Gone Fishing August 16 2014

Stitching "gone fishing"... Began with the background, in a Jacquard Stitch. Too structured for the particular theme that I'm going for...a coastal cottage. Ripped it all out...is it just me, or does this happen to you, too?

So, I tweaked it a bit on graph paper and came up with this new stitch that I'm calling "Wave Stitch".  

Much Better!

The fibers I am using are all from Weeks Dye Works, an environmentally friendly company where everything is made right here in the United States.

Background: #3 Pearl Cotton in #1166 Sea Foam and Cotton Floss #1166 Sea Foam.  The color of Sea Foam reminds me of sea Glass and wave ripples on a pristine beach...perfect for this project! 

Lettering: #3 Pearl Cotton in #1191 Whitewash.

Here's the Stitch Guide for the "Wave Stitch"  

Happy Stitching!

Beach Bucket August 14 2014

The inspiration for my "Beach Bucket" needlepoint design came from a little girl on a California Beach. Armed with several plastic containers and an old retro looking beach bucket, this ambitious little girl and her parents were busily constructing a sandy castle. Yes, that's right, a "Sandy Castle", as she patiently explained to me.  "We've been building them my whole life", she told me. I'm guessing she was about 4.

I sure miss my beach buckets and building castles in the sand. 

Hoping that you get the chance to build a "sandy castle" soon...in the meantime here's my take on a retro "Beach Bucket", inspired by a little girl with an old rusty bucket on a beach. After all, you'll need something to put your beach glass and shells in. There is also a matching mug for some delicious clam chowder. 

The bucket will be about 8.5" tall when stitched, not counting any handle that a finisher might add. The mug? It's a very generous 20oz.! (did I mention it's the perfect size for chowder?) Click on the photos for more information!

On Beach Time August 07 2014

Pacific Coastal Inspiration... July 22 2014 1 Comment

Welcome to my new blog! As a Lifestyle Designer, I'll be blogging on many things...hoping to inspire my followers.

Earlier this year, My husband, Bob, and I took a much needed mini vacation to the coast. Specifically, Monterey, California.

Here are some photos of Mother Nature's beauty that inspired my "Sand-tastic Summer" designs...enjoy!

The deep aqua in the center of the wave was the inspiration for the color of the crystals I chose to use in my Vintage Mother-of-Pearl Button Scissor Fobs and Earrings...

Hearing the waves crash against the coastal rocks made me think of all the broken shells

used to make Mother of Pearl Buttons...

 Such grace...

I'm guessing that they named this for me?

        Morning (Left)  

        Evening (Right)                       

                                                    




Peace....and more of that deep aqua!