Wednesday, December 31, 2008

~*Happy New Year!*~

Happy New Year to you dear friends! May *2009* bring you all love, joy, happiness, wellness, and peace!



My beloved hubby has to work tonight and my dear stepsons are at home in their apartment... so Trinity and I are living it up tonight! We have made some party hats and posed for the camera (couldn't find the timer on that thing!)... supper is cooking *pork chops and fried potatoes*... then later we have a cuddle date on the sofa to watch Shrek. While I'm sure neither of us will make it until midnight before dozing off into Slumber Land, I'm sure we will have a fun & entertaining evening.

New Year's Blessings to you all.... with many warm smiles!

~ Betty

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

~*TIME to Share*~

Hello Friends! The New Year is not too many hours away... it is ~*Time*~ to share another freebie finish!



This fabulous finish was stitched by Patti of Winding Vine Wanderings. I think it is just so sweet with the ribbon hanger & olde key. You all KNOW how I love olde keys! Thank you for sharing Patti! I love your works!

Folks, please keep sending me finishes. I do love to see them & show them off.

I've been busy with the kiddo during Winter Break... but I have been punching too. My needle was pretty dusty from what seemed like months of neglect! There will be some new offerings on Lemon Poppy Seeds on the first. Please keep an eye out!

Many warm smiles to ya....

Betty

Monday, December 29, 2008

~*More Christmas Presents to Share*~

Hello Friends! It appears my camera batteries were snagged & used for some rc car racing over the weekend. That is why the camera wouldn't work. Oh well, the boys were having fun! I have the batteries recharged now & am able to share some more goodies.

This plate was made by my soon-to-be Daughter-in-Law, Kristy...(my oldest stepson is getting married in May). She used my freebie ~*Christmas Kitty*~ to laser etch on this glass plate. Her Dad owns Flinthills Laser Expressions and makes some really remarkable items... out of marble, glass, and wood. You should have heard me when I opened this gift! I was so excited! This plate will be great to offer cookies or cheese & crackers at an Open House someday! Thank you Kristy!



These next two gifts were given to me by my dear, Sister-in-Law, Robin. Robin just started hooking and punching this past year. It is so wonderful to have her to share crafting time, ideas, and thoughts with! She is so super talented too!!!

She used my ~*Ladybug*~ doodle to punch up a top for this cute, little wooden box. Ladybugs are thought to bring good luck... so I'll have to store some up in my new box! Isn't it sweet?



This isn't from one of my patterns... but it was made using my banner. (The banner was created by Linda Pinda.) Robin had this wooden bowl sitting on her kitchen counter when I visited her one day. I commented on how cool it was ~ carved out of a single piece of wood with some bark remaining on the sides. You can imagine my surprise when I opened this gift & saw my banner Mod Podged in it! It is a great place for me to store my woolly scraps while I hook. (I save all my wool scraps & use them to stuff pillows.)



This gift isn't from anything I've created... but may be used ~ or partially used ~ later on. My darling hubby went antique shopping on three separate days to find gifts for me. (Yes, he is super sweet!). This was my 'largest' gift...



This old, glass bottle is over 2 feet tall & probably 10 inches in diameter. It is filled with TONS of buttons! How many? Well, I don't know yet... haven't counted. Hummm.... maybe I should think of doing a poll or contest to calculate the number of buttons! LOL (really though... maybe I will!)

Well, I suppose I've posted enough of my Christmas gifts... for now anyway. I really do feel blessed to have such great friends & family members. Thank you all for your kindness, generosity, and love.

'Til next time.... many warm smiles your way!

~ Betty

Sunday, December 28, 2008

~*Christmas Presents*~

Hello Dear Friends! I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas & shared many loving moments with friends and family!

I have been generously blessed to receive many wonderful gifts this holiday. Some of the most precious to me are those made from my freebie patterns! I still have several photos to take, but my camera battery isn't functioning as it should ~ pesky thing! Anyway, over the next few days, I'll post them all up so you can see.

This is one that has already been photographed...



I was tickled to receive a package on the front porch, post marked from CT, on Christmas Eve. This wonderful ditty was tucked inside! My buddy, Chris...mysticalprimitives on Ebay ... needle punched ~*Christmas Kitty*~ and sent it to ME! WOW! She punched it large too... 7 by 8 inches! She finished it by backing it with a gray wool and stitched some woolly yarn around the edge. It is just so sweet! As if that wasn't enough... she also gifted me a sweet little White Ironstone plate. It looks as if it may be a salt dish or part of an olde tea set. I put it away in the little shadow box in my new spare room. Thank you Chris!

There will be more photos coming soon to share all my handmade treasures... once my camera is back up & running. Please keep watching!

Until then, many warm smiles to you all!

~ Betty

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

~* Isn't She Quick?*~

Hello Friends! Ginger is one speedy gal! She hasn't cross stitched in a while, but she sure does have some speed! She is already finished with the ~*Time*~ freebie I offered just the other day... yesterday was it?



Sweet stitching & finish Miss Ginger! :)

Thank you for playing with my design & sharing your finish!

Smiles,

Betty

~* Merry Christmas*~




Warm Blessings and Holiday Wishes to you all! Please be safe in your travels and enjoy your friends and families.

~ Betty ~

Monday, December 22, 2008

~*Another Freebie & Sharing!*~

Hello Friends! With Christmas so very close.... means New Year's is just around the corner. I suppose some are thinking of their New Years resolutions & maybe some are not. One thing I know I'm thinking of is 'Time'. It seems the older I get the more I wish there was more of it... normal huh? I can remember some childhood moments like they were yesterday & some that are fuzzy. Were they really so far away? I think of how Trinity has grown and smile with thoughts of how tiny he once was... but am very proud of the young boy he has become. Times with family and friends are so very cherished and close to my heart.

I thought this would stitch up into a sweet little, cupboard hanger. Enjoy....


58 by 32 stitches

My good buddy Ginger posted this finish on her blog. Isn't it sweet? She did the blackwork using my ~*Christmas Kitty*~ freebie. Awesome job Ginger!



I've got to get my Christmas wrapping finished & then do some baking. We have to have cookies for Santa!

Many warm smiles to you...

Betty

Friday, December 19, 2008

~*Spare Room ReDo*~

Hello Dear Friends! This Friday is going to be frenzied! No doubt about it! With Christmas less than a week away, there is still so much to get done! I still have some presents to buy and presents that I want to finish making. Plus, there is still gift wrapping and baking and food shopping and, and, and, and.... Well, you get the point. Many of you are probably feeling the same!

Part of my stress has been caused ~ or maybe this was a stress reliever? ~ because I decided to redo our spare room and actually make a spare bedroom out of it! This room was once my 'craft' room. It actually is the third bedroom, but it was filled with my computer desk, work table, shelves and more shelves... plus fabric, floss, boxes, and just whatever would fit! The floor could barely be seen it was so loaded with 'stuff'. Truth be told, you probably wouldn't want to see the floor anyway because the carpet was 40 years old!

It wasn't in the budget to get new carpet, but I did do some floor work. Our home is not filled with beautiful hardwood floors. Ripping up the carpet simply exposed the partical board, subfloor. But, with my SILs suggestion.... I primmed it up with paint! (Thank you Robin for the suggestion!)

This is a photo of what the room looked like as I was moving out...



Here is what the room looks like now.... there is still some work to be done with a little more furniture moved in & many more knick~knacks displayed.....



I'm so proud of this bed. I bought it myself, when I was just 16, at an antique store. You should have seen the look on my Mom's face when I came home telling her of my layaway purchase at the local antique store! It was price-less! Then even more so when she saw the bed!



My sweet Mom gave me many of the pillows and the beautiful crochet bed cover. The doll is one of my garage sale treasures. She was only a couple of dollars.



The curtains were an auction win for only $3. I wish they went to the floor, but they will do 'cause the price was right. My darling Hubby picked out the curtain rods. He noticed right off at the store that they matched the trim in the room.



The hooked star was the one I received from my sweet SIL at Judy Cripps' a couple weeks ago. The tiny clock was given to be by my Dad when I was just a baby. It doesn't work any longer, but is still very special to me.



After pulling up the old, icky carpet. I cleaned the bare boards to free them of carpet stripping, staples, and dirt. A coat of primer was applied. Then I painted the floor just a simple antique white. (Just bought the gallon of paint right off the shelf - no mixing involved.) I then cut two stars out of some thin carboard (recycled cereal box). I was out of the wall paint color, so I used a similar paint color to stencil the stars randomly on the floor. Then to protect the paint from getting worn off too quickly, I applied just one thin coat of poly-acrylic. Some day, we may carpet the room ~ but this works for now.

We can now have company spend a night or two... or more. :)

Another project this week was this dolly...



I heard that my Grandma was wanting a Raggedy Anne doll. So what was I to do, but make her one?! I didn't have a pattern right off, but found this free pattern offered by Mamaw's Creations. I've added a few of my own touches... sure hope my Grandma likes her. Shhhh.... don't tell. She hasn't seen her yet, but hopefully will later this afternoon.

One more thing I would like to share with you today is this...



My 'little' brother (he is 31 years old) made this Copper Rose. He has it listed on Ebay ~ Click Here. It is simple & sweet on its own... but I especially like what he wrote explaining his inspiration for making it. He had read in an email of a husband giving his wife a dozen roses, one of which was plastic. Along with the roses he wrote, I'll stop loving you when the last rose wilts... meaning he would never stop loving her. Oh... what a romantic he is! :)

Thank you for letting me share my frenzied week. Guess I should get back to my list of things that must be done.

Many warm smiles to you...

Betty

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

~*Sharing Another Fabulous Freebie Finish*~

Hello Friends! Tonight I received a sweet email containing this, a freebie finish of ~*Blessings*~....



It was made by Julie (she doesn't have a blog yet) for a friend. She said she is giving the whole tray full of treasures to her friend for Christmas. What a lucky friend! Julie, the finish is darling & the gift is an absolute treasure! You have one lucky friend! Thank you for sharing your finish.

I do love to see finishes from my patterns. It gives me a smile each time I see one!

Warm smiles to you all...

Betty

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

~*Sharing a Freebie Finish*~

Hello Friends! Look at this ~



This darling ditty was made by Lisa of Black Sheep Prims Homeplace. Isn't it DARLING?! :) Lisa had the frame she wanted to use, which didn't leave room for the little doggy ~ but it is just as sweet as can be! Thank you for sharing with us Lisa! You really did lovely stitching.

We are having a 'snow day' from school today. It is cold outside. Makes for a great day to stay in & stitch away!

Many smiles to you...
Betty

Monday, December 15, 2008

~*Another Christmas Freebie*~

~*Christmas Kitty*~


Hello Friends! The days have been hectic, but I wanted to squeeze in another freebie for you. I don't think I'll have time to work this one up into a cross stitch chart, but it could be used for redwork, needle punch, rug hooking, painting, or maybe another medium of your choice. Enjoy!

Remember, you are welcome to use the doodle as you need it ~ change it up some if you want. T'is okay with me... just please give credit where credit is due.

Enjoy your day with lots of smiles!

~ Betty

Sunday, December 14, 2008

~*Little Isabelle*~

Hello my Friends.... some of you have read of Isabelle's journey to Heaven. I would like to thank you all for the comments, thoughts, and prayers on her behalf. My cousin and his wife have posted on her blog... Heart of a Princess

Smiles of thanks to you...
Betty

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

~*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

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

~*Please Pray for Isabelle*~

Hello Friends... please pray for Isabelle...



Isabelle is my cousin's precious daughter. She is currently waiting on a heart transplant. You can read her story here ~ The Heart of a Princess.

Hugs of great thanks to you all...

Betty

Monday, December 8, 2008

~*I'm So Lucky!*~

Hi Friends! Yes, two posts in one day! :) I just had to show you these gifts that came in today's mail! They are from my pal, Debbie of Woolensails. She received my name in an exchange from one of the online groups we are in together. I'm sooooo lucky I could just jump with JOY.... well, I did when I opened the box!



A close up of the penny rug...



A close up of the needle punch pillow...



Debbie's handwork is just magnificent! The craftsmanship is spectacular! I love all my goodies & am just so lucky! Thank you Debbie! :)

I've already found a spot to display my new pillow...



The rocker is a gift from my sweet Aunt LaVon. It is a charming, antique Lincoln rocker. I just LOVE its red paint. The teddy is one of my favs. He wears an antique, child's sweater.

Thank you for allowing me to share!

Warm smiles to you...
Betty

~*Jamie is 20!*~



Hello Friends! Please join us in wishing Jamie a Happy 20th Birthday! He is one of my two very handsome, stepsons. We had a nice time last night visiting, eating supper, and celebrating with his strawberry cake. All our boys were here, along with my dear Mother and Father-in-Law, and Jamie's beautiful girlfriend, Annie. I had to apologize to him because I didn't realize until I was done that his cake was totally PINK!



He did want strawberry, but maybe I should have frosted with Cool Whip or vanilla instead of more strawberry. He is a good sport & said it was fine. It would be eaten either way ~ which is was. BUT, to add to the 'pink' decor.... I placed baby blue napkins on the table.... which made it look more like a baby shower instead of a birthday party. Silly me! :)

Happy Birthday Jamie! We love ya!

~*~*~*~*~

Soon I'll be making a visit to the post office. The post master is working hard today....



I just do LOVE the giving part of Christmas! Which reminds me... soon (maybe in the next few days), I'll be putting up another freebie for you just for the season. Please keep an eye out!

Many smiles to you all...

Betty

Saturday, December 6, 2008

~*Today's Hook-In*~

Hello Dear Friends! I'm so excited to share this with you! Today was Judy Cripps' monthly hook-in and it was so much fun! Judy and her hubby, Brice, have their home decorated for Christmas beyond belief! There is Christmas in every room... even the garage ~ which is now called 'The Hooking Garden'~ (It is called that because the amount of hookers that come to the hook-in each month has grown too large for just the house to hold us!) This month, Judy treated us all to lunch. It was a delicious casserole of pasta, sauce, beef & pepperoni... a fresh green salad... garlic bread... and yummy brownies! We all chatted, hooked, ate, shopped, and really enjoyed the day!

For the season, Judy offered us a really cool exchange that included something for us PLUS a chance to help others. She drew up a simple star on monk's cloth & offered it to us with the proceeds going to the Topeka Rescue Mission. Then, we hooked the star, wrapped it with our names inside the box, and brought it to the hook-in today... where we then put our names in a basket to draw & choose a package with someone else's piece. My SIL and I were called early on & did choose each others package.... did we cheat? LOL

Here is the group of us in the 'Hooking Garden'....



This is the rug that I received from Robin. Her dear Jimmy made the barn wood frame. I'm planning on starting the re-do of our spare bedroom this week... this is going to find the perfect home there! :) It is a cherished gift from my sweet SIL!



Here is a close up of my rug.



Thank you, Judy, for hosting such a fun gathering every month! I'm already looking forward to January!

Many warm smiles to all....

Betty

Friday, December 5, 2008

~*Fattening Friday*~

Hello my Dear Friends! Well... I'm blaming this on my good buddy, Ginger! She posted how to make peanut clusters on her blog the other day and I have been drooling over them ever since! So, today when I was in town running errands I found myself in the grocery store in just the right isle to buy what I needed.



Ginger's look much prettier than mine do... but they do taste yummy!



I read on the back of the Almond Bark package how to make the Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies. We already had the crackers & peanut butter in the cupboard... and what do I like even better than chocolate? PEANUT BUTTER! Before I added the peanuts to the chocolate for the clusters, I dipped the sandwiches in to coat them. So, while I should be doing other things on my still-too-long list.... I took a chocolate break & had a GREAT time doing it! Thank you, Ginger, for showing us how!

I'll be off to visit my Mom and StepDad tonight.... they LOVE peanut clusters! You know I'll be sure to share. Mom and I are going to do a little Christmas shopping. It looks like we will have lots of sugary energy to get it done!

Many warm smiles to you!

Betty

Monday, December 1, 2008

~*Some Christmas Decorating*~

Hello Friends! We started putting up our Christmas decorations yesterday. It is always fun to put the ornaments on the tree. Trinity especially loves it! Many of our ornaments are handmade ~ many by my friends across the cyber waves. We also have a collection of 'special-to-us' ornaments ranging from Raggedy Anne to Nascar in theme. It makes for just a sweet, old fashioned, family tree...



We had to get new lights this year. My hubby's favorite lights once belonged to his Grandma. He struggled with them for a long while, but just couldn't get them all to light up at one time. So, I ran to Walmart & bought these large bulbed, LED lights. They resemble his Grandma's, but are more energy-wise.

In another corner of our living room, I put my feather tree. My Mom gave me a box full of these crochet snowflakes. She didn't make them, but they are still very special to me. I have several left in the box that I'm thinking of hanging from the windows. I'll just have to see what time allows...



This Santa was one that I made about 15 years ago. He just brings a smile to my face every year when we pull him out of the box...



Now, as you can see from the photos... the sun is shining. I'm hoping it has warmed up some because we still have cornstalks on the front porch and a scarecrow greeting our visitors at the end of our driveway. It is due time to get those things down & some evergreen and large red bows up to replace them. So... on that note... off I go.

Many warm smiles to you...

Betty