Down Memory Lane and a Sneak Peek

Can you believe it's almost Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day was always special to me because it was also my Grandpa's birthday. My birthday (which is the BIG 4-0 this year) is February 12, so we always celebrated together. Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing was Grandpa's cake choice, and anything Grandpa liked, I liked too! Grandpa was born February 14, 1909, in Nicholson, PA. He was a dairy farmer until the 1960's. I wanted to be wherever Grandpa was and I loved riding on the tractor with him to feed the cows. Grandpa was a gentle soul who lived a simple life and appreciated nature (except when nature got into the garden!). He was also quite creative with wood. Sitting in my living room is a toy box which was built for my older cousins when they were small. The toy box is a primitive replica of the horse barn located on the family farm where Grandpa was born. It is one of my most cherished possessions and continues to house many of my sons toy tractors. Grandpa died May 18, 1998. For me, Valentine's Day is WAY more than chocolates and roses. Chocolates get eaten and roses wilt. But my memories of Grandpa will stay with me forever.

And now on to the sneak peek.

My newest design is called 47 Hearts and will be shipped to Hoffman Distributors tomorrow. Hope you like it!

Winter never got the memo

As I am writing this, it's raining. and warm. and January. Today's high is forcast at 47°. Apparently winter never got the memo to show up on time. Not that I'm complaining. It sure has made my commutes to work worry free. My newest release seems oddly out of place with its crocuses peeking out through a blanket of snow. I suppose it's snowing somewhere. Just not here in Northeast PA. My Promise of Spring design is shown on page 23 of the Jan/Feb issue of Needlework Retailer magazine. The pattern materials call for 28 ct Picture This Plus Sterling linen. My goof. Although either color would work, I used PTP 28ct Tarnish. Even if you have no snow where you are, this sampler is a great reminder that blessings never skip their turn. We may have to go through a cloudy gray time, but the sun always returns. It never really left in the first place. It was there all the time hiding behind a cloud.

Better late than never!

Whew! What a long ride. I have finally arrived in Blogsville. I hope to make many new friends here. It seems like a nice enough place. I've been designing counted cross stitch samplers under the name Silver Creek Samplers since 2009, and figure it's time to stop lurking on other designers blogs and instead, make my own! I can't promise daily exciting posts, but I'll try to keep my stitching friends updated on what's new Down by Silver Creek.