TEXAS RUG BUG

SING LOUD

2009-02-07T20:30:00.001-08:00

The rug is finished with the hooking and is now ready to bind. I added beads to the birds eyes. Hopefully the cat won't think it is something for her to play with. There were 3 of us who did this pattern. I will try to get a picture of all three together. I think it is always interesting to have several people do the same pattern and see how different they turn out.

The Surprise Rug Is Done

2009-02-06T16:03:00.001-08:00

I told you some time back that I was working on a surprise rug. Well the surprise is done and the gift has been given. This rug design is by Polly Minick and I made this for my friend's birthday. I gave it to her on Wednesday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN!

More Great Merchandise For Sale

2009-02-02T14:34:00.001-08:00

Friends,

I have been asked to sell some great overstocked merchandise on Ebay. These items come from a recently acquired rug hooking business and is all new and from a non-smoking environment. There are some wonderful out of print dye books, I have several sizes of blades for the Fraser cutter. I also have the rubber gaskets for the blades if you are in need of those and lots of Cushing Dyes. There are several copies of these patterns shown if you are interested in a wholesale price for all of them, please contact me.

It Is Almost Valentines Day

2009-02-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

Here is our new Valentine. Her name is Abbey and she is a puppy. Her linage is in question but we think she will stay small enough to live indoors. Her people went to jail and she ended up at the SPCA living with the cats because there wasn't enough room with the dogs. Anyway, along came my Jim who rescued her and now she is a Happy Dog. She still lives with a cat but only one and she has someone who adores her. Needless to say I hadn't planned on getting a dog so soon but then I've done lots of things I didn't PLAN on doing.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well the day has been very relaxing. We started to go to the movie but decided to watch the movies we had on cable instead. We started to go out to eat and decided to eat what we already had in the fridge. Hummmm....wonder if this is going to start a new trend in 2009. Using what we already have, what a concept. I am working on a surprise for someone so I can't post any pictures for fear she will see it so you will just have to take my word for it that I am hooking. I will still post pictures of my other projects as I am notorious for having more than one project going at the same time. I think I might be ADD except that I don't move very fast so there must be another label for it......Be kind:)

I have only one resolution for the new year and that is to return to Weight Watchers and get back into those clothes I bought last year. Otherwise I will be wearing a Burka wherever I go. There, I've said it out loud so I have to follow through.

I wish all of you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous NEW YEAR!

HAPPY HOOKING!!!

Oh Baby It's Cold Outside!!

2008-12-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

Well the weather outside is frightful to quote the song. The wind has blown for the past 2 days but this morning it blew in a cold spell that makes it feel a lot like winter. FINALLY! Today is the first day I have been able to keep a long sleeve shirt on all day without breaking a sweat. NICE! So, today I finished hooking this little rug that I started on Saturday. Yes, Saturday, but, you have to understand that it is not very big. It measures 29 x 7 and I am going to make it into a pillow. If I had thought about it, I would have made it longer so that it could be a "draft dodger" at the bottom of the door or in a window sill. The cardinal on the dog's back is hooked with a scrap of antique paisley and the black on his face is done with black metalic wool which gives his face some sparkle. I love quick projects. They just take the edge off and make you feel like you really accomplished something.

I tried to figure out the new MULTIPLY that Wool Snippets is moving to. Have any of you tried that yet? I don't seem to be smart enough to figure this one out yet. I have a feeling that it is not Mac compatible and that will leave me out for sure. Anyone have any info on this?????

WHAT HAPPENED TO 2008?

2008-12-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Well Fellow Hookers, here it is. The end of another year. I thought I would share with you our Lone Star ATHA Guild project for 2009. We started on this in September and for the next year we will do a 12 block sampler. Each of the meetings we will accomplish blocks taught by different members of our Guild. When we are finished we will lay them all together for a group photo and do an article for the ATHA magazine. The first two blocks were an autumn leaf done in the "painterly" fashion and the Hawaiian Pineapple Quilt pattern done in the Waldaboro style. The Texas pattern is done in paisley and the Rose is done in a wide cut. Some chose to do their blocks with 4 across and 3 down. I chose to do mine in a runner so I could put it on my table. I am running out of places to put rugs on the floor. Where do most of you put your rugs? Do you plan your projects for certain places in your home or just do them because you like the pattern and then worry about what to do with them when you are done?

Finally It Feels Like Fall

2008-11-06T16:24:00.000-08:00

Today was really beautiful. It finally looks and is beginning to feel like Fall. I tried to pick up the house a little. Cynthia Norwood is coming to stay the night with me tomorrow night and teach a workshop for our Guild on Saturday. Thank goodness she isn't allergic to wool dust. There is plenty of it to go around. I finally threw up my hands at cleaning up the "Once Oh So Clean Workroom" and put some of it on Ebay. If you know anyone looking for a Fraser 500-1 cutter with a 6 & 8 blade or a Joan Moshimer St. Nick Christmas Rug Hooking Pattern., you will find them there for sale. If you are interested, let me know and I will end the auction and we can deal direct. I also posted today that I have drawn off the cushion exchange pattern for Yellow Rose Rug Camp. If anyone is interested in doing that for the camp in March 2009, and you don't want to have to draw it yourself, contact me. Cost for the pattern is $11.50 and that includes postage.

I finally finished my Halloween Witch pattern. I guess I'm too late to hang her this year, but I will sure be ahead of the game in 2009. Now I just need to bind the edges and put her away till next year. I hope I don't forget where I put her.

October 25, 2008

2008-10-25T18:21:00.001-07:00

I have been terrible about keeping up with my Blog. I've been trying to "REALLY" finish some past projects. This week I finished the Santa into a pillow with some cute red and white pin stripe fabric for cording and backing. I really like this no-hook backing for quick projects. Maybe I can get a few more of these made for Christmas presents. Wouldn't this be cute with a proddy Christmas Tree???? So many ideas, so little time.

My Newest Project

2008-10-06T19:40:00.001-07:00

Well I saw something while at rug camp that peeked my interest. Dyed linen backing that makes a wonderful hookless background. I decided that I could probably do this myself. After several attempts at dye I finally found a formula that worked well and gave me the primitive color I wanted. It takes some time to prepare the linen but the hooking goes really fast when you don't have to hook the background. This color I call Primitive Barn Red. The pattern was a free pattern in one of my craft magazines. I plan to make a pillow out of him and give it as a Christmas present. Oh yes, I did put a half yard of the dyed linen on Ebay just to see if anyone was interested in purchasing some. If you are interested the number is 220290981994.

Off To Fredericksburg Star of Texas Rug Camp

2008-09-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks. I seem to have worked a lot on my rug. I know you can't tell from the picture but I reverse hooked the lights on the Christmas tree so they have dimension to them. I used hemp rope to hook his lasso and concho buttons on his chaps. His beard and eyebrows are done with roving. Anyway the UFO is finished. It is time now to go to one of my favorite camps. Star of Texas in Fredericksburg will start on Sunday and go until Thursday. Fredericksburg, Texas is a beautiful little town in the Hill Country of Texas. Lots of good food, cute shops and a wonderful wool shop. This is also another chance to eat pie at the Bluebonnet Cafe that I talked about back in August. We never miss a chance to eat at BC....and yes, I will be back at Weight Watchers in October. My teacher for camp this year is Gail Dufresne. I first met Gail at Yellow Rose Rug Camp last March. She was one of our teachers and I was impressed with her class. I will post pictures when I return but it will be a while. After camp, the Round Top Antique Show in Round Top , Texas starts and I feel the need to see what wonderful treasures might be lurking under one of those tents. Like I need one more thing......but it is the thrill of the hunt that keeps us going.

Today Was A Good Day

2008-09-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

I want to thank Jo Ellen for nominating me for the Primitive Excellence Award. I am thrilled. I hope I can continue to live up to the expectation. If I can learn a little more about this blogging business I will be able to nominate some others and add their links to my page. That is something for my Apple One-On-One Teacher to maybe explain to me. I know some days he thinks there should be a law against people like me, who are not really computer savy, using computers.

Today was a Good Hooking Day! I have been working on my UFO project and it is coming along nicely. I always make strange sounds when someone suggests hooking in 3's and 4's but the result is always amazing. There is nothing like a little "detail" in a rug that really makes it stand out. I don't want to do fine hooking all the time but this project is going smoothly so far so I won't whine too much. I tried to post a picture but for some reason it won't post on my blog. You can see it on the UFO blog.

3/4 Of The Year 2008 Is GONE!

2008-08-31T11:29:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that this year is almost over? Where did the time go? They are already battling in the stores on whether to put up Halloween decor or Christmas. It's still too hot in Texas to think about either one.

I returned from the San Antonio workshop with a rug that was almost finished. I completed it this weekend. It is my own design. I did it just for fun in Bev Conway's class. As I look at it in this picture I can see some things I could do to improve on it. One is to take out the letters and rehook them.........Yeah, that's not gonna happen today so............Bev is a talented teacher. I wish I had done one of her patterns but I just spent so much money doing Miss Weigle that I didn't feel like I could splurge on one more pattern and more wool. You've seen how much wool I have so buying more just didn't seem like a good idea. However, I did buy a little wool from Bev. It's just a sickness. No matter how much you have there is always a color you "NEED". So now you know why I haven't been working on my UFO for the challenge. My excuse was that "the dog ate my homework" but that wasn't true. I'm just not motivated to do the UFO. But, I have been talking to myself and I am going to go now and drag it in front of the tv and do something on it so I can show it on the BLOG tomorrow.

I got a notice from the State Fair yesterday that one of my rugs got a blue ribbon. That is pretty exciting. I'm usually the Susan Luchi of the hooking world and always end up with 4th place or no place. My Miss Weigle that I was so proud of got Honorable Mention (that's 4th place to those of you who are not familiar with the grading). I can't wait to see all the winning rugs this year. The textile display is always a treat to see. The Fair opens September 26.

August 22, 2008

2008-08-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

Well Fellow Bloggers, I am off to San Antonio for the Annual Angela Pumphrey workshop in San Antonio, Texas. This workshop is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Riverwalk. Of course we will go through Marble Falls and eat lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe (it's tradition). Any time in your life that you can get close to Marble Falls, you must stop at the Bluebonnet Cafe for a piece of their "OUT OF THIS WORLD" pie.....and of course chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy. Got the picture???? This is not only a rug hooking event, but an eating extravaganza. We will be be home Sunday.

IT"S TIME TO EAT OUT IN DALLAS

2008-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't live in the area or those who do and just "don't know", This is the second week of what is know as "Restaurant Week". Sponsored by KRLD, it is where the restaurants, with some clout, in Dallas and Ft. Worth design a special menu at a fixed price ($35.00) and you, the patron, get to experience the thrill of expensive places to eat at a fraction of the cost while donating to charity in the process. Still the same calories but knowing that it not only goes to your hips but also to a good cause makes it bearable. See, it's a Win-Win situation.

Last night we went to Stephan Pyles in downtown Dallas and OH MY, WHAT A TREAT. If you haven't been, it's worth the calories to experience his Heaven & Hell Cake. I'm taking a piece to hooking tomorrow along with 12 forks for everyone to sample....Yes, the piece is that big. Now I'm going to have to figure out a way to hook and exercise this off at the same time. I wonder if they make a floor frame with bicycle wheels attached. Oh by the way, don't bother with going to Capital Grille...

Relief From The Heat

2008-08-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks have been so hot I couldn't do anything but think of things to do to make it seem cooler. I decided I needed a space in my backyard that I could go to in the early mornings and late afternoon that would allow me to get some fresh air and a little light therapy. Staying in the house all day, every day was dragging me down. Since the grass would never grow in this area of the yard I decided a stone patio could be "a good thing". My husband found this patio set at a yard sale for cheap and things started taking shape. The past few days have been really nice outside and my little oasis is working out nicely. Today I sat outside (with a fan) and actually bound a rug. In the bright light of day, I was actually able to see what I was doing and the process went very quickly. I think I have found my new "Place In The Sun" to do my rug hooking. Come on FALL! I'm ready for cooler weather. Does anyone have any tips on finishing rugs? My new favorite way is to fold and whip with a thin strand of yard while catching the edge of the binding tape at the same time.

2008-08-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have been in Colorado for my son's wedding this past week. The wedding was a huge success. Even with the rain that was dumped on us just minutes before the ceremony began. The theme was Hawaiian Luau complete with shell blower, hula dancer and band. The ceremony was beautiful. My son and grandsons came across the lake in a canoe just at sunset to begin the ceremony while the man blew the shell (not an easy task). They read the vows they had written and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was a perfect wedding.

Now I must get back to reality and start working on those UFO's. Before I know it, Christmas carols will be playing at WallMart and I will be no further along than I am now.

I Beat The Deadline!

2008-07-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

Even taking some time out to see JERSEY BOYS at the State Fair Musicals, I made it by the deadline. I said by August 1st. and by golly I did it. I still have a little tweeking to do but it is so much better than it was. The cat is exhausted from walking back and forth while I rearranged but now she is satisfied with the way it looks and her basket is back in front of the window so she can watch me and watch the birds. All is right with the world. All that Elfa shelving I found in estate sales and on the sidewalk during bulk trash pick up week has finally paid off. I saved a fortune dumpster diving. That may be my new favorite sport.:) I also found a great store display rack with brass arms that I used for strips of wool. I bought macrame hoops and attached the strips with safety pins to it then hung the hoops on the arms of the rack. My next project is to organize those hoops by color. That's another long project. When I'm finished, I'll be dead so just line up outside the front door and my husband will direct you to the "Wool Room" where he will instruct you to just take what you want. He knows nothing about wool except that it itches when he wears it and he loves how it looks in the rugs. I will be gone now till after the 10th of August for my son's wedding so I will blog after that. Stay cool, dry or whatever it takes till I return.

July 26, 2008

2008-07-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

After 8 hours in the "room" I have officially found the floor and uncovered most of it. That green laundry bag of wool sitting in that little chair is going to have to find a new home. I listed some of it on Ebay to see if I could generate a little money, but the bag is still full. Well the other sides of the room will have to wait till another day. Maybe we should have a wool swap. What do you do with your wool when you are tired of it? We never use it all and we just keep buying it. What is wrong with us??????

Deadline August 1st

2008-07-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

For the next couple of weeks I will be working in my "wool room" trying to create order where chaos seems to rule. Does anyone have any good ideas for making this happen that doesn't involve a home equity loan? I have a great space but it has gotten out of control. I will sort and then purge.

I have way too many patterns...some started and some still in the bag. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Some Of My Favorite Rugs

2008-07-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

These rugs are some of my favorite. The Coats & Clark rug sits on top of my Coats & Clark Spool cabinet which serves as an end table. Miss Weigle was a real challenge. I loved doing this Gene Shepherd rug. The next is my dog Valiene da Dawg Reynolds. I did this from a photograph with Elizabeth Black. Then there is Howdy Texas. Last is Santa & Friends a pattern designed by Judy Cripps.

Texas' Summers Are The Hotest...and not in a "Cool" way.

2008-07-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

It never ceases to amaze me at how hot Texas summers can be. It's deceiving because you can get up at 6:30 a.m. and start out on a nice long walk in what seems like a pleasant morning and by the time you get home you could swear that you have walked across Hell. Then you spend the rest of the day trying to figure out how you can do all those errands that need to be done from your chair in front of the fan. Retail stores need to either put shade cloth over their parking lots or open a whole lot earlier in the summer. If I haven't done what I need to do outside by 11:00, it just doesn't get done. Today, I am going to try to finish (and by that, I mean put the binding on) a rug I started a couple of weeks ago for next year's camp. I use Gene Shepherd's finishing technique. Have any of you found an easy way to finish rugs????Besides paying someone to do it for you????? Gene's way of attaching the binding tape at the same time you are doing a whip of yarn over the edge has been the best way for me. Also using my wonderful Euro Steam iron helps in the whole process. This iron is the most wonderful invention ever. No more using those wet towels, playing Twister while steaming your rugs and waiting for your rugs to dry. If you are interested in this iron, contact me and I will put you in touch with the person who can get you one. I even actually enjoy ironing clothes with this iron (something I can do inside in the air conditioning). My husband is thrilled to cut the dry cleaner's bill in half.

Day One

2008-07-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

I will begin by telling you that I am retired from 34 years of working at a local Methodist Church and 20+ years of being an antique dealer. Once I retired, I realized how much there is to do and how little time there is in the day to do it. How did I ever find time to go to a "JOB"? I involved myself in the art of traditional rug hooking. I have two dear friends who are now my partners in a Fiber Art Events business called Yellow Rose Events. We sponsor fiber art workshops in Texas. Our website is http://www.yellowroseevents.net. If you ever need a place to learn the art of rug hooking, please consider our camp.

I am married to a wonderful guy I went to high school with. Between us, we have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, a dog named Valiene and a cat named Sox.

My son is getting married on 8/8/08 in Colorado to a wonderful woman. We are thrilled for them........... Life is good.