Post 199 - Last Chance to Enter to Receive an Antique Adaptation Hooked Rug

Finally I am at post #199 - If you check out my August 4, 2010 post here I am doing a give-away for this hooked rug

As I said before the photo isn't great - it's more muted than in the photo and old looking.  This is an adaptation of 4 antique rugs.  If you like to try to win this rug then feel free to leave a comment here or on the August 4, 2010 post.  

Wishing everyone luck and feel free to let someone know about the give a way if you think it's their "style"!

On my 200th post I will announce the winner - hint - there were be a few days yet to enter.  I am going away for a few days tomorrow and when I get home end of the week I will pick a winner either with th random generator or the old fashioned way of throwing everyone's name in a bowl or hat!

Thanks for all your comments, I love getting comments on everything.  Lots of times it makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one that deal with the same type of things, and I do enjoy your like stories.

We are expecting another heatwave here in Pennsylvania this week but I have so been enjoying the past few days of breezes and no humidity.   Yesterday I even put out my pumpkins and black cats and fall things.  My husband just commented "What's with all these pumpkins, it's not October"?  I told him it doesn't have to be October to enjoy pumpkins! Men! 

Hoping everyone has a wonderful upcoming week!

Finally - Another Post - Post #198

Didn't mean not to post for so long - I thought for sure I would have been at the 200th by now!  Just didn't feel like I have much to say this past week.

Been trying to get some hooking done and I have - not as much as I would have liked but it is what it is.

Thursday I went out to Grant Street (I know! Two weeks in a row!)  Kathy and I met up for that decadent frozen mocha - yum is all I have to say!  Then it was off to a day of whipping more rugs for me and sharing and talking and laughing.  There was a lot of eating going on too - I brought cake, Pat brought pizelles, Joan brought chocolate chip cookies the size of Texas, Barb brought chocolate peanut butter eggs, and of course that yummy coffee early didn't help!  I think I gain 15 pounds sitting there that day!  In my defense though I did have a salad somewhere during that day!

Here's Barb and Pat - Barb is working on her hand quilting, and Pat is relaxing.  Of course the topic of conversation between Pat and I is always cat stories - She has some new babies and they are so adorable as are her older kids!   You can see pics of their sweet faces on blog (Hook Hand and Heart!)

Doris came too - Haven't seen her in a while.  She's working on an "epic" pictorial rug.   She's taking a break and walking around - Hmmm she's not even looking at those peanut butter eggs or pizzelles!

Jackie is going like gangbusters on her rug - beautiful colors in person.  She's going to dye some of her background - Can you believe this is her second rug!  Taken to it like a duck to water!  Can't wait to hear about her first time dye experience.

Joan came and was whipping a cute little fall mat and finished it.  Not sure if she's going to use it as a stair riser, a little mat or a tube top!   Would have to be a tube top for winter - wool you know!

Kathy is making make-do turkeys - Aren't they adorable!  She actually got to sit and hook for a bit!   Love the colors and can't wait to see them stuffed and done!

Yesterday I needed to hit the phone store.  I figured it would be easier to stop in and get my problems solved rather than trying to talk to someone on the phone.  Why is it they always say you need a new phone?   "You are eligible for an upgrade" is always their stock answer.  Okay, I have been having trouble with my phone (do they build in problems exactly at the right moment when you 'are eligible for an update'?).  I also wanted to discuss my plan since my husband is like a teenager and has been a texting fool - we do not have unlimited texting and he's going over!  Now my parents who are on my plan do not text - according to the phone store dude, Phone Number 610-xxx-xxxx has no texts  - Got a giggle out of that - I just can't see my 80 year old parents texting!  Anyway - I got a text message saying we were incurring charges now being over the limited so that was one issue, second issue I seem to sometimes get voice mails three weeks after they were sent, and of course the fact my phone won't shut off after a phone call.

Well resolved the problems and walked out of there with a new phone.  At least it's red! Not sure about the touch screen - everyone that has one their phone always looks dirty - but I guess since I don't use mine much???

Oh well, another gadget to figure out.  One plus for the first time was the car charger I have fits it - didn't have to spent $30 for another one.  Finally two different brands fit the same charger - Love that part!

When I got home after a day of errands and shopping there was a little package for me.  On our group, AAPG we did a 2nd Anniversary Swap.  Well Kelley (the groups Mama!) had me and Kelley always sends great packages!  Inside was this awesome punch needle piece of two kittys (Kelley's another kitty lover) and the back is as adorable as the front, she also sent me a rug hook pattern I wanted to hook from a design in the Seven Gates Farm book with a great sentiment around the pattern, a beautiful tin cookie cutter pin - I have a moose on similar and just love this cat one - she said it was something of hers from years ago she bought, a cat bookmark, some recipe cards and a cute card!  Thank you  Kelley!

Hard to see and couldn't get a clear pic of the rug and of course that would be Riley under the rug in the pic.  The little pin and bookmark are in bottom right corner -

Isn't this a great pic and colors!  Front of PN piece

How cute is this label on the back!

Okay folks - do not forget about my giveaway - It just may be this weekend I will get to my 200th post!  Check out the August 4, 2010 post for details.

Have a great day!

Post 197 - Another Thursday Hook-In

Well no more really bad days since the one the other day - thank goodness!

Thursday I ventured out to Grant Street again - another fun day - and once again (boy oh boy I know you are tired of hearing this) I had my camera out but forgot to use it most of the time.

Me - I was working on a pile of small mats I hooked and and brought to finish them off by whipping.  I wasn't going too fast - just felt like sitting and relaxing and talking.  I did manage to get 5 whipped though.  Will take pictures when they are all done.  Oh and Kathy managed to get a couple of hers done too! She's always so busy running around helping everyone else - I kept telling her "workie and talkie, workie and talkie" (I think she was ready to slap me! heheheheh)  It was a day of everyone busting on each other (in a good way of course!) I guess someone that doesn't know all of us might think it's brutal at times but it's all in good fun. 

Linda was busy helping everyone with picking out wool and color planning, etc. so she didn't sit too much either.  She alsosells antiques and other things in the shop besides just wool so she brought how some trays of sterling silver jewelry she has.  She's such a sweetheart - she gifted me with a garnet sterling poison box ring (you know me - red is my favorite color!) I love vintage looking rings and this one is cool. .  It's funny because I've been watching the old Dark Shadows series - and I saw one of these rings on Angelique (she opened it and poured poison into a drink) and never knew it was something that was actually worn - just thought it was a prop for the show - So now I have one - Now, what to put in my little ring - bahhhahahahaha (insert evil laugh here!) Thanks so much Linda!

Linda's grand daughter, Madeline, was busy making and selling us lemonade.  It was very good and refreshing! 

There were a lot of people in and out and everyone was busy getting stuff done!  There were also plenty of laughs also.

Beth listening intently to her sister Jill...

Madeline showing off her rug progress... 

Sherri, who is always smiling!

It's a long drive out there - then a long day fun day there that goes by in the blink of an eye - then a long drive home.  At one point on the way home I was listening to my Elvis cd and he was singing about Burning Love, me I was singing about my burning butt from sitting all day! Oh My!  I have to remember to hook and whip standing up next time I go out there! LOL!

Again, don't forget about the hooked rug give-a-way sign up on the August 7, 2010 post.  If you have any friends that may be interested in the rug - have them sign up too!   I was talking to a friend at the hook-in and she said she didn't know how to leave a comment.  For those of you that aren't registered on blogspot you do not have to be.  Under each post you will see a number and then the word comment - just click that and it opens up a comment box - leave a comment then and follow the rest.  You do not have to be a registered member. 

It could be a matter of days until I announce a winner on the 200th post - so sign up now! 

Enjoy your weekend!

Post 196 - Bad Day Gone Good!

Well the past few days, I have been trying to find my motivation to hook some rugs - so got out some wool and on Sunday sat and cut some "worms" to sit and do some miscellaneous hit and miss type small rugs - I have so many small pieces of wool - like 1/4 of a 1/4 yard - that I figured I would just try to use up!  As you can see, I was being strictly supervised...

I have pulled a few loops so that's good - just need to get my 'groove on" and get moving!

Seems the "boys" have no motivation either - lots of summertime naps - sometimes all alone...

And sometimes with a friend...   (Who's body goes with which head?)

Well on to my bad day, maybe not so much a bad day but an off day...

Day started out with the "Little Nipster" (a.k.a. Jonesy) - he got the back of my knee  at around 6:00 a.m.  He's lucky he didn't land out the window - I'm very ticklish the back of my knee and anyone that gets near that area gets kicked! LOL He just wanted to play - he dropped a toy next to me.  He loves early mornings and I guess if he's up everyone should be up! 

I wasn't about to get up that early as I had been up to about 2:00 a.m. or so (watching DS of course!) so after a little bit of playing he let me sleep in until about 8:00 when he brought another toy and nipped my hair!  Okay time to get up.  Riley was all snuggled so I literally had to get up the "wrong" (opposite) side of the bed! That tiger wasn't about to move for me.   Hmm was this my first indication  of how the day was going to go? 

Went downstairs and what do I step in?  Yep, vomit, from Miles (the meds aren't helping and he's just wasting away to nothing - we have to call the vet Monday and let him know the progress. Not sure what the next step will be).

Then I'm making my tea and getting out some cantaloupe for breakfast and my nose starts bleeding! Haven't had a nose bleed for many many years!  Thank goodness for my kitties.  Jonesy came over to the couch after I layed down on it trying to get it to stop and sat near my head and put his paw on my arm  - He was too cute and then he curled up on my stomach and just watched me!  Maybe he was making sure I didn't get up too soon. 

Next indication of the day was I was in the shower and picked up a shaver and started shaving my legs.  Well I don't know about you but it sure helps if you take the cap off the shaver!  Yep - actually did a few strokes before I noticed! Geez!

Later on it was off to lunch with my husband at the Mexican restaurant.  Was meeting him at 11:30 a.m. since he had to be back no later than 1:00 today so I left at 11:00 - plenty of time, right?  Wrong!  Road construction on our road and detoured (let alone the detour because our bridge is out) - Every light red on the way - and more road construction and one way traffic up on the main road! I got there around 11:40 - should have been no more than a 20 minute drive at the most! Grrrrr

Decided after lunch to hit the thrift store. No problems there but no "finds" either.

Stopped at WaWa for coffee.   Getting into the car and the lid comes off - hot coffee all over the car and ME! Yep I was saturated and so was my gear shift and my cup holders, etc.! Ugh - Of course only ONE  tissue to wipe it up - so just drove home!

Got home and got the car and me all cleaned up and walked over for my mail - now this is where the day turned good!  One, no bills in the mail, and two a wonderful package from a friend- it certainly was a perfect day to get this!

My friend Cathy, of Hooked on Primitives, sent me the coolest stuffed hooked kitty face.  She's the Queen of making 3-d objects from rug hooking!   Why did she gift me this - Just because it's near the end of the summer!  Aren't friends great !   Now how'd she know today would be a great day to receive this!  Anyway - thank you so much Cathy - I just love!

So that's my day and it's only the afternoon!  Hopefully it will only get better!

Post 195 - Hooked Rug Give-A-Way

Just a reminder to sign up for my Hooked Rug Give-A-Way if you are interested in hooked rugs and antiques, then this is the rug for you.   You can sign up here!    On the 200th post I will name the winner!

Of course, as always, I'm not a very good photographer - the rug is more muted in person and more "uniform" looking if that makes sense.

Today I decided to do a "drive-by" cleaning of my hooking room.  I have absolutely no motivation and really need to get going on some projects (I know you are probably tired of hearing me say that over and over again!).  My thinking is if I semi-unclutter the room I can sit and get started.  Well I spent the morning, with my helpers of course (And someone please tell Riley that when you throw something away you leave it in the waste basket not dump it and take it back out - he's taking out balls of paper and his empty treat container! LOL)  Maybe he thinks he's helping - who knows! 

I just do not know how this room gets this way - I totally clean it and organize it and in a blink of an eye its a mess again.  Well today I made some progress - decided to just make neater piles and put what I can away (we won't talk about the closet right now) and just make it so you can move around.

I actually just cut a few pieces of linen and am about to zigzag around them and have a few sharpies handy and some shapes to trace around.  One can only guess what I will come up with!  Remains to be seen!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Post 194 - The Hot Days of Summer - This and That

Geez - this has been one hot summer - seems everyone is suffering from it! But then again I think back to the back breaking mounds of snow that needed to shoveled  only a few short months ago and just maybe this heat is doable

Wonder if we would have year round beautiful Fall or Spring temperatures we would miss Winter and Summer?  Guess we are always ready to move on to the next but then miss the past!

We got the results of Miles.  Apparently his thyroid levels were out of range and he has hyperthyroidism.  We are treating him with medicine at this point.  I am keeping my toes crossed it helps.  Dr. W said the most important thing right now is to get some weight back on him.  He's never been a big cat - Abyssinian's are not big cats - more sleek-but 5 pounds is too scrawny.   Today was a bad day with the throwing up - he just didn't seem to stop - the past few hours he's been resting so let's hope that bout is over.  The medicine will take a week or so to do anything.

It's hard to tell from these photo's (I had just given him a rub down and a brushing since he doesn't groom himself anymore) but he's just a bag of bones with fur!  Just breaks my heart.   These were taken this afternoon when I was working in the kitchen.

Oh and check out the boys new "fountain".  Our water is so yucky here we only drink filtered water so about 10 years ago I bought a fountain for my cats Sid, Nicky and Miles at the time, and it was leaking all over the place last week.  So it was time for a new and improved model.  I bought them (at the suggestion of a friend who has one) the Drinkwell 360 - it's pretty cool - holds a gallon of water, and the top part you can change heads to make the "fountain" part different   We have on the 3 fountain fall and have it turned so it's not so noisy.  Miles at least loves it - he's always practically standing in it! He loves water! 

Now I don't know what's up with my cats getting hyperthyroidism. I keep wondering is it something in this house that's causing it, is the food they eat, is it me?  I know that's all unreasonable but when Sid was 12 (we lost him in 2004 at age 15) he suddenly lost weight and became hyperactive, no other changes as he was always a big eater - just always hungry - had him tested and found out he had this hyperthyroidism.  I do not remember anymore why medicine wasn't the answer but they do a one-shot radiation deal on cats and it basically cures them.  After research, we found University of Penn had a vet area that did this treatment but they were closed for renovations, so we took him to a place called Radiocat, and next thing you know he was back to normal.   Then almost to the day a year later Nicky go the same dam thing - back to Delaware and Radiocat and he was 'cured".  Nicky was 12 at the time also.   Just plain weird - I remember saying to Miles when I took Nicky that be best not plan on getting this either!  Well now almost 8-9 years later Miles has it!  I just don't get - none of these boys are from the same litters, nor the same breeds!

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of taking my car in for inspection and was wheel-less! Not my favorite feeling even if I have no where to go!  Well what a bill I had - close to the $1000 mark but I really can't complain my car has nearly 120,000 miles on it and have only put in the normal stuff like a set of tires and the most major repair on it was a new clutch a few years ago.  The guys at the garage were joking I had a brand new car out there.  One thing though to feel really really good about is that the timing belt didn't break down on me say 2:00 in the morning driving home from the Thursday hook-in's when i'm alone.  Apparently it was just about gone!   So I am very thankful it didn't leave me stranded all alone in the middle of the night!

Since I was wheel-less spent the day doing chores and cleaning and laundry and all that really fun (not) stuff!  More of the same today.  I did manage to get a few meals made (why not make a big mess at one time) and some potato salad today and then made a peach pie - I'm not a pie lover but I do love peach pie with the "cake like pie crust" - I think I posted about this last year as I only make one a year and it's for me!  I don't share - well my husband can have some but he really doesn't care for bake goods!  Usually when I bake I give everything away so I don't eat it! LOL - Not this - no way - came out great looking for a change too - can't wait to take a bit piece out of it!

Oh and for you rug hookers out there, I decided to list one of my Townsend cutter heads, a #7, it's sitting collecting dust as I never ever use it - Normally my 8.5 is in my machine - I would love to have a #9 or a #9.5 but guess that isn't going to happen with the company no longer around.  Anyway - if you are looking for a #7 - i started the action at $9.99 on eBay - you can check it out here.

Riley and Jonesy are creatures of habit.  Riley everyday around 3:00 gets his treats out and starts meowing at me to open them! He's too cute.  He will not eat any "people" food but he loves his treats.  Now Jonesy will eat anything!  I've taken to keeping a pack up in the hooking room in a basket - he gets them out and tosses them on the floor! Too funny!  If we are downstairs he stands in the middle of the kitchen and meows at top lung!

Isn't he handsome - he had just had a brushing too - His fur is so soft - just like velvet and he just loves to be brushed!

Hoping everyone is having a nice relaxing day and staying cool!

Post 193 - Pin Cushions - Done!

Well the ball jar pin cushions are done!  Been working on them on and off all weekend.

They have taken over the rug hooking room floor.  My husband has been encouraging the cats to play with the "hockey pucks".  Well he got the hairy eyeball and the boys have been good and haven't even bothered with them!   Thank goodness they listen to me once and a while and not him!

If you want a chance to own this rug

Don't forget to enter my give-a-way here, (The August 4, 2010 post).   I have really been enjoying the comments from everyone - So thank you!

Wishing everyone a great week.

Post 192 - Friday Spelled STRESS

On Friday, it was time to take the boys for their yearly vet visits.  I really dread this time as it's always so stressful - for me and them.

Cats (at least mine) do not like riding in the car, they do not like being locked in cages, they are boys therefore they do not like change or something out of the ordinary!

I had every intention of documenting the visit with pictures to share with you - but I got so stressed I completely forgot.

For those of you that know me - I do not get stressed very easily at all but when it comes to my "boys" - well maybe I read too much into their feelings but I feel so bad and that makes my heart break!  I know some of you understand exactly what I mean and others are thinking "they are just cats".   Just my opinion, but if you are going to take on the responsibility of a pet, then that pet becomes a member of your family not just "an animal" to throw food at or pay attention when convenient to you.  It irks me when you drive by people's home and they have dogs tied up with a dog box that they leave out year round.  Why have the dog then?  Anyway, that's not what this post is about! 

Here's a pic about an hour before we left of the unsuspecting!

I got the cages out and set them in the dining room - two on the table and one on the bench.  Oh my what an ordeal getting them into the cages.  Miles this time was easy (he's 17 and he was sound asleep so he didn't wake up in time to fight).  Riley was a struggle - he's a strong cat and both my husband and I struggled to get him in - you just can't cage a tiger - he totally lost it and howled and fought!  We finally managed.  Then Jonesy - he was the biggest surprise to me - He fought like a wildcat and when he got in he thrashed around so hard that the cage flew off the bench and slammed onto the floor - by this time I'm in tears (and we haven't even gotten to the door!) My husband loaded the car with the other two and I'm trying to calm Jonesy (and myself) as I'm walking him to the car! I put his cage up front with me so I could pet him as I drove!

Well on the entire 10 minute drive to the vet (which takes longer due to a bridge being out) they howled and screamed and howled some more.  These are sounds you do not normally hear anywhere else - LOL.  Well about 3/4 of the way there Jonesy just stopped yelling.  He crouched in the back of his cage and had the saddest expression on - no movement, just blank!  Again the heart broke. 

We arrived at the vet and after two trips I got everyone in and checked in.  We waited for the exam room - I had the door to Jonesy's cage open and he wasn't responding to me at all - just sat there with this unbelievable sad look like he was extremely mad or sad - I talked to him and no response.  Normally  he's the friendliest most outgoing kitty and loves people!  Then i got to thinking.  Jonesy was 3 months old before I adopted him.  Did he think because he was in the cage he was gong back to the SPCA?  Again - me reading more into things I suppose - but who knows what his life was like for those 3 months.

Riley on the other hand was batting his head at the cage door and purring and giving me "kisses".  There was a young teen in the waiting room that saw Riley's face and fell in love with him - she was taking pics of him with her cell phone and talking to him and he was eating it up! 

Miles was just shaking in his fur and purring - he often purrs when he's scared .

Just have to say, it's really too much to take all three alone at the same time!

Anyway - we get into the exam room and the tech wants each out of their cage to be weighed.  Well Miles was first- the poor guy only weighs 5 pounds (more on him later) - Jonesy was just a rag doll - still unresponsive - he didn't want to come out of the cage, and Riley - he was all over the tech saying hello and wanting to roam - got him weighed and thought the heck with it - let him roam until Dr. W comes in.  Well Riley really surprised me - he "embraced" his visit at this point - he checked out the entire room - checked out the sink area and all the supplies, the table, the scale, under the table, under the bench, he kept checking on Jonesy, kept jumping in my lap for a rub and a kiss and was really being a good guy!

First up was Miles - Riley of course had to help Dr. W with the exam and also with his paperwork - I kept trying to keep him away but Dr. W said it was okay!  Well as you know we have been having quite a time with Miles and his "throwing up" and not knowing what's wrong.  We had so many tests done previously - well we are getting another round of them done.  The doctor took blood, urine, and xrays and will call me on Monday. His plan on action is that if it isn't diabetes (was not before) , or perhaps his thyroid (if so then he will be put on medicine for that),  then he's thinking perhaps an irritable bowel and he will be put on a round of prednisone which will help if his digestive track is inflamed.  Also his hips are very arthritic so this will help with that too a bit.  So at least we have a hope something may work.

Next up was my limp rag doll Jonesy - he checked out perfectly - again no response to him - he just sat there (like i said - my heart kept breaking over this!) He got two shots and didn't even budge - Riley watched intently was Jonesy was being checked - it was so cute like he was protecting him.

Then Riley - same as Jonesy - two shots and they were all good to go. 

Packed everyone up - got them back out to the waiting room and then Riley and Miles start howling - everyone was looking at them - Felt like a mother with unruly children! Had to wait to pay the bill and I'm looking around at all these other people with cats in cages - not a peep out of them!  Why were mine being disruptive? LOL

So loaded everyone in the car and started home with lots of "singing" going on.  About 3/4 of the way home, Jonesy starts in - and as much as I couldn't take the howling and yelling, I was so happy to "hear" him!

When they got home, my husband was waiting on the stoop to help me take them in - well you should have seen them all shoot out of the cages like a cannon when they got home!  He had their dinner waiting for them and after a belly full, and a full exploration of the house (you know in that hour and half things could have changed!) things started to get back to normal!

I am extremely happy to report that Jonesy is back to his normal self !   Hopefully he knows he has a forever home with us!  Riley has been severely glued to me the past few days (guess to make sure I don't go near the cages again) and Miles has been sleeping !

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Again - be sure to check out my give-a-way post here  and be sure to sign up.

Post 191 - Blueberry Buckle

I'm not sure if I shared this recipe before, but I made one blueberry and one peach and took it to the hook-in on Thursday.   I hope everyone that tried it liked it.  It's a great versatile recipe and kinda like a coffee cake with fruit.  I make it with blueberries, peaches, apples, have tried blackberries, and I tried strawberries once - lots of variety in this recipe.

BLUEBERRY BUCKLE


TOPPING

1/3 Cup Flour
¼ Cup Butter
½ Cup Sugar
Cinnamon

CAKE

¾ Cup Sugar
¼ Cup Shortening
½ Cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 ½ Cup Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Salt
Approx. 2 cups Blueberries

Topping: Mix together topping until crumbly and set aside.

Cake: Mix together sugar and shortening, add milk, egg, vanilla, then add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in blueberries.

BAKE: 375° FOR APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES in an 8 x 8 pan
 
Just some things I do -
 
I often double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 pan.
For the shortening - the original recipe calls for Crisco solid - I don't like to use that so I just use butter - no problems.
I also add cinnamon to the batter - just cause I love cinnamon
I also cut almost 1/3 to 1/2 of the sugar out of the recipe - in my opinion if the fruit is nice and sweet you do not need all that added sugar.  I left the quantities in the recipe just because that's what it called for!
When I use peaches and they are extra juicy  - i cut down on the milk or sometimes add more flour mixture.  Just wing it!
 
Again - don't forget about Post 188 (August 4) and sign up for the hooked rug give-a-way!
 
Enjoy your weekend!

Post 190 - Hooking at Grant Street - In my case, Stuffing at Grant Street

Yesterday was Thursday again which means the Hook-In at Grant Street!  I'm trying to get out as often as I can - well at least every other week!  I made the trip yesterday and had a great time.

It was a hot one when I left - felt like a sauna when I was packing my car!   They were calling for severe thunderstorms for the evening so I almost decided not to go.  I do love to drive but not on the turnpike during a storm - it's like driving thru a car wash constantly with those big trucks.  I went anyway and thank goodness I did - just hot and humid - no rain on the way home!

I know I sound like a broken record but I did forget to keep taking pictures but I have a few which I will post in random order below.

I took some pin cushions I'm making to stuff and Kathy laughed at my big bag of snippets (pic on her blog) but you know what - I used them ALL up and some of hers! Haha!  I keep a big bag in my closet in my rug hooking room and just dump my little snippet dish in there when it fills up.  Adds up quick when I hook a lot!   Oh and you never know what else you will find in there - found a broken bracelet in there, some gift tags, a candy wrapper from a mini Reese's, and I forget what else.  A while back I found a hook, a sharpie, and a few other things - Guess I need to check my dish! LOL

I have to get to hooking but have been in a slump with getting started on it.  That's why I worked on the pin cushions.  I did manage to whip 1 1/2 small (really small) mats yesterday if that counts.  Just wasn't into it - I was more into sitting and chatting and relaxing yesterday! 

There were people in and out all day.  Kathy brought me lunch - a nice refreshing salad (to balance the junk food we ate) and she also brought me some red wool from her stash and a bag of the Black Bean Tortilla chips - hard to find around here - they are very tasty!  So thank you Kathy - oh and I will get you back for that traveling $10!

It was so nice seeing Jill again (and Beth where were you?)!  

Sherri - "Why am I the only one working here'?

Kathy and Pat -  "I pledge to the mighty hook to actually pull some loops today"

Kathy - Any hooker worth her salt wouldn't tie her hair back with anything but a woolly worm!

Marian, Louise, and Willa  - "Okay Willa, you aren't leaving here until you tell us your secret on how you get so many rugs hooked in so short of a time"

Riley - "Hey Kathy - Mom thanks you for the wool and Dad thanks you for the Chips!  Where's the guacamole?"

Hoping everyone has more motivation than I!

Don't forget about my hooked rug give-a-way on post #188 (Sign up here).  Post 200 will name the winner - whenever that will be!

Happy Weekend!

Post 189 - Thank you!

Just wanted to say a quick thank you for your comments so far on post #188 - The Hooked rug Give-a-Way. 

I will be numbering my posts until I reach 200 (if I don't - I may forget!).  Tonight there may be 2 more posts I think!

The comments have been wonderful - absolutely love reading each and every one of them.  You all sound like the best bunch of people! Love how you already incorporate "niceness" in your everyday life.  If only there were more people like this - image what people could accomplish.  We just never know when something we have done will have affected someone positively. 

It is not always about the other person either, example, sometimes no matter how many times you smile at someone (I'm thinking of a place I worked temporary - was determined to crack some of the scowls on some of the people's faces - you know, kill 'em with kindness - LOL) it doesn't brighten the other's day, but just knowing you have tried and you've done something good makes you feel better and that's very important for you also!

Just love it - I truly do.

I have to say - I'm happy  to have some comments - when I decided to do the give-a-way, I was hoping there would be some comments and that it wasn't a big bust!   I don't know - I had a feeling kinda like that if I would ever go on Who Wants to be a Millionaire and I would get a question like "The alphabet is 26 letters, which letter comes after "A"?" and I would get it wrong! LOL Mortified! LOL!

So keep those comments coming!  Thank you each and every one of you - you do warm my heart!

Upcoming 200th Post - Hooked Rug Give-A-Way

I’ve been thinking about having a give-a-way here on my blog and decided that I would do it for my upcoming 200th post. I have enjoyed “blogging” and I know sometimes I may have bored you to tears but hopefully I have given you a few laughs, a few ideas, maybe some inspiration in you’re creating, or even a smile with my “boys” antics! 

I love to hook rugs and do not really have a place for them all. Below is a pic of the rug.  It has spent the last few years rolled away in a tub. It’s a shame to leave rugs rolled away, right? So why not share – hopefully it will find a good home and make someone happy!

A little about the rug - It’s a larger rug and measures approximately 37” x 24”. It’s called “Antique Sampler” and was designed by the Woolen Willow. This was their “block of the month” project a few years back and was a kit where you would get the wool on a monthly basis. I did add some of my own wool here and there. It is mostly hooked in a #8 cut and hooked on linen. The designs in this rug are based on antique rugs and put together as a sampler. So if you like antiques and hooked rugs – this give-a-way is for you! I would like this rug to be used and loved and not rolled up and shoved somewhere. I wouldn’t even mind if you used it on the floor! (Yes, I said the floor – I have many rugs on the floor and actually walk in them! It gives them a nice aged look!)

By leaving me a comment and telling me you wish to be part of the give-a-way then you are agreeing to the following – To do something nice for someone! Yep – a kind of pay it forward – it doesn’t have to be monetary as times are so hard these days – it can be as simple as a smile to brighten someone’s day, helping someone get something off the top shelf at the grocery store, lending a hand, mowing someone’s lawn, I don’t know, the possibilities are endless – I try everyday to do something nice for someone and stay positive and away from negativity. It’s hard some days when you just don’t fee like it or are feeling sorry for yourself, but heck – just a smile can brighten a day, right? Oh and it’s all on you- you don’t even have to tell me what you did unless you want to!

Things to know (Won’t call them rules as I’m not so much a rule follower myself! LOL)

1. Leave me a brief comment so I know you are interested.

2. Must live in the US (this is a large rug and shipping charges will be too high outside the US)

3. If you win, you must supply me with an address and not a PO Box as I will be shipping this FedEx ground.

4. Smile!

I’m not putting a deadline on this give-a-way – but will post the winner on my 200th post. I believe this will be my 188th post – so depending if I “chat” a lot or not much – could be a week, could be two weeks or three!  So you need to check back to see if you won and then contact me with your information!

Enjoy your day!

Tom Petty Concert

The Tom Petty Concert came and went.  Another great show.  I can't say this was his best (and I have only seen 15 prior or it could have been 16) but it was still a great time.

We started out around 6:00 (show starts at 7:30) but with the traffic into the city, you just never know.  It wasn't as bad as it could have been but there was some stand-still traffic. 

We parked and walked over to the formally Wachovia Stadium, now Wells Fargo (formerly Corestate, formerly First Union,  heck just pick a bank)

Our first stop was the bathroom (of course after a drive! LOL), then my husband went and bought me a t-shirt - and yes I know the prices are outrageous but i have gotten a t-shirt at almost every TP show I have seen - seems like tradition now!

Then it was over to the Chickie and Pete's stand for some crab fries with melted cheese (this was dinner folks!) Oh so good, some beer and a soda for me (I was driving!)

Then off to find our seats.  We were very happy with our "free" tickets.  Great seats and no one extra tall in front of me - I could see the entire time - usually I have a hard time seeing  and constantly moving around!

As soon as we sat down and were eating our fries, the lights went low and out came the opening band.  

Buddy Guy

He put on a great show and someone mentioned he had just turned 74 a few days before -  Have to say with his voice and energy you would never have known it.  Buddy played about an hour and even did a walk-thru the crowd

After about a 15-20 minute wait out comes Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who got right into it with a lot of his popular hits.  So many of Tom's songs are 'sing-alongs" it seems as the songs are so popular.  Me, I prefer to hear him sing rather than the crowd!

Anyway - as I said it was a great show, but not the best one I saw.  Not sure exactly what it was.   This show I just found the people so irritating.  Thank goodness we had a good row (we had end seats) but the row in front of us - i think out of the 20 or so people in that row only 3 of them sat for most of the show - I would be surprised if any of them sat for at least two songs!   It seemed the whole arena was like that - my goodness if it was irritating me (and it takes a lot to irritate me) with all the ups and downs and moving about - what about the band?   I guess it's just a pet peeve with me - i mean you buy a ticket to see the show right?

I guess another thing was he stuck mostly to his really popular hits.  There are so many really great songs you never hear.   With my husband being such a music buff I get to have the obscure stuff and rarely heard stuff and just love it - he's got a real range of music and I'm not knocking Free Falling or Breakdown or American Girl but believe me I wish he would have thrown in a few more of the older stuff you don't hear everyday.  He did play only 4 songs from his new album - I wish he would have played more from that but it doesn't seem to be what people want to hear - they want the most radio-played popular stuff.  Okay off my soapbox here.

The drive home was great- got right out and thru traffic and got home by midnight. 

All in all it was a great time!

Tote Bag

On our group, AAPG, we are doing an Anniversary Swap.  We signed up and we were given a "secret" name to send our package too.  I can now show you another item I was working on since my swap partner received her package last week.

One of the requirements was to send a 'handmade item".  So I decided to try and make something different for a change and make a rug hooked tote bag.

I love bags of any kind (they used to call me the bag lady at work - always carrying something - magazines, books, something to work on or whatever).  I wanted something nice and roomy for her.   My swap partner and I share the same favorite color - red.  So I knew I wanted a red background.  Now the design.   Wasn't sure if there was anything she collected so didn't want to do anything specific like a cat or dog or whatever so I decided on some penny circles.  To me they are fun and scrappy and are colorful.  After making the decision to do a red background, I just knew I wanted ticking as the lining (yes, that's me - I love ticking - old and new - one might think I was making this for myself - perhaps that's why i decided last minute to add her name to it so I couldn't keep it myself).  I walnut dyed the ticking just enough so it wasn't glaring white but an older looking off white.

Then I just sat down with my reds and extra worms and hooked away - Oh I forgot to measure this when I was done but I think I started with approx. 16" x 29" or thereabouts.

Since I had decided on the ticking, i decided to do three rows of beading in reds and creams on each edge.

Then it was just folded it in half and hand stitched up the sides with carpet thread.

Next step was to whip the top edge with hand dyed wool yarn and cording.  I used two colors of wool and used a thicker cording to give it a good top edge. 

Then, and I would love to say I did the assembling, but I can't.  I took it to my Mom's.  She sewed the lining for me and made three pockets inside and installed a snap and sewed in the lining and made handles.   If I would have done it, it would have looked really, really bad as I can't sew!

So this is the finished product!  Front and Back views

I'm hoping to make a few more at some time.  Someday....