Thursday, September 27, 2012

...the ole' grey hair


As the seasons change throughout the year, the seasons of our lives have a rhythm as well. We move from the Spring of youth...fast forward...the Autumn is upon us. This post is about one of the rites of passage experienced by those of us entering the Autumn season...wash it away...or let it go grey.

Please do not interpret these words as an exercise in vanity...it is truly the opposite. Sharing this story and these photos is humbling. That said, this post is not for the faint of heart...some of the pictures..well..they ain't pretty. Continue if you dare.


This is me. My name is Robyn and I have grey hair.

Several years ago I decided I was going to "let it go"! My rug hooking buddies were all older than me and encouraged me with their own "going grey" stories. 

So...I began to give it serious thought. The "pros" were numerous...save time, save money, maybe my hair will feel like hair not straw, no more scalp burning from chemicals...no more roots. The cons..."I'll look old!!!".

My "Earth Brother" husband was all for it. I knew once Annie was out of school I would be staying closer to home and hair appointments go on for hours! Considering my hair grows extremely fast, it was becoming a real battle with roots...somehow grey roots look very dowdy next to brownish/blonde hair. And, I must admit, I was curious to see what I really looked like. My grandmother was prematurely grey, and was beautiful and elegant...maybe I could be grey...and not too ghoulish.

So...the decision made...I went "cold turkey"! My hair had become very light as coloring, after coloring washed out. No streaks to make it subtle...just let it grow. And grow it did. I wore a hat when possible... picking Annie up at school, grocery shopping. I'm not overboard vain, but I didn't want to scare small children!

Then...a dilemma. We had a big trip coming up to Washington, D.C.. No problem, people wear hats there...except at the Supreme Court. We were going for a swearing in ceremony for our group. No purses, no cameras...yeah...no hats.

My daughter and I proudly watched as my husband stood and took the oath before the U.S.Supreme Court to protect and defend the Constitution. All the while I was thinking the people behind me were saying to themselves, "Does this woman know her roots are honing in on three inches?". "Is that a skullcap on her head?". Seriously, by then I was over worrying about my roots and had my eye on the prize...what did I really look like.


Scary, huh? I warned you.

United States Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.

So, a few years in...I wish I had done it earlier. Much in life is based on perception...blonde hair is light...so is grey...what's the difference? Perception.

Today, I am chemical free...well, except for a Motrin now and then for my creaky knees...I have more time to hook and more money for wool....and red lipstick, a girl's gotta have some color!

Grey is not for everybody, but for me it was just one way to make my life easier...to add a few extra hours to the days of Autumn.

...pizza in Central Park, NYC

The real me...




Enjoy the day,
Robyn




Monday, September 24, 2012

...red & green


I've been working on a few Christmas goodies. These wool pieces will be turned into pillows and will make their way to Antiques on Main...the wonderful shop where I sell my "stuff".


To make these designs, I took wool in hand and cut. I am always happy when the idea in my head falls from the wool. It is then hand stitched to the wool backing.

No pattern...just an idea...each piece different from the next. Now that's fun!


My poor Leo rug is sorely neglected these days. The red and green are taking over.


Welcome to my new followers, and thank you all for stopping by to say hello.

Have a great week!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn


Monday, September 17, 2012

Bittersweet......


Bittersweet says Autumn to me. Even the tiniest sprig can summon the scents of pumpkin and cinnamon, and the antics of swirling leaves. 


I put it around everything! Love the curly stems and bright berries!


I also have a thing for feathers...all year long. Together...they are the perfect Fall combo...add a little seasonal fruit...you can't beat Mother Nature!


Mustard, black and bittersweet...my favorites.


Can you believe the colors in these beautiful feathers? 

Bittersweet....feathers...fruit......Mother Nature is always a good "go to" choice for a decorating consult...especially in the coming wonderful season.

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Have a great week everybody, and thanks for coming by and saying hello!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

...just a peek



The appearance of this dapper gentleman heralds the first round of Autumn decorating in our home. He is the work of gifted folk artist Angela Hillstrom...Pumpkin Tyme was inspired by one of Lori Brechlin's original drawings. The detail on this fellow is awe inspiring...his colors are perfect. I am so happy he lives here with us. 


...an early crow cookie cutter rests in an old bowl.


...a tin witch's hat snuffer peeks through the bittersweet next to a Shooner redware crock.



...pumpkin by Norma Schneeman.

Love having the wonderful creations of these talented folk artists in my home!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn








Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remembering


These pics were taken two years ago when we were in NYC. That's the memorial under construction in the background. I remember being surprised at how small the space actually is when you see it in person. It looks so immense on t.v. 

It is a sobering sight. In a way, I'm glad we got to see it while it was still a gaping hole. It made me feel...sad, angry, frightened.



These were taken from a taxi heading back up town. Someday I would like to visit the completed memorial.


Every year, on September 11th, we light this beautiful Waterford Thomas Jefferson Lamp. We put it in the window...it casts a soft glow all day and into the night...the facets sparkle. It is the way we remember.

Enjoy the day,
Robyn





Monday, September 10, 2012

More Leo


Leo is moving right along. I  put a row of background around him to get a hint of the finished rug. It seems I always gravitate toward blackish backgrounds on my larger rugs. In this case, I think it will help make Leo stand out. 


I think I will start on some of the flowers this week. The section of Leo that you see here measures 18.5 by 10 inches. To keep from getting bored, I'll play with some color! As I mentioned in a previous post, this is a good size rug and I don't want to lose my momentum.

Welcome to my new followers...and thanks for all the encouraging comments!

Have a great week!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn



Friday, September 7, 2012

Progress


Leo is moving right along. Mr. M. mentioned that his eyes are different colors. This was done intensionally...to make him look antique. Karen's original has mismatched eyes also...I like the look.


This photo shows the true colors. Love the green tones!


Color planning as I go...so far, I like the results. I am using Jeanne Benjamin's hand dyed wools...Old Gold & Old Locket...for the body, and here and there in his mane. 

I'm having fun with this big rug...hope I can keep a good steady pace!

Have a great weekend!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn




Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Meet Leo



I spy a few places that need some tweaking...but...he's taking on a personality.
 Today's main focus...mane.

Enjoy the day,
Robyn

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

September...on my frame


Bits of the coming season are appearing in my kitchen window. Here a diminutive squirrel and leaf cookie cutters rest in the bowl of an early tin candle holder. This pair will set the tone and the rest of window will fall into place around them. It's a work in progress.


Soon to become a work in progress...this is a Karen Kahle pattern called Antique Lion. It is a large rug 48.5 by 25.5. I have wanted to start it for a very long time.


I've pulled a few piles of wool out...translate...my living room is a total mess of wool. I'm trying to get a picture in my head of where I want to go. Karen's original reflects her wonderful paler pallet...I tend to lean toward a darker look.  Color planning will be keeping me busy today on this, "feels like Monday, but it's really Tuesday" sort of day. 

A new look in my window...a new rug...a new season...I'm going in!!!

***Keeping those devastated by Isaac in our thoughts.***

Have a great week...welcome September!

Enjoy the day,
Robyn