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Gather Friends Close

March 7, 2014 By Cathy Habermann 36 Comments

Why do I design?

I was asked that in an interview not too long ago and it was really difficult to come up with an answer that sounded plausible. I think I just need to. It’s my way of expressing myself…telling my story (whether you want to listen to it or not!)

Speaking of stories – there is ALWAYS a story behind every design I release. Sometimes there is even more than one story as in the case of Gather Friends Close. I’ll keep it short:

1. I’m a finisher. We’ve established that. I like to design projects that focus on fun finishes.

2. I like words – have you ever seen a design of mine without words. (Yes, I know the Counted Canvas designs do not have words in them…for now)

3. I became obsessed with the whole “describe your day, life, weekend, etc… in 3 words” idea.

4. I love color. Brights, pastels, soft, sharp, you name it.

5. I just had to have another bullet point…also obsessed with things in odd numbers.

I had been brewing this idea for a series of cushions.

I’ve seen pictures all over the internet of fun small pillow finishes and I thought – ‘wow, what if there was a set of cushions that were made to go together and would fill a basket to adorn your house?’

Yes, I really thought ‘adorn your house’ …

and magically I found myself in the Adornit booth at the Houston Quilt market (I was working with my friends at Just Another Button Co. at the time). I peeked around at their fabric lines and fell in love with Chamberry…soft but colorful, retro but hip and oh my…it had words on it too! I was in love.

I plunked down my VISA and purchased 9 bolts of fabric (I have such new-found respect for quilt shop owners!).

Then came the design & those 3 words.

They finally came at Christmas when I gathered with my stitching friends at my house for our annual “no-exchange Christmas potluck” party. As we were cleaning up, my husband said, “you know it’s so nice the way you can gather with your close friends”…see what happened there?

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_1

Visit http://www.adornit.com/blog/. We are cross-blogging today! Give them a follow – lots of fun to see & do on both their blog and website! Great project ideas!

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_2

Here is Part 1 of Gather Friends Close. Each chartpack comes with the designs, hand-dyed rick rack, button & Chamberry fabric to finish the cushions!

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_3

I took all 9 motifs & made them into a sampler as well. One-third of the sampler will be released in each chartpack. Here is a close up of how I incorporated the Dames of the Needle/From the Cauldron rick rack & JABC button into the design.

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_4

A peek ahead to Part 2 and another close up of rick rack & button.

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_5

You can see some close up bits of Adornit’s Chamberry fabric.

Gather-Friends Close_blog-image_6

Adornit is graciously giving you an opportunity to have your own little bundle of fabrics from the Chamberry line! These are the fabrics from the line that I chose for the series. To sweeten the deal, I will also send you a Gather Friends Close Part 1 chartpack.

Please leave a comment on this blog post. If you like…let me know your 3-words that inspire you! Comments will be accepted through next Friday midnight (3/14). The winner will be chosen by random number generator!

Enjoy the Stitch,

Cathy

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth Daniels-Jones says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I find that when I am creating with my hands my mind is free to cleanse!

    Reply
  2. mommaras says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Hugs Kisses Grandchildren. they are my life. I would do anything for them. they mean so much to me. I was born to be a grandmother. A grandmother's love is so different from the love of her children. I also love your Gather Friends Close. More three words are Believe, Imagine and Dream. Can you chart Believe, Imagine and Believe with moon and stars? LOL

    Reply
  3. Jill Werschin says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:23 am

    These are absolutely beautiful! Like spring has arrived….when will they be available for purchase?

    Reply
  4. Cathy Habermann says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Jill, Part 1 is out now at your favorite needlework shop! Part 2 will be out in April and Part 3 in June!

    Reply
  5. Darla says

    March 10, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    I love your designs and the fabrics you have chosen to go with them.
    Three words would be family, blessings, and sunshine.

    Reply
  6. Valhi says

    March 10, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Love your designs and finishes! My three words: love, peace, dogs

    Reply
  7. Bonnie says

    March 10, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    STITCHING, GARDENING, SPRING!!!!

    Reply
  8. Cheryl says

    March 10, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    I love seeing your finishing ideas.
    3 words-
    color
    creativity
    design

    Reply
  9. Jo who can't think of a clever nickname says

    March 10, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    It's great to read about the design process. I love the colours on this piece, they are so vibrant.
    My three words would be – fabric, embellishments, blogging. Since I discovered blogs I have never ceased to be amazed by all the talent out there in the world. From the designers to the stitchers and the way they adapt each design to make it their own.

    Reply
  10. Donna says

    March 10, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Enjoy The Journey

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    March 10, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    Love the fabrics and the design. My three words are Enjoy the Moment.

    Reply
  12. Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com says

    March 10, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Lindas telas. Mis tres palabras: ser muy feliz.
    Me encanta el punto cruz, lo hago también, aunque lento.
    Saludos desde Chile
    Maru

    Reply
  13. Carol D. says

    March 10, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    I am still making my way through the GYB party. I looked back through some of your blog posts and was interested to see that you and your husband met at VT. My husband graduated from VT also. I haven't done any cross stitch in a while. My have to give it a go again. Lovely designs.

    Reply
  14. karen eldridge says

    March 11, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Home Iowa Hope

    Reply
  15. judybob3 says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:41 am

    I have just discovered your designs and LOVE them……..I bought 3 just last week at my LNS. Thanks for doing what you do!! It inspires me!! 🙂

    Here are my words:
    Love
    Faith
    Hope

    Reply
  16. Kristina says

    March 11, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    Beautiful designs and I am also a sucker for buying fabric like you. I have fibromyalgia which limits what I can do so my three words are "try every day".

    Reply
  17. Karen Jones says

    March 11, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    I love your designs. My words are:
    Faith
    Family
    Inspiration

    Reply
  18. Marilyn says

    March 12, 2014 at 5:16 am

    Love the new designs, and the Chamberry fabrics too!
    My favorite 3 are: Friends, Dream, Simplify.
    Please throw my name in the hat, thanks!
    Marilyn

    Reply
  19. LaNelle says

    March 12, 2014 at 6:36 am

    Cathy, what a daybrightner they just make me smile. Patterns are just delightful as is the fabric, thanks for a chance to win.

    Reply
  20. Diane H says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:09 am

    So happy to have found your blog and designs. Live, Laugh and Love. Off to have a good read of your blog. Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Sunnybec says

    March 12, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Sunshine, holidays, quilting, any of these would inspire me. I have just signed up to follow you via email. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  22. LKICT says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    I love this collection of yours. Finishing is fun isn't it ?!
    Friends, Family, Love. Thanks for entering me in your drawing!

    Reply
  23. Courtney says

    March 13, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    After losing my dad, my three words are Treasure Your Family.

    Reply
  24. Sheri Hineman says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    At the moment the three words that inspire me are…more…wine…please…

    Reply
  25. Wendy says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:41 am

    oh such a sweet design! 3 words to inspire? start something new!

    Reply
  26. Jenalee Graves says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    So adorable!
    Laughter
    Smiles
    Dreams

    Reply
  27. Issaquah 1st Ward Relief Society says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    I've wanted some of their fabric for quite some time! YEAH! (also, don't know how to get it off my RS google group…I have my own but it's not letting me post with that one?? sorry — dmhatch_2000@yahoo.com is my personal email)
    Create
    Faith
    Smile

    Reply
  28. chelle. says

    March 14, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    love adornit. my three words are family, friends and fun.

    Reply
  29. Ashley says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    I love both the fabric and pattern. My three words would be: Faith, Family and Quilting.

    Reply
  30. Laurie says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    Create, dream, brave

    Reply
  31. PK Sews says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    What a fun question! "Love for everyone!" Thanks for the chance to win and for your inspiring blog!

    Reply
  32. ChrisTea says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I don't depend on words so much to inspire my cross-stitch/embroidery/sewi ng …. it's more of beautiful pictures which inspire me. A couple of my favorite words are: imagination, create and happiness.
    ChrisTea
    botm2@yahoo.com

    Reply
  33. Megan Marohn says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Totally adorable and inspirational. My three words would be… Create | Peace | Inspire
    Megan

    Reply
  34. Lisa Schweickert says

    March 15, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    Love the bright colors. It makes a piece fun to stitch. My three words are "Never Give Up"
    Lisa

    Reply
  35. Phyllis says

    March 15, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Faith, Hope and Love.

    Reply
  36. Cathy Habermann says

    March 18, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Darla, you are the winner! Please email me your address!
    Congrats!

    Reply

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