Monday, March 8, 2010

I love Blackbird Designs!

I've always loved the Blackbird Designs ladies.  I discovered them first when I was a quilter, back when.  Then when I moved into cross stitching, I happily discovered that they do cross stitch designs as well.  And now Alma has started a Blackbird Designs blog -- heaven!

Well needless to say, when Blackbird Designs came out with their Honeysuckle Manor book at Nashville this year, I went gaga.  In fact, I drove my LNS owner a bit crazy when my friend and I went for our Nashville stash.  "Where's the new Blackbird Designs book?"  I kept saying over and over.  I think she was ready to stuff something down my throat.  lol!  (Not really.  Tawny is very sweet and would never do such a thing.)   Anyway, I came home with the book in my eager hands, checked my floss and fabric stash and happily started stitching Margaret Harris asap.  And here's the finished result. 

Margaret Harris
from the HoneySuckle Manor book by Blackbird Designs
30ct WDW Straw linen using cross over one
called for Belle Soie silks

In case you're wondering, no, I wouldn't have chosen to use the Belle Soie silks on my own.  But I do tend to use whatever fibers are called for, thus my choice to use them.  No bleeding problems this time around, thankfully!  And the linen is actually a pretty beige brown color -- it looks washed out in the picture.

Since I did the piece over one, I had to change the name/date/place parts of the design.  Which was fine -- I loved Alma's idea of using a grandmother's name and date.  My maternal grandmother was the ideal grandmother to us grandkids so of course I thought of her.  Thus I put her name where the "Walnut, Iowa" was.  And in place of Margaret Harris' name, I put my grandmother's birth year.  I love being able to have her name on this piece.

In other news, the tree service finally came on Saturday bright and early.  Hallelujah!  They took the widowmaker branch down, and also trimmed the tree some more.  And they took away all the branches that were strewn all over the yard as well, and cut any log sized wood into usable sized pieces for the wood stove.  Yay!  So now the yard looks normal again.  Whew!  It's been nice and warm so huge amounts of snow are now gone.  Of course, there are still huge plots of snowiness everywhere too, but hopefully not for long!  I'm hoping there will be no more snow!

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.  I love reading your comments!  Have a great week! 

52 comments:

Marjorie said...

I know I've said this before, but dang you're fast! I would LOVE to get my hands on this book...but would you believe when I went to my LNS and eagerly asked where were the new releases from Nashville, particularly the BBD designs, I was met with blank stares. The owners informed me that they did not go to Nashville and did not order ANY of the new charts aside from a few Lizzie Kate items!!?? Thank God for online shopping!

Amy said...

What a beautiful piece. I am new to samplers and online shopping.

Have a wonderful day.

Margie said...

Bravo! I'm green with envy, I don't have my Honeysuckle Manor book yet. :-( But I sold a quilt kit on eBay today so it will be in my hot little hands soon. Yours looks great over one!

Faye said...

Goodness sakes you are fast~~~ I am still waiting for my book to arrive in the mail~ VERY nice job especially doing it over one....Way to go~

Littlebit said...

oh my goodness but you amaze me!!!!! Absolutely beautiful!! I will admit that I have not personally stitched a BBD, but I'd love to.

Unknown said...

I love it - I am so impressed that you did it over one and it's beautiful.

I am so glad the tree guys came and took care of that branch.

Can't wait to see what you whip up next, Margaret.

Nancy said...

Your sampler is absolutely gorgeous! I have always liked Blackbird Designs too, but there newest designs have me awe struck!

Kellie said...

Margaret Harris looks fabulous! I love BBD too. I just got this book and the two Anniversaries of the Heart designs in the mail today. Eye candy!! I love the way you personalized your sampler with your grandmother's name and birth year. Very nice. :)

Melissa said...

Oh you speedy needle you! It looks wonderful. It's so nice you put your grandmother's name on the sampler.

valerie said...

I am so jealous at how fast you stitch! Congrats on the finish and I like that this is a tribute to your grandmother. It's wonderful! Glad to hear the weather is becoming more spring-like and your backyard has become safer. lol

DonnaTN said...

Wow! It is beautiful and over 1! I could never finish anything that fast, but how I wish I could!

Tommye said...

It's just beautiful! I love the honeysuckle bloom vine.

Sherry said...

What a great finish! I can't wait to get my Honeysuckle Manor book! You just stitch way too fast for me to keep up with you!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I love the border on that piece and I'm always drawn to houses. I need to see that book soon!

You are fast with the stitching!

Cari said...

I love your piece Margaret. Over 1 - you are a fantastic stitcher. And isn't it fun to put YOUR grandmothers name on the piece! Good for you. Glad the widowmaker has been removed and spring just may be around your corner!! Hugs

Nicole said...

Beautiful finish!!! I love it Margaret! How big did it end up being??

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I heart Alma and Barb too ;)
And I want that book so darn bad...my LNS supposedly has it "on order" for me. But their idea of fast is like molassas in January. Should have gotten it on line.... In the interim though I shall gaze upon the lovliness of your finished product here and dream of the day when I can get my hands going too...on my own! :)

Laurie in Iowa said...

I love the BD gals too! Wonderful sampler Margaret. Congrats on your finish.
My order from Drema arrived today and I'm looking forward to sitting down and looking at my Honeysuckle Manor book as soon as I get off this computer.
Glad to hear the widowmaker has been removed.

corinna said...

wow ... amazing and lovely
woo hoo to you :0)

Cathy Lloyd said...

JeaLouS! So cute Margaret! I love the idea of using a grandmother's name on a sampler. I totally plan to do that on one of those out of that book. LOVE that book! Enjoy your week of stitching!

mainely stitching said...

Oh my heavens, Margaret! That's STUNNING!

Lurline said...

Just beautiful - makes me feel like going back in time!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Robin said...

Wow! You whipped that one right out quick! And it's so tiny, very sweet and lovely! Congrats on a beautful finish!

Stef said...

Don't you just love the new book? I don't think there is a chart that I don't want to stitch! Your sampler is a wonderful tribute to your own grandmother, and the over one stitching is just beautiful!

Marjo said...

I just got my book today and want to stitch it all. I can't believe you have already gotten it done. So pretty! I love it.

The French Bear said...

This is beautiful!!! Wow, you are fast, I wish I knew how to do one over one thread, I am still confused when I try it. Or maybe blind!!! I know I have a hard time seeing the threads!! This one is gorgeous and I love Blackbird designs too!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Sylvia said...

Oh Margaret, you just put all of us to shame.... over one none the less. Its a beauty.
Glad to hear that the branch is now safely down & gone. What is next for you?

Giovanna said...

Oh, how perfect and beautiful - congratulations!

Alice said...

Great finish and so quick! I also love Blackbird designs. I like the way you personalised it. Real pretty.
Alice

Siobhán said...

It looks great, Margaret!! I love how you made it an ode to your grandmother. I can't wait to see what you work on next. :)

MARCIE said...

This is the sweetest little project! I am a quilter who does cross stitch on the side. Love it! Now I must look for that book! You did such a beautiful job!

Catherine said...

What a lovely tribute! It's beautiful!

Deb said...

It looks wonderful Margaret!! I can't believe you did it over one though! Oye! That would just drive my eyes nuts. But it's a beautiful finish. I bought the book and haven't even cracked it yet even though I just had to get it in my hands when the store got it in!

Brigitte said...

Me too, Margaret, me too! And the new book is one of two items I'll definitely buy this month. I don't want to interrupt my stash diet too much, but this book (and CHS Autumn at HRH) is a must.
Can you still smell the smoke of your needles? Lol. Congratulations on finishing this new design. So fast.

Susan said...

You are just too fast for words!
Margaret is lovely and I like the changes you made on yours.

Glad the tree branch is finally gone and everyone is safe now.

Happy Stitching!

Roberta said...

Love your sampler and doing it over one makes it a nice size - but you sure are a fast stitcher!!

Karoline said...

Margaret is gorgeous, congratulations

Michelle said...

It is gorgeous! I love love love it over one. Isn't the whole book just fantastic?? You just can't beat those BBD ladies for their creativity. And I love the changes you made to this piece too - it will be such an heirloom.

Kathy said...

Beautiful. Just beautiful. I so wish I could stitch aas quickly. :) Either that or that there were 48 hours in everyday.

I am new to your blog but will be back to see more of your gorgeous stitching.

Carol said...

That is just so lovely, Margaret--the colors are amazing and I love them against the darker fabric... You should be very proud!

Anonymous said...

Wow you are one speedy stitcher! I just love this piece! My LNS didn't have the fabric in, so I chose LL autumn gold. We'll see how it goes. I did purposely swap out one of the silks. The color for the flowers was really orange at my LNS. So, I pulled Poison Apple. Can't wait to start this! You do such beautiful work!

KarenV said...

Fantastic! Margaret, it's gorgeous (and you're so super speedy LOL!). My book arrived yesterday and I've pulled the threads (a mixture of HDF, BS and Gloriana) and fabric (I think I'm going for V. Meadow Rue) but that's it so far. I'm still considering the personalisation anyway. Thanks for sharing, it's great to see it stitched up so soon :)

The Scarlett House said...

Just too sweet done over one, Margaret. I love how you made it even more special with your grandmother's name. You never cease to amaze me.

Lois said...

Lovely, lovely finish!!! You must have turbo needles especially doing it over one!!

Glad to hear the tree branch is down.

Dona said...

Margaret Harris is gorgeous! Love the border. It's even more gorgeous stitched over one. It's a very sweet tribute to your grandmother.

Katrina said...

Gorgeous Margaret, congrats on the finish! Love it. I have her all kitted and ready to stitch too. What a great book.

woolwoman said...

It's wonderful Margaret - love the special sentiment. How is your quilting coming along - did you stick with it? So what design is next? I have not even seen the new BBD book yet - I keep waiting for the LQS to get it in. They have a small stitching section and usually get all the BBD books.

marylin & poussy said...

It is magnificent, which beautiful embroidery your blog is a real pleasure
Best regards of France

BRD Girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BRD Girl said...

Margaret, I always enjoy reading your blog posts!

Please come and get your Beautiful Blogger Award from my post: http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/

Happy Friday,
Belinda

~mj~ said...

I got the last copy of Honeysuckle Manor at Fancy Mats in Denver last week...I am eyeing this one, but thinking I may do the house in pink...maybe. I Love yours over one...very pretty!

Tracey said...

This is just beautiful! I am so ordering this book- I have loved it since Alma started previewing it on the blog.. I am going to order it this weekend!!