Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy

Be sure to check out the Stitching for Literacy Blog today to see how my son (he's the redhead standing in the far back middle of the photo) got me to stitch bookmarks for his entire class in 3 days.

While you are there you should check out Jen's bookmark designs for sale and support a FABULOUS lady and a FABULOUS cause!

Country Garden Stitchery ~ Freebie Friday

I know we are only a few days past St. Patty's Day but I saw this pattern from Country Garden Stitchery and I thought it was perfect to make for the girls to celebrate Spring.

Not only is is a quick stitch but it can be easily converted to frame, stitched bag (shown above), pillows, wall hangings...there are so many options.

I am going to create a love book for each of the girls (to be honest, I am going to do it for the little guy too but I am sure he'd be embarrassed I wrote about it on the blog).  Our love books are almost full and I'd love a new way to pass notes and fun stories to the kids.

The best part?  The pattern is FREE ~ LOVE the Country Garden Stitchery!  They have a great array of unique patterns for cross stitch and embroidery.

You can check out their blog HERE or join their Facebook page HERE.

I'm going to give myself a week to wind down from the St. Patty's Day hub bub (it's a big deal in my house, the big guy and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this year and my family is as Irish as it gets) and then I am getting to work on this!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Puffin and Company

Be sure to check out the Puffin and Company website HERE to find more amazing needlework accessories!

5 Fun Facts about Erin Dekker Ratjes of Myrtle Grace Motifs

5 Fun Facts about Erin Dekker Ratjes of Myrtle Grace Motifs

1. The work crew behind the production of our patterns… are Erin’s grandparents… whose mothers the company was named for – Myrtle McCutcheon and Grace Dekker

2. Official anniversary of Myrtle Grace is August 2^nd – Erin’s Birthday

3. Myrtle Grace Motif’s first pattern was Flying Mom’s Geese as a Mother’s day gift to her mom.

4. People and things from daily life make it into artwork, Willow Wood (Drive) Lane is the street Erin lives on, Rusty Bucket – Rusty is Erin’s dog, Montague Stars – place where we love to stay in Michigan.

5. Myrtle Grace is a family project. Erin’s mom LuAnn does all the sewing projects, her dad Ken does the wood working and engineering, and her husband Andy is moral support and everything else. All in the family help with design names. (Ken is responsible for Ham in a Can.)

To find out more about Erin and Myrtle Grace Motifs be sure to check out their website and Facebook page

5 Fun Facts about Tracy Horner of Ink Circles

5 Fun Facts about Tracy Horner of Ink Circles

“Ink Circles” was the wording my husband used to generically refer to the mandalas, Celtic knots, and other geometric/symmetrical things that I drew and painted.

I’m one of few women who have been out to sea in a naval submarine (Just for a day, and I was sick as a dog until we submerged.

I don’t go out without my doodle-journal and at least six different types of pens & pencils.  You never know when inspiration is going to str

I showed my dog how to use twitter and he really likes it.  @HeyToaster 

I say that I hate cute things.  I don’t design cute things. I hate frilly lace and pink.  But I secretly like Hello Kitty and the similar Japanese cuteness “kawaii”.

To learn more about Ink Circles, be sure to check out the Ink Circles Website, Blog, ETSY Shop, Twitter and Facebook page

Wordless Wednesday ~ Designs by Lisa

Meet Up Monday ~ Ship's Manor

Have you heard about this fabulous new company lead by Eric Shipley?  His mom taught him how to stitch when he was just a kid and now he has turned his love of needlework into a design company!  With a new and fresh perspective brought to needlework I am sure you're gonna love his designs as much as we do!

To find out more about Eric and his designs you can visit the Ship's Manor website HERE, their Facebook page HERE, the Ship's Manor Twitter feed HERE and his Blog HERE.  Happy Stitching!