New Year's Eve...WOW, where did the year go???

One last post for 2005 :)
I want to wish all my friends a Healthy and Happy New Year....BEE safe :)

Yesterday I received Rosa's Snowman RR, as I volunteered to stitch a square for her as it came home with only one stitcher having stitched on it! It's adorable and I can't wait to find the perfect snowman to add to it (I looked through my huge collection of snowmen charts and I can't find the perfect one, so I may have to SHOP :) :) :) )
Along with the RR was a gift for me :) A hand towel with a bee stitched on it-it is so cute and I can use it with another gift of a larger towel I received this month :) Thank you, Rosa-I love it!


I am stitching on AOW today and will be back later to post my progress. Please forgive the wrinkles in the fabric and the quality of the pic. :)



Tomorrow I hope to stitch the first part of A Prairie Year with some other stitcher's on the FGBB. I have plans for tomorrow evening, but hopefully can get a nice start on it after church tomorrow -It's small so I may even finish it up tomorrow:)

Thanks for your sweet comments on Bird Bath. I appreciate them all so much :)

Carol- I do plan to stay with Wednesday's for stitching CA...You are going to finish way ahead of me though...I noticed you worked on yours again yesterday-I need to get over and comment.

Dawn-I am glad to still being SAL-ing with you too :) I considered stitching them individually, but I think I am going to stitch it as one design too :)

I am glad to know I am not alone in my stitching habits :)

hugs to you all,
BeckySC

Not much to share today...

I stitched very little on Bird Bath but managed to stitch in another bird...there is one bird left to stitch and then it is on to the rest of the scene.


I put Bird Bath away to work on an exchange piece and I can't share any details about it until it is sent and received :) I am having fun with it though :)

I have decided that with all the good intentions I had committing to a more structured stitching schedule, it is really not going to work for me as I am one who likes to stitch smalls, gifts, exchanges-small, medium and large projects-and just have that sense of completing projects...no matter what the size. I am the type person that stitches whatever I feel like stitching at any given time and a schedule just doesn't work for me..it makes my stitching feel like too much of a chore and I don't want that. I enjoy stitching too much to make a commitment to something that will take the joy out of my stitching. I do plan to stay with the SAL's I am in now and in 2006...but as far as a schedule...well let's just say I no longer have and/or want one :) There, that feels so much better :)

Big hugs to you all :)
BeckySC

I didn't want to take away from Anne's Beautiful gift to me, so I decided to make another entry for my progress and the SBQ! I am going to try and get back in the habit of answering the SBQ's :)


How do you balance your stitching time with your other obligations such as work, household chores, etc.?

I have always had a general rule that I don't stitch or play on the computer until my housework and errands are done daily. After I have finished up with those things, I have the rest of the day (until supper time) for stitching if I wish to do so...then after supper, I have the evening for stitching and computing. I created this little helpful rule for myself after my first year online. I was a terrible internet junkie and never accomplshed anything else, as I spent all my time online and my stitching and family life suffered from it. I realized I had to take some action and since 2000 I have lived by that little rule and it works perfectly for me. I'm Balanced :) :) :) :)

Here is my Celtic Autumn Progress for today :) I can't wait to see Carol's and Leslie's progress. I am pleased with my progress for today and really enjoyed stitching on her-I am more and more pleased with the conversions :)


Hugs :)
BeckySC

Thank you Anne :)

I had a most lovely mail day today :) I received a package from Anne :) The package was intended as a "Cheer Becky Up" surprise back some time ago (that seems so long ago now and I am happy to have all that behind me :) thank you my wonderful friends :))...but Anne had a mishap with the Bee cushion...which might I add, you would never know-it is SO beautifully stitched and finished :) I LOVE it so much and will cherish it always, Anne :)
Thank you for your thoughtfulness :) It means so much to me :)
I love the other goodies you sent as well :) SO ME!
This is the front of the cushion! WOW, does that say Becky??? I LOVE it, and the fabric is yummy!!!

And the back, beautifully stitched with our names and date!

And here is the other goodies..including the piece of fabric that the items are on :)


I managed to undecorate another room today...this year I decided instead of killing myself trying to tackle the huge job I have of taking down all the Christmas decorations, that I would spread it out over a few days. It is working wonderfully and I don't feel sore and exhausted as I normally do :) I only have the familyroom/diningroom left to do :) Hubby even took all the lights down outside as well as all the wreaths on all the windows and my mailbox decorations.

I have been stitching on Celtic Autumn, in between everyything today and will update with a pic tonight :)

We are having T-storms today ....WOW! You know what they say??? Thunder in winter...snow in a week...EEK!

hugs :)
BeckySC

Thank you for all the gifts, cards, e-mail , blog comments

for the Holidays :)- I appreciate each and every one of them :)

I had a most wonderful Christmas, and I am ALREADY looking forward to next Christmas :) :) :)
I received so many wonderful gifts from my stitching friends, and my family. I am looking for extra space to put the gifts received from my family..LOL!!! I will have MANY new additions for the Home Tour next year :) Time with my family is VERY precious to me, as my hubby works 12 hour swing shifts and doesn't get to spend a lot of holiday's with us. He worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we still managed to get in some time together. It was a very special Christmas for me-spending time with my family and extended family...THOSE members are numersous!:)

My mom LOVED Oh Christmas Tree (I don't share personal photos online anymore-I can't show you her expression upon opening it)and it was hung for her Family dinner, Christmas Day and BOY did it receive many compliments as well as many offers to take it off her hands LOL!
I gave my Aunt The Flower Garden Fairy and she was so thrilled and said she had always wanted one of my pieces...It is wonderful to give to those that truly appreciate :) I just wish I could give to more!

I have not turned my computer on for the past 3 days, as I wanted to spend time with my family and my stitching :) I had a goal in mind which I met today. I wanted to get all the white in Angel Of Winter's gown stitched before the new year. I met that goal this afternoon :) I am very pleased with the progress. I still have a lot of stitching to do on her, but no longer feel I am drowning in a sea of white :)

I will put her away after this evening, and stitch with Carol and Leslie tomorrow on our Celtic Ladies :)

If you haven't been over to Karen's blog...BEE sure to go over and see all her wonderful finishes she is sharing! ALL I can say is WOW!!!! (I haven't been over to comment yet, but will do so after this entry) And you all have probably seen Carol's framed piccies, if not, check those babies out too! I haven't been there to comment yet either, but plan to do so after this entry!

I have missed you all and will try to catch up on blogs in the next few days :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

Thank you to all my wonderful friends :) [EDITED for gifts from party]

AS 2005 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting over the past year. I have so much to be thankful for and I have been BLESSED with so many NEW wonderfully caring friends through my Blog the SBEBB and the FGBB and e-mail. I feel truly blessed to have formed friendships that have touched me so much throughout 2005. I feel blessed to have friends OLD and NEW to start 2006 with and I look forward to many more friendships being formed and those that are already my friends growing stronger. Thank each of you for being the friends you are to me, you know who you are-I love you all :) You have honestly made an impact on my life!

2005 has also brought some good news about my mom as well, she going into the 40th something day without a migraine. That is something for us to celebrate, as her health had LIMITED her life so much and now she is almost back to doing everything she loves to do. We feel blessed as a family.


2005 as it comes to an end will send my hubby and me off into another year of marriage. We will celebrate 25 years of marriage on Jan 9th 2006. We feel blessed to have 25 years to celebrate and we HOPE to have at least that many more.

2005 has given us 3 new babies in our family :) We are a large family and ever growing...now just to have my OWN grandkids someday soon :) :) :).

2005 has come with it's heartaches as well, I won't talk about them here, but I know with my faith and friends that I can face all challenges that life hands me :)

I will not be posting to my blog until at least Monday (Dec. 26th)-I HOPE to stop by and visit some of you on your blogs during this week, but I am so busy that I don't have a lot of time except late at night and by then I am TOO tired to think :) !!!
I will be back to my rotation stitching in January-I don't have time to stitch right now, and if I do find any free time for stitching-it will be somethng small :)

I look forward to spending 2006 with all you wonderful friends :)

Merry Christamas, Happy Holidays and Blessing for a Wonderful New Year.

EDITED to add a pic of the "VERY COOL" Hostess gifts I received on Saturday night :) I love them all :) There was several different Santa's, A Snowman Pillow, a VERY tall snowman, a couple of nutcracker items, one of which is a lamp-a driftwood santa ornie all the way from Alaska, A snowman candycane shaped ornie, Nesting Santa's, A snowman Candle holder, Nesting Snowman w/candy, a metal snowman..he is hidden behind the snowman candle holder...he is adorable with a VERY long carrot nose!...... Thanks, everyone!


Much love,
BeckySC

Party was a wonderful success...

GOOD food, good conversation, good friends and family...what more could one ask for ???? It's ABSOLUTELY priceless!!!!!

I wish you all the MERRIEST of Christmases and for others...the Happiest of Holidays!

Love,
BeckySC

THANK YOU- THANK YOU -THANK YOU :) :) :)

I wanted to take a minute to thank you all for your wonderful comments on Oh Christmas Tree...you made me blush :) Thank so much-you are all the BESTEST!

I am now in hostess mode and have not stopped all day AND it hit me that tomorrow night is the big night and I will have a house full !!! :). I will probably not be online again until Sunday if then...right now it is looking like my least busiest day (I do want to attend the Christmas Party at church)- I have something everyday next week, Monday- lodge party to attend with hubby, Tuesday- red hatter's party, Wednesday-Grandmother's house, Thursday-Son invited us up to his apartment Friday-trip to look at Christmas lights....Christmas Eve-I ALWAYS have my parents here on Christmas Eve. I am an only child now, due to an accident that took my brother's life in 1983 just a month before his 17th b-day. He LOVED Christmas and we miss him so much all the time, but this time of year it's even harder, and it's very hard on my mom... so I MAKE sure that my parents have me and my family to spend Christmas Eve with...Christmas Day-My mom has her family over, and we have my In-laws that evening....Can you say BUSY ??? SO, there won't be much posting and/or stitching -I'll pop in when I can :) I will BEE thinking of all of you and wishing you were here :)

Thanks for all the Christmas cards you guys haven sent to me-my card ribbons are overflowing :) :) :)I love it!

MANY hugs my friends :)
BeckySC

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree............

How BEEUTIFUL thy framing! I can't tell you how happy I am to have this back from the framers and get it wrapped and under my tree! Peggy did an AWESOME job with the framing-thank you so much, Peggy! It was well worth what I paid for this frame job! I couldn't be happier :)
I cannot wait to give this beauty to my mom on Christmas Eve-she is going to love it! :)

I couldn't get a good pic, as it is STILL icy here and continuing to come down, so I couldn't get outside to take a pic. BUT, I promised to share so here she is in all her Glory!!! It has a suede mat that is luscious and the frame is about 2" deep-it's really a dramatic framing and looks so wonderful ESPECIALLY ....IRL!!
Hopefully one of my pics will give you a sense of how beautiful it really is :)




I haven't gotten a lot of stitching in today, but I did stitch a little on Bird Bath.


Thanks for your comments and e-mail on Celtic Autumn. I appreciate them so very much! I am really loving her now :)

hugs,
BeckySC

Baby It's Cold Outside !!!

Boy is that ringing true in SC right now-the temps never made it out of the 30's today and we have sleet and freezing rain on the way overnight. YES, I started to panic, as I have not done my shopping for the menu yet, and ANY wintry weather in SC literally shuts us down as we are not equipped for that type weather, and we generally lose our electricity, and driving is OUT of the question! I was relieved to know that everything should change over to rain by tomorrow night and warm up into the 40's on Friday...so barring we lose electricity, and it takes them days to restore it (which it usually does!)-I am still GOOD to go for Saturday's Dinner Party! ...My little chant this evening is "Wintry Weather Go Away, Come Again Another Day"...PLEASE :)

I stitched on Celtic Autumn with Carol today. I planned a stitching day, but didn't get in as much stitching as I had hoped, but I am still very pleased with my progress today! I look forward to seeing Carol's progress tonight as well.

Thanks for the comments on HCS. I appreciate them so much :)

SURE you can all come to the dinner party-the more the merrier :) I just learned tonight that my son will be coming home Saturday, so that adds 2 more people, along with hubby, myself and my daughter..it is now up to 33 people :)

I had an e-mail from Judy that asked how I decide who to stitch gifts for...WELL, that requires a few answers...I don't really have a system for determining who to stitch for-there are many people I want to stitch for (I stitch for some more than once, and some only once) ...I stitch gifts for friends I know will appreciate them (If I feel my gift was not appreciated, then I don't stitch for that person again). I also stitch gifts for friends that are SPECIAL to me. I stitch gifts for friends when I see a design I think will fit the friend in question. I stitch gifts for some friends on their B-day and Xmas and other special days. I stitch in exchanges for many friends and strangers that become friends...I would LOVE to be able to stitch for everyone that I know, but that is not realistic, however, if I stitch for friends over a period of years (I stitched for many friends in 2005), I will eventually touch a lot of friends with my stitching gifts. As for your question of if I am upset by not receiving anything in return-why, no, I don't expect anything in return-I am just a giving person-if I stitch for someone it means I think enough of them to do so and their friendship is enough in return-If I haven't stitched for someone-it doesn't mean that I think any less of them, it most likely means I need more time :) :) :)

And before I end this post tonight I would like to send ((((((extra special hugs)))))and good thoughts to that special lady out there...you know who you are-I am sorry that you were attacked for being a kind giving person. I can speak from experience, KEEP on being you...keep on doing those things you do :) It is those that "can't" that attack!!!

hugs,
BeckySC

Today I stitched on Heirloom Christmas Sampler, as Tuesday's is an open day in my rotation at the moment. I will be adding A new WIP " A Time For Everything" on the first Tuesday of January as a 4 Seasons SAL with the Friends Gather BB. My goal today was to finish stitching in the holly & fir, before working on a project that I can't share yet. I did manage to get the holly and Fir finished. I need to add the holly berries, but they are done using silk ribbon and that is something I have not attempted yet, so I will get back to those. It is unbelievable how long it took to stitch those fir branches in...I wanted them to be just right though :) (I remember when I was taking the class on this piece...(before I realized I was out of my league as everyone else in the class was experienced in hardanger)...the teacher said to just stitch the tree in as close as you could get to how it was charted...NOT ME-I wanted mine to be exact and it took me so much longer than the rest of the class to stitch my tree in as they all fudged it)

I put Christmas Sampler away and have been stitching on a gift for a friend the rest of the evening.

Thank you all for the comments on And The Animals Came-There is STILL a lot of stitching left, as there is a stain glass effect border (which I am still deciding on whether to stitch or not) and there is all the filling in around the ark with sky/sun and water, and not to mention all the b/s this one has :) BUT, I am making great headway on it now and hopefully it WILL be finished before the middle of 2006.

I can't remember who asked in their comment about the menu...
The menu for the dinner party will consist of:
Baked Ham
Green Beans
Potato Salad
Macaroni and Cheese
Biscuits
Deviled Eggs

There will also be finger stuff :
Cocktail Meatballs
Cocktail Sausages
Chicken Salad
Fruit tray
Veggie Tray
Various cheeses
Numerous Dips
Cheeseball
Various Crackers
Fiesta Rollups
Various Pickles/olives

Desserts:
Banana Pudding (requested)
Caramel Brownie Trifle
Cherry Salad
Peanut Butter Pie (Also requested)

Punch
Tea
Various other drinks

AND, I do this all myself, everyone just has to show up and enjoy themselves :) I also bake each couple something...this year it will be breads (I have varied it over the years- they have had many different baked items from me).......SOOO, needless to say I will be VERY busy come Friday :) :) :) The guestlist is 28 people this year-and everyone invited is coming :):)

Tomorrow is suppose to be a really yucky weather day with a chance of some more wintry weather-my plan is to stay in all day and get one more GOOD day of stitching before I go into "hostess mode". I will be stitching on Celtic Autumn with Carol :)


Hugs :)
BeckySC====who is feeling the CHILL at 26 Degrees BRRRRRRRRR...that's cold in SC :)

Weekend Dinner party drawing nearer :)

I am so looking forward to my dinner party this weekend. Everyone I invited has RSVP'd with "yes, we will be there" and I am looking forward to seeing them all :) I will get REALLY nervous around Friday, when it hits me that I will be hosting a dinner party the next day (happens every year!!) :) LOL! ...but eventually my nerves will settle and I will enjoy the time with friends and family :) Saturday night will be one of the best nights of the year for me. I love to be surrounded by people I love and the holiday ambience. :)

I am so happy that I have gotten back into a routine of stitching (even though I feel it will suffer on Friday and Saturday as I make meal preparations, shop for the menu and last minute party preparations)it feels really great to get some stitching time each day on my current WIP's.
Today's WIP was And The Animals Came


Thank you all for the concern over my health. I am feeling better :)
Thanks for the comments :) I appreciate them!

Have a good week!
hugs,
BeckySC

LAZY Sunday...

I skipped church today as I still am not feeling 100%. The nausea is a little more frequent again today :( (I felt bad for missing church as this morning the youth did the services with a christmas presentation)- That however allowed for some stitching time today on Herb Window Garden.

Please forgive my pic...I either need a new camera-or someone that knows how to use mine! LOL!


I have put it away and pulled out my PV to work on this evening while watching some TV. I will edit before I go to bed tonight to add that progress.

Sunflower Romance progress


Thanks so much for the comments on the White Christmas piece. I appreciate them so much :)

hugs,
BeckySC

Thank you all for the well wishes....

I am feeling some better today. The headache is gone and the nausea is a lot less frequent. :)

I stitched White Christmas today as a weekend Freebie SAL with the Friends Gather BB. I changed some of the colors. I enjoyed this one and I like the way it turned out.


Thanks so much for the commnents on Angel of Winter :) I appreciate them so very much!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekends :)

Hugs :)
BeckySC

Angel of Winter....

That seems very appropriate with Winter touching so many places with snow and ice and cold temps. I was happy for some time to stitch on her today. I wish I were nearer an end to the white on her, but there is still loads to go in her gown and then her wings.


I haven't felt well today. I went to bed with a headache and nausea last night, and it's still with me :(

Thank you all for your comments on my home and stitching :) I appreciate them VERY much!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
hugs,
BeckySC

A friend ask that I share my latest touches to my Holiday decorating...

I made a shower curtain and topper for the guest bath. It looks great :) I love it!


And I added bows to the backs of my dining room chairs-they have snowflakes suspended from them to go with the snowflakes in my table setting (placemats/napkins.


Thank you all for your comments on Celtic Autumn, I appreciate them so much :) You're the best! I look forward to stitching on her next Wednesday with Carol :)
Thanks also for the comments on the nutcrackers :) Yes, I do have a wonderful SIL :) I love them all :) I have wonderful in-laws all around!

WELL, it took me about 2 hours last night before bedtime to read all the blogs I wanted to read...so that's not going to work...but I am working on setting my blog up so I can see who has updated their blogs (the ones that use that option...everyone should, it's wonderful)and maybe cut my search for updates way down :)

Today's WIP was Bird Bath. I am happy with my progress today. I didn't scan the whole piece, but focused more on the part I stitched today. If you click on the Bird Bath link-you can actually compare my progress from last update.



Missy...LOVED your card dear :) Thanks so much!

hugs to all :)
BeckySC

People just don't won't me to stop blogging for the Holidays :) :) :) [EDITED]

As many of you know I collect Nutcrackers (among so many other things- LOL)...LOOK at this WONDERFUL gift I received today :) It is from my SIL who will not be here for xmas and wanted to give me my gift already. It is the 12 days of Christmas in Nutcrackers! I LOVE IT!!!! I am happy to have it already, as I can display it for my dinner party (which had to be rescheduled from the 10th of December to the 17th of Dec.)

Isn't it great????


Thanks for the comments on the gift from Karen as well as my exchange for Annemiek :) I appreciate them so much :)

Due to my limited internet time...I am MISSING so many of you :) :) :)

Thanks to encouragement and support of friends I am getting back on track with my stitching and my blogging :) I am finding a better balance between stitching/computing/and holiday activity. I am happily stitching away on Celtic Autumn tonight with Carol and I am enjoying knowing that we both are stitching tonight....thanks, Carol, it will help me so much to stitch with you :) :) Another friend suggest that I read blogs before bedtime after the hustle and bustle of the day wears down, so starting tonight I plan to do just that :) I can't wait as I have missed some of you bunches :) I may not get to every blog every evening, but I hope to be back in touch :)




hugs :)

Words cannot express.........

How very touched I was to receive this GORGEOUS Anniversary gift from my DEAR friend KarenV. Pics cannot do this beauty justice. Words cannot express what I feel for such a thoughtful, beautifully stitched gift that will mean so much to me forever. Karen, as I said dear friend, I have never been so touched by a gift. Your friendship has meant so much to me this past year. I love you dearly :) (Karen said to go ahead and open it, even though my 25th Anniversary is not until Jan 9th. as she didn't want the ribbon bows to be crushed in the box.) Thanks for EVERYTHING, Karen, you are so special! :) :) :)

Look how beautiful this is... (my pics could NEVER do this piece justice!!!)



and the personalization on the back


OK...so I am not allowed to not blog when good things keep happening (yes, the only reason I am not blogging much is due to the holiday rush, I will BEE back strong after the holiday :) Thanks for asking :)) :) :) :) :)
I received word today that Annemiek received her Christmas Ornament exchange from me, so I can now share pics :) I am so happy it arrived safely, Annemiek and that you like it :)
Front of Ornie

Back of Ornie

Entire Exchange


hugs,
BeckySC

I will not be blogging for awhile. I wish each and everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and a SAFE holiday!

Hugs to you all,
BeckySC

Happy 1st of December :)

WELL I started the new month off with the grand opening of the Friends Gather BB :). I look forward to this new venture with friends :) It's a great group of ladies already :) I hope it will become as active as the SBEBB :) Thanks ladies for joining me and for all the compliments on the new BB :) I appreciate it :)

I also started December by stitching an ornament :) This one was really fast and it's really adorable IRL :) It's called Tis The Season from Jeanette Crews :) Jo and KarenV (maybe she'll share her latest beauties on her blog) have really put me in the mood for ornament stitching with all their lovely ornament finishes :) I am also looking forward to Karen's Year long Ornament Forum on the new BB to keep me motivated to stitch at least one ornament a month in 2006 :)

I haven't decided on the finishing yet, but more than likely, just a simple flat ornament finishing :) :) :)


Have a great Friday and weekend :)

hugs,
BeckySC