Scenes from the Baltimore Market

Thanks to Kathy for sharing her photos!

 Here's a wall of Kathy's designs! They NEVER go out-of-style!

 

The Farms of Hawk Run Hollow + The Tree Speaks 

Here's a project under way: pincushions and wooden chickens reproduced from an antique chicken spool holder that I gave Kathy as a wedding gift 16 years ago.

 

Kathy's jewelry looked great!!

 

 The girls had a good time, too!

And the winner is...

Thanks to everyone who participated in The Farms of Hawk Run Hollow contest. We received over 50 insightful, eloquent and clever responses that show just how familiar you are with Kathy’s work and perceptive you are to design styles. You have a long history with Kathy’s work and I am truly humbled that you plan to stitch such a huge project designed by someone so new to the needlework arts. Or should I say mostly designed by someone new.

On to the 2 1/2 blocks that were Kathy’s work: The bottom half of Block #1 including the sunflowers, crows and fence; Block #5 with the prowling cats, the wonderful weeping willow tree, graceful swans and amazing moths! Block #9 Fishing Friday! I love all the action in this block: the surprising snake, the worm on the ground, the birds and that twisted tree!!

There were five of you who chose this combination and the person with the best explanation was Donna Lemos. She recognized many of Kathy’s motifs including the black birds, swans, barn, weeping willow tree and snake. She wrote of the composition of Block 5 and the dimension in Block 9 and observed that I tend to use more checkered areas, as in the hill with the cows in Block 1. Donna compared the many details that Kathy includes in her designs with the more sparse look of mine.

Congratulations to Donna Lemos! And thanks to everyone for participating!

The Tree Speaks

Also to be presented at the market in Baltimore:

The Tree Speaks

My father-in-law admired a verse called “The Tree Speaks, Friend of Man” on a plaque on his aunt’s home in Pittsburgh. This sampler was inspired by the poem. Joanne Ambrose beautifully stitched it on 40-count Angel Hair Weeks Dye Works linen. I love this frame by Valley House Primitives!

It's Piping Hot!

 

This small pair will be perfect to stitch this fall or winter: Piping Hot Samplers. They were stitched on 35-count Weeks Dye Works onyx and garnet linen by none other than Kathy Barrick! Thanks again, Kathy!

Finally! The Farms of Hawk Run Hollow, Blocks 1-12

Thanks to all of you who have sent contest entries. Your response has been truly overwhelming. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your insights and keen observations. You are really tuned in to design!! And for those who haven't participated, you have until this Friday at 9:00 a.m. to tell us which 2 1/2 blocks were designed by Kathy.

Tim and our girls have been busy printing, bagging and taking pre-orders from shops across the country. Tim is currently finishing up the 1st printing and will be ready for the show by Friday!

Thanks again for all your support,
Marty

Block No. 12: Thanks!

Now that you've seen all 12 blocks, please tell me which 2 1/2 blocks you think Kathy designed. The person who gets them all correct and offers the best explanation gets a FREE copy of The Farms of Hawk Run Hollow + enough 40 count Parchment linen to stitch it. Email chsamplings@gmail.com by Friday, August 12 at 9:00 a.m. The winner will be posted Saturday, August 13th from The National NeedleArts Association market in Baltimore!

Thanks again to Julie Murawski for her beautiful stitching ... Needlepoint Silks for their dazzling colors ... Weeks Dye Works for their fabulous linen ... Valley House Primitives for their stunning frames ... Kathy for her endless enthusiasm and expertise ... And to all of you for your encouragement and kind comments!

Marty

Block No. 11: Barn Dance Tonight!

Hope your Saturday is filled with merriment, too!

Block No. 10: Those wascally wabbits!

Hope the critters are leaving you some vegetables in your garden!
Happy Friday!
Marty

Block No. 9: The fishing is fine!

Hope you're spending some time near a river or beach this summer... or under a nice shade tree!

Don't forget our contest: Can you identify the 2 1/2 blocks of The Farms of Hawk Run Hollow that were designed by Kathy? The person who correctly identifies them, along with the best explanation, wins a copy of the chart PLUS enough linen (40 count Parchment by Weeks Dye Works) to stitch it! Please email me your thoughts after you see all 12 blocks...

Just three more to go!
Marty