New designs a week away!

We're gearing up for the Needle Arts Market in Baltimore where we'll be releasing four new designs and catching up with busy shop owners!
Doesn't everyone need a design featuring lingerie? Here's a sneak peek at Pantaloons:

And for those of us who still appreciate the printed newspaper and all its uses, here's a peek at Ode to the Newspaper:

Lincoln was inspired by a recent trip to Gettysburg. We stood where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Here's a detail:

And it wouldn't be Fall without a new Halloween design. Here's a detail from Cats' Eyes:

I'm excited to report that Carriage House will distribute my niece Liz's fabric collages that are designed for embroidery. These vintage-inspired pieces are so fresh and creative! A small sample:

Kathy will also be joining us with her one-of-a-kind jewelry masterpieces!!
Finally, look for a quick Carriage House Samplings contest next week!

Marty

It looks like a low-tech summer ...

We're still picking up after the powerful storm that hit the DC area on June 30th (six days without power during the 100+ temps that hit most of the country) to find out that our website server will be down for a few days. Here's our contact info in the meantime:

email: CHSamplings@gmail.com

phone: 301 437-1028

fax (toll free): 866 593-5829

 

Thanks again to my brother and his wife for putting our family of four up for many of those powerless days and nights! And then, the girls and I headed to Kathy's in PA for more fun. We photographed one of my new designs, called Pantaloons, that I plan to release in Baltimore. Here's a sneak peek:

Hope you're enjoying your summer! Marty

Nice meeting you

Thanks again to Pat Young, the owner of Stitches Unlimited in Lancaster, PA, who hosted Kathy and me in her bustling shop on Saturday. Marsha did an amazing job of promoting the event, which meant that we got to meet many fun, local stitchers who braved the 100+ degree day to come out. I was even given an idea for a future design (thanks, Nipper's Mom!) The shop carries cross stitch and needlepoint supplies as well as specialty threads plus does framing. CHS models will be on display through July 31st.

 Marsha is displaying The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow while Pat holds The Kernel.

New needle arts and frame shop to open in Brea, CA!

Carriage House Samplings just heard from Kerry and Yvonne of We, of the Needle needle arts and frame shop in Orange county. They're still painting the interior but the signs on the soon-to-open shop are up. You can see more images on their blog:
www.weoftheneedle.blogspot.com

Here's Kerry's version of our Scarlet Berries pattern. She adapted it to a genealogy sampler featuring six generations of her fore-mothers. This was the third place winner in a juried exhibit, The Shoreline Stitcher's Showcase, put on by The Needle Artists By the Sea Chapter of The American Needlepoint Guild! I love the way she elevated the design by including her family history.

We're excited to report that We, of the Needle will be carrying a collection of Carriage House's designs.

CHS in Lancaster, PA July 7th!

Pat from Stitches Unlimited, 721 Olde Hickory Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, agreed to have a meet-the-designer(s) event on July 7th. I'm hoping that Kathy will come along! I'm bringing lots of classic Carriage House models and charts! It's 10:00 am to noon. Stitches Unlimited: 717/560-9416 (The models will be on display in Pat's shop for a few weeks starting on the 7th.)

Work Less, Play More, Enjoy Life

I'm happy to report that I ended my 27-year career as an art director at The Washington Post last week. I decided that it was time to spend more time with my family, to create more CHS designs and to get back to oil painting. Plus, it's time to over-haul the Carriage House Samplings website and explore social media. Would you follow CHS on Facebook or Twitter? How about Pinterest?

I feel really lucky to have been able to attend so many school events this past week without rushing downtown to my office afterwards. Anna's 8th grade class booked a theater so that parents could see their power-point presentations, skits and their websites on immigration. And today, I attended her promotion to high school. (Anna is on the right)

And last week Grace was promoted from 5th grade to middle school. That afternoon, we learned that there was an opening in one of our county's public middle schools that specializes in music, dance, theater and art. This will be a great fit for her! (Grace is on the right)

On Saturday, I cracked open some tubes of paint again during a barn painting event with a friend who was also a Post art director for over 20 years. She handed me a journal with a cover that reads "Work Less, Play More, Enjoy Life." Sounds like good advice!

Alphabet Blocks, The Whole Kit and Caboodle

Kathy, who designed this really creative chart, suggested that stitchers choose their own colors for the border. The cover photo shows green for the vine and leaves, and red flowers. Pam Tanner, originally from Grand Rapids, but now from Manassas, Virginia agreed to share her color choices:
Mulberry/Pomegrante for flower 1
Deep Sea/Peacock for flower 2
Fragrant Clove/Bittersweet for flower 3
Cherry Bark/Old Red Paint for flower 4
Hyacinth/DMC 327 for flower 5

It's so colorful and fun, Pam. Thanks for sharing it with us!