Well its been so long since I posted anything that I almost forget how.

On January 1, 2012 I made a New Years resolution and to me, a resolution is nothing less than a promise one makes to them self.  That promise was to start blogging again. 

I'm not one to break a promise even if it's just to me.  A motto I like to live by is to keep your word even to your own hurt.  In other words, keep your word even if it comes with a price tag.

I'm late keeping my promise but I'm gonna keep it.  One of my last posts I mentioned I started a new job.  I really like the people I work with, but my job isn't the easy job I was looking for.  Tax law isn't an easy subject to become an expert in.  You are constantly studying and reading the regulations and publications. 

All that to say, my only excuse is that by the time I get home from work somehow I feel like the creativity has been sucked right out of me.  I feel numb and have the strong need to vegetate on the couch with my beagles.  Excuses, excuses, I know.

I am making  some new promises for 2013 and hope to be a bit quicker at ffulfilling them next year.  What promises are you making for 2013?  Are you going to allow yourself more time to hook or are you going to try to loose that 20 lbs that you have been battling.  I think I'm just too old to make promises I can't or don't want to keep anymore.

However, I am promising myself more time to hook and read a few books this year.  I started one yesterday and it's calling my name to come and explore it's pages.  I think I will be turning pages snuggled under a warm blanket tonight.  To me that's one of the best ways to spend a Saturday night even if it's the last Saturday night of the year.

I am very close to finishing a couple rugs.  I hope to post a few pics this week.  Maybe on New Years Day.

Enjoy your New Years!  Be safe!

Let it snow!

Dog Days of Summer

I'm having trouble processing that today is Labor Day.  Where did the summer go?  Labor Day represents to me the end of summer even though the official end is not for a couple more weeks.  Today the weather here in Keedysville is cloudy and rainy.  Otis is doing exactly what I wanted to do all day....sleep.  We did get to take them for a walk at the Battlefield.  It was very nice walk.  We only ran into one person and that was on the way back to the vehicle.  No wildlife though.  I think the beagles were making way too much noise.

The poor puppies will be lonely tomorrow.  Ron was on vacation all week and took them for long and I mean long walks each and every day.  I think he enjoys them as much as they do.  Since he is a commuter he savors his time in the great outdoors.

Yesterday was our annual guild yard sale fundraiser. Each member can bring any hooking related item they wish to sell and if they sell it they are asked to donate 10% of the sale to the guild as a fundraiser.  I didn't take anything to sell, but I certainly bought some really nice items.  I got some old books and a Puritan floor stand.  I wanted something lightweight and easy to carry to outside events.  This should do the trick nicely.

On the way home from York PA my hubby and I stopped at an antique shop and they had a good selection of old rugs.  Several of them I wanted to take home with me, but the price tags made them out of reach for me.  I asked permission to take pictures, so enjoy.

I had a wonderful time in Ligionier PA.  I arrived a day early for my mini workshop with Barb Carroll and was able to go to the antique festival.  No major purchases for me, just a metal basket for the wool room,  Where else, right?  On Sunday we all went to the Rusty Angel in Greensboro (?) and I bought myself a couple items.  Sunday night we went to the Ligonier Diamond for a band concert.  I enjoy going to this concert each time I go to my mini workshop.  It's good music, but I love people watching.  The young and older couples holding hands and the little kids dancing along with the music just puts a smile on my face.  They even have a small antique car show.  It reminds me of a slower time...it gives me the Mayberry feeling.  I even look for Andy Griffith, but he never shows.

I hope you have a wonderful slow paced week.  Take time to hold hands with the ones you love and dance along with the music. 

Caroline

Oh what a week(s)

Sorry I have not posted in the last couple weeks.  Some of you know this, but after working 22 yrs for a local government my position was eliminated in the name of budget cuts.  Well, I was hired by the Dept of Treasury.  I started training last week and I'm not so sure my old brain can handle all the information they are throwing at me.  I'm doing fine, but I do feel like I'm back in college or high school again.  Everyone seems so very nice and willing to help if you need it.  I must say I have never worked at a place like this.  I have worked with some nice people over the years, but here everyone seems genuinely nice.

I am getting ready for my annual mini workshop with Barb Carroll at the Woolley Fox.  I hope to take the camera with me and get some good photos for you.  Maybe on Labor Day I'll have time to actually post them.

Summer vacation is over for the kids here in Washington County, Maryland and the evenings have been cooler...it's starting to feel like fall.  I know it won't last and the heat will come back it always seems to happen as soon as the kids are in school.

Enjoy and hope for no more earthquakes.  Us east coast people aren't use to them.

Caroline

Beautiful Friday

Ron and I took the doggies to the battlefield this morning.  We were a bit later than usual because we went to Goosecreek Ruggers Guild meeting last night in Leesburg VA.  I think we got settled into bed around 11:00.  This is way too late for us early birds.  Ron commutes to work 1.5 hrs each day so getting to bed early is a must for us. 

Anyway, I'm off subject aren't I?  The weather here in Western Maryland has been just beautiful the last couple days.  This morning it felt like a cool fall morning.  As we walked through the fields at the battlefield we came across several deers.  A couple were bucks which we usually don't see.  They ran for the woods as soon as they heard us.  The beagles got the scent and the beagle songs began.  Ron saw the Blue Heron down by the water, but I missed him.  We sat on a bench for a while hoping he would come back out, but he didn't.  I must admit I enjoyed our little bench break.  We gave the doggies some water and a half of a Milk Bone.  Yes, I carry treats for the dogs and no they are not spoiled at all (wink).

Last Saturday we had our With Hands and Hearts Antietam Fiber Artist Guild meeting.  The rugs everyone brought to work on and to show were simply beautiful.  Enough of me running away with the fingers I'll just show you the photos.  Enjoy!

I believe this is a Woolley Fox pattern.  Great Goat!

Elinor is working is working on this beautiful floral.  She is also a painter and quilter.  Very talented lady.

I love the soft colors in this rug. I think okay I know this is my favorite Emma Lou's Salt Box rug I have seen so far.  Okay Mary is my bestie and one of the Wool Princesses, but I don't think I'm wrong to say this rug is GORGEOUS!!

Not a good picture I know, but I had include a photo of my hubbie's wonderful horse.  He will be working on this one for a long, long time.  He hides each and every end....yes everyone.  Another Woolley Fox pattern and color plan done by Barb Carroll.  Not sure you can really see, but the background is many different greens and the horse is several different reds.  I want this rug done yesterday so I can hang it, but with his schedule it won't happen.

I have more photos, but some are dark because my battery was dying on me.

After a good charge I have some photos from Goosecreek and I'll post them I hope this weekend.

I'm going to the West Virginia Fiber Fest Hook-in tomorrow and I'm taking my camera with me.  More photos.

Mary or should I say Princess Woolley Bear are riding together and have plans for a stop at the bakery for some glazed knots.  If you don't know what they are, you don't want to because they are just soooo very good, but not good for you at all.  Also, we are leaving early enough to have time to stop at any and all yard sales we come across.

Have a great weekend!

New Wool

My wool order is here, Yippy!  Aay the joy of new wool!

The other side of the table is just as full and I have this really nice photo showing all the beautiful wool, but, the system won't let me post it.  No photo for you to see, sorry.

A couple weekends ago I bought some great tables at a local yard sale.  I painted the legs black to match the rest of the furniture.  As you can see they are already buried underneath a ton of wool.  I am pleased with how it all looks.  The new wool is so fabulous. 

Can you find Otis, my beagle?  His back legs are showing.  They enjoy hanging out with me in the wool room.  

Don't forget this Saturday the Hands and Hearts Antietam Fiber Artist Hooking Guild will be meeting at the Boonsboro Free Library in Boonsboro, MD 11:00 to 2:00.  Hope to see you there. 

I almost forgot.  Our guild is hosting a three day workshop with Kris Miller in November.  We have a couple spots left if you would like to sign up or if you want more information, just email me.  The deposit to hold your spot is $50.00.  It looks like it will be a great time. 

Good Friend Thursday

Yesterday was a pretty friend filled day for me.  When I worked for a local goverment a bunch of us would go out to lunch every Thursday.  Some co-workers just couldn't understand the longevity of our lunch gang.  I think they were just jealous (it was that kind of place).  We were co-workers, but first and foremost we were friends.  Three of us out our gang had our positions eliminated and one decided to retire (smart move).  Only two of our gang members are still employed there.  We still try our best to meet every Thursday for lunch.  Yesterday was extra special because we had a couple new members join us.  They are also former employees.  Both retired last year and it was so good to see their faces again.  We have talked via the Internet and over the phone, but there is still just something special about getting together and sharing a meal.  Okay, that may sound old fashioned, but I think it is the truth. Technology is wonderful, but being able to hug someone is so much better than an email any day of the week.

After lunch I headed across town to meet my friend Sherry.  We meet a couple years back at the Woolley Fox.  We discovered we had a lot in common and hit it off right away.  We kept telling each other that we should get together, but it just didn't happen...not until a couple weeks ago.  We made plans to go to Grant Street together to hook. 



Sherry hard at work



When we arrived at Grant Street a couple ladies where already hooking their hearts out.  Sorry, I didn't get their photos.

Joannne is hard at work texting.  She was working on some small projects.  I think it was almost too hot to hook yesterday.

Linda (shop owner) is helping Jill with some color planning.  I had met Linda a couple times over the years at hook-ins and she attended a workshop our guild sponsored.  It was very nice to get to talk to her yesterday.  We talked about different teachers and her quest for her McGowan certification.  I believe Grant Street is closed next week due to Linda attending her teachers workshop up north.  Linda helps many of the hookers who come to her shop with technique and color planning.  A gifted lady for sure.

This is a rug that Pat drew up and is doing a wonderful job hooking.  She is a very neat hooker and her color choices are great.  She was laying out wools for a couple birds that you can not see.  The blues wools is what she picked out for her background.  This rug is going to be truly grand when finished.

I didn't realize until I tried to download my pics that I didn't get any pics of Kathy.  She was busy working here and there.  Sorry I missed your photo.  I'll make up for it my next trip up there. 

Yesterday was a joy.  I got to catch up with some very dear old friends while I got to know some newer ones better.

It takes me a good hour to get to Chambersburg, but I bet as long as I'm not working I'll try to get back up there.  I had a very good day indeed.

THANKS MY FRIENDS!!!





Woolley Princesses

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of All Things Wool lived five fabulous wool princesses.  They love each other very much, but distance kept them apart more than they liked.  Two lived in the southern part of the Wooley Kingdom and two lived in the north and one lived in the mountains.

One glorious morning they arose early with their hearts full of excitement and anticipation for they knew this day the Wool princeses would gather with the Queen of Textures at the palace of the Woolley Fox.

The Princes of Wooly Bear Woolens in the Village of Sharpsburg left her palace and traveled in her carriage, Passat, to the Village of Keedysville where she was greeted by the Princess of Eagles Nest Woolens.  They greeted each other with love and spoke of their excitement for they knew the faithful carriage,Civic, would quickly and safely get them to their destination. 

After a few hours of travel and a stop to partake of some magic Sweet Tea the Wooley Princesses gathered at the Fort of Ligoner.  This was a safe place to meet and greet as they waited for their audience with the Queen of Textures at the Palace of the Wooley Fox.

The first to arrive was the Princess who lives in the Mountains.  She is the Wooley Princess known as the Princes of Nice.  She has a smile that melts the hearts of all who she comes in contact with. The Princess of Nice is known far and wide for her gentle spirit and her generous heart.  She came bearing gifts for all.   

Princess Wooly Bear and Eagles Nest arrived next and soon Princess Shepherd arrived from the North.  Princess Shepherd raises sheep and horses in her part of the Kingdom of All Things Wool.  She is the youngest of the Princesses, but is a wise beyond her years.  A natural leader, trusted by many.

The last to arrive was Princess Warrior who is a fierce fighter known for the many glass ceiling she has broken in her life time.  This Princess is not afraid to battle knights many times her size.  All the princesses celebrated her arrival for they knew she had to battle dragons and beast before she could leave her part of the Kingdom of All Things Wool.

All drove their carriages to the magical Palace of the Wooley Fox where they spent their day with the Queen of Textures.  They laughed, cried and fellowshipped together until it was time to return to their own villages.

When they parted from each other they were sad, but they knew it would not be too long before the Wool Princesses would gather together again to celebrate their friendship and love of all Things Wool.

Receiving wisdom from the Queen of Textures

A couple baby raccoons were sleeping on a stone wall.  I wonder where Momma had gotten to?

A flock of rubber duckies enjoying the pond on a beautiful summer day.

Through this door lays many magical patterns and wool of every color.

Princess Shepherd and Princess Wooly Bear pause under the mighty pines which grow around the Palace of Wooley Fox.

All five Wooly Princesses returned home to their part of the kingdom  where they will live happily ever after and dream of the next time they can gather together to celebrate friendship and their love of wool.

 The five wooley sisters who are princesses in my eyes are Mary, Crystal, Becky Wesley and me, Caroline.

We send our thanks to the Queen of Texture (Barb Carroll) for her love and guidance.  We all love you bunches!!