Encompassing Designs
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Kits
    • Patterns >
      • Christine Little >
        • Signature Designs
        • New Designs
        • Seasonal Designs
      • Deborah Sweet
      • Susan Leslie
      • Patricia Perry
      • William Morris
    • Supplies >
      • Backings
      • Frames
      • Hooks
      • Books
      • Extra
    • Wool >
      • Abrashed
      • Antique JQ Colors
      • Custom Dyeing
      • Dyed Bundles
      • Dyed Curly Mohair
      • Dyed Spots
      • Dyed Values
      • Dyed Yarn
      • Natural & Colours
      • Plaids & Textures
      • Dye Books & Swatches
  • Ordering
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us

Who needs rest...plenty of time for that after I'm gone!

9/15/2013

6 Comments

 
Picture
As you’ve probably noticed I’ve been a bit preoccupied this past week. Missing two blog days and a ton of sleep, I don’t know what bothered me more.  I love writing about my days, don’t know why I never entertained keeping a journal or a diary. 

I’m pretty tired and my brain has been misfiring like crazy, forgetting simple things.  Even when I went to bed at a decent hour sleep eluded me so I stayed up late to get things done, more productive than tossing and turning and being angry and frustrated with myself.  A bus load of hookers rolling up to your door is a novel opportunity that doesn’t happen often so I wanted the shop in tip top shape. 
 

Moving into the back room took a bit of time to arrange and set up.  Then we had to fill the space left vacant from the pattern shift so there was lots of work to do.  My aunt came in and commented that I was working too much and the place looked good enough with all the furniture we filled the space with so it wouldn’t look bare in the interim.  She suggested I should take a breather and  my comment was, “I’m in the business to sell product, not antiques, so yes, we have
to work late hours, I can’t just twitch my nose and make things happen, we have to work to stock the shop with product, it doesn’t arrive on a truck all finished and ready to hang.     

I get a bit frustrated at times.  The shop is viewed in two different ways.  One, it’s a craft business, a little mom and pop shop that isn’t a real business because there is no university degree needed to operate it.  I could site unlimited stories of things said and done to prove I’m not looked at as a serious business.  And then on the flip side, there are those who treat us too seriously, like a Walmart, where they expect everything to be available at all times as if we just bend over and product hits the shelves or comes from China.  Pretty much everything in our shop is hand made and that takes time and there are only two of us so I'm impressed we do as well as we do.    


Sometimes people frown when they want a pattern that isn’t available but considering it takes five minutes to sell a pattern and anywhere from one half hour to a couple of days to reproduce and replace, that doesn’t balance any way you stretch it. We will always be behind in pattern production; it’s never going to change, we don't have the area to stock several of each design so once the one is sold, it takes time to hang another.  Besides, as far as I am concerned, the shop will never have every pattern in stock at any given time.....we'd have to be robots on a production line to keep up.   So I recommend, if you are coming this way, and have your heart set on a certain design, email or call ahead so we can make sure it's available or you'll have to take your chances.
 
So once I finally fell asleep last night, I shamelessly slept in until 10:30 this morning and now I’m doing a fry up…bacon slow cooked to crispy perfection with my eggs. This past week it was grab something and go, but today I’m going to sit and savour breakfast on the back deck and take time to smell the flowers…well not many of those left but the grapevines are dripping with blue and will be ready for jelly production soon. Nature is always showcasing some miracle or another, what a fine job she’s doing!  The sail boats are out taking advantage of the last leg of summer; there won’t be many of these brilliant days left with fall and it’s unpredictable weather coming.  Our front yard is like natures television, there’s always something flying, swimming or tacking by.  What a fantastic day to be on this beautiful  planet!

So today is all about last minute stuff.  I won't get everything done on the list for tomorrow but no one will know except me.  I'm making sure things are all priced and labeled.   I heard a customer comment under her breath "I guess everything in here is free because it isn’t priced".  It wasn't the words, it was the way it was said, like the store was flawed and not worth shopping in, as if a few unpriced items could make us substandard!  Guess I'm a little touchy about my shop, it's like my kid.  But I used it as constructive criticism and made sure those few items that weren't priced now are.  


Then I have a few patterns to whip up and do a thorough clean and try to relax a bit this evening, hopefully with some snoring at the end of it.   But, chances are, I'll probably be too excited to sleep, like a kid waiting for Santa with visions of rug hookers dancing in my head.  I wanted this chance to shine, show off our products and beautiful store.  I don’t even think about sales, just showing off the shop, like introducing a beautiful child to the world.

Funny...I look around my shop and smile with chest expanding pride, and then look around my house and frown.  What a friggin mess I live in. I can’t serve two masters concurrently so I’ve done nothing at home for over a month and it shows.  The spider webs are taking over the ceiling beams again, the dust bunnies have produced like rabbits, dishes cover the counters instead of stocking the cupboards and there’s no clean flatware to speak off so I’ll be eating with my fingers tonight if I don’t buy  plastic.  With my busy life, maybe paper plates are the way to go. Chinet has a blue flower pattern, a temporary substitute for  Blue Willow.  I could eat and then dump the garbage to keep the kitchen tidy enough to see the blue counter tiles that are now completed covered. 

I won’t go into the laundry predicament. Hidden behind the closed door it’s easy to forget, but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to score something clean to wear to work. Today I won’t have to worry as the shop won’t be open while I’m there so the best dirty shirt will do.... I feel like I'm in a Kris
Kristofferson song.  I’ll pop a few loads in this evening…if only I’d been born rich, I'd hire someone to help around here and  take care of me in the style I was obviously born to explore. I've said it before, somehow the stork dropped me in the wrong spot. I’m sure Buckingham palace was the destination point, obviously something went terribly wrong with the bird’s internal GSP or it was tipping the winged elbow.    

If I ever win the lottery there will be hot, gourmet meals on the table, freshly ironed clothes waiting for the taking, bathrooms that smell like lavender and bouquets of fresh flowers in every room of the house. This princess would swoon in after a long day at work and put my feet up and feel no shame being waited on.  But...I would draw the line on squeezing my own toothpaste, shame on you Charles!  

But you can’t win lotteries if you don’t play so it’s never going to be a reality.  Besides, I’m lucky, but not million dollar lucky.  The universe takes care of me nicely but not to extremes and that's okay.....I really do have a great life, I just need a little help sometimes........ 

Well, I must get the show on the road.  Shane just called to find out when I was going to work so he’ll join me and do a bit more dyeing.  He’s done so many beautiful bundles it’s a colour feast for the eye. There’s some pretty scrumptious pumpkin colours just in time for fall.  He likes the shelves stocked as much as me, a nut that didn’t fall far from the tree…


Picture
Dear 3 A.M., We have to stop meeting this way, I'd much rather sleep with you.....
6 Comments
Marilyn Andrew
9/15/2013 11:51:13 am

Don't be so hard on yourself!! I have not been lucky enough to get to your Shop yet. It is on my Bucket List. When I see pictures of your Shop it looks divine to me. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your blogs.

Reply
Adena
9/15/2013 10:55:37 pm

Loved it before, can't wait to see what you've done with it.

Reply
Gretchen Bolar
9/16/2013 12:13:26 am

I have never been to your shop...would love to get there...perhaps someday...from So California...but it sounds and looks wonderful. The nature of the owner of the business has become very important to me in deciding where to make a purchase. Certainly the quality of the item is also important. But I will pay more of an item (not crazy more) for an item if the shop owner is a quality person as well. I would certainly put you in that category. Many of my friends are also practicing this purchasing philosophy. Stores that focus on handmade items and/or supplies for crafts/arts are high on all of our lists.
You need to be good to yourself as you are enriching many lives with your shop. Being busy is good...but do not let it dictate to you...after all it is your shop. You deserve a treat....plan on it.

Reply
Patricia
9/16/2013 04:24:47 am

IF I lived in your neighbourhood I'd be your cleaning/laundry lady and ask for a pattern in lieu of cash! I have purcashed your patterns and never had a complaint. Hooking is part of the 'slow movement' and so a pattern made by hand.

Reply
Charlene
4/21/2025 08:30:01 pm

EFFECTIVE LOVE SPELL TO GET EX HUSBAND/BOYFRIEND OR EX WIFE/GIRLFRIEND AND CURE HERPES AND INFERTILITY THAT WORKS WITHIN 24 HOURS.

Contact Great Odunga at [email protected] OR Whats App/CALL +2348167159012

I got my ex husband back to me and also got fertile and gave birth to twin girls after 12 years of marriage.
When I came online last year, I saw a testimony about Great Odunga and how he has been helping people with marriage issues and I decided to contact him. We spoke on email at [email protected] and later he gave me his Whats-App number which is +2348167159012. He assured me he would help me get my ex husband back after 3 years of no contact. Great Odunga is the best spell caster I must say. My husband called me after 24 hours of contact. The third day, I received natural herbs for fertility and after using it, I became fertile and conceived. My husband and I reconnected, had sex and I was pregnant. Presently I am happy to say I am the mother of twin girls and this is ALL THANKS TO GREAT ODUNGA. I came online to say this: If you need help, I believe you are saved with this man.

Contact his email at [email protected] OR [email protected]

Whats App/Call +2348167159012 and you too will give a testimony too to help others

Reply
Charlene
4/21/2025 08:30:08 pm

EFFECTIVE LOVE SPELL TO GET EX HUSBAND/BOYFRIEND OR EX WIFE/GIRLFRIEND AND CURE HERPES AND INFERTILITY THAT WORKS WITHIN 24 HOURS.

Contact Great Odunga at [email protected] OR Whats App/CALL +2348167159012

I got my ex husband back to me and also got fertile and gave birth to twin girls after 12 years of marriage.
When I came online last year, I saw a testimony about Great Odunga and how he has been helping people with marriage issues and I decided to contact him. We spoke on email at [email protected] and later he gave me his Whats-App number which is +2348167159012. He assured me he would help me get my ex husband back after 3 years of no contact. Great Odunga is the best spell caster I must say. My husband called me after 24 hours of contact. The third day, I received natural herbs for fertility and after using it, I became fertile and conceived. My husband and I reconnected, had sex and I was pregnant. Presently I am happy to say I am the mother of twin girls and this is ALL THANKS TO GREAT ODUNGA. I came online to say this: If you need help, I believe you are saved with this man.

Contact his email at [email protected] OR [email protected]

Whats App/Call +2348167159012 and you too will give a testimony too to help others

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

    Picture
    Picture
    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    August 2024
    January 2024
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    July 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Picture
    Picture
    Gift Certificates are available for that special rug hooker in your life!  Any denomination, no expiry date! 

    Categories
    (Click on the categories for past blogs)

    All
    Announcements
    Beginner Class
    Christmas
    Colour Planning
    Contests
    Copyright
    Coupon
    Customer Rugs
    Cutter Servicing
    Dyeing
    Equipment
    Featured Hooker
    Giveaway Draw
    Guest Blogger
    Guest Blogger
    Health & Fitness
    Home & Heart
    Hooked Rugs
    Hooking Groups
    Hook In Talk
    Initially Yours
    Jibber Jabber
    Just A Bit Of Fun!
    Life's Experiences
    Life's Experiences
    New Design
    New Ideas
    Pattern Of The Week
    Patterns Hooked
    Pets
    Rants
    Recipes
    Rememberingfbe7326ff7
    Rug Schools
    Show & Tell
    Show-tell
    The Rant
    Tips Technique
    Tips Techniquef0cd117ab4
    Visitors
    Workshops

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture





















    Picture
    We have a pot to "Fiz" in!

Shop Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Saturdays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
We are closed during ice and snow storms
​so please call ahead.  If school is cancelled we probably are closed as well.  

Toll Free: 1-855-624-0370
Local:  902-624-0370​
[email protected]

498 Main Street
P.O. Box 437
Mahone Bay, N.S.
Canada B0J 2E0

​Follow us and keep up to date
on our specials, new products
​and events!
Picture
Picture
Picture


Home
Shop
Ordering
Blog
Our Story
Workshops

Contact Us




​​​© Copyright 2023 Encompassing Designs. Website by SKYSAIL