Posie Gets Cozy

Maggie Rabbit's Back!

Remember Mags? Yep, she's back! You can find her in kit form right HERE!

She has one previously available dress fabric and four new ones. There's Betsy:

And Danjo (interesting name, but no, I didn't make it up — Liberty made up all of these :). The yarn looks darker here than it does in real life. It's more of a pale, warm maroon:

Emilia's Flowers, for my dear Amelia:

And Margaret Annie (appropriately!):

And last but not least, sweet Meadow for my Clover Meadow:

Just choose the dress fabric and yarn combo you would like from the drop-down menu (sorry, there are no substitutions!).

I also have some new clothes patterns! There are some Little Pants and a Shirt for Rabbits. You can make them for a boy bunny or a girl bunny. Just change the fabric and place the buttons on whichever side you'd like!

There is a precious Little Knitted Dress for Rabbits (done from the top down, and mostly in the round [after you do the increases for the skirt]):

And a Little Raglan Sweater for Rabbits, also for boys or girls (the directions will help you place the buttonholes on the left or right side, depending on which one you're making):

And a Little Hooded Coat for Rabbits, all done in garter stitch, with holes in the hood for ears (of course!):

I also have some Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport Weight yarn for you to make all of these knitted things, in eighteen different colors (not all pictured here, but they are on the product page):

And there are also Weensy Little Buttons in nine colors for your sweaters and shirts:

And if you had trouble threading the elastic to go around the neck and cuffs of your bunny peasant dress, I have some size #18 needles with big eyes which will make it easier:

Now. For the knitty (sp?) gritty:

• I've fixed the shopping-cart issue that we had last time, so the specific name of the fabric, or the color of yarn, or the color of the buttons you've placed in your cart will show up, and not just the name of the general item. I'm really sorry I didn't realize this wasn't working until the end of the day of the last kit sale, and by then it was too late — my bad!!! But I think it's working nicely now, so this is good.
• Please — and this is where I beg! — take your time while shopping and make sure you are putting everything you need into your cart before you check out. Unfortunately, I cannot add anything extra to an existing order once it's been placed. The best I can do is 1) cancel the original order for you and have you place a new order with everything you'd like included, or 2) just have you place another order for the new items, and if they are physical items that need to be shipped (i.e.: not a digitally downloaded pattern), you will have to pay shipping twice. Due to the volume of orders that we receive in a very short period of time, I have to rely completely on my system, and the system only lets me cancel, not tinker, so just take a moment to make sure you are getting everything you want in your cart before you check out.
• Please also make sure you have the correct shipping address entered for your order.
• All that said, if you do have a problem and need to email me, don't hesitate!
• All patterns are available as digitally downloaded PDFs. (If you've ordered a kit, a hard copy of the pattern is included.) Once you've purchased it, a link to download your digital PDF pattern will be made immediately available to you upon completion of payment, even if you have purchased physical items at the same time. A link to download the patterns will also be emailed to you separately. Again, this system is completely automatic, so please make sure you are watching for the link at the end of your transaction, and have the correct email address attached to your order. If you have any problem receiving your pattern, let me know.
• I do ship internationally. Please read my FAQ page for details on shipping to Canada and overseas (about halfway down the page) and info about customs charges, etc. (You may be charged duties or taxes or customs charges by your importing country, which unfortunately I can't control; this doesn't happen often but it does occasionally happen, so please be aware.) To see how much the general shipping cost (minus these potential charges) is to your location, please complete the checkout process to Step 2 (which is after you enter your address, so the system knows how much to charge you; shipping charges are different depending on location). You will see the shipping charge to your location and can decide if you would like to complete the transaction.

We have made a lot of kits this time, and hope to get everything shipped in the next several weeks or so (but please be patient, because it is only Greta and I working on this but we're doing our best; we have half othe kits already assembled but if we sell over that we will need some time to put more together). IF the kits do completely sell out again, please don't worry because we will make more. It's takes us some time, but we will make more! Kind of like Doritos.

Thank you very much!!! I'm really excited about this new stuff!

***Ooops! A couple of things I forgot to mention:

• Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for the Pinterest gallery! Aren't these buns just adorable??? I LOVE seeing what people do to make their bunnies special and unique. Oh, they are just all so darn sweet. Thank you, guys. I love them all! (For info on submitting a photo for inclusion, see the second paragraph of this previous post.)
• The knitting patterns are brand new, so if you run into ANY trouble with them, email right away and I will figure it out. If there is any errata and I need to update a pattern, the service I use allows me to send you a notification that there is a new, corrected pattern to download. I will also get these patterns on Ravelry soon.
• If any of the yarn runs out, we will reorder right away. This is my first time carrying yarn so I'm not sure what quantities to carry, but the manufacturer ships quickly so this can be turned around without losing too much time at all.

Thank you again, and thank you for being patient with me! I really appreciate it!

Miss Maggie Rabbit

***UPDATE, 3/1/13 at 6:53 p.m.: I am so sorry but the kits have just sold out. I know people are going to be really disappointed and I sincerely apologize. They went faster than I ever anticipated and I just really apologize if you didn't get to order one. We will be making more but not in time for you to make them for Easter. Thank you so much to everyone who ordered these kits. I'm truly overwhelmed. Please stay tuned and I will update you as to when we will have more kits (later this spring, hopefully in March)! This is a kit I want to keep permanently in my shop, so although we will need some time to make more, we will make more!!!

If you would like a digital PDF pattern to download, they are available HERE.

Aw, here she is! Miss Maggie Rabbit. Well, her parts and pieces, at least. If you'd like to buy a kit to make her, her dress, her capelet, and her boots that can be arranged. First, though, you must decide which dress fabric (and coordinating yarn) you'd like. There are twelve to choose from:

Pretty, no? I think so.

Now, to make Miss Maggie Rabbit, her dress, her boots, and her capelet, this kit includes:

For Maggie:

• Two 6" x 7" (15cm x 18cm) pieces of National Nonwovens wool-blend felt in color #WCF2612 Sandstone 
• Two 6" x 9" (15cm x 23cm) pieces of National Nonwovens wool-blend felt in color #WCF2612 Sandstone
• One 4" x 5" (10cm x 13cm) piece of Liberty Tana Lawn cotton in Eloise (Pink)

For her dress:

• Two 9" x 14" (23cm x 36cm) pieces of Liberty Tana Lawn cotton
• One yard (91cm) elastic thread

For her boots:

• One 5" x 8" (13cm x 20cm) piece of National Nonwovens wool-blend felt in color #TOY2616 Havana Gold

For her capelet:

• 40 yards (10g) of Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport-weight yarn
• Three colors of 6-ply DMC cotton embroidery floss: #647 (Tan), #3021 (Dark Brown), and #823 (Navy)

 As well as:

• Stitching instructions with photos
• Embroidery tutorial
• Knitting pattern
  
• Pattern templates
  

You will need to have your own:

• Size US5 (3.75mm) knitting needles
• Size #5 embroidery needle for stitching rabbit
• Size #18 darning needle for elastic thread
• Water-erase fabric marker
• Paper scissors, sharp fabric scissors, and sharp-tipped embroidery scissors
• Sewing machine and thread to match dress fabric
• Iron and ironing board
• Wool batting and hemostats for stuffing Maggie
• Pink stamp pad and small, short-bristled paintbrush
• Spray starch, and spray bottle with water

Now that you know all that (I just wanted to make sure you knew all that), here is the link!

MISS MAGGIE RABBIT SOFTIE KIT, $34

And if you have your own supplies and you'd like only a downloadable digital PDF pattern (a link to which will be made immediately available to you upon completion of payment), it is available HERE.

Here are some other things I wanted to tell you:

• Miss Maggie is a special bunny, and not meant to be played with by unsupervised babies or small children who might swallow her boots or her capelet, or chew off an ear or a leg. Please use your judgement and watch your baby or child carefully when they are playing with handmade softies, or any toys with smaller parts.

• As I mentioned last week, there is not nor will there be a separate pattern or a kit for a boy bunny. But you can easily make a boy bunny from this pattern (or the kit) by leaving off the blushy cheeks and lining the ears with a more boyish fabric (stripes, plaid, gingham, polka-dots) of your own. I am developing new patterns for pants, sweaters, shirts, and other garments for both Maggie and her brother bunnies that will be available separately as downloadable PDFs. I'm not promising that they will be available before Easter, though. I'll try, but I can't promise.

• Unfortunately, I cannot make any substitutions for yarn or fabrics included in the kits. They are all completely assembled down to the last piece of fabric, and we are ready to ship immediately. As I develop new knitting patterns, I will be offering skeins of the yarn I've used for the garments in my shop. I'll be carrying over a dozen colors so there will be plenty of choices there. I won't be carrying fabric separately. Only kits, patterns, and yarn.

• The bunny and boots are completely hand-sewn with 2-plies of embroidery floss and blanket stitch (this is a great tutorial). The dress is machine-sewn, with a row of running stitches at the neckline and cuffs to gather. The capelet is knitted in garter stitch with short rows (and for these short rows, I just turn the work and start knitting back — no wrapping or anything else). Very easy. It's hard for me to say whether this is a good project for every beginner, but, you know — it's a softie, not national defense, so my best advice these days is just give it a try and have fun with it! Just relax and practice and enjoy it.

Okay, I think that's it. If there are more questions about bunny kits, please leave them in the comments and I will come back and answer them here. If you have general questions about ordering, shipping, shipping overseas, etc., please check my FAQ page.

Thank you again for all of your sweetness and enthusiasm for this little darling. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you. Xoxoxo

***Please take a few moments to make sure you are putting everything you want to order in your cart, and that you have your correct address listed. The only way I can change your order once it's been placed is to cancel/refund it and have you place a new one with the correct items. My system does not allow me to modify or add to orders once they've been placed. Thank you!!!

 

Making Progress

Okay. Hi. How are you guys?

Bread. Make it!

Really, you've gotta make it! It's so easy and so good.

Bunnies. Yay for little bunnies! I'm getting a lot of questions about them which I'll try to answer here. Here's where we are: We (and when I say "we" I mean mostly the amazing Greta) are still in the process of preparing all of the materials that will go into the kits. We're planning to start assembling them next week. The kit will include a printed pattern (with instructions and templates), all the felt you need to make the bunny and the boots, embroidery floss, dress fabric, ear fabric, yarn for knitting the capelet, and elastic (to finish the dress). Once all of the kits are completely assembled (it will probably take the whole week), I will put them in the web shop and make an announcement here on the blog. ***UPDATE, 2/26/13: We are making really good progress on assembling the kits, and I'm hoping to put them on sale in the web shop on Friday, March 1. Thank you! There will be twelve different dress fabrics (with coordinating yarn for capelets). This will probably be a kit that we will try to keep permanently stocked in the web shop, but the dress fabrics will definitely be changing once these particular ones are sold out, so if you want a particular dress, don't wait too long. We do ship overseas. There will be a downloadable PDF pattern released at the same time that the kits are released for those of you that already have materials — and materials lists will be posted in the web shop so you can see what you need before you purchase either the kit or pattern only.

I'm hopelessly in love with this bunny, whose name, by the way, is Maggie Rabbit. This pattern (and kit) that we are working on right now will only include instructions (and supplies) to make the bunny herself, a dress, a capelet (yes, you need to know how to knit, or find someone who can), and the boots (all pictured here). But I have many more clothes planned. Like, a lot of clothes planned. I can't help it. This little blue knitted dress? I designed and made it over the weekend and it made me very happy. I expect it will be the first in a line of items all designed to fit this bunny. Those patterns will all be available (as I design them, one at a time) only as downloadable PDFs, and we will stock the yarn and most likely the fabrics separately, so you can pick and choose just the ones you want. My plan is to have crocheted things, boy-bunny things, more knitted things, and a basic wardrobe of sewn things.

I expect I'll have the blue dress pattern ready in a few weeks. But I want to finish these kits first, and get them out the door.

What is perfect about this for me right now is that I do all the design while sitting on the chaise lounge with Amelia sleeping between my legs. I don't have a lot of time to get into the studio (though she does like to sit in her bouncy seat in there — skylights!!!), so tiny clothes are things to work such great things to work on out in the living room. My sweet muse is just so inspiring! I have a million ideas for things I want to make for her. She already loves to play with Maggie. I bought her a vintage doll closet thing and some tiny hangers on Etsy the other day, because she will need it!!! Anyway, it's so much fun.

We also got her the cutest little play gym (that's what they call them, I guess — this is the one we got) last week. It's kind of amazing, because last week she was just sort of looking at it. And this week she is completely into it. Now she reaches for it, talks to it, calls to it, makes bubbles at it, bats at it, laughs at it, tries to roll over under it, looks at herself in the little "mirror" thing. It happens so fast. Every week, every day, she can do something she couldn't do the day before. It is so exciting. Her favorite toy is still her burp cloth ("burpie"). And her dress. She likes to hold the hem of her shirt or her dress in her hand. Everything she does fascinates me.

Let me know if you have any bunny kit questions and I'll come back and answer them here, okay? Thank you!

*The bunny and boots are completely hand-sewn with 2-plies of embroidery floss and blanket stitch (this is a great tutorial). The dress is machine-sewn, with a row of running stitches at the neckline and cuffs to gather. The capelet is knitted in garter stitch with short rows (and for these short rows, I just turn the work and start knitting back — no wrapping or anything else). Very easy.

*There will not be a separate pattern or kit for a boy bunny, but you can easily make this bunny into a boy bunny by changing the ear fabric (just use something less flowery, like stripes or gingham or polka dots) and leaving off the blushy cheeks. There will be boy clothes — pants and a shirt and a sweater and overalls — coming soon.

***UPDATE, 2/26/13: We are making really good progress on assembling the kits, and I'm hoping to put them on sale in the web shop on Friday, March 1. Thank you!

Winter Cabin Ornament Kits, and a New Web Shop!

Hello! Do you like bluebirds? And tea kettles? And lighted windows? I do!!!

Introducing my new 2012 ornament-making kit: WINTER CABIN:

There is a Lighted Window, to welcome all passersby . . .

There is a Western Bluebird, to provide the winter song . . .

And there is a Whistling Tea Kettle, to make the Earl Grey . . .

Each Winter Cabin Felt Holiday Ornament Craft Kit contains materials to make one of each of the three ornaments, including:

16 pieces of wool blend felt in assorted colors
11 skeins coordinating DMC cotton embroidery floss
1/4 yd imported French gingham ribbon (for hanger)
1/2 yd imported French rick-rack (for hangers)
1/2 yd imported French calico bias tape (for curtains)
Stitching instructions
Pattern templates
Illustrated embroidery tutorial

You will need to have your own:

Wool batting or Polyester Fiber-fill
Sharp embroidery needle
Dressmaker's chalk pencil or fabric marker
Dressmaker's chalk carbon paper
Sharp fabric scissors and paper scissors
Motivation
Snacks
Fireplace
Kitty-puppy foot warmers
Television to watch the new season of Psych if they ever start it for goodness sakes!!!!!!! This is exactly what I said last year and it's double-true now. C'mon, son!

We have also put together limited editions of previous years' kits, including:

2011's kit, SWEET HOME:

It includes a Blue Door, with a wreath to welcome you home . . .

A Glowing Candle, to light the night . . .

And 2010's kit, SNOW DAY:

2010's kit, SNOW DAY:

It includes a Red Wool Coat, to keep you warm and dry . . .

A traditional Norwegian Selbu mitten, to keep your hands toasty . . .

And a Polar Bear, far from the Arctic Circle, peeking out from behind the trees.

2009's ornament-making kit, WALK IN THE WOODS, is also available:

It includes the Cozy Cottage, with the wood fires burning:

The Snowy Tree, sparkling with ice crystals:

And my favorite, the Little Deer, who watches shyly from the trees:

And there are also a few of 2008's kit, ICE SKATING AFTERNOON, as well!

There's the Hot Cocoa Cup, to warm you up:

The Ice Skate, with pom-pon for good measure:

And lastly, the Gingerbread Girl, the sweetest of all:

Please click on the links for each of the kits above to take to you the web shop pages, which list what's included in each and what you will need to have. Each ornament kit costs $30 each, plus shipping.

About the skill level needed to complete these: In previous years I said that, while I don't think of these kits necessarily as a children's or a beginner's project, if you have some experience working some basic stitches, these ornaments take more time and patience than skill. I will include directions on transferring the designs to the felt, and basic diagrams for completing the types of classic embroidery stitches you will need to know — backstitch, lazy-daisy stitch, satin stitch, French knot, and blanket stitch — but once you are comfortable working those stitches, if you just take your time and settle in, you will be fine.

If you are interested in ordering any of these kits, the very best advice I can give you is do not wait to place your order. Unlike previous years, we are not taking pre-orders this year: We have instead made up a limited number of each kit, and will ship them out as fast as we can. In previous years, these kits have sold out every year long before Christmas, and once they are gone, they are absolutely gone until next year (and even then, there are no guarantees that we will continue to do them, of course). Usually, Andy and I put these kits together ourselves, sourcing all of the materials, cutting the felt and the ribbons, packaging the embroidery floss, scooping beads and sequins, winding yarn, and then doing all of the shipping. This year, we have been so lucky to have Greta helping us with every aspect of this operation all summer long, and together we have completed 1,200 kits total. It's a lot of shipping to do in a couple of months, but I think we have a great system now, and with the new web shop and shipping system, I am beyond excited about how easy it will be to ship these kits quickly — they're finished! — and easily. And yes, we do ship overseas, and THAT has been ridiculously simplified now as well. So — I'm really excited.

(That said — I also wanted to mention that because we are shipping so quickly, PLEASE make sure that your shipping address is correct when you place your order. In some cases, we are shipping orders the exact same day the order is placed, so it's important that you check your address on your end properly before submitting your order, because once it's out there, it's out there!)

All five patterns are also now available as downloadable PDFs. (Usually we wait until all the kits are shipped to release the PDFs, but I got everything finished early this year.) A list of the specific felt colors and piece sizes and floss colors you need can be found here. The cool thing now, too, is that all of the items — from kits, to digital downloads, to embroidery supplies — can all be put in the same shopping cart. I will give you a full-on tour of the site later this week, too, but when you go over there you can cruise around a little bit and see what's available to help you complete your projects.

The new web shop has been quietly open for about a week as I've worked out various kinks. I feel really confident that it is funcioning well now, but if you have ANY problems, questions, or comments, please leave your messages on the blog there (there's a little News blog that is just for the web shop), and I will do much best to keep a sharp eye on that and fix anything that comes up. And of course you can always email me at posie@rosylittlethings.com.

Again, thank you beyond words for all of your enthusiasm for and support of these kits over the years. They are a big part of my life and I am so grateful that your interest and orders allow me to continue to do exactly what I love to do, every single day. Thank you, more than I can ever find words to say, for that.

Winterwoods ABCs Cross Stitch Sampler Kit (and Embroidery Supplies) For You

Hi! How are you? I've been busy! Are you ready to work on a cross stitch sampler? Because the kit for this one is almost ready for you, and will be starting to ship in about two weeks! Yes. I am very, very excited about this.

The Winterwoods ABCs Cross Stitch Sampler Kit is now ready to order here!

This counted cross stitch sampler was inspired by our walks in the woods near Mt. Hood, Oregon, this winter. It is stitched on 28-count linen (that's 14 stitches per inch) with variegated hand over-dyed six-strand cotton embroidery floss. Because the floss is naturally variegated, each element of the sampler contains variations of color and hue, giving the motifs depth and texture with very little effort on your part.

If you are new to counted cross stitch, or need some quick lessons to refresh your memory, please be sure to read my counted cross stitch tutorial before you start. (Oh, and this is how I organized my floss.) Once you get the hang of it, this sampler is simple to work up and I think you'll have it done in no time! (But not too quick, 'cause it's the type of thing you want to hang out with a while.)

Finished Size of Design Area: 8" x 10" (20cm x 27cm)

This Winterwoods ABCs Cross Stitch Sampler Kit contains:

One 14" x 16" (36cm x 41cm) piece of 28-count Cashel linen in Smokey Pearl
Fourteen colors of Weeks Dye Works hand over-dyed 6-strand cotton embroidery floss
Stitching instructions and color cross-stitch chart

You will need your own:

#24 tapestry needle(s)
Embroidery scissors
4" (10cm) embroidery hoop
Thread organizing supplies
Frame and framing supplies

I am now offering my favorite embroidery supplies in my web shop, should you need lovely, high quality tools. We have:

Gorgeous little embroidery scissors.

Hardwicke Manor 4" hoops.

Twill tape to wrap around the inner hoop. You don't need to do this, but it's nice, and provides more tension to keep the fabric from slipping out of the hoop as you stitch.

Size #24 tapestry needles for cross stitch on linen.

To order any or all of the supplies (which will be shipped with the kits), please visit my web shop.

We will ship overseas and have a new shipping program for that! Yay yay. Very happy about that. To see the shipping costs for your location, just place the items in your cart and choose your location (or enter your zip code, if you are in the U.S.) and it will tell you how much the shipping is. As usual, I have a sincere request: Please check on and update your shipping address correctly in your Paypal preferences so that there is no confusion when we go to ship. We have a kind of a complicated system for making sure that everyone gets what they ordered on time, and post-ordering emails requesting address changes really mess with that when there are a lot of orders coming in at once. So if you can get it all straight on your end before placing your order, I would be ever ever ever so very, very grateful. Thank you.

I still have a rather complicated shopping cart system going on in my web shop. There are three different genres of things for sale in the shop: Kits and supplies, downloadable crochet patterns, and downloadable sewing and embroidery patterns. Kits and supplies orders that need to be physically shipped go directly through Paypal. To view the cart for them, click on the button at the top of the site that says "View Cart for Kits and Supplies." Crochet patterns go through Ravelry and are purchased one at a time. Sewing patterns go through another digital products service and can be purchased several at a time; to view the cart for them, click on the button at the top of the site that says "View Cart for Patterns Only." Kind of complicated, I know, but somehow it all seems to work out fine. But this year I truly do want to try to reconfigure my shopping system. If you have any confusion, just let me know and I will totally help steer you in the right direction.

As I mentioned, I expect to begin shipping on March 21. The printed patterns arrived last week and I think they look absolutely beautiful. The floss is all packaged. The embroidery supplies are here and are even prettier in person. The fabric (we've just been waiting for the fabric) arrives in New Jersey today or tomorrow, and then as soon as they're done cutting it there it will be on its way here to Oregon next week. The minute it arrives here we will begin final assembly of the kits and start packing them up. It's kind of an exciting, stressful time. I always get frazzled. And emotional. This project saved me this winter. I think about everybody out there stitching these, all over the country and the world, and it really makes me happy. I wonder if you will enjoy the process of making this, what you're watching on TV when you stitch, what's going on in your life, whether you are new to embroidery or old to embroidery. Every time we do kits there are so many of your names that I recognize, over and over again, on the orders. Thank you for that, sincerely. I am so grateful. I really hope you like this kit!!!

*If you have your own materials and are waiting for the downloadable PDF pattern for this sampler, it will be available in a few weeks, after we get the majority of these orders shipped is available here. Thank you!

***Kits are available here.

I Love Coming Home

I think it's kind of weird that I had already designed and named this year's ornaments before we had any idea that we'd be away from home at all this summer (and this upcoming fall). As we prepare to leave again soon, this little collection feels particularly poignant to me right now, and just makes me happy.

Please meet my 2011 ornament collection, SWEET HOME!

It includes a Blue Door, with a wreath to welcome you home . . .

A Glowing Candle, to light the night . . .

And a Wild Bunny, playing with his woodland friends in the yard.

Each Sweet Home Felt Holiday Ornament Craft Kit contains materials to make one of each of the three ornaments, including:

20 pieces of wool blend felt in assorted colors
12 skeins coordinating DMC cotton embroidery floss
1/4 yd imported French gingham ribbon (for hanger)
1/2 yd imported French eyelet lace (for hangers)
Beads and sequins
Stitching instructions
Pattern templates
Illustrated embroidery tutorial

You will need to have your own:

Wool batting or Polyester Fiber-fill
Sharp embroidery needle
Dressmaker's chalk pencil or fabric marker
Dressmaker's chalk carbon paper
Sharp fabric scissors and paper scissors
Motivation
Snacks
Fireplace
Television to watch the new season of Psych if they ever start it for goodness sakes!!!!!!!

We have also put together limited editions of previous years' kits, including:

2010's kit, SNOW DAY:

It includes a Red Wool Coat, to keep you warm and dry . . .

A traditional Norwegian Selbu mitten, to keep your hands toasty . . .

And a Polar Bear, far from the Arctic Circle, peeking out from behind the trees.

2009's ornament-making kit, WALK IN THE WOODS, is also available:

It includes the Cozy Cottage, with the wood fires burning:

The Snowy Tree, sparkling with ice crystals:

And my favorite, the Little Deer, who watches shyly from the trees:

And there are also a few of 2008's kit, ICE-SKATING AFTERNOON, as well!

There's the Hot Cocoa Cup, to warm you up:

The Ice Skate, with pom-pon for good measure:

And lastly, the Gingerbread Girl, the sweetest of all:

Please click on the links for each of the kits above to take to you the web shop pages, which list what's included in each and what you will need to have. All ornament kits cost $30 each. I must tell you a couple of VERY IMPORTANT THINGS before you order, though:

1) Because our life in the near-future is extremely unpredictable, we originally decided that we would not ship these overseas this year. But NOW we have changed our minds, and have decided that we will ship kits overseas and to Canada, but only electronically through Paypal, and not by handwriting customs forms and standing in line at the P.O. they way we usually do. This means that your overseas shipping will be very expensive, because shipping internationally on-line is more than three times more expensive than taking your package to the P.O. International shipping is pricey, complicated, and time-intensive process when you are sending hundreds of kits overseas, as we do, and we just don't have the ability right now to take on the extra hours of work it takes to keep the international shipping costs lower, the way we usually do. I don't know why there is such a difference in cost when shipping international on-line or at the P.O. counter, but there it is. I sincerely apologize, but I promise that this is the best we can do right now, honestly.

2) If you do place an order, please (begs, pleads) make sure that your shipping address in Paypal is entirely correct. Every time we ship kits, I get dozens of emails asking me to change an address that has been placed on an order. Tracking and accommodating these changes is a complicated process (for reasons I won't bore you with right now), and I definitely won't be able to do it this time. It may happen that someone other than me (hi Julie) needs to take over the shipping process in coming days, and with close to 1,500 individual orders expected to ship all over the world, I cannot trust that your kit will get to you unless you have an accurate address on your Paypal account. If you do send in an order and realize later than you need to change it, you can email me, but the best I will be able to do is cancel and refund your original order (if it hasn't already shipped), let you make your changes with Paypal (not me), and ask you to place another order with the corrected information. If you are in the process of moving, perhaps you can have a friend or a relative order a kit for you with their account, and then they can ship it on to you when you know your new address?

About the skill level needed to complete these: In previous years I said that, while I don't think of these kits necessarily as a children's or a beginner's project, if you have some experience working some basic stitches, these ornaments take more time and patience than skill. I will include directions on transferring the designs to the felt, and basic diagrams for completing the types of classic embroidery stitches you will need to know — backstitch, lazy-daisy stitch, satin stitch, French knot, and blanket stitch — but once you are comfortable working those stitches, if you just take your time and settle in, you will be fine.

If you are interested in ordering any of these kits, the very best advice I can give you is do not wait to place your order. Unlike previous years, we are not taking pre-orders this year: We have instead made up a limited number of each kit, and will ship them out as fast as we can. In previous years, these kits have sold out every year long before Christmas, and once they are gone, they are absolutely gone until next year (and even then, there are no guarantees that we will continue to do them, of course). Usually, Andy and I put these kits together ourselves, sourcing all of the materials, cutting the felt and the ribbons, packaging the embroidery floss, scooping beads and sequins, winding yarn, and then doing all of the shipping. This year, we are so lucky to have a lot of people helping us with every aspect of this operation, because the reality is that we could get a phone call summoning us to Illinois any day now, and we'll have to pack up and go as fast as we can (and then we'll be gone for several weeks). My trusty assistants will take over, but this is a big job, and if at any time they (or I) get too overwhelmed, we'll stop taking orders. So, all that said, my advice is to order early, because I'll start packing up orders for some of the kits tomorrow, and do as much as I can before that important phone call comes!

I also don't think I'll have time to write postcards for everyone the way I usually do for all of my orders. But I'll do them next time, I promise!

I will eventually be offering all four patterns as downloadable PDFs — but I do not know exactly when they will be available. We usually make them available sometime in October, but again, I'll just have to see how everything goes.

THANK YOU again, everyone, for your patience and for your very generous enthusiasm for these projects. I absolutely love making these ornaments and these kits, and I can't tell you how cool it feels to imagine you at home making these for yourselves. It's one of my favorite things, and I'm so grateful that you collect them, year after year. I really like how each collection stands alone, but I also really try to make each of the collections work together as part of the larger group. It's just fun to see them all together, and they are SO much fun to make. I really, really hope you enjoy these!

Daisychain ABCs Crewelwork Sampler Kit

Is now available for pre-order! SOLD OUT! THANK YOU!!! PDF coming soon!

This kit will include:

Pre-cut 100% cotton fabric with the design already printed
Appleton's 2-ply crewel yarn in nine assorted colors
Two crewel needles
Easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams
Illustrated stitch glossary for every stitch used

You will need your own:

Scissors
Embroidery hoop
Frame (my sampler is shown in an 11" x 14" frame) and framing supplies
Porch swing
Halter top
Peach lemonade
8-track to play "Sister Golden Hair"
WARM WEATHER

To place your order, please click HERE.

As I mentioned, we are hoping to assemble kits during the month of May and have everything shipped by mid-June. In some ways, the shipping date depends on how many orders come in. If a lot of orders come in, we may have to order more crewel wool (which comes from England) and that will take some extra time. But the first people to order will be the first to receive their kits, so I really encourage you not to wait to order. Our kits always sell out, and I want to make sure that everyone who wants one gets one. I'll leave the pre-orders open until May 10.

As usual, we will ship overseas. To see the shipping costs for your location, just place the items in your cart and choose your location (or enter your zip code, if you are in the U.S.) and it will tell you how much the shipping is. Also as usual, I have a sincere request: Please check on and update your shipping address correctly in your Paypal preferences so that there is no confusion when we go to ship. We have a kind of a complicated system for making sure that everyone gets what they ordered on time, and post-ordering emails requesting address changes really mess with that when there are a lot of orders coming in at once, so if you can get it all straight before placing your order, I would be ever so very, very grateful. Thank you.

I spent all day yesterday trying to untangle the complicated shopping cart system I have going on in my web shop. There are three different genres of things for sale in the shop: Kits and supplies, downloadable crochet patterns, and downloadable sewing patterns. Kits and supplies orders that need to be physically shipped go directly through Paypal. To view the cart for them, click on the button at the top of the site that says "View Cart for Kits and Supplies." Crochet patterns go through Ravelry and are purchased one at a time. Sewing patterns go through another digital products service and can be purchased several at a time; to view the cart for them, click on the button at the top of the site that says "View Cart for Patterns Only." Kind of complicated, I know, but I'm going to try to reconfigure my shopping system this summer. If you have any confusion, just let me know and I will help steer you in the right direction.

A downloadable PDF of the Daisychain ABCs sampler pattern ONLY (not the kit, just the pattern) will be available, but not until sometime in June, after all of the kits have been shipped.

I absolutely loved making this. It is not hard, but it will keep you happy/busy for a while. That's what embroidery is all about, for me. I think we all need quiet time in life to do pretty little things like this. I know I do.

What else. I think that's it. My brain is fried. If you have any questions, just let me know! Thank you!!!

*Friday Update: THANK YOU everyone, so much, for all of your kind words and your orders! So excited here! Thank you! xo

A few answers to questions that have come up: 

Is this a project for beginners? Well, my answer to that is always, if you love it you can do it — embroidery just takes practice, you can rip out and redo anything you don't like, and there are illustrations to help you work through all of the stitches (which are quite basic: stem stitch, backstitch, satin stitch, French knot, chain stitch, and lazy daisy, among a few others). That said, it's a fairly big piece (the frame in my photos is 11" x 17", to give you an idea of scale) with some small, detailed parts, so it's a bit ambitious in that way. But, you know, of course I think you can do it!

Can you recommend a good beginner's embroidery book? Why, yes! There is an absolutely wonderful book called Embroidery Companion: Classic Designs for Modern Living by Alicia Paulson that you will just love!!!

;-)

Does the background fabric in the kit come in white (or some other color)? And does it come with any other letters, from other language alphabets? No, just mustard, and just these 26 letters. :-)

Will the hoop and scissors and twill tape ship separately, or with the kit? The supplies will ship with the kits, in June.

Will this be available later, or again next year? Probably not. I'll be onto something else by then.

What are the finished dimensions? The sampler is designed to fit into an 11" x 14" frame. There is a 3" margin of fabric all the way around the design area to give you something to hold onto while you're stitching, and to help with stretching during the framing phase.

And yes, I will definitely be doing a framing tutorial for you in the coming weeks. :-) Okay, back Monday! Thank you!

May 10, 2011 Update: The kits are completely sold out now. THANK YOU to everyone who pre-ordered! The PDF of the pattern only will be available soon. Thank you!

Mina Crocheted Dress Pattern Now Available

Tulip time is coming and here is the first tulipfield dress! I'm looking out my front window and waiting for my 120 'Mistress' tulip bulbs to bloom. They look to be a couple of weeks off yet. Maybe in time for Easter? That would be wonderful. This will be the first year for these bulbs for us. We ordered them last year, when this trip to the color-striped tulip fields inspired the creation of a few tulip-striped crocheted dresses. Miss Mina is the first of the those for which I have (finally!) written a pattern. You can find the Mina Crocheted Dress pattern (and big huge pictures of the dresses) here.

6-12 months size

I'm (finally!) really happy with this one. It's done entirely in half-double crochet (my patterns are written in American crochet terms, by the way; Brits will have to translate terms and measurements out of inches) and I would say an advanced beginner — one who knows how to chain, do hdcs, change color, and increase — should have no problem with this. The pattern is sized for 0-3 months (6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 3-4 years). It also includes a measurement diagram thing (what do you call those?).

0-3 months size

This dress is also totally seamless, done from the top down. You still do it in rows, however; you just join the ends of the rows in the back, making a visible seam up the back to the opening, but I still prefer that to seaming, personally. When I'm done, I like to b done. I tell you how to join here without the twist that can sometimes happen. I have photographs showing you exactly where to put the hook in each stitch, but if you get stuck just let me know and I'll help you.

From the back

Photos and yarn details about the Mina dresses can all be found on my Ravelry project page. I also made the largest size in oatmeal tan with purple striping but I forgot that I never finished the belt or photographed it so I will try to do that this weekend and put it up there, too. I just simply can't believe it is already the weekend again.

Some other things I keep wanting to mention:

1) Portlanders, do not forget to get your Avett Brothers tickets for July 16 in Salem! They go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PST this morning. We will be down in section 4 somewhere — can't remember what row we are in. I can't wait.

2) I am doing an internet radio interview for Pat Sloan's Creative Talk Radio on Monday, April 11 (this coming Monday) at 4 p.m. EST (1 p.m. PST). You can listen to it live (and participate in the chat) or download it as a podcast afterward. I think I am on in the second half-hour of the show.

3) I read an entire book in one sitting a couple of days ago which I have never done in my entire life (I'd heard people talk about it but I never really believed it was possible). It is called Chosen by a Horse: How a Broken Horse Fixed a Broken Heart by Susan Richards. I heard about it last summer when our friend Ken visited and said that he sat next to the author on a plane ride back from Europe and she gave him her book for the ride (I think this is how it went). I picked the book up the other day and started reading it at 2 p.m. and finished it at 6 p.m. I was BAWLING at the end, couldn't even see to read. Like our mortgage broker says about this k.d. lang video he had us watch in his office (yes, picture it — awesome), "If this doesn't make you cry, you're missing a gear."

4) I have no idea why I keep reading and watching such sad things lately. The pioneer books? You guys. I've finished five of them now, I think. We have to talk. I will say that after the first two I had already decided to only read FUNNY BOOKS for the summer. More on this. . . .

5) Thank you to everyone who has sent emails because you thought I would love Jillian Tamaki's gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous, embroidered book covers for a new series of Penguin classics. Do. I. EVER. Wow. I might have to break my funny-books-only rule and get this version of Black Beauty.

Okay, I'm gonna let you go get your Avett tickets now!!! Hurry!

Storybook Woods Baby Bonnet Pattern

My furry friends kept me such good company yesterday. It was cold and raining outside so we all bundled into the studio together and finished this pattern, which made me very happy. The Storybook Woods Baby Bonnet pattern is now on sale in my web shop.

The pattern will help you make a bonnet in four sizes: Extra Small, which will fit a little head that's about 16" (40.5cm) around; Small: 17" (43cm); Medium: 18" (45.5cm); and Large: 19" (48cm). Since there is quite a bit of variety in average baby head sizes for specific ages, circumference measurements seemed a more accurate way of labeling the sizes, but generally these bonnets should fit an infant to about a two-year-old.

They can be made for either boys or girls, depending on (obviously) what kind of fabrics you choose and your embroidery preferences. An embrodiery tutorial that shows you how to do each stitch is included in the pattern. To make the boy's version, you just replace the centered blossom with a little sprig of fly stitches in pinecone-colored embroidery floss:

I love that one. It reminds me to mention that, if you've never tried it before, hand over-dyed six-strand embroidery floss is perfect for this project, as it has subtle, automatic color gradations and looks lovely and natural on leaves and plants. I don't use it all the time but for certain projects it is really nice.

Another boy's version

I used a light- to mid-weight woven wool for the outside of the bonnet, and quilter's cottons for the linings. The construction of the bonnet is really simple, but I would suggest (and I do suggest in the pattern) making a practice bonnet first, before taking the time to embroider or cut into your fancy wool. Making a practice bonnet will help you get used to stitching curves and topstitching — even though I've done both of those things a million times, I always like to practice a bit before sewing my final project. Doing it neatly is important here, so it's worth the extra effort, I think. You will be able to make a few hats out of the amount of fabric called for in the pattern. Oh, and also — a dressmaker's ham for pressing is very helpful in making these. You can press curves without one, but a ham is quite nice to have and makes life a lot easier.

The pattern includes illustrated step-by-step instructions and full-size pattern templates. You should always print the pattern at the highest quality your printer can muster (so you can see the photos clearly) and BE SURE that the page is not scaled or reduced to "fit to printable area" in any way. Print it at 100%. This is really important. And, as always, you will need Adobe Reader to view the pattern.

I worked on the technical part of my web shop last week, and arranged it so that all of the sewing and craft patterns — excluding the crochet patterns — can be purchased at the same time, in the same shopping cart. My crochet patterns link to and are sold through Ravelry, which is nice because then they can all be stored in a permanent library there (and there are automatic errata alerts, if necessary, as well). My books are sold separately, since they are shipped directly out of my studio. As always, if you have any trouble downloading a pattern, just email me and I will help you right away.

The photos of these are kind of funny because there is a little sharp point on the top of my metal hat stand which makes it look like there's a point in the top of the hat, but it's really just the hat stand. I can't remember where I got that hat stand.

They are really fun to make, and make great presents. You can easily do one in an afternoon, including the embroidery, no problem. I love making bonnets. I'm very happy with these.

They are rather sweet, I think.

Downloadable Ornament Patterns Now Available!

SNOW DAY (2010) Ornament Set Pattern

WALK IN THE WOODS (2009) Ornament Set Pattern

ICE SKATING AFTERNOON (2008) Ornament Set Pattern

The downloadable PDF ornament patterns are now available for each set of ornaments — yay! Please click on each of the links under the photos above to purchase them for immediate download and get started this weekend!

Each pattern contains a supply list, photos, stitching instructions, pattern templates, and an illustrated embroidery tutorial. As you know, you will need to have Adobe Reader to open PDF files.

I've also written out a list of the exact felt colors (and sizes of the pieces we include in our kits) and embroidery floss colors for each kit for those of you who would like that information. That list is available to download HERE. (And if you've already purchased a kit but would like to make more ornaments to match, feel free to use that list, too, of course.)

If you need tracing paper, fabric markers, or dressmaker's chalk pencils, I like these.

When you're done with your ornaments, please take pictures of them and add them to the Flickr group!

Thank you again for all of your interest in these ornaments. We have had so much fun doing them this year. The kits for Snow Day and Walk in the Woods are now officially sold out; we still have quite a few Ice Skating Afternoon kits, which you can still order here until they are gone. But do hurry! Once they are gone, they won't be available again until next year!

I am going to take a few days off to collect myself and try to make a dent in the ginormous pile of chores piling up in my in-box and here at home so that I can start the holiday season with some peace of mind. I told Andy that I wanted to rearrange all of the furniture this weekend and he is still looking at me like I've done lost my mind. I've seen this look before and have decided that the best way to handle it is to play dumb. "You want me to move this thing, that's over here, and weighs four thousand pounds, over to there?" Me: "Hmmmmmmmm? I can't move. The dog needs me" [batting eyelashes sweetly while holding dog belly-up on lap and scratching her stomach]. I'll let you know how that works, should you have need for a room re-do of your own.