Christmas is a Coming...

Girls...can you feel the rumbling of fibers and stuffing as the finishers get ready to cut you off for Christmas....October 1st is the big cut off for most finishers, unless you are the Queen of some country or someone that is OHHHHHHHHH so special...it must be a daunting site all the boxes and piles of projects for a finisher to work their magic in order for these precious pieces to become gifts for Christmas delivery...and then there is the big Trade show looming in January and designers are also on the prowl to have models made....for most of the Summer people seem to just relax and not pay much attention to deadlines...but the minute school starts , all hell brakes loose and everyone is now aware of time ............I like most other designers , are chasing themselves trying to meet all the deadlines that this business imposes....my custom work, wholesale line and new designing....I am behind always it seems...trying to maintain a balance so people don't egg my house...lol....moving twice in an 8 month period has not helped...but I am hard at it to make everyone happy.....lol...now if i could just do without sleep...that would help....but I find as age creeps up...sleep is even more important...so I will just continue to do my best and juggle...like we all do ...and keep the whining to a minimum..no one cares anyway....
so back to work for me......Saturdays and Sundays are working days also

but I have been hard at it make some needed changes ...I hate change...but it seems that when life demands it , you should go with it....I will keep you all posted....

The stocking at the top is 19" tall and on 10st...a companion piece...for a new wife...10st is a much misunderstood canvas...it works up fast and you can get a lot of detail....and many of the new fibers doubled up work in just great....so next time you are pressed for time and want to have something that will go fast ...consider 10st...you won't be disappointed !

Another flavor for Santa....

this is a custom stocking for a Saints fan , that was requested in Mardi Gras colors....no problem...the size is 18" tall and the top cuff is 8" wide on 13st ,these were my only instructions
I love it...I can just have pure fun . Since this was a small stocking i thought I would use the entire shape as part of the design...rather than the lone stiff Santa just standing around with not much happening with the toe..the toe is a very neglected part of the stocking design...oh yes...you can fill it with toys and presents or precious little bunnies..but it always seems an after thought...

best used as precious negative space .......usually an odd shape unless it is part of a patch work or other overall pattern design....I love having a customer trust you enough to go with it...so much of custom is so controlled and limited by the customer...and rightly so..they are paying and should get what they want...but oh my .... I does like having some freedom...this was shipped today , so we will see if the customer is pleased...now that is a whole other story...lol......rarely do i make people cry...but never say never....I will let you know...

I have news...just to wet your appetite...Squiggee is moving west...that's right...East coaster goes West..yikes...will keep you posted...so look out West, you are about to get an injection of weird !

Companions

Custom needlepoint can span generations...the Jim stocking was painted for his grandmother long ago at least by my recollection.....it was a gift to treasure and use in his lifetime.....now so many years later Jim, is to be married and again his grandmother asked me to design a companion stocking for his new wife...how wonderful....it almost makes me feel like a part of the family...and just think.... one day if Grandma and I are still around ...I might be asked to paint a stocking for Jim and Marianne's first child...who knows.....needlepoint is really meant to span generations...

It's Almost March Already ...enough is enough !

There is snow on our ground , packed in hills everywhere that won't melt ,till our first 90% day ....... I am in a loop of custom Christmas stockings ....please let me wake up....only kidding about the custom work...it buys paint ,pays the bills and prevents me from becoming one of the homeless people........ in between the stockings I am painting all sorts of things...but Christmas just won't die ...but then !!!! Now is the time that most stitchers should be starting their Christmas projects........since time flies and finishers set earlier deadlines for finishing to be completed in time for Christmas giving......... if it wasn't so cold here and I could at least see the ground , then it wouldn't seem like it is still December......God I hate Winter..the older I get the more I hate it....but I do like the change in Seasons........maybe the answer is... Spring-Fall-Spring-Fall would be the best...I also hate the heat...funny how things change with age...when we were kids we would play in the snow till our lips were blue.... I use to love to bask in the Sun like a lizard...menopause changed me into someone, that should be kept in a humidor, dry and at one tepid temperature....aren't you glad you aren't in the studio with me today...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!......xo397#@^%$$(^&%$

FYI.....this stocking is for a sweet lady that saves cats and sings ..her mother-in-law is stitching it for her..and yesterday I got another custom order for a stocking in the mail.............doesn't anyone like flowers anymore.....lol...only kidding...I have a flower rug that I am looking forward to painting....