Needle Felted Rock Heads

2012-01-01T16:27:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year

Grandpa Henry and his Cousin Alfred

WOW! It's hard to believe that 2011 is already gone. The older ya get it just seems like the years fly by! This last year was very busy for my family here in Minnesota and alot of changes from being excited over the new house to as my little kids say "Mr. Mean Tornado" made a visit on July 1st and changed all of our plans for the rest of year.

That was O.K. sometimes it takes a jolt in your life to really make you think and then you get back in the saddle and push on.

I didn't have much time for blogging or the "Rock Heads" this past year. I think we finally have some things back to normal shhhhhhhhhhhh! lets not jinx things yet.

My "Rock Heads" had a long talk with me,about getting some Characters made. I have had a lot of inquiries on if I am selling them yet, or I have even gotten some wonderful ideas from some of you. So I am going to take the bull by the horns and plunge in. A little scary for me, but exciting. My plans are in the works so I will keep you all informed.

I also had many of you ask how the little kids are doing, thank you. They are all doing great and love my "Rock Heads", I do believe that this wonderful craft of Needle Felting has helped them too. FAS is a very diffucult disability and it never goes away, and some days are very trying for us, but with all the friends I have made through Needle Felting ,our family and our friends that I call on a regular basis or call me to check in and are always there to yell at me when needed or I can vent to Thank you.!

Cousin Alfred and Annie

It's time to get back to the fun stuff,my "Rock Heads". Wow as many of my family and friends said to me this past Holiday Season. I decided to do a Secret Santa gift Exchange with the Workshop that I belong to. www.Theneedlefeltersworkshop.com that was started by Kay Petal and her husband,what a wonderful place on the net. When I told my husband I had signed up for it, he just smiled and said you have to ship a "Rock Head" out for EVER! Heck I knew that, the very first Rock Head to leave home for real! Do you know how hard it is to part with a Character you made! Oh I was excited but then it was oh crap is the person that receives this Rock going to like it. So the kids and I decided that it would be cool if a cousin left home. So Cousin Alfred was born, he ended up in New York a place I have never been. The family that received Cousin Alfred love him, and he couldn't be happier, by the picture I have seen he is smiling.

Well shipping him out was pretty easy, I did hire part of my summer Security team back, she did a pretty good job of it. She even stayed awake this time.

Moe the Moose made sure it was Cousin Alfred in the box.

As you can see Cousin Alfred watched over all he could. Security did scare him a bit,he had heard some pretty hairy stories from some of the Rock Heads. Gotta say She did a good job his time.

But before he left all the "Rock Heads" had a party for him and they also wanted to wish him well,in his new adventure. Even my good friends from Germany came out to see him off. (They don't like their picture to be taken so all my little gnomes are on the Christmas house,look hard and you can see a few). Those little guys (gnomes) really didn't think I had it me to send one off. Just to make them feel at home Cousin Alfred did spend a little bit of time at the Brewery, little does he know my 3 little children were told it was a Root Beer Brewery. Hey they believe anything I tell them. Before Christmas I told the children that Toys 'R" Us closes to all children,hey they believed it.

Fred and Louise did tell Cusin Alfred if he is ever back this way, to stop in and they would fix him a Martini. Fred is just hoping for a few good fishing stories. I am sure as the Rock Heads go they will some how stay in contact.

Here he is by our "Root Beer Brewery" Alfred sure did have a good time visiting here.

He even made time to sit in Santa's lap.

So that was Cousin Alfred's stay with us, he was quite busy while he was here, hopefully he was able to get some rest at his new home,before starting the New Year.

I received the most cutest and wonderful little Gingerbread lady in the mail from an artist that lives in Alabama. We all named her "Miss Ginger" Well Louise tried to make her a welcoming Martini but "Miss Ginger let her know all she drinks is milk.

Look those little gnomes came out to see Miss Ginger. Everyone is smiling, and happy to have a new friend.

Mrs. Claus really had a good time snuggling with Miss Ginger,just look at them they were smiling and probably swapping some good cookie recipes.

I hope you all had a great Holiday Season and have a wonderful,prosperous, and healthy New Year. Take Care and please do let me know what you think about my "Rock Heads".

Until Next Time ..........................

Grandpa Ernie

2011-09-01T22:33:00.000-05:00

Grandpa Ernie

Ok now Grandpa Ernie has gotten your attention, or you are all thinking what in the poo............. am I doing now!

I belong to this really Cool Workshop on line, www.theneedlefeltersworkshop.com and Kay Petal the owner has these challenges for her members, so much fun, you can learn needle felting from her and get advice from and support from all her members. If you ever wanted to learn this craft of Needle Felting this is where you belong! So please make sure you check it out or go to Facebook and look up The needle Felters Workshop page.

Ok back to Grandpa Ernie, the Challenge was to make a head and put it in a jar. Basically the idea came from the adult Cartoon "Futurama". Well I never had seen this Cartoon before, so I watched it one night and decided this would be a fun Challenge.

After "Mr. Mean Tornado" had come and gone, we were cleaning out what used to be where the shop was that I had all my Ceramic supplies in and I came across some water globes I had purchased years ago, now some were in tact just scattered and of course some were shattered.
The light bulb lit up in my head, hey better than a jar I will put my head in a water globe.

Grandpa Ernie is Needle felted on 2 rocks. One for his head and 1 for the bust. Did you notice his eyes well they are 2 LED lights.
Hey he is preserved so don't think maybe his eyes may glow by now!
I did his head in a Grey wool or its called Fun Felt and I purchased that from www.needlefeltingsupplies.com ( Kay Petal and Patti from Dream Felt own it,great wool. )
Grandpa has been perserved so he is a little on the pale side. But he sure does have a nice smile.

As the story is told by Uncle Henry it all started on one long and hot Summer day,back in 1940 down by the old rock creek,where the fishin was always good and the water ran fast.
Grandpa Ernie was always down at the creek so no one thought anything about it when he didn't return for a few days. The town just thought he must of snagged himself a big one or just plain ran off with the sexy old bar maid that worked at the local saloon in town. Back in them days it was named The Flying Rock.
So for years and years that was the story. UNTIL........................

Just the other day Uncle Henry was getting ready to go on his annual fishing trip with all his friends and there on the porch was Grandpa Ernie whistling a tune! It was a little foggy out so Henry did take a double take, it wasn't so weird for him to see just a head as lot of his friends are just Rock Heads, but it sure was different to see one in a jar with glowing eyes.

Grandpa and Henry

Grandpa let Henry know that back on that day he had just sat down on his favorite rock cracked open a beer and Boom!!!!!!!!! All he remembers is a big green light. But look at Henry he doesn't care he is smiling ear to ear, Grandpa is back now he can learn all those cool fishing tricks and just maybe he might finally catch a fish! Henry just couldn't keep this a secret and he knew no one would believe him, that his grandpa lived in a jar.

Fred,Grandpa and Harvey

Well Look at Fred he thinks this is so cool another Rock head to tell his fishing stories too,but I don't think Grandpa is going to listen for long,once Tammy stops over!.

Fred,Tammy,Grandpa and Uncle Frank

My OH My just look at Fred,Grandpa and Uncle Frank, Boy does Tammy know how to turn the charm on. OOH LA LA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now Grandpa just wants to hear all about Tammy and her fishing stories but she doesn't have any. All she does is gossip and play bingo on Saturday nights. Don't think Grandpa or the rest of them careand she may have some new bingo customers this Saturday!

All my helping Gnomes from Germany

Now I have these Gnomes that were sent over from Germany to help us with the clean up from the Tornado earlier this Summer,they came from a good Needle Felting Friend of mine Angela. All of them were out working and they seen this odd looking glass ball and he was talking. So they all took a break and came over to make sure he belonged here. Did they get a kick out of this. Laughed and Laughed. Can you just imagine what a bunch of little gnomes would like on top of your head with his axe!
I am sure all my gnome friends are thinking us Minnesotans are different, well at least me! Sure do love them though.

Tommy, Tammy and Grandpa

The fun has only just begun with Grandpa. The whole Crew wants to have a big picinic for grandpa and have him tell them all about how he bacame a head in a water globe. Sounds kind of Kooky and gross to me. Oh its my story! But then again this has been the biggest News story to hit town in a long time. Some day soon though Grandpa does want to get to the big Museum to meet the other Heads. "The Needle Felted Head Museum". Betcha he will be the only "Rock Head" there.
But I have seen some of those Heads and Grandpa's eyes are going to get brighter............ So until the Picinic when everyone comes out to meet Grandpa thanks again for reading and Everyone Take Care...............

Max and his very Interesting Family Story

2011-07-08T16:44:00.000-05:00

WOW! I looked at when I posted Tammy Tulip's blog, and that was at the end of April of this year. Boy does time fly by. I have been so busy, we first of all spent pretty much all the month of May with Dr. appt.'s with the kids and then we had Pre-School graduation! and school was out. We have been working on our new house pretty much non stop. We have gotten some landscaping done, but boy oh boy the humidity is back! If you don't know Minnesota is pretty famous for HUMIDITY! I do believe as we age it gets harder to stay outside during the day.

I finally after so long I finished my Needle felted Rock Head that lives in a Tree.
Max is an old man that lives in a tree on his lake, he loves to tell fishing stories, while all his friends gather around to fish or just relax.

Clarence the Moose, Henry and Max all spending a relaxing day at the lake

All of his buddies sure did enjoy themselves that day. A couple of evenings later Tommy Twister of the Rockin Rock Tornados stopped by with Tammy Tulip and they all sat around and sang songs.

Tammy Tulip, Tommy Twister and Max

I had so much fun and laughs making Max,here is a pic of him by himself

Max

Now some of you that read this and see Max will say, WOW she has really gone of her rocker, a head in a tree, or some may say cool, or maybe even that is one of the different things I have seen done. I love all of those comments!

My own family even just smiled at me and said OK Pam! I even looked at Max and thought where did I come up with this idea Needle Felting a Rock Head in a tree and then put a solar light on top,so at night you could see where you were going.
Guess what Max had and has a purpose 1 week ago today SW Minnesota had some terrible storms and as my middle little guy says "Mr. Mean Tornado" came he took my barn, my Dad's beautiful tree and left me my camping chair and my family. My older girl stated look Mom Max is lit up on your desk now we can see until they turn our lights on.
Max was a friend in a tree at just the right time! You do know pottying is pretty important stuff and girls can't potty outside by trees. We lost a lot of trees on that afternoon, but I betcha we will be making a lot of friends with some.
The kids now love to set Max outside during the day and charge his solar battery and bring him in at night for a sense of Security.

Max Charging for his evening time!

There was a lot of damage for alot of families and businesses all over on that day, but by the grace of god no one was hurt.
For my family we will be fine and clean up will be long, with Family and friends we will re build a barn and oh yes more landscaping after the MUD! :)

Just think about how on those days when we all have lost electricity,how a small friend with his light would be comforting. I never dreamed that Max would be a hit with the kids, but he takes no batteries or electricity, just UV rays or sun. He also doesn't care if they are crying, mad or upset.
Once again as always he has a smile on his face.

I do hope to be able to Needle felt again soon, I miss it dearly. Please do let me know how you like Max even if you think he is Kooky! :)
Take Care Everyone Until next time ..............................

MISS TAMMY TULIP / NEEDLE FELTED WOMAN

2011-04-26T21:45:00.000-05:00

MEET

TAMMY TULIP

Hello My name is Tammy Tulip

Just a "Ray of Sunshine"

Tammy is quite the girl. She loves spring. Its not to hot, so her hair doesn't frizz in the humdity,her lipstick stays looking good. She can go walking everyday, Flower gardening is her passion. She just loves to plant flowers and tell everyone else how to do it too! But she has such a sweet and loving attitude, no one seems to get irrated by her. But I not sure how many people actually listen to her either. Tammy doesn't care, she is off to talk to the next person.

Side View of Tammy

Now let me let you all, she is pretty proud of her booty, and how she stays in shape. She walks everyday and is constantly waving. Now where Tammy lives is Rural, so she has to walk a mile or 2 to the next neighbor.

She does love to go to town on Saturday night and play "Bingo". You can just imagine how happy they are to see Tammy running the Bingo wheel!

I put Tammy on our island in the kitchen and everyone that walked by for the past couple of days,
started talking to her. Oh was she in Heaven, smiles from ear to ear. I am getting a little worried she might start an advice column!
Could you just see that and the topics! Next thing I know she will be twittering, I had to put her away when she started talking to the head of Security about a Neighborhood B-Que and if Tommy Twister would perform.

Tammy says,
BYE! BYE! until next time.

If I know her she will be back real soon.
I am going to do a little blog on the making of her and what I used to make her clothes too.
Take care and again thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoyed.
Pam

The Making of Tommy Twister

2011-04-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

I wasn't able to finish this blog, a couple of weeks ago. We have been so busy. So I am going to start with Tommy.

Tommy Twister

the

Making of a "Rockin Rock Star"

Well, Tommy has been on the back burner for a long time now. Back last year when I started all this Rock Needle felting,I started to keep a notebook of all my ideas and names to use. Then towns, started popping up(or should I say in my head)! So I have everything written in this notebook, on napkins and on the back of envelopes. Well, a Facebook friend, said I should do a Rock Star,this was last summer. I thought cool, well never did do him.

Then I started the Rock People with Henry, and I thought very fitting for my Rock Star to be a full Rock person.

Now Like I said before he is shy- shhhhhhh about his rocks, but in dim light I got a picture of him all together and he has his guitar pinned to his body.

Tommy Put together

I have Tommy put together here, I struggled and struggled and get him to stand by himself and I have no wire in him, the joints work real well, he never would stand by himself. But he is still happy. Do you know how many times he sang "Rock, Rock, Rock" ? Well, I do!!! I think I dreamed about it too.

These are the rocks I used in the making of Tommy. 1 for his body,1 for the head the 2 are the bottom of his feet and the last one is his guitar.

Here is Tommy staring up at his chest and thinking WOW! I have a little muscle there. I don't finish the face until I get the body done. I am constantly playing with the size. You know 2 head size for this an that or 1 1/2 head size. So I use my head for measuring. They never seem to mind, there is always a smile on their face! Now I can't say I get the size right, but I am trying.

I should have showed you all this one first, Look Tommy is so happy with his rock chest!

He was so much fun to make. The laughs I got from family and friends. But the truth be told, everyone already thinks I am crazy!

Here is Tommy one more time competely done with his guitar. Now a little bit about the guitar. I used that flat rock in the body of it and then just needle felted the rest of it. I used Jewelry wire for the strings. and a very small crushed rock for his pick.

Thanks again for looking. Tommy will keep rocking on. He is looking forward to having another concert someday, before he goes on an adventure. Remember my Security, well lets just hope they do better.

Take Care, Until next time

Pam

Meet Rockin Rock "Tommy Twister"

2011-04-07T20:49:00.000-05:00

"Good Afternoon"

I was asked by a few and teased about when would I do a Rockin Rock! Well he was in the plans last summer, but at that time he was only going to be a head needle felted out of a rock. But we all know how my rocks grow:) I am first going to blog on Tommy's story and then I will post how he came to life and show his shhhh! rocks. He is pretty quiet about his rocks! Not a bragger. His head is 1 rock, his manly chest is 1 rock, both feet have a flat small rock on bottom of them. His guitar is a rock and the pick is a rock. I used a necklace from my grandmother's old jewerly and cut it up to make him a necklace and bracelet. She would probably say PAMELA! and then smile at me and realize there would be nothing to say. But Tommy really likes his jewerly!

My little kids picked out the colors for the guitar.

So here he is

Tommy and Moose" Mo

My one older daughter that helps me sometimes with my stories or setting up for pic's found this rock for his rock stage! It is prefect as you will see. Well my little Moose Mo who by the way thinks he can ride a skateboard, all of sudden jumped on stage when Tommy was rehearsing and was busting out Moose moves my son said.

Now the first thing my husband said to me was,hey Tommy is holding his guitar backwards, well he is not I am left handed and I made him that way(honestly shhhh I didn't even think about that until he said something,but I am not telling him that) ,So Tommy is la left handed guitar player.

Security for the Concert

So I was told the first thing you have to do is hire Security well being a week day and we do live in the Country and when I tell people I do rocks or even my little kids say "My Mom needle's rocks with wool", you really don't get much help. So I hired or begged my daughter and the resident cat Jack to help. Well they both fell asleep on me in the sun! So I was on my own, I sure hope they wake in time for the concert.

WOW! What a crowd

I sure was lucky that this crowd wasn't wild and pushy. They just all were smiling and very happy it was a sunny day day out and the snow was melting away. That stinky little Mo he made it up front of the stage again, boy he is a fast little Moose. See the shadow off to the right, well that was my hired security, SLEEPING! Personally I wouldn't hire them again,but you never know I am push over and they were pretty cheap.

The one and only Tommy Twister

Look at that crowd so they are so quiet listening to Tommy play and sing his jingle. So here is a little jingle my 7 ,6,5 and --- year old kids helped me with. The head of my fine Security probably wouldn't want me to tell everyone her age. But I honestly couldn't have done this quirky little jingle with out her. Now I really don't know if this is a true jingle format or what, we just had fun and went with it.

"My name is Tommy Twister,I am with the band Rockin Rock Tornado's, I came to Stone Vally Minnesota to visit my good friend Benny. I just learned he has aquired the "On the rocks" Saloon. So he asked me to sing a little Jingle for you all.

"Just look around there is a rock for everyone.

From the oceans,to the lakes and down the rivers

to the mountains and the fields

in this great World we live.

Rock,Rock,Rock

needle it, needle it, needle it

Whenever you look down and find that one special rock,

it will always be smiling up at you

rock, rock,rock

needle it, needle it, needle it

So bring that one special rock home today!

wrap that smiling rock up in some wool

bring it to life in your own special way

but don't forget to

Rock, Rock,Rock

needle it, needle it needle it "

ROCK!!!!!!

This jingle was put together and made up by Amanda, Megan, Dakota,April and Pam (Mom) and is for all Needle Felters and Rock Heads (C) April of 2011

Tommy ,Henry and Clarence the Moose

Tommy ended his concert by the field where his rocks came from and and his Rockin career began.

So the story will be tomorrow on how Tommy started, but for now I leave you all with my Rock Head 's and friends heading over to the Saloon for a nice cold drink on the rocks.

So until next time.............

Thanks again for reading and please give me feedback. Take care Pam

Mr. Henry the Fisherman My first Needle Felted Rock Doll

2011-03-21T17:32:00.001-05:00

Good Afternoon!

Meet Henry the fisherman. He is quite the little character. He is needle Felted using 4 rocks in different places. 1 rock for his head(of course), 1 rock that fits his bottom and is flat on one side perfect for sitting,those long hours waiting for fish. I then decided he really needed to protect his feet when walking to and from the lakes. You never know if a rock may fall on them. Get it! :) So he has Rock toed boots on.

Henry the Fisherman

Ok now he is ready for any kind of fishing. I got to thinking when working on him, my Dad and brother both tied flies for fly fishing in Colorado. They both have since passed away. So we had a metal fly box put up of their flies and Henry has 2 of them in his hat. Then my brain even went further, I loved fishing for bull heads here in Minnesota with my grandpa as a child with the bamboo poles and then for my miniatures I had picked up these 2 small lures at one time, they are for ice fishing.
Now Henry is ready for any kind of fishing. You all should have been here when he met Uncle Frank and Fred, the stories and tall tales they were telling him. Henry is just so laid back, he just smiled and kept sitting on his log. But he did plan a fishing trip with the both of them, when they get back from the Fishing Expo in New York. Henry is just not up to making that long trip, he is more content just sitting back and relaxing.

Close up of Henry and his hat

Henry sits at 5" tall and I did his clothes out of Merino Pre-Felt. I really love using it. I used black elastic for his suspenders with gold brad. The guy just needed to keep his pants up, no one wants to see that rock bottom, even though he does have cheeks felted in.

Here are a few photos of how Henry came to life. I have had a lot of questions on felting rocks. I love any questions any of you may have. I also got asked if Henry would ever be sold and no I won't sell him, he is my first ever complete doll done with Rocks.

My little guys just love these rocks and are always looking for new rocks for me to do.

The Rock I used for Henry are small and My husband calls this size River Rock. I use all different sizes,living by fields here in Rural Minnesota its easy to find rock.

Henry is not heavy at all and weighs under a pound.

My 7 year old little girl loves to tell everyone at school, my Mom Needle felts Rocks. Now that is all she says, they all smile and just say ya thats nice. (Not having any idea what I really do). So she has this wonderful 1st grade teacher, my daughter just adores her, and this teacher could care less that she has learning disabilities. She did the spelling test and came home one day with YOU ROCK! on the test. Well let me tell you my daughter was beaming from one ear to the other. She said, mom my teacher is proud of you and me! This child has even brought me home gravel from school. What a kid!

I also get asked how do I felt around a rock. Carefully. I felt side ways with the needle. Now I do break probably one needle per project. But I get these wonderful needles from http://www.needlefeltingsupplies.com/. Kay Petal and Patti, Kay is Felt Alive and Patti has Dream Felt. Anyway they have this great web site to order needles and wool from. Kay has come up with double needles and I have not broken one yet.

Even when I felt around a insulator it is done sideways. I do no wet felting or glueing to my rocks to get the wool to hold.

So here are a few pictures of how Henry came alive to me.

Top picture is Henry's Head isn't it cute. Now the bottom picture is Henry checking out his bottom and chest. I did the chest first in core wool.

Here is Henry checking out his belly and bottom put together, I have no idea how he is looking at all this an approving, I hadn't even given him eyes yet. But he was! Now you can see the smaller rocks that I used for his "Rock Toed Boots". This was my first time I ever made hands too, NO ROCKS(this time) :).

Doesn't he look happy and ready for detail! A little fuzzy here, but happy. Look Mandy is in the background here she can't wait to meet him. More business for the Beauty Salon,she is thinking. HA! HA! He is bald.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Henry. I will be sure to tell you if and when he catches a fish. You never know. Take care Pam

Uncle Frank My 2 Rock Guy Needle Felted

2011-03-09T21:33:00.000-06:00

Meet "Uncle Frank". I needle felted him on 2 rocks. Yes, 2 ROCKS!!!!!! He was quite a challenge for me at first. But if you all remember Franklin the Turkey and yes he is still pardoned. Was made with 2 rocks. So I decided I would try a guy.
Fred my fisherman rock wanted to have a friend he could fish with and tell his tall tales too.
So along came "Uncle Frank".

"Uncle Frank"

He is just such a happy guy. I needle felted his shirt from Merino Pre-felt. I was kind of nervous to use it, but it was so easy to felt, his shirt just fell into place. He not even quite 5" tall.

Fred getting excited

Look Uncle Frank is already laughing at Fred's stories. Do you know how tired I am of listening to Fred's Tallllllll fish stories? Frank he would crack a joke and then the whole thing would start over. I finally had to put Fred away.

Uncle Frank's Body

Well I built his neck off the little egg/ball on top. I tell you when I was a poking and poking to put him together, he just kept smiling at me and smiling. It did kind of give me the willies. But I finally got it and he is very secure. So he is ready to leave on his adventure with his nephew Fred.

Uncle frank and Fred

Remember me telling you all, that Fred and Louise are going to the Fishing Expo in "Rock Haven" New York and will be eating at Chef Bernie's Diner. Well "Uncle Frank" has packed up and ready to go have some famous Crumb Cake. "Uncle Frank has never been to a fishing Expo before, pretty excited. I sure hope he let his wife know where he was going...............

I wonder if they will run into "Tricky Eyes" and his faithful Side Kick? I guess we will all have to wait and see. Thanks for reading and until next time.............
Take care Pam

Meet "Tricky Eyes O'Lanigan Needle Felted Rock

2011-03-08T20:29:00.000-06:00

GOOD EVENING!

I want to you all to meet "Tricky Eyes O'Lanigan. He is needle felted to a rock. I had so much fun making him. This is the first time I did upper and lower teeth, they turned out pretty good. So here he is!

Tricky Eyes O'Lanigan

He loves to play tricks on me. Even talked this little girl I know to pop up into a picture as I was snapping it. Tricky Eyes and her were just laughing so much. But I thought the picture was quite cute and precious!

Tricky Eyes and his side kick

Tricky Eyes has been quite busy, he has been planning his St. Patrick's Day. You see he comes from Rock Haven NY where Chef Bernard is from and he is hoping he can get Chef Bernard to make him his favorite dish a Potato Crumble Cake with a Green Beer on the "Rocks", and his Side Kick a Green Lemon -Lime Kool-aide on the "Rocks. I guess we will just have to wait and see what is next up their sleeves.

So Everyone stay tuned you never know where "tricky Eyes" and his Side Kick will show up next...................

Take care Everyone Pam

Chef Bernard My newest Needle Felted "Insulator Buddy"

2011-02-21T13:39:00.001-06:00

Good morning everyone!

I had so much fun making Chef Bernard! He is quite the character, do you all remember Fred had all those fishing stories, well "Chef Bernie"(as he likes to be called), talks Crumb Cake, apple, blueberry or his newest flavor Banana!

Chef Bernie
and his newest creation Banana Crumb cake

My 3 little kids helped him make his small banana crumb cakes,he taught them how to stir and fold in the ingredients just so. They did have a lot of fun with this one. But I do believe it was more fun to eat the muffins. Whoops! I mean crumb cakes!

He also has some real good Italian dishes (He says).

My little guy would love to try his pizza sometime, you never know maybe one of his assistant's might make that for us some time soon.

Chef Bernie lives in "Rock Haven" New York and owns and runs the "Crumbling Rocks Diner". Of course his speciality is Crumb Cakes!

Chef Bernie
Outside enjoying the Snow

The man is always smiling, he has got to be the happiest Chef I have ever meant, in along time.   No Stress!
He loves to talk to anyone that will listens about his Crumb cakes, and is so excited about adding new ones all the time to his breakfast Menu.
The "Crumbling Rocks Diner" is becoming a real new Hot spot for all the Rocks and their friends to meet.
"Rock Haven" will be hosting the Spring Fishing Expo, so Fred and Aunt Hildie are planning on attending the Expo, and of course Louise is going, she won't let Fred go by himself.
You never know who they will will meet along the way or pick up.

I haven't quite decided yet, but I may be putting "Chef Bernard" up for sale. I think he would make a great conversation piece for anyone that is a chef to put on their desk, he does keep you positive. Who couldn't go wrong with Chef Bernard's "Crumb Cake" recipes.
I will let you know Chef Bernard weighs 9.4 ounces and is 7" tall. I do believe sometimes the pictures make my guys look bigger and everyone has asked how much they weigh.

Thanks Again everyone for reading. As always please let me knopw what you all think.
I have already started on my newest creation.
Take care Pam

"Jacqueline" My Newest Needle Felted Insulator Buddy

2011-02-08T21:21:00.000-06:00

Jacqueline Montgomery

Jacqueline is my first Insulator buddy I have finished in my new work room. I had planned to get her "Boss" done first, but we all know what the wool can do. So Miss "Jackie" (as she likes to be called) was born.
When we purchased our house from Factory Home Center Inc. in Redwood Falls MN this past year we worked with Joan and her husband Dave. They helped us with the design of the entire floor plan of our new home. I was needling her the other day. (During one of those lovely days we were snowed in last week! ) Dave my husband goes, Oh my she looks just like Joan! I pulled a pic up of her and oh my I couldn't believe it, there is some resemblance, my "Jackie" as I call her is more Diva looking.
But they both are 2 of the nicest women could meet.

We all know "Jackie" has got to have a background story. Well she came from Emerald Falls North Dakota way up North. Her family the "Montgomery's" own and run the "Artic Fish Lodge". So when Fred and Louise showed up for the big Ice Fishing Tournament,Louise just loved the Country Look the Lodge had.
So while Fred was out on the ice trying to catch a fish (Can't you just hear the ride home, with all those tall fishing stories, I am glad it is Louise and not me, Oh I am sure she will be ready for one of her Martini's on the Rocks! ).

Louise went on her own fishing expedition to find Jackie.

Jacqueline Side View

She was told that Jackie was at the Lodge helping with the re-designing of the Dining Room. When she was able to catch up with her, Louise explained about this Job she knew of with the Mason's from Cobblestone South Dakota. Oh Jackie jumped on that opportunity to become a Country Home Designer. A Dream come true.
She has been very busy with projects around Minnesota and South Dakota lately. I even had her help me with colors on my work room.
She got a phone call the other day for a huge project, but she is not sharing with anyone where it is only that she is traveling to the East Coast. Louise has tried calling her many times.
You can just imagine what cell phone service is like between Rocks and Insulators. So until someone can touch base with her we are all in the dark on where she is off to. But when I find out you all will be the first to know. So the closing question is Where and what is "Jacqueline" up to......................................

Please let me know what you all think and thanks for reading Take care until next time Pam

My New Work Room!

2011-01-30T22:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I am itching to get back to Needle Felting. From painting to moving furniture to finally having our Family Christmas this past weekend, I am ready and have alot of new stories! I just need to start getting busy on my "Rock Heads". My Son got me this really neat pocket size hand held little recorder, so now when ever I get a "Zap" or a light bulb goes off with a new story, I can just record it. You just wouldn't believe how many notebook's, loose papers and even a Fed Ex envelope, I have written ideas on. So this will be fun. So here is a couple of pic's of part of my new room.

My Wool

Here is the back wall or part of it. I keep my colorful wool, I use in old pop crates that my hubby has hung on the wall for me. It is so easy to see what I have and I can just pull the amount I want off at a time. I have 4 pop crates right now, hope to find more later on. Look how brite my new room is, even on the gloomy MN days in winter it is still a nice bright room with the window.

MY Desk
Here is my work desk a little messed up, still trying to get it just right, but Barbie Mason really wants to get done, She is part owner Of the Country Home Planner's.
Well my big secret here is that, my room is called Mom's Q Room! If you walk into this room, your lips are zipped shut! My little guys get a real kick out of this right now. So they ask me to come here, (where they are, standing in my bedroom). I told them Mom needs some Quiet time and so their Dad will tell tell them to, mom needs quiet time. I do love my room and it is coming together. People just laugh and can't believe we have a whole another room, and just love the built in desk.

So back to Needle felting this week. I am excited. Everyone take care and will talk to you all soon. Pam

Happy Holidays!!!

2010-12-21T19:58:00.000-06:00

I have received numerous E-mails from some of my followers with my blog and wondering where my next "Rock Head" is.   First of all I want to Thank everyone on wondering where my friends and I have gone.
Well, I will tell you all a little secret, back in July of this year we started a big project of putting a new house on our acreage with a walkout basement. Most of you all know we adopted 3 of our little grandkids and my Mom has been living by herself since we lost my Dad 3 years ago today. So Mom sold her home and is now living with us. So my husband, Mom and I decided it was best if she moved in. So as my husband calls it the "Mother in-Law Suite". We put the walkout basement in so she wouldn't feel closed in with her little dog. The work began, and Uncle Harvey has helped along the way,and so has Benny and this next year you will be meeting a couple of insulator buddies that run The Country Home Planner.    I am hoping they will be able to help Mom with her planning of the Suite out.

Now with the help of Santa and his Elves, Mrs. Clause has even brought a meal to us we have been putting in long hours,painting,cleaning,sewing curtains and getting the kids rooms together, Santa asked for our help. Well, I thought I could help, boy am I learning quick I am no spring chicken! But Santa asked and we wanted to help him out, his plan is to surprise the kids Christmas morning with their new rooms!!!!!!

The day the House was set

It has been a hard thing not to let them go over there, you see the new house is set only about 100 to 150 yards away from the old farm house we live in now.

The second half of the front

We purchased a Pre-Fab,(Modular home) very nice and well built. Couldn't have asked for nicer people, work men and women all the way around.

Back side the day the house was set

Boy does this picture look nice. NO SNOW! Now the ground is just white, but the windows are in and alot more work has been done on the inside, I bet everyone of you are very jealous though, we will have MUD in the spring, I just can't wait.

So I have had no time for felting or anything else, but I do believe this going to be well worth it, for the whole family. It has been amazing how everyone came together to help us. From the Septic being put in down to the plumbing being hooked up and the furnance. We have had some friends along the way come by and lend a hand, A big Thank you to all and to everyone here in Cyber- Space that wanted to make sure my "Rock Heads" are still going to be around.
OH did I forget to mention to, that we designed part of our huge walk in closet into a workroom for me, with a window and computer hook ups and I can even hook up my T.V.. If you look at the back of house pic on your right side the last window in the top part of the house is my workroom! I am excited to get that put together after Christmas.
Do remember that the Country Home Planner's will be here first thing in 2011.

So everyone, Have a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year!! Take Care and make sure to check back in January for my newest creation.
Pam

My New Ornaments/ Snowmen

2010-11-29T21:49:00.000-06:00

Everyone should know me by now, that I thrive on trying to needle felt on different forms. Well awhile back I had purchased glass ornament balls to decorate. In packing and cleaning things out to move into our new house, I found them. A light bulb went off, or as Uncle Harvey would say I zapped with lightening.
I decided what fun it would be to needle felt on them. So I decided to start with Snowmen and Ladie's.

This ball is 1.5" in diameter/ I added sparkle inside

I set the glass ball in my small vise. My next step was I had to glue a piece of wool to the top, or it wouldn't have stayed in place.

Wool glued to top

After drying I began to felt, I then felted the rest of my Snowman or should I say Snow Lady "Miss Bea" in a very soft Merino.

"Miss Bea" the Snow Lady She looks a little like a duck here, and boy she did not like me saying that to her. So I quickly kept working and shaping until I was satisfied with her.

"Miss Bea"
She looks so cuddley and soft, now I dyed the purple with food dyes and Kool aide. My 4 year old named her and of course help with the purple dying.

Well, Bea got my mind a moving, so I have made a couple of other little snowmen and they will be going up for sale with a few others, They just come to life and each have their own personality. So I thought I would give you all a peek of my snowmwen.

Meet Pete, Bea and Toby

I took this pic this afternoon outside when it first started to snow here in Minnesota, can't complain our first storm so far this season!

Those 3 just loved the snow and tried to get Franklin the Turkey out to play , but he said no way.

Pete showing his pipe

Mr. Toby

Now I tried and tried to get rid of the extra pic of Pete but I just can't, it took my blog once then he was inside some of my other pic's. So I just left him alone, what a character, he really likes being in the lime light!

All three of these guys and some more friends this week will be listed on Ebay for sale. I will let you all know when, I was hoping for today, but I have a sick little girl so she comes first. So hopefully tomorrow, cause these guys are just a itching for an winter adventure. Thanks again for stopping by everyone Take care until next time..............................

Franklin and Fred's New Friend

2010-11-29T20:31:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago my oldest daughter brought over a boy named Stanley(shhhh he is made of paper). He was a project for a friend of her's son and he had to go traveling. Well Amy thought cool Mom and Dad are getting the new house put in and she brought our grandson's over to watch, so along came Stanley. Our 3 little guys thought he was just great. So I then thought boy Fred loves to talk and Franklin will do just about anything right now so I had those 2 guys show him around and explained to him about the house, being set on the basement. Fred just sat and told Stanely tons of tall fishing stories, and the only thing Franklin could keep saying was I have been pardoned!!!!!! They then all decided that it would be cool to be friends forever, The 3 of them were so glad they had met, because friends do come in all shapes and sizes. Stanley even got to spend the night, but had to leave the next morning after breakfast, before he returned home he had a few more stops to make.
I thought this was a great project that a teacher had put together for her class, I am not sure what school Stanley was from or what Town, but it didn't matter my 3 little guys and my 2 grandsons were having a great time with him, on where could Stanley go, what would he or could he do. I will tell you all a little secret all of us adults were laughing, giggling and really having fun with Stanley too. Stanley really brought this family together for laughs, so Stanley Thank you. My rocks also just just thought he really rocked!!!!!!

Stanley with Franklin and Fred

Meet Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey

2010-11-15T22:10:00.000-06:00

Here is my very first Rock Turkey and also my very first attempt at making a Double Rock Character. Franklin was so much fun to make, here is a pic of him finished. Now I have been told he looks like he has attitude. Well let me tell you, he DOES! I am not sure if that came from me pulling his head off many times to try to get it placed right, or redoing his beak, so it would open and close.

Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey

Ok, now that you see him, see his attitude! Oh ya its there. He found out last night he is going to be a guest at our daughter's house for Thanksgiving, he is so honored to be part of the centerpiece,and get a full pardon. It has gone to his rock hard head.

Franklin's Body

Now his body was needle felted to this rock, this happenes to be an average rock,nothing special to it, but to us it is. This rock was 1 of the many thousand that were delivered to our place for our new basement that were placed under the floor. So the kids and I went down in the hole and picked out a few rocks for me to felt on.

Franklin Neck and Head Rock

Franklin and his neck with head Rock

Ok, I have been asked how did I get his head rock attached, well I first of all took one of my many egg's that Kay Petal from Felt Alive (www.feltalive.com) has you make for legs (in her videos) and I have alot of egg's in my food baggie to spare. That is also what I used for his legs and then built up from there. I then attached that to the top of his body,I then found a smaller rock,with a good flat side and this one I felt had a bit of a beak shape to it. I then took wool and wrapped it to the bigger piece to attach both pieces, slowly and not to thick.

Franklin

Here he is, with all his rocks attached. He stands 5.5 inches tall. The pic's make him look quite a bit bigger,I just love those close ups, but then again my little people just love to have their pic's taken. Look he is actually smiling here! He was so happy here I was done pulling his head off and on.

Franklin was done with a new wool that I purchased from Patti at Dream Felt (http://www.dreamfelt.com/) I just love her wool. I feel this Chestnut brown really helped bring him to life. Now the back tail I dyed merino wool roving with food dyes.

The needles I used to felt him with, were some new ones I purchased from Kay Petal at (http://www.feltalive.com/). They are her Super Duper Double Needles. They are the best for needling on my rocks, can't wait to try them on an insulator. I DID NOT BREAK A SINGLE NEEDLE, felting Franklin!!!!!! Now that was a first. My rocks and I just love them.

Side View Franklin
Here he is, just enjoying the fall temp.'s and the afternoon breeze,he is so relaxed, knowing he will be here to meet Santa Claus. What a Life.

I do love this picture, a lot of day-dreaming could go on here.

I am going to try to blog later this week on our new home we are in the process of getting done, it has just been a very busy time for us here, but so much fun.
Please let me know what you all think of Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey!

To Everyone Happy GOBBLE, GOBBLE or as I was so reminded Franklin says, COBBLE, COBBLE! (you know Cobble Stone). I love it.
Take Care until next time.......................

Miss Ursula The Witch

2010-10-20T23:14:00.001-05:00

I was finally able to finish my very 1st Witch Rock Head. Ursula really "Rocks". My girls just love her. Ok she measures 7" inches tall where her hat bends. Ursula wanted light up eyes, since Jethro gets to blink all the time.
I knew I didn't want to use Christmas lights, so I asked my hubby. We came up with wiring LED's to her. Have I learned alot about wiring, probably more than I will ever use, but it was fun working together again to figure something out.
It has also given me some ideas on new projects. The green wool I dyed with my 4 year old's help and then she wanted her to have a purple hat(purple is her favorite color) so we together dyed the wool. I was brave and let my little one mix up the Kool-Aide and add some food dye to it.

Step 1 the "Rock"

I will never/ever be able to come up with that color again. Now my oldest child that is married her favorite color is purple too, so those 2 girls can fight over who gets Ursula! But my little one also named her"Ursula". She started out as a Rock. I was so excited for this rock where the chin goes the rock went narrow.

Miss Ursula Finished

Here she is all finished! I have no idea what she has planned, but Ursula can't wait for Halloween to be here.

Ursula Lit Up

Here she is with her eyes showing through, the kids just love this. I used red LED's but they do look glowing, a red/orange. Honestly she looks right through me! When I am felting someone with light up eyes I light them up when I felt the eyes in, so we are constantly chit/chatting. You should see the looks my family gives me, or they are always saying , did you need something? Thank goodness my Rocks haven't answered me yet, or have they?

Jethro and Ursula

Just look at Jethro he really thinks that Ursula is COOL!!!!!!! He just can't quit smiling and she is really acting witchy towards him.    I think they make a cute pair. What do you all think?

Both these guys have been quite fun to make, they both took me a little longer than probably they should have.
You see Halloween is very hard on me, my only sibling (brother) passed away on that day, and it will be 22 years this year.   But over the years I have coped in many different ways, by sewing my little ones we adopted their costumes, to trick or treating with my grandsons. I enjoy all that, because my brother lives on in each and everyone of those kids, my one grandson is named after him(what and honor).
What I am getting at is this Needle Felting is quite a wonderful Therapy for me, this is the first year I have really seen my Mom and husband laugh over Halloween, I mean really laugh! So doing something like Needle Felting (for me) or something you like to do, and has a tie to a hard time in your life can really help you cope with that event or push you higher and work through it, is quite a wonderful feeling. A friend of mine, that also runs a great group for us that have adopted kids with disabilities, in her own way inspired me, to do something for me.   Thank you Kari.

Thank you Ursula and Jethro. They will always lite up our lives.!

Ok now back to smiles on my blog, that is what everyone comes here for, me included.
You all remember Uncle Harvey one of my insulator buddies.
We were at the Gas Station this past Morning and my little guy goes to his 1 sister hey look there is Mom's "Uncle Harvey". The man had a handle bar moustache and did look some like him. But this Mom turned red and just smiled.........................
Please let me know what you think of Ursula.
Thanks again for reading my blog. Stay with me, cause I have some exciting news to share with everyone soon.........................
Take Care until next time.............

Meet Mr. Jethro O' Lantern / Needle Felted Rock

2010-10-10T20:42:00.000-05:00

One of my Mentor's /teachers in learning to needle felt, said why don't you try a Rock O" Lantern or light up an insulator. That was Kay Petal of www.feltalive.com. So I thought about her idea, what a cool thing to do. All I had at the time was a small string of twinkling Xmas lights, that ran on 2 AA batteries. So here I go, the 1st step was to find my rock and then string and tape the lights to the rock.

Step 1 taping the lights on the rock

OK now it looks like a robot monster, but I was happy with it. So I moved on to putting core wool on to help secure the lights more. I will tell you all a little secret I was afraid of needling a light and having break the cord.

Step 2 adding the core wool

Now my rock looks like a furry little robot monster. I like having the lights going while I am working on Jethro,it helps with placement.

Jethro with his first layer of orange on

The all I did was work the wool and worked the wool with the needles. Believe me, I tore out wool and re did the eyes about 10 times before I was happy with them. The mouth took me about 2 days, to get it the way I like it. Now my family laughed at his nose they thought Jethro should have had a triangle nose. Not me, if you have read my previous blogs, you would have read, I need to do the nose first and every character I do has to be able to breathe.

Mr. Jethro O' Lantern

He turned out pretty good, and he does have a personality of his own.

OK now he is truly one of a kind. I dyed the wool for his orange parts with food dyes and kool aide. The yellow I dyed with Kool aide and his stem was dyed with believe it or not, the Neon food dyes and green. He was needle felted from a very fine Merino, almost silk feeling. So alittle harder for me to punch.

Pictures taken at night

I went out tonight, and I am pretty proud of myself, my camera and Jethro behaved. I got the lights twinkling. This is so cool. Can you believe it? I got one pic on the left and then the right. I have another secret to tell you all, I took 20 pictures before I ended up with these 2. I just snapped and snapped. I am now going to work on a witch. I dyed the the wool today. I am going to use red lights for her eyes, should be ghoulish. :)))

This lightening up my Prairie Rocks has really opened me up to new ideas. Please let me know what you think, I would love some feedback on my blog, so I know people have been reading it. Thank you. Take Care, and I will talk to all real soon, until next time :)))))))))))............................

More on Benny and Mandy's Weekend

2010-09-26T20:23:00.001-05:00

Visit my Facebook Link to see the first of Benny and Mandy's Weekend. They came to Visit Amanda for her Birthday and decided to stay the night. So they toured around the farm before taking off for home this afternoon. The kids and I had alot of fun, going around and taking pictures today of the 2 of them. My little guy got mad once today and Benny started telling him all about his motorcycle adventures and boom! he was all done screaming and I was watching him laugh. You see our little man that we adopted is 6 years old, was diagnosed with FAS(Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). So he can be a challenge some days, but since I have started my people, they seem to hit a cord with him and his sisters, but mostly him. I will tell him they are smiling at him, want to give him a kiss or a rock hug. He just can't keep from laughing. He loves to have me make up a story about them and he listens. He also fills in some of my blanks for me. So I hope you enjoy my stories and if you know of anyone that might need a pick me up, have them come read my blog and see for yourself. One thing you will always find here is everyone is SMILING!

WOW! They got to climb up a Windmill, Mandy said the view was beautiful

Mandy and Benny Enjoying a nice fall day at the farm

They were able to take a hay ride around the property

Annie made them feel right at home, what a good old dog

The resident cat "Jack" even took time to visit with them

They even got to help feed the 1 of the Ducks "Matilda"

"Matilda" Just loved Mandy

Waving Bye until next their next visit

Leaving for home "Stone Valley" MN

Mandy and Benny really enjoyed their time in Ruthton MN. He sure was glad he reconnected with a good old friend, and got a nice tour around the farm. I am sure Benny will be sharing his stories will all of you soon from Amanda's dad and brother in law. Mandy is just so excited to get back to her shop and start getting all the info to Amy for the up coming open house at the Beauty Salon "Diamond in the Rough". Until next time.......................................................

Facebook | Photos from Grandma Moose Designs

2010-09-26T15:42:00.000-05:00

Facebook Photos from Grandma Moose Designs

Miss Diva Mandy RockWell

2010-09-17T16:32:00.000-05:00

I am never able to get 2 done in one week, with the little guys in school I can can work in the mornings now.
Benny wanted all of you to see and meet his new gal, Mandy Rockwell. She is the new owner of the "Diamond in the Rough" Beauty Salon in "Stone Valley MN". Mandy comes from "RockHead IA".
Benny was her first customer since opening the doors. She is quite the Diva. Benny is quite smitten by her, and she just thinks he is the coolest "Rock Head" around. Her parents are quite well known in "RockHead IA". Her Dad is the Dr. in town and her Mother owns the only Clothing Boutique there.

Mandy Rockwell

Aunt Harriet is the one that thought Mandy should move up to MN but she had Fred in mind to be her guy. Mandy just can't quit smiling when Benny is around. Mandy is a very colorful gal and is way to high maintence for good old Fred. So I do believe her and "Tough Guy Benny" are a good match. She just started giggling when Benny said, "you want to go on an Adventure with me." You can just imagine the rest of his smooth talking and STORIES.

Benny and Mandy

So as the story goes, Mandy loves her new job as the owner of the "Diamond in the Rough" Beauty Salon and as a bonus she got a new man too.
Mandy will be looking for help in the Salon, you just never know who will pop up next................................... Take care Everyone until next time.

"Benny" My newest Rock Head

2010-09-15T14:52:00.001-05:00

It has been awhile for me, since my last blog. Let me tell you my Rock Friends and Insulator Buddies are letting me know that. I have been busy getting the little ones ready for school and helping my Mom with her house. My time has really been spread thin. But all these life andventures have given more ideas for my guys. I hope to be able to do more needle Felting now, I finally have my mornings to myself again. YAH! YAH!

Here he is my newest Needle Felted "Rock Head"

Benny "Tough Guy"

Benny likes to think of himself as an adventurer, he loves his Motorcycle and could just ride and ride.    He came to "Stone Valley MN" to visit his friends and good old Fred the Fisherman. Well, Aunt Hildie seen him and her eyes just popped. Benny stopped in at "On the Lake Bait and Tackle Shop", to get a cold drink and he had his swagger going on.
Well, we all know how lonely Aunt Hildie has been since Uncle Chet left.   Fred thought it would be great if Benny would help Hildie out for awhile at the bait shop.
He did need a job, before he he could even start out on his new Adventure or even make it back to "RockHead IA" where he is from.   (Fred knew this, Aunt Harriet had called).
This young man Benny could really be a big help with Fall coming with all the cleaning and getting ready for the winter.
Aunt Hildie loved the idea!!
Oh my Benny started right in on his stories and we all thought Fred had stories.
All of sudden Benny sees Mandy Rockwell. She is new to town, came from "RockHead IA" . She is the owner of the "Diamond in the Rough" Beauty Salon in town.
Oh my he walked on over to her Salon, he started with his smooth talking.................., next thing we all knew she was giving him his new do!!!!!

Side view of Benny

You will be meeting Mandy Rockwell real soon. She is a insulator buddy. But I do believe we will be hearing alot more from her and Benny in the near future. Poor Aunt Hildie ever time she gets smitten on a man, they just seem to not notice her. So I wonder where her mystery man is ???????????

Please let me know what you all think of Benny and my stories. I would love feedback. Thanks and everyone take Care until next time...........

Uncle Harvey The insulator Man

2010-08-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

I just finished Uncle Harvey the insulator man. He is Aunt Harriet's Man.

He was totally needle felted on a Hemingray clear glass insulator, a very common glass insulator.

Uncle Harvey Zippety

Ok now you have all met Aunt Harriet awhile back.

The 2 of them have ran the "Zippety/Zappity Insulator Company" for many years now. It was EST. 1882 in "RockHead Iowa" . Harvey's Great Grandparents founded the business and it has been in the Zippity family since. Of course since the ceramic insulators have taken over in most places, there is not as much a need for his glass insulators, but he does manange to stay a float, and of course there is Aunt Harriet and her group of women friends that have started to do art on the insulators, so that has helped some too. I do believe though Aunt Harriet just likes to get together with those gals and gossip about all the folk that live in "RockHead". They have 2 employees and I am sure you all will be meeting them soon.

Aunt Harriet and Uncle Harvey Zippety

I sure hope you all are enjoying all their stories, I sure do get a kick out of them. I do believe though my family does think I have gone looney tune.:))
Now I am thinking about starting to put my Characters up for sale. I will let you all know when I do.
Off to work on Aunt Hildie's Mystery man, she has been whining alot to me about wanting a man and having to run the Bait and Tackle shop on her own!!!!! Of course good old Fred wants her to find a new man or have Chet come back, because he is getting real tired of being overly nice, even though he has been enjoying some free bait and tackle. Also Louise is getting a little frustrated with him too. So there will be more soon.........................................................
Catch all of you real soon. Take Care and thanks again for reading.

Aunt Harriet Update

2010-08-16T21:36:00.000-05:00

Aunt Harriet made the front page for the week of a group I belong to. fun_2_felt it is a yahoo group. Now I am not real good at figuring out links. Search yahoo groups. (fun_2_felt), Aunt Harriet will be there.

Ok I tell you, this old gal can't stay off the phone, she has called every single person that lives in "RockHead Iowa" and is going to print off the front page of the group (fun_2_felt) and have it framed.
This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to her. By the time Aunt Harriet finishes her story,I can just imagine how far fetched it will be. She may even think she is royalty!!!!!!
She does want to thank everyone for their comments. I am sure you will be hearing more from her soon.

Aunt Harriet

My Newest Addition Aunt Harriet

2010-08-14T12:39:00.000-05:00

Ok I haven't been here for awhile. Been quite busy with all the lawn mowing and kids. It has been so Humid here in the Mid West I swear I need to mow everyday and the weeds. Enough said, about all the non fun stuff we get to do on a daily basis.

The beginning of the Insulator

Well, as you can see I am putting wool on an antique insulator. I was mowing the other day, and in one of our many groves we have been cleaning out, I seen this pile of antique old insulators. So I had my daughter help me get them picked up. I then scrubbed them all clean and just kept thinking (which does scare the ............. out of my husband) on what to do with them. A spark of electricity hit me ( some people would probably say I was "ZAPPED"). Why not needle felt a head on top and call them my Needle Felted Insulator Buddies. Here is the start of Aunt Harriet.

Aunt Harriet with the face getting started

I had such a problem with this lady, Aunt Harriet. I am still not sure about the eyes. Her mouth was another part I worked and worked on. I think I was just over working her. The wool wanted to do one thing and I was trying to do something els. The wool won out!

Aunt Harriet
The Very First Needle felted Insulator Buddy

Back of her head

Ok as the story goes, Aunt Harriet is Fred the Rock's Aunt on his mom's side. Aunt Harriet and her husband own and operate the oldest Antique Insulator Shop around. They live in RockHead Iowa. Fred just loves going and visiting his Aunt and Uncle. The shop isn't to busy anymore, but they manage to stay open.

I got to thinking about my Insulator Buddies, they would make a great pin cushion for your pins and needles, I also put one of those battery operated lights in the bottom and it twinkled so nice.

Or Aunt Harriet also loves just sitting by my computer and chit - chatting with me. She is just amazed by the computer, she still does everything the old fashion way.

I will write more, but please leave comments, they mean alot to me! Thanks for reading and Have a great weekend. Pam

My Feltie Family

2010-08-03T13:27:00.000-05:00

Fred, Mo (the want a be skateboarder),Aunt Hildie, Clarence (the butterfly catcher), and Louise

                                                       This is latest pic of the family,
When Fred went and met Aunt Hildie at the On the "Rocks" neighborhood Saloon for a drink,
Aunt Hildie let Fred know how Uncle Chet left her. Now she has to run the "On the Lake Bait and Tackle Rock Shop,by herself and on an on went her story. But being the man Fred is he kept a smile on his face and said come with me, he knew she needed some of her blues chased away, and what better way then to talk to Louise.    So off they went, first they stopped by the newly opened Deli and corner store(I am sure more to come later), they both picked up some cold beer, bottle of Whiskey, fried chicken,potato Salad and Cold fesh water for the Mooses(that's all they drink, except for an occasional Root Beer).   Fred and Aunt Hildie then met Louise and the rest of the family at the " Prairie Rocks Park" for a great afternoon. They then had their new friend Stanley the Explorer Pup take this pic.
                                               All for now I know the story will continue later.   I do hope everyone enjoyed, please leave comments so I know what everyone thinks. Thanks

More on Aunt Hildie's Mystery Man

2010-08-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

I will bring all of you up to date on the Mystery Man, Aunt Hildie will be meeting or re-connecting with an old beau, in just a few days.

MYSTERY MAN PIC 3

Here he is with a little more done to his face.

MYSTERY MAN PIC 4

Here he is taking on a little more shape, I just love the way, with every poke or adding of wool, the face takes on a whole new look. Now hopefully if I am working in the right direction with Mr. Mystery Man my family and some close friends may be able to figure out who he is. I am trying to give this guy some features, not all.
Where my work table is in our farm House, is in what I call the front room, so when you come in out of the mud room, you can see my work, I have found my little guys talking to my Rock Characters, even my husband just stops and laughs or you can see him, wondering what they are thinking. Of course I stop and talk to them everytime.
My Needle Felted Rocks really make a great conversation piece, I am finding that out.
More later and hopefully I can update everyone on Aunt Hildie and Fred's meeting.
Have a good day everyone........................

Update on Aunt Hildie and Fred

2010-08-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

Good morning, I haven't heard from Aunt Hildie yet, on her and Fred's meeting will let you all know when I find out. I have been working on the Mystery Man some. Aunt Hildie will meet him at the Bait and Tackle Expo. Also be looking for Stanley The Explorer pup.

Here is the start of Aunt Hildie's mystery man

MYSTERY MAN pic 1-- start of nose

MYSTERY MAN pic 2 start of mouth

Now when you see my character faces on rocks or even just my felting, even when I am doing a Moose, I do the nose first. A little story behind that, when my one son was little my Mom crochet him a Kermit the frog. He loved his frog, slept with it and Kermit went everwhere we went. Well poor Kermit had a problem with his nose it would go into the yarn and we would have to pull it back out (french knots). He would say, "Mom Kermit can't breathe, he has to have a nose!" He would even be sound asleep and wake up screaming and we would have to fix him, Grandma told him many times she would fix him, he would say "NO, Thats the way he is and he is mine!"
He told everyone that you have to have a nose first,if your not breathing your not alive.
So every time I make anything with a nose I always start with the nose and move on from there.
We still have Kermit 26 years later and yes his nose is out and working.

Aunt Hildie Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-31T22:14:00.000-05:00

The beautiful Aunt Hildie

Here she is finished. She has earrings, fake eyelashes(made from eyelash yarn), she does have a bun in the back of her head, with a couple of hair picks.

Aunt Hildie is back, she is ready to run the Bait and Tackle shop. She is hoping that Uncle Chet will come back to her, but in the mean time, she is hoping when Fred comes in tomorrow for his weekly Bait , she can catch his eye and at least buy him a drink at the local saloon................. We will all have to wait for tomorrow .............................

Aunt Hildie and her future!!!!!!!

We will all just have to wait and see who this is going to be... I do know Aunt Hildie will be leaving for a Bait and Tackle show soon. You never know who she might run into and old beau? What a place to meet a new or should I say an old friend at a Tackle Show.
I really don't think with all this going on Louise has much to worry about with Fred. Do you?

More Soon, Please make sure to leave me comments.

Aunt Hildie Coming Together

2010-07-31T20:50:00.000-05:00

Aunt Hildie

Here she is coming together, got her lips on,some shading done. Aunt Hildie is becoming a very happy woman. Let me tell you, she has got a story. At first she didn't care how she looked when she went to work at the Bait and Tackle Shop today, but then she got it together and and wanted to look good.

So here we go............................

Aunt Hildie getting hair

Ok now she wasn't sure of the hair style she wanted, she has some grey hair. She really wanted to look good for Fred to come in, he always comes in on Sunday and gets his bait for the week. Hildie knows all about Louise, but is hoping fred would notice her(just like you couldn't)! everyone knows that Uncle Chet left her as the story goes, or she drove him nuts................... So now the bait shop is her's to keep going.
Poor girl, a couple days ago, she was just going to come to the bait shop with her hair in curlers and didn't really care how she looked.
Aunt Hildie made a stand, took her last swig of Whiskey (of course it was on the rocks), put on her makeup ...................
More to come later tonight :)

Aunt Hildie Starting to take Shape

2010-07-29T21:57:00.000-05:00

Here she is taking on more facial shape, boy oh boy is she complaining at me now, can't wait to get her done, so Fred can meet her.

Aunt Hildie Taking Shape

Ok Aunt Hildie looks real goofy now, it is just the start of her face. Poor thing doesn't even have an upper lip yet. I did get her teeth done,so far she hasn't gotten lipstick stuck on them.

Boy I tell you the way she speaks about Fred and his tackle, you would think she has a crush on him, he better watch out. Aunt Hildie is twice the woman Louise is. I mean that literally!! More later............

Well, that brings everything up to date on my Needle Felted Rocks, They do make great paperweights. I laugh every time I walk by them and my 7 year old daughter, made my evening the other night, "Mom Those are the best ROCKS I have ever seen".
So I hope everyone will leave comments for me, so I can see who likes or what I need to improve on. Or you can always just stop by and say Hi. Take Care and will Blog more tomorrow.
Good Night
Grandma Moose (Pam)

The beginning of Aunt Hildie / Needle Felted Prairie Rock

2010-07-29T21:20:00.000-05:00

Ok I wanted to show all of you what I start with to do my rocks. This rock has been scrubbed and dried the size is 4" tall and about 10.5" around. Each rock is different in size. The back of this rock is flat.

Now I have taken wool batting and covered my rock by using a felting needle and carefully poke it to fuse the wool together. I poke sideways of course(ya can't poke through a hard rock, even though I have tried many times). Now the wool will still move some until I start to build up wool on the rock.

This is where if you can believe it, I named her.

Aunt Hildie coming to life

Now I have started to form nose(I'm still not happy with it). Started the mouth. I kind of do things backwards. I started to learn how to do faces from a DVD, that I bought from

Kay Petal from her web site www. Felt Alive.com,

Kay does awesome sculpting with wool. (you all need to go look at her work).

I have learned alot from her and am still learning. I have a long ways to go, but having fun.

Now back to Aunt Hildie,she does not look like much yet,none of you would believe her story. Just wait, I think good old Fred will probably want to stay at the lake! :) She does run the corner Bait and Tackle shop. But we all know Fred talks and talks and knows nothing(but he thinks he knows it all). That is probably why Louise loves him so much. More later .................................

My First Needle Felted Prairie Rock Friends

2010-07-29T20:14:00.000-05:00

I have never Blogged before so please bare with me. I'm new to Needle Felting but I can say I just love it. I felted 2 Mooses about a year ago, and then haven't had time to continue with it.
This summer we had the friendly neighbor farmer drop off rock for landscaping, that they picked from their fields,(I am sure they jump at that chance, anywhere to get rid of it).

1 of my grown daughter was helping do the landscaping, I got to talking to her about the DVD I received from Kay Petal. (http://www.feltalive.com/) on funny faces.

Diva Louise and Fred the Fisherman(minus his Hat)

I thought why not needle felt a rock ! (isn't like I have a shortage of rocks). So I scrubbed a rock and started needle felting it.
Ok now the fun starts. My 4 year old said "Mom I want you do a purple face, well I used some wool I received from a friend of mine and dyed it with Kool-aid and ended up with a blue purple.(I don't know how I got that color). All the wool I used on Louise I dyed except for the white,brown and black colors.
The earrings came from my old stash and then I used a jewel and put that in her nose.

Miss Louise has quite the story, she is quite the Diva. She can chase the blues away,would make a great paperweight. Our 6 year old son was having a fit, I told him he better stop, cause Louise was going to chase his blues away!!!! He started laughing so hard at her, he forgot what he was mad about,and ran off to play.
Well, she wanted a man so came Fred. Now he was needle felted from wool I bought from http://www.dreamfelt.com/ ,except for his eyebrows and moustache, they were felted in with a blend I bought from Ebay of silk and angora rabbit.
Louise is very proud of Fred. To hear their story you can go to Facebook.com and search Grandma Moose Designs. Let me tell you Fred has got alot of Fish Stories and good old Louise has made Martini's for them and she just sits back and sigh's while listening to all his tall fishing stories .

So I decided I wanted to keep making Needle felted Rocks, so I asked my friends what can I call them, and we do live on the Prairie and in farming country. So that is how Prairie Rock Friends were created. I do hope to start selling them soon. Will keep everyone updated.

Now lets get to my 3rd Rock I have taken pictures from the beginning to where I am at now.
But before I catch everyone up to the present I need to go put my munckins to bed.