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

Last summer was…well, not fun. Bill & I worked and worked and the next thing we knew…it was September! So. Not. Happening. This. Year. To kick-off “Fun Summer 2015” we went “on the hunt” last weekend at Junk-Stock (think Wood Stock, but with Junk) It was so much fun! I kind of went with a

For someone who is very “in tune” with color…I was apparently in an all “red” mood when I ordered this year’s plants. It’s been an odd Spring weather-wise, so some blooms are struggling. This group seemed to be bouncing back in this morning’s early humidity. I retreated back inside to grab toast & coffee, turn

I don’t do many complimentary charts – most of you know to grab my annual “gift” for my husband. Other than that, I keep mostly busy working on all of the projects going on in my head (you know that joke about a woman’s mind & 2,478 browsing tabs open in her brain? – yep…that’s

May is a welcome month…nicer weather, no coats, later sunsets! It is also a busy time… graduations, graduation parties, sports activities, moving your children…oh yes, New Releases too & prepping for Fall retreats & classes. It’s a very good thing I LOVE my job! A quick update here: I’ve got a number of charts releasing

I started out on a little journey last week to teach at Heart’s Desire Camp 2015! Armed with MapQuest, GPS & my good friend Lorna…we somehow made a wrong turn when modern technology told us to turn on Highway 73…instead of the very well-marked Highway 75…sometimes a good old Atlas is the best reference! Never

I always showcase my newest releases on my facebook pages, but I like to give you “the background story” here as well. Garden Duet is the 3rd release in what has become known as the “Penny Pillow” series. It all started last fall with Twice Blessed. I had been carrying that white swirly pumpkin around