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 say goodbye to one of our group this year: a reminder to say & do the things you mean to say & do.
Stitching Group selfie! I have to say that without these women (we’re missing a few in the pics) – I would not have been ready for Market this year!!
Without them, this would not have turned into…
this!
I’m fortunate enough to call these 2 designing women my friends. (Tracy, Ink Circles & Beth, Summer House Stitche Workes) We collaborated on a small project last year & had so much fun…you bet, we’re doing it again! We manage to Skype: the hardest part is managing 3 different time zones!
I was thrilled to work with several shopowners this year. I designed this piece for Pat of Stitchin’ Post in Nashville! Her shop celebrated a milestone birthday this year!
I also enjoyed teaching at several shops this past year (apparently I need a camera crew because I have NO pictures!!)
Stitches ‘n Things in MI kicked of the year followed by Heart’s Desire in KS. A quick stop into For the Love of Stitching in NE and ended the year at Cecilia’s Samplers in MO & Salty Yarns in MD! All over the country, shopowners & stitchers were so welcoming!
I made a new friend this year! Priscilla (of the uber-beautiful priscillas2000.blogspot.com) took a chance & allowed me to interpret her wonderful chalk art into cross-stitch. This series has just kicked off in the Jan/Feb 2016 Just Cross Stitch issue. Priscilla & I have been working together since last March & we haven’t even officially ‘met’! I hope to solve that sometime in 2016! I’m so excited to see this series unfold (see the previous blogpost for more info about this project).
Speaking of designing with friends: it has been a treat getting to work with Cecile & Rachel of Just Another Button Company on our design collaboration [square.ology].
Bumble is probably my favorite design from [square.ology] mostly because I remember so clearly how he got designed: it was like a design dance one evening as we sat at the dining room table, passing around sketchbooks, computers & even babies!
In the midst of it all, Rachel decided we needed cake! (which is never a bad thing!)
Working with these ladies is a lot of this:
this,
& even this.
(Anna, Rachel’s youngest, grew bored with the design process but found my thumbs, necklace & glasses fascinating!)
The #1 question I get asked: Will there be more chalk?
…and the answer is – Of Course! While I have the Chalk Art series already kicked off in JCS, there are more reveals to come very soon…
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to All!
Cathy
aww so much fun..
truly amazing ..i wish you a Merry christmas and a very Happy New year.
love and hugs x
You have had such a successful year! I am so very glad for you. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy, Successful New Year!
My friends and I sure have enjoyed your designs this year. I especially loved the August design. I wish you lots more success!
Have a very Merry, Blessed Christmas! I am looking forward to more great designs in 2016! Hugs!
Thank you for sharing your great designs — My shop owner told me just this week you had made all those boards– My goodness. Looking forward to your 2016 designs…
Thank you for sharing your great designs — My shop owner told me just this week you had made all those boards– My goodness. Looking forward to your 2016 designs…
This is nice that you had such great year with lots of nice memories. We also celebrated at local venues for New Year eve or any other parties in New York country where my friend did corporate event planning. It was fun.