Aren't these Penquins cute!!

I was taking a break from my work when I found this article on Animal Talk on the Today Show website. I am so glad they could save these little penquins-they are so cute!!

A good yarn: Knitters make sweaters for penguins after oil spill

Laura T. Coffey writes

It's a sad story with a happy twist. Blue penguins in New Zealand have been soaked with oil after a container ship ran aground near the east coast of the country's North Island earlier this month. New Zealand’s Environment Minister Nick Smith has described the oil spill as the nation’s “most significant maritime environmental disaster.”

A little blue penguin from Papamoa Beach, was covered in oil after a Liberian cargo ship hit a reef, on October 7 in Tauranga, New Zealand.

In their oil-soaked state, the birds shouldn’t preen themselves because their feathers are contaminated. They also need help staying warm before and after rescue workers do what they can to clean them up.

So Skeinz, a knitting shop in Napier, New Zealand, put out a call for knitters to make little sweaters for penguins in need. And boy, have knitters around the world responded. One blog post from the folks at Skeinz.com ran under the headline “It’s raining jumpers.” Another ran with the headline “We have Critical Mass” — but Skeinz is still encouraging determined knitters to send their handiwork along to “keep stocks available for the Wildlife Rescue Team to draw from if required.”

This isn't the first time that penguins have been outfitted with sweet little sweaters. Let's take a waddle down penguin lane to see some penguins in sweaters — because you can never enough photos of that!

Back in 2005 in Australia, tiny fairy penguins Toby and Percina modeled sweaters that were being sent for the rehabilitation of penguins involved in oil spills.

In 2000, a group of penguins were rescued off the coast of South Africa after getting caught in a spill from a sunken carrier ship. Sweaters helped them stay warm while they recovered.

Want to make an adorable sweater for a penguin in a pinch? You can find specifications — (for instance, they must be made of 100 percent wool yarn, and they must be just the right size) — as well as an address to send your creations, here.


AP file

If I wasn't working full time, I would like to make.......

I was daydreaming the other day (I seem to do that alot lately :)!) and I was fantasizing about not working full time. The things I would have time to make would be never ending! I knit and make jewelry now but there is so much more crafty ideas out there! I have been addicted to www.pinterest.com and they have not been helping with my daydreaming affliction-LOL!! Here are a few things on there that I would like to make (even though I work full time):

Aren't these covered buttons the cutest bookmarks you ever saw!!

My oldest daughter, Megan made a few wreaths similar to this a few years ago and it was gorgeous. I love it!

I could use some of these coasters right now!

I thought this sweater was just gorgeous. I think I will try to make it over the winter so it will be already to go next spring and summer.

My Aunt Annette and I made felt ornaments one year for Christmas and they were beautiful. We made cardinals and Victorian boots. I really love these two choices!

I just may have to make the time to make these Santa ornaments with Owen!! Wouldn't they be wonderful keepsakes!

I wouldn't mind one of these headbands for myself. I always have cold ears!

Knitted mittens are always lovely! I especially love this pattern!

My sister, Sue was hinting that she would love a knitted purse someday-this may be the one I will create for her.

I thought these lace votives would be wonderful for Valentine's Day don't you!

Last but not least on my ever growing list is this wonderful yarn ball wreath! I love it. I might have to make this for the yarn shop owner as an early Christmas present!!

I really hope I do get to make all of these things! They are all such wonderful ideas. It is a good thing I don't work from home because I think I would be playing hookey more than working!!!

Beautiful Architecture!

I guess I have always been interested in architecture. My Dad was a residential builder and I work for a commercial construction company. I saw some really beautiful examples of architecture today on www.pinterest.com. I love that site!!!! Most of these architectural photos are things that were built a long time ago, you just don't see much new detail like these lovelies. I thought I would share these beauties with you!

This is the staircase at the Bristol Palace in Genoa, Italy-just a masterpiece!!

This cathedral top window is just beautiful!

I get dizzy looking at this staircase, but can imagine building it!!

Columns have always been one of my loves! This one doesn't disappoint.

I love old world doors. The carving on this door must have taken months if not a year to do by hand.

Wouldn't a bride look lovely floating down this staircase to her groom! Love the leaf color too!

Most people don't take time to look at door knobs and door knob plates, but this one is just exquisite.

There are alot of staircases in Charleston like this. I have one hanging in my office-just so graceful.

Well that is it for today! Hope you enjoyed these beauties!!

Delightful Pumpkins!!

I was on www.pinterest.com (my new website I love, love, love!!) and I saw some cute pumpkins and some really amazing pumpkins. I thought I would share them with you:

(All of the following photos are via www.pinterest.com)

WOW, this house looks like it is on fire with all those lit Jack-o-Lanterns!!

Gotta love the Wicked Witch of the West's legs!

This must have taken hours to create!

I love this "Boo" grouping of pumpkins!

These pumpkins just made me smile-they all look so happy!

What a creative idea-Fall spelled out with old skeleton keys on the pumpkins!

This monogram really looks great on this white pumpkin. I wouldn't mind having one of those!

If you want to have a spooky group of pumpkins, these skeleton arms would work. I love the headstone with them too!

I love the new velvet pumpkins and this one is high on my list because it is in a tea cup!

For some reason I think this pumpkin looks elegant in the cornhusk filled urn. Very festive too!

Well that is it for today! I love all the Fall things on pinterest! Enjoy your weekend!

Kitchens, Eating Areas and a Lovely Barn Home!

I was on the marthastewart site and I saw this fabulous barn-style kitchen picture:

It is perfect!!! I love it!!

You can tour the rest of the house on Martha's site too. Here are some more pictures of this beautiful barn home:

What a wonder place to curl up and snug under a throw around the fireplace. I wish I was there right now!!

The wood beams in this photo are awesome! The whole picture is awesome as far as I'm concerned!

Here are some other kitchen or eating areas that I found on Martha's site:

I love the blue paint on the walls in this room. Everything about this room is beautiful!

Isn't this a cozy place to eat on this enclosed porch!

If you are into Retro, this is the place to be!

This cottage kitchen is a favorite of mine too! I love the wood countertops.

What a wonderful thing dreaming is!! Everyone have a wonderful day!!

Owen and the finished lion costume.

Owen's lion costume is finished! I had to make some adjustments but he looks so cute in it! Owen was really sleepy by the time I got the costume done so I had to take 2 pictures. One with the whole costume on minus his lions mane and the other is just the little hood with the lions mane done. Jenny will take more pictures of him in the entire costume but I thought I would give you a peek of it.

Jenny was holding Owen with the lion costume done minus the lions mane.

He got too hot in the costume so we just put the hood on with the lions mane.

What a cutie pie!!!

Blowing Rock, NC

John and I drove up to Blowing Rock today. The weather was just gorgeous today! We walked around, had a bite to eat at Six Pence Restaurant, did a little shopping and just enjoyed a beautiful sunshine filled day together! Here are some photos of our day:

Main Street Blowing Rock, NC

Adirondack Chairs outside the Bob Timberlake Store.

Silk flowers in a shop.

Halloween black bicycle outside a shop.

Yellow leaves and Carolina blue sky.

Beautiful Key Windchimes in a shop. I might try and make this!

Beautiful Fall leaves in Blowing Rock.

Beautiful view of the Smokey Mountains!

I also went into a really love yarn shop. They had these sweater kits you could buy. This is what it looks like when you are all done knitting it. Two different view:

John and I are thinking of going back to Blowing Rock around Christmas. I think it would be really beautiful there with all the decorations!

Hope everyone is having a really wonderful weekend!