I'm going to confess, I really used to enjoy scrapbooking.

Both for enjoyment, and for the preservation of our family memories, I found it an important part of daily life in my home. My own quiet protest, when the needlework started being pushed out of local stores by scrapbooking supplies- I stopped scrapbooking! I was more than a little irritated. It has taken me some time to adjust, and I'm back again, trying to make a little time each month to record our daily lives in scrapbook form. (I must say that I'm even more appreciative of small needlework shop owners who work hard to make supplies available to us onsite and online!) Even so, I can't put down my needlework- so while it rains outside my home today, I thought I would share a quick pattern I just finished for my scrapbook.

It's easy, I think, to forget to record our own thoughts and personalities. The "Me" page will hopefully, spark some interest in recording your thoughts and your passion for future generations in needlepoint. (The option is open for you to finish the pattern any way you choose-I thought that the unblocked, uneven tension really added interest to the page. )

If you try this project, I would love to see your results- and include them in our reader gallery. The submission form will give you the details you need to send in your photos.

This month, we're featuring: Racaire's Embroidery and Needlework

You really must see Racaire's Embroidery and Needlework. This blog has some beautiful samples of her latest stitching projects

Perhaps you would like to read through the other blogs featured here on the needlepoint site? Needlepoint Blogs Around the Web is just the place for you!

Do you have a favorite blog to share? Email me with the details!

I've always believed that you can tell much about someone just by the work that they produce. It won't take you long to figure out this designer is a true gem.

If you've not been introduced to Petei Guth, you are in for a treat. When most of the world is busy moving along at the speed of light, Petei has truly learned to slow down and enjoy life around her. Poet, illustrator, teacher, and yes, needlepoint designer, her work is beautiful.

I enjoy getting to know the faces behind the designs. If you would like to read about some other designers featured in our profiles, you might enjoy one of these:

• Janet M. Perry
• Barbara Bergsten

The About.com needlepoint gallery is a great place to find photos of finished work by readers just like you. Whether looking for inspiration or just admiring, you are sure to be impressed by the beautiful needlepoint.

Do you have a piece that you would like to share? Submitting your work is a simple two step process. Complete the submission form and email me the photo. That's it!

If you would still like to browse, you might try one of the designer galleries. (I'm always looking for additional design galleries. If you know of one that we have missed, please email me with the details.)

"My granddaughter came to spend a few weeks with me, and I decided to teach her to sew. After I had gone through a lengthy explanation of how to thread the machine, she stepped back, put her hands on her hips, and said in disbelief, "You mean you can do all that, but you can't play my Game Boy?" !"

-Author Unknown

While you are visiting, perhaps you would like to read additional quotes? The needlework quote library is just the place for you!

The MOM Zipper Pull is a very quick project! If your Mom carries a totebag, or goes to the gym, this would be a great gift. I'm going to create one for a new mom I know to snap onto her diaper bag.

If you need additional project ideas, you might try one of these:

• "Live, Love, Laugh"
• Family Tree
• Simple Birdhouse

As I age, I have the hardest time threading needles. I try all sorts of tips and tricks, but seeing the eye of my needles seems to become more and more difficult. It is not uncommon for me to call one of my children to thread a needle for me, so this tip was especially helpful to me:

"When going out and planning to stitch (as in waiting for a doctor) thread a needle with the floss you will be using next and pop it into the canvas where you are to begin.... you can then pick up and start to stitch quickly. Also, when threading the needle remember that most yarns have a "direction". Wool definitely has a one-way in its fiber. Run your hand down the wool and if your hand runs smoothly down the yarn that is the way you should thread your needle. Makes threading much easier!"-- Ellen, About.com reader

If you want to read through the tips that have been submitted, the tip gallery is the place for you. If you would like to submit a tip, I would love to read it. Fill out the submission form with the details.

We love birthay celebrations in my home. Several years ago, I created a bright yellow tablecloth just for birthdays. Each year, on their birthdays, my children stamp (with paint) their handprints on the cloth and we initial and date it. At first, it didn't have but a few- it did look a little funny. Now, so many years later, my tablecloth is full of signed and dated prints. It's so amazing to see how their hands have grown.

This year, I decided, continuing our yellow theme, that it would be nice to add a banner to our decorations. This is a simple pattern. The candle is stitched using the diamond eyelet stitch and the background is meant for you to personalize with your own style of stitching. The stitch library has many ideas, or you can try one of your own.

If you complete this project, I would love to see your finished work. Please email me photos that we can add to the gallery.

We would love for you to join the needlepoint chat here at About.com!

Have a question, or just looking for others who enjoy stitching, this is just the place for you.