So busy, too busy to blog, lots of pictures, no time to post them.  Sorry.  Here are several wool crazy pictures that have progressed right along.  Lots of fun, inspirational ideas.

These two pictures are the beginning of a snowman wool crazy block.  Can't wait to see these stitched down and applique started.

I've had several Halloween Recipe Book classes and the class gets so busy and involved I forget to take pictures.  So sorry everyone that has been in the class, but here are just a couple of pictures I believe from the first class.  The books have turned out awesome and everyone has really enjoyed the class.  It's a little over the top, but still fun.

I've had one wool dying class.  Again, forgot to take pictures of the ladies dying their wool so Heather was nice enough to pose at the dye pot so I could have one picture.  (notice the pot is empty!!)  Thanks Heather!

This was our dye formula mixing area.  Looks like mad scientists at work!

Now for some "tease" pictures.  I snapped a few pictures when the gals got together for a planning meeting for the porch sale.  Evette brought along a couple things she was working on, in varous stages of completion.  So these pictures are just snippets of a couple things she had started.

And what could these be??  Laura is busy making wonderful quilted oven mitts.  I have already picked out a few that I think will make great Christmas gifts.  They will be in the porch sale.

I was putting together kits for one of my classes recently and decided to just dump out the whole basket of floss to make it easier to find what I was looking for.  The colors were just so inspiring I just had to take a picture.  Oh to be able to use up all that floss......................

We're still in the 90's even though fall is on the calendar.  I think by the weekend we should have some relief (in the 80's) which would be welcome and maybe some rain on Sunday which would be wonderful.  So all you people in the north, we're envious of your cooler temperatures!!!!  Blow some cool air our way please.

For those of you in the area, the porch sale is coming up quickly.  The date is October 23 starting at 10am.  You can contact me if you need directions.

Make sure you do some stitching today...................

We took off Tuesday morning to surprise our youngest son Eric for his 30th birthday.  He had no idea we were going to be heading his way at all.  The plan was that we would be at a restaurant at an appointed time and his wife and friend would bring him to dinner and there we would be.  I talked to Eric from the home phone before we left the house to wish him a happy birthday and to say I wish we could be there to help him celebrate.  He had no clue!!  On the way up the highway I worked on acorns for the upcoming porch sale.  We had a six hour drive so I got quite a few acorns stuffed.  The dash served as a handy holding place as they accumulated.

I didn't get to take a picture of Eric at the restaurant when we surprised him so this is him reenacting the moment.  We were hiding our faces behind menus as he walked to the table, wondering why the hostess was trying to seat him at a table where people were already seated.  He was so totally shocked to see us sitting there.  PRICELESS!!!

Eric opening his gifts and acting shocked and surprised again.  He is so funny with the faces.

Mom, what's this?

And of course, a music playing football card.  I told Eric he might save this for his next fantasy football draft should he win the season since it plays "We Are the Champions".

Happy #30 Eric......

And on the way down the highway I worked on gingerbread men.  They were also filling the dashboard.  At least I got some "work" time in the car.  Mark and I stopped at quite a few antique malls on the way home.  The trip took us almost 11 hours to get home from all the stopping.  Found a couple of treasures along the way.  Bought a beautiful cross-stitched quilt in Maryland.  Not sure what drew me to this quilt but I kept going back to it.  So it came home with me.  Also bought another white tone on tone quilt.  That may be snowmen someday. 

It was nice to get away for a few days and wonderful to see Eric & Kristen (and Chad) and we can't forget Eric's sweet dog Molly.  Now it's back to reality and work and classes, and cleaning and fall decorating.  All good stuff!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC

Where did the years go?  My sweet little baby boy will be turning 30 tomorrow, September 14.  How could that have happened?  I remember when I turned 30.....how could I possibly be the mother of a 30 year old?!!  Oh my......I guess we can't make time stand still. 

Eric loves his sweet doggie Molly

Keeping Raleigh company at one of Reagan's T-ball games this summer

Giving Reagan some advice before she goes back to the field....what a good Uncle Eric!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET ERIC! 

Wish we could be with you on this special birthday.  We love you bunches......................

What a busy Labor Day weekend I had.  Lots of fun classes ending up on Monday with the Hoot Owl pincushion made from a pattern from my good friend Debbie Busby of Wooden Spool Designs.  The ladies all had a great time making their pincushions.

Evette and Betsy (all the way from New York!) were just beginning to stuff their pincushions.

And Barbara was trying to hide hers under the table for some reason!  It turned out really cute.

And this group of ladies moved to my back porch to finish their owls.  They're looking a little relaxed.  Louise (from northern Virginia)  was here visiting her friend Tricia for the weekend so she took a couple of classes with me.  I think she had a good time here in the sunny south!

Cornie (short for Cornelia) and Teresa also found their way to the porch.  They just looked to relaxed out there.

Cornie was just so happy I could resist another picture of her. 

And here's proud Evette with her hootie owl and new pattern.  She was the first to get finished to she's the only "done" picture I'll share.  This is Evette whose son was in the very serious car accident that I've been asking prayers for her and her family.  So her son is out of the hospital, going to therapies, doing better with a ways to go in his recovery phase.  But as you can see, she was able to come and have fun at a class and relax a bit.  It was good to see her out and about again.

Now these next pictures are just a bit of a tease.  Not sure why I feel it necessary to tease you but I am.  Just some "unfinished" goodies for the upcoming porch sale.  They'll eventually be turned into something.  I don't even know what yet......so don't ask!!

Evette brought a few of the things she's working on for the sale also so here are a couple snippets of her projects.  We have been working on cross stitch, embroidery, wool, primitive, vintage, who knows what.  I can't wait to see it all together.  Come one, come all.......................

Raleigh had her first ballet/tap class on Thursday.  She was so adorable and so excited to start her new dance class.  She was a little timid at first about going into the classroom.  I walked her to the door, she sat down right in front of the instructor and said "This is my first time."  I thought I had never seen or heard anything sweeter.  We may have a budding ballerina!

Today was the first Halloween Recipe Book class.  I had eight anxious women show up at my house bright and early excited to create this wonderful, fun book.  Well I say it's wonderful because I created it!!  I think everyone had a great time.  I even fed them lunch to keep up their energy so they could get their books completed.  Kim and her daughter Susan worked well together all day.  What a great bonding time.

Elaine & Kara seemed to stay right on task.  They both seemed to intense on what they were working on.

Tricia just has fun whatever class she takes.  I don't even remember what she was doing here but she was enjoying it or else saying you want me to do what???

Louise is Tricia's good friend and came all the way from northern Virginia just to take my classes.  Well, I would like to think that's why she came but it was actually to visit Tricia.  Good for her I scheduled classes because I knew she was coming!!

Leslie worked very methodically and added colored pencil embellishments to a lot of her pages.  I loved some of the accents that created.  A little artist!

Now of course Linda didn't want me to take her picture.  So of course I had to take her picture.  I always say that I am the only one that attends my classes that is in the witness protection program.  So all's fair in love and picture taking..............she was having a good time anyway, I think...........

We finally got a break in the weather today, in the mid-80's and low humidity.  I didn't know this until I walked out after class and was able to breathe the air.  How wonderful.  And the butterflies were just loving my butterfly bush.  They're so beautiful and graceful.  Snapped a bunch of pictures but here are a couple.  I just sort of followed this little guy all around.  He didn't seem to mind.

And look who's riding in my car!!!!  Found this guy at the flea market last weekend.  The pumpkin base lights up.  I just can't wait to put him on my front porch, maybe for the PUMPKIN PATCH PORCH SALE!!!  I got a lot of looks as I drove home from the flea market, but no more than when I put my vintage 50's stuffed Santa in the front seat at Christmas time.  Have to keep life interesting.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

WOOL CRAZY, WOOL CRAZY, WOOL CRAZY!!!!!!!

I don't know how many of you know about the wool crazy craze, but here in Raleigh lots of women are making wool crazy blocks.  I had quite a few ladies in the classroom this weekend, working on their blocks.  Some are just starting and some are adding the appliques to the block, which is the MOST FUN!  So this blog is dedicated to my weekend wool crazy ladies.........

Uh-oh.....Sarah has gone wool scrap crazy.  We were pretending like she was sitting in a pile of leaves, wool leaves!

Jennifer is the latest addition to the wool crazy craze.  She got her block all layed out so now she will be caught up with the other groups and can start her appliques.

This was a sweet pincushion Ann was using during class.  Of course I couldn't resist a picture of a pumpkin!!!  I hinted that this would make a great gift for a certain teacher!!!!!!

We're still hot and humid in the south, 99 yesterday and 95 today, with Earl possibly attacking our coast tomorrow.  I just hope that if the hurricane does come to our coast, that we at least get a little rain and relief from the heat. 

All the ladies that are participating in the porch sale are busy creating lots of wonderful treasures.  Hope to see bunches of you in October!