Mmmmm......Mojitos

As the weather warms up my thoughts are turning to my favorite summer drink...the Mojito!!
I'm telling you, this is the finest of summer time drinks....one sip and you feel like you are lying on the beach in Miami. The first time I tried one of these I was with my cousin, Katrina, in Kansas City and we were at a tapas bar called La Bodega http://www.kansascitymenus.com/labodega/
She said that I just had to try one of their mojitos....I did and I was hooked!!! I came back from that trip and told my husband that we just had to plant more mint in the yard so that I could make my own.
Here's the recipe I use: what you'll need:
2½ oz. light rum
1 lime
1 tbsp. simple syrup
mint leaves (8 or so sprigs worth)
ice
club soda
tall glass
spoon, or some other utensil that can be used to mash the mint leaves

Though the directions might seem longer than your usual cocktail recipe, don’t be put off: it’s actually a lot simpler than it looks, especially if you have the foresight to mix up a batch of simple syrup in advance.
1. Make simple syrup: Heat equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan until just before boiling and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Make up a big batch – say a cup of sugar and a cup of water – than toss it in the fridge … it’ll easily keep for a couple of weeks, during which time you’ll be able to whip up mojitos at a moment’s notice, to the delight of your very fortunate friends.
2. Place the mint leaves and 1 tbsp. of the simple syrup (cooled) in the glass, then squish it all around with a spoon (or whatever appropriate utensil you can find) for 20-30 seconds, until you can smell that good minty smell.
3. Cut the lime in half. Squeeze the juice out from both halves into the glass, then drop one half into the glass.
4. Pour in the rum and stir.
5. Add plenty of ice, then top off the mixture with club soda.
Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy!

The purse pattern

This is the purse pattern that my friend, co-worker and ebay store co-hort has come up with to put on eBay....it is just the cutest thing ever and is just the perfect size to actually use!!

Her directions for this purse ROCK!!!

Here's where to find it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180115656505&rd=1&rd=1

If I didn't have so much going on I'd hook one for myself!!!! I just love the colors that she used on this....so retro chic!!!

Here are a few close ups of the wool dyeing-a-thon that I had today:

So fun to just play, Play, PLAY!!

A day in the dye pots!

Today I took some time (okay...let's say I started at 8am and it's now 3pm) to dye wool for my eBay store. Here are just a few pictures of what I came up with today. I'm calling the multicolored wools "Fantasy Wools". They are one of a kind....meaning I didn't use a recipe or write things down....just dyeing to have fun. I've got one last batch of wools to wash and dry, so while those are doing their thing I'm going to try and get good pictures and list some of this stuff at www.skiptomyewe.com I'll also be adding a few new "as is" wools.....a little overwhelmed by just how much wool I need to photograph!!!

It was rainy today, so that's a good thing....makes it so much easier to stay inside....lots of thunder and lightning which Cleopatra DOES NOT LIKE. She's pretty much been my constant little buddy today following me all over the house....liking to stay close to her mom. Lying right at my feet as I type.

YAY! We've got vacation plans!!

YAY! Just got word that my husband is making our summer vacation plans......looks like we are Vegas bound again this summer.

We're staying at Caeser's Palace again. It's really one of our favorite places to stay because it is so centrally located to eating and shopping!! I just love to eat at the Cheesecake Factory and it's also close to a California Pizza Kitchen....I just LOVE their shrimp scampi pizza!! He's been doing his vacation research for us and they have re-done their spa and now have an arctic ice room with heated benches and snow!!! I've just got to try that!!!

I was really hoping to see Prince, but I hear he doesn't start there until November. Can't wait to hang out at the pool all day and go out for dancing and drinks at night!!

My other favorite Vegas things are the made to order smoked salmon and cream cheese omelettes at the Caeser's Palace breakfast buffet and there is the most wonderful lady in the Forum Shops by the Deli Cafe who makes "beautiful" white chocolate cappacinos.....she is just one of those people who always make you feel extra special. I always come back from Vegas wanting to make my patient's feel just as special when they leave from where I work.

Oh baby....I'd better start being extra vigilant with what I eat so I can eat all of these extra foods while I'm there! We're not going until August....when it's H*LL HOT ....but it's cheaper then!!

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

Basketful rug....hooking is done!

We were lucky to have another great day in the Ozarks today. I think it got all the way up to 89 degrees today. The day started off with some rain....just a few sprinkles.....of course it started raining just as I got Cleopatra and Truvy's harnesses on them as we had promised to take them to "dog Disneyworld" today. Dog Disneyworld is "Corporate Center" , a big business on the other side of the street from us....huge office complex with beautiful lawns and landscaping. We take them there about once a week to chase rabbits...they get so excited that they quiver when we pull into the drive. After the rain let up we loaded them up in the blazer and crossed the street. Good day for the rabbits....not such a good day for the girls.....we saw one rabbit, but it was in someone's yard across the street from the office....it was 8:30 am so we thought it wise not to point the rabbit out to the girls. Cleopatra is a silent stalker but Big Truvy is loud, Loud, LOUD!!! Today I finished hooking the "Basketful" rug for Convoy of Hope. Now I'm hoping to go to the fabric store this week and see if I can find some sort of floral fabric that would make a good border for this rug. I've never used regular fabric to bind a rug with, so I hope it turns out like I see it in my mind.

Once I had the "Basketful" hooked I had a chance to take a little nap.....it was so nice...warm outside, but we had a nice breeze blowing through the bedroom. I just love the feel of that old bumpy coverlet! Napping always makes me feel so spoiled!!! I woke up refreshed and wanting to tackle the Big Truvy rug again....I had dyed some wool for her lower neck and legs....rrrrrrrr....how can something that looks so easy be so hard....did a bit of reverse hooking on the legs, but I think I like how they are turning out...not so sure about her lower neck, however. I might end up re-hooking that, but for now I'm leaving it be.

This is the "Wild Vegas" rug that I hooked for our friend, David. It hangs in his Pilates studio. He's decided he wants to switch where it hangs, so I'm going to be sewing a pocket on the back so that it can hang the way below. We went to Las Vegas last year and David loved the floor at the Wynn Casino, so my husband designed this rug for him and helped pick out all of the wild colors. Let me tell you...this was a fun rug to hook and dye wool for.

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

Why I'm not dyeing wool today

I think if you look at the pictures you will know why I'm not dyeing wool today.....yes....that was the plan.....last night....however, it's such a beautiful day and I can't stand to stay in.

I'm sure folks will understand!!!

Girl on a Turtle....a gift from our friend, David.
The poppies are just spectacular....we dug them up from an old abandoned house about 11 years ago!!

This is our tri-colored beach....a gift to me from my husband....of course it's pink!

The columbines are keeping the bees busy, busy!

Cleopatra bringing me her ball to throw......AGAIN!

Varigated Virgina creeper.

Giving Back

I've done a lot of soul searching lately and after doing much research on-line today I've decided that when I finish my "Basketful" rug, I will donate the eBay auction proceeds to "Convoy of Hope". They are based in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri and help many people in the US and internationally.

To see what they are about click here http://www.convoyofhope.org/index.php

They were on site for our community of Springfield when we had the big ice storm and power outage this winter. Our house was out of power for 12 days.....it was very pioneer like and we were lucky to have a gas log, kerosene heater and gas powered hot water, so it was bearable. But for many here in the Ozarks who rely on electrically pumped well water they were not as fortunate. I remember seeing people lined up at the Convoy of Hope trucks to get fresh water, blankets and many other items needed for winter survival. The icy picture is a picture of the street I live on. http://www.convoyofhope.org/usnewsdetail.php?ID1=8

I'm putting up a challenge to other artists and rug hookers to pick out a favorite charity and donate part of your proceeds to that charity.

I will be giving 100% of my final selling price to Convoy of Hope.

When the rug is finished and I have it up for auction I will let you all know.

Kind of excited!!

Tammy

Creative Journey Part 5

This is a pattern from Judith Groff of Long Lane, Missouri. I hooked this wonderful little pineapple for a braiding class that I took with Helen Jeffery of Ozark, Missouri. I am so blessed to live in an area of the country with so much talent nearby!!! This is another piece that I will always keep. The wool for the pineapple came from Nelda Johnson of Warsaw, Missouri. Nelda is another "color seeker" and this was really the first piece that I hooked with non-primitive colors....however the dark background makes them seem a bit more subdued. The background and braiding wool were from recycled clothing. If you ever see hooked rugs with braiding around them, let me tell you...it is not an easy process!! This was braided by hand...without the aid of Braid-Aids. My favorite part of this piece is the little diamond of the pineapple that is a different color....just my touch of whimsey and oddity. I think I picked this little pillow up on one of my flea market jaunts....I love the cottage-y feel that it has....plus the fact that it is hand appliqued and embroidered....I love the soft aged colors of it....it sits on the bed in my hooking room.

Last night I got to hook with Dulcy, Katie and Kelly at Simply Fibers.....when you are with great people, the time just flies!!! I was hoping to have the hooking finished on this "Basketful" piece, but sometimes I do more talking than hooking :) Perhaps it will be finished this weekend.....not sure though as tonight is......

First Friday Art Walk downtown. Our downtown area has been undergoing a renewal for the past few years and the first Friday of each month all of the downtown art galleries stay open late....it's a fun time to walk outside and drop in on the art galleries and find a great place to eat and have a drink....we usually end up eating at Mille's Cafe where they have Tex Mex Eggrolls that are to die for!!! We're hoping to make it by Dulcy's husband's photography exhibit!! Then Saturday and Sunday is Art Fest on historic Walnut Street....I'm hoping to take many pictures to share with you here!!!

Favorite tools of the moment

Hi all! I made a bit more progress on the basket rug last night.....I think if I really work at it this evening I should have it ready to bind by the weekend.

Here are a few of my favorite tools for rug hooking. A little snippet bowl to hold those little pieces of wool that get snipped off of the rug....I think I picked this up at a craft show a few years back. The little lady bug has a pocket for your tools and a magnet that will hold your scissors. You can get this great little gadget from Brenis at Hey Diddle Woolies http://www.heydiddlewoolies.com/magnets.html

The red magic marker is a great tool to change a pattern that you receive and make it your own. That way you can easily see the changes you've made.

I'm not quite sure how well you can see this, but on the scissors there is a little key ring fob with a lampwork bead and sheep charm. These come from an eBay seller http://stores.ebay.com/Seahorse-Designs_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d999QQftidZ2QQtZkm They work great and help you keep from getting your scissors from getting mixed up with someone else's!

My favorite hook of the moment is the Ritchie hook. These are hand-made in England....if you want more information on these just e-mail me at skiptomyewe@hotmail.com and put HOOK in the subject line.

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

Rainy days

A rainy day here in the Ozarks....I think the first of many...we've (okay...I should say Kenny) is opening up our pool....he's got the cover off and has it filled, but the cleaning had to come to a halt last night due to the rain and it's supposed to continue through Saturday....me thinks we might have to think about building an Ark!

Of course the dogs are a little depressed....Truvy has curled up in her favorite chair....I try to keep a towel on it, but she insists on shoving it in the floor!!

Cleopatra prefers her little dog bed in the computer room....she likes to stay nearby.

Here is a picture of the progress on the "Basketful" rug...I hooked for a while last night while Kenny watched "Pirates of the Carribean"....I think it was part 2 in the series....I never could get into it.....thought it was rather dark.

Oh well.....going to jump in the dye pots today and see what I can come up with.

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

Another new project

OH, I must be crazy!! I've started yet another piece. I'm working on this smaller pattern from www.madhen.com called "Basketful". I'm hooking this for the Primitive Rug Hookers Group "May Day" launch that started yesterday. Hope to have it finished and bound by Thursday.....we'll see!! Definitely not drab, primitive colors. I'd call these more Carribean.....Maddi from Simply Fibers had a hand in the color planning on this. The colors make me smile!!
Go forth and be creative,
Tammy

I'm almost organized!

YAY! I'm almost finished organizing!! I decided to hang my "Vintage Turkey" rug on the front of one of my old cabinets. This cabinet is ALMOST organized....there is the bottom shelf that just has gobs of papers and STUFF...I will work on that this week.

I've decided to put some of my rugs on the floor in this room....now that I can actually see the floor.

Trying to decide if I want to leave my sewing machine out and use up this corner space or if I'd rather store it somewhere and put some sort of nice comfy hooking chair in that spot...it's a great spot with the windows....lots of that great natural light.

This is my new work table! I'm so excited! I sewed the fabric panels to go around it and now I can store more items like my overhead projector underneath. I can also pull it away from the wall if I have more people over to hook. Getting the panels attached was a real bear. I ended up using velcro.....sewing it onto the panels was easy enough, but getting the other side to stick to metal was a different issue....lots of cursing involved on that end. Tried different glues to no avail.....ended up using duck tape to adhere the velcro to the metal.

I hope to hook some pads to go on this tall stool as well as the little chair.....not sure if I'll keep them, but at least with them out it will remind me to do something with them.

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

Resting.....good for the spirit

I just had to put this picture on here! Big Truvy....she loves to nap!!
Today I washed all the sheets and put on a bedspread in place of the comforter....it got up in the 80's here today.
She loves a freshly made bed.....who doesn't.
Resting....it's good for the spirit.



Go forth and rest,
Tammy

Gift Giving!

Gift giving is a good thing!! This little robin that I call the "Spring Messenger" has hung on my cupboard door for a few years now.....such a happy fellow.
He now has a new home! At my husband's prompting I gave him as a birthday gift today to a great friend's mom.
She was tickled...which tickled me!
Go forth and give,
Tammy

The Flower Girl Rug

I finished hooking the "Flower Girl" rug today!!! Now for the embellishing! I'm going to cut out red flowers in the shape of the hooked red flowers and attach them in the middle and add beaded stamens as well as more beading to add a touch of whimsey to the rug. My trip to the bead store was quite an experience....oh my gosh....all the stuff they had to pick from......I dropped about $35 for the items pictured below.....can't wait to start attaching things!!!

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy

The Wild Hearts Purse

Today I'm off to teach a beginning rug hooking class. It's always fun getting ready for it and deciding what finished projects to take for them to look at. This is one of the things I'm taking with me today. It's a purse that I made in a rug hooking class with Nola Heidbreder of www.NolaHooks.com she is such an inspiring teacher!!! Here are some close-up pictures....I did go kind of WILD with this purse....wild colors.....

beading.....

and a sparkly crocheted handle

It just screams WILD!!! Of course I'll have to wear something wild to go with it today.....hope I don't scare these students away....I've also taken a few "traditional and primitive" rugs as well.

Go forth and be creative,

Tammy