Goodnight Irene

Warning:   This is a "I'm feeling sorry for myself post" and "I'm not happy"!  And no pictures!

Okay - i don't believe you can live in the States and not have heard about Hurricane Irene.  I had to turn the TV off yesterday - every channel was covering it - yes it was major news but watching it scares you to pieces!  My husband was being dramatic and silly about the news saying things like "We are all gonna die!"  Yes to us the news seems that dramatic at times.

I'm so happy that in some areas it wasn't as powerful as predicted but it still did some damages to a lot of places, there were still some that lost their lives, and  lots lost possessions and homes from water damage and whatnot - I am sad for them.

We fared pretty well - it was really windy and rainy and our surrounding roads were closed this morning and this afternoon due to flooding but where we are our basement stayed dry.  And we didn't have any of the predicted tornado's touch down near us either (thank goodness!)  We did lose our power today for about 7-8 hours (A call to PECO to check status said we may be without power for 1-2 weeks! Can you image!)

Anyway - I know I am very lucky to have my family and friends safe after the storm, but I'm still going to vent!

Yesterday afternoon my "Internet" went out.  First I thought it was from the winds.  Nope - the wireless router was working, my husband was able to get online with his laptop and desktop - so after trying everything I know of to "fix it" - nothing worked (Okay I know some things but not in depth!)  So I worked on it on and off all day and night yesterday with no luck.

Got up this morning and still couldn't get it to connect - Oh joy.  Well then we lost power for the next 7-8 hours until about 4:00  - Kinda eerie - The only sounds were the wind and rain - there wasn't much light because of the weather so what do you? My husband slept - Me, I was going to hook but it was way too dark in the hooking room, so  i read a book as close to the slider in the living room as  I could.  It's funny how we depend on our electric - I thought I would make another cup of coffee - nope can't do; then I thought I would make BLT's for lunch - yep can't do that either.  Every room i walked in (even knowing) the electric was out I kept switching on light switches (duh!) and we have three bathrooms - but not one with a window - so that was dark too! Oh my!  Anyway - once the electric came on I went back to work on my computer.  Still nothing- then I ran the virus check - found out there were two "threats"  got that cleaned off - still couldn't get online - then all of sudden my computer locked me out and I couldn't even get in - It has the password thing to sign on (never wanted that anyway) but kept saying my password was incorrect - no it wasn't - after 18 times of trying, I I pull out the booklets and call the computer place.

Okay - finally get a gentlemen (from another country that starts with an "I" - and I'm sure I was in another country - and NOPE, asking for an English speaking person like that email tells you doesn't work), we get down to business.   Won't bore you with the details cause I wouldn't be able to tell you what I did - but nearly 2 hours later my computer has now been re-set back to original settings and it works - and that was at 9:00 p.m.  At least the third gentlemen I spoke with for the majority of the time spoke English pretty clear (unlike what I was hearing in the background) so that made it easier for me - especially since computer lingo is foreign enough for me.

Okay this translates to I LOST EVERYTHING - all my pictures, all my files, etc.  I have to start from scratch - the only thing I installed so far was my online service!  I still have to install my Kodak thing so I can download pics, and a few others things - Just don't have it in me to do that tonight.   Of course I don't back anything up so it's my own fault, right?   Thank goodness I have the blog to re-capture some of the pics - I always keep pics of my rugs for ideas (all gone) and of course my boys (all gone!). 

So I won't cry over spilt milk but just move one. It's gone and now I vented!

Hope everyone had a SAFE and dry weekend - now to catch up on emails and blog posts!

Just Because

I have to tell you about a wonderful person that lives in Washington state.

It all started last year when I hosted a give-a-way on my blog to win an antique adaptation rug (you can read about it here).

Well my boys Jonesy and Riley picked the winner.  I must say these boys knew what they were doing when they picked Julie!  (You can read her blog here). 

Julie has now become a "forever friend" even though we have never met in person.  I can't tell you how supportive, friendly, fun, TALENTED, and more she is!   She is definitely a person you want in your life!   I can tell thru her emails she's always there with a smile even when things are bringing her down in her life.  I am so happy to have "met" here!

Which brings me to this.

I received a box in the mail on Saturday.  I was out all day and forgot my husband told me I had a package so it wasn't until Sunday when I found it and opened it!

Julie sent me the most wonderful gift made by her own hands.  The gift is great but the thought behind it is what is so special.  Basically, "just because".  You see she read on blogs recently about the "Pay It Forward"  where you would send gifts to others that signed up.  Well she liked this idea but decided to do her own thing rather than sending randomly to signer-uppers!  She chose me as one of her recipients!  I can't tell you how special it made me feel to receive a gift "just because"!  Along with the sweet letter she sent me she made me two stump dolls and a strawberry - she had asked me my favorite color - "red" - and of course from past posts she knew I liked ticking!

Aren't they wonderful...

I have a tree that is always up in my dining room where I will hang the strawberry and the dolls (after I clean and dust) I will be displaying them on an old child's barnwood rocker with a penny rug.  Wish you could see these in person - her handiwork is perfect!  As I told you before, I have no other words than Thank you for being you Julie! 

I am glad I started a blog - sometimes I think why do I even bother to blog - i have nothing to say, and then I sit back and remember I have met some wonderful people in blogland - which outweighs the negativeness of some others I have known. Also, that meeting these "kindred spirits" thru the blogs and then actually getting to meet some in person is what makes it special! So I'm sure Julie and I will met some day even though she's way on the west coast and I'm at the other end on the East!

Been busy this week - Monday I had to get my car inspected so I dropped it off in the morning and walked to my parents (they live about 1/2 mile from the car place) Decided to spend the morning there waiting for my car so I took some thing to work on - I finally got the backs stitched on these pumpkins - I used a wool that had gotten to thick from overdyeing on the back and just hand stitched that on and stuffed.



I also finished a special order pillow - a sheep - so stitched the back on that and stuffed too - forgot to snap a picture!

Tuesday I went out to 'shop' with Judy of the Cinnamon Stick.  It was fun watching her buy for her shop - she got a lot of fall and Halloween goodies for sure!  While we were having lunch our ice teas and table began to shake and vibrate!  We thought it was someone working across the street on the construction site but nope - it was the "earthquake" that hit Washington, DC/VA area! Wow all the to PA and beyond!  Never felt an earthquake before - weird for sure.   My husband said his desk "swirled" at work and when I got home those wire cubes on the one wall I just put up were about 4-5 inches away from the wall.  Not saying that was it but they were against the wall when I left.  I wonder how the "boys" fared - they say animals sense these things!

Wednesday I went out shopping for some wool - heard about a store that had some cheap - I need wool to hook-thru to make more pillows - I use wool that's not "tight" enough fro hooking and have used up my supply - I used to have more but gave most of it away (kick, kick, kick) but that's okay - I found 3 1/2 yards of a beautiful wool at the Care & Share and also this store that carries wool (Mostly for clothing - not suitable for hooking) i did find some that I can overdye and use.  So now I have 6 yards to play with - should keep me for a day or so -just teasing!

I finished these  mats....

And today they went to live at the Cinnamon Stick - hopefully not for long - hopefully they will find their "forever home" with someone! LOL!

So that was my week - Now they say we have to "batten down the hatches" for Hurricane Irene".  Not sure what we are to expect - they are saying some flooding, maybe losing power, high winds - all a waiting game but it's supposed to be so much worse of course in the coastal areas - so much so they have already had mandatory evacuations in the shore towns and even the casinos in Atlantic City have closed! Wow! Don't think that ever happened before!

Wishing everyone a safe and dry weekend!

I Put a Spell on You

It's still hot and humid outside but I noticed so many people's thoughts are turning to fall.

 I've been hooking up fall items for the Cinnamon Stick and plum forgot to take pictures before I took them over last week - so when I went on Saturday I took some some pics.

All these items are hooked directly through wool and made into little pillows...

I also hooked two tree skirts for the black feather trees...

On Saturday we had a "Black Wool Feather Tree Workshop" so the girls could make a primitive Halloween tree!  Lots of fun and laughs and I have to say these girls did great.  They were done in no time!

Amy was our "show-off" - She was done first!

Gerry second...

Josie 3rd...

Michelle 4th...

Kim 5th....

and Stacey last but not least...

Judy took over and generously gave the girls full run of the studio and had them create three witches shoes, rosettes, and cones - oh my there was glitter and paper flying everywhere and a whole lot of "punching" going on...

Wish I would have remembered to take pics of the little ornies they made for their trees - the only one I did was Kim -she made this little cone and somehow wired her glittered spider in so when you pull the string the spider comes up! So cool - everyone's items were so imaginative and cool!

I still haven't gotten to finish whipping and stitching the rest of my items I had finished hooking but hope to.  get to that this week.  Have to get the car inspected tomorrow - hoping it doesn't need anything!  And really really hoping to go to Grant Street on Thursday or else will be in withdrawal since it's been a few weeks!

My next blog post I will share with you pictures of an awesome gift I received out of the blue from a special friend ! 

Have a great week!

Suprise Suprise

What a week!  Been hooking and hooking and just getting things done and then yesterday get knocked on off my feet (almost literally) - was hardly able to walk and sit up and when I was my head was hanging over the commode! Not pleasant!  And I had so many plans of things to get done yesterday and it certainly wasn't sleeping almost round the clock!  Got up this morning feeling a bit better and  human again by noon!

So off I went to deliver some of my rug hooking items to take to the Cinnamon Stick to sell - and darn it - I forgot to take pictures - but hopefully will remember my camera on Saturday (I'll be showing people how to make a feather tree in Judy's "Attic Studio" that day and we will be making a black one for Halloween - looks oh so cool with decorations on it. 

When I got home - what a surprise there was in my mailbox!

On our online group, AAPG, we just had a 3rd Anniversary Swap and Kelley had my name.  Well as many of you know who have been the recipient of one of Kelley's packages, she never disappoints.  Boy oh Boy did she spoil me!  Wow!

A beautiful antique looking punch needle of these two kitties (Looks like my Riley and Jonesy!)

Another beautiful piece - "Best Friends" Cross Stitch pillow

(Oh we aren't done yet!)

This awesome sunflower and kitty punch needle...

Still more.... A ton of wool - Kelley's new book "And More Cats" (I know I will be hooking up some of these!), and some pipe cleaners to make kitty toys!

Riley promptly walked off with the pack of pipe cleaners and placed them down near his treats he threw down off the armoire!  Guess I'm not fast enough!

So thank you Kelley - I absolutely love everything! 

With all my rug hooking this past week I finally finished watching The Monkees.  Now I've moved on to some movies and my husband found and downloaded the Petticoat Junction Season 1 for me- he just has to "burn it" to a DVD for me.  So that will be my next background to my hooking sprees!

I do have a bunch of items on linen that have to be finished off and hope to get to that tomorrow and hopefully will remember to take pictures this time!

Have a wonderful day!

Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)

Yeah - the weekend is here!  

The weather has been beautiful the last few days - finally makes you want to be outside and not cooped up trying to stay cool inside!

Riley is still "jonsing" for his treats...(he made sure I had a stash of them to take upstairs)

Jonesy still is playing (obviously he doesn't know his own strength!)

Me, I went to "learn the ropes" at the antique co-op today and will work there next week too and then who knows - it may be weekly or it may be just to fill in - all up in the air right now (I guess I just don't ask the right questions) but that's me - I tend to go with the flow - whatever will be will be.

For you rug hookers out there - not sure if you are looking for any back issues of the Wool Street Journal, but I just listed a bunch of them on EBay.  Haven't listed on eBay in ages so thought I would give it a try!  Seems they are always changing things around!

Tomorrow I hope to pick up my hook again!

Wishing you a great weekend!

She Hangs Out

1967

2011

Yes, I'm still watching The Monkees - Still on the second season and enjoying the fun.   Funny they are touring right now and they came to the Borgata (Atlantic City) in June but sold out immediately - My husband and I were thinking of going!

Anyway - just some random happenings of the week...

Remember the crash in the hooking room a few weeks ago - well I had this photograph of Riley in one of the baskets (When I got layed off of work, brought some of my photo's home I had around my office - this was one of them - Riley now at age 5 and when he was about 4 or 5 months old - in the same basket -now he just fits in it!  What a cutie (well i think he is!)

Oh and back to the "crash" - If my husband didn't tell me that Jonesy was in his lap I would almost think maybe it was Jonesy that helped with the crash!  This was last night around 2:00 a.m. I looked over (was up late whipping rugs) and saw this little dude up in the cubes! Oh my - And to think my husband thinks this "angel" does no wrong!

Of course he is a sweetie - this was after I pulled him down out of the cube!



Finished whipping, steaming and labeling some more rugs....

Oh and Riley - still ADDICTED to treats - I'm not kidding - it's getting worse - this was last night - he kept throwing these on my feet and would not stop

This is tonite - i keep the treats in this basket - notice he's going in...

Now he's sitting in the basket tossing the treats - he didn't stop until they were out and down on the floor!

He's getting worse and if you ignore him and don't give him any - anything in the vicinity gets thrown around by him - again NOT KIDDING - he's getting extreme and demanding over these!  Still cracks me up though as I could put any other type of food that's not cat food on the floor and the boy will not touch it! 

Oh well!

Hoping to keep up the motivation and start working on some other items - I am doing my best trying to keep the room clean in between burst of creativity - so that takes some time.  Have some things to take care of the next few days but hoping to get a hook in my hand again by Saturday!

Have a good day!

What Am I Doing Hanging' Round

Taking a break right now - that's what I'm doing!

Finally got some motivation and have actually been hooking! Can you believe it! 

I haven't been in the mood to hook for so long but had to "create" something for my swap partner for our online group, AAPG.  I got Betty (http://primitivebettys.blogspot.com/) - She is such a talented lady - so I was a little intimidated on what to make for her!  I know she likes sheep and kitties and one of our "requirements" of the swap was to make something with a Sunflower.  We were supposed to make "bowl fillers" - so this is what I made Betty....

So for the past few days all I've been doing is hooking, stitching and whipping!  

I put on the boob tube and decided to watch our DVD's of  ...

Remember them?  Oh my I believe they are the hippie version of the 3 Stooges.  The TV series was on in 1966-1968,  It's been fun watching it - I'm on Season 2 and right now Davy is singing Daydream Believer.  Micky was always my favorite - either way - silly fun for sure and great background to hook by.   Last night I saw an episode with Bobby Sherman in it as a teen heartthrob! Too funny - so that got me to thinking - Remember the show "Here Comes the Brides"?  I asked my husband if he can download that series for me and also asked him if he could find Petticoat Junction!  Maybe they won't be as good as I remember but will be fun to watch.  Anyway - back to hooking....

I hooked these 5 pillows on wool and got them sewn and stuffed...

I have 5 rugs ready to go to the Museum - just got done sewing on the labels - and have hooked about 5 or 6 more rugs that I need to whip now - already labeled them.  Will show you pics after they are whipped.

Hoping to keep this up but I'm not making any promises! I know me! LOL  Just felt good to actually get something done. Maybe it was the room re-do and having things at hand but knowing where things were - Its a bit messy again but I am trying to put away things as I get them out!

Oh man Jonesy, I told you to stay out of Mom's stuff, you got threads on your head and wool dust on  your back! Yuk! 

Still thinking on a give-away!  Haven't come up with anything yet!

After a few conversations the past few weeks with a couple of friends and knowing some people that thrive on making drama, this is so true and words to remember (it's the last half of an email that was going around - first half doesn't matter so much!) Take care and have a good week!

The moral of the story is . . . being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life.

So be yourself and enjoy life.  Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and

you'll be a lot happier and live longer!

Have a nice day!

Midnight Ride

I can honestly say the hooking room is still looking pretty good! I've been doing pretty good about keeping up with putting away what I get out - but we shall see how long this will last.

Riley is enjoying spending a lot of time in the basket atop the TV Armoire - he loves looking down at everybody.

Pretty much a quiet week spent mostly at home doing chores or out doing the necessities of life like grocery shopping, etc.

Thursday I decided, for sure when I got up in the morning, to venture out to Grant Street for the day.  What the heck right!  It's always a great place to hang with good friends and have a day of laughs and actually getting stuff done.   I decided to bring "whipping" to work on.  Linda always accuses me of using her store as the "whipping post" but I do hook there sometimes - it's just easier to drag the whipping along than everything that goes with hooking.  An really, I do hook sometimes - the cats don't do it for me!  

I didn't get pics of any one's projects really because I was actually working so I'll just tell you little tidbits of the day.

Joan and Linda admiring Joan's beautiful blue wool she dyed.  Shes' the queen of dyeing for sure - always beautiful!  Joan finished another large rug and darn it I forgot to take a pic - I know Kathy did though (She was standing on a chair to get a good view of it!)

Doris made the trip and brought her current rug - I didn't get a picture of that either - Very nice - it was an Adam and Eve rug (Edyth O'Neill's version I believe) It did have a snake on it which I didn't like (hate those critters) but of course what's an Adam and Eve rug without a snake! LOL

Kathy, Kathy, Kathy - what can say about her - She didn't pick up a hook at all last time I was out but yesterday - she was working away - Of course we allowed her to stop working to have a bite of lunch - after that it was "workie, workie" again!

She's making little pillow and mats for her upcoming shows - they are all just wonderful!

Linda and Nancee were hard at work most of the day.  If Linda wasn't hooking she was across the room cutting up - oh that would be wool of course!

Pics aren't in any particular order but later that evening in comes Jackie and Bonnie - Always love seeing and hearing about these two friends adventures!  

Sherri came later too and I don't think she was feeling like working - so she was busy making big decisions on which wool to buy!  That's always fun!

Me, like I said, I actually worked - image that!  I got these 5 mats whipped - I also started another one but at that point, my hands had had it!

Always amazes me at how fast the day goes.   Before you know it, it was almost 11:00 p.m.  I originally had planned to stay over but then decided to go home because of something I thought I had to do today - turns out it wasn't necessary so I could have stayed.  Oh well - at least driving home at midnight the traffic is a lot lighter and the night is cooler with the windows and sunroof open!

This week I also went to visit with Judy at the Cinnamon Stick (http://thespicecupboard.blogspot.com/).  I took her some handids - she generously buys some of my handids to sell in her shop!  Anyway - I so love looking around her store - there is always something new and something I want (I need a paycheck! Wahhhhhhhhh!_   Her prices are so good too

Love this agate pitcher (I have several pitchers but not this color) - 

How sweet and prim is this doll and of course this little bench has TICKING on it! LOL

And this sweet little shoe - only one but I picked up and my mind went to what little girl wore this and how many little girls and what their lives were like! How such a tiny foot "wore" the side of the shoe a bit! So sweet!

Well some of those rugs I just hooked and some others I haven't shown yet have been sold already so I really need to get off this computer and get making labels and finishing the whipping!

Now if I can only get Riley to stop using my fabric container where I keep rubs for sale as a bathtub.... He gets so excited when I pull it out from under the bed to put some rugs in or take some out - he jumps in and won't get out - falls asleep in it - Must be something with the wool and softness of the rugs - silly tiger!

I do want to also say that this is my 300th post! Geez I can ramble can't I.  I had wanted to do a give-a-way for this post but it didn't work out.  I wanted to come up with something fun like my last give-a-way (Remember Guess What IT is? The one that stumped all of you!) Anyway I will think of something and hopefully my next post will have details!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!