It's All About the Wool

Kitty! Kitty!

2012-01-21T14:16:00.000-05:00

I am in the middle of dyeing some salt box red wool and some old tin roof wool threads, and realized I have not posted for a couple of days. Decided today would be pictures of kitties. I usually post dogs but cats deserve their fair share. So from Pinterest - my new fave app...

Source: sensuelle92000.tumblr.com via Joni on Pinterest

Source: theittybittykittycommittee.com via Joni on Pinterest

Source: attackofthecute.com via Joni on Pinterest

Source: nob.tumblr.com via Joni on Pinterest

Source: stumbleupon.com via Joni on Pinterest

Have a great weekend!

Crochet a Japanese Flower Shawl

2012-01-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

Source: paulineetmarie.canalblog.com via Joni on Pinterest

This is a beautiful shawl that I want to crochet. It has been making the blog rounds. The pattern is the Japanese Flower pattern. It's hard to find in English (next to impossible) so I sourced out the book on ETSY and purchased it in Japanese. I did crochet quite a bit when I was younger and the stitches are not complicated so I think by the diagrams I can figure out how to do this one.

Source: etsy.com via Joni on Pinterest

The quandary is finding the wool I want to use. The picture above (from a very talented French designer) used Holst Garn yarn - which has an array of 121 colours.

Source: holstgarn.dk via Joni on Pinterest

Then there is a Debbie Bliss Andes (pricey) but a mix of Mulberry Silk and Baby Alpaca. It is beautifully soft with a slight sheen. ----hmmmm

Source: ca.deramores.com via Joni on Pinterest

Attic 24 blogger used the Debbie Bliss wool to make this shawl.. absolutely gorgeous too. I'll probably end up making both in the long run and give one away as a gift. Great as a pick up activity when watching TV....have a great afternoon.. off to some rug hooking...

Source: attic24.typepad.com via Joni on Pinterest

More Cute Fur Babies

2012-01-13T22:42:00.001-05:00

just some puppy pictures to brighten up ones day!

Source: bing.com via Joni on Pinterest

so cute! !!Source: google.com via Joni on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Joni on Pinterest

Look Ma I caught 4 or is that 5!

Are you looking at me....awwwww!

Source: Uploaded by user via Joni on Pinterest

Can't Decide?

2012-01-12T19:49:00.002-05:00

I can't decide which pattern to put on my rug hooking frame. I love this one by Sharon Smith. These women just being swept away by the wind. There is so much movement in the rug. But this one I think might be a long project. I just received some of her patterns and have more coming in for the website and I know there are others there that I want to do. Sometimes I wish I was 20 again and just discovering rug hooking so maybe I could get all these rugs in my head hooked! Then again this one from Karla Gerard is a beaut and I could really get this one done quickly.

I just dyed some antique pink posey wool so might do that colour scheme with a brown background. Also use up some of that robin's egg blue wool.

add to that some of the this hand dyed yarn, pink sand, for some added dimension... hmm I think the Bird on the Bloom pattern is going to win out. I've never worked in browns and pinks/blues so that will be a challenge. Besides this one is slotted for a gift for Christmas 2012 so I better get it done now. Who knows what the year will bring!

Have a great evening.. it's a snowy one here. Time to break out the frame and get my cup of hot chocolate..Joni

Yummy yarns

2012-01-11T18:35:00.000-05:00

Spring Bouquet

Mussels

All That Glitters

Island Hopping

Sophisticated Lady

Yummy yarns to add to your rug hooking materials! I plan on using some of these in my rugs, They are spun from 4-5 different fibers and are just beautiful. I think they will add a little something different to a rug - it's that theme of mine this year - Think outside the box.

I have 34 different ones to post on my website in the coming days. I love my job (no not job - passion) We are hunkering down for a snowstorm tomorrow. I know I have lots to keep me busy.....smiles.. have a great evening. Joni

The Snow Man

2012-01-09T18:51:00.001-05:00

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter

To regard the frost and the boughs

Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time

To behold the junipers shagged with ice,

The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think

Of any misery in the sound of the wind,

In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land

Full of the same wind

That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,

And, nothing himself, beholds

Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

Wallace Stevens

Pictures courtesy of members of Pinterest

Winter Days

2012-01-08T18:11:00.001-05:00

If you have read some of my blogs in the past you know that I am a fall/winter person. On that theme I came across this blog Island Sweet who recommended this book. She lives on The Rock (Newfoundland) and their winters are long and can be pretty severe. First off, the cover caught my eye - looks like it could be a rug! Then I went in search of the book on Amazon, downloaded the first few pages and was hooked. Now I don't usually read much non-fiction, (except art books and cookbooks) but I must say this one is thoroughly enjoyable. Makes me appreciate winter all the more! You can find the book by Adam Gopnik on Amazon. The book consists of five essays - romantic winter, radical winter, recuperative winter, recreational winter and remembering winter.

" A mind of winter, a mind for winter, not sensing the season as a loss of warmth and light, and with them hope of life and divinity, but ready to respond to it as a positive, and even purifying, presence of something else - the beautiful and the peaceful, yes, but also the mysterious, the strange , the sublime- is a modern taste." Adam Gopnik - Winter

I am not a sporty outdoor person in the winter. I do like my walks and sitting outside in the sun on a beautiful afternoon but I prefer my creature comforts and I am all for hibernating. That means I cruise the internet more and hence my new found love - Pinterest. It is a great tool for cataloging ideas, inspirations or anything that has a photograph attached to it. I joined about a month ago and have boards dedicated to rug hooking, knitting, crochet, cupcakes, fur babies - let's just say there are 39 of them and they keep growing. All your followers, get to enjoy your photos and vice versa for those you follow. There is a wealth of information on this site. Here are examples of some of the photographs I have collected in my fur babies board. Too cute to pass up. Now these are snow babies!

If anyone is interested in joining PINTEREST I can send you an invite. Just e-mail me.

Winter beauty.....

and.... since it was snowing today - well a few snowflakes - I got the baking pans out and whipped up this yummy golden vanilla pound cake which is a King Arthur Flour recipe. I added a raspberry coulis. I like baking on a Sunday. Have a great evening ... Joni

Epiphany

2012-01-06T17:07:00.000-05:00

I thought it would be interesting to wander around the world and see how other countries celebrate January 6th. In our house, it is when the Christmas decorations come down and all the festive lights are turned off. It marks the end of the holiday season. This year I also decided to bake a Galette (courtesy of KAF). You can find the recipe here. But there were no hidden surprises!

Definition of epiphany: a Christian festival held onJan. 6, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ tothe Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ.

Traditions in different countries:

Belgium(my heritage): The Dutch and Flemish callthis day Driekoningen, children in groups of three (symbolising thethree kings) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typicalfor the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. Koningentaart(Kings'tart),a puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a bean or coin hiddeninside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for theday.

England: Thecelebration is also known as Twelfth Night and was a traditional timefor mumming and the wassail. The yule log was left burninguntil this day. A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake. Asin Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day, but unique toEnglish tradition other items were sometimes included in the cake. Anythingspicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper TwelfthNight fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. AnotherEnglish Epiphany dessert was the jam tart, but made into a six-point star forthe occasion to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphanytart.

FRANCE:In France people eat gâteau des Rois in Provence (madeof brioche) or the galette des Rois (puff pastry withalmond cream) in the northern half of France and Belgium. Thisis a kind of king cake, with a trinket (usually a porcelain figurine) or abean hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinketbecomes "king" for a day.

Ireland: The Irish callEpiphany Little Christmas or "Women's Christmas" (Irish: Nollaigna mBan). On the feast of the Three Kings the women of Ireland intimes gone by had a bit of rest and celebration for themselves, after thecooking and work of the Christmas holidays. It has long been a custom for womento gather this day for a special high tea, but on the occasion of Epiphanyaccompanied by wine, to honor the Miracle at the Wedding at Cana. TodayIrish women may spend the day shopping, take a meal at a restaurant or spendthe evening at gathering in a pub.

UnitedStates: In Colorado around ManitouSprings, Epiphany is marked by the Great Fruitcake Toss. Fruitcakes arethrown, participants dress as kings, fools, etc., and competitions are held forthe farthest throw, the most creative projectile device, etc. As with customsin other countries, the fruitcake toss is a sort of festive symbolic leave-takingof the Christmas holidays until next year, but with humorous twist, sincefruitcake (although the traditional Christmas bread of America, England andother English speaking nations) is considered in the United States with acertain degree of derision, and is the source of many jokes.

In Louisiana, Epiphany is the beginning ofthe Carnival season, during which it is customary to bake KingCakes. The person who finds the doll (or bean) must provide the next kingcake. The Carnival season begins on King's Day (Epiphany).

Settling in for the Winter

2012-01-04T19:55:00.000-05:00

Roby loved the snow - look at that fur - no wonder!

Time to settle into the winter activities and no it is not skiing or trekking on skis through powdery snow (although very pretty). Done all that! Nowadays I am rug hooking, reading, dyeing wool and baking. Our winter so far is not looking like the above picture. I can actually see green grass. Now we were hoping for a white Christmas which we got - very pretty large flakes. It has mostly melted and we are having a bit of a deep freeze. I am ok with cold though. I prefer cold to heat any day. I have come to the inevitable conclusion - I am a winter person. Perhaps I am a winter person because I can get out of the cold and seek shelter in my warm snug house. Maybe if I did not have that escape I would not be a winter person. But I am...I love the calm and peace of winter, the quiet, the light and the sparkle of snowflakes. I like that everything looks clean and is sleeping to be reborn in the spring. Yes - I am a winter person.

One of my favourite rugs by Deanne Fitzpatrick. I love the winter clothes the people are wearing (so typical in our cold climate) and the gently falling snow. I would be the lady in the red coat and the pink hat. Ok so I don't wear pink as a rule but I love a good dull looking pink, which is what I had in the dye pots yesterday. Oh so pretty - Antique Pink Posey! Threw in some textures to overdye and yes maybe I will use them in the rug I am going to do next..

Oh yes a pretty pink skirt with a matching pink hat.......

Karla Gerard - available at Fully Wooly Primitives

or maybe I will do the sky a mottled pink and grey - who says we need realism. Be creative - Think outside the box. I think that will be my credo this year.. take it one step further and then another.....and then oh my you will have something that says "This is me"....
G'nite...Joni

New Beginnings 2012

2011-12-31T14:55:00.000-05:00

the last day of 2011 leaves behind very loving memories of my fur buddy Roby (so greatly missed), great vacation trips with my Mom and my sister Lorraine (now the rug hooker), a beautiful holiday in PEI with my husband and Roby (his last), literally a new lease on life and an awareness of how important one's health is, nice family gatherings, finding new friends, some really good reads, a new direction for Fully Wooly Primitives, creativity with Island Cottage Needlearts, new found passion for rug hooking and so much more. It's been a couple of introspective days looking back at 2011.

As to 2012, no one ever knows what the next day will hold let alone the next year. I do know that we will be getting a new addition to our furry children, that I will be focusing on my rug hooking for the next year, that I am launching a new series of patterns for Island Cottage Needlearts that is so exciting, that I will be going on my PEI holiday, that I will be listening to my body more than ever, that I will be meeting new people, that I will expand my creativity and that I will with an open mind, look, hear and taste the world around me. This is what I hope for 2012....

The paintings you see are from a wonderful artist Karla Gerard who I absolutely love. I will be making these available on my website. There will be about 20 of them that have been adapted for rug hooking. These will be drawn on linen and available in the shop starting next week... all a part of the direction I want to take Fully Wooly Primitives, which is All About The Wool.

Happy New Year everyone!.. many thanks to all my readers and customers who read my blog and drop by the website. Drive safe...g'nite. Joni

My Sister is a Hooker - of Rugs!

2011-12-28T08:38:00.001-05:00

I am using it as a chairpad

Close up of wonky house

Introducing some yarn bits for texture

That is a rug hooker! She has asked me in the past few months to show her how to hook rugs. I took her to Deanne Fitzgerald's studio in Nova Scotia this past fall on our way to PEI. She walked in and she was hooked. She bought her first canvas ( Wonky House and Lupins) and some skeins of yarn. I have enough of a wool stash that she could raid mine. Then I took her to the Green Mountain show in Vermont and she bought another pattern. Next I will have her designing her own.

She hooked that first pattern so fast! She called me a week before Christmas as to how to finish it. I wondered why the rush, but she came over and we went through a couple of methods.

On Christmas Day when I opened my gift from her it was HER first rug that I received. I was so touched. We had a sisterly hugfest, a few tears and an understanding that went beyond words...as the men looked on scratching their heads :). So now I have my first rug gift. I have always given mine away or sold them so I have few of mine on hand. Now we know what to give each other as gifts - rug hooking STUFF! Always nice to have a fellow hooker in the family...What did I give her for Christmas?.. well another pattern of course and a pair of offset scissors LOL

Have a great day...Joni

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-25T08:09:00.003-05:00

Wood Carving by Douglas Purdy

Wishing all my on line friends a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the holidays with family and friends. May you bathe in the spirit of love and kindness, enjoy much laughter and stay safe! Thank you to all my customers for their continued support, it is so appreciated.
with fondness, Joni & Peter and the fur babies.

White, Cold & Snug as a Bug

2011-12-24T09:16:00.001-05:00

Finally, we have our white Christmas. Never too late! The snow was gently falling yesterday and it was cold enough that it just stuck to everything. I was in the kitchen baking, Papa was playing Pioneer Trail and the fur babies were playing on their new toy. Noogs certainly let it be known that this was his toy, lording it over the other fur baby, Pixie. Don't worry she got in her fair share!

The baking is all done, except for some last minute frosting. Now time to package the goodies and send them their way. It's amazing what a little snow can do to get you in the spirit. It blankets the landscape, coats the trees (now they are in their proper garb), mutes the sound of everyday life and brightens the evening with a glow. Ok but after Christmas you can melt away happily... not likely....Have a great day .. Joni

Mimir - Owl Series

2011-12-22T10:07:00.001-05:00

So I started a series of owl rugs. There will be three (maybe more) in the series and this is the first of the little guys.. His name is Mimir. He is about 7" x 10". Lots of fun to do. Sometimes you just need a little project ( LOL) at this time of the year in the hustle and bustle of everything else.

All the different wools I used.

A hand dyed blue roving for his chest.

Some yarn bits for around hid eyes to highlight them

His wings were highlighted with yarn too.

I'll be offering these as patterns on my website in the new year.

Have a great day...Joni

If You Like Mocha!

2011-12-21T18:15:00.000-05:00

Espresso Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

These cookies were easy to make and used a method I had never tried before. You put all the dough in a plastic bag (gallon size) roll it, refrigerate it, cut it, then bake. It's got espresso in it and I used dark chocolate with toffee bits. Now I have to tell you I do not drink coffee as I am not fond of it, but love the smell of it and the taste of it in baked cookies. Here is the link to download the recipe if you want to try your hand at these!
Have a great evening...

Blog Giveaway Update

2011-12-20T08:32:00.001-05:00

Well I have not heard from the winner of the calendar and it has been a week. I'll give her until Friday to contact me and if not I am going to draw another name on Saturday. So Annie C. if you can drop me a line that would be great and I can get this off to you. Have a great day everyone....Joni

Family and Baking

2011-12-20T08:23:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy few days as it always seems before Christmas, for a lot of you too I am sure! Mom's birthday was celebrated on the weekend and the family got together at Madison's for a lunch get together. There were 13 of us and it was nice to see everyone. This is not the entire family - I don't even know how many we are - easily 25 - I guess... and no I am not in the picture.

I have been baking up a storm. I managed to take a picture of my specialty (meaning I make it every Christmas), they all seem to like these cream cheese pastries. Here is the link for the recipe if you want to download it.. I also baked some chocolate espresso cookies but the picture did not take on that one. Will try again before they are all eaten. It would be kind of nice if we had some snow though - it certainly would make it more like Christmas. I hope it will not be a green Christmas. That will be a first in a long long time! More baking scheduled for this week.

I have been doing some rug hooking. I am doing a series of owls.. Why owls I don't know! I think I was inspired by a calendar that was done by my cousin Susan Black (Etsy Shop), and thought I would try my hand at sketching some designs. They are pretty simple and not very big. Can't seem to handle too many big projects these days. Yesterday I got my proddy tool. I looked at it and said "Now What". I had no clue as to how this thing worked. With the help of a friend I have mastered it LOL. I am going to Proddy the edge of a snowman rug (aka pillow)...We'll just see how that turns out.

I am a little slow in posting/pictures as I am without glasses right now - broken - no spare - bad news. So working half blind...at least I have my sunglasses to drive with. Hopefully get them today.. so that has slowed me down. Off to do some more baking.. Have a great day! Joni

Rugs I want to Make

2011-12-08T20:16:00.001-05:00

Today I just thought I would look at some rugs that have been made and are available as patterns. These are some of the ones I would like to make. They are made by some of the talented hookers that bought patterns from Woolley Fox.

January Sheep

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

Olde Floral

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

Ligonier Cats

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

Dog

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

Aunt Tillie's Garden

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

1830 Farm Animals

Source: woolleyfox.com via Joni on Pinterest

G'nite all....Joni

Blog Giveaway

2011-12-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

December 13th Announcement: The winner of the blog giveaway is Annie C.. I sent you a message through Google so if you could contact me with your address that would be great! Congratulations and thank you everyone for having participated. Merry Christmas!

To start off the holiday season I thought I would have a giveaway. I have never done one of these before but thought I would start with a calendar for 2012. I think everyone uses calendars unless you are really high tech and only use digital media. Me - I like to have a paper calendar especially ones that mean something to me.

Deanne Fitzgerald's new 2012 rug hooking calendar is beautiful...

This calendar is filled with beautiful images of Deanne's rugs and her writings. Each month there is a diary entry and an image. This 11 by 17 (opened) calendar has plenty of room in the large squares to keep your notes, and appointments.

This is how it will work.. very simply either become a follower (you can find the link on the left hand side further down the page) or leave a comment for one chance. If you add a comment and become a follower you get two chances. If you are already a follower and add a comment you get two chances. Your name is automatically entered once if you are already a follower. Please note that the comment must be added to this posting and it can be on anything that interests you.

The draw will be held on December 12th, where a name will be randomly pulled. I'll get that mailed off to you right away so you can have it for the start of the year. Make sure to check the blog post on the 13th for the winner's name. I will need your e-mail address for your physical address. Thanks!

Good luck everyone!

Wooly Bundles

2011-11-27T16:35:00.001-05:00

Holiday Medley Wooly Bundle

I will be listing bundles in the next week. These are assortments of hand dyed wools and AS IS wool off the bolt. They are unique bundles in that I do not repeat the colours, so they are one of a kind. These are available on my website Fully Wooly Primitives.

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday - for me it is a day where I realize " Oh Boy better get stuff ordered so that it gets here for THE DAY". As I am having sales all month on my website, tomorrow will be another week of sales but these will be at 25% off for Cyber Monday. I'll announce tomorrow what they will be. So drop in and see if there is something you would like to have. It will be for one week only. Then a new sale starts December 5th on other items.

Off to gather more wools for bundles...g'nite Joni

Getting Ready...

2011-11-25T17:11:00.001-05:00

Hubby has gone up north into the mountains this weekend for the annual men's get together. So the first thing I did was flip through cookbooks and checked my list not once but twice for cookie recipes for the annual seasonal bake-a-thon. I used to make about 20 different baked things each Christmas but in recent years that number has dropped significantly. Now we are down to about six! So I cleaned out the baking pantry, inventoried what I had and I am all set for next week's start.

This year I will be making the annual cream cheese pastries. They are a favourite of the family and I usually do 4 different flavours - chocolate, pistachio, hazelnut and almond. So rich and buttery! The others will be:
- shortbread made with tiny cookie cutters and then dipped in dark chocolate
- shortbread peppermint chocolate cookie with vanilla creme icing and candy cane sprinkles
- white snowballs with walnuts
- and a gingerbread cookie or square with some lemon icing and gingerbread men sprinkles.
I found this great site "Sweet Estelle Baking Supplies" on Etsy that sells these cool sprinkles and I am going to give them a whirl.

Hopefully I will get these recipes onto my website as I complete them. It seems that all I have there are "sweeties"..love my sweets!

So what are you baking this Christmas? Any family traditions?

Snowflake

2011-11-24T21:37:00.001-05:00

This is what I am working on right now. It will be a pillow with a prodded fringe. I'm almost done and then I will be working on a rug that will be the companion piece. I love snowmen! I rarely do Santa Claus as a theme. I guess snowmen can stay out all winter. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving dinner and now with tummies full are enjoying happy times with family. So who is going shopping tomorrow? LOL
Those who are - have fun....g'nite Joni

2011-11-23T19:06:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends!
Cheers...Joni

Creativity

2011-11-23T13:11:00.001-05:00

I thought I would share this with you. Sometimes you just get stuck! This said it all very simply. 29 Ways to stay creative. Thanks Susan!

Dyeing the Season

2011-11-17T08:55:00.001-05:00

I am off to the Vermont Rug Hooking show at Shelburne today, but had to put together something to work on while there. So a quick sketch and a selection of wool and I am ready to be inspired! No snow here - YET!!! So had to design something with a snowman to get me in the mood. This one will be a pillow with a prodded edge - more on that in a later post.

Also got the dye pots out yesterday and dyed up some seasonal colours. Hard to tell but each colour has four different textures to the dye run. I think I may have to go darker with the patterns. The picture really does not show the subtle change in textures. To me it is always an exercise in experimentation. Sometimes you never know what you may get from the dye pot. That is the adventure in the whole process! Off to pack....Have a great weekend. Joni

Dye Heaven

2011-11-14T20:42:00.001-05:00

What a perfect start to the day when I went to mailbox and this wonderful sampling of beautiful dyed wools was there. I saw a couple of pieces of wool fabric that was dyed using this one colour that I fell in love with - Verdigris Wash. A beautiful soft green/blue that will make a perfect background for a rug I am planning. Needless to say I had to find out where this colour came from. Susan Quicksall from Holly Hill Designs was the creator of this hue. I ordered her dye book and the samples and now I am ready to dye.

Well first I have to get the dyes as these formulas use Pro-Chem which I have never used before. Lucky for me I am off to the Vermont rug hooking show this weekend and I am sure I will find my dyes there. I know what I will be doing next week when I get back home. The pots will be simmering and a rainbow of colours will be hanging from my portable clothesline and the neighbours will be wondering - "What is that woman up to now?". I will stand by my kitchen window gazing at this display of luscious colour and drink it all in - one of the best parts of dyeing wool.

Have a great evening...Joni

Buttonwood Farm Kits

2011-11-12T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hi, I just received the Buttonwood Book by Maggie Bonanomi. There are some amazing wool projects in this one. She always provides a project for hooking, wool applique and lots of needlework. I have a few on my Wool Bucket List. You can find the book on my website with an option to open it up for a peek of the great projects! Along with this I received two wool applique kits to make two of the projects - a wonderful prim wool bird pillow and a gorgeous floral hearth rug.

Kit for the wool applique hearth rug.

Kit for the wool applique bird pillow.

Have a wonderful afternoon. Enjoying a cup of tea (David's tea for the day - O Christmas Tree - dark chocolate, zesty orange peel and pu'erh tea) on this cold rainy fall day. Happy Hooking, Joni

Catch the Wind

2011-11-11T20:55:00.000-05:00

In the chilly hours and minutes,

Of uncertainty, I want to be,
In the warm hold of your loving mind.

To feel you all around me,
And to take your hand, along the sand,
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.

When sundown pales the sky,
I wanna hide a while, behind your smile,
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.

For me to love you now,
Would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.

When rain has hung the leaves with tears,
I want you near, to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind.

For standin' in your heart,
Is where I want to be, and I long to be,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.

---------------------Donovan
Heard this song tonight and remembered what a great song it was and still is. So glad I am part of that generation!

Morning Tea with David

2011-11-10T17:38:00.000-05:00

The air is crisp, the light is different, there is a smoky woodstove fragrance to the air and it's time to break out the tea. Of course I have to have my little mini shortbread cookies - very addictive. I usually only drink teas during the fall/winter on a daily basis. The rest of the year, it is how the mood strikes me. Last year I discovered this great tea place called DAVID"S TEA and yes they are Canadian. They do ship all over NA for cheap though.They have the best loose leaf teas. They smell wonderful and are so tantalizing. It's hard not to stop at trying one or two. They just came out with their seasonal teas for the winter so I am going to skip away there and place my order for the new ones! They also have this really great infuser called THE STEEPER. I love it!

This one is the LONG LIFE OOLONG - Organic Shui Xian oolong tea, peach pieces, apricot pieces, almond slices, orange peel, safflower petals, with natural flavouring*. This morning I had the CRANBERRY & PEAR - so sweetly fragrant - Cranberry slices, black tea, pear pieces, apple pieces, flavouring.

OK I could not resist I had to put this picture in of Noogs having his fair share of the cheese pizza. Since Roby's passing the cats have run amok. There is no one to herd them anymore, so they are all over the place. It's not like we have a lot only two and they are oh so cute with their antics!

Oh Dear. I just remembered the apple pie in the oven.
Yikes burnt edges! We'll work around those edges. LOL. Have a great fall day. Happy stitchin' Joni

Fibers in Rug Hooking

2011-11-08T18:43:00.000-05:00

Malabrigo - Aigua 8

When I was in Ottawa last weeked at the fiber fest I bought some beautiful handpainted wool yarns. Today I decided to hook them up along with some others I had on hand. Sometimes I find it helps to see how you can use them in a project if you actually hook them up on canvas. It was a fun exercise. I am seeing more and more different fibers being used in hooking and I think it adds another dimension to the piece. It is nothing new as ladies of long ago who hooked used what they had on hand. So explore outside the box and see what you come up with - challenge yourselves!

Malabrigo - hooked up - beautiful for sky or sea

Misti Alpaca - Alpaca, merino and bamboo

MIsti Alpaca - doubled up. It has a lovely sheen to it. A little slippery to hook though.

Noro - wool and silk

Noro hooked- This was doubled. A lot of variety in this yarn to pick and choose from

Sari hand dyed - Silk cut into strips

Sari Green - so vivid hooked up

Sari hand dyed Blue silk cut into strips

Beautiful blue to add to my sky or sea

My Gals!

2011-10-31T14:34:00.000-04:00

After a frustrating morning driving downtown I needed some relaxation so picked up my hook to finish my gals. They are ready to hit the shops - them rug hooking shops of course that sell gads of wool in all the most beautiful colours. Now on to the background. Thought I would do a paisley sky a la deanne fitzpatrick. By the way this is her design. I just love her big boned girls. My last UFO to get done and then.....
got lots more new projects/ideas stacked on the shelf - ready to have wool and hook taken to them.

Have you seen Susan Quicksall's designs from Holly Hill? I am sure you have in the various rug hooking magazines. She is amazing. Just ordered her dye book - these use Prochem, which I have not used as of yet so that will be a new adventure! There is a colour I have seen which is gorgeous - vergis.

So sorry for all you folk having rough weather down south. I think it should be me, up here North of you, who should have some of that snow - but I would be happy if it held off until December 20th.

Happy Halloween...Joni

Road Trip - New Hampshire

2011-10-29T15:50:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to visit my favourite wool store - Dorr Mills. It's about a 3-1/2 drive from Montreal to there, through some lovely mountains. The leaves were at peak colour that Saturday. This is just a snapshot of what we saw.....

This is where we eat every time we go to Dorr. They sell the best fish and chips in town!

The boy, and the ever present eagle.

I don't know the name of this bush, but just outside the doors of Dorr there they sit - absolutely brilliant red!

As we drove hrough the backways we encountered this town, which had the most amazing parade of characters. It was such fun to see them all positioned. Of course we stopped the car - held up traffic and took pictures along with a few other passerbys...

Just love this one!

This grouping was hilarious....

Don't you love the teddy...

This one had us chuckling..

..and don't you see the little puppy peeking out from behind the postman.

On the way home - a pic of one of my favourite red barns that will make it into a rug someday!

Mittens and Purse.. What I am Working on

2011-10-28T19:32:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful purse pattern by Loretta Moore from Hooked on the Lake. Everything is included except the lining. She has a very nice selection of some primitive purse patterns. They are easy and fast to hook and I am just about to start putting it together. I want to get it finished this week because next weekend I will be going to the Glebe Community Center in Ottawa where they are holding a fibre fest. Loretta will be there as a vendor. I am hoping to bring it as a fait accompli!

This was a recommended site by Loretta of another rug hooker who designs these great mitten kits. This is next on my to do list. These are not normally my colours, but I find it is sometimes a good thing to pick up a kit in colours that are outside of your comfort zone. It's a great exercise in hooking with them and getting comfortable being outside the box. These are from Tish of Tishkits.

and what are you hooking these days....... goodnite, Joni

Thinking of...........

2011-10-26T19:55:00.000-04:00

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.

I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.

I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.

I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.

I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,

And be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.

My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house ...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.

I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,

I can enjoy the warmth of the words.

I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.

My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house ...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.

I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.

I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be

I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.

I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.

If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house ...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...

Knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.

If I am ill, I will be doctored.

If scared, I will be calmed.

If sad, I will be cheered.

No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.

I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.

My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.

I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house ...

I will belong.

I will be home.

- Author Unknown

Miss you.............

Road Trip - Bountiful Apples

2011-10-10T09:21:00.000-04:00

Today on the spur of the moment my sister and I decided to go on a road trip. What a perfect day it was - warm and sunny and where could we go and what could we do..hmmm October - of course APPLES! So off we went!

We ended up going to Mont. St. Hilaire. To think it is only a 40 minute drive and I have never been there. There are loads of apple orchards there - seems like the soil around the mountain is very suitable to apple trees. Makes for some very happy apples. red, plump and juicy!

We were not the only ones to get this brainstorm idea. Loads of families were making the trip.

Many of the orchards even had farm animals to pet, swings etc. and picnic tables where you could bring your own food. I had no idea it was such a whirlwind of activity. One family had quite a set up with wine and hot meals! Then there were the tractors pulling beds full of people out to the orchards eager for their picking adventure. We of course headed to the baked good venue - hot apple pies, breads, and piping hot apple donuts with a swig of apple cider (non-alcoholic - driving of course).

After our shopping spree we headed to Otterburn Park just the next village over from St. Hilaire for some lunch. We found a wonderful little charcuterie owned by a chef who sells meats and also makes the most wonderful sandwiches on fresh mini baguettes. After placing our order and drooling over the displays of food we hopped in the car and headed north along the Richelieu river for a place to stop and eat our bounty.

We found a beautiful little spot in another village that kindly had a little area of picnic tables right by the river and had our little lunch watching the ferry crossing and the occasional boat cruising the river. After another visit to an orchard on the other side of the mountain where we had fresh apple fritters sprinkled with icing sugar - pure heaven - we head home. What a perfect fall day spent in the countryside.

My bounty: homemade apple pie, apple bread, ginger and lemon bread, croissants, almond croissants ( which I am just about to sink my teeth in), apple jelly and fruit ketchup. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

My Beautiful Boy - May 6, 2003- October 1st,2011

2011-10-08T10:43:00.000-04:00

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone

here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills

for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There

is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and

comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and

vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong

again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times

gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small

thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be

left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one

suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent.

His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group,

flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally

meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the

beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your

pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Fibers Galore

2011-09-23T10:23:00.000-04:00

Before crossing the bridge to the Island we visited Deanne Fitzpatrick's rug hooking studio in Amherst, Nova Scotia. If you want to give your creative muses a jolt this is the place to go! Fibers abound in saturated hues of all kinds. There are piles of fun yarn and fleece to incorporate in your rugs to give it some interesting texture. What intrigued me were the packages of fibers that were wrapped up in pretty yarn to whet your hooking appetite. I could not resist and fell upon this rose/pink bundle. I have a specific design in mind - a traditional island scene.

Also picked up a Fall bundle ( my favourite season) and an ocean bundle to use in the design I bought at the studio.

You can't see it here but this is a lady mermaid with Deanne's trademark Wonky Houses. These houses will be hooked up in Maritime colours - a little out of my comfort zone as they are bright colours. She has also drawn up paisleys for the sky which is a new touch of hers in her designs. Certainly adds some whimsy to the piece. Can't wait to get started on this one but I do have a couple of others that have to be completed. You would think being a stay at home person would give me more time to hook but time just seems to fly right by. My goal is to hook more and do at least half an hour a day if not more! I've come to the realization that I love it too much not to.

Island Jaunts

2011-09-22T16:11:00.000-04:00

Old Church down a country road in Breadalbane,PEI

Some pictures of our drives around the Island....

We headed into the hills one day - PEI is very hilly as opposed to the seacoast drives which can be along cliffs, dunes or very gentle shores. There is such a variety of landscape on this small province. A little bit of heaven for everyone.

I love this house! not far from the church and for sale too!!!

Sherman's Shore on Malpeque Bay outside of Summerside, PEI

Red Sands, Blue Waters and Fluffy Clouds

New Glasgow, PEI

Downtown Charlottetown with a small town feel where to be greeted with a hello on the street is not uncommon.

Our lunch spot - sole with hand cut PEI fries...heavenly and yummy...

Confederation House - where Kate and Will paid a visit earlier this summer.. the birth of Canada 1867

PS I am still tackling the steam and seam applique and not happy with it at all. This is just too tense an activity for me. I think I have sworn off using any adhesives! It is way too friggy! My one and only project using this method. Next week I will be able to hook again. Next vacation I am bringing my frame even if I have to have a roof rack installed on the car. I feel so much more relaxed with hook in hand and a rug on the frame. Rug Hooking here we come....

My Island View

2011-09-21T08:18:00.001-04:00

This is my view as I work on my wool applique project. Dunes and the Atlantic ocean to one side and the bay to the other. A great panoramic view. How inspired can you be! It has certainly led to a number of sketches which I hope to put to canvas. The Island that holds my heart is where I find my peace and creativity.

The boats were already on the water harvesting the bounty from the sea on the bay this morning. We are located on a peninsula just jutting out to the ocean with the Atlantic on one side and Malpeque Bay on the other. It can make for some windy days. When the wind blows you can hear the ocean waves pounding on the shore. Yesterday we spent exploring parts of the Island and there is no place on PEI that is not beautiful.

So this is my latest project and I am using the interface method and not sure if I am liking it. This is a pattern called Prairie Rose available on my website and the designer uses an applique method of applying Steam a Seam to the wool. I am a traditionalist and I usually use a pin and baste method of appliqueing. I am not comfortable with the feel of the wool and the addition of the adhesive on the back. I'll persevere with it but I think that after this it will be back to the old method of pin and baste. I guess I don't like anything between me and my wool :) The last wool applique I did was my way and I loved doing it and it worked just fine. I guess the best thing is to use what works for you!

Off to explore more of the Island today. After coming here for so many years you would think I have seen it all but there is always your favourites you go back to and new places tucked away waiting to be discovered.

The Gentle Island

2011-09-19T09:23:00.001-04:00

Seashore Scene Cousins Shore PEI

After a very stressful summer - September has proven to be a quiet relaxing time. A month for me to gather my strength and put my priorities in place and simply veg out. This summer was one that I never wish to repeat and a valuable lesson was learned. listen to your body - go with your instincts and don't be afraid to ask questions if something does not feel right. I learnt that I can't afford to be an ostrich with its head in the sand but need to raise my head. 10 days in Cardiac ICU will give you that! After 2 months of just not knowing what was going on - I feel better than ever and ready to wallow in the beauty of my favourite season - Fall.

So that is the reason I have been lying low and there have been no postings to my blog or website. I am enjoying my days by the sea and loving every minute of it. This is a gentle Island cradled by the sea and a place where I leave my heart every year. It is a place where I find a renewal of my creativity in the people I meet. It is their passion for their art which spurs mine whether it be in their rug hooking, quilting, painting or metalwork. The Island abounds with artists all so individual in their interpretation of their Island life.

This year I met some lovely ladies who personify Island life in their rug hooking. If you are on Prince Edward Island have a drive by their studio - Pastimes PEI. I had a lovely chat and of course picked up one of their patterns all drawn up called the "Cavendish Mat". It is a geometric which I have never hooked before and there are traditional colours to be used to tie it back to the Island but essentially is a scrap rug. I can't wait to dive into my stash of scrap wool and dig out some treasures to hook this one.

This was Roby's first time by the seashore and I am not sure he knew what to make of it :) Working on a wool applique piece right now but I am itching to put hook in hand and start hooking some of them rugs! Have a new Deanne Fitzgerald rug to do - gosh have to finish my other one too. Seems like I have to make up for lost time.

This will be my first Fall not working outside the home and I am going to love every minute of it! I have a new lease on life and for me Fall is a rebirth - always has been. Some people might say it is spring but for me it is Fall - the start of school - learning new things and cracking open those new copy books and putting the first word on a clean white page. It is trying new soup recipes and opening the window on a cool aftenoon to capture those special fall fragrances. Just love it!

It's Been Awhile

2011-07-27T19:07:00.001-04:00

I have been missing in action on this blog for two months. Got back from Maine (where we had a lovely holiday by the beach) and got called to the hospital for surgery. It's been a bit of a recovery, with doing very little. To top it off I came down with some kind of virus and that had me down for the count. So hopefully I will be back creating and blogging next week.

One thing I did do was make some pots of soup. One of my favourites being, leeks and potatoes. Soup seems to be my comfort food. Although we were in the midst of a heat wave - the state I was in called for a nice healthy soup as my food blankie.

2 leeks (washed and chopped)

3 potatoes (diced)

1 onion

Saute leeks and onions in 1-2 TBSP butter for about 5-10 minutes on medium heat.

Add potatoes and saute for a few minutes.

I use commercial low salt chicken broth, but if you make your own - great. I use what is quick and on hand.

Pour in about 6-8 cups - depends how thick you like your soup.

Add some sage and pepper to taste. I also put in a little sweet smoky paprika. Simmer for an hour or so.

Serve.

I rarely use recipes when making soup - usually it is what I have on hand and herbs/spices are added depending upon the mood I am in.:)

I did work on one project - a wool applique kit by Primitive Gatherings. Needed something simple and not too demanding. Everything is provided and all you do is cut and sew. I had not done one before and since I am selling them on my website - I thought I would try one out. This one is called Redware Crow. Here are the materials provided in the kit. The reason I chose Primitive Gatherings is because I loved the wool colours they dye. It is so much like my own dyes that I thought it would be a great fit. As soon as I got the kits I knew it was perfect - they are saturated with colour and look so primitive!

This is the completed piece.

The next one I think I will try is called Prairie Rose and is available on my website under Wool Applique.. along with some more of their wonderful kits. If you are looking for a fast - easy project I have decided Wool Applique is the way to go.

Have a great evening! Joni

Thursday Stitching

2011-05-12T09:52:00.000-04:00

It is that time of the year when I start gathering my things for our annual one week retreat to Maine. The ladies in my family have been doing this for at least 20 years. This year Mom, my sister Lorraine and I are heading south for the beautiful ocean beaches of Maine. For me it is one week of relaxation where I read, sketch and muse on some designs I would like to do. Along the way we seriously indulge in good food (anything fish - the most amazing donuts and anything else we can find that is yummy), talk and laughter. We treasure these times and appreciate them for what they are.

Needless to say I have to have my handwork ready to go. This year I am bringing my next release for Island Cottage - I am working, for the second time,with Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk. I used it for the first time on my design May Flowers (release date May 15th) so cannot show you a picture. I loved the feel of it and the richness of the colour. I found it has more of a similarity to my wool than cotton does. I guess it is the softness and the texture. I always thought silk would be cost prohibitive but you get 12 strands vs 6 in cotton. It is still twice the price of cotton but so worth it. I am using a 35 ct spring green called Guacamole from Weeks Dye Works.. I just love the names people use for their colours! My contribution is my hand dyed wool called Tantramar Marsh (this is a marsh that runs between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) Peter's grandmother lived here most of her life and painted the old barns on the marsh. It is one of my favourite places.

I am excited to get this one started and done - and of course our trip will include jaunts to Halcyon Yarns, Dorr Mills, King Arthur Flour and any other interesting/crafty place we come across. Just hope we have the time to pack it all in! Bon Voyage....

Why do Cats?

2011-05-04T11:27:00.000-04:00

c. Joni Black 2011

This is a new project I have on my board - I selected some beautiful spring colours - robin egg blue - a soft green and some posey pinks. Thought I would lay them out in a semicircle and there will be a hooked piece that will get set in the middle. Have to get this finished so that it is available in Pfatt Marketplace for the 10th.

I just sort of got inspired and the ideas flowed and the fingers flew and I am happy with this look. I have been wanting to do some wool applique for awhile. I just love black as a background! The colours just seem to pop. I started glueing the pieces down but the glue did not seem to want to hold it well - so I went to my tried and true method of basting everything down. I know it takes longer but I am constantly starting and stopping and putting down that I like the security of the basting. I do not use any interfacing - I like the softness and flexabilty of the fabric. But some people do like to use it and that is ok. Whatever works for you!

I decided to use a whipstitch to secure the pieces to the background. I love the look of this stitch - just seems to add to the primitive look I want. The thread I am using is the new Valdani Twisted Tweed #12 Perle Cotton. It is wonderful to work with and I have also used it in my punch needle pieces.

Curious Kitty

So you ask "Why Do Cats?"....
well what happens when you put down something new on a table? I thought I heard Mr. Mischief jump down from around my work area. What do you know - put something new down and it is inevitable that they will find it - no matter what. Our Noogs is a very curious and nosey little bugger. Tonight I have to remember to cover it... hence the cat hair in the picture.

Time to Work

2011-04-30T06:27:00.001-04:00

Another thing I have learned from being a stay at home person is that what the day is doesn't really seem to matter anymore. A Saturday can be a Monday or a Tuesday can be a Saturday - meaning I do what I want when I need to. Yesterday I spent watching TV all day - catching up on wedding stuff so today I need to buckle down and get some work done.

Having said that today will be devoted to working on projects for Island Cottage Needlearts -my other moniker :). I 've got wool to cut, fabric to slice and a pattern to publish for the next May release. Then for another project, dyeing wool, choosing the silk threads and the hand dyed linen to complement the design. It will be a work/creative weekend. Just what I love! Hope you are enjoying a weekend doing something you all love.

British Wedding Date

2011-04-29T18:28:00.000-04:00

This morning I was up at 3:00am - TV turned on - Roby brought out for his P&P - did not want anything to take me away from the TV. Set myself up for a few hours of royal watching and it did not disappoint. Just loved it! She was beautiful, he was handsome - they looked so much in love and I hope they have a long and loving life together. Of course I did not want to miss a minute so there was no needlework going on for these idle hands.
The Brits sure now how to put on a party with pomp and circumstance.
My sister came over for the balcony kiss (es) and we had our own little British breakfast.
Pink grapefruit, raspberry scones with strawberry and rhubarb jam, and scrambled eggs with a cup of tea- delightful as they say. I served it on my only purchase from London when I was there - a breakfast dish set.. how appropo.
To bed early for this gal .. have a good nite...Joni

Organizing the clutter - YES I will

2011-04-07T21:52:00.000-04:00

I read the other day that storing your hand dyed threads in plastic bags could result in the dyes having a reaction to the plastic. I don't know the complete details on this but maybe someone out there can enlighten us by leaving a comment.

Anyway it was a good excuse to buy some pretty boxes at Michaels. They are having a sale and I am always a sucker for a sale. Besides I am on an "organizing my workspace" trip so any box will be put to good use. The clutter in the two rooms I have devoted to my crafts is driving me crazy. When I was working a 9-5 job I never had the time. I just wore blinkers because I couldn't see my way clear of getting rid of the clutter. Now that I am home - I am attacking the rooms with a vengeance. - well the plans are in place and just need to be executed LOL. First step to decluttering - what do you need to keep. Ohhh that will be hard. That's why I have my sister coming this weekend to rein me in and justify what I need to keep. I figure a well organized studio will lend itself to my devoting more time to creating. Right now I spend more time looking for things ughhhhh.

So my trip to Ottawa today was to locate the "Solutions" store. I fell in love with it when I walked in. Even though I had to drive 1-1/2 hours to get there - it was worth every minute. I can see that this store will be visited often in my pursuit of the organized workspace! Lots of goodies.

You can also find great stuff at Ikea. Found some wonderful cloth bins - my colour of choice was pink. They make great storage bins and I love the idea that they fold flat. You make them into a box by zipping the bottom. I also found some black vinyl ones that are the height of a letter tray and I use them to store projects in progress. Just use your imagination and you can find all kinds of items that lend themselves to organizing your craft essentials. Now I am looking to find something to organize my stacks of ribbon rolls. Any suggestions out there??

On a side note - what the heck happened on American Idol tonight.. one of the best singers, Pia is gone. what gives with that!

New listings on Prim Nest

2011-03-31T20:52:00.000-04:00

c.jblack - Lazy Hare

This month on Prim Nest I am offering two new original "Spring is Here" ornies. These are done using punch needle and hand dyed cotton threads. The back is a hand dyed wool. I used vintage style ribbon as the ruching. Patterns will be available when I get around to them on my 101 things to do list LOL. I'll also be offering the fiber package - wool and ribbon for sale along with the paper pattern. In total there are four new ornies from my spring collection.

c.jblack - Prim Purple Posies

Enjoy the lovely spring weather - we finally are seeing some! g'nite, Joni

First Day of Spring Really???

2011-03-22T00:21:00.001-04:00

10 good reasons to make biscotti. Starting with crunchy Cherry-Pistachio. King Arthur Flour – Baking Banter

Every Christmas Mom makes biscotti for us and it does not matter that I make it all year round - hers is always special. I just love biscotti. It is something I dunk in a cup of tea and mostly have during the winter months. It's when I curl up with a current read and a favourite quilt to cuddle under. It is a big sigh of happiness with snow carpeting the ground and there is a nip in the air. What! stop - why am I talking about snow and nip in the air on the first day of spring. Well Mother Nature played a trick on us today and put us in the midst of a snowstorm. I know the snow won't last but it sure is a reminder of who is in charge.

So Monday was spent on the road driving through a snowstorm to Cornwall, Ontario and not in my favourite leather chair reading my book with a cup of tea and a plate of biscotti. It was that type of weather though! The trip to Cornwall was for a very good reason and well worth the drive. Cheers to Derek!
G'Nite all

Spring Hare # 4 Wool Stuffie for 2011

2011-03-19T11:26:00.000-04:00

Forgot to mention the new design for Island Cottage Needlearts - the 4th in a series of 12 for 2011. I am now working on #5. All are themed with my hand dyed wool and some simple cross stitch. Great to do in a couple of sittings and so practical as they all can be used as pinkeeps or smalls to tuck on a shelf. I don't know about you but I ran out of wall space a long time ago what with the quilts and the rugs!

This one along with the other three designs can be found on my website as a kit.

Spring is Here!

2011-03-19T11:14:00.000-04:00

I decided to do some spring designs. To me hares do not necessarily mean Easter - they are a sign of spring. In the morning I can see the tracks criss-crossing the backyard. They've been foraging under the snow for some spring greens which are finally popping up. I do have a small lake in the backyard due to all the rain we have been having. It's a favourite watering hole for birds and playful squirrels. Yesterday Roby found it and decided he would just plop himself in it. He has very long fur so we had a very wet soggy belly dragging itself through the house. I have given up on trying to pick up every paw print. I have animals what can I say and spring time is bound to bring in some pawprints!

Spring is Here!

These are two new designs in punch needle. The patterns will be for sale in a couple of days off my website and Patternmart as a download. Meanwhile the original pieces are for sale on PFATT.

Have a wonderful weekend..I am off to bake some peanut butter cookies with chocolate chunks and do some needlework.
Joni

Road Trip

2011-03-14T20:05:00.000-04:00

A selection of Dorr wools

What a great weekend this past weekend. My sister and I went on a road trip down to New Hampshire. We left Saturday am and prayed for good weather. You never know up here when you are going through the mountains what you are going to run into. What was our destination? well where do all wool lovers go but Dorr Mills. It was the first time I brought my sister and she definitely could see why I loved stopping in at this place. It is paradise for me. So many treasures - so much wool - so much inspiration! I am like a kid in a candy store LOL.

Terry,the owner, showed me some new black wool that came in - perfect for wool applique kits and penny rugs. My mouth must have dropped a foot - I have never seen so many rolls of wool. Dear Lord I would have a hard time working there - I would be running my hand over each and every bolt and the colours - oh la la la! We came home with a trunk full and the Canadian government was happy to have their share (taxes) Thank God there is no longer any duty on wool - only if it is made in the USA.

Wool for my next dyeing projects

Now to find a place for these bolts. Requires major re-organization, long overdue. Realized that when our internet failed us this past weekend. I was glad I was not home or I would be chomping at the bit. Repairman was here when I got home and then poor him I had to dig a path to my phone line in order for him to check the line and I realized it is time to clean up and be serious about it. So this week is re-organizing the supply room!

With the kitchen renos I have been slowly cleaning out all the kitchen cupboards and recycling, giving away or throwing out the unnecessary and being quite brutal about it. Today was the pantry! Yikes. It wasn't too bad. Swore to myself though that only buy what you will need in the NEAR future and USE IT! Tomorrow the baking pantry gets a makeover because of course a trip to New Hampshire means a trip to King Arthur's flour. One of my favourite places. I came away with a few baking supplies from there so a good excuse to clean out and see what it is buried in there. Recipe for 2010 Great Cake winner here.

Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake - winner of the 2010 Great Cake Contest

With what is happening in Japan - it gives you a jolt and you tend to rethink your life and what you can do to improve yourself and I think one of the things I am going to do is make a conscientious effort to be less wasteful. Buy what I need and use what I buy. This of course does not apply to wool! Everyone should have a harmless little vice and if I can say I LOVE having fibers and colour around me then I can consider that not such a terrible vice. Don't you think? We artists, do need our pretties to inspire us to create.

Having said that I discovered some beautiful ribbons that I am using in some of my pieces - cross stitch and punch needle. They are reasonably priced and have a beautiful lustre and the colours are gorgeous. You can find them on my website. I am also listing a whole bunch of new patterns from some very talented designers. I am getting those up this week. So drop on by and see what we have as NEW STUFF...

Good nite..Joni

New Critters

2011-03-03T10:43:00.000-05:00

Today I thought I would show you two designers that I recently discovered. The kitty on the wool pillow is made by Judy Johnson of Bay Colony Designs - can you believe this is needlefelted. Such talent. You can find her on ETSY. She will even do a figure from a photo!

Being a passionate person about wool I have to admit that I do have a collection of sheep. I swore off collecting anything years ago when my collections just got out of control. So decluttering my life meant getting rid of some things and passing them on. Since then the only thing I do collect are sheep, bears and the occasional doll that speaks to me :) Because of my pact with myself I limit what I buy.

Having said that I came across Mary Stivers of Cedar Hill Rustics whose sheep are so well done! I love what she has created.

Fully Wooly Primtives on Prim Nest

2011-03-01T13:22:00.003-05:00

March 1st, 2011 is the launch of Prim Nest - you can find a couple of my pieces for sale there. My Harvest Day rug and one of my punch needle pieces - Hare and Tulips. Drop by and check out all the other pieces being offered by the different artists on Prim Nest.

A sneak peak at my hooked rug

Prim Nest :. Fully Wooly Primitives - link for Prim Nest!!!!!

Packing Day

2011-02-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

Today was spent packing up my mother-in-law for the move to her new place. It will be an early and hopefully bright Monday morning when we get her into her new abode. I often wonder how elderly people manage if they don't have kids (family) who come around and visit them and help them cope with some of the stressful issues that can come up. Having been right in the thick of senior care for the past 3 years you get to know what is happening out there with our elderly folk - what resources there are.

Where she is now there are not many of the elderly who get visited. It's like time has forgotten them and everyone is too busy with their lives. I miss the way it was when the family was a real extended family who could often be in each others face - a little aggravating at times - but you knew there were people that had common ties with you and cared for your well being. It is a sad state of affairs.

This is a new project I have just put toegther. It gets started tonight - today was the selection of colour and I think this says spring!

Have you seen these new project envelopes from Lady Dot Creations. They use Blackbird fabric (which I love!). I think they are so pretty and so nice to carry from here to there- better than some old plastic bag - which I have a tendency to use. I have some available on my website in three different colours. I have my next project using up one of them and they do hold a lot of items.

Off to do some cross stitch. Good nite!

This and That

2011-02-25T00:14:00.001-05:00

Its been a busy two weeks. We are moving one of our parents to a senior citizen's home that is absolutely gorgeous. Thank God she has already downsized so it is not a nightmare - just a bit of running around and co-ordinating everything (movers, phone lines, mail delivery, and internet). This new place is just perfect for her and will give us peace of mind.

I have been adding new items to my website and expanding my inventory. Deanne Fitzpatrick books on rug hooking are on their way along with new cross stitch patterns by some brilliant designers. I am also looking into carrying some applique patterns that I can see being done in wool. So drop in and see what is up at

Fully Wooly Primitives.

Island Cottage Needlearts - Clover Sheep

On March 1st the new designer site opens up - Prim Nest - where I will be offering one of my original rugs. It's never been listed before - so i am excited about that. It also happens to be one of my favourites and has fond memories as I hooked it while I was in PEI last fall while sitting on the porch overlooking the ocean.

Since I am now a stay at home Mom to the furries I have been dyeing wool and working on my cross stitch designs as Island Cottage Needlearts. I have two spring ones on the drawing board.

Also have a new punch needle design next in line to do, which has been inspired by the new TWEED threads introduced by Valdani at Nashville Market this past weekend. I am anxious to execute the design and see how these new threads work out. I'll be carrying them on my website as soon as I get them - ordered yesterday.

Off to relax for a half hour before bed - reading a mystery on my Kindle (which I love) so much easier to read in bed and up early tomorrow to make some scones for breakfast.

G'nite all -- Joni

New Valdani threads - Robin's egg

New Valdani Threads - Lime Sand

Monkeying around: A lesson in cinnamon pull-apart bread | King Arthur Flour – Baking Banter

2011-02-13T12:17:00.000-05:00

From my favourite baking store - perhaps this will be on the menu for next week! Yummy....

Below is the link with pictures of a children's baking class. I wil have to get myself physically down there and take a couple of courses.

Monkeying around: A lesson in cinnamon pull-apart bread King Arthur Flour – Baking Banter

Love Twine

2011-02-08T15:27:00.000-05:00

I don't remember how I came across this product. I think on Etsy, but since my first look - I loved everything about it. I had been looking for red baker's twine for years - never able to find it without it costing an arm and a leg plus the quality was poor. To my delight this site offers twine that has the red but better yet lots more colours to spark one's creativity. For all your twine needs check out The TWINERY . They have sample packs or the larger spools. They just introduced three new colours this month.

Some STUFF I gathered together to make a few new items to post on my website next month - the brain is working overtime :)

Blueberry lemon muffins were baked fresh and on the menu for today's afternoon tea break...recipe will be on my website under In The Pantry in a couple of days. The kitchen reno is basically finished so I can now start baking again - hmmmm someone's birthday is coming and I am eager to try my hand at a new cupcake recipe. Bought a surprise item on Etsy to decorate them and if it is a success you will see a pic here - if not .....well you know how that goes. Have a great day!

Island Cottage Needlearts - Eliza's Heart

2011-01-30T20:27:00.000-05:00

A new design by Island Cottage Needlearts available on my website...Fully Wooly Primitives under cross -stitch. This is called Eliza's Heart and is the second in a series of 12. Next release is mid-February. These are cross stitch designs combined with hand dyed wool to make what is called a Stuffed Woolie. Sold as a kit which includes fabrics. Easy, fun and makes a wonderful gift.

Prim Nest - New Artist Venue

2011-01-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

Hi
I will be posting new items on this venue PRIM NEST starting in March 2011. It looks to be an awesome site with really talented artists showcasing their talents.. you can check out their blog here..Prim Nest

It's been a busy day - the kitchen is being remodeled so everyhing is everywhere and I have an order for 200 patterns that requires my dye pots and lots of space -ahhhhhhh.

Gnite Joni

Ended up a Baking Day

2011-01-24T20:52:00.001-05:00

Yup the car never started - appointment cancelled.. what to do today....hmmm..baking always a soothing pastime and it seems to be more of a winter thing for me. cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger wafting through the house. time for carrot cake with cream cheese frosting baked in individual cake molds... a nice tea time treat with a cup of green tea. Could have been worse :)....

Working at Home Part Two - Hibernation

2011-01-24T09:15:00.000-05:00

Now I know why bears hibernate. It's too darn cold! (-40 with the wind), Going out in a few mintues to see if the car will start. I have been hibernating. If I did not have an appointment today I would be staying home. When you don't have a regular place to go to everyday I am finding I am putting off going out. I try to schedule everything to be done in one day. Today's outing cannot be cancelled.

Coastal Girls copyright Deanne Fitzpatrick

Weather like this gives me a good excuse to plop myself in my most comfy leather chair piled with quilts, a movie or two on the TV, a cup of wintermint green tea by my side, some yummy cranberry/pistachio biscotti and my rug hooking on my lap. This is what I am working on right now. I picked something out of my comfort zone. I love Deanne Fitzpatrick's style, so when I was in Nova Scotia this fall, I dropped by her studio and picked out this kit. I preferred to have her choose the colours since this called for bright colours and my stash of wool tends to be on the primitive style (understated colours). I am having so much fun with this one, that in my own designs there may be some brighter colours making an appearance. It's always nice to go out of the box and learn a few new things about yourself.

Off to start the car - --- and keep my fingers crossed. Keep warm for all of you braving these cold temps and for those that are enjoying warm ones - jealousy rears its ugle head LOL Joni

Working at Home Part One - Foot Attire

2011-01-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

I have never been one to have a purchase dictated by a brand name but these UGG slippers just called to me as a "MUST HAVE". I am always going through slippers - don't know why. I think the little fur paws do away with them some how. Either they get chewed up by the slumbering pile of black and white fur or carried off by my nimble pixie cat. She just loves those sock/slipper ones and I have no idea where she hides the missing one. I am sure I will come across a pile of long lost ones tucked away.

So I came across these (on-line of course) seems the only way I am shopping these days as I have a terrible dread of shopping malls and stores in general (unless it is craft). I hate buying clothes but give me a shoe store or a handbag store and I can gleefully make a purchase there. Easier to fit a shoe or handbag to one's person. Trying on clothes is one of the worse things to do on my dislike list - which is to say I love my foot attire (though a casual style - no heels for this girl) and bags while I am quite happy in just jeans and LL Bean t-shirts.

Now that I am at home all the time - I can see my attire of the day will be UGG slippers/jeans/t-shirt which makes this girl very happy... something to smile about. Just have to make sure I brush my hair, my teeth and put deoderant on and I am set to go. Though I must say I am noticing that I don't know what day it is sometimes - very confusing when I once worked with 4 calendars going at the same time and now I have none.

Well off to work on some cross-stitch patterns that have a deadline.

What makes you smile?

2010-12-31T16:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year All!
May 2011 bring you happiness, excellent health and a joie de vivre.
May all your dreams be realized and may you find opportunities that will bring success in all you endeavour.

2010 was a life changing year for me and I greet 2011 with gusto and optimism.

What makes me smile....

my wool my passion

my two nephews who make me laugh and remind me of the joy of youth

oh la la a front stoop that does not sag or creak or move when you step on it!

two sweet little devils!

Something new has to be explored and given approval by those that rule the roost

my lovely PEI - French River

French River, PEI

A favourite rug with a much loved subject

Thunder Cove - the other face of PEI

The boss of the cats - Noogs

A favourite old ornament

Love those Krinkles!

Mom, William (nephew) and sister, Lorraine

Brother, Roanld and nephew, Kyle

Gus

Noogs

Roby :)

My sweet father-in-law now at peace.

Roby's Lamp

2010-12-30T07:14:00.000-05:00

I met this wonderful artist at the Hudson, Quebec artisan show this past fall. Her name is Nancy Jane Farnum. I just loved her papier mache figures and the way she made them come to life in a very comical way. Adding practicality by making her pieces into lamps was a huge bonus.

I sent her a couple of pictures of Roby (the spoiled one) and asked that a lamp be made from them. This was a birthday present to myself. Of course it had to reflect his keen herding abilities as a sheep herder (only in his dreams) The cats have become his sheep in this life. I love it! Thank you Nancy....

Cinnamon Rose - a favourite colour

2010-12-29T08:47:00.001-05:00

Red Island Wool thread

Today the big soup pots come out and the wool fabric goes in for a large dyeing session. On the menu - the colour is cinnamon rose. It's a splash of cinnamon on a background of rose mixed with a reddish brown. I have been dyeing this colour for 5 years now and never get tired of the moment when the colour saturates the fibers. This cinnamon rose is a darker version that I use for my Red Island wool threads.

Working on a new cross stitch pattern release for Island Cottage Needlearts (my other name) and this newly dyed wool will be used for the newest release - the theme being hearts, roses and Victorian. So thinking of roses and hearts - brought to mind other items I have made in the past.

Tudor Rose Wool pincushion

Rose soap

Seaside Rose hand dyed wool strips

Of course one of the flowers I love - Seaside Roses which can be found along many an ocean path. Certainly helps that it is a flower that grows at my favourite place. What more can one ask but ocean on one side and these gorgeous bushes on the other that just seem to pop out of nowhere with such a sweet fragrance permeating the salty sea air. Heaven on earth!

Waiting for Santa

2010-12-24T22:15:00.001-05:00

Cream cheese pastries with pistachio nuts

We are waiting for you Santa. Last I heard you were in South America and soon to be here..........Merry Christmas to all. Have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.
g'nite... Joni

Fond Memories

2010-12-21T17:30:00.002-05:00

You can tell in our house when the Christmas season is upon us by the cookies that are being baked in the kitchen. This one is only made at Christmas time and comes down through my husband's family in a cookbook that I now own from 1946. I am not fond of coloured cherries and prefer my shortbread plain jane but once a year I make them like this for Peter....They do look pretty though! They bring fond memories of those now gone sitting around the kitchen table decorating these little cookies.
You can print the recipe from my website under "In the Pantry".

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD

1 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

BUTTER ICING

1/3 cup butter
3 cups icing sugar
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp milk

Mixing Instructions:
Cream butter and add sugar gradually. Add the sifted flour,baking powder and salt slowly to the creamed mixture.
Roll 1/3 inch thick then use a cookie cutter of your choice. I like to keep it simple with a round one (1-1/4"). Prick with fork and decorate if desired. I do the decorating after they are baked. Bake 15-20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Watch the time carefully as it will vary depending upon the size of the cookie cutter you chose. Or bake until lightly browned. Makes a minimum of 24 cookies.

To Make Butter Icing:
Blend butter and icing sugar. Combine milk and vanilla and gradually add to butter and icing sugar. You can add flavourings, like almond, lemon etc.
Decorate the cookies with the icing and a piece of coloured cherry. I am not a candied cherry person but there are some in the family who love them. You can sub with an almond or any other nut.

Enjoy!

Frost

2010-12-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Hoar frost, white frost or rime is the tiny solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air which occurs when the temperature of the surfaces is below freezing point. It occurs generally with clear skies.

Our first morning walk in this new chapter of our lives..... what a glorious morning it was. everything covered with this dainty white frost glistening in the sunlight against a deep blue sky. Have a great day!

Life Changes

2010-12-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

Life changes constantly - like the ocean waves you never know what it brings. These past two weeks have brought changes to my life. A dear gentle man who was a most important part of my life has gone and
will be terribly missed. Very fond loving memories live on.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

one of my favourite flowers - soon to bloom again!

As one chapter closes another opens. My 27 years of working 9-5 has ended. It is time to move on to new adventures and to do some of the things I have always wanted to do. Better to do it while you can as it was brought home how short and swift our lives are. How did I spend my first day of "freedom" as I call it. Baking! The mixer was humming along with me and the songs on the radio (Christmas of course) were playing in the background. The day's baking schedule was banana bread, chicken noodle soup, cream cheese pastries with hazelnut praline filling, gingie christmas trees and chocolate-cappucino cookies. Pictures to follow :). Today was a non-baking day but tomorrow will bring a new regime of baking - some more cream cheese pastries - a family favourite much in demand along with a cranberry cheesecake -shortbread torte.

alas this is the only pic I have of this one - they were dug up by mistake by the gardener - 20 year old plants - ahhhh!

All this baking is going to require an addition to our regime - I will be getting out with Roby and walking more often - now that we have the whole day! What oh what will i fill my days with - ha no problem there :)
and I have not even gotten into the rug hooking, the pattern making, the doll making and the long list of 101 other things I want to do...
Have a great nite.. Joni

Yum - Holiday Baking

2010-12-05T01:13:00.000-05:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A holiday season favourite!
Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg yolk beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp clementine zest
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp clementine juice
1/2 cup chocolate melted (semisweet)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
silver sanding sugar (optional)

Mixing Instructions:

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and zest and set aside.
Cream the butter with the sugar until well blended. Stir in egg yolk, clementine juice and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients andmix to make a soft dough. Chill until dough is firm.
On a lightly floured board, roll out cold dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into fancy cookie shapes. The size of the cookie cutter will determine the amount of cookies you will get.

When cookies have cooled you can dip them in the melted chocolate. Chocolate should be melted in a double boiler to avoid scorching from direct heat. Once dipped you can then sprinkle some sanding sugar on them while chocolate is still soft.
Let chocolate cool throughly. Enjoy!

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 8-10 minutes on cookie sheets that have been lightly greased or lined with parchment paper.

Cool on racks.

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You can find the recipe on my website under IN THE PANTRY where you can print the recipe. I'll be adding some more in the upcoming days. It is the start of Holiday baking!

Keeping in Touch

2010-12-01T20:52:00.001-05:00

What a perfect way to keep in touch with friends and family. I know we are all hitech with e-mail etc. I won't even list the ways because I can't keep up with it all. Sometimes it is nice to just write a card in your handwriting and send it off to someone dear. I love receiving mail - I always ask "anything in the mail" when I call from my day job. So I have a stash of different notecards tucked away in the antique desk. Seems appropriate.

These are blank notecards that are listed on my website - FullyWooly Primitives. I just love them! Beautiful quality prints of Deanne Fitzpatrick's gorgeous rugs.

Off to do some cookie making. Have a cookie exchange on Friday evening - wine, gabbing and eating. Going to make my Clementine Cookies dipped in semisweet chocolate. I'll get a pic and recipe on here in the next few days.

Have a great evening... Joni

Santa Rug Giveaway by Star Rug Company

2010-11-30T20:07:00.001-05:00

Maria is giving this rug away so head over to her blog Star Rug Company Blog and sign up for a chance to win. Though I plan on having it hang on my wall :) She is also having a Cyber Monday sale on her website which I plan on heading over to right now.

Today was a good day for the mail. I received my custom drawn Deanna Fitzgerald rug. It is huge and daunting, Peter's comment was - that's a big one you better get to it. This is one that I am carefully gathering wool for and it will have roving and fabric too. She even drew a border which I absolutely love. So i will probably be posting to my blog as I get it done - like a work in progress :)

Oh by the way Gail Wilson is having a Christmas sale and you have to check out her website. I have to admit that I did treat myself to a Hitty doll. Even if you are not into doll making I can guarantee you will drool over her creations!

Have a great evening - off to do some shopping.

Scrappy Star

2010-10-26T21:20:00.000-04:00

I used all my left over wools from Market Day to do this scrappy star chair rug. I love chair rugs. Nothing more homey looking on a rocking chair!

Some little mats I just finished -

The Pear

The Leaf

And a larger doodle purse....

It has been a creative two weeks.. off to dye some wool threads. Have a great evening.

Perfect Fall Weekend

2010-10-25T22:08:00.002-04:00

Saturday was glorious. Crisp air, leaves filled with colour and the scent of wood smoke in the air. I just love this time of the year. I get all these creative urges that just have to be put to fabric and they drift through my mind at all times - when I can be doing the most mundane things. Helps to carry a notepad in your purse and more recently an IPhone (yes, I of no cell phone for 4 years have caved in). I call it my security blanket for winter driving up here. It definitely came in handy when I was in PEI as I had no internet access and did you know that you can use it as a server for the internet. OK I am not the most computer adept person but hey that just boggled my mind! The biggest plus - the pictures I can take!

A perfect fall day

So Roby and I made our monthly trek to the vet along with some errands that had to be done and we then treated ourselves to a walk by the lake. It was so beautiful. We met some other furries and it was a big social gab. What is it about animals and kids - it brings out the best in people.

My furry beast!

This weekend was "Let's get this show on the road for the November Artisan Show". You always think you have enough time and you prepare a year in advance and yet it is always the last month that is a frenzy of activity with new ideas and do I have enough time to fit it in. I'll be posting some of my pieces over the next couple of weeks. Here is one of several clutch purses that I purchased from Nepal (fair trade) and did some doodling with wool over the weekend. I had so much fun with these. I call them my doodle purses. Have a great evening!

Wool Doodle Purse

Island Storm

2010-10-15T06:47:00.000-04:00

Thunder Cove Beach

Hard to believe it is already the middle of October. Seems like it has been ages since we got back from our island holiday (and no that is not a tropical island) but the gentle island cradled in the ocean's embrace - Prince Edward Island. The weather was nothing to write home about but who cares with the awe inspiring view we had - mother nature at her full force. Best of all we are back on the island in the spring. Winter will breeze by :)

Thunder Cove Beach

Lots of changes, decisions and planning happening in this little life of mine. All very good though! The focus this month is getting ready for the Artisan Craft show in Hudson, Quebec on November 13/14th. If you are in the area drop by as it is a great opportunity to see what the local artisan community is up to and most important show support for hand made items.

Hudson Show 2009

I am busy creating and doing. I always plan on what I am going to have at my booth but inevitably I get really creative with new ideas and end up trying to do too much. Fall happens to be my favourite time of year and very inspiring. So I have learned to pace myself time wise and not be superwoman. Save some of those ideas for later on.

I'll be posting some of the new creations on my blog and I did get two rugs finished while I was on holidays. Hmm the island is definitely an inspirational place for me.

Off to get ready for work.. have a great day ..........

Just a relaxing week!

2010-09-08T14:43:00.003-04:00

So made it through my first hurricane on the Island – lots of wind and rain but thank God did not lose any power. The house shook quite a bit, but there are no trees around so didn’t have to worry about that. Everything outdoors was secured and the car parked in a sheltered place. Supplies laid in and I think I was well prepared. The ocean was wild with lots of white caps. Earl came through pretty fast and so did not last long – the brunt of it was felt in Nova Scotia.

Mama Meow copyright Warren Kimble/WoolleyDesigns

Raining right now so a perfect day to finish my Mama Meow rug. This was a fun rug to do and I can’t wait to get it bound up. I have to tweak a couple of places because they are bothering me but otherwise I am pretty happy with it. I can’t say it was my biggest at 21x30 but definitely one of them. Wait until I start on my custom pattern from Deanne Fitzpatrick – that will probably be my largest – that will definitely be a keeper. Have a spot for it all picked out.

Stopped by Deanne’s studio in Amherst, NS where I saw some of her glorious rugs. The pictures do not do them justice. Was so happy to have the opportunity to visit the shop and if you are in the area it is definitely a must! Just drool over the wool yardage selection and the wool yarn is beautiful – had to restrain myself but did pick up a kit – I am just itching to hook it. But it has to wait it’s turn.

Market Day 1809 - copyright Joni Black

Right now I’m hooking one of my original patterns called Market Day 1809. It was originally a punch needle design but a customer approached me to have it done as a rug hooking kit and I was only too happy to have her do it. So happy in fact, that I bought one of the kits from her. If interested you can contact her at hookedonthelake@kingston.net

If you are looking for the pattern you can find it on my website under Punch Needle Patterns.

Off to do some more hooking – it’s a gray day with a bit of a cool nip in the air. Just a perfectly relaxing day!
Have a great day....

Mama Meow copyright Warren Kimble/Woolley Designs

Meeting Earl

2010-09-01T21:04:00.001-04:00

I can't believe it is September. Where did the summer go??

Well finally off to our holidays tomorrow. Going to bask in the sun, eat lobster and stroll the beaches. In between that I am going to try to finish a rug and start another one. Also have some knitting and cross stitch to do. Then again I may not do anything but eat, sleep and read.

Unfortunately there is Earl waiting to give me a rough start to the holiday. I'll either be on the Island Saturday morning before they close down the bridge (if they close it down) or I will be hunkered down in Moncton waiting for the storm to roll through. We'll see what happens as no one is quite sure 100% where it will hit.

Anyway I am prepared and bought myself a pair of authentic British wellies! One of my favourite candies Bassets All Sorts (has to be Bassets). So I am going to sit in a hotel - in front of the TV - order in and hunker down for the storm with my pretty wellies on my feet. As soon as the car shakes I head for the hills..or in this case a hotel.

G'nite Joni

More Dyed Wool #2!

2010-07-23T22:37:00.000-04:00

So this is my next lot of dyed fabrics that I put together. I love picking colours and trying to get a theme going - that is always a lot of fun for me. Hopefully customers will like the selections I have made. These are fantastic stash builders!. I made sure to set some aside for my stash. Oh if only I had kept a piece of each fabric I dyed - oh wait I would have to have another room set aside for wool/crafts - two is the limit - next I will be sleeping in a tent outside. Thank God for the shed we bought for storage!

Pumpkin Fields

That Special Blue

Primitive Plum

Tomorrow is a busy day. There are a couple of cross stitch designs to finalize and then I want to finish a rug and start a new punch needle and oh yes start designing some wool applique kits - did I say I only have the weekend? Maybe I will have some time to do a bit of reading. It really should be 3 days of work and 4 days of playing with crafts, hobbies and stuff we all love to do, don't you think? Now that makes more sense :) Ok from this list I see I will have to organize my time but will probably end up just doing what I feel like doing as usual :) Off to finish a cross stitch model. g'nite..Joni

Now this is a beach!

2010-07-13T16:15:00.002-04:00

I love travelling vicariously through someone else's photos.
So I could not fit myself in my brother's suitcase but my sister-in-law's brother (Manny) was kind enough to post these pics of Crete, Greece. The beach is in Elafonissi. I am sure he will not mind that I have used them here. The water looks unbelievable and it is probably too hot for me but what can I say - I think I could bear the heat if I was presented with such gorgeous surroundings. Manny I will be there next year LOL... My nephew enjoying a swim. Can you believe the blue of this water.

Now this is what you call switchbacks - I had to look twice to see that indeed they were roads. Not something I would drive in the dark.

What a view - I did not realize it was so mountainous.

And this little pup is having his afternoon siesta which is basically what the whole country does - it being so hot.

Hmmmm one can only dream...........

More dyed wool!

2010-07-10T12:22:00.001-04:00

It was a wild evening yesterday - weatherwise! Sheets of rain - local flooding, downed trees, lightning and thunder with the promise of relief from the extremely high humidity we have been experiencing. Well that relief lasted a few hours and now climbing back up.
Since I have AC (absolutely necessary for doing dye runs) I decided to dye another batch of wools... love all these colours! They are going to be bundled with some Rebecca Erb wools and sold on my website.

The hibiscus is in full bloom and looking gorgeous. I am usually partial to red flowers but these yellow ones are so pretty. I thought I would expand my palette :)

Ok I have to admit I am not much of a gardener. I prefer to be sitting down hooking a rug or doing some other needlework. I always said if I won a million dollars - a gardener would be on the top of the list. It just takes away from my sewing time. Maybe if I was not working out of the home I'd feel different, but I do love to have pretty flowers around me. Having said all that and admitting to not having much of a green thumb I have to say my orchids are a feather in my cap. They seem to be the only things I can grown indoors. They seem to survive my winter care and as soon as the weather gets warmer out they go. What I love about them is they bloom for months! My kind of flower :) Have a great summery day!

Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment with Christen Brown

2010-07-07T22:15:00.002-04:00

Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment with Christen Brown

an online class I plan on taking with http://www.joggles.com/. I love beads, embroidery and little scraps of silk - perfect for honing my embroidery embellishment skills. I am always on the lookout for something new to learn :)

Hand Dyed Threads

2010-07-06T23:04:00.000-04:00

Oh joy! in the mail today I received a surprise - hand dyed 3 strand cotton threads from Weeks Dye Works. I can't wait to try this on my newest punch needle design. I think this will be a kit with the newest threads in some real prim colours! Nothing like new colours to inspire you.

As you know we have been hit with a heat wave - the worse we have seen in years. So hot that it is even difficult to breathe and the air quality is not the best. On those days I go from my AC car to my AC office back to my AC car and into my AC house where I hibernate until it is over. I figure if the pup does not go out and he oves the outdoors then it makes sense for me to stay in too. Gives me time to do my most favourite thing - crafting.

The heaviness of the air calls for a light refreshing dessert while I watch the Blindside. I whipped this one together - sometimes the most simple is the most gratifying - of fresh plump blueberries layed with devon custard and sprinkled with Giradelli unsweetened cocoa. Having said that I am not giving up my decadent 4 layer chocolate truffle cake that I splurge on occasionally. A girl's got to have her vices. :)

No reading in the breezeway tonight - it will have to be indoors tonight. Have a great evening...g'nite.Joni

Dyed Wool

2010-07-03T23:53:00.002-04:00

It's 11:30 pm - a gorgeous evening with a wonderful breeze. The door is wide open to the outside screened in deck where I will be sitting after I write this. Got my Kindle ready, my cup of tea and a great book to immerse myself in. I am into thrillers these days - pure summer escapism!

This weekend I got the dye pots out and started dyeing fabric. I love the process of wool fibers becoming saturated with colour. I have been doing it for years now so the steps are pretty automatic. It is the excitement of a new colour emerging that is the wow factor for me. Tried some new colours and combined the hand dyes with the new Rebecca Erb fabric that arrived in Maine for some pretty unique bundles. This time I am keeping some of the wool for my own stash and in preparation for a new rug I am planning.

These bundles will be in the new on-line shop next week.
Here are a couple of the new offerings...

Caramel Apple

Green Tea & Raspberries

Have to mention that last week I finished a great great book called "The Passage".

I loved it and couldn't have enjoyed it more. It is an end of the world genre with some vampires thrown in but not your typical vampire fare. Much more complex and I read that it is the first of a trilogy so that was good news.

Update on my cat rug - I am just now doing the border so hopefully will have that finished in a couple of weeks. Publishing deadlines are a priority right now. :)

Off to read my book in the stillness of late evening. G'nite - Joni

Happy Confederation Day!

2010-06-30T18:22:00.002-04:00

I am a day early but tomorrow is a busy day - July 1st. Driving my brother and his family to the airport as they are winging away to Crete, Greece for a month. Lucky devils!

It's been busy here in the Black household..besides planning some reno jobs for the house I have a show in November that I have to prepare for now in order to have everything ready for then. I am almost finished my cat rug and that has turned out quite nice - hmmmm I may have to keep that one. Also working on some cross stitch patterns that need to be ready and published under my other name "Island Cottage Needlearts" which are available wholesale from Kelmscott Designs.

Finally got the shed all built and what do you know it is already stacked with boxes of supplies. I need a warehouse - just kidding. I just need to seriously divest myself of STUFF I will never use.

Fully Wooly has some new pattern books available from Notforgotten Farm. You can see them on my Facebook page and I have ordered some new cross stitch patterns that will be available mid July on the new website.

You know how you have a great plan and have everything set out and then something just happens to whack it out of place. I was hoping to have the newly redesigned website up and running last weekend but unfortunately my mom took a serious tumble and the priority has been her care. I am happy to say that she is pretty resilient for an 81 year old woman and has strong European stock that has allowed her to bounce back quicker than I thought. So it will get launched, I promise, sometime within the next couple of weeks with some new wool bundles using my hand dyes and some wonderful Rebecca Erb AS IS wools.

So I am off to get the dye pots going and we'll be talking. thanks Joni

Cat & Dog

2010-06-09T22:42:00.001-04:00

Today I took up my hook again - it's been awhile. Sorted the wool again - cut some more strips and started pulling wool strips. It is so relaxing!

Here is a work in progress.. A design by Warren Kimble, which I love. There are lots of different shades in this one and there will be some eye-popping colour in the braided rug. I have decided that in order to move on to other rug hooking adventures I need to finish what I have in the basket. The intention is there and whether I follow through - we'll see. There are wools that are calling my name that may just have to be worked into another project that can't wait its turn.

So I have my prim cat I am working on and my pup by my feet making sure that he is included in all I do. LOL

A new item up for sale on Pfatt Marketplace tomorrow - June 10th.

This is a design by Stacy Nash which I love. You can find some of her patterns on my website. This one is an exclusive design. Love those teeny tiny stitches!

Off to do some more hooking :) g'nite..Joni

AWOL in Maine

2010-05-26T20:48:00.002-04:00

sunrise at the ocean

I have been absent for awhile - how time flies. I was immersed in Farmville and have now found my way out of the initial onslaught of being on the farm and making sure I did not miss anything, LOL
Also been busy with my new website design which will be launched in June. There were so many details to learn, uploading and re-organizing the site that it has taken longer than I thought.

Right now I am in Maine for a week by the ocean - one of my favourite places. Provides all kinds of inspiration and lo and behold what was waiting for me but a box of sumptious woolens by Rebecca Erb. Enough to inspire me for sure!

I have been working on some cross stitch after finally getting a pair of magnifying eyeglasses. I ordered some X6 and was so disappointed - i needed to hold the piece 3 inches from my nose - yikes. settled on x2.25. Why i am taking up cross stitch again at this time in life is beyond me.

I do design for a publisher who loved my punch needle and wanted me to convert to xstitch so that has kept me busy the past 6 months.

Stacy Nash pattern

The project I am working on right now is a Stacy Nash pattern only available through a club done by he Country Sampler. I love this piece - not sure if I will sell it or not.

So here is my view from my window in my Maine retreat. Getting lots of reading done and knitting a sock or two. What more can one say when we have a view like this.

and a storm coming in tonight - g'nite...Joni