So much fun!

Well I just had a wonderful time at one of my LNS. They had a great sale and so many women showed up and were excited to receive the freebie design of the pin cushion and scissor fob. I was able to find some new gorgeous fabric and was thrilled to find the Olde Willow Stitchery Color I was looking for to complete a class piece. I cannot wait to stitch it up and see how it looks.

I have been a bit side tracked as we have had some family things going on. Babies are coming or just arrived in our family and we have had some hospitalizations as well. It always seems to really hit me at these times - the importance of family. I could not be starting my own company without their support.

I have decided to begin a tribute design to family, what they mean to me and how appreciative I am of their love and support. It will not be out till next year I am sure as I will take my time and really focus on building a theme. I would love this to translate to each stitchers family and pick and choose what they would like to use to represent their family and their lives.

Well off to design a masterpiece.....well at least in my own head hahahahahahahaha

Whew so much going on...

Ladies, I cannot tell you when I have had less sleep and enjoyed myself so much. I have been designing and stitching for days now.

I have a piece I have submitted to the Philadelphia EGA chapter for a class. I will be featured in their newsletter and that is exciting.

I have been in contact with 2 magazine publications regarding to designs. If accepted, I will obviously let you know when they will be coming out and what magazine. I will also let you know if I was rejected. I would be terribly disappointed but if I don't try, I'll never know - so I am making a go of it.

I have found two new (new to me) fabulous thread companies and I will be receiving their products soon. I cannot wait to choose fabrics to compliment and get stitching. I found a color I love so much I have to design something just to use it.

I find this road is a very windy one. Trying to have the logo designer finish my logo, the website construction, excessive stitching, re stitching and recharging designs. So many things to learn, so many things to think about - I am exhausted and so very happy. I guess when you are doing something you love, it isn't work.

New Design Finished

You know it never fails when you really need to focus and get other
things done the cross stitch gods come calling. I just finished
another fun and quick to stitch design called Love Never Ends. I am
so excited to get to my LNS and pull some threads and fabric and get
this stitched. I really need to get some of the designs I already
have stitched graphed but my mind keeps moving.

Do you all know that about me? When I started to design so long ago,
I could not do it at a computer. I always created a design with
thread and fabric then I would have to go back to the computer and
graph. It would drive my girlfriend crazy. I would just pick what I
liked. I never kept the bag with the fabric description or the color
codes for the threads. Inevitably I would ask her what color and
count the fabric looked like.

I have gotten better. I graph an idea, then I stitch, make a bunch of
changes and re-graph. I also write down the fabrics and threads. It
makes life a whole lot easier.

I will be sending out a poll soon. I would like your input on some
new ideas I have. Isn't it cool that your suggestions will be
presented at Nashville market? You can tell your LNS that you helped
a new designer with her journey!

Good evening! I just couldn't wait to add the finished product. Please view the pictures in the photo section.

The first picture depicts the design with solid color floss and specialty stitches. This piece took about 1.5 hours (I am a quick stitcher) to stitch and uses various stitches to achieve a textured and unique look.

The second picture showcases the traditional cross stitch design using specialty threads. This piece took about 45 minutes (I am a quick stitcher) to stitch and allows the stitcher to achieve a non-traditional look and feel by simply choosing distinctive thread.

This is an easy 1 night project that could be turned into an adorable pin cushion, needle case or completed over one, would be a perfect size for a scissor fob.

I hope you will explore the different stitches and threads that are available and enjoy making changes to designs to reflect yourself and your personal style.

I will be posting both charts soon. I hope you will enjoy stitching these with scraps from your stash and consider sending me pictures of your finished piece. Sometimes it is fun to explore new ideas and I encourage you to break out of your box and do something different. You be the Leader that others follow……

New Cross Stitch Designer

I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself and encourage you to explore specialty stitches. My name is Colleen of Follow the Leader Designs. FTL Designs is a new cross stitch design company that will (hopefully) be in your LNS by the beginning of next year. I will be attending the 2007 Nashville Market in February and look forward to marketing my pieces to LNS. I have been stitching for over 20 years and enjoyed this past time so much I decided to make a career of it. Most of my designs use specialty stitches with hand dyed fabrics and threads.

Many people shy away from specialty stitches because they feel they are too hard, the directions are too difficult to understand or they just need hands on teacher. I have fallen in love with specialty stitches and my goal is to give each stitcher a bit more confidence when attempting and creating these fine stitches. The texture of a SS piece alone should give each stitcher a jolt to step out of the box and just give it a try.

I encourage you to try something different. Pick a spot on a current piece you are working on and give it a little distinction. Use a smyrna, rice, rococo or satin stitch. You will be amazed at the difference in the design and your new found abilities to personalize your pieces.

I look forward to hearing about your changes and how the stitches made a difference in your work. I will be posting a design by the end of the weekend showcasing the differences between a strictly cross stitched piece and a piece that has been jazzed up with SS's.

Stay tuned.....

2007 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue

I just sent my ornament design to the finisher. I will be submitting
it for the 2007 ornament issue in Just Cross Stitch Magazine. We
discussed in length some options on finishing and I am pleased to tell
you I am thrilled with our ideas. We will be working on finalizing
them in the next few weeks as the deadline is fast approaching for the
2007 issue.

It makes me giggle that I am so worried about the 2007 issue when the
2006 issue isn't even here yet. Magazine decisions are made so far
ahead of the actual release date.

I cannot wait to see the finished product. I can only tell you it is
not like anything you have seen in past issues. FTL Designs is
working hard to ensure our designs reflect new ideas, different
finishing techniques and unique designs.

Isn't that mean, the issue won't be out for another year and I already
have you wondering....