As Promised!!! ~ NEW Christmas Designs!

The first Christmas design shown below is called "Christmas Fun" to go along with our "Halloween Fun" released just a bit earlier. These designs are so quick and easy to stitch you're done in no time at all! Stitch the designs all together or stitch them separately and make ornaments. We used Picture This hand-dyed 28 Ct. "Relic" Cashel linen. (Our photo color on the fabric isn't quite what it actually looks like but kinda close! Photos are very tricky!!! We try our best.) The design size of the combined piece is 83 H x 65 W. Each ornament design is approximately 2 1/4" x 2 3/4". We used Weeks Dye Works Wool fabric to back the ornaments. Gentle Art Sampler Threads were used for stitching. We used frame #OLK-HED from East Side Mouldings.

"Christmas Fun"

Next we have an addition to our Celtic Collection, "Celtic Christmas". The stitch count of this design is 170 H x 104 W. We used 30 Ct. R&R "Antique Cotton" linen and The Thread Gatherer "In The Burgundy" silk floss along with Rainbow Gallery PB01 Treasure Braid. The rich Burgundy and metallic gold give this design an extra-festive flair. The framing was done by our wonderful local framer, "Frame Warehouse"!

"Celtic Christmas"

Check out our web site at http://www.thesunflowerseed.com/ to view other Celtic designs; Celtic Pumpkin, Celtic Shamrock along with other Christmas designs.

We really appreciate when you take the time to stop by for a visit!!! Here's wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and please enjoy this upcoming festive holiday season! Slow down, take a deep breath and 'full speed ahead'!!!!!

"Tis the season to be stitching!" ....................Anita

What Else Is Going On Around Here?

I myself haven't been stitching so much lately. Not sure why, maybe just a little burnt out. I have, on the other hand, been doing a bit of knitting; some fun things for my sweet little granddaughter! Here's a photo of the felted Halloween bag I made for her which turned out REALLY cute!!! (and so soft!!!)


Then, here's a little red sweater I've knitted for the soft little teddy bear she carries around when she's at "Gi-Gi and Poppy's" house. I think I just needed some quick easy projects that I could finish up fast to obtain that sense of "finish" that we all seem to need at times. That instant gratification thing!



However, market in Nashville is in the very near horizon so I have to get "CRACKING"!!! I do have several pieces "in the works", it's just sticking with them that seems to be the problem. Last night I did stitch a while on my largest piece for Nashville debut. It's a companion piece to last years "Song of Solomon" stitched on R&R hand dyed linen and with Crescent Colors Belle Soie silk. OMG, that is the most wonderful thread to work with!!! If you haven't tried it, you MUST!!! I can't show you a photo of this new design since it will not be released until February. Well, maybe just a "teaser"!!!

I have 2 new Christmas designs just about ready for release! I'm expceting photos to be delivered sometime today so, check back VERY, VERY soon as we'll have those posted ASAP!!!

Until later ...................Anita

"A Little Bit O' Santa"

I think we'll feature this jolly ole' guy we like to call "Santa"!!!! He really deserves to be in the spotlight at this point in time. We have some great new designs in the shop right now so I wanted to show them off a little. Each and every one are well worth your time to stitch.

This first one is called, "Twelve Days of Christmas" from the designers of Bent Creek. It's packed with such excitement!!! The stocking stitch count is 96 x 145 and the framed piece is 76 x 137. The stocking is done on 18 ct. natural linen and the framed model is done on 32 ct. natural linen.

"Twelve Days of Christmas"

Next, we have the "newest" addition to the stockings from Shepherd's Bush. "Jeffery's Stocking" is just the cutest!!! In this one the shepherd is minding his sweet little flock. These stockings are stitched on 18 ct. natural linen and the stitch count is 120 x 167.

"Jeffrey's Stocking"

Next we'll have a little tribute to Santa and his sleigh!!! There's some really great designs out depicting the awesome flight of Santa and those wonderful, faithful reindeer! "Christmas Eve" by Prairie Schooler almost comes alive for us. You can almost hear the sleigh bells as they speed over the roof tops through the icy snowflakes!! This pattern also includes three smaller designs that will work up wonderfully as ornaments! The stitch count for the large piece is 77 x 155 and the ornament size pieces are approximately 35 x 35.

"Christmas Eve"

"Santa Arrives Tonight" is Homespun Elegance's 2009Sampler Ornament. These are so cute hopefully you have collected each and every one of these over the years! If not, let me know and I can order them in to complete your collection. Rudolph is working expecially hard to make it up over that roof top!!! These ornaments stitch up quick and are so fun to do! The stitch count is 44 x 54 and stitched up on 30 ct. linen over 2 threads they are about 3" x 3 1/2" finished.

2009 Sampler Ornament: "Santa Arrives Tonight"

"Jingle All the Way" by Notforgotten Farm is a wonderful primitive design that for some reason brings back my childhood memories of Christmas. I just love this one as I'm sure you will too!!! The stitch count is 140 x 140 and on 28 ct. over 2 threads the design size will be 10" x 10". How great will this one look on some hand dyed linen??? I'll be adding this one to my stash!!!

"Jingle All the Way"

The following two designs come to us from Heaven and Earth Designs. They are incredible heartwarming designs that I wish I had the time to do. The first one showing is "Woodland Santa" and is the sweetest with all the woodland animals greeting Santa for a few minutes of peaceful play. The stitch count is 300 x332. They've suggested stitching over 1 on 25 count fabric but you can do it on any fabric you like. This will just change the finished design size.

"Woodland Santa"

Last but not least is "Merry Christmas To All"!!! This is the vision of every child at Christmas time!! It's stitch count is 300 by 375 and finished design size on 25 count over 1 is 12" x 15". Again, do it on whatever you like.

"Merry Christmas To All"

That'll do it for this post! I want to thank all of you for visiting my blog and to my new "followers" for joining! Hopefully this will get you in the Christmas spirit and spur you on to stitching all those wonderful Christmas projects!!!

"And to all a Good Night" ............. Anita

THANKS TO OUR VETERANS

Veterans Day is upon us and I would like to take a moment to honor ALL the brave men and women who have served and are presently serving to protect our great country!

"Proud and Free" was released just prior to the anniversary of "9/11" of this year. We must remind ourselves that we are proud and free only because of the brave.

"PROUD AND FREE"

"AMERICA"

I designed "Thank You For Serving" a couple of years ago to acknowledge my husbands service in the Army during Viet Nam. Times were much different then. Soldiers were not treated well when they returned home. They were not thanked for risking their lives. I wanted to thank him, and others, and let them know I was glad they could come home.

"THANK YOU FOR SERVING"

In closing, I would like to send out a special "THANKS FOR SERVING" to Brandon, Pam, Terry and Rick, not only on Veterans Day, but every day of their service.

Thank the veterans in your life for the freedom we take for granted, forgetting what costs they might have paid. And yes, "God Bless America".