Designer of the Month - Jo Gatenby

This month, our Designer of the Month is Jo Gatenby of X's & Oh's.  Jo has a broad range of talents, she designs and charts her own original cross stitch and hardanger patterns, she turns other artists' artwork into cross stitch designs, she teaches, and publishes other cross stitch designers.

Jo arrived in the shop this past Friday.  She brought one of her newest designs, Banbury Cross by artist Frances Tyrrell, with her.  She had only just picked it up from her framer that afternoon.  It is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING !!!

On Saturday, Jo was in the shop all day.  We had many regulars and a few new stitchers in the shop to meet and chat with her.   Her table toppers were a definite hit, I love the one with the Bunnies in the Pumpkin field.  I think the bunnies would also look great on a banding, which can then be attached to a towel or wrapped around a basket.

 
That evening we went out for a "home cooked" meal at my kids' favourite family style restaurant.  It was a great way to end a wonderful day.







 
This was the only day that Jo was able to be in the shop during her Designer Month, but no worries.  Her models will be on display all month, and I will be teaching a beginner hardanger workshop, "Basic Hardanger", on June 22nd using one of her designs.


 
 And let's not forget her FREE contribution to our Designer of the Month Sampler.   We stitched her Hummingbird into the top left corner square of the sampler, and it looks great.  Drop by and collect each designer's FREE pattern every month.  Unable to drop into the shop, no problem!!  For all web/phone orders of one of the designer's patterns, we will include these patterns.