February 29, 2012 - HAPPY LEAP YEAR EVERYONE!!

Today... is a beautiful day... because I'm doing NOTHING but working on my sewing.  I know I say that most days... but I seem to get distracted and before I know it something else comes up and I'm not even touching my sewing!  Man... I hate getting distracted!  Don't you?  Yes... I'm not walking out of my sewing studio unless it's to go to the ladies room ... or get coffee... or food!  That's it! 

Today's blog is all about "hooking".....  RUG HOOKING !!!  It's one of those crafts that I've discovered grows on you.  It's so odd... instead of using a paint brush on a canvas.. you are using a hook and beautiful pieces of wool to make your picture... loop by loop!

I'm getting ready to go to Texas to the Yellow Rose Rug Hooking Retreat with Katie, Susan, and Nancy!  We drive... and have a blast!  While there they house us, feed us (the food is SO wonderful), and we get to hook, hook, hook... plus there is WOOL EVERYWHERE!   We are supposed to get a project designed (or bought) and send the information to our instructor... where they prepare our wool, hooking diagrams, etc.

Well, this year.. I'm doing something totally different and the instructor is probably going to think I've lost my mind... but I've always LOVED hooked dolls and "critters".  So.. I'm making an Annie doll and along with her I'm making her pet... her chicken!!  I know... I know... it's a bit strange.. but it's primitive and I LOVE HER!  Here's a picture for you...

See... Isn't she adorable?  I don't have the slightest clue where in the world they found the chicken fabric.. but it's priceless!!  Then.. her little chicken hen friend... I'm going to hook her too... so Annie can be holding her.  I have an Annie pattern (from Simplicity) that I'll use for her clothing... but I want her head, hands and feet to be hooked!  My friend Katie (also my hooking instructor) is drawing her and the chicken (I just emailed her with the chicken idea) on my hooking background.  I can't wait to see her!!

Look at these other photos of items I would love to make!!!

This is fabulous... don't you think?  I should frame this gorgeous piece.. with a dark wool background and a deep primitive frame... I think it would be fabulous hanging on the wall....

This sweet thing.... IT'S A PURSE!  I can just see all the eyes staring at this sweet thing!!!  It could be as small or large as you please... you could even put a small pocket on the inside to hold your lipstick, phone, etc.  With beautiful wool... OR LEATHER straps (of which I currently own some...)... Hmmmm.... I can see this in my future.  Plus..it's fast to hook!!

Then we have the alphabet samplers.  I just love these things... I wonder if I was a teacher in a past life?  I don't care if they are in cross-stitch, rug hooking or in a quilt... I LOVE THE ALPHABET!  Isn't that a bit odd?  DON'T answer that question... I surely know it is !!

then... we have the seasonal hooking... OH MY... that's another issue all by itself!  I love THEM!  Look.. .here are some of my favorites!!! 

Pumpkins... OMG I love pumpkins... and I have no clue why!  I don't care what color or shape they are... I think they are all wonderful.  The fall is my favorite season...

Hey... did you know that Hazel is my middle name.  No.. .I normally don't tell people my middle name (after my Grandmother) but I'm thinking it must be why I love the fall so much!  Ya think????

Look at these pumpkins... I know it may be a little hard to see ... but the front one actually has a spider hooked right into the pumpkin itself... and look at the face on the second one.. and then the third one has all colors hooked in swirls... Oh my... I sure do want to make these.  KATIE... we have some more drawing to do... don't you think?  Then... to make them even more awesome... they have used actual pumpkin stems in the tops of them.  I can also see hooking some leaves and stitching them to the top... for a 3-D look.  hhhmmm.... I feel additional projects coming about!!

Look at this bad boy... Okay... I love pumpkins... I love hooking... I love blackbirds(crows)... how wonderful is this piece?  I would adapt this sweet thing to fit on the lid of one of my antique woven baskets.  Wouldn't that be killer?  I even know which basket I'm picking!!  Everyone will be jealous when I carry my basket... (won't you?)...

then.... (my heart is beating really fast right now....) look at this !!!  A wonderful pumpkin with just scraps of wool... then add that twig on top with some Spanish moss.... WOW!!!  LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!  It kink of reminds me of Indian Corn ... which would also be awesome hooked...

Then.. we can move on to the Christmas Season...

Is this not adorable????  I love his stubby little arms and that little Christmas Tree!!

This guy I want to make... he would look so awesome in the middle of my dining room table in a display... especially in one of my dough bowls...full of greenery and berries!! 

Then... this little fellow... I think I'll make him into a pillow... with a big plaid ruffle around the edge in the colors of the pillow!  He will be so adorable on my couch this winter.

Oh... heck... who am I kidding... these are going on my "hooking bucket list"... it's getting rather lengthy too!!!

Hey.. one of my friends posted this adorable "bunny" picture this morning... I just thought it was so sweet and would make all of you feel good too...

************************

Let's all say "aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww"... together!!

Tell me.. .just how wonderful is this picture?  ((sniffle)) 

so darn cute.....

Ok.. I'm leaving you now and getting busy on putting the rows together on my new quilt I've designed.. .it's going on our bed.  I want to take it to Lynn and Cathy tomorrow for quilting.  I can't wait to see it finished... then... to write up the pattern!!!

See you soon... have a SUPER... GREAT.... DAY!!!

Hugs all the way around!

Gloria

p.s.  If you want to learn how to hook... make sure you email my friend - Katie - at Kiss Rug Hooking .... She has classes in her studio... plus will help you with any design you want!  She's AWESOME!!!

Happy Tuesday - February 28, 2012

Wow... one more day left in this month!  Happy Leap Year everyone!

Man... was I ever productive yesterday.  I sat my butt in my office chair and did TONS of icky paperwork... you know... those things you've just put off and off!!  Filing (gosh...I hate to file), sorting out my files of current things I'm working on, putting up a printer that I wasn't using that was IN MY WAY, and then of course... DUSTING the desk.  Wow... it's like a dust magnet... I just about could write my name (I'm not sure why I'm admitting to this..)!  It feels so much better in here.  My hubby was shocked at my desk. ("yes dear... I did clean my desk so I can get it all messy again")

I've found a new app for my iPhone.  It's called TeuxDeux... you make your lists for each day, you can double tap them and they get crossed off the list... HOWEVER, if you don't get something finished.. it carries over to the next day.  I really like it.  You can look it up on your computer and see if it's something that will help you get organized.  I LOVE IT... I read about it on Lissa Alexander's blog (from Moda) and it's helping her greatly too!

**********************

Today I'm tackling a pile of "stuff" that I have in the corner of my office... things from the retreats, projects, extra bags and cases (they need to find another home) ... just to tidy up a bit.  It has the appearance of a tornado in that area.. NOT GOOD!  Then... It's organizing two bookcases (eeeekkkkkk) and two cabinets !!!  (pray for me...)

*********************

Look at this hysterical picture!!!

Isn't this silly?  Have you ever been in one of those restaurants where the bar stools look like legs?  This one is a hoot with the nuns sitting on them.  When I first glanced at the picture - I didn't think they had skirts on!!! hahahahahaha!

I know this is all done with trick photography (I'm so sure of it) but isn't it a hoot?  I lived in the country and my daddy had hunting dogs (lots of them) and we never had one silly dog with teeth like this.  But you must admit... it's pretty funny!!!  Duh!!  Just call us Larry, Curly and Mo!!

Now this... is the best Halloween costume I've seen in years!  I LOVE THIS!!  Needless to say, I burst out laughing when I saw them!  They are giant beach balls under their T-Shirts!  Tooooo funnnnnyyyyy!!!!!  Now.. if you can just talk your hubby into doing this!  That's the trick!

************************

Look at me... aren't I the sweetest thing you've seen in a long time?  I just LOVE baby sheep!!  So innocent...

I thought this was a super idea... they've saved their wax paper and wide foil boxes... covered them with fabric or paper and now they are gift boxes for cupcakes.  I thought that was so clever.  I just have one issue with this.... for some reason - I completely mutilate my waxed paper and foil boxes.  They just come all apart!  Many times I have to tape them back together before I'm finished with the contents...just so I can roll the stuff out of the box correctly.  Am I nuts... or does that happen to you too???  I guess I'm just too rough with them.

************

This... is a great idea.... Hot glue gun... run a zig-zag of glue on the end of your hangers... it stops your clothes from slipping off the end of the hangar.  Question... have you asked yourself where all the crappy... tiny ... hangars come from in your closet???  Now I know that you get hangars back from the dry cleaners... but I rarely take things there anymore.  But it seems as though when I'm doing the laundry... that all of the hangars are these little things that aren't even the correct size for the shirts I need to hang up.  Where in the heck did they come from?  I think my hangers are having babies in the closet and I don't like them!  I've given myself permission to throw out those icky ones and buy me some that are big and sturdy!!  (whew... I feel better already...)

Then.. the last great idea... before you put dirt in the bottom of your planters... place a coffee filter (or two) in the bottom to prevent the dirt from coming out of the drain hole!  Hello???  Isn't this a great idea?  Thanks to you that thought of it!  Brilliant!

Ok... I'm just about to sign off... breakfast is almost ready.... then I'm going to get busy and straighten those bookshelves (oh..how.. I.. don't ... want.. to.. do.. it....)

See you tomorrow... have a FUN day!!!

Gloria

Monday - February 27, 2012

Ahhh.... I'm so awake!  I went to bed at 7:00 pm last night.  I was just down right pooped and here I am... awake at 1:30 am... so I just decided to get up... have a nice cup of coffee and do my blog.  I know... I know... call me crazy!  I'm sure as soon as I'm done staring at this screen for some time, I'll be sleepy again.  It's kind of like drinking warm milk and rocking in a rocking chair!  Zonk!  I'm instantly sleepy!

I found some hysterical pictures (AGAIN... where do they find these things????) that I just have to share with you.  The imagination of people is so amazing.  Here we go..........

The scariest part about this picture.... I remember these hairstyles!!!  It was just like yesterday!!  Have you sit down and looked back through your yearbooks?  Oh my!  It's such a strange trip to see what everyone looked like back then... hairstyles, facial hair, eye glasses... it's actually down right scary!!

Here's another one of those pictures... "just because you can...doesn't mean you should"!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......... do NOT wear skin colored tights!!!  It's just nasty!!

I've decided we all need one of these door mats!  I'm getting me one... that way if your house is not as clean as you would like it to be when company arrives unannounced... they will know exactly why your house looks like a bomb went off in it!!

I would love to know who thought of this idea?  It had to be a boy... don't you think?  Too funny!!

This is hysterical... no name... just this on the marker!  I think it pretty well describes it all!!

Now this... is just pretty darn creepy!  The lizard himself is pretty scary (he gives me the willies just to look at him.... (((shaking))) but to have him sit on my hand and hang on to my hair... JUST SAY NO!!!!

Can you imagine being the passenger in the front seat.... taking a quick little nap... waking up and seeing yourself going into the mouth of this chick?  WOW.. that would scare the crap out of me!!

Now... this is a great advertisement for a snack - rest center.  It certainly gets your attention!

It's only fair.. all of us female human beings have to wait in line for the ladies room... it's now time for the boy doggies to have the same issue!!!  LOVE THIS!!

I would say someone didn't have their flight instruments working correctly...wouldn't you?  Poor Santa... no packages this year folks... sorry!!!

Ok... that's my humor for the day... just as I suspected...after looking at the computer screen for about 30 minutes... I'm ready to crawl back under the covers for a little doze!!

See you tomorrow... have a great Monday!

Gloria

February 26, 2012 - Sunday

I cannot believe this month is already over with!  Oh... I forgot... we get an extra day this year.  Hey gals... if you are single this is the year you can ask your sweetie for marriage! 

Well, yesterday was a blast.  We had our first session of the B-a-a-a-d Girls Club at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe and it was WONDERFUL!  I sure hope everyone had as great a time as I did.  They worked on their "wooly jars" and then got started on their next wool project.  Wow... they are making some marvelous stuff!  I can't wait to see how much progress they've all made in the next month.

I'm already planning their next "treat" and "make-it-take-it" project.  We have 35 in the group... no more room!  Thanks girls for a SUPER - GREAT day!

Today I have some fun things that I've gathered from Pinterest.  The majority of them I found from my sissy's boards (Vicky).  Such cool ideas....

******************

This is pretty funny looking... don't you think?  Well... it's genius !  Take an old aspirin bottle with a wide enough opening to hold your HOUSE key.  Place it inside the jar - screw on the lid and then glue a LARGE rock to the top.  Bury it down in your flower garden and the next time you accidentally lock yourself out of the house... BINGO... there's a key for you.  (just remember to put it back!)  Isn't that clever?

We always used a plastic bag... then when I needed to dig it out from under the planter (in the flower bed) it was all dirty and wet... very icky!!!  At least sitting in the mulch it won't be so dirty.  Of course... that is if we actually PUT mulch in the flower beds!! hahahahaha!  They are getting a little flat and are in need of some attention!

*************

 I loved this idea too... Take some popsicle sticks and paint the different colors within your house... of your furniture, etc.  (just on one side)  Write on the back which room or what piece of furniture... so you won't forget (not that any of you would forget....ha....).  Drill a hole in the end of each one and put on a key ring.  Then pop it into your purse...you know.. in one of those pockets you never use... !  Then.. the next time you are shopping for a household item - you'll have the colors of your rooms handy. 

Now... my brain just thought of another idea!!  Glue fabrics to the stick also... of your handmade quilt in your bedroom, handmade shower curtain, window curtains... If you don't have the fabric - take a VERY GOOD picture - close up and then print from your computer - then tape the paper to the popsicle stick.  The exact shades and tones may not be perfect - but it certainly will be better than having nothing with you. 

Have fun!!!  You'll be known as the "popsicle stick queen" before you know it.

*****************

Now.. I must admit... this is one job in the bathroom that I absolutely loathe!!!  Cleaning that silly shower door!  Why... I ask you why... can't they develop a glass that will not obtain water marks, sulfer and iron spots????  I just don't get it!  We can send men to the moon and we can't stop windows from getting water marks and soap scum on them.  It's just silly... don't you think?

Well, let's try this trick.  We are supposed to use dryer sheets to clean the shower doors!  Have any of you tried this?  I can't wait to see what it does  We are supposed to spritz with a few water drops (to a USED dryer sheet) and then use to clean away soap scum!

*****************

Check out this cool idea!  Make a drawer for all of your electronic doo-dads that need charging!  It looks like they have made sweet cut-outs for the cord to lie over (so the drawer can close) then the plugs are laying in the back section.. One of those multiple surge protectors would work great.  Cut a notch in the back of the drawer - feed the plug out the back and under the base into the socket.  Is this not cool or what!  You could even keep the Garmin plugged in and fully charged so it's ready when you need it. 

This type of deal would also work great in a cabinet in your foyer... so you can charge - grab - and go out the door!

**********************

When used on your baseboards it can not only help repel pet hair, but general keep the things that get tracked in and out of our home off the walls and on the floor where it can be swept up. If you have a Swiffer or something like it, just attach the dryer sheet to the bottom of the mop head and run it along as frequently as your house seems to require the chore.

It can take a task that should be done once a week (or once a month) and turn it into something that's done every few months or even a few times a year.

Pretty cool huh????

******************

This ... is just another Annie I found ... that I LOVE!!  Isn't her little chicken friend cute too???  I love Annies.... not sure why... just do!!

****************************

AAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWW......  they are sharing secrets... can you tell???  I love bunnies!  They are so sweet and soft.  I've always wanted to hold one of those minature - floppy eared bunny.... I think I must put that on my "Bucket List".  It's a small thing... but something I'd love to experience.

*********************************

I'm off to do a bit of straightening and sewing... maybe... just maybe I'll do some laundry!  (nope... I've decided it can wait until Monday... today I'm being lazy)

Ta-Da!!!             Gloria

February 25, 2012 - Saturday

I'm with my "Lexie" this morning and getting ready for "B-a-a-a-d Girls" Club...

So...I'm taking a break from a long post...

The caption on the picture... "Help me get my fweets all untangled"!

Have a happy day...chat with you tomorrow!!

Gloria

February 24, 2012 - Friday

Well... here I am again.... I've been up since 3:30 am.  I think my internal clock needs resetting!  Actually... I woke up and thought of several things I wanted to remember.. and ... it was all over from there.  Then... I swear I could smell coffee!!  Now - this was impossible because Jack was still in bed!  (maybe the fairies were having a sip????)

So... I got up, made coffee and I've been very productive all morning.  Of course this afternoon I will be worth absolutely NOTHING... but I'll just have to deal with that later.

I found some cool things to share with you:

I just love this quilt... and I can't find the original pattern.  Do any of you know where it comes from?  If you do... can you leave me a comment!!  I just think it's so cool... I want to make it!!

I think it would look pretty awesome with the background dark and the stars lighter... totally opposite!  Sure hope you all can help me out!!

Isn't this photo so sweet?  I love the little baby toes and the hands shaped like a heart.  My daughter, Heather, loves to take "mommy-to-be" photos and then babies too.  I'm passing this one on to her so she can take a picture like this of my NEW GREAT-GRAND BABY - "Aubree" !!!  Isn't that a sweet name?  She's due in June and I CAN'T WAIT!!  It's about time we have another baby in the Parsons family! 

**************************

Heeee.... Heeeee... isn't this a funny shirt?  I wanted to get one for my Elizibeth (Aubree's mommy...my granddaughter) but once again... I couldn't find the source!  Arrrrggggg.... very frustrating.  I did send her an email with the photo.  I know she'll get a chuckle out of it!

******************

HA!  This is the "funny" photo for you today.... it's a jar mousetrap!!!  look at him.. .his little piercing eyes are begging you.... BEGGING YOU.... to let him out of the glass jar!!  (((please.....))))

I think he's adorable!!!  I'll bet my Heather could make him!!

*********************

Let's Talk Toothpaste

Did you know?

1.  Remove Crayon marks - squirt a small dab of non-gel toothpaste (all white) on the wall where the mark is.  Rub gently with a soft cloth, then rinse with warm water... all gone!

2.  Deodorize hands - Can't get garlic or onion off your hands?  Wash them with a blob of toothpaste.

3.  Whiten Sneakers - Clean rubber soles by rubbing scuff marks with an old toothbrush and non-gel toothpaste.

4.  Buff a DVD - Get rid of light scratches by squeezing a little non-gell toothpaste onto a cotton ball.  Wipe over the DVD from the center out to the edge.  Rinse with water and dry with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth - all gone.

5.  Defog goggles - Coat the inside of swimming goggles with toothpaste, then wipe off - They'll be crystal clear!

So... now you know that toothpaste is NOT just for keeping your 'pearly whites' clean and pretty!!!

******************

Ok... I'm getting my sewing stuff all packed up so I can head to Cinnamons this afternoon for "Friday Night Sewcial"!!!!

Later taters....

Gloria

February 23, 2012 - Thursday

Wow... did I forget... or what!!!  Many of you asked for the website for those adorable patterns and I forgot all about putting in the post.  Here it is:  Farmhouse Threads

Have fun shopping...spend lots of money...tee hee!!

Today is a whirlwind for me... so I must hurry.  It didn't help that I slept until 6:30 am.  (very unusual for me...)  I woke up and saw the time and flew out of bed. 

I have a HUGE "to do" list today....

I wanted to post some patterns I just ordered from my friends at Backdoor Quilts.     Backdoor Quilts Website     We used to do shows with them and they are "oh...so... wonderful" gals!

This one is called Auntie Gram's Quilt !  The pattern comes in all sizes... now I know I could make this without a pattern... but sometimes it's just easier to have the directions right in front of you.  Plus... it gives you multiple ways to do the border.

Then... this sweet thing... it's called Cozy Catch All and I'm going to make it so we can all work on the project in our B-a-a-a-d Girls Club.  Isn't it adorable... who wouldn't want to keep all of their sewing notions in this wonderful Catch All.

Here I go with lots of little pieces again.  I just can't help myself.  I love them.... This is Summer Romance.  It will take all summer to make it... so I will surely be in love with it when I'm finished.  Check out the border....... OMG!!!  Yes... girlfriends... I'm IN LOVE!!!

I can't wait until the arrive in the mail!!!

********************** 

Look at this cool idea... now I don't have any little ones.. but I just thought it would be great to pass on to you... for our grandchildren!!!  The photo description said this was part of an oil pan???  I think for an automobile... they've attached it to the wall and then put alphabet cards on it... then all of the little magnets (alphabet) will stick to the pan!  What a great way for kids to learn their alphabet and words.  Don't you love it? 

Well... then... I thought... why don't we use something like this in our sewing rooms... as our "idea board".  You can buy packages of magnets at the craft store... glue cute buttons to the tops of them... then you have cute button magnets to hold up your ideas.  I think it's a genius idea.  I even have a wall in my office where one will fit.  YIPPEE!!!!!  Now... to find the oil pan!!  I'll bet if we asked at one of the car part stores they could lead us in the right direction.

*****************************

Then... this... was adorable too.  They've taken a simple metal garbage can... made an adorable fabric liner... painted the can to match the room... and it's now a hamper!!!  Don't you love it?  What a great project for in a kids room.  Take the clean clothes back to the room in the liner... put them away... put the liner back in the can!  Bing-bang-boom!!  All done!  LOVE IT!!

***************

Hey..check out this packaging... isn't it adorable?  I'm giving this a try this weekend.  You can print the birdhouse template... then look below....

I thought I would give this a try for a "make-it-take-it" wool project!!!  it's a PIN!!!  Wouldn't it be cute for the kit to be packaged in the birdhouse?  I can't wait to give it a try... Keep your fingers crossed I can make this happen.

Ok... I'm sorry to cut everyone so short... but I have to hit the shower... drop stuff off at my daughter's house, time for nails and toes... then pick Jack up and meet some friends for lunch...then back home to make some YUMMY .... strawberry cheesecakes for this weekends B-a-a-a-d Girls Club!!!

Chow.... catch you on the flip side!

Oh... by the way... I'm over the "organization thing"... I've just decided to work on drawers and cabinets as I have time.  I'm just too dang busy to get anymore organized than I am.  So... you're on your own chickies.... tee hee!!!

Gloria

February 22, 2012 - Tuesday

Yippee... we are getting new hook ups for the computer.  I currently have a wireless and with my new blogging, Pinterest and EQ courses I'm working on... it's costing me a fortune (I've been going wwwaaaayyyyyyy over my 'gigs' ... whew!)

So.. while I'm at the doctors getting my normal quarterly blood work done... Jack and the cable guy (tee hee) will be working on the new install. 

So... I have to be quick.. I just found a great pattern website.. one I had never heard of before.  Look at these adorable patterns!!

These are just two of her candle mats or... I also use them for candy dishes.  Aren't they cute?  I love that she added buttons to the pumpkin and the snowmen for some depth.  Plus.. they are made from fabric so they can be washed.  The wool ones cannot be WASHED!!

**************

I LOVE this table topper.  I just have something for pumpkins... I'm not sure why... they just 'speak' to me I guess... I'm making this sweet thing... it will look killer on my dining room table this fall.  I do think I'll darken the background fabric a bit to match my house more... the primitive/vintage look.  Isn't it adorable...???? 

*****************************

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE THIS!!  It's an Advent Calendar with little wool stockings... you put things inside them.  Attached to each stocking is a paper/metal tag with the date stamped on it.  I'm making this one too!!!  (my 'to do' bucket list is killing me....)  This is so great for little ones too.. they love getting the little treat inside.. candy, gum, charms... stickers...

**************************

I am a lover of this type of stocking... I'm not into the crazy quilts themselves... but I love these wool and fabric stockings.  The buttons and stitchery make it even more adorable!

*************************

Remember going to Grandma's house for Christmas.. .I sure do... it's one of those memories you will just never forget... skating on the lake...eating home made chocolate pie... having a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce while watching evening TV... I loved my Grandpa and Grandma so much... I surely do miss them and can't wait to give them a hug when we meet in Heaven!

******************

This quilt will be worked on at our B-a-a-a-d Girls Club... I can't wait to see it when it's finished.  It's fabulous!!!  There I go again.. loving those fall projects!!

The crow.. .(of course) is my favorite!!

********************

AAAAAWWWWWWWWWW...............

Two of my favorite animals in the world... cute kitty and a sweet, sweet horse!!!  Isn't this a darling picture?  They're buddies... can you tell?

*************************

Just had to show you these two "artist" items... I think these people have wwwaaaaayyyyy too much time on their hands!  Don't you?

Carved from a banana!!!!

This my friends... is from an Oreo Cookie!!!!  Are you believing this?????   Wow... what work!!

ok

I'm

out

of

here....   off to the doctor....

Chat tomorrow...

Gloria