ORANGE SINK

Burlap and Ticking

2012-02-08T13:15:00.002-10:00

The clock is ticking! Reminding me of those looming deadlines! So why am I dreaming up yet another project that I hope to have finished in time for the Primitive Handmades Mercantile update on Feb. 17th? I have no answer except for this pile of burlap that's been sitting on the shelf in my studio. I purchased it online a few months ago and loved the different colors it comes in. Did you know that you can buy burlap in almost any color imaginable? I purchased it Here

So maybe it's just another hair- brained idea of mine but I thought why not try and create something with two different fabrics like burlap and vintage ticking and then throw in a little wool for even more creative fun?

Sneak peek again..... the verdict is still out on whether this project will make it to the Mercantile. I just might keep it for myself!! LOL!

I wanted to let you know that my beginning rug hooking class is for sure a go! There are now 8 lovely ladies in waiting!!! Wow! Two spots left if you are still kicking around the idea of learning rug hooking and live around this area! I keep putting off the project of drawing my patterns out and getting the wool cut! Now I have no excuses knowing the class WILL be held.

Tomorrow the ladies are coming for some hooking, chatting and catching up on everyone's lives! Eva had back surgery since she was here last so we will want to know all about her recovery process. My 30 year old niece had the same surgery on her back yesterday. Can you believe she is supposed to come home from the hospital today already? They really do things a lot different and (better I think) now days.

I had some blood drawn today at the clinic for an appointment next week with my Endocrinology Dr. While checking in the receptionist asked me if I had a computer? I hesitated but said "yes". She proceeded to tell me that if I wanted to I could sign up for their new program where I can view all my medical records on line. She sent pamphlets home explaining it all. You can even view test results etc. Hmmmmmm..... sounds like they better have a secure system if they are putting all this private stuff on the internet.... I'm gonna have to think about this one!

I hope to have time to bake some oatmeal banana cookies ( sugarless) before the ladies come tomorrow. So maybe I should get my butt off this computer!

Thought I'd leave you with a great quote I heard today by Roger Miller.

"If I had my life to live over again..... I wouldn't have the time!"

Cathy G

The Countdown Begins!

2012-02-06T17:32:00.001-10:00

Sort of like the groundhog who was forced out of his hole five days ago to check for his shadow, I've been holed up in my studio... surfacing only to let the dogs out, make more tea and throw a log on the fire.

What's been keeping me so "nose to the grindstone"?

Deadlines looming and things to hook, sew, draw, bind, package, unpackage, prepare and get ready!

I think I may have taken on a bit more than I realized!

But I am excited! Things are happening!

My class has 7 lovely ladies signed up now! I'm pretty sure this one's a go. It starts in 18 days! So there's plenty of time for any one thinking of signing up to do so. However the class capacity is 10 so if you have been thinking about signing up I'd give the school a call right away to assure you have a spot!

I am working and getting everything ready to fly..... these ladies want to learn to HOOK and I won't let them be disappointed!!

So was this a crazy time or what to sign up for another fun selling adventure? Maybe you noticed on my sidebar I have a link and announcement that I will be selling my hand made wares on the new selling blog Primitive Handmades Mercantile. We have an update coming on Friday Feb. 17th (there will be one on the 3rd Friday of every month.) This is the first time I have ever participated in something like this so I have been learning the ropes as well as getting my hand mades made! I've given you a little sneak peek in the photo above of one of my items. It turned out sooooo nice....... you don't mind me giving myself a little plug do you?! Hey.... I need all the self confidence I can get! The sellers who are participating are the best there is in the market today! So I have been a little nervous as well that I can measure up to such talent!

I'll give you another reminder as the day gets closer for the update and a preview of my things..... so keep on the watch!

I am still diligently working on my patterns for sale and hope to have another paper one ready for your spring hooking! So stay tuned for that too!

My deepest thanks for all the sweet comments on my last post for my sister Michelle. She is doing fine. No doubt she still has sad thoughts about the life of that young woman and how helpless we are when we can do nothing to save a life. What we can do though is be aware of those around us and treat each other with all the kindness and respect we can. Whether blogging and commenting on blogs or standing in the line at the grocery store. You never know how a smile or a simple kind word will affect someone you meet. It creates a positive energy flow that keeps on going like a river. You never know that your simple kindness may in fact save a life of someone down stream!

Sweet blessings my friends!

Cathy G

She tried to help!

2012-01-30T08:48:00.000-10:00

My sister Michelle is an EMT who lives in Tempe, AZ. She tried to help a woman who crashed her car into a house yesterday. Michelle lives near where the accident happened. The woman died while Michelle was holding her head. There was an 18 month old baby in the car who survived. Here is a news video of the event. I'll tell you my sister is one strong woman. Her son Terry served two tours in Iraq. Nerves of steel I'll tell you! Hugs to you Michelle if you read this. You are my hero.

Crazy

2012-01-28T18:53:00.001-10:00

The Original Antique Rug

My Version

I've made quite a lot of progress on my antique rug adaptation. All the crazy elements in this rug are making me a little crazy. As you can see by looking at the photo of the original antique version above, the hooker from olden days did a lovely job making everything pleasing to the eye.

My version is being hooked within a 10 1/2 by 21 inch space. My elements don't have much breathing room. If I were to hook this rug again I'd reduce the elements down a notch with more background space. So you can see that I've eliminated a couple of those doo hicky things at the bottom and filled in with background colors instead hoping to gain a little more space and make the overall design less busy.

If you"ll notice around the blue bird on the left I did a little technique know as tunneling. This is the practice of carefully hooking in a much narrower strip of contrasting wool between two standard size rows of hooking. Tunneling gives definition to a motif within a design. This technique is especially helpful in creating subtle definition for primitive faces, flowers, animal features and lettering. I will be redoing that in a different lighter value wool cut a little narrower.

There will be more reverse hooking and tweaking on this rug before I am finished. Tomorrow it's back to the taxes covering my dining room table. Knowing I have "antique crazy rug" waiting for me to come play is making the taxing chore of income tax reporting a little more bearable. What I can't figure out is why the little bit of income I have to report is taking me so long to prepare! It's just plain crazy!

Cathy G

A Spark Ignites!

2012-01-23T13:33:00.001-10:00

Life brings pleasant surprises every once in awhile. They are especially welcome this time of year when the days are a little bleak, cold and sometimes frustrating. The frustrating part of that includes the daily chores which are tackled with a kind of forced gumption or completely ignored like the "broccoli breath" that I noticed wafting from the throat-like drain of the real orange sink in my kitchen yesterday. The usual treatment of vinegar mixed with baking soda and poured down the fowl smelling pipe has been neglected recently due to more pressing issues like taxes, pattern preparations, hours on the computer (working and Pinterest), mother duties, wool fondling and sleeping.

So the pleasant surprise? Yes indeed. An email from Kelley Belfast of With Hook and Needle blog inviting me to join their group of talented ladies on Ebay called An American Primitive Gathering. You can find their offerings on Ebay by clicking this link or typing in USAPRIM in the search box on Ebay. There are some awesome punch needle pieces on there right now!

One of the things this group does is work together on a chosen pattern to keep each other inspired and motivated to keep hooking through dry spells.

Dry spells, as in need new ideas, encouragement or possibly a new challenge to light the spark of creativity.

The pattern Kelley brought forth is inspired by a neat antique rug that has inspired many rug hookers already to hook a version of it.

Some in the group are needle punching the design and some are hooking.

I chose to hook a smaller mat measuring 10 by 21 inches.

The photo above is the pattern I made by altering a photo of the rug in photoshop. By using the "find edges" tool and removing the color it leaves you with an outline of the main elements in the rug.

So here is my humble start. I chose some plaid wools and lighter value textures to begin with. Of course there has been a little reverse hooking and I'm sure more as I progress. I have come to actually enjoy ripping out a line or two of something that isn't working. I don't enjoy reverse hooking whole sections however and try to avoid that by really analyzing the way things look before I get too far along with one color.

Our group would like to invite you to follow along with us by creating your own version either punching or hooking. You are welcome to drag or download the pattern of the photo above if you like.

I hear dogs whining for supper in the background..... or is that the sink burping again!

Cathy G

My First Rug Hooking Pattern For Sale!

2012-01-17T19:27:00.000-10:00

I am celebrating my first paper rug hooking pattern for sale on my new selling blog today!

You would think it a simple thing to get a paper pattern printed and ready to go.

NOT!

Living in a small town it took me five attempts at local businesses here to finally find an establishment to print one this size. It is 17 by 19 inches. He did a remarkable job with this as his business usually prints signs and decals and such.

I am very happy with the results!

So head on over to my selling blog Red House Wool Studio and take a look!

More patterns will be offered as soon as I get them ready!

( maybe I'm getting too old for this!)

Cathy G

Hooking a Log Cabin Square

2012-01-16T18:04:00.000-10:00

Thank-you to everyone who commented on my last post about hooking a log cabin square. I threw out the question as to whether you like to start the hooking at the red square in the center or prefer starting at the outside edge and hooking the "border" first.

A few answered that you felt hooking the center first keeps your mat going on the square. Then a few of you preferred hooking the outside border first stating you felt this kept the hooking more square.

Well, my thoughts of course are there are no "written in stone" rules. However ( I will exercise my "teacher rights" here a little) and say there might be a few "teensy tiny tips" that one could follow if you're after that nice, neat, clean looking square that we so often associate with hooking geometrics.

I decided to go into my science lab mode and do a test hooking. Here are the Orange Sink lab results.

A. The first method started with hooking the red square in the middle first which kept the red square nice and even and I was able to control the shape and size of the red square a little better.

B. The second method starting at the outside edge actually seemed to frame the rug and gave me a straighter outside border than method A. However when getting to the center I found the red square more difficult to fill and keep a nice square shape. I might suggest starting at the outside edge and hooking about half of the mat that way then stop and hook your red square while you still have plenty of room to make it nice and square and even. Then go back and continue filling in from where you left off.

I hope you followed that.

You could of course hook the red square first. Then go to your outside border and begin hooking.

Start hooking with your dark value wool in the middle of one edge. Never start your hooking at a corner because you want the wool to form a nice solid corner and you don't want tails to deal with at a corner. This is a RULE you must follow on all of your rugs because I'm the teacher and I said so.

With your darker value wool turn that corner nice and square then hook a couple of loops then start hooking with your light value wool.

Follow your pattern around the outside edge filling in in this manner.

See how nice and straight your little steps are where the dark and light values meet.

The one on the left was hooked from the center going outward. The one on the right was hooked beginning with the outside edge hooking to the center.

I think they both look okay but the one on the right looks a little more square and even to me.

If you haven't tried hooking a log cabin square yet get out your linen and draw the pattern. I know this can be hooked easily for seasoned hookers without drawing a pattern but for first time or newbie hookers it really helps to have some lines to follow. These mats are 6 inches square. The red square in the middle ends up being 1 inch square. I used a number 8 ( 1/4 inch) cut strip.

For not much effort and a good learning experience you can have a little mat that looks like a million bucks!!

Enjoy Each Loop!!

Cathy G

p.s. I have FIVE students signed up for class now! If you are local and are interested in taking my beginning rug hooking class starting Feb. 23rd call WITC Rice Lake Campus and they will help you get registered. Class size is limited to 10 students! We're half-way there! Yay!!

Brain.... are you listening?

2012-01-15T08:39:00.001-10:00

The last week or so has been hard on my brain. Many decisions had to be made.

Which project will be best for my new students? Which patterns will be offered on my selling blog, the sizes, how many, linen or paper, prices........

So what did I do?

Retreated to my studio to fold, fondle, stack and ponder my wool stash.

Oh yeah..... wool soothes, calms, inspires, warms and comforts.

I think the class project will be the log cabin mat.

I had to hook a couple of mats to figure out how to do it myself. If you have hooked one of these where do you begin yours? The red square in the middle or the outside border?

Too many things taxing on my brain these days.

Speaking of taxing...... those pesky tax papers cover my dining room table as we speak.

So please stay with me as I continue to make progress on my pattern offerings.

I have four students signed up for class already! I am so excited! I hope they are too! I have so many warm, fun, exciting and wonderful things to share with them!

Okay brain...... time to focus and use the side that makes the decisions.

Cathy G

What's the Buzz?

2012-01-06T18:23:00.002-10:00

Time to get back to hooking a little. This is the start of a small log cabin mat that is 6 1/2 by 7 inches. I'm using worms from the millions that have multiplied here.

I thought this would make a good beginner project for my class that starts the end of Feb. What do you think? Too hard?

Hooking a geometric can be a little tricky for a first time project.

Although I think they would dearly love the finished product.

I'm hooking this on rug warp.

Have you tried hooking on it? It's sort of okay. It's cotton. I don't think I'd hook a bigger rug on it though and nothing bigger than a size 8 strip.

Just my opinion.

Oh..... one more thing. I'm working on a new blog. A place to try and sell some of my rug hooking patterns.

I don't have my patterns quite ready yet but go take a peak. I do have a photo gallery of some of my rugs on there already.

Red House Wool Studio.

Let me know what you think.

Cathy G

Bundle Up!

2012-01-03T18:17:00.000-10:00

We're going on a snowshoe hike with Dave and his camera!

A study in neutrals.

A study of the rustic but delicate beauty of the deep woods in winter.

Catch a snowflake on the tip of your tongue.

Experience winter in the north woods of Wisconsin.
Then stop by Red House Wool Studio for a warm mug of hot cocoa!
( gosh this almost sounds like an advertisement)
Just wanted to share some of Dave's exquisite photography work.
Thought I better after giving him such a hard time yesterday!
Cathy G

A List and Two Old Foggies

2012-01-02T14:59:00.000-10:00

I actually started out with two lists this morning. The first was my to do list..... a mile long. Then realizing the dogs were completely out of chewies (a national disaster around here) I thought I better get a grocery list together and head down to Walmart.

I usually never go grocery shopping without a list, especially at Walmart because I tend to get sidetracked down the plastic bin isle and buy more bins for things I'm supposed to be getting rid of. That was one of the things on my to do list today. Start the pile for getting rid of.

Any hoo.... off I went to Walmart and upon getting into the car I realized I forgot the 25.00 gift certificate Dave received for Christmas from his employer, which we decided to spend on groceries. Instead of tracking snow back into the house I opened the garage door and hollered for Dave to please look on the dining room table and find the gift certificate that was laying there in plain sight. Hollering back says he: " I don't see it." Says me: "Well, it's laying right there on the table in the envelope with the pic of a big Christmas bulb on the front..... nope he still can't see it. So I come back in the house tracking snow and go into the dining room and see the durn thing laying right there in plain sight.
So me being a bit snarly says to him " maybe they need to check your eye sight on Thurs. instead of your butt". ( he's having a routine colonoscopy on Thurs). I know... not very nice of me.

So off I go to Walmart. The weather today was freezing cold with a nasty wind that had me wishing for a hot flash on the way into the big Super Store. Grabbed a cart and started to dig through my purse.... Oh s##! yep.... my list was laying back home on the dining room table! Now are you thinking what I'm thinking? Why didn't man see it laying there when he looked for the gift certificate........ oh yeah.... his mind was elsewhere today. Then my snarly attitude lightened slightly as I recalled that this was the second time in the last few weeks I'd gone off and forgot my list on the table. I chuckled and thought to myself what a couple of old foggies we're getting to be. At least we seem to be losing our faculties at the same pace.
After checking out my cart full of things I decided to give Dave a quick call to see if I had remembered everything on my list ( don't ask why I waited until I was completely checked out and on my way to the car). I had most everything on the wayward list except my favorite instant iced tea mix of which I can't live without. So I dashed back into the big warm store and bought the tea and a pair of jeans.

photo via pinterest

Perhaps this is the size list that would be helpful. At least Dave could maybe see it..... ya think?!

( as a side note..... nothing on the first list got accomplished today)

Cathy G

Stuff

2012-01-01T10:20:00.000-10:00

Last night Dave and I celebrated the New Year watching a tribute to the late George Carlin on PBS. This has to be one of my all time favorite comedy routines of his about people and their stuff. If I have one resolution that I mean to keep in this new year it is getting rid of stuff. I know..... I know I said that last year and the year before. This year I really mean it! Really!!

Sweet blessings to all my blog readers and I hope your 2012 is filled with thought provoking, mind tingling, gold jingling, bell ringing, heart fulfilling moments!!
Cathy G

Thinking Ahead

2011-12-27T19:30:00.001-10:00

via Pinterest

One of my goals for the new year is to knit something. Found this little video inspiring Click here ://vimeo.com/33256289

   I found this list for 33 ways to Stay Creative.

   Click on it to make it more readable.

Can you tell I'm knee deep in looking for inspiration and motivation? The first thing I really need to do is number 4 on the above list!!

Cathy G

WHAT A DOLL!!!

2011-12-19T11:27:00.000-10:00

My post today is a tale of two dolls! The first is a fabulous real life living doll who is well known to my blogger friends. Lori Rippey ( HomespunPrims Blog)! You'll recall that a few days ago I won a fantastic give-away she was having on her blog! The package arrived today and I'll tell you what.... I was brought to my knees by the contents!

A little prim punch needle piece and a quilt that will give you spine tingling , bell ringing , knock your crazy socks right off your feet feeling! I had to sit down and admire the tiny tiny stitching and the tiny tiny piecing in her work. Meticulous and fabrics to die for!! Lori Lori..... no wonder her pieces are highly sought after! And if the pieces themselves were not enough she had it all wrapped in a scrumptious green plaid HUGE piece of wool!! I am still pinching myself this afternoon and will be for some time to come that I could be so blessed! Merry Christmas Lori and Thank-you for being the living doll that you are and drawing my name!!~~XOXOXO~~Another special doll is gracing my home this Christmas.This one's a boy doll.He measures a mere 5 1/2 inches.Porcelain head and arms and......

..... oops..... yes, my little man is missing a leg. There's a story ( you know me and my stories) about what happened to his leg.

This very special little doll belonged to my Dad!It was given to him by his Aunt Muriel when he was very young. Possibly for Christmas or his birthday which is Dec. 20th. My Dad is gone now. He passed in 1991 at age 66. My Grandma gave the doll to my Mom years ago. It has always been stored in this box with a note in my Grandmother's hand which reads: Bob's doll- given to him by Muriel ( my Grandmother's sister) He hung it out car window and lost the one leg. I cannot help but smile each time I read it for that is what a little boy must do! It's probably a miracle the whole doll wasn't lost in the event. So today we are lucky enough to have this little treasure and put him out at Christmas. Mom isn't ready to part with him yet so after Christmas I shall return him in his little box to her and she can squirrel him away in her safe storage place.

So there you have it. The dolls of Christmas past and present! Hmmmm.... sounds like the title for a good book!
Cathy G

Family Photo Day at Orange Sink

2011-12-17T20:50:00.000-10:00

Today was family photo day at the Orange Sink homestead. It started out by chasing down the fur children to get their faces washed and trimmed and ears fluffed and puffed and red ribbons tied around furry necks.
Mrs. Orange sink was groomer while Mr. Orange Sink, official photographer, set up his tripod and readied his camera equipment. The friend who offered to help us out with the photo shoot had Christmas shopping to do and canceled out at the last minute.
So the scenario went something like this. Mr. OS setting the camera on the tripod to take 10 automatic shots in a row. Mrs. OS holding dogs while sitting on the hearth. Mr. OS rushing to take his seat next to us and grabbing a dog and trying to look posed. The flash going off and the dogs looking every direction but at the camera. After repeating this about 50 times the dogs were having none of it and Mrs. OS was getting hot and hungry. The photographer was getting ornery.The above photo in the header is the best we could muster up.
They say people sometimes look like their pets or vice versa.

It all ended with a little pouting session afterwards.. can't really blame them.....I hate having my picture taken too!

Cathy G

Sugar and Spice and All That's Nice!

2011-12-15T16:23:00.003-10:00

Yesterday was my little Christmas party for my friends who gather to hook each month in my studio. I've been stitching and stuffing these little snowmen to give to each fabulous lady! But as luck would have it Saundra the "Snowbird" took off a few days ago for Florida. Icy and wet roads forced Lorena to not want to venture out. So Eva and Jeannie and I were left to devour all the Christmas baking (compliments of my Mom!)

I gave up doing any Christmas baking this year due to the weight loss program I've been following.

Fortunately my Mom is still the best baker and cookie maker in the county!

Wrapping the snowmen proved to be quite challenging. But the wrapped packages doubled quite nicely as table decorations! I bought the paper plates and napkins at Walmart and discovered later that I had the tissue paper that matched!

My tummy hasn't felt the best today. Do you suppose it's because of all the sugar and spice ?!
How are your Holiday preparations coming along?
Any suggestions on what to get a husband who told me today that he doesn't need anything..... he has all he needs ( me and Smokey and Max!)
Cathy G

Sleigh Bells Ring!

2011-12-09T08:23:00.001-10:00

Are you listenin' ?

The other day Mom and I were out on the weekly jaunt to buy groceries and make other necessary stops in town. I was driving along trying to stay in the moment and enjoy some of the sights of the season. Snow filled streets and decorations, people hurrying along, Christmas tunes on the radio....... and all of a sudden my Mom says "Did you get your property tax bill in the mail yet?"

My mind came crashing down and the music seemed to fizzle out like an old time vinyl record when the needle scratched across the surface.

Mom!.... Now why'd you have to go and bring up the property taxes..... shouldn't we just try and relax a little and enjoy the simple things of the season before they vanish and yet another year is hastily ripped from the calendar!

Window in the studio filled with greens and a Birch tree with lights.
Bulbs a glistenin'

Snowmen waiting to be built.

The dogs make cute tracks in the snow.

My old junk is put to use holding craft supplies..... Remember that old ribbon candy? Ahhhh the old tins sure beat the plastic containers everything comes in now......

Cards from friends displayed with old sewing notions and wool of course!

My old dress form in the studio wears a vintage wool coat and one of my wool scarves...... that is when I'm not wearing them......

One of the biggest treasures of the season arrived via Fed Ex Yesterday!! Yes.... my blog giveaway winnings from Joanne over at Snippets and Scraps of my Mind Blog

A wool feather tree kit with all the ingredients to make a tree! Last year I got directions via email from Joanne for making one of those trees. I sort of glazed over a little and didn't try and make one. It sounds harder than it probably is. But now that I have this kit in my claws I think I can figure out how it goes! My Gosh..... she even put a bottle of glue, a sharpie and the nicest well written instructions you could ask for! Not to mention a darling reusable bag in my favorite color! THANK-YOU JOANNE! I have no excuses now! A feather tree is going to materialize as soon as I get a couple of Christmas presents done!!

I think I hear sleigh bells ringing........ Are you listening?

Cathy G

Wool on the Hoof

2011-12-02T16:03:00.000-10:00

I made this burlap bag filled with faux greens and wool candycanes to hang on the front door. It's mounted on an old piece of barn board.

It's been difficult as of late to find time to post. This past week has been crazy to say the least. Dave's Mom who is 89 years old fell down in her apartment. That's the third time in the last few months. She knocked out her front tooth but didn't break any bones. She's had a very rough week. Her sister who was 93 years old passed away this week.

While making the thirty mile trip to Dave's Mom's apartment this week there were a flock of sheep along the roadside. I asked him to pull over and get me a photo for my blog. He obliged and these are the photos.

Don't they look cute in their wool outfits?! I'm thinking how cute they would look hooked into a rug of many colors! That wool looks like it would take a dye beautifully!
I've been busy making more bird pin cushions and a new little snowman which you can see in the new blog header.
We have a dusting of snow on the ground now and expecting a couple more inches this weekend. I hope to get back to rug hooking soon! It's time to start turning the wool on the hooves to a little wool on the frame!
Hope you're having a gentle and productive weekend!Blessings!Cathy G

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:35:00.000-10:00

I know it's a day to be full of thanks. I have a mile long list of things for which I am truly thankful.

I'll spare you the list.

On a day marked with feasting and family for most Americans I pause to think of those for whom the day may not be so plentiful. For those serving our country in places far away from family and friends.

I am truly thankful.

Our larder here on the Orange Sink home front has been provided some venison thanks to a little sharp shooting by Mr. Orange Sink ( in his blaze orange jacket). :)

He bagged his little antlerless buck yesterday.

Manhood stands steady.

Mrs. Orange Sink " done her part" as some would say in the red neck north woods we call home. As you recall from the last post I " done sold" the little deer mat at the craft sale. In so doing I was able to put a good dent in the moneys owed for the Townsend Cutter!
We have a roof over our heads and meat in the freezer.The least of which to be thankful for.
I am filled with a deep thankfulness today for all of you who read my blog. You are precious as gold and hold healing powers in your friendship to the extent you cannot know.For you I am deeply thankful!
Blessings today and everyday!
Cathy G

A Blizzard of Shoppers! Craft show results!

2011-11-19T18:41:00.001-10:00

I have to say the 50 crafters who filled the little parochial school gym in our fair town put on an amazing show today! The shoppers lined up outside this morning waiting in chilly temps with the season's first real snowstorm threatening to hit by early afternoon! When the doors flew open at 9:00 am sharp the booths quickly filled with shoppers eager to buy something handmade or home baked! Come with me now for a little tour of our north country small town craft fair!

This gorgeous young lady had the most beautiful fresh pine wreaths and was just getting set up when I snapped the photo! I can't tell you how many shoppers I saw carrying her beautiful wreaths out the door!

Wooden shelves and signs were in abundance!

These wooden snowmen were wonderful and crafted from split logs with the bark still on!

Hand painted gourd bird dwellings!

Milk can luminary's and decorated old sleds! Those milk cans really looked cool lit up in the dark! ( why didn't I buy one..... ?)

Uffda! You will never go to a craft show in Wisconsin without finding home made lefse!

This sweet lady had the most adorable lighted snow people with names that mimicked movies stars.... like Meryl Sleet..... Holly Berry....... they were a blast!

Spices and dips mixes and.........

Baby booties! Ya know it gets cold in Northern Wisconsin but babies never have cold feet here!! LOL!

More of those sweet lighted snow ladies..... check out the glam hats!!!

Fruitcake and pies!

Cement heads! I liked them!! ( you knew I would LOL!)

A chorus of snowmen! Singing to welcome the wintery weather that turned into our first good snow storm of the season!
And I saved my own booth photos for last!

For my first craft show ever I have to say I really had a good time and a good show! I have nothing to compare it too but I sold ALL of the little owl pincushions! I guess like always some of the things I thought for sure would sell didn't, like the little wool stockings... and I thought they were so cute! I did sell one of the creepy Santas! A few ornaments and a couple of the smaller hooked mats. Oh yes...... I did sell the deer rug with the braided border! And the best part of all........ I have at least 10 ladies who are going to be fighting over spaces in my next class! I was overwhelmed at the reaction to my rugs having never displayed them locally at such a well attended venue. Thanks to the help of my two little helper elves Loreena and Saundra ( my hooking ladies!) I was able to talk and promote my classes while they waited on customers! It was a wild and very busy day and I couldn't have done it at all if it weren't for these two angels by my side!

Thank-you Loreena and Saundra!! What a great job you did and I want you to know the cash register balanced to the penny!!!! I hope you made it home safe and sound on those snowy and icy roads!
I'm off to soak in a tub of bubbles and dream about the project I need to create for my class of new students!!! Ain't life grand!!!
Cathy G

It's Now or Never!

2011-11-17T16:54:00.001-10:00

WHEW! Tomorrow is set-up day for the craft sale! Am I ready you ask? Don't ask! ( I've never had so many needle holes poked in my fingers and stuffing fibers up my nose..... :-0

Little beady bird eyes have been following me about the studio all week taunting....... are you ready? Are you ready?

Then early this week a package came in the mail!! My wool winnings from Saundra of Woodland Junction Blog Along with the fabulous wool a cute snowman pattern and a coupon for a discount on my next wool order from Heaven's to Betsy!! Well THAT spurred me to get back in that studio and make more stuff to sell for the craft sale so if sales are good I can order more wool!
Thank-you Saundra! (and Heaven's to Betsy) I also won some hand dyed wool from Julia over at Of Petals and Wool blog! (pictured on the left in the above photo!) Gorgeous wool and colors! I have been going through my wool like crazy and all of this wool is helping to keep me going! Thank-you Julia!!!( I see Julia has gone National with her triplet calves..... congrats Julia! Go to her blog to read all about it! )

Red wool candy canes with homespun stripes are all tagged and ready to go!!

Another creepy Santa of course!! He will join his brother in the display!

Some hooked coasters in nice Christmas colors!Now if I could just get these birds off my back I'd be ready to get packed up tomorrow afternoon. Now where are those bags, tissue paper, receipt books...... camera batteries ........Wish me luck!!
Cathy G
( craft sale is this Sat. Nov. 19th from 9:00am to 3:00pm at St. Joseph's School Gym, Rice Lake, WI)

Crafting Creepy Santas

2011-11-04T15:25:00.003-10:00

All that's missing is the Christmas Music! My studio is buried beneath stuffing, wool pieces, beads, bells and creepy Santa's! I've decided to go with somewhat of a woodland theme for this craft show. The little beady eyed birds and owl pin cushions are fitting in nicely. Then it struck me that what is Christmas without a Santa or two. After experimenting with some wool roving and felting needles I came up with what I think is a rather creepy looking Santa. I'm just pretending he crawled out from under a rock in the woods to join the festivities.

Then I decided what is Christmas without a Stocking or two. Magically these little ornaments took shape and are all stuffed with some fake greens and chenille red and green candy canes. The dye I made from Lauren's ( Rugs and Pugs blog) Black Walnuts she sent me came in real handy as those chenille things needed some grunging up.

It's been a tough week to stay focused in the studio. Monday me and the fur kids accompanied dear hubby to the Endodontist in Eau Claire for some root canal work he is having done. ( I snuck in a quick stop at the JoAnne's Fabrics and Micheal's Craft Store for some supplies I needed). This week I had my appointment with the Endocrinology Dr. to find out what's going on with my thyroid. So far he has diagnosed Hashimoto's Disease which I pretty much already knew I had. I am being monitored for two months on this dosage of medicine and then back again.
Today was grocery shopping with my Mom. By the time I got home I had a headache. Not much crafting done this afternoon......

Yesterday I started hooking these 6 by 7 inch holly berry mats. The wool I'm using around the border is kind of a taupe or khaki with olive overtones. I hooked two and would like to make more except I'm running out of that color of wool! I have wool soaking tonight to try and dye some of that color tomorrow. I'm not exactly sure what color it is so will be experimenting again!! Does anyone know what a good dye formula is for this color? I have Cushing Dyes I'm using. Thank-you for all of your wonderful comments on my crafting so far. I wish you all could come to the craft show and have some fun!! I am hoping to get a lot more made before the show but you know what they say! We can make all the plans we want but God just laughs! I'm sure he is getting a good laugh already at the creepy Santa!
Cathy G

The Witch is Confused!

2011-10-29T08:55:00.000-10:00

The Witch who resides in the corner of the studio is very confused. I think she is a little miffed to be quite frank. Her rug hooker necklace gleams and sparkles while she watches the stuffing, red and green hand dyed wool and tiny beads fly around the studio. "Nothing orange and black my Dearie?" she cackles.

With only a few short weeks before the Christmas Craft Show the studio looks more like Santa's Workshop. So be silent silly Witch! Monday evening you may fly back to the shadows in the corner of the Halloween box and not be forced any longer to watch the tiny hand stitched ornaments, hand hooked feather tree mats, little bird pin cushions, felted wool acorns and more taking shape on the worktable.

I'll share more details soon. I must go limber up my fingers and take a cup of Witches Brew to calm the nervous Witch in the corner!
Have a Spooky one my Dearies!!
Cathy G

Plan B

2011-10-22T18:24:00.000-10:00

Thought you might enjoy seeing this photo of the big maple in our neighbors yard now that all the leaves are gone! It is still a beauty with or without its leaves.

It was another gorgeous day here in Northern WI! I think mother nature is trying to lull us into thinking winter won't come this year! Ha! Fat chance of that! LOL! This whole next week is supposed to be nice though!
Makes it hard to stay indoors and concentrate on my projects in the studio.

The last couple of weeks after finding out that my rug hooking class was not going to take place I had to shift gears and engage plan B. All along I had a feeling ( intuition if you will Julia! ) that this time of year is not a good time for most people to take a class. I will try again in Feb. to teach another class at the tech. school. A much better time of year for being indoors and when people are thinking of perhaps learning a new craft or hobby. So what is my plan B?

I need to have some sort of way to raise some moolah to start paying for that Townsend cutter I bought a while back. So I have decided to participate in a well established craft show that is held once a year here in the parochial school. The proceeds from show admittance and food goes to help the school and students. It has been a very well attended show with lots of crafters and vendors. It is held each year on the Sat. in Nov. when deer hunting season opens. Deer hunting season in WI is celebrated like a Holiday! LOL! When the menfolk head for the woods ( although lot's of women hunt too) women go in droves to the sales, shops and shows held through out the area.

So....... crafting it is for this rug hooker! Oh yes, I plan to exhibit a rug or two and I am working on one right now that I will offer for sale!

Here's a sneak peak of some of the things I am making! Let me just say there is a lot of stitching and stuffing going on! All the fussy work gets a little tedious sometimes for this old gal! LOL! But I crank up my rock and roll music and listen to the Dr. Laura Berman Show on XM radio..... ( all the sex talk keeps me awake LOL! ) and the time has been FLYING by!

Here is the rug I hope to sell. It is a free pattern called Spirit Moose by Wanda Kerr on the Welcome Mat. I changed the antlers a bit to resemble a deer more than a moose. This was a super fun pattern to hook and went rather quickly. It measures 17 1/2 by 13 1/2 inches.

Today I was looking at the rug thinking a braided border to finish it might be nice. Do you like the looks of it? I have never put a braided border on a rug before. I thought why not try it on this one! I have always admired them on rugs I have seen using this technique. I did the braiding and am now trying to figure out how to attach it to the rug. I'm usually pretty good at figuring things out but may have to see if there are some videos on You Tube showing how it's done. Feel free to comment if you have done this technique and there are things I should be aware of. More to follow in the next few days as I create and stitch my way to the craft show! Cathy G

Going Nuts!

2011-10-18T11:44:00.001-10:00

I know I've been absent from the blogging scene lately. You see things have been going a little nutty here in more ways than one! I have been having thyroid issues again. The good Doc is trying to get me straightened out and has set me up to go see an Endocrinologist. I guess I knew this would be my ultimate fate. The medication I'm on works for awhile and then my symptoms which are severe fatigue, severe aching in my legs, and general feelings of depression come back.

To make a long story short I have been feeling like crap. Some days it's a struggle to put one foot in front of the other. As of last weekend the medication adjustment must be helping a little as I actually felt like doing something today!

So guess what I did!

Well, Lauren over at Rugs and Pugs was kind enough to send me a box full of Black Walnuts. I've always been curious about them as it seems we don't have many Black Walnut trees growing around here. I've always wondered about making dye for wool out of them. So sweet Lauren gathered up some nuts to send and while she was at it tucked in one of her awesome 'Rug Hooker' silver spoon necklaces she makes! Now how's that for being sweet!? The necklace is sweet as can be and is a permanent part of my studio decor when I'm not wearing it! Thank-you Lauren!

So those nuts sat around here for a few days with me looking at them and wondering how the heck do I make dye from them?

Reading whatever I could get my eyes on about preparing them for dye I realized I had to get the hulls off first.

EWWEEEE! Ugly little suckers aren't they!! Wear gloves if you ever attempt to do this or your hands will be forever a bright yellow! Good for Halloween maybe!

I'm using an old tin snips but a heavy pair of scissors would work too.

Judging by the brown color I see on the paper towels where the nuts are drying after hulling I think the dye should be a beautiful brown shade.

They look a lot better after the hulls are off! Actually they are real pretty.

After hulling I decided to boil a few of them with some of that icky brown stuff still left on to see what would happen. I threw in some vinegar and let it simmer.

Then I got the brainy idea to put the hulls in a crock pot and let them simmer with some salt and vinegar. Use an old crock pot that you don't intend to use for food again. I use this one for dying wool and don't use it for food we are going to eat!

I decided to freeze some of the fresh hulls for use later on. Use jars as I read that the acid over time would eat through plastic. Sounds scary so I just used glass jars. Be sure and label them so hubby doesn't think it's beef jerky or something!

I couldn't resist throwing a small piece of white wool in the pot simmering on the stove. Boy, it took up so fast that I didn't leave it in there long! Remember.... this is only experimental on my part. I'll have to let you know how it turns out after it simmers for awhile. I think the brown color is quite attractive! I just checked the crock pot which I put out in the garage to let it cook as I also heard they can be smelly. Well the garage smells like boiling walnuts, a smell I haven't experienced until today. Not bad at all! Just kind of earthy. Like you would expect from some kind of nut I guess.
More later...... oh and in case some of you are wondering about my beginning rug hooking class it didn't get off the ground this time for lack of students. Probably just as well as I started feeling so poorly just as the class would have started. There's always an upside to the downside! Plan B is in full swing and I'll tell you more about that later too!
Cathy G

Hooked Rugs as Art Exhibit-Anderson Cntr. Redwing, MN

2011-10-04T07:42:00.000-10:00

Smokey and me getting a close-up view of Wanda's Loon by Water!

Yesterday on one of the finest fall days you will ever encounter in Northern WI My Hubby, our two dogs, and myself journeyed two and a half hours by car ( not horses! LOL) to Redwing Minnesota. The Anderson Art Center was hosting a spectacular Hooked Rugs as Art Exhibit put on by Mary Ann Wise and Friends from Wisconsin. Twenty Two rug artists from North and South America participated making this one of the largest exhibitions of hooked rugs to be shown in the region.

Mary Ann Wise is a nationally known hooked and woven rug artist and has been published in Fiber Arts, Country Home, American Craft and others. In 2009 she introduced the art form to the fair trade groups in Guatemala.
So without further spiel........ the rugs! ( only a few of the many many on display)

Yessica Calgua (Guatemala) 100% Recycled fabric on cotton ground cloth

Eric Sandberg (Georgia)Wedding Dance

Towers of Light-2010Molly Dye (Vermont)

Tool Box- Various threads( cotton,wool, silk, rayon etc.) on woven cottonAnne-Marie Littenberg (Vermont)

Soyla Calgua ( Guatemala) 100% recycled fabrics on cotton ground

One of the rooms at the center where the rugs were displayed

Tish Murphy's rugs ( Minnesota)

Race PointMolly Dye (Vermont) Love this rug with all the different fibers she used ( notice the fringe around the roof top on the far left! Lots of sparkly yarns too!)

Present Times- EarthboundTish Murphy ( Minnesota)100% wool on cotton backing

Canary's Lament-2011Mary Anne Wise (Wisconsin)In private collection

Light by WaterWanda Kerr (Ontario)Wool through Linen

Gee's Bend RecalledJan Mostrom (Minnesota)

ForrestJoan Lavine (Minnesota)

End Times- ApocalypseTish Murphy ( Minnesota)

Big Boned Girls and Taking a BreakDeanne Fitzpatrick (Novia Scotia)

Carmen Maldonado ( Guatemala)100% Recycled fabrics on cotton ground cloth Loon by WaterPeace by WaterBorn by WaterWanda Kerr ( Ontario)I have to say the favorite part of the exhibit was seeing Wanda Kerr's rugs up close and personal! Oh yes Wanda, I looked at the backs and checked everything out! I went back twice or more to see them again! I think I even saw a Birdie( Wanda's kitty) hair on one! Just kidding!
Cathy G

A Mighty Maple

2011-10-01T08:00:00.002-10:00

You could say we have a love affair going with trees here in Northern Wisconsin. Especially this time of year when the mighty maples turn the landscape into colors that dazzle and awe and call leaf peepers from everywhere to gaze upon the magic.

This gorgeous maple in the above photo and my blog header is in my neighbors yard. Dave and I hold this tree in special honor and cherish it for you see Dave planted it. Are you impressed? I'll tell you it's hard for even us to believe how magnificent this tree has become.

In 1998 we sold the little house we lived in when we got married and bought the one directly across the street where we live now. I can look out my kitchen window and see our old house and this maple tree in the front yard everyday.

Dave dug this tree when it was just a six foot sapling from his parents farmland about thirty miles from here. He transplanted it here in 1987 and we've been blessed to watch it grow daily to it's present height somewhere between forty or fifty feet tall!

We often marvel at how big and nicely formed it is. A gorgeous specimen of a sugar maple tree.

It continues to baffle us how it grew so big in the twenty four years since it was planted.

On Wednesday we took a drive to the south shore of Lake Superior on our annual trek to Bayfield WI. A scenic drive to be sure. The leaves were spectacular but none really rivaled the ones we see each day out our own kitchen window.

A leaf pillow I made from wool that was rolled up and simmered in a pot. I've been saving the wool for when the right inspiration hit to make something. Oak leaf cutouts are appliqued onto black wool and stuffed with wool snippets and left over bits from rug hooking.

I also made some pumpkins from my hand dyed wool. I've been creating and working on many many new things........ I will share soon! Dave is on vacation, we're in the middle of many projects and helping my Mom with her basement project etc. It's looking more and more like my plan B may have to go into effect. No students have signed up yet for my beginning rug hooking class. Monday is the deadline for signing up. We'll talk soon my friends!!
Cathy G

Afternoon Delight!

2011-09-22T06:44:00.000-10:00

When hookers gather at my studio the first few moments are spent browsing around to see what new things I've been creating or what new colors of wool I've been simmering in the dye pots. The key lime wool in the above photo was a hit with everyone!!

Come meet the ladies of the early evening who gather here a few times a month.

Eva hooking her house trivet on monks cloth. Only her second project and already knows she doesn't like monks cloth! The trivet is a pattern from Jill Holmes at Northwoods Wool. Eva is one of my students from my first class at the WITC this spring.

Jeannie hooking one of my kits the Grinning Jack- on linen. This is her fourth project and she is really getting her loops nice and high and is really doing a great job. Jeannie is one of my students from my first class this Spring also.

Lorena is visiting from a nearby town and hasn't been hooking very long. She is working on a pattern she drew free hand based on a rosemaling design. She does rosemaling and sews and does a lot of different crafts.

Saundra is also from a nearby town and learned to hook with Lorena. She is working on a cover for a brick doorstop with the likeness of a kitty she once had.
These ladies are a delight and the answer to my prayer some time ago that I find some one to share my love of hooking. We meet here in my studio at least two or three times a month.
I can't help thinking back to the time when I was a lone hooker sitting in my studio wondering if I would ever find ANYBODY to hook with!! Not only did I find some ladies..... they are the sweetest, most wonderful new friends you could ever find! I am blessed. Cathy G
My next rug hooking class for beginners is scheduled to begin at the WITC ( technical college) beginning Thurs.Oct. 6. Email me for the class specifics or call the school to register. (800-243-9842)

It's Time for a Winner........ Oh Gina........

2011-09-19T07:33:00.000-10:00

It's time to find this little mat it's new home! What a treat to have so many comments and emails about your color choices and preferences in mat shapes etc.!! There are so many choices to be made when designing a rug as rug hookers know. That's what I find so exciting about this craft. We aren't limited at all by color, style, size shapes etc. From coasters to large room size rugs, purses, art to hang on the wall..... rug hooking embraces it all!!

To the many who are thinking of learning how to rug hook I encourage you to take action! With all the tools you need available online and some nice instruction ( lot's of free instruction too I might add) there is no better time to learn!

I am saving all of your comments from this give-away and the many nice emails I received also ( over 67 of them!) in a notebook to read from time to time! So very encouraging to me and when the blues hit on a cold winters day (or a nice day for that matter LOL!) I will read your comments...... your gift to me for which I am grateful and honored to have you as readers and followers of my blog. I think I'll have another give-away soon.... just to see all the new followers! All you bloggers know the thrill of getting those followers! It's a bit like hoarders...... except blog followers don't take up that much space!! :))

So now......... to the follower who will give this little mat and some added little goodies some space in her home is.........

Gina! ....... Cat Nap Inn Primitives! Clear some space for this little mat! It will be coming to live with YOU!! ( I will need your address sweetie!)

The wool has been flying out in my studio this past week and weekend! The photo above is a teaser for a little sneak peek! I haven't even started cutting the wool yet for my class but that won't take long thanks to the new Mr. Townsend! No students have signed up yet and it worries me a little. That happened last time too. Everyone waited til the last minute to sign up.
Whatever happens I do have a Plan B this time. It always good to have a Plan B right!?
Today I'm off to help my Mom pick out new carpet and tile for her basement. Last week a water valve broke down there and before she realized the water had flooded the living area and ruined the carpet. It all needs to be replaced. There is always something it seems that comes along and keeps me away from my work in the studio. Oh well..... I guess I'm the good daughter. Congrats again to Gina! And Thank-you all for participating!

Cathy G

Give-Away Time at Orange Sink Blog!

2011-09-13T06:51:00.001-10:00

It's about time I have a give-away on this ol' blog!! I have been gathering followers like wildfire the past couple of weeks! Welcome to those of you who have jumped on board! I try to keep my readers entertained and updated on the happenings around the Orange Sink household when I'm not in the studio with my new Townsend cutter going to town LOL!.

There are times however when the brain fog really takes over and I am hard pressed to come up with anything I think you might find worthwhile to read. I really do appreciate those who follow and comment and those who may read and don't comment.

If you have been a little bit shy about commenting or don't know how....... Feel free to hit the Email Me button over there on the side bar and leave me your comment.

Oh...... what am I giving away? Thought you might like to know that little tid bit of information LOL!

How about the little round hooked mat in the photos here!

It measures about 10 1/2 inches across so it fits in a lot of places. The colors are nice and warm and go with any season. The more I try and pare down the things I decorate with these days the more I LOVE little mats like this that can be left out year round. Made with 100% wool strips hooked through a lovely linen backing. Most of the wools have been hand-dyed by me!
All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment on this post! Just say Hi! If you want to help me out you can also tell me what shape and size of hooked mat you would find useful in your home. What color palette you are into like neutrals, brights, earthy etc. I am trying to decide what my next hooking project will be and maybe you all can lend some inspiration here!
Thanks in advance........ can't wait to hear from you! You can sign up to follow my blog too if you wish! I also have some other little goodies to go along with the mat for the lucky winner!Good Luck Everybody!
P.S. Let's end this give-away soon so you can get the mat in time for your Fall and Holiday decorating! Mon. Sept. 19th will be the deadline okay? I'll draw out of the hat on Tues the 20th! Appreciate you putting the word out on your blogs too! Hugs!!
Cathy G

Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

2011-09-11T06:24:00.000-10:00

When thinking about 9-11-2001 this photo always comes to mind.

This is the actual moment the world changed.

My thoughts today.

Cathy G

Stripping Gears

2011-09-08T06:58:00.000-10:00

For all fellow rug hookers who read my blog this post is for you!!

I'm sure you are all familiar with the little Bliss cutter in the photo above. This is the cutter I bought off Ebay used several years ago. It has been my faithful companion cutting all the wool for the countless rugs I've hooked over the past 6 years or so. Recently I have been having major problems with getting it to cut straight or cut at all! Not good timing as I have a lot of kits to do up now before my classes start in Oct. Hubby tipped her over to examine the underside after my countless complaints and whining the other day. To my horror he announced the gears were stripped! Poor Bliss should be sent to the manufacturer for an overhaul! I couldn't imagine being without some sort of cutter at this time right before classes. Just couldn't imagine it.

Serious discussions ensued. The state of the economy ( ours to be exact), the fact that repairs are being made on quite a few household things at the moment, the price of groceries, the dogs need haircuts, Hubby needs a vacation and his truck is making bad noises....... very long discussions....................

.......................................

............................................................

Yep! That is our front Porch yesterday. After the UPS man made a visit!!

My rug hooking readers know exactly what this is!!!

Come along now and share my excitement!! I've dreamt about this moment for years!! The case itself is awesome!!!

The top lid opens for a darling little space to store hooks, scissors, candy LOL!! What ever you want to keep handy........ OH!! and then...........

The whole lid opens and ...........another LIFT OUT little caddy holds the cutter blades etc. and the attachments for using the long blades if you decide to get them....... I ordered #6 # 7 # 8 for now!

Then............

under that little caddy you lift out is the mean, lean cutting machine himself with a nice hard foam protection around him!!

The instruction booklet! Read it later!...............

Well.... I had to read it now I guess. Wanted to be sure I was dropping the cutter cartridges in the right way!! Oh would you look at that!! Doesn't need the wrench and any adjusting........ Just drop that baby in and.............

Cutting wool! OMG!!! Better than sex!!

If you come knockin' and my studio door is rockin! You'll know why!!
Cathy G

The Big BAd Boy Himself!!

Fall Decorating with Moon Phase Syndrome

2011-09-06T07:47:00.002-10:00

There's a bit of fall decorating going on here. I have an apple theme going on a primitive shelf leading down into the studio.

Replaced the Petunia's in some pots with some Mums on the front deck.

Nature decorates for the most part by herself. My remaining( her sister tree didn't make through the winter) Pee Gee Hydrangea tree is loaded with blossoms and they're hinting a blush of pink. I hope to getting around to making a wreath this year.

The window box replanted with Mums and metal Sunflower decorations.

The back deck and all the hanging baskets holding their own. They require constant watering to keep them blooming now. The night before last the temperature dropped to 40 degrees so I fear it won't be long and frost will take care of all that watering! It's bittersweet to let them go. I have been known to drag to them all into the house night after night. We'll see what happens this year.
I believe there is another full moon upon us by weeks end. Those of you who are moon phase sensitive will know it without looking at the calendar. Expect the symptoms to alleviate and have more clear head days by next week. At least that is what I'm hoping for.
Cathy G

Savoring August

2011-08-29T14:59:00.000-10:00

Two more days and this year's August will vanish forever.

Maybe you're Anxious for fading greens to turn to golds and rusts

and hot, angry weather to mellow into cooler crisper days.

Before I give August too swift of a kick in the behind maybe I'd be wise to think of January and February days ahead.

When the memory of warm breezes through open windows, slow walks with the dogs past waving corn stalks, an evening bike ride with the pungent smell of late summer in my nostrils would have me wishing I'd savored the last two days of August.

I'll be dyeing more wool this week and working on kits for my rug hooking class this Fall. I'm also working on some little projects I'll share when I have more done. The ladies are coming Wed. afternoon for some rug hooking, chatting, snacking, planning new projects and finishing some old.

I gathered some Silver King Artemisia this morning from the garden. It's silvery leaves will dry in a crock for enjoying all winter long.

How will you be savoring the last two days of August?
Cathy G

Method to My Madness?

2011-08-21T15:51:00.003-10:00

(Kelley Belfast designed Pumpkin)

I just might be a lunatic. I've been working like a mad scientist the past couple of days conjuring up dye formulas and dyeing wool. I've taxed my brain to it's limit trying to design my next class rug hooking project. Is it going to be too hard for first time hookers to hook? How long will it take them? What colors should I use?...... for an October class that should be a no brainer right?

Fresh out of the dye pot these rust textures dry on an early drying rack.

Out of the dye pots came a few golds. I think these will work.

Now, to decide on the edging. Don't want to go with a traditional binding. Want something fun and different and fast to do. Not sure if I like what I came up with.
The mad scientist may have to put on the very large thinking cap and come up with a different idea !
Cathy G

Grinning Jack

2011-08-16T11:36:00.000-10:00

(These are the wools I'm using)

I started working on this small oval mat a couple of nights ago. It's small (12 1/2 inches by 9) so it's going quickly. You may recall seeing this pattern on my blog before. I designed it two years ago and did the pumpkin in white.

I think this pattern could be done up in any number of different colors and could be fun! Maybe a purple pumpkin! If anyone's interested I could draw one up on linen for you for 20 dollars. That would include shipping anywhere in the states. (email me: antcathy@charter.net) I'll send a Paypal invoice to you.

I'm waiting for a shipment of wool from Heaven's to Betsy! Should be here in the next couple of days! Fall is a comin' and I'm starting to get ready for my next class at the Tech. School. Starts the first Thurs. in Oct. I haven't decided on the project for the students yet but have an idea floating around in thee ol' noggin! I do have punkins on the brain..... and times getting away! So much work to do!

But I'll Git er done!!!!

Cathy G

In The Dog House!

2011-08-15T16:56:00.002-10:00

Things have been a little hairy around the Orange Sink household the last few days. The fur boys needed haircuts and baths of which I am usually the designated hair clipper and Mr. Orange Sink the bather. Both duties however, fell to Mr. Orange Sink this weekend while I was busy in my office screwing up the computer!

After baths and haircuts Smokey and Max retreated to their indoor doghouse, an old willow bench in our breezeway. Dave calls it their cabin. Max on the top bunk and Smokey underneath.

So while the boys were drip drying and resting up from their bath and haircut ordeal, I remained in my office screwing up the computer.

Things for me progressed from bad to worse as I attempted ( read computer dummy here) to install a newer version of Flash Player on my Mac which I found out later is too old to support the new version. Who new? I was lead to believe all would be well if I uninstalled the old version then the new would work. Wrong! Having no idea what I was doing in the first place I kept getting in deeper and deeper. Things popped up on my computer that I had no idea what was happening. All I was trying to do is get my photos from PhotoBucket to my blog. I like being able to have a bigger photo than blogger provides without having to click to enlarge. It works slick to upload to PhotoBucket then copy and paste the code into the blogging box. Well....it USED to work slick.

Thank goodness Mr. Orange Sink works with a computer wizard at the newspaper. I knew I was in the doghouse when he had to call John to fix my mess. A couple of hours and some fancy work later I now have my computer back to where it was before I started messing with it! Whew!

I think I will stick to rug hooking, cleaning and moving my stuff around the house for Fall now that I'm out of the doghouse. Mr. Orange Sink thinks so too. So maybe tomorrow I can show you the little Halloween Mat I've been working on. See you then!

Cathy G

Martha Made Me Do It!

2011-08-10T16:31:00.001-10:00

I've always been a fan of Martha. That's why when I won a give-away last week on Sharon's fun blog MoosecraftUSA I couldn't have been happier! I won two Martha Stewart books on organizing the home and home solutions. Just my kind of books. Thanks so much Sharon! I like to read and reread these kinds of publications hoping to gain some insight on getting my messes and home squared away.

Paging through the Simple Home Solutions book I spied this idea for storage under the bathroom sink on page 107.

Judging by the storage solution under MY bathroom sink, I think I have a ways to go before meeting Martha's yellow gingham lined basket standards. Ya think?

(I can't believe I'm actually showing you a pic of under my bathroom sink!.... )

Oh well. I have all winter to worry about what's under my bathroom sink. Sorry Martha. But I do have to report that Martha has inspired a little French decorating in my bathroom. French Bulldog that is.

If you are a Martha groupie you probably know she has two adorable French Bulldogs named Francesca and Sharkey. Of course they even have their own blog The Daily Wag.

A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning and redecorating a little shelf in my bathroom. I've had this little French Bulldog figurine sitting in my office among some other clutter. I thought why not give an ode to Martha by finding a home for it in the bathroom. It found a new home on the shelf over the tub. Maybe it will remind to do something about the clutter under the

sink one of these days!

Thanks again Sharon! That was a fun give-away!

Cathy G

Kids and Pets

2011-08-08T08:00:00.000-10:00

Thanks again to my niece Alicia for forwarding these photos. Hope your day is filled with gratitude and simple pleasures!

Cathy G

Modern Technology

2011-08-02T08:16:00.001-10:00

They are real foolers ...... these laminate floors! Technology has given me pause once again as the new floor went down in the living room this past weekend.

Sawing, snapping, sweating, swearing, my dear hubby worked all weekend with a borrowed chop saw to cut these wider planks. The tricky part around the walls and doors are all that's remaining. Some staining and careful cuts will be required.

I've been wanting to rearrange our living room for about three years now. Modern technology has kept me from actually doing it. How so? The darned T.V.

I've tried it in every corner of the room. The chairs as you know work the best when facing this mind mesmerizing squawking box of wonders.

Which leaves very little option of rearranging furniture in a room with one wall of double patio doors, one wall that is a fireplace with shelving and three doors or passageways to other areas of the house.

Did I mention that our dog Max has become emotionally and physically attached to an old blue recliner that has seen better days? He actually whines and gives me evil eyes after I move it from one end of the room to the other!

I would really like to move it to the end of the driveway!

After suffering and recovering from acute sinus infection all of last week, this week I'm feeling much better thanks to modern medicine and the well wishes from YOU my wonderful blog readers!Antibiotics are the single most wonderful drug in the world. Right Karen? ( Through the Barn Door ) We have been comparing notes all week as we both came down with this malady almost simultaneously!

Does he look a little worried?
Cathy G

WE Interrupt This Blog.....

2011-07-26T09:21:00.000-10:00

..... and all projects begun around here as of last Fri. This chief project coordinator and blog author has developed a case of sinusitis that has been remedied by a trip to the ER with prescribed antibiotics and meds for congestion. The good Doc. says she may be out of commission for a few days.

NOT what I wanted to hear but after spending two days in bed with cold packs and pain medications that were not working, the thought that getting some meds that might put me out of my misery was goodness to my aching ear!

So until the huge white horse pills I was prescribed start taking effect, the painting, new flooring, and stacks of stuff I don't know what to do with, work in the studio, etc. will be in my thoughts.

We did make a little progress in the living room before sinusitis showed up! Dave painted the ceiling, I got the first coat on the mantle wall and hauled all my priceless treasures to other areas of the house. So now it sits. Man, that really bugs me. But I'm trying to behave myself and count my blessings the pain has gone down enough to write a short post!

We have decided on the middle sample of laminate flooring to put down in the living room. So even without the help of the chief project coordinator I think the officer for heavy labor and laminate layer may carry on. He has also been awarded the prize for best husband who sits in ER with you for over two hours waiting to see a Dr. while watching Harry Potter on the t.v. in a crowded waiting room. Did I mention he hates Harry Potter?

Will try to keep you posted on how things are going!

I did see that Kim is celebrating a two year blogiversary over on her blog Millie's Mats with a great give-away of a hooked mat! Congrats to her on all that hard work as she updates her blog almost daily while caregiving and all the other duties of running a household and working to boot! Go wish her good things!

Cathy G

Too Hot For Underwear

2011-07-21T06:30:00.001-10:00

Etsy seller vengeancedance

Please keep reading ladies and gentlemen. Try not to get your shorts in a bind while I explain the title and scathing photo on my blog today!

Lest you think I frequent porn sights for photos I want you to know this one was found on Etsy.com by simply typing in the word underwear in the search box. The more adventurous of you may want to try that someday while cooped up inside during these treacherous and merciless hot days of summer.

These hot sticky days reminded me of a time in the 1960's when I was a kid on a farm in the middle of a hot humid summer. The old farmhouse had no air conditioning of course. No ceiling fans either. My memories of sitting on and sticking to the wooden dining room chairs and leaving behind white cheek marks linger to this day.

We had an old upright piano in the dining room and Mom had purchased a rather cheap wooden piano bench (the kind with a lacquered finish) and that baby really showed those cheek marks after the hour of piano practice in the summer! The lid opened on the bench and I stored my piano lesson books inside.

On occasion my Mom's Aunt Pearl and her husband Frank would come visit in the evenings. Pearl was a plus size woman who played the piano and sang gospel hymns like they were bar room entertainment. Pearl always wore a dress. When she played the piano I always kept an eye on my bench wondering if the legs would hold out from all that heavy rockin' and rollin' as Pearl pounded the ivories.

One particularly hot evening after Frank and Pearl had gone home I was examining my piano bench and the rather large cheek marks embedded in the wood when my Mom said so matter of fact "she never wears underwear you know". Horrified I looked at Mom and said "never?" "Hardly ever" she said. Well! And only inches away from my beloved piano books! I'd never practice "Bill Grogans Goat" again after that without thinking of Great Aunt Pearl's booty unclad and sticking to my bench. How convenient for Uncle Frank. ( I only think that now.... ha..... not nice I know.)

So that is what prompted my search for a photo to accompany that story. I couldn't find anything on the internet that I deemed suitable. But my search turned up miss Vengeance up there selling ( what WAS she selling anyway?) on Etsy.

Seriously folks I hope you are all staying safe and keeping hydrated during these hot days. Maybe the time spent indoors icing down in front of the fan will bring back some of your own memories of hot summer days when it was too hot for underwear!

Cathy G

Dog, a Cat and a Rat!

2011-07-19T06:02:00.000-10:00

This is a short video of a homeless man in Santa Barbara and his pets.
They work State Street every week for donations.
The animals are pretty well fed and are mellow. They are a family.
The man who owns them rigged a harness up for his cat so she wouldn't have to walk so much (like the dog and himself).
At some juncture the rat came along, and as no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding often on the cat!
The dog will stand all day and let you admire him for a few chin scratches.

   Click below to watch video:

Dog, a Cat and a Rat and one enlightened human!

   (Thanks to my Niece Alicia for passing this along this morning!)

Where Blogger's Create~2011

2011-07-14T14:41:00.000-10:00

Talk about last minute decisions! I was blog hopping and came across a blog called My Desert Cottage that was having a "Where Blogger's Create" link-up party! Last year there were over 300 bloggers who participated by showing photos of their studios or creative spaces! I was in a party mood so I signed up!
But, the post has to be submitted tonight because the party is TOMORROW! OMG! No time to tidy up and that's bad because I spent the day out there doing what all of us who have a studio are supposed to be doing in our studios........ creating.

Even though I have a bed in my studio it is usually buried beneath wool and the occasional odd rolling pin. What's that all about? So no sneaking in a nap when I'm out there!

Cooler temperatures today prompted me to work on these wool and velvet pumpkin pin cushions. Why does the whole studio end up in chaos for something so small?!. To be honest I have another rug on the frame, a few mats hooked and ready to be made into kits for my students. Then today in the mail I received a booklet of new patterns that I ordered from Kelly Belfast at Kank-N-Chester! Kelly you are a genious! I am ready to get hookin' some of those charming designs! Thank-you so much!

If you would like to see more photos of my studio check the Flickr flashing badge over there on the sidebar. It was half-way clean and organized then!So go check out some of the other blogger's creative spaces this weekend! Here's the link: My Desert Cottage~Where Blogger's Create
Cathy G

The Good OLD Days!

2011-07-10T05:59:00.000-10:00

Ninety three years old and still weaving gorgeous rugs on this old loom!
HOT, HUMID, Kerosene smoke, click clack of old wooden rug looms, ladies in long dresses and bonnets, rug weavers, chair caner, old sock knitting machine,rug hookers(YaY!) quilters, butter churning, wide eyed children getting a glimpse of what it felt like to be living in the 1800's.

Being part of Heritage Days this past weekend at the Pioneer Village Museum demonstrating the age old art of rug hooking felt like I belonged.

The kids were very eager to try their hand at the wool cutter!

I met a fellow rug hooker who lives a couple of hours north of me. Kristan Martin was hooking on a Maggie B pattern. On monks cloth ( bless her heart!) It is already gorgeous!

Getting a little wild with the wool cutter! This little girl wanted to cut up ALL of my hand dyed wool! Yikes!

I think I may have found a future Gene Shepherd!

Fascinating old sock knitting machine from the 1800's!

Quaint cabins and old gas stations moved here from other locations. The village has an old church, dentist office, jailhouse, numerous old buildings preserved for future generations to experience.

The village as it may have been set up in the early days.

Yes, I really do think this young fella could turn into a Gene Shepherd in the near future! What do you think?

Cathy G

On A Roll

2011-06-28T16:42:00.002-10:00

A carpet roll that is! Dave survived the grueling process of ripping up our old living room carpet. When you have dogs no matter how well they are trained the carpets take a beating. I've never liked carpet anyway except for the fact they do help to warm the floors in this cold northern Wisconsin climate.

In the summer with the humid weather my sensitive nose picks up smells from wood stove smoke, cooking, past dog accidents, etc. in the house. I have been blaming the carpet for a number of years.

We finally both agreed it was time. Out with the old carpet and in with we are not quite sure what yet. We are leaning towards one of the new wood laminates. I need to pick something out soon!

A couple of days ago a local museum called to ask if I'd be interested in doing a hooked rug demonstration at their upcoming Pioneer Days. I said yes. They have local crafters doing spinning, weaving, etc and thought I'd fit in nicely with my rug hooking. It's July 9th and 10th at the Pioneer Village Museum. Dave will be shooting photos for me! I couldn't pass up the opportunity for some great blog fodder!

So I better get my body shaking and get something thrown together quick! Do you work well under pressure? It's the only way I actually do work I think!

Cathy G

Bagging a Bag

2011-06-26T16:51:00.000-10:00

I put the pedal to the metal and finished the round antique flag mat. I think I will call it Olde Glory. Yes, I even finished binding it! It's only 10 inches across so I guess that isn't a big deal. But at least it's done!

I bagged this Fossil summer bag at Goodwill the other day for six dollars! It has lots of room for all my "stuff". Do you like it? Or is it kind of old lady looking? Then, when do we care about such things... us old ladies! ( a fossil carrying a Fossil.... how funny is that!)

Here's Dave behind a pie safe in the living room. Now what could he be up to? To be continued........
Cathy G

A Muse Returns

2011-06-19T10:19:00.000-10:00

What could be better on a Father's Day to see dog daddy Dave at work painting the garage door?

And Momma at work creating on the computer and starting a new mat. Survived the cycle of bad moon affects and soon afterward the muse, who took a side trip to no where land ...... found her way back to me. It's about time as June wanes and July waits in the wings. Are you feeling the red white and blue? Rug hookers don't take it that literally. White can be green, gray or taupe..... even gold. Kind of reminds one of the Civil War.

Cathy G

A Full Moon

2011-06-14T14:20:00.001-10:00

Two posts in one day! That is a first and very unusual for me. I'm blaming it on the moon which is 99.9(waxing gibbous) percent full tonight. I'm blaming the strange and sluggish feeling I had all day and really for most of this past week on the moon.

Scientists will vouch for me when I talk about the strange effects the full moon has on some people. Might I be one of those? Some research has been done on this subject. If I dared or cared to keep track of my feelings of undecidedness, the strong pull to create yet the desire to pull the covers over my head instead maybe there would actually be some correlation to the gravitational pull of the moon.

Todays earlier post left you in the dark as to which I decided to spend this sunny, gorgeous day doing. After my usual morning of feeding dogs, medicating dogs, showering, doing a quick post, washing a load of dirty cleaning rags, hosing off the deck of the thick pollen dusting we are experiencing here, washing a few windows...... and sitting on the deck trying to decide what to do..... I took a cat nap.

Will I EVER get back to my work in the studio?

Cathy G

TORN

2011-06-14T06:34:00.000-10:00

It is a gorgeous day here today. 70 degrees. The mosquitoes have taken the day off! There's a nice breeze!

I'm torn between this.......

Or this.

Any guesses as to which I choose?
Cathy G

A UFO From Long Ago

2011-06-10T10:32:00.000-10:00

Thanks to the cold, drippy, dreary weather today I woke with another sinus headache. So I decided to do a post while the medication I took a while ago kicks in. It's too cold and wet to dig in the gardens today.

Just one of those days when I feel like digging through some old fabrics I have packed away. When I found this unfinished quilt it got me to thinking about Unfinished Projects. Better known to quilters, rug hookers and crafters as UFO's! Yes, the darn things! We all have them! The thing that has my mind all in a tizzie today ( besides the headache) is the thought that this phenomenon has been passed to us from generations before.

I have proof! These lovely old unfinished squares from an applique butterfly quilt were started by my GREAT Grandmother Minnie Eggen. My Mom's Grandma! She died when I was nine years old. She lived near us and we visited her quite often. She was a quilter, crocheted, tatted, embroidered and knitted. She had flowers growing around her house and was known to love the Angel Plant.

Her hands were always holding a needle work project except for when she stopped to put a lunch on the table when we visited. I remember the lemon jelly roll with the dusting of powdered sugar.

This apron reminds me of her so. Her Scandinavian roots had to have influenced her liking to these crisp flowered flour bag prints from the 30's and 40's. Well, she got so far as to cut out lots of butterflies and the muslin squares. Even a few are embroidered with black floss.

The question of the day is should I finish this quilt? I do know how. That's not the problem. I have a few UFO's that need my attention..... but maybe it's my duty to finish up my Great Grandmother's UFO's and leave my own for the next generation to finish. That's my aha moment for today.

In all fairness to Great Grandma Minnie I have to show you a crocheted bedspread that she finished! My Grandmother, Minnie's daughter Gladys, gave this to us for our wedding gift. Minnie crocheted it and it remained folded until she died. My Grandmother kept it folded and it was never displayed on a bed. I hate to tell you this but it usually is folded and stored in my bedroom closet and only taken out to show a visitor now and then. You are seeing a rare glimpse of it taken out and displayed on the bed in my studio for the photo. Sad isn't it. It doesn't fit with my decor and I have dogs who would get tangled in the open holes of the crochet work. But I dearly love it. I love having something that I can touch knowing her hands were touching every inch of that crochet thread while she made it. I'm glad she finished it. That it was not the UFO that was left for a great granddaughter to contend with.

Cathy G

103 to 66

2011-06-09T08:23:00.001-10:00

Things are a little backwards concerning the weather here in Northern WI. But I've never seen it quite this backwards folks!
Tuesday the thermometer hit 103 degrees. Today it is 60 degrees with a COLD wind blowing. Taking photos in the garden this morning caught me wearing a lightweight wool scarf with capri's and a jacket.
Not complaining...... just explaining. Trying to remain calm and taking a brisk stroll through the gardens this morning felt energizing!
( or could be my brain just coming to life again after such extreme temperature changes.)

An old bowling ball planted amidst the ornamental cabbage.

Resident alligator guards the hen and chicks in the rock garden from two boy dogs who like to water them.

A hanging gazing ball I snagged at a garage sale for two bucks along with the angel garden statue in the first picture also two bucks.

This rusty old cast iron finial has taken root in the herb garden. It's one of the old treasures I acquired from my past days as a junkmonger.

Still an old junkmonger at heart I can't resist taking old stuff like these chairs that were free and the little wire stand ( two bucks) and giving them new life. They were a dark green before spray painting them this cool color (Krylon's Ivy Leaf). I like them better now.
So... we are planting and weeding. Sweating and freezing. Hoping your Spring/Summer is equally pleasing!
Cathy G

Things of Pinterest

2011-06-01T19:16:00.000-10:00

Lately I have been hearing a lot about a place online called Pinterest. It's like your own

personal online bulletin board where you find things of interest and pin it. Here are a few

photos of things I've found interesting. You can click on the photos and thanks to Pinterest it

carries the information along with the photo automatically.

I like the idea of using a picnic table

indoors

( if I only had the room!)

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Viola on Pinterest

How about making a giant pot holder rug?!!

Source: designmom.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Make a Blue Berry Smoothie! Simple and Nutritious!

Source: oprah.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Source: freshhomeideas.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Make this chicken wire and rock wall decor! Unique ( you know how we all love our rocks!)

If you get a chance to check out Pinterest.Com I'd love to know what you think about it!

Better than the magazines these days in my opinion and free!

Cathy G

Calico Bean Casserole

2011-05-26T08:28:00.000-10:00

With Memorial Day gatherings upon us I thought you might like an easy recipe that is a favorite in our family. When pot luck is the choice I always get asked to bring this Calico Bean Casserole or hot dish as we call it in our neck of the woods.

I like a recipe that is easy (as in opening cans and dumping into a baking pan) and can be made ahead and refrigerated the night before. It's festive looking for any holiday gathering too! ( btw SmileBox has some neat recipe cards to make and share)

Enjoy!

Cathy G

A recipe card by Smilebox

Our Garden Rocks!

2011-05-24T06:32:00.001-10:00

The one thing we have more of in these parts is rocks! Both Dave and I are avid rock hounds. I started collecting rocks as a child growing up on a farm where part of our summer chores was picking rocks from the fields after Dad plowed. Thinking back on that it's ironic that I would love rocks so much because picking them and throwing them into the honey wagon (aka the manure spreader) on a hot and dusty day was as dreaded as a trip to the dentist!
So here we are years later, hauling rocks home to decorate the yard and gardens.

Recently we found this rock buried beneath the lilac tree right here in our yard. Only the top peaked out from the dirt and old roots at the bottom of the tree. We figured the former owners of our house probably placed it there when they planted the lilac and over the years the tree grew and the rock sank deeper into the ground. We've walked past the thing for years now hardly paying attention to it.
After building our new deck last year Dave did a bit of landscaping around it with ( yes, rocks) but I thought a statement rock would be nice and sculptural decorating the front. I mentioned the rock beneath the lilac bush and Dave could hardly dig it up fast enough! His excitement mounted as he unearthed the beauty and found it to be just the right size for the spot in front. He does give me credit for having the idea to dig it up.

This is a nice sitting rock. At times one needs to plop down in the garden and meditate on a rock. I don't do it often enough because weeds would certainly over grow me in a moment. However as of late I meditate on rocks, the violence of nature, the sweetness of life, the promise of after life. All heavy subjects you could say.
Cathy G

Mom's Rhubarb Pie

2011-05-22T14:38:00.001-10:00

I will bet my bottom dollar that my Mom makes the best rhubarb pie in the world. Her home made pie crusts melt in your mouth! So when she picked the rhubarb yesterday and announced she would be making rhubarb pie and if Dave and I would like to come over later....... it's all I could think about!

Between thunder storms today I snuck over and took a few photos of the back and front yards at her new house. Having her so close to me has had it's blessings but I've had a little more garden and yard work as I've been helping her plant and clean up her yard besides doing my own!

She has a nice back yard and a little electric lawn mower. She even mowed the yard with a little help on the hillside but I think it tuckered her out!

She has a little rat terrier dog named Hans. He is quite the wild animal and super smart! He tuckers her out as well!

The front entrance to her house.

The back patio and deck.

The former owners had it all nicely landscaped with lots of nice hostas and other perennial plants.

The deck off the upstairs.

The bottom patio.

We were fortunate to find this house right in our neighborhood so close to me. I really like this house!

I think she is getting used to town living and seems happier each day.

By the time Dave and I could make the quick walk over this afternoon for the pie feast, Mom had already eaten half the pie! She didn't make her pie crust from scratch this time but used those frozen ones that you fold out. It was still delicious and now she says the next thing she's going to make is Great Grandma's secret recipe for Sour Gravy Rhubarb Cake. It is an old German recipe that Great Grandma wouldn't share with anyone. Evidently when my Grandmother died the recipe was in her old metal recipe box. My Mom has it. Maybe if we talk nice to her..........

Cathy G

The Wedding

2011-05-14T12:04:00.003-10:00

It was a cold and rainy Saturday in May. Not what you'd wish for your wedding day! My cousin Steve's son Levi got married today despite the threat of snowflakes falling. With camera in hand we sat towards the back of the church. I was hoping for some candid shots the professional photographer missed.
I was not disappointed. The very first and smallest gentleman to come down the aisle was the ring bearer carrying his sippy cup. One look at the packed pews and he had to be coaxed to continue. He cried all the way down the isle, growing louder as he got closer to the front of the church.

In contrast, the little Flower Girl had to be held back from running and skipping down the isle!

I had to be quick with the camera! The sweet little princess was tearing down the isle so fast!

Woops! I think you lost something........

The shoe. I snapped the photo quickly before the attendant dashed to pick it up! The Bride and her father were coming down the isle!

Now I know that Dad was having a hard time letting go of his eldest daughter Ashley. The first to be married.
I know he loves his future son-in-law and all but still, she's always going to be Daddy's little girl!

My cousin Steve carrying a grandchild and his wife Kim. Steve doesn't seem to be having the same emotions as the bride's father!

The walk down the isle as Mr. and Mrs. Levi Johnston! They are great kids! I wish them all the best as they begin their new life together!

Cathy G

A Couple of Bright Spots

2011-05-11T05:43:00.000-10:00

I've been playing catch-up since this past Mother's Day Sunday. My own Mother is doing fine in her new home and decided to have a garage sale last Saturday. Needless to say she needed Dave and I to carry out the sale and clean her garage etc. Looking back I guess I didn't realize how much work and standing around with the cold wind whipping at my ears and head would affect me. By Sunday I was down in bed with a sinus headache that felt like the pressure was going to put me in the hospital. The heating pad and half a bottle of Pseudoephed. tablets finally brought me back to life on Monday.
There were a couple of bright spots to cheer me through my ordeal however. I was very lucky to have won the second Heaven's to Betsy wool give-away on Cheri's Back to Larkrise blog last week. The package came and I was able to open it Sunday evening and behold the gorgeous wool! Thank-you Cheri and Betsy! This is some gorgeous wool and I can't wait to use it very soon I hope!
Not having children unless you count the two Fur Boys Smokey and Max...... Mother's Day is usually spent celebrating my Mother and Mother-in-Law. This year the festivities were carried on without my presence. When Dave returned from his mother's on Sunday evening there was little package for me from my great-niece Kaitlyn who is 7 years old. A precious little hand made card and a hand-made pot holder. A bright spot indeed and so wonderful to be remembered!
Yesterday was finally what you could call a warm Spring day here in Wisconsin. Looking around my yard and herb gardens I see the weeds haven't forgotten me. They are healthier than ever and are waiting their turn for some attention. Probably not the kind of attention they would desire but knowing what greedy little things they become if left to their own devises the garden spade shall be introduced to them in short order!
Cathy G

Special Delivery

2011-05-03T13:47:00.001-10:00

I couldn't keep it any longer! I finally sewed the label on Mary's Garden rug last evening as she called and asked if I would be delivering it this week! She may have been a bit worried that I would change my mind and decide to keep it! This afternoon after giving it a final once over with the lint roller and taking a few more photos, I took the short walk down the street to Mary's house.
You may recall she wanted the rug to fit the top of a little antique table in her living room. So I held my breath hoping my careful measurements and hooking were in sync!

Well........ what do you think Mary? Is it what you had imagined?

I think this rug has found it's forever home and will reside happily ever after!

Patience and Panic

2011-04-27T12:24:00.000-10:00

Now please listen to me you impatient impatiens plant! You cannot go outside yet! You crane and strain toward the light coming from the patio door in my studio. I'm telling you now, it would be a mistake to step outside! It's northern WI and the temps are still hovering around 40 degrees in the daytime and 28 at night. A few snowflakes were visible today when I took my Mom to an appointment and shopping.

I've kept the impatiens, a geranium and begonia plant from last summer's garden alive all winter to have some green in my studio. As you can see they are thriving and growing like crazy! I've cut them back a few times and still they flourish with only a watering with Miracle Gro a time or two.
I'm getting impatient and over flowing my own pot right along with the geraniums to spend more time outdoors with more spring like temps! Patience patience patience!

Yesterday was quite an afternoon around here. I had planned to update my blog and upload some photos and as luck would have it our old computer monitor went black never to regain consciousness. Not so lucky as Mr. LG Refrigerator! After an emergency journey to the computer shop which is an hour away, the old monitor was officially declared dead. Sad to say I am rather happy to see it go. About 5 years ago we purchased it used for 25.00 thinking it would last for a year or so. We got lucky.
Here he is waiting for Dave to carry him to the car. While I followed behind with all the cords etc. dangling Dave exclaimed " this sucker is really heavy!" Well, the new thin screen we are now using on loan until our new one comes was much easier to carry in!The new one is a flat screen but not huge.

The whole episode lasted not more than 3 or 4 hours from the old monitor dying to the hooking up of the loaner. I almost hate to admit this...... but I sort of went into a panic attack. I felt very lost, disconnected, lonely, uninformed, anxious, sad, mad at myself, upset, crazy, to name a few emotions that surfaced while the computer world and I were separated. My goodness, I was trying to dye wool and the wool didn't even turn out the way it should have! I just plain ol' freaked out at not having my puter there at my finger tips. Honestly..... I am ashamed. I didn't realize how dependent I've become and how much not having access to the internet would affect me! Now I ask is this normal? Should I seek counsel? Then who am I asking...... if you are reading this then rest assured you are probably in the same predicament. I could have lived longer without the refrigerator!! But unhook me for a few hours from the world wide web and you may as well call the white coats to come and get me!
Cathy G

Purple Coneflower Beginner Rug Hooking Kit

2011-04-19T13:52:00.000-10:00

My efforts of last night and today are shown here with the creation of this advanced beginner rug hooking kit for one of my students. (notice the beading on the flower stem which I thought would give a beginner a little bit of a challenge)

Drew the Pattern on backing ( on the straight of grain!!!!!)
Cut the wool strips
Hooked the pattern/ counting the number of strips it took for each element and the background
Prepared another pattern on linen.
Sorted the strips and labeled the bundles
Measured the binding tape
Photographed the subject
Will be including a life size photograph in the pattern (9 by 7 inches)
I hope she likes it.
It was really rather fun creating my first kit! Maybe if I had a different cutter I would consider making some of these to sell. Or maybe I need to just go ahead and make some to sell and then use the money for a new cutter!

I'm off to watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution while sewing on the binding.

Cathy G

Monday Musings-April 18th

2011-04-18T06:56:00.000-10:00

The hooking is now complete on Mary's Garden Rug! She had a sneak peek of it the other day and from what I can tell she is delighted. The bold colors and happy dance of flowers across the rug are right up her alley!

I will be binding it this week by using a twill tape that I hand sew around the edges. But first things first! One of my students from my rug hooking class is completing her second project and wants to do another kit. Soooooo.... I have decided it's about time I design a rug hooking kit for the student who wants something a little more challenging than a small trivet. It needs to be simple yet a little more challenging and interesting. So hopefully by Wed. I will have something done! Whew!

I wanted to let you know how the refrigerator drama panned out. Well, repairman Daniel and his assistant ( a repairman in training) came last friday and installed the part. Mr. LG is humming along in happiness. I'm happy, he's happy, the checkbook sort of happy. The final bill was $178.00. And we have the added satisfaction of knowing Mr. LG served in the training of a new repairman. It's a comforting thought that there will be another good refrigerator repairmen in the world and that Mr. LG could contribute by letting him work on his relay and overload parts.

I'm off to the studio and hopefully will have something to report in a couple of days. Oh, just as an afterthought... since weather is sometimes of interest when it's being naughty or nice..... our forecasters are predicting possible 6 inches of s-n-o-w ( we don't say it out loud here anymore)...on Wed.

Isn't that lovely.

Mr. LG UPDATE!

2011-04-11T14:34:00.001-10:00

It seems I was a bit hasty in pronouncing Mr. LG Refrigerator dead this morning! I wrote his obit. before the repairman had paid us a visit. Good news! There is life after death for refrigerators and he may not be destined for the happy recycling center for deceased appliances after all!

After hooking up some fancy testing equipment the repairman discovered the compressor is still functioning and that the problem is a bad starter unit. Mr. LG is not out of the dark however and will remain hooked up to life support ( temporary starter unit) until said part can be shipped in about 5 days!

So, I apologize for any undue grief this morning's premature obituary may have caused and appreciate the kind condolences from you dear blog readers throughout the day. We are hoping for a good outcome as a new fridge really isn't in the family budget at this time. Mr. LG is resting comfortably this evening after a thorough scrubbing inside and out today while the food and frozen goods were being stored in Mr. Harvest Gold Fridge in the garage.

So keep us in your thoughts and prayers and Courtney please keep that bottle of Pinot Grigio chilled. One way or another we are having a celebration of life by weeks end. For a life that was well lived and stocked with mostly good food and leftovers or a life that will be brought back to us by the life saving efforts of one good repairman named Daniel and a new part!

Cathy G

Refrigerator Dies

2011-04-11T07:03:00.000-10:00

This past Sunday at approx. 2:30 a.m. Mr. LG Refrigerator passed away peacefully with Mrs. G by his side. He was 7 years of age. He resided with the G's since his purchase on May 5th, 2004 only one month before his warranty on his sealed system(Compressor, Condenser, Evaporator) ran out. Mr. LG made a loud buzzing noise throughout the day but was otherwise unresponsive. The decision was made to pull the plug.

He was a trusted and huge white member of the family. Among his duties of keeping the frozen foods froze and perishable foods chilled he kept the $60 bottle of insulin medicine for the family's diabetic canine Smokey, properly cooled. He was a magnetic personality and proved handy in displaying family photos and grocery lists on his side. He produced many thousands of ice cubes over his short life and had no prior mechanical issues that the family was aware of.

Stepping in to cover his duties as of 3:00 a.m. Monday morning is his predecessor Mr. Harvest Gold Refrigerator who has resided(thankfully) in the family's garage since 2004. Harvest Gold has served primarily as a beverage cooler in the garage for Mr. G but has agreed to help out during this family crisis with the sudden loss of Mr. LG.

Mr. LG leaves behind family members Mr. and Mrs. G, Smokey and Max the family canines and his constant companion across the kitchen the colorful Mr. Orange Sink. Mr. Orange Sink will miss him terribly and has been weeping small tears from his faucet this morning. Other family members include the elderly Mr. Brown stove top who believes his days are numbered and of course has been around many many years and has seen many refrigerators come and go over his lifetime. Other survivors include a various mix of small appliances including a few crock pots.

Arrangements are pending at the Rainbow Home and Appliance Center near the family home. A celebration of life will be held this week and all those wishing to remember Mr. LG will be asked to bring a bottle of chilled wine and non-perishable snacks.
Final resting place is yet to be determined.

Monday Musings

2011-04-04T08:35:00.001-10:00

Spring is so slow to arrive here this year! It's been rather painful reading other's blogs who have tender shoots of Spring flowers bursting through the soil already. My resident crow in the flower box on the front deck however, is sporting his Spring wool scarf. Heaven's to Betsy wool in case you're wondering.

I had to show you the progress in the front yard. That's green grass by golly. If the cold weather doesn't let up we'll be mowing grass around the snow banks. The ice fisherman in the neighborhood keep us informed about the ice on the lakes. People are still driving on the ice to fish. My neighbor Al said yesterday that there is at least two feet of ice on the lakes yet. Since we are in a country where lakes of all sorts and sizes surround us for miles, we know the weather as a rule doesn't warm up until the ice goes out........ hmmmmm.

(I have a bad habit of throwing my snippets on the floor while hooking)

Progressing better than the weather, I had a good afternoon and late night of hooking yesterday. I am digging deeper into my stash for the antique black background wool now. Thought I had dyed enough of a black with a red base wool but didn't end up liking the wool itself. It shredded a little with the number 6 cut I'm using. I switched to a more solid weight wool that has an antique green over dye and it's working better. My mind is already transitioning to what my next project will be and I have at least another few days of hooking left on this and then the binding. I am slowing down a little to give my hands a break.

Thank-you everyone for asking about my rug hooking students. Some have finished their projects and some are hooking more coasters and starting small kits. Two have ordered a nice frame like mine you see in the above photo. They are really excited to get them. We are working on trying to meet regularly here in my studio a couple of evenings a month to hook together. It's taking time for me to organize the next phase in all of this but I can see that almost all of them are hooked on hooking!

Warm thoughts!

Cathy G

On a Wing and a Prayer

2011-04-01T08:32:00.000-10:00

I'm well into this table mat commissioned by my friend Mary. Hooking in a #6 which seemed small after my last project with the hand torn strips! But after hooking awhile it doesn't seem much different than an 8. I guess I'm tricking my own mind! Something which comes in very handy on occasion.
This little mat is designed per Mary's request to fit a small rectangular shaped table with rounded corners in her living room. The mat is to cover the entire top of the table. Hopefully my measurements and careful hooking inside the lines of the perimeter will have it fitting her table almost perfectly. It is a nagging thing I keep trying not to think about. ( fitting the table perfectly). The table was tipped upside down and traced onto my paper when I started the design. I actually cut the design out and walked over to Mary's and laid the pattern on the table. A couple of minor adjustments and we have what I hope is going to be the perfect fit. Using the word perfect lightly!
How do you like the colors? Mary has been over here visiting my wool stash and was drooling over the hot pink texture in my cabinet. I didn't think at first we'd go with the brightest thing in my stash..... but as time went on and we talked colors and I could sense she was thinking colorful and what she calls "Bohemian colors"was going to be what made her happiest. Then Mary sprung a little divine intervention on the subject which clinched the hot pink texture right out of the cabinet and into her rug! She shyly revealed that God wanted me to know that if I used one of my special wools ( read: one that I have been hoarding for God knows what) in her rug, that every time she walked past the rug knowing what special wool I used she could say a prayer. And God would send special blessings my way.

Well, I'm not one to interfere in divine interventions. Truth be told I was saving that special piece of pink for a special rug. Is this that rug? So far the colors seem to be picking themselves...... or are they? What better way to be hooking with such lovely thoughts in mind. Flowers, friends, color and happiness. Oh and maybe a little prayer that it actually fits the table when it's done!
Cathy G

Icicles in March Meshness!

2011-03-25T09:39:00.000-10:00

Mother Nature decorated a pine tree in our front yard while we slept last night. It appears she worked all night hanging the conical shaped little ornaments more commonly know as icicles. Well, I hate to be the one to inform ya Mom Nature but you are a few months behind or ahead of yourself. Could have used these free decorations around December. These shots were taken this morning March 25th.

On a more warm and inviting note, things have been progressing along here in my well lit studio. Seems the new lighting Dave installed out there has given me more energy to get drawing up some patterns. Or maybe it's just that I can finally SEE what I am doing without the Ott Lamp hovering over my head!
In the photo below I am working on transferring a pattern onto linen. The rug pattern is one I designed called Mary's Garden. Mary actually requested that I design and make this rug sometime last year I think late summer. Well...... as you can see I'm a lot like Mother Nature. I tend to ignore what season it is and when the creative urge strikes that's when I finally get around to doing my creating. But to be truthful it's probably due to procrastination more than anything.

The material I'm using to transfer my pattern is soft plastic drywall mesh. It has a nice self adhesive backing and you can see through it. I purchased it on Ebay about three or four years ago. The seller I purchased from is no longer selling it. I checked the local stores here that carry building supplies and would have had to special order it. But you can Google (life would end without Google, no?) drywall mesh and find several places that sell the rolls. The size of my roll is 38 inches by 150 feet. I just cut the amount I need and lay my paper pattern underneath and trace onto the mesh. Peel it off ( nothing sticky or anything remains) and stick it on to your fabric backing. Trace away. It's way better than red dot tracer or anything because it holds your pattern in place and stays there. Then you can keep your pattern and use it over and over and over and over.....
Thank me later if you ever try this stuff. If you do finely detailed rugs it may prove a little more difficult for the finer lines because of the density of the mesh. But you could go back and fill those in free hand.

I hope this is useful information for those of you that do a lot of pattern designing and transferring of patterns. It has made that task for me a little less daunting. But sad to say it hasn't helped the procrastination side of me one bit.
Cathy G