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:

Halloween Redwork

Free from Craftzine

Mouse & Pumpkin

From Feeling Stitchy

From Secrets of Embroidery

Machine Embroidery Designs

Tea Towel Patterns

Halloween Gift Bag to Knit

Cross Stitch Patterns from The Floss Box

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Nordic Needle

Herrschners

Stuff4CrossStitch

ABC Stitch Therapy

Create for Less

Jackie’s NeedleArtMania

Craft and Fabric Links

Happy New Year!!!

Marcy’s Musings

Hi, guys! And Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who’ll be celebrating next Thursday. I’m looking forward to a week of relaxing, stitching, reading, baking and eating! I’m hoping each of you has your own special blessings to revel in.

The Contest

Have you entered the contest Gayle posted on November 1?  If not, you still have 14 chances to enter! You must be a newsletter subscriber to enter (if you aren’t, simply fill out the form at the top of this page to become one!), and you enter by sending an e-mail to gayle@gayletrent.com with “November Contest” in the subject line. You may enter once per day. On December 1, Gayle will have the site random.org to help her choose a winner. So, you should get your prize in plenty of time for Christmas!

Site Spotlight: Follow the White Bunny

I discovered Follow the White Bunny when Nicole, the blogger, followed Gayle on Twitter and mentioned she loved the concept of The Quick and The Thread. Gayle was later interviewed for Nicole’s blog, and she (and I!) discovered Nicole’s beautiful patterns.

I was hoping to make one of my own to share with you, but I simply couldn’t wait to share these with you! Besides, Nicole is offering this beautiful November special that I don’t want you to miss out on.

So drop by Nicole’s blog and say hello. Tell her Gayle/Amanda and Marcy sent you!

Marcy’s Musings

Hi, there! Only one more week to enter the pre-order contest for The Quick and The Thread and be entered to win the $50 Amazon gift card. If you pre-order the book, just e-mail Gayle (gayle@gayletrent.com) with your confirmation e-mail or a jpeg of your order form or receipt by midnight on June 30. You don’t have to preorder the book from Amazon. You can order it from any online or brick-and-mortar store.

Thank you to everybody who has entered so far!

There will be plenty more fun and prize giveaways on August 3 at the virtual release party. “Like” the Facebook page, follow Gayle on Twitter or stay tuned to this blog for more details.

Summer Embroidery Spotlight:

If your weather is like our weather, it’s too hot right now to go out and enjoy much of the great outdoors. So why not use this as an excuse to stay inside and get some stitching done? Below are some sites featuring summer embroidery projects:

http://www.dollarstitch.com/home.php?cat=509 - I love the Soda Pop Top Covers or Coasters!

http://www.sulky.com/embroidery/summer_sampler.php - Isn’t the kitten adorable? And how pretty are those flower borders?

http://www.bunnycup.com/viewset.aspx?designset=344 - Cool appliques!

http://www.homeberries.com/summer/ - Freebies!

http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com/2009/06/simple-summer-embroidery-project.html - Wonderful keepsake idea.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/fruity-button-napkins - How cute are these?

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Features/summer+projects.htm - For those of you who like to knit or crochet.

Have fun and stay cool!

Happy Memorial Day!

As I told you in a recent post, The Quick and The Thread written under the pseudonym Amanda Lee is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com and AmazonUK.com.  To celebrate, I’m having a special contest for the month of June. Anyone who pre-orders The Quick and The Thread from either Amazon or Amazon UK by June 30 will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

To enter the contest, simply forward a copy of your Amazon confirmation e-mail to gayle@gayletrent.com or send a jpeg of your order. If you choose to pre-order from your local bookseller, please send a jpeg of your receipt with sensitive information blacked out. Be assured your Amazon confirmation is safe. Sensitive information is protected by the customer’s password.

One winner will be drawn from all the e-mail addresses submitted on the morning of July 1, 2010. The winner will be notified by e-mail and will receive an electronic Amazon gift certificate in the amount of $50 US.

Order from Amazon UK at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quick-Thread-Embroidery-Mystery/dp/0451230965/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275316489&sr=8-1.

Or you may order from Amazon using this link:

Good luck!