REDWORK IN RED & WHITE

MY REDWORK DESIGNS

I love designing redwork. Here are some of my burnt offerings.

The snowmen are a block of the month project.

I know stitching something cold in the heat will make you cool.

THE FOUR SEASONS SANTA'S

Santa in the spring, summer and autumn???

Santa isn't just for Christmas anymore. Santa should live in our hearts

24/7.

SANTA & THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS REDWORK

Santa introduces each of days.

From the Partridge in a Pear Tree to 12 Drummers drumming.

What fun.

REDWORK SANTA OF THE MONTH CLUB

Each of the months & Santa. Living in the hearts of everyone.

Here is August in the sunflowers.

Lost in the flowers.

Keeping cool in the heat of this summer.

Happy Stitching!!!

Best Wishes to you all.

Till We Meet Again,

copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

HENRY THE EIGHTH IN STITCHES

THE HENRY THE EIGHTH NEEDLEPOINT RUG

When cleaning out an old trunk, I found some old needlepoints

I was working on years ago. My stash.

Who doesn't have any stash. Needlepoint stash is the best.

I remember working on this about 10 or so years ago.

Reruns of THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY THE EIGHTH was on

our local PBS station. What a great series it was.

Being an illustrator I thought he would look good as a needlepoint.

Sometimes stitchery works better than a drawing or a painting.

So here he is, a needlepoint rug. His wives names making up the backround.

Now that King Henry is back in my life...it looks like he needs to be finished.

So that is what I will do, and keep you all informed of the progress.

TV shows can be very creative in ones mind. Remember that when watching good PBS shows.

Till tomorrow!

Curtis

Copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

QUILTING UP A STORM

OLD FRIENDS FROM THE PAST

This was a quilt I designed a long time ago.

It was a 12 part block-of-the-month- club we gave away.

One very nice quilter made these quilts

and sent us these photos.

I love the way she used her colors to make them.

This is the Sun Block Quilt.

He looks nice and hot!!

Perfect for August. If you have pictures of some of the designs

I have done, please share them with us.

Thank you!!!

Till tomorrow!!!

Curtis

copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

HERE COMES THE SUN...

NEEDLEPOINTING THE SUN

On these hot August days it's always COOL to needlepoint

the Sun.

Sitting inside stitching something that is HOT can be

a little odd, but again, it keeps you COOL !!!

Sunflowers are a wonder this time of year too.

Watching their faces moving with the sun...COOL.

Happy Needlepointing!

Till tomorrow,

Curtis

Copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

WALKING INTO A DREAM OF DAYLILIES

THE CRINTONIC GARDENS OF CURT HANSON

This past Tuesday, The Garden Club of Gates Mills took a field trip to Curt Hanson's Crintonic Gardens to see his daylilies. Daylilies his has lovingly grown and raised. It was like walking into a dream painting, were you almost could see Monet painting at the side of the path... Having been blown away by all of this beauty, I will let the photos speak for them selves.

It was so much fun walking this farm with Curt & learning all about daylilies.

He has put in so much hard work too. Our hats are off to you sir.

Curt's website is www.crintonic.com

Till we meet again...

Best Wishs and Happy Stitching

Curtis

WORKING ON 16 THINGS AT ONCE

WORKING VERY LATE ON A LOT OF DESIGNS

Late night on the drawing board...Halloween and Christmas.

Christmas and Halloween.

It's a wonder I can keep things straight.

Needlepoint orders and Counted Cross Stitch and even a

New Redwork Book that will be out this weekend...

Am I crazy? No I like being...well you know.

By for now!!!

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching,

CURTIS

copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

DESIGNING HALLOWEEN IN STITCHES

HAPPY HALLOWEEN IN STITCHES

I am known for designing Santa' through the year.

Next to Christmas the biggest holiday is All Hollow's Eve.

In the world of quilting and needlepoint stitcher's can't get enough Halloween.

Here are a few burnt offerings of my designs. I have Santa doing just about anything for this time of year.

I am also creating a NEW Halloween Witch... Please email me to name her.

My email is: info@curtisboehringer.com

Witches are easy to name!!!

Halloween is a great time of the year...and stitching something up to

celebrate it now... you'll be ready early for the holiday.

Take care till me meet again.

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching,

CURTIS

copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

MONDAY AFTERNOON IN THE STUDIO

TURNING DAFFODILS INTO NEEDLEWORK

Every Spring these beautiful flowers evoke the start of this season.

Drawing them out is not very hard...how pretty the two or three shades of yellow and gold, like sunshine greeting the day.

Blowing in the wind like a graceful woman on a dance floor...Oh!! Dancing with the Stars is on tonight... or

picked in a bouquet.

Doing a quick sketch of the flowers I put a little watercolor wash on it.

Fast, to capture the freshness of the yellows and greens.

Now I will graph this design for counted cross stitch or paint it on 18 mesh needlepoint canvas or

clean up the drawing for redwork or redwork with color.

The ideas are endless.

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching, and Happy MAY!!!

CURTIS

COPYRIGHT 2011 CURTIS BOEHRINGER

WELCOME TO MYSTERY FRIDAYS ON A WEDNESDAY

CHAPTER THREE- THE NEXT MORNING

When we woke up the next morning, we had both felt relaxed and ready to begin our new life in the house. The sun was out and the birds singing. We didn't want to let go of each other. When we did the clock in the hall was chiming seven o clock. "Up and Adam!" Karen said. As I stood up the room had this golden glow of the sun on the walls. How nice I thought.

I said to Karen "Did you hear that?"... and I hear it again. The sound of people talking in whispers. "Here it is again, you didn't hear it?' "No" said Karen. You must be hearing things." With that the front door bell started ringing. "Hearing things...Get up and put your robe on... " I said.

Going through the hall to the door, I hear the voices say to one other, "Maybe they are not awake yet." "We should had..." I opened the door and said "Good Morning!" There standing before me stood two of the cutest old ladies I had ever seen. They were dressed in old fashion clothes. In black, too. Something out of past. There was something else about them I thought was strange, but I could not put my finger on. Karen, by this time, was standing beside me. "Good Morning," she said.

"We are the Chamber girls. We are both named Ethel. Miss and Mrs. Sisters -in-law you know. I am Ethel G. and my sister-in-law is Ethel B. Good and Bad," she said. Smiling, I asked if the ladies would like to come in. They said no, that they had so many stops to make. Ethel G. stated, "We baked you two a cake to welcome you to the village." Miss Ethel asked, " If there was anything that we need?" I said "No, but Thank You for the wonderful cake..." Karen was so over come, she began to cry... "How nice it was to go to all of the trouble..."she said when Mrs. Ethel interrupted "To make a cake my dear...No trouble at all." "We want you to happy and comfortable here in the village," said Miss Ethel. "Here we are standing around like two old hens...We have many friends to see today. We must be on our way. Good Day to you both," Miss Ethel said. And with that they were gone.

Karen and I both agreed that living out here was going to be different for both of us. We had forgotten how nice people are outside of New York City. Taking the cake to the kitchen, I keep thinking about the two Ethel'. How sweet and generous. The cake was chocolate fudge. With nuts on top. Making the coffee I said to Karen it would be nice to have a piece for breakfast? "No, she said, meet me on the front porch in 15 minutes."

When I arrived the front porch was all set for our first breakfast together. As I sat there I began having a strange felling. I was noticeing the air smelled different and sounds of the street different. I asked Karen about it and she said I was just being crazy. "It's the country Darling. It's always sounds quieter in the country," she said. Even the coffee was better.

Copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

FROM MY DRAWING BOARD

THE LADY CYNTHIA DARRINGTON QUILTS

Awhile ago, I was designing a series of quilts based on the stories of Lady Cynthia Darrington.

A lovely lady who lived in Edwardian England.

Here she is walking in a garden with her bunnies. The stories tell what an extraordinary life she had had.

When I started this project I thought it would be nice to see her later in life, remembering her past and then on to her future in a series of quilts.

I have an antique collection of buttons, a very large collection. Thinking one day what to do with all of the buttons, I remembered the stories. And so from my drawing board came this quilt and the series.

I hope you will join me on the quilted adventures of her life and loves.

For now it is time for me to go back to the drawing board and create.

Best Wishes,

CURTIS

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY !!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

I know a lot of you are out there coloring Easter eggs, and having Easter egg hunts...

What memories of childhood past.

Have a GREAT weekend !!!

Best Wishes,

Curtis

FROM MY DRAWING BOARD

THE EMPTY SHEET OF PAPER

When setting at a drawing board, looking back, is a blank sheet of paper. Waiting and daring you to be brilliant. Sometimes scary sometimes not... Today not so.

The ideas are flowing out of me like a fire hose.

Today, during Holy Week, I'm designing Halloween. What fun!!!

It is always funny to me that a designers life is off the seasons.

In summer we are designing Christmas and Winter.

And at Christmastime, Spring and Summer.

Easter, Halloween!!

Enough all ready...back to the drawing board and more Halloween!!

Happy Easter or Passover or even an early Halloween!!

Best , Curtis

WELCOME TO MYSTERY FRIDAYS

CHAPTER TWO - THE FIND

Into the dryer it went. I put it on delicate for about thirty minutes. I walked through to the kitchen and put a bottle of champagne on ice. As I placed the bottle into the refrigerator I thought, now to find Karen.

I heard a noise coming from the living room and checking it out I found Karen curled up on the couch. She looked like a fairytale princess: sound asleep waiting for me, her Prince Charming, to bend over and kiss her lightly on the lips. I said to myself "I can actually do this!" This whole day seemed to be a dream anyway, so bending on one knee, I leaned over and and gave her a kiss on the lips. And as in all fairy tales she very slowly, and on cue, woke up and said "I love you". Looking at her for a moment I said "This is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life".

"Thank you." She said "Do you like how I am putting the house together? Is there anything you would like me to change?" I said "Absolutely not". I still can't understand how everything was arranged... everything had a place and was in it's place, like a complicated puzzle. Karen said "I have a big surprise for you...I want you to see what I've done with the room upstairs, the one I'm turning into your study." "I have a surprise for you, too." She looked at me and said "You do?" I answered "Yes...I found it first thing this morning. I know you are going to like it." Karen said "What are you talking about? This sounds very intriguing." "It is. But it's not done yet. By-the-way, I put champagne on ice...I think we should toast this nice house of ours. While it's chilling, I'll start a fire...Meet me in the living room?"

I went looking for wood in the backyard. I thought, what else could I ask for? As I grabbed the logs and went back through the house, I could see that Karen had drifted off to sleep again.

When the fire was under control, I quietly tiptoed into the kitchen to see if the champagne was chilled. Was rooting around for some caviar, when the buzzer on the dryer went off. "The quilt!!" I thought, oh please, don't let it be ruined. I raced to the laundry room, crossed my fingers and opened the door. Reaching in the dryer I felt the warmth of the quilt. It was in great condition. As I turned it over, the vibrant squares and triangles of multicolored fabric started to sing in my arms. NOT RUINED!. It looked brand new. I folded it up and decided to sneak back into the living room.

I quietly stepped into the room and she was gone. "Where are you?" I asked. "Up here. I'll be down in a minute," she said. Folding the quilt to the wrong side, I placed it on the couch and sat in a chair waiting for her to join me. I heard her lovely voice coming down the stairs. "Here I am." She was wearing a beautiful off white silk thing, you know, with lace. And her old terry cloth robe loosely opened. Dreams really do come true!

She noticed the folded quilt..."What do we have here?? she said. "This is my surprise for you. I found it early this morning in the solarium. Look at this-our first treasure," I said. I slowly unfolded it. She was dumbstruck. She asked "You found that this morning?" "First thing." I answered. "What a wonderful old quilt. It's lovely! Thank you darling." "I thought we could cuddle under it tonight" I said. Then I asked "What was that thing your Grandmother used to say about quilts? What did Grandma say when she gave us the quilt?" Karen thought a minute and said...

"With this, a quilt I made for thee, always you will remember me,

Be safe and warm within my arms, from day to night from dust till dawn."

"Let's try it out and see if it works," Karen said. I reached over and handed her a glass of champagne. We interlocked our arms, like young married couples do, I said to her "I love you my darling. Let's not let this moment end." As we drank the bubbly, the events of the day started to slowly creep upon us. We held each other tightly and drifted off to sleep under the quilt.

Copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

Saturday We will have the first two

free patterns to make this quilt.

Be safe and warm. Till tomorrow.

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching

WELCOME TO MYSTERY FRIDAYS

CHAPTER ONE - THE HOUSE

Walking through the front hall I noticed it's grandeur with a circular staircase that went on forever, though in reality it only went to the forth floor. It also looked as if the front hall had been freshly painted. I asked Karen "Who lived here before us?" She just smiled and said, "That old woman I told you about...".

Exploring the first floor off the hallway with its gorgeous walnut floors, I entered what would become our living room. The north side of it had a beautiful fireplace with all sorts of elaborate moldings and a mantle. There were windows on the side facing front. The room was dark even though it was a bright sunny day. The dancing shadows of the trees on the walls gave the room a rather mysterious look. I noticed, on the south wall, what was a funny looking green house or solarium. All the plants, which were left, had died many years before. Maybe that's why they couldn't sell the place.

I thought it might be fun if we got the solarium back in order to grow orchids and exotic plants. Looking across the room I noticed what looked like a pile of old rags. Looks can be deceiving. I found it was a dirty and smelly old patchwork quilt. I thought I'd surprise Karen by secretly washing it. Lets see what happens. Leaving the solarium, I walked to the back of the house searching for the laundry room.

I threw the quilt into the washer and put it on delicate with some detergent that had been left behind. I don't think I can hurt this any more than it already has been. "Quilts are meant to be used" Karen always told me. As I walked back to the front of the house, Karen was calling me. The moving van had finally arrived.

All day they moved our precious belongings into what was turning out to be a fabulous showcase home like in the magazines. I was amazed at Karen standing in the center hallway, telling the six men exactly where

to place things in the house; what room, what wall... The most unbelievable thing was how beautifully everything fit in this wonderful house. It was as though our possessions were meant to be here.

Everything had moved so quickly that the end of the day was upon us. The movers had been gone a couple of hours before I had even noticed. I had been working in the attic, making sure boxes were put away when I realized I had found that quilt. Did it survive the washer and if it had would it survive the dryer? Down to the laundry room. I opened the washing machine to see what had happened. Miraculously it looked great. What I thought were mildew stains were patches of paisleys and patterns. It looked glorious. It was strange because I didn't remember the quilt being so large...large enough for two people to snuggle under. When it was dry, wouldn't it be nice to present it to Karen as the first treasure we found in the house and to sleep under our very first night in our new home?

copyright 2011 Curtis Boehringer

WELCOME TO MYSTERY FRIDAY"S

Each week for the next 13 weeks we will be building a Sampler Quilt.

Next week I will have the first of 12 free block patterns to make this quilt.

I hope you will enjoy the story too!

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching,

VISITING AN OLD FRIEND

THE GREAT AMERICAN APPLE PIE QUILT

When I was being interviewed for a job at Better Homes and Gardens, I thought I was going to be illustrating cookbooks and such. But I ended up in the craft department. Designing needlepoints and quilts... never did a cookbook drawing for them.

Later on in my designing when I had my own pattern company one of the ideas I had was putting quilting and cooking together...DAH! DAH! Cookbook quilting... The pie series.

The first in this series was THE GREAT AMERICAN APPLE PIE QUILT.

When I was drawing this out, I thought it would be fun to embroider the recipe on to the front of the wall hanging. And a good working recipe at that. Something different for the kitchen. And I would make sure that the recipe would be easy to make. You can MAKE IT OR BAKE IT !!! We used tans and light browns and antique golds for the stars on the quilt. The stars to emulate the pie crust baking and turning brown...almost ready to come out of the oven...!!!

And who doesn't love apple pie. This was one of first times using embroidery on one of my quilts.

I have also baked this quilt, lol, too. The wall hanging measures 25" x 54". A nice size.

If you are interested in MAKING OR BAKING this quilt you can purchase the pattern on my EBAY store...just push the button. It will take you to all of my patterns.

See you all on Friday when I will start a MYSTERY quilt in 13 parts.

Best Wishes and Happy Stitching!

P.S. More pie quilts will be coming...NEW ones too.