Mr. CATastrophe

Shattered and scattered to the four wild winds
My angels and my devils and a few of my friends

You got em all to dancin on the head of a pin

You make it look easy

You make it look easy

The above is the first verse of the Flatlanders song "You Make It Look Easy" - a song that keeps running in my mind when I see what happened in my rug hooking room.

So was it caused by this cutiepie?

Innocent or Guilty?

Jonesy's not talking since he was in Dad's lap at the time of the "incident"

Nope - still won't tell me if his brother is innocent or guilty...

There once was a wall in my rug hooking room with five four foot shelves filled with stuff a workroom holds - things like baskets of threads, a tub of buttons, miscellaneous glues and glue pot, paints, needles, container of pins, shoe polish, rug hooking cutter heads, misc small boxes and things to be painted or whatnot, sharpies, MASON JARS, just things in general.

The above is what is left of the wall - there are fifteen of these holes in the wall now - nothing was left hanging - the entire shelf system (3 long strips bolted in the wall - 30 brackets, and 5 wooden shelves) all left throughout the room in a pile of debris - I honestly would have thought a tornado came thru the room with the way it looked!

What a mess to come home to I tell you - My husband and Jonesy were in the basement (mancave) and he thought it was "thundering"!  My rug hooking room is on the third floor.  He said Riley was asleep in the basket on the other side of the room when he came upstairs.

Now how did the whole system come down? It's only been hanging there for 15 years?   Did it have help by Hurricane Riley?  It remains a mystery for sure.  It's not like the system couldn't hold my supplies on those shelves or I had something extra heavy on there.   The top two shelves held some "collections of things".   I'm just stumped.  If it was loose you would have thought maybe a portion of it may have come down - so did a "tiger" take a leap?  My thought is he may have seen a bug or a fly or something - they jump at anything in pursuit of one.

Oh the mason jars - all shattered completely - there were about 6 or 7 of them on there I keep to fill for gifts and whatnot.  

Oh and did I mention the table with the laptop on it - about 4 feet away from these shelves was totally broken and the laptop under all the debris - thank goodness it survived -

Can you believe the hole in this tabletop - it's one of those thick hard plastic type tops on the work table - don't know how the hell it got this hole - must have been a heck of an impact - the laptop has a huge scratch but I can live with that...

Now everything is setting in whatever spot/basket/bag was available until I decide what to do with this...

I will admit I had a complete moment of a meltdown and started bawling when amongst the rubble I found a framed pic of Nicky (who passed 5 years ago) all broken up and ripped from the glass from the frame.   After I got that out of my system I keep cleaning up the glass and stuff and then just went to bed (at this point it was 1:30 a.m. in the morning - I had gotten home and found this at around 11:00)

So my next step is to decide what to do there - I'm thinking maybe some of that freestanding shelving - I know Ikea has some nice wood ones that aren't too pricey.   I would love something old and antiquey - cupboard or wardrobe but i have to be practical - I'm poor and this is where the misc. supplies are kept.  After I spackle and repaint that wall I know I am not hanging those shelves again.

Oh my - Whatever the cause of this CATastrophe I still love my Riley to pieces!  If he did it - he was just doing what comes natural to tigers...  right?

Hot In The City

The heat is the topic almost anywhere you go this past week.  High High Temperatures all over the place.  All I know is thank goodness for the air conditioner which brings relief.   I'm thinking a trip and a dip in the Ocean is needed too! 

I wanted to mention that I'm having trouble commenting on posts - been leaving posts and going through all the correct motions and then it comes back and says "blogger unable at this time" - this has been happening on and off for the past week! Grrrrrrr Hate it when I ramble on and then lose it (well maybe that's a good thing! LOL)  Anyway - I have been reading and enjoying all your posts!  Sharon - I hope you get that prize "tomato" from the the tomato patch!  Pat loved the pic of Deiter in the sink,  the pick of Tippy on your hooking was priceless too - Reggie is so handsome! I could go on! Lauren, I'm sorry about Mo but happy she has her forever home (well at least I hope it is!) and more I can't think of right now! 

I wasn't sure if I was going to make the trip to Grant Street this week but after talking to Linda and Kathy on Tuesday, I decided to go.

Riley was helping me pack my project (I keep my woolly noodles/worms and current projects in hat boxes).   Notice the treats - guess he thought if he was getting packed we weren't going without his treats!

Went out on Wednesday.   Kathy, Linda, Linda's grandson Seth, and I went to bingo that evening.  Had to giggle at Seth - he was all into "bingo" and was telling the caller to "GO" since he was ready for the next game.  He did look like a smurf by the end of the night (from the blue dauber!).  

Thursday was the hook-in.   One of the first group of visitors was 15 girls from the Brandywine Guild! Lots of shopping, energy, and fun at the shop during their visit.  Was great to see a friend of mine again and reconnect with others and meet some new ones.

A few more people showed up.  Then Sherri came and brought Caroline.  Nice to see Caroline again too - I had met her in a Cynthia Norwood workshop a few years ago.  I didn't get a picture of her rug but it was great!

Kathy at one point was doing the wool dance I think...

Nancee was working hard on her rug...

Isn't it great!

Jackie and Bonnie came later - Jackie's rug is wonderful in person - this picture doesn't do it justice...

Later Jackie and Linda were deciding on colors for the background...

Jill was taking a break and having a snack...

Can't show you Kathy's rug cause she didn't even pick up a hook or a needle all day! 

Bonnie was showing us the work she did on her leaves - looks great!

I forgot to pick up my camera (again) and get pictures of the other girls and rugs! Sorry!

Me, I didn't get much more than Kathy done - I think I pulled about 100 loops if that - Just wasn't motivated - was too buy talking and watching everyone else work!

Friday when I left Linda's it was already 98 degrees in the morning and was 103 by the time I got home! Hot hot hot!  I was stuck in road construction for about 15 minutes idling and ended up having to turn off my a/c as my car was getting "hot" - not fun!   I did manage to wring myself out when I got home and I survived! 

We are having almost a cool front at 93 degrees today!  Image that!  I really can't complain I know there are parts of the country that are suffering far worse than here in PA.

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful day - I'm about to go and pick a big red juicy tomato (Sorry Sharon!) and jalapeno for our fajitas for dinner!

"I Keep Forgettin"

Just posted below and forgot to mention a few things! Sorry!

First,THANK YOU all for your nice comments on the blog and to me personally about my rugs in my living room.  I'll try to answer a few questions since some of you I do not have emails for.

I have been hooking since the fall of 2004.  When I started I didn't stop.  I had already made three rugs before I took my first workshop.

Rarely do I get unmotivated  but this past year I have been.   Not sure why - but I think it's because I put it on myself not to make anything for myself but only rugs to sell - and I'd much rather make things and give them away than sell them - weird I know.  However with no income, I have to do what I have to do now and am really trying to find motivation!  When I was working full time I actually produced more rugs - go figure.  Oh well! (I"m getting disgusted looking for a job - but if you get me started on that subject right now it will only go downhill from there! Just having a feeling sorry for myself day)  ON the other hand, I'm still staying positive...

Those rugs in the post last week were rugs in my living room only - not all were done at the same time - I think the whale was 2007, Mouser was 2005, I can't remember the rest (Bop Bop Bop on my head  - I know Kathy, had I labeled them I would know).   The thing I find most amusing about them is they all are different styles - I call my style "Early Flea Market" - which is a mishmash of everything.

A few months ago I did show the rugs in the "pink" room which prompted something I'd rather not repeat (blogwise) so at first I wasn't sure whether to show some more rugs, but if  I am not boring you too terribly, I will pick another room and show you some more soon.

Someone asked about wools and how I treat thrift wool. I used new and "found wool" -  Whenever I buy a skirt or whatever from the thrift store I bring it home and wash it first - then cut it apart - I used to be particular and cut very carefully each seam and whatnot - not now - I cut off the waist band, if there are pockets, I cut them out - if the hem doesn't come out easily that gets cut etc.  Before you wash it examine it for any small holes which may indicate moth damage - a few here and there - the wool is still usable - so just pop it in the freezer for a week in a plastic bag and then wash.  You will be good to go.  I've never had to do this but know some people that have.   Even if you find something really ugly but good wool at the thrift - buy it - you can throw it in a dye pot!  I tend to stay away from jackets because of the interfacing unless it's a texture that's wonderful - you really do not get that much usable wool.  Pants are okay but of course you get long pieces.  I tend to buy only things marked 100% wool (keep a lighter in your purse so you can steal a few threads - run outside - test it - if you light it and it disingrates to nothing it's wool - if there is sticky residue  - chances are there is man made fibers in there) and stay away from worsted wool for sure.  Watch a lighter weave wool too - sometimes no matter how much you try to felt it it won't tighten up and then it falls apart when hooking.  Oh and some people save linings of skirts - I never have but apparently there is a lot of dye in those linings - you can use them to dye your wool with .

Hope I didn't confuse anyone.

Well my swiffer is calling me - and it's rare I answer!  Have  a good day!

Disco Inferno

I got this in an email from a couple of friends - I do believe this says it all for the weather!

Been doing laundry today and I swear before I even get the clothespin in the clothes I'm hanging out they are dry! Well at least that chore will done earlier.

Last Thursday at Grant Street I didn't take any hooking to work on but some really dark green/black wool and some black wool - I made 4 feather trees.

Here are the two black... (For Halloween)

And the two really dark green/black....

Judy at the Cinnamon Stick will be having another feather tree class for Halloween.  We will be making the black ones.  Let me just say when I took Judy the black one that she hung a Halloween ornie on it and the dark black with the orange looks wonderful and fun!  So if you are interested - contact Judy to sign up - Should be fun! 

Yesterday I met up with Kathy for some shopping, eating, and antiquing.  There is a wool shop going out of business so of course we had to check that out.  Kathy had a gift certificate to use at the fabric store also.  While we were shopping - I was only trying to help her out - Her son is getting married in October and she needs to find an outfit/dress.  Well the only requirements are it has to be black and white.  So what do you think -She could be the Disco Mother of the Groom Queen...

Add some white go go boots and a white scarf....

We even saw a sparkly purse that would match the pants and top! 

Well Kathy decided to "think on it" - I'm thinking she's going to have me run back and get it! HAHAHA!

Thanks for lunch Kathy - it was a fun day!  We have to do this more often and pick different areas.

I think I mentioned before my booboo on buying tomato plants and how we have way too many - I'm thinking this year they will all come in at once.  The smaller ones (cherry tomatoes are starting ) here is our first batch.  The larger ones are all green and will be turning any day now.  It's a chore just keeping up with watering them!  We also had some jalapenos I picked and a cherry pepper but my husband ate them before I took I picture! 

Hope everyone is staying cool!

The Waiting

The waiting is the hardest part

Every day you see one more card

You take it on faith, you take it to the heart

The waiting is the hardest part

Okay so I did decide to venture on out to Grant Street after all on Thursday.  I left a little bit later than I usually do since it seemed to take me forever to get moving and get myself together in the morning.  No matter, I wasn't holding anyone but myself up this time. 

Like I said usually I leave earlier but didn't get out of the house until almost 10:00 a.m. so I decided to stop at some of the thrift stores I see when I go but are usually not open yet.   Well the one I could have skipped - the prices they wanted I swear were more than you could buy something new - then they had an area they marked "vintage" and "antique" - what a joke - the prices were more than a high end antique shop! And they say this is a thrift store to "help people"! Oh well.  I also stopped at the Goodwill - nothing much there - it's harder and harder to find wool skirts to cut up - now I know it's off season but some of the larger ones have an area for out of season.  I only managed to find these two items for a whopping $0.97 each

A cool book on the new/remake/play, etc. of Hairspray - Besides the many bright colorful photos it's filled with all kinds of inserts - fake posters for TV shows that were seen in the movie, there are cling-on stickers, envelopes that you have to open and find something in side, postcards from the "area" and so much more - well worth the few pennies I paid for it.  I have seen the play on Broadway several times and also the movies - the original and the remake.  The Broadway show is a fun night out.

Also this County Ware plate/small serving dish? Pewter? Pewter like?

So I get to Grant Street (finally) after 1:00.   There were people in and out all day - and me - what do I do - forgot to take any pictures! Image that!  Either way it was a nice day with lots of laughs and conversations.

So I thought since I didn't have any of the great hookers of Grant Street rugs to share I would share with you a few of mine - okay most (probably all) will be a re-visit - I was asked a few months ago about the largest rug I have ever hooked to date since it seems I'm always doing smaller things right now to sell but I have hooked some large rugs - but I feel  a rug is a rug is a rug - right?

I picked the living room since that's where the big rug lays with the coffee table over it in front of the couch.  You will notice from these rugs (this is only the ones in my living room) that there is no rhyme or reason to my rugs in there - no theme, no nothing.  Actually I dislike my living room very much - hate the way it's set-up, hate the dark green walls (husband wanted them), hate my couch, I could go on.  Okay hate is too strong of a word. I do like some things in there but if I could re-design the room (structurally) it wouldn't bother me so much! LOL  So on with the show... (and just a reminder - the rugs are a little more prim looking in person - the pics tonite came out bright!)

This is the "large rug" - almost 4' x 7' - it is a pattern by Monika Jones called "Oregon Fern".  I was so obsessed hooking this rug I had it done and whipped and on the floor in under 6 weeks.  I hand dyed 99% of the wool for this rug and also took some of the hand dyed wool and marbleized some of it (something someone told me couldn't be done - never tell me that!)

This was a free pattern in Early American Life by Edyth O'Neill - Edyth's rug is done in grays and blues.  I decided to do greens.  This rug approx. 2 1/2' x 3 1/2'.  This hangs over my mantle - just hung up by nails.  This one was another one I had done in a few days.  I'm not big on hooking my name or initials and year into the rug but I did on this one.  Can you spot it - I'm sure you can - it certainly shows up on the camera better than in person!

This was a block of the month by the Woolen Willow.  I made it into a valance - those are just wool tabs hand sewn on the back...

This is called "Mouser" - It's an adaptation of an antique rug....  This is hung with a sleeve hand sewn on the back and a black rod and then hung between the star hooks

This I just have thrown on the floor in front of my wash stand - It's called "Loyal Lion" - design by Cheryl Brubaker...

This is another just thrown on the floor - took off my 4 pair of sandals thrown on top to take the picture.  This is a pattern by Searsport Rug Hooking called "Kathy's Garden"....

The next four are folk art type rugs designed by Frontier Homestead (Jill Petersen)  She no longer sells patterns much to my disappointment - Always loved hooking her patterns.  Wish I would have bought some others when she was still selling them.  I can't remember the names of these - I have these all hung on carpet tack strips. 

And last rug is on a long bench under my window (under the valance).  This was a challenge piece we did on our group AAPG - Maria Barton gave us two patterns and we created what we wanted.  One was the sheep with the cat on the back and another was a horse I believe with a rooster on the back.  I took the cat and put it to the side and then doubled it up - I needed something for this bench.  This is a favorite sleeping spot of Jonesy - over the a/c vent and under a sunbeam!

Thought I would share a pic of these cool sheep too - Wish I had it in my budget right now to buy just what I wanted!  They are old - Judy (The Cinnamon Stick)  has a few of them for sell at her store - I can't remember what she said they were made out of - but would look good with any one's vintage wool/sheep collection!

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Should I Stay or Should I Go

Bet you thought my next post would have been another Grant Street update!

Well I never ventured out last week.  I guess sometimes you just have to keep those car wheels from turning and give your car a break.  I have nearly 140,000 miles on my car and it's a 2004 - I really want a new one but not in the budget right now!  My Dad (even at my age) is always giving me grief about the mileage on my car.  Well Sherri if you are reading this - I want to introduce you to my Dad and you can tell him you have MORE miles than I do on the same age car! Hahahahaha!  Anyway, my car didn't have much of a rest and I'm thinking it will be heading out to Grant Street again tomorrow - will decide in the morning!

As I'm sure you have read here before, one of my favorite things is going to the Ocean - whatever season - I can sit - walk - sit on the beach and read - swim in the ocean - whatever is possible!

Another thing I love to do is play games so maybe that's why I enjoy going to the casino's and even playing bingo.  Maybe it stems from having an older Brother growing up that hated to play games, a Mom that thought they were a waste of time,  and a Dad who was busy but would play Chinese checkers with me on occasion, no neighbors close enough (back when I was coming up parents didn't cater to the child's schedule - but rather children did what the parents wanted)  Anyway - living in a rural area - I never really had neighbor kids to play with.  So I would play board games by myself - Yep - even Monopoly!  Cards too - Go Fish - you name it!  Always enjoyed games. 

So when you do go to the casino's they always send you incentives to go back.  You can get so much free stuff - rooms, food, etc. Early Friday afternoon I was sitting in the house and in one of my moods on what did i want to do or not do - cleaning - nah?  hooking - nah?  laundry - double nah?  So I open my email and there was reminder there was comp dollars expiring the next day and "bingo" at the casino at 8:00 that evening (it consists of 8 games - $1000 each and last game $3000).  Well after checking the traffic report (thee may have been a Phillies game) off I went - heck it's only 1 1/2 hours down with traffic good - never checking the weather!

Oh boy - I'm driving and doing okay  - which is surprising for a Friday on the Schuylkill  and then it hits - the skies opened up - complete downpours.  So I put on the KYW" which gives you traffic updates and weather every 10 minutes - Guess what - backup - flooding - they are telling you to stay off the roads - etc!  There I sit and can't turn around - I sat on the Walt Whitman bridge for over an hour - we were moving but an inch at a time.  I drive a 5-speed - ouch said my knee and leg!  Kept listening to the reports and it was flooded over on Route 42 over the bridge and traffic wasn't going anywhere either side!  Well after all that time - the water finally subsided and eventually we got thru and I got on the Atlantic City Expressway!   Oh and did I mention that it was hot and humid and muggy as all get out - and my car was "getting hot" so I had to turn off the a/c in the car and tried opening the windows but the rain was so hard! LOL Oh what I time - Only me I was thinking!

So I finally got down there 3 1/2 hours later.  Had a good time anyway - meandered around and walked and walked and played bingo at 8:00 and then walked around some more - Love to people watch down there - Played some of the penny slots and then left around 1:15 a.m.! Didn't win at bingo but came home with a few more dollars than I left!    Great driving home - what traffic was out there was moving - got home in just before 3:00 a.m.!   Again, only me!

So what do I decide to do on Sunday?  Go back down! Stayed over 2 nights  as I had more emails and incentives for free food and free room.  Had a good time - did a lot of walking, played another round of bingo at the casino on Monday, played more penny slots, hung out at the pool, relaxed, lazed around, and walked and walked and walked.  On Tuesday before I came home I drove to Ocean City, NJ with the intention of spending the day on the beach and meeting up with a friend, but there was some obstacles so ended up just walking up and down the beach for a while and then coming home.

Something I always wanted was a beach house.  My family growing up were not in any form beach people - both parents and my brother dislike the beach - so when I did get to go it was always my favorite vacation.   Maybe someday when my ship comes in I will have a house near the beach!

So that was my week - Now I need to get caught up on blogs and groups and all that!   I never take my computer with me!  

Riley and Jonesy still are goofballs - Couldn't get a good shot of Riley but here is my silly Jonesy -

"I'm not talking to you - nope I'm not - and I'm not sitting in your lap either"

"Well okay - your lap looks comfy - here I come, but I'm still not talking to you - you didn't bring me anything back from the beach"

Hope everyone has a nice week - Now to make the decision "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (that would be  Grant Street tomorrow - hahahahah with me most know the answer!)

Twin Peaks (Theme)

Remember the early 90's?  The past few days I've been "under the weather" with a bug and sitting on my butt doing absolutely nothing.  I decided to pop in the 1991-1992 TV Series Twin Peaks.  Do you remember that? It was on for two seasons it still holds up today!  I'm thoroughly enjoying it again watching it again and am almost done with the last season!  Oh the fashions - they are cracking me up and i used to dress like that in the office!   And I keep thinking as I watch it the characters should be walking around with cell phones and things - how things have changed! 

Remember "Agent Dale Cooper" always talking into his recorder to the mysterious "Diane"

And of course the whole premise of "who killed Laura Palmer"...

Crazy Nadine with the eye patch and the superhuman strength?  Bobby Briggs, Shelly and mean Leo Johnson who beat Shelly with bars of soap in a sock, Lucy and Andy, Audry Horne tying the cherry stem in her mouth,  the crazy Horne brothers, Josie and her cigar smoking, Dr. Jacoby and those blue and red glasses, Donna, James - the biker with the big heart, the one armed man, Bob, the giant, and on and on....

So if you want some eerie fun, sit back with that never ending cup of Joe (and hope a fish doesn't end up in your coffee pot) and that slice of pie and enjoy!

My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You

In actuality, Linda's shoes keep going back to visit her!  I've made the trek to Grant Street the last four weeks in a row - I do believe this a record!  So just a big old Thank You to Linda for putting me up (and putting up with me) for two nights each week and doing all you to do make me comfortable!  You are one of the best!

So as I said I went back to Grant Street this week.   Ventured out on Wednesday again so I could play bingo with the girls.  Linda was our lucky winner of the evening! Way to go!

Thursday was a busy day at the hook-in.  Margo showed up first and brought her very first and second rugs...

She spent the morning picking out wools for her next project and then cutting the wool - I'm sure when she gets back from her traveling she will have made a good dent in it!

Pat and Doris showed up and we all pulled our cameras out at once because...

Lauren and Mary came to visit! Woohoo!  It was a special day - a bunch of us bloggers got to meet each other!  Lauren's blogs is  http://rugsandpugs.blogspot.com/ and we knew in advance she would be coming out.  Her and her friend Mary were antiquing their way from Ohio thru western PA and came to visit! 

Pat and Doris and Lauren catching up...

Doris and Linda catching up...

And the blogger suspects (doesn't it look like a line-up!).  Pat (Hook, Hand & Heart), Doris (Moments In Time, me, Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) and Kathy (Rugs of Mine in time)...

Lauren brought her punch needle and a new hooking project to pick out wool for - here is Kathy and Lauren trying different wools...

Linda cutting some wool...

Lauren brought us a gift - she brought some treats for Riley and Jonesy (Oh Lauren - they thank you from the bottom of their tails!), a yummy smelling candle, and she made us spoon necklaces (she flattened a spoon and then stamped it) I'm the "Happy Hooker!"  Thank you Lauren - you are so sweet! Love it!

Diane came and went right to work on her pink pick and clover....

Oh and my secret pal left me a July 4th gift.  Okay - I absolutely love everything - some red, white and blue wool, a wire basket, a Sheetz gift card (for gas and coffee), some Reeses, and some toys for the boys (the boys thank you - they are having a ball - get it! LOL) So iffen my secret pal is reading this - thank you so much   I don't think there is a holiday you missed - Well you did miss Blah Blah Blah Day but that's okay - I'm way too spoiled by you as it is so I think you are done for the year!

Jill came and always great stories and laughs from her...

Jackie came and was transferring some patterns ...

Bonnie was reading...

Kathy actually got to sit and work on some hooking... (image that!)

Sherri was busy whipping her kitty rug...

Today I came home and stopped in the Lancaster area on the way home and did some shopping .

At the hook-in I was busy talking and visiting so didn't get much done.  I did manage to get the wool snipped and wrapped for five feather trees - so this afternoon I came home and assembled them.   I had wanted to do 8 of them but didn't have enough wool with me but then again I wasn't so motivated and my hands can only take so much.

It was a fun few days and Lauren it was so nice to meet you in person - Hope you and Mary had safe travels home!

No plans for the weekend - will just play it by ear, but I am hoping I'll be able to get to the shore for a few days soon - I just love sitting on the beach reading a book and then taking a dip in the ocean!

Wishing everyone a Happy and safe 4th of July weekend!