Facebook made me do it!

Hello friends! It's been so long since I have blogged & life has kept me busy...and yes, I have been enjoying facebook. I'm hoping this is the start of my return. I will try to have a new fresh post very soon with some pictures of what I have been up to. Oh, where to begin!?!?

Thank you verterans! Happy Memorial Day.

I do hope to be a better blogger this week. I do have so much to share. But today, I am just taking a pause to post the image I rec'd in a rescent email. This picture really stirs a lot of feelings for me. I'm not sure which I think is sadder...idiots sitting, or the hero in the wheelchair. Anyway, I can't go there today. I will tell you though, if I had been there, that man wouldn't have been standing alone. And I would have made it a point to tell my children in my loud kid friendly teacher at the front of a crowded room voice....."Let's stand boys, you are always supposed to stand with your hat off and your right hand on your heart when the flag passes. It shows your respect."

My Pennsylvania Find & More on my Rug

When ever I do travelling somewhere, I always like to try to find a great primitive piece to remember my trip by. Plus, I just like getting things from other parts of the country. Not that I actually get around that much! While I was in PA I picked up this great wood box. When I say wood box, I mean it was made to hold wood near the fire place...& it is made of wood also. It is a great black color and has a tongue & groove back. Now if that isn't neat enough, wait till you see what my plan for it is at the beginning of next week. For now here is a quick pick...yes, those are wii rock band drums in the background. (sigh) I also did do some hooking while we were camping last weekend. It was so darn windy we couldn't have the awning out or even have a fire most of the weekend. Oh yeah, & it was cold. We did have a great time though & a wonderful mother's day.

Happy Mother's Day

So much hooking...so little blogging!

The end of the school year is always a busy time for me. So many things are going on and wrapping up. After next week things should slow down a little bit. Connor will have gone through confirmation and had his last track meet, and Logan will have his last cub scout meeting for the year. If only that darn jazz band practice at 6:30 am twice a week would end, I'd have it made. I say that now, but summer activities are just around the corner.

This weekend we are camping at the local KOA. I'm sure we will all have a great time. I have some new caramel marshmallows I can't wait to roast over the fire. I hope they are as good as I am imagining, or maybe I should hope they aren't so I don't over indulge!

I have really been bad about blogging this last while. I am trying to work on this rug a lot in my free time. I can't even keep up on reading all my favorites. I think my next sneak peek of our home will be of our bathrooms, so stay tuned for that. For now here are some pictures of my Oliver Cromwell rug. I meant to mention in my last post that I ran out of background wool and had to pull some of my work out and find a close match to mix it with. Thankfully, it looks like I meant to do it! That's one of the fun things about hooking. You just never know where the next happy surprise is going to be. Sometimes it's in the colors, or the textures, or the pattern, or your own stupidity for not making sure you have everything you need to complete your project!

I'm a Winner!

Not only was last week so wonderful because I got to go to rug hooking camp at the woolley fox, but also while I was gone, I was a winner of a beautiful old looking doll from www.humblecrowcreations.blogspot.com ! Thanks Tammy! I love her! I have included a picture of her and the rug I have been working on for a week now called the Oliver Cromwell, by Edyth O'Neill. It is a whopping 37x48, and has a complicated border. I don't know that I could have done this rug justice on my own. Barbar Carroll color planned this rug for me using a stash of wools that I have been squirrelling away for quite sometime now especially for this rug. I have completed everything she had planned on the border, and the rest is up to me to follow her lead. Yikes! At least if I get in trouble, she said she would help me through email. I will keep you posted. This rug is a keeper for me. Once I finish with this, I have to work on things for September only! I did take some pictures of my class, I will post them soon. Thamks for looking, it's great to be back!

It's 2:00 AM, can't sleep...ARRGH!

Okay... I don't know if it's the excitement of my trip, the cheeseburger a scarfed down way to late, or the fact that I really need to sleep because I'm the driver tomorrow, but here I am. I took my good old trusty friend Alkaseltzer (spelling doesn't count at this hour, just so you know) and I thought I would sit up & try to make my eyes tired for a little while. Like any other generation Xer whose already packed her Nintendo DS Lite for the trip so she can play quietly in bed without disturbing others (I'm so considerate that way, which is why I will also be wearing my Breath Rite strips...pathetic) I thought I would play a little of my son's Webkinz while I wait for it to kick in. But, I got booted off. Now either their are alot of kid's up late in California, or they do site maintenance late at night when the "kids" shouldn't be on the Internet anyway. Either way, here I sit. So, since there's no one up to talk too...I decided to ramble on here for a bit. Have a great week, I can't wait to post my new rug at the end of the week! Wish me a few zzz's!

I'm off to The Woolley Fox!

Way to busy picking wool, packing, cleaning, & cooking to post this week. But I am putting up this quick note to let you all know that I will be back. I am starting another big rug. I don't know why I do that to myself. It is The Oliver Cromwell, by Edyth O'Neill. I can't remember the size right now, & I don't even have time to look, but I will post all the details when I get back. So for now, wish me luck! Here is a picture of Barb & Wayne Carroll at The Woolley Fox.

He is Risen. He is Risen indeed.

Happy Easter to all. I hope you enjoy a day of thanks giving with your friends & family on this wonderful day our Lord has made!

My Primitive Kitchen

This is going to be the most pictures I have ever posted at once, so don't forget to blink. I don't want your eyes to dry out from staring at the screen too long! First up is a fresh batch of crocks I made up for sale in the shop...the turned very good and prim I think.

Next some of my crocks over my cupboards.

And as my island, I am using this old herb cupboard. The box with drawers is where my silverware is kept. My kitchen is small . Even thought I have room for a small table, cupboard space is limited at best. This herb cupboard is stuffed full of appliances & serving dishes.

Above the island is the great light that came with this place. The ceiling was also made like this before I moved here. It was made from the chicken coop that used to be on the property I'm told. The floor in the kitchen is original too. Complete with burn holes from the hot coals falling out of the stove! The cupboards & counter tops are not my first choice, but I live with it because someday I have a major redo in mind someday.

This is my make-do curtain over the door. I was really an old linen silverware holder.

Across the kitchen is my pantry cupboard. This where the canned goods live.

So that's the tour. If you haven't seen my older posts, there are a few other kitchen shots there as well. I'm exhausted from all this posting, so have a good night all. And thank you Lord for all your gifts, but on this day, especially your son.

The Weather is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful

I can't believe this is spring break & so far I think we've had more snow than we did over Christmas break. So I am quoting the title of a Jimmy Buffett song. The song is about him writing a postcard home after enjoying a few to many adult beverages on vacation.

Anyway, I have been busy hooking up some stuff for the In the Spirit of Friends Show. I went to Ault's hook-in on Saturday after staying out late at a scrap night the night before. It was 2 hours of creativity for me! But with camping season coming, I will be missing out on some of these things soon enough. Better cram them in while I have the chance! The first picture is of a small mat by Edyth O'neill called Quilter's Basket. This is a fun little pattern that is available thought The Woolley Fox. I went for the old soft look again for this rug. The next picture is another one of my kitchen. I am going to feature my kitchen the rest of the week here on my blog. That's right! I am going to actually post more than once this week! Funny how the time slips past between postings. Thanks to all of you that bare with me! The rug pictured is Tennessee Hearts, also available from the Woolley Fox. I love this rug...and it has special meaning to me because my husband & I lived there for a year early in our relationship. The close up is a picture of Jimmy Dean's opinion of this rug. Now mind you, I hang most of my rugs to avoid such problems as this, but he managed to how use his back claws to jump & snag this one anyway. It's not a big deal, I can hook it back through. That cat is something else! This large rug is available for purchase, please email me for details. Thanks!

My New Van

Well this is what has been keeping me so busy lately. Don't you just hate car shopping. We have looked at so many different things. And can I just say, I didn't run into any unbelievable deals. After we decided to admit we are mini van people, the process became a little easier. We settled on this '07 Grand Caravan SXT. This thing is loaded! I have never had so many bells & whistles on a vehicle before. I'm including a picture. I hope to be driving it for a few years to come.

Let's Talk Wool

First I would just like to thank everyone that posted comments or emailed me regarding my rug. It is so great to have encouragement to help get you through a large project. I have already begun my next rug...it is a small mat that I will have for sale at the In the Spirit of Friends Show in September. I still have not chosen a rug to do next month at rug camp. Oh decisions!

Now a little in site into the colors I chose for my last rug. For me, the goal is to create a new rug that looks like it has been around for a hundred years or more. I mostly like to use soft colors, because to me it looks as though they are colors that have faded. For this rug I started with the house. I wanted it to look like a New England shingle sided home by the shore. I used a piece of over dye that I have had for some time & I have used it in three different rugs. I just love it, but I used every last scrap I could find, including my noodle bag to find enough to finish it. Therefor, I couldn't include it in the pictures. It was a really drabby blue/gray plaid. From there I picked the roof, windows, door, trim & chimney. I decided to go with a lights on look which came from my scraps and a white & grey tiny check for the trim. I don't really know how to explain the roof, but I didn't have any left for the photo. It was an interesting small plaid with lots of colors running through it. I guess I was thinking it would look like old metal. Now the chimney I just love. It is the black wool in the picture. It got it from Barbara Carroll, but she has since sold out. It gives a great old rock look. I have some more I am saving for a sheep some day. The trees were completely done from scraps...can you tell I have a problem judging how much wool to cut! I always make sure they are used sooner or later though. Now for the background...I couldn't use blue because the house is blue. I didn't want dark, because I have a few night rugs, and I wanted something different. I looked at some beige and even mustards, but I decided on this creamy-grey plaid. I travel to New England, and if there is one thing I have seen alot of up there, its fog. So that is where I went with this choice. ( Seems like every time you make a trip to see something you run into the stuff...not great for sightseeing!) Next it was on the the border. I went with a pair dark navy wools. One was a gold stripe & the other was a the other was a two toned dark plaid. I used a rust plaid for the vines, a green one for the leaves, & a red one for the berries. I am very pleased with the way it all came together.

I am also showing you a picture of our baby girl, Wags, the basset hound. She & I are the only two females around this place. She will be cropping up here in my blog from time to time. She is such a great dog. She loves to run & play with the boys and she is a major lap dog.

Ding Dong the Rug is Done!

Okay folks, it's finally done! I actually finished it Friday night, but yesterday and today have been filled with yard work, window washing & vehicle shopping. I still haven't decided on my next ride yet, but the search is narrowing down. I can't even begin to tell you how great it feels to have completed this rug. My winter project is over & so is winter. I am so over them both. Now I can just enjoy the spring as my favorite season, summer, approuches. And soon one of my favorite rugs will be hanging in my favorite room of the house. I will be binding it and having it pressed first, but I will post a before & after picture of it's new home. So for today enjoy a few quick pictures, and tomorrow I will post the wools I used in their uncut form. Thanks for looking!

Happy Spring

We have had some beautiful sunny days here this week. It is so nice to feel like winter will soon be behind us. Even Wags, our basset hound, is feeling renewed. She is 3 now & I thought maybe she was turning in the the lazy stereotype that follows her breed, but I was wrong. The Dog that curled up & slept all winter long in the house, can't get enough of being outside now. She is out there playing and exploring all day long. When she sleeps now...lets just say she's not much of a guard dog.

I am still finishing up on my rug, and my thoughts are turning to The Woolley Fox mini camp in April. I am not sure what rug I will work on, but I will you posted. I am including a picture of the rug I hooked last year. This rug was color planned by Barbara Carroll, & it is wonderful. I picked a lot of the wool myself, but the way she used it is what makes this rug so neat! This pattern is a Edyth O'Neill called Ipswitch. So this weekend, while my mind is drifting away to rug camp, my body will be washing windows, raking off the flower beds, doing some spring cleaning (and I do mean some), and finishing my rug (I hope!)

We Surround Them

This is just a quick post to remind everyone to watch Glenn Beck's show tonight on Fox News at 5:00. It's not about politics. It's about America and our heritage. If your feeling like your alone or in the minority of American's that are worried about the morality of this country, tune in to see just how many of us there are. We are not alone...we surround them!




I am including a picture of a simpler time. When American's were proud and they knew the price of what they had. Freedom was precious...it is still, but we don't acknowledge it. I pray it will still be around for our children. I am trying to do my part to make sure it will be. For the guys in the next pictures...they deserve it.


My dad and my boys.

Grungy Candles For Sale

I am offering some of my new grungy candles for sale here on my blog. They run on two AA batteries. The three LCD bulbs have a great burning candle effect without any worries (just incase you have any cats like mine around!) They are approx. 6 in. tall with a cost of $16.00 plus shipping. I except paypal & MO. Please email me for more info. Did I mention they smell wonderful?

Rounding Third and Headed for Home

Wow! I can't believe that I didn't post last week...I'm not even sure what my excuse is. I did work more. I also went to a scrap night and a hook-in, which makes me feel like a very lucky girl! I finished 8 pages and I am almost in 2008. I really got behind last year because I was working on some special projects like a cub scout album for my son & my 1st digital album. It was a family recipe book full of generational pictures and recipes from my grandmother's side of the family. I gave it to four different family members for Christmas. It was well received. I really enjoyed the digital scrapping & plan on using it again. It is so easy to work on when we're camping, because it's all on my laptop (roughing it...what's that?) Also I am a Creative Memories consultant, and their programs make it sooooo easy.
My rug is coming along well. I am still bored to tears finishing, so going to the hook in helped. Don't get me wrong, I love this rug. It's just my ADD kicking in. I want it to be on the wall. Now. I finished the last corner, thus the title of this post. Just another 45 inches or so and the I'll be done. I hooked at Ault's again this Saturday. It was alot of fun to visit with others and see what they were working on.
And now another chapter in the saga of Jimmy Dean. Friday the cable man came to fix my DVR box which had been down since Tuesday AM. Jimmy decided he would have to check this guy out and show him who was the boss around here. He started off nice. Then I warned the cable guy, who was super nice and explaining that he has a cat similar to ours, that he may bite when he has had enough. We never know exactly how much is enough with him, but he always makes sure we get it! With that the cable guy went back to work. He had to get behind the TV, which is in a big cabinet that is on its last legs, so I carefully pulled it out. With this Jimmy realizes he hasn't been behind there in awhile, so he seizes the opportunity dart back there and sharpen the claws he no longer has on the back of the cabinet. Scaring the cable guy half to death. He then started leaping towards the top of the cabinet coming up short and crashing a couple of times. Again, the cable guy seems concerned. I told him not to worry, that's just Jimmy Dean...he's nuts. The cable guy was able to fix the problem, & I didn't loose my recordings. Yeah! He laid a piece of cable on the floor & we were talking when Jimmy came out from behind the tv and attracted it. He started gnawing on the metal end and we both just shook our heads.

In sadder news, I came home from church to find my favorite piece of redware smashed on the floor. Compliments of you know who. I had redo my mantel for spring, and I moved it there full of wool eggs. What was I thinking? Don't call PETA...I let him live. I will try to glue it back together, but it will never be the same. Anyway I have included some pictures of the crime.