Exhibition at Gibside

Today, I was contacted about a last minute cancellation of an exhibition that was to go up on the walls of the tea room at Gibside National Trust. So, my stitched models are going on exhibit from tomorrow until 7 Feb., 2011. The framed pictures are for viewing only, and the patterns still need to be purchased direct from me. However, it is exciting to have yet another venue for exhibiting my work. Despite having just had them on exhibition at Saltwell Towers, there are a few things to be done before tomorrow so I shall sign off for now.

Pantomime season

Happy New Year everyone! I do hope the Christmas holiday season has been a good one for you. Hopefully, 2011 will have plenty of joy to bring as well.

We had an ongoing pantomime with a mouse that decided it didn't think very much of the British winter in this part of the country. It had moved in lock, stock and barrel by Christmas day, and led us on a merry old chase throughout the holiday season. I did everything I could think of to eliminate food and water supplies in hopes of forcing it to pack its bags and leave under its own steam. They are not supposed to like mint so I even applied peppermint oil to all the radiators and along the bottom of a door that it had tried to chew. The chewing stopped, but it was busy making nesting material out of some minted cotton balls I had left in a strategic place last evening so I'm not as convinced now. That was the final straw for me so I spent most of last night lying in wait for it. In the end, I successfully convinced it to enter a shoe box long enough for me to slam the lid shut. My Hubby wasn't keen to drive it at least a mile away at 3:30 a.m., so we released it on the grass expanse across the street. A car came past as we were deciding how best to lift the lid without scaring the mouse up one of our legs. My Hubby reckons the driver probably thought we were up to no good, but driver, if you are reading this, we were simply letting the mouse go. Honest! Last we saw, the mouse was speeding off down the hill so with any luck, it won't be putting in a reappearance. I'm now busy disinfecting the places it accessed, and stuffing lots of steel wool into potential entry points. We are also remaining vigilant in case it invited some friends along for company but the amount of mess it left behind suggests that it was a one off. And, no, I won't be making a cross stitch pattern to commemorate the event!

Speaking of patterns, I have designed a bookmark pattern that I will be using to facilitate the blackwork workshops I will be conducting at the Pins & Needles 2011 show at the end of March. These tutorial sessions are only one hour in length so I'm keeping it pretty basic. I'm preparing instructions to accompany it for finishing at home as most visitors will want to spend more time checking out the show than stitching.

My exhibition at Saltwell Towers has now ended so I'm setting my sights next on the Pins & Needles show. I also have something in mind for the Morpeth Gathering, and there is still the Hoopoe to complete. So, it looks as though I'm going to have a reasonably busy start to the New Year. I would like to go back to Seaton Delaval Hall through the summer but that has yet to be arranged. I'll keep you posted of events as usual here.

Must go for now as I need to complete the steel wool task before night sets in. But I'll be back in the not too distant future.

Winding down for Christmas

I am taking a small break from Christmas preparations to thank all of you for your support this year. I do hope you have a good holiday. I know I'm looking forward to mine which is really kicking into gear today.

My exhibition is definitely up at Saltwell Towers and will be there until the New Year. After that, I will have some more developments to share with you. Meanwhile, I wish you all the best and look forward to meeting up with some of you again in 2011.

Saltwell Towers Exhibition

I was desperate to have my stitched designs hanging in the cafe at Saltwell Towers before visitors arrive for the Enchanted Park event, starting this coming Thursday (9 Dec.). I therefore scrutinised every weather report over the weekend, and fashioned a sledge of sorts in case my artwork had to travel any distance over snowy paths. I even contemplated hitching my neighbour's dog (he's the size of a small horse!) to this sledge. However, the snow stayed away, and the Council made some headway with clearing streets and paths. So, I was able to deliver my artwork as planned when I booked this time slot several months ago.

They are still desperately trying to get the Enchanted Park set up before Thursday so I'm not sure if my stitched designs are on the wall quite yet. However, I was promised that they would be hanging there in time for the event. Samples of my patterns can also be found on the window sills if you'd like to have a look before purchasing. Those of you who wish to purchase patterns need to contact me in order to do so as the Administration Office at Saltwell Towers no longer provides that service.

So, with a sigh of relief, I am signing off for now in order to get on with some other pressing business.

Snow respite

Well, the snow finally seems to have slowed down enough for me to catch my breath. Freezing fog is supposed to be our treat for tomorrow. That should prove interesting! I grew up in Nova Scotia where freezing rain was often an alternative to the snow. I stayed put whenever that happened as the ground ended up as smooth as glass and acted like a skating rink. It was a recipe for a trip to casualty otherwise.

I have made one cautious trip out in the car and managed all right on the roads. I'm not keen on walking anywhere as the paths are dreadful, and most car parks are mid-calf deep in filthy slush. However, it does require a day by day assessment.

I'm not sure if my stitched scenes will make it up on the walls of the cafe in Saltwell Towers on Monday though. They are really blocked in so I'll just have to wait and see. If you are thinking of making a trip there to see my work, best check my blog again before you set out to make sure that my work is there.

Snow... snow... and yet more snow!

I thought I would do a quick post while having a well earned coffee break. It seems that my Canadian roots are determined to punish me for moving here as we've had snow fall off and on since last Wednesday evening. Last night brought the greatest amount yet to our place so I've already spent an hour helping my husband shovel so he could head off to the hospital where he works. And that was filled with high drama as it has even been thundering and lightning! He managed to narrowly miss the gate post as he slid out the drive but I have aged in the process! And still the snow falls...

our snow covered garden, 29 Nov., 2010

I was so hoping to finish the Hoopoe design in time for the exhibition at Saltwell Towers next month. Since the snow is determined to continue, I think the smart thing to do now is just resign myself to the fact that I'll be exhibiting only three items. Shovelling takes far too much energy but is a necessary evil seeing as my Hubby is an essential care worker. I haven't got the strength, or time now, to do everything so the decision is made. Meanwhile, I'd best get back out there so Hubby will have half a chance of parking the car again later on.

More on the e-mail problem

I made another attempt to reply to the e-mail request about my Saltwell Park pattern using another e-mail account. Unfortunately, I am still receiving the message about the receiver's account not existing.

A quick search on the internet suggests to me that a security setting has not been set correctly when your service provider moved over to Virgin. If you have another e-mail address, you could try sending me a message from that one instead.

Meanwhile, in answer to your question, I have listed my prices for each pattern in both the Cross Stitch Patterns and Black Work Patterns areas of this blog (tabs at the top). It's as frustrating for me not to be able to reply as it is for people not to receive a reply so I hope the problem is rectified soon.

Problem replying to an e-mail

I am wondering if the lady who e-mailed me tonight about the Saltwell Park pattern could get back in touch again? I have made several attempts to reply to your e-mail but there appears to be something wrong with your e-mail address. I tried a variety of permutations on it, also to no avail. Each time I received a message saying that the account does not exist. Perhaps your service provider could assist you from your end - I will try as well.

Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern is now available

The debut for my Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern has now passed so I've been working a bit on this blog today. I have added a Blackwork Patterns tab so it is easier to distinguish between the two types of designs. I have also updated my photos of the various patterns with their stitched models.

I will be applying a facelift to the How To tab over the next few weeks as I work on my next design. At the moment, this tab acts mainly as an example of what to expect in the way of instructions inside my patterns. I would like to expand this area into a better teaching aid. Cross stitch and blackwork lend themselves well to demonstration so I hope to add some videos. I think that will be much easier to follow than the written word in most cases.

I have also been experimenting a bit with some Google business features. I have to admit, despite a computing background, I have actually struggled with this. Although I have finally worked out how to use Google Places and Google Maps, I don't think they are going to be as useful as the theory first suggested. The updating process is so slow that new information falls out of date before it can appear in the maps listing, if it appears at all. Whether or not it attracts more custom is something I will be monitoring over the weeks to come. Meanwhile, I certainly won't be giving up my blog!

Other features I want to look further into include the free website that Google advertises, and Google Talk. I was asked by a stitcher, on the weekend, if she could call me if she got stuck with anything in my pattern. This prompted me into thinking how useful it would be to show the person rather than try to talk them through it over the phone. Skype allows free video calls providing both parties have an account with them and web cams with their computers. The account is also free to set up. I already have Skype and am hoping that Google Talk works in a similar fashion. It's a step on from both the telephone and videos because you can ask a real time question and get an answer that is tailored specifically to your situation.

So, there are lots of plans afoot. I'll do my best to regularly update this space but I do have a mini-exhibition coming up early in December (Saltwell Park) so I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple of weeks. After that I should have more time to work my plans out in a sensible fashion.

Bye for now!

Black work designing progress

Good news for those patient people waiting in the wings... I have finished stitching and charting the black work design of Seaton Delaval Hall. I just need to write up the instructions and transfer the pattern to printed form now. However, I think it is safe to say that it should be ready in time for the craft market in Seaton Sluice on Nov. 13th, 2010.

I am not as optimistic, though, about completing the black work design of the Hoopoe by then. I think that one will have to wait a bit longer. But, I do intend to have it done before Christmas, especially since I'd like to show it along with the others at Saltwell Towers in December.

Must get back to work now, but I hope to see some of you at Seaton Sluice. Thank you for your patience!

Stall at Morpeth Gathering

Well, I've pretty much sorted out the page tabs at the top now. There will be the odd bit of information and a photo or two added here and there, but they are basically complete. These page tabs contain the information that is most likely to be revisited over time. It saves you scrolling through all the posts trying to gather the information each time.

Now... if I could just figure out what goes wrong with the formatting each time, I'll have it made! I find I have to keep dumping information into a text editor before transferring it into these posts and the pages. Otherwise, I end up with huge gaps between paragraphs and a different size font with each post. It's maddening!

But enough of the trials set to try me. I will be attending the Morpeth Gathering from 9-11 April, 2010 inclusive. I'll have a table set up inside the room housing the craft exhibition at the Morpeth Town Hall. The organisers charge a small fee to enter the exhibition area and you can find this information in the program section of their site.

My Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park charts will be on sale there. I will also be demonstrating cross stitch and possibly even some blackwork so feel free to stop by and have a chat with me. Maybe you are struggling with a particular stitch that you are using in one of your cross stitch or blackwork projects? I bet French knots will feature heavily... (smile). I am happy to help guide you, and will also bring along some of my favourite reference books for browsing purposes.

Hope to see you there!

New Year Inspiration

Happy New Year everyone!


I am off to a good start for the New Year so I am hoping that the momentum will continue. My Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park designs are now on display in the cafe at Saltwell Towers. They will stay there until January 29th. Saltwell Park looks gorgeous under its blanket of snow so I can highly recommend a visit even at this time of year. By the way, I've had some inspiration for two more designs featuring Saltwell Park thanks to the weather and the Enchanted Parks event that was held there in December. Those will become available later in the year when I display more of my work at Saltwell Towers in December of 2010.


I have also spent some time at Gibside National Trust in order to capture the atmosphere created by the recent snowfall. A new design featuring the Chapel is definitely on the horizon, and there may even be a second of the Banqueting Hall to follow hot on its heels. I have been talking with Lynn Huggins-Cooper who runs the Gibside Arts Organisation in the Stables at Gibside. Before too much longer, I hope to have my charts on sale there and will probably be demonstrating some cross stitch and blackwork techniques from time to time. I will list the dates as I firm them up.


So, it is all go at the moment. I hope that the New Year is bringing you as much excitement as it is me, and that I'll see some of you at Gibside during the year.

Jumping into the deep end...

After many months of debating the best way to start up as a counted stitch designer, I've finally decided just to jump into the deep end and see where it leads me. This is a dream that I've had for several years now, and I don't intend to let it pass me by. And, I have to admit, it's all rather exciting! A little scary too, but definitely exciting.


Going into business for yourself isn't everyone's cup of tea. However, I particularly appreciate the freedom and flexibility that it gives me. I think the internet will enhance that even further thanks to all the technological developments of recent times. But most of all, I am really enjoying the opportunity it is giving me to explore my creative side.


Although it does feel as though I'm leaping off a diving board, in actual fact, I haven't left it all to chance. I've spent a great deal of time consulting with Business Link advisors and attending numerous workshops that are available to people like myself who are starting up in business. (They were all free of charge too.) So, there are plenty of people around me to keep my feet on the ground.


I've also spent some time testing my ability to design cross stitch scenes in an amateur capacity. You may have seen my Spring at Cragside and Saltwell Park designs at the Gateshead Summer Flower Show in 2007 and 2009 respectively. They both managed to win first prize, and the former also took a first in the 'Own Design Needlework' class at the Morpeth Gathering in 2008. This, coupled with lots of encouragement from friends and family, has finally pushed me into making the leap.

Decision made, the next step was to figure out what form my charted designs should take. Should I have them printed on paper? What kind of packaging should I use? Should I sell them solely on the internet? Should I skip direct sales and go through a wholesale distributor? Should I combine them all? And so I wrestled with myself for a very long time. I have to admit, that decision has been quite a challenge because there are pros and cons associated with each.

To cut a long story short, I've decided to start with printed charts, in the form of booklets, instead of launching onto the internet. Those of you who know how 'techie' I am are probably surprised by this. No fear though. This doesn't necessarily mean that I'll never try the latter. I just thought it best to start on a smaller scale and expand into the wider opportunities once I have my feet under me.


The last few months have kept me busy beyond belief, getting my first two designs ready for the Christmas rush. I'm therefore only just getting around to setting up my blog. And it has to go live now because the charts are appearing at the Christmas Craft Market at Gibside National Trust property on Saturday (5 Dec., 2009).


I had the Spring at Cragside booklet printed first. When it came back, I noticed that I'd missed a few minor, purely cosmetic details in the booklet layout, despite rigorous editing. And I was so hoping that I'd be immune from human error! However, I hasten to add that none of them affect the chart that you follow while stitching. I corrected them in my template, and the Saltwell Park design came out as I had intended. Hopefully I won't introduce others as I produce new designs... At any rate, should human error strive to humble me again, please contact me so I can immediately fix the mistake(s) and resolve any problems that may result.


I'm also interested in finding out where people in the North East of England prefer to shop for their cross stitch and blackwork supplies. This information would help me network much faster. I promise not to keep your e-mail details so you can rest assured that supplying me with such information will not result in any spam.


Over the winter, I intend to work on some blackwork designs so there should be more to come by spring time. I'll use this blog to expand upon the inspiration behind my designs, as well as the process I follow, whenever I take a break from actual designing. And I'll be looking for stockists and more markets to attend which I will list here as the news breaks. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy stitching my designs.