Designer of the Month Collaboration Sampler

Here is the Designer Collaboration Sampler with the first 3 FREE Designer patterns.  Carolyn Mitchell's is in the top centre square, Brenda Franklin's, our current Designer of the Month, is the beaded Rosebud in the left column, and Iryna Varabei, next Month's Designer is in the right column.

Not knowing how the designs will look, we are just scattering them around the sampler.  Feel free to position them where ever you wish, and create your own unique sampler.

Brenda will be in the shop for her final "Meet the Designer" day, on Saturday April 27th.  So, if you have not been able to drop by the shop, this will be your last opportunity to chat with Brenda, watch or partake in some of her Demos, and see her models on display.  There are also a few remaining bead packs still available for purchase at $3.95 for her Rosebud design.

Stitch Night with Brenda Franklin

This past Wednesday for stitch night Brenda Franklin was at the shop teaching all of us (me included) her "Altered Chain".  I had been wanting to do this since I first saw it in her suite (booth) at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace 2 years ago.

I didn't get too far with mine, mainly because I changed my bead colour half way through the lesson.  But I am so pleased with my second choice.

Care had to be taken when starting, as the chain might twist, but once you get going it was easy.
Brenda then also showed us how to end the chain by attaching the finding with a figure 8 finishing technique, and how to add extra beading thread in case you run out.


By having attached the beads to a simple aluminum chain, the chain becomes strong enough to use as a purse handle and eyeglass chain.  I personally wanted to learn this technique so I could make a low cost, but gorgeous nametag lanyard.  I once ruined a top by pinning my nametag to it;  the pin had left a hole that didn't close up once the pin was removed.

Another big hit was Brenda's beaded rose bud pattern,  her  contribution to the Designer Collaboration Sampler.  Brenda has used delica beads, although she has also listed their matching DMC thread colours.  She has made several kits, so there is no need to buy full bead vials.  The pattern is free, but the bead kit is $3.95.  The bead kit also includes beading thread and a quick instruction.


Brenda will be in the shop again on April 20th for her workshop "Demented Cross Stitch", during which she will show you how much fun you can have by breaking all the rules.  Her design for the workshop is adorable, and she plans to break 10 rules.  Personally I can only think of 2 cross stitch rules, so if nothing else the workshop will be quite educating.

Designer of the Month - Brenda Franklin

For the Month of April, Brenda Franklin is our " Designer of the Month".  Brenda designs for cross stitch, needlepoint, and petit point.  She custom designs pet photos and has a large selection of many different breeds in varying design sizes.  














Brenda also has a variety of other designs, and her Sea Turtle is my favourite.

So drop by to see her stitched models and meet Brenda.
Brenda will be in the shop most Saturdays.  She will hold a variety of demos, revealing her many talents. 

For more information when Brenda will be in the shop visit our Events and Workshop pages.

Easter Follow-up

I have been extremely busy this week with the final preparations for Gitta's Getaway, our Stitcher's Retreat,  and setting up Brenda Franklin's display for April 's Designer of the Month.

But I still managed to finish the Easter Egg ornaments just in time for Easter.  The larger egg is stitched over 2 fabric threads on a yellow 28ct Lugana, and the smaller egg is stitched over 1 fabric thread on a white 20ct. Lugana.