French Country IV Pumpkin

#85-I am getting closer and closer to meeting that goal :)
Don't you just love the look of the DMC Variations in this one-I think the fiber worked well on this one giving a good range of Autumn colors :) I finished it into a round box. I think this one is going to BUZZ on out of the HIVE as well and find a new home :) I am running out of room :) LOL!



Designer: JBW Designs
Fabric: 32ct. Light Mocha
Fibers DMC Variations
Date Started: 9-30-2010
Date Finished: 9-30-2010
I find my boxes at various craft stores-they are unfinished and I have to paint/stain them :)

I just have to say THANK you to Andrea for your comment and Martha K for your sweet email :) They mean so much to me :)
I am sending Gasper off tomorrow to his new home...Hope you enjoy him whoever you may be.... :)

Thank you for stopping by for a visit :) I hope you enjoyed it and I do hope you will come again :)Thank you to those that leave such nice comments and send personal email. You make it a joy to share.
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Gasper Ghost ** Gasper flew off to Andrea's Home**

Too cute huh??? :) I love that Nan named him Gasper :) This one was SUPER quick and stitched up while watching TV this evening with hubby :) This one is going to live with one of my readers. If you would like a chance for Gasper to fly to your house-please leave a comment on this post only :) I'll choose a name in the next day or two :)
I just love the Vintage Pearled Barley for him-he looks so good on it and the backing fabric...TOO cute!!
He's a pretty cool ghost huh?? LOL!! I know not everyone is a Halloween lover like some of us...I wouldn't want him to go live with someone that wouldn't love him ;) ;)





Designer: Just Nan (from CrowJackers)
Fabric: 32ct. Vintage Pearled Barley
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-29-2010
Date Finished: 9-29-2010

Yes, Judy... I have to do all the things many homemakers do...I am just very good with time management and routine :) Fortunately I am a stay at home wife. How I wish everyone that would like to be could do the same.. Thankfully my hubby allows me this luxury :) I worked for many years in the school system and now I get to stay at home and have my time :) Ask anyone who knows me. I do everything in a day that needs to be done. My home is clean, clothes washed, meals cooked, gardening done, errands ran-I even do other hobbies outside of cross stitch-it just happens to be my passion and EVERY free second I can devote to it I do. My children however are grown-though DD stills lives at home she takes care of herself :)

Another reader commented about me doing the finishing on a piece once the stitching is done...I am a believer that needlework is meant to be enjoyed-not put in a drawer somewhere so nobody can see or enjoy it. So I finish all my pieces off when I finish stitching them so that myself, my family or friends can enjoy them. YES, I let people touch and handle my stitching all the time :) That's what it is about to me :)

Thank you to those that leave such sweet comments and emails for me. I honestly appreciate and enjoy them so much more than you will know. Please come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Autumn ABC's

Number 83 of my 100 goal :) I HOPE I make it-but I received some news today that may keep me from making it :( We'll just have to see...
This turned out so cute! The finishing fabrics and ribbon I used compliment the piece nicely!




Designer: Lizzie Kate
Fabric: 32ct. Light Mocha
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-29-2010
Date Finished: 9-29-2010

Thank you so much for your comments on the acorn..the chart comes with finishing instructions :)

Thank you for your visits :) I enjoy them so much :) Please come again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Gathering Acorns

Can you say FUN!!! This one was such fun..ESPECIALLY the finishing :)




Designer: With Thy Needle and Thread (Country Stitches)
Chart came with finishing instructions!
Fabric: 40ct. Pearled Barley
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-28-2010
Date Finished: 9-28-2010

Thank you ever so much for your sweet visits and comments :) I appreciate them so much :) Please come again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckysC

PS Ornament

Designer: The Prairie Schooler (motif taken from Autumn Leaves)Fabric: 32ct cream
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-27-2010
Date Finished: 9-27-2010

Thank you for stopping by :) Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Black Cat Ornament :)

Here's another one for my Halloween tree :) TOO cute and FUN, FUN, FUN to stitch and finish :)





Designer: The Prairie Schooler (motif taken from Pumpkin Patch)
Fabric: 32ct Coffee stained by BeckySC
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-26-2010
Date Finished: 9-26-2010

Thank you so much for your visits :) Please do come again!
Wishing all a great new week!
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Meet Leggy Pumpkinhead :)

When I first met Leggy Pumpkinhead in my LNS...I immediately knew what I wanted to do with her/him?? Not sure of the gender... :) I knew I had the perfect finish for Leggy :)
I had this bright yellow cutting board with a piece of fruit nailed to the front of it that I found on one of my many treasure hunts...I buy those type items as I know I can put them to use in my finishing :) I made one as a gift last year for dear Edgar that had reindeer on it as I know how much he likes deer and I knew I had to have one of my own. I just love how this turned out and it will fit perfectly in with my Halloween displays :) It makes me giggle to look at it!




Designer: Heart in Hand
Fabric: 32ct. Natural
Fibers: WDW & GAST
Date Started: 9-24-2010
Date Finished: 9-25-2010
Thank you all so very much for your kind responses to the Giveaway. BOY have I got a lot of reading to do -but I am going to leave that for when I have time to sit and enjoy all your stories :):) Thank you for taking part :)
As always, thank you for making my blog a part of your reading! I appreciate your visits so much. Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Friends that read my blog know that 2010 has been MY year to give back....

SOOOOOO I will be ending the year with a HUGE Giveaway. There will be 1 winner and a name will be drawn by my SWEET mother who does not know any of you personally (she only knows the sweet things I tell her about you :) :):) )
To be entered into the draw you will need to leave a comment on this post only and tell me and my mother how you started cross stitching. What led you to this great art and who influenced you if anyone. You will have from now until October 1 to sign up for this giveaway. I will CLOSE it on October 1 around midnight. It will be my last giveaway of the year. I will need some time (that's why I need to post it now) to put it together :).
You may be included even if you have won a giveaway previously. PLEASE remember to answer the questions asked :) I know my mom is going to enjoy reading your answers as much as I will :)
My mother will draw a name on December 1, 2010 and you will receive the giveaway goodies by Christmas :)
Thank you all for being a part of my stitchy world :) Some of you mean more to me than you can know-I have made some GREAT friends and have lost some people I thought were friends-but it all balances out in this thing we call life and I feel so blessed by many of you :) Thanks to my new friends as well as I have enjoyed getting to know MANY of you that have started visiting my blog recently :)
Good luck dear readers :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Thank you for your prayers :)

God is GOOD!! My dad did AWESOME :) WE are so blessed and thankful :) I can't thank you enough to all those that sent email wishes, comments, prayers and good thoughts :)

I am giving the Primitive bucket pincushion to Miss Myra :) Hope you will enjoy it :)

Thank you all so much for stopping by :) I haven't got to put needle to thread yet today (I didn't think I could see it well enough in the surgical waiting room to take my stitching with me) and it's calling to me :)

Have a LOVELY weekend :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Let's go a little Prim :)

Don't you just love pincushions?? I sure do :) All kinds :) This one is more Primitive :) I just love the way it turned out and it was such fun to make!
I took this motif from A Blue Ribbon Design. I had to modify it as it was not a full pumpkin :) I am giving this pincushion to one of my readers :) Please leave a comment on this post only if you are interested in this giveaway :) I will choose a name soon from the comments :)
This is so tiny and just too cute!!




Designer: Blue Ribbon Designs
Fabric: 40ct. Coffee stained by BeckySC
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 9-23-2010
Date Finished: 9-23-1010

Thank you so much for visiting with me :) You make me smile :) Thank you for that! Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Scarecrow !!

I finished this one up as a wooden sign type finish as well-I thought the design suited this finish well :) I just love it! I think he is the CUTEST scarecrow :)



Designer: Homespun Elegance
Fabric: 32ct. Amber
Fibers: WDW
Date Started:9-23-2010
Date Finished: 9-23-2010

The person I chose to receive the Autumn Cupcake is Jan(scooby). Jan is a LONG time friend and I adore her immensely :) I WISH I could give you all a cupcake :) Because I am so appreciative of all those that read my blog and leave comments/emails for me, I will be having many more giveaways/RAK's for those interested :)

My dad has surgery tomorrow morning and I would greatly appreciate any good thoughts and prayers you all can give :) Thank you so much :)

Thank you for visiting with me. I can't tell you how happy I am you stopped by :) I do hope you enjoyed your visit and that you will stop by again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Addressing your questions....

FIRST let me say that they way I do things are just that....the way I do things. They may not be the same as someone else may do the same thing-they are just the way I prefer to do finishing :)

Do I use Glue? YES, but I NEVER use a glue gun or hot glue. I use a clear drying glue that is safe for fabrics. I LACE all my needlework that will be attached to something else as in pinkeeps, the wooden finishes I do and so on. I sew everything that can possibly be sewn by hand-but when I do have to use glue it is ALWAYS a clear drying glue that is safe for fabrics :)

The Wood I use can be bought PRE-cut in most any hobby store. As my hubby is handy it makes more since that he cut mine out for me in the size I need. I then sand it and stain or paint it to suit my finishing need.

The bases of my cupcakes are anything I can use. I use small food cans, small boxes, trinket boxes and paint them in a color I like.

Where do I find all my charts? To be honest..I go to my stitching room and pull what I need. I have collected a VAST amount of charts, fabrics and fibers. I purchase MOST of the items I buy from my local LNS-but there are a number of great ONS's out there.

Productivity: I stitch every chance I get. If I am sitting I am stitching. My stitching room-though very small is very organized and it makes finishing or finding supplies easy and more productive. PLUS it helps that I love the finishing as much as the stitching.

Where do you get your finishing ideas? I usually have a plan for the piece I am stitching before the stitching is finished. Sometimes I know immediately from the design itself how I want to finish it off and other times it comes to me while I am stitching it. I like to think outside the box. I like to create finishes that are visually nice as well as useful and fit into my home.

How can you give your stitching away? I am a Giver..plain and simple-always have been and always hope to be.

How long have you been stitching? I started stitching when I was 13 years old. I have been stitching now for over 30 years and love it MORE today than ever.

I think that's about it-sorry if I missed your question :) I would REALLY prefer to answer questions VIA email :) Please leave a way for me to contact you if you have questions :)

PLEASE remember this is an example of the way I personally do finishing and does not reflect how others may prefer to finish :)

I started a CUTIE this morning and hope to be back later today with a finish :) AND the name of the cupcake winner :)
Thank you ALL so very much for your interest in my stitching and posts :)

Hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

It's time for another Giveaway!!

This time it's for an Autumn Cupcake Pincushion :)
If you would like to have a chance to win this cupcake please leave a comment on this post only and I will pick a name from those interested :)




Designer: Homespun Elegance (taken from Bountiful Autumn Bellpull)
Fabric: 32ct. Natural
Fibers: DMC, GAST & WDW
Date Stitched: 9-22-2010
Date Finished: 9-22-2010

NOW-I have a secret to let you all in on...I made a pledge on January 1 2010 with a local Relay for Life foundation through church that for every cross stitch piece I stitched in 2010 I would donate $1.00 to the Relay for Life. There were people that pledged a lot more money than I could afford-but I wanted to do my part as well and as I have a passion for stitching-what better way to give back??? I set a GOAL of at least 100 finished pieces and I am only 24 pieces away...I ALSO have a family member that will MATCH my donation if I reach my goal :) SOOOOOO, that in part is why I have been stitching so much as I REALLY want to reach that goal by December 31. I got WAY behind the 4 months that I was unable to stitch so I am playing catch up now. That's why I have been a stitching machine lately. I have 76 finishes as of this post...WISH me luck that I can get 24 more finishes by December 31 2010 :) Relay for Life is something near and dear to my heart and I plan to this again next year :) EVEN if I don't reach my goal :)

Thank you all so much for stopping by for a visit :) Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Jolly Jack

I stitched this one yesterday-but due to time being late when I finished the stitching I had to wait to do the finishing today. I put hubby to work again as I just love how I finished Fall Squared and wanted the same type finishing for this one :). This time though while he was wielding his trusty saw he cut 8 pieces for me to have ready to go :) He's such a sweetheart :) Thank you honey :)
I just love how it turned out! It was such a fun stitch too :)
**EDITED for question: This is NOT a pre-made frame...it is a piece of wood that hubby cut to size for me and sanded. I painted it flat black and added the stitched piece, Eye hooks for hanging and the buttons :)**



Design: Jolly Jack
Designer: All Through the Night
Fabric: 32ct. Amber
Fibers: GAST, WDW & NN
Date Started: 9-21-2010
Date Finished: 9-21-2010

Thank you dear readers for visiting with me :) I do hope you will come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Spooks....But cute ones :)

Good Evening friends :)
I am back with another finish :) This time it's Halloweeny :) It still has a pumpkin in it though..so good for the Pumpkin Challenge :) I stitched this one 2 years ago for an exchange so I did not have the mummy button...I found a ghost that I had in my stash and removed the shank off the back and drilled some holes and it works perfectly :) I decided on an ornament finish for this one. I made this ornament a little different by creating a larger base to mount the design on and I just love how it came out :) I am just having the BEST time with the Autumnal/Halloweeny stitches :) My DD commented earlier that if I kept at it I am going to have the house as decorated for Fall/Halloween as I do Christmas :) I have really got it decorated and I am adding to it daily :)
Don't you just love Frankensteins hair?? :) :) :)



October
Designer: Shepherd's Bush
Design Size: 2.5 x 3.85
Fabric: 28ct scrap
Fibers: DMC, GAST & WDW
Date Started:9-20-2010
Date Finished:9-20-2010

Thank you so very much for visiting with me today :) I do hope you enjoyed your visit and that you will come again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Sunday's Stitches :)

Thank you all so very much for your comments on Boo :) I appreciate them more than you can know :) It was such a fun stitch and I am glad I was able to share it with you all :)
Today I stitched part of BC's Yikes! I stitched 3 of the pumpkins and finished it as a pincushion topped box. I painted the box black-pins (or other stitching/sewing items) can be kept inside the box as well as stuck into the cushioned top AS you can see I have pins and buttons parked atop the cushion :):)
I just love it!! How about you??




Design: Yikes (I took 3 of the pumpkins from the Yikes design)
Designer: Bent Creek
Fabric: 28ct. scrap
Fibers: GAST & DMC
Date Started: 9-19-2010
Date Finished: 9-19-2010

Best Wishes for the new week-I hope it is kind to everyone :)
Thank you for stopping by for a visit! Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Boo Squared

These LK's are very quick stitches and were very enjoyable!! I employed my hubby's help again for this one as last night while stitching Fall Squared I knew I was going to stitch Boo Squared today :) So this morning while he was wielding his saw and trusty sander to help me create my finish for Fall Squared I told him how I wanted to finish Boo Squared and he cut everything out for me and we sanded and stained everything so it would be ready to go once I had Boo finished :) I am SO happy with this finish!! I wish you could see it in person :) I added some of the pumpkins I made from clay last year on a little bed of Spanish moss at the bottom of the stand. It turned out REALLY nice and I can't wait for my mom to see this one as she will love it.
What do you think??





I used a CUTE fabric for the back.

Designer: Lizzie Kate
Design Size: 3 x 3
Fabric: 28ct. Gingham
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:9-18-2010
Date Finished: 9-18-2010

Thank you all so much for your support. It means so much to me and I am so happy I am able to share with you all :)
Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC