I must pass out some Thank You's :)

First let me thank everyone that has left a comment and/or sent email/cards about my eyes. I am doing better, but still having problems. The eye doctor seems to think I am having an allergic reaction to something. I can't wait to find out what it is so it can be taken care of. I did get some drops from the doctor that work so much better than the OTC drops I was using all last week. I am still VERY slow at stitching --so slow I am still working on Acorn Hill which I started over a week ago. I am taking it slow and easy as far as stitching and reading and computer time as I NEED my eyes :) :) Thank you all for your support and understanding :)

On to more Thank You's :)
Thank you to Carol, she sent me the fabric needed for the Bees Rule Accoutrements and 2 JCS magazines she purchased for me :) I love them both, Carol and as you know I can't wait to stitch the MG in one of the issues :) THANK YOU so much :)

And, thanks to Barbara, I am the proud owner of the PS 1995 Prairie Fairie :) I have seen this one stitched on a few blogs and just love it and wanted to stitch it so much :) It was a WONDERFUL surprise to find it (along with a BEAUTIFUL tatted cross, and a postcard from Malaysia) in my mailbox today :) Thank you SO very much, Barbara-how very thoughtful of you :) I will get a proper email of thanks out to you (if I can locate your email address) and to Carol :) I cannot express how much I appreciate the thoughtfulness/generosity of you both!!! It will not be forgotten :)

I hope everyone is doing OK :) I am not going to push my eyes, and still take it easy for awhile, with stitching as well as other eye straining activities, including the computer. Please be patient with me if you have emailed me regarding groups, I will take care of everything as I can-it's been pretty upsetting to me to have this issue with my eyes...PLEASE know I miss you all and look forward to getting back to normal :)Whatever that may be ;)

Thanks for visiting with me, I appreciate it :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Just a quick post to let you know

that I am offline for a bit. I am having a terrible time with my eyes. I have an appt. next week. I am not able to stitch or use the computer :) Please be patient with me if you have emailed me as it will be a bit before I can get back to you.
Thanks for your understanding :)

hugs,
BeckySC

I received another AOK on Saturday...

but I had a very busy weekend and didn't have time for blogging :) I received two lovely charts from Amy :) I just love them and can't wait to find time to stitch them :) Thank you so much, Amy :) I appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness :)


As I was having some eye trouble last week and over the weekend, I put Acorn Hill away for a few days and put some time in on Victoria's Quaker AMAP Sampler :)


I have taken Acorn Hill back out to try and finish up this week :) I have a busy couple of weeks with fund raisers coming up...so we'll see how much stitching/computer time I get:) I am behind on blog/BB reading :(

Thank you all for stopping by for a visit and for all the email :) I appreciate them so much :)

Enjoy the week :)
hugs,
BeckySC

I was AOK'ed again today...

This time by Linda :) I just don't know what to say , or what I have done to deserve such kindness:) Thank you seems so inadequate to say to Linda and to Carol, but thank you both so much :) I am truly touched by your thoughtfulness and generosity :) Thank you Linda for the LHN Thread pack and the Thread rings :) You are so sweet as is your note :) (Email of thanks will be coming to you ASAP Linda)


No stitching to share...I have been out everyday this week with my Best Friend and my mother :) So that has meant little stitching time until night and I started LHN Acorn Hill two nights ago on 40ct. but my eyes are really bothering me this week and it's SLOW going :)

ATTENTION deewee...I tried to send you a copy of the freebie-but your server rejected me...

Thank you all so much for your email, comments and for stopping by I appreciate each of you very much :)

Have a lovely weekend :)
BeckySC

I was gifted today :)

Today brought an AOK (Act of Kindness) from Carol. She sent me a beautiful pair of Gingher's (Ashley)-the note said-"These scissors are a mere small token of my appreciation of all that you do." I was speechless and teary eyed when I opened the package :) I have a thing for scissors and I can't believe I was fortunate enough to receive this lovely pair :) Thank you so much, Carol, I love them and will cherish them! I love to give to the stitching community and it makes me so happy to be able to do so in many ways, whether it be through my blog, my boards/groups/exchanges contests/giveaways or just sending small tokens to friends. When I am on the receiving end of such kindness it humbles me so much and reminds me why I love my stitching communities :) There are some amazing people in them!!! I know that some times things may get a little confusing in this wonderful online world we share through our friendships and stitching (and that some of us need to distance ourselves from it from time to time) and that now and then there may be hurt feelings or words taken out of text (as we can't "hear" the tone used) and even some she said/she said :) :) :) but in the end, I have found that most of us are very forgiving and continue with the friendships we have made and for me I have found the online stitching community to be the one of the best things that has happened in my life :)


Donna-The dog was from an issue of FTLOCS-I stitched it over one to fit :) The cat was from a breadcloth chart-stitched over one as well.

Pumpkin-I made a template about 1/3 larger than the design for the ornament and used a medium weight cardboard to mount the ornament :)

Sylvie, I did make this tassel...my mom found a bunch of thread on sale...I am not sure what it is used for-it comes on a skinny spool and is very fine silk. She bought several different colors. I used it for this tassel.

Lelia...nope, unfortunately the JCS mag is not carried in any of the stores here. I will have to wait until I can get to my LNS to get it-I forgot to reserve my copy (EEK) and they only order one or two extra's, but hopefully they will still have one when I can get by :)

Thanks you all so much for your visits and comments :) I consider myself blessed to have such wonderful people that share my blog with me :)

hugs,
BeckySC

Partridge and Pears Ornament

I stitched this one last year :) It's from the 2005 JCS ornie issue and it's by the Prairie Schooler. I really like how it turned out. I'm beginning to wish my "needs to be finished drawer" had more in it that needs to be finished :) I do so enjoy doing finishing work.
I'll be sad to finally use up this piece of finishing fabric, as it has worked so well for several of my finishes :)



I also finished Carol's NHRR :) I added a little black dog to represent me, as my dog Rambler is solid black and a cat to represent Carol. I am sorry the pic is not a very good one. I added grass 4 times and ripped it out each time as I didn't like how it looked. Carol says she loves it just as it is :)


Thank you all so much for visiting with me and for your comments :)I appreciate you all so much :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

A peek for Carol....

I know we spoke about this yesterday, Carol, and since I am still being refused as SPAM :)and can't get an email through to you (thanks, Vonna for your help) I wanted to post a quick picture of how your NHRR looks so far. Do you like it so far??? I am looking for the perfect bird to put in the birdbath and of course a cat and then on to the landscaping :) I hope to continue to work on it this week and get it home to you soon :)


Thank you all so much for your continued visits and comments :) I can't tell you how much they mean to me and what joy they bring to me each day :)

Kayona -I used a high loft batting (2 pieces) in my mattress pincushion.
I can't remember who asked, but the fobs are over 2 :) They are already the perfect size on 32 or 36 ct. You can stitch over 2 :)

Until next time :)
hugs :)
BeckySC

Petite Exemplary #2

I finished the second Petite Exemplary last night-but it was late so I didn't post it :). I also love how this one turned out and I made the cording and tassel from one of the colors in the design, which works really well with it. These designs are such fun stitches and they work REALLY well for fobs :)


A couple of people have asked about my FIL and I can tell you he is better than ever. You would never know he had surgery just over a month ago to remove bladder cancer. He is out and about doing all the things he loves...golfing, hunting, playing with the grand kids :) We are blessed and thankful :)

Thank you all so much for visiting with me and for your kind comments :) I do so appreciate them :)

Have a lovely weekend all :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Are ya'll sick of me???

I guess I just missed so much stitching and finishing time in August with everything going on with my FIL and family members being home for the month, that I am trying to make up for it now :) Don't worry-my stitching/finishing and blog entries will slow down before long!

I received an order yesterday (which I won't show, as I received a few charts I am thinking of stitching for an exchange and I don't want to spoil the surprise) and among the charts I got were the 4 Petite Exemplary designs from Ewe & Eye & Friends. These are super fun stitches and quick to stitch up :) I stitched the first one up yesterday in a few hours and finished it into a fob last night. I plan to stitch the other three (I have already started on the second one) and finish them the same way. Doesn't it make a great fob?? I just love it :)

Thank you all for the comments on the pinkeep to go with the snowman box :) Someone asked who the designer is..it's a Heart in Hand design :)

Thanks so much for visiting with me :) I appreciate it so very much :)

Enjoy the weekend :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Thank you dear friends for all your kind comments

on the Snowman flatfold :) You are all so kind and I appreciate it so much :) You really can't know how much :)

Today I made a pinkeep to go with the Snowman box I am giving away. I also made a tuck pillow using the lining fabric :) I hope whoever wins it will like it :) Name will be drawn on September 30th :) (I have not yet made the tin, but hope to do so before a name is drawn on September 30th as well)





Shown inside snowman box


Thank you all so much for stopping by for a visit :)
Have a lovely weekend :)
hugs,
BeckySC

Another one rescued :) :) :)

I pulled this one from it's existence in the "needs to be finished" drawer and gave it a life today :) :) :) I am so happy that my "needs to be finished" drawer has VERY little in it now. I can remember 2 years ago it was running over, and I am not exaggerating. I had 6 years worth of small projects in that drawer. (I have been stitching for over 30 years, but I didn't stitch SMALLS before 2001 or 02. I always stitched large projects and had them framed)I didn't do finishing work then and all my small projects just got put away into that drawer. I am so thankful I took up finishing and now have most of the projects out of the drawer and on display or sent to live with friends :) That feels pretty good :) :) :)
I decided on a flatfold finish for it. I used a cool snowflake print for the backing :) It turned out too cute :) I think this one is bound for our Church Bazaar in November.
Getting out the items to stage the picture almost put me in the holiday mood :) LOL!
Full Winter Moon -Brown House Studio-Freebie (I didn't get this one offline-I received it from my LNS, if you would like a copy, please email me at steele4@comporium.net and I will send it to you via email-if you don't have a way to print it out, please send me your mailing info)




Thank you all so much for the comments on the Winter Cardinal Pinkeep :)I appreciate them so much and was glad I was able to shed some light on a few things for some of you :) I never mind answering questions :)

Thanks for visiting with me :) I sure do appreciate you all :) It's a joy to share with you!
hugs,
BeckySC

Winter Cardinal Pinkeep

I stitched this last year. It's a freebie from Waxing Moon-there are 4 to go with the seasons. I decided to finish this one today as a pinkeep.



Several people have asked about pinkeeps and getting them centered and straight. FIRST of all let me say that nothing is perfect. My method (mind you mine is not always straight as I would like them to be-but I try my best to get them as straight and centered as I possibly can)for centering them are as follows.
I pin the design to the batting to line it up as straight and centered as I can get it. Then I lace the back pulling the fabric where it needs to be pulled to help with keeping it straight and centered. I use Perle Cotton for lacing.I REALLY lace as you can see, sometimes even more so than on this one. :) :) :) I am sure there are many other ways that everyone has of doing this but I find pinning your work to the batting and working with the lacing until you are satisfied is what works the best for me.

Thank you all for the comments on my finish from yesterday :) I appreciate them :)

Thanks for stopping by and having a visit with me :) I have so many commenter's and email's that I am going to have to do a giveaway soon for comments :) to show my appreciation- you sure do make blogging such a joy. I have met many new people friends lately and I am happy to meet you all :):)

Until next time my friends :)
hugs,
BeckySC

I just love trying new techniques for finishing :)

Today's experiment was a pincushion/pinkeep/snip pocket (or it can hold your scissors or fibers or other small stitching accessories). I love how it turned out and will definitely be making more of these :) I made a booboo though and forgot to add the ribbon to the pocket before I put the base(pinkeep)together. It should have been sewn inside the pocket and the lining of the pocket, so I had to improvise! :) It is made to hang over the edge of your stitching table/chair.
[Edited to answer Kayona: The pincushion (stitched design) is weighted)


Thank you all for your comments on my first mattress pincushion. I appreciate them so much :) It was another of my learning experiences and I learned what I would like to do differently next time :)

Someone asked about how I attach my ribbon/cording. YES, I always attach it to the finished piece. I have used both methods of sewing the trim on and gluing the trim on (I suggest to anyone using glue to NEVER use hot glue! it makes a mess and will damage your fabric over the years)-it really depends on the piece I am doing and if I feel I can hide the stitches well enough to sew the trim on then I sew it on...if not I use a fabric/acid free glue.

Thanks so much for visiting with me :) I appreciate your time and comments so very much :)

[edited -
And, Amy... come closer to the screen...can you hear this??? yep, that was me giving you a raspberry!!!!! ROFL! Some of us appreciate PINK..ROFL!!! I knew you would say that-I was waiting for it and would have been disappointed otherwise :) LOL!! :) Ya know I loves ya ] REMEMBER if you have Amy's name in an exchange...NO PINK :) :) :)

hugs,
BeckySC

Practice piece....

I have been wanting to try a mattress pincushion finish so today I stitched up this redwork to use as a practice piece. It was a lot of fun and I will certainly be finishing others with this technique.




Thanks so much for your comments on the Autumn pinkeep. I appreciate them so much :)

Kajsa, the button is the one that's called for-but I had to buy it seperately. And as always, the button cost more than the chart :)

Thanks for visiting with me :)

hugs,
BeckySC

I couldn't resist stitching up this cutie today :)

This is from the stash I bought this week :) It's Celebration Autumn from HIH. I love ANYTHING Autumn and this one was calling to me to stitch today :) I decided to finish it as a pinkeep and it turned out so cute. Another one for my collection :)
I think this may be my all time favorite button ever :)



I just love this pumpkin button! It's different than any other pumpkin button I have used.

I finished an exchange yesterday that I am so pleased with, but it will be awhile before I can show it to you -it's for my seasonal partner:) I have never done this type finishing before, but I do plan on finishing others in this way for gifts and of course at least one for myself :)

Someone asked the designer of In Search of the Perfect Pumpkin-it's an older HIH design :)

Thank you for visiting with me and all the comments and email I receive :) I appreciate your time so very much :)

hugs :)
BeckySC