RUG HOOKING BLOG

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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I JUST DID IT AGAIN... ANOTHER FIRST

This is the time of year that I don't really like. All sorts of things goes on. First, I notice that I've put on a few extra pounds from being indoors more and the festivities and all that, the daylight is short, I don't care much for the snow because I'm afraid to fall like I did last winter and either break bones because I have osteoporosis or suffer a concussion. I worry every time someone have to drive in bad weather and the thing that I hate the most is filing piles of papers at the year end. It's really a pain in the rear end...  I normally do it a little later in the year but this year I have to have it done before I leave on January 18th for analysis study of some sort.



I've been feeding the birds extra food because I have three fat squirrels who have been raiding the feeders. I counted 18 mourning doves at the feeder this morning and lots of chickadees, a woodpecker but I didn't see my cardinals. This photo was taken through my dirty window yesterday morning and before I could clicked the shutter button a whole bunch flew in a nearby evergreen tree in the backyard.

Today I  bit the bullet and  JUST DID IT again, I ordered a set of 4 aluminum dye spoons and I couldn't believe the price. $65.00 US.  I also ordered 33 packages of Cushing's Acid Dye and a color chart, and 2 yards of fine scottish linen for finer cuts. I've never used fine Scottish linen before. Boy, I plan to be busy.

 My order couldn't be shipped today because the W. Cushing & Company were close because of the storm but they answered my email.  They also informed me that I get a 20% discount on my dyes which was great news to me. So tomorrow, I'll finish my transaction.  I've been wanting to do this for a long time and now it's done. The Canadian dollar is strong and the timing couldn't be better for me.

I'm still waiting for a book I purchased on Amazon.com on Dec. 20th, Hooked Rug Landscapes and it's supposed to be shipped between January 19 to Feb. 18. I never knew that it would take that long to arrive. They have received my money but I'm still waiting for the book. Someone is dragging their feet. I'm not impressed with the seller.

You know that even if I don't enjoy January either, I've did some new things that I never tried before. I know that it's no big deal to some but to a person like me who is not very technical, it's been rather rewarding. I usually like to deal with people face to face. I'm old fashion and it's hard to teach this old bitch new tricks.  I hope that everyone who are affected by this latest snow storm stay warm and safe and have plenty of milk and bread to eat and that you don't loose your electricity.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.  JB

21 comments:

  1. I am so glad you keep on doing things that are "firsts." That is so encouraging. So glad you bought your spoons and your dye. I can't wait to see a picture of your linen. You have been so busy. I didn't know you had osteoporosis. I bet you are afraid of falling. I fall down so much it would be dangerous for me. Your trip is getting closer. I hope you can stay warm with all of the snow. Thank you for your comment to day about the fence boards. It made me laugh. As I was reading it I was aware that you used two fingers to write it. :)
    I am glad you still have power.
    Hugs from me to you.

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  2. Julia ~
    Congrats on your purchases. I still have not tried dyeing wool, but I keep thinking about it more and more. One of these days....
    I don't like winter either. Not because I worry about falling, I just despise the cold. I am one of those people who can't stay warm (unless I'm in the midst of a hot flash).
    Keep on "just doing it". Woo hoo!
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  3. Julia how wonderful you are going to dye. I do not like to dye it never comes out the way I wanted. i hate to fall and I have good strong bones. I don't mind the cold it is dealing with the snow I hate. I think you may have been able to order that book from dorr. they have a lot of hooking books. Just a referance for next time.
    I know you can't wait to see your daughter. Stay warm
    cathy

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  4. Julia, First I want to thank you for your comments on my blog. I do think this has been a stressful time for this country. Good for you "taking the bull by the horns" and ordering all of those supplies. You will love dyeing with Cushings dye. I have been using it for 40 years. I agree with Cathy, next time order books from Cushings or Dorr's. I also have trouble with receiving things from Amazon - takes so long. Try to stay warm and hook, hook, hook.

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  5. I am so impressed with your "Just Do It" attitude. I hear people say that once they began dyeing their own wool, it takes their hooking to a new level - so just imagine what you can do!
    I don't think we got as much snow as predicted or else our public works guys did too good a job because work was not cancelled this morning :( I had to shovel both cars out to get to work. Luckily it wasn't the really heavy kind of snow.

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  6. Good for you. You must have a Ms Pearl hidden in there somewhere too. hahaha
    Everytime I order books from Amazon I am so surprised how fast I get them. Was yours out of stock.
    Wish I could watch you do all your dying of the wool that is. Did not sound write when I wrote it.
    Keep busy and keep coming by to see me and before you know it spring will come. Sign up everyday for my giveaway maybe that will keep your mind off the snow
    Love
    Maggie

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  7. Way to go Julia! You certainly DO plan on being busy :). Can't wait to see what you produce with the dyes and your bolt of wool. You won't be sorry you bought those spoons. I love my set and they make things so much easier.

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  8. Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments. I can't wait to get started on dyeing my wool and have all the shades I need.

    My daughter has ordered some books for me from Amazon.com and eBay as gifts when she was here and they all came within a few days. She must have paid extra for fast shipping. The Rug Hooking Bible book that was shipped directly from Amazon.com came right away. I actually got it faster than expected.JB

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  9. Hi Julia,
    I'm glad you decided to jump into the dyepot with both feet! Do you have a dye formula book? Life is much easier if you follow a formula, or at least keep records of how much dye you use to get a particular color. That way if you need more of that color you can have a starting point.
    You must be getting excited, the baby trip is coming up fast. Hope all goes well!

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  10. I'm amazed at how busy and organized you are...you are FAST!! No wonder you worry about slipping...just SLOW down! lol Always a new project going...which is really like me...I love to be working on something too. Are you making baby things as well??

    Also want to thank you for your wonderful comments on my blog...you're a wonderful commenter and so encouraging! I appreciate your words!

    Hope the baby trip goes well and you have good weather...looking forward to baby posts!! ~D

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  11. Donna, what a nice thing to say to me. Thanks.

    About making baby things, my little grand son has so much stuff given to him that the only thing that I know he will need is lots of Pampers and that's the direction I'll go. Keeping his little bottom clean and dry is top priority. JB

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  12. Hi Julia!

    Good for you buying those spoons! I had read on Gene Shepherd's blog that those were the best spoons - the spoons with a measurer on each end seemed to fall apart easily. And all those dyes! How wonderful! How exciting! I just bought April Deconick's "The Wool Pallette". I've glanced through it and made the list of things I need to get so I can start. My girlfriend and I are planning to dye together when we get all our supplies. I also ordered the rug hooker's bible and got it quickly. And I ordered a rug punch book. So I'm a happy camper too!

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  13. Hi Julia, I have been dyeing using cushings for a little bit. I bought some good dye books that I use for my colors. I like dyeing because you can use those thrift store wools and over dye them.Plus once you start dyeing it open up so much more selection of colors. My friend janet and I would dye together in my kitchen. It's more fun if you have someone to do it with.Janet would bring her wools and we would add both our wools to the dye. Remember to wear gloves and be careful to not inhale those dyes!
    Boy I feel for you all in the snow. It's been great weather in Southern California. I weeded today and clipped my daisys and hung up pictures.Cheri

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  14. You are going to have so much fun dyeing wool. I have watched Patty down at the shop and it is amazing what can be done. The shop used to be a restaurant so we have sinks, refrigerators, 2 stoves, so she can dye right there at the shop and doesn't have to do it at home at night.
    I love bird watching and feeding. but this morning my husband and I saw two fox just running up the middle of the rode here in our neighborhood. I have seen a few around before but not running up the middle of the road. They must have been really hungry.

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  15. You had "counted 18 mourning doves at the feeder" at the feeder? Who died? ;-)

    Have to say I was surprised to hear you refer to yourself as "this old bitch". Not an adjective I'd have used for you, but then you're a very new mother-in-law, so give me time. ;-)

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  16. Crap, they really are called "mourning" doves? I'd hardly call that sound "mournful". But when I lived in Ontario is was certainly annoying. Those damned things would be sitting on the power lines outside of my apartment by the dozens and start calling as soon as the first light came in the sky. Woke me up all summer long for three years. Before five o'clock in the MORNING in the early part of summer (so I thought they were "morning" doves, since the seemed so keen on whooping it up in the very early morning). I wanted to strangle the lot of them. They look fat enough that they might be good to eat.

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  17. Anonymous, I just had to laugh tonight about your comment. It could be that the mourning doves hear me talking about dyeing a lot lately, they can't read so they think that I'm saying dying.

    I'm glad that you found out by yourself what they 're called and I'm glad that you don't see me as an old bitch. I guess that I was referring to my chinese Astrological sign, the dog, and since I'm an old female,therefor an old bitch. JB

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  18. Your son-in-law cracks me up!! Hope he continues to comment from time to time.

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  19. Kim, I hope that you continue checking up on his wise-crack comments from time to time. At least I get to have a good laugh before going to sleep. JB

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  20. Ah, Chinese horoscopes! Do you know that both Jackie and I are "monkeys"? I've read what happens in a monkey-monkey union. It's awe inspiring what monkeys get up to. According to the "books" it's a great match, if a bit naughty. Made a believer out of me. ;-)

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  21. Anonymous, are you telling me that there's a lot of monkey business going on at your house. I really believe that too.. lol... JB

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