Here is my completed production run:

This stack doesn’t include existing inventory of charts. I am tempted to print additional charts for the new stuff. It all depends on how popular everything will be. I am saying that I’m not doing any more single-page sheet charts after this. Because I have to manually duplex them, and my printer sometime likes to skip pages during printing, it is actually more work to print a single, double-sided cardstock chart than a cover, pattern and back page separately.

I’m continuing to work on new designs. I’m currently stitching on more of the Advent Ornaments. I’m also working on charting page 3 of The Tale of Briar Rose. I thought this would be an interesting picture of my design work:

I have several different methods for designing. For some simple designs, I can draw them directly into the computer software. Some designs, I sketch directly on graph paper and then transfer the lines into the charting software. Still others, I sketch individually, trace onto graph paper and then transfer into the charting software. Finally, sometimes the process is an amalgamation of the different methods. For the design in this picture, I created the knotwork border directly in the charting software. I then used a sketch/tracing technique to create the lettering and the start of the “Sleeping Beauty”. Actually, I created all the alphabet letters at once, since they’ll be used over and over. Finally, I sketched directly on the chart to make the picture the size I wanted it to be. That’s when I wanted the colored pencil lead – I wanted to sketch the different areas in different colors in case I had overlapping lines. I made do with a self-sharpening colored pencil that is a little bit wider than I wanted it to be. Finally, I tweaked the design in the charting software and colored it in. Any changes I make while stitching get noted on the pattern and then put back in before the chart goes into production. It is very important that I not loose that original pattern!

Here’s a sneak peak at a new design that will debut at the Nashville Market in February:

I’ll be posting more previews in the next week or so!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, DH, Mocha and I went off to Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving. We feasted there with my Mom; no rare Who-Roast-Beast, but plenty of Turkey and trimmings. The day after Thanksgiving, we went out to a newish local park called the Bluebonnet Swamp:

There was a boardwalk for walking out to the actuall swamp area, which was more trees and more water. Here is a swamp flower:

Mom and I getting out to walk without having to deal with the holiday crowds! If you’re ever in the area, the park is worth the small admission price. There was some damage done by Hurricane Gustav, but much of the boardwalk had already been fixed:

And now for the present!

Over the holiday, I managed to finish the stitching and finishing for these:

These are the first three ornaments in a 24 ornament series. Yes, that’s right, twenty-four ornaments. The back of each one has a date on it: December 1 through December 25. I finished them as little pockets, so that they can be used as an Advent Calendar with goodies! These three will be out at Nashville Market, with three more each quarter for two years. These were really fun to stitch and finish up. I even learned to make cording for them! If you’re in the northwest Houston area, you can sign up for the 3 Stitches Fiber Class and stitch these with specialty threads (they’re charted in DMC).

It is T-30 days until Nashville, so time for me to gear up for production work soon!

So for your entertainment and Christmas Cheer, here are my Christmas music recommendations:

Kat’s favorite (semi)traditional Christmas album: “John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together”. This was the album (vinyl) that we always played when I was a kid. We had some others that were slightly more traditional, but this was my favorite. Also, there’s something about putting an album on the turntable and then just letting it play that we don’t have a much anymore, when listeners can just click to the next song.

Kat’s favorite non-traditional Christmas album(s): First place in this category is the soundtrack to “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. There’s just something about songs like “Making Christmas” and “Kidnap the Sandy Claws” that are fun! A close second place in this category is the soundtrack to “Rent”. When the first song starts out “December 24th, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time…” it is just crying out to be played for Christmas.

The album that has grown on me most this year: “Meowy Christmas” featuring the Jingle Cats.

Other recommendations:
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” I don’t know why I waited so long to pick up this CD, I really like the music and it brings back fun memories.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Let me know when you know all the words to “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

Remember this stitching that has been to Munich and Georgia?

Well, it is very close to being done! Yay! I may have a set of bookmarks for the 2009 Bookmark Challenge.

I have three ornaments for the new series finished; well, the stitching is done, but I still have to do the finishing work.

There are three new dragon ornaments hanging on my tree since they came back from the finisher before Christmas. This means that I can take the cover pictures for them on the Christmas tree! Little things like that make me happy.

Finally, I am sad to report that I can no longer get the “Stitch ‘Til You’re Cross Eyed” t-shirt at a price that lets me wholesale them. Therefore, I am discontinuing the t-shirt. I have my current stock up on Etsy, and when they are gone, they are gone!