Sew Deadly – Issue 34
Marcy’s Musings
Hi, guys! Thanks for dropping by the Seven-Year Stitch!
Thankgiving is right around the corner, and I’ve been thinking of ways to help you keep kids busy and entertained while you’re working in the kitchen. Of course, there’s the big Macy’s Day parade on TV; but that can occupy little ones only for a while. If they’re old enough to help cook, then that’s great. But how about some kid-friendly crafts?
With some inexpensive felt sheets (plain or patterned), you can make some adorable 2″ x 8″ bookmarks. Children can decorate with glitter, fabric markers, or ribbon.
You could also use a piece of green felt to cut out a Christmas tree pattern and allow older kids to cut out ornaments, packages, and other decorations to put on the tree. If they number their decorations from 1-24, then they could use the tree as an advent calendar.
Cut a paper towel roll into 1″ to 1 1/2″ rings, and allow children to use felt, glue, ribbon, beads, and/or appliques to make napkin rings.
Below are some links to other easy felt craft projects:
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
Sew Deadly – Issue 31
Marcy’s Musings
Everywhere I go, I’m seeing Halloween stuff–even the pet store! That means we have only a month to get our cards, jar lids, fingertip towels, bibs, or any other decorations made prior to the big day. I’ve provided a very simple Halloween pattern for you in my embroidery patterns. Please note that I was having trouble with my printer today and had to color in my pumpkin’s orange. As a result, he looks a bit…well, varigated. If you prefer this look, you can probably achieve the affect with varigated orange floss. In fact, I think that might be pretty cute!
Spotlight: Links to Additional Halloween Projects
Here are some other quick and easy (and some free!) Halloween projects you might enjoy:
Cross Stitch Patterns from The Floss Box
Cover of Thread Reckoning Revealed
How gorgeous is this?!
I’m sorry I haven’t been updating the blog as often as I should have been, but I’m under a tight deadline to get Book 4 of the embroidery series (The Last Stitch Goodnight) finished. Hopefully, things will be back to “normal” soon. Thank you for your patience with me!
Sew Deadly – Issue 26
Marcy’s Musings
Hi, there! One of my customers asked if Amanda or I was ever going to put some knitting patterns on the website. Since we don’t have the software to make knitting patterns, we thought we’d simply point you in the direction of some good ones. So without further ado:
Spotlight: Knitting
Knitting Paradise Knitting and Crochet Forum offers a free weekly knitting newsletter. The newsletter covers hand knitting, machine knitting, and crochet. Newsletter subscribers will also have access to a message board where they can get knitting lessons, free patterns, and the opportunity to chat with fellow knitters.
All Free Knitting - This site also offers a free newsletter as well as free knitting patterns. Patterns include afghans and blankets, gifts, holiday projects, children’s knits, and felted knits.
Free Knit Patterns.com - This site offers a free pattern of the day as well as a searchable database. If you’d simply like to browse, a menu offers patterns in wearables, special occasions, children’s corner, home decor, and afghans and throws.
Knitting Pattern Central – This site features an instruction directory, a knitting tutorial, and links to knitting patterns in more than fifty categories. They also include patterns that combine knitting and crochet.
Knitting on the Net - Barbara Breiter’s Knitting on the Net site features patterns for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters. Categories include dolls and toys, purses, bookmarks, slippers, scarves, mittens, afghans, ponchos, and hats.
I hope this helps!
Sew Deadly Preempted
Today, Marcy was supposed to post a Sew Deadly newsletter. But instead, I’m using her space to tell you about some upcoming events.
First off, please join me at the Gayle Trent/Amanda Lee Facebook page on March 29 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. for the virtual launch party for Murder Takes the Cake! There will be prize giveaways all day long, including copies of the book, tote bags, and gift cards. For this launch, there will even be a regional prize pack giveaway for readers in SW Virginia and East Tennessee.
Please also join me at Barnes & Noble, 3030 Franklin Terrace Drive, Johnson City, TN on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. for a reading and book signing. It should be a LOT of fun!
I’ll keep you posted of other events as they are scheduled. Thanks, as always, for your encouragement and support!
Sew Deadly – Issue 24
Marcy’s Musings
Hi, everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Did you see the Westminster Kennel Club dog show last week?! And did you see Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound who won Best in Show? And did she remind you of anyone? (Hint: ANGUS!) I was so thrilled when I saw her! Of course, had Angus been there, you know he’d have won. But still, I’m happy for Foxcliffe Hickory Wind – a/k/a Hickory. I wonder where she lives…and if she’d be interested in a date with Angus. They could be the next William and Kate! Brangelina! They could be Hickgus! Hmm…that sounds like a hiccup. I’ll have to work on it. Your suggestions are welcome.
I’ve got a blog gig! (I’m using a lot of exclamation points today, aren’t I?) Anyway, it’s not just me–that has the blog gig, I mean. It’s me, Daphne Martin, and any other Tallulah Falls or Brea Ridge residents who want to post. So today’s spotlight is on the blog. Check it out. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Site Spotlight: Killer Characters
Here is the blog description from the home page: We are the characters–major and minor–who inhabit the pages of some of your favorite cozy mysteries. We’re coming out from between the covers and welcoming you into our lives. So grab a nice cuppa, settle in, and learn what happens when our authors aren’t looking.
We–the Tallulah Falls and Brea Ridge people–will be posting on the 12th of each month. Each month, there is a contest for those who comment on the posts. So drop by, and maybe you’ll win. At the very least, you’ll meet some fascinating characters!
Sew Deadly – Issue 23
Marcy’s Musings
We had a fun and successful virtual launch party for Stitch Me Deadly on Facebook on February 1. There were lots of trivia questions involved. And there was a poll on readers’ opinion about which guy I should date! The majority came down on Ted’s side, but I’m still making up my mind. I’m not ready to commit to anyone yet after that whole “left at the altar” debacle, and I’m not sure either one of the guys are ready for a serious relationship either. But, I have to admit, I am in an enviable position! 
Also, Stitch Me Deadly is getting some fantastic reviews. Thank you all so much for your kindness and support! Here is a sampling of the reviews:
Amanda Lee’s deft use of her small-town cast keeps the intelligently crafted story line fresh. – Harstan – Barnes & Noble
There’s not much to say except I loved the book. I enjoyed the first book in the series…the second was even better. – Julie J. Cayemberg – Amazon.com
Amanda Lee’s deft use of her small-town cast keeps the intelligently crafted story line fresh as Marcy works her inquiry finding one viable suspect after another. – Harriet Klausner, #1 Amazon Reviewer
STITCH ME DEADLY is a well thought out, free flowing story that captures your attention and keeps you interested from beginning to end. – Kathy Fisher, The Romance Readers Connection
Sometimes, the characters in cozies take more of a center stage than the mystery plot itself. Stitch Me Deadly is a fine balance of both; terrific characters that are easy to relate to and a well constructed plot. – Kaye of Pudgy Penguin Perusals
Site Spotlight: All Needlecrafts
Since All Needlecrafts is having a February needlepoint sale, I thought I should clue you guys in while there’s still time to take advantage of it! All Needlecrafts has both painted canvases and needlepoint kits on sale. Their online store also sells cross stitch, punchneedle and sashiko stitching patterns as well as yarn, fabric, floss and thread.
Oh, and don’t forget, next Monday is Valentine’s Day!
Successful Launch Party!
We had so much fun at the Stitch Me Deadly launch party today! At one point, the book was ranked 1,477 on Amazon. I truly appreciate everyone’s support and encouragement.
Congratulations again to today’s prize winners:
Tina Connor Myers – $10 Starbucks Gift Card
Nicole Vos van Avezathe (Follow the White Bunny) – Signed copy of Stitch Me Deadly
Nancy Hill Bradford – Signed copy of Stitch Me Deadly
Lisa Tiffin – Signed copy of Stitch Me Deadly
Jessica Sharrett – $25 Amazon Gift Card
Cathy Hall – Mrs. Fields Heart Cookie Tote
Kathy Hankla Sheffield – $15 Amazon Gift Card
Melissa Lapierre – $25 Amazon Gift Card
Dee Gol – $75 Amazon Gift Card
Dee and Melissa came in 1st and 2nd in answering the following questions (see if you know the answers):
1) What is the name of the child born to Tess in Thomas Hardy’s book Tess of the d’Urbervilles?
2) What is the name of the red cartoon character in this photograph with Bugs Bunny?
3) Who had the single “Should’ve Known Better” on his 1987 debut album?
4) Who was the very first actor to portray Batman?
Dee answered in 2 minutes, and Melissa was just a few seconds behind her! The answers are:
1) Sorrow
2) Gossamer
3) Richard Marx
4) Lewis Wilson
Again, congratulations to our winners! If you didn’t get to participate in today’s launch–or if you did but didn’t win a prize–be sure to “like” the Gayle Trent and Amanda Lee Facebook page and watch for upcoming information on next month’s launch of Murder Takes the Cake.
Sew Deadly – Issue 21
Marcy’s Musings
Hi, there! I’m so excited about the upcoming release of Stitch Me Deadly. In honor of the event, Gayle’s daughter Lianna made a wonderful trailer for the book.
Project Spotlight:
If you’ll recall, in our last issue of Sew Deadly, Gayle was going to attempt to recreate my new pattern on a tote bag. Just looking at the photo at the left, her recreation is cute, but has a big flower instead of the bunny…. Gayle, what’s up with that?
GT: In my defense, Marcy, I put the bunny on the bag. But since I didn’t have the actual cross-stitch grid on which to work, it was really hard to keep my lines straight; and I wasn’t satisfied with the bunny’s appearance at all. So, I got the seam ripper and ripped enough of the bunny out to be able to put this huge applique flower over the rest. Hey, it’s the right color!
MS: It is the right color, and I think it looks good. I’m glad you showed some initiative and fixed the tote instead of just trashing the entire project. I’ve been guilty of that a time or two!
GT: So have I. And I have a number of “unfinished symphonies” in my repertoire as well.
MS: Unfinished symphonies…I like that. You did a good job on the writing. It doesn’t appear you had any trouble with the text at all.
GT: That turned out to be really easy. I took a blue fabric pen and wrote the text onto the bag and then simply embroidered over it. Had I done the bunny that way–rather than try to cross-stitch it–I think it might have turned out a lot better. I should have asked Lianna to draw the bunny for me–she’s really talented in that area.
MS: And in movie making! Tell her I LOVE the book trailer.
GT: I will. 
MS: If anyone else has created any of the new projects, please let me know! And please also check out the new website feature, Marcy’s Shop. Talented web designer Steve Matda made it possible for you to actually visit The Seven-Year Stitch! Check out the page, and hover your mouse over objects in the store to link to free projects, Gayle’s Facebook page, embroidery supplies, the Oregon coast, Irish wolfhounds and PetFinder. Please note that some objects have more than one link, so you might have to move your mouse around a bit to find them all. Have fun!
Sew Deadly – Issue 20
Marcy’s Musings
Whoa! Have you been hitting the after-Christmas sales? I have! Clearance is such a beautiful word, is it not? I know, however, that some of you are beginning to pencil in your New Year’s resolutions. To lend my support, I have a new pattern to share with you (which I’ll put here, and which I’ll add to the embroidery projects page). The lighter color is DMC-554 and the darker color is DMC-552. Backstitching and French knots are in black (DMC-310). Gayle is planning to put this on a blue tote bag later in the week. If she gets it finished, I’ll be sure and share it with you!
Spotlight: Online craft sales!
Happy New Year!!!
