Sunday, November 30, 2008

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

We are under the influence of a winter storm, which will last until tomorrow afternoon. Here is what it looked about 2 pm when the snow first started coming down.
I love the way the snow sticks to the tree branches and makes everything look frosted.
I'm going to heat the kettle for some ginger tea, put on a movie, and get my hooking project back on my frame! I love this time of year!


Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Curly Girls

Here are my "curly girls"....
Lumi, the Finn Sheep. Very mild mannered and well-behaved. Sweet and gentle, with the face of an angel.

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Emma, the Wensleydale. A silly, adorable little girl. She has youthful energy with a streak of mischief. Very vocal about what she wants! She is teaching Lumi how to baa very loudly (bad habit).

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Yup, as you can see, we have snow in Michigan. Not just a dusting either....this is "boot-wearing" snow. And a lot more is on the way Sunday.....

Emma's fleece is growing back quickly. You would think that she'd be cold with snow on the ground but she never shows it, except for the fact that she likes to lay in the little shelter a lot. She's one tough "curly girl"!


Friday, November 28, 2008

You're Invited to a Holiday Show

"All The Trimmings" Show ~~~ Chelsea, Michigan
Saturday December 6, 2008
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for that special person on your list? Or maybe a unique treat for yourself (you've been good all year, right)????
Buy Michigan products from local artists at the All The Trimmings show at the Chelsea Fairgrounds. The selection includes vintage bags, antiques, jewelry, fiber art, tiles, bears, honey, paintings and pastels, counted cross-stitch, garden art, woodcarvings from Marlene Dusbiber, and fresh Christmas greens to deck the halls! And of course, I'll be there with lots of yummy wool and rug hooking supplies, books for needlecrafting projects, and beautiful hand-turned wooden sewing accessories...the perfect gift for the discriminating quilter, sewer, knitter, needle craftsperson, or rug hooker.
Come and join us in the shopping fun!!!
I'm looking forward to seeing you there!!!
for directions, click here for the Chelsea Fairgrounds website

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to family, friends and fellow hookers (no explanation-you know who you are)!!!
I'm finally back home after many, many weeks of traveling to workshops and shows. It was a pleasure to be able to spend time talking about and teaching what I love...rug hooking! I've made lots of new friends and I've been inspired by all the beautiful projects. But it is sooo good to be home! And now maybe I'll be able to sit down and hook a little too....
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I truly feel blessed and thankful...not just on one day, like today...but every day!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Girls Just Want To Have Fun (so let's get rid of the sweatshirt)

Well! As you can see, Emma decided that she didn't want to wear a sweatshirt anymore. She managed to pull both front legs out of the sleeves this morning and she was walking around with the sweatshirt hanging down from her neck (eek! strangulation hazard, for sure). With a small bribe of some hay, I was able to grab hold of the shirt and pull it over her head. Later (I'm sure she didn't realize that I was watching from the house), she ran around her pen, took a large "lamb-leap" straight up into the air, and kicked her back legs out...as if to say "Yippee! I'm free!"
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Isn't she a beautiful little character?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Emma's Big Day

Here's a few pictures of Emma's shearing day! It looks like she had a temper tantrum before she got sheared too....what a little stinker! She laid down, rolled on her back, and stuck her feet up in the air! Now who can deal with that? If you have/had young children, you can relate to this stunt....just like the kid who lays down in the aisle of the store and refuses to shop with her parents.
Emma is in the trailer and ready to go to Liz's farm. She looks a little scared, doesn't she? The next few pictures are of Doug, the sheep shearer, working his magic. He is really good at what he does and he's very patient with these struggling, freaked-out sheep. Talk about a tough job! Doug is like a "sheep-whisperer". He can handle any size sheep with ease and he works fast.

Yum, look at that gorgeous fleece...lots of curls...remember I've said before that I love looking at and touching a beautiful fleece...
Yeow! This picture made me nervous...zipping those clippers right down her neck....
So there's Emma's Big Day in pictures! Thanks to Liz for taking the pictures. I won't miss Emma's next shearing day in April 2009.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sheep In A Sweatshirt

You've probably heard of a "pig in a blanket" but have you ever seen a "sheep in a sweatshirt?" Emma was sheared on November 1st. Look at those big floppy ears and long legs! It's always a surprise to see what a sheep or goat really looks like after all the fleece has been removed. We put a sweatshirt on her because it was a little cool after the shearing and now she has to get used to not having a wooly coat for a while. I'll probably remove her sweatshirt in about 2 weeks. Emma doesn't seem to mind wearing her sweatshirt at all! It is a little big for her and it keeps riding up her back, so I just keep pulling it down!
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After her shearing and on the way back to her pen, Emma had a little temper tantrum and threw herself down on the ground. No one could get her to stand up; she just kept flopping down and laying on the ground, so my son and Liz's husband, Al, had to pick her up and carry her the rest of the way down to the pen. Hmm! Just like a little toddler who can't have her way!
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Unfortunately I have been traveling a lot and was not there to see her first haircut, but my friend Liz took lots of pictures. Due to a technical problem, I have not gotten them yet but I promise I will post them when they arrive!