Tootsiebubbles: Pinwheels & Whirligigs

Here's a brand new design all completed!  It's a mystery for a few more days but here's  a partial photo of the finished design.

This commemorates the birth of Jay Ryan born July 11 of this year.  It's worked in shades of green to match the nursery, but it would not be too difficult to change the colors to match a different decor.

Want to know about the mystery??  Well, it's not worthy of a big CSI investigation, rather the photo was taken rather quickly before the piece was taken to the framers, and the color looked really funky on part of it.  As soon as it is picked up from the framers I'll get the complete photo up on the blog.

Wishing all of you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Stitching Through the Storm

What an interesting weekend!  As we sat at home in a dark room (no electric, no water) and waited out the storm, we had an "am I in Kansas/somewhere over the rainbow" kind of moment when my husband saw the neighbors shed go flying through the air and come crashing down.  As the debris started pelting our home and I watched numerous pieces of siding almost hit my car (then skitter away at the last moment), one of my favorite quotes came to mind....It's from "The Young Ladies Friend" published in 1837. "A woman who does not know how to sew is as deficient in her education as a man who cannot write.  Let her condition in life be what it may, she cannot be ignorant of the use of her needle...There is a soothing and sedative effect in needlework:  It composes the nerves, and furnishes a corrective for many of the little irritations of domestic life."

They're right.  Needlework does soothe my soul.  I have used it countless times to take my mind off situations and events.  It was my steady friend while  dealing with a difficult pregnancy while awaiting the birth of our first child, being with my dad in his last months when I sat and did bobbin lace by his bed, waiting and praying through the four deployments my sons were on,  and all those times in between.  So again I turned to my needle and stitched by candlelight. It was exactly what I needed to do. It's been a few weeks since I've had some time to stitch so it was the "soothing and sedative effect" that I needed. It composed my nerves and furnished a corrective for the irritation of watching Hurricane Irene do her work.

Irene has passed through and done her damage and now the clean-up begins.  We were blessed to not have any damage besides a multitude of tree limbs that were strewn about. We are still waiting for electric, and on a side note....did you know it's possible to take a "bird bath" and wash your hair with approximately 2 cups of water?

We know that others are not as fortunate as we've been and we keep them in our prayers.

You might want to know why there is a Canadian flag at the top of this page. I had a request several weeks ago from a grandma who wants to stitch it for her grandchildren. They have dual citizenship, so she's going to use the US flag chart on my website and this one to create a pillow for them. I was able to finish it all yesterday and even got it graphed with time to spare on the battery of my laptop. It will be posted as a free chart at the website: www.brendakocherdesigns.net.  Go to the right side of the website and click on "Free Charts" It will be at the bottom of the page.

I have a friend that I correspond with quite often.  We always close our emails with 3 things we're thankful for. Here are mine:

My 3
Gods hand of protection for our family and home
Beautiful day today
Needlework

It's Finished!

What do you think?  I'm so excited that it's finally finished.  It really wasn't that difficult, just had some  interruptions.  I had the honor of being able to travel to Lousiana to help with our 19 month old granddaughter and new grandson in July for several weeks.  That means a new Tootsiebubble on the horizon!

But back to Rachel's Tootsiebubble design... I designed a different center for those people who do not want to insert a name or date.  I'll get that stitched up and post a photo so you can see what it looks like.  I added baby charms in the corners, again optional.  I took some photos with different charms and it looks neat, but again, totally optional.

Can you see the silver couching in between the rows?  I used Sullivans Metallic Perle and it worked very nicely. It was the first time I had used it and I was pleased with the result.

I'll wait another week or two to announce the winner of the "Name the Design Contest", so if you have some wonderful ideas for Rachels design, please send me an email.

I'm still catching up from The National Needlework Association fall show in Baltimore the other weekend.  What a great trip that was!  I met so many interesting people, finally got to put faces with names and had some great chats with shop owners. I didn't take as many photos as I intended, but I plan to do better at the next show.  I'll post about the show in a few days.

Meanwhile....on to the next design.  This one is for the newest Tootsiebubble, Jay.  What a precious little bundle of love!

Surprise!

What a wonderful surprise we had on Tuesday...Rachel decided she just couldn't wait any longer and decided to join us a few weeks early.
We've not met her yet, but we've been told she's just a wee little thing with dark hair and  blue eyes.
Her Mimi said she's beautiful.  I've seen pictures and have to agree.
Congratulations Lara & Tom!

As for Rachels design....well, I'm almost there.  I just have 4 corners and border to stitch.  I just finished the scalloped edges.  What a fun stitch the Crescent is!  It looks really neat in the Pebbly Perle. It adds some depth and gives it a bit of a "nubby"look.

Don't forget your ideas for a name for the design.  The winner recieves a free pattern, either this one or one of their choice, from the website:   www.brendakocherdesigns.net

Brenda

Stitching Away

I'm stitching as fast as I can!  Rachel is due July 3, and our grandbaby is due July 11.  I've not even started the second design yet!  However I'm sure our grandbaby will be understanding if Mimi doesn't have it completed by the 11th.

Here's the next completed row.

Another Row

  I'm getting ready for a needlework exhibit this weekend where I'll be teaching 2 classes, so I've not had as much time to stitch as I would like, but  I was able to complete another row.

You can see that each row gets a bit smaller, and the design is taking shape. I love the shade of lavender and I'm having so much fun putting touches of it here and there.

The name suggestions have been coming in steadily.  Thanks to everyone who submitted their ideas.

Brenda 

The Work Continues

Well, here we are with the first of several rows finished.  The colors of sage green and lavender compliment the beautiful baby quilt my sister made for her new granddaughter.
The lavender is Soie Cristale.  If you've never worked with Caron Collection silks you've really missed working with a beautiful fiber.
I've gotten some great ideas for a name for the design from several people, but I'm waiting till it's almost completed to make a decision.
Brenda

Another Tootsiebubble!

I have a passion for needlework, specifically for canvas. Several people have asked me how I create a new design so I'm sharing some thoughts.
I'm starting a new design and decided to share the entire process with you from start to finish.  I don't have a name for the design so I'm asking for your help.  Send me your thoughts and the winner will receive a free pattern.  You can check out the designs at www.brendakocherdesigns.net and decide which one you like best, or wait till the new design is published and choose that one.   I'll share some clues along the way to help with your ideas.
This is a new "Tootsiebubble".  For those of you who have never heard of tootsiebubbles, it's a form of endearment that my grandma used for the special children in her life.  We're expecting a new Tootsiebubble in July when our niece Lara is expecting Rachel.  We're so excited and can't wait to meet her!
The photo shows the center block with Rachel's name.  The birth date will be stitched in the lower part with beads.  I figured it would be wise to wait for that special day before I put anything there :-).  There will be an alternate diagram in the book with a geometric stitched with beads.
I'll try to post about twice a week with new photos so you can see the progress.  I need to stitch quickly as the baby is due July 3 and there's another Tootsiebubble due July 11when our son and daughter-in-law are expecting another little one.  It's going to be a busy month!
You can post a comment with suggestions for a name or email me at brenda@brendakocherdesigns.net