New Fabric, New Threads!

I don't know if you are like me...but I'm guessing you are...I get so excited when I get some new fabric and some new thread! It's not like I don't already have some...I have cabinets full! I'm not fabric or thread deprived! But there is nothing like the sight of some brand new stash. It gets your spirit soaring....I had some ideas in mind when I ordered the linen and thread...but now that it has arrived....my mind is really racing! I've been asked where do my ideas come from and I can tell you it is a multitude of ways. Sometimes it a verse I have read, it might be a motif I've seen but some times it comes with colors I love, linen I love, the season. Anyway, I have discovered that I have the attention span of a fly! My designs are usually something that you can stitch in a couple of days or a weekend and they are simple cross stitch. Now every once and a while I throw in an eyelet or another specialty stitch, but not often. Beware, I am working on a design that has a few eyelet stitches, but I'll put a warning sign on the back of the package to let you know. I read a cute blog the other day where the writer said it upsets her when she finds out there are other stitches included...I thought it was cute and I understand! Basically though I design what I like to stitch. If I start a design and it doesn't feel right or I'm not enjoying it, I move on. If I'm not having a good time, I don't think you will either. I do have favorite designers and I think they influence me, I love Blackbird Designs, I'm a fan of Plum Street Samplers and I admire Lizzie Kate's, graphic arts talent. Wish I had more of that in me! I do follow quite a few blogs, such as Sampler Girl, The Scarlett House and quite a few other stitcher blogs. My favorite linen is R&R Reproductions, always has been. I did see some Old Salem linen that I would like to try. I loved the antiqued look. I like the coffee dyed and the smell when it comes out of the bag. Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and Weeks Dye Works are my favorite over dyed thread. I use both in most of my designs. But I've know from reading the blogs that there are so new overdyed companies and I will probably try some of their products eventually. I also have a love of old antique samplers. I have already released "Ann Merchant" who was a distant relative on my mother's side. I have two more in the works. One is Mary Pilgrim and the other is an English sampler that I purchased and it is very colorful. That's the reason I chose it....although I do like the subtle colors in the American Schoolgirl Samplers. My ancestors were from Virginia and I grew up in that area, although I have been in Texas for the last 35 years. We were fortunate enough to visit many historical sights as a child and I think that is where my love of history and antiques began... We'll enough about me. I have to get back to stitching my new design. Hopefully I'll have a photo soon. I'm expecting it will be a mid October release. Happy Stitching! Happy Weekend!