AWOL in Maine

                                            sunrise at the ocean

Hi

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

Things I Thought I Would Never Do!

I am an avid reader and consume books voraciously. I love reading and often read 3-4 books at a time. I am very eclectic in my reading and sometimes you will find a mystery, thriller, sci-fi, health, craft book on my bedside table - coffee table - purse etc.

I just love reading and have been doing so since a kid. The best Christmas gift was always a few books and still is. Every year I make my wish list and Peter manages to buy everything on the list. I have learned to be selective on my wish list. Which leads to what I never thought I would do? Buy a Kindle. I pooh-poohed it as something that I would never hold in my hands but honestly the book situation was getting out of hand - too much money and not enough space to store them all. So I researched e-books and said ok we will try it. I LOVE IT! Yes it is not paper and when I do need my fix I do have my craft books and my cookbooks to wend my way through - but for general reading - this is a great tool. I read faster and get to read more books and best of all there is no trying to figure out what to do with the books. I was surprised at how few organizations want free books :(...

So that was my first never thought I would:


The second was playing computer games. I love my computer and do all kinds of things on it - the greatest invention of mankind but games - no way - I don't have time for it. Well a few months ago my nephew went to work in Mexico and the family decided to sign up on FACEBOOK to keep in touch. He came back and FACEBOOK was left to the side until one of my other nephews invited me to play FARMVILLE. I was hooked. Now I have enlisted 2 other members of the family and we compete against each other - all 6 of us - do live chat and have fun. It has been a great tool for communication and to keep in touch. So yes I have joined the gaming world and if you are on FACEand want to be a friend just send me a msg. Maybe you too would like to play Farmville.:)

Besides those two other past times I did manage to finish my mixed media tags - which were a lot of fun - They are for sale on Pfatt Marketplace.








G'nite -Joni

Sheep Needle Felting Kit - Kits from Halcyon Yarn

Sheep Needle Felting Kit - Kits from Halcyon Yarn

A Fine Day at the Games

So a wonderful couple of days for Canadians at the Olympics. Great gold game of women's hockey, an emotional skate of Joannie for the bronze, a silver for women's curling and just saw the men's 500 m short track - a gold and a bronnze and one heck of a wild finish! My gosh all these athletes put their heart and soul in all these events.. what a wonderful accomplishment for all participating athletes to even have made the Olympics..

I am so non-athletic though in my heydey I did ski - now I'm too afraid to meet those kamakasi kids on the slopes and end up with broken bones. Instead I spend my evenings doing my crafts. Well after my baby steps into trying this new method of mixed media tags I have come up with some successes. I'll post those later - have to embellish them a bit.

I did finish a punch needle - a spring design called "Hare & Tulips". The original will be for sale on March 1st at The Primitive Gathering and the pattern is available too. Loved making this one and used my hand dyed wool threads. Just seems to give the piece more of a hooked rug appearance and a softer finish to it.

Well the 5000m relay is about to start and Canada is in for the race so I am off to watch that and keep my fingers crossed - talk about a melee of skaters on the ice - unbelievably fast and wild. The craziest sport I saw this year was a new one called cross ski and cross snowbarding - 4 skiers racing down a  hill at the same time - unreal!

Ok I am off.. g'nite.. Joni

PS.. We (Canada) won the gold in the men's 5000 relay - unbelievable skate!

Here is a great link to check out all the standings and doings of the OLYMPICS.

Yay Canada..

                                                               photo source destination 360

I have the Olympics on in the background. I am so not a sports fan but come every two years I am glued to the TV - especially the winter ones - my faves. Yay Canada! I think Vancouver is doing a fine job as a host city, seems like a lot going on and finally they have snow in them thare hills :) It is all very exciting. Clara Hughes just won a bronze for Canada, her last Olympics, beautiful!

I am trying something new. I love discovering new creative things to do. I have my paints, vintage photos and tags in front of me on the dining room table. It is a perfect day for it. My day off and big fat snowflakes gently falling. I could easily hibernate for the winter. Mind you it has been a really wonderful winter. Hardly any snow and mild temps - so nothing to complain about.

This is a technique of blending chalk inks on a base (my tag) applying some stamping and then doing a transparency overlay with contact paper (bunny pic). Much scratching and shaking of the head - gritting the teeth and one tag is produced. "Patience my dear" should be tatooed on my forehead.

After my first dozen transparencies, some few choice words- I have one fairly successful tag.
Now on to practice getting a few more under my belt and watching more Olympics....women's bobsled coming up and two Canadian teams in 1st and 4th.

G'nite Joni

Wool to Inspire You!

A wonderful sight greeted me the other day - not one but two packages of wool! No sooner had I walked in the door - dropped the coat - gave Roby his kisses and his din-din, did I pounce on the two lovely packages waiting for me.

It is always a treat to receive a package of Rebecca Erb wool. So rich, soft and so primitive - nice muted colours just up my alley. Now to put them to good use. I have not been rug hooking for a few months. The holidays got in the way and I usually devote the fall to making my hand made gifts for family. So now I have my inspiration and it calls for some deep thought on what to hook!

To start me off I bought a hooked pillow kit from Karen Kahle of Primitive Spirits who you can find on Etsy. I just love her style and have dyed many a yard of fabric using her dye recipes. I am going to try her marbelizing technique. I used to marbelize cotton fabric years ago, so doing it on wool is new for me and we'll see how it rates compared to cotton. I am sure I will not be disappointed!

My projects are there to start, along with finishing up some new punch needle hearts (to be a pattern also). I'll post those here later this week. Just want to stuff and finish one of them so I can show start to finish.

Off to do more punch needle..

g'nite...Joni

PS - I had to delete the original post and re-enter it again as someone posted an advertising comment. So in future all comments will have to be approved before they show up - sorry!

Hearts are Forever

This month at The Primitive Gathering I have listed some Valentine pieces. I don't usually get into doing Valentine pieces but I figured hearts are an all year kind of symbol. Who does not like hearts surrounding them. They always brings a smile to your face, well mine at least. 

These are some stuffed hearts that I placed on wooden spindles purchased from an old textile mill in the US. They have been distressed and aged.

My heart stocking is based on a pattern that I made as Noel stockings. Bt this time I did a soft colour wash of pink and added some hearts cut from my hand dyed wool. The hearts are stitched on using a button hole stitch. You can find more photos on my artist site at The Primitive Gathering.

In a few days, on the 10th I will have a new punch needle pattern launching and it is all about hearts. You will get 3 new designs that I have made into little hanginging hearts. Now remember Mother's Day is coming up and Hearts are Forever. The original pieces will be for sale at Pfatt Marketplace. Here is a peek at one of the designs!

A Little Can Go A Long Way

These days have been very difficult with what is happening in  Haiti. Here we go on with our lives knowing the terrible suffering that is going on in Haiti. What we take for granted - food, water, shelter and medical attention is a fight for survival amongst the Haitians. I was listening to the radio and one of the broadcasters had mentioned that he had gone out for supper with his wife and another couple  -the talk was of Haiti as it seems to turn to many times these days. There was a feeling of guilt that here they were enjoying a good meal and spending money when people in Haiti were in the most difficult race for survival. So what they did was that whatever they paid for their meal they contributed the same thing to the Haitian fund. It was a little thing to do but a lot of little things can up to a big thing!

Yes I have that guilt too - but life goes on and we try to do what we can as best we can. I ask myself many times - do I need this or do I want this. Sometimes it will be that you just want it  (ie wool and fabric) but as long as you ask yourself that question constantly I think you are made more aware that there are many people out there less fortunate than you (well me anyway) so best not to complain - appreciate what you have and do what you can for your neighbour. I guess this a further excercise for me in examining my priorities in life.

So in saying a little bit helps... do what you can.There is a wonderful organization called Knitters Without Borders started by a knitter whose donations are directed to Doctors without Borders. There is a running total and already $234,000 has been given since Wednesday last with 2000 e-mails still to be tallied!

Don't forget Haiti and all the other souls less fortunate than us that share this small planet of ours.

G'nite Joni

Feathering the Nest

Another windy,snowy day so the snow is drifting and piling up.

 A perfect day for feathering my nest.

Homemade chicken pie in the oven with a lovely deep red cranberry sauce for supper.

To splurge, a double chocolate cheescake.

Next week I will think of calories.

Dr Who on the tele - one of my favourites.

Not to waste commercial time but read a book "The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold".

And having started the book had to finish it.

A don't put it down book!

The first part - horrifying,

the second frustrating and

the last part tissue in hand and tearful.

Yet it was hopeful, enlightening and very loving.

The next few days project is to finish the piece above. I have been doing some cross stitch lately and really enjoying it. The pattern above is one of Stacy Nash's available through a club I joined with Country Sampler. We get 4 different designs a year exclusive to the club. This one I hope to finish as milady's dear pillow and post it on Pfatt Marketplace.

A lovely poem I found on Willow Manor blog (link on the side) that I thought was perfect to start the new year.

To laugh often and much,

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children,

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends,

 to appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others,

 to leave the World a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

G'nite, Joni

Never Too Late

It is hard to believe it is a new year - 2010! Where does the time go. I find the older I get the faster it goes and there is less time to do all the things I want to do, read the books I want to read and see the places I want to see. Good wishes to all for a very happy 2010.

There are two times of the year when I feel inspired to take on new projects - the fall and the beginning of a New Year. With the snow falling gently the past few days and the twinkling of little white lights around the house - this is my time with the bustle of the holidays finished. My thoughts turn to what can I create.

Years ago I bought a rug hooking punch needle (Oxford) which I just could not get a handle on and was very discouraged. I could not understand the process of working from the back and the design appearing on the front. Since I have been doing embroidery punchneedle for 4 years, I now have a renewed interest in trying my hand at the rug punching. You use wool yarn instead of wool fabric. Then I thought I do love my hand dyed wool yardage and how instead will solid yarns translate to a rug. I have decided my first project will be a carpet bag. You know one of those big sturdy bags that were popular eons ago. I like making things that are practical. They say punching a rug is faster than hooking one - we'll see. I am all for fast projects. I can produce more and experiment and I decided I can always dye my own wool yarn.

 

This is a great source (Halycon Yarns) for all the yarn your heart might desire for rug hooking. You can also conventionally hook using the wool. I am in the mood to try something new and I never totally give up on something. It might be put aside for days, months or years but I always go back to it.Hmmmm....that might explain my lack of space and full shelves. 

Some of the wonderful yarns from Halcyon and a punch needle for rug punching..


Happy New Year.
G'nite Joni

A Simple Life

It has been absolutely beautiful these past few days – we are definitely into our Indian summer. Everything seems to be late this year. I don’t think we can even consider that we had a summer and our autumn was pretty wet. So these days are much appreciated and ideal to clean up the outside of the house and prepare for the onslaught of winter. Everything has to be tucked away from the harshness of the elements.

I know people think I am crazy but I do love my winters – probably won’t when I get older but who knows with on-line ordering really why would I ever have to go out in the winter except on a nice sunny day. I love my wintry days with snow falling and the silence is unbelievable. Perfect time to be reading, rug hooking, knitting and the myriad other crafts I get involved in. Well enough of that since it will be here sooner than ever and I know you are reading this and saying is she nuts!  Especially when it looks like this.

I was talking to my brother and he asked when we were going to Vermont – that is our annual pre-Thanksgiving trip. We go the weekend before to pick up our Christmas turkey, which is so much cheaper than here at home. The point being – oh my Lord it is already the 9th and where did it all go – all that time I thought I had to knit those socks, mitts and make all those gifts I wanted to make. I keep saying I have to start earlier, well I think I need to start in July – No wonder they call it Christmas in July! So some things won’t make my list but that is ok – I have learned over the years not to delude myself into thinking I am super woman, just take everything in stride and prioritize that is my buzz word.

This past weekend I spent exploring the Quebec countryside north of us. It is amazing what you will come upon driving meandering roads through the mountains. I was on the hunt for beeswax for another project I have in mind – can you believe it for Christmas! More of that later….

I did finish not a pair of sock but only one sock – I do that knit 3 at a time and then go back to finish up the pair. This way I am not bored. I took out my punch needle (been awhile) and made a small little design which I then put on a black felted zippered purse along with some appliquéd wool. This was so much fun and I plan to make more of these using different designs. The appliqué brings back my love of quilting and playing with layers of fabric. Then of course I am into adding beads to things now – so the zipper pull has some beads hanging from it.

This one is called A Simple Life and I was not content to have a blank side staring me in the face so I proceeded to appliqué on that one also. The original and the kits are being offered for sale tomorrow on Pfatt Marketplace. I only have a limited number of kits right now.

So I have been busy and another punch needle is in the works. The framed original will be for sale and the pattern will be released at a later date. I am trying to finish up some cross stitch ornaments with beading – similar to my punch needle ones of last year which sold like hot cakes at a show I did but I have found out that cross stitch is very intensive and teeny tiny besides taking a whole lot more time to do. Whether they make it this year or not – this NOT superwoman will decide.

Off to get some craft time in…G’ nite - Joni

Where has October gone?

I can't believe it is already November. I don't know where the month has gone. Thanksgiving has come and gone here in Canada and I am into Christmas mode now. Time to do the craft fairs and see what creative things are being offered. Time to plan my gifts and get knitted ones finished. I think that this year I am ahead of the game. It is this time of the year that I also get loads of ideas but unfortunately not enough time to execute everything.

I love these felt bags that are from Nepal. They are a nice thick wool and I can think of lots of uses for them. They also make great gifts. So with that in mind I have designed a punch needle called A Simple Life and I've got step one done. Now to embellish the clutch bag with wool applique and beads and this will be offered as a kit on my redesigned website.

Yes I am going to have a new look for my website with lots of new features which I hope will make finding and buying items a lot easier. I love user friendly technology. I'll be concentrating on my first love wool and will occasionally offer some primitive items that I am dabbling in. Whenever I do decide to quit the 9-5 job I know that boredom will never darken this gal's doorstep!

Here is one of the felts bags that I did for the fall season. You can find it on Pfatt Marketplace under Fully Wooly Primitives.

Don't forget to visit http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/ where we are giving away free items. You just need to sign up for a newsletter. I have a punch needle pincushion in the draw.

Just listed some snowman rug hooking kits which make up quickly as wonderful handmade gifts! They can be found on Etsy. The link is on the left hand side. Also all the Christmas punch needle patterns have been listed.

And with all that some baking has been going on - after all the crisp days and crunch of leaves underfoot leads to longings of comfort food - one of my favourites pumpkin pie and fresh apple cake. The recipe can be found at King Arthur Flour.

So considering all the bustling that has been happening at the Black homestead I can see where the month has gone.  Good night all..Joni

Baking Day

It was one of those days. Cool crisp air, falling leaves and the smell of wood burning stoves. A typical fall day before the snow starts flying. I love the changing of the colours. It is a ritual to go for a drive and see how many different colours of red, burgundy and yellow you can find. This year I stayed home and did some baking as the weather was overcast and it looked like rain. It was just one of those days to bake! Maybe next weekend will be a good time.

I go through a process of re-organizing my counter space - out with stuff I don't use and clear up lots of room to perch baking sheets of cookies and other baked goods. I am lucky that I have lots of counter space and also a wooden side table that gets laden with cookies come November. That is peak holiday baking season in this house .

Today I made some caramel pecan gingerbread cakes and some peach scones. Tomorrow I have rugelach planned (a cream cheese pastry filled hazelnut or almond paste). The dough gets done tonight and refrigerated. I then roll it out in a circle, spread the paste and cut into 8 wedges that are then rolled into a spiral. Probably my most favourite pastry.

 In between bouts of cooking I have a sit down with a good book and a cuppa of tea. Right now I am reading Kate Atkinson's Case Histories. A page turner of a mystery.

Next weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. It is not as big a holiday as in the US but we still like to have our turkey and pumpkin pie.

Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and from South, come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie?

- John Greenleaf Whittier

Off to have a peach scone and start working on a piece for listing on PFATT the 10th of this month. Of course it will have to be Hallowe'en related :)

Good nite.. Joni

a public domain picture

Socks have arrived on Etsy

Well I finally got around to getting my socks listed. I wanted to have at least 5 pair and Peter did the photography this afternoon. I'll be putting them up sporadically as I get them made, but we will start with these five. This is what I do watching TV - never have idle hands. Since it is September - new shows are starting and there are my favourites. So lots of knitting will get done.

I found a few new self striping ones when I was in Vermont and this weekend there is a trip planned to the local (well 2 hours away in Ottawa) knitting store and that means new wool!

Have a look at Wooly Footsies - hand knit socks for happy feet!

Good nite all.. Joni

Vermont Jaunt

Round Barn copyright warren kimble

Just got back from a lovely trip through the green mountains of Vermont. It is the closest you can get to nature! I do love the mountains but the ocean is still my favourite place. I go down about 3 times a year and just relax and do some shopping. It is the only time I really enjoy shopping. Of course I had to visit my favourite baking store King Arthur's Flour which has a great blog with lots of wonderful recipes.

I picked up their boiled apple cider which I cannot wait to use to make their apple cake. I will have to dig out the skillet for this one! This is the time of year when I love everything about baking.

Besides selling all the ingredients a baker would want they also sell mixes that they put together. Although I usually make everything from scratch I love to have a couple of these on hand for last minute rushes. Doesn't this one look tasty... Caramel Pecan Ginger - we are great lovers of anything ginger. I like the idea of these individual little cakes.

It is also time to go to the local apple orchard and see what is available in this year's crop. Now that is a lovely fragrance! Yes it is that time of the year where the apples are being harvested - the air is crisp and cool and there is a smell in the air that tells me fall is just around the corner - well of course next week is fall (dare I say my favourite time of the year).

Of course a trip to Vermont usually means a stop at the Shelburne Museum. As we drove up it was unbelievably crowded - oh boy - what was going on? It was the "Museum Goes to the Dog Day". That is the day they open up the grounds to the dogs and their owners. It is a fun filled day of activities. So we sat a bit and watched the parade of beautiful dogs - oh my and then made a visit to the museum store. We passed on the museum itself as it was so crowded. Though they were having a Warren Kimble exhibit.

copyright warren kimble

I may take a quick jaunt down in October and see that exhibit before it closes. He is one of my favourite folk artists along with Charles Wysocki .

Another wonderful exhibit at the Shelburne is that of rug hooker Patty Yoder. She had a style all her own and her rugs are well recognized and very beautiful.

"I am in love with wool. I love to bury my hands in the living wool of our beloved Border Leicester sheep. I love the feel and smell of new sheared wool when I gather it into bags as our shearer does his work. I love the yarn produced from each individual fleece. But most of all I love the glorious pieces of dyed wool fabric stacked by color waiting for the perfect spot in a hooked rug that I will create." --Patty Yoder

"Y is for Yoder" copyright Patty Yoder

All in all it was a wonderfully relaxing trip that encompassed good food, lovely company (my mom) and beautiful scenery. Have a great day.. Joni