~*Trunk Show Drop Off*~

Hello Dear Friends! I'm just so excited! Yesterday I met up with my good buddy, Marianne, so she could direct me back to Heart's Desire... plus, we had a nice lunch together & shared lots of friendship, inspiration, and smiles too. (I'm not familiar with driving in Wichita what~so~ever. Thank you Marianne for helping me out!) I was dropping off patterns and LOTS of models for a Trunk Show. The shop will have my items displayed for the month of October... BUT, Debbie (the sweet owner) told me she may just set things up before she leaves for market next week. So... if you are in the area, please stop by! This is my first Trunk Show... and I am honored to have such a quality shop interested in displaying my primitive cross stitch wares. You know I'm nervous, but tickled and excited too!

Warm smiles to you...

Betty

~*Sharing Some Stitchin's*~

Hello Dear Friends! I've got several goodies I wanna share with you today... all crafy too!

My dear friend Lori has been punchin' a huge flock (or would that be herd?) of sheep!



She does a show each Fall where she offers the most spectacular hand~dids. I sure wish I lived closer to Michigan so I could see 'em in person... and buy! Lori used my ~*Symple ~ Herb Filled Sheep Ornie*~ pattern to make these. Aren't they just darling? She used match sticks that she painted black for the legs, hand stitched the backs, and then added a hanger to each. I just LOVE how she used different floss to add yet more variety. Awesome! She is gonna sell out fast ~ isn't she?

This darling, Halloween pillow was stitched up by Kathy (no blog or online album). Kathy has done a great job with her stitching and her display. What a great lil' Halloween treat indeed! The pattern for this ditty is one of my freebies... ~*Boo Jack*~ Cross Stitch Chart. I also offered this as a freebie doodle to use for needle punch, rug hooking, or whatever your desired medium.



This next ditty was stitched up by Susan (no blog or online album). Susan will be offering her delightful wares at Lori Brechlin's... aka Notforgotten Farm upcoming gathering. (The gathering will be held at Lori's shop on September 19th. To get more information for the gathering ~ click here.) Susan stitched up this pillow with inspiration from my ~*School Girl Pocket*~ pattern. She stitched on orange prairie cloth, filled it with rags (clean I'm sure!), and added a lil' decoration of a bow with black & white beads. This has become a great display piece for Autumn. Wonderful, Susan!

~*~*~*~ I'm editing to add... I just found out that Susan has an Etsy Shoppe that she will be offering her fine ditties on soon. She said after Lori's show, she will be adding goodies up for offering. You might want to mark her shoppe as a favorite & plan to visit soon. Her shoppe is called Olde Threads. Great name huh? :) ~*~*~*~



You can see my pattern offerings at my Etsy Shoppe if you are interested. Also, remember my freebies are all in one spot too... just click here.

What have I been craftin' on you might ask? Well, I have more naked dollies...



I probably should get away from the computer now & get them dressed!

Warm smiles to you all...

Betty

~*NEW Pattern Offerings!*~

Hello My Dear Friends! As promised... and without further delay... NEW cross stitch patterns are NOW available!

~*1857 Fall Sampler*~


~*Live Simply Faith*~ Pinkeep


~*Hallow Eve*~ Pinkeep


These are now loaded for offering in my Etsy Shoppe if you are interested in purchasing. ~OR~ you are free to email me directly or inquire at your local needlework shop.

They were all GREAT fun to stitch! I think each of them have a nice 'antique' quality to them.

I've already begun to think of new designs & am excited about keeping busy with craftin' now that the summer vacation is coming to an end. Trinity starts back to school on Thursday! WOW!

Warm smiles to you all...
Betty

~*Sharing More Stitches*~

Hi Dear Friends! I hope you are finding lots of crafting time & enjoyment in your week. It is only mid week, but I'm still rushing & working to get some ditties finished. Hopefully I can show some in the next few days.

Charlene has found some stitching time. She made this sweet lil' pillow from my ~*Home Is Best*~ freebie chart. I just love the sweetness of it. Making the home a red saltbox is totally charming!

Thank you for stitching & sharing Charlene!



I'm wishing you all a happy mid~week full of smiles & crafting!
~Betty

~*True Love ~ Two Birds*~

Warm Greetings to you Friends ~

Yesterday I received another delightful email sharing with me a beautiful finished ditty. My buddy, Beth was given my ~*Two Birds*~ needlebook sampler pattern, from a friend as a Christmas gift. Beth also designs primitive cross stitch patterns ~ JUST ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL ONES! She told me she had been wanting to make a needlebook for the longest time & getting the pattern gift was (as she says) "a kick in the pants". She customized the pattern to her needs by adding her own initials, a button closure, a thread winder and a scissors pocket. Hey... that is okay with me! It is wonderful that folks can make my designs special for them. She says now...."This little cutie is going to start travelling with me whenever I take a project along. No more ziplock baggies for me, no-sirree!"

Here are a few photos of Beth's beautiful needlebook ~




Beth is a hunter & gatherer of all things beautiful and vintage. She always finds the sweetest buttons, lace, and adornments. This button fits PERFECTLY as her closure.


The ~*Two Birds*~ needlebook pattern was one of my first pattern releases. When it was released, I hadn't thought of Valentine or True Love.... but looking at it today, it just seems perfect for the 'LOVE' theme and occasion. If you are interested in the pattern, it can be found in my Esty Shoppe.

Warm smiles & happy stitching..... Betty

~*Here Kitty Kitty...*~

Good Day my friends! BbbrrrrrRRRRRR... yes, it is still freezing cold here. Although, they say it is suppose to warm up to the mid 40s this weekend. I'm sure that will feel like a HEATWAVE after having below zero temps. I've tried to stay busy with crafting, but am still playing catch~up around the house. Trinity went back to school yesterday & is feeling wonderful. He really did recover so much more quickly than I had expected him to do. His surgery for tonsils, adenoids, and ear tubes was just one week ago today.

I received another email today with wonderful pictures. (You KNOW I LOVE to see finished works!) This email came all the way from The Netherlands. This is still just so amazing to me! It was only about 4 years ago that I started 'playing' on the computer. I've never been out of the country & haven't really even seen that much of the US. (I've never seen the ocean... believe it or not!) The computer has brought the world to my home & given me a chance to meet some really wonderful folks from ALL THE WAY AROUND IT! I don't know what I would do without it now & really don't know what I did before it. Silly, huh?

Anyway.... Harmien from The Netherlands stitched ~*My Favorite Kitten*~ pinkeep pattern (available at your local needlework shops or at my Etsy shoppe). She stitched on 30ct Irish Creme linen by R&R Reproductions and coffee stained/baked the fabric after stitching. She remarked at how much fun she had stitching... and that she couldn't stop at just one! Now... aren't they darling?!



Here are the backs...(LOVE the fabric choices here too!)


Now... I'm going to have to make my way to The Netherlands so I can HUG them! LOL

Thank you Harmien from sharing. They are sweet as can be!

On the pattern note... it was asked the other day where my ~*Friends Sampler*~ can be found. It too is available from my Etsy shoppe.

Have a day full of glorious smiles....

Betty

~*Sweet Stitches*~

Hello Friends! Boy is it cold here! They say we aren't getting record breaking temps.. but it sure is BITTERLY COLD! I hope you are staying warm ~ spending your time crafting.

Today I was thrilled to receive a couple emails sharing some sweet, stitched finishes. The first came from Kathy....

~*Silent Holy Night*~


She said she didn't get it finished by Christmas, but is thinking of leaving it up all year. You gotta know how GREAT that makes me feel! :) If you aren't familiar with Kathy or Kathy's home... she and her home were featured in Mercantile Gatherings Holiday 2008 issue. Her home is Out-of-this-World magnificent!

The second email came from Michele (don't have a blog listed yet... but I'm checking). She stitched up my ~*Friends Sampler*~ (one of my pattern offerings for sale) as a gift for her Mom for Christmas. A friend of hers also stitched up the pattern as a gift for HER. Michele changed the pattern a bit to fit the Mother/Daughter theme & then stitched it up into a sweet, pink pillow.

I hope Michele doesn't mind... but I just have to share her words from her email to explain the excitement, fun, and sweetness...

"I thought I'd send along a couple of pictures of your "Friends Sampler" chart. The pink pillow I stitched for my mom because I drew her name for our Rug Hookers Christmas party, but the funny thing is, my friend, who drew my name for the same party, stitched the exact same sampler for me! I opened mine and was so surprised but couldn't say anything because my mom hadn't opened her's yet...anyway, she was next in line to open her present, so we all had a good laugh! Like minds think alike and know a great chart when we see one! Of course, I changed a few things to fit my mom and I."

~*Friends Sampler*~ by Michele & Friend...


Thank you, Ladies.. for sharing your talent & your stitches. You brought some warm smiles to me on such a chilly day.

Warm smiles to you all....

Betty

~* I Owe Lisa an Apology*~

Hello Dear friends! Oh deary... I do owe Lisa an apology. Before this year began, seven days ago... she sent me a note to show me her newest, darling ditty and I spaced off posting it to share! SHAME on me! Lisa, I am so sorry!! Here it is though... isn't it GRAND?!



I love how she made it into a cupboard hanger... and I totally LOVE the primming of it!

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing & working with my patterns. I promise to be more on-the-ball next time!

Warm smiles,

Betty

~* First Freebie of 2009!*~

Hello My Dear Friends! Valentine's Day will be here before we know it. You have time to stitch up a sweet treat through! Enjoy!


© primitivebettys

58 by 52 stitches

Please remember, I love to see your finished goodies. My email link is at the left. So send me your finished works so I can show them off!

Also, please be kind & give credit to the designer ~ Betty Dekat... primitivebettys. Thank you!

Warm smiles to you...

Betty

~*One more~ Yippee!*~

Hi Friends! Becky from The Stitchin' Post stitched up ~*Silent Holy Night*~ and finished it off into an ornie to give to a friend. Look! :)



Another sweet finish...huh? Next to it is a design by Tanya of The Sampler Girl. Both are just darling! Thank you, Becky, for sharing!

Warm smiles,

Betty

~*Another Freebie Finish to Share*~

Hello Friends! I do hope your New Year is starting off with a bang of happiness! I'm delighted to share another freebie finish with you....



Isn't it darling? This was stitched by Ann of A Hole in the Basket Primitives. She is a frame collector.... snatching up good ones for pennies at the local goodwill and area garage sales. Although this finish is in one of those frames... you could NEVER tell by looking. It is finished very nicely!

Thank you, Ann, for sharing your marvelous work with us all!

Many warm smiles,
Betty

~*A Symple Christmas Freebie*~

Hello Friends! I've been doodling on my cross stitch program & came up with a symple, but sweet offering for you. Maybe you are finding some crafting time in this busy holiday days? Maybe you have time to make a little pillow or ornie?

~*Silent Holy Night*~ Freebie

© primitivebettys

48 by 61 stitches

I'm going to try my best to offer up a few more freebies in the next couple of weeks ~ both doodles for hooking, punching & such and cross stitch. This is the time of giving! Please stop back by frequently.

Also, I have received a few emails saying that when the pattern is printed, the grid does not. If you are having troubles, please also check in my picture trail (link is on the left).... or email me ~ I'll be happy to forward the image to you.

Many smiles & holiday happy wishes to you...

Betty

~*NEW*~ Pattern Release!

~*Friendship Book*~
An Olde~tyme, Prairie Style Autograph Book




Hello my Dear friends! Yes... I have a new pattern. Moving all my craft stuff last weekend must have worked! It freed up my mind & gave me a sense of clarity. YIPPEE!

I have often been fascinated by old autograph books. Doing some research into the history of them, I found that they were mostly used by college students. They would sign them almost like we do now on our yearbook pages. (From what I remember from signing yearbooks over 20 years ago!) But, I wondered.... what would it have been like for a lil' girl on the prairie. What if she had a book where she could have her friends sign? Or, what if she just carried a book to write her own thoughts & notations?

Well, this is what I came up with. The finish is sort of 'Fallish' with the squirrels standing proudly showing their fruits of labor ~ the glorious bloom, a cross, and the year '1848'. Why not stitch one up to set out at Thanksgiving when your family and friends come by. They could sign... when this you see ~ remember me...

The pattern, if you wish, can be purchased directly from me via email (my_tony1@yahoo.com), Ebay, or Etsy. Pattern cost is $10.00 with free shipping.

I was thinking yesterday... well for a few days actually... it is time for another freebie. I worked up a simple chart last night, but I want to stitch it first & offer you a free finish along with it. So, look for it in the next few days. I won't let ya down. :)

So... until next time... happy stitching with many warm smiles!

~ Betty

~*Working Wednesday*~

Hello Prim Folks! Today started out with lots of rain... so much so that Trinity and I waited for the school bus at the end of the driveway ~ in the car. It worked out really well... neither of us got soaked & I had to run errands and visit the eye doctor anyway.

A trip to Walmart was on my errand list. We don't have much for 'craft supply' shopping here in our small town.... so that was as good as I could do for a quick creative shopping binge. I was wanting to pick up some of the 'inexpensive' monk's cloth and some yarn. Why you ask? Well, last weekend my Mom and I visited a quilt show. (It was fabulous, by the way!) While we were there, she bought me an Oxford Punch Needle. (Thank you Mom!) I've heard lots of gals talk about this needle, but hadn't ever seen one in person. I was interested enough to let my Mom buy it.

Since bringing it home, I've been thinking of different ways to use it. I love my Cameo punch... but that is for small projects. This Oxford punch is for rug making. Ultimately, I would like to use wool strips with my punch.... but reading the instruction booklet that came with the needle ~ it suggests starting with yarn on monk's cloth first. Well, I didn't have either. I've got a yard of rug hooking monk's ordered.... but I wanted to start on something NOW! (If you don't already know... I'm a very impatient person... and I don't consider it a flaw!) LOL

Would you like to see some beginner work?

This is a picture of the 'working' side. Just like with needle punch... the actual process is on the backside of the rug.


From the front...


Yarn shopping was very limited today. I really would have LOVED to start with wool yarn, but of course there wasn't any. I thought about using cotton, but wasn't happy with the color selection. So... I just grabbed a few skeins of acrylic. The shininess of this yarn is not appealing to me... however, because I'm a 'packer' puncher, some of the loops have been snagged ~ giving a sort of 'fluffy' look. (Is fluffy prim?.... maybe not)

At any rate, this is a learning process & it will be interesting to see where it takes me.

Before I sign off.... ATTENTION ALL CROSS STITCHERS.... I have started working a design & only need a little tweaking (plus model stitching).... on a winter sampler that I plan to be a continuation of my ~*1836 Spring Tyme*~ theme. Of course, there are many (oodles really!) designs I want to work up & release. So please keep watching.

Happy creative energy to you ALL.... with warm smiles!

Betty

~*Beholden*~ Freebie

(70 by 40 stitches) © primitivebettys


I thought it was time to give some thanks......

When I began designing this lil' freebie, it originally was going to be the word 'thankful'.... but then 'beholden' sounded more antique and olde to me. :)

Enjoy with smiles!

Betty

~*T'is Crunch Time*~

Hello Friends & Folks! It is now crunch time.... Dickerson's Open House is just a couple days away! YIKES!!!! What have I been doing? I've not been working hard enough ~ that is for sure. Do I have enough stuff to show? Will anyone show up? Will anyone like what I have brought to show? These are just SOME of the things running through my mind about Saturday's showing. I'm just a nervous wreck! So... what am I doing now? I've got a dolly drying in the oven & I'm playing with the photo editor to post up a couple sneak peeks for you....

I've hidden all the 'details' about what they really are.... just to tease ya!


I do hope that those of you near Topeka can swing by on Saturday. It is going to be rainy... but we will be inside. I'm thinking the rain will add to the Fall Fever! Plus... we will probably have some goodies to snack on & some cider to sip!

My buddy JoJo suggested that I demonstrate hooking and/or punching.... so I'm planning on it. Thanks JoJo! I think that sounds like a wonderful idea! Those of you that do know me & have met me in person know though... that I can be quiet the jabber-mouth. How much hooking and punching actually gets done will depend on how much blabbing I'm doing!

Here is the invite to Dickerson's again if you need more info ~



I do hope to see you there!

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

On a cross stitchin' note.... I do plan to work up some more patterns in the near future. My pattern line has just been selected for offering by Hoffman Distributing Company, Inc. I'm thrilled to be able to work with them! My first order ships off next week.

My patterns are also offered by Norden Crafts, Ltd.. They too are wonderful to work with!

Have a blessed day.... and many warm smiles to you!
Betty

~*Blessings*~ Freebie

Hello Friends! I thought it was time for another freebie. There is always time for Blessings.....


(68 x 47 stitches)
I've kept is simple.... thinking it would make a darling lil' pinkeep or cupboard hanger. Just simple~prim! Enjoy! Remember... I would LOVE to see photos of your finished works using my doodles & charts.

Many smiles to you...

Betty

(To copy the chart for use... click on the image to bring it up on a new screen.)

***** I just thought of something...How about stitching the date on another piece of fabric (linen, feedsack, or calico) then attaching it to the rest of the piece with simple stitches? :)

~*I've Been Playing*~

Hello my dear friends!

I have been playing with the freebie doodle I put up the other day & my cross stitch program..... and look what I did!


(84 x 84 stitches)

WOW! Sometimes I just amaze myself.... really, I have never taken a computer lesson! Like with my folk art, I am completely self~taught! :)

There were a few of you that had mentioned maybe I could do my doodles into cross stitch.... and it looks like I might be able to figure it out. LOL This process isn't how I normally design my cross stitch.... but there is a first for everything!

I'm not sure how to put up the legend with the chart here (I'm still learning) ... but these are the colors that I would use..... these are all DMC floss

outline of pumpkin 400 mahogany - dk
pumpkin 921 copper
stem & crow eye 612 drab brown - lt
everything else ~ 310 black

These are the colors I have been using with many of my recent needle punches... along with my over~dyed floss.

**** To print off the graph ~ click on the image. It will then bring the chart up on the screen alone. Then just print. :)

You are more than welcome to stitch this up AND PLEASE DO ~ just give credit where credit is do.... to me, Betty Dekat of primitivebettys. I would LOVE to see how you stitch this up.

Happy stitching!

Smiles,
Betty

~*NEW Patterns Released!*~

Hello Friends & Folks! Yes, it is true.... I've finally released two new cross stitch patterns.... feels like it was a long time in the making. It has been one hectic summer!

I've just put the patterns up on Ebay and Etsy.... but you can always get them directly from me as well. Or, if you are a store, Norden Crafts, LTd will have them shortly.



~*My Favorite Kitten*~




~*Tea Thyme in the Garden*~


Thank you for letting me share the news!

Have a blessed day.... with many smiles....

Betty

~*Creative Energy in HIGH GEAR*~

Hi Friends! I've been happily punchin' away.... on more punkin's of course! BUT, I've also been working the final touches on 2 more cross stitch patterns! The funny thing is though... the cross stitches aren't Fall~fevered..... but I think you will still like them.... at least I hope you will like them. :) My creative energy has been on HIGH GEAR & I'm really excited about showing you everything I've been working on!

For now.....



.... this lil' ditty has been scheduled to list tonight on Ebay. After 8pm CST tonight click here or visit my seller's id of primitivebettys to see it. It is listed as part of BLESTB's Early Harvest Launch.



To see all BLESTB has to offer, click here or search Ebay using BLESTB.


As for my latest patterns.... MAYBE I can show them to you tomorrow. The models & charts are finished.... but I need to design the covers & write up the instructions ~ then off to the printer. Then I promise you can see them.

Thanks for letting me share some of my excitement!

Many smiles to you..... Betty