Thank You So Very Much....

Yesterday as I lay resting, trying to relieve some lower back pain. Honey walks in from work...Babe I have a package for you! Instant miracle, I jumped up off the bed like a little kid at Christmas time, because I knew it was my lovely package from Alison! I invited, well insisted, that Honey sit beside me as I opened it up! Who does not want to share a good thing! You see I was one of the winners of Alison's PIF gift exchange! The treasures were nestled neatly inside a handmade package using the most beautiful paper and stitch closed by hand... Once inside, there were two of the sweetest little felt hearts hand stitched and embroidered by Alison! And to top it all off, she sent me one of her beautiful fabric strawberries! This is so special to me, because upon my very first visit to Alison's beautiful blog, browsing through she had a lovely photo of a bowl full of her strawberries, and I remember thinking, oh my goodness these are so lovely.... Never did I know I would have one in my hands..... Thank you Alison, I will treasure these forever....

Now, I must tell you about another sweet surprise... Marie, at Marie Chantal awarded me with a Blogger Reflection Award. I am humbled and very much touched by it all... Marie thank you for the sweet comments you made, and I am so happy that "Tea Time And Roses" has inspired you in some way.....


I understand that I must choose 5 blogs that touch and inspire me in a special way. This is a difficult one, because I am an avid blog reader and have been touched and inspired by so many. My favorites go way beyond my list.... It was so very hard to select only five...

firefly at I Live On a Farm. firefly, I don't think you will ever know what your blog has meant to me. I remember when I first discovered your blog, I was searching for a knitting pattern that lead me to you. I never did finish that pattern, but found something more... I remember browsing through your archives taking in as much as I could. Your thoughts on love, life, gratitude, marriage, family, God and self left me in complete awe... You truly have been an inspiration to me.....Thank you..

Natalie at Chicken Blog. On her cover screen reads "Never give up...Never Surrender"... I knew I had to read more! Natalie is a natural for writing and has been a great encouragement and inspiration to me. Her love for her family and life, always leaves me with a smile....

Toni at Simple Sparrow. I read Toni's blog long before I had my own. Her sweet style and her charming voice comes through loud and clear... Toni your blog always reminds me that it is the simple things in life that mean so much... Your perspective is always so clear. You are indeed and inspiration to me...

Tracy at Pink Purl. Tracy you and I have been blogging a few months now and meeting you has had an impact on my life like you will never know! I often wonder....How does she do it! With family, her Etsy Shop, her orchids, and so many other things she does. How does she find time to give so much of herself to others... Tracy, you are indeed an angel. You inspire me in ways you will never know...Thank you so much...

Kim at Daisy Cottage. Daisy Cottage, one of the most delightful places in blog land. I remember reading Kim's Bio, and just how Daisy Cottage came to be. I was totally heart happy while reading this. If you have never read this I invite you to please do so... Kim has allowed us a peak into her cottage and beautiful it is... Kim takes the most beautiful and lovely photos of corners of her home that inspires me to make little changes in my own home. She also has a gentle and loving spirit that comes through loud and very clearly...I love Daisy Cottage.

You know I could keep going on and on, because so many of you have caused me to reflect and have inspired me in so many ways.... Once again thank you Marie, and a big Congratulations on your win.... You so very much deserve it...

Smiles...

Beverly

A Rainbow of Felt....

Posting on a Sunday morning is something I do not do that often, and a beautiful Sunday morning it is... Honey and I arose early this morning; opened all the windows, shared breakfast and enjoyed a little quiet before the rest of the world started to stir... Because I do live in the city, you find yourself finding ways to enjoy quiet times as often as possible and arising early is one of those ways.. Sometimes we may drive a few minutes to the ocean when no one is there but the seagulls Honey and I... It is just so serene, so beautiful with breezes gently gracing your face while the sound of the ocean makes its own soft music... Quiet moments seem to be a natural healing balm; for some of us we need a few moments for some a few hours, but for all of us it is so necessary....


On my last post I mentioned my sorting my embroidery floss and looking for a sampler to begin to stitch... Well I finally decided on one. I tell you I seem to go through this same routine each time, it is so hard for me to settle on something!....so many choices. It is a small sampler, I hope to get going on soon... But I was very disappointed with the felt I bought. I say "was" because I am feeling a little better about it. I was drawn to it because of the rainbow of colors it came in. I do not work with felt that often, and I know the best felt is a good wool felt or at least a good synthetic. So I sent Honey to grab it before it was picked over and the sale price was no more...
Wow, you can actually see through this stuff! So I let it sit for a few days with a wrinkled forehead every time I looked at it...

Taking a moment to glance through the most recent issue of "Mary Engelbreit's Home Campanion" magazine, I flip the page and there was the sweetest felt bookmarks with hand embroidered flowers.... Yes Yes! I will make these little felt bookmarks... but one problem, I have never done free hand embroidery before! Well here is my debut piece. The little brown swatch up front along with the magazine bookmarks in the background... Though not quite finished, what do you think.. I am going to forge ahead. With some practice I think I can be pretty good, and it was quite fun! No Alison am I who does the most breathtakingly beautiful free hand embroidery work I've seen... you must take a look. I will keep you posted on my progress and I am open for tips and suggestions from you embroidery people out there...

Well I have a few things on my plate for this week... My sampler is chosen, I know what I am going to do with the felt, at least one thing, and I still have a pincushion I want to make.... As most of you well know when you are a crafter you never know what new project is just around the corner...

Follow after things that make for peace,
and things where with one
may edify another.

Jo Petty

Have a wonderful week....

Beverly

Gentle Eyes....

photo taken from the book " sweeter than a rose"

Gathering the right shades of floss and searching for the right sampler to stitch, my mind ran back to Jeanette, a very sweet friend of mind who over twenty five years ago taught me to cross stitch... Moving into my new military housing, I had no Idea how my life would be changed because of a sweet girl name Jeanette who moved next door... For weeks in passing we would smile and say hello. I remember telling my husband about the girl next door who seemed so sweet and kind with gentle eyes and a humble smile...

I finally got the nerve to introduce myself. I don't know why I was so apprehensive... young, unsure, I don't know... We became friends, really close friends even though the two of us were so different. Our families would have dinner together, take the kids to the park, all the things young moms do... I still remember the day I saw her stitching, boy was it beautiful! Wow, how do you do that! I remember sitting next to her and watching intently; the next thing I knew we were in a tiny stitch shop buying my supplies... I had never picked up a needle to do anything, especially something like this! Jeanette patiently and lovingly taught me how to cross stitch. We would spend hours going through books, looking at patterns and choosing our cloth. We could not wait for her baby to nap and my little one get off to school so we could start our stitching again!
While sitting, I remember looking into Jeanette's eyes asking... Just what is it that she had that gives her such inner peace, patience, such a gentleness... Every since that day I have been seeking God's infinite wisdom, and I cannot begin to tell you the transformation His truth has made in my life....

That has been over twenty five years ago. We lost track of one another, so easy to do when you are a military family. I have tried so many ways to find her, and I believe someday I will.... I would love to show her all the stitching and crafting I have done, and to say thank you...

I am at awe at how one life, just one life can make such a difference, and everyday I try to pass a little of Jeanette on....

The wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy
to be entreated, full of mercy
and good fruits, without
partiality, and without
hypocrisy..

Jo Petty

Smiles.....

Beverly

Happy Monday....

Happy Monday to each of you... Well, I must admit, I am not as young as I use to be! We had a wonderful time at Disneyland, but all that walking has left me with a few aches and pains I did not have before I left...(smiles). The Magic Kingdom indeed lived up to its name. Honey and I were kids again! Cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream, and plenty of giggles and smiles... The kids loved it, and of course did not want to leave! The fire works display was absolutely breathtaking, like nothing I had ever seen before! I am sorry to say we did not get many pictures. We had the most difficult time trying to adjust our camera for night time shots, but a good time was had by all of us!

Congratulations to the winners of the PIF gift swap... Tracy of Pink Purl, Marie of Marie Chantal, and Kimberley of Tallulah House. Thank you ladies so much...

Those of you who read my blog know I just love paper crafting... Well, you have to get over to Tracy's, she has made the sweetest cards ever... This woman is chalk full of talent! And I
have been bitten by the stitching bug... All it took was these two little hearts I stitched, and that did it! I love stitching small pieces, roses and poems... I also bought some felt, lots of felt, though not wool it is very nice... I plan to stitch a while and make a few pincushions; I am really excited! I hope to have some pictures by my next post; I am going to try really hard...

Enjoy the rose, Honey and I love taking pictures of flowers, especially roses. We were in awe at the folds of the petals... just beautiful...

Have a lovely day...

Beverly

Pay It Forward Gift Swap...

Tracy's blog Pink Purl was doing a Pay It Forward Gift Swap, and I was lucky enough to be a part!! This is my first gift swap, and I am really excited!

Now here is how it works! I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! and it will be something yummy!!

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog...

Ummm... My little mind is clicking.... I better get busy!

Smiles....

Beverly

Lovely Notes...

Hope each of you had a most wonderful weekend. From the visits I made, I know lots of you spent time in your gardens and some lovely gardens you have indeed... Thanks so much for the comments on my "eight random things", it was lots of fun.


I finished my daughter's note card and tag set and I hope she like them a whole bunch! I bought some new flower punches and thought this would be the perfect time to try them out. I used some vintage images on front and some artist paper taken from Somerset Studio. This is an excellent magazine for paper artist and crafters and for those who simple love the art, and each issue offers free sheets of artist papers! These sheets can be used for cards, tags, collage or whatever you think of paper wise.... Ok enough on that, I just adore the magazine! smiles...

Well we are going to Disneyland on Saturday! Honey and I are taking our Grand Daughter and her best friend. You know, I am a little child again when I visit that place! I can't wait to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the whole gang... I've been good this week, because when I get there it's candy, ice cream and other goodies. Once you cross the gate over into Disneyland it seems as though you have entered a whole new world of fun and fantasy! I plan to take lots of pictures to share...

You have a wonderful day today...

Beverly

I've Been Tagged!!

This baby blogger is moving on up in blog land! I've been tagged by sweet Tricia at Raindrops On Roses.

Well here we go!!

1. I am the eldest of six sisters and one spoiled brother. Being the oldest does have its advantages, like not having to worry about hand-me-downs! But it has its disadvantages too...
I cannot count the times I have heard "Beverly, you are the oldest you should have known better"!. Or having the responsibility of disciplining your baby sister when mom is away and she fights better than you!

2. I have a bug phobia, I mean a true phobia! I don't care how small it is, if it crawls I'm getting out of the way, and killing one is out the question. If I am forced to do the job, I get my trusty broom, stand back as far as I can and give the little pest the whack of his life! I am really working hard to get better with this one!

3. I love to sing, my sisters and I had our own gospel group for years and sang in many churches around the city. We no longer sing as a group, but I still sing and dance around the house all the time!

4. I have a degree in Health Information Technology with a minor in Sociology and worked in Hospice care for many years... This experience has help me appreciate life and how precious and fragile it really is...

5. I am a helpless Romantic... I love all things romantic, especially movies.

6. I hate to wear shoes, and are so thankful for mules. They kick off so easily! If I could, I would go shopping bare footed! I just love for my feet to be free!

7. I am a horrible speller... I mean sometimes it is bad! Do any of you out there ever forget how to spell cat!

8. I am a doodler... Nothing is safe around me. I doodle on mail, magazines, letters and the like! Honey often tells me "Babe do not write on this, it is going in the mail tonight... Smiles


Tricia, I truly enjoyed this. Thanks for the opportunity of being tagged!

Hugs....

Beverly

Enjoying you a whole bunch...

Happy Thursday to all of you... I want to start by saying, you ladies out there sure are talented! I am amazed and delighted at all of your beautiful work and I enjoy it a whole bunch! Have you seen the beautiful lavender wands over at Rain Drops On Roses... The way the ribbon wraps around the lavender bundle is so pretty. I have got to give it a try!

I did get a some paper crafting done, and my daughter's note cards and tags are coming out nice; I cannot wait for you to see them. I am still working on gathering thoughts and Ideas on collage. I love it so much, but my practice pieces just don't seem to be right! I will keep trying... I love paper and will be adding some paper art and craft links soon. In the mean time, please visit R2 Art Studio this woman is an amazingly talented and gifted collage artist; I know you will enjoy your visit...

My butterfly stamp is getting a good work out. I love that stamp, but I promised myself my next project will not have this stamp anywhere in sight! I will be sending the three flower card to my sister who loves anything with lavender or purple... The flowers look like pansies, but actually they are hydrangea blossoms...

Enjoy your day...

Beverly

A smile on your heart....

I Hope each of you had a most wonderful weekend... As for me, it was busy busy... My plans were to make tags for my daughter who is one of the biggest fans of my work. She is such a giving person. She gets so much joy out of giving to others, and I try to keep her supplied with note cards, tags, and little bags... She has learned by simply letting someone know you are thinking about them can make all the difference in the world in a time that is not so bright, or giving a small note card just to let someone know you were thinking about them... I think when others know they are thought about, it puts a big smile not only on their face, but on their heart! I have learned when you plant a seed of goodness you reap a harvest of good things. I firmly believe in the principle of sowing and reaping...

Now, Instead of making tags and knitting, I ended up with a whole weekend of "boy, I really need to take care of that". So I cleaned, sorted old magazines, dust and cleaned some more... I guess it all worked out just fine, because I plan to use this week for working in the studio. I want so much to improve my collage skills. I love paper and fabric collage, and I have come across some amazing artist. I feel inspired and I am going to dive in! I plan to have some new pieces to show you on my next post.

Friendships are only possible
when we open
the window of our heart
and allow the sunshine
of someone's life in.

author unknown

Have a lovely day...

Beverly

Teddy Bears...

Boy, time sure does fly. I cannot believe my last post was Tuesday, it seems like just yesterday... Hope each of you had a wonderful and fun filled fourth of July. As some of you may know I adore teddy bears! Vintage reproduction jointed mohair, resin bears, bear cards, bear clocks. Bears holding flowers, and bears holding one another... I have been ask just what is it about a bear I love so much... As I was dusting and rearranging my bears I thought ... These little bears reminds me of receiving love from a unexpected place.

As legend has it... On a hunting trip which was not going to well, the hunters not wanting Teddy Roosevelt to return home empty handed spotted a small cub captured the cub and tied him to a tree giving Teddy the opportunity to finish the poor little cub. Teddy refused and made them free the cub. The incident became the talk of the town, and a November 16, 1906 cartoon in the Washington Post called "Drawing the line in Mississippi" became the most famous cartoon in history! Later a German women designed and built Teddy a stuff bear and called it Teddy's Bear... Soon following began a series of children's books called "The Roosevelt Bears" by Seymour Eaton... Teddy bears are now one of the most beloved toys in the world!

Each time I look into the face of one of my sweet little bears, I think... who would have thought one could take one of the most feared animals and turn it into something so loved by children and adults alike... It's what I call receiving love from an unexpected place...

Love is a joyful gift to receive,
but far more fulfilling to give.

Maureen Dubour

With a teddy bear hug...

Beverly

Little Boot Pattern...

I took out some time and went through my what seems like tons of paper patterns and templates I designed, and ran across my vintage boot pattern! I have to tell you how this pattern came about... While sitting at the dining room table looking around the room my eye landed on my little vintage boot with tiny flowers all over. Now, I had this little boot a couple years, but when I saw it this time a crafter's moment hit... I have always love the shape of the boot, and thought it would make a great card! I grabbed it off the table, armed with pencil and paper, the pattern was born! Now the card was cute; back then I used colorful cardstock for the boot and added a paper flower to pretty it up a bit, but the card had a sliding problem. It kept doing the splits refusing to stand up and I had to make envelopes to fit it because of it shape and size...

Well knowing what trouble I had in the past. I took a good hard long look at this pattern, and bingo!... I will slightly age the paper, stamp it, add some brads, punch a hole for hanging and you will have something pretty for a dresser or add it where you want a sweet little touch. I also reduced the original pattern by twenty five percent and it makes a lovely tag for a
gift...

I am pleased as peaches with the new idea, and I am so glad I did not throw the pattern away... It is by far prettier than my first try. Now I think Honey understands when I say... Please do not throw that away I need it!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday on tomorrow...

Many Smiles...

Beverly