Thank you dear Isabelle :)

I am posting early today so I can share what I received yesterday from Isabelle. I saw these and posted about them on her blog, but NEVER suspected, even for a minute that they were for me. I was SO surprised and touched yesterday when I received the LOVELY bottle aprons from her. Aren't they just BEEutiful....and look how she added BeckyBee to the back...I can't express to her how much I love these two gifts :) Thank you again Isabelle-you are so very talented! :) :) :)

Front of Dish Bottle and Hand Soap Aprons


Back of Dish Bottle Apron (Isn't that just GREAT??!)


I am working on Angel of Winter today. If I get enough accomplished to share, I will bee back later this evening to edit this post.

hugs :)
BeckySC

Another new start....

I started one of my stash purchases from the weekend today :) Herb Window Garden. I love this and had to buy it and start it. I am unsure what I will do with it-keep it or give it away to someone that likes it, but I knew I had to stitch it :) :)
Here is a link to what it will look like when finished.



I also received a WONDERFUL surprise in the mail today from DEAR SWEET Isabelle :) I was totally speechless at her kindness :) I am more used to being on the giving end and receiving something totally unexpected just floored me :) I have sent her an e-mail of thanks and asking her permission to post it...will do so after I hear from her :) THANK you again dear Isabelle...you made my day :) :) Love to you :)

Thank you all for your comments on my PV piece. I am excited about all my new projects getting underway and HOPE to keep stitching on them in some sort of rotation :)

My thoughts and prayers go out to EVERYONE that Hurricane Katrina has touched. My heart breaks for the loss of life, properties, and the utter devastation this storm has caused. I hope that all our internet friends are safe.

hugs,
BeckySC

I started one of my new WIP's today :)

I started PV's Sunflower Romance today. I got quite a bit stitched on it...but unless you are familiar with the piece...it may not look like much of anything yet :)



I received an e-mail wondering if I was ok because I haven't been around much-I am just fine, but if you recall I did post to my blog that I would be cutting back on my computer time, and that is why I am not online much. I am accomplishing a lot by not being on the computer so much and I am enjoying my stitching :) I limit my time to an hour and it is usually at night when I come to post progress to my blog :) No worries...nobody has done/said anything to upset me-this is my choice and it feels right-I was beginning to stress over the time I was spending online. Thank you though for your concerns :)

I appreciate your comments about my new WIP's. Thanks for the encouragement :)

I hope that everyone in the path of Katrina is ok. Keeping you in my prayers.

hugs to you all :)
BeckySC

Thanks everyone for your opinions on the fabby :)

I am going with the 28ct. I have it all ready to go...just waiting until I decide when in Sept. I will start. Yes, Leslie, I am using a color conversion-I wanted mine to be autumn, and the charted colors are not autumn (imo), so I am using the conversion...I LOVE autumn and all the colors :)I can't wait to start this one and stitch the CL SAL with all of you :)

I have added 3 more large WIP's to my current stitching. I miss not having a PV in my WIP's, so I am adding Sunflower Romance (this will be a gift for my best friend as she loves this piece). I am also adding DT's Marriage of Minds (would love to finish this for hubby and my 25th anniv. next year), Herb Window Garden and I am thinking seriously about kitting up Mirabilia's Butterfly Fairy or Lilly of the Woods to add as well.

I finished my NR for the exchange this weekend, it's ready for mailing when the due date is a little closer and I also finished my halloween exchange and it is also ready for mailing...again, when the due date is closer.

Have a great day and thanks again for your input on the fabric :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Need help deciding :)

I am trying to decide on the fabric for the CL SAL. I am stitching Celtic Autumn and need help deciding on my fabby....I have 2 silkweaver solos from my fabric stash (one 28ct. and one 32ct.) that I took pics of with the flosses....if neither of them will work, I will just use a regular fabric not a hand dyed. Your opinions would be much appreciated :)

TIA!

BTW-BF on this blog ALWAYS means BEST FRIEND...ROFL! I didn't give that a thought as to it meaning anything else :)

28ct. more browns


32ct. more rose/cream


side by side


In other stitching news....I have lost my mind-besides Celtic Autumn I am going to add 3 more WIP's to my current WIP's :)

Off to add the treasures and beads to my NR exchange :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Fun Stash Day for Me!!!

I needed a day like today filled with wonderful stash..I picked up the following at my LNS :)

1/2 yd. 32. ct. R&R 18th Century Grape Linen for Wabbit's Garden (and other Wabbit projects)

1/2 yd. 30ct. R&R Colonial Pumpkin for The Cricket Collection's Carrot series

Ruler for one of my Milady projects

4 packs Silk Ribbon for Wabbits Garden (i do plan to finish as model is finished)

2 packs beads for my NR exchange

1 pack beads for Celtic Winter

The Rabbits' Big Day -The Cricket Collection (I plan to stitch the entire series)

Maggie's Needlecase-Blackbird Designs

Sunflower Charms-Blackbird Designs

Cider House Garden Kit-Liz Turner Diehl

And an order in the mail from OOE
1 yd. Antique White Cashel

1 ruler for a Milady project

Bee's Rule-Milady's Needle

Bees in a Box-Knotted Tree

Summer Soapbox-Bent Creek

Bees Buzzing-Shepherd's Bush

AND, cause she loves me...Summer Stars Freebie kit (FREE)

And My evening trip to Hobby Lobby with my BEST FRIEND LOL!! (her son is getting married next may and she wanted to go look at flowers...SO, I shopped for stash :)

Garden Stroll-Something In Common

6 Sided ETUI ...A French Sewing Box Kit-Home Arts

AY's Necessities-Historic Stitches

Herb Window Garden Kit-Linda Bird

Simply Elegant Scissor Case and Fob-Lorri Birmingham

4 packs treasures

AND, here is my LITTLE bit of progress on Birdbath
Wasn't home long enough to stitch today....but it was SO worth the lost stitching time :)



Yep, a GREAT stash day!

Enjoy the weekend :)
hugs :)
BeckySC

And The Animals Came was my chosen WIP for today. I got quite a bit done on it today. STILL a lot to go on this piece...it is solid cross stitch with a border, and LOT's of b/s -So no HD in the near future!:)



Thank you all for your comments on Angel Of Winter-I appreciate them. I am thinking I will stitch on exchanges/finishing and/or small gifts on the weekends and keep to my WIP's through the week-BUT, that is not set in stone :)

Hugs :)
BeckySC

Today I stitched on Angel Of Winter. I worked with wisper thread mostly this time around. The white in her collar is one strand white/one strand wisper-NOT my fondest of stitching fibers...it actually bothers me to stitch with it-I'm allergic-so it makes it a task :(. I also did a little stitching in the tail of her gown.




Thank you all so much for your kind comments on The Flower Garden Fairy, they are so very appreciated! Christine, the book is a book by Barbara Baatz. It has a lot of different designs in it and The Flower Garden Fairy is one of them...I'll try to find a pic of it :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Long time no stitch :) .....

on Flower Garden Fairy that is! I pulled her out today and stitched in another flower :) It felt surprisingly good to work on her again :)


I think I have decided what to stitch for the Autumn exchange, and may work on that later today :) I hope to pull out another WIP and work on it some tomorrow.


Have a good day :)
hugs :)
BeckySC

Stitching finishes...but I can't share (EDITED)

I have finished my NR exchange, Halloween exchange & redwork exchange! That feels great! I LOVE exchanges, but not deadlines, so I try to stay ahead if I can :) I just need to decide what to stitch for my autumn exchange, but I don't know the lady I am stitching for or her likes/dislikes and it makes it harder. I have requested this info last week, but haven't received it as of yet. If I don't receive it, I will just stitch something I like :) What else can I do in that situation? :)

Missy, I sent the chart out-you may have received it today :) As for the cording-If I come across premade that I like-I try to buy it. If I don't have any premade that matches the piece I need it for, then I will make my own (not my favorite task)

Sure, I'll take on your finishes, Jenna :)

Thanks for all the comments on the flat fold-I truly appreciate them :)

Due to the high volume of the $%^*&@#$% SPAMMERS, I have turned my anon comments off for now. I am sorry for any inconveniences to those that post that are not bloggers. (After some thought, I decided to turn this feature off)

I feel I need to do some revamping of my " stitching time". I want to get back to some of my large WIP's and try to finish a couple of them up. I also want to join in the CW SAL that Carol is organizing. I have gotten away from my large projects as I wanted to stitch some gifts for internet friends and I wanted to stitch a few exchanges, as I love exchanges-but in doing so, my WIP's have suffered and that is really sad as a lot of them are WELL underway. I hope to get back into some kind of routine where my WIP's can get some attention. I will still BEE stitching small projects, as I still have friends I want to stitch for and exchanges I want to join.

I also feel I need to do some revamping of my "computer time". I am spending WAY TOOOOOOOOOO much time online again. I got burnt out from stress of being online so much/ running a BB (with EZ-board gremlins and people you just can't please)/ and family health problems about a year and a half ago and had to give up my internet time....I am feeling a bit overwhelmed these days with so much going on. Blogging/BB-ing and e-mailing are taking up several hours of my day. I LOVE blogging and reading all the blogs and commenting on them (especially those that read mine), but it takes me over an hour to read the blogs in my sidebar. I don't want to burn out again and have to leave the internet and all the wonderful new friends/old friends I have made...so I may have to space out my blog reading/commenting over a period of a few days to fit everyone in :) PLEASE do not be offended if I don't comment on your blog. I LOVE all the blogs I am a regular reader of and WILL be reading them and commenting as much as I can :)

Hugs :)
BeckySC

I finished the stitching on my NR today

for the exchange :) BUT, I can't share it yet :) It's lovely! I still need to add the beads and do the finishing-then it will be all set to go :) I also started my Halloween exchange! I love my choice and I hope my partner will as well :)

I decided how to finish a piece I stitched awhile back for RobinB. It's LK's Cherish All Living Things and I made it into a flat fold. It turned out great :) I love my choice of finishing fabby as well :)

Front


Back


I had an e-mail today that made me giggle and smile...it was from Lauren, and she wanted to know how to get on my stitching list...ROFL! Lauren, if you are out there, I try to stitch something for all the friends I feel will enjoy receiving something from me. I don't stitch for them in any order and/or time frame, just whenever something hits me that I think a certain friend will like :) I have stitched for MANY friends I have made through my website/BB's/Blog and other friends :) It usually starts with "Hello" :) :) :)

Have a great rest of the weekend all :)
hugs :)
BeckySC

Thanks, everyone :)

I appreciate your comments :) You make sharing so much more enjoyable :)

Cindy, I make all my own tucks- (I sell them as well) :) :) I find I can better match them to finishing fabrics that way :), and I like my tucks a little more "stuffed" than bought ones (I have even added fiberfill to purchased tucks)

Carol, no way do you owe me anything my friend :) :) :)

I plan to finish my NR exchange this weekend and decide on what to stitch for my Autumn and Halloween exchange. There could POSSIBLY be some finishing this weekend, but I am unsure about that as I have other things I want to do in the yard and there is a special program at church and then there is the housework :) :) :)

The LNS called and said I had two orders ready to pick up...I want to go get them so bad, but I just placed another order on Wednesday and told them I will wait for that to come in as well before I pick them up :) :)....NOW THAT'S HARD!!! ROFL!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Today's Finishes were easy ones...

I finished up some tucks for displaying in a basket for decoration during the Christmas Holidays. I have little baskets sitting all over the house with holiday items displayed in them and this one will fit in nicely. I will probably add a few more to these for the display.



Missy, I have the Wee Wooly chart addressed and ready to drop in the mail to you :)

Thank you all for your lovely comments about the needlecase :) I appreciate them all so much and I appreciate even more your visits with me :) Thank you :)

Dani, I just figure out how I want to finish something, and then I set out to do it. I have not taken any classes(wish I had the opportunity to do so)... a lot of classes offer wonderful finishing instructions, which I would love to learn. I am always nervous my first try, and it may take several attempts to master the finishing technique :) I enjoy the entire process from deciding how I want it finished to picking out the finishing fabrics and other embellishments to the actual finishing. :)Thanks for visiting with me, Dani :)

Harsha, the needlecase was put together using sewing :) I am sure that it could be done without sewing...may have to give it a try and see how it turns out :)

Carol, if you are reading this, I DID order the supplies for the JD design-I will let you know when they arrive.

Stitching wise, I am stitching on my Needle roll exchange :)

Have a good day :)
BeckySC

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you :)

You are all so sweet and supportive. I love sharing my finishes with you. Thank you for the encouragments to keep sharing :)

I haven't stitched today, as I had to prepare a meal for 40 men for hubby's lodge tonight. It's a lot of work, but not so bad when I do casseroles that make a meal in themselves. I prepared 4 large Hash Brown Casseroles, bread, salad and cakes (cakes were store bought) GLAD that is over until his next month to cook...which will be November, I think :) :) :)

Anyhow, I haven't stitched as I couldn't sit long enough between casseroles cooking, but I did finish another piece!!! Oh, I love it! It is one I stitched 4 years ago and it has been "sleeping" in my drawer of stitched pieces. I decided that it would make a perfect needlecase/scissor flat (yep, I love finishing those!!! and I love the challenge of putting one together when the fabric was not cut to do so-this was stitched on a piece of fabby not much larger than the stitched design, so I had to improvise and come up with a different finishing)-This one opens from the bottom. It has a black pin closure and the fabby inside is adorable with the bees on it. I love the way this one came out. I didn't take a pic of the back, as it is just the linen used for cross stitching the piece.
I have fallen in love with finished projects that I can USE or have hands on. I STILL love my framed pieces, but I just love walking into my stitching room and fondling my finishes...

Front of Needlecase


Inside with the lovely bee fabric and ribbon.


Thank you all again for the wonderfully kind comments :) I appreciate them SO much :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

I can't share stitching progress, as I am working

on my Needle Roll Exchange. Which I sure hope my exchange person will like :)

Thank you all for your comments on the christmas piece. I can't wait to display it :) I hope to have several other new items to add to my decorations this year.

I did do some more finishing today on a piece I have had stitched for several years. Bent Creek's Bluebird Zipper. I turned it into the cutest banner. I love it and how it turned out.

I need to paint my dowel/ends though.


Are you all tired of my sharing my finishes??? I have just been in a finishing mood and have been so happy to get some gifts made up for friends and some of my projects out of the drawer they have been hiding in since BEEing stitched :) If you all are tired of seeing/commenting on them, I can just post them to my album and web site :) :)

I mowed the lawn today without incident on my brand new lawn mower (just got it on Saturday...our other one was 18 years old and it needed replacing badly!!!), which I LOVE!!! We have gotten so much rain, that the grass usually needs mowing twice a week. I enjoy yard work, mowing included, but I am ready for fall and COOLER weather and a break from the extreme heat and summer storms!

Hugs :)
BeckySC

Back to some stitching :) & A message for Margaret

I worked on Eliza Jane's needlekeep today! I am basically finished with the front piece :) This is turned long ways, so it fits in my blog without my having to manipulate the size and distort the stitching.



I did finish a Christmas piece today. This piece will go under one of my small trees. I wanted it to look like a present :) (if you don't know already...alot of you do-i GO ALL OUT at Christmas and decorate my entire house..I mean REALLY decorate. I have 4 , 7 1/2 foot trees and 11 small trees, and I have lot's and lot's of people in and out :) )Anyway as I said, this piece will go under one of the small trees this year :) I know everyone will love it! The finishing fabric on this one sides/back is green/white checked.


Thanks for the comments on the LK Flat fold :) You are all so sweet and I love hearing from you :)

Margaret, I used to work at the Stitch and Frame Shop :) I loved my job, but due to unfortunate circumstances, I had to give it up. I do however still visit the shop whenever I can. It has CHANGED so much since you were there. They still do the framing specials :) BUT, the shop has grown so much (in stash) & techniques and they have added a knitting nook. If you ever get back, you should drop in, you will be amazed! :) Thank you for visitng and posting to my blog :) and for your kind words. I hope you will drop by again :) I loved hearing from you :) Camden is about 30 minutes south of me :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Thank you all so much AGAIN :) :) :)

You are just the BESTEST! I appreciate all the wonderful comments on the cube. It really is so cute! :)

Today was another finishing day. This time it was the flat fold I mentioned earlier, so that I could post step by step instructions/w pics. I still need to write up the instructions, and upload all the pics... which I hope to do before the weekend is over. You will need to e-mail me for details of viewing the instructions :)

This is LK's Garden Sampler. I always have a difficult time choosing my finishing fabrics. I chose a print with cherries on it, to go with the cherry in the piece. I made it into a NO SEW flat fold for instructional use. I will post step by step instructions w/pics of this piece (will need to e-mail me for details). It turned out really nice. All pins will be removed once the glue is dry.

Front (not sure if I want the tassels, so they are NOT secured yet)


Front view of stitching


Side View


Back


I love finishing...can you tell:) LOL!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

hugs :)
BeckySC

WOW, you all are so kind for commenting...and such

NICE comments :) thank you SO much :)

I bought some lovely fabrics while I was out today. I can't wait to put them to use in finishing :) Aren't they fantastic???



I put one of my new fabrics to use today. I decided to try a cube using the NO SEW method. It turned out VERY adorable! This is "Have you Any Wool", and I stitched it for my friend, Jan. I hope she will like it as much as I do! Any pins you see will be removed once the glue is dry.

Front


Side


Back


I would love to BEE able to post a page with finishing instructions...I am checking on that to make sure I am not violating any copyrights and I will let you all know where to find my instructions if I post them...not sure what kind of instructional person I am, but I am willing to try :)
I am going to make a flat fold today with step by step pics.. hopefully I can share the details with those that want to learn to make a flat fold.

Have a great day :)
Thanks, again you all :)
hugs!
BeckySC

Stitching Blogger's Round Robin BB

If you are a Stitching Blogger and would like to join in a Round Robin, please visit us at Stitching Blogger's Round Robin BB to join in the fun of RR's. Please pay attention to the application screen and follow the instructions to be accepted. This a a brand new group and we are excited and look forward to having fun with RR's. Be advised, this IS an international group.

Hope to see you there :)

I spent this evening, finishing a Flat Fold for KarenV. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it...she knows she was going to receive a friendship gift from me and even knew it was going to be DT's, Too Tiny Too Sampler, but she didn't know how I was going to finish it. I decided on the flat fold, as I wanted to see if I could make one without using sewing... all my other flat folds I have sewn together(hopefully this will help those at the Exchanges BB that want to finish a flat fold without the use of sewing.) If you see pins, they will be removed as soon as the glue dries. It turned out really adorable :) I hope you like it, Karen :)

Front of Flat Fold


Side View


Back View


And because someone ask me why it is called a flat fold...here is the reason, it folds flat for storage :)


KarenV, Danielle, and Zohrah, I will BEE sending your items in tomorrow's mail :)


BeckySC

Oh MY!!!

Now I don't know what to choose fabric wise and finishing wise...I like all the suggestions :) I think this piece would lend itself to a sewing book...a place for scissors, needles and maybe floss...but then again it would make a nice flat fold :) :) :)

Annemiek, the piece is a Bitty Bud kit called Needle & Thread. I still have the chart if you would like to stitch it...you can let me know :)

Isabelle, we look forward to having you :) :) :)

Shhh...I went shopping today for finishing goodies, picked up some really items...can't say anymore ;) !!! LOL

Have a great day :)

WOW, thank you all so much for the comments on the Needle Book :)

You are all so sweet. I REALLY appreciate it. :)

Danielle, I am glad you like it. This was a learning piece for me as I finished it differently than my other Needle book. Next time I will change a few things about this type finishing.

Zohrah, the white is felt or batting...you can use either and you can use any color. Yes, I just tacked it down on all four corners :) There are many different ways you can add it tho :) I just go with my own things mostly :) :) :)

Karen, you are welcome to the Eliza Jane chart when I am finished with it...just let me know :) :) :)

I need opinions on what piece of fabric I should use with this cross stitch piece to do the finishing. I am either going to make it into a sewing book (Leaning towards that one) or a flat fold. So, the fabric will either be the inside of the sewing book or the outside of the flat fold and I need to know which one of the 3 you all think would work the best. The one on the far right has very similar shades of pinks/blues used in the cross stitched piece. The one in the middle has the same shades as well but a light background. The one on the left really lends itself to the idea of sewing. ANY and all opinions will be welcomed :) TIA:)


Answer to an e-mail about accessing the Stitching Bloggers Exchange BB. If you have not followed the instructions provided on the application screen...you will receive the following e-mail.
If your membership has not been accepted-you need to go back to the application screen and follow the instructions for applying. Applicants that have not filled in the proper requests on their profiles will be denied access to the BB. This is due in part to the EZboard hacking that took place a month ago.

Thank you,
Admin.of Stitching Bloggers Exchange BB,
BeckySC

If you are denied, you need to pay attention to the instructions and apply again. ONLY those that have not followed the request have been denied. We would love to have you if you are interested in participating in the exchanges, so please fill in the necessary information to be accepted. If you have problems, please e-mail me. I will BEE happy to help :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Progress and Finish on a Needlebook/scissor Flat for Danielle

I made a little more progress on Eliza Jane's Needlekeep and scissor flat. This one really is so neat. I love the over one stitching....just goes slower for me :)



I also finished the HE freebie I stitched last week into a Needle book/scissor flat for Danielle. She knows she is going to receive it, so I thought I would share. I finished this one entirely different than the other Needle book I finished last week. I learned some things tonight that will make this one even better then next time I finish in this way. It did turn out nice tho :) I hope she will like it :) :)

Here is the front


The Inside


The Back


Thank you ALL for visiting with me and your wonderful comments from yesterday/today :) I loved reading them all :) You're the BEST!


Hugs :)

The start of a new project...

This one is going to be a SLOW one. This is all the progress I made today on it. All that over one goes SLOW...not to mention I had to frog the over one flower...took longer than stitching it! ARGH!! But, here is my progress. With the over one it will be such a nice piece when it is finished :)


I have been wanting to start this since purchasing it on my vacation. It's Brightneedle's Eliza Jane's Needlekeep and scissor flat. I am also in a finishing mood, so I may pick up something later this evening to do finishing on.



Thanks for your concerns over my not feeling well. I am feeling better tonight.

Have a great day :)

Two days of Redwork and all I can say is....

WOW, it's BEEutiful and I wish I had my own name...ROFL!!!
I spent yesterday and today stitching on my redwork exchange (ok, I stitched a little on it Friday evening, but at that time it was for me and it was a practice piece)-I am finished with all the stitching now and I must say it's BEEutiful! I love the piece I chose to stitch. I hope my exchange person will like it as well. Now comes the challenging part..."some assembly required"..LOL! I'm a little nervous as I have not made this particular item before and I don't want to mess it up, but then again, I am excited to be trying a new finishing technique :) :) :) I can't wait to share...ROFL!!!!

Thank you all for visiting my blog and for the continued comments on my needle book. I appreciate your kind comments so much-they make my day :) YES, I will post in the "how to" forum once it is up and running :) More than happy to do that :)

Thanks also for the continued wishes for my little incident with the tree....I will take extra precaution in the next day or so when I mow the lawn again :)

Thanks to all of you that are first time visitors and/or leaving a comment for the first time as well as those that have e-mailed me that are new to my blog. I have REALLY enjoyed your visits and hope you will continue to visit.

Have a great start to the new week :) :) :) :)
BeckySC

Thanks everyone :) & Happy Birthday Dad :)

I love you, Dad :) I hope you have the BESTEST Birthday :) Afterall-you have the BESTEST daughter...ROFL!!!!

It's nice to have all that mishap with blogger behind me :) Now I can concentrate on other, more important things like stitching my piece for the Redwork exchange over at the Stitching Blogger's exchange BB. I started a lovely practice piece last night as this is my first Redwork piece, but after receiving my exchange name today and reading her intro, I decided that the piece I started last night will be just perfect for her. That means though that I won't be able to share pics of it...but that's ok-I can when she receives it-but that is a ways off as well, November. But never fear, when the time is right I can share :) :) :)

I have been taking care of my mom's greenhouses the last several days as she has been out of town-let me tell you, that is a HUGE job! She returns today, which I am thankful for :) My passion is cross stitching...hers is plants :) :) :)

Hubby has a rare weekend off (he is doing inventory for 2 months august-sept)so I plan to spend some time with him as he will not have another one until inventory is finished, and he returns to his regular job. He took me to lunch today :) that was nice and now he is servicing the lawnmower so it will be ready for another round with me next week..ROFL! I hope to sit and watch TV with him and work on my RED exchange :) :) Sounds like the perfect weekend!

Thanks for all the hugs and well wishes from my earlier battle with the tree branch-I still have the battle scar...but it looks MUCH better :) :) :) (BTW-i told hubby that tree needs to be limbed up...he don't want me to do it...I'll cut it down ROFL!

Have a fabulous weekend all :)
BeckySC

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!

YAY! I have almost recovered my entire blog. I am still tweaking things here and there, but for the most part, I am back on blogger :)

:)

HAPPY 48th to my dear Hubby :)

Happy birthday to you. You are 48 today and I have spent 24 1/2 of those 48 with you. It has been an adventure. We have been through things I thought we would never get past...deaths of loved ones that we didn't know how to deal with, one death I thought I couldn't get past (but there you were, helping me to deal with it and go on in life), job related stresses, and other everyday stresses that life dishes up. They have all made us stronger and made you into the WONDERFUL man, father, and hubby you are today. I am so very proud of you and all that you give to your family, friends and community. You are a strength to us all. I love you and I hope you have MANY more b-days, and I hope I get to share them with you :)
Love, Becky


I called my hubby in to look at the B-day wishes from my friends.....he said thank you so much, but please call him Rick :) :) :) You guys are THE BESTEST!!!!!

Thank you for the compliments on my needlebook finishing. It was a lot of fun. I didn't have a pattern or directions, but it turned out nicely and I love it. I would BEE happy to share the finishing I used, Jo in the How To Forum :) The How To forum will be set up when KarenV returns from her vacation...she is leaving soon :) And Vero will also moderate when she returns from her two week vacation. I am SURE there will bee some wonderful finishing ideas and how to's posted in the forum :)

I wanted to do some more finishing tonight-but it has been a busy day and company for hubby's b-day, so I have not found time to do anything, but it has been a good day :) :) :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Today was a rough day...

I needed a hug several times today, but mostly when the tree didn't get out of the way for the lawnmower and I got slapped in the face by a branch and almost knocked off the mower. I have a huge place under my right eye and it's gonna be black and blue and it's already very sore.

After being a yard bug all day I finally got to sit down and do what I had planned for one day this week and that was a finishing day...I didn't get to finish several projects as I had hoped, but I did manage to turn my ABC Zippie from Bent Creek that I had stitched awhile back into a needlebook. It turned out ADORABLE! I went for a rustic/simplistic style as I thought that is what this piece called for.

Here is the front, I used twine for the ties to add simplicity and rustic charm.


And this is the outside with the book opened.



And on the inside to add that rustic charm, I haphazardly whipped around the lining fabric. It turned out AWESOME! It added just what I was looking for. (which you can't tell very well from my pic...sorry for the pics...someday I will take a photography class :) :) :) :))


Hugs :)
BeckySC

I will be mailing out to the following people by no later than Friday :)
Carol-My Garden Wild Flat-fold
Veronique-Button box
Zohrah-Fabrics
Stacey-Pattern Books

If I have something to mail to you but have not listed you, please let me know :) Thanks so much :)

Zohrah, I am not sure where you can use paypal to purchase the kit. I will do some checking or maybe another reader can assist you. I am ordering it soon :)

Terri-I bet you will master finishing :) :) :)

Nicki-I have and use all the Judy Odell books-they are easy to use and I enjoy them.
It also helps that my mom is an excellent seamstress and I can bug her with any questions I have-she paid me a compliment just recently at how much I have improved on finishing and didn't even have to call on her for help :) :) :)

Also, Catherine asked about the HE freebie of the Beehive. I received it from the LNS I worked at. It was included in the designs that a a group of designers created for the Stitch & Frames 25th year celebration-the packages of freebies were distributed to employees and customers-some freebies were widespread but others were created just for the Stitch & Frame. Catherine said she couldn't find it anywhere and I offered to send her a copy-I will do the same for anyone else that would like to have it :) Just let me know :)
Have a great day :)

More Editing to add answer for Zohrah & Nicki :)

Thank you KarenV and Danielle for your comments on my NR and your thoughts on the HE piece :) I appreciate you commenting.

I don't generally post anything negative, but I am very frustrated with the US postal service. I sent a package out priority, insured and delivery confirmation....it was already a very expensive package and I added those 3 things to insure that it made it to it's destination today and SAFELY as it was a B-day gift....well, looks like it didn't make it. That REALLY bugs me as I paid the extra to have it delivered today! Oh well!!!!!!

(EDITED TO ADD: Go figure, at least one of my friends received her package today and I sent it at the same time as the b-day gift and it was sent first class mail...SHEESH!!!, Shelleen, thanks for letting me know you got it and I am so happy you like it :) enjoy it, my friend :))

(Another Edit: I tracked the package and it states it was delivered....)

Sorry about that, as I said, I don't usually post negative things, just really aggravated right now.

I finished off a couple of pieces today, but I am not going to post them as they are gifties for a couple of friends that read my blog :) I so enjoy finishing these days. I have improved so much on my finishing skills over the last year or so...I think it helps though that I now have all my supplies in one place and can sit down and finish without having to go from room to room and it also helps to have a few good instructional books and not to mention all the wonderful finishing skills shared by bloggers and cross stitch lovers :)

Lizzie, I used the instructions for one of my NR kits-for some reason, it just seemed clearer to me than the other instructions. I also used my Encyclopedia of Needlework, they were both helpful.

Peggy, thanks for letting me know it arrived safely :) I am so happy you like it. I KNEW I had to buy it for you when I saw it..LOL! Enjoy it :) I knew Madison would love the trinket :) :) :)-I bought her something special for her B-day :) Will talk with you tomorrow :)

Zohrah, thanks for your comment on my NR :) I enjoy stitching NR's and have a basket full of them :) NOW, I enjoy them even more with new found ability of hemstitching :)
As for the Needle Book, needlecase, needlekeeper...they have many names. They are cross stitched pieces put together in a book fashion to hold your needles. They can be made many different ways with many different designs. Here is just one example. They can be much more complex or simplistic. This one is a needle book as well as a scissor keeper.
(BTW, your fabric will be mailed this week. It was more than the package I had would hold, so I have to purchase something larger to mail it in)

Nicki, the Needlebook is from With My Needle BUT, be warned...you are gonna DROOL :) LOL!! They have some GORGEOUS things :) :) :) Enjoy :)

I was visiting with Danielle before retiring tonight and she received a LOVELY needlebook in an exchange-pop over and have a looksee, it's really nice :)

Have a nice evening!