Dear Stitching Friends; 

As I started to write this, I realized that it has been 4 long years since I posted on this blog.  I am so sorry.  Needless to say, so much has happened since then!

 - Spring 2020...COVID... need I say more?   
 - Summer 2020... I started working as our Church Secretary. I am utterly blessed to be able to use my creativity to further the kingdom of God, and am still serving with no plans to retire any time soon. 
 - September 2021... I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. 
 - January 2022... my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
 - Spring 2023... my husband underwent heart surgery  

Today, I can report that we are both doing well.  Praise God!  

As of October 1, 2023, Bert and I are officially retired from the Quilt Show Circuit.  We will miss seeing you at the shows, but due to our health issues, "retirement" is the best option at this time.  However, because we are "retired" doesn't mean that I will stop designing. In fact, I already have several new ideas that I am eager to work on, and am trusting that I will be able to release some new patterns by the spring of 2024. 

I pray all of you are doing well, that you are able to enjoy the cooler weather as Fall arrives, and that you have a few minutes each day to stitch!

Blessings, Beth

I don't know about you, but I have great plans! Every year (sometimes every day) I set goals that I probably will never reach:  I am going to lose lots of weight... I am going to exercise every day... I am going to finally finish the UFO's in my collection... I am going to update my website every week... I am going to write my blog faithfully... I am going to design a new pattern every week.  Great goals, but not really attainable, at least not in my world. 

But some goals are more important than others... I am going to be a better wife... better mother... better Christian... better ME!
Those are the goals that I am honestly trying to focus on.  So I ask your forgiveness when I fall so dreadfully short in the other, less critical areas.  Even in these important areas my progress is painfully slow and sometimes nonexistent.

Currently we are remodeling our home and part of that remodel will include an enormous sewing room, as well as a new kitchen and family room. I get a little overwhelmed when I look at the current chaos - my sink, stove and fridge are in my dining area, and my table, chairs and food are stacked in my living room. I can't use my washer, dryer or sewing machines right now. They are blocked in by boxes of kitchen items.  Its a bit frustrating and I have several more weeks before the addition is ready. I just have to remind myself that a brighter day is coming!  

I don't know many of you personally. Some I have met at the various quilt shows.  Others I have gotten to know a little better. I have been blessed to be able to pray with some of you as you shared the trials of your own personal life, and I am honored that you consider my designs worthy of your time and effort.  

Whatever you are going through today, I hope you remember that a brighter day is coming!  Trials are not forever.  In the scheme of things, the small failures and problems that upset us are inconsequential.  Focus on the bigger picture.  Reward yourself for small victories, and keep going forward. You can do it!

​Blessings, Beth 
 

I apologize for being such a terrible blogger!  I can't believe it has been over a year since I posted.  Please forgive me. I have determined to do better in 2016. 

I am currently working on a new pattern, and hope to have it completed by the middle of the week. It has been a fun project!  Hopefully you will have as much fun making it as I am having designing and stitching it.

Isn't she adorable? The pattern will be called "Happy Easter".   The design is based on an Easter greeting card from the 1930's.  Although I have made dozens of pillows over the years, this is the first time I have included instructions for one in a pattern.  

The pillow is hand embroidered with a French fold back, and lace trim on the front.  I am also including a step that helps eliminate the overly pointy corners that so often happens when making a pillow.  I think you will like it. 

Until next time.... Blessings, Beth


​

I am thrilled to announce that the "Home of the Free" pattern has been completed and is up on the website!  I am so happy with how it turned out.

The pattern includes instructions for making it scrappy as shown, or with only 3 colors.  It also includes a suggestion for making it into a Remembrance Quilt by embroidering the name, rank, service dates and conflict name onto the 13 stripes for each serviceman/woman..  

I putter some with genealogy, so I plan to go back and find information on ancestors who fought in various wars in our nation's history, and embroider their names, rank , date of birth and death, and conflict they fought in.  I think it will make it a very special quilt that I can pass down to my children and eventually grandchildren. 

...now to get busy on completing another project!