Friday, November 29, 2013

Happy Birthday Simba!

It is hard to believe we rescued our little king Simba ten (yes, I said TEN) years ago...and to think I was furious when my husband called and told me he adopted a dog...now I can't live without him...

We adopted Simba from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, here in Des Moines. To be honest, at the time, I really didn't want a dog - I just felt they were a lot of work and responsibility and my plate is usually quite full...but my husband was very adamant about bringing a dog into our household. He actually wanted a larger hunting dog and had been (unsuccessfully) trying to talk me into one for several years. I'll never forget the phone call I received from him the day after Thanksgiving telling me he just rescued a dog - of course I was at work (typical "do it now, ask for forgiveness later"). He told me he was picking me up from work and he would have our new dog with him....and to my surprise it was a Shih Tzu - a much smaller dog than I expected. At that time, Simba wasn't in the best of shape - you could tell he had not been well cared for - but as soon as I sat down in the vehicle, he curled up in a little ball on my lap and just looked up at me with the most amazing eyes - I was done for! Poor baby was completely shaved, micro-chipped, fixed, and got an array of tests and shots within about 24 hours - plus a brand new home...but he never lost his sweet, calm, and loving demeanor. When we adopted him, the ARL thought he was about a year old, so we celebrate his birthday every (day after) Thanksgiving...so today (Friday) he turned 11 (wow, how time flies!)...and although he came to us in pretty bad shape, he now lives like a KING (yes, my friends and family will tell you how much I spoil him)...just look at that happy face in the photo above!

Simba is definitely a lap dog and is his happiest when he can be on mine...in fact, he gets quite frustrated when I am working or in my studio. He has two beds that he will sleep in when a lap is unavailable...and one is right at my feet at my work desk...he is always by my side. Here he is perturbed that I am working...I just love that face...


....and in other dog news...we pick up Schatzi (our German Shepherd puppy) in Minnesota next weekend...yep, her two months of formal obedience training are almost complete and we are picking her up on December 7th. She is now nine months old (can you believe it?)...we can't wait to see her and see how much she has learned! We worked with her extensively before she left for boot camp, so we hope she had a great foundation for the last two months of training (which included: confidence building, obedience training, proper etiquette, field trips, running on a treadmill, and socialization with other dogs). I'm sure I'll have a very good update for you when she is home. Here is a photo we received this week (she is with Josiah, one of the trainers at  Neuman K-9 Academy) - she went on a field trip to the local strip mall in White Bear Lake, MN, where she practiced obedience in the presence of distractions like people going in or out of stores, dogs walking with owners, traffic, delivery trucks, and overall obedience in a new place...she also practiced holding a down stay on the sidewalk next to traffic, auto sitting and focusing before the crosswalk, waiting to get out of a vehicle, and impulse control....she also worked on good etiquette when meeting and greeting people...


On the creative front, I have been focused on the two new winter designs I will be shipping in a few days..."Woodland Tree Farm" and "Quilt Block Christmas"...both are in the final stages of printing production and I am hoping to start shipping them to shops by mid-week - I will do a blog post that focuses on each design in the next day or two, so you will have all the juicy details. I have also been working on a pair of designs for The World of Cross Stitching magazine...and a special video project for Annie's Publishing...plus a pile of other Blue Ribbon Designs deadlines and ideas. Busy is a blessing and I am finally getting back in the swing of things after my trip to California and the Komen 3-Day walk. I'll be back soon to tell you all about "Woodland Tree Farm"....

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving Greetings

The holidays are upon us...and many of us (myself included) need to take a moment and just breathe...I, for one, have learned (or at least I'm trying to learn) that I can't always "do it all" (no matter how hard I try)...therefore, my husband and I, along with his parents will be going out for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow - that's right, no grocery shopping, no messy kitchen, no hours behind the stove, and no dishes to wash...and for once in my life, I am truly okay with that.

I have so many things to be extremely thankful for...a loving family, a wonderful husband, AMAZING friends (who accept me, my quirks, and my crazy busy schedule!), two adorable dogs, and a career I find joy in every single day...way too many things to list...and I am grateful for all of you who share my passions, encourage me with your comments and emails, and support my designs and creative ventures - you all brighten my days!

Over the past ten years or so, I have truly enjoyed designing charts and patterns especially for this time of year - I adore the colors of autumn...I thought you might like to see a collage that includes many these pieces...you can find additional information on each of these designs by exploring my website...enjoy!


To everyone celebrating tomorrow - and to my many international fans and friends - take a little time to count your blessings...and a little time to stitch...
Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Tickled Pink!

Closing ceremony - the survivors entering the
 stadium and the raising of the final flag
...shoes up!
I am finally back in Iowa and have had a couple days to recover from my Komen 3-Day journey...and to say it was incredible would be an understatement. I have experienced very few moments in my life that have been more powerful...and I am proud to say I walked every single step of the sixty miles last weekend in San Diego. Walking into the closing ceremony, hand in hand, with my fabulous team was a breathtaking experience, full of emotion and a huge sense of achievement....there really are not words to describe it. The entire walk was AMAZING - my heart felt great, my legs were ready (my year of training definitely paid off), and I was able to enjoy the beautiful San Diego scenery that surrounded me. I did manage to get "impressive" blisters (as Terry, our medic called them) on day 2 that were a definitely a challenge on day 3... but, the medical crew (who were FANTASTIC) bandaged up my "super bad blisters" (yes, that was my diagnosis), so I could walk on the final day.  There were numerous memorable moments - in fact, too many to list...so, I will share a plethora of captioned photos with you that will give you just a peek at my experience...

Opening ceremony on the first day...getting pumped up for 60-miles - listening to an
inspiring speech by Dr. Sheri Phillips (the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®
national spokesperson)...

I signed the white memorial flag in remembrance with a couple very special names:
Cathey Magill aka "Pumpkin" and Golda Paton (the mother of my very dear friend)...
I wanted to write a message with each, but unfortunately, the markers were running
dry...this was a very emotional moment...

The first day - walking through Torrey Pines State Reserve - Lois was handed off
the commitment flag that she had carried for 20 miles in Dallas in 2012...

The first day - setting up camp - and yes, I am wearing our matching team jammies,
after a hot shower...and yes, I slept in that pink tent...you can see the shower trucks in
the background...

Day 2 - taking in the scenery in La Jolla - seals, pelicans, seagulls - a welcome change
from cold and snowy Iowa (click to enlarge)...

One of the sweep vans - sweep vans are decorated and operated by volunteers - they pick up
any walkers needing a lift to the next pit stop/camp or who need medical attention...

Arriving at lunch on the 3rd and final day...at the top of the "death march" or "suicide hill",
 as many walkers called it...the lunch crew took very good care of us...

Arriving at the finish line after every single step of the 60-miles: (L-R) me, Lois, and Sandy...
Note the matching hats our team captain made for us...and the matching bows on our shoes -
these details helped us find each other in the crowd of 2,300 walkers...

Our two other fabulous teammates arriving at the finish line (in the chaos, it was
difficult for all of us to stay together): Diane on the left and Lori on the right...

My tired/blistered feet after the 60-miles...

Walkers marching down the tunnel of people before crossing the finish line...

Walkers marching down the tunnel of people before crossing the finish line...

My incredible teammates: (L-R) Sandy, Lois, Terry, Diane and Lori...I heart you all!

Walkers checking in at the finish line at Petco Park - the man in the center with the
red, black, and white backpack was an inspiration throughout the entire walk -
he is 72 years young and took every single step - slow and steady!

The San Diego police department entertaining us with a dance at the finish line -
they were phenomenal throughout all three days!

The San Diego police department booty shakin' during a dance at the finish line
- they were quite entertaining!

Lining up in rows of eight to enter the closing ceremony...

A sea of walkers at the closing ceremony....

Closing ceremony - the survivors entering the stadium and the raising of the
final flag...shoes up!

The very inspirational Dr. Sheri Phillips, the national spokesperson for the
Susan G. Komen  3-Day for the Cure® - lifting us up at the closing
 ceremony - she walked all 60-miles...

Closing ceremony - raising the final flag "NEVER GIVE UP"...
In closing, I will share the thank you note I e-mailed to everyone who made a donation...this sums it up...
My dear friends, family, and needlework enthusiasts, 
A GIGANTIC heartfelt thank you for supporting me on my Komen 3-Day journey! It was an UNBELIEVABLE three days and I am extremely proud to report I walked every single step of the 60-miles. It was an AMAZING, challenging, fun, (at times) painful, and breathtaking experience...filled with memories that will definitely last a lifetime.
Because of your generosity, and the support of all of my donors and team members, I raised over $8,300 to help end breast cancer...our small, but mighty team Twinkle Toes (five walkers and one medical crew member) raised just shy of $30,000 for this important cause...and the San Diego event (2300 walkers and 425 crew members) raised an OUTSTANDING $6,100,000! I cannot thank you enough for your support, love, and encouragement - I am so very touched by your generosity and kindness.
I also want to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to those of you who made cash donations to our team captain for expenses, to those of you who sent care packages to me before the trip, and to those of you who sent sweet treats with notes to me in camp - you helped lighten the financial burden and truly enhanced my experience - I am forever grateful.
YOU made this INCREDIBLE journey possible and I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart. Together we ARE making a difference!
xoxo, Belinda "Baby Twinkle Toes" 
Team Twinkle Toes is thrilled to announce we are headed to Dallas in 2014!
So now, life gets back to "normal" - I play catch-up...I finish up the new designs for printing...I answer correspondence...I fill orders...I tackle the HUGE "to do" list...and I try to keep my feet elevated...and in a couple weeks I will get back to training for the 2014 Komen 3-Day in Dallas...it's all good!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

From California With Love...


Hello friends! This is just a quick post from California to let you know I completed the Komen 3-Day walk...it was an UNBELIEVABLE three days and I am extremely proud to report I walked every single step of the 60-miles. It was an AMAZING, challenging, fun, (at times) painful, and breathtaking experience...filled with memories that will definitely last a lifetime...and YOU made that possible. I will make sure to tell you all about it and post photos upon my return - but until then, here are a few snapshots I took on my smartphone along the way (please excuse the quality)...

Team Twinkle Toes right before the opening ceremonies...

My home for the event...

The view from our tent...

Memorial tents at our 3-Day camp...

San Diego Police Department decked out in pink - they made our journey
very fun and safe! They were absolutely wonderful....

Members of SDPD entertaining and uplifting us on the walk...

Our view at Petco Park (home of the SD Padres) as we crossed the finish line...

Because of your generosity, and the support of all of my donors and team members, I raised over $8,300 to help end breast cancer...our small, but mighty team Twinkle Toes (five walkers and one medical crew member) raised just shy of $30,000 for this important cause...and the San Diego event (2300 walkers and 425 crew members) raised an OUTSTANDING $6,100,000! I cannot thank you enough for your support, love, and encouragement - I am so very touched by your generosity and kindness.

I also want to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to those of you who made cash donations to our team captain for expenses, to those of you who sent care packages to me before the trip, and to those of you who sent sweet treats with notes to me in camp - you helped lighten the financial burden and truly enhanced my experience - I am forever grateful.

YOU made this INCREDIBLE journey possible and I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart. Together we ARE making a difference!

If you made a last minute donation and are waiting for "Red Rosies and Pink Posies", I will send the chart to you as soon as I return to Iowa (thank you for your patience!)...I will also be answering outstanding e-mails and inquiries at that time...

xoxoxo

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

California Bound...

Hello friends...yes, I am still alive and kicking...it has just been a crazy couple weeks. I am actually leaving for California for the Komen 3-Day walk in a couple hours and I have been swamped trying to get several models done and ready for printing production upon my return...so, if you have sent me a message and are waiting on a reply, I apologize for the delay - just way too many irons in the fire! So, as you probably expect, this will be a short post...

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported my Komen 3-Day walk with a donation to receive my special pink needlework design "Red Rosies and Pink Posies" - I am overwhelmed by your generosity! Together we have raised over $8,000 for breast cancer awareness, education, and funding...which is simply INCREDIBLE!...and our mighty team Twinkle Toes (five walkers and one medical crew member) have raised almost $30,000 for this important cause!! I just can't thank each and every one of you enough...there are not words to express my gratitude. The Komen walk starts on Friday and over the course of three days we will each walk 60-miles for this worthy fundraiser. If you would like to follow my journey, please make sure you send me a friend request on Facebook, as posts will be made on my personal FB account (http://www.facebook.com/BRDgirl)...then I will post here when I return from my trip. I will be out of my studio/office from November 12th - November 20th, with very limited communication; therefore, I will respond to all correspondence (e-mails, Etsy inquiries, FB messages, comments, etc.) in the order received upon my return - I appreciate your patience!  Thank you for your encouragement, support, and love! http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda

So, quickly, here is a sneak peek at what has been keeping me busy...it is titled "Quilt Block Christmas"...it is now at the framer and will be in printing production as soon as I return from California (along with "Woodland Tree Farm")...


...and finally, here are a few photos we have received of Schatzi while she is at formal training...we miss her bunches and can't wait for her to come home on Decembr 7th...



I look forward to sharing details of my trip with you when I return...until then, be happy and stay safe....