We're Going to Nashville!

It's been ages since I wrote anything.  I've been running at full steam getting ready for the TNNA show in Nashville at the end of this month. I feel like I finally have a handle on everything and thought I would get caught up with the blog.

The last blog showed a partial photo of Tootsiebubbles: Pinwheels & Whirligigs.  Here's the finished design.  I imagined "Baby Jay", as his big sister Alivia calls him, playing with a pinwheel in the wind as he gets older.

I also finished Baltimore Bride: Shimmering Hearts

The colors are teal and orchid, with Amadeus stitches creating the hearts.  Last fall I had the opportunity to go to TNNA Baltimore with fellow designer Beth Seal of Summer House Stitche Works.  We decided to collaborate on some designs and chose the Baltimore Bride Quilt as our inspiration.  We'll each do several for the series, with Beths being worked in counted cross stitch on linen and mine on counted canvas.

 I've always loved quilts and Baltimore Bride is one that I've always found fascinating.  There are so many variations of the design and so many stories that go with them.  One of my first cross stitch projects when I was about 13 was a queen size quilt with the Baltimore Bride design. There were 3 panels with 4 large stamped designs on each panel. I confess I only finished one panel.  It's still waiting for me!  Even when I was that young I was drawn to large projects :-)

Finally, my exciting news is my trip to Nashville at the end of February to attend TNNA's market.  I've never been to Nashville before and I'm so excited. It will be great to be around so many stitchers, shop owners, and designers.  I'll come back so inspired!