Tulip

Photo courtesy of Just CrossStitch.

And here she is, as promised. I'm still grinning from ear to ear about this, I'm just so pleased. She is stitched 1x2 on 40ct Magnolia from Lakeside Linens using Belle Soie Silks. I have to send my deepest appreciation to May Khaw, who stitched the model for me, she did a fantastic job. I mean seriously, I thought my backs were fairly neat - she puts me to shame. :)

Available in the current issue, March/April 2012 of Just Cross Stitch.

Happy dancing! :D

Rose

I'm happy to say that Rose is done. Actually she was finished over the weekend, but I just got the chart sent off to the distributor. :)

She's stitched 1x2 on 40ct Magnolia Linen from Lakeside Linens using Rosebud and Collard Greens Belle Soie silks. I love the colours I chose for this one, they're very soft and soothing. :)

As usual, the design will be available shortly from European Cross Stitch, but can be ordered through any needlework shop. :)

Now the dilemma. Do I reward myself with some just for fun stitching for the rest of the day or do I work on some charting that needs to get finished? I think I'll reward myself and work on charting on my next day off. :)

Just Cross Stitch - March/April 2012

I wanted to wait until JCS had updated their website but since I'm getting emails and FB messages from people about the issue, I figured it was time to announce it. Believe me, being the big mouth I am, it's been VERY difficult keeping a lid on this, partly because I'm just sooooo excited, and partly because I like to share my experiences - both as a designer and as a stitcher.

So without further ado, I can now state that I'm the featured designer AND one of my designs is in this month's issue!!

When I approached Just Cross Stitch, it was a little touch and go - the model had been stitched by a dear friend and fellow stitcher, May, but it was not yet in my hands. BUT, because they do the selection process several months ahead of time, AND because the design is decidedly spring-like, I couldn't wait too long to act. So I emailed them some pictures that May had sent me and they accepted it! Needless to say I was overjoyed. And then the Canada Post strike happened and Tulip was lost in the system for two and a half months and here I was, waiting with baited breath for them to tell me that they couldn't find it. But by a small miracle, it finally arrived safe and sound and I was able to get it out in time to make the deadline. PHEW!!

What's funny is that while I was very excited about it, the reality of it didn't really hit me until I did my interview with the lovely Vickie Jennett (of Needlework Press). After I got off the phone, the feeling of "I'm going to be in a magazine." turned into "I'M GOING TO BE IN A MAGAZINE!!!!" And then last week when I got my first email from a subscriber asking where she could purchase Antique Lace, I got up from the computer and shouted like a madwoman - "I'M IN A MAGAZINE!!!" Since then I can barely wipe the huge grin off my face.

I know it's not the first magazine I've been in. I've been in the Gift of Stitching twice as well. This is a little different though - I think partly because it's in print. I can go to my local grocery store or drugstore or newsagent and THERE I am! Does that make sense?

The response has been very positive so far. Of course I know my designs aren't everyone's cup of tea and I don't expect that everyone will fall head over heels with my designs just because of this issue, but it is wonderful to hear from everyone who is just discovering my work and enjoying it! And please, if and when you do stitch things, send me pictures!! I love pictures. I really need to get off my butt and post more of them in the gallery.

That brings me to the other point - I would LOVE nothing more than to share a big, bright, shiny picture of Tulip with those who have not yet seen the issue, but as yet I can't. Silly me, I didn't take one before I mailed the piece off and I haven't even SEEN the picture in the issue yet! I will do so as soon as I can. :)