Monday, December 31, 2007
gifts...
I made all of my gifts this year...and now I am able to show some of them! All little ornie type stitchins. The one in the middle bottom is the closest to the correct color. I used primitive linen and 2 threads of DMC floss. The primitive linen is 32 count, which may as well be 100 count for how well I can see to work on it. Had to use the magnifier on my lamp to do these. I stuffed them with either wool snippets or sawdust...they are all small, but vary in size from 1 1/2 inches to 3 1/2 inches wide.
I gave other gifts, and certainly received many wonderful gifts. But, I gotta tell you, one of the most cherished is the table my BFF Janer painted for me. She is so very talented!! She started with a rickety old table that had an UGLY piece of linoleum glued on the top. This is the end result...
Here's the quick lowdown on how she did it. Stripped the linoleum off, glued/sanded/filled the table top, painted the background, decoupaged the print (yup, the sheepie with the checkerboard border is a print), then put 4 coats of polyurethane on it. How beautiful it is...so rich!!! Is that not the most awesome table you've ever seen???
Thank you so very much, Janer!
Jacque.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Another Day...Another Snowstorm!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas to One & All...
Just so you know, my computer is having some serious hiccups from time to time. Not good when the online course I am teaching is just around the corner! But, it's working today, and I take that as a gift from God.
I am sooo excited! Here is a photo of the gifts from my Wool Snippets Not-So-Secret Santa...you won't believe what was in my box!
Here's the list: small Christmas tree made of wool strips (how'd she do that?), tree stand, hooked tree skirt with sheepies on it, Nick & Nora pj's - red flannel with dog heads/milkbones on them, Nick & Nora slipper socks with puppy head, wooden sheepie pin, peppermint chapstick, snowman clothespin (it's on top of the tree), two dog toys (tennis ball fox and moose...these are sooooo dang adorable! I'm not sure I want to give them to the dogs...and they're made by Woolrich!), & 5 wool skirts to recycle...really great wool. I think that's all...EXCEPT for some Led Zeppelin bootlegs! HOLY CRAP! I was already feeling very blessed to have received so many special gifts from someone who knew me so well. And now these...WOW! I opened that package last and thought I was going to die of excitement and happiness!!!! How'd she know???? 3 cd's of LZ at Madison Square Garden in 1973, and 2 cd's from San Francisco in 1969! OH MY GOSH...I am thrilled!!!! Thank you, thank you so very much, Joanne!
I am making all of my gifts this year...cannot show them here as I still have some to give out. Am taking photos, though, so will show them once the holidays are over.
Tag E. Butt opened his gift from Aunt Julie this a.m....a warthog! He was soooo excited! He's had 2 warthogs (a bit larger and RED) that he has completely worn out in the last few years. They were beyond repair, so now he has a NEW one! (Allegra and Tango will receive their gifts when I get back from seeing Aunt Julie in Eau Claire this weekend!)
...what's in here?
...ah-ha! A new warthog! I LOVE it!
...here Tag is taking a break from running around, playing with his new warthog. He's chewing on his bone, but keeping his new warthog close by his side!
Have a very Blessed Day!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Here you go...a few of my favorite videos of the LED ZEPPELIN Concert for your viewing pleasure!
Apparently, Graystone, who has Warner Music Group as a client, thought they should take the videos off YouTube...WRONG! Thanks to Steve Sauer of Lemon Squeezings, here's the link to find out more about that...vanishing videos.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ornament Exchange...
So...this is what I made. I showed it the other day when I had done only the stitchin'...and now I have actually finished it! The ornie measures about 3 1/2 x 4 inches. I whipstitched - with linen thread - a piece of green plaid homespun on for the backing and stuffed it full of sawdust! I stained it with a mixture of coffee/cinnamon/vanilla, sewed the strip of homespun and bells on...TA-DA!!! Here it is! I hope whomever ends up with it likes it!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
How the Concert Began...
How exciting this must have been for those who were there! Brings tears to my eyes...
The boys did a smash-up job and Jason did them (& his Dad) PROUD!
Monday, December 10, 2007
TODAY is the DAY...
photos by Ross Halfin...click on his name to see many more...they're awesome!
More later!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Hookin' & Stitchin'....
Here is my FIRST stitchery piece. Yesterday I learned there will be an ornament exchange at the clinic party this coming Friday...YIKES! But, since we're all vets or techs, I felt a cat would be a safe thing to stitch. Besides, this cute pattern is from Kelley Belfast and she does primitive cats so much better than I do primitive dogs! I did the 2007 freehand...am thinking I should have graphed it out...hahaha.
Anyway, I am quite proud of this...took a few hours...the stitchin itself measures 1 7/8 x 2 1/8 inches...32 count primitive linen (over 2 threads)...reallllly small. No wonder I had to use my magnifier on my lamp! I'll find some prim fabric for the backing and then will age it all with a special recipe I have for that purpose (cinnamon, coffee, vanilla).
AND, here is the 4th and final pillow...all hooked! Still need to make the 4 of them into pillows, but heck, I have a few weeks yet to do that. {grin} This is showing much darker than it is, but otherwise the snowman is way too bright...would blind you, methinks! This snowman comes from Kelley Belfast's Merrie Wynter booklet of patterns. Cute guy, hey?
Now to sit and do nothing...yeah, right.
Led Zeppelin playing at O2 Arena tomorrow!
Here's a link to take the tour of the O2...it is awesome...and HUGE!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Snow...
COUNTDOWN...
Sunday, December 2, 2007
3 Down, 1 to go...
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Finally got another one done....
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving in Wausau
Anyway...I had my camera at hand the entire weekend and didn't take photos. That is, until Jenni and Trent were leaving and I thought, "OHMYGOSH! I haven't taken any pictures...must get some of the kids!!!" Geez...where was my head??? Those were the only pictures I took.
Trent, Jasmine, and Conlan...
I have tomorrow off and will be hookin', hookin', hookin'!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving - Stop Motion Video
People are so creative...and obviously have much more time on their hands than do I! Thought I was going to laugh my fool head off over this one...enjoy!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Look What I Found on YouTube.com
Just wandering around YouTube today...see what I found! It's Darren Hayes from Savage Garden with Pavarotti singing O Sole Mio! YAY!
This Time - Celine Dion [HQ] (Taking Chances Album)
Speaking of time...this is one of Celine's newest songs. She has an album (and tour) "Taking Chances" coming soon.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Now...and Then!
Yup, I had a major toothache! I suffered through it...
cuz I had some good meds...
And, now I feel all better! What a relief! A trip to the dentist is in my very near future.
But, enough about that!
I was thinking the other day about how time marches on, regardless of what we want - or don't want - to happen. Time seems to pass by more quickly the older one gets and I really don't care for that! We always talk about waiting for the weekend or our days off...and rush through the rest of our days. I, for one, am going to try to slow myself down and enjoy what I can from each day I am given.
With that in mind...here's something fun to look at...
THEN ---
NOW ---
THEN ---
NOW ---
THEN ---
NOW ---
THEN ---
NOW ---
And, some parting shots...
THEN --- (me at 5 mos)
THEN --- (me at 22)
BEFORE THEN --- (me Mum at 19)...yup, I wore her wedding dress!
That's all I have for tonight!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
New Look for my Blog!
But HEY!!! I actually did accomplish something this week. This is a chairpad by Wendy Miller of The Red Saltbox. It's going to be a pillow, not a chairpad, though. This will be for Jasmine, my soon-to-be 9 year old granddaughter. I have gray antique buttons to put on for eyes.
I have 3 more grandchildren...3 more pillows to hook...2 of them ready to start at any time. I'm hoping to get a good amount of hooking done tomorrow.
That's it for now!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fall Back...
One reason I am happy for DST is because now it will be light out on my morning drive to work...better to see the deer that way! Ohyeah, one of the exciting features of my long drive in to work is the fact that 15 of the miles I drive are signed as deer crossing corridors.
YIKES! Luckily, I've not hit one. Every morning, I pray to God to protect the deer from me...and me from the deer. One morning, I narrowly missed a doe and she had the audacity to look at me as if I'm the one who shouldn't have been there (well, maybe she had a point). Another morning, a doe ran across the road close enough for me to worry, but far enough away that as long as she kept moving, we would both be okay. With the sky lighter now - at least for the time being - driving to work will be a bit more relaxing for me.
Here's my front yard this morning...
As you can see, I have a LOT of leaves still on the trees. Luckily, we mow/mulch and NOT rake! Was a bit worried about that!
Must continue working on my list for today, so that's all for now!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
BREAKING News!!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
National Candy Corn Day...
I think the best way to celebrate this day is to eat as much candy corn as possible!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Grief Is The Price We Pay For Love...
After reading that sentence, you may think me cynical. Not so. That sentence pertains directly to my beloved dogs. I love them completely. I know that someday I will face life without them. It is inevitable that I will mourn their loss. The time will come sooner for some...sooner than it should. Sooner than I am...or will be...ready for.
Grief...part of the healing process...is so very difficult.
When Cruiser died...when I made the decision to end his time with me, I knew it was the right decision...for him. I could not ask him to stay with me any longer when he was so sick and losing more & more of himself. I feel no guilt. Only a deep-down and abiding sadness. After 8 months, I still cannot say more than a few words of Cruiser without my eyes overflowing with tears. I miss him so. I feel an emptiness that is with me always...still.
Grief...the act of grieving is a very complicated process...and a very individual one. I surprise myself with the amount of pain I feel with his loss...the length of time it is taking me to get ‘over’ losing Cruiser. Surprise...because of my profession as a vet tech...my practical nature...because I knew the day was coming.
It takes time...am hesitating to say this because I do not wish to sound trite...but it is oh, so true. Time does heal all wounds. At least to the extent that we allow them to be healed. The day does finally arrive when it becomes easier to tuck the memories away. A day when every breath taken is not filled with sadness.
Tammy, an online friend of mine, had to make the difficult decision to end her beloved Truvy’s life this week. She is in my thoughts and prayers...I know what she is going through.
Empathy inspired this doodle of my mind.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
...gettin' carried away ~ available to PRE-ORDER
Raising Sand...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Happy Birthday to me...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Kashmir
With this recipe, one makes a solution, and then takes whatever amount one desires per 1/2 yard wool. I threw a bunch of woolens into the pot last night with varying amounts of the dye solution...here is what I ended up with...
The two pieces on the far left were previously overdyed with something like dirty snow, only not grays but tans, and seemed to have a bit of pink undertone (still do, I think). The next one, 3rd from the left, is a dirty white texture from Rebecca Erb. Cannot for the life of me think of what she called it, but I am going to see if she has more! The 4th and 5th pieces were Fraser natural wool. I used more solution on these 3 middle pieces than I usually do and I am very happy with how they look. The end two on the right were pieces I already had overdyed...so they sat on the cupboard and waited for their mates. The piece across the bottom had been overdyed with Kashmir at some other time and, for some reason, which I find hard to believe, had almost no mottling. I threw that piece into one of the pots after the vinegar had been added and almost all of the color was taken up...it has mottling now!
Did some hooking Saturday night and yesterday, but am not happy with all of it, so am in the process of reverse hooking.
Dancing With the Stars is on soon...YAY!!!