Nov 29, 2012

Announcing Subscriptions.....and a big giveaway!

When teaching workshops large and small, one question that I get asked a lot is "what's your favorite stitch?"  Although in a lot of the workshops I teach I often introduce an array of fancy stitches, I must admit that in my own artwork, my favorite stitches tend to be three simple ones- the back stitch, the french knot, and more recently, couching.  I am, like most people, susceptible to ruts.  The back stitch has always been my favorite.
Somewhere along the line of this year's workshops, I thought it would be fun to introduce a challenge- a routine-busting plan to help me and everybody else break out of their stitch ruts and try some new ones.  From that idea and from a particularly helpful phone call with my friend Jill*, the idea for an Embroidery Subscription was born.  I've spent the last month or so (including some very windy days in the midst of a Hurricane) drawing a series of samplers. Each one highlights a different family of stitches, starting with these first two- the Filling Stitches and Couching Stitches, stitched on our Thanksgiving road trip.  Special thanks to Katy for driving so that I could embroider, and special thanks to my mom for finishing the first one  when my hands couldn't stitch any longer!
Subscriptions are now available in 3, 6 or 12 month increments, and will begin mailing out on the fifteenth of each month, starting in January.   You can begin a subscription at any time. Each five inch sampler fits perfectly in a five inch hoop, and can easily be finished within a month's time, just in the nickle of time for the next one to arrive!  At the end of the year, you will have stitched the vast majority of your average embroidery how-to book.

These subscriptions are of course available as gifts, please make a note in checkout and I will send a handwritten card (with your note if you leave me one) letting the recipient know who it's from....
I've got lots of exciting ideas in store for these subscriptions, and I can't wait to see how you all complete them.  To a year of new stitches...........

Now for the fun part!  I have teamed up with Creativebug to offer one lucky reader a combination Sampler Subscription and Creativebug Subscription.  You'll win a month of instruction and three months of samplers, delivered right to your inbox and front door!    There are three ways to enter to win....

This Contest is now closed- but you can still use the discount Holiday2012 for 10% off everything, including Subscriptions, in the shop.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/dropcloth

I can't wait to see what you're working on, and I can't wait to spend a year exploring new ways of mark making with you.  If you're so inclined, please do enter all three ways!  


*If you are excited about the idea of a subscription but are more of a knitter than an embroiderer, please do check out Jill's amazing hand dyed yarn subscriptions....I'm no knitter but her colors are dreamy....

64 comments:

  1. I'm so excited! What a great idea, can't wait to see this in person!

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  2. I, too, am a complete creature of habit, and also love the backstitch. I always think I should be using some other stitches, but then somehow end up with the tried and true backstitch.... So perhaps I will subscribe, but maybe I will win?

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  3. I'm such a fan of your work! I enjoyed meeting you at the MAD and it was wonderful to see your creations in person. You've inspired me to finally try my hand at embroidery, so this prize would be such a treat.
    I need to expand my crafty horizons and appreciate you giving everyone a chance to win.

    ellenronnie <@> gmail.com

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    1. Thanks Ellen! The Etsy workshop is getting re-scheduled (I think) for sometime next week. I hope you can come, it would be great to see you again!

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  4. Best news I've had all day! Been slowly working away on my Squam project.

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  5. rebecca what a great blog! i can't believe how much you have accomplished! I LOVE your subscription idea! i saw your comment on the martha stewart blog online about iowa city tree huggers and this is how i found you! hope all is well and keep stitching! (i may have to get a subscription and teach myself how to knit again. :) i thought about stitching some on my paintings! -jamie

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    1. Jamie! It's so good to hear from you! I love following along with all your Iowa thrift scores at Dirty Birdie . It sure makes me miss the Crowded Closet! You're living in Thrift Meca my friend....no such luck here in NYC!

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  6. What a great idea! I love this, and I've been loving your instruction on Creative Bug which I just joined. Your work is beautiful--so glad I was led your way by Pixie Campbell.

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    1. Susan- Thanks for commenting on Creativebug- I have been having so much fun working with them.....

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  7. What a fun idea! Would be great to win!

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    1. I certainly agree. I look forward to receiving these monthly Samplers. It will be like getting a present every month for me!!!!! Thanks Rebecca. Carol Matthews

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  8. Wow, I just discovered your work and am so glad that I did! What a fantastic and inspirational idea!!

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  9. I so love your work and so wish I could win this giveaway. As always, lovely work.

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  10. this monthly sampler is a b r i l l i a n t idea, rebecca!

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  11. I could be so lucky. This is just the thing to get me going for the new year.

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  12. I have pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/26599454020860091/

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  13. What an awesome idea! I love this, and I've been loving your classes on Creativebug.Thanks for the chance!

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  14. I have pinned http://pinterest.com/anamarceherrera/dropcloth-samplers/

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    1. Ana-
      You're the winner! Please contact me with your address and e-mail so that I can set you up with your free subscriptions!

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  15. ooo, looks like fun! Thanks for the chance!

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  16. What a great idea! I would be so grateful to win! : )

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  17. I repinned a close up of your stitch dictionary which I love
    http://pinterest.com/sharonef/contemporary-embroidery/

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  18. Fabulous idea! A handmade encyclopedia of stitches!

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  19. This looks a great idea to play with all the stitches!

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  20. I have repinned from your Pinterest board to http://pinterest.com/littlebirdieqs/images-and-quilts-i-like/
    Thanks for the opportunity to win this.

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  21. Ooh! These are beautiful. I definitely need a push to do anything but split stitch and chain stitch these days!

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  22. What a great idea! Would love to learn more stitches! Thanks!

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  23. These are wonderful! I would love to win! :)

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  24. What fun! Stem stitch is my favorite - I love how it makes smooth curves!

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  25. This subscription looks amazing. I keep eyeing up things in your Etsy shop because really want to increase my embroidery skills. And I loved watching your biography on Creative Bug.

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  26. I repinned the gorgeous paisley sampler - http://pinterest.com/pin/161566705353659315/ I adore paisley!

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  27. A great giveaway - perfect way to keep learning new stitches. Love your blog and your work!

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  28. I love your sampler subscription idea! Would love to win!

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  29. Rebecca ~ I would LOVE to win! LOVE all your samplers

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  30. http://pinterest.com/twhisson/pins/

    Rebecca ~ here is a link to my pins of your work!

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  31. Love the subscription Sampler idea!
    Your classes are wonderful. Hope to see you at the Verb soon!

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  32. Beautiful beautiful beautiful! I love all of them. Will check out the subscription!

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  33. Thanks for all the sweet comments! If any of you have images of Samplers in Progress, please do post a link to those....here's a link tot he Dropcloth Sampler Flickr group....http://www.flickr.com/groups/sampler/

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  34. I love your work and I have a few of your samplers already. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  35. I have re-pinned a few things to my embroidery board. Here is one of them http://pinterest.com/pin/98657048058742963/ Thanks again you rock!

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  36. I found you on Creative Bug. I fell in love with your work. I purchased one of your samplers. It is so fun to sew! The monthly sampler is a cool idea! Thank you for the generous giveaway!

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  37. Here is a link at Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mchancey7/pins/

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  38. Hi Rebecca! I'm hoping to have the time to take a picture of my paisley sampler in progress - I'm almost finished and it's been great fun...I'm hoping to win your generous giveaway...fingers crossed!
    Stef

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  39. What a wonderful subscription project! I'm just learning to embroider and this would be such a fun way to learn. Thanks!

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  40. Pinned to Pinterest, too. Link here! http://pinterest.com/pin/51932201924931644/

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  41. Oh, wow! Lovin' the subscription and stitch practice samplers ideas! Most of the embroidery I do is practicing stitches with my girls so this will make it all the more exciting! Thanks!

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  42. Pinny, pin, pinned right here, :) http://pinterest.com/pin/158963061819073809/

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  43. I wish I could post a picture of my sampler in process, but I never seem to have my camera and embroidery at the same place and time. But rest assured, it is in progress... So more samplers would be great!

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  44. I am currently working on one of your samplers. Embroidery has helped me through some very challenging times. Love your idea of an embroidery subscription. Can there ever be enough samplers?

    Bordergirl

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  45. Embroidery is like meditation for me and it simply rocks! I hope to do more in 2013 and thanks for all of the inspiration!

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  46. Hi there! Just finished watching your free workshop at Creativebug. Loved it! Made me want to embroider again! My mom taught me the basics when I was a kid but I haven't done it in ages... The subscriptions sound awesome and a subscription to Creativebug to go with them would be just perfect! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  47. I am so happy to be in this contest that tears are running down my leg...lol Thanks so much for the chance to win. Have a wonderful Holiday. Elaine

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  48. Oh, what fun! I adore learning new things. This would be such a treat.

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  49. I pinned your gorgeous paisley stitching.

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  50. COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED! STAY TUNED FOR A WINNER!

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  51. I'm glad I saw that today was the last day to enter on facebook because apparently my work in progress didn't post. This is what I am currently working on http://www.flickr.com/photos/58346457@N08/8244228597/in/pool-sampler I am going to turn it into a miniquilt for my mom to hang on her wall. I got the idea from one of my flower sketches and decided it would look great embroidered. I most used back stitch and split stitch but would love to learn more. Thanks again for the chance to win. You are awesome! jgfisher8 @ yahoo dot com

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  52. What a fun idea. I would love to win.

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