Thursday, December 29, 2011

When I Grow Up

And without further ado - here is some updates on the "Q" - he is 14 weeks old today!


I don't know what he's yelling at Jonesy about!


Wednesday morning nap...



Wednesday afternoon nap...


And here is the reason no hooking is getting done in my house - I keep trying but he has radar whenever I pick up my hook....


What is it with kitties and hiding in the hooking frame?



Everyone of my guys has done this...


So I'm still deciding on what name to use.  Thank you for those that have left comments with suggestions.  I did want to use "Snippets and Scraps" but there are so many with that name out there.  I liked what all you have mentioned and just can't decide...  I am thinking of Woolen Snippets since I do a lot of hit and miss rugs.  Whiskers and Snippets I like to, McRugs, oh my - I can't decide.... I'm never good on decisions. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!  Now off to clean up the trash can that Riley and the little guy Quentin just knocked over!  Kittens - gotta love them!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Help! (And another Giveaway!)

Good Evening!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all a Merry New Year and hoping all your wishes become a reality!

We had a good Christmas, uneventful.  That's usually good!   We went over to my Mom's for Christmas Day.  She and my father are both 81 and they still insist on having it at their house.  I was told what to bring (coleslaw) for the dinner.  I also made some peppermint bark and peanut butter bark and took that.   Being that everyone is older now it's usually pretty subdued.  I decided to put together some "games" to play and I also wrapped about 10 things as "prizes" - There was few re-gifted items of mine (things I knew I just wouldn't use and maybe someone else could use them) and also a few items I made (feather tree, some hooked pillows, etc.), I also bought a couple of gift cards and candy. 

We did this after dinner and everyone had a good time.  Of the prizes, if you got to pick one you could pick the person that already had one (and opened) or got get another.  So there was some laughs.   My niece Desiree won three games in a row and then her sister Jessica switched boards on the one game with her without her knowing and won another one! That would have been 4 in a row! Too funny - she won a few more later - Anyway - she ended up sharing some of her loot!

Here's some pics of the day - most didn't turn out - I don't know why my pics never turn out over there!

This would be my Mom, Dad, and Uncle in the vest.  Notice the Santa hanging on the quilt hanger behind my Dad,  that's a cross stitch afghan I did for my Mom (she collects Santas - should have counted them at her house - wait I may not be able to count that high) I made that way back in 1991! Geez that was a lonnnnnnnnnnnng time ago!


My niece Jess and her boyfriend Bryan.  Jess just graduated from Nursing school last week.  She went to college (4) years and then went out in the working world - then decided to go back to school.  Now she's looking for a nursing position.  They want to move to the west coast and is hoping some of the hospitals she applied to will call her.


This was the family pic taken by Bryan but some of the family already dispersed.  My brother went home early (he had a cold), and Bubby (Desiree's fiance) was working.


We do not exchange gifts between ourselves anymore - except to give my parents something and even though we tell them not to get us anything - they do - This year my Mom made me some "penny rug ornaments", a snowman bag, and a lap quilt for me!  If you remember back in October, my friend Kathy was celebrating her 50th birthday (woolfind blog) and she's probably still celebrating.  Well I had "commissioned" my Mom to make a lap quilt for her.  Well my Mom is always attached to her sewing machine and made three - I knew one was for Desiree and I had a feeling one was for me but wasn't sure.  (Jessica doesn't like our style! LOL)  Well here's the one I was gifted with...


So that was Christmas!

Now to the title of my post! HELP!

I need help! 

I'm been  asked if I wanted to participate in an online selling blog and I need a "name" - Joanne just doesn't sound right!  I really can't think!  Been trying to for years when I do shows and stuff.  I do not want anything cutesy or the word "heirlooms" or "stuff" or I don't know what!  So I'm putting it out there - can anyone help me think of a good name to use?

Basically the majority of what I do is primitive rug hooking - smaller rugs and mats, and of course some feather trees and what nots.

I don't know what you will get yet if I pick and use the name you come up with but it may be a small mat or a feather tree, or kit - just depends on you - maybe I'll give you a choice!  

Thanks for any help!

Have a great day

(Oh yea - Quentin - I'll be sure to get some pics of him next time - He's growing, he's purring, he's playing, he's EATING us out of house and home, he's just a love bug!)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Dominick the Donkey


Just thought I'd share - Last night a friend of mine was wearing this BIG donkey necklace (she received it from an elderly woman in a home she worked at and has since passed) so she wears it sometimes during the Christmas season. 

I said oh is that "Dominick the Donkey"  - Well she never heard of the song - so I found it on youtube and emailed it to her today.

Thought I would share it here - found a "shrek" version.  And the funniest thing is Riley, Jonesy and Quentin were here watching it and Riley and Quentin sat through the whole thing! LOL Jonesy left - guess it got on his nerves!

Have a great day

la la la...lalalalalala

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Finally...

Before I get into the reason for my post - here's a pic of Quentin taken just a little while ago for your Quentin followers...


And of course at nap time - he loves to be held (Just like Jonesy used to) while he's napping...the flash from the camera woke him up - he wasn't happy but went right back out!



Okay - my post - Finally!

I'm so happy!



Extremely happy!

Had ANOTHER eye doctor appointment today (okay the fact they didn't take me in until 1 1/4 hours after my scheduled appointment didn't make me happy)

but the fact that the doctor said my right eye is totally free of scar tissue and clear and my left eye is 95% clear!

Woohoo! And the best part is I don't have to go back for SIX WHOLE MONTHS!

After nearly 6-7 months of eye doc appointments every 10 days and then down to every three weeks - and major bucks spent on medicines - I am thrilled not to have to go back for 6 months!

And another plus - I am allowed to wear my contacts but need to use a preservative free solution!  I had just bought a supply of them right before this all happened and thought there goes $300 down the drain if I couldn't wear them!  Because I can wear my contacts I won't be putting money out for new glasses right now since I will only wear them around the house (Glasses always seem to run about $400 when all is said and done - why a necessity is so expensive is beyond me)

Anyway that's my news on this damp and dreary and drizzly day!

Hope you are all stress-free with your Holiday happenings!

Have a wonderful day!


Monday, December 19, 2011

Inside Out

I know, I know - been too long since I updated.  I understand several of you (from your emails) are missing seeing updates of little Quentin! Sorry!  I will try to do better.

The past two weeks have been hectic, have been a lot fun sometimes, have been very frustrating at times, and I do feel like I was turned inside out at times!

First Quentin update - He's doing so good - he had his second vet appointment last Tuesday.  He's extremely healthy - the vet is amazed at his progress.  His fur is growing longer but still not real long - so we aren't sure if he's going to be long haired or just as it is - either way it totally feels like you are petting velvet - he's so soft.  He can be a little devil and then a little angel.  He seems to always have a "smile" on his face and seems so happy to be here with us and Jonesy and Riley.  I have to say he puts a smile on my face with his antics and his sweetness.  When he gets tired he will crawl in your lap and just "stare" at you and if you look at him he just purrs and purrs.  They all play together now so well and Riley seems to enjoy showing him all the things he can get himself into!  I think we all forget that he still is such a little baby and only 12 1/2 weeks old! It feels like he's he lived with us forever! 

So here are some pics...

Two weeks ago it was pouring rain outside... this is what my boys were doing while I spent the day hooking...





Well I was trying to hook - sometimes I had to stop as my frame was "occupied"...




And my view of the TV was often blocked...


Quentin will crawl in a plastic bag and fall asleep - I was hooking and looked over and he got himself in my plastic bag I was putting smaller pieces of wool noodles in and feel asleep...


Last Wednesday I was getting ready to go out to Grant Street for the party/hook-in on Thursday (I stay at Linda's sometimes) and Quentin was telling me what to put in my bag I think... (I had to keep checking he wasn't in there)


Tonite I was trying to get a good picture of him but he kept looking away...


This is the best I could get - he's getting big!


But still a cutie!


So last Thursday was the "annual" Christmas Party at Grant Street after the hook-in in the afternoon.  As you can see people were actually working at times.


I totally forgot (and again like a broken record) to take many pictures thru-out the day and evening and the ones I did take - most didn't come out - I'm thinking I may need a new camera soon.  

Just know that it was a great day - lots of people - lots of fun - more laughs than you count - and so much "giving" in the form of friends and gifts!  Just overwhelming at times.   Hopefully Kathy will have better pics!

This is Barb, Nettie and Margo - I think Margo was eating some of Barb's Tiger Butter (Mmmm was that good - milk and white chocolate with peanut butter swirled in - just like fudge!)


Everyone ready for a nap after eating I believe - I tell you there was so much food you could be in a food coma for months....Driving home that night I could not stop yawning - must have been the food!


Linda and Genny...


Getting ready to play the 3 present game (You pick three presents and before you open them you can swap and steal - again lots of laughs as there are great presents and gag gifts - you weren't supposed to buy anything - just find something you have (like a re-gifted item) or something silly)


Joan totally lost it at something - can't remember what - Jill probably instigated it!


Sherri and Jill so serious!


Kathy got the "snowman" she gave last year - it's a total gag gift - she got rid of it eventually - what a hoot!


I think Linda was telling us she was ready for us to leave - she was wearing her bathrobe...


No one was going to take that gift from her - I think she was saying "It's mine - mine, mine!"


One of these days I will have to tell Kathy it was a tree skirt and not a donut costume...



The party was great so thank you Linda and Kathy for all you do to make it fun for us. I wish there wasn't as many miles between us so I could be there more often - but then again - maybe it's a good thing for you guys! 

I completely forgot to take pictures of my presents.  But we "revealed" our secret pals - Well Kathy had me and I had Kathy - too funny.  Well I have to say a huge thank you to Kathy - she totally spoiled me and the boys throughout the year (she always remembered to give a toy and treats for the boys and boy do they appreciate it - she's helping with Riley's addiction to treats! LOL)   So thank you dear friend - you went overboard thru-out the year! Love you!

For Christmas she gave me a whole bag of cool things and I know I won't remember everything - I totally already put things out and displayed them - but there were treats and toys for the boys, candy for me, a cute mason jar toothpick jar, a wooden doodad shelf, a tabletopper coverlet, some of the wool yarn i use (which Linda is now selling - Hooray! It's great for whipping rugs - all hand dyed and 100% wool and a skein goes so far), some beeswax pineapples, a prim cat and more I'm sure.

Linda and Kathy both got together and totally shocked and overwhelmed me with a rug hooking pattern I saw at the Lancaster Atha Biennial by Holly Hill Designs - Susan Quicksall - It's big and gorgeous! Can't wait to work on it!  Thank you both so much!

I also got a Santa from Beth and some bingo daubers from Nettie and who knows what else! 

It was a wonderful day and full of friendship as I said before! That's what counts!  Thank you again everyone.

I also had another tree class the other weekand while the girls were making their trees I decided to make another  sparkle tree with the sparkle wool I overdyed with red. I'm not so much a "sparkle" girl but in person this is so pretty.   Judy (The Cinnamon Stick) sold my first one so I took this one up to her (that's her and a customer between the branches) with the next one! 


Hard to believe it's almost Christmas.  No stress for me this year as no one is really getting anything!  Got a couple little things for my parents (They are 81 and it's harder and hard to think of something for them - they do not need anything and get what they need when they need it - they both still are active and have their wits about them so you have to believe them when they say they don't want anything! LOL)

I don't know what you all feel on this subject however, "Re-Gifting".  Me, I'm totally for it - If you receive something that you love but can't use, or something that's not your style, or you have two of, or just again can't use or don't have room for, or it doesn't fit, or whatever, I see no reason to pass it on to someone that you know needs it or will love it! I don't often receive anything I don't like but if there is something I can't use I keep in a tub to re-gift to the "right" person I feel will give it a good home!

Well I think I need to end this now - this little grey bundle of fur just crawled in my lap and he's nipping at my bracelets and arm - someone wants attention! Wonder who that is!

Have a great day and hang in there if you are "stressing" - Whatever will get done will get done - No one will notice what's not done - they just want your company!

Friday, December 2, 2011

You Got Lucky

Well "we" just picked the winners for the giveaway! Oh my goodness was I giggling - what a time with an 11-week old kitty!  Poor Jonesy - he wanted to play but you know how sometimes the little ones take over - well Jonesy got to "pick" one - Quentin picked the other two!  Riley was off napping - guess he's too "mature" for such antics!

Anyway - have a few pictures but I gave up trying to make the paper balls and get them together and then pic up a camera was hopeless - Quentin was in overdrive of play mode...

first they didn't know what I I was doing...


then the start of the little paper balls were spotted...


not even letting me make balls out of them...




Finally got three piles made and then did one at a time...


Quentin picked....PATIJANE....she will receive Crystal!

Jonesy picked....LAUREN (Rugs and Pugs)....she will receive Koolpop!

Since Jonesy and Quentin both had a ball in their mouth and I didn't see who picked it up first - I will give away two feather tree kits. 

Jonesy picked...Cathy (Orange Sink)
Quentin picked...Ann (A Hole in the Basket Primitives)

I so wish I could give everyone that entered something but I can't.   

So if you girls could email me your addresses I would appreciate it. 

For the girls that won the feather trees - if you need wool for your trees - let me know your pic - green or white (an off white really).

And just a note about Koolpop - Koolpop was my first "kit" - I discovered rug hooking in 2004 and signed up for this workshop but by the time I took the workshop I had three rugs done.  So it's an early one I did and first time I attempted to hook thru wool  Crystal was the the 2nd attempt (another kit) of hooking thru wool.

I will do my best to get out your package on Monday so you have time to enjoy them and/or make trees before Christmas!

Thanks for all that participated! It was fun!

Well on Wednesday right before I left to go to Chambersburg, Quentin decided to go into play mode...




He had me giggling (again) climbing and hanging by one paw off the scratching post and attacking the lobster tied on it! 

Riley was watching from on top the TV cabinet...


Eventually he had enough watching and went down and joined in the fun - let's just say the scratching post wasn't standing afterward!

Well another trip to the Hook-in at Grant Street Woolworks didn't disappoint.   When I got there Kathy was already working away.  Lots of great rugs were being worked on thru-out the day (didn't get pics - sorry!)

Of course a day at Grant St isn't the same without the silliness...

Linda had a package from the secret pal cauldron...

This person decided she needed some holiday cheer...


Well what's a girl to do but model them!


No words - this "view" is priceless.  I think Kathy is "saying" it all!


I believe she even got a dollar tucked in them!

I didn't bring hooking but brought the supplies to make some more feather trees.  I also stopped at the Hobby Lobby before I went to the Hook-in to buy some more supplies.  Good thing I did  because Nancee and Nancy decided they wanted to make one. 
I made 5 of them - In front of the girls is my red sparkle tree - Didn't think I would like this but I absolutely love it! So pretty in person.


Kathy was hard at work on her Harvest Rug ...,


Well there you have it - the winners - the boys are still downstairs rumbling around!


Have a great weekend!