What's up with Etsy?

Hi Everyone, Happy Friday.  I am curious as to why Etsy is German today with euro prices.  It is really strange, and I can't seem to change because EVERYTHING IS IN GERMAN.........  I can get very frustrated when strange things like this happen with no explanation.  I'm going to go cool down and come back later....

Till then,
Lonna

Lazy Saturday

How's everyone today?  I would imagine that most of  you are feeling the oppressive heat we have been getting.  Today seems slightly cooler, or should I say less hot.  We had some much needed rain last night in the form of thunderstorms, and I think more is to come today.  Reportedly we had a high temp yesterday of 99 degrees, which is the hottest I can remember.  It's almost a little scary.  I worry about the ones who have to work in this heat.  The house is cool, it's Saturday, and I am making spaghetti sauce in the crock pot so the kitchen will stay cooler, washed some clothes.......hmm what do you think I can get into now.......  I could stitch on my sampler, work on a new rug design, hook on my Polly Minick rug, browse some blogs, etc.  So, it seems I have a big decision to make.  I think I will start with some blogs.  Are any of you like me and will get motivated by viewing those wonderful blogs?  So, everyone stay cool and enjoy your weekend.......

Lonna

Weekend Road Trip

On Sunday we took a trip to our friend, Carmen's home.  We had a wonderful time while there.  She served us a delightful lunch and then we hooked and talked out on her screened-in porch for quite a while.  I think there was more talking than hooking.....know what I mean?  The day was hot and dry but that didn't spoil it a bit.  Thanks Carmen for a fun time.

Below are a couple of pics of what I have been working on...a Notforgotten Farm pattern and a Cricket Collection sampler that I started.

Nothing much new since I wrote last.  I haven't been feeling well and have no desire to do much of anything.  I hate summer colds.  I hope it ends soon.  We did have some much needed rain but the humidity is back......Ugh :( 

After getting some transcription done, I have been visiting some of my favorite blogs.  The amount of blogs available is somewhat overwhelming, but oh so much fun.  I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing, and that helps me get motivated, which I definitely need right now. 

Well, back to blog heaven........

Lonna

I can't believe just how long it has been since I since I wrote.  Let me catch you up.  The Colonial Day festival at James Creek Galleries was a great success.  I did very well and am now planning on next year.  I met so many terrific people while there, and the James Creek gals outdid themselves in providing both breakfast (Amish donuts, fruit and coffee) and for lunch pulled pork sandwiches and meatball sandwiches and assorted other goodies, and to top the day off, the weather was perfect....couldn't ask for better. 

Our neighbor under the tent was Joy Tipping and her wonderful theorems which were framed in lovely frames with graining that she and her husband make.  I am already thinking about which one I want to purchase next year.........

After the show I spent a few days in Ohio with my sister relaxing....much needed.  It was lovely with more beautiful weather. 

Now I'm ready for a new design but find that my mind is blank.  I would love to do a floral, maybe even a geometric.  Sometimes the ideas flow easily and at other times......not so much.

Do any of you get the wool sampler from Rebecca at The Wool Studio?  My friend got hers a couple of days ago and it appears that due to costs of producing wool The Wool Studio's wool now contains a bit of nylon.  I don't know about you, but I like being able to say my rugs are 100% wool.  I guess it gives us something to think about......

I hope you are all enjoying the summer doing lots of fun things.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  This heat wave is not so much fun....  Hope it cools down just a bit.  It seems like it is either feast or famine.

Will write again soon....

Lonna

Colonial Festival Info

Here is a copy of the postcard with all the info regarding the Colonial Festival held by James Creek Galleries.........located in Volant, PA...not far from the Ohio border....Hope you can come and check it out...

I'm Back!

There has been a lot going on, but I'm back.  On May .... I had a beginner hooking class with a terrific help from my friend Karen.  We had six lovely ladies with a desire to learn how to hook.  I have posted two pics below.  One of our students turned out to be our friend Carmen, who already knows how to hook but just signed up for fun.  It was really nice seeing her again. 

We had a lovely lunch provided for us by the James Creek Galleries ladies, Jan and Clair.  Thanks so much!  Here is a picture of what our students were working on.  I gave our Lazy Days design a make over.  I added a wing to the crow and rounded the petals on the flower. 

Also on June 25, 2011 we will be participating in James Creek Gallerie's 4th Annual Colonial Festival. We will be under a tent behind the shop.  It would be so nice to meet some fellow hookers.  You can find more info on the James Creek Gallerie website.

Be back soon!

Happy Mother's Day

I was thinking about my mom who passed away several years ago.  She had Alzheimer's -- the most degrading and evil disease there is.  She was an amazing woman.  She was an exquisite needlewoman, embroidery, needlepoint, bargello, bargello, and cross stitch.  My sister and I are blessed to have several examples of her needlework.  She was also an extraordinary seamstress.  She made our prom gowns and our wedding gowns.  She made a beautiful long christening gown for my oldest daughter, and it has been worn by all the female babies in our family.  I didn't always appreciate you talents.  As a teenager I always wanted to just buy my clothes like all the other girls.  As an adult, I still examine clothing to see if the plaids match, a sign of a well made garment.  When I owned Heirloom Stitchery, she finished all pillows, Christmas stockings and anything that needed sewn, and she did it well.  Everything I have learned about the needle arts I learned from her.  She was already gone when I learned rug hooking. 

I'm sure most of you are also remembering your moms at this time, and maybe you are still blessed to still have her.  Let me tell what I did to my mom long ago.  I became engaged on Christmas Eve 1964.  I was 18.  My fiance and I planned on a wedding in May of 1966.  In August of 1965 we decided to move our wedding up and get married that October, which was just two months away.  Come on, let's get real now.  You know how 18-year-old girls can be......  The wedding was for over 350 people.  My mom made my gown, veil, 2 junior bridesmaid dresses, the flower girl dress, the ring bearer's pillow, headpieces for the two junior bridesmaids and the flower girl and nade her own blue velvet suit.  She made me help sew the pearls and crystals on the lace for my gown.  (How dare she?  I just wanted to spend time with "Jimmy."  Two weeks before the wedding she got bursitis (I wonder why), but she pulled it off.  Amazing huh?  I went through my life always thinking that it didn't matter what problem came along, my mom would be able to fix it somehow.  She was only about 69 when she first showed the signs of Alzheimer's.  From that point we started to lose her. She passed when she was 80 years old.  She only got to know one of her great grandchildren and she had 15. 

Forgive me for this long reminiscence.  I've just had her on my mind lately.  I hope you all still have your moms and if not that you have many wonderful memories of her.

Later today I am going to dinner with my two daughters.  Lisa's husband and Missy's finance are working out of town and won't be home until Monday.  We haven't been able to do this in a long time, and I'm really looking forward to it. 

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden

fall upon us; when adversity take the place of prosperity;

when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us;

when trouble thickens around us, still we she cling to us,

and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels

to dissipate the clouds of darkness and cause peace

to return to our hearts.  - Washington Irving.

Definition of a sweater:  A garment worn by a child when its mother 

is feeling chilly.  - Ambrose Bierce

That would be my definition of a sweater.  How about you?  May all of you have a wonderful day tomorrow whether you are remembering how much you miss your mom and how wonderful she was or just enjoying the day letting your family honor you. 

Next time I write, I will have a new mat to show you.  

  My mom and I on my wedding day........HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!