitched on Wichelt 32 ct linen, “Ocean Kiss” #65281L over 2;
• Finished size on 32 count over 2 = 9 ¾ x 8 7/8”; Always allow extra for framing.
• Alternate sizes would be: 40 count over 2 = 7 ¾ x 7 1/8” or 26 count over 1 = 6 x 5 ½”
• Suggested fabric: Wichelt 32 ct linen , Ocean Kiss, #65281L (lt grey similar to DMC 318/415) 
• Specialty Stitches:  Algerian Eye, Fan, Back stitch; some blending of threads
• Floss: Dinky Dyes silk and silk perle.  Kits available through Dinky Dyes
• Note: This design is suitable to be stitched over 1 thread of fabric. 

Second Sneak Peek: Red, Red and More Red- "Sampling in Scarlets"

 "Sampling in Scarlets" will make it's debut at the April Online Needlework Show and shortly thereafter, will be available through your local needlework shop, or favorite online shop.  

	At 226 by 360, this luscious sampler, done all in various Dinky Dyes red silks, makes the idea companion to an earlier release, "Needle Worker's Abecedarius".
	My friend Ellen has done a lovely job of stitching this sampler, which is filled with just about every word related to red!  She worked  with a single strand of Dinky Dyes silk floss over 1 thread of Zweigart Dublin raw/natural/undyed linen in 26 count.

One of Two Sneaky Peeks for April Releases

Here are snippets from the first of a pair of spring-release designs!

"Panoply of Pods 'n' Puffs", 119 x 173, is just back from my wonderful model stitcher, Helen.  This is one of two designs to  be featured in the April Online Needleworkshow on the Dinky Dyes' page.  The designs you see there  now are from late in 2011, but before long, the new designs will be displayed.  "Panoply of Pods 'n' Puffs" features Gloriana Silk Floss, a handful of Mill Hill Beads and the gorgeous new 28 ct linen from Wichelt, Black Chocolate, #7696.  It is luscious and rich, I assure you.  The whole design has lots more goodies for stitchers who love black work, and many motifs for those puzzle lovers out there, as well.

 

"Sampling in Scarlets", 226 x 360, the second design, is worked in a variety of mouth-watering reds is at the framers -  It features several of Dinky Dyes' wonderful red silks, beautifully stitched by my friend, Ellen.  The fabric used is Zweigart's Dublin linen, raw, un-dyed, 26 count, over 1.   Ellen did an amazing job and as soon as I have the model back in hand - which should be by week's end, I will post some images.  I can hardly wait to see it! 


Those of you who are lovers of all red samplers are sure to enjoy this design. "Sampling in Scarlets" is a companion piece of red stitchery to "Needleworker's Abecedarius".

What If It's Twins??!!

 I lovely lady named Janet contacted me last week, saying she had twins coming to the family. She wondered what she might do for a birth sampler, as she wasn't all that adept at tweaking an existing design such as my Tree Top Birth Sampler, now in shops.  So, I put on my thinking cap and camp up with this design, Tree Top Twins.  For anyone wanting a quirky and clever twins birth sampler, complete with baby monkeys, this might be just perfect.
The babies' coverlet can be changed to any colors you choose as there are a variety of blue greens and pink tones in the design.  There is room for the second name, as you can see.  This design is currently available for sale on my Etsy Shop in pdf. format.

From the original Tree Top Birth Sampler
- WIP by Helen Kelly

Where's the Coffee Grinder?

 These are a few of the delightful little coffee pots you will find on Coffee Compendium, just released this month to shops.    My dear friend, Helen Kelly, of North Carolina, graciously stitched this design for me.  She did such a lovely job!   Somewhere on the design, I have hidden the dearest little coffee grinder.  I wonder if you will find it as you stitch?                ~Deb

Two more designs for this New Year!

Too many things, so little time!  My wonderful model stitcher, Helen, completed Coffee Compendium.   In addition, I completed a smaller design, a mate to Tea Time, called Classic coffee Break.  You can see both on my main website site, all ready to go to shops a little later this month!



Another I finished last month is this little Tree Top Birth Sampler is 162 x 161, so basically square. I designed it at the request of another model stitcher who adores baby monkeys, but since then have made a few changes.  This design used Sullivan's cotton floss, on Weeks Dye Works linen, "Tin Roof".  I used 40 count and stitched over 2, so can sincerely say thank goodness for the magnifier on my Daylight lamp!


This design will be released in February - so if you have any babies on the way, or any new babies who need their very own sampler, this might be the sampler for you!


In addition, I made great headway on The Only Gift, a design that would work beautifully for any occasion, but certainly has a Christmas feel to it.  In fact, I won't be releasing this revised version until later in the year.


I decided to give it a rustic look, so am using 2 strands of Gentle Art floss over 1 thread of 20 ct Weeks Dye Works "Putty".  I love their newest color,  Otter Creek - the leaves vary from a forest green, to a soft, blue grey green to a  slightly muddy brown green. It's really well named and gives the look I like with this rustic fabric.  It would be interesting to see this stitched on a smoother fabric at perhaps 36-40 count. over 2.  There are satin stitch diamonds in the corners and open herringbone borders, lots of variety in texture and LOTS of little leaves with curly stems and red berries.  

The Only Gift
size 141 x 181