• My Account
  • Lost Password
  • About
  • Wholesale
  • Store Locator
  • Classes
  • Events
  • OOPSIE

Hands On Design

Needlework and Cross Stitch Designs by Cathy Habermann

  • Shop
  • Tutorials
  • Floss Tube
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • 0 items$0.00

Greetings from Home Improvementlandia

May 14, 2014 By Cathy Habermann 4 Comments

Home Improvement…2 words that strike fear into many people. Last time I talked about how we were starting back into Home Improvementlandia – a country from which we have hidden from been absent for a few years.

Normally, I can handle it – I am strong…back when we did a lot more of this type of work, I did not run a business from home! Some might say it’s like a forced vacation…umm, not really. We will survive and be the better for it – in the meantime, I will share pictures!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_1

I have passed this spot a lot on a local highway going back & forth to my son’s college – my goal by the time he graduates…get the perfect picture of this setting!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_2

While cleaning out some of the flower beds, we discovered that our bushes went condo with the bird nests this season. (Could we call this waterfront property once the pool is opened?)

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_3

This was my son’s room, now freshly painted & ready for carpet!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_4

Our room, ready for paint…we had yet to move the world’s heaviest king size bed! I tweaked my back removing this carpeting but was saved from moving the bed by a well-timed visit from our son!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_5

Our closets…in the dining room! (blinds closed so neighbors didn’t greet us each morning as we selected the outfit of the day!)

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_6

…and this is why I got almost no work done for a few days…hard to get in my studio when it’s loaded with furniture!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_7

Well, I did get some finishing jobs done…these are pretty easy to work on in the car as we logged drive time to the last few tennis tournaments of the season!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_8

Carpet is now installed & we are moved back in…still things to do, but at least the house is mostly put back to order! This morning I spent some design time playing with a few stitches for a new counted canvas piece.

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_9

Under the heading “I’ve never done this before, but I’m willing to try” – walnut crystal staining…interesting.

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_10

Yeah!!! I have now turned in all of the months and stitched models to Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine. I am more than a little sad that my part of this series is done! I am thrilled with the positive response it has gotten.

Here are DMC colors for June & July:
June: blanc, 350, 597, 3809, 838
July: blanc, 666, 310, 3852, 312

Keep sending those pictures as you stitch yours – I love them!

Home-Improvementlandia_Blog-Image_11

Not that I am a huge Andy Warhol fan, but I ran across this & it really spoke to me…so I’m gonna’ go make some more art & have a great day!

Cathy

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Like this Post? Subscribe to My Newsletter!

Where did April go?
It’s All A Process

Comments

  1. cucki says

    May 15, 2014 at 1:00 am

    Beautiful stitching …
    And lovely goodies..
    Sending you big hugs x

    Reply
  2. LaNelle says

    May 16, 2014 at 6:03 am

    Love your finishes and good luck with the house! Will be beautiful when your done….

    Reply
  3. Flower Pond Studio says

    May 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Love seeing your experimentations Cathy! Can't wait to see your finishes! Rachelle ~ The Cottage Needle 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jessica Yoder-Jones says

    February 12, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    June and July is the only two I don't have!! I can't find the magazine anywhere lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shop By Category

Newsletter Subscription

Search

New in the Shop

  • CHRISTMAS FOLK CHRISTMAS FOLK
  • ALL IS BRIGHT ALL IS BRIGHT
  • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
  • A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS $8.00

Hands On Design Instagoodness …

hands.on.design

color, design, finish - #stitchsomehappy

Grab a cuppa' & join me & Bill for a new flosstube Grab a cuppa' & join me & Bill for a new flosstube!

Comment 116 & I will DM you a link to the episode!

https://youtu.be/aNNkyRg4l_A

#handsondesign #flosstube #youtube #newreleases #coffeehour #stitchsomehappy
This sweet pink linen was perfect for my retro-fee This sweet pink linen was perfect for my retro-feel color palette, but when it came to finishing, I wanted to boost the pink a little. Swipe to see how I layered a slightly darker pink cotton to give me the finish I was looking for!

Many thanks to Steph of Fabrics by Stephanie for working her dyeing magic! This New Release is aida friendly & yes...the linen color comes in aida!

New Releases ship to shops next week!

100% Human-made art!

#handsondesign #homefortheholidays #retroholiday #fabricsbystephanie #stitchsomehappy
It’s been a good day to celebrate 61 trips around It’s been a good day to celebrate 61 trips around the sun. Quietly working away in the studio, sending emails, posting new releases & working on upcoming projects. ❤️

Are you in either of my classes during the @jingleballxs ? Check your inbox, I sent out a class FAQ email earlier today. Yes, there is still plenty of time to sign up for the Ball & both of my classes (Stand Up for Santa & Perforated Poinsettias)

#handsondesign #thisis61 #stitchsomehappy
Nothing says 'Holidays' like an awesome plaid!! H Nothing says 'Holidays' like an awesome plaid!!

Home for the Holidays is a fun, quick to stitch & finish retro colored classic. I put this one in my 'comfort stitch' category 🪡❤️

So sweet on that pale pink linen from Stephanie. Chantelle's Penny Paddle is the perfect size for this finish!

New Releases begin shipping to shops next week! I hope that you enjoyed today's parade!

100% human-made art

#handsondesign #homefortheholidays #fabricsbystephanie #chantelles141 #retrochristmascolors #stitchsomehappy
Check out the next float in the New Release Parade Check out the next float in the New Release Parade! Poinsettia’s, Putz houses, pears & a partridge. 

That's a whole lot of Classic holiday motifs with a touch of folk inspired design.

Yes, it finishes on the same Folk Paddle - this time I stained it a festive green! The poinsettia ornament is included, (it looks adorable with the Lady Dot rick rack)

New Releases begin shipping out to shop next week! 

As always - 100% human-made art!

#handsondesign #christmasfolk #bandsampler #poinsettiasforchristmas #ladydotcreates #chantelles141 #stitchsomehappy
How do you feel about a New Release Parade today?! How do you feel about a New Release Parade today?!

Let's kick one off with All is Bright! Take your pick from the 3 charted sayings included inside this design: happy holidays, merry christmas & feliz navidad

Stitched with Weeks Dye Workes on the lovely Juniper from Fabrics by Stephanie! I just love this clean finish in Chantelle's Snapshot Frame!

New releases begin shipping to shops next week - it's time to gather your holiday colors! 🎄

#handsondesign #alliscalm #allisbright #fabricsbystephanie #weeksdyeworks #chantelles141 #stitchsomehappy
Follow on Instagram

Helpful Links

  • My Account
  • Lost Password
  • About
  • Wholesale
  • Store Locator
  • Classes
  • Events
  • OOPSIE

FOLLOW US ON:

Facebook-Logo_For-Website Instagram-Logo_For-Website

Get My Newsletter

And be the first to know about new products, events, tutorials and more!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Hands On Design

A Habermann Company · cathy@handsondesign.biz