I am currently busy moving my office from the garage to the back bedroom. It is empty now and, as the picture shows, the view is just beautiful. So why not…I cannot believe the accumulation of stuff…this seems to be the only word that fits as it is not junk nor is it necessary…it is stuff. 
Anyway, for some reason I am a little sentimental and emotional. Maybe it is just the fact that the room is empty and used to be full of kids and messes…the kids that occupied this room have grown but are not far away as yet…18 and 21…and I am not ready to kick them out of the nest. So…they have taken my spot in the garage. I think all of us are happy for the move. I know that one day I shall look at that garage and, like this room, it will be empty of kids and their mess and I will wish they were still here. I tend to not let go…and I know I hold on too tight…but hey, who’s perfect.
My daughter sent me this beautiful poem the other day. She left the nest quite some time ago and is going through some trials herself currently. Anyway…it seems to fit each person that reads it differently…so I thought I would share it with you all…..
After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today, because tomorrow’s ground is too
uncertain for plans, and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get to much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for
someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…that you really are strong,
And you do have worth.
And you learn and learn…with every goodbye you learn.
……..Comes The Dawn…….Author: Veronica A. Shoffstall……………
Personal update
I was talking with a friend yesterday and of course we turned to stitching chat. Actually we started talking about the Lady Evelyn book I had last blogged about. I had ordered her one as a gift and in doing so I somehow ordered two. I have no idea how I could have done this as I had to submit my card a second time…very strange… Anyway, we were discussing the fact that one cannot get really large count linen and very small thin fibers any longer. Lady Evelyne stitched some of her beautiful laces on 180 count linen…if you can imagine. Anyway, as happens, the conversation turned and we were chatting about some of the stitching we had done some time back. I mentioned a piece I had stitched about 15 years ago when I first started stitching. Yep, one of the first things I ever stitched. It was a butterfly I stitched in gold threads. But the unusual thing is I did not realize I could not stitch it like I did…I actually stitched it on 40 count linen, over one thread. The entire background is cross stitched also. The original linen color is a natural linen color. Mind you, they are full cross stitches over one linen thread on 40 count linen. Well, no one told me yet that I just could not do that. My friend wanted a picture so I thought maybe some of you would like to see a picture also. Here it is…my Butterfly !
As I was getting it out of the cabinet I started looking at some of the stitched pieces and noticed this Santa ornament. This was the very first thing I ever designed. I actually learned to chart from this little Santa. Hmmmmmm….this might just make a good Christmas ornie this year for the members of my message board. Hmmmmm…yep, it is already designed and all I would have to do is write the finishing. …… Oh, sorry, just talking to myself again. Anyway, I thought I would show it to you here also since we are talking about old things we stitched. That is what we were talking about right? I was just turning from needlepoint to cross stitch and was still new to needle work. I used a lot of needlepoint stitches and had a great time stitching him. Here he is…my old Santa USA. Is there anyone out there that actually remembers this old design? Santa USA
Personal update
I’m back. Finally!! I have been away for a long time now but I have been so busy. Spring has arrived in Valley Springs. Everything is looking so beautiful and green. I love the spring. But who doesn’t?
The class for the Mary Wigham Wardrobe is in full swing. There are a few seats left but we are out of almost all the supply kits. Everyone has such great ideas for what color to stitch their wardrobe. I can’t wait to see all the pictures. When the class is over I shall post pictures of the finishes in the Rewards forum on the message board. Yep, this wardrobe is worth $50.00 if it is completed by the time class is over. I figure that is a pretty good incentive to help the class members get their stitching done.
Now on to other things. Let’s see…..
1. I am working on a very special cabinet for the Northwest Sampler Guild in Washington. No it is not like the cabinets I have released so far. Would I do that to you…make something you don’t want. Be nice now… mahahahaaaa. Anyway, it is going to be a stitch along held privately on the JAT message board. I will be going to Washington to give a finishing class so if you are interested it will be just a short while before every thing is finalized, and we will let you all know so you can sign up and/or join the guild if you are interested. Actually, you can go here Northwest Sampler Guild and check out some of their past classes. They do have some great classes and their newsletter is wonderful.
2. Now, speaking of newsletter. I will have one shortly. Moosie has the skeleton ready actually but I have no time to put it together to send out. It is next in line though so keep checking back so you can subscribe. I will try to keep it interesting. I plan to publish quarterly.
Hmmmm…I know I had a #3 to mention but I forgot. Geeeeesssss…I do a lot of forgetting lately. And misplacing. My new motto is, “Touch it – Lose it”. Really, I swear someone is playing tricks on me because sometimes I don’t even get up out of my seat and I can’t find something I had one minute ago. Darn kids…. Can’t hurt to blame them.
Ok, I’m done for now. I shall try to get back very soon with something interesting to say. Don’t forget to check out the new shop if you have not done so yet. And I am going to go onto the message board and ask for ideas to add into the newsletter so if you have something you would like be sure to go visit the message board and let me know.
Thanks everyone. Take care. Hugs
Personal update
Yep…I can hardly contain myself, I am so excited. Just a Thought is opening its new store doors soon. I am becoming a blog, forum and store. Yep, cart and all. Moosie has been working her “fingers” off (ha fooled you) and while there will undoubtedly be a lot of little fixes that you will all find, I think we will get it all ironed out very quickly. Wow, this has been hard work. I am very excited about it.
So be ready…we move into our store in minutes or hours….any time now. And as soon as the store opens you can all order your spot for the Mary Wigham Wardrobe class. I know you have all be wondering where and what is going on with it but this has been the delay. I wanted you all to sign up on your own. When the class is full it will not allow any more registrations. I have not gotten the wardrobe kits ready yet but we have plenty of time for that. The decorative fabric will be so limited I probably should not even offer it but I know it is very difficult for some of you to get supplies so we shall talk about it later, in class. OK, I’m off to go check with Jo and see how the grand opening is coming along.
Personal update
If you are not a member of the JAT message board you can register by clicking on the “message board” link in the top menu bar and then click on “Register”. Be sure to send me an email with your user name so I can activate your membership once you have registered.
Personal update
I am working like a mad dog to get some designs ready to be posted on February 20, 2010. A few will be Nashville releases and one will be a tribute to Mary Wigham of historical 1790 Ackworth school fame. Anyway, while working I noticed this setting and thought you might all get a kick out of this picture. While I know most of you think I work in my silk formal attire, sitting in my mansion office I must burst your bubble. I just had to share this picture. I am actually just a small town designer located in California in the San Joaquin valley foothills…I guess my location along with this picture would make me a true hillbilly. I thought this was just too funny.
Nobody can tell me I don’t know what a dictionary is for. mahahahahaaaaa….
Personal update
Oh yea…look what I finally got finished. This is my (Odell) FAS. My dear friend Lynne Blackburn of Blessings Counted, Inc. is the designer of this sampler. (Lynne is the first and the original designer of French alphabets with hidden names like this.) Each one is charted especially for the stitcher and her family and/or pet names. I wanted to highlight my hidden names and initials so I chose to stitch the alphabets in a Threadworx color and my names and initials in a solid DMC floss. This FAS is stitched on 28 count Charles Craft, Monaco. This is my all time favorite to stitch on actually. It was stitched over one linen thread. I am so happy about how it turned out.
If you would like information on how to order a personal FAS Sampler for yourself you can go to Elegant Stitch and find out about how and when to order one. NOTE: Unless you see a little gold lock in the menu bar (either top or bottom) phone in your card numbers as it is not a secure site. Now all I have to do is find the time to get it framed.
Personal update
I am going to share some changes I plan on making in the near future. I am going to slow down a bit. I am still going to be here but change things up so that I am not so filled up with this needle work business.
Here are my thoughts. I am going to release my large designs (i.e. Lady’s Cabinet) as exclusive kits available in limited quantities from Just A Thought only. These designs will be released in PDF format only. No paper charts. Whether they are extended releases through the year as stitch alongs or private classes, or all at once will vary according to my choice. The main thing is they will be limited editions. I will announce the total kits that will be available and then once they are gone, whether that be a month or a year…once they are gone they are gone.
I will continue the “Just A Box” collectible series releases and other smaller design which will be available from your favorite needle work shop in paper format and available from me in PDF format only. I will not be making these designs available in paper format via Just A Thought. It is my wish to only have PDF’s available from Just A Thought, me, and paper format available from shops.
Any designs that have kits available will be clearly noted and the kits will be available for purchase here at Just A Thought. Of course these kits will be limited to the amount of supplies I have available.
Wild Roses
Now something new for me…I am sending a new design to the TNNA NASHVILLE show via Norden Crafts. This is a sneak peek and I know you are going to like it. It will be very different and so special. I am also making a few exclusive designs from JAT available to the public via your favorite needle work shops. They will also be available at the TNNA NASHVILLE show. So if you are going to be there be sure to stop by Norden Crafts booth and take a look. They will also be revealed here on my blog at the same time. February 20, 2010.
Also, the Mary Wigham project will be revealed here during the Nashville Show. It is a JAT exclusive so it will not be seen at the show itself. I will release all the information regarding this design…February 20, 2010.
So now I have given you a tease and something to look forward to…I hope ! Hugs
Personal update
The beautiful Italian magazine Un Natale daRicamare is now available. Well it has been for awhile I guess but I am just getting around to mentioning it. It is available at many of our favorite shops and if your favorite shop does not have it just ask and they can get it for you.
This is my very small contribution to this wonderful Christmas magazine. But believe me…some of the designers really out did themselves. There are some beautiful ornaments in this book just waiting for you.
Personal update
