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Debbie Draper Designs |
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| Designer's Name: Debbie Draper | |
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Location: Coppell, TX
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Thank you for taking the time to join our Friday Feature Debbie! Could you share how you got started in designing?
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Would you tell us about your Texas State Fair competitions?
I have won three ribbons, two second place ribbons, one for a cross stitch throw and the other one for a small crib size quilt. But my pride and joy came last year when I won first place for a Long Dog design called Renaissance. I stitched it on 40ct linen over 2 with Gloriana silk floss. That design took me almost a year to stitch but it was well worth it, it turned out beautiful.
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Would you recommend any specific design in your portfolio for a beginner? Any of my early band samplers would be perfect for a beginner, maybe “The Meadow” or “Autumn Splendor”. They both come with Vikki Clayton’s silk floss and would be great on aida or evenweave.
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A Bestseller From Debbie Draper Designs... Quaker Alphabet One of the most popular designs Debbie has at HDC is Quaker Alphabet. This beautiful design measures 120w x 138h and retails for $8.00. The design is stitched entirely with Crescent Colours' "Rainy Day" on 32 ct Vintage Maritime White by Lakeside Linens. |
Would you share a little about your family? I have been married to my husband, Larry, for over 31 years. No children but we do have two beautiful gray tabby cats named Jasmine and Daisy. My husband, Larry, is an IT specialist which is great to have around. He deals with my computer issues and keeps my website updated. Also, I am proud to say that I am a breast cancer survivor of 8 years.
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What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of needleart? I love anything to do with cats and I also design jewelry.
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Has your website been a valuable tool in marketing your product line and keeping in touch with stitchers? Most definitely. I get emails from stitchers all the time asking questions or expressing comments about my designs. I know that these days, a website is a must.
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What are a few of your favorite things about being a part of the cross-stitch industry? I love hearing from stitchers and I have met so many great people in the cross stitch industry. When I first started out designing, many other designers that I just met were eager to help me and give advice. I became good friends with two floss dyers, Mary of Ozark Sampler and Carrie of Carrie’s Creation Threads. I could not have been as successful without their help and encouragement.
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You offer a wide selection of styles, from Band Samplers to Quaker to your popular “Cats” series and more. Is there any particular one that seems to be more popular from a retail standpoint? Is there any particular style that is your personal favorite from a designing standpoint? Retail wise, I would have to say that the Quakers are among the most popular. As for my personal favorites, it would have to be the four Lace designs, I love monochromic designs where you can use hand dyed floss and fabric. Even though these 4 designs come with the floss, I encourage stitchers to try different floss and fabric. Experimenting is what stitching is all about.
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What are some benefits for stitchers in purchasing designs and supplies from their local needleart shop? I think that seeing the fabric and floss in person is a great benefit in visualizing how the design will look. It is hard sometimes to see from the photo of the design how it will look once stitched. Also the personal help you get from the shop is invaluable.
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Would you mind sharing a favorite recipe in closing? Currently my husband has really been asking for this dessert rather often. It sounds kinda odd but it is yummy. Sopapilla Cheesecake 2 cans of crescent rolls 1 ½ cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened 1 stick butter Preheat oven to 350F. Press 1 can of crescent rolls into bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Mix softened cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla until creamy. Spread over rolls in pan. Cover with other can of crescent rolls. Melt butter and stir in rest of sugar and cinnamon. Pour over top. Bake for 30 minutes. Can be served warm or room temperature.
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