Grow Your Own Blog

Welcome to my Grow Your Own Blog party!  I realize I've been remiss on keeping up my blog so I decided to make a fresh start.  And I'm promising myself that I will keep this up quite a bit more often.  Life is finally settling down for me and I plan on getting back on track with both my stitching and my blogging.

Dave and recently moved from Phoenix to Denver.  It's been a big change and I guess I've finally realized that while I like it here, I will always consider Phoenix home.  That's the reason I will not change the name of my blog.  Once a desert rat always a desert rat.  

Here's what you should know about me.  My name is Bettelou but most everyone calls me Bette.  I won't reveal my age but I have 3 grown children and 2 grandkids, one of whom is going to be 2 weeks old tomorrow.  I'm going to Minneapolis next week to see him and my granddaughter and of course my son and daughter-in-law too.  I've been married to a wonderful man (I know you're reading this, David) for almost 36 years.  I have a beautiful calico cat named Squeak and a great dog named Annie.  

I love to do all kinds of needlework.  I've tried Hardanger and Brazilian Embroidery, I've dabbled in needlepoint and I knit and crochet.  My mom taught me to do basic embroidery when I was 7.  I remember that she drew a Santa on a piece of muslin and taught me the outline stitch to stitch him.  When I was 9, she taught me to knit when I was bored in the summer and looking for something to do.  I taught myself to crochet in college and I crocheted my way through many boring classes.  But my passion is for cross stitch.  I'm a frustrated artist and can't draw a straight line if my life depended upon it.  But when I take a blank piece of fabric and use my thread to create a picture with floss, I really feel like I'm an artist.  I often change colors or use different textures in my work and that makes it feel even more like it's my creation.  So cross stitch will always be my first crafting love.

I also love to make jewelry.  I love the look of chain maille and hope to do more of it.  I also love to work with seed beads (more so than the larger beads and stones) and have made several pieces that I really love.  I've even tried crocheting with wire and beads and love the look of a cuff bracelet I made.  Once again this fulfills my need to be an artist.

 I also love to write.  I've written several novels which will probably never see the light of day but I had fun writing them.  I also (believe it or not) love to blog.  Although I haven't done it much lately, I do enjoy it and also enjoy reading other blogs as well.  I get inspired when I see what other stitchers are working on.  I love to read blogs from all over the world.  I live vicariously though them.


So I guess you will see a little of everything in my blog.  I don't plan on just blogging about my crafts but my life as well.  You'll hear about my kids and my pets and what I'm working on.  Hopefully you'll get to know me a lot better.  You'll see pictures of my work and and whatever else I think you'll find interesting.  You never know what you might find here so I hope you've visit me often


And in honor of this letter get-together, I'm having a giveaway.  I'm putting together 2 surprise packages of stitchy stuff.  Anyone who leaves a comment on this post is eligible.  You don't have to become a follower (although I would love it if you did) of my blog to take part in the giveaway.  Leave a comment by Feb. 14 and I'll draw a name on the 15th.  Make sure you leave your email in the comment so I can contact you.


Well, now you know a little more about me.  And I hope you'll visit me often.    You never know what you'll find here.