I’m an avid reader. Nothing pleases me more than having a stack of unread books to read. Favorite authors include Ray Bradbury, Steven Millhauser, George Orwell, Fannie Flagg, and Jean M. Auel. Honorable mentions include Ann Fadiman, Aimee Bender, and Elizabeth McCracken. My favorite book is “A tree grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith.
I love embroidering and doodling to create my own designs. I acquired a very gently used sewing machine in mid April of 2009 and love her (I named her Peggy!). Sewing notions and fabrics are so close to the embroidery supplies that I think it was only inevitable that I started to wander over to that part of the store 
I’m really into garment construction and pattern drafting. I also like crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and baking.
Other things that make me happy: rainy days, q-tips, mac n’ cheese, sleeping in, clean sheets, my hubby, wet kisses from my dog, marshmallows, autumn leaves, naked trees, the sound of the dryer, the dance of the sugar plum fairy song, bbq, silly jokes, bird watching, pudding and the skin that forms on top, Canada geese, homemade chocolate chip cookies, sneaking a big spoonful of cool whip when no one is looking.
BwB has been Keeping it Weird since Last Wednesday. Be sure to check out my ”Keeping it Weird” category of blog entries!
And now, I’m Trying to be Normal since Last Tuesday. Be sure to check out my “Trying to be Normal” category of blog entries!
Also, beginning May 2012, I will be a monthly contributor to the feeling stitchy blog — look for my posts on the last Saturday of each month. I’ll be writing about vintage embroidery patterns!
I’ve also been featured online in a few places…….
11/30/2008 AND 12/1/2008
Craft Gossip and One Pretty Thing featured my tutorial on turning an embroidered project into a festive tree ornament.
2/13/2009
The Cuteable Blog featured some lovely owls I stitched up on a hankie for my hubby for a Valentine’s Day gift.
3/7/2009
Feeling Stitchy featured my cute embroidered bunny and snail on a hankie
7/14/2009
Feeling Stitchy featured a vintage pattern of a mouse that I stitched up on a tea towel
4/9/2010
Craft Gossip featured my tutorial on how to make a built-in slip/lining for an A-line skirt with elastic waistband
6/1/2010
Craft Gossip featured my quick and easy way to frame embroidery in hoop
12/19/2010
Feeling stitchy featured a circus dog softie I embroidered & sewed
Check out the pattern samples I’ve stitched up for Colonial Patterns — a.k.a. Aunt Martha Embroidery Patterns: #3907 woodland critters, #3927 kid’s number sampler, #3875 miss kitty kat, #3733 kitten motifs, #3761 hillbilly doins’, #3829 koala bear, and #3879 puppy tales, #3929 happy gadgets, #3809 lotsa bears
hi! i love your blog. do keep it alive. i am also an voracious reader. where are you from?
I too am an avid reader as well as craft addict…great to meet you …I am self hosted off WordPress as is my son who is a writer and prolific reader!
Hi flickr friend!
Those are wonderful things, the things that make you happy. Congratulations: )
Lovely to read to :>
Hi. I’ve been thinking about your Bible study project. I meant to write you, then fell, broke my wrist, and had to have surgery on it. Clumsy, clumsy.
Anyhoo, a good book to read is The Source by James Mitchner. It’s not about the Bible exactly, but it does put the history of the Holy Land in perspective. It’s about archeology and I just find it very helpful. I think you will find that putting the Bible in historical context is helpful to understanding and finding meaning.
And Mtichner is a painless way to learn a bit about history, no? Keep us posted on your progress.
Karen
karen,
omg, i sure hope you are okay and healing up well!
thanks for the suggestion, i do like archaeology but am not a big fan of history. however since it’s Bible related it sounds like I might enjoy it. I’ll definitely look it up online.
Hi there, I stumbled upon a cute little hedgehog with brailled french knots. Do you remember him!?! Of course you do. I’m checking to see if you pursued any of your ambitions to create something of the same. My two year old will be a braille reader and I am trying to surround him with it. I love reading as does my 6 year old and the little guy will be no different. Please contact me, I’ve included my email above.
Hey Beth,
Hope you’re doing well. Looks like you’re turning into a regular sewing maching (pun intended!) I am going to need somebody to install a new front door sometime in the next few months, and I wondered if Jason was taking on freelance jobs llike that. And if he would be interested, how much a job like that would run. You can email me if you want, -Stop by if you’re ever in the neighborhood- Id love for you to see the boys!
-Cameron
Hey, wanted to let you know that I’m featuring you today for Blog Love Tuesday!
http://awesomeave.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/blog-love-tuesday-bookworm-bethie/
i just wanted to say, aside from enjoying your blog and being an avid reader myself, that i too love pudding skin.
thanks schinders to the kind words! hope you’ll come back and visit again!
Hello Bethie,
I came across your avatar on a forum elsewhere and liked it a lot with the idea of making a book cover for a friend. Of course, she’s really into audio books at the moment, so who knows if that will happen.
Anyway, could you tell me the source of that graphic, please?
Thank you kindly.
my avatar graphic is actually an old bookplate image. this same bookplate can also be found on the cover of one of my favorite books, “ex libris” by anne fadiman.
just curious, on what other forum did you see my avatar as i’m only active on flickr and a handful of blogs that i visit.
best of luck on your project for your friend.
One thing leads to another …
I got a new product e-mail from Vintage Vogue’s site which led me to look for Crabapple Hill’s site for more info on a couple of patterns. She uses crayon tinting in some of her designs, and I’m not familiar with the technique, so I Googled it. That led me to several sites, one of which was a 3-year-old forum discussion in Craftster.org, You (and your avatar) were part of the discussion, but it appeared you were no longer a member, so I Googled your web name, which led me to your old Etsy store and then to this blog. Nothing on the web ever really goes away.
Thanks for the info about the graphic. Now I can track down a larger image.