The Making of "BOB" for PHM Update

Netty LaCroix is a Super Fantastic Primitive Artist!!! That being said,if you have any of her patterns you know that the directions often leave you scratching your head and saying,"WHAT????" Let's just say that if you're a stickler for following directions or a beginner you won't be a happy camper. I never discourage people,I'm more of an encourager,but you really have to be able to do your own thing with her wonderful designs. So back to "Bob". I used vintage flannel and only had to go back to the machine twice to re-sew his tiny legs that had pooped through when I turned him. It was time to stuff him and never one for making things easier on myself,I decided to rag stuff him and throw in some of my seed batting from my antique cutter quilts. So about 2 hours later I'm still cutting fabric and stuffing."Bob" was almost stuffed when as I zealously continued cutting the scraps to fill him up,I cut my left pinkie finger.Not one of those little pinch cuts that we often do,no I totally removed a portion of the finger.I held a couple tissues on it as I went to the bathroom for a bandaid. To shorten the story the bathroom ended up looking like a scene from the movie Physco!!! I kept putting band-aids on and the blood kept pouring out!!! I swear I coulda made a donation to the blood bank!! FINALLY with 5 band-aids on which was like a small cast on it,I was able to get back to "Bob". Luckily it was a non-essential finger,although I do like to have all 10 of my fingers available,I was still able to work. This happened Wednesday nite. Thursday morning I got "Bob" stained with the grungy soup and he went out on the porch to dry.I worked all day.Sewed a different rabbit,made some dyed wool carrots and tried to figure out how to make the basket in Netty's same pattern as "Bob". Made it my own way!!! "Bob"was dry,better get some pictures before it gets dark,gotta update PHM tonite!!! Took some great pictures,then realized that I HAD NOT put "Bob's" tail on!!! AND was STILL working on the carrots & basket!!! I looked down at my right foot & ankle that I have lymphadema in and haven't seen them that huge in a long time.I called my buddy Lori Rippey and told her,that's it,I can't make the update tonite. I'm not finished & it's too dark to get pictures,I'll have to update Friday morning. I kept working and when I finished,I put "Bob" and the basket up on the mantle,done for tonite,it was after 11:00.BUT I looked at them and thought,I'm gonna try to get some pictures and see if they're OK. Well they weren't perfect,but I decided to do my update!!! As I've written here before,I don't have all the Christmas stuff put away.While I was updating one of the Santas that I had started a collection of for John fell off the shelf. Can you tell me WHY after all these months of those Santas being there one would suddenly fall off!!!???!!! I thought, OK OK I'll put them away!!! Why aren't you here to help me?? John used to help me put the Christmas things away,at least the things I'd let him pack up. Very strange HUH??? But pictures are here to show you. Including a picture of my bandaged pinkie.I'm afraid to take the bandages off because I think I only have like 2 band-aids left.But I was thinkin' that since I took such a chunk out of it that it could probably only be fixed with plastic surgery.Do you think that I could talk my insurance company into a boob lift being crucial to the heeling of my pinkie finger????

Well I hope you'll click on the PHM banner over there on the right to see "BOB" and all the FANTASTIC offerings of the PHM artists and play the game that's going on!!!!
Sherry....OUT

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING??

what I'm always doing...working!!! I haven't done any punching for a long time. The pony was my start again,this piece is my 2nd and I have a 3rd on the frame. I think the pony took me longer to do than to hook a rug!!! My hand has a mind of it's own and tends to jump at the most inconvenient moments. Well too bad for you right hand cause I'm gonna keep punching and your just going to have to accept it and behave yourself!!!!
So here's my latest windowsill rugs. One being soft neutral colors and the other in blues. Ya know they don't have to just go on a windowsill,I think they'd look neat on an old cupboard shelf too. They're 4 1/2" X 16" and $75.00 + shipping each.
The coxcomb needle punch cupboard hanger I did from a drawing by Lori Rippey for our Primitive Rug Hooking Group Booklet. I think this one was from 2009. Each member of the group contibuted a doodle drawing that we could use in any medium that we chose. The background on this hanger I punched in 2 shades of brown floss,which gave it a rich chocolate look. OHHH chocolate that sounds really good!!! Guess I'm getting hungry,back to the cupboard hanger LOL!! I used a tan handspun wool to stitch all around the edge and for the hanger. The NP measures 4" X 7" with the hanger,11 1/2". $46.00 + FREE Shipping to the US.
You can click where my doll is that says contact me and my email will come up OR here it is:
jstoff@windstream.net
I'll be back soon!!!
Sherry....OUT

Ya Know What???

Time flies even when you're not havin' fun!!!!! I STILL don't have all my Christmas stuff down and put away!!! I did put my bigger Christmas tree away. I put it in my bedroom closet. One of my friends here just cracked up when I told her cause it's still decorated!!! It wasn't an easy feat to accomplish!! I put a big garbage bag over the top.Then proceeded to try to pick it up.It's one of the kind that's in 2 pieces,so of course I picked it up in the wrong place.I was determined so once I got it back together,we were off to the closet.Some things on the tree,like garland & lights got caught on other things along the way. No problem,I would just swear like a drunken sailor,throw them back on the tree and keep movin' fast as I could,that thing is heavy & way taller than me.So we made it to our destination,the corner of my walk in closet.Now just think how far ahead I am for Christmas 2012,my tree is already decorated!!!! Although I may need a new lighted star tree topper. I didn't want to lift the bag and look,but it did kinda hit the top of one of the door jams on the way to the closet and it wasn't a very good sound.But the 4 ft. one should be easier if I can find a place to put it!!!
I want to offer you all this beautiful purse. I bought it online from a place called MYHABIT.I didn't know why I was getting emails from there until I figured out that it's a part of Amazon.So one day they had name brand purses for sale and boy were they selling out fast. So anyhoo I saw this purse,I loved it and it was $95 but the sale price was $42. I have needed a new purse and since I never get out to look for one and like I said I just loved this one,I bought it.Couldn't wait till it got here!!! Seeing it in person,I loved it even more!! BUT and it's a big but I can't use it.It's too big for me (sad face) won't work with my wheelchair or to carry if I'm using a cane.I have to use a smaller purse to wear across my chest,which you can do with this one,but with "stuff" in it makes it too heavy for me. I still love this purse and the color of it is beautiful,so rich of a red that it's almost neutral to go with everything.They do take returns,but it's for credit and not to get your money back. Besides it's too late now since they have a 30 day policy and I've been keeping it up on eBay. BUT NOBODY looks at it there.Sometimes only 4 or 5 people.All I'm trying to do is get back what I paid for it.Whoever bought this wouldn't be disappointed!!!! Did I read the measurements of it when I bought it??? Yes I did,but I had stars in my eyes and it didn't seem to big for me.So if you'd be interested you can click on my eBay button to see more pictures & do the BIN or contact me and I can sell it to you directly.
I also did a NP that I have listed on eBay.It's a doodle design from Robin of Bird In The Hand Primitives.Since I always have to do something different I made of some little penny tongues and stitched it to a very primitive half circle grapevine wreath.I like it,I hope others will too.I haven't punched for at least a year & a half,so it took me a long time,trying to keep control of my hand which has a mind of it's own.Gotta do more punching!!! I'm also working on hooking a couple windowsill rugs.One is finished,in neutrals and started the other last nite which will be darker.
Are ya tired of reading this book I've written yet LOL????? Well The End.
Sherry.....OUT

PRIMITIVE HANDMADES MERCANTILE UPDATE!!

It's the 3rd Friday of the month!!!! That means that PRIMITIVE HANDMADES MERCANTILE selling blog has been updated!!!! This sweet rabbit is over there waiting to be adopted!!! AND this new hooked rug and a couple other things that I have on my page!!! Not to mention all the other REALLY cool stuff that all the other talented artist have available there!!! AND Robin of Bird in the Hand Primitives is giving away one of her free doodles when you sign up for our mailing list!!! Just click on The Primitive Handmades Mercantile banner over there on the right and I'll see you there!!! Gotta go sign up too I love Robin's doodle drawings,in fact this newest Blue Bird hooked rug,I designed from one of Robin's doodles!!!!!
Sherry.....OUT

Grand Opening of New Selling Blog!!!

Just click on the link on my sidebar to go to Primitive Handmades Mercantile to see some REALLY COOL items for sale!!! AND when you're there,don't forget to sign up for email to be reminded of the updates which will be the 3rd Friday every month. AND sign up for the Grand Opening Giveaway too!!!!

Sherry....OUT

On a Thursday Morning

Good Morning!!
I really don't have much to say,but I thought it might be cruel and unusual punishment to keep making you look at my Christmas decorating pictures,even though my house still looks that way. Haven't taken anything down and don't know when I will.
A few weeks ago I fell into a deep dark rabbit hole. Thought I was working my way up out of it,but it seems to be slippery and I've slipped a bit. Believe it or not after all this time,there's still so much to handle on a daily basis. BUT I'm still working on stuff!!! Thank God for my work!!! I'm getting things ready for a new selling blog that I've joined,that will be opening soon. I hope it's gonna be a GREAT success!!!
Once again I MUST thank you for all your great comments and emails. They sure do warm my heart and as I've said before, I do read them over and over.That includes the emails that some of you have sent,even though I'm so bad about responding to them. I'm sorry. But please know that they mean so much to me.
Yup the rug that I've posted is for sale.
Sherry.....OUT

How I Spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Since I hurt your eyes before showing the mess that I had gotten myself into I thought I would show you how it looks now,after a bit of a breakdown I had.The wreath on the door hasn't been out of the box in 5 years.I made it a long time ago.It's covered with antique & vintage ornaments.Of course since I FINALLY got it finished,it's gonna just have to stay this way!!! Look how far ahead I am for next Christmas!!!!!
I finished the rug a few days ago and it's for sale now. Great doodle design by Robin of Bird in the Hand that I adapted to this primitive rug.
Once again I MUST thank you all for your very kind comments and emails!!! I do read them over & over,they mean so much to me.Just wish I could be with all of you in person!!!
Sherry....OUT