The Rugged Moose

Only 6 More Sleeps Til Barbados

2012-02-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

And the making is nearly done.
The bag was actually done last week, but I didn't post when I finished - too busy sewing and working, I guess. But here it is.

It is very big! So it will definitely hold everything, and then some. I am still in love with the braided handles. I will do a test pack today, though there is the issue of the laptop that one of us needs to carry, so I may end up with a backpack with a laptop compartment.

Here you can see the lining (which I thought was kind of Caribbean feeling), but this shot is to show the rings I found for the handles. They are actually curtain clip rings with the clips removed. I thought black would be too harsh, so was happy to find these ones - kind of antique white - just sitting on the shelf waiting to be brought home.

Here's a better look at the lining. I had a bunch of quilting squares that I used to make the pockets. Lots of fun colours inside. I like that the whole thing is washable. Extremely important in an off-white bag.

And here's the (I think) last of the dresses. This is an Amy Butler pattern that had incredible instructions, but as it is fully lined and VERY fitted, it took many hours. If the others were a sprint, this was a marathon. But I think it was worth it. It fits me perfectly.

You can't really see from this picture, but the fabric print is high heel shoes. Here's another pic so you can see.

BTW, I am not wearing a mask in the first picture. That is what happened when I tried to "remove red eye" without knowing what I was doing. I couldn't un-do and it was already off my iphone, so there you go. Kind of mardi-gra-ish.

So, let the packing begin. Hopefully, once that gets under way, the lists in my head will "settle down".

Good thing we have peeps staying while we are gone. They can stay on top of the snow and keep things safe around here.

The Art of Appreciation

2012-01-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

This past week, I had an amazing thing happen. Something that made me feel so good about doing something for someone else, I'm sure my head grew two sizes along with my heart.

A friend that I knit a sweater for a few years back got in touch with me by email. She said she wanted to send me something and needed my snail mail address. I was curious as to what she would possibly be sending, so I asked. Turns out that she was wearing her sweater, thinking of me, and wanted to say thank you again for making it for her.

Understand that although I knit the sweater, she paid for the yarn and bartered something of incredible value in exchange. So, as far as I was concerned, it was a very good trade. But here she was, years later, thinking of me and wanting to say thanks.

I don't think, in all my years of knitting things for people, have I ever had someone quite so grateful. There was certainly no need to send me anything, other than the thought, but indeed she did. When the parcel arrived, it contained a pair of earrings that she thought would be stunning with something I own. And a beautiful little piece of wool, keeping them safe inside the 'thank you' card.

As the title of this post declares, this kind of appreciation is definitely an art form. And she does it better than anyone else I know.

A Buffet-Style Week

2012-01-22T18:00:00.001-05:00

I like it when I get to mix up my projects during the week. I think it's part of my Attention Deficit Fibre Disorder - but it keeps me happy while I'm busy on multiple projects.

I could have turned all of this into three or four posts, but I decided to do a weekly summary of everything. So bear with me.....

I continued on my Barbados wardrobe making. So far I have made 3 dresses, 3 tops and one skirt. (Not all this week - in the past few.) Another skirt is cut out and ready to go, but I think I need a ballpoint needle for the fabric. Here's a shot of everything together (I won't make you look at individual shots.)

As you can see, there is no colour theme to my wardrobe. I'm just using fabric that I have bought in the past year with a view to making dresses and skirts, since I found most of what I brought last year too warm. Since everything here is light jersey, these should be lovely and cool and should take up less space in my suitcase. (BTW, everything was purchased during sales and I don't think I paid more than $4 per meter for anything you see here. Quite the inexpensive holiday line - if you ignore the labour.)

In the knitting department, I am working on a cotton bag to take to Barbados called "Big Honking Bag" which I found as a free pattern on Ravelry. Here's a picture from there. I am doing mine in off white cotton.

It really is a big honkin' bag, perfect for on the plane, since it will hold all my necessities plus my sock knitting which I will bring along for the 5.5 hour flight each way. For whatever reason, I really love everything about the design of this bag - the design on the front and back, the pockets on the ends to hold water bottles and other things - and I especially love the braided i-cord handles. I already chose my lining fabric and got some mottled beige drapery rings that attached the i-cord handles. (Finished picture to follow- hopefully next week.)

If the best part of a trip is the anticipation, all of these projects are really adding to both the anticipation and the excitement. Way better than just packing the day before LOL.

On the hooking front, in preparation for a presentation on Rug Hooking at our Fiber Guild on February 1st, I am finishing a bunch of my smaller pieces with binding tape. You see, when you are posting pictures on your blog, you can create the illusion of being "finished" by cropping into the pictures you take. But then you are left with a small army of not-REALLY-finished projects. So, one by one, I am getting to them too.

Jennifer posted about this method before and she also shows all the pre-steps to getting here. It's the perfect way to finish something that doesn't need a border. Here are a couple of shots to show the process and the result. The first picture shows the seam tape up tight against the loops on the right side. With tiny stitches between the loops, the tape snuggles right in there and hides the backing. I just "wrap" around the corners and then deal with them when I flip it over.

This second picture shows the back. When you turn it over, you can tuck under the edges of your backing and then miter the corners when you get to them. I think it gives a nice clean finish. And if you want to hang them, you can either sew on a couple of little rings at the top - or you could insert a small rod and rod pocket.

And I realized that I had finished (or at least for-photography-finished) something that I had not shared.
My first stair riser. Of course, it is the moose!! I remembered it when one of my students dropped in today for some wool and she asked what I had been working on. He will be receiving the above finishing treatment, joining the others already in the queue.

If variety is the spice of life, I guess I had a pretty "spicy" week. I have a feeling that this week won't be as spicy in the fibre area, since I feel a whole lotta work (the paying kind) comin' on.

A Wooly Cowl, A Warm Hat and A Wonderful Hint!

2012-01-15T13:12:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are pictures of the Buttons Cowl and the Better Bucket Hat. I took these magnificent shots on my iphone, where you can flip the focus on yourself. Man, is that scary!!! But, for better or for worse, here they are.


The Wooly Cowl


The Warm Hat

I will never EVER be cold again with these two. It's -16 outside today, but I will take them for a "test walk" after lunch. I can't imagine needing all the buttons done up on the cowl, but in the second shot, you an see that I have undone buttons at both the top and the bottom. Perfect to keep your neck warm with a light sweater on.

The hat is incredible, since it doesn't give hat head, looks good with glasses and doesn't itch!!! Oh, and the fabulous brooch on the side of the hat? That was a gift that Jenn brought me back from her teaching stint in Reeth. I decided to forego a button so that I would be able to switch brooches depending on the mood - or the coat. Just the perfect dash of colour.

Ok, so now on the Wonderful Hint.

When I was at the Fiber Guild meeting last week, we were talking about having a demonstration on needle felting. (I am a complete rookie and have only tried it once, to put a bit of roving on a piece of wool.) While we were discussing all the great embellishing you can do with it, one of the women said it was a fabulous alternative to darning sweaters.

Since my husband's fine gauge wool sweaters seem to be caviar to something, he is forever discovering holes. There is no rhyme or reason to why they dine on his, cuz there is certainly lots of other wool about and I have never seen signs of a moth. At any rate, I gave it a whirl this morning and decided to share the results with you, even though the results are far from perfect.

Brown Roving on left - matching yarn on top and right. Yarn wins!

At first I thought that roving would be the best thing to use and that is what I tried. Unfortunately, the closest I had in colour was a brown, which is a bit off for the colour. Then I remembered some wool yarn that I thought would be close. And it was much better.

It may not be perfect, but the sweater can now be worn without holes on a chilly day. He can put a vest over top or something. And it beats throwing it away (or cutting it up for hooking nudge nudge wink wink). If you have a felting needle and pad, remember to try this as a mending/darning alternative if you get the chance.

Perseverence and You Tube - One Great Combo

2012-01-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

Since I was heading out on Friday for a road trip to many destinations in Ontario - Parry Sound to TO - TO to Oakville - Oakville to Peterborough - Peterborough to Parry Sound (approximately 8.5 hours stuck in a car), I decided to take a couple of small "car projects" to knit while on the highway.

Although we had perfect driving weather at each phase, I did have a few bumps on the knitting highway. However, I did manage to finish one of the projects and get well into the other.

Here's the hat that I was working on. It's a free Ravelry download called "A Better Bucket" and I have had it in my files for a long while. Figure it is a hat that will work with glasses. Will keep the head warm without causing major "hat head". Decided to use some plain black wool and I will find a perfect button or use a bunch of brooches, so it can go with all manner of coats. It's a very easy knit and fits very nicely. Just need to block it and I will be good to go.

The second project was another free pattern, called Buttons Cowl, designed by Tanis Fiber Arts. It has an amazing cable-style stitch that I love. I saw it knit at our last Georgian Bay Fiber Guild meeting and was in love.

(I had to include the picture of the down in the cowl, cuz it's too funny NOT to share.)

I was not off to a great start with this project. The first yarn I chose was a homespun that was too busy to see the stitch detail. And I was having a heck of a time with the pattern, even though I thought I knew what I was doing with the LT2 and RT2 stitches. After frogging the silly thing three times, I switched to some plain black wool and decided to see if I could learn about the stitches on Google. The first few links described them exactly the same as the pattern did - no help, if I was doing it wrong.

Then I decided to see if I could find a video on You Tube. I am obviously a visual learner and it had certainly worked for my crochet stitches - and my ukelele lessons (LOL) so why not! Sure enough, I found them both there - little darling videos which quickly showed me that I was doing it wrong!! They were tiny little videos, since I was watching them on my iphone.

Once I saw the error of my ways, I was up and running in no time. I felt very mature about not giving up and flinging the project out the card window after the third frogging. And I am happily now on
on my third repeat of the pattern. I will take pics of the real items when they are done and pressed and have buttons, etc.

The moral of this story is "If at first you don't succeed, go to You Tube". I am convinced you can learn to do anything there.

New Year, New Interruptions

2012-01-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

It's only just after four on New Year's Day afternoon and already I have been on a couple of side trips. And they have been wonderful diversions from what I should be doing today.

I visited my friend Christine's blog and followed her links while I sipped my coffee this morning (little did I know that her visual would be two deliciously artistic lattes). One link led to another, and before you knew it, over an hour had passed. I just love it when that happens.

And I made a new blog friend this afternoon and have to share her link. Her blog is called It's All About the Wool and I need to go back when I can linger longer. But even in my short visit, not only did I download a delicious looking shortbread recipe, but I also discovered a very cool video at the bottom of her page. It seemed the perfect thing to share today - 29 Ways to Stay Creative.

You will enjoy your visit to both of these wonderful blogs.

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T09:50:00.000-05:00

Another bright and shiny new year, with no mistakes in it. What possibilities there are each January 1st. I have many things I want to accomplish this year and look forward to a long list of creative challenges. I am way past "resolutions"!

In a farewell to December, I had hoped to finish the lettering on my Santa mat, but didn't quite get there. I got as far as DECE yesterday, before I tackled the cap and decided on a treatment for the inside border as well as the toys in the night sky.

So this morning, as the first of my things not to postpone in this new year, I finished the letters. (If the background around the letters is not done, does it still count?)

This is becoming a mixture of fibers (you can't tell, but the letters are sparkly material - swimsuit or ballet costume that I got from Jenn last year - she calls it "dreamy" and I think it is perfect for this project). I might applique the holly leaves and hook around them. Will give that a try and see what I think.

There is yarn and roving in the beard, eyebrows and the fur on the Santa hat. The candy cane beaded inside border is done with yarn. There is also sparkly yarn around the doll and truck in the sky. And some yarn in the background around the lettering.

Once I get all the elements determined, I will be o.k. if I have to put it aside to tackle the other projects that are looming. At least when I get back to it, I will know what decisions I made. And next year, I will find the perfect place to put this happy face.

Happy New Year to all of you. May 2012 be filled with exciting creative challenges and lots of sharing in the real world as well as this wonderful virtual one. And many thanks to all of you who have followed along with me during 2011. I think I am very lucky to have some wonderful blog pals out there.

Our Family Christmas Timeshift

2011-12-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Due to a conflict in our son's work schedule, we celebrated Christmas yesterday, December 28th.
Our time-shifted Davis Christmas yesterday was perfect - complete with snow that arrived on the 27th. Here is what our Christmas morning looked like as the sun came up.

It remained clear and crisp all day - just the way you hope it will. The kids' first gift to us was a shoveled driveway. which we truly appreciated. And the rest of the day was filled with love, laughter, favourite food, gifts, games and movies. Plus a little online ukelele lesson for me. (Rick remembered that i said i wanted to learn to play. how can you resist an instrument that makes you laugh.)

It made for a very quiet 25th, since we wanted to have the full experience - from stockings to turkey with all the trimmings - when we could be together. So, part of the 25th was spent working on this pattern that was percolating as I worked on all those knitted gifts.

here is the full design which is about 20" x 18"

and here is a closer peek at the face in the frame

I am determined to get him done while still in the mood - I doubt I will feel like working on him in July. And then he will be ready to welcome the month of December.

Not sure if that makes today a time-shifted Boxing Day LOL, but I still have my kids for 24 more hours. Yippee!

A Snowless and Loopless Christmas

2011-12-19T11:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that we have absolutely NO SNOW! I know there are still a few days left, but the long-range forecast is not looking very white. How strange it all seems.

I also can't believe that I have not hooked a single gift this year. That is a definite first!

Knit - check. (three pairs of socks, three hats, a cowl and a scarf - and two dogs!)
Stitch and sew - check. (5 Santas and a couple of ornaments)

In fact, I am stuffing the remaining 2 Santas as I write this. And this morning, I quickly adapted the pattern to a little ornament for my brother in NB. I made it light enough to fit inside his card and he will be wending his way east today.

But no hooked ornaments, or decorations of any kind. First time since I started hooking, I think.

This morning as the stark realization hit, I sketched out a few possible mats for next year. I've had one particular design dancing through my head (with the sugar plums LOL) for a few years, and it is finally sketched out at least.

The good news is that the new challenges that presented themselves were on a new learning curve and with those behind me, I will probably start the new year with hook in hand. And perhaps by next Christmas, there will be a few new hooked treasures to share.

And - who knows - there are still 6 days left, right?????

All Through the Night Santas

2011-12-12T09:18:00.000-05:00

On Friday, a group of us made Santas from this pattern. You can find the pattern here, along with a bunch of other great folk art applique patterns. I purchased it when we were in Vermont. This one, called Seven Santas, is on the 3rd page.

We did the stuffed ones on the lower right, but the runner is very cute and may be on the "list" for next year. I forgot to take a picture of them all together, but did get one picture of my friend Kathy's and my first one. And then I took a picture of my two "New Brunswick tartan" Santas together. They will be gifts, so I have a few more cut out and ready to go for me.

They do end up turning out completely different, even though the steps are all the same. And each one has such great character. It would also be fun to combine the applique with a hooked background in a runner. Food for thought....

The other big accomplishments this week are for our office party on Friday night in Toronto. It's a "Whacky Tacky" theme for gaudy festive wear, and since we couldn't find anything, I made us each a sweater. Plain red sweatshirts/hoodies with lots of stuff sewn on. I can just take the basting out after the holidays and we have wearable, red tops.

My hoodie looks quite lovely until you realize that the trim is a plastic 9' garland that goes all the way around and those snowflakes are reflective. There's a huge one in the centre back. Rick's is quite hilarious and has a Santa door knob hanger on the back, complete with bells. I'm sure we won't be the tackiest, which is a scary thought, but it was fun to design and baste them.

Oh, the things we do at this time of year!!!

New Dog. New Tricks.

2011-12-05T10:32:00.000-05:00

Well, doggie number 2 is done. And he was quite a bit trickier than his pug sibling. First of all, the yarn that was the right colour for a silver lab - see below - was hard to find. The research I did into the Silver Lab was extremely controversial! Man, the dog people can sure get their knickers in a twist!

how cute is this little fellow?

The yarn I found was quite a bit thicker, so up a needle size or two and the knitting was tighter. Assembly was more difficult - wire in the legs - and the longer legs made balance an issue. (At one point I skewered the poor thing with double-pointed needles to get the legs lined up.)

I'm awfully glad I didn't do him first. But I am happy with the end result and amazed at how much expression is built into the patterns. Because he is looking up, it was a bit difficult to get a shot of him.

This fellow is about 8" long (not counting his tail) and about 10" high at the tip of his nose. I'm glad there are no more dogs on the Christmas list, but I'm pretty sure I'll be back to do a few more in the future. And for anyone who has the urge, the directions are fantastic in the book and do yield great results.

Now on to the tacky sweaters for the office party......

A Dog Day of Winter.

2011-11-30T17:12:00.000-05:00

That's what today was. A snow filled day with a little bit of dog in it.

Majorly winter - from the moment I woke up this morning till the sun went down. Here's the proof.

It all looked so much more beautiful when the sun came out around 2 this afternoon.

So after rearranging the snow in the driveway with Rick, I came down to the studio and assembled the pooch. Lots more smiling to myself as he started to emerge.

Tough to get a picture of his cute little push face, but he definitely is a cutie pie!! A little fiddly in the construction, but worth the effort. I'm not even a pug lover, but I think his new owner will adore him.

And as I finished the last of the stitching and the picture taking, here's what I saw out the window.

Yeah, I know. It's always beautiful the FIRST day.....

I'm knitting a what??????

2011-11-29T09:42:00.000-05:00

A pug.

Yup. A tiny little pug from this book. When I first picked the book up in the store, I'm sure I chuckled out loud. And the merriment hasn't stopped yet. I highly recommend both it and Knit Your Own Royal Family - if you are so inclined.

The knitting was very quick. Yes, there are a lot of pieces, but they are small, so the sewing won't be like assembling a sweater. (When I blocked the pieces this morning, all of them fit easily under the width of a tea towel, which gives you some idea of scale.)

The finished pooch is only supposed to be about 4.5 inches high by 6 inches long, so not a lot of stuffing required.

Since my offspring really want a dog, I am giving them each one!!! Maybe this will hold them off from pressing us to get one LOL. Stay tuned for a finished pug and a "silver lab" (who knew there were silvers - but two people mentioned them last week, including my son).

Vermont is Becoming a Memory

2011-11-28T08:46:00.000-05:00

Well, you do hear that time passes more quickly as you age, but man, I can't believe my trip was two weeks ago already. And I haven't even shared all my pictures yet.

Here are the rest that I took of mats I particularly liked - well, not the last, but I'm saving a few for a different kind of post later.

These are grouped together, since many of them appear to have come from photos and others look as if they did.

This panel of crows was very tall - nearly 5 feet and I thought the detail was amazing. The moonlight on the crows and the branches was incredible.

The foliage and the borders on this one were really well done.

I loved everything about this one!

You could disappear into those eyes. What a beautiful monochromatic study.

and speaking of monochromatic - I think this was called Aries.

Just a segment of this rug. The blue vein in the feathers ties it all together.

This is a c/u of the rug below. The dark lines make it look like an underpainting.

The palette and hooking style make this rug look really old, I think.

Incredible shading in the pine cones and the spruce and birds and I love the little movement in the background.

Another one that called to me from across the room. It is hooked very fine - almost looks like yarn.

The colours in the snow - the swirls in the shrubbery and the pulled up collar - I can feel the cold.

Doesn't that sweet pooch just stand out against that background? Love that birch too.

Ok, so I fell for the tilted head on the pup - along with everything else in the rug. The daisies echo the innocence.

I thought the background in this bluebells piece made it look like a snow globe.

Truly inspirational, each and every one, wouldn't you agree?

Another Rug Commentary from Vermont

2011-11-21T16:04:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more rugs that I took pictures of. Each one has a reason why - over and above being fantastic.

I loved the textures in this one. So much interesting movement, yet they are not in conflict.

This was a beautiful wedding rug. On its own it is lovely, but the little outlines of the cups and coffee and tea pots around the outside was that special little extra that really did it for me.

This was another rug by the woman who did the large one with the fox and the owl and the tree (in my first post from Vermont). I'm pretty sure they are punched with wool and this one had a title about "a Lobster in my Garden", which appealed to my Maritime sensibility. Plus it's absolutely fantastic. (Sorry for the dark top, but it was in the lower gallery and in a dark corner.)

This one was from a previous year's Viewers' Choice. I have never seen such perfect lettering. I think this may have been in Rug Hooking Magazine (as have many of the rugs that were there).

This was just a fabulous piece, with so much interesting texture going on. And the colours - and the finishing - amazing!

And today's final four - what a collection. A farmer in the four seasons with his corn. The main images in each one are so appropriate for the season, but the borders have their own stories to tell. Such a creative endeavour. Ya gotta love the winter one!

Just a few left that I will share later. As you can see, I have divided them among several posts.

Back to Bev Conway's Special Rug Backs

2011-11-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to get a picture of the back of one of Ben Conway's rugs from my friend Elaine, who couldn't believe she didn't take a picture of the front. But this is what I wanted to share before.

Because it is a little hard to see, I will tell you what it says:

"LIFE ISN'T MEASURED BY HOW MANY BREATHS YOU TAKE,
BUT RATHER BY HOW MANY TIMES IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY."

This is a wedding rug with initials and date in the lower left corner. And yes, that is the BACK of the rug. I don't know if that is an original saying, but how perfect for a wedding rug. And what a fantastic way to make a gift even more special.

I still have more rugs to share from the show, but need to organize them a bit first. The weekend got busy with Christmas knitting and some company yesterday.

I'm happy to report that I did get my first stair riser on the frame and it is about 60% hooked. I think these are going to be a lot of fun to do and will put a little bounce in my step as I go up the studio stairs.

Another Blankie Baby for the Brag Blog

2011-11-20T17:40:00.000-05:00

Last week, I received a picture of "Gavin and his blankie" - the first one that I knit for the "Brooke Avenue Grandbabies". Brooke Avenue was our street in Toronto where we lived for 26 years. And we were lucky enough to have some incredible neighbours and we developed life-long friendships with the parents and the kids. Now those kids are having their own kids - the Brooke Avenue Grandbabies.

Gavin was the first to get a zig zag blanket. It became the prototype for the blanket for Abby that I posted a while ago. Gavin's mom Julie, who happens to be a formidable knitter, follows the blog and saw Abby's picture and knew it was time to feature Gavin on the Brag Blog.

I can't believe how big he is already! He is the happiest, brightest little fellow - at least in pictures. And he sent the best Thank You note ever! It has his picture at the top and "Love Gavin" at the bottom (with a little hand writing from his parents Julia and Robin).

Thanks Gavin. You look pretty adorable on your blankie.

Hooked on Whimsy

2011-11-17T16:13:00.000-05:00

I promised to share some more pics and indeed I will. I just popped over to Jenn's blog and she has lots of pics today. Again, it is interesting to see what pictures everyone took. My friend Loretta is also posting pics on her blog and they are different again.

Anyway, the pics that I am going to show today are a few of the rugs that made me smile. I think that is always a good thing. Any kind of emotion, from awestruck to a tickled funnybone is a great experience.

Here is one I particularly liked, for the the thinking, the hooking and the smiling it caused.

Here is another one that definitely had me chuckling. Sorry the pictures aren't great - it didn't show up too well against the pale wall, but the caption was "Follow Your Heart", which this little fellow is doing.

He's pretty darn adorable, isn't he? (Don't know why I have decided it's a boy pig....) I love that his little legs are covered in the same plaid as the hooking.

There were lots of Bev Conway rugs that had been hooked by Bev and many others. Bev was one of the featured artists and her body of work was amazing.

This is one of my favourites of her designs, full and a close up.

Another person who hooked this rug changed the "he" to "she", which I think I would do if I ordered the pattern. This is definitely a saying I would like to have hanging on my wall.

Here is another of her pattern that someone else hooked and personalized. I had to take a close up of the rolled down stocking. Love the proddy hair and there were earrings and a real hook.

Here are some of Bev's stair riser patterns that were on display in her feature area. I have 8 of them, waiting to be hooked: all log-cabin-appropriate critters - and I am now motivated to get going.

One of my favourite things about Bev's display was that several rugs were hung so you could see what she does on the BACK. There was some kind of message - or saying - usually pretty witty and very appropriate to the rug or the occasion. I'm not sure if she does it on every rug, but what a great thing to do. I thought I had taken a picture, but guess I didn't. I will see if either of my traveling companions did.

In a binder next to her display, she briefly described her process. Apparently, she reverses the lettering, which she hooks first - in very low loops on the back. Then, when she hooks the front design, the higher loops hide the lettering on the front.

Many of the words were very funny - all were witty and meaningful, and I only wished I could have been there Tuesday when she was scheduled to talk about it.

The last thing I learned about Bev (since she was another "legend" I got to see in the flesh) is that she has totally captured herself in caricature and she is the star in many of her mat designs.

More rugs to share tomorrow.

Hooked on Hooked in the Mountains

2011-11-16T11:20:00.001-05:00

Well, I am back from my virgin experience with Hooked in the Mountains. It was everything I hoped it would be - and more. The trip itself was "worth the drive to Acton" as we kept saying. Doesn't this picture of the mountains look like a rug?

These are the mountains. Easy to see why you would get hooked.

I knew the show would be amazing. I knew the Round Barn would be the best venue ever. And I knew that my traveling companions - Jennifer, Mary (Jenn's mom) and Elaine - would make the trip even more special. But there were surprises along the way that made it even more than I could have imagined. And, according to those who have done this more than once, it is a little different every time.

Having a guide for your first time is a very good thing. Jenn's narrative about what would be overwhelming was not an overstatement, but spot on every time. I really had to pace myself so that I didn't go overboard on the first stop, which was a wonderful yarn store. I did end up going a bit overboard and bought some lovely cotton blend yarn for a long t with short sleeves. I consoled myself that the pattern was free. And there was more yarn to come.

Dorr was incredible!! It would have been overwhelming if I were looking for wool. But I was content to wander about, touching it all and looking at the other fiber arts, like braiding and applique. Little did I know this was a foretelling for later acquisitions.

The show was unbelievable - as the Brits say, I was gobsmacked. Jennifer has posted some pics which you will see on her blog. Some are ones I chose - but some are different. I guess every visitor is drawn to something different. In this post, I am going to share the three that were vying for my "viewer's choice" vote. (I couldn't decide and didn't vote.)

This was a very large piece by Jenn Lavoie. I think it was six feet high and is obviously a corn field.
Her foliage was unbelievable, along with the perspective of the design and the colours that she used in every element. This was on the main floor of the barn. And I discovered another of her masterpieces on the lower level.

This was her rug of Hawaii, which was absolutely magnificent as a whole, but it was the "sum of the parts" that made it so much more.

The textures she used, the movement she created - breathtaking!

I couldn't resist introducing myself to Jenn and telling her how much I admired her work. She, like everyone else I met, was extremely humble. She asked me to email her and add myself to her newsletter list, which I fully intend to do.

The other piece that was vying for first place in my head was a very large punched piece, which I was unable to capture well enough as a single shot. Instead, I took pictures of various elements. I don't think I have ever seen a punched piece that had so much texture and movement before. Every one of the pictures below demonstrates how amazing this rug was.

The yarn colours were amazing, the detail incredible - the more you looked, the more you saw.

(I hope that Jennifer or Elaine did a better job of getting the overall piece - so I can link you to it at some point.) I also hope that Jenn did a better job than I did at getting the details of the rugs. If you go to her blog, you will see that she took pictures of each of the cards next to the rugs. Since my camera has a very short battery life (old technology, don't ya know), I couldn't use my juice for other than the rug pics.

I took quite a few more shots, which I will meter out over the next few days. There were many that made me smile or outright giggle, which I think is always a good thing. There were some that had hidden messages. There were some "series" rugs which were awesome. And there were alternate technique rugs which were fascinating.

We were also lucky enough to hear two presentations on the Saturday morning - something new that has been added to the show - and something that I would love to see continued. It's like hearing "living legends" talk about the craft. I felt like a groupie, getting to see and hear women I have admired for years "in the flesh". I did restrain myself and not ask for autographs, but it took some effort. This was definitely one of the things that turned amazing into perfection.

My purchases while in the Barn - one at the silent auction - and two from a vendor - are all things that will require me to stretch into new turf. My silent auction item was a full set of Amy Oxford punch needles, which I got at an incredible price. My other two purchases from Camp Wool are wool applique patterns - one for some stand alone Santas and a runner - the other for a wool purse I have admired for years. Hopefully, I will be able to share finished projects from both.

So my fiber addiction continues to spread. New horizons. New challenges and new adventures.

Just like my virgin voyage to Vermont.

Fall Back

2011-11-07T09:16:00.000-05:00

That's what we did this weekend - we set the clocks back one hour. I have never really understood the point of this, since your body totally knows that the new 7 is the old 8, etc. But I think it was originally done for the farmers - for the growing season. And I guess that's good reason.

All I know is that I think I would personally rather get up in the dark and keep that extra hour of daylight at the end of the day. When it gets dark at 5:30 - man, that's a bummer! But at least in semi-retirement, I don't have to drive home from work in the dark.

This weekend, I realized that this action coincides with lots of other things that I personally "fall back" into. Things that are triggered by that alarm on the calendar that are not activities that I would do in the regular spring/summer clock cycle.

One is knitting socks. I don't wear wool socks in the summer, so I don't think about them. But all of a sudden "sock season" is here and I get the urge to make more.

And the good news for this sock season is that I have so much left over sock yarn (after those baby blankets), I can do lots of LOS's - left over socks. I did one this weekend - the one on the right - for Rick. (sorry the colour is so off) I love doing them in the car because it is so rewarding to watch them progress - you have at least one sock at the end of any lengthy trip - and when you live here, just about any trip is lengthy. Rick LOVES home made socks too, which is a bonus. So he can have all the boy colours.

Speaking of the baby blankets, here is Abby modelling hers and her little hat. Her mom says it's her favourite LOL. (I think I will benefit from more of these "future socks" than Rick, since they are kind of girl colours.)

The other thing I am happy to say I have fallen back into is my rug hooking. Partly from necessity, as I attended a Teachers' Branch meeting on Saturday and we had a mini workshop on teaching how to hook fruit with dip dyes. While the iron was still hot, I sat down and started my pear yesterday afternoon. It felt good to be back. (I may share a pic later, depending on the results, though I am not a big fruit fan - hooked that is.)

I am sure that the upcoming trip to the Round Barn show in Vermont will continue to inspire me to get back on the frame too. I am very excited and hope this great weather holds for the trip - both ways. (I will be doing more LOS knitting on that trip too - in 16+ hours of driving, I should be able to generate a drawer full.)

A Hit and Miss Week

2011-10-31T10:13:00.000-04:00

I'm sure it is the pattern of my life, but this past week was particularly good at reminding me that every project will not be a resounding success. LOL It was peppered with small victories and small disappointments.

On the "success" side of the roster, I finished a sweater and knit a very quick eternity scarf - making up my own pattern by combining a few. Here's the picture of the sweater from Ravelry. I also did a grey one, similar to this colour. It was one of the most boring knits ever - 60" of k1p1, followed by ribbing for the ruffle - 300 stitches for the first section - 600 for the second!!! But the fit is great and it's very cozy.

The eternity scarf is from some "upcycled" wool from a vest I haven't worn in ages. Not sure what I will do with the rest of the yarn, but the eternity scarf is great. I wore it yesterday, doubled, with a short-sleeved T and I was toasty without being too hot - a regular challenge lately. I combined a couple of patterns to get this interesting stitch. I haven't blocked it yet, but when I do, I am sure the lace will open up more and make it even airier.

In the middle between the hits and misses, I did some dyeing for a Teachers' Branch workshop next weekend. I am not a prolific dyer, so the results are often surprising. And since I didn't have real formulas, the element of surprise was even greater.

We are doing an apple and pear with dip dye instead of value swatches. All I can say about this is my apple will be a Royal Gala (my favourite) and the pear is definitely a Bartlett (in a colour I have never seen) LOL. (That little bite out of the end of the pear wool didn't deter me from using it for this project. After all, it's just a little pear. Waste not, want not.

On the definite "miss" side was my little treat that I made to take to a party on Saturday. I hate it when things don't turn out like in the picture, which should never come as a surprise after all this time. It was a fun recipe to make, but the results.....a little scary, so suitable for Hallowe'en. How cute are these? (This is not my picture - I didn't take one, mine were so bad.) I couldn't find coloured melting chocolate and in hindsight I didn't have enough, so mine were like melting ghosts, very scary, but delicious all the same. So I guess that isn't a total miss.

The other frustrating miss - or partial miss - was winding a ball of beautiful Madeline Tosh Light Merino yarn. Or should I say part of it. I don't own a Swift, though I do have a ball winder (the Swift is definitely going on my Christmas list). I was going great guns till about half way through the very large skein and hit a definite speed bump. What a tangled mess!!!! So I started a ball from the other end, hoping to meet in the middle. Instead, I got this.

I will save this and see if I have enough with what I wound for the project - if not - on a calm day, a little tangle therapy.

But the kicker to the entire week was just before dinner last night when I realized I may have inadvertently screwed up my trip to the Round Barn in Vermont!!! Week before last, Rick and I applied for passport renewals for our trip to Barbados in February. We wanted it done before the Christmas rush, so decided to get it done early. I TOTALLY FORGOT I WOULD NEED IT FOR VERMONT next Thursday! Processing time is 20 days before mailing - according to the website. Which could mean I am completely SOL to get it back in time. Yikes - what was I thinking? The answer - I wasn't!!

I filled out an online status update form this morning and I will go and be charming at the local Service Canada office and see if there is anything that can be done. Fingers crossed I get it in time to go. Cuz I guess there is no other I.D. that is acceptable anymore. Gone are the days when a Drivers License did the trick.

I wonder if sobbing at the office will help......

The Purse's Progress

2011-10-24T09:29:00.000-04:00

Despite constant interruptions - some wonderful like my daughter's visit - some not so wonderful like hours and hours of blowing leaves - the purse is in the home stretch.

You know how every once in a while, something goes better than you hoped. This is one of those instances. To my delight, when I sewed the front to the back, the zig zags lined up perfectly and the side seams are virtually invisible.

Yesterday, after the leaf blowing olympics, I sewed the lining together, put the trim on the top of the bag and figured out a way to use a button that I have been saving for something special to close the bag.

Heeding Jennifer Manuell's advice (brilliant as always), I decided to use the wool that I trimmed the top of the bag with to make a loop, which will come around the button to close the bag. I think it is going to work. At first I worried it would fight with the handles, but I think by positioning it further down the front, it makes a nice accent and will be functional as well. When I don't want to close the bag, the loop can just tuck inside and the button will be purely decorative.

Right now, all the pieces are placed in position to evaluate - and now that I see this image on the screen, I think I will really like it. The trick will be determining how to place the button so that it visually compliments the design, but also will function when the bag is stuffed with all my worldly goods.

Hopefully, I will be able to do the final assembly today......if my arms still work, that is. I think there are completely different muscles for holding a leaf blower for hours on end. (And they are slightly different again from the rediscovered muscles from sweeping at curling).

Do Not Punch While Sleep Deprived

2011-10-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

I finished the second half of my punched Bala bag last week. I am pretty sure they match. But there's a story here.

Doing the second side, I developed a plan of attack that meant I wouldn't have to move the piece inside the frame as much as I did the first side. Each time I moved it (since the loops are on the under side in punching) it got a bit of a pull on the gripper strips. So for the second side, I did the left side first and then the right side, so I wouldn't have to move it at all. And it was a very good plan indeed. Until...

At one point, I pulled out the upper right quarter of the second side, thinking I had done something horribly wrong. It was about 3/4 of an hour of punching. I later realized that I had done something wrong, but it was a little error that didn't require the extreme tearing that I did.

What caused my rash decision? I attribute it to sleep deprivation! I had three really bad nights where, no matter how tired I was, I couldn't fall asleep. With so little brain power left, the smart thing to do would have been to "step away from the purse" and come back to it on a day when I was firing on all cylinders. But oh no, that part of the brain was not engaged either - obviously. And when I realized what I had done, I laughed at how silly it was. Definitely impaired!!!!

As chance would have it, I took my car in for service on Friday morning and was flipping through an old issue of Chatelaine at the car dealership and came across a very interesting article. It was about insomnia being caused by back lit devices like ipads and readers.

According to the article, reading from a backlit screen can prevent some people from producing Melatonin, our natural sleep-inducing hormone. And as I thought about the nights where sleep wouldn't come, they coincided with reading on my ipad. (I usually play a game of Sudoku on it if I can't fall asleep, but had been reading a novel lately.)

So Friday night, I refrained from reading. And sure enough - 8 1/2 hours of glorious sleep!! Same thing Saturday and Sunday nights. Coincidence? Perhaps. The truth could be complete and utter exhaustion will eventually cause you to fall asleep, but last night, I even used a book light and a real book (for a few pages) and dozed off, no problem.

The moral of the story is "don't hook or punch when extremely sleep deprived". Your centre of reasoning is wayyyyyy off and you will do something crazy for sure.

Stay tuned for finished bag - hopefully, assembled under the influence of lots of good sleep.

Toddler in Leaves is finished.

2011-10-11T09:27:00.000-04:00

What an incredible Thanksgiving weekend! Good food, good company and the most beautiful leaf show by Mother Nature. How thoughtful of her to save it for the weekend when so many could enjoy it.

Inspired by the colours on the lake and on the road, and finding little pockets of time - mostly while others were sleeping or reading - I finished this little mat. I still need to "finish" it but have to figure out what I want to do with it first. (Or else that's my excuse for having so many small, unfinished pieces waiting for the decision. LOL)

I think I may put this on a canvas stretcher, along with some of the other smaller pieces. Not only does it keep them from curling, but it also makes them feel more like the impressionist 'sketches' that they are.

On the drive to and from Toronto yesterday - to return my daughter and have a quick late lunch with my son - I was overwhelmed by the splendour of leaves once I was north of the city. Even the yellow birches were illuminated by the other colours around them. They were positively glowing, which I had never witnessed before. And in some spots where there were lots of evergreens, the smaller trees with coloured leaves appeared to be nestled inside the pine boughs. Breathtaking. (The city leaves are still far behind.)

Since driving and taking pictures is not a good idea, I wasn't able to get too many. But this one (yes, I stopped the car) is an example of how the colours together are amazing and how the birch trunks stand out against the colour. It truly felt like being inside a Group of Seven painting and the drive was like an art show versus a chore.

I think today is forecast as the last sunny day for a bit. The sun is sparkling on the water. The wind is bringing down lots of leaves (I guess their job is mostly done.) So hopefully today can be spent cleaning up the gardens and getting ready for what is lurking around the corner.

Hooking Fall Leaves in the Fall Leaves

2011-10-05T15:30:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day it was here today. So I decided to join my hubby on the lower deck and do a little hooking there.

When I realized I was hooking fall leaves, somewhat surrounded by fall leaves, I got Rick to take this picture to share.

Ironically, there aren't many fall leaves in this picture. But if you look closely....see behind the chair that patch of yellow....and next to my worm boxes, those scattered leaves. I'm not sure why the trees are so far behind this year, but they seem to be.

That big pine directly behind me has dropped so many needles, you can hardly see the stone path anymore. Here's a pic of that. (I am sitting on the deck to the left of that big patch of rust pine needles.)

And yes, the colours have begun - I'd say they were about 30-40% now. Here's a picture of the side of the bay that is furthest along. (OK, so maybe that looks more like 50....)

And some glorious colour on the road into our home.

Now THOSE are fall colours. Maybe they were waiting for our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to really show off.

Faceless Portraits

2011-10-03T16:40:00.000-04:00

I have always believed that some of the best portraits of people didn't involved showing their faces at all. When I used to paint, I did a series of family portraits without showing a single face.

My husband's portrait was of him reading the newspaper sitting in a Muskoka chair - from the back. His hair, his feet up on the railing and the way he held the paper was distinctly him.

My daughter's portrait, also from the back, was her lying on a beach towel with her face down on her crossed arms. Her beautiful swimmer's shoulders and the dimples in them were as personal as her face.

And my son's portrait of hunting for salamanders in the creek, was from the bottom of his t-shirt past his jean shorts to his feet in the water - scratches and bandaids and all. I will try to see if I still have the sketches to share.

I think they are portraits that are "universal" but very intimate as well. The mat that I did of the kids "reading in the canoe" was another one of those portraits that I had to hook.

Another one is on the frame. Finally after what seems like months, I am back at it. And this one is another "universal" moment captured. A toddler in the fall leaves. Everyone has a picture like this. It is much too soon to be taking pictures of my progress, but I am so excited to be hooking again, I have to share.

Little rubber boots and a plaid fall jacket. You can't see them, but you know there are ruddy cheeks and probably a runny nose above the frame. How many times did we rake up the same leaves, just so they could jump in them and play with them.

I think Matt was nervous about jumping in at this stage. He left that up to his big sister and the neighbour kids. He mostly stayed around the edges of the pile and either kicked the leaves or tried to pick them up in his chubby little hands.

A perfect portrait for a fall day that will go on through time as long as we have leaves. This is a small piece - only 6 x 12, so I should have it done while the leaves are still falling.

Getting My Groove Back

2011-09-29T12:06:00.001-04:00

Simple Things Shawlette knitted in hand-dyed sock yarn

After finishing up a few knitting projects, (this is a picture of a new little shawl hot off the needles and drying on the blocking mat) I realized that I need to catapult myself out of my prolonged hooking absence and get on with making some new mats.

So I spent some time on Rug Hooking Daily this morning and was inspired by lots of new photos on the photo page. Inspired enough to leave some comments and upload a couple of my new pieces. No sooner had my fingers left the keys than some comments came in. And there's nothing like encouraging words from fellow hookers to re-ignite that spark. Thanks to all of you who left comments.

In responding back, I found some new great works and a new blog to share. It's called Laura's Loops and Laura is one extremely talented lady. You will have seen her work in Rug Hooking Magazine and she is a very active teacher.

I'm sure you will LOVE her blog. And her website too - you will find a link there.

Falling in Love with Fall

2011-09-26T10:19:00.000-04:00

A perfect little maple on the path.

The leaves here in the near north have just begun their colour show. And it is very localized, it seems. On Saturday, we drove to Huntsville and there were lots of glorious leaves along the Aspdin Road. But on Sunday, we went to Killbear and there was barely (no pun intended) any change there.

Our magnificent "sign" maple, which is common in these parts.


At Killbear, the change is just beginning.

Some pretty berries on the rocks.


A remarkable sign of how much the water levels are down.

As we drove around and ooh-ed and aah-ed at the colours, I realized that I think they are the most splendid when there is still green around them. Without the contrast, they aren't quite as spectacular.

And my mind kept going back to this incredible piece of wool that I won at a hook in last summer.
All the glorious fall colours contrasted against the greens and blues.

Mother Nature NEVER gets it wrong.

Sometimes all you need is a rainy afternoon.

2011-09-19T17:09:00.001-04:00

And we had that today to be sure. Incredible winds that eventually brought in the rain. So I had an afternoon to spend inside and no work waiting for me on my computer.

Amazing what you can accomplish in a few hours. Here is the front (or back) of my punched bag - all punched.

I was thinking how the colours were unusual for me, especially the green. And then I put it on the oriental carpet in the dining room to take this picture and practically laughed out loud. All the colours in the bag are in the carpet!!! We do really come with a palette, don't we?

For those of you who haven't punched, here is where I left off last time. And I took this picture of the in-progress bag and the handles. Something screwy with all the colours, but in real life, they look awesome.

As I begin to hook the second side, I have learned many lessons from the first. I will share them in a future post when I see if my learning makes side 2 better.

Stay tuned.

Enuff with the Baby Stuff!

2011-09-19T12:12:00.003-04:00

Well, nearly enough. I promise not to keep doing knitting posts and get back to hooking (or at least punching). But before I do, one more little shot of "adorable".

Using the same sock yarns, I did a little hat that is newborn size and so cute with the blanket. And then I couldn't resist doing a few of the little "bunny nuggets". They seem to be just the right size for little hands to hold.

Now that the baby knitting is done, I can move along on my other projects - of which there are many.

I am just doing the sleeves on this "slouchy cardigan", which I knit before in a yarn that didn't suit. Hopefully this yarn will work, as it is now on its third iteration. I am becoming the Queen of Ravelling.

When that is done, I have some beautiful yarn with a delicious colourway that may turn into this Noro pattern.

And this dramatic lace cardigan has been waiting patiently to be knit for some months now. It should actually come ahead of the one before, so I'll see when I finish "slouchy".

And then, in true September style, I have made a list of hooking projects too. Lots to whip and finish, but a whole set of stair risers, which I think I will do in a combination of wool strips for the "critters" and punch needle backgrounds.

That of course, after the Bala Bag is done.

The "A" Babies are Coming.

2011-09-15T15:40:00.000-04:00

One arrived on the weekend. Little Ayla, for whom I knit the apple green blanket, is here safe and sound. I will hopefully get a chance to go and meet her next week. In the meantime, I made a couple of other little things to go with the blankie, since I couldn't find more wool to knit the little cardi I showed a few weeks ago.

What a cute little hat, isn't it?

This hat was a free pattern on Ravelry, called "Berry Baby Hat".

And I love these little creatures.

And these little "Bunny Nuggets" were also a free pattern that I found through Ravelry as well. I think I giggled the whole time I was making these. And they didn't take long.

The next baby to arrive will be Abby, due next month. She is the one for whom I have been knitting the second zig zag blanket. It is now finished and just needs the ends tidied up.

There might just have to be a couple of "Bunny Nuggets" to go with this blankie too. There's certainly a rainbow of possibilities.

I love knitting for babies! It's fast. It's joyful. And there is absolutely no happier occasion for knitting. I am reluctant to do sweaters any more, since they outgrow them in about 15 minutes. So blankies and softies are definitely my preferred way to go.

Knitting Begets Punching

2011-09-06T08:53:00.001-04:00

Punchneedle hooking that is.

I am well into my second zig-zag baby blanket and over the long weekend was bitten by the urge to transpose the zig-zag pattern to a purse. Since I already a Bala bag (Jenn's pattern) on backing, I simply needed to create a grid and away I went.

So here is the begetter.

Wow, it looks really red in this picture, when in fact it is more like a raspberry pink.

And here is the begettee (I don't think either of those are words).

Everything is just yarns from my stash, but the colours are driven by a pair of turquoise leather handles.

And this much progress took only a couple of hours yesterday afternoon. We had a quiet weekend and such a smelly upstairs (staining the beams and logs in the great room), so I hid out in the studio and got lots done.

I also finished my beautiful Alga sweater. Here is a picture of it on the floor. I'll see if I can convince Rick to take one of it one me when I get it blocked.

If you look closely at the left side, you'll see the pleats.

The little pleating detail doesn't show up as well on mine as it did on the orange one I showed a few posts ago, but I love the denim colourway of the delicious Madeline Tosh light merino wool. It will be fabulous with jeans, don't you think? And it may just be cool enough to wear it today.

Another Majestic Moose

2011-08-29T09:01:00.000-04:00

Well, the 60th celebrations keep on going. Yesterday, we had a delicious brunch at my sister's cottage with Nancy and Bill and my niece Meredith and her hubby Eli. And a new moose was added to the family.

Meet Manfred. He is a metal moose, crafted by an artist in Elora and a gift from my Nancy and Bill.
Isn't he handsome!

Since he can be outdoors, after I took this picture of him, I wandered around with him, looking for the perfect spot. Somewhere where he would have a great view and we would have a great view of him. And I found it.

Near the lower deck, there is a flat rock that has been waiting for him for centuries. Till now, it has basically been collecting water and pine needles and has been a place that needs to be cleaned out all the time to avoid becoming mosquito heaven. It is perfectly flat and gives him a great view of the water. And since he is not far from the walkway down to the water, he is easy to spot from just about everywhere.

Turns out that Nancy already had another gift for me when she found Manfred. In fact, she had knit me a vest! (Or as she will tell it, she had knit herself a vest, which I promptly declared I HAD to have.) A beautiful lace vest that will be fantastic for the cooler days ahead. It is a perfect denim blue colour that will go with everything I own. I tried to take a picture of me wearing it, but to no avail.

To give you an idea of what it looks like on, here's a picture from the pattern displays on Ravelry. It's great for over a cami in the summer, but perfect over a long-sleeved t when things cool down.

This was definitely the birthday of gifts "made from the heart". I love things made for me more than any other gift, so this birthday was extra special. If Elaine will give me permission to show her creation, I will get a picture to share with you. It's a prototype of a scarf she would like to make and sell, so I don't want to give anything away. But I can tell you it is black and white and gorgeous. And the day she gave it to me, I happened to be wearing a black and white striped t that went with it perfectly.

Jennifer's gifts were themed to "birds of a feather", since we seem to be in synch on just about everything. She gave me a beautiful feather charm for my Pandora necklace and a handmade "Bookhou" feather pouch for my hooks.

So far I'd say that 60 is pretty darn fantastic, wouldn't you?

60 Ways to Turn 60

2011-08-22T07:38:00.000-04:00

Well it happened - yesterday. The Big 6-0! As birthdays tend to do, it actually started a while ago, and will continue a while longer, but yesterday was the actual calendar day.

No big fanfare. The kids drove up on Saturday (in the rain - worst weekend of the summer). and we had a lovely dinner at a nearby resort on Saturday night. They had to drive back to TO yesterday (in the rain - a 4.5 hour trip that usually takes 2).

Rick had already given me my Stand Up Paddleboard, I had a great visit with Elaine and Jennifer (including lunch at the oh-so-swanky Rosseau Marriott) last Saturday, so I was already cozying into the whole 6-0 thing.

My kids had something else in mind. They gave me "60 things you will love, need or want" to celebrate your big 6-0. And let me tell you, there were some pretty creative items in the big container full of goodies.

It started with the Birthday Sash, which I promptly donned.

It continued with the unwrapping of all the items, cleverly stored in a large "wool-holding" bin. After I unwrapped each item and made a bouquet of the tissue flowers, I put everything back and took this picture. I should have taken the picture first - duh!

I made them write down each one as I opened it, so here's the list:

Flowers
Bin (it definitely counts as a good gift)
Sash (oh so Miss-Something-or-Other-ish)
Birthday Girl Rosette (totally re-usable for many birthdays to come)
60 decor on box and special coaster (to be inflicted on the next 6-0 person)
Umpteem emery boards (which I am always losing)
Almond Biscotti for with my coffee
Skor bits (Skor bars are my favourite)
Canned Clams (the most unusual thing in the bin - for my linguine with clam sauce)
Chocolate-covered toffees (need I say anything else?)
Magnetic note clips for the fridge and metal studio door
Wine tumblers for the boat (ssshhh)
Beauty mask
Foot scrub
Crazy cake erasers (functional and calorie free)
Skor bar (vs. Skor bits)
LCBO gift card (will magically turn into a bottle of Scotch)
6 Different flavours of Excel gum (since I always am out and borrowing from Laura)
STRUT wine - a new red with long set of "gams"on the label
Post-it notes with different "All out of" check off options, including Mojo
Vanilla bath salts - I tried them for a b'day soak - yummy
Chatelaine magazine
Food and Wine magazine
Canadian Living magazine
Gardening Gloves
Chocolate "Moose" lollipop
Boost (don't laugh, it works for an in-car breakfast or lunch on the run)
Nestle Noir chocolates
Trivia Calendar for 2012 (so I can challenge my son with his trivia beginning with "Did you know...")
Water Bottle - good plastic, non-metal
Trail Mix
Werthers Candies
Lip Gloss
Eatmore bar (did you notice a lot of chocolate in this list?)
Egg "Boiley" (a cute little thing for eggs in the microwave, which I will try this morning)
Sudoku book
Bread Recipe book
Commitments DVD
The Full Monty DVD
Beaches DVD
White Squall DVD
Flight of the Navigator DVD (my kids go crazy for their childhood movies on DVD - we have them all)
Mr. Holland's Opus DVD
Pepper Grinder (to replace the Ikea one whose top is ALWAYS coming off)
A silver frame embossed with "angels" with two hilarious, non-angelic baby pictures of them

Let's face it, it's pretty hard to come up with 60 things - I had a hard time trying to do 30 for Rick for our Anniversary, so I was blown away. They said that they had a master list they were using, but kept finding other things and were constantly texting or calling one another in the past couple of weeks with the latest "eureka".

How lucky am I to have such creative and dedicated kids!!! And it made the day.

I suggested that they had better start planning now for 100. They just laughed and said this was definitely a one-time deal.

Rick did not keep his promise of no more gifts and gave me two more Pandora charms. Even my necklace is nearly full now.

I had lots of wonderfully funny cards and many cyber well wishes. It was a pretty awesome day, albeit quiet. I didn't feel a day over 59 yesterday LOL. And today, I don't feel much different either.

But I'm sure after this, my next birthday is sure to be a bit of a dullard.

No Hookin' but lots of Swimmin' and Cookin' and Stitchin'

2011-08-17T16:40:00.001-04:00

It's been so long since I've pulled a loop, it's crazy. Must be a record. These nice summer days have been filled with water time and stand up paddle board time and the very best things about summer.

Actually, I pulled a few loops to show some guests how hooking's done. Also showed them punch needle and pulled out lots of projects for a big "show and tell". And demonstrated the Bolivar. It's always fun to do that. And both the husband and wife are big fans of rug hooking in general - and of mine in particular (probably because I'm the only hooker they know ha ha)

The trickle of guests has also had big rewards in the kitchen. It's just much more fun to do great food for company than for just the two of us.The eating occasions are more enjoyable too. I've discovered a new Corn and Black Bean salad that uses a spicy corn relish as the dressing - yumm. And I've made it twice and served it with blackened chicken.

Here's a picture of the salad and the recipe card - and here's a link to the recipe. The jar was a little pricey at our local fresh produce market, but I'm sure you could make your own if you wanted.

Here are a few more things I've been doing instead of starting a new hooking project:

I embroidered this patch for a favourite grey t-shirt. Underneath the patch is a funny little thing that the kids and I did for Rick's post-renovation celebration and mine ran in the wash. But I did want to save the shirt, so voila. Here's the patch with some fancy stitches and here's the shirt.

I can tell you that the many hours of needlework far exceeds the value of the sad little grey 't', but what the heck. At least now I can wear it.

At the same time, I was finishing a baktus scarf that is cotton and linen and coincidentally the colours are the same. How odd is that! (the colour representation in this picture is the most realistic)

And while the second zig zag baby blanket is in the works, I cast on yet another knitting project - following Jennifer Manuell's lead with this sweet light weight sweater, Alga. There's just something about getting a new pattern plus getting yummy yarn that breaks down my resistance every time.

Don't you just love the little pleating in the midriff? The wool we are both using is Madeline Tosh Merino Light - and the colourways are amazing.Jenn is knitting hers in a beautiful teal/green/blue/black mix (called Baltic) and mine is variegated dark blue denim.

So, certainly no lack of projects.

I'm sure that come September, and cooler days and fewer guests, I'll cook and eat less and hook more. I'll have to keep swimming to wear off all that great eating.

All Done But the Blocking

2011-08-08T08:17:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of the Bulky Baby Blanket finished. I took some other pictures, but the colour was awful on the iphone camera. This is a much better representation of the apple green and robin's egg blue. I love the combination and they are favourites of the mom-to-be. As a shower gift, I gave her some receiving blankets with these colours as well.

I love how the mitred edging finishes the blanket, but I will really have to do some blocking when I wash it. The sides are a little "ruffly" and no amount of adjusting seemed to help. I was tempted to take it all out and start again, but then hit my self over the head to remind me that it's a "baby" blanket. I doubt the baby will care that it may not be completely flat.

Berrocco has a really cute free sweater pattern on their website that I might just do to go with it. I think it would be adorable in these same colours. Here's the pattern:

I have the time. And I think these colours will work equally as well for a boy or girl baby. And baby sweaters go sooooo quickly.

This baby is due mid-September and the next one isn't due till October. So if everyone stays on track, I can too LOL.

The Bra Project in the Press

2011-08-05T08:38:00.000-04:00

I heard from a couple of people yesterday that there was a feature article in the Toronto Star about The Bra Project.

This bra is titled "Bobby Orr" and was created
by a bra artista in Parry Sound.

Here's the link to the article which talks about the history of the project as well as the upcoming display at the CNE in Toronto. If you are planning on going to the CNE, stop in at the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Pavilion and see 60 of art bras on display.

Hope you get there. The display is incredible. If not, go online for a virtual visit.

P.S. Our little community raised all of the $650,000 required for the digital mammography machine, but it's not too late to create your own masterpiece and be part of the project.

Baby Blanket Back Up

2011-08-04T10:28:00.000-04:00

Here is the baby blanket that I am close to finishing for my next baby gift, due in September. Isn't this the cutest picture ever??? (The blanket does not come with the baby - you have to provide your own LOL)

The pattern is available for free on Purl Bee and it is incredibly quick to knit. The yarn that is specified in the pattern was a little too rich for my liking, so I substituted and got the gauge required. I am making mine a little longer - this one is square - because I had the yarn.

I love the mitred border, which is knit double-stranded in a contrasting colour and looks like the edging on a real blanket. And if you pay attention to the directions, it is easy to do also. After I finished my increases, I realized that I had increased only half of what I was supposed to - luckily I noticed the (8 increased stitches) before I got completely done - actually I noticed it on the (8 decreased stitches) which shows how far into it I was.

Hence the title for this post. A big back up was required. And when you are holding a gazillion stitches, with markers, on a humungous circular needle, the backing up is slow going. At least for me it was, because I did it row by row, so as not to lose the markers.

It's funny that we all think we can read - for the most part. And as a veteran knitter, I think I can read a pattern - I have even trained myself to read through from start to finish before I begin, because I have been caught too many times by that crazy "at the same time" stuff. This should have been a cake walk - I was just not paying attention. But I am back on track again.

The other thing that this blanket taught me is to knit with it sitting on a table or counter in front of me - to keep the weight off in the hot weather. And to knit early in the morning or late at night.

Anyway, I am back to knitting again and should have a picture to share in a day or so.

Welcome Loretta and Hooked On The Lake

2011-08-03T12:34:00.000-04:00

I got an email yesterday from my friend Loretta, telling me that she has a new blog. Since I was in the Big Smoke yesterday, I waited until I was back to take a look. It is great! Her blog is Hooked On The Lake.

This is Mr. Wieeeener, one of your many playful patterns.

Her lake is near Westport, Ontario, north of Kingston and both her lake and her "hottage"(technical term for home that was previously a cottage) are incredible. I was there a couple of years ago for a workshop weekend with Bea Grant. It was awesome!

At the time, Loretta was not yet there full time, but was commuting from Montreal with her husband Gord. Now she is living there and enjoying every single day. Like me, she relishes simple things like having coffee on the deck every morning.

Loretta's blog is on wordpress and she has mutliple pages and an online store as well as a blog. It's more like a website. She is one of the best primitive pattern designers and hookers that I know and she is already sharing dye recipes.

Go and see for yourself how incredible it is.

Welcome Loretta. I'll be following along for sure.

Some Big Numbers Need Big Gifts

2011-08-02T08:33:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was Rick and my "30th" Anniversary!! It seems nearly impossible to believe that this many celebrations have gone by, but I guess having two kids - 28 and 25 on Thursday - is proof that the number is what it is.

Since another bigger number is just around the corner, my husband decided to get me a genuine stand up paddle board, instead of the "jiggly giggly" dead windsurfer that has been substituting till now. And he decided to get it far enough ahead so that I could enjoy it - good thinking.

Instead of sharing a picture of me on "Peter Pan" (the actual name on the paddle board), here is a picture of Laura. You can just imagine me 32 years older and several pounds heavier LOL.

The irony of the name of the board is that I was named Wendie after Wendy in Peter Pan, and now many many many years later, of all the boards in the world, we end up with Peter Pan. I think that is kismet for sure.

If you aren't familiar with this new sport, it is catching on like wild fire. Boards are becoming difficult to find and the marina where we bought PP had sold out two orders - we got the last one this size - and weren't getting any more this year.

Using your balance to stay on the board, you paddle on either side of the board, changing sides every three or four strokes. This board is 10'4" long and as you can see, shaped like a surfboard, with a scooped front. In places where there is surf, they paddle out to the waves and surf back in. There is some kind of clip that attaches the paddle to the board while you ride the wave. (That will never be an issue here on Salmon Lake.)

It is one heck of a work out - for all parts of the body. My arms have never been so toned from the paddling and every muscle in the core and lower body is engaged - to keep from falling off. But I am totally in love with it. I think I have been on for at least an hour every day since we brought it home.

Yesterday, to celebrate the big 3-0, I paddled to the end of the lake, which is about 4 km return trip. That was my longest trek thus far. The only parts of me that were really feeling it were my feet - from gripping. Our lake is the perfect size and calmness to make this fun (you can see how still the water is in front of Laura).

Laura is a bit of a gym junkie and she said that it's a really good workout - even for her. So that makes me feel good in so many ways. Fun and fit - a good combo for all the big numbers.

A Sign Sure to Bring a Smile

2011-07-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

Today is the first day of rain in a very long stretch. The days preceding have been hot and humid - much too sticky to even consider picking up a strip of wool. But the days have been filled with lots of guests, water play, good food, good wine and good fun.

One of the things that has brought laughter to all of us is a crazy sign in town, about which I decided to post. It's become a drive-by attraction of the first order. Here's the sign.

I'm pretty sure that they didn't intend it to be a funny bone tickler, but we have had hours of fun imagining all the things that those missing teeth are up to. The hijinks of missing molars and bicuspids is just too much fun to ignore. And trying to re-unite missing teeth with their owners must be a difficult undertaking.

However, we are keeping an eye out for them. If we spot them, we know who to call.

I can't remember the last time that I laughed to the point of tears, but this sign got me. I sure hope it isn't just a case of "you had to be there", and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Hubba Hubba

2011-07-18T08:49:00.000-04:00

After celebrating Elaine's big birthday on Saturday, and giving her this mat, I can tell the story here on the blog.

We have been close friends since our boys were in grade 2 together - our boys are now 25. And when we met, we found out that we had nearly met many years earlier when we were both in Grade 13, since we were at the same high school. Crazy small world .... again.

We started hooking together, we went through the teachers' program together and until I moved north, we co-taught in her studio. Rug hooking is just another thing we share that has cemented our friendship. We have remained incredibly close despite her move to Florida for 10 years and my move up here. Distance doesn't seem to bother us.

This is a picture of the two of us, taken in 1997 wearing those ridiculous t-shirts. When she gave me a copy of the picture, she had written "Hubba Hubba" and the date on the back. When I was going through some old pictures, I realized it was the perfect image to capture on her birthday mat. And it is fitting that the picture was taken at our "then cottage/now home".

This was an incredibly fun mat to hook - a smile in every loop. In fact, I think it was the inspiration behind the last post about "being an emotional hooker". It isn't very large, about 12 inches square, so it went quickly.

I hooked the figures first and when it came time to hook the background, I decided to treat the trees and grass in paisley, since that is what Elaine has been focused on for the past year. And she just finished teaching a week-long paisley class at Trent which was a huge success.

Elaine's family treated her to a weekend at Rocky Crest for this milestone birthday. As it is only about 20 minutes from me, I got to join them poolside on Saturday afternoon and give Elaine a big hug and her gifts. She was as pleased as I hoped she would be. And her family thought it was lots of fun.

Happy Birthday, Elaine. Thanks for going first. I'll be there before you know it!!!

Hooking What You Love.

2011-07-11T09:58:00.000-04:00

Does your mind wander as you hook? Mine does, and I find myself thinking of all sorts of things. I guess that zen state is one of the things we love about hooking, isn't it?

I was finishing my latest project on the weekend (a special gift for a special occasion, which I will share next week after it has been presented), and I realized that I am an "emotional" hooker. The projects that I enjoy the most are the ones based on emotion. They are the mats that capture a memory or celebrate an occasion. They are the mats that follow the rule about hooking what you love.

When I thought back over my hooking history, I realized that nearly every mat I have done falls into the emotional category. The first mat I hooked was a moose - and it was the "emotional" connection that I had with the pattern that got me hooking in the first place.

After that first mat, I designed nearly every mat I hooked. Girls Weekend, Misty, and Fish and Checks were three early mats that were all about emotion. I loved every loop I pulled on them.

The next few projects were what I call "technical" projects. My kilim pillows, my fine-shaded floral piece and eventually my small Oriental. All are great learning pieces, but I didn't have the same emotional connection with them. In fact, the fine-shaded piece is still unfinished. I use it as a visual aid to demonstrate the value lesson, but there wasn't the same joy in every loop.

The next many projects reflected my emotional side and when you view my portfolio, you can easily see how tipped it is in that direction. Lots of faces, lots of moose and other critters I love. Mostly my own designs, but the occasional rug that was designed by someone else and adapted by me.

Over this past year, I have hooked more special occasion mats than ever before. Even the Christmas ornaments, baby name signs and Valentine hearts were a joy to hook. But the milestone mats of big birthdays or anniversaries, many adapted from photos, are definitely my favourites.

So, my little mind road trip on the weekend reminded me that I do truly hook what I love for the sheer joy of the emotion.

A Perfect Canada Day Weekend.

2011-07-04T08:49:00.000-04:00

There was so much to love about this past Canada Day weekend - beginning with the weather. Let's face it, when the weather cooperates, everything else is just so much better.

Here are a few of my "holiday" accents.

The guard rail people were in on the fun.

A couple of LED flags for the planters - I forgot to turn them on.

Morris in his jaunty cap.

I got four more of those umbrella hats, which were supposed to be for our Canada Day cruise. They were quite dangerous to put on (due to the many spikes) so we just put them on for the photo op and then they were off again. (The pics are on someone else's camera, so will be shared when I get them.)

Good company from Thursday to Saturday - great food. A wonderful Friday visit to the Rosseau Market and then just lots of water time.

My stand up paddle boarding is progressing slowly on my old dead windsurfer. So far, all I've managed to perfect is the "falling off" part. Some neighbours arrived with two real paddle boards, which appear to be wider and a tad more stable. Plus they have a little fin on the back which seems to keep them from going in a circle.

There was even a little bit of time for reading, hooking and knitting. I'm on the third book of the George RR Martin series (on which the HBO series "Game of Thrones" was based). I'm sure Jennifer Manuell is finished the fourth by now - somewhere in the reading, she screamed by me and there was no slowing her down.

I finished the first of the three baby blankets. Here's a picture before it goes to its new owner "Gavin".

It's a very happy blankie, but I think next time, I might opt for fewer yarn changes. And I might go up a needle size as it is quite small. I think it will be a perfect stroller, car seat blanket, but it is definitely not crib size. Two more babies in the queue, so I had best get busy again on the next one.

Happy July 4th to all my US blog pals. Hope you have as great a day as we did.

My Heavenly Time at Trent

2011-06-24T10:27:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it is Friday already. The students and teachers at Trent School of Rug Hooking are enjoying their last day of classes. They will all head home either tonight or tomorrow. And they will have to wait "364 days to come back" as an older and much wiser hooker said to me my first year there.

The picture I am showing here is of Mary Janet Mustard, one of the school convenors, at the Monday night trunk swap and ice cream. Three of them were dressed as hooking angels, and I thought this was an incredible shot.

I have been home for a few days - rainy and dreary - bringing my ma-in-law with me for a soggy visit. Here is a re-cap of my adventure.

One week ago, I had an incredible day at my friend Jane's. She assembled her hooking group for lunch and an afternoon on her deck with lots of "Show and Tell". We had wine and cheese and vichyssoise and veggies and more. It was a perfect afternoon - they insisted on a "hockey bag" show to see what I was bringing to share with my class. Then they showed me various projects they were working on. Most of them are relatively new to rug hooking - the youngest among them has been hooking for only a few weeks, and doing very well. If I lived there, I would really enjoy hooking with these wonderful ladies every week. They made me feel incredibly welcome.

Friday evening we went to an art show in Keene, a small village outside of Peterborough. The artist lives in a historic log house and has a coach house as her gallery. Her work is incredible! She painted landscapes and cows and boats and city scenes. Her range was immense and she did everything well. The framing on her work is the best I have ever seen, and she told me she and the framer have a special arrangement. For so many works that he frames, she gives him a painting. Unfortunately, she doesn't have a website, or I would provide you all with a link.

Saturday, it was off to Trent to get my classroom prepped and meet my students.

Let me tell you that whether you are teaching for two days or 20, you take the same amount of stuff and my car was packed! The largest size rolling suitcase held all my teaching stuff - books, reference material, cutter, binders for students. My new light box. My hockey bag of rugs. Bedding and towels and a fan for my dorm room. And a small rolling suitcase with my clothing.

The students got checked into their spots and we met to go to dinner at St. Veronus, a wonderful restaurant in downtown Peterborough with amazingly fresh and delicious food and a very long beer list. Everyone enjoyed the feast.

My 5 students, although small in number, were bicoastal Canadians. One from Vancouver. One from Newfoundland. And you know that to travel that far, they were dedicated. The other three were all from Ontario - Fort Frances, North Bay and Brampton. And we all got along famously. (Hope they don't mind me sharing this group shot of them.)

Sunday morning, classes began. With only two days to spend on Wide Cut Hooking with my Teacher Trainees, it was a lot of information to push at them and for them to absorb. They had two other teachers during the week - two days on Shading and two days on Pedagogy, so I was very happy to have them first, while they were still fresh.

The rest of the Trent students were arriving on Sunday so we were the only ones in class. And we ploughed through the work. Monday morning, we joined in the assembly with the rest of the school and I presented my Show Case before getting back to work. The day flew by and I couldn't believe I was done.

The objective of my two days was for them to have designed, enlarged, transferred and started hooking on their original wide-cut patterns. Happily, we all achieved that objective with time to spare.

I packed up my room, with help from my gals, and loaded everything back into the car. One last supper with the rest of the school and then Tuesday morning, back on the road. I felt like a camper who had been sent home early for bad behaviour. It felt strange to be leaving when they all had 4 days left. But it was a wonderful time, despite being somewhat abbreviated.

Hopefully, I will be able to go back next year for the whole week teaching a class of my own. And enjoying the rhythm of rug school without interruption.

A Busy Hooking Time Ahead.

2011-06-16T15:39:00.000-04:00

Well, early tomorrow morning, I am heading to Peterborough for a 4-day hooking and teaching extravaganza.

When I arrive tomorrow, my friend Jane is hosting her hooking group at her home for the afternoon - hopefully on a sunny deck. Then off to a friend's art show tomorrow night.

Then Saturday, a short jaunt to Trent School of Rug Hooking where I am teaching the Wide Cut section of the Teacher Trainee program for the OHCG. I can't believe how much stuff I have to take - no less than if I were teaching for the whole week, that's for sure!!!

I decided to be smart and put all my books and teaching materials in a large suitcase instead of the many boxes and baskets I have used in the past. It is a brilliant idea, until you have to move it up the stairs. Yikes - no lifting at all, just rolling up one step at a time. I think the technical term is "bumping up the stairs".

While I'm there, I'm doing a Show Case for a week-long class for next year. It's about hooking mats from photographs and how to use your computer at each stage of design, enlarge, colour plan and checking progress.

Here's a little mat that I finished to take. I felt I needed one more sample to go with what I already had.

Here's the picture I used.

And here's the little mat

Not sure why the photo looks so dark here - a scan of a print, I guess. I have a few others to show as well - all small "sketches" that I have done over the last year - mostly for gifts. I don't think any of them are larger than 12 x 16. A good project to do in a week, I think.

By the time I am ready to post again, I should have lots of "show and tell", which is something we all love.

Till then, enjoy the great weather. Somehow this image seems very suitable.

One Moose 4 Ways.

2011-06-13T10:04:00.001-04:00

I am off to Trent School of Rug Hooking on Saturday. I will be teaching Wide Cut hooking to the Teacher Trainees for two days. They will also be taught Shading for two days and Teaching Theory for two days. Three teachers - a lot of information - all in one week!!!

When I took my course, it was spread throughout the year - we went to different instructors' homes and had the months between to finish the projects. Now it's all the teaching up front and the year to finish.
The good news is that they get to spend a week with one of the large rug hooking schools and meet a lot of other hookers, which is a huge "community" for them. And it is LOTS of fun as well as hard work.

As one of my visual aids - and I think it's a great one - I have hooked "one moose 4 ways" all in wide cut. I think it's an incredible demonstration of the different styles. See for yourselves:


This is the Primitive version.


This one is done with alternative fibers. Click in for a closer look.


She is my "impressionist" moose.

She is my "realistic" moose, or as realistic as you can get in an 8 cut.

They are all drawn from the same pattern - I used a photo and blew it up to get the the outline of the cow and the birch trees and a bit of an indication of the foliage. And I hooked them in the order they are here.

Not only will they be a good teaching tool - for all wide cut classes - but I learned an awful lot by hooking the same pattern the 4 ways.

I am tempted to leave them in a row as they are right now, but know that they will be more useful finished individually. And I'll also have the pleasure of displaying them in any order I like - the Andy Warhol of moose LOL.

Powassan Hook-in on Saturday.

2011-06-06T10:26:00.000-04:00

Who goes to a hook in and not take any pictures of show and tell? I even had my camera in my bag.

I did take a few pictures of frames with my iphone, because my friend Susan's husband is making prototypes of frames and she was keen to show him this easy one.

A couple of the hookers from Deep River had these, which were made by one of the husbands.


A mitred rectangular head is wrapped in fabric into which the work is pinned.	A bolt is put into the sides of the frame.

The bolt slips into a groove in a side panel which raises it off the table or your lap.


The sides are attached to a base with piano hinges. Since this one was just for "the wife" he used leftover boards for the base.

She offered to send me a pattern for this simple frame, which would be great. I'm always on the hunt for an inexpensive option for beginner hookers who struggle with a hoop.

Handy husbands seem to be the drivers of innovation in rug hooking equipment. I, unfortunately, did not have "handy" on my list of qualities when choosing. And as a result, I have become the handy one.
Oh well, he has lots of other fine qualities and I am certainly not complaining.

BTW, Jennifer Manuell does have pictures from the hook-in, so please go and visit her blog.

What does $300 worth of periwinkle look like?

2011-06-06T10:11:00.000-04:00

Not much, actually, when your septic bed is as large as ours. But since nothing else will grow there, I bit the bullet and budgeted that much for periwinkle. It only covered the sloping sides, not the top. Here are a few pics.

You can see why we call it "Mount Davis"

Or "Mount Septic"


A dapple of sunlight gets through, but basically, these need to grow in the dark.

But the good news is that this is a one-time expense and in a couple of years, should be lush and lustrous.

In fact, 90% of my gardening this year is perennials. I had someone from the local garden centre come and do a walkabout to make sure that my plans were sound. I had some plants in the retaining wall garden on the driveway side that grew too tall and kept getting blown over. They were a huge physical job to move, including a brief stint as an axe wielding zombie to divide some of them, but they all survived the move. They are now happily transplanted to the lake side garden where they will be sheltered from the wind. (someone has since told me about a tool from Lee Valley that is perfect for sub-dividing)

I re-planted the retaining wall garden with 4 kinds of sedum and some creeping geraniums. The leaves on the sedum are beautiful without any flowers, so I will have something pleasing all year. Here is what they look like.

I just love the different shapes and textures of the leaves. And some are much higher than others.
Can't wait till it fills in a bit.

I also added some new perennials to the front (lake side) garden for a bit of colour in the empty spots.
It's looking very lush and Briar (isn't that the best name for a horticulturalist) says that it can basically be left alone, which is music to my ears.

As I was taking the pictures yesterday, I couldn't resist adding one of these happy fellows - who bloomed the night before, I'm sure.

For someone who has always been a "chancy gardener", I guess my luck is paying off. Now that I've had a professional confirm my plans, I am confident that I am on the right path (bad garden joke).

My year of knitting lacily.

2011-05-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last week I started knitting a very nice baby blanket for a friend’s new Granddaughter. Mom and baby Gavin are home safe and sound, and truth be told, I should have started knitting this blanket sooner.

It’s a fun knit, using different colours of sock yarn with frequent colour changes. It goes quickly and is a small size as you can see from this picture. For a future one, I will mix this new yarn with some of my leftovers. Or alternatively, have some very fun socks!!

This is the picture from Ravelry. As you can see, it's a "wee" one.

I realized once I got going on it that this is the forth lace project in a row. Not intentional, but not bad for someone who used to have a fear of lace. So that is why I am calling this my year of knitting lacily.

Before I started this blanket, I started on my second version of this vest called “Juliet”.

I did the first one in a variegated red yarn and liked it so much I decided to ravel a cotton vest (due to butt sag – the sweater, not mine). And I got a pretty good start on it before setting it aside for the blanket.

This is the picture of the original pattern from Ravelry.

This is the red one that is warm and cozy.

This is a teal cotton one that should be perfect for warmer weather.

And I have a “car lace” project, a simple drop stitch scarf that I am making out of leftover cotton from another project. I have about 3 and a half feet done, and will get back to it when the first baby blanket is done.

A simple pattern that is very nice in the variegated cotton.

It seems that all the brides whose weddings I attended within the past few years are having babies in the next while, so I see a few other blankets on the horizon. Maybe lace. Maybe not.

By the way, I found all of these projects on Ravelry.com. If you are not already a member, you should think about it, if you are a knitter. The blanket and the scarf patterns were free – two of thousands. The Juliet pattern was a pdf download for a very reasonable fee – I think $6. But since I am on my second one already, the cost is down to $3. (ya gotta love the logic).

How many people does it take to build a lightbox?

2011-05-24T08:36:00.000-04:00

I have a new lightbox, and I feel like when I show a picture, it should have credits.
Without a number of people, its existence would not be possible.

Here it is - still awaiting staining or painting. I haven't decided which way to go yet.

Here's the cast of characters and the story of how it came into existence:

Light - Elaine (via Dylan)
Plexiglass - Sarah (via Sue)
Box - David (via Sue and Sarah)
Staining or painting - me

First of all the light - it came via my pal Elaine, when her son decided he no longer wanted his Coors Light sign. So, she donated it to me and I spent a number of hours figuring out how to remove the plastic Coors front to reveal just the light. If I recall (it was a while ago), I ended up with a good little scratch from the removal.

The light traveled here to the new home (not in a box) and I mentioned to Sue, one of my new students, what it was going to be when it grew up. Sue brought her daughter Sarah to see the studio one day, and Sarah volunteered some Plexiglas from her workplace - she was sure there were leftover pieces that would be the right size and she would get one cut.

Enter Sue's husband and Sarah's dad - David - who was intrigued by the "light box" discussion and after learning its purpose, volunteered to build the box.

So, not only were a number of people involved, so were a number of locations: the light came from Toronto to Parry Sound. The plexiglass came from Oakville - it took a few trips to and fro before it made it here. And David's workshop, near McKeller, produced the light box.

It's fantastic. A very good size, so even large patterns will be easy to do in parts. And it means no more tired arms from tracing vertically on the living room sliding door. Yippee!!!!

You know that saying "It takes a village to raise a child." I'm starting to think that the same can be said about a light box. So thanks to all who helped create it.

Reinforcing Max

2011-05-16T09:55:00.000-04:00

I finally got around to implementing my hanging solution for Max and the Gang. I stuggled with the best way to reinforce the back of the mat without making it too heavy or cumbersome. I am happy I waited a bit to let the solution percolate, but it definitely needed something to hold it flat so that it wouldn't curl.

Yippee for foam-core!!!! It's the other thing that, like velcro, I can't imagine what we did before having it.

I took a few pictures of the process of attaching the mat to the velcro boards. All very simple, once I figured out the solution.

I purchased three boards that were 2' by 3'. I turned them width-wise across the mat and trimmed off the excess, so they were flush with the sides. Luckily for me, the three boards fit perfectly top to bottom, with a little space between.

I used upholstery thread to sew through the mat and the board and carried long stitches behind. (not beautiful, but effective)

I made sure to get the stitches between the rows. I used a glover's needle and a thimble. I went down each side and across the top and bottom of the boards.

With the little space between, I can easily fold the mat for transportation.


Although you can't see a big difference, the mat hangs beautifully flat now - with a little help from some magnet strips across the middle and bottom boards.

I am so happy with the way that this turned out, I think I will do the same thing with a few of my smaller pieces. You can get the foam-core "acid free" and the local framing store said that they use it for archival framing, so I know it won't hurt the hooked piece. Plus with the big stitches only around the perimeter, it isn't cutting off any air supply.

A Practically Perfect Mothers' Day

2011-05-09T09:41:00.001-04:00

Well, that describes my day - hope all you other Mothers had a great one.

Rick and I drove to Toronto to have Brunch-and-a-Movie with our kids. It was a beautiful day and kind of sad to spend it at the movies, but we didn't have a back-up plan and we really enjoy seeing movies there versus our little theatre here in town.

Eggs Charlotte is the brunch of choice for the Davis Family and we all ordered the same thing! And the movie choice was Thor in 3D, which was fun.

The weather was perfect for driving, which is always a good thing. And we even sprung for a deluxe car wash - inside and out - another thing that we can't get here in PS.

I think my favourite things were the homemade card from Laura and the flowers from Matt. It was a switch up this year, since Matt is the one who usually makes homemade. They are the only cards that I save - in a giant shoebox - that is sacred.

Here is Laura's card.

She was about 3 months old here and that caterpillar was her favourite chew toy.


And she's about 336 months here and that is a monkey finger puppet.

Ironically, I was working on a design for a new "bug" rug for next year's Annual and not completely happy with where I was. One look at this card and I now know EXACTLY what I am doing.

And here are Matt's flowers.

Notice the "bug" in here too - must be kismet.

After many hours in the back of the car, I sprung them and popped them into a vase. They immediately expressed their gratitude by opening and filling the kitchen with their wonderful smell.

I love being a mom - even when the mothering events are a little farther between. Mind you, they all seem to be enormous events now when they do occur - but I can't imagine my life without my kids.
And that says it all.

The "Girls" at the OCGH Annual.

2011-05-02T10:15:00.001-04:00

Recovering from the Wedding and the trip to the other London this weekend. The wedding was definitely worth getting up early for, though I hadn't intended to do so.

Then I put the "Girls" in the car and headed to London, via Toronto. Elaine and I caught up in the car and the >5 hours of driving (both legs of the journey) went quickly.

Elaine helped set up the display, as did Wanda from North Bay. They immediately attracted a curious crowd, which kept up all weekend. Here is how they looked on display.

If you click on the images, (sorry they are a tad blurry) you'll be able to see some of the unhooked ones as well as the hooked ones. And if you want to see them up close and read the stories, go to www.thebraproject.com

I didn't take too many other pictures of rugs in the display. I always find it a bit overwhelming when there are so many. And this is the first year that I didn't have two days to walk the aisles and take pictures, so I had to make my decisions relatively quickly.

I also find the vendor booths a bit overwhelming and can never decide what to choose, which is probably a good thing. I didn't have a list this year, or a project for which I needed to shop. I only picked up four pieces of dark greys, greens and near black wool for students; a pair of purse handles, some sari ribbon and sari yarn for a yet-to-be-designed bag for Barbados next year.

Here are a few of the pics I took. The first three are all works of a "new" hooker, who created all three in her first year!!!

And here are a few more of the rugs that drew my eye. I wasn't smart enough to get the names and details. If you are one of the artists, my apologies.

I can't resist the Group of Seven in any medium. This is gorgeous.

A beautiful stained glass pattern - apparently quite old.

Another classic that caught my eye.

A portion of an amazing oriental - the borders were incredible.

Another amazing oriental - the workmanship is stunning

This one made me smile - but when you look closely, the detail is wonderful

I should have taken more pictures, but didn't. I also should have taken my better camera, which I will try to remember to do next year.

Anyway, a bit of eye candy to enjoy.

A Loss and a Gain in the Sewing Machine Kingdom.

2011-04-28T16:34:00.000-04:00

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Kendra, my old Kenmore sewing machine. After a lengthy struggle with her tension and her relentless depositing of gobs of extra thread underneath the sewing on many projects, and despite my valiant efforts to rehabilitate her with TLC, new needles and a good cleaning, I decided to pull the plug. Enough suffering for both of us. Especially in light of my renewed interest in sewing of late.

So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Hazel Husqvarna, Kendra's successor. She is the third sewing machine in my lifetime. The first was a used Singer which my mother got "off the back of a truck". She served me well for a good 15 years, until she was replaced by Kendra. Kendra has been with me for about the same length of time. I'm not sure of the life expectancy of a sewing machine, but if it's like appliances, I guess she lived a good, long life.

Hazel has many of the same qualities and features that I loved about Kendra, but she has definitely got some benefits - over and above the not gobbing of thread. Above all, she is electronic, which means whisper quiet and doesn't shimmy the entire table as she sews. And she has a full array of stretch stitches, which are perfect for all the knit sewing I am doing. I'm sure we will become great pals.

I chose her name, partly because of the H-factor (for Husqvarna), but also because the only Hazel I knew (the maid from whichever show that was) was such a smart and hard working gal. I am hoping this Hazel remains my partner in stitchery for decades to come. And, in the event that Hazel has difficulties in the future, I have a sewing centre in town that will be able to treat her.

A Buffalo Check Bargain

2011-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and is recovering from the bunny hangover. There is an awful lot of chocolate around here, that's for sure.

We had a busy weekend with both kids here for Good Friday and Saturday and then off to Grandma's on Sunday - which turns into a 7+ hour road trip by the time you do the Peterborough leg (3+ hours), the Toronto leg (1.5+ Hrs) and then the Parry Sound leg (2+ hours). Luckily our son did the first leg, so it was a bit of a break.

While they were here, I put a show binding on my little "No Hunting" mat, which will be placed in the powder room window - facing out - as a bit of a screen for when people are sitting out there. It's quite fitting that he ends up there. He will be next to the moose on our DAVIS sign, surrounded by log walls and above a twig table. From inside the powder room, you will get a glimpse of the mat from the back, which is nice too. And this trio will be in good company with Max and the gang on the washer/dryer.

What I really wanted to post about was the beginnings of this little piece and how it was virtually a "free" mat. I LOVE it when that happens. Here is a piece of buffalo check wool that I bought last year at Circle of Friends for $2. (I think). It looks like some kind of mill end and is only 2 3/4" wide. But as you can see it is very, very long.

The moose was already hooked on a piece of backing, since he was originally going to be put inside the stocking that I designed and hooked for the RHF stocking challenge last year. But I didn't get him quite finished, so I added the other critters and decided to use the buffalo check for the background of this little mat (which is about 12 x 16). The lettering was just an after thought, which I thought was appropriate.

I reproduced the check in most of the background, which was trickier than I originally thought it would be. Then I just used the wool as is for the show binding. I have only done show binding a couple of times, but this seemed like the perfect spot for it.

I had to decide whether to do the short top and bottom first or the longer sides and ended up going with the sides first - top and bottom second. In hind sight, I should have done it the other way around - note to self for next time.

But I love the final result. And it's great that No Hunting had No Cost.

Here's "Bra-ddy"

2011-04-20T15:12:00.001-04:00

Well, here's another bra for the project.

Finished in time to join the others on display at the OHCG Annual in London next weekend. It was so much fun to do, once I figured out how to get it on my frame - let's just say it involved a lot of creative
lacing.

I used all the same colours as I did in "Support the Girls", so they will become a bit of a team, I think.

Now I will go and upload the picture to the website.

Dear Grammy

2011-04-18T09:04:00.000-04:00

Well, the Grandma's Trunk challenge members uploaded their goodies on Friday and they are wonderful!
Very creative. Very heartfelt. And very different, which I think is the most amazing thing about a challenge. Give someone a topic and see what they will come up with.

Here is a link to the Album on Rug Hooking Daily, so you can see them all.

As promised, here is mine.

and here is the story that goes with it.

Thank you Grammy

When the initial challenge came out for Grandma’s Trunk, I didn’t give it too much thought. After all, I hardly knew my Grandmother and only saw her 3 or 4 times in my lifetime. She lived on the other side of the country.

However, a day after receiving the email to participate, I was hit with a memory of my Grandmother that was so strong, I had to go with it – and the challenge.

When I was about 10 or 11 I decided, for whatever reason, to ask my Grammy to knit me a Mary Maxim sweater with horses on it. I was horse crazy, an avid Pony Clubber and those sweaters were all the rage. I think my mom was too busy, so when I asked about Grammy, she encouraged me to send the letter.

Anyway, the sweater arrived. It was gorgeous. A beautiful rust wool with brown horses and beige and orange diamonds on it – remember how they all had diamonds at the top and bottom? The orange was very distinct because it was like “cheese whiz” – very orange. Instead of a zipper, Grammy had sewn on round wooden buttons.

The first day that I wore it to Pony Club, my horse was cross-tied in the stable for some unknown reason (vet or blacksmith I suppose). When I went to pat his head, he nuzzled the buttons and the next thing I knew, I was about 6 inches off the ground. He lifted me up by the buttons.

Everyone howled with laughter. But the sweater was the envy of all the girls.

So this is my rug to commemorate that memory. It really isn’t something that was inside Grandma’s trunk, but it sure released a memory from the trunk in my brain devoted to my Grandma.

This was definitely a fun project and I will undoubtedly participate in more in the future.

Adventures in Alternative Fiber

2011-04-11T11:57:00.000-04:00

Seems that the last couple of weeks have been spent looking through Rubbermaid bins, knitting baskets and "hidey" places to find interesting "non-wool" fibers to hook with. I was getting ready for a workshop I attended on Saturday that was like "play time" in kindergarten.

Patti Armstrong, a fellow OHCG teacher and the workshop leader, is allergic to wool so has been ahead of most of the rest of us on the curve of fiber experimentation. She did an amazing job of showing us her binder full of results that could be achieved using all manner of interesting things - including bubble wrap, candy wrappers, garbage bags, the net from body scrubbers and many other amazing fibers.

I had decided to create something functional and do a "jeanius bag" front. Some of the fibers used wouldn't suit a hot plate or a mat on any surface, so carrying it around will be much more fun. Oh, the conversations it will start.....

Here are the results. I have labeled a few of the materials that I used in this piece. If you click to enlarge, you can see what is in there.

I took pictures of the rest of the pieces on my iphone - I have not labeled them, but suffice to say that there was lots of sparkly bits, bathing suit fabrics, quilting bias tape, gift wrap, the Grab-it sheets that go in the wash to prevent colours from running, the mesh tape you use to hold up plants, ribbon, velour, etc. etc. I have made a few notes under each picture.

And as Patti said, if you can cut it into strips, you can hook with it. Look how amazing these are:

Marnie's exploration included eyelash yarn, fabric strips, yarns and some unrecognizable tape from Norway that had been hidden in her weaving stash.

This lovely bird was part of a free pattern from RHM - he is a multi-coloured organiza type fabric that was just beautiful.

Cheronne was working on a mushroom and using all kids of textures that were animal prints and anything else that would create lovely texture in here. If you click in, you can see a couple of the fabrics at the top right of the frame.

Ruby was working on a landscape with an amazing cherry tree and all kinds of wonderful textures in her water. Click in and you can see them more closely.

Elaine wanted to be able to identify what she used, so set up a tidy grid for further experimentation. She is going to take scissors to a couple of them and "fluff" them up a bit.

Marjorie's rooster is definitely the "cock of the walk". Click in and see him shimmer.

Anne's Mexican pattern will be ripe with textures when she is done. The plant next to the cactus in the foreground is made from brown plastic bag.

Barb's foreground in her landscape is a monochromatic exploration in a multitude of fibers, including ribbon and roving to make the flowers.

Jennifer's geometric has lots of texture and already looks like an antique.

Viv's geometric also has segmented areas for exploration. Look at the calico cotton she is using in the wedge at the top.

All in all, it was a fabulous, care-free day. People were sharing like crazy and soon sequins and shimmer appeared everywhere. Not a single wool strip was used by anyone for the entire day - and the results couldn't be more spectacular.

Thanks Patti for being our sherpa on our big adventure.

A new blog in my sights.

2011-04-06T08:20:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Manuell sent me a link to a brand new blog yesterday. And it's definitely worth going to check out.

Wait till you see what Bird Brain Designs is doing with her hooked bags!!! They are delicious!

And her little line under her logo in the headline "practically imperfect" is practically perfect.
I'm sure, like me, you'll be visiting a lot.

Welcome to the blog world Christine. You will love the people you meet here.

Yikes!!!

2011-04-06T08:10:00.000-04:00

Here is what I awoke to this morning!!!

I don't even want to imagine what my poor little flowers look like in the urns.

But they are forecasting a high of 6 today, so hopefully it will be gone by dinner time and I can go and fluff my poor little flowers.

Y-urning for Spring

2011-04-04T09:22:00.000-04:00

Since my hooking this week was finishing the 'challenge' piece, which has been pushed back to April 15th, I had to find something else to post about. So why not the weather.

After a beautiful sunny week, and a beautiful Saturday, we decided to pick up sticks around the property and for me to "un urn" from Christmas.

Personally, I think there is nothing sadder than an empty urn, so I decided to put something in mine. Over the years, I have collected quite a few artificial things that I use between events - or even to add to my real stuff.

So, yes, I may be pushing the season a little, but Easter is coming soon and the snow is going - as you can tell from the tiny pile behind the urn (we won't talk about what's on the other side of the wall).

But it makes me feel good and I know that soon there will be real daffodils - I saw their little heads peeking up in the garden.

That, and the sound of robins, means we won't be waiting much longer.

Frugal Me.

2011-03-28T08:27:00.000-04:00

Are you the type of hooker who leaves miles and miles of backing around a pattern you design yourself? Or are you, like me, the type who hates to waste anything and leaves the bare minimum to make it to the gripper strips? (I've even occasionally had to hold mine in place with string or wool strips wrapped around my frame - tsk, tsk)

In keeping with my frugality, and picking up on a great hint from Anne B., I was getting ready for today's hooking class in "alternative fibers". (We will be hooking with yarn, fabric, ribbon, old sweaters, pantyhose, even garbage bags - I'll show progress later.)

And here is what I did with three small pieces of rug warp:

First, you find one of those old t-shirts that has been set aside for the dust rag pile. Then you cut off the part below the armholes and cut the back and front apart.

Then you zigzag your small piece of backing into the centre of one of the pieces, like this.

You can't see the stitching on this side, but it is outside the black marker line. This piece is about 10" by 12" (and the outlined part is about 7 x 9) - too small to fit in either a hoop or frame.

This is the zigzagging on the back - and yes, that does say Cannes. Rick got this t-shirt when he went for the advertising awards there about 10 years ago (maybe longer).

Just a close up of the zigzag stitch - it's the one on your machine with the little stitches within the zigzag - that allows for extra stretch.

I did three of these for the students. Next step is to cut away the t-shirt from in front of the backing.
But, as you can tell, the t-shirt is now large enough to fit into the hoop or frame. (The white-ish one was actually recovered from the dust cloth bin.)

When Anne B. demonstrated the trick, she showed it for Artist Trading Cards and she had zigzagged around each one so that she could cut them out individually as they were finished, but still have something to hold the others in place. I think it is completely brilliant!!!!

Before witnessing this, I had been sewing strips of fabric to the outside of my wee pieces, which was far more time consuming. So, not only am I saving backing, I'm also saving time. Yippee!

My love-hate relationship with lettering.

2011-03-21T09:11:00.000-04:00

After nearly two weeks, I got back to my hooking last Friday and worked on my Grandma's Trunk project. I was making such headway, I thought I'd be done early.

Then I started on the lettering!!! Not just lettering, but script, i.e. childish handwriting. And did it ever put a crimp in my speed. Not only did I have to size down to a 6 from an 8-cut, but I had to outline it right away before I lost the letters. Luckily, I could go back up to an 8 for the rest of the background.

Here is the result - I think I can show you just the lettering without revealing anything else in the challenge piece.

I realized I don't particularly enjoy lettering, yet I seem to do a lot of it. I guess it's my love of words. I'm attracted to phrases and they usually involve lettering LOL. It made me stop and think about the number of mats I have done with words.

One of my favourite pieces is this pattern of Deanne Fitzpatrick's. Not only is she a fantastic artist, she has a definite gift with words - on this mat and on her blog.

This is the most lettering I have ever done on a mat, and although not perfectly hooked, it is readable - even from across the room. No one comes into the studio who doesn't stop to read the words.

Here are a few more "wordy" mats.

I guess this attraction to letters will be something I just need to slow down for. I can't see it abating any time soon.

From here to the land of ice and snow.

2011-03-17T15:56:00.000-04:00

Despite Canada Customs very best delaying tactics (3.5 hrs last nite) we did manage to get back here safe and sound, albeit very close to 1:45 a.m.!!!!!

The 8 days flew by, but we jammed them all full of a mixture of relaxation and discovery. It was so wonderful, we've already booked three (3) weeks next year. I guess that's about the best you can say about a holiday.

Anyway, we didn't take many pictures, but here are a few to share.

This is our first night - so happy to be there.

These two speak for themselves. The day view and the night view.

This is North Point. We rented a car one day and had a bit of a tour.

This is what happens when the Caribbean meets the Atlantic - incredible water

and what a change from where we were.

Our day on Sinbad, an awesome catamaran complete with rum punch and Bajan lunch.

We swam with the sea turtles who somehow returned to the island a few years ago

and are now very protected and thriving. They are adorable and very friendly.

The view of the shoreline from Sinbad. Let's face it, it's paradise from every angle.

Can you say the word "relaxed"?

Our last supper at Spago - those are our friends Jane and Peter.

Rick is much browner - I got some brown, but lots of freckles.

(this is the outfit from the last post - I did wear all my "trousseau")

And waiting for the taxi to come back - Rick somehow doesn't look quite so happy.

On a hooking note, I did see two things in my travels. Some very small punched mats at North Point in one of the gift shops. They had the bright colour of molas, but were punched with quite a small hook.

In another shop, we saw the most exquisite bags that were a combination of punch needle, beading and other embellishments. They were quite expensive, but worth every penny - maybe next year. Or just inspiration....

Creativity Thrives in Small Places

2011-03-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I finally started hooking on my piece for the Rug Hooking Daily challenge "Grandma's Trunk". I can't tell you what my piece is, but I can tell you a story about it.

When I first had an email from Sunni about the challenge (since I had participated in her last one), I didn't think I was interested. I hardly knew my Grandmother. I don't know if she had a trunk and I sure don't know what would have been in it if she did. I thought that I would just let this challenge pass me by.

The following day, I was struck by a memory of my Grandmother that was so strong and vivid, it was like being hit in the head with a 2 x 4 (not that that has ever happened to me) I decided to make it into a mat and to participate in the challenge. I know that technically, this might not be something you would find in any Grandma's trunk, but when something that powerful happens to you, you have to go with it.

As I've been hooking on the piece, I'm reminded that sometimes we are the most creative when we face a challenge that puts us in a small place. The confines of the challenge seem to free up a part of our brains that is often overwhelmed by the vast universe of creativity. Being creative with no guidelines is nearly impossible - at least for me.

The bra project that I have been participating in is a fine example of creativity in a small space. Tell people that the challenge is to "hook a bra", something outside the realm of normal hooking, and the creative juices start to flow.

This is not just a phenomenon of hooking either. I remember when my hubby and I used to host the neighbourhood Hallowe'en party. If you left the thing wide open, half the people didn't bother to dress up, but if you told them to come as ...something that starts with the letter 'H', they would rise to the occasion and be very creative.

In my professional life, I have worked as a copywriter in advertising, where not a word is written or a concept thought of until a "creative brief" is prepared. It sets the stage for the parameters of the project - who you are talking to - what do they think about your product now and what do you want them to think - and you go from there. Sometimes, it does feel like you have one hand tied behind your back and both feet glued to the floor, but invariably, you manage to be the most creative inside that tiny space.

And that's how I feel about this challenge. The story and the mat would never have happened without it.

And in a few weeks, I'll be able to share both.

Finishing February

2011-02-28T09:50:00.000-05:00

As this short month draws to a close, I am sprinting to the finish line on a bunch of different things. I realized by reading other blogs that my desire to get some UFOs off the list was not unique. Several others were also motivated. I wonder why?

Anyway, I did do some more sewing this week - not as much as I hoped, but I think I have enough clothing for the vacation and hopefully the right weight. (sorry for bad phone pic - my camera battery seems to be dead) This is a great tunic top and some very comfy elastic-waist pants, which will both allow unbridled eating in Barbados LOL.

Earlier in the month, as I was showing my new students some different styles of hooking, I realized I had a "teeny" bit left to hook on this Crewel piece. So it got done - at least ready to whip and turn into something.

A knitted skirt that I put on the needles before Christmas is ready for its waistband - and the ultimate decision of who gets to wear it - me or my daughter. (In case you are interested in seeing this lanesplitter skirt, it was a free pattern on Knitty.com and is also featured on Ravelry if you are a member). I love the Noro colourways I picked for it.

And I whipped "Supporting the Girls" while watching the Oscars last night. Seemed appropriate subject matter while seeing the statues and the beautiful dresses.

All in all, a good productive month. But miles to go still with March and April coming up
"Crazy Busy". So just as well to get a few things off the list.

Family Day Without Much Family.

2011-02-21T15:09:00.000-05:00

So originally I was going to have two kids here for the weekend. Then their lives got in the way and they rescheduled. One came last weekend. The other will come next weekend. So for Family Day, it's just little ole Rick and me.

I just visited Jenn's blog, where I was blown away with her productivity in the dye pot. When she sets out to do something, get out of the way!!! Such gorgeous inventory for all her upcoming gigs.

I had a productive weekend, but in a different vein. I've been making lightweight clothes for my upcoming trip to Barbados. I have lots of "cottage friendly" summer clothes, but not many little dresses or fancy tops for dinners etc. in Paradise. So I dug into my stash of fabrics, my patterns that have been waiting to be made into something and got a good start on my Caribbean wardrobe.

Here's a little dress/coverup made of "nightie weight" cotton. It will be lovely and cool and very casual. I think that fabric was going to be a shirt a million years ago, but I think it may get more wear this way.

This is a jersey boat neck top. I can't even remember what it was going to be originally, but it finally IS something. I'll get some white lightweight crops to go with this. I did a little embellishment at the neckline. Little rosettes with beading.

Last but not least a little empire waist sleeveless top. I'm pretty sure it was one of the options for my daughter's drapes when she moved into her apartment.

So a good start, with four more things cut out and ready to go. It's fun to be back on the sewing machine and to be making things basically for free!! I feel like the vacation has already begun.

Happy Belated Valentines Day

2011-02-15T08:02:00.000-05:00

Sorry I didn't post yesterday - I was in the car for most of it. We did the Toronto-Parry Sound-Toronto-Peterborough-Parry Sound circuit this weekend, getting back yesterday afternoon.

Yes, I did receive and give the usual chocolate goodies, but I also gave these.

Not only do they make low-cal Valentine treats, but they are also excellent hostess gifts at this time of year. And they were such fun to make. I punched them, but used a combination of wool strips, yarns and other fibers. Anything within the V palette.

Oh, and the definite upside of being in the car for all that time is that I finished "Olive". Here she is drying after a little dip and some blocking. (As I keep saying, I think February is "finishing" month.)

The good news is that she is a top-down sweater, which means you can try on as you go. And the better news is that I LOVE HER! I made her a bit longer than the pattern said (tunic length) and she drapes beautifully - the perfect project for this liquid wool.

Perseverance definitely paid off and that awesome pashmina wool has now become my sure-to-be-favourite sweater. I'm sure in time I will forget the amount of stockinette stitch required to knit two long sweaters out of this yummy yarn.

And it seems appropriate that she is kind of a Valentine colour.

Play Time on the Blog.

2011-02-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

Well, inspired once again by my pal Jennifer, I decided to play a bit with my blog and this is what I came up with.

It really is easy enough to do as often as you like, though I do find some of the constraints of the templates a little tough. Then again, the constraints could very well be in my own head.

Fun, nonetheless and I'll wear if for a while and see how I like it.

Definitely Worth the Winter Drive

2011-02-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I headed out for Toronto in less that desirable driving weather, but by the time I was 45 minutes south, the sun was out and the highway was bare. It's amazing how much it can change within a few kilometers.

The purpose of the trip was to take part in the Upper Toronto Hook In on Saturday, but the trip was made even sweeter by a sleepover at Elaine's with Jennifer. We ordered pizza (which I really miss in PS) drank a little wine, did a little hooking and lots of gabbing.

And that was just the rehearsal for Saturday's event! There were lots of hookers in attendance, since Mother Nature behaved herself and didn't discourage the out-of-towners. I took quite a few pictures of the crowd, but realized that since I was at the back, I mostly got the back of people's heads. Not great shots.

But this one is! Elaine (in the foreground) and Jen (peeking out from behind the frame) must have both turned just as I was shooting, because they are the only ones looking my way.

The guest speaker was Trish Johnson, whose work is absolutely incredible!!! You will have seen many of her rugs in Celebrations and Rug Hooking Magazine. She was also featured in A Needle Pulling Thread. But there were lots of pieces there that I had not seen before.

Every mat had a story - must be the Maritimer in her - and they were the stories behind the mats, not the hooking of the mats. She is a testament to the adage "hook what you love" and her love is family and family places.

Her training as an artist and photographer certainly comes through in her work. And the variety is incredible. With permission from Trish, I am sharing these images:

In her early days, Trish was self taught. She later joined the OHCG and took fine shading from Shirley Lyons - not just once, but twice. This is a farm from her childhood, and Baby Jane, the sheep, is hooked in yarn. The details in her pieces is staggering!

A lighthouse from Grand Manan, New Brunswick, that she said was the first thing she saw when she arrived for her summers there. But as she described it as "bitter sweet" it was also the last thing she saw as she left.

This mat was adapted from a doodle her son did in his Suzuki violin music book, complete with the japanese characters. He drew his little sketch around the piece number and title and went from there. Trish blew it up from a tiny little scrap and hooked it at a good size - probably 18 inches wide. It was one of my favourites - you couldn't look at it without smiling.

Another beautiful landscape mat with text hooked into the background. Stunning, to say the least!!!

This was a mat that I hadn't seen before that was designed with the help of lace doilies cut from paper. The colour scheme was incredible. It is somewhat skewed, as it was sitting on a chair.

One of Trish's latest mats that was done for a new granddaughter. The inspiration came from a START (Teacher Training) weekend, where the theme was borders. Again, her art background comes shining through here.

This is her son in the canoe with the family dog, which was her theme rug when the Annual Theme was water in North Bay.

Family features predominantly in all her work. And she ended her presentation yesterday by telling us that when she thought about her collection, she realized that her first mat was hooked to please a grandparent (sorry, Trish, I forget which one), and that her latest mat was hooked to please a granddaughter.

Amazing how it comes full circle.

The work was truly inspirational. I'm sorry these photos don't really do the pieces justice.

Kudos to you Trish for your talent and for sharing it with us yesterday.

I win!!!

2011-02-02T16:13:00.000-05:00

I did it - I persevered and managed to tame the tangles in the dreaded skein. I didn't even have a tantrum and throw any of it out. I just kept making more balls.

When you add in the man hours required to do this, plus the knitting time, these socks would have a retail value of $750.00 - slight exaggeration. I wonder who wants to pay that????

I promise to post a picture of the "most expensive socks ever", when the mate is done.

First Class Cancelled for a Snow Day!!

2011-02-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

Yup, we are getting the top end of the big storm that the news says is "paralyzing" cities, airports and general life everywhere. And the sensible thing to do was to cancel the class. I don't want to get in my car, so why would I expect anyone else to.

So, what am I doing instead? Working a bit on "Support the Girls", knitting a bit and wrestling with the most impossible skein of yarn I have encountered in nearly 50 years of knitting (yes, I did start very young ha ha).

Here is a picture of the mess, sitting next to the "unemployed" ball winder, since I can't make hide nor hair of the tangles in this skein. I am winding very small balls by hand. Why, you ask? Because I have finished a first sock for my dear hubby and need enough for its mate.

I am sorely tempted to toss the whole thing in the garbage, but that is not in my nature. So I have been tackling it, little by little, for the past few days. Grrrrr - what a waste of time. There is nothing therapeutic about doing this - EVER!

Rick loves homemade socks - they are his favourite thing for me to make for him. And usually, they are sooooo easy. But January 2011 has been a generally challenging "sock month" for me. It started when he showed me that he had worn through the heel of three pairs of his socks. Not the back of the heel that touches the shoe, but the bottom of the heel, which seems an odd place to wear out.

I found a patch idea online and decided to try it.

You pick up stitches below the hole and knit to the length you need.

You pick up stitches above the hole.

Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the stitches together.

Then you simply tack down the sides of the patch.

It was surprisingly easy and quick. I worried it might be uncomfortable under foot. So, after doing one, I had Rick put it on to see how it felt inside his shoe. No point in continuing if it felt lumpy. But victory was mine, as he said he couldn't even feel it.

Lessons learned from all of this patching experience. I will now knit all his socks out of steel wool. Well, not quite, but I will use wool that has some nylon in it to reinforce the heel. No more soft merino for his socks - I will save that for mine. I will also consider reinforcing the new socks (see this article on knitty.com)

And once this second sock is done, I will hurl the rest of this horrid skein into the trash - with glee.

I have students!!!!

2011-01-31T08:22:00.000-05:00

I am so excited! I have four students and a regular lesson time - weather permitting. You never know where you are going to find students, but two of them came from curling and those two told two friends and so it grows. My husband laughs at how positively giddy it makes me, but those of you reading this blog totally get it.

Here is the first rug by my first student Susan. Not only did she whistle through this little mat (do you recognize it from my rear view Santa post?), she has gone ahead and designed her second - a pillow-sized log cabin mat. Talk about a keener!!!

I think it's a reality of northern living - and escaping from February and March - that we will be a little flexible in attendance over the next few weeks. Nearly everyone can't come every Wednesday for the next six weeks - including myself. But we will meet with those who can come and fill the studio with chatter and laughter and learning.

Let's face it, rug hooking is always better in a group. And I'm ecstatic to have found mine.

Earth Magnets Here I Come.

2011-01-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

More trial and error with Max and the gang this week. I scoured the buzzing metropolis of Parry Sound looking for magnet strips and settled on some that I found at the fabric store.

I figured is I basted on horizontal strips of them - lots of them - that might do the trick. NOT. I haven't weighed Max and the gang, but those little strips couldn't even hold up the chipmunk.
So, online to Lee Valley this week to order the earth magnets.

In the meantime, spurred on by another art bra image received from one of the gals (can't show it yet, because it's not quite done), I designed a little mat to go on display with the bras at the Annual.

Here's the pattern

And here's the little bit that I got started on this weekend. A problem with the lettering resulted in a colour change and I'm still not sure that I'm happy. But, I'll keep going for a bit and see how I feel once I get more background done.

Since my second "penny" bra didn't work out, this is my make up project, which I probably would have realized I needed to do anyway.

Off to a good start, I think. But miles to go still and many projects on the horizon. However, this one is for the greatest cause.

Update on the fundraising - they have raised $525,000 to date, with just $100,000 to go - isn't that incredible. I think this little mat will stay in the unit with the machine when all is said and done.

A Test Hanging.

2011-01-17T10:26:00.001-05:00

Well, Max and the gang are hemmed, pressed and – because I was so curious to see them “in situ” - hanging.

Rick thinks it closes in the room, but I for one would rather look at this crew than the stark shiny white side of a washer dryer.

This is not the right solution, but I thought I’d try what I had, which was a magnetic curtain rod. But to hold, I had to put it on top of the machines, which makes it too short. So a Plan B is definitely required.

I think Plan B involves 4 magnetic strips – one at the top and bottom of each machine. And channels on the back to thread them through. I had heard that magnets on appliances were a “no no” but after investigation, the only negatives I found were re computers and cell phones – nothing on appliances, and many have magnetic hinges, etc. I’m assuming this will be fine.

Stay tuned for progress on that front.

In the meantime, I spent the rest of yesterday afternoon (after some very fast x-country skiing in the –18) cleaning out the studio. Organizing small bits of wool and worms and stacks of bigger wool.

Since my plastic boxes of “worms” are already full, I organized the small bits by colour as well and will cut them as my stocks deplete. This system seems to work and is certainly better than things hiding in my grocery bin from No Frills. (Look at that nice sunshine on the wool wall.)

And guess what showed up as well – the log wool that I was pretty sure I hadn’t used up last time. Oh well, now I have lots. Now if only my memory had shown up in one of those hiding places……

Max and the Gang are all hooked!!!

2011-01-10T12:14:00.000-05:00

After a couple of dedicated sessions on the weekend, I got the logs all done. I was so excited, I folded all the edges of the backing under to take this picture. And I had to stand on a chair - and the perspective is still wonky, but here it is.

I had to do a little "fancy footwork" with Max's hoof, since I had broken a cardinal rule and not run a pencil down my backing to ensure my pattern was straight. I was off a row or two, but that didn't take long - and was another valuable lesson.

As I folded in the edges, I noticed many places where my hooking could be tighter - plus some bona fide "holidays", so I have some filling in to do before the finishing begins.

Debbie from Quilters' Woodwork sent me an email suggesting "earth magnets" for hanging, so I visited the Lee Valley website and saw that they have many different sizes and shapes.

I will try to fill in the missing strips today and move on to the finishing ASAP, before I lose my momentum. A busy week this week may mean that I have to give myself till the 21st to finish.
And try to figure out the hanging logistics....

The Log Dye Recipe.

2011-01-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

After yesterday's post, Gayle left a comment asking if I would consider sharing the "log" dye recipe.

I'm delighted by the request (since I am not a veteran dyer) and will gladly do so. Here are pictures of the wool, some hooked log area on the mat and a picture of the actual logs that inspired the whole thing.

The formula is based on Wanda Kerr's "wandering" method - where each of the dye colours is added in sequence to the pot, as each is absorbed. One stir after the addition of each colour and the wool is left to float with the dye wandering about. That is why you get a kind of softly mottled look - not as strong as a spot dye, but some interesting stronger areas of colour.

I called my formula Golden Log Brown and it is based on Wanda's Caramel Latte using Majic Carpet dyes. I added 2/32 of chocolate brown to her formula, which was much lighter.

2/32 tsp orange

1/32 tsp yellow

1/32 tsp blue

2/32 tsp orange

plus 2/32 tsp chocolate brown

I tried to locate which issue of Rug Hooking Magazine had the article on her wandering method, but couldn't find it in the article index on the website or in the 15 hard copies I flipped through.

I mixed each of the dye quantities in 1 CBW before adding them. I added the vinegar with the last colour and let the wool cool on the stove.

Hopefully, that's enough information if you want to give it a try.

Hoofing it.

2011-01-06T08:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I finished Max's lower leg and hoof and although his fetlock joint is a little strange (I may add another strip to the inside), I was pleased to be done.

I was also keen to get logging in some "log time", when I realized that my suspicions were correct. I couldn't find even a single worm of my log wool. Does that mean I used it all and that is why I stopped when I did? Who knows - my memory is one of the things that got left behind in 2010 - but it did mean a trip to the dye pot last nite.

It was fun getting back in there, especially since I had found the "recipe" for log walls. Now I'm sure I have enough to hook the entire cottage.

BTW, those original paws and feet you see drawn on the pattern are yet another illustration of my problems with math. If I stayed with the original length, their feet would have tucked under the machines. (But maybe that would have helped with the hanging solution LOL)

Where is Max Going to Live.

2011-01-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

I had a comment from someone on yesterday's post enquiring about where Max and his friends were going to be located when (notice I did not say "if") they are finished.

Although I had said at the beginning that they were going on the side of the stacked washer/dryer, I realized I never showed a picture of the room where they would go. So, Julie, thanks for asking and prompting this post.

This is the big white sight that greets you when you enter the powder room on the main floor (that's the door open on the right). And that's where they will be hanging out. That was also the determination of rather strange configuration, since the stack is 6 feet tall by 2 feet wide.

I think it will be fun to have them greet you when you open the door.

And, you will just be able to catch a glimpse of them in the mirror on the wall to the left.

Hopefully, I'll be able to show them in position in the next couple of weeks, if I stay on track.

Bear Feet.

2011-01-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

I am making good on my promise to finish Max before starting something new. And, as I often said to my kids when they were embarking on something or other "the best way to proceed is to just put one foot in front of the other".

Following my own advice, I decided to do the animal feet first and save the logs for last. And "ta da" the bear paw and a half are done!!!

But getting back into this giant work has refreshed my memory about what I won't do again in the future. Kind of reverse New Year's Resolutions:

I won't work on anything this large. I spent nearly a whole day moving back and forth between my sit'em and the Cheticamp trying to figure out what was easier. I think the sit'em is winning.
I won't hook on the diagonal - when I started the bear, I thought that hooking his fur on the diagonal gave an interesting texture. It's just very tough to do.
I won't put a project away without putting away the wool strips that go with it - I have a feeling I've been pinching from this stash and may just find myself short on the log wool - but the good news is that I found where I put the formula if I need to dye more

And I guess the biggest won't - - I won't sail merrily into a project without quite figuring out the mechanics at the end. I sure hope I can come up with some kind of easy, magnetic solution to affix this to the side of the washer/dryer. If not, I am already scouring for alternate locations for this 12 square foot monster.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T12:11:00.000-05:00

Well, it sure is a rainy start to this shiny new year.

Here's what the lake looks like this morning.

Kind of a lake on top of the lake. Hard to believe that less than a week ago it looked like this.

And Morris, our guard moose, who had more than 15" of snow on his head and back now looks like this.

Speaking of moose, I decided this morning that the very first project that will get my 2011 attention is poor old Maximillian moose. He is soooo close to finished - I really must not let anything else get in the way.

Here's now little I have left to do.

By posting this picture, I am really challenging myself to put him back on the frame and get it done.

I will figure out "how the heck to finish him" when I get there.

And then I will tackle the other 2011 projects already on the list.

Another Joyful Christmas

2010-12-29T09:42:00.000-05:00

Well, it does take forever to get ready for and then whizzes by in a minute, but it is so worth it! Our kids came on the 24th and I drove them back to Toronto yesterday. So the house is very quiet this morning, which gives me time to post.

Santa was ridiculously generous again. This year, the big gift (though not a big surprise) was an ipad, which I must spend more time with to determine exactly how to fit it in my technology lineup. But it is set up and certainly much faster than my ancient little G4 when I am upstairs and need to check things. I'm sure it will become a wonderful traveling and teaching companion, for sure.

Jennifer Manuell and I managed to get together before Christmas to exchange gifts and have a nice lunch. As usual, she gave me presents that were extremely heartfelt and generous of time and spirit.

I was really hoping to be the recipient of some of her handiwork on her new Pfaff sewing machine and I was not disappointed. I got a beautiful little mat which combines many of her favourite batiks. The colours are gorgeous and this will definitely not be a Christmas-only decoration.

Did you see the fabulous hook in the lower right corner???? Talk about surprised! I guess I cooed over hers enough that when she returned to Vermont, she chose one for me. Here is another picture of it on its own - which even still doesn't capture how incredibly beautiful it is.

What you can see are a couple of resting spots for fingers and joints and when I test drove this beauty, it works in both the pencil position and the palming position, which makes it perfect. Isn't it the most elegant thing ever? Good thing I had my pearls re-strung so that I can dress appropriately while hooking.

The rest of the holiday was comprised of eating, drinking and being merry. And to counteract all of that, the first cross country ski of the season and the purchase of a new exercise bench and mini trampoline.

I have been vowing to get on to the strength training for some time, and this was the gentle shove I needed. I hope to slide into 60 with toned arms and legs and a stronger core. Between this and the skiing and curling, I should be well on my way.

And I also vow to spend less time on the needles and more time with a hook in my hand so that I have some interesting things to post here.

Enjoy your New Year's celebrations, big or small, and I will be back in 2011.

Counting Down

2010-12-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Well, last week at the Salmon Lake Workshop was a blur. But in the end, the output was good - two mini shawls, two cowls, two pairs of prairie boot slippers, a mini runner and a batch of ornaments.

I also spent most of this weekend in the car - to Oakville on Saturday - to Toronto - to Peterborough - then back to Toronto - then back to Parry Sound yesterday. It was Rick's mom's 86th birthday and since we aren't seeing her for Christmas, it gave us a chance to get together. The Toronto leg of the trip was to pick up both kids and then take them back again.

I managed to get 1.5 socks knit, so it was a good use of sitting time. Socks are the perfect car project.

Since I haven't pulled a loop in a few weeks, I decided to share my Christmas home with you.
I have an ulterior motive, since this will be my memory of what I did when I pull everything out again next year. I enjoy seeing pictures of what others have done, so hope this is not too self-serving to post these here.

This is the mantle over the fireplace, which has the garland from the old front hall. Rick found some battery-powered lights, but they are the LED ones, so they don't really "twinkle". But better than nothing.

My snowman collection ended up in the front hallway, as the seasonal welcoming committee They are a collection from various aspects of my life, including the little paper mache one that I made with Matt's class in grade 2 - he's 24 now. And there's one hooked fellow in there, who I just remembered needs new arms.

The tree ended up going upstairs in the loft, because the logical place next to the fireplace would have blocked access to the deck which we have to clear of snow. Benefit of being up there is that you can see it from below too and we will get to sit on the living room furniture from the old house to open our presents. A bit of the old and new combined.

The windows in the great room got a bit of green behind the old lamps.

The kitchen window sill got a primitive santa and trees - sorry for the weird angle, the light was too strong behind the glass.

The driftwood Santa collection ended up bookending the fireplace.

The sconce decorations from the old house ended up finding new homes - these ones on some hooks on the powder room door.

The other two went into the kitchen.

The creche my sister Nancy made for me is nestled among pics of the kids on the birch sideboard.

And some other little cut out wood figures are keeping a moose lamp company in the hall.

I will put some "live" greenery around some of these pieces on Christmas Eve. That way, we'll get the wonderful smells without too many needles ahead of time.

Nearly everything found a new spot. A few wreaths got left out, but I'm sure I'll come up with some new ideas next year. Can't wait for the kids to see it all.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and All the Best for 2011 from me to you. Thanks for stopping by and reading. It's fun sharing the stories with the folks who enjoy them. I'll post again next Monday and report on the Santa escapades.

Braaflies and Christmas Ornaments

2010-12-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

I received this picture last week, but already had my post done, so will share it today.

This is the first finished bra I have seen since our hook in last month. Isn't it a beauty!!! Wanda, the bra artiste, is into bugs in a big way lately, since that is the theme of our Annual in her home town of North Bay in 2012. So it seems only fitting that they be featured here as well.

I can't wait to see the rest of them. And I must confess that my concept didn't work out that well, so I will be starting over. However, the Christmas projects have to be completed first.

The workshop was busy this week, but more knitting than hooking I'm afraid. I did punch these ornaments and they will be sent out this week. (please excuse phone pictures)

I also did this mini runner for a friend who has just bought her first home with her new husband. So it's a new home gift and a Christmas gift all in one.

Still a few things to finish up this week. But the tree is trimmed. The decorations have all found a new home here in our new home. And our kids will be coming for 3 or 4 days over the holidays. So all is well.

One more picture to share. Here is my darling hubby working his new snowblower - which is a scary monster at best. I'm sure it will get easier with each consecutive snowfall. And we sure got a big amount yesterday, so his practice begins.

Rear View Santa

2010-12-06T07:48:00.000-05:00

So, I decided to make a bunch of Christmas ornaments - nothing new, since I seem to do that every year. The news is, I decided to punch needle them instead of regular hooking.

I started with a little design I did for my newest student. A "Ho Ho Ho" sign. It went very quickly. And then I turned it over to take a look. Yikes. Here is what I saw!

Yep, Santa in the rearview mirror is actually saying "oH oH oH", which made me howl. It is equally as appropriate somehow. So I will proudly display it somewhere (it will not be a gift).

I already sent an email to Sandra, my punch needle teacher, telling her what happens when you forget to reverse the lettering - one of the first things she said to us. I guess this is another mistake I will (hopefully) only make once.

After the laughter subsided, I also discovered that if I turn it upside down, you can still see "Ho Ho Ho".

That Santa is a pretty smart fellow, don't you think?

Worth the drive to St. Joseph.

2010-11-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

Ok, yes the distance was a bit ridiculous (5+hours). And yes, it was only from Friday afternoon to Sunday after brunch, but this weekend's hooking retreat was sooooo worth it. Many thanks to Marjorie and Patti for organizing it and for including us.

After having missed this year's OHCG Annual (because of the move) and this year's Teachers' Weekend (because of a wonderful wedding celebration in Toronto) and no teaching gigs away, I was more than ready for a treat.

And it was that in spades.

First of all, my wonderful navigator Jennifer, came and stayed the night before, so it made the weekend feel like a whole day (or at least night) longer. Having a friend along for the ride makes the highway fly by unnoticed. She had brought along another friend on CD - Deanne Fitzpatrick - who was with us in spirit on her audio book (when we could stop talking long enough to listen).

It was a bit of a scary start, with the year's first white stuff falling as we departed, but in less than an hour, the sky was clearing and we were well on our way. We chose the route that took us all around Georgian Bay and even if the highway had been a bit faster, there was much more to see on the scenic path.

We stopped for coffee, stopped for late lunch and stopped for a little shop in Southampton at a store called Sisters, which I had heard was full of "Wendie clothes". It was!!! And given the fact that I had forgotten all my "upper" clothes on their hangers in my closet at home, I actually had an excuse to shop.

Our destination was not much further and we arrived to find most of the other 20 women already working away on their knitting and hooking projects. Before long, we were at it as well, and the chatter and laughter rang throughout the place.

Don't we all appreciate a table full of hooking paraphernalia and a warm fireplace in the same venue? This place was right on Lake Huron and the weather and wind had big surf rolling in for most of the weekend. It was awesome.

Two mini workshops, great meals, a Saturday visit to Shari Robinson's studio and then a visit to the wonderful stores in Bayfield, and the day was nearly over. But still time to knit and hook
before and after dinner.

Sunday morning, more project work and chatter before our delicious brunch and then back on the road to come home. Somehow the trip back was an hour + faster than the trip there. I guess the shopping did add into the tally on the way.

I will finish unpacking all my stuff later today and see how much work I actually got done. But a retreat, unlike a school, doesn't have that pressure to buckle down and work - you do have the freedom to do whatever you choose. Which is exactly what we did.

And I look forward to doing it all again next year.

A Brilliant Bra Workshop

2010-11-22T09:06:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a special day for me. It was my first "hook in" in the new studio space. Six wonderful women of the north made the trek here to work on the Bra Project. And we had a blast.

Here are the wonderful women

Don't you just love a busy table full of hookers?

And here are the "bras in progress".

Mary is hooking the lower part of a bustier and then will needle felt the bra cups to match - very ambitious!

Jenn is hooking right into the lace of this beautiful undergarment. And adding bling as she goes.

Barb is making strawberry sundaes - with actual cherry steams in the cherries - remember that the darts need to be worked into the design, which is why they do look like pac men.

Wanda is doing luminous butterflies which she calls "Lovely Ladies" and they definitely are.

Karen is making "brioche" with a wonderful warm colour swatch. She also had an amazing article on the first bra and how it was constructed - very interesting!!

And other Barb is doing plaid kitties - I forget what the title is for her bra, but when they are done, I will post again with the correct titles, which are part of the fun.

And last but not least is my penny-rug-style bra, which I think I will call "Show me the Monet", since the background behind the pennies reminds me of Monet.

The day went by far too quickly, partly because we kept stopping to eat the incredible food that everyone brought. Baked goods for coffee, amazing chilli for lunch and then delicious, fattening desserts for dessert. We didn't even get to the apples and cheese that were brought as well.

I hope that I can have many more groups come and hook for the day. It is a bit of a trek for some, but so worth the drive. And up north, everything is "an hour away" anyway.

Thanks gals for making it such a great day - for such a great cause.

Zipper is Ready to Go

2010-11-15T08:54:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is, all finished.

I think the colours are very rich and delicious, which is what happens when so many textures come into play in the colour areas. Kudos again to Jennifer for such a great concept.

I'm sure Daniela will be thrilled with this gift and hopefully she will soon be in her home and able to start rebuilding the wonderful eclectic feel she had before. I can't imagine how awful it would be to lose a lifetime of art and memories, but watching her go through this process gives me a greater appreciation than I had before. The insurance company and her contractor should be shot. They are examples of how awful the post trauma can be.

There may have to be a companion pillow at some point, but pre-Christmas is not a good time.
Maybe I can convince her to learn to hook and start making her own.

Striking While the Urn is Hot

2010-11-10T15:57:00.000-05:00

I have never dressed my Christmas urns in balmy temps like I did today. Usually, it's cold enough that you need gloves and a repeated run inside to thaw the fingers.

But this is our first Christmas here in Parry Sound, so we decided to get a jump on things while the weather was so wonderful. We put lights across the entire lake side of the house, on top of the railing. What a nice view that will be from the living room once the snow flies - and now that it's dark by 5.

On the driveway side, I would like to put up some lights too, but first things first. The urns. They did have artificial fall leaves in them, which looked incredibly bright once the real colour was off the trees. I thought they would attract the hunters who are out and about in those bright orange jackets and hats.

It's so nice to not have to pay for the things that go into the urns, like you do in the city. All free donations from Mother Nature found on our property or on our walks. I can always add some "sparkle" later if I decide that I need it.

Here's a closer peek at one.

And a close up of my little metal moosies too.

As much as I'm not anxious for the snow to arrive, all these seasonal things are more beautiful once it does.

And since yesterday's big errand was for the putting on of snow tires, I am ready! (well, as ready as you ever are for that inevitable first dump).

Knitting Bag Letdown

2010-11-06T17:21:00.000-04:00

There is nothing worse than knitting a project - especially a hooded long cardigan project - and being disappointed at the end. Unlike hooking, you can't just change it up as you go along. You finish the project and then see whether or not you are going to love it.

Here's how the story goes....

For my birthday, my darling husband gave me the most glorious yarn I have ever purchased. Four skeins of Madeline Tosh Pashmina!!! For those of you who don't know, it's close to the equivalent of spun gold. It's like knitting with honey - so fluid on the needles - almost slippery. But it feels like heaven.

Here's a picture of the yarn, colour "Honeysuckle" and the hood that was knit that I have just taken off the original sweater, which I am frogging (or ravelling or unravelling depending on your point of origin).

Yummy - isn't it??

And here was the original, intended pattern. Also yummy - called Slouchy Cardigan - and finished and worn constantly by many happy knitters on Ravelry, including this one - a favourite blog I follow "A friend to knit with".

It's supposed to be the sweater you toss on over everything - wear everywhere. And I was so drawn to it that I forked over the $25+ and ordered the book Greetings from The Knit Cafe from amazon.

When I finished knitting - and there was a lot of stockinette in this puppy - I could tell almost immediately that it was "off". The drape was all wrong - I think the absolute fluidity of the yarn went against it. It didn't have enough body to hold the shape. And when I wore it - and I did that only once - it kept slipping off my shoulders and I was constantly tugging at it. I knew the "frog" was waiting for this one, for sure.

So, I started hunting for suitable replacement patterns. You don't spend that much on yarn and a book and not make it in to something else!! At least not at my house. (And the spending is not finished yet, dear reader.)

I found several contenders. In fact, I think I downloaded four different patterns, which I paid for each time. All possibilities, but nothing that really said "This is it!", until I found Olive. What a name for a sweater - who names these anyway.

Here she is

Everything about this pattern holds promise for the yummy yarn. The fluidity will be a bonus, since it will drape nicely. I like the 3/4 sleeves and that type of neckline is flattering on me. Plus I can't see any tugging possibilities here.

Since it needed a contrast yarn for the yoke, I went to the Purple Sock yarn store in Coldwater on my way home from a meeting on Thursday and found a wonderful baby alpaca that I think works well with it. It's a sock weight with lots of interesting colours in it, including the honeysuckle. So I think it will work well.

I started the yoke to test the combination. Here's a peek

I know it's a bit early to be showing it, but I felt so optimistic, I decided to share. And that's a good thing because I was SO crushed by the previous iteration.

I am the last person who needs another work in progress, but somehow, just getting it started and feeling like it will work puts me over a hurdle of sorts. I must focus on the gift knitting before I get going to far into this. But it's the promise on the needles that I needed to share. And that fact that when I finish my "most expensive sweater ever", it will hopefully be the love of my life.

Zippering Along

2010-11-01T08:47:00.000-04:00

I'm definitely making progress on the new Matrix pillow, despite the workload and curling forays. It is from Jennifer's "Zipper" schematic in her Amazing Matrix booklet.

Barring any unforeseen disasters, it will definitely be finished in time for deadline, which is good, since there are a number of other projects right behind it.

Here is an in-progress shot.

and here is the shot of the rug again, which I think it will compliment very nicely

When I showed my husband my progress yesterday, he asked if I was only making one - I guess cuz I made four for us. Obviously another one who doesn't truly understand the time involved - even though he's under the same roof as me. LOL

Only three more colour blocks to go and I will order the pillow form today (with a couple of extras, just in case) - I think I already shared that information, but in case I didn't, the company is Pillow Decor and I ordered from their website www.pillowdecor.com

Hopefully, I will be done easily this week and can do assembly next week. That's the plan.

Doors and Trim Stained at Last

2010-10-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

Well, in light of the bleak forecast and the mild temps, I decided yesterday was the perfect day to finally stain the trim in the studio - not all of it, but the two window frames and doors and frames.

Amazing how when we plan these projects, we don't allow for the prep time (it's like the finishing in a sweater project or rug). And it does take a while to do properly. But I did tape everything and then I put on a coat of "stinky" stain. Luckily I was able to open the windows a crack, but the smell really permeated the entire place.

Also, I found out after the fact that taping horizontal tongue-and-groove doesn't really stop much spreading - the stain just follows the grooves. Oh well, such is life.

Here is the before and after so you can see how much richer it all looks.

Staining really is rewarding as you do it, cuz you can't wait to see what the next board will look like.

One small problem with my staining. I was really hoping it would convince me that I am right to leave the walls unstained. But I think it did the opposite!!! And that will be an enormous job!.

But it's also a job that will require wide-open windows and doors, so it will have to wait until late next spring.

And I guess that gives me lots of time to ponder.

A non-hooking post.

2010-10-21T17:15:00.000-04:00

It's been another busy week, filled with too much work and not enough hooking. But now there is something else that is competing for spare time. Curling.

Yep, that's right. Since it seems to be a pre-requisite for living in Northern Ontario, it seemed inevitable that Rick and I would give it a whirl. And it also seems to be the only way to meet people around here, so that was another added bonus.

Last week was practice days without any organized games. That's when I learned that there are muscles dedicated ONLY to curling. Ones that are never used for any other activity!!! Who knew. (Well, I guess I should have suspected since there aren't too many other occasions where you contort your body like this.) And who knew that those muscles could ache for 4 full days!!

By Tuesday of this week, the apple-sized bruises on my knees were that lovely purple/mustard combination and I could actually walk downstairs without hurting. So, I thought I had it all under control. My first "ice kiss" (as I call my face plants) was more than enough to have me opt for a wonderful invention called the curling stick.

What a difference!!! Doesn't this look so much easier than the position the little plastic woman is in up above??? Not only does this puppy help you aim the rock (since you are no longer distracted by falling down as you release the rock), but it means no more squatting and sliding around the ice - and no more "ice kissing". Who would opt for torture in stead of this???? Not me.

We played a full game on Tuesday and another today. And we are not the only rookies out there. Turns out it really IS the way to meet people - and we have met quite a few friendlies already. The skips are tirelessly patient and we will eventually get the hang of this.

The sliding and sweeping still provide a pretty good workout, so a few of those new muscles will still torment me for the weeks and months to come. I'm not completely off the hook.