Hands On Design

Needlework and Cross Stitch Designs by Cathy Habermann

Gather Friends Close

By 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?

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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!

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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!

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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.

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

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

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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

  2. mommaras says

    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

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

    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

  13. Carol D. says

    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

  15. judybob3 says

    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

    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

  18. Marilyn says

    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

  32. ChrisTea says

    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

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