primitivebettys

~Friday Finishes~

2012-01-27T17:05:00.005-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! TGIF! It seems like it has been so long since I last was able to share some ~*Friday Finishes*~ with you... and for that I apologize. However, today I do have some wonderful creations to share!

Enjoy!

Stitched by Theresa... ~*Young Girl Sampler*~ freebie pattern

She used 28 count linen with variegated DMC threads... then gave it a nice coffee wash. She made this as a gift for a friend... and used her friend's name. She also added the heart. Lovely!

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Stitched by Lori... ~*Friend Freebie*~

Lori has updated her picture trail this past week with many delightfully prim goodies offered for sale. This sampler is one of her latest offerings. CLICK HERE to go see all her beautiful offerings.

Lori added a little to the design... which is always great with me. I just love it!

Both pieces are beauties and I am so happy to be able to share them with you. Friends, please send me your finishes too so I may post them up on ~*Friday Finishes*~ for all to see!

Thesesa & Lori, thank you for stitching and sharing!

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

Betty

~More Fun News... and dolly progress...~

2012-01-25T16:48:00.003-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Today is my final day off before beginning my work week (if three days of work is considered a week). I have been crafting like a mad woman during my days off... and so happy to be doing it!

Before I share my dolly progress... I have more fun news for you! I will be an artist at Primitive Handmades Mercantile! I'm so excited about all the recent crafty news/changes/opportunities... and this is no exception! I'm thrilled to be offered a spot with the artists on this site. Each and every one of them is top~notch!

The updates for this site are held on the 3rd Friday of each month. I haven't had a chance to set~up my page just yet, but will be personalizing it soon. I will be updating with the rest of the girls on Febrary 17th... swing by now though and take a look around. You will be delighted with the works up for offering.

A special thank you to Robin for asking me! <3

Early Work Mercanitle updates next week... February 1st to be exact. These dollies are still works in progress... but will be available when finished for my update... along with a few other things I hope to get finished...

Please meet Eliza Doyle... she may be putting some earrings on before she visits the Mercantile...

and please also have the pleasure of meeting Mabel Ann Suffolk. She may have to rethink her exceptionally large broach. It seems a little much... don't ya think?

Here is Eliza's purse. It and Mabel Ann are currently sitting out by the wood stove to dry.

Mabel Ann may also have her purse with her when she goes to the Mercantile. After all, how can a girl shop without her purse to carry her coins?

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Following My Muse... and something exciting!~

2012-01-24T13:37:00.004-06:00

Hello My Dear Friends! I'm still in the middle of my four days off... and have been finding lots to enjoy... and have been following my muse...

still hooking... and using up (or trying to anyway) all those scrappy worms...

There are two patterns drawn on one piece of linen. I hook on these in the evenings when I'm not able to work next door in the studio... comfortably plopped on the sofa.

I haven't bound the two rugs from the previous post yet. I get sidetracked easily with my crafting. The other night I was suffering from insomnia AGAIN... and could not get this doll idea crafted up quickly enough! The body of the doll is a recycled soda pop bottle. I've been working on her more since I snapped the photograph... and she is almost complete now... and will probably be an offering on Early Work Mercantile for the February 1st update...

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Now for the EXCITING new!

I wasn't sure I could share this yet... but I see it has already been announce... so I wanna tell ya
here too!

There is a new Girl's Club... “PRIM SISTERS“!

I am so honored to be a part of this along with Notforgotten Farm and Pineberry Lane! We will be offering up six designs over the next year exclusive for the club. Each designer will have 2 patterns for the club... and they will be released to the Girl's Club members only. This is all being put together by Jeanne of Country Sampler. I can barely contain my excitement over this new opportunity!!!

Thank you , Jeanne, for including me! I am so looking forward to working with you. <3

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Well... I better get back to 'work'... so much crafting to be done!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Hooking~

2012-01-22T19:44:00.005-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I know... I have been so quiet & not posting as often as I should (or as often as I would like to anyway). I'm so sorry for that.

This past week I did manage to do some hooking though... wanna see?

These rugs are both on one piece of linen... and I am sticking to my goal of using ONLY the worms from my shoe boxes (see earlier post). These worms are all different cut sizes... and all different kinds of wool (the good, the bad, and the ugly!)... but I am using them and them only. I figure the rugs are scrappy ~ so why not use it up!?! Plus... the more olde, primitive, and grungy... the better!

I hooked the "Wool" rug keeping the loops all pretty close to the same height & direction... but the "Two Hearts" rug is hickety~pickety... all different heights & directions. Why, you may be asking? Well... simply 'cause I wanted to. I like hickety~pickety! I like that it is not the 'norm'... and I love the olde, unskilled look of it.

Tomorrow I hope to press both rugs and bind the edges. I'm thinking of trying a crochet edging on them. I've never attempted it before... but am looking forward my attempt. Have any of you done it?

My next rug project... or one of my next... is this challenge rug...

This challenge rug is from the online group An American Primitive Gathering (AAPG)... lead by Kelley. It is a quarterly challenge ~ so I have 3 months to get it done. Here is the antique version of the rug...

So far I have only gotten the pattern drawn on linen... and gathered up a pile of wools. I have more darks, but am thinking the others could be used for the design elements.

Work has been slowing down... and my boss decided to only have me come in three days a week for now until things pick back up. I have so many crafty things I want to get done ~ I am looking at the cut back as a positive. Now I have more time to create!

And right now... I'm going to go do just that!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~A Little Bit of Everything~

2012-01-17T09:39:00.004-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Yup... this post is a little bit of everything... and I'm going to start by sharing my new FAVORITE song with you...
"A Little Bit of Everything" by Dawes

Oh my goodness... I love this song so much I had to buy the CD! And... if you know me very well, you know that I'm not one to buy music for myself. My husband on the other hand... has what seems like millions of CDs & albums. Well... I guess I will admit, I did buy myself a couple of Peter Frampton CDs after seeing him in concert last summer (I love him!)... so now my music collection consists of those 3 CDs. ha ha ha... I have come a long way from my Madonna years... back in high school! And... because my husband has so much music, I have figured out how to put it on my MP3 player... and I do have a large collection stored there for my walking. So, I guess I am getting more musical! Anyway... listen to the song if you get a chance... it is truly a goodie!

Today is Day 3 of my weekend... tomorrow is back to work. I wish I could tell you or show you more crafty goodies... but I don't have too many to share. Although I have been stitching and hooking...

using up some of my red worms...

and have plans to get more hooked...

my latest freebie is almost stitched up... just the center of the flowers left... then some finishing...

Tomorrow is my dear husband's 50th birthday. We had a semi~surprise (because it is tough to pull one over on him... he kind of knew what was going on) birthday party on Saturday night. Much of our family met up at our local FAVORITE burger joint...Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers... for supper & cake. Afterwards, many of us went to the bowling alley to knock down a few pins... or try to anyway. It was a fun night! Doesn't he look like one handsome, happy fella?

The manager at Freddy's hung black balloons and wrote 'Happy Birthday' on his cake. There was a large crowd of us there... and we got lots of looks from the other diners. Too cute! Oh, and before we left Freddy's, we gathered up all the balloons, trimmed the ribbons short, and had a balloon launch in the parking lot! This was my MILs idea... and it was so memorable!

Happy Birthday to you Tony! I love you!

For his birthday present, I bought him an rc car and another CD for his huge collection. :-)

Well... the day is passing by... I better get back to that needle & hook before it is too late.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday... no finishes, but...~

2012-01-13T17:41:00.002-06:00

How about a new freebie?

Hello Dear Friends! I don't have any finishes to share today... mine or from others... but I did chart up a simple freebie to give...

~*Friend Freebie*~

©primitivebettys 2012

70 by 38 stitches

This one is a simple & quick one! Don't you think it would be charming to work this one up for a dear friend? Say for maybe a Valentine's treat?

Enjoy! And remember... I love to see & share finishes! Email them to me... won't ya please?

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of warm smiles...

Betty

~And The Winner Is....~

2012-01-11T20:04:00.002-06:00

Good Evening my Dear Friends!

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the tremendous turnout with my recent giveaway. It has been such a pleasure to see so many comments and to read the praise so many have given. Thank you!

Now without further delay... the giveaway winner is... DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

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Victoria M! :-)

Victoria, I have tried to email you... without any success. Please contact me so I can get your mailing address and pattern choices. You get to pick three!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Today's Chore~

2012-01-10T14:49:00.004-06:00

*** To organize my wormy mess! ***

Hello Dear Friends! I hope your day has been pleasant. I thought I would share some of my 'bad side' with you. This pile of worms has been growing for the past several years (about six years actually). The worms multiply quickly when not looking! I have taken the time to sort them by color groups in the past... only to throw them all in a vintage, wooden laundry basket... and let them continue to pile up again.

Today though... I have a goal & am striving to "make do or do without"!

I went down in the basement to gather up my growing assortment of shoe boxes (apparently they multiply when not looking too!)... and sort them again. I'm not being too picky about being 'exact'... but neutrals with neutrals, reds with reds, oranges with oranges, etc. etc. etc. After about an hour and a half... I have about half of the pile sorted...

My shoe boxes are getting full! I need more boxes... or should have bought boots so the boxes are bigger... or maybe I need bigger feet... those would be bigger boxes! Oh well...

I'm nearing the end of my chore and I have a plan. I drew up a couple simple rugs... and am only going to work from these worms to hook them. I'm not allowed to cut any wool for these two rugs... and probably about a dozen others - an estimate I see from looking at the piles!

Yes, I still have wool piled on the table in my studio (I showed you that in an earlier post)... but it remains uncut and is waiting patiently to be used on the challenge rug... that is also drawn out.

Oh heck... I have 4 rugs (maybe more?) on my list, at least 4 cross stitches begun... and who knows what else!!! And... tomorrow starts my work week again. **sigh**

Well, I am feeling better and I do hope to work on my '15 minutes of crafting a day' goal... so my projects are ready for me when I am!!!

On that note... I have crafting to do!

*** Don't forget! The Giveaway ends tomorrow evening at 8pm CST! ***

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~New Pattern TEASE~

2012-01-09T16:57:00.003-06:00

Hello Dear Friends!

Yes, this is a TEASE and I'm sorry for being so ornery... but sometimes I just can't help it. (I took the picture while still in the works... and then played around with the alteration tools in my photo program.)

Here it is... (ya, I know you can just barely see it... but I can't show it all just yet.)

With any luck... I will have this one finished and worked into a pattern for the February needlework market... TNNA.

Can you see what it is?

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How about a primitive bell pull?

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Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

P.S. Don't forget to sign up on my Giveaway if you haven't done so already. SMILES!!

~My New Old Rug~

2012-01-08T14:14:00.007-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I want to first of all say THANK YOU for the huge response to my giveaway! It is still going on & if you have not signed up, you still have time. Be sure to do so on the Giveaway post before Wednesday, January 11th by 8pm CST.

I've had a tough week... suffering with a stinky cold. Because of that, I have not kept up with my goal of crafting on something for 15 minutes a day. Hopefully this will change as I begin to feel better. My cold didn't keep me from working... I refused to call in sick to work. I just felt extremely sluggish by days end... and completely worn out. However, I didn't let it stop me from visiting the First Friday Art Walk in downtown North Topeka with my dear mom on Friday evening!

The NOTO district of downtown North Topeka is marvelous! It is growing in popularity and is so much fun to visit for the monthly event! If you are ever in the area, I urge you to visit.

There is an antique shop there that is only open for the art walk and the Saturday following. It is appropriately named Two Days. The vendors in the shop keep their prices low... and if an item hasn't sold for the first showing... it is marked down at the next month... and even at the following month if it is still there. Well, I have eyeballed this rug for 3 months in a row... and broke down Friday evening and bought it. I picked it up for only $38. No, it isn't a perfect rug by any shape or means... but I love it. I love the raveling edges and the sorta bright & oddly placed colors. Plus, I think the shape is very interesting. It is a large rug too... about 3 by 5 feet.

I wanted it to put in my studio... and that is where it now is...

Maybe I'm silly... but I love the rug!

Today it the first day of my weekend... the house has been cleaned... and the projects are brewing. I have a new cross stitch pattern charted, my blackwork sampler has been stitched and now needs framed or sewn into something... and I have a new rug for a challenge drawn up... with wool gathered waiting to be cut...

What to do... what to do?

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Giveaway Time~

2012-01-03T10:34:00.004-06:00

Hello & Happy New Year! I'm so excited that this is my first post of the new year! It is ~*Giveaway Time*~!!!

This is what I have created... and I am going to give it to one of you!

A simple, prim... pin box.

Recently on a visit to a near by antique store, I found this small wooden box. I immediately picked it up & knew I had to do something to it! Yes, I have several 'had to have' boxes in my collection... but this one seemed extra special.

The box is about 4 by 4 by 2 inches... a dark wood... and simple in construction.

I lined the inside of the box with a padded cotton~linen bottom... and sewed up a simple, removable pin pillow. The material used for the pillow is a reproduction, Civil War fabric. I filled the pillow lightly with sawdust... and trimmed the pillow edge with chenille. and for extra measure... poked a few vintage straight pins in it.

I have singed, lightly, my name on the underside of the box... with the year x2012. Hmmm... my very first finish of the New Year!

The box has a nice construction. It is sturdy and stylish.

The cross stitch on the box top has been stitched by me... and is an original, one of a kind stitch. I used cotton floss on linen... and created the design as I worked. I am not going to offer this as a pattern. It is a one time creation... just for one of you.

And there is more... the Giveaway also includes your choice of THREE of my ~*primitivebettys*~ cross stitch patterns! The winner will get to choose from my pattern offerings... you can see them all in my Etsy shoppe... Click Here

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All you need to do to enter for your chance to win... is leave a comment on THIS POST ONLY... before Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by 8pm CST. Everyone is eligible to enter... friends in the US or other countries. I will mail international if the lucky winner lives outside the US. You do not have to be a follower of my blog... but are more than welcome to be. I will use a random number generator to select the winner. Simple? Yes, I hope it is.

I do want to thank all of you for reading, following, and commenting on my blog. Lately I have noticed an increase in the number of visitors... and I'm overwhelmed with joy. You may find it funny too, but I almost have stage~fright when I see so many swing by.

My sincere thank you to you all! Now... sign up... and I will select a winner next Wednesday!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-12-31T19:39:00.004-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Happy New Year! The year is ending in a buzz of activity for me... I'm still trying to get caught up and find my balance. I missed ~*Friday Finishes*~ yesterday... but I have been able to update my Early Work Mercantile offerings. I hope you have a chance to visit.

I stitched up this early needlebook...

And was able to put the finishes on this scrappy rug (that I started several months ago)...

As always, I wish I had more finishes... but hopefully I can do better next year. I am thinking I will make a goal to craft on something at least 15 minutes a day... hopefully that will lead me to more minutes because I usually find it hard to put anything down once I begin it. AND... I mentioned a giveaway a few posts back... I'm working on putting that together and hope to have it posted in the next couple of days.

As for now... today was a work day and I am tired. This is New Years Eve... but I'm thinking it is probably time to just go & get some rest.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~What My Momma Made...~

2011-12-27T09:10:00.004-06:00

and gave to me!

Hello Dear Friends! I hope your Christmas was full of joy! We had a most wonderful holiday here... I do just love my family! Of course, we were here, there, and everywhere... with lots of festivities & food. I'm sure I gained some additional pounds because I was NOT being careful with what I ate at all. Today is a new day though & I can get back on track.

We weren't suppose to exchange gifts with the adults on my side of the family. We are only suppose to get gifts for the kids... and it is so much fun watching them open all their packages! The comments they make and the expressions on their faces... what a HOOT!

My Mom didn't follow her own rule of gift giving! She gave my sister and I each a quilt she had recently made. Oh, we are happy to have received them... but she broke the rule! .... and in a way, I did too. Do you remember those two small rugs from a few posts back? Well, I let my Mom have her pick first & then my sister got the other rug. So I guess I gave too. :-) Mom wanted the simple hit n' miss & my sister, Angie, took the crow.

Anyway... on to my post! These photos are not great at all... they do NOT give this charming quilt justice at all... but here they are...

I don't know where she found the pattern, but the embroidery is of two sweet lil' bears. (She is the one who gave me my teddy bear collection when I was growing up.) She stitched each tiny little stitch beautifully!

The holly hocks are so charming!

She hand quilted the entire piece.

And even added more embroidery to the border. She sits in her chair every evening working on something and watching TV. She has a powerful light and her 'cheater' glasses. She does such beautiful work!

I didn't get a picture of my sister's quilt. Hers is a teacup quilt...about the same size as this one. Mom stitches each teacup & design with more tiny lil' stitches.

Now... I do know Mom is working on another quilt for ME. She has been making crazy quilts in the recent years too... and my next one will be a crazy quilt made of velvets & woolens! I'll be sure to share it here too... but she said it would be awhile before it was done.

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Yesterday was spent resting up and cleaning up. Today is my last day off before my work week begins again. There is so much to get done... Early Work Mercantile updates this coming Saturday night... New Year's Eve. So... I need to get my ducks in a row... and get something worked up!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Merry Christmas~

2011-12-22T21:19:00.003-06:00

My warmest wishes to you all... for a very Merry Christmas! May you celebrate this season with family and friends... and make memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Warm smiles...
Betty

~Finished!.~

2011-12-20T09:47:00.003-06:00

These two rugs are finished... I should say FINALLY finished! They were literally started months ago, and last night I finally got the edges whipped. They are both such simple rugs too... why did they take me so long to get done? And while I'm thinking of getting things finished, why don't I have any cross stitches done? Goodness me! Or would that be WOES me!?!

Hello Dear Friends! I'm so sorry for being such a lackluster blogger... and a whiner too. I really am trying to get back to my 'old' self... creating & having fun! The hustle & bustle of Christmas is upon us all... and the daily life of being a homemaker and mom too... and working... we are all in the same boat! Some of you though, are so great at managing it all! I want to be like you!!

Now that I have these two rugs finished... I'm going to move on to my stitches. I have several of them started... and ideas for more. Plus... I'm wanting to do a GIVEAWAY before the New Year... be sure to keep an eye out for that!

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Here are my finished rugs... I'm not sure what I will be doing with them just yet...

~*A Prim Crow*~

~*Symple Hit n' Miss*~

I finished them a little different this time. The linen was folded back first & stitched down. Then I whipped the edges 'slim' with some wool yarn. Lastly, I used some wool strips (about 2" or so) to cover the raw edges only. It is hand stitched down very simply & primly.

Ignore the fuzzies that I didn't get cleaned off with the lint roller... but you can see how the edge of the rugs look from the side here...

Primitive! Just the way I like it!

The day is still mostly ahead of me... so it is time to quite my complaining of lack of time... grab my needle, thread, and linen... and go STITCH!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~The Weekend Before Christmas~

2011-12-19T08:17:00.004-06:00

... was filled with shopping and fun!

Hello Dear Friends! Are you still getting ready for Christmas? We are almost ready! I worked on Saturday, but yesterday we had some fun and did some shopping. The shopping wasn't especially fun, because it was busy... Trinity, Tony, and I braved the roads and the stores together. We are happy with the gifts we have bought and we hope the recipients are too. Before we ended our outing, we stopped by Jake's RC in Topeka to see some of the RC races...

It is tough to get pictures on my phone of the cars... they are faster than the camera...

It is easier to get pictures of the cars when they are just sitting...

Between races, the racers are busy in their pits tuning and repairing their cars...

My boys have raced on this track in the past. I think they are getting more and more interested and wanting to go back. We have a large building here at home that Tony built himself. Inside it, is his own RC track. He, Trinity, and Jamie were out in it last night racing together... but I think they may end up in Topeka soon.

What may interest you all more... when I go to the races, I always take a project to work on & I'm the only one in the place working on cross stitch or rug hooking!

The gifts we have so far are wrapped and under the tree. A little someone had to do some snooping before school today...

This is not a good picture... it was taken from my phone in the dark living room... but you can see what he is doing ~ shaking, checking for size & weight, counting how many are his... and already asking, "Can I open it now?"

Today and tomorrow are days off work. I have projects still that need to be finished... and always ones I want to do. I'll post more later or tomorrow so you can see.

Until then... wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-12-16T16:56:00.004-06:00

Happy Friday Dear Friends! I hope the week has been wonderful for you. Are you ready for Christmas? We have our tree and decorations up, but there aren't any presents under the tree yet. If all goes well this weekend, there will be some before Monday comes. We have been enjoying the season though. Trinity has decided he is too big to sit on Santa's lap at the mall... but we did stop by there last weekend to see the miniature toy train display. While we were they, he did look over at the big guy & smile! :-)

Today was a work day, but I'm home for the evening & hope to craft. Before I do that... there are some awesome ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share with you...

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From Dora... her finish of the freebie ~*Silent Holy Night*~...

Dora stitched a lovely Christmas pocket & filled it with dried items from her yard. Stunning!

She stitched on 32 count Belgian linen 1 over 2 using DMC threads 918,3011,3021.
The tassel is made using DMC 918. Two rusty jingle bells are attached at each corner.

Thank you, Dora, for stitching and sharing!

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Murf stitched ~*My Favorite Kitten*~... (a pattern available for purchase from your LNS or from my Esty Shoppe)

Murf also stitched the cute critters that are displayed with her kitten. So sweet... all of them!

Thank you, Murf, for stitching and sharing!

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Always remember... I do love to see & share finishes. I you have one (or more) to share, please drop me an email. You can email me from the link on the left sidebar.

Wishing you all a great weekend with many warm smiles...

Betty

~Hibernating~

2011-12-13T08:15:00.006-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Yes, I'm feeling like... or preparing to... HIBERNATE! The weather is rainy and cool (not cold, but cool). Actually, tomorrow it is suppose to continue to rain (we really need it!), but the temps are expected to be in the low 60s. WOW! Not bad at all for December. In a way though, I am yearning for cold and some snow... not enough to make driving treacherous; but a little white dusting would be nice. With wanting colder, wintry weather... I have been feeling the need to replenish my crafty supplies. This week I ordered a new cross stitch book, some wool, and some nubby linen. I actually feel quite selfish for doing that too... because Christmas is only a couple weeks away. There are gifts I should be buying! Is it horrible to buy gifts for myself? Yes, it is... but I will be buying gifts for others too.

Today is my last of three days off before starting another work week. I'm really enjoying my job, but I am missing crafting something awful!

This weekend, I decided to skip cleaning the house (it isn't disgusting... just dusty ya know!). On Sunday, Trinity and I spent most of the day baking cookies. We made four different recipes... and he was so happy to share them with teachers, the school counselor, his principal, and his bus driver. Tonight he will be giving more to his Tae Kwon Do instructors. Let me tell ya... I'll be happy to have them out of the house! It is HARD to stay away from them!

Since I still didn't feel like cleaning yesterday, I worked on some UFOs (un~finished objects). Today I plan to continue stitching and bind these two simple, scrappy rugs...

I'm such a strange hooker... or at least I feel that way. Some of my rugs have good, (semi) even loops...

And others are hickety~pickety...

It isn't a nervous medical condition. I plan them that way. The funny thing is too... the hickety~pickety rugs LOOK like they would hook faster, but they actually take longer. Strange huh?

There are so many more projects and ideas floating around my head, sketched on my notepad, and thrown about here & there in my studio that I WANT to do. Hopefully my time schedule and state~of~mind continue to even themselves out. (now that I'm working it is tough... I know many of you can relate) As the weather continues to cool... my plans for hibernating on my days off will hopefully be filled with crafty goodness! I wish the same for all of you too.

Warm smiles to you all...

Betty

~I'm Spoiled!~

2011-12-12T11:29:00.005-06:00

Yes, I am truly spoiled to have such wonderful, giving friends!

Hello Dear Friends! Oh, I'm so thrilled to show you the gifts I received in the mail the other day! I'm spoiled rotten I tell ya!!!

I'm a proud member of the online group AAPG (An American Primitive Gathering... on Ebay). Each year we do a Secret Santa Swap where we exchange names and put together a box of goodies to mail to our friend. Bobbie had my name this year... and she went overboard with treasures! I'll say it again... I'm spoiled rotten!

Everything she sent me is so GREAT... I don't know where to begin!

She sent me the current issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework (a most wonderful publication!), some prim labels (oh how fun!), a bundle of linen, some needles, and some beautiful threads!

She stitched me a sweet Snowman pinkeep... ~*Merry Winter 1809*~... a pattern by Country Rustic Primitives... so sweet!

She stitched up a lovely penny rug candle mat... aaaahhhhhh :-)

I placed it in front of our Nativity for now. I think it looks very nice there.

If that wasn't all enough.... she also hooked up this cute guy! ~*Snow Guy*~... a pattern by Maria of Star Rug Company. Isn't he just glowing with cheer?!

Bobbie, thank you so very much! You really did spoil me! I just love each and everything... and am so touched by your thoughtfulness. Thank you!

Attached to the penny rug was this...

Wishing you all warm smiles... and holiday cheer...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-12-08T21:36:00.004-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope your week has been wonderful. Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not... but do hope to have some Christmas baking fun with my son this weekend. I asked him tonight if he would be interested in baking cookies with me on Sunday... and he told me that it sounded like fun. I'm looking forward to it!

It is Thursday evening now and getting close to bedtime... but I wanted to get a head start this week with ~*Friday Finishes*~. My dear friend Sher punched up some ~*Symple Herb Filled Sheep*~ to give as a gift. Oh my goodness... they are darling! I hadn't thought of making them black and white... look at the one towards the back of the bowl! Too CUTE!

Sher, thank you for punching and sharing! You did (and always do) beautiful work!

Folks, if you are interested in purchasing the pattern for these... visit your local needlework shop or my Etsy Shoppe... or just drop me an email (link is on the left sidebar).

Well... tomorrow is another work day. I better not be staying up too late. Have a great night... and a Happy Friday!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Elf Work~

2011-12-06T12:20:00.005-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you are doing well... and staying warm. We are chilly here and were treated with a light dusting of snow over night. T'is the season!

Today is my last of three days off work. I had hoped to get a lot more done over these three days than I did, but I did enjoy time with my family and did get some much needed rest. Today I'm working on crafty things... and trying to get some finishes. I'm feeling a bit like one of Santa's elves!

I wasn't going to share this until it was given and received, but since I decided not to use the name of the sweet gal receiving it... why not share it? It will still be a surprise for her.

I stitched up my latest freebie, ~*Young Girl Sampler*~ with DMC threads on 30 count linen... that was Walnut dyed, and framed it in a re~purposed 5 by 7 inch frame. I wanted to make a soft finish (a needle book), but time just wasn't in my favor. This will be part of the gift given. I have a few other handmades and a few purchased goodies to go along with it. If possible, it will be in the mail on the way tomorrow.

The name "Lucie" came from a story I just read. My dear husband gave me a Kindle Fire for an early Christmas gift. On it was the short story by Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggle-Winkle. Lucie is the little girl in the story... a cute, short read. I thought she would be perfect to add to my sampler.

I have more ditties to finish... so I had better get back to it.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-12-02T22:27:00.003-06:00

Happy Friday Dear Friends! I hope your day has been as wonderful as mine has been. Today was a work day... but it was a good one. Immediately after work, I picked up my SIL Robin... and together we headed for Topeka to meet up with my Mom, Sister, and her DIL so we could all visit the awesome First Friday Artwalk in the NOTO district of historic downtown Topeka. We had a truly fun time together. This event is held the first Friday evening of every month... and awesome each time!

Anyway, because of all the excitement with work and play... I hadn't had a chance to post ~*Friday Finishes*~. For that... I'm sorry. But... here is one beautiful finish to share with you...
This was stitched by Pam in Nebraska (no blog). She used the latest freebie ~*Young Girl Sampler*~... and made a few changes to create a delightful Christmas Sampler. It is truly lovely... don't you agree?

Pam, thank you for stitching and sharing. Your work is charming! I'm not finished with my own finish of this pattern yet... and after seeing yours, I may just have to think about a Christmas sampler too! Wonderful finish!

Well... my day has been full and plenty... it is now time for some rest and winks. Wishing you warm smiles and a happy weekend...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-11-30T22:05:00.003-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I made it! Oh goodness... I was begging to stress out ~ worried I wouldn't meet my deadline... but I made it! My December update on Early Work Mercantile has been posted.

These are what I came up with...
~*Allspice Flatties*~

They are punched with cotton flosses & threads... and lightly filled with whole Allspice berries. They smell so yummy!

Yup... you guessed it! They are flatties because they are just that... kinda flat. I think they are uniquely prim!

Please swing by my update... CLICK HERE... to see more.

Thank you for letting me share!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~I Just May Run Out...~

2011-11-28T07:57:00.004-06:00

... of floss that is!
Hello Dear Friends! Yesterday morning I was delighted to sleep in until 7:30 (yes, that is late for me now that I have a job)... and then extra delighted to wake up with creative inspirations spinning in my head. To make things even better... it was a day off from work and there wasn't anything pressing at home that needed to be tended to. So... I punched the day away!
And, it gets even better! Today is another day off from work... so I am going to continue punching! Ahhhh.... bliss!

Wednesday night, by midnight, is the update for Early Work Mercantile. These are just a couple of the ditties I'm working on for it.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-11-25T18:43:00.003-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Friday! Did any of you go out for Black Friday shopping? You are so brave if you did! It was a work day for me... but I did have to stop at Walmart to pick up some cat food before coming home. Thankfully most of the crowd was gone. I'm not one for hanging out in large crowds... they make me nervous.

Sadly, I don't have any ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share... but here is my progress on the latest freebie ~*Young Girl Sampler*~...
Because it is a gift... I won't be able to share the completed finish for a bit longer... but I have the house to myself this evening and am headed to the living room to stitch the night away!

Wishing you warm smiles...
Betty

~Happy Thanksgiving~

2011-11-24T10:09:00.002-06:00

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family & friends. Be safe, be merry, and love & be loved!

Warm smiles to you all...
Betty

~There Is Still Time...~

2011-11-21T14:43:00.003-06:00

... to enter Ginger's Thanksgiving Giveaway! I dropped my name in for a chance... but know you too won't want to miss a chance! Be sure to go sign up to win this...

This is a darling rug she hooked from a pattern by Maria of Star Rug Company. It is such a charming design... and I know Ginger's work is always wonderful... just a perfect rug to display this holiday! So go over & enter for a chance to win!!! (but wish me luck on winning too! wink!!!)

Another busy week is ahead of me... starting at 6am tomorrow for work. Thanksgiving will be a day with family, but I'm working all the others. Hopefully my time schedule and my life schedule will even each other out soon. I miss browsing your blogs and I miss crafting like I use to... but I do seem to gradually be getting more and more done each day and not feeling quite as tired as I was in the beginning. So... hopefully... right?

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-11-18T21:11:00.006-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! I'm sorry to be so late in the day to post ~*Friday Finishes*~... but it has been one FULL day! Most of the day was filled with work, and then I was out of town & back this evening. It is getting close to my bedtime now... but I couldn't let you down.

Here are some very fine, primitively perfect... ~*Friday Finishes*~...

From Carole..

~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~ Freebie pattern

~*Olde Hallow's Eve*~ Freebie pattern
Carole did a lovely job stitching and finishing both pieces... as she always does.

From Connie...

~*Olde Pewter Letters*~... a pattern available for purchase from my Etsy shoppe or your local needlework shop...
Connie used two of her favorite floss colors... GAST Toasted Barley and Wood Trail. It was stitched on 28 ct Vintage Pearled Barley (Lakeside). Oh goodness... another truly charming!

and from Denise...

~*Olde Hallow's Eve*~ Freebie pattern and ~*Wicked*~ Freebie pattern

All the finishes are so very lovely! Thank you, Ladies, for stitching and sharing. Keep up the great stitches!

Well... bedtime has arrive. I'll update again soon. Until then...

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Freebie Gift~

2011-11-14T13:53:00.004-06:00

~*Young Girl Sampler*~ Freebie

© primitivebettys 2011

68 by 96 stitches

Hello Dear Friends! It has been awhile since I've given a freebie. I'm at home enjoying the second day of my two days off. The house was cleaned yesterday and I want to do some crafting yet today... but I was thinking of you... and wanted to give a gift.

This is a very simple sampler... and my thoughts were that you could PERSONALIZE it with your own name or that of a dear friend. Use the letters provided to stitch your desired name. I know that many names are more than five letters... but the joy of primitive style is that it may not always 'fit'. I would suggest that you stitch all but the name from the pattern, then go back and add the name by starting with the last letter close to the flower blooms. Then add the other letters working from right to left until each letter of the name is stitched. Stagger the letters higher or lower as you work. If the name stretches out further than the pattern, that is alright... it is primitive and not always perfect. I'm sure it will be beautiful anyway!

As for floss colors... I'm sure you know what will be best. When stitching the letters, thread two needles ~ one with a light thread and one with a darker thread. Change needles after each letter or two... working at random to fill in the alphabet.

What will you make of the pattern? A pillow? A pinkeep? Frame it? A sewing roll? Small pocket pouch? Needle keep? Oh... I can hardly wait to see! Please share your finishes with me so I can post them on ~*Friday Finishes*~! A link to my email is on the left sidebar.

Another work weeks starts for me tomorrow. My weekend has been wonderful... and relaxing. I pray yours has been too.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-11-11T17:13:00.003-06:00

Hello Dear Friends! Oh my... this week has flown by! It has been hectic with work, home, and family... but all is good!

I do hope you have enjoyed Veteran's Day! Normally, I take Trinity to the parade... but today was a work day for me and we weren't able to go. At work I now sooner made the comment that we would be busy because of the parade... when BOOM we were swamped with customers. It was a beautiful day and a great day for the parade. I heard on the radio that there were 65 entries... so sounds like a goodie.

My heartfelt thank you to all the Vets... those that have served and those still doing so. We wouldn't have this beautiful country and our freedom without your hard work and sacrifices.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm thrilled to share this stunning ~*Friday Finish*~ with you! This one was made by Denice... from the freebie ~*Thankful*~...

She stitched with DMC 3781 on 28 ct antique-white even-weave, heavily aged with tea, cinnamon and vanilla. She then added blanket-stitched brown wool tongues on a background of dark tobacco-brown wool. The penny rug measures 9x10.5in. How beautiful is that?! Great work Denice!

She has it currently listed on Ebay... CLICK HERE to see her listing.

Thank you, Denice, for stitching and sharing your lovely work.

Please remember crafters...I LOVE to see & share your finishes. Email them to me so I can post them on ~*Friday Finishes*~.

Well... I feel I have recovered from a busy day... so I may just go relax on the sofa for the evening to work on that blackwork sampler that was started not too long ago.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Sunday Stitches~

2011-11-06T13:06:00.003-06:00

Happy Day Dear Friends! Today has been so relaxing... and I am lovin' it!

I slept for 12 hours last night! Truly shocking! Guess I was tired! I slept so well that I didn't even budge when the earthquake/aftershock struck. It was about 11pm when it struck, but I was happily snoozing away. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't feel it though... it is such a rare thing to occur in our part of the country.

I am planning on cooking a nice Sunday Supper tonight... it has been requested that we have meatloaf and all the fixin's. That meant I needed to hit the grocery store. I also needed to swing by work to check out the new menu. The menu isn't finished yet, but they did ask me to work on Tuesday... to open. It was scheduled as a day off for me, but I will gladly work it. While I was there, I sat to visit with a few of the regulars. They are always so sweet to chat with.

Laundry is going... and I probably should run the vacuum... but I will spend the rest of my spare time today and tomorrow doing some stitching. The third school girl sampler is on my mind, but I wanted to work up a small black work piece before working on another large piece...

You really can't tell yet, but this one will be 'winter' inspired. I'm going to work in a deer or two... or three.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Saturday Slow~Down~

2011-11-05T17:41:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! It looks like I plum missed ~*Friday Finishes*~... and I am so sorry. Actually, I didn't have any new finishes to share with you until about 11:30 last night... when I finished getting ready for the craft show. So... I can share those with you now...
I made five of these little snowmen pillows for the show. One sold... to my sweet SIL, Robin. (Thank you, Robin!)
They aren't very big, but I wanted to have a few more finishes to offer. They measure about 6 inches ~ or so, off~square. I filled them with rags... and sewed some small, rusty jingle bells to the corners.

The craft show was nice today, but very slow. It was wonderful to visit with family, friends, and even some of my customers from the diner... while we passed the time.

I even did some hooking. This was a blank piece of linen at 10am today... and this is how it looked when we packed things up at 4pm... just scraps. I gotta use 'em up!
We set up three tables... with goods made by my SIL Robin, niece Tamara, and myself. Here is one of the tables...
Now... I mentioned this is ~*Saturday Slow~Down*~... that is because I have 3 more days off work and not a whole lot of anything that HAS to be done. So I am going to take these days to rest, relax, and CRAFT!

I'll update with you with more as the weekend progresses.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Last Minute!~

2011-11-02T17:39:00.002-05:00

That is what I do... wait until the last minute! YIKES! This Saturday is the craft show at our small town, local shopping mall... that I have known about for several months. And what do I do? Wait until the last minute to get ready! Of course!!

Well, I do have the excuse that I have been very busy at home and with my new job... but still... I should have gotten more done! There are only a few days between now and the show... and I am trying to make some small snowmen pillows to add to my tiny amount of handmades.

I have been having fun with these little guys... if I move their eyes further apart, they have a totally different expression. If you have made faces on your handmades, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. If not... try it! You will be delighted with the images & expressions.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Happy Halloween.. and Early Work Mercantile Update~

2011-10-31T15:59:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Halloween! The costume party hosted by my in~laws this weekend was great fun. It always is!

Trinity was Jason!
He picked this costume out himself... kind of funny really... since he hasn't seen the movie & really is too young to see it anyway. He looks good though!

Tony & I were aiming for ghosts, but ended up looking like some sort of weird zombie creatures...
Everyone in the family dressed up really cool! We ate some creepy~good food & played some fun games. Tony, Trinity, my nephew Avery, and I teamed up... and WON the scavenger hunt! We were awfully proud of that!

Trick or Treating will begin in just a short while from now... the kiddo is looking forward to it. We are meeting up with a few of his good friends to walk around our small town. Hopefully we don't get home too late.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As for the Early Work Mercantile update that was suppose to happen this evening... sadly I need a vacation month. With starting the new job and the craft show scheduled for this weekend with my SIL... I just couldn't make it happen. I'm hoping & praying for more balance for December 1st.

You will still want to visit the other artists though... you know there are always amazing works offered!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Have a Happy Halloween! Stay warm... and don't let the goblins get ya!

Warm smiles,

Betty

~Friday Frights~

2011-10-28T19:29:00.004-05:00

Happy Halloween Dear Friends! I'm sorry to report... but there aren't any ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share with you this week. We did carve one of our pumpkins tonight & can share it...

Trinity & Tony will be carving a few more tomorrow at a family gathering while I'm at work... and then we will all enjoy some more family fun at the annual Costume Party hosted by my dear in~laws tomorrow night. Maybe I can really scare you with some photo updates from the spooky, good time we are sure to have!

Here is a simple, display we made for our front yard...

Casper was given to us by my dear mother~in~law and Trinity made the tombstones last year. It isn't anything fancy like I see when driving around town... but we had fun putting it together.

Have a Happy Halloween! Don't eat too much candy or get tricked too many times!

Wishing you warm, spooky smiles...

Betty

hee hee hee hee hee <*wink*>

~New Pattern Release~

2011-10-25T08:20:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I'm truly excited to release the latest in my schoolhouse sampler series!

Here it is...

~*Deaver Daughters*~ Schoolhouse Sampler

I designed this sampler to appear as if two sisters worked on it together... each stitching her own sampler and then combining the two to make one beautiful finish.

The story that I imagined while designing... Madeline and Amelia are two sisters, the only two daughters Ma and Pa Deaver had. The girls were surrounded by six husky brothers... yet they themselves were dainty and petite... wearing ribbons in their long hair and ruffles on their dresses. Pa would always comment that his girls were "but two flowers of the same garden"... boasting about their sweetness and beauty... just like their Ma. The girls were always together. They did their chores with complete cooperation and never an ill word. They walked side by side to the schoolhouse each day... swinging their arms in rhythmic precision... almost as if they were twins. In the evenings, they would sit across from one another in the farm house parlor working on their stitches... with only the flicker of a candle or the soft blaze from the fireplace.

~*Deaver Daughters*~ Schoolhouse Sampler pattern... will come with a complete full color chart (printed on a single page and another print out on four full pages for easier reference), three full color photographs, and complete instructions for stitching up the full, beautiful sampler, the primitive pinkeep drum, and some suggestions for using the pattern to create other lovely finishes.

The models were worked on Northern Cross Linen... 30 ct with threads by The Gentle Art.

The full sampler is 203 by 190 stitches. The primitive pinkeep drum is 195 by 33 stitches.

This pattern is $14.00 with free shipping when purchased from me... via email or my Etsy shoppe... or will also be available from your local needlework shop.

Madeline and Amelia are both imaginary... but the Deaver name is personal. My maternal grandmother was Betty Deaver. When I designed this pattern, it was heartfelt for me to include her... and I'm very excited about this finish. I hope you are too!

Thank you for letting me share with you. Thank you too for your continued friendship, following of my blog, and stitches from my patterns.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Chocolate In the Mail!~

2011-10-24T08:13:00.002-05:00

What a treasure of sweetness!

Hello Dear Friends! When I checked the mail after getting home from work on Friday, there was a box. I hadn't ordered anything and didn't recognize the return address... and the sender hadn't put a name, other than mine, on the box. Hmmmm.... what could it be?

Imagine the smile that stretched from one side of my face to another when I saw this box of chocolate fudge and this darling handmade card from dear Dora! Dora (no blog) from Massachusetts sent me chocolate fudge! How sweet! She has stitched many of my patterns and shared many for ~*Friday Finishes*~... I'm sure you have seen them. She stitches beautifully and her photography is just a beautiful.

Recently, she had the pleasure of attending an open house at Mount Saint Mary's Abbey. She was able to take part in the public tour of the new facility(She was told this was a once in a lifetime event.)... and shop for chocolate too. She lives nearby and does go there frequently to pray. What a joy that must be!

The candy is made and sold as a fundraiser for the Abbey... and it is divine! I can tell you... it makes a most wonderful gift! You may want to visit the website for some sweet shopping!

The handmade card Dora included with the chocolate is one she made herself. She photographed one of her cross stitch finishes for the front and put Happy Halloween wishes inside. The cross stitch finish is from a Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin pattern. Just wickedly darling!

I'm so touched that Dora thought of me... and sent me such a sweet gift. Thank you Dora!

~*~*~*~*~*~

I have today and tomorrow off work... I am going to take the time to get some photos taken of the latest schoolhouse sampler pattern... and write up some detailed instructions. So... if all goes well, this pattern will be released tomorrow evening!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-10-20T20:19:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope your week has been going great... and that you have some awesome plans for your weekend. I'm posting ~*Friday Finishes*~ on Thursday because tomorrow is sure to be a hectic one for me. I'm still getting adjusted to being back at work and trying to get into a steady routine with my family time, work schedule, home responsibilities, and crafty desires... but it is all fitting together. I am really enjoying my job and find it to be great fun. I guess you could say I am a "people person"... so that has to have something to do with it.

There were a couple ladies in the diner the other day that were traveling through from Michigan. I could over hear them talking about antiques and crafts... not that I was eavesdropping... but I did have to butt in and tell them that they were talking about some things I truly LOVE! I gave them directions to a few nearby antique stores that I always find worth visiting... then they offered to take me with them. It would have been fun... but I was already committed to working for the day.

Hey... this post is suppose to be about ~*Friday Finishes*~! So, without further delay, here they are...

These are both from Ronda of Simple Thyme Prims...

These lovely stitches are both from freebie patterns of mine (you can find them HERE)...

~*Wicked*~ freebie...

~*Time*~ freebie...

Both are beautifully crafted! Thank you, Ronda, for stitching and sharing.

Ronda has these pieces offered on her Early Work Mercantile page. It looks like one of the two is already spoken for... but be sure to visit her to browse her other offerings too. She does wonderful work!

Wishing you a great Friday, a happy weekend... and a whole lot of smiles...

Betty

~How I Made It~

2011-10-18T10:41:00.012-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! The other day I shared these little bird feeders with you and promised to share how I made them. This is how...

You will need ~

1 teacup and saucer (Visit your local thrift shop for an inexpensive, but sweet one. I was able to find several china, ceramic, and even a tin set pictured above for less than $3 each.)

3/4" wood dowel

E6000 Glue

Fender Washer (I didn't get the size, but about 2" diameter will work well.)

2" Wood Screw

Exterior White Paint

Rubbing Alcohol

Paintbrush, drill, and screwdriver or a screwdriver bit for your drill

Begin by drilling a pilot hole into one end of your dowel...

Next, you will attach the Fender Washer to the end of your dowel with the Wood Screw. A Fender Washer is like a normal washer, but the hole in the center is smaller. This will allow the Wood Screw to hold the washer to the dowel.

Try to make sure that the Wood Screw and Fender Washer have a flat top/end ~ like so...

Next, using your Rubbing Alcohol, clean the undersides of your cups and saucers and wipe the Fender Washer as well. This will remove any dirt and oils that may interfere with the glue.

You will now apply the glue...

Let me take a second to warn you about this stuff... it stinks! Please be safe and use it in a well ventilated area!

This glue does take awhile to set up. I found it best to let this next step spread out into a couple of days to allow the glue to set well.

Apply the glue to the underside of the cup and set it in place on the saucer.

Once your cup and saucer has been glued together, and the glue is set well... apply a glob of glue to the Fender Washer end of your dowel...

I set my cups down with the dowels up... however, our basement floor (again, I should have done this outside... the glue STINKS!) is not level and the dowels kept falling off. Be sure to find a good LEVEL surface if you do it this way. And you will probably want to be outside.

Oh, and another thing I noticed, the tin cup & plate needs to be in a warm spot. It slipped the worst with the glue... but did eventually hold.

Once your glue has dried well, paint the dowels with exterior paint and let dry.

You are finished! Poke your new feeder in the dirt (be careful not to push down on the teacup & saucer... push down with the dowel only to avoid knocking it loose from the dowel. This is some strong glue, but you don't want to mess up your finish.) Fill your cup with clean water... and sprinkle the saucer with some bird seed (you can see in my finished photo... I haven't picked up my birdseed yet... oops!). A nice treat for the birds... and a pretty for your gardens!

Another thing I might mention... my dear Mom reminded me... don't let water freeze in your teacup. It could crack the cup.

I hope you enjoy the ~*How I Made It*~... and make yourself, and maybe even a friend, a sweet teacup bird feeder!

~*~*~*~*~*~

In some Cross Stitch News... I received a call from the frame shop last night. My next schoolhouse sampler is ready for pick up. I'm almost finished with the second finish for the pattern... so if all goes well... it will be released NEXT WEEK! :-)

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-10-15T17:44:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. If anyone is interested... I still have this ditty available from my latest update on Early Work Mercantile...

This is the 15th too... so you will want to visit the other wonderful updates available from the many talented artists.

Wishing you warm smiles...
Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-10-14T04:54:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Friday to you! I hope your week has been filled with sweetness!

My job is going great! Thank you ~ to all of you ~ for the well wishes! It is an adjustment for me to get use to the new hours I'm keeping (up at 2am is definitely a struggle!)... and re~learning the how-to's of waitressing again... but I'm picking it up. My customers ~ for the most part ~ have been wonderful! Really, there has only been one that wasn't and it wasn't me that she wasn't happy with. I guess that comes with the territory. You know I was still as nice as could be to her... and tried my bes to make her visit a pleasant one.

My crafting has been slacking the last two days while I adjust to my new routine... but each day is getting easier. I'll get it all done!

Enough of me... how about some ~*Friday Finishes*~!

There is only one... but a fabulous one it is!!!

This one was done by Connie in Arkansas. She stitched up my latest pattern...~*Olde Autumn Pocket*~. This pattern has been so very well received. I'm very proud of it and thank you all for your purchases!

She stitched on 30 count Abecedarian Blend with a combination of DMC and GAST threads. She said the color of the linen didn't show well in the photo, but I think it is beautiful! She added one of her favorite colors, Old Purple Paint, to the alphabet, motif on the lower right, and the word "October" at the top. (She didn't have enough room for the date banner at the top so she changed it to October.) The pocket is backed in an orange, brown, and purple plaid and lined in a lovely brown print with orange berries.

Thank you, Connie, for stitching and sharing. I LOVE your finish! It is most excellent indeed!

If anyone would like to purchase this pattern, it is available at your LNS or from my Esty Shoppe.

Well... time to get ready for work. My wishes to all of you for a blessed Friday and a most wonderful weekend!

Warm smiles to you...

Betty

~Lots Going On~

2011-10-11T12:56:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Tomorrow is the official opening at the diner and my first day back at work... in almost 6 years! I did go in for a few hours this morning to help clean and set up... but tomorrow is the day! Oh, I sure hope things go well. I pray I don't drop any food in my customers' lap... or worse yet, spill hot coffee on them! Wish me luck! Please... and thank you!

I've been busy with crafting. Yesterday was our monthly get~together at the quilt shop for some hookin'. Only one other gal was there... but we still did a little hooking. The night before, I quickly drew up a few doodles on some linen. The craft show at our little, local mall is coming up. These will be finished into small mats or pillows. This one was hooked yesterday morning... I only stayed for a little over an hour...

My mom dropped off the next schoolhouse sampler at the framers for me the other day. It should be ready for pick up soon. The small cross stitch in this photo will be the second finish for the pattern...

The pattern should be ready for release in the very near future!

I'm also working on these...

Do you know what they are?

Here is another picture...

These too will be for the craft show... well, except for two of them. I'm keeping one & giving one to my dear Mom. They are garden bird feeders! Sprinkle some birdseed on the saucer and put some water in the tea cup. They probably should have been made up for the Spring craft show, but maybe someone will be interested in them for gift giving.

I'll show you more when they are finished... and give you a simple tutorial for making them too. I just need to paint the sticks first.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-10-07T09:49:00.005-05:00

WooHoo! It is FRIDAY!

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you have some wonderful plans for the weekend! The temperatures here have continued to be most pleasant... and the days sunny. We do desperately need some rain, and it looks like we may have a slight chance for it towards the end of the weekend. I'm not sure what all we will do this weekend... but I'm sure we will have a wonderful time.

I did receive an email finish... from Lora. She stitched up the freebie ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~... just lovely...

Thank you, Lora, for stitching and sharing!

I pulled the last stitch in the next schoolhouse sampler last night. I'm not going to share it just yet... and have a second finish to do that will go along with the pattern. Today I will be visiting my Mom... and she has graciously offered to take it to the frame shop & choose a frame for me. With starting my new job next week, I just didn't see how I could get it to the shop... since I don't do it locally. I am VERY happy with the finish though! And can hardly wait to share it!!

My snowballs are done... what do ya think?

Here is how I made them...

Needfulls~
Styrofoam balls
drywall compound mud (I used pre-mixed.)
white paint (I used indoor trim paint leftover from a recent remodel.)
Mod Podge (matte finish)
German Glass Glitter
latex gloves

Wearing your latex gloves, smear on a thin layer of drywall mud to each of your Styrofoam balls. Putting on thick layers will risk cracks when drying... thin layers are best. As you apply the mud, leave it slightly rough. Set aside on an old vinyl tablecloth or some other smooth surface (aluminum foil or metal pan will work too). Let this layer dry fully. Then repeat.

After the mud has fully dried, paint with white paint. Let dry.

Apply a generous layer of Mod Podge and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry.

Simple!!

*** I purchased my German Glass Glitter from an Ebay seller many years ago. I cannot locate this seller currently... but I'm sure you can find this great glitter online or at a local shop.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend filled with many warm smiles...

Betty

~Snowballs in Fall? ... and some progress & news~

2011-10-04T11:01:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Yes, snowballs... but they aren't made from cold, wet snow! I'm attempting to make some bowl fillers... from Styrofoam & drywall compound. That much is done. They will be decorated with this beautiful, German glass glitter before they are finished...
No, I'm not trying to rush past this beautiful Fall weather we are having. These are for the craft show at the local mall in November... and for some gifts too.

That isn't all I have been doing. Here are a few sneak peeks of the next schoolhouse sampler... second in the series of ~*Victor Minor*~...
early blues, woody brown, and deep greenThis is a larger sampler, and there will be two finishes with the pattern. I'm still stitching on it most every day... and taking it along on every outing I go on.

Some news to share too... I'm very excited about this... and nervous & scared too. After almost six years... I am re-entering the work force. I have been hired as waitress for a small diner opening in town. I think it will be a lot of fun! I love to be around people... chatting, giggling, and hearing stories. The hours will be most wonderful... allowing me to still be mom, wife, and crafter. Plus... the extra income no matter how big or small will help our family budget. I am looking forward to this new venture... and to making more friends.

I do still plan to craft! And to stitch! I could never let that go...that is a huge part of what makes me ME!

I have some snowballs to make... go gotta run.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-09-30T23:48:00.001-05:00

has been updated for October!

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you have a most wonderful weekend! My offering page for Early Work Mercantile has been updated. Here is a glance at what I have created for this month...

To visit my offering page... CLICK HERE. Be sure to browse the other artist's offerings too... you will be extremely delighted that you did!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-09-30T09:54:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Friday to y'all! The weather has been most wonderful for us... and I hope that you have been enjoying sunny days and cooler temps too. Fall has begun... and I am lovin' it!

Here are a couple of really sweet ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share...

My buddy, Doris, has made another fine punch of Willie. This doodle is from a booklet that I offered long ago... ~*Meet Willie the Perfect Sheep*~. (If you are interested in the doodle book...just email me.) It is always a treat to see Doris create a wonderful ditty with Willie...

Another buddy, PatiJane, stitched up ~*School Girl Pocket*~. She hasn't been stitching on linen long. In fact, at the Lenexa hook-in this last February... I gave her a quick lesson. She did just beautifully!

I so LOVE both finishes! Thank you ladies for working with my doodles & patterns... and for sharing!

As for me... I don't have any finishes just yet to share, but I have been working LOTS this week. Something on this table will be finished and offered tonight on Early Work Mercantile...
I better be getting back to work... so I can meet my deadline. The update will be ready before I turn in for the night.

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

Betty

~Punches~

2011-09-27T08:44:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Yesterday I disappeared from the house and spent the majority of the day in the studio... finally! Plans are... to do it again today! It felt so nice to enjoy my 'ME' space.

to doodle

~*~*~*~*~

to punch

~*~*~*~*~

to imagine

~*~*~*~*~

to create!

~*~*~*~*~

These are a couple of the things I worked on... some needlepunch rounds to top paper mache boxes. These will be finishes for ~*Early Work Mercantile*~ that updates this Friday night.

There are so many things I want to do... cross stitch, hook, sew, and punch... I think I need to spend LOTS more time over there!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-09-23T08:37:00.004-05:00

and Happy Fall to y'all!

Hello dear friends! Another Friday has rolled around... and

Cindy shared a fabulous finish... from the freebie ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~...

It is so bright & cheery! Beautiful color choices & wonderfully clean stitches. Don't you think?

Thank you, Cindy, for stitching and sharing!

Now, I have another finish to share with you... and I'm not sure she wanted me to... but I do want to give you all some WARNING... so this doesn't happen to you. Shirlee stitched the ~*Simplify*~ freebie using some beautiful Weeks Dye Works threads. She had decided to do the staining after stitching because she had a few other projects that needed staining too... so she was just going to do them all at one time. She was very alarmed and disappointed to see the specialty threads bleed. This WILL happen with the specialty threads. I have never had a problem with this when using DMC... but this has happened to me before with the specialty threads.

With the one that I had that bled... I just left it because, to me, it was an excuse to make it appear older. But really... it wasn't suppose to happen. You may not want it to happen to your work. So... use caution. If you want to age with stain, know the floss you are using. Sometimes it is better to stain your fabric before stitching.

Shirlee, I'm sorry this happened to your piece. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

~*~*~*~*~

Well... today is the first day of Fall! I picked up a few mums at the store yesterday. They were priced very reasonable... so I splurged & spent $10... enough to fill the pots on the front porch. I bought gold, burgundy, and white with yellow centers. So today I will celebrate the first day of the new season with a little planting!

Wishing you warm smiles... and a happy weekend...

Betty

~More Sweet Kindness in the Mail~

2011-09-22T13:02:00.006-05:00

All the way from...
Hello Dear Friends! Today needed a 'cheer~up'... and it came in the mail. Recently I won a giveaway from Cucki... who lives in South Africa. She sent me a package of treasures... so full of thoughtfulness & kindness...

In the package was..

the postcard with beautiful photos that you see at the beginning of this post

a note card and handwritten letter in the most perfect penmanship... giving me congrats for winning

a Guardian Angel key ring

a sweet rooster cross stitch kit

some metallic threads

a pair of swan scissors with a delightful beaded FOB

a package of John James needles

and a new & beautiful tape measure (oh you should see what I WAS using!)

... all sweetly packaged in the cutest gift bags

but that isn't all! Cucki also made & gave me these darling flowers! I have a small handmade basket that I plan to put them in.

Cucki, thank you so much! Your kindness & generosity is just a joy!

I'm always amazed by my online friends & how far away they can be from me. Being from Kansas... I have never been out of the country or even seen the ocean. Maybe someday I will be able to adventure out. Until then... I will enjoy those far away places through you.

Even the postage on Cucki's package brought me smiles...

So, today needed a little 'cheer~up'... nothing terrible was really wrong. I was just a little down... but now I'm smiling again.

Wishing you warm smiles too...

Betty

~From a Dear Friend~

2011-09-20T08:29:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends! A treasure came in yesterday's mail... from my very dear friend, Ginger! She enclosed cards explaining these were belated birthday gifts... for me...

and for Trinity...

Oh my goodness! We were both glowing with glee!

My new pillow is so beautiful! I honestly had tears of joy when I opened it! The handwork is magnificent, perfect colors, gorgeous wools... it is just beautiful! I already have it displayed in the living room.

The new stash of toys was eagerly accepted! Plus, there was $10 in his card too! Good grief... who is more spoiled? Trinity or me? I can't decide!

Ginger is so talented and generous! Thank you, Ginger! We love our gifts! How can I ever return your generosity and kindness?

~*~*~*~
Our weekend was hectic and fun! But, it is time to get back to 'work' now... I've got small projects in the works to offer at our small town craft show in November... and I am still putting stitches in the second school house sampler... with hopes to begin the third soon... and I need to get items worked up for Early Work Mercantile that updates on the 1st... so time to get busy.

Wishing you all warm smiles,

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-09-16T08:23:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! TGIF! Hey... you know what that means.... ~*Friday Finishes*~!

And here they are... gloriously beautiful...

Gabriele stitched up ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~... to make this darling pinkeep... but she also used parts of the ~*Crow*~ freebie to make the hang tag. And her sunflowers!! WOW! They just make me smile!! Beautiful!

~*~*~*~

Dora has stitched up another wonderful ditty too! ~*Hallows Eve*~... a pattern you can find in my Etsy Shoppee. She said this is her first Halloween Finish of the year... hmmm, sounds like she will be making more delights! She said "first"... so you know there is going to be a second. :-) Dora stitched on 30 count WDW Cappuccino using the recommended threads, 2 over 2. Just wonderful! (And I LOVE candy corn!)
View of the applique pumpkin on the back...

Thank you, Ladies! Your finishes are always such a delight to see! Thank you for stitching and sharing!

I want to wish you all a fine Friday with warm smiles...

Betty

~New Pattern Release~

2011-09-14T12:07:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Here is my latest pattern...

~*Olde Autumn Pocket*~

© primitivebettys 2011

Let me begin by giving Jennie Lynn of Appleseed Prim a big shout out and a big THANK YOU! You may already know, or have read in my earlier posts, that she headed up a fun challenge for the Samplermakers group to create an Autumn Sampler. She gave us several motifs to start with that we could use if we wanted... or we could come up with our own. She gave us wonderful inspiration! Thank you Jennie Lynn!

I didn't exactly use the motifs supplied, but was truly inspired... as I created the sampler for this pocket. I didn't know when I started that my finish would be this... but it grew and became what it was meant to be... a perfect, Autumn pocket for the prim~loving gal! Really, this isn't just something to set on a side chair for display... I'm going to use mine! It is just the right size to hold my keys & coin purse... and tube of lipstick too. Or if you are a reader... it is awesome for holding your paperback when you are out n' about!

The pattern is now in my Etsy Shoppe. You are welcome to visit there... or email me directly if you are interested in purchasing. Your local needlework shop will have access to it as well... just ask them.

The pattern is $10.00 with free shipping.

It is 114 by 104 stitches. The model was worked on Weeks Dye Works 30 count Cappuccino linen (one over two)... using DMC threads.

The pattern will come with complete, clear instructions, a color chart, and a full color photograph for your reference.

I'm still stitching on the second & third models for the Schoolhouse samplers... but they will be available before too much long. That is the plan anyway.

Thanks for letting me share...

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Monday~

2011-09-12T14:28:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Today has been a good one! It was the monthly get together at the local quilt shop for some hooking. Why-O-Why didn't I get my camera out? it was a nice gathering. Linda was working on applique Christmas stockings, Deb and Trish were working on hearts. Well, Deb was also working on a few other projects... she had forgotten her hoop was was filling in the time with many projects. There were only four of us there (missed you Sher!), but we still enjoyed the time together.

It has been three months since I have hooked. We didn't meet last month & I missed the month before... so it did feel very nice to pull some loops. Here is my progress on my latest, hickety~pickety rug...
Just a simple, old crow with a scrappy, hit n' miss border. I am just working from my scrap bag... trying to use up some of the leftovers.

Over the weekend, I decided it was time to finally paint our front door. We have lived in this home for five years. This old door has had years of abuse... from the heat of the afternoon sun & from the window on the cheap, old storm door being left open during the rain showers. The sealer on it was cracked, bubbly, and peeling... but it is a good, solid door. Tony took it down for me and set it on some saw horses... then I sanded & cleaned & painted it. After three coats...
It looks nice from inside with the door open.
And is beginning to look nicer on the outside too - notice the cheap, old storm door is still there. I am saving to buy a new, PRETTY storm door. Hopefully I will have enough saved up soon.

I also did some more stitching on my Autumn Challenge piece. The stitching part is finished... now for the finishing...
I will post more soon to share the finish... and have a goal to also release it as a pattern. What do you think so far?

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

2011-09-11T08:08:00.002-05:00

We will always remember...

And never forget.

Wishing you warm, heartfelt blessings today and always...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-09-09T08:19:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! It seems I have been rather quiet this week... just trying to get some things done & not too much to post that would be interesting, I guess... until today that is! It is time once again for some fabulous ~*Friday Finishes*~!

Enjoy!

From my dear buddy, Doris...

Her version of ~*Boo Jack*~ freebie doodle...

And her version of ~*Black Cat & Jack*~ freebie...

Each and every handmade from Doris is made with heart. She over~dyes a lot of her own floss and just punches with pure perfection. It is always a treat to see her works! Thank you, Doris, for punching and sharing!

Doris has these offered on Ebay now... click on her name above to visit her listings... but if you would like to make your own, click on the sidebar link to go get the freebie doodles!

My wishes to you all for a great weekend... filled with many warm smiles...

Betty

~Challenge Update~

2011-09-06T11:47:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I thought it was about time to share my updated challenge piece with you... and also just to get back to stitching after being so wrapped up with everything else that has consumed my time lately.

So... here is my updated challenge sampler...

You may recall, the challenge proposed by Jennie Lynn of Appleseed Prim for the members of Samplermakers. This is what I've been able to stitch up so far... and I do hope to have it finished and released as a pattern very soon!

Jennie Lynn gave several motifs to inspire us... as well as a set of objectives to strive for. I've added my own changes and inspirations to the motifs... and hopefully am creating a sweet Autumn sampler to inspire more stitchers.

Our birthday party was a big success last weekend. Lots of fun, food, and good times! One little boy was especially happy...
He was thrilled to dust off his go kart & spend the day zooming around the yard. This is his 'tough racer' look...

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Frantic Friday~

2011-09-02T13:04:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Sadly, I don't have any ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share this week... instead, it is a ~*Frantic Friday*~ for me. I needed to get the box of goodies packed & shipped to Lori of Notforgotten Farm for the Trunk Show...

While gathering everything up... I LOST one of the models I REALLY wanted to send. It is still missing... but everything else I wanted to send is packed and now at UPS...

I am so tickled to be a part of Lori's shop! I only wish I could visit in person!! Her Gathering of Primitive Friends Show is scheduled for September 17th & my patterns will be there on display. Those of you that get to visit... have a great time! I'm sure Lori and friends will be the most wonderful hosts!

Also today... was the big grocery shopping outing to prepare for the HUGE August/September Birthday Bash we are hosting this Sunday for our family. We expect about 40 to gather... laughs, giggles, go karts, swimming, and FUN! (about 10 of those 40 have birthdays in these two months!) I'm making two large party subs, some grilled chicken, and a couple desserts... but others will bring food too. Like always... I'm sure we will have more fixin's than we can eat... but will have leftovers to enjoy later.

Now that those things are marked off my TO~DO list... time to clean and straighten up the yard & gardens...

It always feels stressful the few days before these parties... but I do LOVE to have everyone over. We are truly blessed with a wonderful, large family!

Wishing you all a joyous holiday weekend! Stay safe and celebrate with those that you love!

Warm smiles...

Betty

~Update Is Posted~

2011-08-31T21:17:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I wasn't sure I was going to get things finished... but after playing in the studio all day today... I did!

Please hop on over to Early Work Mercantile to see all the Harvest goodies offered this month. Updates will be posted on the 1st and the 15th.

I'm sure we are all ready for Fall... and cooler weather!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Back To It~

2011-08-30T09:09:00.004-05:00

After a SUPER~FUN~filled weekend... it is time to get back to it! Time to get back to school, to get the housework caught up, the gardens weeded, the clutter picked up, and my To~Do list under control. There just seems to be so much that needs to get done... I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Punching is moving along, but slowly...
Stitches? Well, I feel like I need to blow the dust off of them... but I do plan to take one along to work on during tae kwon do class tonight...
So... guess it is time to take a few deep breaths and get back to it!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Birthday Celebration!~

2011-08-27T08:59:00.008-05:00

How does this sound for a birthday celebration?
I really am not sure who was more excited! I think that this will be a birthday he will never forget though...
Trinity shares his birthday with our other son's sweet girlfriend, Annie. We bought tickets for the 5 of us to go... drove the 2 hours... had a bite to eat... and ROCKED OUT for the AWESOME three hour concert! It was truly amazing!!!
PETER FRAMPTON!!! Frampton Comes Alive! 35 Tour... in Salina, Kansas last night at the Stiefel Theatre.

Trinity may be the only 9 year old in his class that knows who Peter Frampton is... but he was singing and rocking right along...

He plans to wear his new tee shirt to school on Monday... which will be his first day of 4th grade.

We didn't get back home until almost 2am... but he was asleep 5 minutes after getting in the car...

Next weekend is the family birthday party... with presents, potluck goodies, cake & ice cream, go karting, pool splashing, and even more fun!

Thank you to all who posted Happy Birthday wishes for Trinity. I shared each one with him. He is tickled to hear he has well wishers from around the world! Thank you!

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

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-08-26T08:28:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday! I hope you have had a fabulous week and that your weekend will be just as grand! My thoughts and prayers for those of you facing a frightening weekend with the hurricane. I do hope you stay safe and unharmed.

I shared one of Ann's great finishes a few days ago, but saved this one for ~*Friday Finishes*~. Here is her finish of the freebie ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~...

Such a perfectly, prim, pretty finish! I love it Ann! Thank you for stitching and sharing!

Today is a special day in our household... it is Trinity's 9th birthday! We have big plans... I kind of mentioned a hint about that the other day... well, I guess I'm not spilling the beans about it yet either. I will post about it tomorrow though... along with some pictures. I am so proud of my lil' guy! He is so sweet, fun, charming, and all~around GREAT!

Have a wonderful day with lots of warm smiles...

Betty

~Settler's Harvest Preparations~

2011-08-25T10:52:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I picked up my punch needle last night and began a few ditties for the update at Early Work Mercantile for September 1st. That is just one week away... hopefully I'll be ready.

These will be finished into lil' pin pillows... maybe. I really never have a complete plan when I start. I just go with the flow.

The orange is some DMC that I over~dyed with RIT dye a few years ago. The browns may be the background.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~End of Summer Vacation Adventure Walk... and a Prize~

2011-08-24T13:04:00.010-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! We are on our last week of Summer Vacation. School starts here on Friday... although the kiddo won't go until Monday because we have REALLY BIG PLANS for Friday! I'll share more about those plans later. Right now... our Adventure Walk...

We took off behind our home hand in hand...

... with our puppy too.

To enjoy some wide open spaces...

We walked down one road...

to another road...
and another, less traveled one...

We met new friends...

And saw some pretties...

We thought, maybe we found part of a UFO...

...turns out not.

It was wonderful time spent together...

... enjoying each other, this beautiful day, and getting some exercise...

And to cool off afterward...

I never want to forget this special time!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Another goody to share... my PRIZE!
I was a lucky winner of Patti's recent giveaway. She mailed out this treat quick too! Thank you Patti! I love the pinkeep, but the card is a treasure too! She handmade it as well... photographing her finish of my freebie ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~! Too SWEET!!

Thank you again, Patti! I'm so proud to have another handmade goody from you!

I do feel truly BLESSED today! Well, maybe that is EXTRA BLESSED today. <3

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Re~Cap, Re~Do, and an Olde Freebie~

2011-08-23T10:10:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you had a great weekend! We did... and it was so full! On Saturday, Tony & I went to Overland Park to pick up a boat motor for the minimax boat he has built. (pictures of that soon) While there, we visited the old downtown Santa Fe area for some shopping... antiques and the quilt shop. The day wasn't over yet! We then drove west about 2 1/2 hours to Alma for a car show... and more antique shopping. That alone was a full, fun day! But on Sunday... I did the re~do of our bedroom... painting the ceiling, walls, closet, and floor. (yes, it too had the 40+ year old carpet in it) Monday is still part of our 'weekend' because of Tony's work schedule... he works 4, 10 our days with Saturday, Sunday & Monday off. So...yesterday, I finished putting everything but the dust bunnies back into our room... and then we took the boat out in the evening so the kids could give knee boarding a go. Let me just say... that I dropped into bed at 10pm and woke up this morning feeling like I had a hang over. It was a full weekend!!

I didn't get pictures of the few lil' goodies I purchased from the antique shops or quilt store... and I didn't' get pictures of the car show... but here are some snaps taken from my phone yesterday of our bedroom. Please ignore the image of me in the mirror...smile...

We have a large area rug covering most of the floor... but this floor too is just the plywood sub-floor painted with porch paint. Someday we do hope to get new carpeting in all our bedrooms. But we need to save our pennies first to do it.

I mentioned an olde freebie in the title... where here it is...
~*Olde Hallow's Eve*~ freebie

© primitivebettys 2008

64 by 60 stitches

A few years ago, I belonged to an online group called Stacy Nash Groupies. This group has been closed and no longer exists. But during the time the group was active, I was asked to donate a freebie. This is it. Ann of A Hole In The Basket Primitives recently stitched it up, but couldn't locate the designer information. I searched my old files and found it... and thought I would share it with all of you too. Here is Ann's finish...
Thank you for sharing your finish, Ann! It is wonderful!

Ann has another beautiful finish that I will be sharing on Friday too. It too is lovely!

Well... I need to get busy with some house cleaning... and maybe pick up my needle... so time to run. I hope you all have a blessed day!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-08-19T08:34:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday to ya... dear friends! I hope your week has been wonderful & that your weekend will be doubly good!

Let me right to the ~*Friday Finishes*~...

From Cathi... a true goodie of Halloween... this is her finish of my pattern ~*Hallows Eve*~.

I love how she added the extra fabric to the ends to make the pinkeep wider. How lovely! If you are interested in this pattern... you can find it at your local needlework shop or at my Etsy shoppe.

From Annie in France... her finish of the ~*Simplify Freebie*~...

She filled it with a bag of lavender flowers & hung it in her kitchen. She said it helps to remind her to simplify. Simply beautiful!

As always... thank you so very much for stitching & sharing. I do just love to see & share these fine finishes! Keep 'em coming!

We are nearing the end of summer vacation here. Today the kiddo & I have a full day planned. So... I better be getting ready to go. I wish you all a fantastic Friday!

Wishing you warm smiles too...

Betty

~After Searching... it is found...~

2011-08-18T18:22:00.003-05:00

Hello Friends! In the last post I mentioned one of my stitches in progress is a freebie offered by the ever~so~talented~and~cool~and~friendly... Lori of Notforgotten Farms, but I didn't give you the link directly to the freebie. Well... I couldn't find it this morning. BUT... I had a few extra minutes this evening & didn't want to let you down or leave you hanging... so here is the direct like to Lori's wonderful pattern... she has it titled ~*Remember Me*~.

Enjoy!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~So Many Stitches...~

2011-08-18T10:36:00.004-05:00

so little time...

Hello Dear Friends! Do you ever feel that way? Goodness...

Why do I keep starting new stitches? After I took this photo, I realized I have another that didn't get included. I'm working on the next school girl sampler, the freebie from Lori of Notforgotten Farm, and the Autumn challenge piece for Samplermakers (that may be a pattern release too)... and the one not included is the Great~Grandmother sampler started oh so many months ago.

I tote a stitch project with me so I can work on it while I'm out & about... whenever I can get a spare minute... but I'm just not working fast enough. I stay up as late as I can... but my eyelids get to heavy too early.

Are you the same way?

Well... just wanted to pop on to give you an update... now I best be get back to stitching!

Have a great day!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~An After... and a Peek~

2011-08-16T13:22:00.010-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I pray this post finds you all doing well after a fabulous weekend. We had a very nice weekend full of fun here... and when we weren't busy with family fun... I cleaned, sorted, and un~hoarded our spare bedroom. Did you catch that last thing? Goodness... our spare room had become the catch~all of everything. It was especially over~destroyed after the previous weekend when I used it to hold all of the kiddo's extra things from his bedroom make over.

So... I cleaned and re~arranged... to make it nice again. A few years ago, I painted the walls & floor (yes, another room that is without the 40 year old carpet... and still waiting to get new carpeting)... but look how it is now...

I didn't take the time to snap any pictures when it was a wreck... but maybe you didn't need to see the 'bad'. Here is how it looked right before the make~over... click here.

Many of the items in this room are family heirlooms... or gifts from family. The lamp on the table once belonged to my husband's Grandmother. The picture on the wall was a gift to me from my Dad not long before he passed. The old trunk was a gift to me from my Grandpa when I was in middle school. I hooked the rug that sets on it now. (It is a pattern from Star Rug Company.) The Lincoln rocker was a gift from my dear Aunt LaVon. The list goes on and on... but all are near and dear to my heart.

It is amazing how re~arranging the furniture can make a room look larger. The bed use to be straight on the wall where the make~up table is... it looks so much better to me set in the corner.

A close~up of many of my 'tiny' treasures... a lot of these were made and given to me by very dear friends and family...

I'm also thrilled to tell you... I stitched quite a bit this weekend. Here is a sneak peek of the next school girl sampler...

Thank you to all of you that have purchased the new releases. All have been mailed and should arrive soon. Happy stitching!

Also... it was brought to my attention that my blog may not have been loading very quickly. I'm not computer~wise and don't know for sure what the problem was (hopefully it is better now)... but I did remove several of the third party widgets with hopes to have corrected the issue. Thank you for being patient... with me and with the computer... please let me know if it seems better. If not... I will happily check into it more.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~New Pattern Releases!~

2011-08-12T12:00:00.004-05:00

Good Afternoon Dear Friends!

Here they are! I'm so thrilled to be offering these to you... with them I'm sharing a piece of my heart...

~*Victor Minor*~ Schoolhouse Sampler

~*Introduction*~
In the year 1863, the townsfolk of Edna, Kansas decided it was time to build a school for their children. Town resident, Ernest Victor, donated some land at the corner of Navarre and Marion Street. Lumber and other materials were also donated and all the townsfolk helped with the construction. With all the hard working, eager hands, it wasn't long before the simple one~room, one~story dwelling was complete. The Mayor and committee members hired the first school teacher from a neighboring community. Her name was Miss Sara Crumbaker. She would be paid a small wage, but would have room and board provided by town residents at no cost.
The school was named ~*Victor Minor*~ as a special 'thank you' to Mr. Victor for his generosity. Classes were to begin after the corn harvest was complete.
Miss Crumbaker was excited about her new position and her 30 new students... who ranged in age from 6 to 14. Growing up as a farmer's daughter, she knew the importance of hard work, patience, and good character. Miss Crumbaker worked this sampler to hang in her new classroom. It includes a quote she read and remembered from Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850~1894)...
"Judge each day, not by the harvest, but by the seeds you plant."
She thought it to be most fitting.
... this story is both true and fictional ... it is the beginning of a Series of schoolhouse samplers offered by ~*primitivebettys*~

This pattern will come complete with 3 color photographs showing 3 finished models. The pattern will include 2 detailed charts... one for the finished, full sampler and a second for the redwork finish. There are minor differences between the two charts as you can see from the photographs. The pattern will also include full details for finishing the three models.

The full chart is 121 x 158 stitches. It is charted with DMC, but the redwork model was stitched with Cherry Bark by The Gentle Art.

The patterns in the school girl sampler series are of my creation... they are not historical reproductions of antique samplers that I have found. I have just designed them to look that way. ~*Victor Minor*~ is an old school house that is now on the grounds of Ward~Meade Park in Topeka, Kansas. When I visited the school house, the docent told the story of the school originating in Rossville, Kansas. I was so very interested by the school and the story. You see, my parents both grew up in Rossville. They didn't go to the one~room school house... but the small town has always meant a lot to me because of the family connections. Plus, I started school in Rossville myself.

As I was reading to find more information on the school and history of the town... I read that is was named Edna before later having a name change to Rossville. Hence... the name on the sampler. For more personal connections to the story I was writing and the sampler I was creating... Miss Crumbaker was the name of my own kindergarten teacher. Her first name wasn't Sara... but a little fiction... or a lot fiction was alright for my imagination.

This sampler is only the first in the series. I have already been working on ones to follow. They will be released at a later time... and I'm not sure how many there will be. I hope you and I both work on stitching up walls of these charming works.

~*~*~*~*~*~

~*Olde Blue Blooms Biscornu*~

The pattern will include complete, clear finishing instructions for the biscornu.
The model was stitched on 28 ct Summer Khaki Cashel that I over~dyed with walnut stain before stitching. Threads used are Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art...colors are...

Brethren Blue
Dried Thyme
Summer Shower
Toffee

The back of the biscornu is a reproduction civil war calico. The edging on the pinkeep is cotton chenille.

The finished pinkeep is about 5 inches.

Sweet & Charming!

~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are interested in purchasing these or any of my patterns... they are available at your local needlework shop, from me via email (located to the left on the sidebar), or from my Etsy Shoppe.

Thank you again for supporting my pattern offerings... and thank you for the friendship and support you have all given me.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-08-12T09:27:00.005-05:00

Happy Friday Dear Friends!

Let me get right to it... some fabulous ~*Friday Finishes*~!

From my buddy, Sharon... is her finish of my pattern ~*Spring Pillow Tuck*~... worked with DMC 3866 ~ stitched 2 over 2 on 32ct natural linen. The fabric is part of the "Whitewash" line that Crabapple Hill just released.

BEAUTIFUL!

This pattern if available for purchase from your local needlework shop or via my Etsy Shoppe.

Karen has made a lovely stitch of the freebie ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~... and his it listed for sale on Ebay too. (click on her name to visit the listing) She stitched on 28 ct evenweave with overdyed threads. I just LOVE the blue urn!!

And I spotted this lovely done up by my pal, Doris. She punched it up & gifted it to another friend. The doodle used it from a booklet I made up several years ago... ~*Willie The Perfect Sheep*~...

All are so sweet! Thank you ladies... for stitching and sharing! Please keep those finishes coming... I do LOVE to share them!

Okay... I have lots of pattern & computer work to do... but later this afternoon... the new patterns will be released for viewing and purchasing!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Inquiring Minds Want To Know~

2011-08-11T09:29:00.012-05:00

So I will gladly share!

Hello Dear Friends! A few of you have asked about my walnut crystals & walnut stain. Let me fill ya in!
The way I understand it... walnut crystals/walnut powder comes from the dried husks of the black walnut. The green that is around them turns black & dries up. I have never tried to make my own. Several years ago I purchased a pound of the powdery, black stuff from a seller on Ebay... that particular seller no longer offers it or exists. A little goes a long way so I haven't had to purchase any more. I'm sure when I need more though... I could attempt to make my own or find another seller.

I put mine in an old jar for safe keeping...
I mix up small portions at a time & let it set on the counter until I need more made up. I haven't had troubles with it starting to stink & really don't feel it needs to be refrigerated.

To mix it up... I use a small mason jar. Fill it with HOT tap water. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of powder... more or less... honestly, I don't really measure it. Stir it well... and be careful. This stuff WILL stain! It would be horrible to drip it on your good carpets or splash it on your favorite outfit! To give it a little spice... I add a swiglet of vanilla (yes, I know 'swiglet' isn't a word or a measurement... but understand that I just simply add 'some'). Oh, and I don't buy the expensive vanilla for this either... if is just the store brand. It works fine.
I have many herbs on~hand that I purchased long ago for some potpourri making... cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and anise. Today, for the blog post, I just added a few of all of them to my jar of stain. You could use ANY herbs of your liking & they could be ground. It isn't necessary to have whole spices. Mine will just seep in the jar until this batch if done. The ground herbs will leave a little powdery dust on your fabric when it is dry... but, as I have said many times over, primitive is primitive... there are NO RULES FOR PRIMITIVE.

I pulled a piece of white linen to stain today...

I set it on an old baking sheet & used a sponge brush to blot the stain on the fabric...
When the fabric is fully stained... use paper towels to soak up the excess stain. With linen especially, it is important NOT to twist the fibers to wring out excess moisture.
Hang the fabric out to dry. Before I walk away... I use the same sponge brush & dab a few more spots of stain to the fabric to make sure it isn't evenly stained ~ I like a few darker spots. To me, it makes it look more naturally stained...
Also, watch out for big, brown dogs that like to pull pretty things off the clothes line!
(Silly puppy... I think he wants to be a primitive artist too!)

A close~up of the linen after staining...
I did start stitching on the second school girl sampler yesterday... but didn't get as far as I had hoped. My time got caught up with kids... bicycle riding, dirt biking, grasshopper hunting, trampoline jumping, swimming, basketball, dog running... and whatever else they felt I needed to be a part of. Yes, I enjoyed it and I know I will miss it when school starts... but goodness, they really know how to wear an ol' mom out!

Another reminder... the new patterns will be released on my blog tomorrow afternoon!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Working Wednesday~

2011-08-10T15:18:00.002-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I am so happy to share with you that I have been WORKING! Well... if you want to call it working. Some, myself included, would much rather call it playing.

You see, I have spent the majority of the day charting the second school girl sampler! I've just come in from hanging my linen on the line to dry. It has been given a quick walnut stain... Northern Cross Linen 30 ct Cream... and my threads are picked... so stitching will begin soon. YIPPEE!

The kiddo had VBS (Vacation Bible School) this morning and has a friend over playing since getting home... so I have had lots of free ME time. The boys are out hunting grasshoppers now... which shouldn't be hard because we have a mass supply of them in the yard!

I may take a few minutes to fun the vacuum while the linen dries... but then it is STITCHING TIME!

Oh, and just a quick reminder... there will be TWO new patterns released this weekend at the TNNA market. I will be selling the patterns in my Etsy Shoppe and via email as well. They officially release on Saturday... but I will most likely post them up on Friday afternoon for y'all!

They are the first in the school girl sampler series... ~*Victor Minor*~ Primitive Schoolhouse Sampler and ~*Olde Blue Blooms Biscornu*~.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Goodies!~

2011-08-09T09:25:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Yesterday, UPS delivered a box of GOODIES to me! I feel so spoiled too! You know I just HAVE to share with you!

The small online group of AAPG (An American Primitive Gathering)... or USAPRIM on Ebay... that I belong too is celebrating our anniversary with a swap. Joanne had my name... and she really did spoil me!!

Lookie!

Our fearless leader, Kelley, suggested we send ornies with one of them being a sunflower. We could hook, punch, stitch, or just do whatever... but she insisted we have fun with it & keep it simple. We are just to share the joy of friendship with our group... well, Joanne sent me more than she really needed to... but I'm not sending it back. I LOVE it all! And like I said before... she really spoiled me!

I have long admired Joanne's hooking online. It is awesome to own some of her treasures now. Her hooking is fabulous!!

My new sheep pillow...

My sunflower ornie... check out those pedals! Too cute!

Joanne LOVES kitties... and you all know I do too!

The ornies weren't all she sent! This sheep dish is DARLING! And... I so LOVE the dog tags... ok, that isn't really what they are called... but I do so ADORE them! She said the one with 'prim betty' is actually made from an old spool. And isn't the addition of the key & thimble charm perfect?!

I didn't get a close up picture of them, but did you see the Tastykakes? Joanne & I have talked about these before. They aren't available in my area that I know of. We have Dolly Madison & Little Debbie... but not Tastykakes. She was so thoughtful to remember our conversation & send me a couple of boxes to sampler. And did you see, I didn't waste any time sampling the chocolate & peanut butter ones? YUMMY! I'm sure it won't belong before I have empty boxes to take out to the garage for recycling.

Joanne, thank you so much! I love each and every goodie! You are a sweetheart!

My swap box was just put in the mail this morning to be delivered to somewhere in the US. Hopefully my swap buddy will love the handmades I made as much as I love the ones I received. I did take pictures before packing the box... and will post as soon as they are received.

On another note... thank you all for the sweet comments about Trinity's room. It really was a chore, but it seems the hard work has paid off. He and I worked together yesterday to sort though his toys. We were able to fill one box to give away... and I may take the advice given by y'all... and sort again when he is at school.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Before and After~

2011-08-08T10:46:00.008-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! This was one heck of a busy weekend... and it really wasn't planned. Saturday started calm with no set schedule of anything to do. Tony & I had a lunch date and planned to stop at the home store to pick up a few things he needed for the boat he is building. Once home... he set out to work on his project... which is almost finished.

I was walking around the house trying to decide what to do or what to work on. There are a bunch of craft projects that I'm working on and a bunch more that I want to work on... but as I was walking past the kiddo's room... a sudden urge to purge and revamp came over me!

This is what I saw...

Complete chaos & destruction!

Obviously a kid that doesn't NEED for anything except for the ability to CLEAN something!

Ughhh!

Ok... so he is 8 ~ almost 9 ~ and maybe this is NORMAL. But as a frustrated mom... I couldn't take it anymore!

So I began removing EVERYTHING from his room (of course, I did have to pull Tony away from his boat building to help me with the heavy stuff)

By EVERYTHING... I do mean EVERYTHING!

Including this ugly... 40+ year old carpet! Oh my gosh... can you imagine the dirt that must have been in this? YUCK YUCK YUCK! (We have one more room, our bedroom, that still has the original house carpet in it... and it will be the next to go!)

I (with the help from my loving husband) moved all of EVERYTHING into our spare bedroom.

Then... I painted... the ceiling (because I so HATE the gold glitter specks in the popcorn), the closet, the walls, and even the floor. Well... let me explain the floor paint. I would really LOVE to get new carpet, but that isn't in the budget right now. We, unfortunately, don't have hardwood floors in our home. When the carpet is gone, there is just plywood sub floor. Most of the painting I did was done with leftover paint... the floor is leftover porch paint from the studio. The only paint I had to pick up for the project was the ceiling paint... and the beautiful, bright accent wall paint. I also bought a cheap, plain area rug... 'cause he does like to play on the floor. He needs to be comfy.

Not everything is put away yet... but it is so awesome to have the room look so FRESH!

Trinity is so very happy! He must have thanked me at least a dozen times... and told me, "Mom, every time I walk into my new room I have to smile."

He has a very big bed. It is a Queen... and to make it even bigger... it is up on bed risers. We do this, because he has to have a place to put toys... see the roller totes...

They are full... and there are more toys to go in here. So this morning, I picked up a couple more totes for the closet...

Would you believe, he has a toy box too? Goodness... he isn't hurting for toys. AND... I know he will be getting more in just a couple of weeks for his birthday! Another reason this project needed to be done. Today I plan to continue sorting toys... and hopefully thinning the amount of them down. A trip to Goodwill will be a good thing!

Hmmm... it wasn't a crafty weekend, but I do feel very proud of what I have accomplished!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-08-05T10:07:00.006-05:00

One Two Three FRIDAY! No, I was never a cheerleader... but we can all cheer about FRIDAY!

Hello Dear Friends! Are you ready for some ~*Friday Finishes*~? Yes... of course you are! Let me get right to it...

Lots of really beautiful finishes for ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~ freebie pattern...

From Brenda ... worked on 18 ct Aida that was walnut crystal stained with vanilla. She says she is too chicken to work on linen... mainly because she has trouble seeing it. Well, the Aida finish is just simply beautiful!
~*~*~

From Patti... oh the added ric rac & old key are super precious!
~*~*~

From Cucki (in South Africa... I just love Blogland for introducing friends from around the world!)... her sunflowers really POP so pretty!
~*~*~

And from a pattern for purchase... ~*Tea Thyme In the Garden*~... found at your LNS or at my Etsy Shoppe...

Dora stitched most wonderfully... with 35 count R & R French Vanilla with Gast endive and Gast limited edition midnight sky. For added beauty... she stitched tiny X's around the edges of the pillow with midnight sky.

~*~*~
Each and every finish is so LOVELY! Thank you for stitching and sharing, Ladies! I really cannot say enough good about all the finishes I get to see & share! Thank you!

Wishing you warm smiles & a fun~filled Friday...

Betty

~Kind Assistance For Friends~

2011-08-03T08:19:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends!

The weather is still hot here... so hot that many of my flowers and garden veggies are done or almost done. The grass is crunchy and sounds the same as our gravel driveway when you walk through the yard. Fortunately, we do have slight chances for rain over the next 7 days or so... and the mercury is suppose to drop out of the triple digits and go down into the 90s. Showing any pictures of my plants would be a downer for sure... so I'm not going to share. I've been working on several projects, but they are for gifts and cannot be shared until gifted. Soon... very soon.

So...while trying to decide what to post about today... it dawned on me that I should post for a few buddies that have asked for my assistance. Maybe you can help them too. :)

First of all... Terri of Dixie Samplar had a blog catastrophe... she lost her entire blog and has had to begin again. After lots of frustration... she is back up and running... AND HAVING A GIVEAWAY TOO! So please, pop on over to visit her, become a follower, and sign up for the giveaway while you are there. She will be thrilled to see you!

Next... my buddy Dora (no blog) is asking if anyone can identify this Mystery Flower...

Simply beautiful... don't you agree?

She spotted this lovely on a recent trail walk behind her home. It reminded her so much of the sunflowers on my latest freebie. (How sweet!) She asked me if I knew the name of the flower? And also, if it is from the sunflower family? She looked in a wildflower picture book she owns, but couldn't locate it.

I'm terrible at remembering what the names of flowers are. My Mom can rambled off one name after another... but apparently the storage in my own brain is lacking in that area. I'm sorry Dora... I don't know... but maybe someone in Blogland will and can post a comment? Do you know? Please help! Thank you in advance!

The Lyon County Fair is going on here... tonight I've promised the kiddo we would go. It is wristband night... all the rides you with purchase of one. So... carnival rides it is!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-07-31T19:07:00.002-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! My Early Work Mercantile page is now updated for August 2011! Please swing by for a visit.

As you can see from the picture above... I am ready for Autumn, Fall... or just October. This HOT weather has to be gone soon... or at least I hope it does. I was having a good time playing with my oranges... and, in a way, I did feel a little cooler doing it.

Thanks for letting me share... wishing you warm smiles...
Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-07-29T09:30:00.010-05:00

TGIF Dear Friends! Oh there are some most wonderful ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share with you... and I'm going to get right to it! I wish some were my own finishes too... but I will have a few new things to post by the end of the weekend. For now... I'm sure you will enjoy drooling over these goodies...

Lots of dandy finishes for the latest freebie... ~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~...

From Connie...

Connie has included her finish in a GIVEAWAY on here blog... be sure to pop over for a chance to win!! :) Just click on her name to get there.

From Cathi...

From Marjorie...

Heidi's version of my ~*Simplify*~ freebie... lovely stitching for sure... but check out this frame!

From Laura... ~*Black Cat & Jack*~ freebie...
She punched with three strands floss... and added the tongues to make a darling penny rug...

And from my bud, Ronda...stitched from my pattern ~*Hallows Eve*~... (available in my Etsy shoppe)...

The back is a warm, wonderful wool...

and...~*JOL 'N Keys*~ freebie doodle...

They are all just so wonderful! I so LOVE to see & share finishes. Thank you so much for stitching and sharing. Keep 'em coming!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Oranges~

2011-07-27T12:42:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Well... today I'm thinking ORANGES! I woke up early and the thought of pumpkins & the Headless Horseman were heavy on my mind. You have probably read before, I am NOT a morning person... but what is a girl to do?

Well, gather up flosses and woolies of course! And roll with the idea!!

The update for Early Work Mercantile is looming... so I need to get hopping & whip up those visions!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~A New Project...~

2011-07-26T13:38:00.005-05:00

for my DH!

Hello Dear Friends! Well, it seems the boat restoration from last week has spurred another idea for my darling... a minimax hydroplane! So, while I spent most of the weekend in the basement printing, sorting, and packing pattern orders... he spent his time in the garage.

He bought a couple old motors from a guy down the road...

He hopes to get them both working, but ~ so far ~ is only building one boat. Hmmmm... wonder what that means?

This is what he has after a weekend of work...

I get to get something from all his hard work too! I always seem to have a use for sawdust ya know!

Ima and Katie were in the studio, but decided early this summer to go outside. Katie prefers to be in the barn during the day and the garage at night, but Ima has set up home permanently here in the garage. She is such a cute lil' thing!

Tony said he will have this project done in 3 weeks. I'm praying he is safe about taking it out on the water. He has been showing me YouTube videos... and some of them really do look quite dangerous! Oh my darling hubby... he will always have a 'need for speed'!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~A Stitchers Challenge~

2011-07-25T09:07:00.003-05:00

Good Monday Dear Friends! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Most of mine was spent in the basement printing, sorting, and packing charts to send off to the distributors. Yes, market releases! I will have two patterns to offer you as of August 13th! Spending all the time downstairs didn't really bother me... it was a nice place to escape the dreadful heat! But... I am itchin' to stitch again! And itchin' to enjoy the sunlight gleaming through the studio windows!

Here is something fun I read about this morning...

I have been a member of Samplermakers for awhile now, but shamelessly have not been an active member. I'm making it a personal goal to become more active because I do so LOVE stitchin' and sharing with other stitchers! Here is a fun way for you TOO to be involved...

Jennie Lynn of Appleseedprim is proposing an Autumn Stitcher's Challenge for the members of Samplermakers. It sounds exciting, but you must be a Samplermakers member to be a part of the fun.

Samplermakers is a wonderful group created by Lori Brechlin from Notforgotten Farm. If you're not a member yet but are interested in joining contact Lori at not4got@aol.com. It's a remarkable community of stitchers.

Pop on over to Jennie Lynn's blog to read more about the challenge... or email Lori to become a member. You will be happy you did!

Wishing you warm sunny smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~... and a recipe

2011-07-22T20:54:00.007-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Oh what a day it has been! I've been trying to water the gardens in the morning to beat the heat and prepare the plants well for the hot days. I also try my best to post ~*Friday Finishes*~ in the morning. Today, however, we had to put things on hold for an unexpected doctor's appointment. It seems the kiddo has swimmers ear. Thankfully we were able to get into see the doctor and get some ear drops... so we could get on with our plans for the day... to see Great Grandma, Grandma & Grandpa, and dear Aunt LaVon. After arriving home... I spent a good 45 minutes trying to get the wilted blooms watered... and now I can gladly share these wonderful stitches with you...

These girls are quick & have taken full advantage of the comforting AC... to stay in and STITCH! These two girls have done a most beautiful job stitching up the latest freebie...~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~

From Ranae

Ranae stitched with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads
Brandy, Mulberry, Burnt Orange, Avocado, Apple Cider, Garden Gate and Black Crow
on scrap piece 40ct linen that she coffee dyed before making the pin pillow filled with walnut chips. Oh so lovely!

Pat's is just as equally lovely!

Pat used a piece of fabric that she ordered from a cross stitch magazine. It is 14 count marble Aida. She chose Weeks Chestnut and Curry threads, Gentle Arts Endive, and DMC 3021 and 310... and also used a few black seed beads and a large button from an old button jar.

There has been an incredible response of "Thanks" for this freebie... and I would like to tell you all..."You are most welcome!"

I would like to share something else with you today...

I did some baking last night... even though we have been suffering with triple digit temperatures for over a week now... at least! This was well worth heating up the kitchen for!

This is Zucchini Pie! Have you ever heard of it? I hadn't... and guess I should tell you now that I only ate one small bite. I know it is good though because my DH Tony, Mom, StepDad, and Sister have all told me so. Well, that one small bite I had was really good & I only didn't have more because I try very VERY VERY hard to stick to my diet. Well, that and I also made Zucchini Bread last night that I had a few more nibbles of.

This recipe if from a church cookbook my dear friend, Marianne, gifted me with a few years ago. Our zucchini is doing very well & the kitchen counter was getting full up... so I was intrigued & wanted to give this a try. The title of the recipe does read...(tastes like apple)... so why not?

It really does taste like apple pie! I didn't share with my taste testers that is was zucchini until after they had their helpings & they were all amazed.

Zucchini Pie (tastes like apple)

1 double crust 9 inch pastry
4 c. zucchini, cut into 1/8 inch slices
3/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp.Minute tapioca
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line pie pan with pastry. Combine remaining ingredients except butter. Pour into pie shell and dot with butter. Put on top crust and cut slits in it. Brush with milk and sprinkle a little sugar on top. Bake at 400 degree oven for 55 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 10 minutes longer. (I didn't bake mine quite this long... just watch for when your crust is golden brown.)

Trust me... you will LOVE it! The crusts of the two I baked had a nice caramel bottom. I even cheated & used store bought crust.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~It Is TOO Hot To Do Anything!~

2011-07-18T13:50:00.002-05:00

But STITCH!

Hello Dear Friends! Because it is too hot outside... stay inside & stitch! Here is a little freebie to get you started!

~*Sunflowers N' Crows*~ Freebie

©primitivebettys 2011

Stitch count ~ 65 x 42

Feel free to use fibers of your choice. Please remember too that I love to see & share those finishes. Send them to me via email & I will post them here for ~*Friday Finishes*~.

Enjoy~

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~Fulfilling A Promise~

2011-07-17T14:45:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! We have been having a most wonderful one... HOT, but truly wonderful... with a family gathering & BBQ last night... and today... making good and fulfilling a promise to my dear Dad.

Dad passed away almost three years ago. I miss him every day, but always feel him close... today especially. Dad had this old boat in his pasture. It is actually a boat that I had purchased about 15 years ago for only $200... which actually may have been more than it was worth. I gave it to him... hoping he would fix it & have fun with it. Dad tinkered with the motor some and he did take it out a couple of times on Lake Tenkiller ~ a beautiful lake near where he lived in Oklahoma. But... the boat didn't have any seats. They were long, rotted and removed... only having been replaced by a flimsy, plywood bench from an earlier owner. The floor was also rotting. At least it would stay dry inside ~ it would float.... but needed a lot of repair. He was able to get the motor started, but it wouldn't stay running. He didn't have time to work on it much before he became ill.

It is a 1962 Starcraft... I always thought it was CUTE... and could be fun if it worked and was cleaned up.

Before he passed...Dad gave the boat back... but requested that my husband fix it up and take his lil' Tom (what Dad called Trinity) fishing. Tony promised he would.

A little while ago, Tony thought it was time to make good on that promise... so he began restoration. The boat had just been sitting out in our backyard... and the kids did enjoy it by playing 'pirates' and catching sharks from it... but a promise is a promise. Tony pulled it into the garage & set out on the restoration. He struggled with the motor and cleaned and cleaned. The motor that was with the boat turned into a challenge because he was unable to find parts. So... at the recent city~wide garage sale, he bought a second boat for just a little money. This second boat had a motor that the seller said worked... but after Tony brought it home, he found it was almost dangerous to ever try to take it out on the water. It too had a lot of rotting wood, but this rot was on the body of the boat. So... he salvaged the 'good' from the second boat & used it on the first boat.

Today, we took it for a short 'test'... and and what fun it was!!!

See... isn't it CUTE?
Trinity helped by being the shipmate...
The inside, while nothing fancy... is now clean & usable...
Trinity was a good listener & even got drive when it was out on the water...
The motor from the second boat was made in 1967... and worked like a charm today! Tony did take it all apart & made some repairs on it too.
My Dad has to be looking down from Heaven right about now... and I'll bet he is smiling as big as Trinity is!

We weren't out for too long today because it is brutally hot... but the kiddo & I did throw our poles in the water. He won the fishing awards for the day... with the First Fish, Biggest Fish, and Most Fish.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~... growing garden blooms

2011-07-15T15:31:00.011-05:00

Well... they are garden finishes... kinda sorta...

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you are staying cool & comfortable in your neck of the woods. We are HOT & HUMID here. Right now, as I type it is 101 fuming degrees. I did manage to water today, but had to drop in the pool afterward to cool off. I also managed to take the camera out to snap a few photos... since I don't have any ~*Friday Finishes*~ to share with you.

Now... I haven't had a lot of time to pull weeds... so don't look at the weedy parts... okay? :) Promise you won't?

Some pretty lilies...

4 O'clocks with some Morning Glory vining around... it isn't late enough in the day for them to open just yet...
some Zinnia...
Marigolds that reseeded themselves from last year...
This old thing is fully reseeded from years past. It is such a mix of blooms too. Maybe it isn't the most appealing... but it is free to bloom how it wishes... with Marigolds, Snapdragons, Delphinium, 4 O'clocks, and Verbena...
A stray Morning Glory popped up inside the greenhouse/potting shed (which is still in the process of repair. When Tony has it finished, I will share it.)
YIKES! Another snake hole! The garden snakes & black snakes really don't bother me too much. I don't plan on ever picking one up, but they are free to munch on the mice & keep their population down. When I see them slithering in the yard, I just turn & walk the other way... and expect them to do the same.
Tommy is loafing under the studio porch...
O.C. (Oreo Cookie) is chilling in the air conditioned garage...
So is Ima...
Trinity & a friend were swimming earlier... but are now playing tennis in the cool basement. (The painting on the wall was here when we moved in. I just don't have the heart to paint over it. It is a piece of Folk Art.

Because I need to be near the boys as they play, I have a work station set up in the living room. Guess I'll head there now for some stitching... I have lots to get done to meet those market deadlines!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~My Frame Is Here~

2011-07-13T22:38:00.002-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! I was so happy when the frame shop called me this afternoon! I rushed right in to pick up my frame. This one is for the first school girl sampler. I wanted something simple, rustic, primitive, and old looking... so I went with old barn-wood. Now to get the sampler popped in place!

Sarah had to check it out when I set it on the floor to snap a picture. ... please don't look too close at my carpet... it desperately needs a good vacuuming.

The first sampler in the school girl series will have three models... all slightly different... if all goes well. Two are stitched... and one is about 1/2 stitched. The stitch I shared with you yesterday is also almost ready for finishing. Hopefully these call all get done in time to send market info to my distributors... and then mailed to one to display at market.

I'm going to keep chugging away... and do my best to meet the deadlines!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

(guess I should pull the vacuum out tomorrow too)

~What Do I Do During ... ~

2011-07-12T18:10:00.003-05:00

What do I do during basketball camp and Tae Kwon Do class?

Stitch - of course!

I am working on a design charted last night. This SHOULD be one of two patterns released at Market next month. Sadly, I stopped by the frame shop to pick up the frame for the school girl sampler... and it wasn't in yet. I stressed the urgency of it. So hopefully they listened.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Inspirations For Stitchin'~

2011-07-11T17:00:00.005-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! After getting home from basket ball camp with the kiddo today... and before fixing something for supper... I dared the sweltering heat for a few minutes looking for inspirations for stitchin'...

I have many blooms popping... but my Black~Eyed Susan's are so cheery!

Maybe they will inspire an idea?

Or maybe stepping into the air conditioned studio to look through pieces of linen will do it?

Or maybe picking a piece of linen, some pretty flosses, and a fat quarter of calico will do it?

So... will I begin stitchin' and make up the pattern as I go? Or hang out at the computer to work something up before beginning? Time will tell. But I do know for sure... that it is too hot to be outside for very long.

I hope you are all staying cool, comfortable, and safe. Our part of the Midwest is under an excessive heat warning. It isn't safe to be out there for long.

Wishing you warm... maybe I should say COOL... smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~... sort of

2011-07-08T13:44:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Friday!

I do not have any new finishes to share with you. The only piece I was able to get done this week was the box for Marianne... that you can see in an earlier post. However, today I have been working like a crazy woman taking photographs and listing ditties in my Etsy shoppe... at very LOW prices! This is something I have been meaning to do for ages... but am just now finally getting around to it.

So far, I have cross stitch and needlepunches pieces listed. Hooked and Oxford punched rugs are sitting next to me still awaiting the listings... it is time for me to take a quick lunch break before they get done.

Here are groups of what I have to offer...

Please keep checking my shoppe too... I will be listing and listing! And, like I said, at LOW prices!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~A FUN Day!~

2011-07-06T18:08:00.006-05:00

Hello Dear Friends! Today was such a fun day! A crafty day! My dear buddy, Marianne, and I got to hang out together... shop, eat, stitch, and visit! We tried to stop by an antique store in Peabody... but unfortunately they were closed today. No trouble though... there were other fun places to get to. Our next stop was to Charlotte's Sew Natural in Newton. I quickly grabbed a few Civil War re~pro quarters for my stash... then on to Heart's Desire in Wichita. There, I picked up a skein of thread that I needed to complete a sampler model, some chenille trim, some linen scrap remnants, and a Blackbird Designs book, My Heart Is True... that I didn't yet have. Lunch was next at Panera Bread... and it was oh~so~yummy! Then we went back to Marianne's to share our current projects and stitch. Marianne designs beautiful works... and I was truly treated to see her upcoming works.

Here are my new stash pieces...

When visiting others... I try to always take something to gift them for their hospitality. I made this lil' box for her and also cut a few zinnias & sweet Annie from my gardens. Fresh flowers are always a treat! (I didn't get a picture of the flowers... sorry.)

***The pattern used for this stitch is a freebie offered by Appleseed Prim. Have you seen her freebies? Be sure to stop by her blog to take a look ~ you will be glad you did!***

I didn't get a picture of Marianne... but I did get a snap of her cute lil' kitty Dexter. He was excited to play with the tassels on my cuffs...CUTE!

Oh... and an update on the school girl sampler... no, I haven't forgotten about it or put it on the back burner. I am adding more to it... to the pattern that is. The frame should be in early next week. I'm thinking of releasing this one at market... which I believe is in August. I am also thinking of doing a couple more pinkeep patterns... with the inspiration & push Marianne gave me today.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Happy Independence Day~

2011-07-03T12:13:00.002-05:00

Happy Independence Day to you all! I wish you the best of celebrations ~ full of family, friends, fun times, and fireworks! Please stay safe and enjoy the holiday with a full heart!

This photo was taken by my sweet sister~in~law, Robin, last night at the family party they hosted. It was a wonderful gathering with great food & an awesome firework display put on my our cool brother~in~law, Jimmy! It is always fun when we get together. Thank you Robin & Jimmy for hosting!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Friday Finishes~

2011-07-01T09:52:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday Friends! I hope you have great plans for the holiday weekend... please stay safe & have fun!

I did get a beautiful ~*Friday Finish*~ email this week. This one is stitched by Harriet in Iowa... and it is truly gorgeous!

Harriet stitched the ~*Live Laugh Love*~... that you can find in my Etsy shoppe.

She stitched on 32 count Purely Primitive by Silkweaver, and converted the DMC colors to HDF silks. Just beautiful!

Thank you, Harriet, for stitching & sharing!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~Early Work Mercantile~

2011-06-30T22:54:00.003-05:00

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

~Someone Is In The Doghouse!~

2011-06-28T21:39:00.004-05:00

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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*
*
*
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*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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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

~A Day of Total Bliss~

2011-06-26T22:32:00.009-05:00

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

~Newly Found Treasures~

2011-06-25T19:04:00.005-05:00

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

~SWOOSH!~

2011-06-24T07:30:00.004-05:00

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

~Anniversary~

2011-06-22T09:04:00.003-05:00

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! ***

primitivebettys

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*More Fun News... and dolly progress...*~

~*Following My Muse... and something exciting!*~

~*Hooking*~

~*A Little Bit of Everything*~

~*Friday... no finishes, but...*~

~*And The Winner Is....*~

~*Today's Chore*~

~*New Pattern TEASE*~

~*My New Old Rug*~

~*Giveaway Time*~

~*Early Work Mercantile*~

~*What My Momma Made...*~

~*Merry Christmas*~

~*Finished!.*~

~*The Weekend Before Christmas*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Hibernating*~

~*I'm Spoiled!*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Elf Work*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Early Work Mercantile*~

~*I Just May Run Out...*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Happy Thanksgiving*~

~*There Is Still Time...*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Freebie Gift*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Sunday Stitches*~

~*Saturday Slow~Down*~

~*Last Minute!*~

~*Happy Halloween.. and Early Work Mercantile Update*~

~*Friday Frights*~

~*New Pattern Release*~

~*Chocolate In the Mail!*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*How I Made It*~

~*Early Work Mercantile*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Lots Going On*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Snowballs in Fall? ... and some progress & news*~

~*Early Work Mercantile*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Punches*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*More Sweet Kindness in the Mail*~

~*From a Dear Friend*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*New Pattern Release*~

~*Monday*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Challenge Update*~

~*Frantic Friday*~

~*Update Is Posted*~

~*Back To It*~

~*Birthday Celebration!*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Settler's Harvest Preparations*~

~*End of Summer Vacation Adventure Walk... and a Prize*~

~*Re~Cap, Re~Do, and an Olde Freebie*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*After Searching... it is found...*~

~*So Many Stitches...*~

~*An After... and a Peek*~

~*New Pattern Releases!*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Inquiring Minds Want To Know*~

~*Working Wednesday*~

~*Goodies!*~

~*Before and After*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Kind Assistance For Friends*~

~*Early Work Mercantile*~

~*Friday Finishes*~

~*Oranges*~

~*A New Project...*~

~Friday Finishes~

~More Fun News... and dolly progress...~

~Following My Muse... and something exciting!~

~Hooking~

~A Little Bit of Everything~

~Friday... no finishes, but...~

~And The Winner Is....~

~Today's Chore~

~New Pattern TEASE~

~My New Old Rug~

~Giveaway Time~

~Early Work Mercantile~

~What My Momma Made...~

~Merry Christmas~

~Finished!.~

~The Weekend Before Christmas~

~Friday Finishes~

~Hibernating~

~I'm Spoiled!~

~Friday Finishes~

~Elf Work~

~Friday Finishes~

~Early Work Mercantile~

~I Just May Run Out...~

~Friday Finishes~

~Happy Thanksgiving~

~There Is Still Time...~

~Friday Finishes~

~Freebie Gift~

~Friday Finishes~

~Sunday Stitches~

~Saturday Slow~Down~

~Last Minute!~

~Happy Halloween.. and Early Work Mercantile Update~

~Friday Frights~

~New Pattern Release~

~Chocolate In the Mail!~

~Friday Finishes~

~How I Made It~

~Early Work Mercantile~

~Friday Finishes~

~Lots Going On~

~Friday Finishes~

~Snowballs in Fall? ... and some progress & news~

~Early Work Mercantile~

~Friday Finishes~

~Punches~

~Friday Finishes~

~More Sweet Kindness in the Mail~

~From a Dear Friend~

~Friday Finishes~

~New Pattern Release~

~Monday~

~Friday Finishes~

~Challenge Update~

~Frantic Friday~

~Update Is Posted~

~Back To It~

~Birthday Celebration!~

~Friday Finishes~

~Settler's Harvest Preparations~

~End of Summer Vacation Adventure Walk... and a Prize~

~Re~Cap, Re~Do, and an Olde Freebie~

~Friday Finishes~

~After Searching... it is found...~

~So Many Stitches...~

~An After... and a Peek~

~New Pattern Releases!~

~Friday Finishes~

~Inquiring Minds Want To Know~

~Working Wednesday~

~Goodies!~

~Before and After~

~Friday Finishes~

~Kind Assistance For Friends~

~Early Work Mercantile~

~Friday Finishes~

~Oranges~

~A New Project...~

~A Stitchers Challenge~