Meet Rockin Rock "Tommy Twister"

"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

SO

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

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

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

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"

                                                      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



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!





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