Worms and Such

Time to begin a new project, but the cupboard is somewhat low on wool. Of course, I have scads and scads of worms (wool strips for all you non-hookers). I don't know about you, but I find it much easier to color-plan a piece when I can see the uncut wool. I do try and dive into my worms as best I can to avoid waste, and the expense of buying more wool....but I just LOVE taking peeks into a well stocked wool cabinet. The rainbow of brightly dyed wool is usually just what my mind's eye needs to inspire me to get started sketching something new! The age old questions for hookers, is "what to do with all the worm?" I've knitted them, and used them in many hooked pieces and other projects, but they continue to multiple faster than I can find homes for them. Any new ideas to creatively use up a bunch of worms quickly? They do take up a lot of space.

Frankie

Frankie's Balloon is finally done! I needed to get this one done and posted so you can see it before I give it to my friend Tera tomorrow at her shower. She's having a baby girl! Shhhh....don't tell, I want it to be a surprise. It's my first rug that I've used prodding on, and I'm hooked! It goes fast, and adds that 3D thing to the rug that gives it more interest and sparkle (whatever, I just like the flowers sticking out!).

Frankie's Balloon

I'm really, really trying to get this one done! It's a gift for a friend who is having a little girl to be named "Frankie". The circles in the lower left are where I am planning to prod flowers, also will be adding some beading when done. I've got about three more hooking designs swimming around in my head that I must get at.....so hoping to finish Frankie this week!

Springtime At Home

We've had such fun watching this cute baby bunny every morning. It seems to be residing under our deck with some larger members of it's family. We haven't had many rabbits around here in such a long time, and I imagine it has to do with the foxes taking up residence elsewhere. I have missed those foxes, but they just weren't cut out for suburbia (disease and cars seems to have led to their demise). I hope these little rabbits fare better.......but.... they must watch out for cooper and red shouldered hawks that live among the treetops!

Nice bench for viewing fish in the pond. Can you see the yellow koi? Oh......and the occasional frog.

Lilies by the pond. See that old green chair in the background? I snagged that out of a truck pulling in during our neighborhood cleanup a year ago. It was on its way to the scrap metal pile. Now, what a waste that would have been.....

Entrance to the screened porch. A different "doorstep."

And last....but not least....the Swinging Banshee! (Don't ask.....)

A Little Visual Journaling

Oh Alice......you always check in and "wake me up." I haven't been hooking much lately, so not much to post about. But...today I decided to journal a page for Creation and Expansion on the Welcome Mat (great source for creative rug hooking). The above is my interpretation of the word daily.

And now I must really get back to hooking. I have a sweet little project I've been working on (a tiny snippet is shown in the previous post). I put it down a few weeks ago and just haven't felt like working on it much. Does that ever happen to you? It's like all my creativity was ZAPPED! Maybe it's school ending for the summer or maybe the cool rainy weather, but whatever, I'm going to persevere and get back to work!

The Beginning of Something

This is all I have hooked right now, though it's all drawn out on the linen. Isn't she cute? Sort of like a cartoon character, but I can't think of which one. Can you? I'm going to post little bits and pieces, here and there, before you see it all together. Kind of like putting together pieces of a puzzle isn't it? I'll try to add more to this little rug puzzle in a day or two.

BOATHOUSE HOOK IN!

We had an absolute blast Saturday rug hooking at the boathouse overlooking Springfield Lake. The following are just a few pictures of our day.

Part of our Springfield crew. What a group of talented hookers!

What would we have done without Joan's sweet, helpful girls? They signed people in, put out mountains of delicious food, and kept the door prizes coming!

Tammy, who organized this extravaganza, looking pretty in pink.

Ann with her very first hooked rug.

Sandy with her cleverly embellished girls with umbrellas.

Renee with her "Flower Girl".

Tammy's gorgeous wool.

It's Time To Draw!

I put your names in this pretty old dish and had my handsome husband, Jim, do the honors.

And the winner is.........SHARON of Sweet Repose! Sharon, I will get with you by email to get details on sending your sweepstakes prize.

I will be having another drawing in May (well....I plan on it anyway). Watch for a little vintage plate next!

GIVE-AWAY TIME!

While perusing blogs, I so enjoy all the give-aways going on. It's so fun, generous, and simply cool to send something off to someone you've never really met in person! I primarily rug hook to release my creative energy, but also like to dabble in paper, fabric, and glue on occasion. I would just LOVE to give away this little embellished notebook! If you would like to post a brief comment, I will draw one out next Saturday, April 18th!

TWO DOWN!

Yes....I've posted enough of these two, but I'm so happy to have finally bound them both and can all it a "wrap!" The girl rug (that I've now named Reside) is about 30"x24". With the patient help of Tammy, I bound it with wool covered cord. The small piece called "My Backyard" is about 12"x10" and I used wool Biggy yarn and simply wrapped the edge. I'm on to a new rug, which I've finally drawn out and will post after I get some hooking done on it. Watch for bright, bright colors...and hopefully some proddy work!

Inspiration Board!

I acquired this frame with a mirror in it. Took out the mirror, got a piece of heavy foam board, bought this lovely material at the local discount fabric shop.....and there you have it! Well...my sweet talented handsome husband did all the assembling. Actually been wanting to do this little project for quite some time. The problem is....it's just to pretty to tack anything up on! Oh well...I'll just gaze at it for a few days and then load it up with all kinds of "inspiration".

TAMMY'S BIRTHDAY/ART DAY!

Yesterday was Tammy's (lovely lady on the left) birthday. Sheri (gorgeous gal on the right) invited us over for a glorious day of paper crafting. Of course great food, desserts, conversation, and mimosas helped us keep up our strength to make it through the "grueling" day of creativity. The following is a peek into Sheri's jammed packed studio of artful goodies, and the take home treasures we made.

Sheri's "Bursting At The Seams" Studio

Sheri's studio is heaven! She has everything imaginable to do anything imaginable. If it can be made Sheri's made it! These pics. are only a tiny portion of what she's got, and man is she generous. All Tammy and I had to do was ask and....voila...it suddenly appeared in front of us. We were knee deep in paper, glue, paint, scissors, buttons, beads, and every other doodad a person could want. Well, we were also knee deep in a pitcher of mimosa's (did I mention it was Tammy's birthday?).

Our Artistic Endeavors

Tammy's visual journal piece for Welcome Mat.

Sheri's birthday party cards for her mother.

And my finished piece at home on the mantel! Oh, and the lovely quince in the vintage soda bottle on the right came from Sheri's backyard. I came home happy, full, and artistically invigorated!

YIKES! FLEA MARKET CONUNDRUM

Okay, here I am arriving home from my second job (sort of). I'm in this flea market, Charely's Angels, with three friends. Very cool funky flea market with lots of wonderfully creative booths. All is going well, actually making a little $$ and having fun doing it. The only thing is, whenever I go there to check things out, add a few treasures, and rearrange, I end up buying more. I mean, I can spend less that $20 and come back loaded with crap. It's an evil plan! Rent the booth to the unsuspecting entrepreneur and sell them back more than they originally sold in the first place. What's a flea market junkie to do?

Dulcy's Freedom

I'm getting ready to retire from 23 fabulous years of teaching. My friend Mandy made this wonderful collage for me titled "Dulcy's Freedom." Mandy is artistic on many levels, but when it comes to baking no one can touch her! A great day at school is cupcake day. That's when Mandy brings in gorgeous little cupcakes that look more like tiny treasures than food! I've got her rug hooking now, and she's already designing her own patterns. I'll post her current hooked piece when it's done (well, that's if she'll let me....ok Mandy?).

Graham And His Guys

My husband's grandson Graham was here this week. Our evenings were comprised of Go Fish, action figures (he calls them his "guys") and a trip to the circus. He's got absolutely, hands down, the most gorgeous eyes I've ever seen! Graham has gone back home to Texas now, and we miss him (I'm not speaking for the cats).

A THING FOR ORANGE!

Made these mini notebooks for Charely's Angels.

Outside My Bedroom Window

This little mat is done except for finding. I played with several yarns, ribbons, beads, and wools. Small....about 10"x10".

Holding Sweet Rosie

As Rosie becomes an old lady kitty, she just loves being held. She's changed so much from the little kitten we found nesting in the grape arbor out back many years ago. She never liked being picked up and cuddled, and now she can't get enough!

BEAUTIFUL SNOW

Our path out back to the studio...... I'm never disappointed waking up to snow. Cold and windy day, but absolutely gorgeous!

FLEA MARKET SATURDAY

This flea market business is getting to be a part-time job! Spent this morning pricing and getting items ready to take to our booth.

CHARLEY'S ANGELS

I've opened a flea market space with my buddies Cyndi and Claire. This is a new venture for the three of us, and we're very excited about it. It's a small booth in a large flea market called Charelys, hence our new name "Charely's Angels!" All three of us have been ardent flea marketers over the years and want to move stuff on. We also plan to add hand-made items in the future. Cyndi had a lovely quote that sums up this new experience for us, "It's not only about making a few extra dollars, it's about fun and friendship."

It's Beginning To Look Like Spring!

We have literally thousands of crocuses blooming in our yard each spring. They're just now sticking up their little heads on sunny days. There's hope yet!

Outside My Bedroom Window

This little mat is sort of a whimsical experiment. I'm using assorted materials to hook with....wool, ribbon, wool needlepoint thread, and yarns. I'm hoping to add beads to the inside of the pink flowers. Yes, this is what you would see from my bedroom window (well, sort of).

Peek A Boo!

Little Iris likes to hide under my rugs when draped over the frame. Unfortunately, there's no rug in progress, so she's been exposed!

Our Old Stone Cottage

I designed this rug with our home in mind. We live in an old (1929) stone house with a red metal roof. It sits on almost 2 acres of trees in an older part of our town. We have various wildlife that visit us, and we just love living in our "old stone cottage!"

WILLOW BY THE FIRE ON A SNOW DAY

CONNECTED

This rug is sort of a self portrait that I've had a lot of fun hooking. I created this design to express how I feel connected to nature. The fox is a memory of a happy time when we had a den of pups raised by their parents in a wood and brush pile in our yard. You can see pictures of the fox and pups in older posts down my blog.

AFTERNOON YOGA SESSION!

Enjoying time with Graham.

Finally Some Background!

I'm having a lot of fun with this rug! Usually, by the time I get to the background, I'm more than ready to put up the hook for awhile. But this rug has been very stimulating for me, and I think I'll miss working on it when it's done.

Iris Examining New Rug By The Light Of The Fire

New Rug In Progress

The design changes as I hook, but she's almost there!

AN AFTERNOON AT WICKMAN'S

We had such fun at Wickman Gardens Christmas Open House today! I had my face painted with holly. Also spent some time with the cutest little llama!

YES IT'S REAL!

To get an idea of the size of this little cutie pie (the llama, that is) I'm standing on my knees....

HOPE!

Tiny Fall Hangers

I drew and hooked these small pieces over the summer, then couldn't decide what to do with them. Finally just sewed them up into these cute seasonal hanging ornaments. Gotta love those fall colors!

A FALL AFTERNOON IN ARKANSAS

I took the above pictures in and around Leslie, Arkansas, a pretty, quaint little town we discovered over the weekend. Nice little antique/flea markets, a gallery, fabulous coffee shop, bakery, and cafe. What more could anyone want on a fall afternoon?

FALL FLOWER RUG

This little fall rug is finally done.

Fall Flower

This one is done except for trimming and binding. I like the raspberry background, which is completely different from what I had planned. I originally planned to use golds with some green, but there didn't seem to be enough contrast. I happened to have this intense raspberry.....and wow! Love it! Now on to paint table legs (originally bird bath bases) a wonderful color called "yarrow" which is a bright sort of celery green. Hopefully, the rug will be at home on the glass top of the table.

Shades of Green and Pumpkin Orange!

Sometimes I get certain colors and color combinations stuck in my head, and I just have to paint, hook, crochet, and sometimes dress in those colors until some new color strikes me. And strike me is usually how this happens. My husband and I were out for dinner and I was checking out the window of this wonderful floral shop next to the restaurant. Well.....this place always has the most creative displays. The new fall display had orange pumpkins nestled amid celery-type shades of green fabric. There were also black wire female dress forms displayed. Simple but stunning! So..... I went through my wool stash, found what I needed, and started a project for fall!

New small rug. I am hooking it for a glass table top. These colors are resulting in the need to paint the table legs, which were originally the bases for bird baths. I found a wonderful color called "yarrow" which I'm going to use. Will share pic. when all's done.

I've been crocheting orange scrubbies to give out to my adult friend trick or treaters!

Better Picture of Water Lily

For some reason, pictures don't always post true to color. So here is a repost of the lily!

Peach Water Lily

The peach water lilies are taking over our pond. Good thing because they're my favorites!

Bedroom Window View

A peek outside our bedroom window to the pond below.

Jim, Jim, and Jim!

My husband in his studio (can you tell which is the real Jim?).

Yellowstone Evening Bear

This is for you Tammy!

More From Yellowstone

Baby elk in the wildflowers. Their mother is out of the shot, but close by, and papa is on the bank on the other side of the water.

This misty volcanic pool is fed by geysers. The orange color is from iron deposits.

Now What?

I drew and hooked these tiny rugs (about 4 to 6 inches) and wondering what to do next? I'm thinking of backing with wool and making hangers, or possibly stuffing for small pillows. Any suggestions?

Wild Wyoming!

Just got back from Wyoming where I had fun working on my photography. I took almost 500 pictures (not to worry......I won't be posting them all). Here's a couple of the first ones that are ready to show.

Great Way To Organize Worms!

My friend Renee made this cute worm holder. I'm getting ready to take a vacation and plan on taking a new hooking project with me. This little organizer keeps worms tidy and in place!

What You Can Do With A Little Mod Podge

This little file cabinet was blonde, square, and boring.....but very functional. I used art paper and Mod Podge to brighten things up a bit!

SOCK KNITTING.......

Trying to learn to knit socks, and what a tedious task! Using #1 circular needles which make these very teeny-tiny stitches. I love using this self-striping yarn.....it's just so cool the way it knits up! Hopefully, I'll get a pair made before Christmas.......

Almost There!

"Our Springtime Cottage" rug is almost done, but I'm afraid I'm going to run out of black wool. YIKES! May have to do some substituting.

Flowers Find Their Way Indoors!

A little peek out my kitchen window. It's fun to use old bottles found at flea markets for tiny flower vases.

Home For Knitting Needles

I love using my McCoy pieces for various containers. This vase makes a nice home for some of my knitting needles, and makes it easy to see what I've got. Placed it with this darling little box made by my sweet friend Katie for my birthday!

Flea Market Finds (Day & Night)

Found this cute little oil painting and red table on a day out with long-lost friend Angela

Twin Ravens

My Designs

The following three pictures are reposts of rugs I have designed and hooked in the past year. My wonderful husband spent some time photographing them for me.

Rainy Day On The Porch

Doorstep Seen Behind Daylilies

Summer Fun!

Our five year old grandson, Graham, came for a two week visit. He's beautiful, funny, bright, and full of energy! We had a blast and just got back from driving him home to Texas.

The Ride Home To Texas

It's a long drive back to Texas. Graham HATES the drive across Oklahoma! Luckily, for him and us, he slept some on the way.

Looking For Treasure

On the way back home from Texas, we stopped for lunch in Ardmore, Oklahoma. I had remembered that I had seen this great article in Country Living a couple of months back featuring this gal sitting in front of the most interesting looking store/gallery/flea market. I couldn't remember the name of the place, but I recalled that everything in the photo seemed to be pink. I asked around town, and finally, someone told me where to go and to look for all the pink bicycles. They said I was probably looking for The Cloverleaf.

And There It Was!

The place is full of wonderful treasures, and I had to really restrain myself. I had a great time perusing the place and petting the Standard black and white poodle with pink rhinestone ribbons attached to it's ears. I bought a couple of small items and left the shop to look around outside, and that's when I found exactly what I needed........

The Perfect Find!

I've been trying to find a way to store my earring collection (I've currently grounded myself from purchasing anymore). While at The Cloverleaf, I found this adorable little old birdcage that's perfect for the task. Now I can see them without digging through my many little storage boxes I was using before. I also found that each one had a match. Amazing!! I topped the cage with one of the cute tags my friend Katie made for me.

Continuing Progress

Down to the black!

A Little Drama!

I'm adding a solid antique black background. I think there's enough going on without too much other movement in the background. This is my favorite part because I like the way the black makes the colors pop out!

Yoga With Graham

Our grandson is here visiting. We like to do "our yoga" together.

Springtime Cottage In Progress

I'm having a lot of fun hooking this one!

Our Cottage In Springtime

New rug design I'm playing with. I've been wanting to hook a rug like our old rock house with it's red metal roof. It's just sort of evolving as I hook.

A Day In Eureka Springs!

My husband and I took a little jaunt to Eureka Springs, Arkansas yesterday. He needed to drop off some of his photography at Quick Silver Gallery where he shows some his work. This is a picture of the doorway at Quick Silver.....and.....it just so happens that one of his framed pieces was sitting out front. The name of this photograph is "It'll Shine When It Shines" and was used as an album cover for the band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

Clothes hanging outside the Pink Flamingo.

Looking up Spring Street.

A peek in one of my favorite Eureka shops, Mountain Eclectic.

We Looked Up!

My husband and I were enjoying a glass of wine the other night while sitting on our deck. We looked up and saw this owl looking done on us. My husband ran in, grabbed his camera, and got the shot!

TWIN RAVENS

I believe I'm done hooking these guys. I've decided to go with the scalloped border because I think it adds more interest to this rug. I'm not sure which binding off process or material I will use. I'm thinking long crocheted strips of dark wool. This rug is my own design.

Willow

Center Is Finally Done!

I'm really tired of hooking blue! Moved on to the border today and am really enjoying using a hit n' miss pattern.

A Find At Arts Fest!

My husband is showing his photography at our local Arts Fest this weekend. While browsing the artists tents, I couldn't resist this gorgeous, beautifully colored basket. I'm hoping to take a basket making class this summer.

Mandy's Shrug

Yet another shrug to knit, but a fun and easy knit. Making this for my teaching pal Mandy who chose this fabulous green yarn. Mandy is a baker of all kinds of wonderful and beautiful treats. Actually, when it comes to baking she is an artist. She is going to trade me something baked for the shrug. I'm thinking a tea party with pretty cupcakes is in my future this summer!

Yet To Be Named

My "Twin Ravens" is still in progress. I'm anxiously filling in blues and looking forward to doing the border. Want to use some golds, antique blacks, browns, peach, and whatever else "hooks" me at the moment.

Our Cottage

I've been wanting to draw a rug hooking pattern that loosely represents our home. This is what I've come up with so far.

New Flowers and Herbs Just Waiting To Be Potted!

Love That Blue!

I put together a new springtime wreath. Needed blue with the red and clay.

CUTE AND PRIMITIVE

I took some time from the large raven rug I've been hooking to hook these cute Karen Kahle tiny birdhouse patterns. I got these at her workshop I attended in K.C. last June. Great little project for instant gratification!

Beautiful Afternoon With Friends!

Our friends Thesha, Thomas, and their little Eli...oh yes, and Zeplin too!

My Current Rug In Progress

I'm doing this rug for a friend. It's my design and I'm having lots of fun with color! More pictures as this one progresses.

Kelly Planning A New One

Kelly is our cute little "newby" to hooking. She really has an eye for color and is so enthusiastic. Above, she is already planning her next rug from some fabulous new patterns that Tammy brought in.

Patti and Her Gorgeous Rug

A BIT OF SPRING ON THE WINDOWSILL

Daffodils are popping up all over the place! Combined with pussy willows, my favorite hand-painted glass from my dear friend Marty, and well.........I just had to take this picture!

A Day On The Train

Spent this beautiful afternoon on a train with my two most favorite guys in the whole world. What an awesome way to spend a day!

Future Photographer

The camera's a perfect fit for this little guy!

TEA TIME DONE!

Done and binded. Crocheted the edge with yarn.

EASTER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ONLY ABOUT PASTELS!

Easter pastels are so sweet and pretty, but frankly, they sort of bore me. Instead of light blue or yellow Easter shoes, how about these cherry red flats! Couldn't pass them up!

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL EASTER EGGS!

The following are shots of Ukrainian Easter eggs that my mother made over the years. The process is called Pysanky, and is a layering process done with wax and dyes. The eggs are not only decorated and given at Easter, but any occasion where you want to bring good luck to someone. The symbols all have special meanings, so the occasion determines what design will go on the egg. My mother made these for about 20+ years and did many art shows where people were just amazed with her beautiful colors and details. She always sold out of eggs way before the end of the show!

TEA TIME

This is my latest rug design. A couple of weeks ago we had "yet another" day off from school due to weather, so I decided to put it to good use. I wanted to draw and hook a rug using only materials I had at home (didn't want to go out in the ice and snow). Out of this evolved my little Tea Time rug. I've had the idea that I wanted to design a rug using a cup and saucer for some time. I've been "hooked" on the lavender, purple, and gold color combination I used a year ago on my Raven Highlight rug. Since I had lots of those colors on hand, that's what I decided to go with. I haven't bound it off yet, but plan on doing a crocheted border. I did buy yarn for that in a rosy-purple. I'll post again when it's completely finished.

LENEXA HOOK-IN!

Katie and I have been looking forward for the last several months to our little day trip to Lenexa in Kansas City. Not only were we planning on getting together with some of our fun and creative hooking friends, but we couldn't wait to shop and browse all the beautiful rugs! Here are a few pictures of our day. I included pictures of three of my favorite rugs. I think it's obvious from what I chose that I'm a fan of color and lots of it!

GRAHAM'S RUG IS FINALLY DONE!

Going in the mail tomorrow for 5 year old birthday!

TERA'S HEART

I hooked this up for my friend Tera just before the power went out.

GRAHAM'S RUG

Graham's rug is almost done. It's been fun working with the more primitive design and color palette. The pretty dish is a Christmas present from my dear friend Cyndi. I thought it was a perfect place to keep my hooking tools out. Seeing them out on the table all the time keeps me hooking. Plus my new little dish makes me happy!

NEW WOOL!

Last week at Simply Fiber Tammy spread out her fabulous new wools. I decided to stock up! They're so pretty I don't want to cut them.....

IT'S A GREEN THING!

My newest items on eBay happen to be all green!

My Antique Pottery Gallery

About 13 years ago I went a little "overboard" with collecting antique pottery. I loved perusing the flea markets looking for just the right "find." Well, I found a lot of "finds" over the years. The prices shot up, and I had enough to find places for and occasionally dust. I've decided to start listing a few of my precious pieces on eBay. If I have any luck, I may try and find homes for some of the others. The following pictures are a few of some of my favorites. Enjoy!

The pretty little blue flower pot is listed on eBay.

FOLKHEART COMPLETE

My FolkHeat is finally complete with binding. It found a home on a small yellow swivel chair in our living room. It's very bright, but works well in my home. I love the more calm colors used in primitive rug hooking, but these bright wools from Tammy just get me all excited!