Freebie Friday ~ SYHO Designer Encyclopedia

Have you stitched the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia?  If not here's what you are missing....

 SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Cover 

 

SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Spine

SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Inside Cover

 Homespun Elegance Ltd ~ The Heart is the Spirit of the Home

 Designs By Lisa ~ Purr Like You Mean It

Blue Ribbon Designs ~ Established with Love

CherryWood Design Studios ~ That Kind of Stitcher

La-D-Da ~ Tis Better

Trail Creek Farm ~ Endless Love

Myrtle Grace Motifs ~ Home is Where Your Leaves Are

monsterbubbles ~ Twitter

Rosewood Manor ~ My Two Ducks

Did you know when you purchase all 12 designs you will receive the cover chart and the finishing instructions FREE?  Be sure to contact your LNS or ONS to order your SYHO designs and ask them to contact Colleen (at) LooseThreadStitchers (dot) com to have the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Displayed in their shop.

Veronica Buckwalter of The Creative Finisher has generously provided us with the FABULOUS finishing instructions for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia.  Ronnie is a MUST for all your finishing needs, she is AMAZING and we will be showcasing her skills in next Wednesday's Wordless Wednesday so be sure to check it out! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Homespun Elegance

SYHO Friday ~ Homespun Elegance

It’s Official ~ It’s SYHO Friday!  YIPPEE!!!!  We are thrilled to introduce Sandra of Homespun Elegance, the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia June 2010 designer.

 

Month ~ June

Design Company ~ Homespun Elegance

Design Title ~ The Heart is the Spirit of the Home

Fabric ~ 32 Count “Amber” Linen from Wichelt

Threads ~ WDW Swamp Water, Kudzu and Straw / Crescent Colors Cocoa Bean, Old Oak Tree / DMC Colors 3799, 758, 869, 3371, 3768, 3051 and 822

Charm ~ Brass “Heartlet” by Homespun Elegance

The June SYHO stitcher newsletter will be out on Monday….till then, be sure to get over to Hoffman Distributing Company’s website and drool over their Friday new releases and then get to your LNS STAT!

5 Little Know Facts about Designs By Lisa

1 ~ Even though the company is *Designs by Lisa*, I may not answer to Lisa, since I go by a shortened version of my middle name which is Kathleen. (Kathy) Why? Because when I was born, my dad was out of town, when he returned, he did not care for the name Lisa which my mother had loved and named me. He started to call me Kathy, and the name stuck. Someone had to give, and my mom lost. So in honor of my mom, I named the business after the name she had really wanted to call me.

2 ~ I model stitched for 4 yrs before starting to design.

3 ~ I have never, ever, bowled in my life. Is that sad or what? It looks fun, sorta.

4 ~ I have an obsession with painting*as in rooms, walls, entire houses, etc.

5 ~ I love riding on the back of my husbands* Harley. There's something to be said about being on a motorcycle winding through beautiful scenery with the wind blowing through your hair (okay, that don*t really happen because I wear a helmet), but the rest is true!

Chicken Pasta Recipe by Designs By Lisa

Ingredients:

1 * cup uncooked penne pasta
1 cup chopped asparagus
6 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with herbs, including juice
1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook penne pasta until al dente (tender), 10 to 12 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly. Set aside.
In a pot fitted with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add the asparagus.
Cover and steam until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
Spray a large nonstick frying pan with cooking spray. Add the chicken and garlic and saut* over medium-high heat. Cook until the chicken is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add the tomatoes, including the juice, and simmer 1 minute more.

In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, steamed asparagus, chicken mixture and feta cheese. Toss gently to mix evenly.

Divide pasta mixture into two servings and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis (per serving)
Calories 455 Cholesterol 81 mg
Protien 41 g Sodium 240 mg
Carbohydrate 55 g Fiber 6.5 g
Total fat 8 g Potassium 462 mg
Saturated fat 3.5 Calcium 125 mg
Monounsaturated Fat 2 g

LTS / SYHO May Stitcher Newsletter now available for download

The May Stitcher LTS / SYHO Designer Encyclopedia newsletter featuring Kathy Hackford of Designs By Lisa has been published. This newsletter is filled with activities, heart healthy tips, tricks and games to get stitchers excited about stitching!

You can check out the latest newsletter HERE

...and in case you missed past issues, you can find them HERE as well as fun downloadable activities, complimentary charts and much much more!

and the winner is.....

Be sure to stop by the Funk and Weber Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy Blog today at 4PM EST to see if you are the lucky winner of the SYHO Bookmark Challenge ~ $500 in stash! courtesy of Loose Thread Stitchers. We will announce the winner on the LTS Blog tomorrow.

While you're there be sure to read about Bev who has stitched over 60 bookmarks for her local library in Clinton ~ isn't she FABULOUS!

Here's a preview of Bevs work ~ AMAZING!

Moday Morning Motto ~ Designs By Lisa

I know I am not the only one who wakes up on Monday morning and feels a bit....blah......well actually if I must be honest (and b/c this is a blog by a mom for moms, I guess I'd better be) I am like that almost every morning. My poor husband had no idea what he was getting into and yet he's still here after almost 10 years....bless his heart!

Yes I admit it, I am NOT a morning person. My face is full of pillow wrinkles and my hair has become a tangled mess insisting on running in 1,000 directions to avoid a comb and welcoming a hat. I get up b/c I have 3 small children to get out the door to school and work to get done before they get home. Otherwise, I would sleep till noon. Alas, those college days are far behind me.

So after I got the last little one out the door and settled down to write the Monday morning Loose Thread Stitchers Facebook update and view my friends Facebook updates I came across one that made me smile...on a MONDAY morning no less....NEVER happens (:

My girlfriend, Kathy of Designs by Lisa, just released a new design called Monday Morning Motto and I promise you the only difference between me and the bird is the color of the hair. I am so getting this one and putting it right next to my bed on my nightstand. Maybe if I see it in the mornings it will get a little spring in my step and a smile on my face.....now if it could only get rid of the pillow wrinkles and bed head, I'd be set!

SYHO Friday ~ Designs By Lisa

It’s Official it’s SYHO Friday! Yippee! We are thrilled to introduce Kathy of Designs By Lisa, the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia May 2010 designer.

Month ~ May

Design Company ~ Designs By Lisa

Design Title ~ Purrrrr Like You Mean It

Fabric ~ 32 count Hand-dyed Raspberry Jobelan #865211 from Wichelt

Threads ~ GAST Chalk, Black Crow, Pebble, Rose Garden, Tea Rose

Buttons ~ Just Another Button Company #ss1005.T

The May SYHO Stitcher newsletter will be out on Monday...till then be sure to get over to Hoffman Distributing Company's website and drool over their Friday new releases and then get to your LNS STAT!

Donate 3 hours to spark a child's love of needlework

There are 3 days left to stitch a bookmark for the Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy Campaign. You could win over $500 in stash and a fabulous tray of cookies from Once Upon a Cookie.

Think you don't have enough time? No worries click here to find a quick to stitch chart with lots of small motifs, you only need a single thread color and a small piece of fabric and you are all set! In less than 3 hours you could create an amazing needlework bookmark to give to a child and introduce them to the wonderful world of stitching and encourage their love of reading . Do you remember how you first got hooked? Wouldn't it be FABULOUS to share that feeling with the next generation?

What are you waiting for? Get stitchin!

Have you read the LTS ~ SYHO April Stitcher Newsletter yet? No? What are you waiting for? With loads of fun games, tips, tricks and heart healthy recipes and activities, this is the BEST read you will have all month! The April newsletter features our April Designer Encyclopedia Designer ~ Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs.

Click HERE to read the April 2010 Stitcher newletter and be sure to pass it on to your stitching friends!

Established with Love ~ SYHO Designer Encyclopedia
3rd design in a series of 12 designs for the SYHO Campaign.

Click HERE to read the April 2010 Stitcher newsletter and be sure to pass it on to your stitching friends!

Little known facts about Blue Ribbon Designs:

1. My first needlework project (at the young age of six) was a Crewel Embroidery garden/vegetable sampler.

2. I have collected music memorabilia since I was teenager and have acquired hundreds of autographs and over 5,000 vinyl record albums.

3. I have sang the National Anthem at several large sporting events.

4. I will be releasing my 100th design in 2010.

5. I have experienced sky diving, bungee jumping, parasailing, and horseback riding in the Alaskan wilderness.

It’s Official it’s SYHO Friday! Yippee! We are thrilled to introduce Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs, the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia April 2010 designer.

Established with Love

Design #3 in a series of 12 designs for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia

Design Size 50X50

Fabric: 32 count Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens

Fibers: Weeks Dye Works (1 skein each) Bluecoat Blue, Curry, Emerald, Hazelnut, Snowflake and Turkish Red

~ Here’s a few of our FAVORITES from Blue Ribbon Designs ~

Belinda has a unique way with Samplers. Not only does she create AMAZING motifs to frame and adorn your walls, she goes a step above and creates smalls with motifs from each design providing stitchers with a full range of options and ideas to create a personalized piece that reflects their style and taste.

Schoolgirl Samplings is a fabulous example of Belinda's talent and unique spin on samplers

Belinda's inspirational sayings should be on the walls of corporate workers worldwide! Let's create a movement to get ride of the cheesy motivational posters and replace them with these FABULOUS finds!

Finally, did you know Belinda is kind enough to share the design below on her website? It'll take a few minutes to navigate your way around to find it but believe me it's worth it! You'll be able to explore everything Blue Ribbon Designs has to offer and believe me you will not be disappointed!

Bluebirds and Daisies ~ 2008 Complimentary Chart

It's Official it's SYHO Friday! Yippee!!! We're thrilled to introduce Cathy & Teresa of CherryWood Design Studio who have designed the March design for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia.

That Kind of Stitcher
Design #2 in a series of 12 designer for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia
Be Bold, Be Proud...Be that kind of Stitcher! No Shrinking Violets!

Design Size: 50X50

Fabric: 32 Count Calypso Belfaast Colorscapes Hand Dyed Linen By Picture This Plus

Fibers: Chestnut and Watermelon Punch by Weeks Dye Works & Kiwi and Orange Marmalade by Gentle Art Sampler Threads

~ Here's a few of our FAVORITES from CherryWood Design Studio ~

Since it has been the snowest winter EVER this year, I am looking forward to summer like never before ~ Sunny Days, Warm nights and catching fireflies. Firefly Summer whispers in my ear...summer's almost here!

So the Tag UR It Series is just FABULOUS! (I know i use that a lot....kinda like Rachel Zoe uses "bananas" .... But just like Rachel...I totally mean it!) A fun and quick monthly project to go with each month of the year. I love the unique finishing and the fun and funky designs to get me excited every month of the year all year long!

Be sure to e-mail us if you are interested in participating in the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Stitch-A-Long (SAL). It's a fun way to stitch along with other SYHO DE stitchers online and we have a BLAST! Want to join in on the fun? We'd love to have you! E-mail us at StitchYourHeartOut@gmail.com and we'll send you all the info or click HERE to join the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Yahoo Group directly.

SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Stitch-A-Long

Loose Thread Stitchers is hosting its first virtual SYHO Designer Encyclopedia (DE) Stitch-A-Long Friday, February 12th, 2010 to kick off this exciting campaign. The first online party will be from 7-9pm. We have a few fun ideas for the evening that we’re not ready to tell you about just yet, but it will be a great night full of fabulous stitchers and a few surprises.

Unlike most rotation methods where you choose a bunch of UFOs or WIPs (UnFinished Objects or Works in Progress), the LTS Stitch-A-Long project is a year-long stitch event following the new releases of the SYHO DE.

Membership in the Loose Thread Stitchers: SYHO Designer Encyclopedia SAL is free and you can join whether you are around the corner or acorss the world. Timely completion of your monthly project will earn you an entry to win some fun goodies and be eligible to enter your finished Designer Encyclopedia into our first ever Loose Thread Stitchers SYHO Designer Encyclopedia SAL Contest.

You may be asking at this point, “Can I really complete a design a month?” ABSOLUTLY! Not only are all the Designer Encyclopedia designs just the perfect size to be able to finish each and every month but they are also extremely affordable. Be sure to post your WIP’s and finishes on the LTS SYHO Flickr Page. We have created the Flickr account so stitchers can showcase their WIP's and finished Designer Encyclopedia pieces and create an online SYHO Designer Encyclopedia photo album where all can view and share our progress.

On a more personal note, I have only joined one SAL in my life time and it just so happens I stitched the wrong piece. Quite a funny story! You can read more about it here.

We know you will love the Loose Thread Stitchers SYHO Designer Encyclopedia SAL club! So who’s in? Here’s all you have to do to sign up:
Send an e-mail with your name and blog information to StitchYourHeartOut(at)gmail(dot)com.

We look forward to our first Loose Thread Stitchers SYHO Designer Encyclopedia SAL. It’s going to be SO much fun!

The SYHO Campaign was created to help stitchers learn more about Heart Health and Loose Thread Stitchers has partnered with Carol for Heart to do just that!

So who is Carol?

To know our Mom will help you appreciate how CAROL For Heart really began:

Carol Pawelski was an incredible woman, who just happened to die at the age of 60. She accomplished more in her 60 years than most of us will accomplish in twice that time. Carol's heart showed such compassion, caring and love for those around her, that it's ironic, that it was her heart that failed her in the end. To read more of Carol's Story click here

Did you know that Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of women in the United States?

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of women. Each year they claim the lives of about half a million women (500,000). That's a life each minute, and more lives than the next seven causes of death combined...including all forms of cancer.

Consistently since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease. Yet many women do not understand the fact that statistically speaking, they are more likely to die from a cardiovascular disease than anything else. This reality must change with more women understanding their risk and discussing their individual issues with their physicians.

What Women Don't Know:
* Coronary heart disease rates in women rise 2-3 times after menopause
* Blacks are at higher risk than whites
* 1 of 3 Hispanic females dies of diseases of the heart and stroke

Other Heart Related Facts:
1. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in women in the USA.
2. More women than men die of heart disease.
3. 38% of women who have an initial heart attach will die within a year.
4. For over 60% of women who die suddenly from heart disease, death is the first symptom.
5. In postmenopausal women, 70% will die of cardiovascular disease.
6. Within 6 years after a heart attack, 35% of women will have another heart attack.
7. 1 in 5 women have some form of heart disease.
8. Twice as many women die from cardiovascular disease than all cancers combined.

The above came from the Fact Sheet/Question & Answer; Go Red for Women Awareness Campaign February 2004- American Heart Association as well as the American Heart Association Southeastern Chapter

Why not make 2010 the year to get your heart healthy? Get with your stitching buddies and form a walking group. Share heart healthy recipes, be accountable to each other. Little changes in your lifestyle can make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

Be sure to let us know what your group is doing to get more Heart Healthy and you can be featured on the SYHO Blog!

Lori Markovic of La-D-Da

5 Fun Facts About Lori Markovic

of La-D-Da

All A Goodnight ~ 129 x 79

1. The first class I taught I forgot the graph.
2. My dog's name is Rosebud.
3. I live in the same zip code where I was born.
4. I met my husband at art school.
5. My company Name is from a Woody Allen Movie.

Want to learn more about La-D-Da?  Here's a great Friday Feature from Hoffman Distributing with some more fun facts!  Click HERE.