~*Mid~Week Update*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I do hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

My StepDad's surgery went very well yesterday.  I want to thank you all again for the thoughts and prayers.  The surgery lasted about 5 hours.  When we visited with the doctor afterward, he seemed very calm and happy with the outcome.  While he was working on the aneurysm, he noticed a few other things that needed attention... and fixed John up in those spots too.  My Sister laughed and commented that the repairs were like "tuning up a car".  John will be able to go for many more miles now!  He is healing in ICU and expected to be in the hospital for about 10 days.  He can't eat for 4-5 days... so I imagine he will be very uncomfortable for awhile.  We are all very thankful... and we are praying that he continues to heal well... and quickly.  *smile*

I wasn't on the computer much yesterday... and didn't see this until just this morning... but Becky of Patchwork Posse posted the interview of me... little, ol' me... and I'm blushing!  Sometimes I really just... well... talk too much!  ha ha ha  Thank you, Becky, for posting up & sharing about me.  :-)

She will be posting my doodle for the snowman rug on Friday with a quick tid bit on how to hook him up.  I'm worried that I didn't give enough rug hooking instructions for beginning hookers... but I am usually available to answer questions.  Hopefully, if someone needs more information they will contact me... or another rug hooker.  You know, one thing I have learned is that rug hookers (and most crafters really!) are always excited and happy to share the knowledge that they have.  I just love that, don't you?!

I'm off to work on the booth this morning... and then will be home in the shop this afternoon.  

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Wool Challenge Update*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I hope you have celebrated the holiday weekend with loving family and friends.  We enjoyed some quiet days at home this weekend... visited the parade on Saturday... I crafted in the shop & meet some wonderful gals who came to visit... and today Tony & I had lunch together at our favorite burger joint.  

We love Freddy's and had a chance to meet Freddy himself today.  He is a WWII Veteran... we enjoyed hearing his stories from those days... and, as always, enjoyed our burgers.  We were even treated to free custard's for dessert today!  (My husband, Tony, is an Army Veteran.)  Freddy is a very kind, personable man... and greets everyone with a hug.  He is such a sweetheart!

 Trinity always salutes the military in the parade.

 Everyone and their dog celebrates here!

Tomorrow is my stepDad's surgery.  He and my Mom are taking care of blood work orders today... and visiting with my stepSister, Laurie.  He also had to get a tooth pulled early this morning.  Yes, I about freaked when my Mom told me about that... but then she said it wasn't anything really because the tooth was about to fall out on its own.  Good grief!  I'm thinking he is already going through enough... right?  Well, I'll be headed to Topeka after I drop Trinity off at school in the morning... so I can be with my family in the waiting room... visiting, praying, and cheering him to good health again.  Thank you again for continued prayers for him.  We really appreciate it.

I wanted to give you a quick reminder about the Wool Challenge that Patchwork Posse is hosting.  It is off to a great start... with interviews, tips, instructions, and patterns already.  This morning, I filled out my interview questions.  I sent them to Becky along with the doodle pattern for the snowman rug above... she said she will work on writing up my challenge info and have it up by Friday.  I'm worried I wrote her too much of a life story... but I do have a passion for crafting... and sometimes you just can't shut me up when I'm on a craft~talk~role!

Well... on that note... I have some needlepunching to get back to.  Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Veterans Day*~

Thank you Veterans... those that have served, are serving, and will serve!  Bless You all!

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Dear Friends & Happy Friday!  I do hope this post finds you doing well.  I've been busy creating in the shop... and in the living room in the evening.  *grin* hooking, sewing, and stitching...  I finished up a couple more velvet pears.  These are made with a cotton velvet... and I do just love 'em!  One was taken down to our booth at Ellie Lou's... and the other is here in the shop...

 These are about 11" tall (give or take)... and made from inspiration from a pattern by Sassafras Hill Primitives.  They are rag filled... and trimmed with vintage skeleton keys.

And some wonderful finishes from other dear friends...

This is a freebie finish from Carla that was posted on Facebook.... so sweet & it is about turkey time!

 This dandy is from Dora, the sweet that sent me yummy fudge *smile*... her finish of ~*Helga Watts*~...

Dora used Garden Gate Sampler Thread (by The Gentle Art) that I used on the model.  She stitched on 36 count Legacy from Picture This Plus.  In the corners, she added four mismatched antique buttons... and did a blanket stitch around the edges.  

Both finishes are just DARLING!  Thank you so much, Ladies, for stitching and sharing!  I love to see & share finishes!!!

With Veteran's Day this Sunday... we may head into Emporia for the parade tomorrow morning.  Did you know Emporia is the founding city for Veteran's Day.  It is kind of a big deal ~ as is very well should be! ~ and the whole town is a buzz with activity celebrating our veterans.  Thank you for serving!  Afterwards, I plan to be in the shop with the open sign out... swing by & see me!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~*Shop Opening*~

Hello Dear Friends!  Thank you again for all your encouragement & support on my new venture!  I opened the shop this past Saturday... and it was wonderful!  I didn't expect to be 'busy' with a huge crowd, but I am thrilled that I was able to meet and greet many kind folk!  Thank you to all those who stopped out... and I do hope to see you again.

My sweet SIL, Robin, spent the day with me.  We crafted between customer visits.  My beloved, Tony, picked up a pizza (gluten free!) for lunch.  (We sat around my work table and devoured it when there was a break between customers.)  And... my Mom & StepDad came down (they live an hour away) to see & wish me the best.  It truly was a GREAT day!

 Until I'm able to set my regular hours, I've been popping over & opening up the shop at random.  We live on a busy road, so the sign is very noticeable to passers~by.

Tony snapped a few photos of us while we were all visiting.  I'm not sure what my StepDad was talking about at the time... but he always has a good story to tell.  I am so glad he & my Mom came down for a visit.  He is doing well.  He has quit smoking his pipe (finally!) and is much more energetic.  His surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday.  

(my mom June, Robin, and stepdad John)
 
Spending more time in the studio has given me more time to craft on things.  My supplies have been mostly over there since the inside was re~done a few years back.  Up until the shop opening, I was toting things back and forth from the house to the studio... and wasn't getting much accomplished.  But now... I am!

I started hooking on this yesterday...

 And finished the hooking on it today.  There is another one started too that didn't get photographed today.

 I've also been stitching.  I made a small 'wrap' for this old bottle.  Just a simple 'prim'...

 I also stitched up a few smalls from a Stacy Nash booklet.  The stain is a tad too dark maybe?  Still prim goodies...

I'm enjoying the shop... and enjoying the time spent in my studio.  It is a dream come true!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Dear Friends & Happy Friday to ya!  I do hope you are all doing well.  My friends on the East coast... I do pray you are safe!  I am so sorry for your struggles, sufferings, and losses.  My prayers are with you!

Tomorrow is my big 'Quiet' Opening day... from 10am to 4pm.  I'm nervous, worried, excited, and happy.  A whole lot of  mixed emotions!  The 'Quiet' Opening is just a simple thing... I'm just opening the door and greeting anyone who happens to stop by.  The 'Grand' opening will have refreshments and door prizes.  Tomorrow, my sweet SIL, Robin, is going to be with me.  We plan to craft the day away in the studio... and hopefully visit with customers.  *smile*

I only have a few things to finish getting ready... mainly sweeping the floor.  I moved my Boston Ferns into the shop a few weeks back when the temperatures began to drop... and now their leaves are sprinkling on the floor.  

Today is Friday... and I'm happy to share a finish with you.  This is a simple finish using a freebie of mine called ~*Best Friends*~.  It has been made by AnaCristina.  She has been busily stitching away and has many finishes to share on her blog post.  Each one is a treasure!

  

Very charming, AnaCristina!  Thank you for stitching and sharing!

The update for Early Work Mercantile was yesterday.  You may have noticed I had to put a banner up explaining I was taking a break.  I'm not really 'taking a break'... I'm just very over~extended right now.  Next month, I do have plans to be back on track!  I also have plans to get busy stitching away on the patterns I REALLY WANT TO RELEASE!  Really I do!

Wising you warm smiles...

Betty