LAST TIME.....
I recovered my blog, so I'm back over on Blogger...this blog will only be used as a backup :)

thanks for you patience with me-you guys are the best! :)

Hugs :)
BeckySC

WELL, here I am back to my old haunt...
Sure glad I kept this one. I needed it! I am still so frustrated about my Blogger blog. I loved it and worked so hard to make it my own...but enough of that ...worse things happen :) :) :)

Again, thank you all for the b-day wishes for my hubby...you are all so sweet.

Danielle, thanks for the comment on my needle book. It wasn't hard, probably would have been easier had I stitched it with that purpose in mind and then I would have had the fabric cut for that reason...but I like experimenting and learning new techniques, so it was a learning experience and one that turned out so well :)

I am still in the finishing mood, but also need to stitch...been neglecting it badly, with the excitement of the upcoming exchanges on my BB...Having too much fun plotting and planning for those :) and my stitching has suffered therein.

Have a great weekend! I hope to :)

AGAIN, thanks for your patience and understanding in my blogging troubles. I do hope you all will continue to comment and read...whereever I am :) :) :)

Hugs :)
BeckySC

HAPPY 48th to my dear Hubby :)
Happy birthday to you. You are 48 today and I have spent 24 1/2 of those 48 with you. It has been an adventure. We have been through things I thought we would never get past...deaths of loved ones that we didn't know how to deal with, one death I thought I couldn't get past (but there you were, helping me to deal with it and go on in life), job related stresses, and other everyday stresses that life dishes up. They have all made us stronger and made you into the WONDERFUL man, father, and hubby you are today. I am so very proud of you and all that you give to your family, friends and community. You are a strength to us all. I love you and I hope you have MANY more b-days, and I hope I get to share them with you :)
Love, Becky


I called my hubby in to look at the B-day wishes from my friends.....he said thank you so much, but please call him Rick :) :) :) You guys are THE BESTEST!!!!!

Thank you for the compliments on my needlebook finishing. It was a lot of fun. I didn't have a pattern or directions, but it turned out nicely and I love it. I would BEE happy to share the finishing I used, Jo in the How To Forum :) The How To forum will be set up when KarenV returns from her vacation...she is leaving soon :) And Vero will also moderate when she returns from her two week vacation. I am SURE there will bee some wonderful finishing ideas and how to's posted in the forum :)

I wanted to do some more finishing tonight-but it has been a busy day and company for hubby's b-day, so I have not found time to do anything, but it has been a good day :) :) :)

(edited to say...some of these post may not make sense to you...my Blogger Blog went Kaplooey and i lost 99% of my post...so I tried to recover them here and there will be no comments-but I have recovered the post here and the comments were on blogger and were answered there)


hugs :)
BeckySC

Today was a rough day...
I needed a hug several times today, but mostly when the tree didn't get out of the way for the lawnmower and I got slapped in the face by a branch and almost knocked off the mower. I have a huge place under my right eye and it's gonna be black and blue and it's already very sore.

After being a yard bug all day I finally got to sit down and do what I had planned for one day this week and that was a finishing day...I didn't get to finish several projects as I had hoped, but I did manage to turn my ABC Zippie from Bent Creek that I had stitched awhile back into a needlebook. It turned out ADORABLE! I went for a rustic/simplistic style as I thought that is what this piece called for.

Here is the front, I used twine for the ties to add simplicity and rustic charm.


And this is the outside with the book opened.



And on the inside to add that rustic charm, I haphazardly whipped around the lining fabric. It turned out AWESOME! It added just what I was looking for. (which you can't tell very well from my pic...sorry for the pics...someday I will take a photography class :) :) :) :))


Hugs :)
BeckySC

I will be mailing out to the following people by no later than Friday :)
Carol-My Garden Wild Flat-fold
Veronique-Button box
Zohrah-Fabrics
Stacey-Pattern Books

If I have something to mail to you but have not listed you, please let me know :) Thanks so much :)

Zohrah, I am not sure where you can use paypal to purchase the kit. I will do some checking or maybe another reader can assist you. I am ordering it soon :)

Terri-I bet you will master finishing :) :) :)

Nicki-I have and use all the Judy Odell books-they are easy to use and I enjoy them.
It also helps that my mom is an excellent seamstress and I can bug her with any questions I have-she paid me a compliment just recently at how much I have improved on finishing and didn't even have to call on her for help :) :) :)

Also, Catherine asked about the HE freebie of the Beehive. I received it from the LNS I worked at. It was included in the designs that a a group of designers created for the Stitch & Frames 25th year celebration-the packages of freebies were distributed to employees and customers-some freebies were widespread but others were created just for the Stitch & Frame. Catherine said she couldn't find it anywhere and I offered to send her a copy-I will do the same for anyone else that would like to have it :) Just let me know :)
Have a great day :)

More Editing to add answer for Zohrah & Nicki :)
Thank you KarenV and Danielle for your comments on my NR and your thoughts on the HE piece :) I appreciate you commenting.

I don't generally post anything negative, but I am very frustrated with the US postal service. I sent a package out priority, insured and delivery confirmation....it was already a very expensive package and I added those 3 things to insure that it made it to it's destination today and SAFELY as it was a B-day gift....well, looks like it didn't make it. That REALLY bugs me as I paid the extra to have it delivered today! Oh well!!!!!!

(EDITED TO ADD: Go figure, at least one of my friends received her package today and I sent it at the same time as the b-day gift and it was sent first class mail...SHEESH!!!, Shelleen, thanks for letting me know you got it and I am so happy you like it :) enjoy it, my friend :))

(Another Edit: I tracked the package and it states it was delivered....)

Sorry about that, as I said, I don't usually post negative things, just really aggravated right now.

I finished off a couple of pieces today, but I am not going to post them as they are gifties for a couple of friends that read my blog :) I so enjoy finishing these days. I have improved so much on my finishing skills over the last year or so...I think it helps though that I now have all my supplies in one place and can sit down and finish without having to go from room to room and it also helps to have a few good instructional books and not to mention all the wonderful finishing skills shared by bloggers and cross stitch lovers :)

Lizzie, I used the instructions for one of my NR kits-for some reason, it just seemed clearer to me than the other instructions. I also used my Encyclopedia of Needlework, they were both helpful.

Peggy, thanks for letting me know it arrived safely :) I am so happy you like it. I KNEW I had to buy it for you when I saw it..LOL! Enjoy it :) I knew Madison would love the trinket :) :) :)-I bought her something special for her B-day :) Will talk with you tomorrow :)

Zohrah, thanks for your comment on my NR :) I enjoy stitching NR's and have a basket full of them :) NOW, I enjoy them even more with new found ability of hemstitching :)
As for the Needle Book, needlecase, needlekeeper...they have many names. They are cross stitched pieces put together in a book fashion to hold your needles. They can be made many different ways with many different designs. Here is just one example. They can be much more complex or simplistic. This one is a needle book as well as a scissor keeper.
(BTW, your fabric will be mailed this week. It was more than the package I had would hold, so I have to purchase something larger to mail it in)

Nicki, the Needlebook is from With My Needle BUT, be warned...you are gonna DROOL :) LOL!! They have some GORGEOUS things :) :) :) Enjoy :)

I was visiting with Danielle before retiring tonight and she received a LOVELY needlebook in an exchange-pop over and have a looksee, it's really nice :)

Have a nice evening!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR, CAROL! I HOPE YOU HAVE THE BESTEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!!
(((((((((MANY B-DAY HUGS))))))))))

I took time today to practice finishing off one of my previously stitched NR's.
Renee put me in the mood yesterday with her practice NR finishing :) :). I needed to master the hemstitching method. I have never tried it before and have always finished my NR's by hemming them on the sewing machine...which is fine, but once I learned the technique of hemstitching today, I do wish I had finished all my other NR's off with hemstitching :)


Thanks for the comments on my finish yesterday. I think I will finish it into a needle book. Any thoughts on that???

hugs :) :)

Freebie Finish :)
Beehive Freebie from Homespun Elegance. I enjoyed this piece. It is a little different in the colors used and the design of the "A" but it turned out nicely, or at least I think so :) Now to decide what to do with it :)



Well, the extreme heat finally gave way to severe weather for us. We had hail the size of nickels and wind in excess of 60 MPH. It was scary! The oldest son of one of our most loved firemen (he died a couple of years ago from stomach cancer)lost his home in the storm, due to a lightning strike. It has been a terrible year for structures being hit by lightning...that is ALSO scary!!!! I was worried, but we got by without any damages.

I am still so overwhelmed at the response I have had to the Stitching Bloggers Exchange BB....we are over 60 members and going strong and a lot of activity on the BB. There is still room for you if you wish to join :) :) :)

Have a great weekend :)
BeckySC

No pics again today...just a small stash report :)
(Edited to add: Shelleen, I am mailing out your package tomorrow :) I hope you enjoy it :) Zohrah, IF I can find packaging for your fabrics, I will mail them tomorrow also, if not they will be mailed on my next post office trip-Vero, I am waiting until you return from your holiday before I mail off your gift I made for you.
I have an extra The Cricket Collection's It's in the Basket, if anyone would like to have it, please e-mail me-first come basis)

I took a trip to my LNS this morning to pick up a B-day gift and some items I had on order...I also did a little shopping while I was there. I tried to BEE good after last week's Stash-A-Thon...ROFL!!

Today I brought home, items that were on order:
B-day Giftie
Fiber pack for Marriage of Minds (WOW!!)

I shopped today for:
Fancy Work-Through The Woods Pincushion for Nantucket Basket
Homespun Elegance-Pin Cushions A Plenty III
Twisted Oak Designs-Stitching Treasures Collection
Cherished Stitches-Purple Passion in a Bag

I still have a couple of things on back order as well.

I would say I am all set for some serious exchange stitching :) WOOHOO!! Can't wait!!!

Anyone need any heat? We have EXTRA here in SC :) LOL!

Have a good day my friends :)

Temps over 100 for 3rd straight day...
(sorry, no pics, if you are one of those readers that need pics...none to share today :) )

It is so hot and humid here! I am SO thankful for a/c!!!! The temps have been over 100 the past 3 days and this is the 13th day of above 90. I feel for those that have to be out in it. I also feel for my hubby-he comes home with white streaks in his shirts where he has sweated so much. I am thankful I can stay in.

I am so ready to start stitching on my exchange pieces, but I do want to wait and see who's name I get for each of them before making a final decision on the pieces I will stitch (i have designs in mind for them all, but that may change with the names I receive). I have also been shopping for a couple of items...shhhhh :)

I have NO motivation to work on any of my WIP's...they just do not appeal to me right now. I am happy that I have completed 3 of the projects that I started the year with and I am not feeling any guilt right now/they are all in my WIP basket and when the time is right, they will resurface for a few days of attention. I am thinking of revamping the projects I would like to start. I am in the mood to stitch on exchanges as well as gifts for a few special friends.

thanks for the comments on Wee Wooly!!! They are appreciated :) :) :)

Have a good day, and try and stay cool if you are in the "heat zone" :)
love ya !
BeckySC

Still catching up on rest and other things from my vacation
I am just now starting to feel "normal" again. I was honestly exhausted, and needed to catch up on things here at home as well. I don't have any stitching to share, however, I did start HIH's Wee Wooly for my friend, Jan last night. It should be a quick stitch, provided I get to stitch on it. I can't wait to finish it off into something cute :)

I finished Wee Wooly. He still needs a heart around his neck and I am going to finish him off before sending him to Jan :)



I have not read blogs yet either, and hope to be able to do some catching up there as well.

Please come join us in the fun at the Blogger's Exchange BB We have about 40 members now and several exchanges posted. A few of those are closing VERY soon, so apply today and come join us! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks for all the welcome homes I received, and the comments on my new stash :)

Have a great day!
hugs :)
BeckySC

Home Sweet Home!!!!
It's GOOD to be home. It's always fun to go away, but it is so nice to be back in my own home. It was a very busy 5 days and I am VERY tired. I look forward to just resting over the next day or so and playing in all my new stash....and I have plenty of new stash to play in. Report follows.

(LONG LIST!)
This pic is of the goodies I purchased while on vacation. The list follows.

Pine Mountain
Autumn Harvest Days Kit
Charming Seasons Kit
Snow BRR-ds Kit
MSF & Cross Stitchery LLC
Wait Up Kit
Feel Like a Nut Kit
Olde Colonial Designs
X-Tra Tiny Sampler Kit
Charted Imagery
Mini Victorian Six Sided Needle Box Kit (this is AWESOME!)
Heart in Hand
Bless You (kit & Frame)
The Sweetheart Tree
Halloween Fob
Little House Needleworks
ABC123
Woodland Sampling
Morning Berries
The Prairie Schooler
Bunnies & Chicks
V*Y*X
Friends
Garden Gloves
Pins & Needles
The Cricket Collection (these were buy 2 get one free along with Fanci That)
Seeds
It's In The Basket
Infant Oaks
Gentle Harvest
In The Garden
Sheepy Hollow
Fanci That
Birds Of A Feather
Uncle Sam
Lavender Wings
Saturday Sampler
Full Circle Designs (HALF PRICE)
Punkin Patches
Shepherds Bush
Snow Child
Little River
Snow Friends
Milady's Needle
Sampler Key Chains Kit
Historic Needlework Guild
Acorn Sewing Roll
Bright Needle
Eliza Jane's Needlekeep and Scissor Flat
Good Morning Good Evening
Butternut Road
Summer Sampler

12 Caron Water Colours for Summer Sampler
Mary Engelbreit Collectible Pincushion (shh...a giftie)

I also had a few E-bay packages delivered while I was away. (sorry no pic-opened the package after I took the pic of my vacation stash)
I won:
Fancy Work
Quacker Swan Case for Needles
Sheepish Designs
Wabbit's Garden
Wabbit
The Prairie Schooler
Trick or Treat
From The Heart
Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin
Remember Me
Homespun Elegance
Neat Country Stuff
Sampler Patches
Birdhouses
Rosewood Manor
Honey Bees Quilt Sampler
Heart In Hand
Wee Wooly
The Cricket Collection
Rabbit's Garden
Rabbit's Delight

And My Silkweaver FOTM Solo came as well.

I hope to catch up on Blog Reading in the next couple of days :)
I missed you all!

hugs!
BeckySC

I''m going to miss you all while I'm gone...
I really will. I am accustomed to visiting with you all each day through your blogs/email and my own blog. So stay busy while I am gone so I will have something to read when I return....LOL!!!!

I am leaving about 5-5:30 tomorrow morning, and I will be returning Friday (22) afternoon. I'll see you all then :)

love,
BeckySC

Good Morning!
Let me tell you, there is just nobody in the world like Stitching Friends! They can just touch you and surprise you like no other friends can do-I guess that's because we understand each other and this addiction we have! I received a surprise in my mailbox today from our Miss Carol. She is just such a sweetie. She sent me The Bee Keeper's Cottage Samplar (hmmm, all kinds of spelling for it huh? LOL)from Examplars From The Heart. I LOVE it, and was so very surprised!!! Thank you so much, Carol! Love ya!

I feel lost, because I haven't stitched this week, but I have done some finishing and that is important too :) I have been busy with the planning and getting things together for my vacation in 1 day!! WOOHOO!!!! I have also been trying to get things underway for the Stitching Bloggers Exchanges BB. Answering e-mail and questions :) People are really receptive of the idea! I wanted to get that set up before I left. Come join us in the fun! (It is a MBA (Membership By Approval) board, to help keep costs down and trouble out. Please note that if you send an application for membership after tomorrow night (July 17), I will be away and will not be able to accept you until I return on the 22nd. I will get your applications approved as SOON as I get back and get online.

OOPS, almost forgot to say that I have been Ebay shopping, I got some charts I have really been wanting..will report when I receive them all :)

I received the nicest e-mail about Heirloom Christmas. Thank you for e-mailing me. I do know there is a cyber class for this piece and many others. I am on Thea's mailing list, but have never participated in a cyber class and have been nervous about doing so, as I struggled so much with the IRL class I took. Thank you ladies for your e-mail...I may think about joining the class. ALSO, thank you for your offer of chat about this and other VS pieces. I appreciate your wonderful offer and when I return from my vacation, I will take you up on that offer. I pulled HC out the other day and I am afraid to proceed...maybe that can change with your help! Thanks again :) You made my day!!!!!

Zohrah, I did receive your e-mail this morning. Thank you and I will get those fabrics out to you when I return from vacation :) I hope you will enjoy them.

Rowena, dear it was good to hear from you :) MISS you much :) As usual you sound VERY busy :) Please drop by anytime. (MUCH LOVE!!!!)

Ann, thanks for posting to my blog :) I love meeting new friends and getting comments. I hope you will visit with me again :)

Changes underway for the Blogger exchanges (see Exchange blog for details)

Off to pick up the rental car for my trip....see ya later :)

hugs:)
BeckySC

What do you think.....
Should I take a project along on my vacation next week? (woohoo, only 2 more days) I have kitted up a freebie to take...if it is lost or something happens to it, no harm done. SOOOOOOOOO, do you think I will get to stitch on vacation?? Afterall, I AM visiting a shop in Pigeon Forge...I have plenty of cash too...LOOK OUT!!!

I have been busily getting things ready to go. I have picked out most of the clothes I will be taking with me and I have "set the hubby up" with meals for next week. He already misses me....ROFL!!!

Again, thank you for your interest in the Stitching Bloggers Exchanges (which might I add, the FIRST exchange has been posted!!!!!). I have had a couple of e-mail with questions that I will do my best to answer, and answer them publicly so others with the same questions will know the answers. I have posted the answer to one of the questions over at the exchange blog. It was about finishing. The other question I have had is "do I have to be a blogger to participate?"...It is a stitching bloggers exchange group, HOWEVER, if you wish to join us and have a way to share with us, then I say YES, you may join, it would really be ideal though, if you had a place to share your exchanges sent/received with us (which by the way, you should really try blogging, it's tops!). We are tossing around the possibility of opening the BB that I own, to use for the Stitching Bloggers Exchange- It may make the oranization smoother than trying to keep up with it all on a Blog. If we move, we'll let everyone know!
And the last question I received is "what happens if I don't receive from my exchange partner, or I receive something I don't like?"...well, sadly that happens. I can only say that it is a chance you take when you sign up for exchanges/RR's. We will do our best to ensure that doesn't happen, but there are NO guarantees. BUT, that said, I cannot stress how enjoyable exchanges are and what wonderful people you meet and what unique ways you find that others finish off their exchanges. Overall the experience for MOST is a pleasant one. I hope this helps answer your questions, and if I can be of anymore help OR if my wonderful exchange leaders can help, please don't hesitate to ask :)

hugs!
BeckySC

Thanks for the interest in the Blogging Exchanges
I have had some nice post and e-mail with interest in joining in the fun! I hope we get enough interest to get something going soon...so spread the word to your blogging friends that may be interested in some exchanges, and please visit the Exchange Blog for details on what's underway! We already have a couple of bloggers that have volunteered to help out with the organizing of the exchanges (i can't thank you enough...it takes a team)If we are going to do a Autumn related exchange, we need to get that underway so there is plenty of time for stitching and nobody feels rushed. So, hop over to the exchanges blog and let us know you are ready for some exchange fun!!!!

Zohrah, you are more than welcome to the fabric I have listed in the sidebar, however, I will need your mailing info so that I can send it out to you. I am leaving for vacation VERY early Monday morning, so it will have to be mailed out after i return from my trip. My e-mail is in the sidebar as well, so that you can contact me with your info....look under BEEmail :) lol!

Thanks for the comments on the button box!

hugs,
BeckySC

Blogging Exchanges & A Finish
I know a group of us expressed a lot of interest in the Christmas Ornament exchange for bloggers that Karen is putting together YAY, I can't wait!. I love exchanges and they are a fun way to receive items stitched by others and see all the fun ways they are finished. I am wondering if there is any interest in other exchanges between bloggers. I would love to organize some exchanges. Is there anyone interested in taking part in a Fall and/or Halloween exchange? Please e-mail me and/or leave a comment to let me know if there is enough interest and I should proceed with putting an exchange together. I hope some of you will be interested, it will BEE a lot of fun :) I welcome suggestions :)

(Edited to add: I will set up a separate Blog for the exchanges, so that the details do not get lost in my blog. If you are willing to help with the organization of some of the exchanges, please let me know and I will add you as a "team member" to the exchange blog and that will give you access to posting the exchange details on the exchange blog)


This is Dance of The Bumblebee. I turned it into a box for buttons, for a new blogging friend of mine, Veronique. She collects buttons (yep, she gets the buttons too) and I thought this would be a nice addition to her sewing collection/room.

This is the inside of the button box. The inside of the lid can be used as a pincushion.



Thank you all for your kind comments on the flat-fold. (and to those that guessed it was for Carol, you are absolutely right :)....and she likes it :)

hugs to you all :)
BeckySC

I spent some time this evening finishing off one of the pieces I had pulled out to do finishing on. This one is called My Garden Wild, and I finished it off into a flat-fold. I made it as a gift for a special blogging friend (JUST BECAUSE). She has been one of the kindest people I have met thru my Blog and I enjoy her so much, I hope she knows I loves her! I HOPE SHE WILL LIKE IT, as she isn't fond of "cutsey" pieces....(but she loves her garden...oops, did I give it away??? LOL! ;), if you know who you are, and you don't care for this piece, you can let me know and I will find a more suitable one :) :) :)) I hope this one isn't too cutesy for her, and that she will find a place for it in her home!
I will send it out to her when I return from vacation. (please excuse the disappearing fabric marker marks on the front, they had not disappeared when I took the photo)

Front


Back


Many hugs to you all :)
BeckySC

Another Stitching project accomplished !
I am happy to say that I stitched December Swirls Snapper today. It was the last one in the series of monthly snappers that I started last year! YAY!!!! It also completed the stitching part of my Snapper Project. YAY again!!! I plan to strip the spaces between each snapper with a fabby that coincides with the snapper, and quilt the piece. It will be a wallhanging. I have all the fabrics I want to use for stripping, WHEN I get into finishing mode :)

December Swirls


Snappers (BOY, look at the difference in the way it scanned and this Digi pic!!)


Thanks for the comments on my Blog's new look...I have been trying to do a little bit each night on it, so that I didn't spend toooo much time on the computer. I am VERY pleased with it thus far. (I also have received the template that a fellow blogger made for me. It is tucked away safely, for future use :) )

Thank you all for your e-mail, cards, posts, thoughts and prayers for Terry.

Shell, I can send you the snappers now along with the other items I have for you :)

Hugs!
BeckySC

Something Cute out of frustration...
I was geared up and ready to stitch something for the 4th of July. I chose Liberty Sam Stand Up, a LK kit I have had for 4-5 years. However, much to my dismay after 4 or 5 hours of stitching yesterday, I discovered that the fabby that came with the kit was not the correct size!!! ARGH!! I was SO very frustrated and slightly upset that a kit I Had paid 28.00 for (that was not including the finishing kit I purchased as well) shorted me on fabby. I didn't want to trash this piece as I had stitched his head and most of his chest. I decided to pull out everything but his head and turn him into a cute little 4th of july ornament. I will stitch him again as he was intended to be stitched and finished as a Stand Up.

I added Red, White & Blue pins around him and used some patriotic fabby for the back. He is TOO adorable IRL :)

Front

Back


I don't know how much stitching I will get to do this weekend. We are invited to a cookout/pool party Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings. I am looking forward to each one. Tomorrow night's is a Luau...that should be a BLAST!!!

Paula, thank you so much for your lovely e-mail. I enjoyed it very much and please feel free to write to me anytime :)

Shelleen, I enjoyed our phone chat my friend....you try and stay cool :)

Happy Canada Day to our Canadian friends :) :)

Bee safe this Holiday weekend all :)

hugs!
BeckySC