Babs stitching & stuff

Just sayin' not showin'

2012-02-07T12:18:00.001-06:00

Spending so much time trying to reorganize and get going and here it is the 7th of February and I'm still spinning my wheels.
I've been trying to bring my pages into 2012 and also a book blog I'm trying to get going. All I've got on that so far is a picture and a heading.
But! one thing i have been doing is reading blogs. That's the best way to get caught up. I've missed so many giveaways and finishes, prayer needs, etc. but I've also missed what's new in the world of cross stitch. It all started on November 1st 2011.....when my friends came to town. I think I'm stuck in that dream world. I keep remembering little things they said or did.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi and loving all the stitching and finishing I'm seeing. Don't think I've made many comments but I plan to.

Gotta' see if I can get these over at the

Primitive Hare

Hugs, Babs

first post of the new year, I cannot tell a lie TUSAL

2012-01-23T16:25:00.001-06:00

I haven't kicked off the new year yet. How can that be? It's only the 23rd, new moon (not FULL moon as I called it all last year. Right date, wrong name. oh well.
Herman's official retirement date is February 1st and we're babies at this and learning as we go. I'm so used to him coming and going I'm still in "he's just home for a visit" phase and not doing anything productive. But I'm trying to get there. The lie I can't tell? Would you show these orts for a whole month of stitching?

Whatcha" think about all these orts? I'm so ashamed :(

I've been unable to go through ufo's or decide what to choose to sal along with everyone in the "crazy" things. So rather than get in a hurry like last year, I've been thinking a lot about it and taking my time.

Without saying specifics, I will say that I'd love to finish a few of the beautiful pieces I started last year like "Apple Tree Sampler" by Hawkins House; "Jane Atkinson" by The Scarlet letter; maybe PS ABC piece which I started with many and just fell by the wayside.

New for this year, hence all those many orts, I did start three. This first is a sal with my stitching buddy group.

Quaker Christmas II

ByGone Stitches

32 ct. lambswool

threadworx overdyed floss

Red Finch's Winter Song

Tempting Tangles Designs

friendship blue 30 ct

dinky dyes

Elizabeth Hancock Sampler

Little House Needleworks

30 ct weeks straw

cc cottons and silks

upside down

And so the only other thing I know for sure I want to work on is Anniversaries of the Heart by Blackbird. Started once in 2010, once in 2011 and hate the fabric so the third start should be the charm, huh?

Also want to do Country Couttage monthly cottages. Don't even have the first one so behind I will be. I know no other way. Someone's got to bring up the rear.

This little chart by Little by Little is dated 2003 so not new. I wonder if any of you stitched this? It calls for dmc but wondered if anyone changed that if you stitched it. I saw it a long time ago and have been looking for it diligently until now I own it. Couldn't remember the designer. I love the little rose added to the simple quaker.
bye for now!
Babs

Merry Christmas and TUSAL

2011-12-25T12:00:00.001-06:00

I almost forgot and maybe I'm too late to be on time which is what I usually am.

First, my orts.... can you see?

Really are a couple in there, lol.

And here is my Christmas jar all done for another full moon year

In case you can 't tell, my ort jar this month was a snowman :)

Daffy Cat, thanks so much for keeping up with this all year. I signed up for next year, my goal being to fill up some jars monthly. I know I can!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends and your families. I hope the holidays are filled with much love and joy and peace.

All of our festivities are done and hubby and I are sitting quietly at home today with Kylie and Gibbs our sweet cats.

Love,

Babs

Snowing in Bama on Pearl Harbor Day

2011-12-07T13:05:00.000-06:00

No pictures yet cause I really don't think this will be a snow "event" in the south. If it sticks and stays around I'll snap a picture.
On this day December 7, 1923 my daddy was born. He wasn't at Pearl Harbor, but he did ship out when he was 18 years old. I lost my dad when I was 28, but I can still remember him just like he was then. Happy Birthday Daddy from your only daughter. Of course that made me daddy's little girl and my three brothers just had to live with it.

Some more goodies from my stitching friends to share with you

Bird Tin made by Deb Stevens a couple years ago that I loved.

Inside of the tin (she gave it to me, remembering how much I liked it)

wrong way george, but you get the picture

Also made by Deb; look at all the goodies inside, even an ort bag

teeny tiny stitches from Nita Sinclair and teeny tiny bunches of beads all around
and thread spool pin cushion

And before Nita could get home from trip she picked this up
in Florida for me. heart was inside

My beautiful ornament from the exchange in buddies group
stitched by Sue Kinkell. There's magic in Sue's needle.

and believe it or not, I do stitch. this is
ornament I made for Donna (bd twin) in the exchange.

One Breath at a Time and Sweet Stitching Buddies

2011-11-28T21:32:00.002-06:00

They say one picture is worth a thousand words so I'll try to let the pics speak for me.

It all started when my daughter Tami and I went to our LNS, the Cross Stitch Peddler to meet a dear stitching buddy from North Carolina who was going to be in our area for one day...Deb Stevens. This was November 1st.

This is what we saw when we entered the door...and some of them are in another room shopping...Deb wasn't even in this room. There were 11 beautiful ladies awaiting our arrival along with Marlene, lns owner.

It was something they had been planning for months along with my dd Tami and Marlene. A surprise gathering for Babs and Tami but someone had to help them get it altogether because none of them had ever been to our town.

A kiss from Georgia who came from Canada...

There was some shopping going on...Angela who came from England.

And here is Deb, the only one I thought would be there...she's shopping too.

And don't you know when the cash register starts singing, you always look the other way, lol? That's what it looks like Georgia is thinking anyway.

These gals had met up in Nashville to spend five wonderful days of stitching, sharing, celebrating halloween festivities and planning how they were going to surprise me the next day. Some of the gifts from them included....well, just look

Now is a good time to say that I was overwhelmed with their thoughtfulness, generosity and love so I did what any southern gal would do....I cried. And see the little name tag? This is yet another gift for the whole bunch made by Julie and Becky of In the Company of Friends and gifted to us. The little bit of lace/w name by Georgia I think. They thought of everything. That's Sally beside me and there is a whole story about Sally I will share with you another time.

Now, here is the really sweet part...why they did all this. They know I'm on oxygen and have some bad days. They also knew the chances of me ever making one of their gatherings was very slim. So, they brought the gathering to me. I had said one day in a post to the group something about taking it one breath at a time, and the idea was born. Have a look.

Notice the one breath at a time on two of them?

Now look at the back of the others.

Next up...

now the back

The group

back row: Benita, my dd Tami, Angela, Vickey Georgia, Nita, Deborah, Deb, and Sharron

front row: Donna, Mary, Babs, Sally

where else but Cracker Barrel?

my sweet daughter Tami on the right who was taking all the pictures and in few of them

More beautiful stitchy stuff to come later!

Babs

TUSAL again? have not been stitching

2011-11-25T15:07:00.000-06:00

Time is coming and going so fast. I don't know what happened to yesterday and can't figure out what's going on today. Confused I am!

You can see from the orts that very very little has been done this month.
I have been sick for most of the month...it started on the 2nd or 3rd and still have some residual. But it is another day and I want to share with ya'll my very special day on November 1st.
All I'm going to say right now cause I'm sure everyone is watching some ball game :) is look at this sweet card I got from my buddies in original stitching buddies group.

The thing about this card is that it was handed to me personally on November 1st right here at my LNS in Decatur, Alabama. The two gifts you see are just two that were in top of the box when I went to take the picture for this post. I will tell you about them and all the rest when I post again, hopefully on Sunday. I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all! Have read some posts here and there but not enough to know what's been going on.

Talk Soon!

hugs,

Babs

Full moon again? orts and other stuff

2011-10-27T19:33:00.001-05:00

Time can sure get away from you can't it? I'm supposed to be over there watching the world series. I won't say who I'm rooting for, but if my team wins I get to watch Fringe tomorrow night. My very favorite show on TV right now.
Orts? Yes, I've got a few...again. I've stitched on so many things since last post but the only things I've finished are exchange pieces. It was fun using all that fall/Halloween thread whether I can show off finishes or not.
First up, my orts. Maybe using these itty bitty containers is not a good idea, power of suggestion and all that.

Next up is picture of a very special chart from The Sweetheart Tree. Special first because it's a stitch for the cure piece. But also special because I WON this chart. I did! DJ offered three different charts for giveaway and I won this beautiful hardanger one. Have I ever done hardanger? No, but this is a good time to learn, huh? She even included a piece of fabric and offered the specialty thread. I'll post progress pictures as I stitch it. I will!

These next two pics are of the goodies I won from my friend Julie of In the Company of Friends. She drew my name from our halloween exchange in my stitching buddies group. Can you believe the pumpkin head witchie? It is intricately stitched to perfection and put together like a professional (which is what she is :) I am the lucky one for sure. The thread winders are so special and the cute earrings are made by her. A very talented lady...she and her partner in business, Becky, are both so talented.

Last is my fall table located in the foyer. There are gifts from years ago, a few years ago, last year and now this year. A little fuzzy but you get the idea.

My last bit of news is that one of my stitching buddies from my very first group all the way back to 2000 will be here in my town next Tuesday. We are going to meet up at my LNS the Cross stitch Peddler, visit and stitch a little, have lunch, etc. My daughter Tami and I went to stitching festival in Nashville in 05 and met Deb then. Tami will be joining us Tuesday too. Am I excited or what?

Hugs and don't eat too much candy on halloween,
Babs

TUSAL for September and my wonderful giveaway wins!

2011-09-27T11:25:00.000-05:00

September moon...sounds beautiful, doesn't it? Here is the contribution from me. I've come to realize that most of my "orts" are from frogging. I just haven't been having an easy time of it and it shows. I'm going to have to make public apologies to some of the sal's I joined this year because I've proven myself absolutely untrustworthy when signing up for something. Still three months left in the year...who knows?
Next up are two very special wins for me. I never win...never. But it was well worth the wait :)

From Gillie at Random Thoughts from Abroad. I had been seeing ads for the new Mollie designs books but had never seen a copy over here. She had one to giveaway and BABS WON! She did! She did! I've looked at this book so many times.

But Wait! That's not all! Look at this from Nancy over at Victorian Sampler Shoppe. I love all her stuff and wish I could order something every week, but you know how that goes, huh? Just look at the ric-rac, the chenille trim and ribbons and buttons! It's like this package was handpicked for me :) Thank you so much, Nancy...I'll definitely be seeing you soon.

Well, that's my wonderful week. I'm reminded of something I stitched my daughter some years ago "Good things come to those who wait". I waited and good things came.
Thanks so much ladies!
hugs,
Babs

It's the 13th and I have a winner!!!!!

2011-09-13T17:30:00.002-05:00

This was the first time out for me so I learned as I went. I want to thank everyone who commented on my blog and hope that it means you will hang out here a little as I grow in the blogging world.
Also a special thanks to all of you who mentioned my Mother. Those comments mean a lot. To Calamity Jr, another thanks for coming back the second time to let me know I was in her thoughts during this whole season of rememberance. As you can imagine this date has more than one meaning to me. (Mother was buried on 9/11/05.

To Linda at bengalcatlover a big thank you for being my 100th follower! For that, you get something special. Of the gifts, let me know which was your favorite and you will get that in the mail. (Not the winner's, but one of your own.) So please let me know. I'll even stitch you something if you like :)

Now for the winner.....Cindy over at Clear Skies after the Storm. Congratulations, Cindy and please give me your mailing info and I will get it out to you. I went over and became a follower of your blog.

I used random counter for results and #22 was the winning number, belonging to Cindy :)

Next giveaway is already planned and involves Heaven and Earth designs. I'll be posting about that one in a little bit.
Thanks again and do hope those who are new to my blog will come back.

hugs,
Babs

TuSal, Remembering, and announcing a giveaway...

2011-08-29T16:00:00.005-05:00

Yes, it is full moon again and I should be ashamed of my little ort contribution since last time. I have as many strands from linen as I do threads. Oh well, there's always September.

On this day in 2005, there was another storm and her name was Katrina. It hit my hometown on the gulf coast on the 29th which led to my Mother's death on Sept. 7th. So, as I watched the news of Irene, I kept remembering that other storm and the impact it had on me, and I thought of those in harm's way this time and prayed for their safety. God bless any and all of you who were impacted by this storm in any way.

OK! to the giveaway!

First up is Barb Adams & Alma Allen's new book "A Schoolgirl's Work, Samplers from the Spencer Museum of Art. The book is beautiful; the stories and pictures of old samplers and the 11 beautiful projects they added just for us.

Next up is the brand new Limited Addition Santa from Prairie Schooler. Kit is complete with thread and fabric, needle and never been opened. The 2004 Santa just happened to be one I have two of :)

Then, there is my favorite scissor/flower frog. It is one piece, no chips anywhere...the picture doesn't do it justice.

And what in the world is that little bit of stitching???? It's the hand stitched piece that comes with the package but that's all the stitching done on it so far. It's on a 40 ct. piece of Zwiegart solo and it seemed to fit the fall just around the corner.

That's it for now. All you have to do is comment on this post only. If there is something in the package you don't want, just tell me and I'll draw another name. If you do want to post it on your blog, please do and tell me and I will add your name twice.

Oh yes, Shepherd's Bush Passion Fob kit was on the list and I forgot about it. It is a beautiful little kit brand new and sure to catch the eye of someone :) Also, the giveaway runs until September 12 with the drawing on the 13th.

I thought I'd celebrate 100 followers but it just didn't happen. Then I thought I'd celebrate blogaversary, same thing, then birthday and good news on hubby, same thing, 46th anniversary, nope. So, this giveaway is in honor of my Mother.....how's that? She was unique, and maybe there's something in this package unique. I'm known to throw little stuff in when I'm packaging up. Giving is the most fun!!!

bye for now,

Babs

Monday musings and other stuff

2011-08-22T17:23:00.002-05:00

At this writing I don't even have a name for this post yet. Maybe it will come to me by the time I'm done. I have no stitching to report, not because I haven't stitched anything...just haven't stitched enough to report.
Herman is doing ok. In fact he returns from a short trip to Philadelphia tomorrow so I've been by myself . Right, there's no excuse for not getting anything accomplished.
I just didn't want my next post to be at full moon again with a measley amount of orts.
Thanks to everyone who wished me happy birthday. I did have a happy one.
We also celebrated our 46th (that's 46) anniversary on the 6th of August. That was a happy day too :)
Am I the only person who loses followers instead of gains them? Can't say I blame anyone, but please come on back??
I will announce my giveaway next Monday the 29th and it will run for two weeks with a winner being announced on September 13. There's a couple things I'm undecided about but it'll come to me....surely.

Want you to meet Claudia, my little prim buddy and her buddy-bear.

There is a shop here called the Gathering Place, seller of Christian books and such. Then she has one little room full of antiques and new stuff made to look antique and always a prim doll or two. I named her after Claudia, the youngest of the Warehouse 13 team on SYFY. She is so cool and really smart, full of quips and laughs. It was a toss up between her and Abby on NCIS, but since Gibbs name came from there, decided to go with Claudia.

Does she look bored?

I signed up for the Autumn Sampler that Brenda at With thy Needle and Thread came up with and offered to members of Samplermakers (sidebar). I hope I got all that right.

So, that constituted an order from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. I chose some of her autumn hand-dyed threads and trims and buttons and hope to come up with a most beautiful design of my own....never have yet, but we'll see.

I think that's it for now. If you're still following me, wish you'd let me know, and even if you're not. I really do understand. Oh, that blue chair thingie in the top of the last picture? I joined the world of handicapped parking. I figure that'll pacify Herman for awhile, lol. You think?
happy stitching!
Babs

Ort report among other things

2011-07-31T12:30:00.000-05:00

First and foremost would be the orts. Very boring as I've done very little stitching, or maybe a little stitching on many things with virtually nothing to show for it.

I don't know how many "friends" I have left here for real as there's just not been anything to follow, but those of you who are here and will read and comment THANK YOU SO MUCH! It's been another strange summer and if you add the weather to the equation, it's almost twilight zone :)

Herman's reports turned out ok for at least six months when they must do it all again. His lack of energy (they say) will lessen the farther he gets from the cancer/chemo of last year. We must never forget that he has had lupus for years, something that gets lost in the shuffle of all the other stuff. Thanks so much for your prayers and kind thoughts and words. None were/are taken for granted.

Now, for my birthday...it was a special day seemingly taken right out of time. Herman got me up early and we spent much of the day in Huntsville. We had an early lunch, went to Barnes & Noble at Bridge Street and then to Patches & Stitches, the OTHER lns that I don't go to much but love to browse through all the rooms. It's in an old house downtown and they have quilting, needlepoint and cross stitch. Their specialty has always been old reproduction samplers as well as new ones and I daresay there isn't an inch of wall space not used for the models, some of them very old.

Back to Decatur for the rest of the day. It was stitch in day at my lns and so we got to visit with Marlene and the ladies and give them Herman's report from the day before. They all like Herman because he's always been interested in our craft/art. He actually introduced me to the world of cross stitch when one of his bosses' wives showed him her work. He couldn't wait to get home and tell me about it. That was when finding a shop was not an easy task and way before cyberspace.

Then it was Books a Million and ended the day at Red Lobster. Worn out? yes oxygen depleted? yes. But it was a fun fun way to get so tired.

I just shopped to my heart's content...why is it that when you can get whatever you want you just don't get that much? I guess the fun was enjoying a day away from the house without worries and just looking at everything.

I will share what my girls did for my birthday in my next post tonight or tomorrow...REALLY! But will leave you with these pics.

First up is one of the treasures I mentioned in my last post a month ago. This is my old sewing machine. It's not a Singer but a Franklin. It is beautiful and I have the belts for it and actually sewed on it the day I brought it home. The beautiful scroll work on it is Egyptian with scarabs and other things my grandson knew more about than I do :) The machine actually drops down into the woodwork when it's closed. The woman we got it from was the original owner or it was in her family. Where did I find it? In one of our storage sheds out back. I thought I had given it to a friend some years ago, but had changed my mind at the last minute and stored it. The rose is one of many awaiting me when I got up in the morning from Herman and my back yard.

Last up would be my kitten (four months old tomorrow) but inside with me two and a half months. No matter what I do, Gibbs wants to help...everything I do. He makes me laugh all the time and I think he knows I need him.

Birthday stuff next time!

Happy Sunday!

Babs

Orts Report

2011-07-02T20:40:00.000-05:00

Where does time go? I've been so busy, but mostly in my mind....ever been there? I'm going to lose any followers I may have left cause I'm silent so much. But, oh, I've seen beautiful work and great ideas, happy danced for some, shared tears with some and prayed for many.

I've been on my own little treasure hunt and found some wonderful treasures, but I'll share that in my next post. You can find the most wonderful things if you just look in the right places :) Anyway, here are my measley little orts for this last month. (see my little angel in the background, DJ?)

We are waiting for some sophisticated testing on hubby the 12th and hopefully all questions and solutions will be dealt with then or at least a plan. We kinda' live in limbo and both of us do a lot of reading.

See you soon! and please check in with me. My blogaversary is past, my birthday is coming up the 13th and wanted so badly to have a giveaway then. But maybe I'll celebrate with a big giveaway with Herman's good news.

hugs and happy 4th of July all,

Babs

An unfinished finish and a plea...

2011-06-11T12:45:00.000-05:00

Plea first: please got to Daffy Cat's and scroll down to her May 29 blog post. I've been having so much trouble commenting on friends' blogs and missed giveaway sign ups because blogger won't let me comment most of the time unless it's a pop-up window. She's got the directions so clear, even this blogging dummy can understand it. just asking :)

Now the unfinished finish and #2 on my challenge list. not pressed or straightened yet

Polly Wolly Doodle
La D Da
30 Ct. R&R Winter Frost
Gentle Arts Sampler threads

that's it for this Saturday morning!
hugs,
Babs

Tusal, Polly wolly doodle all day, serial starter, etc.

2011-06-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

I will start with my orts for you, Daffy Cat, I guess since this is the day for that ...look real close and you can see that not much happened in May. It seemed I had a book or needle in my hand every day, but it doesn't seem as though I was doing anything with them, lol. The little doily and the homemade flag thingie we found at a little roadside flea market.

We spent a day at the hospital last week; Herman is going through a lot more tests and I just wish they'd stop cause they find something different every time they look. DD Tami was with me and gdd Sarah and they ran over to the lns to get me some threads. They also picked me up a Shepherd's Bush pin cushion, the next LHN ornament; and the Peaceful Garden by The Stitching Parlor which happens to be something I've wanted but couldn't remember the name or designer came in the mail cause Lizzy has it stitched on her blog and I FOUND it just blog hopping one day.

Remember Polly Wolly by La D Da? It's almost there and hope it will be a Friday finish this week. I LOVE this little piece...the song goes round and round and....It will be a challenge finish on the "new" side with Minna.

I've been putting a few stitches in Strawberry Garden, one of Blackbird's Loose Feathers designs. I saw it done on someone's blog and of course I had the chart and just had to start it. I'll remember who it was :)

Then I fell in love with the Funky Flower Gardners over at By the Bay with Donna and wanted to have my own gardens. I opted to split my flowers on two pieces of fabric and this first one is Victoria started on Queen Anne's lace and could Not get a realistic look but you got the idea.

And then, Brenda Gervais over at With Thy Needle and Thread went and started a mystery sampler that promises birds. No way could I pass this up, but got to get going on it before next installment.

There are so many stories of faith and good will toward man here. People from all over the country have come to help and then there are those who headed for Missouri. My heart cried when I saw that devastation. and then the flooding in Mississippi, my home state; the flooding in Louisiana where I moved from to come to Alabama. I know people in all these places, but they're all bouncing back. I heard a man on local news yesterday who was working with men to build a church which was totally destroyed here...he said "Working with a bunch of Christian men is just different than your regular construction crew".
Love you all....DJ, you need NOT to come to Alabama or anywhere else; You have worked so hard to recover and with the heat and mosquitos and other critters, and standing water, etc. etc. please don't take a chance with your health at this stage of recovery. You said you could "only pray", but prayer is job 1 and many forget that.
hugs,
Babs Do you see why I said serial starter in title?

TUSAL on a bleary bleak Tuesday

2011-05-03T12:23:00.003-05:00

I don't even know how I remembered this but here it is. My before and after pics of April stitching. If you notice a lot of pink in there, that would be the Bed of Roses that I almost stitched twice with the help of my little friend. The faerie put a spell on him so I could finish.

Before

After

I'm just going to have to stop. Still trying to get the hang of my new blogging system, but you get the idea.

Hugs & happy stitching!

Babs

To all my blogging friends

2011-05-01T11:47:00.000-05:00

We've got power, but not sure how long it will last. There are so many emails from you and others asking about us and it means so much. We are safe. My son and his family suffered the damage, but not to their lives.
It is so bad here and most of you have proabably seen things we haven't even seen here with absolutely no power and curfew going on. The radio has been on constantly, even now. We've worked during the day where we could (not me...they wouldn't let me), eaten whatever we could and read by the light of lamps until we got sleepy. It has been cool so don't really miss the air, but oh how I miss hot water. But you won't hear me complain.
I did lose a dear friend and know many who lost friends or loved ones
I've missed hearing you all talk and seeing your pics, but I will catch back up really soon.
God bless you for trying to contact me and for those who called on the cell phone; those who prayed and sent good thoughts. Please please continue, There are so many hurting people here who lost everthing and loved ones and one family their children. So many many stories.
But just wanted to check in and let you know I'm ok and all of my family.
love,
Babs

A finish for Babs but not a challenge!

2011-04-25T15:49:00.001-05:00

I did it! I finished Beds of Roses! I can't believe how long it took and how much frogging I did...that little fellow just wouldn't go away. Now to find the perfect frame or whatever finishing I decide to do.

Beds of Roses
designed by Terry Loewen
stitched on 32 ct. autumn blush over two
using GAST Faded Rose

Some of you asked where the pattern is from...It was a neat little surprise in the first copy I ever bought of Create & Decorate, April 2011. They did send me to a web sight for a better chart www.createanddecorate.com/downloads . It might still be available and you can print it off.

And, oh yeah, you can click on my pics now and enlarge them, but not any before today I don't think. I just did it spastically but I think that's been taken care of now :)

HTH and hugs,
Babs

Easter a day early little long with pictures!

2011-04-23T11:49:00.014-05:00

On April 24, 1921 Chelma Adele Thiele was born in Missouri. She was one of the most unique people I have ever known, unlike any of the other mothers I met as a child and, as I grew up, and even after I became a mother myself. She was shy, but gave so much of herself to her family and others.

Her craft was crocheting and my daddy loved to sit and watch that crochet hook move so fast (he watched me too, when I grew up and took up the hook :) But, she did two cross stitch pieces in her life....and this is the one I still have today after many years.

Mother was taken from us in the aftermath of Katrina. She married my daddy during WWII, and they moved to the Mississippi gulf coast when I was three years old and that's where I grew up and married.

Her birthday falls on Easter this year and I thought I would honor her by sharing her with my friends. She loved to laugh, so when the SS class I taught gave me a picture frame along with flowers I knew which picture would go in it. This was her last visit to my house. In the grouping, a baby picture and one as she looked when my daddy courted her :) You can also see my little sal finish I made into a pillow and the needleroll friend Sally gave me in an exchange. The pin keep bunny, friend Lavon gave me just because I loved it when I saw it.

Next up is Anna's Bird by Goode Huswif which I stitched in Mother's honor, renaming it Chelma's Bird., as beautifully unique as she was.

Thought I'd have this little sampler done by now, but only close...maybe tonight.

Did finish a prairie schooler ornament from their cranberry Christmas book. I chose a non-Christmas fabric cause the green matched both the trees of the ornament and the washed out green of the ric rac. Just had fun with this one and added the yellow/gold stars :)

That's it for now. Happy Easter, everyone, and please do remember why we celebrate this time. What a time of renewal, of strength, faith and the hope that is in us.

Love,

Babs

Did you think I forgot to draw a name for PIF?

2011-04-13T18:41:00.016-05:00

I didn't forget. I just got this idea since there were only six names. I don't know anything about random counters, etc., but I do know about the honor system :) I had a little fun with it since this is Easter month so just bear with me. Only one person won the draw, but I would love to have the addresses of the other five if you don't mind. If you do mind, that's ok, but why not send me your address just in case?I wanted to hide the names in eggs...all colors, then I realized I better have the eggs all the same color so no cheating going on :) Here are the eggs in the basket:

Look real close and you'll see all six eggs in the grass:

And the winner is Maria!!!!!

And then, the other five names folded in their eggs...not going to call you losers :)

Maria, I will get to know you a little better and see what your tastes are, but now you have to pay it forward on your blog.

I had the nicest surprise recently. I picked up this magazine that I'd never bought before called Create & Decorate...

and I found this..... a design by Terry Loewen.

and had to do this. I cut a piece of autumn blush 32ct fabric and picked one of the newest Gast threads called faded rose and got this far

but really want to finish this before anything else. I love the faded, look of the thread and blotchy look of the fabric. Together with the chenille trim planned for it, I'm hoping to have my very own brand new "antique".

and by the way, picked up the latest copy of Create & Decorate a little while ago. I do love this magazine!

bye for now!

hugs,

Babs

A PIF, no photos, no stitching

2011-04-05T19:00:00.006-05:00

OK. I am one of the lucky recipients of a PIF from Lynda. Now, I've been a recipient of her beautiful stitching before because she and I have been part of the same yahoo group going back over 10 years. But, I have never participated in the PIF thing. So, the way I understand it is....Lynda is going to stitch me something in this next year. But I am supposed to host a PIF drawing on my blog and if anyone actually signs up, then I draw from those names and do something for the winner in this next year. If no one signs up, then I'll choose someone from previous comments to do a RAK...that's my own rule cause some of you have been so kind to encourage and inspire me since I've been blogging. See? I'm learning. Before the blog I knew what a random act of kindness was; now I know what a RAK is. My one year anniversary is coming up so this will be a good way for me to "practice". I really need some practice :) Drawing to be held on April 13th. hugs, Babs

TUSAL and 1st 2011 New Challenge finish!

2011-04-02T18:24:00.015-05:00

Happy dancing going on in Alabama today! The sun is shining; I wore capris and flip-flops out today, and I got the buttons sewed on my big finish. A word here first, though. When I signed up for both Minna's new challenge and Jayne's wip challenge I listed this one on the wip side. Truth is, I had to start over (why I never got past the few stitches in 2008 was because of the mistake in it) DJ invited me to join her in a Monday stitch-along on it so that's what I did. DJ has been sick as most of us know and my prayer time for her was always special on Mondays. Then this last week she had so much medical stuff facing her and decisions and fearful news and I couldn't seem to put it down. I just kept stitching and thinking of her and praying for her and waiting for her to share how the week went. Until this morning I found myself sewing the buttons on.

But, first, here is my TUSAL for tomorrow in case I forget since it's on Sunday. A lot of frogging going on in March.

And here it is! Little House Needleworks Heart of America complete with a few changes. America replaced one date. "1776" replaced another date, and 2011 is at the bottom. It is stitched on 30 ct. Creek Bed Brown, using Crescent Colors floss. Buttons are from Just Another Button company...lamb, acorn, blackbird and three stars at bottom.

I saw a wall hanging the other day that I'm thinking about doing, or I might take the easy way and let the framer do her magic.

Well, that's my big

finish!

Happy Stitching!

Babs

Busy Week & Friday Finishes

2011-03-25T09:48:00.010-05:00

I've had such a busy week, but oh, it's been fun, and did I say busy? Monday was rest day after Sunday worship day. (Most of you know I have a lung disease that has rendered me unable to do all the things I used to do in a day. Sometimes I feel like I need to explain why I'm so lazy)

On Tuesday my grown son took me to a surprise place for lunch called Curry's downtown. We do not get to see each other much these days since he's in another job that requires a lot of his time and his sweet wife and children need the time that's left over :) But he's been off two weeks and promised to spend a little time with me.

I got the chicken salad on croissant, a sweet broccoli salad and topped it off with strawberry pretzel. The broccoli & pretzel I shared with Jeff.

Then it was to the Friends of the Library book store where everything in there was 50c all week. Then out to Priceville Bookmark, my most favorite used book store. We love James the owner and he's always on the lookout for what we like. He looked really hard in the long while since our last visit..gulp! I found some different stuff i.e. Withering Heights by Dorothy Cannell;

Poisoned Pins by Joan Hess. And then, this little gem by Poppy Adams called The Sister, I found for a dollar at BAM.

Wednesday was stitch-in at LNS. My friends, who have I've missed for a long time now...Vickie, Patti, Gail, Jo and of course, Marlene were there and it was a day full of laughter and fun and just a little bit stitching. We all started "Spring" the first part of LHN's monochromatic seasons. this one is stitched in Belle soie Weathered Vine which is a beautiful dark green...I did say a little bit stitching :)

Yesterday my dd Tami spent a lot of the day here with me at home. I stayed on oxygen and stitched while she played on the computer trying to catch up with all her stuff as they are without internet right now.

And today? Can you believe to the Booklegger in Huntsville with grown grandson Andrew to look for some "antique" books, his favorite thing to do.

My finishes this week are LHN's Strawberry House complete with unfrogged mistakes...had to make it my own :) Stitched with called for thread and fabric plus buttons, no beads. It's my first Up for a challenge finish.

And last is my part 4 on French spring sal. I'm loving this little cutie very much and will make it into a pillow when done to go with spring/Easter display.

Happy Friday!

Babs

the sweetest kind of gift

2011-03-17T18:44:00.005-05:00

It's not always something you hold in your hands, but rather in your heart. I have to share this stitching story with my stitching friends.

I started in the cyber world with Cross Stitch Pals with Amy. It was a time of secret pals and I loved making my pals happy with those little surprise gifts for four months until the "unveiling". The time before we knew who our secret pal was.

For some reason that I never really knew I had two pals who got my name and didn't honor the game. I still had a lot of fun sending, but the receiving was another thing. Two times this happened and two times very thoughtful people adopted me.

One was Sally who was so good to me I felt guilty. She sent so many things I will never be able to make it up to her. She and I have become really good friends through our stitching buddy group which she joined after that round of secret pal.

The other one called herself Bo Peep and she began to write me on the board calling me the little lost sheep. I spent so much time and energy trying to find out who she was but no one seemed to know...not even Amy or the other regulars. That round ended with me never knowing who had taken care of me but she crosses my mind from time to time.

I found out today. She was and is my youngest daughter, Karen, who was a part of the secret pal thing both sending and receiving. This is how she knew exactly what to say and what to send. She had her ways of getting things to me from people in other parts of the country so I just stayed confused.

She called me today while I was out and told me just like that. She said "Mom, do you remember Bo Peep who rescued you on secret Pals? That was me" Just like that after all these years. I cried right there in the middle of the bookstore.

That is Karen to the right...she has a tender heart and is always reaching out to help someone. The sparkle left her eyes when her husband died in 08 and I keep waiting for it to return. She always had laughing eyes. She has a weakness for silk threads but doesn't cross stitch anymore.

The few stitches at the top are the few stitches I put into a French sal called Spring Bouquets. I know, I know. I really am going to work on the challenges.

hugs,

Babs

Something about Tuesdays and Rain

2011-03-15T09:52:00.013-05:00

It used to be March winds; April Showers; May flowers...but not anymore.
Thank you for every little comment I get! I may not get that many yet, but they mean everything to me!
I pray that none of you have friends and loved ones in the area of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Many of us know missionaries over there and as of Sunday some were unaccounted for. My husband being a nuclear engineer for GE knows many of the people who are at the power plant as they were over there for an outage, a.k.a. regularly scheduled shut down.

When the news media runs with the "nuclear" scare, I call him to get the real story. I've woke him up the last two nights because I hadn't changed my clocks yet and he's an hour later than me anyway, he's been real patient with me though.

Where does time go? The older I get, the faster it flies and the less I can account for.

I did not check in last week with my Heart of America progress, but here it is today. Being in a hurry, the picture didn't turn out too good, but I'll really work on it when the piece is done :)

I am so sorry about the frogs that landed on DJ's HoA, but even with that she still manages to show off :)

DJ also started this little Easter sal going on over at http://novalee02.over-b log.com/g .com/ . She has closed it for new participants, but I'm thinking there will be others. This is part 1 & 2 and I have part 3 to finish by Saturday. Surprise DJ! No more enabling please!

I got a few stitches in my Apple Tree Sampler by Hawkins House, but only a few unless you count that I had to frog the first motif and have stitched it twice now.

A Joanne's opened in Huntsville and my dd and I had a fun time in there Saturday. I've only been in one and that was in St. Louis years ago. Also went in Michaels there. DD was doing the scrapbooking/cards thing and I was looking for fabric and trims for finishing things.

Well, I better see what's going on outside with the weather. We've had so much rain, trees are going to start falling if there's much more before the winds begin.

Bye for now,

Babs

TUSAL little orts and ends and a froggie

2011-03-03T17:28:00.008-06:00

On the left is a picture of "little orts" before becoming a part of the "big orts" on the right. I didn't stitch much in February, but the frogging going on was never ending it seemed. That's why the froggie is in the picture...maybe if I'm nice to him, he'll be nice to me ...you think?

Hubby was home for a week with all the doctor appointments, but every thing checked out ok. He left last Sunday, but I haven't gotten it in gear yet. Lazy I am!

DJ, this next one is for you so you can see I at least put a few stitches in since my last show and tell of Heart of America by LHN. (did I mention how lazy I am?) I love this piece and want to see it finished soon, but your enabling has caused me to stop everything and do the little Easter sal you posted on your blog, assuming I can find the threads in my stash...cause I'm not going anywhere. (goodness, that was a long sentence) If ya'll aren't familiar with DJ's blog, do go over there and check out how she's getting so far ahead of me on this sal.

And I did put a few tiny stitches in Jane Atkinson, but not so's you'd notice very much :( The spirit has been willing but my body has been weak, today being the worst day. But I just had to see what my blogging friends have been up to. I decided the more blogs I comment on, the less chance of getting my orts posted on time.

I'll catch up the rest of you tomorrow if I didn't today.

Til then, just going to say bye for now.

Babs

Blogs are enablers in disguise

2011-02-21T09:49:00.006-06:00

Anyone ever seen this? It is Jane Atkinson, a

reproduction sampler by The Scarlet Letter. I saw it on

one blog, then in trying to find out more about it, it somehow

ended up in my hands (hence the enabling part)
The verse says

"What though my sins are of a Crimson stain

My saviours blood can wash me white again

Though numerous the twinkling stars they be

or sands along the margin of the sea Or as

smooth pebbles on some beachy shore

The mercies of Almighty still are more.

Is that beautiful or what? Most use silk; I'm using dmc on 40 ct, but I think it's going to look good none the less.

I do have something to show and tell. Remember Winter
Cardinals on my last post? Well I finished it my way, but the picture is somewhat washed out in an effort to get the fabric trim remotely close to its color.

It is from Little House Needleworks done on Flax Fields by R&R, using crescent colors and dmc.

My hubby called to say he was having a little trouble and driving home yesterday from Philly...which he did. He sees his doctor tomorrow, but we think it's related to his port. Something's causing his right arm to swell and numb more than chemo related neuropothy he's been experiencing all along.

So I kept busy off and on all day picking, choosing, deciding how I wanted to finish the ornament and I put the last stitch in just as he was turning in the driveway. I'm not making that up. I walked in to hug him hello with the ornie in my hand. He can see that I do not "use my time for naught" as so many samplers say :)

I may be busy this week, but will try to get back to reading all the blogs I've missed the last couple of days. I leave you with my little start on Jane Atkinson...

Hugs,

Babs.

No hearts for valentine!

2011-02-14T09:11:00.009-06:00

But, if you look real close on my ornie you will see two little hearts at the bottom and one on the top. So! Those are my valentine hearts to all of you, my blogging friends.

This is Little House Needleworks first ornament for 2011. It's stitched on 30 ct. flax fields. I'm having a hard time finding the fabric I want to finish it. Hope to get out today...I know it's waiting for me somewhere, but definitely NOT in my stash. My first 2011 finish!

I stitched along with DJ on Heart of America by LHN, but not yet today. Wanted to post the pic so she can see my progress from last Monday.

I've worked on La-D-La's Polly Wolly Doodle All Day just a little.

I stitched hours on Long Dog's Scarlet Ribands and this is all I've got to show for it. I love stitching with Threadgatherers silk n' color, but this piece is slow.

And just look what I found in my lost and found UFO's! This is Moira Blackburn's Time and Seasons, started a long time and many seasons ago. The alphabet is complete and more stitching here and there but scanned what I could in one swipe.

I put it up to do a sal with my stitching buddies group on Moira's Three Things which I finished in 2007. What does that tell you?

Gotta' get ready to go find that fabric.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Babs

TUSAL/picture added

2011-02-03T15:34:00.003-06:00

OOPS! and OMG! Thank you, Mouse for letting me know I forgot the picture. I got side tracked cause it is snowing in Alabama again! No harm done I hope.

I thought it was tomorrow but I'm seeing posts so here is mine. I think I'm going to find me another jar cause this one spreads out a lot before it spreads "up", lol. Haven't done a lot of stitching but some anyway.
Hugs & happy new moon all us tusal stitchers :)
Babs

I Get Behinder and hinder!

2011-02-02T11:07:00.004-06:00

I am as mixed up as our weather forcast. I live on the cusp of most reports...might rain, probably freeze, maybe snow, cloudy all day or the sun might shine. To be safe, wear short sleeves under your jacket; take your galoshes or your raincoat or your sunglasses just in case we get it all wrong. I really do love the south...really!
Before I forget, I want to tell ya'll that Belinda at Blue Ribbon Designs is having a giveaway with drawing on Feb. 5, so get over there and sign up for the beautiful pouch with sewing tools. A great gift! She's got some beautiful new designs coming soon too.

First, I want to share a picture my dd Tami sent via phone yesterday. She just decided to whip this up for me since the last time I saw her. If I have a life verse, this would be it; it is my daily prayer. the pic's not that clear, but you can see she made a couple changes just because she always does :) the design is by La D Da.

Second I wanted to show my itty bitty progress on Heart of America so DJ can see what a few stitches really mean, lol.

Lynda, I got four new letters of the alphabet done Sunday on Apple Tree Sampler :( too few to show.
Monday I got Little House Needlework's first monthly ornament for 2011 and yesterday I found myself throwing everything else aside and working on it. Cardinals, evergreens, bunnies and snow, the perfect winter scene, don't you think?

And last but not least, I want to give you a heads up on a book I just read. I read it in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. It is Left Neglected by Lisa Genova.
That's about it for now. Just staying in and staying warm in my pj's.
bye for now,
Babs

No Time for "Blah" days!

2011-01-25T08:36:00.009-06:00

But that's what yesterday was, just plain old BLAH! The longer the day got, the more I wanted to go to bed and start over.

I did work on my Heart of America sal with DJ just a bit. I was giving her time to catch up and she did, waving at me as she went by, lol.

Here's what last week's looked like:

And here's what a few minutes rendered last night.

I got so burned out with the 15 day stitching thing I just sat and read for a few days finishing two books and starting a third.

Today is one of those dark rainy days, a prelude to snow tonight and we don't know exactly how much or serious it will be. Everyone I love drives quite a distance to their jobs with country roads, then big bridges and overpasses, and ya'll know how we are in the south.

Today is going to be a stitch day for sure...I can pray while I stitch.

Thanks for tagging along with me. Gillie, it was fun to see your comment :) and I agree with you; I think these challenges are just another great big way of enabling all of us. I've seen several in my stash that I've pulled so I won't forget about them again, and then there's those that are not in my stash. Oh woe is me!

Hugs,

Babs

Fun, Fabulous Fifteen!!!

2011-01-15T17:08:00.009-06:00

Well, I did it....sort of. I changed my mind on a few. it seemed I had picked so much work. One thing is I wanted to devote more to patriotic ; I didn't have a whimsical piece so chose a Bent Creek.

The biggest change was to Scarlet Ribands by Long Dog Samplers. It came Thursday and I immediately picked thread and fabric.

So here goes, then I'm putting the needle up until about Monday or so...I want to read a book. I know it's not much stitching but I just wanted to get a stitch or two in all 15 pieces...ON TIME for a change.

#1 is Scarlet Ribands by Long Dog, stitching it with silk n color In the Burgundy on 36 ct. dove grey linen.

#2 is The Patriotic Branch by Bent Creek; on 32 ct. linen with Weeks and Gast.

#3 is Patriotic Patchwork by Blue Ribbon on 40 ct. sand with crescent color threads.

And last is Reading by Little House Needleworks using 32 ct. lambs wool and the crescents that came with it.

Bye for now. I'm just going to read a bit while the snow is still on the ground all around.

Hugs,

Babs

Playing catch-up/#11 on day 13

2011-01-13T11:25:00.000-06:00

I am going to do this. I am! I am! I am!

Not going to talk cause I haven't even checked out the blogs and progress yet. Just going to jump in and show you these four pieces with very little done except for a favorite Polly Wolly Doodle all Day by La D Da. Yep, I did a little tweaking on the list; with only a few stitches done I decided I wanted to really stitch this little cutie. Done with GAST on some hand dyed fabric.

Next up is Anna's Prayer by Heartstring Samplery. I love this prayer and really love these funky flowers. It's with dmc on another hand dyed 30 ct. I got all 13 of those lines across the top but scanner didn't want to accommodate.

Next is Spring Quakers by Rosewood Manor (Karen Kluba). Froggie was my constant companion while I tried to start this, and this is not good since it's Valdani threads and don't need to waste any. The fabric is Valor from picture this plus.

Lastly is from The World of Cross Stitching issue 102. It's called The Sweetest Thing by Flora White. 32 ct Belfast & dmc. A sweet friend in my stitching buddies group knew I needed this old copy and found it on Ebay and surprised me with it. Thank you so much Isobel. It's one of two I'm stitching in that series.
That's it! I'm outta' here for now to eat some lunch then check groups and blogs.

Hugs

Babs (who now has 56!!!)

snowed in, January challenges, heads up on a blog

2011-01-11T13:14:00.000-06:00

I have 52 blog readers! 52! I am humbled and amazed and am trying to check out anyone I don't follow so I can. Hello to all of you!
The picture at top is Herman and me Christmas at dd Karen's house. I show it off so you can see how healthy he is getting after the year of cancer, surgeries and chemo. It started off at the bottom, I hit the wrong button so now it's back on at top. Oh well. Blogger in training..that's me!

My daughter Tami started a new blog that any of you who want to renew yourself physically and spiritually during this new year should check out. She doesn't always have internet at this time and has to post sporadically, but catches all her days up when she does post.

Yes, North Alabama and even farther south is shut down. Because we don't experience this often, the expense of winter machinery (snow plows, etc.) is not cost effective so our streets and roads become impassable quickly. This causes chain reaction of school and business closings so here we are.

Here's the snowman my grandkids created yesterday. He's tall and 20; she's 16.

I am behind on challenges, but to be anything else would not be me :( A couple days found me not stitching at all except for what you're going to see in these pics coming up.

First up is Apple Tree Sampler by Hawkins House worked on 36 ct. with Belle Soie silks.

Second is Quaker Harmony by My Big Toe done on 32 ct with Weeks dye works.

Third is His Flowers by Rosewood Manor, a personal favorite and so little to show for it. It's on 32 ct. Autumn Blush using dmc.
I did put a few stitches in border of Heart of America but not enough to scan :( But, here is the work done on Battle Hymn of Republic; what it looked like when I picked it back up and what it looks like now. The skipping at the bottom was done in fear that I cut the fabric too short...false alarm.

hugs & happy stitching,

Babs

A gift I forgot to mention

2011-01-08T10:58:00.000-06:00

For many years, my husband has taken the last two weeks of the year and the first week of the new year for vacation.

I'm a journal, devotion, list making kind of person, but all my lists for goals, etc. have been delayed until he left. Just a very bad habit I got into and always found myself playing catch up at the end of the first week of January.

It was no different this year except he left earlier and I could have started it all on the 1st, but didn't. I was so busy trying to get two BIG challenges off the ground I had no thought or time for anything else.

I realized finally that I never shared something that happened right before Christmas, and so I'm sharing it now.

I have a friend who I've only met through the blogging world. We may never meet face to face this side of glory, but that's ok. Kindred spirits first because of our love for the Lord. I loved the way she shared her experiences of breast cancer with us week by week, always giving God the glory every step of the way, and continues to do so.

Second, because of the trauma of our physical/medical circumstances, and third because of our love for cross stitch. I received a hand made beaded ornament from her on a day when nothing else could have lifted my spirits.

Thank you, DJ, for the beautiful, thoughtful oranment that graces the top of my post. It hangs here by my computer to remind me all year that angels really are just friends with wings.

I am sooo looking forward to stitching along with you on Heart of America by LHN.

Hugs to all who read this,

Babs

Day Three Challenge & first TUSAL of 2011

2011-01-04T10:02:00.000-06:00

Forgot to mention the first new moon today and TUSAL jar, so here it is. Not much since I used it most of last year :(

DJ, this one is for you. I've wanted to finish this one a long time and stitching along with you is sure to make that happen. This is Heart of America by LHN being stitched with crescent colors on 30 ct. creek bed brown by R&R Reproductions.

Next up is Ann Pennsylvania Peacock by Little by Little stitched with dmc on 36 ct. lite cappuccino. Siobhan inspired me with this one...I think she stitched it 2010 and showed it on her blog. Not much of a start, but it is a start :)

Proud & True by Blue Ribbon Designs is on 36 ct. something with Belle Soie silks. I LOVE this piece and so hope to stick to it until it's done.

Last but not least is my Garden Cat by Birds of a Feather done on 30 ct. Barn Owl with Weeks threads. I can not tell a lie. I have not added any stitches to it yet, but plan to today. This is what it has looked like for some time now, hopefully that will change dramatically. She reminds me of my cat Kylie.

That's it for today.

bye for now,

babs

Old WIP and New Start

2011-01-02T10:46:00.000-06:00

I won't be reporting every day, but did want to share with you my first day of stitching which was not very much but we had a busy day around here and no stitching until the evening.
on the left
Wip Paradise Lost
Plum Street Samplers
35 ct. lambswool & dmc

on the right
Quaker Virtues
ByGone Stitches
36 ct. flax & crescent colors

So much for day one! Moving on to day two :)
hugs,
babs

Last day of another year...WOW!

2010-12-31T11:09:00.000-06:00

I thought I better say something today since I'm going to be so busy stitching tomorrow :) What a crazy 15 days it'll be for all of us accepting one or both crazy 2011 challenges (sidebar)

First of all, Alabama did have snow and some of us were grounded on icy country roads....that would be me. The snow was beautiful but the ice scares me since I have so many grandchildren who are driving now. But the little ones built snowmen, one even had a carrot nose and coals for eyes :) didn't get a picture of that.

To all my blogging friends I pray for you a year of happiness and health; a year filled with good memories to treasure; blogging friendships growing; stitching finishes multiplying; and me learning how to navigate the blogging thing, lol.

Please remember the One whose eye is on the sparrow, for I know He watches you and me too!

I'll leave you with a few snow pics all taken from my back porch except for the mailboxes...I'm in the middle box; and a story behind the little red shoes...The Sweetest Gift.

Once upon a time a little girl named Babs lived with her three brothers and mommy and daddy in what served as a two room house. They were very poor in the basic needs of life not to mention any material stuff. The owners of the little houses lived in The BIG House across the beautifully manicured lawn. We were forbidden to wander over that way, but the little girl at the big house loved to play with Babs.

One day she took off her pretty red shoes and let Babs wear them for awhile. When it was time for her to leave Babs didn't want to give up the shoes so they waited until she took her nap, then slipped the shoes off and gave tham back to their owner. When Babs awoke, she knew immediately the shoes were gone....the tears were still dry on her face streaking through the dirt of playing earlier, but now the tears came again and to this day, almost 60 years later Babs never saw those shoes or her little friend again.

But this year my daughter in law Mindy who almost cried when she heard that story the first time, in trying to come up with the perfect gift had an idea and it will always mean as much to me as those little red shoes did so long ago....the only difference? I get to keep these. They were worn by her Emily, my 5yr. old granddaughter, until recently and together they gave me the Sweetest gift of all. Not to be confused with the Greatest gift, Jesus, just the sweetest.

God bless all of you this new year. Thank you for being my friend and for the comments you leave. Some so thoughtful, some so funny, but all enjoyed so very very much.

Love,

Babs

Crazy January 2011 Challenge list

2010-12-29T10:18:00.000-06:00

I did something really crazy this year....crazier even than the years before when I sign up for the seemingly impossible. I will start 15 brand new projects from January 1st thru January 15th......BUT! That's not all!
I will also work on 15 wips or ufo's from the 1st thru the 15th. I've listed those on our Flip'n Crazy January 2011 Challenge (sidebar)
Is this possible....or what?
1. Quaker Virtues by ByGone Stitches (2nd start)
2. Ann Pennsylvania Peacock by Little by Little
3. Quaker Silence by Tree of Life Samplings
4. Mansfield Park by The Sampler Girl
5. Patriotic Branch by Bent Creek
6. A Patriot's Sampler by Midsummer Night Designs
7. His Flowers by Karen Kluba/Rosewood Manor
8. Spring Quaker by Rosewood Manor
9. Quaker Harmony by My Big Toe
10. Apple Tree Sampler by Hawkins House
11. Proud and True by Blue Ribbon Designs
12. Isaiah 40:11 by Erica Michaels
13. Tortoise and the Hare by Prairie Schooler
14.Anna's Prayer by Heartstring Samplery
15. The World of Cross Stitching Issues 101 and 102 count as one
Light Summer Breeze
The Sweetest Thing (both by Flora White)

Oh yes! The idea is to finish all 30 by the end of the year
maybe, just maybe, some of these will be done by the end of 2011....one can dream, can't one?
Hugs,
Babs

Just checking in

2010-12-08T08:42:00.000-06:00

Good morning to all my blogging friends and those in my groups that check in even though they don't blog. You mean a lot to me.

A few days after my last post I got very sick, sick enough to go to the hospital. Most of you know about my copd/emphysema/asthma and most of the time it's under control. I must have allowed an infection to run rampant in me until it caused such panic and anxiety I gave up and let them take me to the hospital.

A round of prednisone pushed me over the edge I was standing on along with antibiotics, etc. I was scared to be alone; my dd Karen stayed on my couch the first week, then her son Andrew stayed with me until last weekend. Had to be lights on all night and noise all day...have never been exactly here before.

I'm better now, but still not 100%. I'm good, though, and so thankful that I know who holds my life in His hands and has never left or forsaken me even when I was out of my head.

I won't be out in the crowds during the holidays but I'm making a list...my poor family.

Herman will be coming home from Philadelphia tomorrow and stay until New Year's. We have his tests and doctors to deal with all next week, so please pray for us that pet scan and blood work and colonoscopy are all clear and report is good.

Since this last attack I've not read a book except for my devotionals and Bible; I've not stitched anything, my ornies or anything else :(

Anyway, just wanted to say I'm still here and looking forward to getting this blog REALLY off the ground in 2011...there's so much I need to learn about blogs.

Reading all your posts and looking at your pictures has been a calming joy for me these last weeks, but haven't been leaving comments much.

I will check in again soon, hopefully with something to show for my time.

Hugs & God bless during the holiday season,

Babs

Hello from sunny cool Alabama!

2010-11-10T13:14:00.000-06:00

I think I could write a book called "After the chemo is over" by the Care Giver. Or maybe I should call it "Where do we go from here?" also by Care Giver.

I am half way into the second week since Herman returned to Philadelphia and still don't know what to do around here. Everything needs dusting and vacuuming and laundering or folding or mopping, or stitching, etc. etc.

And here I sit. I did some laundry yesterday and cleaned one bathroom which resulted in a panic attack, my 20 yr. old grandson babysitting me last night, and the oxygen running round the clock. I wanted to share this picture with you (which is a rough draft) of the portraits taken outside here before Herman left.

I am sitting in the middle with dd Karen (a widow) on my right and her 16 yr. old dd Sarah sitting on the ground my left. Herman is the one with his hand on my shoulder (of course) and the man in the middle is grandson Andrew mentioned earlier and his 18 yr. old brother also my grandson, Tyler. All three are Karen's children.

Maybe I'll have something stitched to post later. I did get the ornament stitched for buddy in England and mailed off Monday so can't post that picture yet.

Anybody know what to do when you've been a care giver and don't know how to get priorities in order when it's all over?

He is doing ok and is going to a big model train show in Allentown, PA this weekend. That will be fun and relaxing for him and he'll get whatever Christmas he's going to get while he's there. When you get our age and both have hobbies, it's just more fun for us to get what we want ourselves and be thankful that we can do that.

Bye for now,

Babs

I Been Thinking

2010-10-16T17:45:00.000-05:00

Years ago someone gave my husband a little plaque which said "Sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit".

Well, I been doing a lot of sitting and thinking recently and this is what I've decided. I have only one stitching obligation left to do and that is a Christmas ornament for a stitching buddy in England. The JCS ornament issue this year is one of my favorite so far and I would like to stitch a bunch of them. So, when I clear the area to do Leah's ornie, I think I'll just finish out the year stitching ornies. I still have some LHN's to do, but I think I can get quite a few done.

Anyway, that's what I'm thinking today.

Here is a picture of the Halloween Revelry pillow I did for sweet friend Julie Buck of In The Company of Friends. She's a designer herself so that was a little intimidating, but she's also a beautiful soul so I knew she'd like whatever I did for her. This is taken from The Primitive Needle's sampler and stitched on PTP heritage. "Juliebee" as we call her in our yahoo stitching buddies group likes witchies.

And here is my little finish for the week. I can take credit for the mistakes but not for the beautiful colors; it's Shepherd's Bush My Pins kit.

Thank you for your comments and hopefully, I will get better at having something for you to comment on :) It's been a strange year both personally and on the stitching front. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Hugs,

Babs

Something to celebrate, a day trip & and a finish!

2010-10-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I forgot to add my finish for the week.
It's called Be Still and Know by My Big Toe.
A favorite verse of mine and got me
through some rough patches this year.
This blog post has been started,
deleted, restarted, drafted, and it's gonna'
go right now just like it is. Phew!

Grampa and Luke returning from their trip to Russell Cave. I'm taking the picture cause I

couldn't make the walk, but that' s ok...they're buddies :)

Tuesday the 5th was a good good day. No more chemo! No more blood tests! Well, not until

Dec. 13 for a pet scan, the 15th for colonoscopy and the 21st for consult. But that seems a life time away.

He shooked the doctor's hand and hugged all his nurses before he left the cancer center, but his favorite person, Hezekiah, wasn't there for him to say good bye. They sat in those recliners and got to know each other so well. I wonder, do people stay in touch? Herman will be off to Pennsylvania the day after his birthday which is Oct. 17th.

I hope he doesn't check in on my blog cause on the 16th my youngest daughter who is a photographer is trying to get this whole family together for a family picture out in the back yard. He thinks it's just for the picture, but they will have cake and all the fixings for his birthday. One will be absent for sure, our granddaughter in the navy, but Karen will phtoshop her in I'm thinking.

Our day trip to Chattanooga Choo Choo model trains and to Bridgeport, AL's Russell Cave with our grandson Luke was a fun fun day! There was one condition to him going with us....we had to be home by 7PM for the Alabama/Florida game...we walked in the door at his house at 6:55. He is a die-hard Crimson Tide fan and he just turned 9 last Wednesday the 6th...the Tide won so made for him a perfect day.

I call this pic on the left "watching the wheels turn". Luke loved working all the levers on this engine at Chattanooga Choo Choo. He told me if I looked close I could see the wheels turn.

On the right he's standing in front of one of the "coolest" displays at Russel Cave museum.

This is Luke and me showing off the fountain behind us...they just wanted me to be in at least one of the pictures :) I really am there.
And this last picture is my personal favorite....do you see Luke in the upper corner? It's just a reflection of him as I took the blurred picture of one of the model train sets. My heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of his image.

Happy Stitching!
Babs

Friday finishes and other things

2010-10-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, and looking back I'm not sure why I haven't checked in sooner.

Maybe it's because chemo was winding down and my heart and mind was on getting through it without any surprises.

God willing, he's had his last treatment; will go for bloodwork and consult with Dr. Becdash on the 5th and then make plans for returning to work. He came home from Philly, ya'll, on February 17th and he's been here since. He's feeling ok, but he's so run down...his appetite seems to have come back, though. He's proud to show me he cleaned his plate for the last few evening meals...it's been a struggle getting him to eat.

Not much stitching since my last post except for the halloween exchange piece I work on a little bit every chance I get. Can't show that cause it's a surprise and I know she will check my blog when I post :)

But I can show some of the recent finishing on some not so recent pieces.

This is my oldest piece; it's Northanger Abbey by The Sampler Girl I stitched back in 2004, but just made it into pillow this week.

Next comes Say Grace also by The Sampler Girl; it's not quite as old but done in 2009 . I loved this piece the minute I saw it.

Then there is Land That I Love I already shared with you, but now a part of my patriotic scene. Wow! one stitched and finished in the same year :)

Last and least, but not my least favorite for sure is Blackbird Designs which I finished right after I showed you the WIP of it, but too lazy to post.
Oh yes, the little sheepie piece was stitched by dd Tami and was supposed to be pin cushion but decided to frame it. I love all things sheep!

I've read a few books, (listed on the right) but the biggest surprise of September was my Kindle! Baby brother Ed and his wife Twila bought me a kindle just because...the best kind of gift, huh? Everyone is always calling and asking about Herman, but then one day Ed called and said he wanted to know how his sis was doing. Before we'd hung up the phone (he lives in Kansas), he had ordered the kindle and the cover. He called this week and asked if I'd figured out how to use it yet. I told him Sure! you just order a book and read, right? I LOVE it!

Tomorrow, Herman and I are going to try something we haven't done in awhile. We are going to drive to Chattanooga, TN to see the model train display at the Hilton. In case I haven't mentioned before, Herman is a model train (HO & N scale) enthusiast and Luke has come a lot to "play" with him during all this chemo stuff. He will be nine years old this week. Last picture, of course, is Luke, the only grandson that carries his grampa's last name. He tells people that's why his grampa loves him so much.

That's about it for this afternoon. Maybe I'll have some pics of the day trip tomorrow.

BIG thanks and hugs to all of you who have prayed us through these months. It means a lot to me. Just in case ya'll don't know....DJ's (you know, Tickled Pink) birthday is the 18th of this month a day after my hubby's. She'll be one of those "landmark" ages, but she thanks God for everyone of those days and years and gives Him the glory for walking alongside her and even carrying her through this year of surgeries and chemo, setbacks, struggles, tears and laughter...always laughter with DJ. She has been an inspiration for me dropping in via snail mail or email just when I need it the most.

I know she's been an inspiration to many of you and now is a really good time to let her know :)

Love,

Babs

UFO Tuesday

2010-08-17T10:11:00.000-05:00

Today's UFO is going to be The Woolgatherer's Cottage Farm by Linda Myers. I wrote down when I started it some years ago, but can't remember where I put that list :(

I thought if I posted a picture, it would shame me into getting some real stitching done on it. It's a fun piece done on the 25 count called for and dmc threads.

I think I tried to do this posting a ufo thing some time back and it had absolutely no effect on getting it done. maybe it will work this time.

Happy Tuesday! and God bless!

Babs

I thought I'd be one of those people

2010-08-12T12:34:00.000-05:00

You know, that keeps a record of everything just in case we need to refer to a day or date or test or surgery or chemo or breathing test or bill paid (or not)...and on...and on.... And I'd get so many books read while waiting at the cancer center, or pieces finished. that just isn't gonna' happen.

I have done exactly the opposite and oh, how I wish I had DJ's gift of gab and wit and humor over at Tickled Pink...but I don't and at this stage of the game called life, I don't think that's gonna' happen either:(

My hubby and I are the same age for a few short months each year and this is when we are. 63 is not old, ya'll. It really isn't!

63 is when you look just a little ahead to retirement and a little relaxation and maybe just a dollar or two to spend at lns or hobby train shop. My grandbabies aren't grandbabies anymore and they all love us and love to visit, but they have places to go and people to see and school and all those things that take no time (or all your time) when you're young.

Hubby just finished his 9th of 12 rounds of chemo...he was getting sick before he even left the center Tuesday and he's gotten gradually worse every day. I really have to hover over him and get on his last nerve (that's already shredded) so he doesn't get dehydrated. He sees it as interfering with his "rest".

I had my big check up with pulmonary Tuesday which is a drive some distance away; had already cancelled once and could not miss this one. I went one way and he went the other. Pneumonia shots do a number on me for about 24 hours and this time was no different. With his shredded last nerve and my lack of nerves altogether and the pain and fever of the shot and the all over wish I was dead feeling, the two of us don't have enough room in this house that used to hold six.

They've upped my oxygen to "don't be frugal with the oxygen! Use it!" I've fought it so long I don't know how to just sit around and breath oxygen when I'm not moving.

Today I needed just a few things from "the pig" aka Piggly Wiggly, the place to go when you just need a few things. Ok, for that 10 mile round trip, my 20 year old grandson who is literally my right arm comes and carries my purse, my water, and my tank cause I have to put on the oxygen to do all that. I go NOWHERE by myself.

Hopefully, that's going to change in just a little bit. I'm waiting on oxygen people to come and check out my big unit and bring me some little bitty tanks I can carry and breath all at the same time and make some short runs to the pig or the lns or even to church by myself.

Oh yes! when I turned on my driveway which is a 3 tenths of a mile one lane gravel road, the garbage truck met me head on at the 90 degree curve...he kept coming and kept coming and I had to back all the way out of my road onto the main road cause he wouldn't stop or pull over. I couldn't cause my little car in the ditch would have been catastrophe! The picture is looking from my mailbox towards the 90 degree curve which has virtually no ditch, but around the curve does...that's where I was :(

So, here we are, both 63, both sick, I spent an hour trying to find a check I'd written and didn't register and there it was all the time, registered, subtracted and un-numbered. I dread the day when it's going to be the other way around. The way things are going, I just know that will happen. But, that's probably ok cause I'm real good at paying a medical bill before the insurance has taken care of it and I get these little surprise checks in the mail and it's like Free Money! and I can go buy a book or a chart or some thread!

Here's the "Small Token" by Blackbird designs I hope to have ready to make into a pin cushion by tonight. Wish me luck?

Happy Thursday every buddy!

Babs

So little to show & tell

2010-08-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

It is so hot and humid in the south, there's just very few ways to amuse one's self when there's no air to breath and no energy either.
But I managed to mow some on Saturday while it was still in the low 90's, go to church on Sunday while it was in the high 90's, cook chicken stew for hubby yesterday and have done absolutely nothing today and it's almost noon!
On the stitching front, I've delighted in this little piece by Little House Needleworks called Simple Joys. Thing is, this is my second start on it. I actually had to trash the first one cause I cut the fabric too close...I forgot to measure and measure again before I picked up the scissors. I had started it on a bigger piece of fabric and waited to get a bit done before trimming the fabric down. I was so mad at myself that I threw the other one in the trash or I would share with you. Second start is from the middle outward instead of top left corner where I usually start. I love these purple flowers :)

And then, here is my last finish that I forgot to share with you. This
is Land That I Love by Shepherd's Bush. Thought I'd get it finished
into a pillow before showing it, but the sewing machine is in yonder and I'm in here :)

My 45th wedding anniversary will be Friday...45 years! That really is a long long time. My big brother ran into an old friend of mine at highschool reunion last weekend and I've really been walking down memory lane since talking to him (brother).
She and I were friends all through high school when we thought the most important thing in the world was a boy friend. I have not talked to her since the birth of my youngest child in 1977. I moved away from home town a few months after birth of first child and lost contact with just about everyone but a few friends and family.
I've written her via email this morning and hopefully will "talk" to her soon. So much has happened in both our lives, to catch up would be almost impossible. She knew my husband while he was still just my steady boyfriend.
I have enjoyed reading the blogs I follow. Even if I fail to leave a comment, please know that I check in on you every time you post.
Til next time, God bless and keep you safe and well.
hugs,
Babs

What a difference a week can make!

2010-07-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

Last week (on my birthday at the cancer center)life as we thought we knew it seemed to come to a screeching halt, but then came today.
Dh had gone to the cancer center by himself for blood work and to have a sit down with his doctor. I took that time to pick up my journal which I had not been writing in. I tried to put into words how hopeless it all seemed and of course, as always when I stop and reflect and remember who God is and that He is in control of all things and has always brought me through the storms, I'm able to take a deep breath and stand up rejuvenated and ready for whatever news dh would give me.

Without going into detail, I can say that is is a brighter day; news was good; there is a light at the end of this tunnel called chemo therapy. It's not over, but he's over half way; we've come this far and "...yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow...." we are just walking through it.
Thanks for stopping by and listening to me who can go up to down and back up again at the blink of any eye....or the whisper of a prayer.
Nancy, you asked how you could have missed about my blogs....you probably just thought I wasn't posting...I wasn't for a bit , then under a new blog name. Easy to understand. Just glad you signed on again.
I'm glad for all of you here!
God bless each of you in whatever is happening in your corner of the world.
Babs

My birthday almost gone/gone now!

2010-07-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

I forgot to post this on my birthday so am doing it now. I am 63 and so thankful for the life God has granted me, and the blessings He always bestows on me in spite of myself. Thank you, Lord, that your eye is always on the sparrow , and thank you for the friends I've met through this blogging world.

Not much to report on my special day. We were at the cancer center by 8:15 and very little made sense for the rest of the day. Before the day was done I was thinking that another doctor and another cancer center were in order, but too tired to do anything about it.

Doctor saying one week that Herman's neuropothy would be permanent and if it gets worse they will stop treatment immediately and for good.

Two weeks later nurse practitioner throwing up her hands and says she doesn't know what he's talking about; have never done it that way before and so she cut his dose to 85% and wrote two prescriptions for him to take....this because she's unable to reach doc to discuss what in the world is going on. We got the meds, but they will be on hold til we see the "real" doctor.

On the home front, I got so many hand drawn and written cards from grandchildren, some made me cry and some made me laugh out loud. I got lots of little patriotic thingies since they are all on sale right now to go into the patriotic corner I'm working on. My hubby had gotten me the beautiful Patriotic Bible last week which was what I asked for; oldest daughter almost done with the most beautiful flag piece I've ever seen in cross stitch...just don't have pictures; daughter in law brought over a banana pudding for both of us...a rare treat. Baby daughter brought a framed pic she had taken at Gatlinburg a few weeks ago (she's a photographer) and a sketch of rose heart not quite done.

Thought I'd share a few old photos with you. Most people have to go find old graphics...I just go to our old photo albums :)

From first grade to checking out the roses and my long hair before walking to church; a calendar girl laying in the sunshine, and last but not least...my three brothers.

God bless!

Babs

A Patriotic stitching frenzie

2010-07-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

Nonnie (me) & granddaughter Annie

I know this isn't much to show, but wanted to let you know what's been going on around here. July is my birthday month and I've always shied away from all the patriotic stuff that comes out every year around July and the 4th. But something happened this year...maybe cause I'm turning 63 soon and my country doesn't look the same anymore, or maybe I'm ashamed of always giving the patriotic pieces I stitch away. Whatever the reason, I do feel so patriotic, and I am so proud of being an American, I just feel like doing something about it.

My daddy served in WWII; my little brother served in Vietnam; my two other brothers served in the military in their early years. Maybe I'll just stitch all this in their honor and the honor of all the others now, which includes my granddaughter Annie (above picture), my niece Jenny, my geat nephew Carlie Ryan and his wife Ariella. Hats off to all of you then and now and those to come.

This first piece, hard to identify right now is Shepherd's Bush Land that I Love.

Here is Shepherd's Bush Tiny Flag which hopefully, will be a pin cushion in the next couple of days...maybe?Finished pieces today include Blackbird Designs little July stocking which started this whole thing.

And then, Shepherd's Bush Be Brave pillow. It looks a little squshed or lop-sided, but this is the first scan. When I get them all displayed, it will look better...I think.

I have this old timey table that I'm converting into my patriotic place, and hope to have a picture of it for you this week.

Bye and hugs for now,

Babs

Short post before another Friday is gone

2010-06-18T21:03:00.001-05:00

My stitching buddy Vickey in stitchingbuddies yahoo group found out I'd been looking for Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller. She said she'd send it right on to me when she found where she put it.
She found it; I got it Wednesday and read the last page a few minutes ago. A very good book with a neat little twist I absolutely didn't see coming and then the last paragraph opened up a whole new idea on the next book.
But, that book wasn't all! there was another book called Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank, a JABC chart complete with buttons and this adorable book bag! I love it! thank you Vickey!
And look what Blogger has done with my blog!
Hugs,
Babs

No-Finish Friday...but when I mow

2010-06-04T08:54:00.000-05:00

I've managed to do some stitching this week, but I just can't seem to stay on course. I did get a few stitches done on CCN's Liberty Lane, should definitely be done by next Friday :) Looks like this may be my 4th of July piece this year...I hope.

Because I grew up on the gulf coast, the story down there is breaking my heart. I know you don't have to have grown up down there for your heart to be breaking. Anyway I thought of the beautiful piece by Blackbird designs, Under the Sunlit sky and thought I'd work on it; can't find it right now so pulled By the Bay's Tidal River #1 which will be combined with 2 and 3...something about the shore and birds.

Ah, but when I mow...I pray. No headphones for me. It's always been the place I can escape to when all else fails. That's when I pray for my husband who just underwent chemo #4 out of 12. He started going down hill much sooner and so many symptoms all at once. I think they've always been there in a small way, but he manages not to complain about it until now.

I pray for my friend Earlene who has a terminal illness of her own at age 60 and whose husband has early onset alzhiemers at 62 and hasn't been able to go back to work. Medical bills had already taken their toll when he was diagnosed. Retirement already gone for the most part, and on and on...
My family, a niece in the navy, a granddaughter in the navy, my daughter in law's brother who flies black hawks headed for Afghanistan in July, all the military where ever they may be, their families.

All those people at the cancer center, their care-givers there and the ones at home. I wonder if there is a family in this country that isn't touched by cancer in some way...

But above all of these, I pray for those who don't know one called Jesus as their personal Savior. If I did not have the peace He provides, I don't think I could endure this world another day...why would I want to anyway.

"For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to do that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

The last picture? Think Gift of Stitching cover this month...Tropical Quaker and I've chosen some Dinky Dyes thread to stitch it in instead of the called for which I would have to wait on.

Hugs,

Babs

A Book! A Friday Finish! A New Blog to Watch!

2010-05-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday Blogger buddies! I guess I should show my finish of the week first. I am so glad I showed off my Little House Needleworks "pieces", because it pushed me on to stitching til done on Necessities Sampler. Wonder how long it will take me to get to the framers? but thinking I might do a pillow thingie of some sort.

Next up is this wonderful blog called Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers...the link is in my blog list on the right. She writes about something different each day of the week and Friday is Book Club day where she interviews different authors. I think she calls it something else but you can check it out for yourself.

I did and left a comment and now I am the proud owner of a brand new book that was mailed to me straight from the author herself Margaret Grace. Do I even have to tell you how much fun it was to find that package in my mailbox? I Won it!

Thank you so much Anastasia Pollack for your blog and Margaret Grace for the book. I'm going to read them all now.

Happy Friday to all of you and welcome to some new people I see reading my blog...a very fun part of my morning is reading your blogs.

Hugs,

Babs

Some UFO's on UFO Tuesday

2010-05-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

I'm gonna' share something that I should be ashamed of, but maybe it will motivate me to do something about it.

I love Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks. I think I own or have purshased every chart, including Diane's first before becoming LHN. I don't have all the new releases of the last few months.

First up is Strawberry House...won't this be pretty when it's done?

Then, there is the Necessities Sampler...it's almost there, so why don't I finish it? Maybe I will this week....you think?

Or what about the special edition of Thread Gathering that came with beautiful mother of pearl thread keep and the seven skeins of Cresent Colors thread needed to complete it??!!

And, last, but certainly not least is Country Cottage Needleworks Liberty Lane. I loved this piece when I first saw it on her web sight, bought it as soon as it was available, and these stitches were done very quickly.

Me-thinks one can have so much to enjoy that one can't stop to really enjoy anything. My goal is to finish these pieces and then all the others from other designers...well some of the others anyway...over these next five chemo months.

I think I can. I think I can. I think....

Hugs to all and love your comments,

Babs

Thoughts on Tuesday

2010-05-18T15:59:00.000-05:00

Some people wonder how you can really know some body on line. I don't know about everyone, but I do know about stitchers. My blogger friend DJ at tickled pink in stitches stitched this piece by My Big Toe called Quaker Seasons. She stitched it, I loved it and the next thing I knew she had sent me the chart. At a time when she is going through one of the biggest challenges of her life, she took the time and trouble to mail the chart to me. I won't tell you her story...you can read about it on her blog, but she reached out to me because she knew what my husband and I are going through with his cancer and now the chemo treatments.
And then next, my friend JulieL from the first group I ever joined sent me this beautiful angel needle minder from Kelmskott. Her husband lost his battle with cancer some time ago and she reached out to me because she's been through what I'm going through now and because that's just how Julie is :)

And then there's Mary Burton, also from the original group, but absent for a few years after the loss of her husband to cancer. She sent me these beautiful coasters crocheted by her own hand just to let me know she's thinking of me and praying for us. She's back with the group now :)

And these two little dancing girls? They are two of my beautiful granddaughters, Emily and Morgan, at dance recital. Emily is 14 months older than Morgan :)

And what does this roll top mess have to do with anything? That's where all my cards are. Before I can send any out via snail mail, I've got to clean up this mess so I can find them.
Am I saying it's all about giving and getting from on line friends? No. I'm saying that's just the kind of people you meet in the stitching world. All of you have touched my heart in some way and how it helps on those days when you lose your footing just a little bit. Thanks so much and maybe next time I'll show you a really neat roll top....you think? and maybe something stitched?

Hugs,

Babs

New blog from Babs back in her own little world..

2010-05-13T10:41:00.000-05:00

Hello to anyone who's the least bit interested in hearing from

or about me ever again :) I think I was so overwhelmed with hubby and his cancer and didn't know from day to day what would be happening, I just got out of bed one morning and deleted everything.
BUT! I miss everyone so much and, thanks to DJ at tickled pink and Jackie at Scattered Threads, I just have to try one more time.

We've had two chemo treatments so far which involve three days every other week, last week much worse than the first, but we'll get through it I know. So many of you have already, and just hearing that you have helps the process.

I'm not going to talk much but want to let you know why little Eyeore is here. He's someone I've always loved and my dear granddaughter gave it to me for Mother's day. I only got it last night and I was sitting there thinking, oh woe is me.
Then, this morning I was looking at the sparrow picture hanging here on the brick wall by my computer and thought, "Oh, woe is us, little eyeore, but His eye is always on the sparrow and I know he watches me" (us) So here I am!

Hugs!
Babs