AACCKK TECHNOLOGY AND LIFE

Over the past few days I have had so many exciting UNEXPECTED changes that my blog address HAS to just be a .com address in order to serve all the needs of changes within it.

I have been commissioned to create and work with an additional "needleart" venue (besides cross stitch). So, it is not best I have a blog address that has xstitch in it and not needlwork in general. Had I been smart in the first place and had just the word needlework or stitches in it I would not have created this problem

SOOOOO- my permanent blog -- It's still a blogspot account just with my own domain. WHich is:

www.bethkhdesigns.com

Finally, I can chill...

Just Cross Stitch Ornament

I mentioned a few days ago I would post a photo of my ornament--I still have not received my issue, but did find a photo of the page it is on. I did the prim angel holding the star of Bethlehem above Jesus in the nativity near the town... I always try to do an ornament that has to do with what Christmas is--

Mattel memories

When I was young my dream was to work for Mattel. Were they they not a 1960's, 1970's child's fave for toys? I suppose with Barbie and Hot Wheels alone they were special, but I loved them for so much more. Dancerina. I will never forget the Christmas I received her-her beautiful sparkling crown...if she could talk now so many of my dreams of "when I am a grown up" she could remind me of-- probably would make me sad though. I also know she was very special to me because my Mom and Dad did not "spoil" me with all the dolls and toys i thought I wanted. As far as the "big" dolls go "Dancerina" and "Velvet" were it. My Grandparents did give me the "little things" , but I respected the gifts and all. So, here is a photo of Dancerina circa 1968.

I also adored, collected and loved my "Little Kittles" I have attached a picture of my very first one. I still have many of them and their club house which I will get a picture of soon. I must laugh though, somehow I did not choke or die from the accessories or the wire inside them that made them "bend". I wonder how many kids had a Gumby and Pokey... DO girls even play with dolls anymore?

OVERHAULING

Hello everyone. I had a "business" meeting late today and for the next couple weeks I will be overhauling work, blogging, and streamlining tech items--so if I am not back for a bit that is why. I'll try and at least post photos of all the fall stitching & when I return you will see a whole new blog.

my new blog address will be (and also gets you here now) www.bethsblogxstitch.com

I just can't do it!

I have decided I do not like mixing business with pleasure. So, I am separating my personal blog from "Fanci That". I will still note magazine stuff here. It takes so much time to personal blog, business blog, tweet and facebook -- I would rather be stitching. So, I have found a student to keep up the Fanci That News and all that other techno stuff and I will focus on my personal blog, stitching, designing and more stitching. I'll keep fanci that links on this blog and just put the word "updated" next to those links when something is happening such as new designs or freebies...

I have learned over time and having cancer for so long that once business filters into personal I become stressed and my priorities get all out of whack. I have posted another pumpkin design today and will go back to three or so tomorrow.

I thought I would post the Just Cross Stitch ornament 2009 today, but, I don't have my issue yet, so it will have to wait.

Decorating for Fall

I absolutely adore decorating the house for the Fall. It's not that I don't like decorating for Christmas, I do. I love the lights and ornaments and our nativities. It's just that over the years I have chosen to focus less on the Christmas Decor (except for lights and ornaments always adding those), and more on Advent and the true meaning of the season.

I love I can keep my Fall decor up for a full three months. I suppose I could filter in "winter" type decorations to extend the Christmas decorating, however, I do not love winter. I love the "idea" of riding in a horse drawn carriage in lovely New England in the snow , but, in St. Louis our winters are pretty ugly. Brown. So, being a color gal I go right from Christmas to Valentines and pansies.

I also love Fall colors. They are so cozy. I love coffee and there is something about coffee and fall. I also collect pumpkins. All kinds. Stuffed, ceramic, stitched, gourd"ish", white , some with faces (I just turn them around after Halloween) and of course I get a few real ones and photograph them each year. Although I visit the
"Pumpkin Patch" annually I have much fonder memories of the Patch when the boys were young. For the past 7 years, I have dreaded fall because of every fall meant cancer treatment. Although it still happens, it has become such the norm, I do not dread the season so much anymore.

So, in honor of Fall I will be posting 3 or 4 stitches (every post) I have done of my own work (some will eventually be available in the shop or in print again) and other designers who are dear friends that I have also stitched. It could go on for weeks if I don't post at least 3 at a time. I have over 50 in my collection and I know I haven't counted them all!

Has anyone stitched the new Shepherd's Bush pattern? I thought about just stitching the house on the hill... what do you think?

Photo information
Top photo: Ghosties- My boys have always like this one. I think because it is primitive while still being fun-
Middle photo: Scarecrow-October (I had a year series of scarecrows. I remember a shop owner who stitched them all as pillows for her daughter going to college. Her daughter requested them for her room.
Bottom photo: Pumpkin Farm one in the Bell pull or linen band series. I hang this from a peg hook...

9/11/09

Today I thank and pray for all those who have served and are serving our country and protecting our freedom and liberty. I heard the recording of the original news broadcast this am on the radio as the 9/ 11 attack was happening those years ago and it was like I was exactly where I was at that moment in time. The same feeling rushed over me, and shock.

I am also thankful my children have been exposed and participated in an AF JROTC program. They may not realize now, but, much will stay with them. I went up to the high school today and honored those from 9/11--our principal always makes sure the day is remembered and honored. He works with the AF ROTC at lafayette and it still touches many. I saw quite a few tears in the crowd. (photos were taken today of AFROTC kids and friends.)

I will say I missed my oldest son, Peter today not there in uniform, and wondered what his college is doing today in remembrence of 9-11. He has a few years before he is in the AIr Force/military due to pre med/med school , however in my mind there is a piece where I still and will always see him in uniform as a part of AFROTC until he is again wearing the blue.

God bless to all the families and people who are close to you and were impacted on that day. If you ever have the opportunity to visit NY and the site where the twin towers once were, it is definitely a must visit. It brings the event completely to heart. All the notes and postings and memories people have written are tacked everywhere and the city has left them for others to see and read.

Today I have posted a photo I took of the "site" and the church which still stands untouched right next to the site and all the horrid destruction around it. It was the only building that had no damage...