Pasquali Rumpus

Progress,Spools, and Pirates

2012-01-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I finished a goofy little project that has no real purpose but I had a need and I went with it. My thread consumption has skyrocketed since I started quilting and as a result I have a rather large empty spool collection. I wasn't sure how I would utilize them initially but one day as I was trying to corral my precious yarn balls, I thought "yarn and spools...hmmm..." Here is the result. I glued a bit of every color yarn I had onto the thread spools and then strung them on a length of black ribbon.
What it is I do not know. An upcycled spool yarn garland?
Now where should it hang? Maybe I need a crafty tree?

In the meantime the "Sea Glass and Snow" afghan is coming along quickly. Well it was... until carpal issues started flaring.I have had to set it aside for a few days.

Oh...here is a sneak peak of something special my super duper hubby made for me...

It is all finished except for the decorating which I am going to take my sweet time doing.

The pesky pirates have taken up residence already! He should sweep up while he is in there. ;0)

Wild about Rugby

2012-01-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

Rugby Bugby ...

Little Snugby.

Snuggle Bear, Ruggle Bear

Little Buggle Bear

I am just WILD about Rugby. So is my son.

We have had Rugby for over a year now and we cannot imagine life without her. Rescued dogs are the best, she is so loving and grateful.

A velvety soft little anti depressant.

The Weirdest Winter?

2012-01-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

This may turn out to be the weirdest winter I have experienced in my 32 years here. It hasn't snowed or rained in many weeks and I can see every bit of my garden. Weird. The temps have been so warm and the sun blazing through my windows makes me feel the need to work in the soil.Weird. I mean it is January 7th (the ground is frozen) and there isn't feet upon feet of snow outside. Weird.

Rugby thinks the water looks weird and she wonders where the snow is.

The lakes freeze every winter but usually they are covered with too much snow to shovel off and skate. This year no problem.

Last year we received 55 feet of snow over the whole winter and so far this year almost none. Feast or Famine...that is what I keep hearing, but to be honest I don't remember feasting all that much last year!

This town can't survive without snow, you see...we are snow farmers.

Our ski resort is the biggest employer in this entire county and although they can make snow up there we are all going start feeling the pinch if it doesn't snow soon.

So...Pray for Snow!

Today is another gorgeously sunny day and I am going to watch the NFL wild card playoff games today while I work on a few projects.

Have a fabulous day!

A bit of Christmas

2012-01-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Although I didn't blog about anything Christmasy this year, I did make a few new things for the Holidays. One exciting new project was a custom order for Tie Dyed Dresses. They came out so cute, I am going to start carrying them in the shop very soon.
I made a few new pillow covers for the living room...
Don't you just love that fabric? I do.Lovey Dovey Peace and Joy... I may keep this one out all year.
To add some texture I whipped up a crocheted pillow cover made of sweet little Granny's on the front and...
stripes on the back. Yes, that is Rugby's freckled booty.

This beauty was a "hand me down" unfinished project from my Aunt.

At some point she painstakingly wove a whole lot of ribbons into a fabulous top so I just slapped a plain white back on it and Voila!

Gorgeous, no?

and there is more!

"til then XOXO

Sea Glass and Snow

2012-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
2011 was a tough year for some and great for others, like most years I guess, but this year is going to be Terrific. I can feel it!
Christmas has been celebrated and stored away until next year and the strangely warm weather and lack of snow has me ordering vegetable seeds and "Spring" cleaning has already begun.I think that is a good sign... although if we don't get some snow soon there will be water restrictions next summer. Boo!
The ideas have been flowing and I finally have some time to post about them.
So here is just one.
I have been inspired by several photos on Pinterest again and this time it is a "Snow and Sea Glass" crocheted Afghan in a ripple pattern. I seem to be stuck on the ripple right now.

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Source: thelazybutterfly.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Source: inspired-design.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

The colors in the photos above are here in this gorgeously cozy afghan

Here is another shot taken with a flash today...I finished a few more rows while watching the "Hell on Wheels" marathon yesterday. ;0)

I have two more afghans in mind but I am determined to finish this one before starting another. The recipient of this blankie is a very dear person to me and that always helps the fingers fly.

Sailor Ripple

2011-12-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

I can finally post about a wee little afghan I finished awhile ago.
I whipped this one out in no time but I had to wait until the recipient received it to post about it.

A wavy ripple for the son a Navy man...

My sweet, happy new little cousin!

P.S. My hubby made the Tie Dye!

Peace ;0)

Work Site Shots

2011-11-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

We had the pleasure of working in a log cabin in a wonderful old part of town a few days ago and across the street I spotted this Totem like sculpture with five little bears climbing up... Cute huh?

I had to throw this shot in just because I love the color of this cabin all frosted in white and the icicle that is nearly reaching the ground.

The log cabin where we swept the chimney has an old rock fireplace all covered in lichen and a fabulous view out the window.

This is a shot of the creek running right outside their back door.

Gorgeous. It hasn't snowed much at all yet but it sure is pretty already.

Ahh...so fresh and crisp ;0)

Color Muse

2011-11-05T11:11:00.001-07:00

Long time no see yet again my friends. I have been too busy to blog but Super busy with work, crochet, tie dye, etc. Lots to post about but no gumption to write, only...create. I have, of course, found bits of time to spend browsing through Pinterest, an endless source of inspiration.This time Pinterest or I should say the fabulous photography of our glorious earth has sparked a new color scheme for my latest crochet afghan. I am calling it Autumn Sunset.
Here are the photos that inspired it...

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: inspiredbythisfeeling.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: luxefinds.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: sweetpeapath.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: google.co.jp via Jennifer on Pinterest

Feels peaceful doesn't it? Ahh...
I already have a couple more in mind to stitch up once I finish this one.
Yee Haw! Have a great Day.
P.S. It is snowing! ;0)

Halloween Ideas

2011-10-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have been saving (pinning ;0) photos of Halloween goodness and it is now time to share. Check these out...
Devilish Spider Eggs

Source: keentobeseen.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Wire "Ghosts"! This would scare me!

Source: wackyarchives.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Cookie Cutter Craving...genius.

Source: freshhomeideas.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Ahh...

Source: chopcow.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Jack Skellington...my fav.

Source: allyou.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Creepy and Crawly...would be extra scary with snakes.

Source: marthastewart.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Ew...yet still...Yum?!

Source: None via Jennifer on Pinterest

Blech...he he he.

Source: somethinbeautiful.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

ALWAYS remember...

Source: southernaccentblog.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

You never know...vampires might be everywhere!

3 Afghans

2011-10-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have been super hooky lately and I have finished three new baby afghans or lap afghans for the shop. I had so much fun playing with gradient colors in greens and pinks that I have decided I need to do a purple one ...yarn is on the way. One Super carnival/fiesta confetti colored baby blanket

One "Luck O' the Irish" Ombre in green...mmm.

One Tangy Sweet Raspberry Ombre in Pinks Afghan!

The next one will be for a new little boy who is a few days overdue today and his Mommy needs him to come out and meet the world. I have also found out that yet another family member of mine is expecting a baby in March...I am hoping for a girl!

Here's to new babies, their Mommies and the blankets that keep them snug. Have a Great Day!

Fireman's Picnic and Canoe Races

2011-09-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Yet again I have let myself get busy living life and as a result my blog suffers from extreme neglect. I have quite a bit to tell you so I am going to have to make up for lost...or maybe gained...time and pump out some rapid fire posts. The holidays are well on their way and I have big crafty plans. Onward HO!

So...earlier this summer we attended the Fireman's Picnic and Canoe Races at Horseshoe Lake (one of our local lakes). Rugby was very happy to meet up with some great friends,human and canine.
The record snow we received last winter has melted and filled up our lakes...a bit too much! Check out that BBQ in the foreground.

The Mammoth Crest and our gorgeous clear blue sky always make a perfect backdrop.

The races proved to be quite comical as some folks had a hard time staying in their canoes...very tippy!

I loved the variety of colored canoes. You know...me and colors.

Big puffy dark clouds rolled in.

Dogs played fetch.

Kids played in the water and sand.
Everyone ate BBQ and Beer. As we left I thought I would get a shot of this...um...one of the things that make us Mammoth locals a little bit... wacky. Do you see that sign in the foreground in front of the Fireman's BBQ?

Here is a close up.

This area is a volcanic hazard but we picnic here...Crazy?

Quotestravaganza

2011-08-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have been playing on Pinterest again and I have put together several of the quotes/sayings that made me laugh, cry or smile. Some of them totally crack me up!

Source: atrampabroad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Have a thoughtful day!

Rugby's Walk

2011-08-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Rugby here with the latest adventure update, I am writing this post today so you get the real story, from my point of view. I recently visited Lake Mcleod and like always my Mom tried to get me to enjoy a swim but I am not that kind of dog.

I mean look at that water... it is fresh snow melt! Brrr...
Nah! I don't think that is my thing.
Oh great there is a dog out in the water...Mom's gonna want me to go in.
Let's move on...quickly.

I did get to meet this new dog friend at Horseshoe Lake a few days ago. The squirrels and the other dogs are really the only thing I am interested in. I don't know why she wants me to play in the water.

Wait friend...don't go... nooo... not in the water! ;0( R

New Burtony Afghan

2011-08-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
My life has been super hectic lately but I have been using the frustration to keep my Hook well... hooking!
I have a new afghan for sale in my shop and I have another super cute baby afghan to show you very soon...needs some final tucking and trimming but it is close.
This one is completely inspired by Tim Burton...swoon. I adore his movies especially the ones starring Johnny Depp but The Nightmare before Christmas is quite possibly my favorite. I used acrylic yarn in Pumpkin Orange, Purple, Spring Green and Black to crochet this blanket in a heavy ribbed pattern using only the single crochet stitch.

I really want to keep it for myself but my personal stack of cozy blankets has grown by another massive multi colored afghan (which I must show you still) and it just can't take another.
This fabulous blanket will hopefully brighten someone else's sofa this Halloween!

It is only 2 months away you know? and Christmas is only 4 months from now. Boy this summer has gone way too fast.

Yosemite in August

2011-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Yosemite National Park with some of my favorite people. We only had one afternoon to visit and we enjoyed every minute. Most of the photos I took were taken from the moving car so they aren't the best but it is hard to mess up a shot of anything in Yosemite, it is just too beautiful. We enter the park from the East side and Tenaya Lake is a treasure to behold. Gorgeous mountain water.

Rugby didn't enjoy the long drive this time.

It seemed like everyone thought it would be a good day to visit the Park, lots and lots of Happy Campers.

Entering the Park...yipeee!

Uh Oh! looks like a wildfire is burning down there.

Yep...looks to be a big one.

As we winded down the mountains into the valley we started to worry that the air wouldn't be very good down there.

There she is...Yosemite Valley. It is just so majestic, always takes my breathe away.

The air actually didn't seem too bad once we got down to the valley floor.

Lush, so lush this year.

I will never understand this...I mean why pose on the dangerous rocks? There is a reason so many tourists die in our National Parks every year...stupidity.

I mean look at this shot below!

This is Bridalveil Falls...all these folks are at the base of it...here is a shot of the top.

She is a beauty isn't she?

Hope you all get a chance to visit one of our fabulous National Parks this summer.

Picnic at Rock Creek Lake

2011-07-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

A few days ago we decided to have a picnic dinner up at one of our many local Lakes, Rock Creek Lake. On the drive over a Ladybug landed on my leg...

We found a shady spot right by the water...

some clouds blossomed above...

Rugby noticed we had a visitor...

Ants always show up to picnics invited or not.

Rock creek lake is so peaceful...

Yeah, I think we are pretty blessed.

I hope you all get a chance to sit by a lake this weekend...or at least a hose sprinkler. ;0)Keep Cool my friends

Visiting Bodie

2011-07-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last week we decided it was time to take our somewhat annual trip to Bodie State Park and right off I was struck by the amount of transportation options on the road, RVs, toy haulers,Campers, pop-up tent trailers, trucks and boats. Cars pulling trailers and motorhomes toting cars all on their way to California State Parks and campgrounds, no doubt...or they are on their way to Canada. ;0)

In the photo below the middle vehicle is a motorhome pulling a car and the car is hauling scooters.

Mono Lake...south looking north. Taken from a moving car. ;0) Sheep...Baa The road to Bodie is a dusty one..."there's gold in them hills"! The entrance to Bodie. For those who don't know Bodie is an old gold mining ghost town which was once a rip roarin' town of 10,000 people. A mine caved in during the year 1875 and revealed pay dirt which sent Bodie booming. We usually stroll through town until we are too tired to visit the cemetery so this time that is where we started, at the cemetery. On the way there is some kind of machinery...a furnace? Rugby sniffed the Morgue which is just outside the cemetery gate.

Rosa May was a prostitute with a kind generous heart,she was buried just outside the cemetery boundary.

Bodie State Park is using Ground Penetrating Radar to find remains and mark the graves with colored flags. That is a lot of flags in a very small space don't you think?
This is the way I remember the graves. Wooden gravemarkers don't last though so it seems that they are being replaced by sturdy marble tombstones. Here is a shot of what I am sure is one of the new tombstones.

Local Bodie Bovine. ;0) Moo!The most recent burial in Bodie cemetery was on Jan. 9th 2003 the gravestone reads "God I've just arrived from Bodie. I am one of the Old Time Miners"

Repaired fence around a grave.

Looking East back at Bodie from the cemetery. I love the front porch of this house and the electric lamp by the door.

Old Barn. The Methodist Church is the only church left standing.

The inside.

The front door of the Miller house, the only house in Bodie visitors are allowed to walk through. An electric meter above the front door.

The bed in the living room is narrow but I think it looks like it was comfy. I don't think it was in the living room when people lived here, it may not have even been in this house. The park rangers have set up this one house for guests to walk through and get a feel for life on the inside. I doubt this fireplace kept the house warm. To the left you can see the bedroom and to the right the dining room.

The dining room has a woodstove just around the corner from the fireplace. I am sure the woodstove helped keep the family warm during Bodie's frigid winters. I wish that pie safe was in my house...I would fill it with fabric and books!

The kitchen has a fabulous cookstove that must have kept this room warm.

In the foreground of this photo there is a tiny child size glider/rocker. I had a hard time getting a good shot of it because the kitchen is roped off to visitors but I had to try, the chair is just too cute.

LOVE the bead board.

with a flash...

This chaise must have been so luxurious back in the 1800's. So many layers of linoleum!

more layers of linoleum

A pretty crib and a fabulous deep tub furnish this room.

A sewing machine was very useful then and now. This bed is very short and so ornate.I guess visitors have turned it into a "wishing bed" as it is covered in money. I love the sweet floral wallpaper.

The J Cain house, I wonder why they had that narrow little glass porchroom? You couldn't fit a chair in there. My hubby thinks it was for growing plants. Maybe he is right...it must have been nearly impossible to grow anything outside. The low on July 12th this year was 29 degrees and the high was 77...perfect. Bodie sits at 8375 ft. elevation so it gets very cold here and is often windy.

Wild Iris is lovin' the water.

I love the way this shot came out... so serene and green. Rugby checked out the creek.

Looking back towards the center of town. The building with the spire closest in the foreground is the school house and the one in the background with a spire is the Methodist Church.

This is the Stampmill.

I wonder how pretty these homes were when they were new?

I find it interesting that this house below is partially sided with flattened kerosene cans yet it has a stylish popout window.

It is rare for Bodie Creek to have water in my experience.

Remember how much snow we got this winter? 55ft on the top of our mountain and it kept snowing into June. Read below what Mark Twain had to say about our weather. Mono Lake from the car heading to Tioga Pass and Big Bend Camp.

Heading towards Big Bend I took this glorious shot.

Big Bend Campground is incredible and this year the river is Raging from all the snowmelt. On the right of the photo you can see the picnic table for one of the campsites, it is right at the edge of the river and the roar of the rapids is deafing. I am not sure I would feel safe sleeping that close to the river.

The sites were either all taken or flooded so we ended up sleeping in our own bed. That is one of the beautiful things that comes with living in vacationland.

Hope you all get time to have a little adventure. ;0)

Local Wildflowers

2011-07-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Our grueling winter is paying off in so many ways, like raging rivers and an abundance of wildflowers and here are photos of just a few.

Penstemon

Rugby Rose hip

Rose hip Bud Torrey's Blue-eyed Mary

Phlox

Indian Paintbrush

Mariposa Lily

I haven't identified this one yet. Mule's Ears.

and those are just wildflowers I have found in the last few days within our town's limits! I love it.

Rugby's First Parade

2011-07-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I have been trying to get this Independence Day parade post up for a week, Blogger and my computer don't seem to be getting along, so I have no longer have a desire to describe every quirky little thing and I will be sending you on a photo tour...alone. Well... somewhat alone ;0)

Otter Pop Man!

Rugby had fun...

She found a friend.

Thar' she is! We had a great time as we always do. Whew... finally got it posted. On to my next adventure.

Let Freedom Ring!!!

2011-07-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! Keep Cool My Friends

Quote-tastic!

2011-07-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been on Pinterest again and I have found a bunch of fabulous quotes that really hit home with me. Maybe you will like them too?

Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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July 4th photos past

2011-07-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

This morning I was looking through some photos of our July 4th parades over the years and I think tomorrow I need to try a little harder to get "good" shots. Regardless here are a few of the better ones I have taken during the last two years.
This one is of the Johnson Family float "The Titanic". So clever they are. Local Cowboy with American Flag.

Radio Flyer, little boy and flag. Pure Americana

Uh...Afro Firemen.

Bernese Mountain Dog . Beauty

I wish you all a wonderful day today and tomorrow. I hope you will be enjoying BBQ, family, friends, sun, your country, or at least a good movie. I will be back soon with shots from this years parade and this time I will be taking Rugby. She will be wearing a super cute collar to show her patriotism. ;0) J

Summer Yummin'

2011-06-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Pinterest has done it again!It has brought me a bit of sun when I need it most. Here is a group of photos of super yummy summer treats. I made this first treat a few days ago and oh boy...

So good.

Source: july.tipjunkie.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Cheers to Summer! ;0) J

Just a few shots

2011-06-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

This morning I was reminded that I have a blog and I need to post occasionally or my faithful readers will revolt! He he ;0)

So I am posting a few shots of happenings around here but I will be back with more soon. I have been sweeping chimneys like crazy and on those "sweepy" days I am beat, exhausted and have no desire to type or even think. On top of it my son has recently graduated High School and seems determined to drive me nuts! Why did I think things would be easier when he was out of school?! Even with all of this, and more I don't even want to bring up,I have been super crafty and I need to show you all what I have been doing. Until then check this out...

I posted about this table last November after we had a big snow storm and the snow piled up perfectly like a frosted cake. Well I didn't have room to store the poor old thing indoors so I just left it there where it stood all winter and figured it would be broken in the spring. I wasn't too attached to it anymore, although it was an amazingly well built table. Over the years I had painted it, decoupaged it and eventually it became a craft table and then it was put outside in the garden for our outdoor dinners and I used it a lot when I painted.

As the far above average amount of snow melted in the garden I would think about the table, "I wonder if the legs broke off" or "maybe it broke right in half down the middle?" I waited as the snow melted and watched. As the garden began to appear more and more I wondered "what happened to the table? I should be able to see it now!" I figured it must be broken flat on the ground. The middle and the legs must have broken in half. I did not in any way expect what really happened...

It sunk into the ground. About two feet of the table legs were perfectly pushed deep in the earth and the table was completely intact, the paint job ruined of course, but not broken at all. I had a mind to make big pillows to sit on and just go with it...go without chairs I mean but Hubby helped me pull it out.Whew... it was tight in there and a leg did break from the table and Hubs had to wiggle it out of the ground but it pushed right back into the table.No Problem! They sure don't make things like they used to, this table just won't die!

We went up to look at the local waterfall and here is a shot looking out over the town sitting amidst all those pines, looking toward Crowley Lake. It was a bit hazy that day...wildfires somewhere south.

Twin Lakes still had a bit of snow on it...

and finally here is the waterfall. I shot a sweet little movie of this moment with my handy camera but I can't seem to get it uploaded onto Blogger.
Drats!

Sooo peaceful. Only birds twittering and the roar of the waterfall in the background. The campgrounds weren't open yet due to the Insane amount of snow we still have so there weren't many tourists either.
Our weather forecast for last night and today called for rain and snow...on June 28th! That is how crazy this winter/spring has been. I have lived here for 32 years and last winter was my biggest winter yet. I wonder what is coming next? It has been raining all night and this morning, and the mountains have are again covered in fresh snow so we are gonna go out and see some of the rivers swell. Can't sweep chimneys in the rain...rain, roofs and soot don't mix.

Have a great Day, J

Baby Photos

2011-06-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some fabulous photo ideas for a new baby and a couple great ones for a family photo shoot. My mind is reeling with ideas now.

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: None via Edris on Pinterest

I love this one so much!

Source: alittlelovelyblog.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: famillesummerbelle.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Amazing, I KNOW!

OK... I am Pinterested

2011-06-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered Pinterest and I am hooked. Way too much time can be spent pinning I have found, and it's not like I need another reason to spend time on the computer. But just look at this...

Source: glamour.com via Ruby on Pinterest

Genius isn't it. I love this idea. Look what else I found...

Source: leighpearceweddings.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

So sweet!

Source: None via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: embracelifephoto.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: bleubirdvintage.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Do you see what I mean? There are some great ideas on Pinterest. I need to figure out a few things like getting pinterest photos onto blogger is a bit tricky and I had a problem with some sourcing but still... I am hooked.

I'd like to check you for Ticks (not)

2011-06-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

On our latest adventure with Rugby we went down to the Owens River. This is a shot of the view to the south. The Sierra Nevada Mountains just go on and on. Here is the view to the north where the clouds went on and on. Oh... A very photogenic Goat posed for a scavenger hunt photo for me.
I needed a shot of a farm animal. I think he wanted to go home with us.

I also needed a photo of some tree branches and I found these gorgeous trees in a beautiful grassy area by the river.

I can't decide which photo I like better, with the sunbeams or without?

A sweet little wild rose in the softest pink.

This was a very nice spot...or so we thought.

Wandering through the brush I noticed the sting of a mosquito biting my hand and then my arm.

We found what seemed to be a nice picnic spot until right about here Rugby stopped having fun. I didn't know why until we found seven ticks on her that afternoon. Yuck. I have never seen one before and they are ugly suckers.

We got outta there Quick, and went shopping. ;0)

P.S. in case you are wondering, the title of this post is from a Brad Paisley song which has earwormed its way into my brain this week.

Lunchtime Discovery

2011-06-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

We spent our lunchtime exploring in the Sherwin Creek area a few days ago and it turned out to be very interesting and a little creepy.
Rugby started off by watchin' out for critters...squirrels mainly.

She quickly turned her charms onto me and my lunch.Ahhh...the creek is nice. I love the sound, I love the smell, I love the cool air coming off the snow melt. "I am still sittin' pretty over here, a bit of that sandwich please."

"Daddy has crossed a bridge lets follow, Rugs."

Hey! I can do this all day if I have to!

Oh looky here...an old cabin. I wonder if this little stove was used to heat water and cook food?

Deer Rest Lodge or Hanta Virus Haven? Someone put a lot of effort into this front door.

There is a cute little built in fireplace in the left corner.

To the right...

A tell tale signs of teen partying...red Solo cups litter the floor and there is some sort of foam stuffing in the "kitchen" area.

This place has potential during the day... but I bet it is super creepy at night. Let's go.

I wonder what lives in there? A woodpecker maybe?

a little flora...when these babies start blooming I start sneezing!

Today we are heading out on yet another little adventure so come visit soon. J

Random Memorial Weekend Shots

2011-06-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our Memorial Weekend started out like this... Cold, snowy...There is a mountain under that cloud.

Then the sun came out for a bit and we decided to go exploring with Rugby.Rugs met up with some dog friends for a bit, she was a bit envious of the little guys leather "Bomber" jacket.

The river was still a little icy.

The tent moth caterpillars were doing their thing.

The next day we went exploring again but in different direction. Rugby's main focus was Squirrel hunting.

We had some pretty amazing cloud formations too!

Nothing to exciting...just a nice weekend to be thankful.

Photo Hunt May

2011-06-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
May's Photo Scavenger Hunt proved to be very difficult for me but I did get a photo for every item on the list, Quite a few uglies in this batch I am afraid.

A Bicycle- Trail sign A Butterfly

A Cartoon Character- Penelope and Pepe Le Peu

A Portrait in Black and White- My Maternal Grandma and Grandpa

A Red Door

A sign of the Zodiac- This was a hard one...I should have taken a photo of my brother in law's Tattoo, it would have been perfect. Oh well! Glass Fishes it is.

A Streetlamp- A very Ugly Streetlamp!

An Emergency Vehicle- Blah...

An interesting local building- not really all that interesting and taken from a moving car. ;0)

Something Blue- Stormy Blue Sky

Texture- My Dog's Fur. So soft

Think Vintage!- Mid Century Pink Poodle

This was a very hard month for me and to be honest I took a few of them just today...I thought I had a day left. Oops!

Here is the list for June-

Something with your towns name on it

An Elephant

A Wheel Trim- not sure what that is. Hubcap?

Architectural Detail

Cheese

Night

Tree Branches

Cutlery

A Childhood Memory

A Farm Animal

Something Beginning with Z

The View Right Outside Your Door

Whew...this is gonna be a fun month. I have a ton of ideas all ready!

Hope your weather is better than mine,we have snow predicted again! Ugh!

Needs a Name

2011-05-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have found a new passion or a new craft to be passionate about, Hand Dyeing fabric! I suppose it is natural since we have now dyed about 800 tie dyes that I start dying fabric but it started when I bought white fabric to make Tie Dyed Napkins. I have been working on the napkins but I needed a way to use up the extra dye we made, I hate throwing it out and it only stays potent for a few days. So one night I grabbed some white fabric and dyed it up! Voila!

So then I had this oh so fabulous fabric and I NEEDED to use it right away but what do I want to make?

The vibrant colors kept making me think of things, like this one made me think of the Night Sky...

This one brought Lush, damp Moss to mind...

Oh this one made my mouth water... and this one made my mouth pucker. Then I knew what I needed to make... a Wordy Quilt. A quilt for me with the words in the bright hand dyes and the background entirely white and the words will be what color they are... but not like blue or green but like plum or seafoam. I couldn't figure out what that would be called so I Googled it and found "descriptive color words; words that are secondarily used to describe color but primarily used to refer to an object or phenomenon. There... that's what I mean ;0)

yummy Tangerine.

Midnight and Moss

As I went along I realized there are a lot of "food color words" so maybe I will need to make two quilts one "food colors" and one for the rest?

Do you have any descriptive colors to suggest? Or how about a name for the quilt? hmmm...

Things I have been working on...

2011-05-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hello all!
Chimney Season has started again for us so I am busy during most week days but I have been able to get quite a bit done in the project department anyway. I have finished two more Hallowistmas Houses for Tonya.

In usual "Me" fashion I started yet another new project even though I have a box full of Unfinished projects. Actually it all started because I decided to go through my scrap tub. You see it was overfull, flowing out onto the floor. The best thing to do was sew a few of them together for something...maybe a pillow. I do love to make pillows. A crazy quilt type pillow with random embroidery scattered about.Yeah!

I am loving it already.

I quickly put together a couple new pillows...me with the pillows again...I know but these two are going to be out on the "back patio pew" once it stops snowing. Yes...we are still getting snow.

I hand dyed the mottled solid fabrics myself!

here are the backs...oh so bright.

and this hideously ugly frame, which I got for free because it was partially burned in a house fire, is going to be transformed into something incredible...

The plants behind the frame are our tomatoes patiently waiting to go back outside when the sun comes out. My tiny house becomes a nursery in the spring. I have a few more things to show you but I need to take some photos first.

Have a great day...I am quite sure we will have many more! ;0)

Workin' Girl

2011-05-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks Rugby has been a workin' dawg. Up until then her time was often spent like this... "Hey Rugs! We are goin' to sweep some chimney's today, wake up!"

So now I take her for a brief walk every hour and she spends the rest of the time in the car. We are constantly coming back to the work truck to get tools etc. so she gets frequent visits and has fun watching the birds, squirrels, and today I am pretty sure I saw a weasel...maybe... I saw a small flat headed critter that looked like a weasel. I gotta look it up and see if they exist here. ;0)

The best part of the day according to Lady Rugglesby is lunch, by far the greatest thing that happens. In the shot above Kevin has just pulled out a roast beef sandwich. Look at her eyes...

Look at her body! He he... this totally cracks me up.
She is "sitting pretty", something she does EVERY time she wants food so... she does it a lot.

"Oh my...that looks good. You're gonna give me some right?"

Look at her TAIL!!! She loves her lunchtime so much. He he :0)

Bloomin' Snow!

2011-05-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day I awoke to a few inches of fresh snow, so I ran out and cut the Daffodils that had bloomed before the weight of the snow crushed them.

Then I was blessed with even more blossoms from my hubby, he is so thoughtful sometimes. ;0)

They smell WONDERFUL...
and they make me miss my Grandma Ruby.

My Mother's Day was topped off with a nice chat with my Mom, the original movie "Mildred Pierce" with Joan Crawford and a dinner that included THIS amazing flower. Yum

I hope you all had a great day on Mother's Day.

The Morgue Unit

2011-05-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

I am back to work as a chimney sweep for the summer and today I had to go into a condo I call the Morgue Unit. I dread going into this place like none other. There have been worse places I have had the misfortune to work in but this one actually scares me. I get a bad case of the willies, the first time I cleaned this chimney I was shocked. Now I guess I am just stunned. I can't believe anyone would decorate their vacation rental home this way. I wonder if it is a place they rarely visit or do they spend long spells of time sitting under dead animal heads. When I enter the front door I am greeted by this fine fellow. Whoa...just got a chill up my back ...

This one is in the living room...

and so is this one...

I see these three beauties going up the stairs to the loft. The one at the bottom has amazing curly horns. Just Gorgeous.

This one is very unusual...The horns are straight and very long and he has a beard.Stunning but I can't look for too long. Eww
Did you ever go to Disneyland and see "The Bear Country Jamboree? That strange Winnie the Pooh ride is in its spot now. Well if you did than you will know what I mean when I say this Incredible massive creature below (water buffalo?) could start talking at anytime and when he does I will jump out of my skin.

This little baby makes me so sad... and scared. It looks like it could, no...it looks like it should stand up and dart across the room. I am afraid it will!
It's whole little body is there!

Oh boy... this one is right above my head while I vacuum and shovel the ash out of the firebox.
Poor baby is peeking through the stairs at me...eek...I gotta hurry and get outta here.Shiver.

Whew...I am glad I won't have to go into that condo again for two years. Shake it off, Shake it off
The stuffed head of this fellow didn't give me the willies...

He was just two doors down and made me feel much better.

Smile...Shiver ;0)

April Photo Hunt

2011-05-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have been participating in a photo scavenger hunt challenge but never posted about it because I kept failing. Every month a new list is posted of twelve things to photograph within that month. Postcards from the P.P. started it and I read about it through Thimbleanna and took the bait. I can do it right? not as easily as I thought. It takes discipline man. I started in February and I didn't succeed in getting all the shots in time until the month of April although to be honest I didn't take that last shot till May 1st.
Here are my April photos

A Church- I grew up just down the street from this church. A Cross- I bought this Rosary when we visited the Santa Barbara Mission while on our honeymoon. The cross behind is craved into the church pew I have in my backyard. . A Sculpture- A ceramics project my son made.

A set of keys- He he ;0)

April Showers- Taken from the inside of a car while in a car wash.

Breakfast- My Hubby's breakfast.

Eggs- Malted Eggs, yummy

Something Yellow-A fuzzy chick perched in freshly bloomed Crocus flowers.

My Camera. Humble but fabulous!

Something to do with Shakespeare- A Super sized book I inherited which sits in mixed company.

Something to do with St.George's Day- I had to look up St.George for this one, never heard of him. This shot represents the flag.

Funky Shop sign- Super funky. Here is the list for May!

a butterfly

a bicycle

a red door

a cartoon character

an emergency vehicle

think vintage!

something blue

a street light

texture

a sign of the zodiac

an interesting local building

a portrait in black and white

I wonder where I can find a red door?

Hallowistmas Duplex

2011-05-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

I just realized I never posted about latest block for Tonya's Hallowistmas Quilt so here it is... It is a Duplex!

The festive little ladies that live here have decorated their yard with a Halloween sign and some bunting.

The night sky is crawling with iridescent spiders which you can experience up close by stepping out onto the balcony!

I am having so much fun with this, I have another one in the works but I need to find out when the deadline is 'cause I think it might have been today. ;0)

Hallowistmas House

2011-04-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

My favorite UnRuly Quilter has issued another irresistible challenge. Imagine a suburban area connecting two towns. A place where the customs of one town have merged with the customs of another in a cheery yet creepy way. The towns are named Halloweentown and Christmastown. The suburb is called ...Hallowistmas.

*In my head Rod Serling was narrating that bit above* ;0)

The idea is to create quilt blocks with wonky houses, but not just any old house...a Hallowistmas house. What would a wonky wonderful house in Hallowistmas look like? Who would live there? Would Mummies bake Christmas cookies? You get the idea.

So here is my first house...

The background is black with a creepy crawly iridescent spiderweb pattern.

I intend to make a few more and I think the next one will be a bit better than my first, a bit wonkier. Off I go!

Wreath in Bloom

2011-04-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy I have been busy. As you can clearly see my "winter" wreath needed some love. Little did I know that it needed some love from Attic24.I have discovered through Thimbleanna (one of my favorite blogs)

a wonderful, hooky fabulous blog named...yes... Attic24.

In this incredible Attic of crochet inspiration I learned how to make these cheery flowers... and these luscious leaves.

Rugby is not... happily cooperating with the modeling but...

My battered twiggy wreath is extremely joyous to don the sweet things.

Ahhhh..yeah...much better. Warm days are on their way.

I think it needs just a few more...or maybe a dozen! I can't stop making them. ;0) j

Spring Shots

2011-04-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

We took a little drive today to get out in the sunshine and although some of these photos look a bit dry and brown, it is because the snow has just melted (not at our house...south of us) and the plants haven't had the chance to "green up" yet. a little green here...No green here.

It is very green here!

Rugby's first spring dip!

Chilly glacial water...nice on the paws. ;0)

Sunshine!

2011-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Oh Man... Mom's got that camera out again. Ahhh... the sun... so warm. Sooo warm.

I wasn't sure it would ever be warm here.

Mmm...smells good... melting snow, squirrels, birds and mud...the sweet smell of mud.

Alright mom... enough with the camera.

Let me enjoy this moment please.

Rugby

Mardi Party Animals

2011-03-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

Check out these Beauties! I was lucky enough to sell these two sweet party animals a couple of Jazzy Mardi Gras Tie Dyes and guess what? They sent a photo of their day at the parade. So Cool. If you read this girls...Thanks! You are fabulous models ;0)

Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-03-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me! I turn 40 years old today and I can't believe it. I still feel 25 inside but that isn't possible because my son will soon be 19. Ack! Would someone please slow down this crazy little thing called life!

No?! Oh well...time to have some fun... if only this blasted snow would stop falling.

Happy Birthday to me...

Diggin' out

2011-03-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to dig out this morning, slowly. Rugby is the only reason I have started as early as this...she needs to go out in the morning and I can't convince her otherwise. ;0)Yesterday I showed you this photo of my neighbor's buried window...

This is what it looks like this morning.

Looks like my front door wreath had a rough time of it last night.

I look down and there is my front porch...somewhere down there...
I look down the driveway...Oh Boy!

See those little twigs sticking out of the snow? That is where the edge of the porch is, it might be easier to swim! I am going back in, to work on this...
and this...
Hope you all get some sun today! J

Help!

2011-03-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Help!!! We are buried. Actually this is my neighbor's house, the view out my front door.Our house looks even worse. Under that tiny peak of roof is my neighbor's window, obviously he can't see through it now.Just to the left of my neighbor's house is our parking area, my Hubby is on the left there schlepping the snow out of the way and on the right of the photo in the background you can see an apartment building. The next time the roof of that building sheds they will not be able to see out of their windows. We really are buried and guess what? It is snowing right now...

and this is a bit of what the weatherman said today...
"It continues to appear that we will break a 40+ year record for snowfall by weeks end as the last three storms of March dump more snow upon Mammoth Mt. By mid week…..April certainly looks much kinder with some very nice periods of warn weather expected!
As of this morning, Mammoth Mt reported 555.5 inches of snow this season. The prospects for another 4 to 5 feet by Sunday night look pretty good at this point. So the possibility of hitting 600 inches is still in the cards! For the record, we have never had a 600 inch snow year on Mammoth Mountain. Earlier reports were revised downward. Unfortunately, records were not kept for the great winters of 1969 or the fab year of 1952."

I need some sun!

Crochet Crazy

2011-03-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

The weather here has been cold and snowy but my crochet hook has been burning up. I have finished another three lap/baby afghans and I will have them up for sale in my shop by the end of the day. This first one started out green and white but I decided to add some red and make it a Christmas blanket.

I am so pleased with the way it turned out.

This one has taken me forever to finish because I used small bits of different colored yarn left over from other projects. When the balls of yarn would get too small for the afghan I was working on I would just switch over to "Candy Stripes" and add a couple rows.

Candy Stripes has a weight to it, so warm.

Whew, looking at that photo is making my eyes hurt. ;0)

This last one I am calling "color block" because, well...it is made up with a rainbow of granny squares.

I surrounded each square with black and also connected them with black
to set off the amazing color.

Then the sweet thing started screaming for a rainbow border and I complied, what else could I do? ;0)

I get an enormous sense of accomplishment every time I finish an afghan and now that two of my cozy creations have sold, I have a new found drive to keep stitching and stocking my shop.
The moment I finished "color block" I started two more afghans. Two so when I get bored with one color scheme I can switch to the other. I need to change things up now and then or my fun becomes work and who likes work?

We won't be seeing the sun for several days and the bright yarn I use helps to cheer me up so maybe I will go get busy now.;0)

Hope you are getting a bit of sun.

Green is Beautiful

2011-03-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Green is beautiful isn't it?
I wish we had some green showing around here...but that won't be happening for awhile so I will be immersing myself in lush, damp, verdant Irish films today (thanks to TCM and Netflix) while I cook the annual corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and soda bread.

This little leprechaun is dancing a jig across my latest pillow creation...

and it is now for sale in the shop.
The sashing and backing is a wonderful rainbow background with green shamrocks scattered all over and there is a metallic speckle to it. LOVE!

I wanna jump right in!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone...

I wish you Love and Luck and lots of Green! J

Bah Humbug !

2011-03-16T17:21:00.001-07:00

Bah Humbug ! is the inspiration for a creation from the fabulous mind of Tonya over at UnRuly Quilter. Anyone who wanted to participate just needed to piece some Bah's and Humbugs (emphasis on the Bug) together in Christmas reds and greens with some yellow and send them to her by April 1st. I can't get enough of Tonya's quilt projects she has some great ideas. So I picked out these fabrics and went to town.

I made the Bah quickly enough but it ended up much bigger than I intended, like usual. When I started my "!" I decided that is where I would create a bug.

So here is my "Bah Humbug!"

You can read about the quilt top and how it is coming together here. Tonya has received more blocks than she can fit in one quilt top so I am not going to do the word Humbug...just a Bah and a humbuggy "!". I am sending it off to sunny Florida tomorrow and you know... that little Humbug put me in a cheery Yuletide mood and as a result I am almost done with another Christmas project for the shop. A Christmas lap afghan.
I do believe I enjoy working on Christmas projects in the Spring...Bad weather doesn't bother me when it feels like Christmas, maybe I should just put on Christmas carols and go with it because we have snow coming for the next 5+ days. Who knows what I will come up with! ;0)

Recent Rugby

2011-03-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Rugby has learned a few tricks. She has learned to "sit pretty"and "shake" and she now knows if she does either of these adorable things I will squeal with joy and give her a treat. Smart girl.
Rugby even dressed for Mardi Gras!

She has me wrapped around her little paw. :0)

Global Juice

2011-03-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

A little something of interest I found in my fridge.

My juice is Global. Hmmm. Not sure how I feel about this,

I mean... we grow apples in Washington right? J

Quest for Dirt 2

2011-02-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

We made another trip with Rugby in order for her to get to play on something other than snow...our quest for dirt. This time we drove down the hill about 45 minutes and explored. We went to the spot where we like to float in inner tubes down the Owens River, in the middle of summer...not now! Brrr...

There are these two silos there that have always interested me. I happen to like graffiti...sometimes. To me it is a form of art. I love it on these silos but I wouldn't want it on the side of my house...or maybe I would? I guess it depends on the artist's ability.

When you have rescued a dog it is hard to know what they might do. I was afraid Rugby may decide to jump in the river. That river is deep and very cold right now...I didn't want to have to jump in. She is a smart girl though, she just watched the birds.

Then we stopped by the cemetery because I am participating in a Photo Scavenger Hunt and I need a photo of a tombstone that is one hundred years old or older. If it was spring time I would have gone to Bodie so I could get a recent shot of a really old headstone but the snow will not allow. So Bishop cemetery it is.

I found a few that I liked but the light was all wrong, I need to go in the morning. This first one belongs to Ben T. Williams died August 19, 1908, aged 58 years, native of Tennessee. The next one is a bit older, Carrie V. Neill, daughter, Died July 6, 1894, 27 years. Sometimes I think it is funny how one hundred years seems like a long time to me, I guess it is because I have always lived in the west. I read in a book recently that stated "Europeans think one hundred miles is a long way and Americans think one hundred years is along time". That's me!

I have a deep love for graveyards and I have a hard time explaining why. Maybe it has to do with my love of stories from the past, the history of it all. I have written about it before, here. I wander through careful not to step where the bodies would be, although the best cemeteries are the ones that are so old you can't tell where the bodies are, reading the epitaphs and imagining what that persons life was like and what killed them. I took 6 shots of this Jesus statue trying to get one with the sun right behind his head. This is the best one I got.

Graveyards are so peaceful, everyone is at rest here.

Hope you have a wonderful peaceful day. J

Calling All Book Lovers!

2011-02-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

I have a weakness for these handmade bookmarks, I love them.

Not only did I buy several custom bookmarks for Christmas presents, I also bought a few for myself. Don't you love my wise gold owl?

He holds my spot beautifully and adds a touch of style to my endless stacks of books. Would you like one?

Well... Cassie happens to be giving one away!!! A gorgeous bookmark with a velvet ribbon and a big fat heart. Go over to her Fabulous blog Serenade for Solitude and leave a comment.

Good Luck! ;0)

Web Surf

2011-02-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

I wasn't the only one surfing the web here today... A visitor dropped in.

Then she moved on.

I wonder if she can type? I could use some office help! ;0)

Quest for dirt

2011-02-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

This photo is deceiving...at least to me.I think it looks like a tumultuous sea under a layer of fog but it is just a little creek feed by our geothermal wonders. At lunch today we went on a quest for dirt. It is very hard to come by around here this time of year and Rugby doesn't believe we will ever see dirt. We found a little.

The steam freezes on the brush and creates amazing formations.
The clumps of "snowflowers" turn the ugly dead twigs into something wintery wonderful.

Rugby was more interested in the flock of geese nearby,which I could not get a shot of because she kept tangling me up in her leash.

She did get a chance to get very muddy which was great fun until it was time to get back in the car. ;-)

Here is a shot looking back towards home, I live just over the hill at the base of that fabulous mountain.

Sure is a beautiful day.- J

Great American Granny

2011-01-31T09:17:00.000-08:00

Many moons ago I made up a few patriotic granny squares with some left over yarn I had and then I put them away for another day.

I have been deeply motivated to finish lingering UnFinished Objects lately so I added a few more rows to them and stitched them all together.

There are several shades of blue, a couple different reds and two different whites.They were made over several years so the dye lots vary...and because I wanted a variety of "red,white and blue".
I wonder if these colors would appeal to those who are not American? Australians perhaps? Brits?

After trimming it in stripes this afghan has turned out even more patriotic than I thought it would and it has a nautical feel to it which I didn't expect. Yar! ;0)

I thought I would put it on my front porch chair this July but I have decided to put it up for sale in my shop.

Independence Day(or maybe Bastille Day?) Fun ...five months early! ;0)

Recently I have been...

2011-01-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

Recently I've been embroidering this wee lad... sewing this incredible sparkly shamrock fabric around him...

learning about using natural light to photograph my habaneros...
.

and the icicles on my neighbors house...

but I always come back to her! ;0)

Oh how I love my little Rugby.

Quicky for me!

2011-01-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

Once I laid my eyes on the stylish lady adorning a pillow given to Amber over at A Little Bit Biased ,I had to make her. I Had to copy her and make one for myself. So I did. I love the tweedy texture on the wing-back chair, it was so much fun to stitch.
I printed the image and traced it onto white fabric and then I embroidered it in colors similar to Amber's pillow.

I didn't have a printed fabric that would complement the little lady and her pup but I soon found this wonderful Japanese fabric at this ETSY shop and I received it in just a few days. I think I have a tiny bit of turquoise gingham I can add to the mix.

Now comes the hard part...I always have trouble at this point in my projects. Should I add green ric-rac?

Should I pull out more of the Turquoise by adding these solids?

Maybe I should add pink? I am not sure but I do know that this will become a tote bag for me.

Notice how I made the pup look like Rugby? She is sitting at my feet right now. ;0)

Pillowy Paisley Mushrooms

2011-01-08T18:24:00.001-08:00

I am on a roll with the embroidery projects. I am determined not to start a new project until I finish something, so I have been concentrating on the many finished blocks of embroidery I have to make into...something.

Such as this Mushroom/Bug block.

which I think I will surround with orange...

and surround the orange with this Good Earth Paisley print.

Ohhhh yeah! Groovy

Now it needs something to class it up a bit...

Olive fringe left over from this beauty...that's the ticket! ;0)

Shiny New Cousin!

2011-01-08T09:52:00.002-08:00

I have a shiny new baby cousin! His name is Nolan and he is SO very preciously perfect. I just want to snuggle him and smell his wittle head.

Oh man he is too cute...I might bite my lip off if I keep looking at this pic. I think he is made of the finest velvet, warm velvet. ;0)

I posted awhile back about an UnRuly "word" quilt I was working on but I needed to keep it a secret. Now that the tiny recipient has met the world I won't hide it any longer, plus his Mommy will be away from the computer for weeks as she will be very busy playing with his toes. I am calling it "Golden Slumbers". It all started with these three fabrics.I cut them into strips and made words and stitched the words together.I used a few lines from a poem by Thomas Dekker but I remember it as a part of the song "Carry That Weight" by the Beatles.

I thought the Chocolate Brown fabric, which is called "Grass Menagerie", would make great sashing and I used solid squares for the corners. After I had pieced it all together I decided it needed some embroidery. Just to make it more...me. No prob. I just used my handy light box to trace the cute little critters from the chocolate fabric onto the seafoam fabric...and start stitchin'.

Ribbit...

I plan to do a bit more embroidery on the top and I still need a backing fabric. I am going to use the Turquoise dot fabric for the binding and with luck and diligence Golden Slumbers will be wrapped around my new little cousin soon .

Here's to new baby skin! ;0)

Edit- Here is the Poem...
Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby;
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

Care is heavy, therefore sleep you;
You are care, and care must keep you.
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

Thomas Dekker

;0)

Let it Melt

2011-01-03T17:48:00.001-08:00

I am desperate... I must find the BBQ! My Hubby is out shoveling and I am melting what I can on the woodstove. The snow is so high we can't throw it up over the snowbanks! Crazy Snowy

Do you see what I see?

2010-12-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Two of the photos I took last night turned out terrible, actually I took a dozen terrible ones. I should say two of the terrible photos I shot last night came out kind of... interesting,weird... maybe even magical.
You tell me.
In this first one my husband is ahead of me walking Rugby. They are only a couple of yards away but seem further. The flash lit up the falling snow and created an intriguing "Bokeh" shot. The orange spot is from a neighbors Christmas lights. Now this one is really strange. I knew when I snapped the photo that something weird happened but it wasn't until I put it up on the monitor that I saw two things. Deep Space and Angel Wings. What do you see?

Who has the most snow?

2010-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

We do!

Last nights walk was a tricky one. Our snowplow hasn't shown up in three days so our driveway has at least three feet of hard packed wet snow covered with a few more feet of powder. Rugby demonstrates below...

I pulled this from Mammothmountain.com...

"Mammoth has been named by skiinfo.com for having the most snow for any ski resort in the world! We have also broken the most snowfall in December record that has ever been recorded in 40 years. Since Friday, the storm total is 10.5 feet to 15 1/2 feet of snow! The snow is absolutely unbelievable and it will surely be a white Christmas!"

We have another wave coming in tonight! This has been an amazing start to Winter. Stay warm :0)

Hey Bing...

2010-12-20T07:56:00.000-08:00

I don't have to dream it...it's going to be a Very White Christmas!

Morning Walk

2010-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

Oh Man! What is going on here? This place is crazy!

Alright... let's go.

It's gettin' deep around here... belly high!

Bonny New Collar

2010-12-12T08:19:00.001-08:00

Little Rugby has a Bonny New Collar and a shiny new name tag.

Rugs is very excited about it, she is just hiding it. I can't get enough of her, she is just so sweet. The only sound she has made so far is a little moaning piggy noise during belly rubs. She hasn't barked once! I wonder if she will?

I Love Love Love the spots on her ears. They make me think of constellations.

I love her shape.

and oh my...

The End ;0)

P.S. We thought about calling her Badonkadonk!

Grannys and Rain

2010-12-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning Rugby was excited to go out until we were actually out, then she changed her mind...girls do that. The sky was beautiful but rain/ sleet was falling and that doesn't go well with walking on ice.

Rugby said "This is Nuts!!!" When we were home safe and warm again I decided it was time to try my hand a photographing a hand crocheted scarf. I finished it a while back but I wasn't sure how to stage it. I started with the piano...

Too dark, So I took it outside. Hmmm... maybe the woodpile?

Eh...maybe... the sun was peeking in and out making it difficult. I think I need to reschedule this shoot. ;0)

I listed the scarf for sale in my shop anyway.

Rugby just keeps on thinking about the wacky weather.

It is different every time we go out... very curious.

Walking Rugby

2010-12-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

We continue to enjoy our Little Rugby and she continues to hate the camera. This is the photo that I found of her on Petfinder.com, the one that sold her. We were so happy to find she is smaller than she looked in the photo. The lady holding her is very tiny and since we have been feeding her Primo food she has lost that bloaty belly. The day we picked her up she had just had a Hot Dog. ;0) She looks best in her plaid scarf I have decided, but she won't show it off.

I love her muscular tushy.

She is starting to enjoy our morning walks in the snow but still balks at going out at night. She doesn't like the cold and dark evenings we have. Yesterday morning we had new snow and the neighbors had their blowers out. Rugby watched...

in the shade...brrr. She blends in doesn't she?

in the sun... ahhh...she's never seen this before.

Umm... Rugby...can we go in now? I am Freeezzzing.

Hope you all stay warm out there. ;0)

Olympic Squares Afghan

2010-12-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

My Olympic Squares Afghan is finished. I made the granny squares while watching the winter Olympics in Vancouver and then like usual I became bored with it and put it away... for a long time. Don't you love the colors? Cherry Red, Turquoise, Lime Green, Chocolate Brown and White. The dark chocolate yarn anchors the wild brights perfectly I think.

When I started making the Squares I concentrated on making sure there were no two alike but I didn't have a plan. When I laid them all out there were 5 spaces left and I wasn't sure what to do. You see, I had used up all the combinations I could think of. Then I realized that was the answer... there are no more possible combos so just make solid squares! Bingo.After weaving them all together I single crocheted a row of each color to make the border. There is something about this blanket that makes me think of a summer veggie garden... or maybe a tomato salad.

Olympic Squares is now up for sale in my shop and I have started a new Granny Square Afghan. This one I started while watching football on Thanksgiving and it is coming along very quickly. Sometimes sitting in front of the T.V. can be very productive. ;0)

Our New Baby is Here!

2010-11-30T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well... our great dog search didn't take very long at all thanks to Petfinder.com. Drum roll please....... here she is. We have named her Rugby.The day after Thanksgiving my hubby and I went to Palmdale, Ca and adopted a Welsh Corgi/Australian Shepherd. She was at a no-kill shelter for the last six months after being abandoned in front of a Petsmart. Someone found her tied to a shopping cart.

She is very timid but she is starting to relax.

I am having the most difficult time trying to get a happy shot of her, she is camera shy.

She is short...very short. She has velvet soft fur.

She has muscular legs and a thick neck.

A very thick neck. ;0)

Oh, sorry sweetie pie. You're gorgeous. Look at me please?

I love your white fur and black spots.

Come on. please?

Ohhhhh... thank you!

Yes... I do have a treat sitting on my head. ;0)

Sweet Pea... you make me so happy.

Dumpin'

2010-11-20T09:48:00.000-08:00

This morning my little garden is all frosty winter wonderland white. The sky was dumpin' snow all night. I haven't moved my garden table into the garage yet and I am glad I didn't because it made the perfect snow gauge.
Sometimes laziness pays off! I wanna stick my hands in that perfectly smooth snow and mess it all up but I am going to give it another night and see how tall it gets. At this point it is 15 inches tall. 15" is pretty impressive considering

it all fell it one night. We have three more days and nights of snow predicted so this could get very interesting.

Here are a few random snowy shots I took this morning.

Dry Bleeding Hearts.

My neighbors woodpile. Cute little frosty hats. ;0)

Today I will be spending the day inside dyeing shirts, I have several custom orders to get done this weekend including my first attempt at a Greek Flag shirt... an exciting challenge.

Have a great day all. J

The Great Dog Search part.1

2010-11-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

We have decided we are ready to get a new dog. Our beloved Gypsy Boots and Cosmo are still dearly missed but we need to fill the hole that they left. I have started to search Petfinder.com in order to find a sweet little pup that needs a rescue. The site is fabulous but I haven't found a dog I want that is within close driving distance. Can you have a dog shipped? That doesn't seem very nice. :0(

My son wants another Pit Bull but I get to pick our next dog and I want a Corgi, although I am very partial to Border Collies. I would love to find a Corgi/ Border Collie mix. Now that would be a great dog.

Do you have any advice on where to find Corgi pups that need a home?

The sweet furry face you see above is one of our family rescues...

Pepi La Pu... with my brother many, many years ago. Pepi had been abused and was very scared when we got him but he soon became a part of our family.

My son just brought over his dog "Brownie" who lives with my son's Father... that is how much I need a dog...I have been begging for canine visitors!

Isn't Brownie sweet?! He looks like a mini Husky and acts like a Fox not like a dog at all.

I am so excited about our next new friend... I just have to wait until we get back from our Thanksgiving trip to my Mom's. Then I am finding one!

200 Items

2010-10-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to let you all know we now have 200 items for sale in my shop. I am busy with crochet, embroidery, and quilting projects for 3 new babies in my family, Christmas presents and of course... the shop. This weekend we will be having another Tie Dye session so all the sewing will have to be put away for a few days but it sure is worth it. We have so much fun.

All of the shirts I posted here are for sale along with many more.

We have been trying to think "out of the box" when it comes to new color combos. The shirt above was an experiment that came out beautifully, I think.

I love these two.

For your little goblin...

For the little elf in your life.

There is something about this one the reminds me of The Grinch...

I love Christmas. I was working on a Christmas quilt last year and I ended up putting it away due to indecision. I think I will pull it out and give it another shot. Last night I watched "Nightmare before Christmas" and now I am in the mood! ;0)

Summer Shots

2010-10-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today I am a bit sad because summer is over and we have had our first real snow storm.
I miss my bees and my cactus flowers...

and the sunflowers.

I don't normally like petunias but I couldn't resist the color of this one.

The hot peppers have been made into jelly and salsa.

The geraniums have been moved into the bedroom...it has the sunniest window.

The berries have been eaten, right of the vine.

Ten months after I started the seeds, we are out of tomatoes.

Oh, how I will miss them. The butterflies and mint are gone.

I still have Jackie-O-Lantern! She will be with us until...

... Halloween! ;0)

On to the next incredible season, Autumn.

The best thing about Autumn around here is the pine needles and the wind. The needles rain down with every gust and when they get warm the exude a fresh clean pine smell that I can't get enough of.

Oh... and the woodstove fires, so cozy.

I love Fall.

Soft as a Squirrel

2010-10-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with the squirrels again. I can't resist. This little guy was so hungry he let me get very close.

and then he bolted up the nearest tree. I love his pert little ears.

He couldn't resist my yummy sunflower seeds so he was on his way back in no time.

He is peeking...

Now he is back in action and if I hold very still...

I can get closer.I wish I could pet his soft fur. Look at his sweet little nose.

His fingers are lovely, so long and able.

I bet he is so very soft.

I love nature's little critters.

Webmaster Wonder

2010-09-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have a new little critter in my garden. She is a bit creepy crawly but completely amazing. I really don't know if she is a she but since she reminds me of Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web"I am goin' with it. She has created the most delicate web between a tomato plant and a pepper plant. It is in the most genius of spots, a wide open space where insects fly frequently. The Hollyhocks I have in the front flower bed often have a fat little bee sitting in each flower and now the unfortunate ones are finding themselves trapped in Charlotte's web.

The Tomato plant is where she spends most of her time but I have noticed a great variety of bugs go from just stuck to completely cocooned like a leftover for later. She really eats a LOT of insects.

While I watched her she noticed a hole in her web, so she ever so efficiently repaired it.

Perfection. Marvelous!

I am Pupless

2010-09-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

See that sweet little black and white puppy at the top of the pile of pups? She became this beautiful dog. The best dog ever. She was a Christmas pup for many of our holidays together. She loved to sit on the stairs and look out over everyone downstairs. Her fur felt like velvet.

We had to put her to sleep almost two weeks ago and I haven't been able to blog since. I feel like if I just suck it up and write about it I can move on to blog about other things.

She spent 14 years with us, years I will never forget. I took this photo on our last "fun" trip in the car. She was such a sweet old lady.

My son was only 4 years old when she was born... he doesn't remember a day without her.
We have lost both of our cherished pets this year and we are having a terrible time without them. We feel like something is missing, like the house has a big hole in it. A giant empty spot where they used to lay. Good Bye Girls.

I would give anything to have your hair all over me again.
Good Bye Cosmo, you will always be my Doe'd... my Soul Dog.

Fair Amount of Fun

2010-09-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

On Thursday my hubby and I went to the Fair. The theme was "Gilligan's Island, which was very weird. I thought. There were little signs saying things like "Hey little Skipper keep off the flowers". There were silly things like this awesome Professor doll amongst cheap silk leis. That is my hubby back there wondering"why are we here?".

The amusement park part of the fair consisted of the usual vomit inducing sort of fun.

The kind I have no desired to ride anymore especially at the price they want.

The Zipper...this one was THE scariest ride of them all when I was a kid. Oh yeah...it's the same.

Bobsled ride

Ferris Wheels scare me. Disney did it, that Giant SunWheel they have in Disney's Cali. Adventure has swinging baskets that I will never recover from.

Wheee... I can't take any more of this. On to the Quilts!

OK... so this one isn't a quilt. It is an afghan made entirely out of little granny Squares. Fabulous...and it gives me so many ideas.

I have to apologize for my photos of the quilts. I don't know what was wrong with me... I guess I was so in Awe of the quilt work I could care less about my photography. This one had a beautiful embroidered Lady in the center. Love it!

OH how I love crazy quilts. Doesn't it seem like it has a story to tell?

The colors in this one had me spellbound.

I love the use of Black and White in this beauty.

My photos do not do this one justice. Not even close. It was stunning.

It is called My Grape Arbor. I love the way the branches weave through the arbor and the leaves are 3 dimensional.

It was hot so they had fans going which kept this Space Quilt blowing in the breeze so my shot is blurry...that's my excuse ;0)

Oh... this horse wall hanging... just a fabulous work of art. The fabric choices created such an amazing texture.

I love this one... I looks like Home to me!

While I was wandering around feeling like I will Never be able to quilt like these competitors I overheard a conversation between a volunteer woman and a competitor...it tickled me.

It went something like this.

Volunteer- "Susan do you have a quilt in here?"

Susan- " Yes I do"

Vol- "which one is it?"

Susan- " I am looking for it, Oh... there it is... to the right of those painted t shirts!"

Vol- "Oh Susan... there is a ribbon hanging from it."

Susan- " Hmmm"

Then I watched and lurked and waited for her to go look at her ribbon. She slowly walked around and looked at every single other quilt there before heading over to her quilt. Such patience! When she finally did go over to it she calmly looked at the ribbon, made a quiet comment to her husband and left. What did she win? I had to see. So I went over to her quilt and took a look at the ribbon "1st Place" and " Best in Show"!

What did I do? Burst into tears! I was so happy for her! I am not nearly as calm about these things as she is... clearly. I am such a weirdo.

To top it all off, I didn't take a photo of her quilt. It was a beautiful quilt.

This quilt I did take several photos of because this one is MY "Best in Show"
The edges are raw and wonky. There are three Ravens carrying spools of thread, scissors and a tomato pin cushion.

There are 6 skeletons in a quilting circle stitching away on a glorious

Jack-O-Lantern themed quilt.

They look like they are having the best time quilting in the graveyard.

This quilt is genius... inspiring...

and so much more fun than "The Zipper"!

Hollyhocks and Bees

2010-09-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

I thought my Hollyhocks were Melon Pink last year. They seem to be more yellow than I remember.

Do you see that fuzzy little butt in that flower?

Oh there is another one!

Bees love Hollyhocks it seems, at one point there were 6 Bees rolling around in the pollen contained in this one stalk of blossoms.

I love Bees don't you?

Perfect Pear

2010-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Some things are worth the time and trouble.

Our Yellow Pear Tomatoes lived in the house with us from January until we planted them outside after the last frost in mid-June.

We are reaping what we've sown now. We even have had the privilege of sharing some of our bounty this summer.

Yep...this little beauty was totally worth it.

Word Crunch

2010-08-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

I started a new quilt the other day. At first I struggled a bit with the color scheme and message. I knew I wanted to use word blocks, in the liberated Lazy Gal way, and once I chose the message and the colors, I was off. Little bits of pale aqua polka dot, solid orange
and cornflower blue (thrifted dress shirt)

make the letters which form the words.

I was in a roll. The letters were flowing from me.

Then Crunch!

My sewing machine broke!

I am lost without it. I.must.get.it.fixed.
:0(

OH Boy! I have been having dreams about my new quilt.