Happy New Year My Dear Friends

Well, It seems that another year has passed and I just don't even know when it all happened. I mean it seems like I was just decorating the tree last year and now I have put it away again for this year.
Tomorrow I January 1,2012. This is the last year we will ever have a triple digit year. Yep 12/12/12. They say that is the end of the Mayan Calendar. Well, I guess that we will just have to live our lifes like each day is the last and make every day a very special one. I try to do that every day already so I guess my life won't change that much.
I feel very blessed that I have made so many friend here and on FB and in my everyday life around me. How blessed we are to have one that care about what happens to us. There are so many out there that are so less fortunate that just live each day to exist not knowing that there is anyone that cares whether they live or not. Lest they not forget that there is always someone that loves them. There is always someone looking down on them and even though they may feel forgotten there is someone that holds them near and dear to them in his heart and love all the homeless and less fortunate that need his love to survive. I pray that this new year will bring to them a since of caring and love and that they can find their way back into society so that they can begin to help their selves again.
As for me and my family, I pray that we are able to find a way to get close again and able to be a part of one happy family together if just for one day. I mentioned to another that I miss the ole days when families didn't feel the need to live across the country and that we all were closer to each other. I know that we have to go with the economy and even though we are all so far apart, we are still together in our hearts and in our thoughts. I just wish that we could just hug each other again someday soon.
Have a wonderful day and a wonderful New Year too.

Merry Christmas

  

         
We have love and our health and we have each other and what more do we need. All of our family together would be great but so long as they are all together that is a blessing in itself.

Sorry I have been away so long.... I'm Back !

Too begin with I want to wish you all a very  Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. I know that I have been MIA for a while but I have just been so dang busy.
Sewing takes time if you do it well and with lots of love.


Doesn't it just get so crazy this time of year. I worked like a women possessed to get a lot of goodies ready for a craft fair and not one of them sold:0( How sad is that? Oh well, what the folks were buying I would even think of making so I don't feel too bad. The things I make take longer and have more quality the quantity so I will just give them as gifts instead. I am sure they will be appreciated and I don't feel so bad as I would have spent the money to buy something that probably doesn't have the love in it that my gifts will have.

We will also be having a new arrival in our little family. His name is Baxter and he is a Puggle. Yes, he is a Pug and Beagle. He won't be arriving at our home till mid January as he is only 4 weeks old now. But I will give you a glimpse of this sweet little fellow. Now doesn't that just make you go Awww.....?
I even got my first puppy kiss the other day. He just lives across the street with his mama and papa. Papa is a pure pug and mama is a puggle too. Here is a little better close up of Baxter.


I am just hoping that Phoebe accepts him into our family. We are going to break him in gradually by bringing him over for a couple of hours a day for a little bit just so that they can get acquainted




I am just finishing up my latest rug hooking project. I should be done with it in a day or so.
I also made up a Christmas stocking for my granddaughters boyfriend. I would have done something a little more masculine but the two of them are such kids at heart that I went with one of his favorite animals. A penguin
 This is the rug hooking that I am finishing up just now. 

And Voila, it is done!! Just in time to hang on my friends front door. She is undergoing her second round of Chemo. She was doing so well then her counts went up again. She is very dear to me as is her daughter too. It just seems to be such a cruel blow to be hit with Chemo again During the Christmas season. Anytime is bad but particularly just now. 
I had something wonderful planned for her daughter too, but ran out of time. It was a rug hooked reindeer.  Well, if I start it now I should be done by next Christmas. Heheh

These were some of the things that I made for the show

I am sorry that I have been gone for so long but I  will try and be a little more visible and wont stay away so long. I apologize to all of you my friends, followers and family.

Merry Christmas and a Happy holiday season to  you all.

New candle mat and coasters

I just finished this last week and the coasters yesterday.
I want to get some more candle mats made and more coasters and I need to get busy on a new rug hooking and spool reindeer. Just seems like I have too much to do and not enough hands to keep up. I guess that's the usual story.

Finally finished curtains.

YEA! ! ! Boy did I make a big mistake when I decided to do this but I like the way they turned out. This window faces my back yard and doesn't really need the privacy but decided to add a little shear on the bottom just because you just never know who might be trying their hardest to see my gorgeous body. hehehe, just kidding. The tabs are done in penny rug fashion.

This one is above the sink and only needs the bottom curtain to block the bright late afternoon sun. I finished this one first. I really should have put 5 tabs on this one too but it was too late when I decided that. It works for me, and I guess thats all that really matters. Right? Right.

No swap this year.

Well, I guess that we won't be doing the swap this year. Maybe next year.
Hugs to all. Just not enough interest or possible due to the economy too.  No problem. Have a great Holiday and a safe one too.



Well, better early then waiting to the last moment.
I am going to host another Christmas Cup Swap. We had such a great turnout last year and I thought if I posted it now and left the sign-up time to November 15th so that would give everyone plenty of time to shop around and get those special Christmas mugs before they are all sold out.
Yes, most of the stores have already started with the Christmas decorations.
Now...  this is the topper.
This is not only a Christmas Cup Swap but... A Christmas Stocking Swap. Ewww.... We are having fun now.
This is the rules for the swaps.
You don't have to do both but would love it if you did.
Christmas cup Swap.
1 Cups must be new or very special vintage ones.
2 Price should be  $10 to $15 plus shipping. Not including shipping.
3 You can leave it empty or fill it with goodies, your choice.
4 Sign up ends on November 15th and must be shipped by November 30th at the latest. The sooner the better.

Now
 Christmas Stocking Exchange.
This is the fun one that involves a little more creativity.
1 All the stockings must me Hand Made. Doesn't have to be made by you but that would be the nicest thing to do. But there are so many Christmas craft shows that are going on  now and you can find some awesome Stockings.
2 The Stockings should be at least valued at $20. You don't have to spend that much but if you were making it and decided to buy one you would put a $20 value on it. I know its hard to put a price on all our hard work but you know what you would pay if it was worth that much.
3 All stockings must be shipped by no later then the 5th.
Please state if you don't want to ship to Canada. It is spendy for both parties so if we have Canadians I will try and match you up with another one of your fellow Canadians.
4 Sign up ends on November 15th for this and the Christmas Cup exchange and Stockings need to be mailed by November 30th at the latest. Mail is slow that time of year.

This is the lovely one I received last year and it is so nice I have left it up all year. It was made by Sally from Georgia. Isn't it awesome. It is made from a brocade tapestry fabric with long fringe and she made a little extra one for my little 100+lb lap puppy.
So I am giving you plenty of time to either make or purchase your stockings.
So when you decide which one or both you want to sign up for just go to the comment page and leave your name and a way to contact you and which one you want to be a part of. I know the economy is bad right now but this is a once a year exchange and lets make this Christmas exchange a real BLAST ! ! !
Okay my fellow friends and followers. Pass the word and lets have some good ole fashion Christmas fun.

The Reindeer Are Coming

Yes, another project. The ole OCCD (obsessive compulsive crafters disease) has struck again. I bought a little reindeer at a little Christmas shop the other day to use as a pattern. It is made in China so I am not worried infringing on  copy rights. Mine are cuter anyways. heheh The original is suppose to look like the sock animals.
See what you think. I am going to make up a batch for a craft show coming up.

                            Of course the one with the tag is the original.
I have made a few changes to my reindeer

I mounted them on vintage wooden spools. Sort of like the ole stick horse only these are mainly stick reindeer with the exception of one on the bottom left corner.

Well, the weekend is here which means nothing to me other then I don't have to pack a lunch for DSH. Everything else remains the same. I have been perusing photos of Autumn and Fall  online and am just amazed by the beauty of mother nature. I just thought I would share a few of my favorites that I found.
This is in New England. Now isn't that just gorgeous? I am contemplating how I can capture that in a Needle punch or rug hooking.

Here is one from a little island in Japan and another for Scotland. Mother Nature is so awesome and such an incredible artist. Look what she can do with just a little bit of earth and sky and a big paint brush.  I am sure that God has a big hand in it all too.

This ones lends a little creepy, Halloweeny flair to it all. This is in Scotland too.
Well, I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of the colors of Fall. Have a great day

My Sweet Phoebe is family

Phoebe is every bit a part of our family as are my children and husband and grandchildren. When your furry friend spends more time with you then anyone else, they know when you   aren't feeling well or that something isn't like it should be and will sit there beside you through thick and thin.

 Now I have to admit that our sweet Phoebe is not so thin but she is every bit my closest companion next to my husband and I love her. Folks that keep animals just because they think it is the thing to do and for the kids have no idea what they are missing. A dog or a cat or what ever your furry companion is, is more then just a pet. They can be your best friend. We have all lost someone in our lives and it always hurts so much. I can tell you that losing a furry companion is just as hard as losing a dear friend.

I still miss my sweet William Wallace and get tears when ever I think of him. That is love unconditional.
                     They are Family                  



I just finish my Fall Penny rug and I thought I would share that with you.

Look at my Awesome Table runner

Isn't this the most beautiful table runner ever. It is Fall on one side and Christmas on the other. I love it
This was part of a trade for two crows that I had made. I don't quilt, YET...., and Barbara Jenkins quilts beautifully. She made this to my specifications on colors and I couldn't be happier. Well, I could be if it were a quilt to go on my bed. heheh, hint hint. hheheheh.
I love it Barbara.

Thank you so much Barbara for the awesome trade. Her crows haven't arrived at her home yet as they had to go by ground mail. Very heavy.  I can't wait for you to get yours as I hope you will love them as much as I love mine.
This is what I am working on now.

This is my Halloween Penny Rug. It is a work in progress but close to completion.

Saint Francis of Assisi comes to the rescue again

Yep, I saved another bird yesterday with the help of my neighbor.
I was out in the back yard when I noticed the big black crow on the fence. Well, I thought it was a crow till it stretched out its neck. WOW ! ! ! What is that??

I ran in the house and grabbed my camera so I wouldn't lose the shot. I wanted it to turn and look at me so I made a little noise. It didn't move. I was able to get right up next to it and saw the huge web feet. NOT A CROW ! ! It looks like some sort of sea bird like a cormorant of sorts. I saw that it was in some distress and really out of its element so I decided to intervene. I was able to grab it gently around the body as was going to set it on the ground where web feet are more comfortable and it, not so gently nipped my arm with its very sharp long beak.  I will live. My neighbor brought out a small sheet that we were able to wrap around it and then I put it into a cage.

I called the local aquarium and they said they would take it but I would have to bring it to them and they would probably just release it into the beach area. So I decided and discussed with the person on the phone that I could just take it down to the docks by the park and release it myself since that was what they were going to do. It didn't look to have any injury just sort of tired and scared.
So we loaded it in to my car and off we went.
We got to the park and it was nice and quiet so we unloaded the cage and took it down to the waters edge and I took the top of the cage off and let it come out itself. I then sort of coaxed it to the water and it jumped in dove down and came up smiling sort of . heheh. It then began paddling around and dove again and came up with a little fish. I think it was happy to be back in its element, and I was happy to help save another of Gods Great Creatures.
I cleaned my arm real well and pour peroxide on it and it looks fine this morning. No redness at all just a 2" cut .
My Neighbor and I are going to head back to the park to see if its still hanging around and if it is okay.

Its a bit of a Rainy Fall day today

Well, it looks like we won't be doing much yard work to day. Awww... thats too bad... guess I will just have to work on my rug hooking that I am making for a friend. This is how it is coming along so far and I hope to have it completed by the end of this week.

 I think that this picture would make an awesome rug hooking. Oh no, I am doing it again. Thinking of more projects before I have complete the ones I am already working on. OMG, I think its a disease that so many crafters and artists get. I call it OCCD. Obsessive Compulsive Creators Disease.

I promise not to start this one until I complete at least two that I have going already. However, I want to have it done for Halloween. heheheheh.... knew I could find a way out of that promise, heheh.

What I want for my Birthday

Yep, in a few more days I  will be another year older and hopefully wiser  yes, \ maybe a few more gray hairs, but whats a few more when your hair is all gray anyway. Well that's life. I wasn't saying this to remind anyone, just that my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told him a new shovel and a new rake as he broke the handle on my last shovel and the handle of my rake broke this summer too.

So at least I can say that I have been taking care of the garden.
I did make use of the broken tools though. I put the broken shovels in the corners of my flower beds so that when I am watering they prevent the hose from wiping out my flowers and I make my rake into a key and jacket or purse rack by the front door. I may have lost a rake but I gained a key rack.

Barlow and Piwacket are here to meet you

Barlow and Piwacket are both creations by Doreen at Vermont Harvest. I have had them for several years and they still hold a very special place next to me at my computer. She makes the most adorable bears and her burnt wax creations are just great. Piwacket still smells as sweet as he did when he arrived two years ago.

Piwacket has a sister named Tilly
She sleeps in the Acorn jar.

Yes I love whimsy, can you tell?

Phoebe had a great day

We had a great day yesterday. I feel like I accomplished a lot and still have time to have some fun. It was a hot day and it was time to pull out the swimming pool. Phoebe's swimming pool. She started out playing in the sprinkler but I decided that today would be a great day for a bath. So I filled up her pool and waited till the water had warmed up a bit then Phoebe had her first bath. Yes, she has played in the water and is really a clean dog but never had a real bath. We have a dinky bathroom with a dinky shower so there was no way I was going to bathe her in the house. So I made a game of it and she had a blast. Yes we were both soaked when it was all over but we had fun. I got in the pool with her and got her all wet. Then I took the Japanese way of bathing and applied all the shampoo outside of the pool. I then lathered her up and did a basic rinse outside of the pool then we both got in and splashed and I got her to lay down and really got all the shampoo off of her. She smelled like a sweet Strawberry. Her favorite treat. Frest Strawberries from the garden. She liked the way she smelled I think as she kept sniffing herself. Her legs and back and yes, of course her private parts too. She slept well last night after a long walk and her first bath she was a happy camper.

Early sign up for Ole World Christmas swap

I am going to host an Old World Santa exchange. They can be made up in any form you choose from a stitchery to a stuffed Santa to, well this is one I did one year.

Now I am sure you are saying, "it's a bit early don't cha think?" NO! I don't. This will give you time to do something spectacular and also expect to get the same from your exchange partner.
This is a little more then your usual ornie exchange it is a major creation exchange and something you will pack up each year and look forward to displaying it in the years to come.

Anything from a quilted wall hanging to a nice Christmas style sampler. Here is one I did a few years back.
So, I wanted to start this early so that there would be plenty of time to complete that one special project for your swap partner.
If there is enough interest and enough participants we will make the deadline to be December 1st so that there is plenty of time to be able to display your wonderful Old World Christmas swap gift.
The value is always a hard one to place on a handmade gift but look at it this way, how much would you be willing to pay for a nice once a year swap gift.
I am going to say that a $50 value be placed on your gift. That doesn't mean that you have to spend $50 to make it but that the value be that much.

Okay, Lets see how many interested participants we can involve in this great Ole World Christmas Swap.
Just leave a comment and let me know that you want to participate and be sure that I have a way to contact you to let you know its a go.
Sign up starts now and ends on the 15th of October.