If you’ve been a follower & have a really sharp memory – you will remember that I always have a gift at the ready for my dearest on our anniversary … which of course was last Saturday … … well, it WAS stitched in time but just not finished. He certainly understood as our house

You have no idea how many bad coffee jokes we have been making around this house with the release of the 3rd Block Party – JAVA. As with all of the Block Party pincushions – no 2 sides are alike (that would be boring). This, however makes it really difficult to photograph for the cover

It has been an eventful year for Hands On Design. As I think about it, I realize that I get to stitch, work & play with some pretty amazing friends. Part of our stitching group – we still gather when possible. We stitch, talk, listen & basically solve the world’s problems. Sadly, we had to

Where to start? I had this little idea for the “A Year in Chalk” series. I do all kinds of research on chalk art: fonts, styles, borders, etc… I keep running across this blog with beautiful pictures of someone’s home and all of her chalk art (seriously, this is a home worthy of HGTV!)… &

… construction season! I have been waiting ‘patiently’ to redo some parts of our house and since it would be just the 4 of us this year, I bought into the whole ‘even if I have to set up a Christmas tree on subfloor’ school of thought. At first I thought that I wouldn’t put

… on a snowy night. It started snowing yesterday afternoon (I love the first snowfall, but after that, well, you know…) I usually work while I watch tv at night with my husband. This time of year I am still wrapping up a few finishing jobs, but tonight I felt called to stitch. This model

I am just back from Salty Yarns Fall Jamboree in Ocean City, MD! Let me tell you, this is one great retreat: fun stitchers against the perfect stitching backdrop…the beach! I’ve loads of pictures if you can stand it! Last Fall, Sara (Salty Yarns) asked me (Hands On) and Rachel & Cecile (Just Another Button

I admit it – I love designing for the Fall season. With it’s rich colors & textures, the words flow easily. I wrote this ditty a few years ago when I was asked by Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine to design an acorn door hanger (do they sit in a meeting and say ‘we want

It’s almost October & no post since July…not gonna’ apologize. It’s just been that crazy getting ready for markets, teaching, kits, company, kids…ya’ know – life! So, good to ‘see’ you again – I’ve got some important info! A loooong time ago (which is like yesterday in magazine publishing terms) – I was approached to

Long story or short?? How about the highly edited version! 17+ years ago I opened my needlework shop. After a difficult search looking for affordable, convenient & not falling down commercial space, I dipped my toes into the retail world…in my basement. At the time, we lived in a house with a separate entrance so