~*Sharing More*~

Another freebie, fabulous finish...

This one was stitched by Carla. The stitching & finish are darling... but I especially love the display. Carla doesn't have a blog, but she does have a really cool Webshots... full of crafty things, family photos, and AWESOME decorating pictures of her home & garden. Check it out! Thank you Carla for stitching & sharing!

I'm in the midst of another busy week. The temperatures outside are still nice today ~ suppose to be near 70, but we have a chance for snow when we wake up tomorrow. Now that is just CRAZY! I suppose the snow will keep me in & get me closer to working on the punching, hooking, and stitching that I have been trying so hard to get to. I have several projects started & always many more rambling around in my head. Guess that is the nature of the crafty, arty soul!

Many smiles to you...
Betty

~*Making Something Special Out of Something Simple*~

Hello Friends! Recently I made a couple of gifts for two of my dear friends ~ buddies from An American Primitive Gathering on Ebay. They are both kitty lovers & I wanted to incorporate a cat or two into their gift. A few weeks earlier I was shopping at one of our local Dollar General stores. I wasn't looking for anything for my friends at the time... just shopping for household paper & cleaning goods. BUT... I ran across these sweet looking & smelling candles. The scents of the candles are Vanilla Honey & are housed in a ceramic container that resembles an antique, enamel milk can. I was immediately drawn to them & tickled that they were Made in the USA. A light bulb went off in my head! Here is what I made...

I thought a couple of little candle sleeves would be darling wrapped around the candles. I made them so they can be removed & tied onto another candle or taken off to clean out the burnt candle in this holder... they are just tied on with a little floss & some vintage buttons.

I stitched on a scrap of 10 ct (a lot larger than I'm use to!) wool fabric with DMC flosses. To form the sleeve, I assembled the stitching, a layer of cotton batting, and backing of sweet calico. Then, of course, I stained them with my walnut & spice mix. I've very proud with how they turned out... but happier yet to hear that both friends were pleased with their gifts. Happy Belated Birthday to both Kelley and Joanne!

Oh... and I have another freebie finish to share! One of my bestest buddies, Ginger, didn't waste any time at all working this one up from the freebie I offered just the other day...
~*1857 Bunny*~ done in redwork
It is just lovely, Ginger! I love the barnwood frame, the antique staining, the stitching, and the 'linger here' version. I just love the whole thing ya know! Thank you for stitching & sharing!

I have needle punching that is calling my name... so until next time... warm smiles to you...
Betty

~*Sharing a Few Finishes*~

Hello Friends! I hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead of you. The weather is very nice here & we are sure to be spending the day outside. It is sure to be a great weekend of family & fun!

I have a few freebie finishes to show off...

First is some Redwork by Rosie. Willie found love in this sweet pillow for sure!


Barbara stitched up both of these...




All the finishes are so super sweet! Thank you Ladies for stitching & sharing!

Best wishes for you all to have a special weekend with lots of sunshine & smiles!

... Betty

~*Freebie Friday*~

Hello Friends! I've been doodling & have a new one to offer you. Enjoy...



As I was doodling, I had the word 'Live' & thought of 'Love' in place of '1857'... but then thought you could add your own choice. Please feel free to make any changes you wish ~ just please give credit where credit is due.

Many warm smiles to you...
Betty

~*I Just Realized Something!*~

And it may be a good tip to pass along....



I have been using the same Cameo punchneedle for over three years now. Lately is has been hard to pick it up to use it... something just didn't feel right about it. I have been using it, but there was a struggle going on with the whole mind/body/desire sorta crafty thing... ya, whatever that means, huh? LOL Several months ago (or longer) I bought a replacement needle thinking that if the current one ever broke I would be lost without my needle. My Cameo has never broken & has been so worth the money I spent on it. However, tonight I had a brainstorm! Maybe my needle was getting dull? After all, I have used it for so long & on so many projects. So I thought I would change out the needle. Sure enough! There is a huge difference in it! It punches like new again! Yipee!

Of course, I have not thrown the old needle away. It is now clearly marked as being my Old Needle & in a safe spot just in case I do need it again.

So... just an FYI... if your punchneedle is feeling a little olde & wonky... maybe it needs a little update with a new needle.

Many smiles your way...
Betty

~*Where Did It Go?*~

The warm weather? Where did it go? This past Saturday was so nice... in the lower 70s. Now today we will be lucky to get to the upper 20s. Goodness... it does seem just crazy doesn't it? The forecast is saying it will be back up to near 70 by the end of the week, but a real cool down right now.

Saturday was the PERFECT day! We celebrated a couple of Fairy birthdays. My niece, Emma, has just turned 3. Angie's (my sister) boyfriend has a daughter, Carter, that has just turned 4. My Sister & Mom worked hard preparing for the big bash... Fairies & Knights was the theme. The celebration started in my Mom's basement... there was pink EVERYWHERE, bubbles hanging from the ceiling by curly ribbons, goodie bags full of pink foiled chocolate kisses & pink snowballs, a fairy cottage display complete with fairies on the table, fairy wings & knight armor attached to the chairs for the children to keep, and butterfly nets hanging on the wall for the kids to use later... to catch some of their own fairies. They started decorating for this party over a month ago... and it showed. I'm sure there was more that I have failed to mention... but it really was GREAT! The basement was GRAND... but unfortunately my camera didn't like the light too well & all my pics were blurry. However, because it was so nice... we took off for the park to play and we did get some good snap shots!

Here are Emma and Carter with their wings & bubbles... aren't they both just stunning with their pink tutus? (Emma is on the right ~ Carter on the left)


Even my Mom played! I think she was enjoying the swing as much as Trinity!


Angie and Carter's Grandma worked together to make the cake. It was so cute! I hated to cut it up!


I would like to mention a little more 'PINK'! I may have showed this earlier, but it is well worth another note. Sheri hooked up this sweet pillow with one of my freebie patterns. I love to look at this one because it reminds me of the Valentine candy hearts ~ you know, the ones with the little sayings on them. That is how sweet I think it is!

Sheri told me she will be bringing her pillow to the Lenexa Hook In. I am so excited about that! I'll get to see them both... Sheri and the pillow! Goodie! Thank you for hooking & sharing, Sheri!

Time for me to get busy... I'm stitching up some birthday gifts for friends today. That sounds like a great activity since it is too cold to be outside!

Many warm smiles to you...

Betty