New Year's Giveaway

I've been thinking of what resolutions I'll be adopting this year, if any.....and so far the only one I've come up with is not to buy any wool cloth for a year. I'm sure vendors everywhere are cringing at the thought....but I really do have a huge supply right now. In fact, I probably have enough wool to last me the rest of my life (and not because it's all so ugly that I would stop hooking, either - it's great wool, there is just soooooo much of it).

The truth is that I've been buying and acquiring more wool that I've been using, and the supply is exceeding the demand. Apart from the first year or so when I had no stash to speak of....I've added to my shelves every year since I started hooking 10 years ago. To further add to the already plentiful stash, I received a tremendous amount of wool from AJ when she cleaned out her wool closet this Fall. Now I really have no more room in my little place for any additional piles of wool. I have way too much stuff, and I need to use it - or lose it!

I'm going to dye and I'm going to hook....and hook....and hook, with more of the wool I've already got. My challenge will be to work with what I have (which really shouldn't be too hard, given the selection and variety available to choose from). The past year has been busy, and I'm really looking forward to spending time at home, alone with my hook and frame, just creating. My list of ideas is long...and I can't wait to get started (just as soon as I recharge my batteries for a little bit longer, over the next few days).

What are your resolutions for the new year? Share one with me in the comments - and let me know what is missing from your stash. I will randomly pick winners early in the new year, and I will happily share some of my stash with the luckiest ones....

P.S. The photo above is an old one -- it would take me almost all day to assemble the whole stash in the same room....then I'd probably need to get a special lens just to fit it all in one frame! Just let me know what colour of wool you really need...and I will do my best to help supplement your stash.

other things we did...and places we went

We saw a show on Broadway...very entertaining.


We went to the Guggenheim. I love the layout of this museum, where you start on the top floor and slowly walk down the spiral. It's hard to get lost - and hard to miss anything. The only disappointment is that both times I've visited (many years apart) the main exhibit hasn't really appealed to me. Hannah and I had lots of fun anyway, identifying the shapes and the stories in the paintings as we walked by.....very spur of the moment and quite imaginative -- and amusing when we both announced exactly the same thing at the same time.


We took the cliche carriage ride through Central Park. I'd managed to avoid it on my previous visits....but Hannah has watched a lot of "Sex in the City", so it was a required stop.


We did lots and lots of shopping, but not too much spending. Long line-ups (sometimes even to get into a store, if you can believe it!) helped you make sure you really wanted to buy things. We shopped along Fifth Avenue, hitting the flagship stores and the fancy department stores, too. We went into a Missoni store (have I mentioned how much I love the colours, patterns and designs of Missoni?) We shopped in Soho, where I managed to check out Purl and Purl Patchwork (and came home with a small bag of goodies from each place). I was amazed to discover how tiny the stores were - less than half of the size I'd imagined....


We went to the top of the Empire State Building. Unfortunately it was a cold and windy night, so we didn't stay outside too long - plus we lost track of time and missed the pre-dusk views.


We fit in a visit to the American Folk Art Museum. Again, the current exhibits were not my favourites (I've enjoyed my other trips there much more).....but I will definitely go back there again and again....

We caught a couple of movies: Up in the Air (good) and Avatar (amazing - and a must-see on the big screen).

We had an amazing and special dinner at The Buddha Bar (Ajna Bar)....very, very yummy food in a cool atmosphere. The only drawback was the bill - not exactly my idea of "moderately priced", Mr. Concierge. We ate a huge (and tasty) sandwich at the famous Carnegie Deli. We drank lots of Starbucks. We had indulgent room service. We ate at other good (but not really memorable) places...

We walked, and walked and walked. We also took the subway, bus and a couple of yellow cabs....but mostly we did a lot of walking. We did so much walking, that when I got home both my Doctor and I thought that I'd fractured a bone in my foot (luckily the xray was clean....and my foot is doing a lot better with all of the rest it's been getting...).

Over 5 days and nights in the Big Apple, we saw lots of things and went lots of places. We had a wonderful time.

Museum of Natural History

On Sunday we ventured out in the snow (almost a foot fell overnight - I guess we brought it with us?) to the American Museum of Natural History.


I love the dioramas...especially the African animals....




...and of course there are the famous dinosaurs....


I really enjoyed the selection and the display methods in the Biodiveristy hall (at least I think this is what it was called....) I would love to have a job arranging such things....





The area devoted to minerals was very interesting, too. This geode was probably about a foot in diameter (if my memory serves....)


A favourite was definitely the opals. So pretty - and so large!



Native North American exhibit....(quite dark rooms made flash-less photos a challenge)

(taken especially for AJ -- she made a hooked version of a Chilkat dancing blanket)

A very cool place.

The Met

On Saturday we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I cannot tell you how much I loved being allowed to take photos (without flash, of course) in most of the NYC museums.

At the Met, Hannah and I spent quite a bit of time - and particularly enjoyed - seeing the Egyptian Art. Here is a sampling of my pics....











While it was amazing to see so many artifacts, I also found it more than a little troubling that these graves and tombs were disturbed (and essentially robbed). From what I saw, most of the pieces were collected over 100 years ago.....I can only hope that the same would not happen today.

On a brighter note, we also saw more than a couple of pictures I would never grow tired of seeing on my wall, including this one....



The Met is so large that it's impossible to see everything in a single visit. We did have a quick walk-though the African Art wing and I fell in love with these images hanging from the ceiling...


Some of the Met's collection is featured in their on-line collection database, where you can see pictures and learn more about individual works. Be careful - you can get lost in there....and easily lose all track of time! ;-)

Saved for another visit: European Masters and The Cloisters (and consequently The Unicorn Tapestries).

More on MOMA

....a continuation of the pictures previously posted here....



See all of the pretty colours....and check out the green moustache....



Christina's World is amazing....and one of the few paintings I saw that I would really love to have hanging on my wall. I've included the person in the photo above to give you some idea of the size of the picture. What amazed me the most about this piece was the amazing detail -- check out this close-up of the house....


...and the story behind the painting. As with hooked rugs, knowing the inspiration for the work really adds to your appreciation of it.


There is also a fascinating Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA right now. No (forbidden) pictures to share, sadly....but I can tell you that it's worthwhile going if you're a fan of his movies (including Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, etc., etc.) There are sketches and journal pages going back to high school, descriptions of characters (in his own writing), costumes and props (including Edward), lots of funny sketches (take the time to read the written notes - you won't regret it!).....and more on display. The exhibit runs through April 26th, 2010.

all caught up

I'm home for a quick day of playing catch-up. I've been taking it easy for the last few days....eating, drinking, reading, playing games and just hanging out with family. It's been great!

Despite my neglect in the e-mail department, I'm happy to say that I'm all caught up now. My inbox is empty (and not because I declared e-mail bankruptcy! ha ha!)....so if you're still patiently awaiting a response, I didn't receive your message, so please try again.

Although I'm still on holidays through this week, I am heading back up to my folks tomorrow to finish off the last few days of 2009 with more R&Rs (reading, resting, relaxing, repasting, reclining, rejuvenating...etc.). I will be posting a few more pictures from my trip now and some more later...and I'm looking to starting some fun new projects in the new year ahead.

Upcoming Event...Fibre Friendship Day

I've always wanted to attend the Fibre Friendship Day at the Bruce County Museum, but it's always conflicted with my real job. Here are all of the details, in case you're able to go....

FIBRE FRIENDSHIP DAY
Wednesday June 2, 2010
Bruce County Museum,Southampton
Lunch,Speakers,Prizes
Advance tickets only • $20.00
1-519-797-2080 1-866-318-8889
Visa - PayPal - Mastercard

Ho! Ho! Ho!

....back from a wonderful week in NYC. Today has been busy re-entering
my normal life and getting ready for the big day tomorrow.

Merry Christmas...and wishes for joy, peace and love to you all.

a hint...

Our destination required my niece and I to take a short flight....and since we arrived on Friday, we've been busy taking in all of the sights (and blogging has obviously taken a back-seat). Here are some pictures from one of our stops on Friday afternoon....







Pictures are all I have time for today - we've got a long list of things to see and do...