Hi Stitchers,

It has come to my attention that some of the Charts for "Home Safe To Me" are missing the page that contain the finishing instruction.  I'm going to attach a scan of that page that you can download if you discover your finishing page is missing.......so sorry for the inconvience !!!!

Nashville Market 2017 Offerings

Hi Stitchers............yes, it's been awhile, but we're back with a preview of our offerings for the Nashville Market !!!!!

Hope they meet with your approval....as always, if you see anything to your liking, please contact your local needlework shop......I know they would be happy to bring them back for you !!


The first offering is "Forget Me Not Treasure Box"....a sweet little piece that could hold a special treasure or a gift.

32ct #1106 Beige linen
 Cadet, Fathom, Grasshopper, Havana, and Whiskey threads
 all from Weeks Dye Works






Next is "Garden House" which is a band that wraps around a scissor block or could be finished as a long pillow and a little fob

Stitched on 32ct #1106 Beige (Weeks Dye Works)
Bluecoat Red, Bullfrog, Cappuccino, Flatfish, Grasshopper, Swamp Water, Whiskey (Weeks Dye Works)






The third offering is "Home Safe To Me"........one of my favorites.......a patriotic needlebook, pyn keep and fob set.

The model is stitched on 36ct Winter Brew (R&R Reproductions)

Gentle Art Threads
Mustard Seed, Shaker White

Weeks Dye Works
Deep Sea, Grasshopper. Onyx, Peach Fuzz, Pelican Grey, Red Rocks, Teal Frost, Tin Bucket







Next is a darling little primitive piece.........."1864 House Sampler"

The model is stitched on 32ct Tin Roof linen (Weeks Dye Work)

Gentle Art Thread
Black Licorice , Freedom, Maple Syrup, Mulberry, Mustard Seed, Parchment, Shaker White, Tin Bucket






Then I've designed another little sampler that fits into a tray or can be framed if you prefer....."Strawberry Alphabet Sampler"

Stitched on 32ct Confederate Grey (Weeks Dye Works)

Gentle Art Threads
Mulberry, Tin Bucket

Weeks Dye Works
Flatfish, Oscar, Pelican Grey, Swamp Water






The last sampler design is "Think of Me "....a very sweet primitive friendship sampler.

It is stitched on 32ct vintage Navy Bean linen (Lakeside Linens)

Gentle Art Threads
Apple Cider, Mustard Seed, Old Purple Paint, Piney Woods, Tin Bucket, Toasted Barley

Weeks Dye Works
Dolphin, Onyx






And of course I've got a little kit to tempt you with.........
"Quaker House Token ".  It's a fun , fairly fast stitch, that you can pick up and start immediately.

It comes complete with linen, silk threads, chart and needle.


That's it for now.....hope you enjoyed the preview.......Chessa and I need to get packing....I do believe this is her favorite part !!!

                    See you all in Nashville.......Safe Travels !!!

Summer Releases

Just a "quickie" post to let you see the 2 new designs I'm releasing this summer.  My autos are packed  and will go to the Post Office this morning....and the distributors will be shipping as well....sooooo if you find them to your liking, please contact your local shop....they should be there shortly!!

Above is "Lady Liberty Needlebook & Fob", a darling little needle book to tuck in with all of your other patriotic smalls.

It's stitched on Weeks linen (32ct Beige), using Weeks floss (Cherub, Deep Sea, Dolphin, Havana, Lancaster Red, Oscar, Swamp Water, White Lightning) and lined in Weeks Wool (#2104HT Deep Sea).

This second design was a class I taught for Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Glen Ellyn, Illinois last July.  It's "Wave Forever" Stitch Book and is another fun  stitch.

It's stitched on 36ct Cedar Plank from Lakeside, or Weeks 36ct Tin Roof would work as well.  

I used Gentle Art floss (Mustard Seed, Shaker White, Tarnished Gold) and Weeks Floss (Bullfrog, Cayenne, Fathom, Grasshopper,Gunmetal, Havana).

I also used Weeks Wool (Louisiana Hot Sauce Houndstooth check) to back the panels on the outer and inner cover of the book.

Both pieces are fun designs to stitch.  Grab a cool drink, find a shady place to stitch and enjoy!!!

the book boxes are here!!!!

The papier mache book boxes that are used with all my stitch book charts are here......any of the shops that asked about them at Nashville market, just email me chessieandme@gmail.com or give me a call and I'll be glad to fill your orders !!!!

Any individuals needing them, please contact your local shops...sorry, I don't sell retail

Tudor Rose Stitch Book

Patriotic Stitch Book

Berry House Stitch Book

The other titles are....Autumn Stitch Book and Queen Bee Stitch Book

Happy Stitching!!!!

Nashville Market releases

I've finally got all my charts and kits assembled and packed for market, so I can give you a preview of what I'm releasing.

We're so excited for market this year....the buzz is unbelievable and from what I've seen so far, I don't think anyone will be disappointed !!!!

Sooooooo, without further ado....here are my offerings....hope you find something to your liking !!!

First up......"Garden Blooms", which is the final design in the Seasons of Chessie series.  It's stitched on 32ct vintage Maple Sugar linen from Lakeside Linens using the following threads.
The Gentle Art...Mountain Mist
Weeks......Aztec Red, Bullfrog, Grasshopper, Hibiscus, Onyx, Pelican Gray, Teal Frost, Whiskey, White Lightning.

The horn book is available from Retromantic.

Next is "A Gentlewoman's Stitch Box"  which is a collection of smalls to fit in a box of your choice.  The models are stitched on 32ct vintage Examplar linen from Lakeside Linens using the following colors of Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art...Caramel Corn, Old Hickory, Piney Woods, Shaker White, Tin Bucket.  Instructions for finishing the pieces are included in the chart.

This design is "Rose & Crown Sampler"  stitched on 32ct vintage Examplar linen from Lakeside Linens using the following Gloriana silk threads....... Antique Black, Antique Gold Dark, Artic Ice, Dried Pink Roses, Havana Brown, Olivine, Sable, Spanish Moss, Taupe, Terra Cotta. (a DMC conversion is also provided)

The beautiful distressed frame is available from Priscilla's Pocket.

Next, the "Tallman House 1864 Sampler", is a favorite of mine.  I loved doing the research for this piece.  It's based on a famous house that was part of the "Underground Railroad" in Wisconsin and includes a quote from Lincoln's second inaugural address.
The model is stitched on 32ct Tin Roof linen from Weeks Dye Works using the following Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art........Black Licorice, Brethren Blue, Caramel Corn, Country Redwood, Garden Gate, Mountain Mist, Mustard Seed, Otter Creek, Picnic Basket, Shaker White.

The frame is available from Priscilla's Pocket and is the same size as the Rose & Crown Sampler.

This next piece is the "Tudor Rose Stitch Book"....stitched on 36ct vintage Pear linen from Lakeside Linens.
I used the following colors from Weeks Dye Works.....Aztec Red, Bullfrog, Cappuccino, Grasshopper, Peach Fuzz, Swamp Water, Whiskey.
The wool used is also from Weeks Dye Works....Louisiana Hot Sauce Hounds tooth check. Finishing instructions are included.

And finally, my little kit, "American Coast" complete with linen and silk threads.  It's a wonderful way to try stitching with silk threads without a huge investment.   This small design can be framed or turned into a sweet little summer pin pillow.

If you like anything you see, please contact your local Needlework shop and let them know.  I'll be bringing plenty to Market, so they can bring them back to you !!!!

Now to pack the car and get on the road.....fingers crossed for good traveling weather...... I wonder what John's  "packing outfit" will be this year?????

STAY TUNED!!!!!!

Delaware Retreat part 2

I'm all caught up with shipping and paperwork, so I can get back to sharing my adventures in Delaware.

While still at Winterthur, we also got to see an exhibit, The Diligent Stitch , where we were allowed to take photos, so below are some of the wonderful items on display.

What a special day!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday, I met with the rest of the ladies who were taking the class .  They did the prestitching for this little stitch book  I designed for them, so after painting, waxing, distressing, and lining the little boxes during class, they were actually able to go home with a "finished project".

I thoroughly enjoyed everyone that came to class......they were all willing to jump in and get messy when they had to and hopefully were inspired to tackle other finishing on their own !!

Sunday, I taught my one and only "Teaching Piece" , The Unfinished Sampler, which is a reproduction that is only partially finished.  In class we discuss how it could be completed and I supply info on the history, symbolism and then offer charted motifs to use in the completion.  It's always interesting to me to see what people plan on doing to put their own twist on the completion.

Ruth and Stacy, working on assembly of the "Delaware House Stitch Book".

Debby, brought show and tell of some of her fabulous finished stitchery........

These pieces are all "Just Nan" .....absolutely gorgeous !!!

The rest are my designs....... I loved how she finished those little "kits" I offer each year.

This last one is a comparison of my model of "Scarlet's Summer Sampler" on the right on 36ct linen, and Debby's done on 40ct........the smaller version is just too sweet !!

All too soon the "fun" was over and I was heading back home to face all the work and projects needing my attention.......

Thank you again Stacy, for all the special treatment over the long weekend, I enjoyed every minute of it !

And to all of the Guild members I had the pleasure to meet, what a wonder group of women you all are.  I was honored to spend the weekend with you and get to know you all a bit!!

Hopefully, our paths will cross again soon!!

Still Obsessed !!!!! Delaware Retreat part 1

Yes, I'm still obsessed with "Jack's Bash" by Paulette Stewart/ Plum Street Samplers !!!!  But now I can show you my finished piece.....just put the last of the grass in this morning !!!

It was such a fun piece to stitch.......and I actually finished in in one season !!!!  Thanks again, Paulette, for a wonderful design!


Last week, I had the pleasure of teaching for a very talented group of women who make up the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild .  I came in a day early and Stacy (far right in picture below) who organized the entire weekend, also arranged to go to the Winterthur Museum for a private tour of the drawers and cupboards that house their sampler and other stitchery collections.  No pictures are allowed, but just to be in the presence of all of these precious pieces was unbelievable !!!!!  We also got to tour the 7th floor which was the DuPont"s private quarters and also filled with more samplers, needle necessaries, and a wide array of other textiles.

This trip has been on my "bucket list" for years and was better than I could ever have imagined !!!!  Thank you again, Stacy, for making it possible !!

And as an added bonus, the Downton  Abbey Exhibit was going on in the Museum, so we took that in as well. 

The exhibit compared the daily life at "Downton Abbey" with the activities at Winterthur during the same time period, which proved to be remarkably similar.  The costumes are absolutely unbelievable.  We could get really close to each piece, and see all the beautiful details.  The attention to detail is amazing !!

Below are a few picture of the exhibit.

That's enough for today......I'll be back soon with the rest of the weekend.  Until then....Happy Turkey preparations !!!