Love is a Garden

Thank you all for your visits and comments-I sure do appreciate them :)-I am a little MIA this week due to hubby being off and getting things ready for my mom's B-day party this Friday night :) I have *tried* to keep up with the boards and email...but blogs I haven't been as fortunate to keep up with. I'll catch up next week I hope :)

YAY!!!!! I *DID* finish the piece I want to give my mom along with her other gifts. I have worked on it every spare minute I had-which hasn't been that many since last week :) But in the end I did get it finished in time.....I LOVE this and I hope mom will as well :) Many of you know that my mom is an avid gardener as well as has her own greenhouse/nursery business :) That's one of the reasons I chose this particualr design-the other reason is self evident!!



I used a lovely piece of lace under the trim. I like what that adds :)

Designer: Waxing Moon
Fabric: 28ct. Silkweaver Solo
Fibers: GAST
Design Size: 5 5/8 x 8 5/8
Date Started:4-28-08
Date Finished: 5-4-08

Thanks so much to those that have let me know that their packages came today :) I appreciate it so much :) I hope you all will enjoy :)

Take care and have a great week :) Thanks so much for stopping by :)
hugs :)
BeckySC

My personal Summer exchange to Wanda!

Wanda let me know she received my exchange for her today :) I chose to stitch Elizabeth's Designs The Busy Bee for her and finish it as a pinkeep. I have stitched this one for myself some time back and finished it in a Sudbury box :)
Sorry as usual I didn't take a pic of the entire exchange.


Please excuse the charm-I didn't realize it had gotten turned in this photo!

Designer: Elizabeth's Designs
Design Size:4.5 X 4.5
Fabric: 32 ct. Lambswool
Fibers: WDW & DMC
Date Started: 3-14-08
Date Finished 3-15-08

I have heard from several of you that your grab bags and stitched items arrived :) Thank you for letting me know :)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :) Thanks for spending some of it visiting with me :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Personal Summer Exchange from sweet Wanda!

Oh my!! I just had to take a minute to share the personal summer exchange from Wanda! I received it just now after returning home from lunch :) What a great exchange she sent to me :) I just love it Wanda and will get a proper email of thanks off to you in just a bit :) Look at the wonderful pillow she stitched for me and everything was tucked away in this FABULOUS flip flop bag!! I will be using that bag, Wanda!! LOVE IT! Your stitching and finishing is just amazing :) Thank you so much-I enjoyed the exchange with you and sent yours off priority/delivery confirmation this morning :) You should have it tomorrow :) I hope you like it :)

She included the gorgeous bag as well as some recipe cards (which I love) a lovely blue fiber from Thread Gatherers, a chart from my wishlist and a wonderful bee print :)

OK..other news...IF you are in the USA and have a package coming from me-it was mailed out today! I sent out 28 packages and that was all I could afford today-but ALL USA pakcages went out :) International friends....I will mail yours in the next few weeks as I can :) The clerk at the PO was so patient with me when she saw all the packages I was mailing....I was worried that she may get impatient, but she was very nice and helpful!! I would appreciate it if you all could drop me a quick email when you receive :)


OK...off to the yard :) Have a great weekend all!
Thank you so much for visiting :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Early Mother's Day gift for me ...

Today I received my Mother's Day gift from my husband and children. YEP, it's stash :) I had not planned on purchasing stash for quite some time as I am stitching from my current stash, but when I went to pick up my order of Where Stitcher's Gather I was also given money from my family to buy my Mother's Day gift :)
Here's what I got :)
They were having a trunk show featuring The Stitching Parlor.....gorgeous display!!!

Friendship-The Sweetheart Tree
Rhodes Butterfly Fob-The Sweetheart Tree
Cherry Blossom Fob-The Sweetheart Tree
Blackberry Fob-The Sweetheart Tree
Wool Needlebook and Scissor Fob-LHN
Strawberry Quilt Block-The Sweetheart Tree
The Red Acorn Sampler-The Stitching Parlor
Where Stitcher's Gather-The Victoria Sampler
Accessory pack for Where Stitcher's Gather
March Baubles-Sam Sarah
Blossoming Buttons-The Stitching Parlor
Birds & Blossoms-Homespun Elegance
Blooming Littles-Hollis Designs
Topsy Turvy Bunnies-Val's Stuff
Blackwork Bird House-The Stitching Parlor
Mr. Crow in search of Honey-The Stitching Parlor
Mr. Collins Humble Abode-The Stitching Parlor
My first Sewing Box and Scissor Fob-The Stitching Parlor
The wool pack for the LHN Needlebook
5 GAST
1/2 yrd. Light Sand 32 ct.

I will not be as available for the next 8 days as my husband is off and I plan to cut my Internet time while he is off and spend as much time with him as possible- I will try to get on when he is gone somewhere or when he is napping or sleeping...plus I have all the prep work for my Mother's 62nd b-day party on the 9th :)

I do have most all of the grab bags and stitched items that are to be mailed within the USA ready to take to the PO in the morning. AS I was sick for the first part of the week I didn't get a chance to do so-PLEASE see the link provided in the earlier post to keep track of when I mail out. PLEASE note-none of the envelopes have cards or notes in them as it was just so many it was overwhelming :)

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the new month :)
Thanks as always for visiting with me :) I appreciate it!

hugs,
BeckySC

Winter Snapperland

As some of you know I have not been feeling well since Sunday. I still don't feel 100% but today the fever is gone and I am feeling some better. Thank you to those that sent email and cards :) I appreciate them :) They brightened my day :)

Today I felt like doing some finishing and I pulled Winter Snapperland from the drawer (mind you I was going to have this one framed until I fell in love with finishing larger designs in pinkeep fashion)to do the finishing on. This piece is very SPECIAL to me as it is a collaboration of my dear friend KarenV and my own stitching. Karen stitched half and I stitched half :) Karen originally started this piece and fell out of love with it and offered it to me to finish :) I was happy to take up her offer :) I love how it turned out and it will have a very special place in my home :) ***EDITED to answer Ginny*** yes, I finish larger pieces off this way. Design size is 15.5 x 5





A special thank you to Paula C for an AOK I received yesterday of a kit on my wishlist :) Thank you again, Paula :)

Thank you all for stopping by :) I appreciate your visits :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Garden Friends Needle Roll

For this Months NR challenge I stitched Garden Friends NR by Lorri Birmingham. I have stitched this one before for an exchange and have always wanted to stitch it again for myself so it was the perfect choice for the challenge. I just love the way it turned out :)



Designer: Lorri Birmingham
Fabric: 28ct. Natural Linen
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:4-20-08
Date Finished: 4-23-08

Thank you so much for you sweet comments on the pinkeep for Vonna as well as the Spring exchange for Carolyn :) I appreciate them so much :)

Have a lovely day :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Spring Exchange for Carolyn :)

Carolyn was my victim for the Seasonal exchange board for 2007-08. We are on the last round and this is my last exchange for her :) I have thoroughly enjoyed spoiling Carolyn for a year :)We were dear friends before, but I feel our friendship has grown even closer through and during this exchange :) I love you my friend :) I chose to stitch PS Spring foursome (you may notice I left off the back stitching between the squares-that was intentional as I did not like the way it looked) and finished it into a pinkeep. I also stitched the PEEP freebie and made her a scissor pocket :) TOO cute! I am so glad you like it, Carolyn :) It has been a joy and a pleasure to stitch for you :) I hope my next victim (AmySC) will enjoy my stitching for her for a year :) Looking forward to it, Amy!!
I failed to take pics of the rest of the exchange :) Maybe Carolyn can post better pics than I have later :)


Designer: Prairie Schooler
Design Size: 4.58 x 4.5
Fabric: 32ct. Lambswool
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-27-08
Date Finished: 3-29-08

Peep
Designer: The Prairie Schooler
Fabric: 32ct. Lambswool
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:4-3-08
Date Finished:4-3-08



Thank you all so much for your visits :) I appreciate each and every one of you :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Polly Wolly Doodle for Vonna :)

Vonna's wish on the Make a Wish board was for a Polly Wolly Doodle Pinkeep. I stitched this last year and wondered how I would finish it. When Vonna made her wish and said it was not a problem that the date was 2007-I was able to grant her wish :) I am so glad you like it dear friend :)



MAW members...I just wanted to let you all know in case you see extra's on Vonna's blog that they were NOT sent as part of the exchange-but something I had promised her awhile back and were shipped with her exchange to save on postage and packaging :) I didn't want you to think I was breaking my own guidelines as with this group we send no extra's :):)


Thank you all so much for visiting with me :) I appreciate it so very much :)
Have a lovely day :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Link to grab bags so you can see when I mail yours out :)

(ALL grab bags have been spoken for-I took the first 30 people-Thank you)

First let me mention that my dear friend KarenV is blogging again :) I know some of you have missed her dearly and those that don't know her-pop over to her blog for a visit-she is a joy :) and SO very talented!

Thank you so very much for your sweet comments on Betsy :) I can't tell you how much I appreciate them :) Yep-you all are just the BESTEST :)

I moved the info for the grab bags and stitched pieces to a page I could easily access when I need to mark someone off. Please visit HERE to keep track of mailing. I will mail the first group of items out on Friday in no particular order. :) Thanks to all that helped me clear out some stash. I REALLY do appreciate it. I would rather give it away than anything :) I f you still have not sent me your mailing info-please do so to make this easier for me than trying to track everyone down:) My email is the little beemail in the sidebar :)

Have a lovely day :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Ooooooooooooooooooh, isn't this just gorgeous???

I stitched this last year and pulled it out to take to the framers but then decided against it and to do a pinkeep finish on it. You just can't go wrong with that finish-as we all know now much I enjoy making pinkeeps!. I LOVE how it turned out and I couldn't be more thrilled with the end results!! I love that I can do something with samplers and larger projects other than framing. A few years back I would have never even thought of or attempted this finish :) Gosh, it makes me want to get to stitching more designs like this one so that I can finish them in a way other than framing :) I am not overly fond of wall hangings or bell pulls-so I am so excited to find another finish that works :)
I didn't have any ribbon that matched for a bow (guess I will have to pick some up-what do you think...does it need a bow??)...I used pink and gold pins that compliment the colors in the design. I have the perfect stand for this one and will enjoy having it displayed in my home :)
I had to adjust the size on the pics to keep my sidebar in tact -you can see the original size here




Designer: Sheepish Designs
Fabric: 32 ct. Antique White
Fibers: DMC
Date Stitched: 7-15-07 - 7-22-07

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments on my "unique" fairy :) and for visiting my blog-you are all just the absolute best!!!!!


hugs,
BeckySC

My footless fairy....

Some people may have gotten upset over this...but I have learned from recent events in my life NOT to sweat the little things :) SOO, I can only laugh when I look at my poor little footless fairy!! Yep, only after the pinkeep was assembled and I was taking pics did I realize I had forgotten to stitch her shoe. SO, my fairy is very special as she is unlike any others :) I *believe* she has her shoe tucked up under her dress :) I so enjoyed stitching her and she was going to be a gift for a friend, but I guess she gets to stay in my collection now that I goofed on her-which is not a bad thing, but I really wanted to give her to my friend!
I used a lovely garden print for the backing and a green trim, bow and pins to match the design.



Designer: The Prairie Schooler
Design Size: 4.25 x 3.06
Fabric: 32ct. Natural
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:4-10-08
Date Finished: 4-19-08

Thank you for your comments on the Harvest Berries Sampler pinkeep. I truly appreciate them :)

Thanks for stopping by :) Please come again :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Harvest of Berries Sampler Pinkeep

I stitched this one in 2005 and was going to make it a bell pull, but today I decided I really wanted to finish it as a pinkeep. I am really liking the projects that are longer, finished as pinkeeps. This is no exception. I LOVE it :) I didn't have enough purple pins-so I will add a few more to it when I purchase them.


Design

Harvest Of Berries Sampler
Designer: Betsy Stinner
Design Size: 9.25 x 2.9
Fabric: 32ct. Flax
Fibers WDW
Start Date: 4-30-05
Finish Date: 5-2-05

Thanks so much for your sweet comments about my Spring exchange for Stephanie :) I appreciate them :)

Thanks for visiting :) Please stop by again :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Personal Spring exchange for Stephanie :)

WELL, my Spring exchange for Stephanie finally arrived. I received an email to let me know (it went to my junk box though so I didn't know it was there until I saw the post on her blog :) ) She seems to love it-I am so glad. I enjoyed stitching for you my friend and I will reply to your email later this evening :) Your email is so sweet-Thank you :)
Stephanie pics are much better than mine :) And I neglected to take a pic of the entire exchange.


I decided not to cover the outside of this box-I bought it especially for this exchange and thought Stephanie would like the box.


Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on the Spring Biscornu :) I appreciate them so very much :)
Thanks for stopping by :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Spring Biscornu :)

I just love this...isn't it just too cute???




Designer: Barbara Ana
Fabric: 28ct. Dove Grey
Fibers: DMC & DMC Variegated
Date Started:4-9-08
Date Finished: 4-14-08

Thanks for your visits :)I appreciate them :)
Have a lovely week :)
BeckySC

Thank you all so much and an exchange :) **Edited**

Thank you all so very much for the comments on my last post :) I really like the way Saturday's Sampler turned out :) Someone said it looked like a pinkeep too-well, it is also a pinkeep-but in a cushion style finish and YES, I do try to think outside the box when it comes to finishing, as I have so many wonderful smalls I love to display and finding the perfect finish for them is part of what I like about finishing :) Thanks again :)

Now, onto a gorgeous exchange I received today :) Stephanie and I did a personal Spring exchange and her exchange for me arrived today. Let me just say I am SO very spoiled!! WOW!! Stephanie, I don't know how to thank you for your generosity and BEAUTIFUL work :) I am so honored to have your work in my home :) Look at these beautiful pieces...
Scissor Fob, Mattress Pincushion (how did you now I am trying to add to my mattress pincushion collection??) needle minder and needle counter-the personalization is amazing!! I think my exchange for her will pale compared to these beauties!!!! I think I may need to send her something else...WOW!!. I am blown away by the beauty of each piece..not to mention the generous extras she included...WOW!!! (teapots are mine :) )






Some of you have found my new blog and I want to thank you for stopping by and your email and comments. I know I owe some answers to a couple of those email and I will do that this evening :) You are all so sweet :)

I wanted to thank Amy from Down Sunshine Lane and Mary Kathryn of Handcrafts Online for their excellent services. I have ordered from Amy many times and she is just as speedy and keeps you updated on your orders-just a joy to order from. This was my first time ordering from Mary Kathryn (I wanted some of the lovely WDW fabric to stitch when Bella Met Barnabee)-she has excellent customer service as well-thank you ladies :) I can't share a pic of the stash as some of it is for gifts/exchanges :)

Thank you for stopping by :) I appreciate your visits :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Saturday's Sampler

This week has been a busy week for me with Spring Cleaning :) I enjoy cleaning so it's not a problem for me-the only down side is that I haven't had time to stitch much at all. I did start a project this evening, but just wasn't in the mood to sit and stitch-so I pulled something that was left in my finishing drawer and finished it off. I stitched this one a couple of years ago. I decided on a cushion finish for it and I like the way it turned out. I can't get a good pic-but you can get the idea :)



Designer: Lavender Wings
Design Size: 2 5/8 x 10 1/2
Fabby:32 ct. Light Sand
Fibers: WDW
Date Started: 4-15-06
Date Finished: 4-16-O6
I left off the top two bands as I didn't care for them. I love this piece and it was a joy to stitch. I love the specialty stitches in it.

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. It's unsettled weather for us. We had 3 tornado warnings in our county on Friday night. The good part is we are getting much needed rain to help with the drought we are in. Water restrictions have been in place here since mid 2007. We haven't received enough rain to ease those restrictions-but every bit of rain we get is a blessing.

Barbara, no-that's the only bird like that in the RD book :)
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments on the little redbird pinkeep-I appreciate them so very much :)
Thanks so much for stopping by :) I enjoy your visits :)

Isn't this just the cutest???

Or at least it is to me :) When I saw Staci's post about the New Reader's Digest Big Book of Cross Stitch and the adorable sampler she was stitching...I couldn't wait to get by my favorite book store and pick it up. I did that yesterday. I LOVE the book BTW :) I LOVE "unique" looking birds and I couldn't wait to stitch this little guy-he was my project for today and I just love how he turned out :) He is taken from the Shaker hearts Sampler that Staci is stitching and I am going to go back some day and stitch that entire sampler-but I had my eye on this little guy for today :) I finished him as a pinkeep!! TOO cute :) I chose to use an extra wide trim that comes up over the edge of the linen and I love the way that looks.




Designer: From the Readers Digest Big Book of Cross Stitch
Fabric: 32ct. lambswool
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:4-1-08
Date Finished: 4-1-08

Thank you all again for asking about Rambler..He seems to be doing well, but we will not know if the treatment has worked until he goes back to the vet on the 9th :)

If you left a comment in my guestbook on my web page from the middle of 2007 until last night-I may have not known you did so as for some reason I was not receiving email notification about the guestbook being signed. PLEASE forgive me if I did not contact you-I just found many entries in the guestbook late last night while doing some maintenance on my site and I tried to email each person that left a comment. If I didn't reply to you-please let me know :)

Thanks so much for stopping by :) I love your visits :) And I appreciate your comments and all the email you send to me. I get much joy from sharing with you:)
BeckySC

Bloom Where You Are Planted Pinkeep **EDITED**

I just love this :) I used the same backing that I used when I finished the first one as a flatfold :)



Bloom Where you are Planted
Designer: Birds of A Feather
Fabric: 32ct. Lambswool
Fibers: GAST
Thank you all so much for the many email I have received :) I have appreciated all of you over the past week-no nothing was wrong with me, healthwise-I just felt a bit quiet :) I think a lot of it had to do with my worry over Rambler :)-it's amazing how many truly wonderful people there are out there :) :) And, Andrea-Rambler got your snail mail card today! I just can't get over how sweet you are :) My DD thought it was the coolest :) Thanks so much again :)

Thank you for stopping by for a visit :) I have lot's to share...but they will have to wait as it is all exchanges :) Also, have a lot more exchange stitching to do :)-but looking forward to it :)

I forgot to say that Judith's name was drawn for the Easter Gingham Scissors pocket :) I will get that out to you soon, Judith :)

Have a lovely week!
BeckySC

Thank you, Myrna :)

I received such a surprise in today's mail from Myrna :) Thank you so much, Myrna :)
I never know what I do to deserve these AOK's, but I am so appreciative of your thoughtfulness my friend :)
Isn't this the cutest fob?? I just love it, Myrna!!! And there is a dish cloth with a bee pattern in the center-I tried to get a pic of it alone to show up-but it didn't turn out good. She sent a cute little wooden Bee Happy sign as well as some marking pins :) Thank you so much again, Myrna :)



Thanks for stopping by :) (and to those that have sent kind words/thoughts for Rambler, I can't tell you how much they mean to me) My Internet time is very limited for the next few days and it really couldn't have come at a better time as I am not really feeling very chatty.

Enjoy the weekend.
BeckySC

News on Rambler and Seasonal Spring Exchange from Veronica...

I received 3 of the sweetest emails for Rambler this morning and an e-card we haven't opened yet...sorry about that Andrea-we were so busy this morning getting ready to go-but I did read him your a sweet note from Saturday-you are just the sweetest!!!. Rambler was suppose to have surgery at 8am this morning, but the doctor that saw him last Thursday was not in and he had to see the other vet....Dr. Glenn says he thinks that it is inflamed tissue between Rambler's pads and not a tumor and he wanted to try a steroid shot and a follow up visit in two weeks. I agreed as I don't see putting a dog through surgery if it is not needed. So he froze the foot and gave him a steroid shot. Dr. Glenn says he can't guarantee this will work but he is very hopeful. We are so relieved at this point...we will anxiously await the two weeks and see what happens. ALTHOUGH, Rambler is none to happy-he has to wear an extra large e-collar so he can't chew his foot-he had a difficult enough time with a regular sized one after he was neutered :) This one really is awfully big and he has a most difficult time eating and drinking...we have had to get creative with it-but hopefully for the 10 days he has to wear it-it won't be too bad. Your thoughts for him are so appreciated and if you could continue to keep him in your thoughts I would be ever grateful.


I received the last seasonal exchange today (Spring) from Veronica (Helen and Su's mum) and it is just gorgeous :) Veronica-I just LOVE IT!! It's just perfect and I will cherish it always! Thank you so very much!!
A BEAUTIFULLY stitched and finished cushion and fob!



And lots of extra goodies :) Thank you Veronica for spoiling me for a year :) You did a great job with each exchange!


I will not be available for blogging (reading/commenting) until next week :)
Have a great week!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
BeckySC

Barnabee's Bride-Stitching Accessory

Here she is :) What a fun stitch this was and the finishing was just as fun!
Bella

Bella with Needleroll open


Bella with Needleroll tucked inside

Designer: Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct. white Opalescent
Fibers: DMC and Overdyed Silk
Start Date: 3-23-08
Finish Date: 3-23-08

Thank you all for stopping by I appreciate your visits :) I hope each of you has had a lovely Easter.

Have a great week!
BeckySC

Easter Gingham

I stitched this one a couple of weeks ago...when I was on my Easter kick :) I decided on a scissor pocket finish for it and it turned out so cute :)
I know Easter is upon us, but I have decided to give this one away as over the past couple of months, so many people have touched me through their kindness shown to me and I just can't express how much that means to me :) I can't thank you enough for being there for me, if it was just to listen, commenting on something I had to share, emailing me just to say hi, praying for me and my family and my husbands recovery and continually checking on him and us through the ordeal, sending good thoughts for my baby Rambler or one of the many gifts I have received lately (thank you BeckyK for your sweet gift today from my wishlist-I love it)-any kindness shown to me I have greatly appreciated :) Thank you so very much.
I wish I could give to everyone that has given to me-and eventually I do hope to touch many of you with my own kindness, but for now-I am giving back with this scissors pocket. If you would like a chance to win it-just let me know :) Sorry it wasn't available in time to display for Easter. I will draw a name next week :) Thank you all so much again for your constant care!



Designer: Twisted Threads
Design Size:3 x 2.14
Fabric: 28ct. Riviera Gingham
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-7-08
Date Finished: 3-8-08
Stitched 1 over 1

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit :) I appreciate it so very much!
Have a most lovely weekend!
BeckySC

A Prairie Year :)

YAY!! I put the final stitch in this afternoon! I just love it! I am ashamed it was in the works for so long-it was started as a SAL that fizzled and I just put it away and worked on other things for FAR too long :) I counted each motif as a finish as I started out doing one a month for the SAL. I stitched August through December over the past week :) I am still deciding on if I want to frame it, make a wall hanging or make a table topper....
August Motif

September Motif

October Motif

November Motif

December Motif

Completed Stitching

Designer: The Prairie Schooler
Design Size:3.25 x3.25 (each Square)
Fabric: 28ct. Tattersall
Fibers: DMC
Start Date: 1-1-06
Finish Date: 3-21-08

Thank you all so much for your thoughts for Rambler...he is indeed my baby and your wishes that he will be OK mean so very much to me :)

I *hope* to do the finishing later today on an Easter piece I stitched up a couple of weeks ago :)

Have a most wonderful Easter weekend my friends :)
Thank you so very much for stopping by for a visit :)
BeckySC

I come asking for good/positive thoughts for our Rambler...

We took Rambler to the vet this morning as late last week he had something come up between the pads on his left foot. We are sad to learn that it is a tumor and he will have to have surgery on Wednesday morning (next week) to have it removed and have a biopsy. I can't tell you how much he means to ME and my family. PLEASE send good thoughts for him that everything turns out OK!
Yep, dirty face as he is a digger :)

Thank you so VERY much!
BeckySC

AOK from a sweet friend...

I was so surprised today to open my mailbox and find a huge package from a friend I have recently made VIA my blog. I received an e-card from her one day about how much she enjoyed my blog and we became fast friends...Andrea (who doesn't blog-but maybe that will change???)I can't tell you how overwhelmed I am with your wonderful package! Thank you so much. I don't know what I have done to deserve such kindness. I will be sending a proper thank you as soon as I am finished here. She packaged it all into a beautiful box that you can see in the back of the picture...also, the Easter eggs had a skein of Anchor floss in each egg. She sent some REALLY great goodies and I just don't know what to say, other than THANK YOU my friend!



I have been stitching to finish up my Prairie Year from The Prairie Schooler. It has been a WIP for WAY too long. I am now halfway through November (have stitched August, Sept and October this week already)and will continue with it until it I have completely finished December.

Thank you all for stopping by and for your sweet comments on my exchange for Cathy. I appreciate your visits.
Have a nice day,
BeckySC

***Friends, please forgive me if you have felt neglected/ignored by me lately-(Oh, please know it is not my intentions to do so and I think of you all often!!!). I have been spending a lot less time online these days and have been using my free time stitching, and spending time with my family. Life changed so much for me after Rick's accident (all for the better) and I just see the much bigger picture now. Things are good-Life is good...and even if I am not around much or emailing with you much I am STILL thinking of my dear friends.***

At Last....

I received word from CathyMK that my Easter exchange for her finally arrived :)I am SO relieved!! I hope you enjoy it, Cathy :) I had such a great time putting together this package for you.
I stitched two items for Cathy, as her b-day is on Easter this year and I wanted to send a little something along for that :) They were both Easter related.
First is the pinkeep :)
Designer: Shepherd's Bush
Fabric: 28ct. Buttermilk
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:2-18-08
Date Finished: 2-18-08
Stitched and finished as a pinkeep for CathyMK for a personal Easter Exchange



And A Needleroll (I love stitching this particular NR and have stitched it 5 times now...not yet for myself though)

Designer: HIH (I modified the Spring NR-to make it Easter)
Design Size:3 x 4
Fabby: 32 ct. Mocha
Fibers: WDW & GAST
Date Started: 2-4-08
Date Finished: 2-5-08
Stitched for a personal Easter Exchange with CathyMK.
I used the HIH Spring Fobs chart and took the NR design and modified it to fit the Easter theme.

Entire Package for Cathy :)


Thank you all for visiting and for your comments :) They are always so very appreciated!
Have a great week!
BeckySC

***I received another part of my order from Kelly (Needlearts Gallery) today....Just Nan's When Barnabee Met Bella***

Not so long ago, this would have upset me....

but after my hubby's accident I have learned to relax and don't sweat the little things and that's exactly what this is....a little thing!! I stitched a cute Easter Roll today (made some modifications in the design) and had such a good time stitching it and I don't know what I was thinking but when I went to cut it to size and get ready to pull the threads and iron it, I cut the fabric as if I were doing a pinkeep....Oh goodness!!! Honestly I laughed about it (after the initial POOF of air that escaped my lungs!! LOL) and just continued on with finishing this into a needleroll with a little less fabric for the hemstitched details-but I still think it is adorable :)



Designer: Silkweaver
Fabric: 28ct. Dove Grey
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-14-08
Date Finished: 3-14-08

Can you believe my birthday continues??? I received the most gorgeous scissors fob from Pumpkin today. She writes that the end charm is a honey comb that came from soap made from bee by product. I just love it, Pumpkin:) Thank you so very much! It will definitely find it's way to a pair of my favorite scissors :)It's gorgeous!


Thank you all so much for visiting and your comments :) I really can't express how much I enjoy your visits!
Have a great weekend!
BeckySC

Hoppity

I couldn't wait to stitch Hoppity after picking it up at my LNS today. I had the exact finish in mind...so I got busy :) VERY quick stitch! I stitched and finished it this evening and I just love it! I decided on needle roll (traditional roll) type finishing and it couldn't have worked out better! I just love it :)


Designer: Stone & Thread
Design Size: 3.125 x 1.56
Fabric: 32ct. Silkweaver Woodland Green
Fibers: WDW & GAST
Date Started:3-13-08
Date Finished: 3-13-08
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on the pinkeep :) You are all so kind!!
Thanks for stopping by :)
Have a great day!
BeckySC

SB April pinkeep **EDITED FOR STASH**

I'm seeing a pattern here...I am into the Easter/Spring designs at the moment. I stitched this one last week and finally got around to doing the finishing today. I think it is just the cutest! I think I was bitten by the Easter/Spring bug when I was stitching my Easter exchange (which has still not arrived :( ) for CathyMK :)I have really enjoyed stitching the ones I have stitched in the past 2 week- So-I thought I would go with it while it's with me and see if I could get a few of the cute Easter/Springy designs stitched up :) I still have a couple others to do the finishing on that I stitched last week as well-but one of those is an exchange so it will have to wait to be shown.



The fabric color shows better here.

Designer: Shepherd's Bush
Design Size: 4 x 2.5
Fabric: 28ct. Dove Grey
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-5-08
Date Finished: 3-6-08

I have a challenge for those that would like to take part (limited to 100 as that is the limit of authors Blogger will allow per blog). I try to encourage stitching/finishing and if you would be interested in joining our challenge please visit the blog for details and how to join us.

My LNS called to let me know my Shaker Box for My Tuscany came in yesterday. I just love it...I picked up a few other items that came in as well.

Home of A Needleworker too-LHN
Hoppity-Stone and Thread
Barnabee's Bride-JN (You knew I had to get this one)
Multiple fibers and a few accessories :)

Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments/emails :) You are so kind!
Have a great day!
BeckySC

Easter Sampler Mattress Pincushion :)

I love this :) I have stitched it in the past and finished it as a pinkeep and gave it to a friend :) I decided to make another for myself. I finished mine as a mattress pincushion, I used fiberfill to stuff and I must say I much prefer to use quilt batting for this type finish as I feel it gives it a much more even finishing. It still turned out just lovely though.



Designer: Heart in Hand
Design Size: 3 x 4.25
Fabric: 32ct. Summer Khaki
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-9-08
Date Finished: 3-11-08

WendyCarole-Nope, no UK magazine in the picture...Stoney Creek, The Cross Stitcher, Cross Country Stitching, Just Cross Stitch and Cross Stitch & Needlework :)

Thank you so much for stopping by :) I appreciate it!
Have a great day!

Stash...

This is really only a personal entry as I am keeping track of all the stash I purchase this year :)
I went to pick up some Bee buttons that I needed, but I had a few items that I had on order that were in as well :)

Buttons & Pins-Blackbird Designs
America-LHN
Home of A Needleworker-LHN
Blessed are the Meek-LHN
Starlight Sampler-LHN
Netty's Sampler Pinkeep Drum- Stacy Nash Primitives (I have been waiting on this one to come in)
hip hop hare-Sam Sarah
Flakes-JN
5 Magazines
14 bee buttons
1 flower button
30ct. Creek Bed Brown R&R
30ct. Friendship Blue
30ct. WDW Linen
36ct. Picture This Plus Icon

Thanks so much for stopping by and for all your comments and emails :) I appreciate them so much-I have had a request for a Tin Finishing tutorial as well as the little scissor pocket. I will gladly do them for my sidebar (the next time I think of taking pics when I am doing the finishing), but Vonna offers a wonderful Tin tutorial on her site that I don't think could be explained/documented any better :)

Have a great day!
BeckySC

Birthday gift for Nicki :)

Nicki has emailed me to say her birthday gift arrived :) Anyone that knows dear Nicki knows she loves redwork and I think I have sent her something in redwork for each b-day the past few years and this year was no different. I used part of a French design that dear Isabelle was kind enough to pick up for me and send me in a trade :) I love the way this one came out and it was such fun to stitch and I think I must stitch it again for myself :) I am SO glad you like it, Nicki :) It's always a pleasure to stitch for you :)



Designer: Gwen R Creation
Fabric: 32ct. solo
Fibers: DMC Variegated 115
Date Stitched:2-6-08

Thank you all for stopping by and for your sweet comments :) You are very kind!
Have a great day!
BeckySC

Finally, something I can share :)

I have been doing a lot of exchange/gift stitching for the past couple of weeks and have not been able to share any of it. I only have one exchange left to stitch for at the moment, so I decided to take a break and stitch something for myself today :) I love the HIH holiday birds and have stitched quite a few of them and have only kept a couple for myself so I am going back and restitching them and today I started with Easter Bird. I stitched it over one on 32ct. (it's so tiny!!) and finished it as a scissors pocket. It is SO adorable :) I just love it!



Designer: Heart in Hand
Design Size: 2.43 x 1.31
Fabric: 32ct. Lambswool
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-9-08
Date Finished: 3-9-08
Stitched one over one.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments :) I appreciate it so much!
Have a lovely week!
BeckySC

Thank you Sue...

I received a b-day gift from Sue (redwitch) yesterday, but didn't have a chance to post or email as we had family board game/spaghetti night and I was busy getting everything ready. She sent me a Burt's Bees kit :) :) a lovely beehive print and a very pretty bookmark which is already in my bible. I use a lot of bookmarks in my bible for my daily bible study and actually needed another one! Thank you so very much, Sue :) You are such a sweetheart :) ((((much love)))) I really have felt overwhelmed by all my b-day gifts! Thank you so very much my friends!!!!!

I am stitching away and have finished several projects this week but nothing to share just yet :)

Thank you for stopping by!
Have a lovely weekend!
BeckySC