Thursday, June 30, 2011

~*Early Work Mercantile*~


Hello Dear Friends! Just a quick note... July's update for my Early Work Mercantile page is ready for viewing! I hope you can stop by for a visit.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

~*Someone Is In The Doghouse!*~

Hello Dear Friends! I spent a good chunk of the day today over in the studio punching the day away. I'm trying to get some items finished for the Early Work Mercantile update... on July 1st. I was very happy to have one finished punch... stained with my walnut & spice mix... and drying on the clothesline.

BUT!

When I went out to get it... this is what I found...

Empty clothespins... except for a few stray threads! Now, we live in the country & don't have close neighbors ~ not that someone would walk into the backyard to take such a thing anyway. The day was a little breezy, but I couldn't see it blowing off the line. But I began looking...

I looked in the bushes near the clothesline...

around the backyard... gradually making my circular paths larger and larger...

just wondering where the heck my punched piece could have gone.

THEN I SPOTTED IT!

And it wasn't alone!

(Can you tell where I am going with this?)

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Yup... someone is truly in the doghouse!


Fortunately... the punch wasn't damaged... and I do still love my Brownie boy!

Silly puppy!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Sunday, June 26, 2011

~*A Day of Total Bliss*~

AAAahhhhhhh... total bliss! I spent much of the day today in the studio... finally! I cleaned, organized, re~arranged, and CRAFTED! It was most wonderful!

I took the large table out of this room and moved the chairs to make a better 'sitting' spot. My Mom is covering a large footstool for me. It will be great in front of the wicker rocker. I'll share it as soon at it gets here.

I gathered up some of my 'collections' of things.

My hooked sunflowers have been placed in a large white Ironstone bowl...
And my tomato pincushions & metal thimbles have been placed in a smaller bowl...
My new milk glass frog has been over~filled with scissors... some of them may be taken out. I'm not sure I like the larger, newer ones in it...
I picked up a new plant today for my plant stand. You won't believe this... but I bought this plant stand at a garage sale for only 25 cents! I honestly feel like I stole it... but the seller was more than happy to have me take it away...


And some punchin'...
I can't tell you how good it feels to be crafting! I have been working a few stitches here and there between activities, but today was a peaceful day with no other commitments... it was wonderful.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Saturday, June 25, 2011

~*Newly Found Treasures*~

Happy Saturday Dear Friends! It has been a truly nice day! Today Tony & I spent time together in honor of our anniversary. We ate out for lunch, browsed some antique stores in nearby towns, and had a treat at Dairy Queen. Simple and enjoyable!

Here are my newly found treasures...


Some old & some not... I love 'em & am ready to use them to redecorate a few spots in the house & the studio!

Have you ever heard ~ "The time to buy an antique is when you see it."? Well... I saw this box in Ottawa, Kansas last year when we were there for the annual car show. I wanted it then, but didn't buy it. To my surprise, it was still there today... so it came home with me! The box is not in 'perfect' shape. The lid is slightly separated. But, I LOVE the advertising on the inside. It is sure to be displayed open... just like this anyway! I guess I lucked out with that old saying, huh?

This milk glass frog is just too sweet! I'm going to set it on my table in the studio to hold my embroidery scissors. I have a few clear frogs, but couldn't resist this milk glass one! It is sitting in a tarnished silver, shallow bowl right now & I may just leave it in there. Doesn't it look nice?

I have several pieces of white Ironstone. This small creamer isn't really true Ironstone, but the dish it is sitting in is. I think it will be just darling with a few cut flowers in it.

This little jar is only about 4 inches tall. It was only $1 with the lid... that has a small hole in it. I can only figure that it is to hold a small ball of twine. And am sure that is what I will use it for.

The plans I have for this granite comb holder... well, to hang on the wall in the studio to hold my larger scissors or rug hooks.

This strawberry isn't old... it is newly crafted. I just couldn't resist it.

I think I'll head next door to the studio now to do some re~decorating... which is sure to inspire some new crafty creations!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Friday, June 24, 2011

~*SWOOSH!*~


As fast as the kiddo went down the water slide at a VBS party this week... is how fast our action~packed~fun~filled week has gone! There has been one fun thing after another... and today is no exception. We are going to visit the new Children's Discovery Center today! We will also get to see some cherished family members that we just don't see enough of!

I don't have any ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share today... but I do plan to have some of my own next week... maybe even several! The next two weeks are going to be much more manageable crafty~wise... and I WILL have lots to share with you! Today while we are gone Mister primitivebettys will be putting the window AC next door at my studio... and I will have it cranked up!

Wishing you warm smiles and a great weekend...

Betty

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

~*Anniversary*~


Good Morning Dear Friends! Today is our anniversary! And a Happy one it is! I woke up to a card & bag of Kisses... even though we decided not to exchange gifts. :) Tony works nights ~ but left me a these treats on the kitchen table when he got home. I'm going to wait until he wakes up to open my card... he has a card too, but no candy.

How did I get so lucky to marry such an amazing, loving, smart, handsome, hard working, and all~around~exceptional guy? I love him more and more each day!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

*** I do hope to share some crafty news soon... Summer is still keeping me bombarded with activity! ***

Sunday, June 19, 2011

~*Happy Father's Day*~

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me." - Jim Valvano

A big THANK YOU for all the Dads in my life! I love you all and am so very blessed to have you in my life.

My Dad has passed on... but he is with me every day. Every thought of him brings a smile. I love him dearly...


My step Dad has given me fatherly love, advice, and encouragement since I was 8 years old... I wouldn't be who I am today without him. I love him for all he is and has given me over the years...


And my husband... another fabulous Daddy! I am so lucky to be married to such a super guy! I do love him! :)


Wishing you all a great Father's Day... with lots of love & smiles...

Betty

Friday, June 17, 2011

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Dear Friends! The week has continued to fly by... one activity after another. There will be more fun over the weekend ~ beginning this evening when I take the kiddo fishing... just the two of us! Yes, I can bate a hook. The only thing that makes me nervous is the chance of catching something other than a fish... like a snake or turtle! Hopefully we won't have any crazy drama like that! It should be fun though. Tomorrow I'm cooking a supper for my dear stepDad for Father's Day... and I am sure we will be doing something with the boys on Sunday for my dear husband.

I have been stitching. The large school house sampler is finished... I think I mentioned that. Right now I am waiting on a frame that my dear husband has said he would make for me. Hopefully there will be time for that this weekend.

Okay... without further delay... how about an awesome ~*Friday Finish*~?

This one was stitched by my dear friend, Pam. She made it for a friend who shares the same first name with her ~ as a birthday present. Pam stitched on 2 different 28 count linens to get that great olde look. The pattern for this sampler can be found in my Etsy shoppe... ~*Friends Sampler*~...

Pam covered the back of her sampler for a great, soft finish. Just beautiful! A little tidbit about Pam... she once owned her own needlework shop. As you can see... she is a brilliant stitcher!


Thank you, Pam for stitching and sharing!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

~*What's Going On?*~

Hello Dear Friends! It has continued to be a busy summer. With all the kiddo's activities and fun family time... there just isn't much left. I am trying to get things under control... and caught up. Yesterday and today have been spent in working in the yard. Remember our garden? Ya... I almost forgot we had one. The weeds were taking over! After 3 hours of weeding this morning, I have it about 1/2 cleaned out...


You can clearly see there are tons more weeds to remove! I remember having visions of what our garden would look like when we were getting the seeds set... yup, I was thinking grand! Oh well... at least our veggies are growing great & looking healthy. We have potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers (bell & jalapeno), zucchini, cabbage, and dill. Plus... a few bird house gourds growing on the fence and some giant~size sunflower to watch over it all when they are big enough!

However, I did tell my husband today after I quite working... that the reward of growing a garden should be some sort of delectable, sugar~rich, scrumptious dessert... instead of a salad! ha ha

I was a little concerned working in the tall weeds today that I might find a snake or two... but thankfully Brownie kept guard for me the entire time I was working. He is such a good fella!


There are lots of flowers blooming now too, but I only snapped a shot of some of the marigolds. I'll get more photos taken later. Many of the flowers are still too tiny... so it will be another couple of weeks yet...


And yes, I am still stitching. However, the school house sampler is FINISHED... but waiting for a frame. Soon... soon... soon...

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Friday, June 10, 2011

~*Friday Finishes*~

Friday is upon us again... and I am happy to share this beautiful finish with you! This is another one wonderfully stitched by Dora...

Oh the blues are so striking! Don't you agree? This is a freebie design... you can find all my many freebies by clicking HERE.

Dora stitched it awhile ago and has forgotten the threads and fibers used. None~the~less... it is just delightfully beautiful. She added extra touches with the button and a blanket stitch around the edge.

Thank you, Dora... for stitching and sharing. Remember folks, I do love to see & share your finishes. So send 'em to me... please :)

As for me... I still do not have a finished school house sampler to release. BUT... I do take it with me everywhere and stitch when I can. I made some great progress on it this week during Trinity's tae kwon do classes and sparring. Oh, I am so worried I will loose a needle in there... too many bare feet tromping around. Thankfully I haven't misplaced one!

I may have some extra stitching hours over the weekend... so maybe it will be finished soon. Are you excited about it? Or are you loosing hope & patience in me? I pray you aren't.

Wishing you all warm smiles and a fabulous weekend...

Betty

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

~*Longer Days*~


Maybe the title of this post should be ~*Fuller Days*~. 'Cause they have been FULL!

Just since Friday... we have swam (yes, I did finally get in),gone on a fun train ride, gone crappie fishing twice, weeded flower beds (the garden is still waiting for some much needed attention), mowed, had a cookout with our bigger boys, cleaned house, and even managed to watch a little television... while plopped on the sofa, I had a chance to pull a few more stitches...



Wishing you warm Summery smiles...

Betty

Yes, I know this is moving along slowly... please don't loose hope. It will be finished shortly. It will be packed in my bag as we begin another couple of busy days...

Friday, June 3, 2011

~*Sadly, No Friday Finishes Today*~

But maybe these snap shots of some early Summer Fun will put a smile on your face...





I haven't worked up the nerve to get in the pool yet... I just know it has to still be too cold. I'll just hang out in the shade with Brownie...



Wishing you all warm smiles... and a glorious Friday!

Betty

Thursday, June 2, 2011

~*Yes, I'm Still Stitching*~

Hello Dear Friends! Yes, I am still stitching... working on my 'special something' and also on my Great~Grandma inspired piece...

This is the 'special something' piece...

Would you like me to tell you more?

Well... This is the first sampler in a SERIES by ~*primitivebettys*~!

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Victor Minor, a refurbished one~room school house that once operated in Rossville, Kansas. Rossville is where my Mom, Dad, and Aunts grew up. They didn't go to this school... but the school house and the town have a special place in my heart because of the family connections. Plus, I started my school years in Rossville too. Kindergarten, first, and half of second grade... I attended Rossville Elementary. My kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Crumbaker. I have many fond memories of her and my first year of school... you will notice this in the first sampler... and the ones to follow.

Doing research on the town and the school house... and letting my mind wonder & add some fiction... I have chosen to design a SERIES of samplers inspired by Victor Minor. During my reading, I found that Rossville was actually Edna, Kansas when the school was built... the name was changed a few years later after William Ross moved in and helped the town grow with economic and growth leadership. The school was constructed in 1863... if my research is correct. (On the tour of the school, they said it was 1887... but either year was a long time ago. I picked 1863 for my historical fictional series.)

So... I am stitching and trying to finish the first sampler. This will be a larger finish than I have done in the past... but I think you will like it. It is truly from the heart! The first sampler is one stitched by the first teacher of Victor Minor in 1863... Sarah Crumbaker. (remember I am adding a little of my own fiction to some real history... artist's license at work here)

Everywhere I go... I have my bag of fibers and unfinished samplers... taking them to tae kwon do and ball practice... with hopes of finishing them soon to share.

Here is how my Great~Grandma sampler is... unfinished... there is a lot to do on this one!


Wishing you all warm smiles... and happy stitching...
Betty

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

~*Early Work Mercantile*~


Hello Dear Friends! My page on Early Work Mercantile is now updated. I hope you get a chance to swing by... be sure to check out the great works from the other artists while you are there too. You will be glad you did! There are always so many awesome treasures!!

Wishing you warm smiles,

Betty