Opening up the shop Saturday morning was total chaos. For me of course, not anyone else, and hopefully they couldn't see how rattled I felt behind the smile. I got there 5 minutes late to see someone at the door trying to get in. I had the pups with me and had to scramble to get them upstairs. In my frantic tone they were confused so ran in all directions, it might have been funny if I wasn't so annoyed. I unlocked the door not wanting to keep the woman waiting and hoped to corral the pups and pull myself together. Then the phone rings and I guess by now I was panicked trying to get the dogs upstairs that were all barking at the fun we were having while more people poured in the door. Now there are eight people in the shop and the lights weren't even on yet. I'm sweating bullets now and thank goodness my deodorant held up or it could have been a rough day.
I was trying to talk on the phone to a customer from California while hustling Honey, the last of the stragglers upstairs. The youngest was still barking and I was shushing, begging with my eyes to please be quiet! Normally I can quiet them with a snap of my fingers but a pack leader is no good with ruffled feathers, they sense it and take advantage. I pride myself as being in control of my four furry kids and it irks me when they don't listen, usually at the most inopportune times!
People stood in front of the cashier counter laughing and talking loudly so I couldn't hear what the gal was saying on the phone. I must have apologized and asked her to repeat her address a dozen times, each time adding to my angst. The dogs were still barking in the background...oh joy! I couldn't have written a play and orchestrated it any better. A chaotic comedic angst; I felt like Lucille Ball at the chocolate factory. If only I was the type of personality that could laugh that kind of moment off, but not me, old uptight ass. Finally the order was taken and I hung up....poor woman on the other end of the line...what must she think? Encompassing Designs is a three ring circus! As soon as the phone was in the cradle the darn thing rang again and then again and then again. The dogs finally settled in, probably thinking mom was loosing her mind. By the time all the orders were taken and I'd addressed the in-store customers I was wiped for the day. For the first time in my life I thought a drink might be nice, something strong to steady my nerves. I don't ever think that way but for the first time I needed something stronger than Decaf coffee.
Shane was late although technically he wasn't. He works most Saturdays but it's unofficial. He saunters in whenever he's ready. He never looked so good as he sauntered in the back door. Only then did I begin to relax. I was wound like a spring and once it's coiled tight I don't unwind none to swift.
So once the blitz was over and it slowed to a constant trickle I took a deep breath and let it all go. The wooshhhh of it almost took out the window. I would have been absolutely fine if not for the noisy pups. I've handled buss tours without a blink but I really hate for people to hear my dogs barking and I'm sure it bothers me more than them but I was raised to be conscientious about other people so I worry. When it's warm I hate to leave them home in an unconditioned house panting so I bring them to work so they can enjoy the cool air. Of course being late set me off a bit, annoyed with myself even before I got there. So the dogs and being late put me in a right state.
Despite the crazy beginnings, what a lovely busy day it was, I don't think there was ever a time when there weren't people mulling about. A lot of people from Ontario, I think every second car on the street has the telltale blue and white license plate...and lots of Americans as well. The town was electric all day with yard sales and sight seeing and we had a constant stream until we closed.
The highlight of the day was a visit from a hooking angel. She walked in the store with a drawstring bag tucked under her arm and I knew there was about to be a show and tell and a show it was! Th woman had completed Tina's Roses and it was beautiful! She'd sent a picture of the Poppy Spray below a month or so back and told me she would soon have the roses finished and I knew they were going to be spectacular and she didn't disappoint!
Margaret Tupper, who has only been hooking for four years, definitely has the talent for floral rugs. She hooks in a #4 cut so is able to give the detail needed to make the flowers come to life. She is also an avid dyer, producing all the wool for her projects I asked if she would be putting this piece on the floor and she said it would probably end up rolled and stored away. She said she'll wait until there is an event or special occasion and give the rugs to members of her family. Never one to miss an opportunity, I put forth the suggestion that I am up for adoption but alas she already had children who would always come first...
Margaret is a busy rug hooker who gets around, participating in three groups. Her regular group called the Rug Rats from Nicholsville, the Fundy Group in Kingston and Rags to Riches in Berwick. Because these two patterns were never hooked before she qualified for two 50% off coupons for future patterns and she chose to combine them for the pattern "Lotus" and I can't wait to see what she will do to make it shine.
The Tina's Roses design came from an old towel. I'm dating myself but remember back in the day when powdered laundry detergents offered a bath towel, a hand towel or a facecloth in the box? I can't remember which one, ABC or Tide but this towel had survived 40 - 55 years. A friend had it stored in their basement and it was virtually new. The pretty roses and scroll work caught my eye. Now you're probably saying shame on you Christine, with copyright lectures and all. I weighed my lust for the design against the chance that after all these years anyone would care and I went for it. So glad I did as this pattern is an old fashioned, traditional beauty!
I was trying to talk on the phone to a customer from California while hustling Honey, the last of the stragglers upstairs. The youngest was still barking and I was shushing, begging with my eyes to please be quiet! Normally I can quiet them with a snap of my fingers but a pack leader is no good with ruffled feathers, they sense it and take advantage. I pride myself as being in control of my four furry kids and it irks me when they don't listen, usually at the most inopportune times!
People stood in front of the cashier counter laughing and talking loudly so I couldn't hear what the gal was saying on the phone. I must have apologized and asked her to repeat her address a dozen times, each time adding to my angst. The dogs were still barking in the background...oh joy! I couldn't have written a play and orchestrated it any better. A chaotic comedic angst; I felt like Lucille Ball at the chocolate factory. If only I was the type of personality that could laugh that kind of moment off, but not me, old uptight ass. Finally the order was taken and I hung up....poor woman on the other end of the line...what must she think? Encompassing Designs is a three ring circus! As soon as the phone was in the cradle the darn thing rang again and then again and then again. The dogs finally settled in, probably thinking mom was loosing her mind. By the time all the orders were taken and I'd addressed the in-store customers I was wiped for the day. For the first time in my life I thought a drink might be nice, something strong to steady my nerves. I don't ever think that way but for the first time I needed something stronger than Decaf coffee.
Shane was late although technically he wasn't. He works most Saturdays but it's unofficial. He saunters in whenever he's ready. He never looked so good as he sauntered in the back door. Only then did I begin to relax. I was wound like a spring and once it's coiled tight I don't unwind none to swift.
So once the blitz was over and it slowed to a constant trickle I took a deep breath and let it all go. The wooshhhh of it almost took out the window. I would have been absolutely fine if not for the noisy pups. I've handled buss tours without a blink but I really hate for people to hear my dogs barking and I'm sure it bothers me more than them but I was raised to be conscientious about other people so I worry. When it's warm I hate to leave them home in an unconditioned house panting so I bring them to work so they can enjoy the cool air. Of course being late set me off a bit, annoyed with myself even before I got there. So the dogs and being late put me in a right state.
Despite the crazy beginnings, what a lovely busy day it was, I don't think there was ever a time when there weren't people mulling about. A lot of people from Ontario, I think every second car on the street has the telltale blue and white license plate...and lots of Americans as well. The town was electric all day with yard sales and sight seeing and we had a constant stream until we closed.
The highlight of the day was a visit from a hooking angel. She walked in the store with a drawstring bag tucked under her arm and I knew there was about to be a show and tell and a show it was! Th woman had completed Tina's Roses and it was beautiful! She'd sent a picture of the Poppy Spray below a month or so back and told me she would soon have the roses finished and I knew they were going to be spectacular and she didn't disappoint!
Margaret Tupper, who has only been hooking for four years, definitely has the talent for floral rugs. She hooks in a #4 cut so is able to give the detail needed to make the flowers come to life. She is also an avid dyer, producing all the wool for her projects I asked if she would be putting this piece on the floor and she said it would probably end up rolled and stored away. She said she'll wait until there is an event or special occasion and give the rugs to members of her family. Never one to miss an opportunity, I put forth the suggestion that I am up for adoption but alas she already had children who would always come first...
Margaret is a busy rug hooker who gets around, participating in three groups. Her regular group called the Rug Rats from Nicholsville, the Fundy Group in Kingston and Rags to Riches in Berwick. Because these two patterns were never hooked before she qualified for two 50% off coupons for future patterns and she chose to combine them for the pattern "Lotus" and I can't wait to see what she will do to make it shine.
The Tina's Roses design came from an old towel. I'm dating myself but remember back in the day when powdered laundry detergents offered a bath towel, a hand towel or a facecloth in the box? I can't remember which one, ABC or Tide but this towel had survived 40 - 55 years. A friend had it stored in their basement and it was virtually new. The pretty roses and scroll work caught my eye. Now you're probably saying shame on you Christine, with copyright lectures and all. I weighed my lust for the design against the chance that after all these years anyone would care and I went for it. So glad I did as this pattern is an old fashioned, traditional beauty!
 Tina's Roses |  Poppy Spray |
Both patterns can be viewed on the site: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/new-designs.html
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