Wednesday, February 29, 2012

~*Early Work Mercantile & Ebay*~

has been updated!

Hello Dear Friends! Happy March! I just finished adding my prim offerings to my Early Work Mercantile page for the March 1st update. Here is a little view of a couple of the works I have to offer...


Besides the cross stitch pieces... there are a couple of needlepunch ditties too.

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I've also listed this piece on Ebay... at a low starting bid of only $9.99. It has been some time since I've put a handmade up on Ebay... I almost forgot how.
After working on the computer for the last few hours... my eyelids are droopy. Thank you for letting me share...

Wishing you warm smiles...
Betty

Monday, February 27, 2012

~*Etsy Listing*~

Hello Friends! Happy Monday to ya!


It is going to be a gradual process... but I've decided to sell more of my finished wares online. I am already offering ditties on Early Work Mercantile and Primitive Handmades Mercantile ... for the monthly updates. In addition to those sites, I plan to put more up on Etsy and even offer an occasional ditty on Ebay.

Just a few minutes ago, I listed a few oldie, but goody ditties in my Etsy shoppe. I'll keep you posted when I add more. This week I'm working to finish wares for Early Work Mercantile that updates on Wednesday night by midnight. There is also another cross stitch pattern of mine... almost ready... that may be released before bedtime on Friday... at least that is my goal.

Well, I should be getting back to work. My creative energy is flowing nicely... as I hope yours is also.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Sunday, February 26, 2012

~*Rock Creek Hook~in Lenexa 2012*~

Oh what fun it was! Hello Friends! Yesterday was such a wonderful day. Fun with friends... hooking, shopping, giggles, and more. As always, the Rock Creek Hook~in was a huge success. There were many fun smiles to see, awesome rugs for eye~candy, and great vendors to shop from. Plus, Maggie Bonanomi was there... and you all know how I just LOVE her. (I'm sure you love her too!) She was so kind as to autograph my copy of Boxwood Farm. ~I'm so delighted that she did!~


from left to right... Ginger, Ann, PatiJane, Sandra, me, and Robin

I took many pictures... but I've found someone else that has taken more and put them in a great slide show. You can visit the slide show HERE... or the online album HERE. (Thank you to Andrea Allen for sharing!)

Time with friends is always so wonderful!

I'm feeling re~energized too! I'm hooking, punching, stitching, and sewing like a mad woman!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Friday, February 24, 2012

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Friends! Yup... two posts in one day! It dawned on me when picking Trinity up from school a short while ago... that today is FRIDAY! How did that happen? Where is my head? Yes, I know tomorrow is the hook in... and tomorrow is Saturday. For some reason though... I didn't make the connection that TODAY is FRIDAY? Has that ever happened to you?

Well... enough of that... let me just get on with it already! ha ha ha

There is a lovely finish to share with you. This is the finish that I thought I had lost in my emails last week. Cindy has stitched up... very beautifully... ~*Live Laugh Love*~...


Just lovely!

Cindy, my apologies for misplacing our original conversation. Thank you, though, for pointing me in the right direction again. Thank you too for stitching and sharing! I'm so happy you did... and so happy to be able to share your finish!

Last night, during Trinity's tae kwon do class and sparing, I started re~stitching me next pattern model. It is coming along beautifully... and should be finished soon. It is great to be re~doing it. Besides the trouble with the bleeding pen, there were a few other things that really needed to be change about it. The re~do is coming along very nicely!

Well, my things are packed for tomorrow. I'll be working on the challenge rug for AAPG that was shared a few weeks (months?) ago. My woolens are all cut & stashed in a vintage picnic basket. My slogan for the day... or as Trinity would say "my catch phrase"... will be...

~*Have wools ~ will travel!*~

Wishing you all warm smiles...
Betty

~*Fun Times With Friends & Gifts Galore*~

Hello Friends! Yesterday was so much fun! It seems so rare that I get to get~together with the girls. It sure is a treat when I do though! Time spent with friends is priceless... don't ya think?

Ginger, PatiJane, Sandra, and Ann drove up from Oklahoma... and stopped here on their way to Lenexa for the big hook~in. My SIL, Robin, was able to take the afternoon off work to be with us too. We met for lunch and then browsed the shops in downtown Emporia. There were lots of giggles, gifts, and smiles!

Here are all the goodies my lovely friends gave me... yup.... I'm spoiled!

Each and every goodie is a TREAT for sure! Lotion (made from the Miracle Lotion recipe that Sandra gave us last year, but only Robin added some Rain Scent to it... divine!), wool (dyed by Sandra), sweet ornaments, a snippet jar, hand sanitizer, a cross stitch book, magnets, a pot scrubber, some 'designer' tea... and handmade wares too... a handcrafted notepad by Ginger, a personal calendar made by Robin, and a darling needlebook also made by Ginger. So many treats!!!
Ginger said she made the notepad with leftover scrapbooking materials she had after celebrating her parent's 50th wedding anniversary. These papers are super sweet indeed!

Robin made the calendar cover of wool with a cross stitched banner. So primly nice!

Ginger is an Oxford Punch Queen! She whips out one treasure after another with that needle! Her work is crafted so fine... with such talent and a huge heart! If you are interested in learning the Oxford punch... she is holding a retreat at her home in May with Frank Bielec... oh, I wish I could go. Unfortunately, it isn't possible for me. Click on Frank's name though... it will take you to the link on Ginger's blog to learn more about the retreat. Maybe you can go?

Thank you to all my friends for all the gifts. I will treasure them always... but will treasure you forever.

Robin and I do get to meet up with the girls again tomorrow for the hook~in. We are planning on leaving here at a bright & early 7am. I haven't packed yet... but will be sure to take my camera along so I can share the day with you too.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Thursday, February 23, 2012

~*Oops... guess this one is for Sarah*~

Hello Friends! I've been stitching and finishing... but have made a big BOO BOO! When marking this finished cross stitch, I stupidly used a non-permanent pen... and it bled terribly. This is... well, was... the model for my next pattern release. The one that I wanted to release next week.

Now I get to pick more threads & fibers... and re~do it. Oh well... live & learn... right?

I suppose this one will be a play toy for Miss Sarah...

She doesn't seem too impressed either though.

I'm not sure I'll get to re~doing it today. Today is a PLAYDAY! Ginger, PatiJane, Sandra, Ann, and my SIL Robin are all meeting up for lunch and a little shopping. Saturday is the Lenexa hook~in. The Oklahoma girls are swinging by here on their way there. What fun they will have! They get 4 days of shopping & playing together! Robin and I will play with them today... and then see them again on Saturday.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

~*New Pattern Release*~

Hello Friends! Now released...

~*Winter Bell Pull*~
primitive counted thread pattern

59 by 141 stitches

This pattern is now available. It will be on display this weekend at the TNNA Market... available from your LNS soon, or you may purchase it directly from me via email or through my Etsy Shoppe.

The pattern sells for $10.00... and ships anywhere for no additional free... mailing is included in the cost of the pattern.

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Oh, I so wanted to have more than one pattern to release to you for this early in 2012... but with working and all, it just couldn't get done. In fact, this pattern was started last October! Good grief! No worries though... another pattern is almost finished and may be available as soon as next week! I'll give you a sneaky~peaky of it soon. This week has been going most wonderful for me... I have been crafting up a storm & it feels so AWESOME! I'm predicting many, many, many more pattern releases... and finished ditties to be offered. Stay tuned!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

~*An Extra Book On My Shelf*~

Good Morning Friends! Yup... somehow I ended up with two copies of this wonderful book...

Cross Stitch Antique Style Samplers by Jane Greenoff


So... I listed it on Ebay. If you are interested... CLICK HERE to view the listing.

Over the next few days or week... I hope to list some of my handmades there as well. I'll keep you posted.

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Thank you all for the kind words of praise for my Mom's handiwork. My sister & I have both read her the comments over the phone... and I could tell she was glowing. She really did put a lot of heart, time, and care into making the quilt... and I will treasure it always.

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I'll be posting up my new pattern very soon!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Monday, February 20, 2012

~*An Early Birthday Gift*~

Hello Friends! This is a very early birthday gift. My birthday isn't until May... but my Momma made this STUNNING crazy quilt JUST FOR ME... and she couldn't wait until then to give it to me. To be honest, I knew she was making me one ~ I hadn't seen it yet ~ and I was really wanting to get it early! So... I'm tickled BEYOND BELIEF to have this. My Mom worked many hours... put so much heart & thought into every little detail... it brought tears to my eyes when she gave it to me!

The pictures don't do it justice... it was so difficult to take them. Today is gloomy & rainy here... and besides not getting enough light, I couldn't get far enough away to show the entire quilt nicely.

Here is the full quilt...
It measures about 52 by 43 inches... made of wool, velvet, and silk... with so many beautiful stitches! I'm just flabbergasted by it ALL!

Here are some details...
antique glass buttons...
primitivebettys...
the spinning wheel she gave me for my birthday last year...


there is needle felting behind these flowers...

some special life moments...




I can't say enough good about this quilt. I'm touched and love my Mom so very much!

She gave me some extra wool to sew a sleeve on the back. I have plans to hang it in our living room on a curtain rod... but feel I should lock it away safely somewhere because I want to be able to pass this down to my son & grand-kids someday.

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In the next couple of day... I will have a new pattern release. The TNNA Market is this weekend. I had hoped to have more than just one patterns, but work took too much of my crafty time. My big news? Well, I am no longer waiting tables. I decided it would be much better for my family, primitivebettys, and me to devote more time at home... and crafting. The decision has already made a big difference! I have another model for another new pattern release almost finished... and another new chart ready to stitch... and that has just been what I've done today!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Saturday, February 18, 2012

~*Oh My Goodness... Friday Finishes!*~

Hello Dear Friends! What happened? How did I miss posting ~*Friday Finishes*~? Good Grief! I'm so sorry! Let me at least get them posted up now...

Enjoy!


First up is a most darling finish by 13 year old Natalie...

Natalie's mom sent me the photo of this beautifully stitched piece. She told me that Natalie only recently began stitching, and is a natural at it. Oh... I think it is just lovely and I am thrilled to hear that a young girl of 13 is taking up the art.

Natalie used my ~*Valentine Freebie*~ chart.

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Easter is right around the corner. Theresa has stitched up my~*Easter Freebie*~... and it too is most delightful! She made it to give to a friend for an Easter Swap using scrap Aida and DMC threads. Oh~so~pretty!
Oh and I just LOVE the bunnies & sheep she photographed it with too!
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And from Louise... She has beautifully stitched and finished my ~*Friend Freebie*~...
The lace is just the perfect touch!

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I need to send out an apology to one of you! My days have been a bit stressful the past couple of weeks... and I have misplaced an email. There was a beautiful stitch of ~*Live Laugh Love*~ that the maker (I can't remember for the life of me who) personalized with her own initials. Please, if you are reading and it is you... or even if another one of you have it finished...please send it to me again. I do want to share it as I know all of you would want to see it. I'm so sorry for misplacing the email and photo.

The stress will be calming soon for me... and I have some exciting things to post about... but it will have to wait for just a bit. Soon though... I'll let it all out!

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

Betty

Thursday, February 16, 2012

~*Primitive Handmades Mercantile*~

Hello Dear Friends! This is just a quick note to tell you... I have my offering page updated for Primitive Handmades Mercantile. Please swing by if you get a chance. Be sure to visit the other artists too... I'm sure there will be goodies galore to drool over!

Here is what I've listed this month...

A couple of needle punched~topped boxes... each has a prim, blue strawberry tucked inside...
and a couple WOOL~themed rugs...

Tomorrow is another work day... and I'm up too late tonight... so t's bedtime now. I'll be posting ~*Friday Finishes*~ at some point tomorrow... so I'll see you then.

Until later... wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

~*Stitches & Loops*~

Time is nearing... for the Primitive Handmades Mercanitle update!

I've been busy with stitches & loops...
... in hopes that I will make it on time! The update is scheduled for this Friday... February 17th. Because of my work schedule... my items will be (should be) updated before I hit the pillow on Thursday night.

I do hope you get a chance to visit to see all the wonderful works the artists are sure to share!

Okay... back to craftin' for me.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Monday, February 13, 2012

~*Auction Fun*~

Hello Dear Friends! Yesterday was a day off work (so are today & the next too... YIPPEE!). We had read in the Shopper earlier last week that there was an estate auction scheduled... and I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I realized my days off and the auction coincided with one another! Tony, Trinity, and I hopped in my big pick up... and set out to spend the day! This particular auction dealer always does a great job... and the auction is always held inside the heated/air conditioned county 4-H building... with a lunch counter too.

Here are a few of the goodies I came home with...

This isn't an oldie... but it is still a goodie to me! I don't even care that it is missing a drawer. The salt & pepper Sheep were a gift from my Mom not long ago. They add just the right touch to this ditty!
I have been wanting one of these sifters for some time now. I nabbed this one yesterday... even as I was getting a strange look from my husband as I was bidding. He just didn't know what or why. But I hung it in my studio & set Mabel Ann Suffolk in the center. I'm delighted!
These old hat boxes were in a lot of things we won. I set them in the spare room for now... they will make a good spot to store things in.
I won this oak framed mirror for $2.50. I just have a 'thing' for old patina-ed mirrors.
This hand crafted mirror was another find in a lot of boxes. It is made from mosaics of old White Ironstone pottery. I love the cup handle on it!
I am gradually sorting through boxes. Among the mix of stuff here are several 'trash~to~treasure' pieces... old wood bowls, boxes... and even some Sculpty clay although I'm not sure it will be any good. I'll just have to mess with it when I find the time.
I love the vintage fly swatter!
Hand crafted, quilted Teddy bears are always a treasure!
This guy needed a good home!
He was made by 'M Mills in 1989.
In the box lots of stuff... some more White Ironstone for my collection! O-Yah!
Tony asked me what I was going to do with it & said he didn't even realize I collected it. What? Well, I told him I was just going to put it on the shelf with my other Ironstone for now. Someday I think I'll have a tea party with it! ha ha ha... but then I guess I should be on the look out for some cups to put with it!
We have more things that I didn't get photographed. Trinity nabbed a mirrored box and a tiny leather canoe to play with. Tony brought home some tools and a few other odds n' ends. Oh... and in the box lots were four full sets of Queen size, white sheets. I'm washing them as I type. We don't need them all. I'll sort through them after they are laundered, but if I find they are stained or have wholes... they make awesome rag stuffing! And you can hardly beat the price!

We didn't spend very much money, but we had a day full of fun together... and brought some of the fun home too. We can barely wait for the next one!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty