February 3, 2009    Nashville, Nashville, Nashville.  I have been very busy getting myself and the Designing Ladies projects ready for the Nashville show.  I wish I were going to be there in person but not this year.  Maybe next year. 

Norden Crafts is now my wholesale distributor.  So if you are going to be at the show be sure to stop by Norden Crafts room and see my new design models.  They are really quite nice. 

The Designing Ladies projects are wonderful this year as usual.  The designers did such a nice job on them.  I felt like it took me forever to get them all finished.  It is kind of like delivering a baby...the pain is horrible and you swear you will never do it again...but...as soon as it is over you forget about the pain and are soon ready to start over.  That is kind of like the Designing Ladies project.  It is a love-hate relationship.   We actually skipped DL2008 because I was so late getting it together .  We decided to go straight on to DL2009.  That is why you will see the year on the projects stitched as 2008 even though it is the DL2009 design. 

Do I have you totally confused now?  Good!  I am in a state of confusion all the time so it is only fair.

The DL2009 - Stitcher's Evening Bag reminds me of times when young ladies went to dances with long white gloves, beautiful full gowns and their purses hung from their arms as they danced, so properly, with their partners.  At the end of the evening when the dance was over they could pull out their sewing tools and really have some fun.  :) 

I also had a new adventure.  My dear friend Giulia Manfredini, a designer in Italy, www.puntiantichi.com , asked me if I would like to reproduce an antique stitcher's purse she  had in her collection.  Giulia sent me the purse and I got started on it right away.  I was lucky enough to have Giulia and her family here for a few days this last summer.  What fun we had together.  I got to show her the mock-up of , what was now being called,  the "Italian Purse". 

I designed "Tapestry in Cross Stitch" and Giulia designed "Everlasting Love".  Each chart includes a stitch guide and finishing instructions.  Both are just wonderful and while the actual 3-D project looks the same the stitch designs are totally different. 

This last NovemberI was lucky enough to be asked by the Gift of Stitching on-line magazine to design a new finishing technique for the Christmas issue.  I submitted "The Fold-up" to them for publication.  It is now available as a chart that you can purchase.  It is a very easy design and he is quite the looker.  He is actually the cousin of "The Flat-fold" and can hold up to six designs on one fold-up.  Just imagine...a years worth of snip-its on two fold-ups.  What could be better.  :) 

I have had a very rough start to this year.  I got sick just before Christmas and it turned into bronchitis.  I just could not get rid of it no matter what medications I took.  I am still coughing but feeling pretty good now.  Thank goodness.  I thought it was never going to go away.  I was so sore and tired of coughing I was really horrible to be around I think. 

Yesterday I wrecked my van.  Yep, can you believe it.  I had finally relaxed a bit as the Nashville deadline was over.  I picked up my grandsons from school and proceeded down the highway.  I was truly minding my own business when two deer decided to jump off the hillside right into my path.  One made it by me but the other did not.  Brother did I ever smack that deer.  My old van is totaled but the three of us are just fine.  Poor dear was not as lucky as us though.  

Well my friends...I have rambled on long enough.  Go take a look at my new designs.  I am sure there are going to be many great things come out of Nashville this year.  You are going to have lots of designs to choose from.  Pick mine...pick mine....  Oh ha...just kidding.  :) 

Take care everyone and hopefully I will get back with an update in much less time than it took previously.  But, no promises.  :) 

Hugs and Love    Judy Odell

September  2, 2008    Oh my Lord.  Where has the time gone?   I went to bed last night and got up nine months later.  My life is just flying by.  Now, this would be fine if I could tell you all that I was out having wonderful fun...but...sad to say I really have been working. 

I just try to get as much done as I can and then wait for another day.  Geeeeeesssss....who feels sorry for me.  mahahahaha.... :) 

Let me see, where to start... You can see from the pictures that I have been doing some designing.  At the first of the year my generic finishing books went out-of-print.  Since then I have had so many requests for them that I decided to revise and reprint them in one book.  I took out all the color pictures and the quick reference pages and just included the step-by-step Finishing Visually ™ walk- through instructions.  Even after deleting all this and increasing the size of the book from 1/2 page to a full page, the book still ended up having over 45 pages. 

I also added another flat-fold finishing technique in the book that I though you might like.  It is still the flat-fold of course but the finish is a little different and just gives you another choice. 

Here is a little trivia for you all.  Even though you may see the flat-fold instructions on blogs , in other designer charts and/or called by other names like, stand-up easels or fold outs and such...the flat-fold was created right here at Just A Thought, by Judy Odell.  Yep, me...my idea.  And would you all like to see the very first flat-folds ever made.... You would?  OK...here they are.....

Both of these flat-folds were made for Lois M. at Elegant Stitch and the stitch design is by Mill Hill.  Wow, how many years ago was that? 

Anyway, instead of coil binding this new book I  have added three holes at the side for inclusion into a three ring binder if you choose.  This book is at the printers right now and will be available in about a week. 

I have managed to get a few other designs completed also.  One of them is another generic finishing technique...Finishing Visually™ 101

and a couple tuffets I think you will like.  The finishing instructions are included with each chart. 

You can find out more about them by clicking on the Designs Page link in the left menu.

I am currently working on the Designing Ladies 2008 project.  It is going to be another winner this year.  I got such a late start on the project finishing design this year that it will not be released until the end of 2008.  But it will be here..... :) 

I am working on a wonderful collaboration design with my dear friend Giulia Manfredini from Italy.  I was so lucky to have her and her family visit me this summer.  Time went by way to fast as usual.  We sure did a lot of talking and planning.   I wish she were closer as the two of us really come up with some great ideas.  Anyway, keep an eye open for a couple new things that will be along shortly. 

My wonderful , dear friend, Jo is working on my website.  In case you did not know I shall tell you...she is a genius.  Yep, she truly is.  You would laugh if you could read our emails.  She made me get Skype so we could talk to each other through the computer . (Skype is a wonderful thing)  Her husband heard us talking one day and now he refers to me as her "weird friend".   I am quite proud of this as I pride myself on not being normal.  Well heck, my friend Jo is a little strange also and that is really why I love her.  mahahaha.....

Anyway, she is really working hard and soon you shall all see something amazing and well beyond my wildest dreams .  It is no feat of magic to Jo but she is amazing to me.  Just wait...coming soon !!

Well I think this update is long enough.  I must get back to work.  I don't want to keep you all wondering what's next.  Be sure to visit the JAT message board.  Christmas is coming and I would hate for you to be left out of something you might like.  :) 

Hugs and love to you all.  Judy Odell

December 17, 2007   (Just a quick note)  For those that have my (or other designers) designs and don't know what to substitute for the Needle Necessities fibers I have just found a new company located in California that produces similar fibers.  It is ThreadworX.  They are wholesale only but if you go to http://threadworx.com/index.PHP  and look in the top right corner you will see where you can click on a link and find the nearest shop to you that retails this floss. 

I will post conversions from Needle Necessities to Threadworx  for each of my designs as soon as I can.   In the meantime you can locate a shop near you and I know they would be happy to help you. 

November 27, 2007   Designing Ladies 2007 - Needle Caskets;  Yes, here they are.  The Designing Ladies 2007 are completed and ready for your viewing.  Wow, I thought I would never get them all done.  What a great project this is. 

All the designers outdid themselves this year.  Beautiful designs.  If you click on "Designer Connection" in the left margin, then "Designing Ladies" you will see all the needle caskets pictured with a link to the designer sites for information on how to get the one you just must have.  I know there will be at least one you cannot live without.  :) 

Enjoy the visit stitchers....I shall be back real soon.  

Oh... a quick note to those stitchers that have not registered for the JAT message board as yet.  There will be a Christmas gift posted any day now and it will be free for a very short time to members of the JAT message board only.  Then it will only be available as a retail design.  Soooooo....if you have not registered and visited the message board you should go check it out.  There are free designs and PDFs available to members.  Not to mention all the specials, rewards and group fun we have.

That's it for now....short and sweet.  Hope you like the Designing Ladies 2007 Needle Caskets.   Hugs    Judy Odell

October 1, 2007    Needle Book Accordion Style:  That's the name of my new needle book pictured above.  I previewed it on my JAT message board and was going to hold off posting pictures and releasing it outside the  message board until after the New year but pictures are starting to show up on other sites so I better go ahead and release it now.  :)    It is a real beauty and you can read more about this "easy-to-finish" needle book if you click on "Designs"  in the left menu. 

I am still working on the Designing Ladies 2007 project and each one of the  Designers have done a fabulous job designing their stitch designs for this years project.  I have to get them finished and they will be ready for release, hopefully around the first of November or December.

Well, I am going to make this short and sweet this time.  Go take a look at the new needle book and read a little about it.  I think you will like it.  It is quick and easy and perfect to stitch up as a Christmas present for a special person. 

Can you believe it is soon to be Christmas?  Wow, where does the time go?

Keep stitching and I send hugs and love to you all.  Judy Odell

August 11, 2007     Oh my heck !  It is true, I am still alive.  I have been away for so long that I know you all probably thought I had given up the ghost....well...not true.  I have however kept very busy while I was away. 

Actually I have been on the message board between postings on this "What's New" page.  If you really want to keep up with things that are going on in my finishing world you should go check out the message board.   You can register by clicking on the "Message Board" link in the left menu and it will take you to the registration page.  Be sure to read it as there are a few "very simple" requirements to gain entrance.  The JAT message board is a private board and registration is checked to make sure only stitchers are allowed entrance. 

We have a lot going on inside the message board.  There are free designs and finishing PDF's, contests, stitch and finish alongs.  New designs are previewed and made available to the board members before they are released to the general stitching world. 

A new "group project" is always announced on the message board and a group is set up for the members to join if they so choose.  Sometimes this is the only opportunity you will have to get these designs, although you can read about them by clicking on the "Group Projects" page in the left menu. 

So now, on to what's new.  I am planning on releasing a JAT Exclusive design which will be available only from "Just A Thought from Judy Odell".  I plan on previewing it this weekend on the message board.  It is a quick and easy needle book but it is very unique and very quick to stitch and finish.  I know you are going to love it.  It will not be announced on this website for another two or three months so if you are interested you need to check out the JAT Message board. 

I am working on the Designing Ladies 2007 project at this time.  I should be receiving all the Designing Ladies designs shortly so I must hurry as they must all be finished and sent back so the y can all be released at the same time.  I know you are going to love them and there is sure to be something you can't do without.  We are hoping for a release in November 2007 or close anyway.  Keep a close watch on this website as once they are released you can see all of the Designing Ladies projects together.  If you click on the "Designer Connection" page and then  "Designing Ladies" link you will be able to see all the previous Designing Ladies designs and once the 2007 designs are released you can see them all in one place here. 

I am designing a new group project that should be available the first of the year.  I am very excited about this project and I am looking forward to it's release.  As usual, once it is released the first group will be for the members of the JAT message board.  Just something for you all to look forward to. 

Well now, I certainly have been long winded today.  This is what happens when I am away for too long.  I talk way too much.  :)  So I shall close this and get busy.  As you can see I have plenty to keep me busy. 

Keep stitching and I send hugs and love to you all.  Judy Odell

March 25, 2007    I just released a new design.  The Ultimate Needle Book.  If you click on "JAT Designs" in the left margin you will see the availability of this design and the pricing information for the stitching and finishing charts. 

       Something new for this design...this is a "Designer Connection" design.  For those designers that have asked me about finishing to one of my projects in the past...this is for you.  Click on the "Designer Connection" link in the left menu.  You can read about how you can design the stitch design for this unique finishing design.

      Message board members, I will set up a forum on the message board for The Ultimate Needle Book where you can share your progress pictures and chat with other stitchers that are stitching this design also.  If you have not joined the JAT Message Board you should.  It is a lot of fun. 

     We are starting up a tuffet finishing contest on the JAT Message Board also.  You stitch any design you choose and complete the finishing.  Votes are cast and first place will receive a $75.00 gift certificate from "Just A Thought" and second place will receive a $50.00 gift certificate from , yep, you guessed it..."Just A Thought".      

     There is a free "Welcome Spring" stitching chart available  and also a "no-sew" welcome spring finishing PDF available once you join the board.  Come join in on the fun!  

     The Designing Ladies are busy designing the 2007 project for release sometime in November.  I believe it is November...hmmmm...I better go check.  :)  I am sure you will love this years project.  It is a little late in getting to you but better late than never.  I know that at least one of these wonderful Designing Ladies will design something you just cannot pass up.  So keep an eye out for the November release.