Redwork Mystery: Surprise #7, The Dining Room

Some of you are just too too smart: you figured out Surprise Window #7, the Dining Room.
Enjoy!

I can't believe we have only one more window. I have enjoyed this mystery so much! Hope you have too.

I will post a note as soon as I have shipped them.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #6 is in the Mail!

I sent off all patterns for Surprise Window #6 late this afternoon. I got to the post office just as they were collecting the mail so I watched the packages disappear into the big bin on wheels.

The patterns should reach you all in a few days. I hope you enjoy my favorite of the rooms.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #6 The Stitching Room

Here is my favorite room in the redwork house, my Stitching Room.
To see it in place on the sampler, go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on group designs.

I will mail the patterns probably on September 7.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #5 is in the Mail

Just about 2;30 this afternoon, Tony, our mailman, picked up all of your patterns for the Library, Surprise Window #5.
I hope you enjoy the room.

I may be delayed next month, at least with posting the photo of Surprise Window #6. I will be on my way home from ANG's Seminar in Baltimore on September 1. As soon as I am home again and human enough to post the photo, I will do so.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: thoughts related to books

In tonight's email Zeena sent me the following. Thank you, Zeena.

This poem by Clarence Day is shown stitched in a book Hope Hanley wrote, many years ago.

The World of books
is the most remarkable creation of man.
Nothing else that he builds ever lasts
Monuments fall,
Nations perish
Civilizations grow old and die out.
And after an era of darkness
new races build others.
But in the world of books are volumes
that have seen this happen again and again.
And yet, live on, still young,
still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling
men's hearts
of the hearts of men centuries dead.

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #5 The Library

My husband Jim is a retired history professor. Once a friend commented after meeting him that he is nice but a bit bookish. I chuckled; there are so many history professors in this world who aren't bookish, right?

I could not have invented a house without a library for Jim, so here is Jim's room.

I will put the patterns in the mail, as usual, on the 8th of August and will post a note here after I have mailed them.

Gay Ann

E-Merchandise Week

So many of you have contacted me in the last few months about patterns/kits of mine that you would like to buy.
My life is always a series of deadlines and right now I am getting ready for ANG's seminar in Baltimore. I am also trying to finish writing instructions for Callaway's classes.

I cut back on my participation in seminar this year; by this I mean, I will not be doing Expo (Merchandise Night). When I am home again and I have some time, I decided I would have an E-Merchandise Week from My Blog. I have a stash of patterns and kits that many of you have requested and I think I will sell them for a week in mid-October.

I will write more about this sale when I am home again from Baltimore, so if you are interested, I suggest you follow postings on My Blog
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on My Blog.

I will not have everything in my portfolio for sale; I will not have unending copies of everything.
If there is something you would like in particular, email me and I will see if I can do it.

If this goes well, I may make E-Merchandise Week a regular feature, maybe twice or three times a year.

Gay Ann

In Our Side Yard This Evening

I cannot resist posting this photo of our resident Lady Hummingbird. I tried for a long time to get a photo of her at the feeder but she would see the reflection or the movement and fly off. This evening I was lucky. Camera was up and focused just as she swooped in for an evening drink.
Enjoy a summer's evening treat from me to you.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #4 in the Mail!

Finally, about 2:00 this afternoon I made it to the post office and sent off all of Surprise #4. You should start receiving them in a few days.
Enjoy!
Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #4, The Kitchen

Here is a Kitchen to add to your house. I can't remember who, but someone said I wouldn't include a kitchen. Well, I did! Fitting that I included a kitchen for July so that there is a place for all the hamburgers and hot dogs. You will have to look through the kitchen window to see the barbeque, though.

I will mail patterns after the holidays, probably on July 8th or 9th and will post a note on my blog when they are in the mail.

You now know what half of the Surprise Windows are. Four more to go, including my favorite one. Anybody wish to guess what the four will be?


Gay Ann

Congratulations, Donna Nelson!

Congratulations, Donna, on winning the June Zimmerman Silk and metal Thread Award for Malachite and Pearls.
I don't have a photo of Donna's, but I snapped a photo a short while ago of mine and here it is.

A nice photo of Donna and her Malachite and Pearls is featured in the June 07 issue of Needle Arts, on page 53.
Thank you, Yvonne, for writing me about this.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #3 is in the Mail

My husband just left to drive to the post office with all my Surprise Windows #3.
If he arrives there safely and is in his usually reliable mode, the Surprise Windows will be in the mail in just about 7 minutes.
Enjoy!

Gay Ann

Quick Questionnaire

I had an interesting experience today. I was down in Needle Nook and in came an acquaintance of a friend of mine. The acquaintance had lost her house to a fire and was starting to replace her belongings, I gather. She had been in the antiques shop across the street as she was looking for new silver. Silver new to her, I should say.

She had found a pattern she liked and had a xerox of it. She said it was very close to the silverware she had that had been destroyed in the fire.

On the way home I was thinking about it. If you lost your silver flatware, or for that matter, anything you have had for a long time, and you had to replace it, would you buy:

(1) Something just like the flatware you lost.

(2) Something very similar.

(3) Vaguely similar.

(4) Totally different.

I don't know why I decided to ask this, but must confess, I am interested in your answers and am hoping you will post on my blog or write to me personally.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #3 The Music Room

Here is Surprise Window #3, my Music Room. I don't play the harp but Leslie Durst does, so in her honor, I put a harp in the music room. Please notice that there is a little Victorian stool, complete with a fringed top, as well as a chest for music and lots of sheet music on the top of the chest. I wanted to include a violin and bow, and of course there are wall-sconce candles for the right atmosphere.

Enjoy!

I will mail the patterns sometime around June 9 or 10, a bit later than last month. I am not sure exactly which day but will post on my blog when the patterns are all in the mail. For those of you concerned, be sure to check my blog.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #2 is in the Mail

Surprise Window #2 is in the mail!
Kate Gaunt, the Shining Needle Society leader, was visiting with her charming husband (they were on their way to a convention) and I have been busy driving and eating!

My husband volunteered to mail all my packages and envelopes and I thought he was going to take them this morning. He didn't - he was on his way to the bank yesterday and as our bank was right across from the post office, he sent them a day early. I am guessing many of you will have them on Monday or Tuesday.

Enjoy!

I hope many of you will still consider joining Shining Needle Society. There is quite a lively conversation going on about my Redwork Mystery. If you wish information, it is posted on earlier messages here on My Blog, or you can write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com) and she will send you a personal invitation.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #2 The Bedroom

Hooray, Hooray, it's the First of May
Here is the Bedroom on view today.
Enjoy!

For the little window in place on the sampler, see my website: www.GayAnnRogers.com/group projects.
Click on the photo for an enlargement.

And a new correction. I think I will just print the email from Jane (thank you, Jane):
"I'm finishing my little living room tonight. I notice that the lowest floor board in the photo, the "dotted" one, and the chart don't match. The chart shows the board only part way across the left side of the picture. Should it extend all the way across?"

My answer:
Here's the solution: the right side is correct. Start on the right, follow the chart to the center, then mirror image it. Should come out just like the photo. Usually I don't recommend stitching from the photo (because I often change things when I write the instructions) but this time it works.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #2

Time is passing so quickly and here we are, almost through April. Next month I will be at a seminar when I am supposed to mail Surprise Window #2, so I will send it out early, likely on May 5.

Gay Ann

Shining Needle Society Reaches 100

I am happy to report that Shining Needle Society chat room for my Redwork Mystery has reached 100 members! I have enjoyed following the comments and seeing the photos of the different color combinations people have chosen. One member counted a part of the cottage wrong, made a grreat correction and posted a photo of the correction. Another member commented that the correction was so good one would never have guessed it wasn't the original design. Congrats to the imaginative stitcher!

I am hoping still others will join Shining Needle Society.

To join, write to KateGaunt@aol.com and Kate will send you an invitation.
For those of you who are technologically brave, you can go directly to the SNS Home Page and sign up:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNS_Presents_GAR_Redwork_Mystery

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Cross Stitch and Double-Running Stitch

I have heard several whines about Cross Stitch and Double-Running Stitch, but you will find in me no sponsor of a pity party. The single most important aspect of this project is the small scale, and large and bulky stitches were just not welcome in my tiny spaces.

As a reward for stitching diligently all the Double-Running and Cross Stitch, here is a small hint: When you have seen Part 1, you have seen the boldest parts of the sampler. Everything else is all about small scale!

So you can all look forward to more Cross Stitch and particularly more Double Running Stitch. Enjoy!

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Shining Needle Chat Room is up and rolling!

I am happy to report that Kate Gaunt's and Marie-Therese Baker's Shining Needle Chat Room for my Redwork Mystery is up and rolling!

We now have 60+ members who have joined and we have had some lively observations, questions and conversations already!
I do wish to encourage all of you who are doing my Redwork Mystery to join. Just write to KateGaunt@aol.com and Kate will send you an invitation to join.

For those of you who are technologically brave, you can go directly to the SNS Home Page and sign up:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNS_Presents_GAR_Redwork_Mystery/

Gay Ann