~*Feeling Better & Keeping Busy*~

Yup, I'm feeling better! Thank you for all the well wishes for healing & recovery. The sinus pain and pressure has gone away... and things are improving. Thankfully!

I've been able to finish the hooking part of this rug...



And have put a base coat of burnt umber on some paper mache boxes... and gathered up some linens & inspriations...



For those that have inquired about the new patterns... they are coming. The models are complete... the patterns needs to be put together... then they will be shown. They may be ready as soon as next week! I'll keep ya updated & posted! :) Thank you for being patient with me... and for being excited too!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Blustery Cold*~

That is what the weatherman is saying... and he is right. It is bone~chilling for sure. However, I haven't been out at all. I'm suffering from a sinus infection and am so very thankful for a loving husband and a caring doctor. I didn't want to make a trip to see the doc. It would have meant a 30 minute drive... and then another 30 to pick up a prescription. The doc's nurse talked with me on the phone and the doc agreed to just call in some antibiotics... and my loving husband drove to the pharmacy to pick them up. So... I could stay in the house... layered with a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, sweats, and two pairs of socks... with plenty of tissue boxes near by. I guess I'm a big baby when sick... good thing I don't get sick often!

Enough of that...

This is snow day #2 with the kiddo home. He had a friend over to play yesterday, has read some books, played with his toys, and played lots of video games. He is keeping busy seems happy.

I've been working on crafty things. My three cross stitch models are finished... just waiting for the patterns to be worked up & some good photos taken. I've also been working on my rug...


If my energy level holds out... it might be hooked by bedtime...

Wishing you all warm smiles... and warm homes....

Betty

~*A Blanket of Snow...*~

as seen from the living room window...


means time for woolly loops...



and some tiny stitches...


Yes, that was a tease with the stitches... those are the models (still in progress) for the newest releases... coming soon.

Wishing you all warm smiles...
Betty

~*Swoosh!*~

Basketball season has started for our 3rd graders! The first game was yesterday and they won 16-8! No, the score isn't really that important and it would have been just as good if they would have lost.

Trinity is on a team sponsored by our small-town rec center. The boys on his team are all buddies and classmates. They are learning the importance of teamwork and practice. It is great to see them play good together and to see how they support one another. Granted, there are players on the team that stand out and excel... but they are all great about cheering each other on. To me... that is far more important than the score. Although... it is nice to see a win too! You should hear my lil' guy bragging about it!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Dear Friends! Now that the holidays have once again slid past... it is time to get back to some normalcy. Time to get back to some ~*Friday Finishes*~! Yet again there some fabulous sweets to share! It seems Valentine's Day is quickly approaching... and these finishes are proving it...

From my buddy, Doris...

Doris over~dyes most of her wool and puts a lot of attention into her works. They are always so nicely punched!

My SIL, Robin, has punched up the same freebie doodle...

Robin told me she was inspired by Doris for this design. She punched using vintage wool threads and mounted her finish to a wooden box. The pillow in the picture is actually for tucking inside the box. So cute! I've seen this one in person... and the photo doesn't do it justice. It really is much nicer. Robin will be listing this and maybe more pieces on Ebay this coming Monday.

Thank you girls, for punching and sharing! I'm still itching to get my punchneedle out... like I mentioned the other day... but it still sits untouched. Maybe this weekend I can work with it.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*A Few More Gifts*~

Here are a few more of my new treasured gifts. Oh goodness... I received so many and am truly blessed. My family and friends have really spoiled me... and given me too much. Their love and support is really all I could ever ask for and all I ever need... and they give that to me always.

These are just a few of the gifts... some I thought you would enjoy seeing...

This is one of the other boxes Tony gave me. He bought this vintage toy box at an antique store... knowing how I love old, vintage, primitive, 'beat up' stuff...



It is just so sweet! Look at the crackling decals...




I moved it to the studio this morning and filled it with Trinity's art supplies. He needs a spot to create too..



This is the other box Tony gave me... a sweet sewing caddy. The cubbies & drawers on these little things really amaze me. Who thought of this design anyway? It is just ingenious!



Tony wasn't the only one to give me boxes. My family just knows me too well! This one is from my stepson Jamie and his girlfriend, Annie. They also went shopping at the antique stores for me. They are new to the antique store browsing, but both said how much fun they had seeing all the KEWL old stuff. This is a super box! It has a 'bread-box' type top & a drawer at the bottom. The design on the front is carved & I think would make a neat motif for a hooked rug. Darling!



I also received some great hand-dids as gifts!

You may remember seeing this one. It was stitched by Murf & she shared her finish with me via email to post on ~*Friday Finishes*~ not too long ago. Imagine my surprise when I received it in the mail! WOW! I've told her & I keep saying this... but I love the blue rick rack! It is so striking! I've hung it in the studio & it makes me smile each time I see it. Thank you again Murf!!



This next gift was delivered in the mail too & really tickled me! It has been stitched by Cheryle, a customer and email buddy from California. She is just the sweetest! She reads my blog and saw my love for my princess kitties. She thought they needed another one to keep them company... and stitched up this darling ditty. Cheryle named this kitty Beulah... and I think that is the prefect name. Thank you again, so very much Cheryle! We moved a couple more pieces of furniture next door. These are pieces I was going to paint black, but decided to just leave them as they are. One is a buffet & the mat looks wonderful on top of it.



Also in the mail came this cute coin purse... and several other goodies like notepads, a pen, some candies... and so much more. My buddies in Oklahoma, friends I've met online and in person, made these cute purses for the members of our online group AAPG. They are just the right size for a debit card and a couple dollars! Thank you Ginger and PatiJane!!




And one more... this great eyeglass case was hooked by my sweet SIL Robin. I just love everything about it! Especially that it is the perfect size to hold my Hollywood Shades! I needed a case for them. :)


I received so much more! This is only a sampling. All I can really say is... Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I mentioned that we have moved more furniture next door. I'm trying to decorate more before taking more pictures... but hope to share with you soon. I've also been stitching and hooking... but because they are gifts (and a model)... they will be shared later.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty