Just so you all know (and you don't think I am avoiding or ignoring anyone)

Today brought more bad news for my dear FIL. My heart is broken. In light of this news I have decided that I really must take a break from online activities. I hope to find stitching time (it keeps me sane and calms me) BUT sharing it is something that will just have to wait. If I have learned anything in my lifetime it is that life is so short. PLEASE remember to let your family and friends know they are loved and while time allows MAKE MEMORIES.

Take care friends...I will CERTAINLY miss you all(some of you more than you can know as some of you have been so good to me recently and I can't thank you enough for that)!!
hugs and love,
BeckySC

Stitching Spring...

Design: Spring Day (I left off the words " a Spring Day")
Designer: Heart in Hand
Fabric: 32ct. remnant
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 3-25-2011
Date Finished: 3-25-2011

This was so much fun to stitch! I changed a couple of the colors out and I used DMC as I wanted it "vibrant". I finished it off as a fabric tray and it is just too adorable.








Design: Secret Egg Hunt
Designer: the Trilogy
Design Size: 4 x 4
Fabric: 32ct. Summer Khaki
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:3-26-2011
Date Finished:3-27-2011

Thank you so much for stopping by. PLEASE know I am thinking about and missing you all!
Have a lovely week!
hugs and love from SC,
BeckySC

Overwhelmed....

My goodness-I have been so overwhelmed by your sweet email. I can't thank you enough friends for all the kind words you have said to me since yesterday. They have CERTAINLY touched my heart and while everyone that emailed me said they completely understand about my blogging break most all of you asked me if there was a way I could let you know when I update my site with my stitching. As my website has no RSS feed I can only think to update my blog when I have stitching to share...I really did not want to do that as I just need to take some time from personal blogging right now-I have had such a sad/heavy heart for awhile now (and while I have tried to lighten my spirits with giving and sharing I still feel so heartbroken for my family that are hurting and sick) due to losses in our families and the pain our family is going through (on both sides) due to our loved ones having serious health issues that I just don't have the desire to blog or read blogs or comment. I don't mind sharing my pictures with you of my stitching as I want to keep a record of it but that is truly all I feel I can share right now....I hope you understand. BECAUSE of all of you I will update my blog with my stitching, but if you wish to be in contact with me on a personal level please email me-I will check my email when I can-things here will get progressively more urgent as time passes and I will be away more and more-but I will check email when I do get a chance and if you require a reply I will do my best to send one.

Here is what I have managed to stitch (it's not much-but I enjoyed each and every stitch I have found time to cross)...I have not had much time at all for stitching. But when I can steal some time to do so it is always so comforting to me.

Today was another good day for stitching. That is soon to change though as 2 family members go through many doctor appts. and treatments. I *hope* to carry my stitching along with me when I can.
This was another fun stitch and finish.


Designer: Shakespeare's Peddler
Design Size: 3 x 3
Fabric: 40ct. Light Exampler
Fibers: GAST
Date Started:3-24-2011
Date Finished:3-24-2011

This was a fun stitch. I love birds and this one is unique.
I changed the alphabet fibers to Old Berry instead of 2 CC's. I also left off my initial and added a button. I used some of the fabric from my Aunts Mother for backing and sewed some trim around the pillow.
It turned out just great and I enjoyed every stitch-yesterday was the first day I really had to myself to devote to stitching. There is just so much going on in our lives right now that stitching has been on the back burner! As I stitched this yesterday I felt a sense of calm wash over me and I am reminded again and again just what a saving grace my love of needlework is.





Designer: Blackbird Designs
Design Size: 5.5 x 3.5
Fabric: 32ct. Vanilla (hand dyed by BeckySC)
Fibers: CC and 1 Thread by Nina(Old Berry)
Date Started:3-23-2011
Date Finished: 3-23-2011

I LOVE this design! I decided to leave off the numerals at the bottom as hubby and I liked it better without them.
This is NOT framed yet-it is just placed in frame to see how it looks. I really like the way it "fits" into this frame and I like the wood grain and the thickness of the frame. This is the frame I plan to use for finishing it but I want to antique the frame with some rust/red paint.

Designer: Country Stitches
Fabric: 40ct. Maple Sugar
Fibers: DMC
Start Date:3-2-2011
Finish Date:3-22-2011

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and good thoughts. We have a LONG road ahead and we can certainly use all the prayer you can send.
But mostly, thank you for your friendships--some of you are just so priceless I feel so blessed to call you friends! You really touch my heart and I cannot nor will I ever be able to thank you enough. I hope you know how much I love you and just how much you mean to me.

hugs and love from SC.
BeckySC

Taking some time off....

I am going to take some time off from blogging. I have enjoyed it for over 7 years now-and can't thank you all enough for reading :) I have met and made some really wonderful friends through hosting many exchange groups and my blog and I hope to stay in touch with many of you.
I will STILL be stitching and if you are interested in seeing what I am up to-you can visit my website-I will update when I have something to share. You'll have to check it regularly as it does not have an RSS feed to show when it is updated through a reader or anything. I will still be sending out gifts and giveaways but for now I need to take some time away from personal blogging. There is a GREAT deal going on in our lives/family right now.

Thank you all for the prayers and emails about my FIL and family. We are still in much need of your prayers and good thoughts. (please pray for my mom as well)

hugs and love and thank you again for visiting with me. I *may* return to blogging in the future.
BeckySC

Friends

WE received news just a short while ago. It's much worse than we thought. My FIL has cancer on his spine, lung and liver.
I will be away indefinitely-not sure when I will be back-I just need to take a break
and spend time with our family.
I would appreciate all your prayers for this wonderful man.

BeckySC

WIP Inventory :)

Lisa asked how many WIP's I have and if I stitch more than one design at a time. And what size projects I enjoy the most. Well let's see... At this time (not including Feather Your Nest as I am stitching on it exclusively) I have 4 WIP's :)I am "reviving" the Let's Stitch blog and I hope that after I finish Feather Your Nest I can devote some time to these 4 WIP's during our weekend SAT's :)
I used to rotate projects Lisa...believe me I have tried it all and I find that what works best for me is to stitch on what I am enjoying :) If it becomes a chore I put it away for awhile and pick up something else :) Cross stitch is suppose to be enjoyable and not stressful so I say go with whatever works best for YOU :)
I enjoy all size projects. The last 5 years I have devoted more time to SMALLS as I enjoy doing finishing work so much and I participated in MANY exchanges that required stitching smalls-but I stitch all sizes-you can see them in my Cross Stitch Album. I have stitched PV's, Mirabilia's, L&L...and so on :) And I an getting back to some larger pieces this year and enjoying them very much! :)
In NO particular order these are my current WIP's (minus Feather Your Nest)
SB's Saint Peter's Fair

St. Peter's Fair
Design By: Shepherd's Bush
Fabric: 40 ct. Park City Blend
Fibers:DMC
Date Started: 9-1-09
Date Finished:

Cross Wing Collection's Flower Power This one is a struggle to me because of the fabric-it's 1 full yard and it's troublesome to find a comfy way to handle it when stitching.

Flower Power
Designer: Crossed Wing Collections
Design Size: 36 5/8 x 21 3/8
Fabric: 32ct. Creme
Fibers: DMC
Date Started:10-18-08
Date Finished:

Linda Bird's Herb Window Garden
All this one needs is the backstitch.

Herb Window Garden
Designer: Linda Bird
Fabric: 28ct. Ant. White
Fibers: DMC
Design Size: 13 x 16 1/4
Start Date: 8-30-05
Finish Date:



Heirloom Christmas Sampler

Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Designer: Thea Dueck-The Victoria Sampler
Design Size: 23.5 x 5.1
Fabby: 28 ct. Platinum Cashel
Fibers: Au Ver a Soie Silks, Perle Cottons, GAST, WDW, Caron Waterlillies, Kreinik Mori, Kreinik Braid
Date Started: Summer 2003

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

The finishing touch...

has been put on As The Crow Flies :) I did the finishing on As The Crow Flies today :) It's so pretty and I just love it :) Please note this is NOT a pinkeep finish. It is a fabric frame type finish and it hangs by a ribbon.






Design: As The Crow Flies
Designer: The Prairie Schooler
Design Size: 9 x 5 5/8
Fabric: 32ct. Cream
Fibers: DMC
Date Started: 2-5-2011
Date Finished:2-11-2011

I received a package from Linda O today. I sent Linda in England a few charts that I had duplicates of and today this wonderful package arrived as a Thank You :) Thank you so much, Linda :) You didn't need to do that at all BUT I love it all :) Thank you again :)




Thanks for stopping by for a visit :) Please do come again!
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Unexpected find :)

Amid my purging/organizing I found these 3 gorgeous samplers that I just fell in love with. I have more hardback books than I care to admit-I am sure some of my fellow stitchers were on the Automatics for some of the BH&G hardbacks as well as the LA hardbacks. I was for YEARS and I have quite the collection of hardback cross stitch books. To be honest I hardly ever *remember* to stitch from them-but while clearing out I found these Antique Samplers in one of those books. I just love them !! Aren't they pretty?
Christian's Sampler
This one has the family's initials under the alphabet in the original sampler-I would also include our family's initials if I were to stitch this sampler.

Mary's Sampler

Margret's Sampler


I am taking it a bit easy today as I hurt my arm yesterday picking up my little niece and my shoulder is screaming at me today so I haven't been able to stitch :( I guess I can do more organizing and clearing out :)

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by for a visit :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Quakers and Quilts :)

I found this frame on one of my recent treasure hunts. I paid a $1.00 for it! Yep, a big old buck!! A George Washington...Ok-so you get the picture? Anyway-I could not pass up a bargain like that :) AND Quakers and Quilts has been patiently waiting for a new home :) I framed it today (yes, those are Christmas trees in the background-I have 3 small trees that stay out year round to show off my ornies that I have stitched and friends have stitched :) I also have another tree that stays out year round that is Patriotic and yet another tree that I decorate seasonally) :)
This frame has the best wood color and grain to it. I think it works perfectly and for $1.00-who wouldn't?? :) I am very happy with it :)



Design: Quakers and Quilts
Designer: Rosewood Manor
Design Size: 15 x 8
Fabric: 40 ct. Lakeside Linen Lintel
Fibers: Valdani Floss (I chose these as this is the fibers that are recommended) I used 1 over 2 with the Valdani fibers because I stitched this on 40ct. -it called for 28ct. with 3 strands
Start Date: 10-19-2009
Finish Date: 11-11-2010

Thank you so much dear friends and readers for stopping by :) Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

Ellen in Singapore and Cath

Please email me :)

hugs :)
BeckySC

As in the aforementioned posts

I have been clearing out and purging from my stitching room since before Christmas. I have sold and given away over 300 cross stitch charts/kits and I am still purging. I have accumulated a vast amount of cross stitch items over the years and I still have more to stitch than I could possibly get to in 5 lifetimes. To be honest it is a bit overwhelming at the amount of stash I have acquired. These are just some of the charts I have pulled from my two 5 drawer file cabinets that I REALLY want to make an effort to stitch. Someone asked if I were making room for more stash...NO-I am clearing out and downsizing my stash. I used to think that I had to have everything that came out -but as I get older I realize that I no longer want or need many of the things I thought I could not live without. I will be very selective in future stash purchases-not that I need anymore as there is still more in the two 5 drawer file cabinets than I have pictured in this post-but we all know there are so many wonderful designers out there that keep designing things we just can't do without :). So my LIFETIME goal is to stitch as many of these designs as I can :) PLEASE NOTE as I have been bombarded by email-I will not part with any PSer, Homespun Elegance, BBD, CHS, La D Da, EEF and a few other designers or any OOP charts whether I have stitched them or not-usually if I am giving a chart away after I stitch it-I will let it be known here on my blog or offer it to readers via email:)



BUT the real reason for this post is to let you know I am going to be clearing out some of my finishing supplies and would love to share with some of you that love to do finishing work. I have not gotten to that part of my stitching room yet-but hope to do so this month :) If you would like to be considered to receive some finishing supplies please let me know :) I know I will be lessening my TINS, BOXES and some laces/ribbons...not sure what else-but I am sure there will be other items too!

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and emails on Feather Your Nest. I am truly loving this project (though I have not had time to stitch yet today) and cannot wait to sit down later and stitch :)

Thanks for visiting :) Please do come again!
hugs and love from SC
BeckySC

This piece just makes me smile :)

I have a few letters left to stitch (v w x y & z) and then it is on to the hill and the 2 houses. BUT let me tell you that is one BIG hill (see pic of cover model below):) Someone asked about the size of this design-it's 7.5 x 10.5 on 40ct.


Design: Feather Your Nest
Designer: Country Stitches
Fabric: 40ct. Maple Sugar (Lakeside Linen)
Fibers: DMC (recommended colors)
Start Date:3-2-2011
Finish Date:

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

Giveaway 1, 2 and 3

I am still downsizing and purging my stash and items I have duplicates of or no longer find interest in. I am offering 3 giveaways to my readers. PLEASE leave a comment on THIS POST ONLY letting me know which of the 3 (you can sign up for all 3) Giveaways you are interested in and I will draw 3 names Tuesday of next week.
Giveaway 1


Giveaway 2 Some of these are kits (MINUS the fabric as they came with Aida and I do not stitch on Aida so it was removed-IF I have some fabric I will include it-otherwise you will have to add the fabric)


Giveaway 3 Teresa Wentzler Fantasy Collection-9 Designs


Thanks as always for your sweet visits :) I appreciate each and every one of you :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC

I am loving this one...

It's a joy to stitch on! I know sometimes we find designs and projects we have on the go a chore and we even put them aside sometimes without picking them back up for ages...but I can honestly say the projects I have stitched this year have ALL been so much fun and this one is no exception-it's just SO pretty :) YES, I am using the recommended colors :) This is where I stopped last night. I have not been home long enough today to put any stitches in-BUT I plan to sit down later and stitch, stitch, stitch :) I really hope to finish this one up this week :)
Please excuse the thread -I didn't even realize it when I was taking the photo :)


Design: Feather Your Nest
Designer: Country Stitches
Fabric: 40ct. Maple Sugar (Lakeside Linen)
Fibers: DMC (recommended colors)
Start Date:3-2-2011
Finish Date:

I got 3 Punch Needle charts from Country Stitches in today's mail-they were a birthday gift and I can't wait to start one of them :)


Thank you all so much for your SWEET visits :) Please do come again :)
hugs and love from SC :)
BeckySC