Wordless Wednesday - Fall Stitching

Goal Setting

I've recently been busy going over the annual goals I had set for my business, Of Generations Past.  I had several deadlines recently (which have been met... yay!), and now I'm going back over what I had planned for goals for the 1st quarter of the year to see how real life actually compared.  I'm also making several changes for the rest of the year from what I had originally set... I have lots of different creative ideas that have popped into my head recently and want to incorporate those into the planned goals.

It's funny that I just came across a quote I had written down several years ago on setting goals.  Since it goes with my current tasks, I thought I'd share it with you...

"Not having a goal is more to be feared than not reaching a goal. I would rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed."

~ Alda Ellis from "Heart Full of Happiness"

If you'd like to keep up with my goals, work, and new creative ideas, please visit my Of Generations Past blog!!

And Eight Tiny Lighthouses

That doesn't have quite the same ring to it as Eight Tiny Reindeer, but this is a project that's kept me very busy over the last several weeks.  Each year I participate in a handmade ornament exchange with several online friends.  This year I decided to use my own design, Christmas Lighthouse, which I released in October.  For me this year has been all about the sea, seabirds, getting my business (Of Generations Past) going, and lots of work - and fun!  I love it all.  So, I decided the perfect ornament to share this year would be this particular design which I think represents me pretty well. 

As you can see from this picture, I stitched them all on a large piece of linen (well, I didn't have enough space on the one so did two others on the other lighter blue fabric)...

And here are the finished ornaments, which were just delivered to the post office :) 

Joanne

THE ONLINE NEEDLEWORK SHOW

The Online Needlework Show begins today at 2PM EST.  I always love spending hours and hours working on my "to buy" list.  This year is even more exciting for me because my company, Of Generations Past, is one of the vendors.

I'll be offering a doorprize each day of the show, and to be eligible to win you just need to visit my Of Generations Past blog, or my Of Generations Past facebook page (or you can even visit both!).  Leave a comment on the doorprize post each day.  Be sure to leave an email address or a link to your facebook page or a blog so I can notify you if you win.

Enjoy the show!  Just follow the links in this post to learn more about the show, or to enter your name in the doorprize drawings.  Each day I'll be offering something different, so stop back often!

Joanne

Autumn Greetings

It's been a busy autumn so far and I've been spending long days here at the computer working, while enjoying the cool breezes coming in from the front door.  We've been having some lovely fall days here in south central Texas with days in the lower to mid 80s, and nights in the lower 50s.  Colors on the large trees at the golf course in our neighborhood have been changing to golden the last couple of weeks and when you walk or drive past in the mornings you see lots of leaves on the ground. 

Most of our color changes occur later in October and continue throughout November and even into December.  Thanksgiving time is when they seem to be at their brightest colors of orange and red. When I went to the mailbox this morning I noticed 2 red leaves on the walkway - the first I've seen from the two large trees we have in the front of the house.  You don't notice them changing color as much because they start from the very top of the tree and work their way down, so the first signs are the few leaves you spot on the ground. 

I started doing a little of my fall decorating and hope to have that finished this weekend.  Tomorrow would be a good day while I watch football games all day :)  I'll also be stitching on a few models I'm trying to finish up for the Online Needlework Show.  That will take place October 21st through 26th and my company, Of Generations Past, will be one of the vendors this year.  I'm also happy to report that I'm now with Hoffman Distributing Company, and many of my charts can be purchased through them, as well as through my webshop.  You can read more about these business items on my Of Generations Past blog, so I won't repeat it all here.

This year seems to be flying by way too quickly, but it's been a great one.  I've loved working on my business, even though with deadlines I'm often sitting here working 12 to 14 hours a day.  I've always thrived on deadlines and the more pressure, the more I seem to accomplish.  It works well for me.  One negative aspect of having my own business is being responsible for all the tasks I don't like to do, and would normally delegate.  I'm great at procrastinating on some of these things!  However, it's always great to see a finished product and to share good news with friends.

Speaking of friends, I've been blessed in that area, too.  I have a few good online friends I've known for years who I've been working with - one on a few needlework projects, one on a large book project, and another (as well as the other two) who is always there to encourage and celebrate (both business and family things).

Circumstances have also worked out in strange and roundabout ways that have led me to old friends that I worked with over 25 years ago in my magazine/newspaper publishing career.  Strange the way things work out, isn't it??   Actually, I guess it's not so strange.  When I worked at our Lutheran church in Tucson, Arizona, several years ago, one of the pastors I worked with always said that there were no coincidences - that everything happens in time for God's reasons and His purposes.  I like that, and think that's why these people are back in my life now :)

I guess you can tell that autumn time is also nostalgia time for me.  It seems to be that way each year and I've had long talks about that with my friend Linda.  This year it seems to be even stronger.  And on a silly note, it also makes me very homesick for the apple cider donuts I used to be able to get back east!!  Gosh, I miss those this time each year!!  A favorite thing my husband and I always did was to go to our favorite nursery to look at their fall plants, and they'd always offer free hot apple cider and apple cider donuts while you browsed.  I have the apple cider... just miss the donuts!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful autumn, too!

Joanne

Finished! Two New Designs Featuring Salem, Massachusetts

Hello Friends!  It's been a busy month getting two new charts ready.  My friend Linda was model stitcher for the two samplers on the "Bits of History" chart, and she also suggested the phrase for the primitive style Salem sampler and bookmark.  Both charts are now finished and available for sale.  You can find out more information on my Of Generations Past blog... or at my Of Generations Past webshop.

Here's the "Bits of History" chart...

And here's the primitive style sampler...

I hope you enjoy them!!

Joanne

Stitching for Autumn

I'm still busy creating a few new charts which will be released around September 1st and that will be perfect for some autumn stitching!  (You can read more about the Bits of History in my previous post... think "Salem"!).

In the meantime, here's a reminder of one I released last year in October 2009, which is still available for $7.00.  It's one of my favorite quotes by Henry David Thoreau :)   

The chart can be ordered through my Of Generations Past webshop, or through my Of Generations Past ebay shop.

Bits of History

I love history and needlework, and just created a new series for Of Generations Past which will be called "Bits of History".  The first in the series is now with my model stitcher, and will be released soon.  The chart will feature 3 different designs and will, of course, have a little bit of history included.  The first in the series??  Salem!  Just in time for some autumn stitching :)

 Joanne

A Little Beach Relaxation

Well, for me relaxation at the beach isn't swimming... it's walking along with my camera, taking pictures of the sea and the seabirds.  I'm not a great photographer (and a better camera is on my Christmas wish list), but I love talking to the laughing gulls and having them pose for me,

sitting on the sand and watching the brown pelicans fly above the water, dive for their dinner, and then body surf on the waves. 

People look at me with strange looks on their faces (I guess since I have a habit of talking to the gulls), but for me, it's relaxation at its best.

I have a few big deadlines coming up so this little overnight trip to the sea was all about relaxing and letting creative ideas flow.  Fortunately I have a great husband who understands me and doesn't mind my solo adventures :)

I'm working on a book (non-fiction) with a friend which is currently coming in at around 284 pages.  I'm doing the layout, formatting, copy editing and proof reading.  I've hired my daughter (who does this type of work) to help out since I've set a deadline for the first of September, giving the printer plenty of time to have things finished in time for October sales.  It's going to be a busy several weeks!!

I've also been working on several new cross stitch designs and sent two of them over to my friend Linda this evening - she'll be doing the model stitching on these two as I work on a few more. 

I'll be updating my Of Generations Past blog in a day or so with more information on the new designs.  Be sure to check in there!

Joanne 

To Fly Above the Sea

I'm definitely excited!!  My first book of cross stitch designs is back from the printer and available for purchase!!  This 28-page book includes 14 original counted cross stitch designs featuring the sea, shells and seabirds.  You'll find a few samplers as well as smaller pieces which are perfect for beach stitching, or those times when you only have a short time to complete a project.

There is a black and white photo of the finished model with each chart, as well as information on the fabric used in the model and a complete listing of floss.  When overdyes were used, you'll find a DMC conversion on the same page.  There is a full color insert in the center of the book which features all the completed models so you can see what the designs look like in color.  Some designs were framed - all in simple but beautiful frames found at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  Some designs were finished as pillows or ornaments.
Also included in the book are sea-themed verses and poems, photos, and interesting tidbits of information on shells and seabirds.

I loved working on this book since I was able to share my love for the sea, and especially seabirds!  I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I did.


The retail price of the book is $17.00, and a donation of $5.00 for the sale of each book is being given to the Audubon Society to assist with their work in the Gulf.  Books can be purchased from Mary Kathryn at Handcrafts Online or from me.  If you have any questions, please send me an email at joanne@ofgenerationspast.com

Joanne

An Update from Me

I can't believe it's been so long since I've written.  I seem to be saying that a lot lately - mostly to all my very patient old friends and relatives who are waiting for some newsy snail-mail letters.  I'll have to make a trip to my favorite Starbucks in the next few days to catch up on my correspondence.  Here at home I seem to get too distracted.

Life has been busy the last few months as I've gotten back to some designing AND publishing work.  I've spent most of my time since the 1st of May working on a new project which is finally complete and currently at the printer!  I'm excited about it and have been since I first started thinking about it.  I've designed 14 sea-themed pieces which have been charted, stitched, framed and/or finished in another way, photographed, laid out in book format along with some other writings, proofread, and delivered to the printer on Monday.  The booklet is 28-pages and I can't wait to have the finished copies.  I'll be donating $5.00 from the sale of each book to the Audubon Society, to assist with their work in the Gulf of Mexico region.  I'll share more once I have the copies back from the printer... and keep watch for a giveaway at that time!!

You can read a bit more about the project on my Of Generations Past blog.

In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at the front cover...

Thanks for visiting with me once again!

Joanne

Sea Birds

For some reason, I've become obsessed with photographs of sea birds the last few years.  In fact, I just came across some wonderful photographs online that were taken by an old friend I haven't seen in 25 years.  Of course, I took some time to send an email.

I've been thinking ahead to some ideas for summer needlework designs and have decided that something with a sea theme would be perfect.  I have an idea for a few little booklets based on different themes that will include 2 or 3 charts as well as some "extras", and my recent thoughts are that a summer booklet will have to have something with birds. 

I've been looking over some of the pictures I took the last few years and although I have no idea what I'll do for the summer charts, thought I'd share a few of my favorite bird and sea pictures again.  Most are of gulls, but there are a couple of others included.  (Perhaps these are on my mind after spending time by the water up in Vancouver!)  None are really that good, but it's been fun talking to the birds and taking their pictures.

A New Design - To Sit on a Pumpkin

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself,

than be crowded on a velvet cushion." 

This quote by Henry David Thoreau has always been one of my favorites for autumn, and it inspired this cross stitch design..  I put the finishing touches on the pillow this afternoon and here's a close-up of the design...

The chart will be available for sale on Wednesday and you can find more information at Of Generations Past

In Honor of the 4th and Other Cross Stitch Designs

The last several months I've been working on various new designs and getting them charted and stitched. My progress ended there, at least for now, since I'm concentrating on spending time with our daughter these few months before her move to Canada for graduate school. I'll have plenty of time to get my designs finished (framed, made into pillows, banners, ornaments, etc.) and then print up the charts for sale. In the meantime, since I haven't shared any handiwork here in quite some time, I thought I'd share the designs I've been working on.


I've always had in mind that I'd love to have something in honor of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of our country. I thought it's perfect to share as the first photo since it's date is July 4, 1776. The phrase I selected is at the end of the Declaration and reads, "...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes, and our Sacred Honor." I found this reproduction fabric in a favorite quilt shop and plan to use it somewhere in the banner.


On the lighter side, I was looking at our cat Missy one day as she was sitting there pondering (not sure what, but she ponders a lot!). She's a grey cat so naturally looks perfect with pink. The little pot of flowers was added because one of her favorite things to do since she was a kitten (and she's now 17) is to eat flowers :) I think I'm making this one into a pillow and thought the pink floral fabric might look good. I found the salmon pink ric-rac at a quilt store and might use it for one part of the pillow. It actually matches the fabric better than it looks in this picture. Missy has "sent" greeting cards for the holidays to our daughter throughout the years, and this is the drawing I've always done inside those cards as Missy's signature. (Yes, I'm a wee bit silly.) There'll be a few companion pieces to this using our other kitties.


After our annual trip to Santa Fe in January I was in a southwest mood and drew up this little design. It's very typical of the gates and entryways you see along some of the winding side streets in Santa Fe as you head to all the art galleries. Unfortunately the picture is a little blurry. I found a perfect turquoise frame at a local quilt and needlework shop in Austin, and I'll use that to finish this. I already have a few small companion pieces to this charted so I can stitch them when I get the chance.




Finally, this simple little design is in honor of Fiesta, an annual celebration here in San Antonio each April. I stitched two, one using a multicolor overdye and the other using individual primary colors. My plans are to finish them as a small wreath ornament, representing the Fiesta wreaths you see in the area. You can see the little hoops which I'll use as the frames, and then all the colorful ribbons can be seen in the next picture. I also have small flowers to decorate the frames.

He Is Risen, Indeed! An Easter Complimentary Design

I was hoping to have this completely finished several weeks ago, but too many other things came up. So, instead of listing this as a design for sale on my website, Of Generations Past, I thought I'd offer it to all my blogging friends as an Easter "freebie". This stitches up quickly and you can use your own favorite colors. Mine was stitched on 28-count linen and the finished piece measures 3-1/4" by 3-1/4" ~ a nice size to turn into a small hanging ornament. If you'd like to use the same colors I did, they're DMC and listed below the chart.

Monday Inspiration and Weekend Stitching

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."

~ Henry Ward Beecher


This weekend I spent quite a bit of time stitching. In the afternoons I was finishing up a model for a new design that I hope to have up for sale at my website this week, but in the evenings I was working on these cute designs from Plum Pudding Needleart's Bits of Blue. I'm making extras to have on hand to use as small gifts throughout the year. There's also a larger sampler and a small design (but larger than these two) where you can add a person's name. It's been fun stitching in just the one color and the designs are working up quickly.

I'll have a busy week as I plan to stitch two more models, which I also hope to have available for sale by the end of the month.

My New Patriotic Design

Today while joining in on a "virtual party" for my yahoo groups homemaking list (celebrating our 10 years together!), I stitched my latest design into a little pillow. I'll be listing the chart for sale on my Of Generations Past website in a short while.


I love patriotic designs and wanted to do something quick one evening, and this is what came to mind. It stitched up very quickly and would be fun to make into an ornament, a small hanging pillow, or even a pinkeep.


I'd love to have a collection of patriotic pieces to decorate for the summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Joanne

My Current Knitting Project

Here's my current knitting project ~ a scarf for my mother-in-law for next Christmas. Of course, it was supposed to be for this past Christmas, but I started so many projects that I never got any of them finished. So, slowly but surely, they're being worked on for the current year. This is the yarn I showed several posts ago, which is 75 percent wool and 25 percent soy. I'm using the box pattern and I just love the way it's looking with this particular yarn. The pattern is an easy one and works on a rotation of four rows. You begin by casting on the number of stitches you desire which is based on 4 stitches, plus 2. In my case I cast on 30 stitches (28 plus 2). Here's the pattern:

Row 1: K2, P2, K2 across row.
Row 2: P2, K2, P2 across row.
Row 3: Repeat row 2.
Row 4: Repeat row 1.

You continue like this for the entire project and it makes a very pretty small box design, which is reversible.

I also have a new cross stitch design I created and stitched. Once I have it made into a pillow (at least, that's what my current plan is), I'll add a photo of it here at Joyful Blessings, and will offer the chart for sale at my Of Generations Past website. It's a cute little patriotic design which is simple and quick to stitch.

Two New Designs - Of Generations Past

I finally completed stitching, and finishing, my first two designs that will be offered for sale at my website Of Generations Past . I hope to have the website updated later tonight with all the ordering information. I thought I'd share the pictures with you here at my blog.

This design is perfect for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just to say "thank you" to a special person. I think it would be perfect tucked in a basket full of cookies or muffins for a sweet gift.









This piece not only represents the great book by Betty Smith (1943), but in my case, I used the date 1878 when my great-grandmother was born in Brooklyn, a very special person on my family tree. I'm including a complete set of numbers so people can personalize their design. I have to thank my online friend Sharon as she and I emailed about being from New York and Brooklyn. Shortly after one of those emails, and after talking to my cousin Cyndie, I was standing in the hot shower (where, for some reason, creative ideas seem to pop into my head), and I could just "see" this design.

Some New Fabric

I had the urge to visit my favorite quilt shops this week and couldn't resist a few things. The beginning of the week I found this pretty fabric at Las Colchas, a wonderful shop downtown in an old 1910 craftsman home. It will be perfect with a few other fabrics I bought there in the fall. By the colors you can see that I'm already thinking ahead to next Christmas :) They also have a nice selection of wools and I thought these two would be pretty to use for a few Valentine's Day items.










I made two trips to another shop I just love called Memories by the Yard, which is way over on the other side of town (about 45 minutes away). I bought the aqua and green prints with the apples the first day, and then decided I wanted to add to those two with a few complimentary prints. So, I went back yesterday. I bought the gold and the aqua to go with the apple print in those shades, but decided to wait on the companion prints to the green and rose apple print since I think I might have some fabrics here in my stash that will go well.









This time my daughter tagged along and she found these cute fat quarters that she'll be using for a few projects of her own (tote bags, for example). She bought a few that go perfectly together with the bags in mind, and then a few others "just because".




I have no plans to leave the house this weekend, so I'm hoping to get some stitching done for two projects to sell at my Of Generations Past website, and then to get busy doing some sewing!