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| Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter
Volume 10, Issue 5
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May 2014
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Quick Links
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Thank you!
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Greetings friends, fellow needleworkers, and new subscribers ~ it's time for the May newsletter...
Happy May Day!! It is an extremely windy/rainy spring week here in West Des Moines, Iowa...and I am finally recovering from a terrible viral infection/pleurisy, which made me extremely unproductive in April. The good news is, spring has made an appearance and everything is turning green....unfortunately the storms and cool weather are hanging around for the remainder of the week. I am eager for spring to "really" arrive - I would love to get outside to do some gardening and some training walks for the Komen 3-Day.
Seems like April was gone in a flash, as I spent most of the month resting and recuperating (doctor's orders)...but my health is improving and I am finally getting back to work! There is not a lot of breaking news this month, but I do have a few things to share with you.
There were only a few blog updates this month - including: a look at the current issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine (it features a pair of Blue Ribbon Designs) and a sneak peek of my 2014 Komen 3-Day fundraising design! To see what I am doing during the month and check out my latest creative endeavors,visit: http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/.
As always, I enjoy chatting with new stitching friends and faithful followers on Twitter, Instagram, and the Blue Ribbon Designs Facebook page - it is truly a treat to hear from you - please stop by for a visit...I love to read your comments and hear about your latest BRD finishes and projects! Okay, let's get started with the news for May - it's a little quiet this month (as I am playing catch-up), but things will be picking up very soon! - sit back, relax, and enjoy...
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| What's New?!....
No new designs were released in April...but, rest assured, new releases will be coming soon - this will give you plenty of time to catch up on your current Blue Ribbon Designs stitching projects...and I promise fun new designs will be arriving in the near future!
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 BRD Website
As many of you know, I am giving the Blue Ribbon Designs website a HUGE facelift...but don't worry, the website you have come to know and love for the past 10+ years is still there and functioning. I am busy working behind the scenes and creating a whole new home for Blue Ribbon Designs. There will be a plethora of enhancements and special features...and even a few surprises. My health has slowed down the development, but I am hoping to have the website project wrapped in the near future...and I look forward to sharing the changes and new features with you real soon! |
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On the Blue Ribbon Designs Drawing Board:
Yes, there are more Blue Ribbon Designs on the way! Models are finished up for "Flurry Friends" and "Simply Sweet", and files are being finished up for "Bluebird Sewing Box" and "Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents" - all of which will be released in the coming months. I have so many exciting ideas in my sketchbook...I even have a couple unique summertime pieces planned...so many creative ideas and definitely not enough hours of stitching time...
Check out the "Future" page of the website for details, photos, and specifics as they become available...
 | | Bluebird Sewing Box |
 | | Sunlight, Seeds, and Scents |
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2014 Exclusive Komen 3-Day Fundraising Design
Here is a very special sneak peek for you! As many of you know, I am participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in November again this year - I'll walk 60 miles in Dallas, TX over the course of three days with my fabulous"Twinkle Toes" team members and hundreds, possibly thousands of other women and men....all of us with a common goal to raise funds for breast cancer research, scientific programs and community-based breast health and education programs. So, I will be asking for your kindness and generosity again this year to help me reach my fundraising goal. I am currently stitching the model for my exclusive 2014 Komen 3-Day fundraising design (again, ALL proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day)...and I thought I would share a little peek with you! I don't have the perfect title yet, but I can tell you, it is an autumn themed design and I am so excited with how it is turning out. Last year I did a more traditional "pink" design, so this year, I wanted to do something a little different. I chose an autumn theme because the 60-mile walk is in November...and because November is the month of Thanksgiving - and I am so very grateful for all your love and support. More details will be forthcoming - I just wanted to share my stitching excitement with you...as soon as this very special design is ready, I will be sure to tell you all about it. |
| Noteworthy News:
MAGAZINES AND PUBLICATIONS:
The World of Cross Stitching
I have a pair of designs in the current The World of Cross Stitching magazine...it is WOXS Issue 216 and went on sale in the UK on April 24, 2014....so if you are in the UK, look for this issue on newsstands - and if you are in the United States, you will have to be a little more patient, but it will be arriving soon!
Blue Ribbon Designs will be in both the Annual Halloween Issue and the Annual Christmas Ornament Issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine. More details will be forthcoming...look for these special issues later this year...
Online Class/DVD:
Annie's
I have busy working on a large project with Annie's - a "Learn to Cross Stitch" video class. Over the last year we have been working on all the details - I have been writing a script, preparing five exclusive projects for the video, and gathering supplies and materials to use as props for the class. The online class/DVD is scheduled to be posted/released on May 13th. I have viewed the post-production video and requested several slight changes and I am excited for it to go live in a couple weeks! I can tell you, it is a beginner class and covers all the basics - materials, tools, and notions - preparing for a project - how to read a chart - step-by-step Cross Stitch techniques - creative finishing ideas - pretty much all the basic information you can imagine. We cover Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Partial Stitches, and pesky French Knots....and there are five exclusive projects that accompany the class. If you know someone who can benefit from this Learn to Cross Stitch video or if you would like to brush up on the basics, I'll be sure to post when it is available and all the specifics.
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The Blue Ribbon Designs Gallery shows off all sorts of fun BRD finishes - including the fabulous pair of pillows shown right: "Songbird Decorations" from The World of Cross Stitching magazine (WOXS 216), stitched by Jacquie M. in the UK - aren't they gorgeous?! - I just love these!
The gallery features photos from needleworkers located all over the world that have stitched their favorite Blue Ribbon Designs. You will see creative and fun finishing ideas...color changes...fabulous framing...and some beautiful stitching!
To have a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, please send me your photos when you complete a Blue Ribbon Designs project or post them to the BRD Facebook wall - I always enjoy hearing from fellow needleworkers and I would love to "show off" your work in the website "Gallery"...
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 | | Bluebirds and Daisies |
Complimentary Designs
Check out the "Freebie" page of my website to find multiple complimentary charts - there you can find these favorites:
- "Bluebirds and Daisies" (right)
- "Redbirds for Peace"
- "Stars Over Pines"
- "Leprechaun Lodge"
I hope you enjoy these special complimentary designs - my gifts to you for your continued support, friendship, and encouragement - thank you for allowing me to "pursue my passion"...and if you need a new project, I hope these complimentary charts will entice you to visit your favorite needlework shop and purchase some of the larger designs in the Blue Ribbon Designs catalog!
To obtain a copy of any of my complimentary design charts, simply visit:
http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/
and click on "Freebie" in the left-hand menu - you will see photos of these designs - click on the statement "CLICK HERE FOR CHART" (directly under the coordinating photos) - a new window will open containing the design in PDF form (you will need Adobe Reader to view/print the charts). *Note*: These are large quality files and will take a moment to load. If you are receiving an error message when trying to open one of the charts, more than likely, you are using an older version of Adobe Reader - you will need to update to the newest version to open the file. Still having difficulty? - Make sure your virus protection software recognizes blueribbondesigns.com as a "safe site".
Please remember, ALL of my designs are protected by copyright law - thank you for respecting my copyright.
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 | | BRD-111 Feathers, Flowers, and Fruit |
In closing, I would like to take a moment and thank everyone who supports and purchases Blue Ribbon Designs - I appreciate your encouraging words, comments, and heartfelt e-mails; I am so thrilled you like my designs - you are a HUGE reason I LOVE my job! I truly enjoy hearing from you.
You are now up-to-date on all the latest news - keep your eye on my website for the latest information.
Until the June newsletter ~may each day bring you comfort, kindness, and encouragement. Take a little time to count your blessings...and a little time to stitch...
Happy Spring!
Belinda
As you know, I value your comments, ideas, and creativity ~ please feel free to send them to me by replying to this message.
 | | BRD-094 Sweet Simple Samplings |
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