Spring Releases 2018

As I write this, the sun is shining in Michigan and though it is still chilly outside, we hope that Spring is just around the corner. I have released four new titles and a limited edition kit this spring. Look for them at your local needlework shop!

Ode to Britain - This is the second release in a series of travel themed designs. The first was Alphabetique which centered around France. Ode to Britain features many iconic British motifs (Big Ben, London Bridge, tea pots, an umbrella, double decker bus, phone booth) as well as Olde English lettering. It is worked entirely in one color - Cherry Wine from Gentle Arts.

Seaside Series II & III - These next two booklets are a continuation of the Seaside Series started last year. I stitched models both over one and over two, and my finisher came up with very clever and creative finishes for them. The over two models were finished as plant pokes and put in a little tin pail (from Hobby Lobby) with sand and seashells. The over one models, were finished as a banner - which looks very nautical!

Seaside Series II includes the pelican and the seashell. The pelican was stitched on #32 Seafoam linen from Stephanie's Fabrics using Peacock from Romy's Creations and Hibiscus from Weeks Dye Works. The seashell was stitched on #32 French polka dot linen from  Yarn Tree in House Wine from Classic Colorworks.

Seaside Series III includes the dolphin and the crab. The dolphin was stitched on #32 Blue Whisper linen from Zweigart in Simona's Iris from Romy's Creations. The crab was stitched on #32 linen from Picture This Plus in the color Bashful. It was stitched using Strawberry Parfait from Classic Colorworks.

With Love - is a delicate heart made up of roses. Models were stitched both over one and over two threads. The model over one was stitched on #32 Cashel white linen in Romance from Weeks Dye Works. It was finished as a wearable pin.









The model over two was stitched on #32 Picture This Plus linen in the color Petal using Pink Grapefruit from Romy's Creations. It has been finished as a box with lovely lace trim, ribbons and beads.

Love Always - is a limited edition kit. This sweet little design could be used in so many ways. It has been finished as a small hanging ornament, but you could use it on a greeting card, a pin to wear, on top of a small trinket box . . . use your imagination! The kit includes a piece of #32 Belfast linen in antique white, the backing fabric, buttons, floss for cording, ribbon and complete finishing instructions to finish as pictured.




Contact your favorite needlework shop to find the new designs and kits. And don't' forget to share your finished JBW cross-stitch projects on our Friends of JBW Designs Facebook page. We love to see your creative finishes!

New Spring Releases

The brand new Spring title have been released and are available at your local stitching shop. If your local shop does not carry them, please have them contact us to place an order.

Alphabetique #330 - A beautiful alphabet combined with French motifs is stitched in classic red. The fabric used is #32 Belfast linen in the color Platinum. Sampler Threads (Cherry Wine) and DMC #B5200 were used to stitch the model.









Baby Memories #331 - Baby Memories contains three motifs stitched on perforated paper and arranged with baby items in a shadow box. The motifs can also be stitched on fabric and finished as blocks, pillows, or hanging pieces. For the memory box, 14 count perforated paper was used and the blocks were stitched on #32 linen Country French Latte. DMC fibers were used.

  

French Flower Cart #332 - This traditional flower cart was finished as a standing block. It was stitched on #32 French Polka Dot cream linen using a combination of Classic Colorworks and Weeks Dye Works fibers.







Ooh La La #333 - Ooh La La is a scissors case and fob that was released last year as a Limited Edition Kit. It was quite popular and to make it more widely available, we have released the charts in booklet form. The scissors case was stitched on #32 Antique White Belfast Linen and the fob on #28 Antique White Linen. DMC fibers were used.

The stitcher has the choice of two backgrounds - alphabet or crowns. Full finishing instructions are also included.








Seaside Series #334 - I got a little carried away stitching models of this design. Models were stitched on #32 linen in French Polka Dot and French Stripe pink. They were also stitched over one on #28 linen. I also had some beautiful fabric from Hand Dyed by Stephanie - #32 Ice Crystal, Elizabeth, and Seafoam. Weeks Dye Works or Classic Colorworks fibers were used on the #32 or #28 linen. Fibers from Romy's Creations were used on the hand dyed fabrics.

With This Ring #335 - Wedding season is upon us and this new design makes a lovely gift to commemorate the couple's special day. I stitched it on both #32 Belfast Antique White linen and #32 Belfast Flax linen. A combination of Classic Colorworks, Weeks Dye Works, and Gentle Arts were used.






The final design was released as a Limited Edition Kit at the Nashville Market. It is a small pin cushion with French motifs. The kit includes everything you need to complete the design, except for the DMC fibers. Little French Pinkeep - 

New Spring Titles

Announcing the New Spring Titles from JBW Designs!

#315 Floral Alphabet - A feminine alphabet which can be beautifully framed or finished as a pillow. Stitched on #32 antique ivory Belfast linen.

#316 French Country Bicycle - This is a new look for a very traditional French theme: flower baskets, lavender, a cafe and a bicycle brimming with charm.

#317 French Country Snowflake - A shop owner in Vermont requested this design, and it was so much fun to stitch that I got carried away and stitched 3 different models. The model pictured was stitched on #32 Belfast Blue Spruce linen with white floss.

#318 French Country Stork - Stitched on #32 French Polka Dot linen from Fabric Flair. This design includes a complete alphabet to personalize the piece with names and dates. The model was finished as a flat hanging piece and it could be stitched in any color combination.

#319 - Ready, Set, Go ABC's - The perfect project for a little boy's room. I've used a variety of Classic Colorworks and Weeks fibers, and have a button kit available which includes all 22 tiny white and black buttons. The model was finished with a Family Tree Frame.

#320 A Visit From the Tooth Fairy - A classic design for small children. A pre-finished pillow has been designed especially for this piece, and I've used JABC buttons for the fairy's wand and the corners of the pillow.

Special Kits

released at the Nashville Market

Ooh La La -  A darling little scissors picket kit. The pocket is on the back and I've used the cutest little pair of Eiffel Tower scissors to complete the theme. The kit includes a piece of #32 linen for the larger design and a piece of #28 linen for the scissors fob which is worked over one. Also included are the print and polka dot fabrics, ribbon, a button, rick rack and complete finishing instructions. Two background options are offered: either little crowns or an alphabet. Just select your favorite!

Pastel Project Bag - A sweet little zippered bag, perfect for carrying one of your favorite new JBW Designs along with your stitching accessories. Two fabric options are available: one in peach and the other in aqua. Each bag has a #32 linen insert and requires no finishing. A complete monogram chart is included with each kit. This would be a lovely gift for Mother's Day, a wedding shower - or something just for yourself!

Find the New Spring Titles from JBW Designs at a needlework retailer near you!

Springtime in Michigan (not Paris!)

Springtime in Michigan is my favorite time of year, as the trees and gardens are bursting forth with greenery and flowers. Each day we can see changes - the red bud tree outside my studio window, the Baltimore orioles at the feeders, and the dogwood blossoms in the woods are all saying - welcome - it's time to celebrate a new season!

 Since the trade show took place in early March, where I released seven new designs, I've been busy charting and stitching the next set of releases. It always seems quite strange to be working on Fall and Christmas themed designs in April, May and June. But that is part of our designing cycle - a lot of time is needed before the next set of designs has been stitched, finished and put into a booklet format.

We have also opened up a new site on Facebook, called Friends of JBW Designs, and I have been thrilled with the response. I am encouraging fellow stitchers to send photos of their finished JBW projects - as one picture can inspire many new ideas. I always welcome not only new design suggestions but input on how to improve the business.

Trunk shows are an important aspect of the business, and are held in shops all over the country. They are usually booked for a month, allowing one week for shipping to the shop, another few days for shipping onto the next shop or back to me, and then at least 2 - 3 weeks for the display. This month, A Stitch in Time in Jacksonville, Florida is hosting a show. Cross my Heart in Columbus, Ohio will have a show in July, and Country Cupboard in Orland Park, IL will be in August. I still have openings in each of those 3 months - June, July, and August - so encourage your local shop to book one now. It's a great way to sell and promote the merchandise -as the models and finishing are always inspiring.

We are in the process of updating our blog/website so that we can update it much easier and stay in contact with our valued customers and friends. Keep coming back to see the updates and let us know how you like it.