Praiseworthy Stitches

Fall online Needlework Show

2011-10-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hope that everyone is having a great fall. It is almost time for the fall online Needlework Show! (http://www.needleworkshow.com/) It runs October 20-25. Everyone can go and see all the new designs for the designers participating. If you find something that you like, then you can visit (roadtrip!!) or call your favorite shop so they can order it for you! It is a way that you can see new designs and designers that you may not know about. We are also having a doorprize drawing! Have fun!

Pumpkins

This fall we decided to design a piece that shows our fasination with all the beautiful colors and shapes of pumpkins! Pumpkins are a big thing here in North Carolina with all the kindergarten children making trips to the pumpkin farm to select their very own pumpkin and to ride on the hay wagon. Such a fun trip for everyone!

Christmas Biscornu

This small elegant biscornu is a fast stitch and the perfect little gift for that special stitcher in your life. Stitched in red on the front and green on the back, it looks just like the Christmas season but the colors can be changed to fit your own taste. All the stitching instructions are included with the chart. We were able to stitch it up and finish it in a weekend-so plenly of time to make several before the holidays!

Take care and we will be in touch--we have pictures from the Cleveland County Fair!

TNNA Fall Show in Baltimore

2011-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Pam & Susan

WE ARE BACK!!

We are finally home after being gone a week. But what a week!! We had the most fun with all the people there!! We made many new friends and saw so many of our old friends. And yes we did make complete fools of ourselves! We dressed up as pinque pirates--pink hair, swords and hats! We made everyone looking for treasure by following the treasure map that we had created on the floor! We had a few that had to be run through(Pam's Husband) however most people were very compliant once we showed our swords! We had several people tell us that they had to come back several times because of the "party" we were having!

We also made you some pics of our showroom at Baltimore. That way you can see part of it for yourself!

It was such fun--we only wish that you could have been there with us! There so many wonderful designers and new items that it would be too hard to tell them all--we would be afraid that we would miss something or someone! It was just fantastic!

Check your local shop and see what they have brought home from market!

You just won't believe all the new things--we couldn't get around to see it all!

Keep Stitching!!

New designs for the Fall Needlework Show in Baltimore!

2011-08-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Ravenmoon Hall

The next in our series of haunted houses! The children are arriving and the party is starting, but wait! Who is that in the upstairs and what is going on in the attic? Looks like there maybe more tricks than treats this night!

The Secrets of the Nereid

The second in the Seafarer's Valentine series, the Secrets of the Nereid features a stitched tray that makes a false bottom (secret compartment) in the Seeafarer's Valentine box. It has a large silk pocket that is the ideal place for those love letters or stitching stash!

The last part will be out in Feburary.

New Designs for Baltimore

2011-07-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
We are frantically getting ready to go to Baltimore for the fall show. We are going to have the next part of our Seafarer's Valentine design called Secrets of the Nereid. This part of the design will make a "secret" compartment for the bottom of the box. It features the captain's wife waving to her husband in the distance.

We will have a new Halloween design-Ravenmoon Hall. Spooky and fun this design has been a delightful piece to stitch. It has gone so quickly!
Will load pictures soon!

Sandcastle Bay

2011-05-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sandcastle Bay is the latest in the Down the Lane series (#8). It is summer and everyone has packed up the kids and dogs with a picnic lunch, pails and toys to visit the beach. It is a visit to a more simple, carefree time. Remember the waves dancing at your feet and the sun warm against your skin?

Sandcastle Bay will be released at the Columbus Show in June 2011.

Email us and let us know why you need a copy of this chart. Best answer will get a free copy of Sandcastle Bay! We will accept answers through June 15.

Happy stitching!

Pam & Susan

Simple Gifts--Faith

2011-04-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

We are so excited that the new issue of Sampler Antique Needlework Quaterly (Summer 2011) is here! Our new quaker design is in it!! Simple Gifts--Faith the latest in that series. We hope that you will take the time to grab a copy to stitch!

Online Needlework Show Starts!!

2011-04-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

The online Needlework Show starts on Thursday! We have 2 new designs that are being released just for this show. We are also having giving away 3 copies of our new design Willow House Retreat (pictured at left). Make sure that you take the time to see all the new designs and let your shop owners know so they can place an order for you! You can see it starting on Thursday afternoon at 2pm(est). The link is http://www.needleworkshow.com/

Le Jardin de Lapin is our other new design. A smaller design that is full of interesting details. This cute little piece has a little story behind it! My husband did not like the name that we had picked out--several names actually. So Susan and I decieded that this name would be elegant and yet the first name that we choose--but in French. So there! Le jardin de Lapin. (Bunny Garden). It has been so much fun to stitch!

Seafarer's Valentine

2011-02-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

The Seafarer’s Valentine is a box styled after the antique Sailor’s Valentines
that were given by
sea captains to
their wives and
sweethearts.

It is stitched on top and on the inside there are 4 pockets for threads
and miscellaneous needlework items.

This is the first of a three part series. This will also feature a series of “letters” that we will be posting on our blog between the sea captain and his wife.
These will be included in piece as well.

We included complete stitching, box construction and finishing instructions.

Garden Party Sweets

2011-02-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

The Garden Party Sweets kit is a deliciously sinful treat! It includes all the materials for a sweet flower pincushion resting on a delightful cupcake holder insect. There is a matching scissor fob/flower needle book & bird stitch counter.

2011-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

New for

Nashville

2011

Here are the first pictures of our new designs. This one of our kits we will have available.

Wonderfully Wicked Whimsies Kit

This adorable kit features a Haunted House needlebook complete with a felt ghost needle rest inside. The back has a ruched ribbon decoration with a spooky stitch counter. There is also a pumpkin pincushion, a beaded spider thread holder, a 2-sided pin disc, a beaded scissor fob (scissors not included) & lastly a skeletal slide tin that has a creepy surprise inside. Available at the 2011 Nashville Show.

There will be a limited number of the these kits. When they are gone---well, they have gone.

Just Cross Stitch magazine Jan/Feb 2011

2010-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just thought that we would let you know that the new Jan/Feb 2011 Just Cross Stitch magazine is out and we have a design in it! The design is called Winter at Beacon House. It is a fun design that we think that you will enjoy! Let us know what you think!

Getting ready for Christmas

2010-12-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. We have gotten up our tree at Pam's house and Susan has gotten hers up as well. I haven't been there yet to make a picture (although we talk everyday) but that is on the agenda for the weekend.

My (Pam's) Santas are out (about 100) and the ceramic Christmas tree forest is out. If you take a step in the house you may run into something. The guys are tall and constantly complain about the garland and the mistletoe being too low. They just don't get it.

We will be at the cantata we are singing for the Dallas community on Sunday nite. Pam is the one that is in the choir (although Susan does sing well). If you are in the area it is at the 1st Methodist Church in Dallas at 7pm. It is free and should be lots of fun!

And then there are the cookies. I always have a cookie party with us making lots of goodies. Now the kids are all gone--I guess I am going to find the kids in the neighborhood and make them come in to have some fun.

Take care and Merry Christmas!

New design for the online Needlework Show and more

2010-10-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

It has been a fun and exciting time getting ready for the online Needlework Show. (www.needleworkshow.com) It starts today (YEAH!) and we are so excited to introduce to you our new designs

This is the Peppermint Christmas Pillow. It is a very fast piece to stitch and features buttons and beads! We just love the association of the memories of childhood and the sweet taste and smell of peppermint. Those memories are in a special place in our hearts!

PuNkins 4 SaLe is a whimisical piece that is stitched on 18st linen over 2 threads. It is FAST! The crows are busy selling off the farmer's pumkin crop--at least until the farmer comes home!

Snowflake Ballet is a delicate ornament that while not in the tradtional colors of Christmas, is a sweet piece to hang upon the tree or give as a gift to that special person.

We are going to post pictures of the smalls for Days of Creation. We plan to put them on the side bar so that you can see all the pictures of the basket and smalls at one look. If you can't wait...check us out on Facebook and see them there!

We will be in touch!!
Happy Stitching!!
Pam & Susan

2010-09-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

A quick word about an opportunity!

For those that did not get to purchase the Tiny Pumpkin Etui (pictured above)--we have been given the chance to purchase 100 of the pumpkin containers. So we are able to put together 100 of the kits! We are selling these for as long as that they last. We will start shipment to shops within the week. Shops need to let us know ASAP what they would like before they are gone. Stitchers need to let their shops know if they are interested because they will not last long!

Keep in touch! We will posting the new designs for the online Needlework Show starting next week! The show starts October 21!

New designs, new projects and a crazy summer!

2010-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy summer here in Dallas, NC! Susan and I have worked and stitched all summer and still we feel like we are running backwards!

Do you remember in school the essay you always wrote " What I did on my summer vacation" Well, I am going to try explain a little bit of what we did this summer.

This summer started out with great promise as Susan and I and our husbands went to the beach for 4 days. It was wonderful, quiet and we were able to stitch, design and just enjoy the time. Things went crazy from there. We should have known it wouldn't last!

We had to finish 2 designs for magazines. ( I never realized that they had to be in so many months in advance!) One was for Just Cross Stitch and One was for the Sampler Antique Needlework Quarterly. They should be out this winter, but we had to finish them by the end of June!

We also finished up a piece that we will be using for teaching retreats. It is a lined basket. It is a Adam and Eve motif. It will have smalls and features many fun stitches. It is called The Days of Creation. We will be teaching this in May 2011 at The New England Stitcher's retreat. I think that there are still a few places left if you are interested in going to such a neat place. It is being held at the Enfield Shaker Museum. Iam listing here the link if you want to take a peek. http://www.stitchingretreat.com/

We have just finished a new design to be realeased at the St Charles market. It is such a fun design!! It is called The Buzzard's Roost Inn.

This design was conceived on a trip when we went through the town of Buzzard's Roost! In our talking we wondered what it would be like staying at an inn in the town during the Halloween season many years ago. Thus the design was born. Now if you do decied to check in to the Inn, please be careful what room you ask for. Some of the rooms look to already have occupants!

We will also have some new designs for the online Needlework Show. It starts on October 21st. Some of the ones to be looking for are: Snowflake Ballet, Pumpkins for Sale and Peppermint Christmas. We will putting up the pictures as soon as they some back from the finisher and the framer.

(Here is the link: www.needleworkshow.com Remember that you can always go on line to the show, then ask your local shop to order your newest stash enhancement!)

As to all the other things that kept us busy this summer, I helped remodel my late mother-in-law's house so that it can be rented. I am still working on cleaning all the stuff out and painting everything that doesn't move. My husband is an only child and his mother saved EVERYTHING. (We even had his old diapers!!) To say the least it has been a challenge.

Susan has been taking care of family all summer. Her mother who is in declining health is living with her, then she had her sister who is out of work for about 2 months (in her small house). Then her son-in-law received his first church in June and she helped with the move keeping the 18 month and 9 year old children. Did I mention that they drove back and forth from their house--2 hours 1 way--to help out? She went back to work with the kindergarderners in the middle of August.

We will try to do better keeping you posted!

2010-05-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all!!
We have been busy getting all the orders from the Needlework Show sent and other orders finished. We had a drawing for the free chart of Freedom Park. Mar Will of British Columbia, Canada has won! Congrats!! It should be arriving at her doorstep very soon!

For those of you that have purchased Do Ye Goode, we are putting an enlarged chart of the over 1 area on our webpage. (It should help with the eyes.)

We are rearranging our office--again. There are things everywhere! We keep trying to get more work space our of a 12 x 13 room. Ha! We have exploded into the walk-in closet of the guest room and have taken up half the basement with our boxes for the shows. There has to be a new way. (sigh)
Now where do we put all of the stuff we need that we are working on? We keep these little piles of things on the floor right now--if only we could have a table that take up no room and can hold enough stuff for a 6ft table.

We are working on some special things for the fall. Pumpkins for Sale and a special Halloween design (that hasn't named itself yet) and a very fun Christmas design--Santa's Midnight Flight. We will be posting more about these as the time gets closer and we get them stitched. We also have some very special things in the works that we will be able to talk about in the next couple of weeks. So keep posted.

We are looking for your pictures of our completed designs to post here on the blog. We would like to see what you are doing and to show them off. Email them to us at praiseworthystch@bellsouth.net

Take care and we will be in touch!
Pam and Susan

New Designs are Here!!

2010-04-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of the online Needlework Show (http://www.needleworkshow.com/)! It starts at 2pm EST. We have 4 new designs for you to see--a sneak peek for those who are following our blog.

The first is Freedom Park. It is the latest in the Down the Lane series. It is the 4th of July in Shepherd's Way and everyone has turned out fro the fireworks display. We get to share in their delight as they gaze at the glittering sky.

Do Ye Goode is a traditional sampler that is fun to stitch with beads and small motifs. The verse is from John Wesley and talks about how we can make a difference in our world by doing good right where we are.

Bunny Umbrella is an adorable little celebration of Spring. The rain is made from tiny seed beads and th bunnies are a so much fun to stitch!

The Strawberry Pyn Cushion is a delightful addition to your sewing basket. It has a spot on the back that make a great place for personalization. It would even make a delightful gift for a dear stitching friend!

We will be in touch!

Keep on Stitching!

Getting up to date

2010-04-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
We have been very behind in posting and I appologise. Life gets in the way of so many things that we want to do.

We worked nonstop fro the Nashville Trade show. It was a lot of work to get ready but--It was so much fun!! We stayed right near some of our good friends Clara from The Stitching Parlor, Ellen from With My Needle and Louise from Cherished Stitches. We also got to drop by our dear friends Pat and Ann at R & R Reproductions to see their new fabrics (WOW. And then we visited the ladies at JABCO to see the new buttons. Next we drooled over all the new things from Weeks Dye Works, Crescent Colours and A Gentle Art. And not last is all the goodies from Paula at Kelmscott. And that just was the tip of the wonderful things that we saw and the people that we spoke to. There are just too many to name.
Some the designs that we had for Nashville show were
Emiliana's Sewing Case.

It was a lot of fun to stitch and is even more fun to use. The floss is Sampler Threads from A Gentle Art and the linen is from Weeks Dye Works.

Here is the flip side--(inside of the case)

The Tiny Pumpkin Etui Kit (we sold out but check with your local shop to see if they have any left)

We also have two other kits that we released--The very cute Eggstraordinary Egg. It even comes with your own Ort Chick!

And the small Christmas cookie cutter ornament kit called Jingle Bells. Lots of fun and asmall piece to stitch. As always with our kits the finishing directions are included.

Last but not least for Nashville is the latest in our Simple Gifts series. Simpler Gifts--Joy.

Catching up with everyone!

2009-12-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

I am soooo sorry that it has taken so long to post again. It seems that life has gotten in the way of getting to the computer.

First, pictures of the wonderful day that we had at the Stitch and Frame Shop in Rock Hill, SC. The staff were great.

The customers were so nice and so much fun. We received some great ideas from them and we are so humbled and inspired by all of the ladies!!

November flew away with Susan and I both sick with the latest bug.

The hardest thing that occured in November came at the end of the month with the death of my beloved mother-in-law Louise. She died the day before Thanksgiving very unexpectedly. We have been so devestated. She was so kind and loving. She had struggled with a disablity from a severe stroke she had at age 25 when my husband was 6 months old. She was an inspiration to us all.

Susan has been sick again for the whole of this month with respitory infections and ear infections. Her family went to Disney World and she stayed in the hotel because she was so sick. She was supposed to go to back to work today--kindergarteners the last day of school before Christmas.

We will be posting pictures of our new designs for Nashville 2010 as we finish them. Hopefully in the next few days we will be showing our Tiny Pumpkin Etui.

We hope that you and your family will have a blessed Christmas!

Happy Stitching!

Pam and Susan

Saturday we're heading to The Stitch and Frame Shop!

2009-10-21T03:09:00.000-07:00

Road Trip!!! Saturday Susan and I are heading to the Stitch and Frame Shop in Rock Hill, SC on Sautrday October 24, 2009 from 11am -3pm. We are so excited to meet some new friends and to sign charts. We still pinch ourselves, we can't believe that we are really doing this. If you get a chance to come, please come and talk awhile! We will have all of our new designs there. You will even get to see the newest things that we are working on... maybe I can sneak a picture or two on to our blog as well.

I got to see my granddaughter (19 months) this past weekend. What a busy girl!! She wanted lots of attention and Mimi or Papa was her #1 choice. She lives 5 hours away and it is not always easy to see her as much as like we would like.
Here 's a picture of the cutie!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday Trunk Show at our Local Shop

2009-09-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the trunk show at our LNS Things Remembered and Unique Framing. We had such a great time. There were so many people there. By the time I remembered to take some pictures the crowd had thinned out and you can see Susan and Crystal taking a snack break!

I did surprise Margo as I made a picture of her--she was really concentrating!

One of the regulars of our stitching group, Crystal, was there. She has been stitching one of our designs Sunflower Bee Garden

For some reason I never was able to take a good picture of Crystal except from the side or back--camera shy??

Here is a picture of one of our latest designs Black Cat Manor on display. It comes our on October 7th at the online Needlework Show! It is so much fun to stitch!

We will have 3 more designs at the online show as well--the next installment in our Simple Gifts series. This one is called Simple Gifts--Thanks. We also have two small Christmas ornaments, Peace and Christmas Poinsettia Topiary. You can see pictures of them at our web page!

Happy Stitching!

Pam & Susan

Other office highlights

2009-09-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Our work table is not very bigand we are always looking for ways to organize. Our computer is right behind the table so that we can stitch design and type together. Here are some of the designs that are in progress. Not too close yet--they are still not finished!

We also have a sign that was made by Pam's Dad. We have used it at a trade show and it is really special to see!

Our office and other disasters

2009-09-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

So many of you would like to see our office (a small converted bedroom at Pam's house) and see what we are doing. Well here it is. All those bright colors are not just on our designs! We love color and we have lined the wall of the office with floss. What inspiration!

But that is only the two walls--turn around and you see--more floss!

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

I am sorry that it has taken so long to post. My Dad has been very ill for the last

5 weeks. For a time I thought that we would lose him. He has just turned

95 years old. Thank God he is doing so much better.

We have been getting ready for all our friends at our Sit and Stitch group

to visiton Thursday nite. We will post some pictures of the "wild bunch "

as soon as we finish here. It should be alot of fun.

Nashville is around the corner and we are stitching furiously to get everything

ready. We will be releasing several new designs and a few limited charts. It is

so exciting to see this coming together. We will soon posting the new

pictures of the new designs here and at our web page

http://www.praiseworthystitches.com/

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year!!

Pam and Susan

Praiseworthy Stitches

Hi! from Praiseworthy Stitches

2007-11-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today Susan and I are starting a new way for interested needlework friends to keep in touch with us. We're really excited to hear from you. We will be posting as often as possible. (Goodie, Goodie Gumdrop Tree on Side is one of our new designs!)

We are busy stithching and getting ready for the Nashville show in Feb. so much to do and so little time to finish. We will be posting some in progress pictures and will let you know what is happening. in the meantime we will have all the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to deal with--details, details.

We'll be in touch real soon!

Happy Stitching!
Pam and Susan