"Love Me" Prim Cross Stitch

Using what I have on hand and Primitive Betty's free pattern, I finished the little Valentine above. In my attic I found some old 14 count cross stitch fabric that had some natural age and stains. The floss is DMC 814 Dark Garnet and the backing is a fabric scrap from a quilting project. PS note the little heart by the jar Betty included with my rug order! How sweet!

This was a really rewarding project, stitches up quickly.

It's interesting how more of a border creates such a different look. Not quite as prim but it still works. As a matter of preference I always sign and date everything I make, if you look closely you can see the 2011 and my initials at the bottom.

Thanks Betty, this was great. A bonus is that this project did not cost a dime and helped me put some of my supplies to good use.

Have a great weekend!

Betty's Primitive Horse Rug

The hooked horse rug on an antique 6 board trunk with hog scrapper candlesticks and an Indian pottery "horse" bowl. Everything on this chest, including the chest is handmade!

Recently, I saw a wonderful primitive hooked rug for sale on : Early Work Mercantile I am very selective about buying anything new but this rug kept calling out to me. It is completely handmade and the colors are a perfect complement to my home and it blends well with the antiques in my home. Plus it is a "horse rug" and I am a horse lover. So after several days of looking and thinking I took the plunge and bought it. When it was delivered to my home, I unwrapped it I got that wonderful goose bump moment when you realize that it is much nicer than the picture on the Internet. It was lovingly made by Betty from " http://primitivebettys.blogspot.com/.

Picture of Nitro taken this past November! Seems like that was a long time ago.

Betty, it looks just perfect in my home, wouldn't you agree? Also, as promised Betty , here is also a picture of my horse, Nitro. I am totally in love with my sweet handsome boy. (he has an amazing resemblance to the horse Hidalgo).

If you get the opportunity go over to Betty's blog. She has some wonderful rugs that are of art and patterns for sale. She has also generously posted some free patterns and these have inspired me to make one of her Valentine cross stitch designs. I will share it in a future post.


Have a wonderful day and keep warm and dry.

"Belle of the Ball" Use What I Have Resolution

My Completed Belle! A real sense of accomplishment!

This month I finished a project that had been in my craft closet since April 2010, the Belle of the Ball Art Doll from the NJ Art Opera Workshop. This doll was designed by Heidi Wallingford (see: http://hkwdesign.blogspot.com/search?q=belle) for Art Opera and I had the opportunity to take her class. But my desire for perfection during the class put me far behind the other students. In fact, out of the four classes I took at this event, the Belle of the Ball languished as a work in progress for months. Each time I would look at her I would become intimidated and put her down. Finally, I made a New Year's resolution that in 2011 I would begin to finish my partially done/undone projects and not buy any new craft supplies or projects. It was time to work through the craft closet and "Use What I Have." The one caveat is I could start a new project as long as it did not cost me anything and as long as I was able to begin the process of "using up things around the house." It makes sense from a clutter and money perspective and my primary goal here is to simplify my life.

Back view of Belle. Note the seam tape flower made from Heidi's kit's packaging and the vintage buttons from my button jar.

"Belle of the Ball" was my first 2011 "Use What I Have" project and despite a bit of aggravation at times, I feel terrific about how she turned out. I rummaged through my supplies for all of her embellishments and I made a point of trying not to be too perfect (a real problem for me) as I finished the embroidery. When I started to organize my supplies and think of ways to use things versus running to the store, I was pleasantly surprised at how much versatility I had in my own supplies and ingenuity. (PS See the neck warmer I made earlier, same thing, did not have to spend a penny!)

Every day when I see Belle on my dresser it gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment and she has now become my mascot for 2011. It is all about using what I have, being a bit more frugal and a lot less of a perfectionist.

Look for more completed projects from me in 2011. This is just the beginning.