Season Greetings

I know, I know.....no one really wants to see pictures of my puppy, but she's sooooo cute!

This is Holly, our 9 month old sheltie.

Christmas is Fast Approaching

Turkey Day is over and I've eaten my fill, well mine and probably yours too!

Our neighborhood really goes all out with the lights and yard decorations. It's so beautiful at night, it's like Santa's workshop at every house. I got my yard lights out and now my tree is up too. Our weather turned really cold and wet for most of the holiday so it was a perfect time to set up the tree, hang the lights and put the decoration on. My youngest is now nearing 16 and is way too cool to help with the decorating. Since I'm the one doing all the work I decorate the tree just the way I want. I like to call my tree a "Memory Tree". It has several of my needlepoint ornaments on it as well as the construction paper angels my daughter made in grade school. But the main focus is all the pictures of loved ones. I've framed all the school pictures of my kids and I have pictures of other family members ,friends and family pets. It's really quite perfect. On the top, instead of a star I've put one of my needlepoint tree toppers. This one is a beautiful angel with outstretched wings and a golden halo. The design is #133, Rejoice Tree Topper.

I have another one that's just as beautiful, I just haven't had time to stitch it up. #134, Poinsetti Tree Topper.

By The Sea, By the Sea....

This is just back from the finisher's, #169 Mermaid. I gave this piece to Janet Perry of Napa Needlepoint to stitch this summer. She also worked up a great stitch guide to go with her. The image is 6.75 x 7 inches on 18 count canvas. I had the piece finished up over a styrofoam box shape. There is a trim of aqua disks around the outside edge of the piece that I hope you can see. I think the little fish balancing on the top of her tail is my favorite part.

New Website Is Up

I'm so excited, my new website is up and running. I've been working for days it seems to enter all my designs and learn how to put in pictures and text. Not easy for a computer illiterate person like myself. It's not perfect but you can get a good look at it. Check it out:
http://www.happyheartdesigns.com/joomla

Let me know what you think. I'm open to all suggestions on how to improve. Like I said, I'm just learning.

Sisters Are Forever

I spent this weekend celebrating my sister's birthday. Her actual birthday isn't until the end of the month but this was the best time we could get together, considering both of our scheduals. We had a real 'girlie' weekend. The first day we had manicures and pedicures then a lovely dinner at a trendy restaurant. The next day we had more pampering with massages and a facial. That night we tried out a new wine bar. We sampled a glass of wine and nibbled on appetizers. When we weren't being treated like queens we gossipped, watched mediocre movies and ate way too much chocolate. It was great!

I know that this time of the year family seems to be more important to us. We really don't know how long we have with each other and while I expect my sister to live a good while longer, it's nice to remember and show each other just how much they mean to us.

While I was at my sisters I came across a piece I designed and stitched for her. She had it hanging up in her bedroom so that she would think of me everytime she saw it. It was a simple design and I had stitched "Sisters Are Forever" across the bottom. The design is called Winged Heart, #117, a small heart with wings. When I sent it to my sister I told her that my love was always winging its way to her. I took a picture and would like to share it with you.

GETTING READY

There is so much to do in getting ready for the show. Of course we have to carefully pack everything so that it arrives undamaged and before that it's making up our new catalog. But even before all of those things, I have to come up with lots of new designs. This year I will have a new series to show off called In My Garden. It can be used as a monthly series or each of the 12 designs can be sold individually. When my stitched models come back from the finishers I'll share them with you. I also have lot of other new designs. Today I finished working on two pieces, #200 Gingerbread Boy and #201 Gingerbread Girl. They're both 3.5 x 4.5 inches and hand painted on 18ct. mono canvas. I've recently reworked all my existing ornament designs making them better and easier to stitch. These two new ones will join the others.

2008 TNNA WINTER SHOW

Recently those of us who are exhibiting at the TNNA Winter Show received our booth assignments, with this comes a huge pile of forms that must be signed and sent back.
I'm really excited this year because I've decided to take the 'leap of faith' and ante up for a double booth. Major bucks for a small designer like myself. I will be in Booth # 1854-1856 so if you will be there please come by and introduce yourself. The 2008 show will be held in beautiful Long Beach California. Each year that we have attended the show my husband Steve and I pack up our RV and make the drive from Texas to California. I am very blessed in that my dear husband enjoys the shows as much as I do and it's wonderful to have someone around who can take care of all the little problems that always seem to arise.

It's November and that means Thanksgiving

It's November and the month to honor eating! What's not to love about that. I bet everyone has a favorite family recipe for their Thanksgiving meal. I love fresh cranberries and dressing balls. Personally I could make a meal out of all the side dishes. With this in mind I want to share one of my favorite designs. This is one of seven in my Two of Us series. It's #59, Pilgrims Feast. I've stitched the Halloween and the Easter ones and both are really cute. The design area is 6 x 6 inches, not overly intimidating and a good size for displaying when finished. The two I've finished are mounted on wood stands that I can place on a side table, the mantle and yes, even the top of my grandfather clock.

Super Husband and Fantastic Web-God

My dear husband, Steve, loves his forums. I've fussed and fretting over the one he set up for me and have pretty much let it slide into oblivion. I'm finding this blog a lot easier and a lot more fun!

I did want to give Steve credit though, he has created my wonderful website and managed it for several years......all without pay as he likes to remind me. Working on the computer and designing websites is Steve's idea of fun and games. Fortunately he has the patience of a saint.

Steve has designed websites for many varied companies. Several are needlepoint companies, stores as well as other designers. But he has also built sites for a welding company, a private eye, for a man who has a radiant barrier company and for a someone who sells parts for diesel trucks. This is all in addition to the forums he has set up for people. Now you have to understand that Steve has two other jobs. He is a first class paramedic and on his "off" days is a construction foreman for another company. The last two jobs pay our bills but I think he's real love is the computer. If any of you reading this need a website built or even an existing one improved I would highly suggest giving Steve a call. He can be reached at http://www.starnetservices.com/

The above needlepoint picture is one I created to honor my sweetie, I gave it to him for Christmas one year. It is one of my Everyday Heroes. #120 Paramedic. I also have one honoring teachers. The frog pin at the bottom of the design represents his station mascot.