Grant Street Woolworks Has Gone to the Dogs!

Good Morning and Happy Spring!

Crazy weather for this time of year but in no way will I complain!

Wednesday afternoon I ventured out to Grant Street to be there for Thursday's Hook-In.  Linda and Kathy were getting things together for the Woolwrights Hook-in show Linda was vending at on Saturday so I sat there and worked on my projects.  I was making more eggs and bunnies!

Thursday was the hook-in and my goodness - I do believe they almost ran out of chairs there was such a good turnout.  Besides all the beautiful rugs being hooked there was a secret amongst us all but one!

Diane has had a series of losses in a short time among them the loss of her beloved Bichon F. Beau.   Well Linda and Rick decided to buy her a puppy as she was looking for one in a few months.  So the girls at Grant Street being the girls at Grant Street decided to throw Diane a "Puppy Shower" and present her with a new puppy (a total surprise).

Diane, Nancy and Barb all went out to grab some dinner so the place was transformed into "It's a Boy" decorations!   Rick and Margo went to pick up the puppy and my goodness - this pup was a total chick magnet!  All 20 plus people took turns holding him as we waiting for the girls to get back!  Being only 6 or 8 weeks old I was surprised how easy going he was -  not scared at all and he shared kisses with all! 

They FINALLY got back from dinner and of course Diane was totally surprised!  It was so nice to see how touched she was. 

Below are a few pics from the day (of course nothing of the hooking going on LOL - all about the pup!)  Warning - cuteness ahead!

I saw Diane at the hook-in yesterday and she said Cooper (her granddaughter named him) is such a good pup - sleeps thru the night and her husband is also taken with him!

Even with all the excitement I did manage to get some items finished off for the Primitive Handmades Mercantile update on Friday.  Be sure to get over there and check it out - there is some awesome items by those talented ladies!

Of course I never would have gotten them hooked if it wasn't for Quentin helping me cutting wool!  (He's totally fascinated everytime I use my Townsend cutter - guess he likes the strips of wool falling on his head!

Yesterday I was at the Woolwrights Hook-in in Lancaster, PA.  Wow just such a lot of hookers in one space.   Linda vended so it was great to see people at her booth shopping and finding out about the wool shop that didn't know there was one in Chambersburg  I'm betting she's going to have to expand a bit on Thursday and get more chairs - lots of people will probably be showing up for the hook-ins and to shop!  Her and Kathy did a wonderful job getting ready for the show and Linda had a wonderful selection to choose from!  I didn't get any pictures since my camera only works now and then lately it seems! 

I did find these pics on the web of the Woolwrights website of the day - as you will see there was a whole lot going on everywhere!

Well it's not as sunny as yesterday but it's not stopping the boys from talking to the birdies outside (and yes I did take my beast (the sewing machine) off that table and push it in front of the window for clumsy Quentin to get up there to sit and look outside - he just can't keep his butt in the window sill being such a klutz! Oh but he's not spoiled at all!)

Wishing you a happy day!

What's a Whatnot?

I feel I have totally wasted this past week.   This cold has knocked me through a loop and I did absolutely nothing!  I hate weeks like that.   I just layed on the daybed with my remote, my box of tissues and my bottle of cough suppressant (didn't do what it promised! LOL).

Anyway enough of that - I did manage to get my Whatnot's rug whipped and finished.  Right now I have it laying in the living room in front of the TV cabinet.  Not sure where it will eventually end up.  I tried my darndnest to make it look older and not "new" looking...  It measures approx. 18" x 36"

Quentin's been up to his usual kitten self.  He's not even 6 months old and getting so big - his tail is long and his paws are large!  And my little "baby" is losing his kitten look to him - Look at his mug taken this afternoon while he was chirping at the birdies...  Getting to be such a big boy!

His new thing besides taking things out of the trash can and playing with them (mostly empty treat bags or paper) is playing with bottle caps.  You will find them out of the recycling and all over the house at any given time.  He cracks me up - I'm calling him the "hoarder" - Maybe it's from watching too many episodes of that show with my husband and he's thinking that's the way to be!

Here's a pic of this afternoon treat time so you can how big he's getting!  (And yes that would be the empty treat bag he took out of the trash - and the dollar was taken from my purse - I'm telling you - he's a pickpocket too...)

Well i'm hoping this upcoming week to finally pick up my hook and hopefully I will be able to get myself out to Grant Street for some much needed fun!  I also need to start thinking of doing my taxes - Oh joy what fun....

Well better go.... Jonesy wants dinner ... and is being very verbal about it!

Have a great week!

It's True - Bunnies Do Multipy!

Well first I'm going say - I'm now giving up on my 'song title' posts - for well over a year all my titles have been song titles.  It's getting too hard to think of/find ones - I may throw one in here and there but oh well...

And second, caution, I may whine in this post - This past week I have come down with a nasty cold and I'm feeling totally miserable and at the point that even though I feel I could, I'm tired of sleeping and totally tired of coughing when I  try to sleep, when I try to sit up, and when I try to move and breath... okay enough whining!

Been busy making more (which is why I've been ignoring posting on my group and reading blogs but hope to get caught up!) Springy/Eastery things this past week for the Cinnamon Stick (Spice Cupboard Blog) as Judy has sold most of the items I took her last week and Wednesday,  and today I drug myself up there with some more peeps and another bunny that I hadn't finished in time to take her on Wednesday and found out  she sold all my bunnies.  When I feel up to pulling out my linen I will start hooking more bunnies (I hope that's tomorrow!)  Anyway here is a few pics of the items I've been making

A brown and a beige bunny - the beige bunny was given a pretty ribbon by Judy...

More peeps and a beige bunny - Again the peeps and bunny were given pretty ribbons which really finish off their look!

My blue eyed bunny - you can't tell but his arm is separate and connected to the body with a button.  This pic is before he got his cottontail and ribbon!

A flower and peep pillow...

A little peep mat...

On Monday I was having a perfectly awful day and the postman brought me a package from my friend Sharon (Moosecraft USA blog) - She sent me a whole treasure trove for my birthday month.  Sorry about the pic but I got my camera working (but not well...)

She sent a ton of wool, a ton of wool yarn, a quilt snipper scissors, a redware plate and holder, a primitive cat, a beautiful cross stitched piece she did, I just love everything! Thank you Sharon (Again these pics do not do her handwork justice!) Sharon is the sweetest!

On Tuesday it was Jonesy's 3rd Birthday!   I am so thankful that three years ago this June something made me go to the SPCA that day and bring him home - I wasn't on the hunt for another kitty but something made my car turn that way (out of my way too) that day and the moment I saw him I knew he was in my heart!  He turned three and he's just the sweetest and bestest kitty who stole both my husband's and my heart! 

Thursday morning I couldn't understand why my legs would not move when I tried to get out of bed - well it was a rainy sort of day and guess what was holding me down....

Yep I was under this pile of fur somewhere - truly I could not move - I managed to pull my legs out and ran and got my camera - Jonesy never stays put once I'm up but he was in that pile laying down too - Riley and Quentin stayed there for a bit after I got up but then later they were on the prowl for treats...

Isn't Quentin getting big! He's the same size as Jonesy now but Jonesy's just a little stockier!  I do think he and Riley are having a contest on who has the softest fur though.  So far Riley is still winning but man, Quentin feels like velvet to the touch also!   I will say these boys are the smile in my days and with me being sick the past few days - Riley has been staying close to me even when my coughing shakes the bed!  What a guy!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend - Today it was nearly 60 degrees and it's March! I'm not complaining about that!  Hope it stays like this!

Sleeping Bunnies

Well my camera took a vacation I think - can't get it to take any photos anymore.  Will have to see what I can do with it since a new one isn't in the cards. 

I've been hooking and finishing this week - I actually kept myself home and off the roads for a change!  I got a few things done and Judy from the Cinnamon Stick was kind enough to take pics of my hooked pieces and send them to me!  Thank you Judy!

I decided to try my hand at making some more pillows but this time in the shape of the animal.  Not the easiest thing for me to do with the nerve damage in my hands (long story - misdiagnosed with carpal tunnel for over 10 years and when they did correctly diagnose my problem the nerve damage already occurred - so moral of my tale is just know if you have problems and tell them you do handwork and work in an office - don't let them tell you it's just carpal tunnel!)  but I muddled through and I have to say I at times enjoyed it (and at times cursed it!)  Would sew a few stitches and put it down and then after a few minutes do a few more. Took much longer than most people but I got it done!  There was a time you would always find a needle in my hand!

So anyway - these are my latest projects which have gone to live at the Cinnamon Stick...

My sheep (just like the mat i did a few weeks ago...)

My bunny...(based on a freebie doodle from Robin L.  of Bird in Hand Primitives... 

Chocolate Bunny (Again freebie doodle of Robins...)

Chocolate bunny mat...

Chicks on a Stick?  Peeps on a Pole?

I have more in the works - more peeps and peep mat, and a request to make more little bunnies!

Quentin is still growing, still being so playful and so helpful (oh especially with my thread).  Yesterday we were having "blizzard looking" conditions outside (snow quickly melted however) and he wore himself out chasing snowflakes again the glass - it was quite comical to watch!

Jonesy has been catching up on his sun bathing when brother Quentin leaves him alone.  His spot is on the bench on a top of my sheep hooked rug runner - he just loves it!

Riley is busy napping, eating treats, and still showing Quentin the ropes - he's still determined to get Quentin up in the ceiling in the basement! 

Hope every has a wonderful week.

Move It On Over

Wow I didn't realize I haven't posted in so long!  Hard to believe it's nearing the end of February rather than the beginning!

Well this month I managed to turn another year older (and don't you know it that darn AARP is still sending me info - don't they understand that 51 is really 31 and I'm not ready for their stuff!).  I was, however, walking thru a store the other day, and they said "Join the 50+ Plus" club - on Tuesdays you get 10% off your total order.  Okay - anything to save a buck I will do - but I still say it's hard to believe it applies to me.   It's just a number but I just am not feeling that its possible!

Last Friday we had the 2nd update for the Primitive Homemade Mercantile.  If you have a moment, click on the picture on the right side of the blog and check out everyone's wares.  You won't be disappointed!

I did a few items for the update and also some "smalls" for the Cinnamon Stick in Hereford (Spice Cupboard Blog). 

Here's some pics of some of the items that went to one or the other- not everything got pictured: 

(this sheep I backed with a cream/black ticking and made it into a pillow)

(These are backed with cotton prints and made into pillows)

So when I can I hook (as you can see I have a very cute obstacle!)...

I managed to get a few of the above rugs done!  Mr. Q has become quite the helper - if he's not helping with my hooking, he literally rides the "Swiffer" when I try to clean the floor, if I have a duster out - he steals it and runs off with it (now to only get him to clean with it!); if i'm hanging laundry on the drying rack he plays on the rack like a jungle gym, any piece of paper in the house is still not safe from his clutches, neither is a "cap" to a soda or a bottle of water - the second you set it down he's off with it.  Let's just say he puts in a very busy day - he rarely will nap unless you are sitting somewhere near!  Oh and he can often be found bothering his brothers and "wrasslin" with them.  I am so happy they all get along and have fun with each other - they are quite the characters to watch! 

It's hard to believe how big he's gotten and he's still got some growing to do!

Tomorrow my little "baby" will be 5 months old already! Can you believe it!

Oh I did manage to pull the last loop on my antique adaptation rug we are doing thru my group AAPG on Sunday night - Still have to "whip" it (finish the edges) and not sure what color wool I will use - gold? dark brown?  Haven't decided if I want the "framed" look using the gold or a dark brown to just blend in. 

Nothing much has been going on around here - but I will say the weather has been wonderfully mild and hope it continues - I can handle winters like this!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

You Got a Friend

It's February!  Image that - weren't we all just preparing for Christmas!

One thing that has been so nice is the mild weather we have been experiencing on and off.  As long as the white stuff stays away, I'll be happy - we had it a few weeks ago - now that's enough!

It was a week of getting some chores done, grocery shopping, and even some hooking.  I decided to start working on the antique adaptation of the What Not rug our group is doing and have now put it away for a bit to work on some smaller items to sell.  I didn't get very far and am trying to stay to the original and there are some elements I wish to change...

original...

my start...

I decided to venture out to Grant Street this week.  I went out on Wednesday and on Thursday was the hook-in.  ONCE AGAIN, i totally forgot to pick up my camera - let's just say there was some great rugs being worked on.  I believe Kathy got pictures.  At one time, I think there wasn't an empty seat in the house which was nice to see - plus it just inspires each other!  One thing I will say, I think I am starting to get a complex - seems Sherri and Joan only show up on the weeks I don't - hmmm what's up with that! LOL

I have to say, I have the best and most generous friends that I have met thru rughooking!    Really really really soon I will be celebrating another year older and I was totally spoiled with packages at the hook-in (along with a chocolate cake - yum!)

We have "secret pals" that we gift things to during the year.

My secret pal left me this - not sure who it is and if she reads blogs or not but if she does - Thank you! Love everything!

I got a tin heart filled with candy and some red beeswax candles and a birthday and Valentine card!  Thank you!

Kathy gifted me with this great footed wood crate/box and filled it with wool! She hand dyed some and some pieces of as-is - Oh my - just beautiful! Told her I would come home and roll around in it! I didn't but Jonesy and Quentin did!  Oh and she put my favorites Reeces PB cups in there!  I won't tell you if any or missing from the package or not!  THANK YOU KATHY !

And if that wasn't enough - Linda gifted me with a yard of the new red wool (fav color of course), a Lang mug - isn't he cute - the name on the mug is "Piglet Smith" - he reminds me of my Nicky who passed about 6 years ago now (wow hard to believe!), and a subway giftcard!  THANK YOU LINDA!

Well the boys still like to be close while I'm hooking...

Quentin often takes up residence in my basket...

Or he snuggles with Riley...

Yep with Riley again - poor Riley - I'm thinking he wants a good nap alone now and then - right now he's in the basket on top of the cobbler's rack - a place the little guy can't get to him...yet

Quentin went for his 3rd set of shots today and has been declared healthy.  Right now he's zonked - guess the shots really did him in, i even crinkled paper and he didn't come running for it!  In a few weeks he will be going back to the vet for his "man operation!"

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend!

Witchy Woman

Okay it's not Halloween or anywhere near October (But I wonder if Kathy is still celebrating her birthday! Oh wait - we won't go there....) Anyway - I had a woman ask me if she gave me her pattern pattern, could I hook it for her.  She was in no rush since it after Halloween and I told her I would get to it after the first of the year since I was working on things for the Folk Art Sale.

So in between Quentin's helping me hook...

I finished it...

Certainly not my normal color pallet but I did have that "green" wool that was an accident in the dye pots a long time ago - Glad I didn't over dye it now - worked for the witch.

The pattern is by The Country Cupboard and called Witchey Treats.

I took a bunch of rugs to whip at work today but only finished the above (since i used two wool yarns to whip with took much longer) and 1/2 of another one!  I even brought a book - There were too many people in the shop today looking around and wanting to talk!

Well I better go see if I can find a seat yet...