ANITA HOOKS RUGS

Vacation is over---time to get back to work!

2012-01-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

We had a great vacation---enjoyed the warm or should I say hot weather in the Cayman's. The water was beautiful as were the beaches---and oh my---what great food! My favorite thing I ate was Naked Wahoo and mushroom bites at the Sunshine Grill---so incredibly delicious. I mostly had fish--- snapper, grouper, tuna...oh my!

I did run in a 2 mile race on Saturday morning benefitting the local Catholic school----small race of about 90 people. I came in 11th and was the second female to finish so I was very pleased---18:56. thankfully it was at 7 AM so it wasn't too hot, but I was still sweating---very humid!

My hubby went scuba diving every morning---so we were up early. I went snorkeling several times and that was fun. We also went on a nighttime catamaran sailing---was a perfect night with millions of stars!

When I got home I quickly got myself back in the swing of things by spending two full days in the dye pots---and started packing for my first workshop of the year in Baton Rouge LA. The Lenexa hook-in is at the end of February so it will be here before long. In March I will be teaching at Yellow Rose in Texas and looking forward to my return trip there. April brings a new hook-in in the St. Louis area where I will be vending and in May I will be teaching in Birmingham AL. June brings me to my last of my three years teaching at Caraway in North Carolina.

Tomorrow and Wednesday my home classes start back---yeah! It will be good to see everyone! Thursday I am teaching a class at my shop in Greenwood---a busy week!

this colorful guy roamed the grounds in front of the hotel---great visual for hooking a rooster!

Hubby getting ready to go in for his dive at the Kittiwake shipwreck site

Here is our group on the catamaran---a fun group we were!

Okay time to go get busy---have a great day!

Open Studio Day has come and gone

2012-01-10T05:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a fun day getting me back into the swing of things. Since I am leaving on a trip tomorrow I didn't have time to start classes back until after I get back but since I haven't had home classes since early December I thought I would offer and open studio day for anyone who needed help or supplies to drop by.
The day started off slow and then some started arriving---it was good to get back into the groove.

Thanks Amy for bringing the Lawrence girls over---hope your group last night had a good time.

Congrats Carole on the new grand baby---she is precious!

Jean---thanks for making the trip over and your wool you left is on it's way---I hope you have more confidence on getting started on your rug---it will be beautiful!

Anne---love the new cat rug---it will be great fun!

Anne H.---hope Birches will be finished soon---keep at it or Cheryl will be after you.

Don't forget about purchasing raffle tickets for the State Line Rug Hooker's rug to be awarded at the Lenexa Hook-in on February 25th---here is the rug again:

Tonite will be an early to be night as I have an early morning 6AM flight tomorrow---but will have plenty of time to rest when I get to my destination. We have cashed in air miles and Marriott points to make this trip to the Caymen's. My husband is a scuba diver and will be diving 4 days---I plan to snorkel, run on the beach, swim, shop, read books, eat seafood and even run in a 2 mile race called Keep the Resolution on Saturday morning---I thought it would be fun to say I ran in a race outside the US and come home with a t-shirt commemorating the event---someday I need to come up with a hooking project using all my race t-shirts---not ready to cut them up yet but it is in my mind to do something with them.

The weather in Kansas has been so mild this year---am hoping it continues all winter---nice not to have to worry about the weather and the roads.

I am looking forward to several camps and workshops when I get back. In February I will be in Baton Rouge at Red Stick and in March at Yellow Rose in Texas. The 25th of February I will new vending at the Lenexa Hook-in---if you have never been you might want to consider coming---so much fun!

I love texture---here is a close-up that I took on the beach in Bodega Bay!

Here is a link to an antique button button on Etsy---inspiration for design comes in many forms---I see a great chair pad design in this button!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72278442/antique-button-champleve-enamel

Well it is getting light now so it is time to get busy---much to do today!

Have a great week.

Anita

Home from California

2012-01-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Well I am home from California and am doing a quick post. I got home Sunday night and woke up with an intestinal flu on Monday about 3 AM---not fun! I am finally feeling human again but am still dragging.

We had a great time with family and really enjoyed Christmas and New Years. My son in laws parents were very welcoming---the home we rented in Bodega bay turned out great---we were so close to the ocean, and staying in Oakland with my daughter and her husband was extra special. Lots of running, hiking, eating, playing games, and just enjoying being together.

Doug caught lots of fish on a charter which also included 6 live dungeness crabs which we boiled and ate until we were stuffed and had crab cakes made with the leftovers the next night. YUM!

Also when I was in California I broke off a crown---the bad news is that I am going in this morning to have the tooth pulled and an implant put in hopefully at the same time if all goes as planned. That was an expensive bite on a tortilla chip! I thought the tooth had already had a root canal but found out yesterday that it didn't. I was very surprised that I wasn't in pain. I probably won't get much accomplished today so I thought I would get a post in. I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted.

The rest of the week I plan to work on my upcoming camp Red Stick in Baton Rouge, get welcoming letters out to my students from Yellow Rose in Texas and get ready for my open studio day next Monday here at the house...that should keep me busy!

here are a few pictures from California--

Christmas afternoon at the Marin's in Grass Valley---me and my family---with Jackson---Chelsea's 18 year old cat who now lives in the country with her in laws---he loves the country!

Chelsea flying with the birds on the beach in Bodega Bay!

A view of Bodega bay on one of our hikes---breathtaking view!

On a hike in Oakland California---it was steep hike behind the Claremont hotel---our only drizzly day so the view was not as spectacular as we had hoped but we still enjoyed it.

Chelsea and Noah are avid collectors of 60's...they have had this shell of a TV with cool antenna for a while and bought a flat screen that would fit inside---the white part around the screen lights up---the rotating color light was shining ion their silver tinsel tree. It was fun to see their place in Oakland for the first time. Now I have a better vision of where they are---makes a mom feel better!

Okay time to get ready to go to the dentist, not one of my favorite things to do.

Have a great day!

2011-12-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

It would seem that our weather is cooperating for our flight on Friday---since we are flying through Denver I've kept a close watch on it as well, and although it is snowing there now Friday appears to be sunny---that is a good thing.

I started wrapping the presents that are going in the checked baggage---having never flown at christmas I thought that was okay---but not according to the TSA---I am not going to unwrap them---if they have to then so be it---I will rewrap them after I get there. Nothing is large or dangerous so hopefully all will be well.

I did finish my Kilim. Here it is---it is 17 by 37 inches and designed by Jane Flynn.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, or whatever holiday they celebrate and a Happy New Year!

Anita

Holiday Gathering 2011 part 2

2011-12-16T04:48:00.000-08:00

Two posts in two days!

Yesterday morning I went for a run retracing my route that I ran the day I lost my earring hoping to miraculously find it---it was a long run that day and I had called my husband to pick me up at the Starbucks---a grande mocha light frapacinno has only 140 calories and tastes great after a long run---unfortunately he had gone out and wasn't available to pick me up so I had an even longer run than I had planned to get back home as I had a dr. appointment that I had to make it to and no moola with me to get my frappacinno...I got home an hour and twenty minutes after i left home. No I didn't find my earring.

After my doctor's appointment I went to old downtown Overland Park. I went to Penzey's and got some new spices and to the Tasteful Olive and got a fig balsamic vinegar and a sesame oil---they have it set up where you can taste the oils and vinegars and come up with your own pairings...fun but my tastebuds got very confused. I used both last night in a dish I made for supper---chicken with japanese eggplant, tomatoes, onion, capers, red pepper and used the balsamic---yummy! Served it over whole wheat penne pasta. I love to play in the kitchen occasionally---I say I cook like I dye---a little of this and a little of that. I get bored with putting meals on the table so every once in a while when I have the time I like to pretend that i am on the "Chopped" show and have to create a dish---I don't give myself as many strange foods as they get but it is funk to see what I can do given 3 or 4 main ingredients.

Well here are some more pictures from the party.

This is a pattern hooked by Anne---I think it is a Nola Heidbreder pattern but Anne redrew many of the animals---I remember how hard we worked to come up with a color for the background---I think this one works!

Another fun rug by Anne---a Primitive Grace pattern

A very fun Woolley Fox chicken pattern hooked by Bonnie---I like the "halo effect" around the chickens

More chickens hooked by Mary Lynn ---drawing a blank on the pattern name, duh!

Lots of fun Christmas pieces mostly hooked by Karen---she has been busy!

Perry hooked this Bea Brock pattern, Birds of a Feather, an ambitious project---great job!

One of the highlights of the day was Marie telling us her story as hooked in this family rug. The rug chronicles her life from childhood to present day---what a treasure this is!!!

Well, that is it for now---while not all the rugs this will give you a sampling of what was there.

I am so proud of their accomplishments and am looking forward to 2012 with many more rugs and good times with all of them.

This next week will bring preparations for traveling to California---not looking forward to flying at Christmas but have been checking the weather and it looks like things are going to be good weather wise---keeping my fingers crossed. I have never flown anywhere for Christmas, so this is a first.

Peace, joy and happiness to all. Enjoy your family and friends---see you again in 2012!

Holiday Gathering 2011

2011-12-15T05:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday brought the 15th Annual Holiday Gathering. We had a great time and fortunately the weather cooperated this year with temperatures near 60. Our party was held at Mimi's house---thank you Mimi!

Everyone brought some great food along with their recipe so that we can put a cookbook together. We also do a show and tell of current projects and a rug show. I didn't get pictures of the show and tells but took pictures of the rug show.

Here is the finished picture of the project I gave everyone for their gift. The sheep is hooked into the wool. I finished the edge of my pillow by inserting strips and the edge with a hemostat tool---works great!

Here we all are gathered on the steps at Mimi's.

And now for some pictures:

This is a picture of our guild rug which is being raffled off---proceeds benefitting the Spiva Art Center in Joplin MO which was devastated by the tornado earlier this year. Anyone interested can contact me---$5.00 for one ticket and $10 for three. We sold quite a few tickets yesterday---It is a large rug---about 38 by 50. It will be given away on February 25th at the Lenexa hook-in.

There were lots of geometric patterns this year---

Star Geometric hooked by Peggy

Pinwheel Quilt---about 34" by 58" hooked by Jo Ann---I did a smaller version of this earlier in the year when I worked out the pattern---much more impressive in the larger size!

Two Kilim pillows hooked by Kate

This is the same pattern as the pillows hooked as a runner---I didn't get the binding finished but I used the opportunity to give a little finishing lesson on how I did the binding. At the top of the picture is a glimpse of a bird nest hooked for me by my good friend Jody---I had to bring it to share with the group. Love it Jody!!!

A great way to use up leftovers!

Cheltonham, a Martina Lesar pattern hooked by Kate

Another scrap rug hooked by Marie

A great wall hanging hooked by Phyllis

This next group of pictures will show the popularity of some

Susan Quicksall rug patterns.

This is Amy's Crazy Horse runner in two parts---too big to get in one picture!

Crazy Horse rug hooked by Cheryl

Crazy Horse rug hooked by Wanda

Seed Basket hooked by Sally---love the tongues!

Amy's Floral pillows---found the perfect wool for the pillow backs!

That's it for today---will post more pictures tomorrow!

What a wonderful group of very talented ladies---I am very thankful for the great year I have had with them and hope everyone enjoys the holidays!!!

checking in

2011-12-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

Well it is a busy time of the year---lots of parties and holiday cheer!
We had our Rug Hooking guild Christmas party on Saturday and I forgot my camera, but I will have pictures thanks to Karen later this week. Wednesday is my party for my students---I am so looking forward to it. We will be having a rug show so there will be more pictures to come.

We went to a party last night and have another one on Saturday night---so much fun this time of year. Our neighborhood Bunco party is next week.

Today has been a day of finding things and losing things. I found my hooked braided mat which has been missing for some time but unfortunately I lost my earring again---more prayers to St. Anthony---if I don't find it this time I am not replacing it. Still hopeful, but not holding my breath. I hope I didn't lose it when I was running this morning. Between yesterday and today I have run over 11 miles---no way to trace it back!

I am getting excited about my trip to California to see my daughter at Christmas...we are going to be going to Grass Valley, Bodega Bay and Oakland. I am also going to get to see my sister who will be joining us in Bodega Bay.

I am looking forward to getting my hair cut and colored tomorrow---I am past due!

I am almost finished with my Kilim---just another hour or less of hooking time---planned to do it tonight but got distracted.

I promise some great pictures after the party on Wednesday---looks like the weather is going to cooperate this year---no snow! yeah!!!!

Where has the time gone

2011-12-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that two weeks have gone by since I last posted. Thanksgiving has come and gone---it was a quiet one this year. Last week my husband and two friends who were newly certified to scuba dive went to Cozumel which left me home alone...I thought I would be able to get so much done but actually I took the opportunity to be lazy and get some much needed down time, so I hooked a lot, watched TV, went for runs, and did whatever I felt like doing. On Thursday a good friend came to visit and we played some more. We went to the River Bottoms ( Good Juju and Bottoms Up to name a few) on Friday and did some antique and vintage shopping---we hooked and several nice dinners that I cooked and just enjoyed ourselves some more. Late Saturday night Doug came home, and it wasn't until after the Chiefs game on Sunday that I finally set myself in motion to get the studio ready for Mondays classes. Into hight gear and now I think I am back on track. Lots more to do today for classes tomorrow. These are my final two home classes for the year as next Wednesday is our end of the year party---a big celebration and fun day---we do a pot luck, show and tell of current projects and a rug show---I'll be posting pictures of their work.

Here is the Kilim that I have been hooking. I started it at Teacher's workshop in November---it is a #4-6 cut. I have enjoyed hooked it---hope to finish it before the Party next Wednesday---no promises.

Qashqui, designed by Jane Flynn---this is the first picture that I have seen of it---looking at a digital image is a good way of seeing things you might want to correct and I see a few, but overall am very pleased with it. Yesterday i was looking on Etsy and there were some wonderful pillows and coasted that were made out of old Kilims being sold by someone in Turkey. They were really nice and it was interesting to see the colors. Etsy in a fun way to shop for interesting handmade and vintage items for Christmas. I found several of my gifts this way.

When I looked out the front door this morning this is what I saw---white stuff! It is still coming down but very lightly. I am not a big fan of the white stuff. The trash can in the neighbors driveway reminds me it is trash day.

Well I guess that is it for this morning---have a happy and healthy week!

Is it possible that I am allergic to running

2011-11-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Well again after my race my allergies started acting up---sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. I have taken zyrtec and put antihistamine drops in my eyes trying to catch it faster this time. Is it possible that I could be allergic to running---I googled it and read about a histamine release that can happen when you run fast. I hope it clears up faster this time.

But I am happy to report that I beat last years results and also beat my fastest 5K that I have ever ran---I finished in 28:44 which was 2 seconds better than my fastest time. I placed first out of eleven in my age group and 42 out of 277 women---so I was very happy, runny nose and all. It was quite chilly this morning. I think that I might see a nap in my future this afternoon. My dear husband went back to his truck to keep warm while I was running and missed me at the finish line---he got back a couple of minutes too late.

I am watching "Chopped" on TV---at Teacher's workshop the trainees did a skit based on the show---it was sure funny.

Here are two version of Early Frost that were brought back to Teacher's workshop this year---I taught this piece a year ago at workshop ---it is always a great to have pieces that you have taught come back.

I think that I might get some hooking done today...what to work on....hmmmmmm!

Happy holidays!

Anita

Framing today

2011-11-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of pieces that I framed today.

The first one is a floral that I started a couple of years ago---I have posted a picture in the past but now it is framed and looks much better. I ordered these frames on ebay---

Silver Fire-Burned Distressed Wood Picture Frame-Exotic

Item Id:

350320993847

End time:

Nov-10-11 17:35:20 PST

Seller:

tabby7 (32888)

99.7% Positive Feedback

Member since Jul-10-98 in United States

Location: MO, United States

Listing Status:

This message was sent while the listing was closed.

Here are more items from this seller

the quality and service has been great---highly recommend!

The next picture is a piece hooked by Betty Laine that was auctioned off during our teacher's workshop for the scholarship fund. It was hooked into verel so I stretched it over foam core covered with cotton batting so it would be slightly padded. Betty holds a special place in my heart and I miss her---now I have a little something to remember her by.

Today is my friend Carolyn's birthday---dinner out tonight to celebrate but making it a short night as I am running in another race tomorrow morning. Fortunately this one will not be as hilly as the last one was and I have hight hopes of beating my last year's time of 29:29.

Well I got to go clean up there big mess I made downstairs!

Happy holidays!

Over the hump

2011-11-17T05:38:00.000-08:00

Well another busy week...fortunately my allergy flare up got better---the eye doctor confirmed that it was an allergy---I guess to something in the park where I ran.

I had home classes on Monday and Wednesday and Tuesday was spent trying to get all my new wool put away which necessitated moving a lot of stuff around in the storage room---it was a disaster, but now is much more organized. I also put together kits for my students for the Holiday Gathering. We are having our 14th annual Holiday Gathering on the 14th of December. It is the highlight of our year---everyone brings a dish, their recipe which we put into a cookbook, a show and tell (current project) as well as their completed rugs for the year for a rug show. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful student who volunteers her lovely home for our event. Thanks Mimi! I always put together a kit---can't post a picture of it yet---can't spoil the surprise but will post it in December. I have my sample hooked but not finished.

Today I an headed to Greenwood for a class in my shop. As an added treat we are having lunch at the Greenwood Tearoom before class---a great place to have lunch if you are in the area.

At Bunco last night I was the Biggest Loser and got my money back.

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a week away. I have much to be thankful for---my faith, my health, my family, my friends, my love of rug hooking, to name a few.

I am running another race this weekend, the Gobbler Grind. This will be my fourth time to run this race. I wonder what color the shirts will be this year---so far I have yellow, turquoise, and dark green---an interesting color combination. Maybe someday I will have to hook a rug from some of my running shirts---this idea is whirling around in my head---hmmm! I think that I have something here---I'll keep you posted if I decide to do it.

Okay time to post some pictures and then off to get the day going---much to do.

These two photos show how much the draught has affected Texas---when I took the photo that this mat was hooked from the water level was much higher---the other picture shows how this area looked this year while we were at workshop.

I was very fortunate to get to see this piece of art in person...hooked by Cheryl Bollenbach---it was truly the kind of piece that stays with you---the sculpted details of this piece is so incredible that it gives me goosebumps---I am proud to have Cheryl as part of our teacher's workshop at South Central. In an earlier post I shows a closeup of a piece of this that I took laying on the floor. I am blown away by her talent!

This is the State Line Rug Hooker's guild rug---raffle tickets are being sold and the rug will be given away at the Lenexa Hook-in in February. The proceeds are being given to the Spiva Art Center in Joplin, Mo to help them rebuild after the tornado. Contact me if you would like to purchase tickets for this great cause. Each square is a 12 inches so it a big rug!

Time to run!

back from South Central McGown Teacher's workshop

2011-11-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

I returned home from Texas Friday night---another great teacher's workshop. The workshop is held at Prothro on Lake Texoma. It is a wonderful facility near Pottsboro Texas. It is a week packed with lots of learning, teaching, and friendships. If you are interested in becoming a McGown certified teacher and attending South Central, please contact me ---anitahooksrugs@yahoo.com and visit the McGown teacher's website.

http://www.mcgownteachersworkshop.com/

On day one I was in a kilim class working on a pattern called Qashqai---here is a picture of Diana's finished piece. She had made hers into a two sided bag---it was lovely! Not sure yet what mine will be.

This is a rosemalling piece called Millie that I started on day 2---not very typical colors for rose malling but I like how it is developing.

On the way to Texas we stopped at a western store near Gainsville I bought a pair of Cowboy boots---I love them They are Ariat's and were very comfortable.

On Wednesday I taught a sky class adapted from a photo I took last year at Prothro. I donated the piece to Prothro for their cross wall. Here it the piece:

On Thursday I taught a dye class---what fun we had in the dye pots. Below are the trainees and juniors showing the fruits of their labor.

Here are a few pictures from the rug show.

Hooked by Floss Stillman

Hooked by Cheryl Bollenbach---the cover of our workshop report!

Close up detail of the hands on an original piece by Cheryl---totally awesome!

Floral Chairpad that I finished from a class taught two hears ago by Diana Giesinger.

I would really like to post more but I am beat. I ran in a race yesterday morning and afterwards I think I got some kind of allergy attack---watery swollen red eye, running nose and sneezes---not fun.

Here I am finishing the race---small race but was a killer, hilly race---finished second in women over 40---not many over 40 there but I finished in 31:13---not bad considering how hilly it was.

More pictures of the Greenwood Christmas Open House

2011-11-05T04:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Greenwood to work for the Christmas Open House. Here are some pictures of several of the booths in the shop. If you are in the area it continues Saturday and Sunday and then again next weekend. Happy shopping! I took some more things out to the shop yesterday from my house. I need to do more of that...clean out time!

All the booths looked very festive and a good time was had by all.

Come shop!

Greenwood Mercantile

Greenwood Mo

816-537-7033

Christmas Open House in Greenwood

2011-11-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the shop in Greenwood to decorate my booth for the
Christmas Open House which starts tonight. I will be working there today from 3 to 7---I think it officially starts at 5, so come on over to Greenwood.

Here are a couple of pictures of my efforts.

I am hoping to look through some of my stuff at the house to see if there are a few more things to put in the booth.

Tomorrow I am going to Lawrence for a funeral of the mother of my best friend in grade school---I can still hear her distinctive voice and laugh...rest in peace. What good times we had growing up and playing in the wonderful old two story house with the biggest yard in the neighborhood...all the other houses were ranch style.

Sunday early morning I am heading to Teacher's workshop. Leaving very early so I am glad we are turning our clocks back an hour.

Car is going to the doctor this morning to get the brakes checked---they are not sounding good so need to get them checked before leaving town...especially since I have four other people who are going to be riding with me. What a fun trip we will have.

I am trying very hard to finish a workshop piece that was started a few years back...not sure if I am going to make it...but am trying hard.

Cold this morning but it is supposed to warm up and be a nice day.

Happy fall.

Flu shot side effects

2011-10-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

I went for a flu shot yesterday afternoon and woke up during the night not feeling well---my arm was aching as well as general body aches and pains especially my head and my teeth---I had trouble sleeping and had a very dry mouth and had to go to the bathroom a lot...not sure it was worth getting the flu shot---I am running a low grade fever this morning. I hope it doesn't last long. We are heading to the lake for our last hurrah and will put the trailer in storage.

I have enjoyed seeing photos from the Biennial on : http://www.woolwrights.com/2011-atha-biennial-photos.html

I wish that I could have attended but you just can't do everything.

This should be a great fall weekend---enjoy!

Wrapping up Nebraska workshop

2011-10-26T05:22:00.000-07:00

Well here it is---already midweek. Where does the time go?

Here are some more pictures from Nebraska.

This is a pattern called Nest in the Pines from Red Barn Rugs in Wisconsin. As you can see in the photo, the pinecones were given more detail, and if you look closely (click on the photo to make it larger) you will see that Dennie is chaining the vine on the branch---an overall fun pattern to work on.

Jane chose a Cabin Creek pattern called "Nutty for nuts"---lots of fun leaves and acorns! And what a cute squirrel with his bushy tail!

We have a storm going on outside---good thing I had planned to stay inside and dye wool today! It is thundering and lightening outside!

Jan chose this Coxcomb square pattern from Woolley Fox, but the birds in the corners are going away and flowers will go in their place---it will be a partial flower like the one in the center. Since Jan was working on the workshop she didn't get as far, but she was a busy girl helping everyone!

Many finished rugs were brought in during the week and unfortunately I didn't get pictures but here is one I did get---Dennie hooked this in a class with Mary Jo---I love the expression on this cow's face and that is some good looking corn!

This is a Turkey pattern that Black sheep Designs adapted from an antique rug---the rug was advertised for sale in an auction in the Maine Antique Digest in 2010---I sure wish that I knew how much the rug sold for. I helped Judy color plan this pattern but she was so busy cooking and taking care of everyone that she will wait to hook it when the rush is over---I have no doubt that is will turn out great. I had brought a turkey picture with me that I love the colors so we worked from it---can't wait to see how it turns out.

Well that about does it other than a couple of pictures that I took around the barn...many thanks for a great workshop---see you again next year!

this barn was filled with treasures---including my wonderful cupboard

This piece with all the drawers also wanted to go home with me but the cupboard won out and this delightful cubby below was pulling at me as well!

The end!

More from Nebraska

2011-10-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

Up early and planning for a busy day. This morning I am having my coffee while I work on this post, then I am going to run off my fried green tomatoes we had for dinner. Judy sent me home with a bunch of green tomatoes as well as some that are turning red. Later today I may have to make some salsa or maybe some homemade tomato soup---yum!

Lots of wool to put away this morning and then I get to go get my hair cut and colored---it really needs it bad.

Tomorrow I plan to get some dyeing done and then we are heading to the lake on Thursday for our final trip to the lake and put the trailer in storage for the winter. No winter trip to Texas this year in the trailer.

I am looking forward to Teacher's workshop the first week in November---Lake Texoma is wonderful place to go be with a great group of other teachers and reconnect.

More pictures from Nebraska---I have been a good girl---see my name on Santa's list!

Sisters, Maureen and Theresa both worked on pairs of things---Maureen's two roosters and Theresa's two cats---she was doing this rug for her daughter. Both of these rugs were done in very wide cuts with high loops---I love them both! the top roosters are going to have paisley crowns and the two cats are sporting paisley collars. Maureen flew in from DC so they had a great time being together at the farmhouse. They inspired me to look into a program called "your body is your gym". Thanks girls!

Holly chose Audrey's Garden---a design by Rhonda Manley---a fun scrappy quilt. She really got a lot done---it was great fun to help plan. The neutral palette with some fun textures is going to make this a great rug---can't wait to see it finished---go Holly!

Louann was hooking the Comstock pattern in colors pretty true to the original---she is going to put her family name ands her wedding date on the rug---She was really getting a lot done as many nights the sleepover gals stayed up late into the night hooking away and having a great time.

Tammy was working on a special design piece by M. Shaw that will be a pillow cover for her bed...what a great piece this is going to be---I want one for my bed!

Okay, the rest will have to wait for later today---so be sure to check back for more.

"Gathering on the Blue" Nebraska Workshop

2011-10-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Another fun workshop---my last of the year!

Judy and Jan headed up a great workshop---lots of hooking was done as well as lots of good eating!

They outdid themselves in the food category---good old farm cooking and some of the best desserts I have had in a long time.

It was a good thing I ran every morning down the gravel roads and even in the corn fields---it was very refreshing to hit the road and be able to run down the middle of the gravel road and never be worried about traffic---no cars in sight! One morning I even took a path out into the corn fields.

Judy also sells wonderful antiques---barns and sheds and even the house was full of wonderful treasures.

This one had to come home with me.

And here it is in my studio

Okay so here are some photos from the workshop---

This delightful piece was hooked by Annette---it was adapted with permission from the artwork of Anita Jeram from England---titled Bunny Bling---which will be in the border with more carrots.

This is Patty's version of Primitive Grace's version of the large Penny Rug Sunflower---I love this pattern and Patty's color choices really work on this pattern.

I had two students who worked on the same pattern called Spring Floral designed by Red Rocket---the first one was hooked by Jody and the second one by Terri---both versions are looking great---delightful pattern that looks simple to do but presented some challenges that they were both able to meet---when we had show and tell and saw the patterns side by side Teri decided to reverse some hooking in the wheel to let the wheelbarrow show through the wheel as it is doing in Jodi's.

One more picture tonite and then I am hitting the sack---it has been a long day.

This is Mary Jo's pattern called Starlit Homestead a design by Joanne Gerwig---She is eliminating some of the motifs to simplify it---gone are the deer and the bunnies---I love the softness of this piece.

Off to bed!

Santa is done and framed

2011-10-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is a Santa that I started several years ago in a class taught by Kathy Kovaric at South Central Teacher's workshop. Like many of the projects it got put on the back burner but this one I had intentions of finishing. I was going to make it into a dummy board but decided to hook the background and frame it instead. I ordered the frame 18 by 24 on Ebay and was very pleased with the quality and the promptness of delivery---picturesmoreebay. They have a larger variety in many sizes. I purchased foam core and cut it to fit, then using dressmaker stainless steel pins I pinned the piece into the foam core about every 1/2 inch. I mitered the corners on the back by sewing them and then laced side to side and top to bottom to stretch and hold the excess fabric in place. Using the metal clips provided in the frame i secured the piece inside the frame covered it with the cardboard that came with the frame then cut a piece of kraft paper to fit the entire back and glued it in place. It was really quite easy, took some time but doesn't everything.

Here is the finished piece.

This picture was taken outside and the next picture was taken inside.

The pinecone tassels were an ornament that I purchased many years ago that I thought looked great on the piece. I had removed the staff and the toys in the bag from the pattern, as well as a pocket on the cape that I had found distracting.

Another beautiful day in Kansas.

Ok so you can't win them all---gotta just keep trying

2011-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Okay so I ran with my plan and I really thought I had ran faster than the results showed...finished in 30:07 so no PR for me today...I came in 5th in my age group and 207th out of 882 females who ran the 5K so I guess that I can't be too disappointed.

It is a beautiful fall day today---raked some leaves and cleaned off the back deck.

We were supposed to have friends over tonite for an Octoberfest---too many cancellations so we decided to cancel as well. I guess we'll be eating brats for awhile.

Well I guess I've got some extra time today that I had not planned on---so I am going to go to work!

Going to bed early---tomorrow is my 5 K race

2011-10-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

The past two years I have ran the Kansas City marathon---this year I am only running the 5K. I kinda wish I was running the half marathon again---but come Sunday I'll be glad I only ran the 5K. I have a new goal this year---to run my fastest 5 K that I have ever done---we'll see. The first race I ran was this race in 2008 with my friend Carolyn and my time was almost 36 minutes---I will need to beat 28:46 which I did on Mother's Day 2010.
The first mile on this one is a long gradual hill, then the second mile is downhill and the third mile is flat.
That should make for an interesting run. Here is my plan---i am going to stretch and do some light jogging to warm up so I am ready for the first hill and go strong but not too fast so i can fly down the hill and push on the flat as fast as I can without killing myself.

I had an interesting dinner---I made spaghetti squash with marinara sauce and grilled chicken. It is hard to believe it but a cup of the squash only has 41 calories---it was yummy---didn't even miss the pasta.

I have been working on a Santa piece that I started at Teacher's workshop a couple of years ago---I finally decided to finish it---I am framing it myself with a frame that I purchased on EBAY---hopefully i will post the finished picture on Sunday, so stay tuned.

I did some dyeing today---trying to duplicate a piece of what Kathy called Tarnished Brass---I think I finally got it right. It is already in the mail ---I should have taken a picture of it.

Okay it 's off to bed---have to get up at 4:30.

Time flies---wrapping up Bass Lake

2011-10-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

We left on Thursday to go to our trailer at Pomme de Terre and the people we are able to get our internet connection from had already moved out for the winter, so I could not finish my postings. It was windy but it was I really enjoyed my time at the lake. It is beautiful there in the fall. We will probably only get there one more time before we have to put the trailer in storage mode...sad!

Before I finish up with Bass lake there is a correction to a posting that I would like to make. I mistakenly gave credit for a photo a while back. Here is is again for your enjoyment. It was hooked by Diane LeGros not Carol---thanks Diane!

I still can't get this photo turned---it is rotated in my i photo library but when I not when I go to the upload photo---oh well. Sorry!

Okay, here are some more photos of projects from Bass Lake.

Gail did a grew job on this pot with flowers---many changes were made to this pattern---she persevered through it and it is turning out great---teal was a popular color though out the week---anyone else notice that teal is becoming the "in color"?

Judi was hooking "Meditation" a Kate Porter pattern---lovely pattern and I really like the way this is coming together---love the teal again and the red inside background looks great. The outside background is a dark plaid---lumber jack---brown/dark green plaid and the teal and green will repeat in the motif in the four corners.

Donna was hooking this Barb Carroll runner, with some changes made to the design. Teal again-and I love the old rose in the upper corner---We changed the design in the heart to incorporate her initials and changed the arrow to another bud. Great job!

Jane was hooking this Wendy Miller Fraktur pattern---yes teal again! Lovely large flowers and it will have a dark background. Be sure and click on the photo to see the flowers in more detail---this is a big rug!

Denise chose another Kate Porter pattern called "In Season" lots of wide cut fruit in a latticed basket. For the basket she was using a striped wool cut with and across the stripe-it was working well but I think she is going to make the insets lighter to show the weave better---it was a fun and challenging piece with lots of variety---great job!

Linda was working on Pineapple Antique and although she didn't get very far we did lots of talking and planning---her pineapple looks good enough to eat! Linda likes mixing a lot of different textures and I know that this is going to be spectacular!

Okay, I think that is it! Again thanks to Kathy and Kathy for sponsoring this workshop---it was wonderful and I wish I was still there. Unfortunately I am back home today facing the reality of unpacking six big boxes of wool and putting the studio back together for classes tomorrow.

I am going to play a unit this morning before working---I am going to go do a morning run on the Plaza and meet up with a friend after her yoga class and my run to walk and maybe have brunch afterwards---girl time! Doug is going to the Nascar races with a buddy today---boy time!

This week I will also be getting ready for a workshop in Nebraska---looking forward to another great workshop. After that I have South Central Teacher's workshop and then will be done for the year except for home classes. At workshop this year I will be teaching a piece on skies---as well as a dye class. I got a great book on Amazon called Artist's Photo Reference---Water & Skies---also am waiting on two more books that I ordered for the class. A good motto---be prepared!

More from Ohio

2011-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Okay I am ready to post more pictures from the Bass Lake workshop---I am still in the recuperating mode---have gotten all most all of the orders done from the last two workshops except for some dye jobs which I hope to work on tomorrow. We are planning a trip to our lake this weekend for a couple of days. The weather here is just perfect. I am sitting out on my deck writing this---a beautiful evening.

Kathy was hooking a floral pattern that was designed by Donna Bennett, another student in the in the class who had a shop in the area. I especially love her terra cotta pot.

Here is Donna's version off the same pattern. It will fun to see them both finished. The border has many possibilities to tie it all together.

Kathy designed this pattern from an early carved trunk from 1690---it was offered on ebay but didn't meet it's reserve but it should was a great inspiration for a fraktur like pattern. Great job Kathy---love it!

Kaye was hooking Old Kinderhook basket---a wonderful old looking basket. This pattern is in my someday to do pattern.

Laurel was a hand cut and tear hooker who has the most wonderful, high lush loops to her hooking---the kind you just want to our your bare feet on---and I did! Great job Laurel!

Okay that is it for tonight---the rest tomorrow!

Anita

Fun at Bass Lake

2011-10-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

When I left Vermont I rented a car in Burlington and drove to Ohio for my second workshop. It was a long drive through Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania and into Ohio---the drive through Vermont was very pretty---okay in New York and then I hit a rainstorm in Ohio. I saw many antique shops that I would have liked to check out but time was limited so no stopping except for gas and food.

Upon arriving in Ohio I was taken to my workshop location---the beautiful Bass lake---a little piece of heaven on earth.

Here is a view of the lake.

A heavenly view---just beautiful!

I had a day to play before the workshop ---here is Chagrin Falls, Ohio where we went antiquing and had a nice lunch.

We went to a great little shop with a great pumpkin display---check out this display with my tour director, Kathy.

Hookers at work---a great location for a great workshop!

Elaine was working on "Narcissus" designed by Bonnie Smith, a Spruce Ridge pattern. She was doing this in mostly an 8.5 cut and did a great job. I did talk her into doing a 6 cut on the flowers---all done with yellows from a door strip wool that had four stripes with different shades---it worked out great.

Here is Anne's Scrappy cat---he is going to be stuffed. He is going to be a great cat---lots of textures and even some paisley!

Here is Jan's Penny Rug Sunflower, a Primitive Grace pattern. This is a great pattern and Jan was doing a great job---I love the red background and all the fun textures.

Well that is it for now---time to fix dinner---will try to post more tonight.

Finishing up in Vermont

2011-10-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, I got the pictures rotated so here goes. Be sure to click on the photos to see them in close-up!

Brenda did a great job with her Primitive floral---She had not worked much with textures but really did a great job and developed a new love for textures---she even used some paisley in her floral---great job!

I love this rug and this message! this rug was hooked by Jane. It is a beauty!

This Jeni's big witch---she is going to have this fun yarn hair--not quite this hairdo, but we wanted to use it in the photo---this was fun! Be sure and check out her nose. Jeni was wearing these earrings so we thought big witch might like wearing them too!

Lesli designed this runner with large pomegranates and flowers---I wish their picture showed the whole design---we had lots of back and forth input when she was designing this piece and I think it is turning out great. Way to go Lesli!

Susan drew this floral pillow while at camp. She had hooked a bit a long time ago so she was trying out lots of hooks and backing fabrics working on her technique---she made great progress during the week as a beginner and is now "hooked"!

Pam worked on another piece of Susan Fellers that I did not get a picture of, but we also spent a lot of time working on this design of a rug for her chef son and doing some color planning. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

I sent my last night in Vermont at Green Mountain rugs, at Stephanie's before leaving the next morning to drive to Ohio for the next part of my adventure.

Some Fall color in Vermont---it wasn't peak color but it was getting pretty!

Tomorrow it will be photos from Ohio and Bass lake.

More from Vermont

2011-10-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, after a good nights sleep, a good breakfast, and enjoying some beautiful weather---I am feeling much better. I still feel like I am trying to come down with a cold but hopefully I am fighting it off---no time to be sick! I went on an afternoon run but it was harder than if I had gone early in the morning. Tomorrow I will get out early for my run.

This week I will begin preparing for the workshop in Nebraska in 2 1/2 weeks as well as getting caught up on some things I need to take care of---tomorrow will be a busy day but today is another day to get some rest.

Here are some more project from Vermont. I didn't get pictures of everyone's work as a few got out before I got the pictures taken.

Faith was doing a great job on this Scalloped Welcome rug---check out the paisley in the great primitive flowers.

Susan was hooking my Paisley on Paisley pattern in the 24 by 49 inch size---you are only seeing half of the pattern---she was doing a great job handling the paisley.

Phyllis, aka "sweetheart" was doing a great job on learning the hooked braiding technique---she was so much fun and worked very hard to learn this technique---she is an excellent braider---check out this photo of her work.

I will post some more in a few minutes---I need to go in to my files and rotate some more photos.

I am also watching the Chiefs football game while working on this--they are finally playing football.

Home again, home again...

2011-10-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Well I am finally home from teaching two wonderful workshops in Vermont and Ohio. I had a great time but the adrenaline has definitely worn off. I flew home from Ohio this morning and had a hard time with my ears on both flights---OUCH! I did something this afternoon that I haven't done for a very long time---I took a bit of a nap on the couch while watching a movie on TV. I don't remember the last time I took a nap.

The Fall Foliage Fiesta in Montpelier Vermont was the first workshop. The hooking room was in a wonderful old building with lots of great windows---perfect for a classroom. Unfortunately I was not a good picture taker, so I don't have any pictures of the room. You will just have to take my word for it---what a great camp. the food was prepared by the Culinary Institute students---some of the meal choices were very adventuresome---I really enjoyed the meals. The weather was actually quite warm while we were there and mostly sunny even though rain had been predicted.

Here are some of the projects that were started in the class.

Marion was doing a great job on "Bountiful" a very large Susan Quicksall pattern---lovely!

Linda was also doing this pattern in the smaller size---another beauty!

Elizabeth was hooking some beautiful Fall foliage---can't wait to see this finished!

Bett was working on a large double pansy pattern that I designed for her---it is about 24 by 36. She was doing a great job---striking!

Finishing off that table was Diana snow scene. I'm not quite ready for winter but she was doing a beautiful job.

Much as I wood like to keep posting I think that I will have to call it quits for tonite and try again tomorrow.

I have so much more to share about the last ten wonderful days, so check back to see more.

In Recovery

2011-09-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 3:30 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep---and it wasn't raining---yet.

About 5 o'clock the rain started and never quit till in the afternoon. My 7:30 AM 10 K race was run in the rain. I have been running for about 4 years and have never had a problem with a stitch in my side but just after the 2 mile marker it happened. I don't know why but it hung with me until about the 5 mile marker, then finally let up. I slowed my pace a bit but still finished in a respectable one hour and 7 minutes which got me a second place medal which I felt pretty good about until I checked the results in the afternoon and found out that only two people in my age group were crazy enough to run 6.24 miles in the rain. I guess that it was something I ate or didn't eat or the way I breathed or didn't breathe...well whatever it was I do hope it never happens again---stomach pain all afternoon. I think I am finally feeling better and am looking forward to a good night's sleep.

I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure and plan to wake up in the morning and finish getting ready for the trip to Vermont. I am watching the Emmy's tonight but don't think I will make it to the end.

Good night!!!

Saturday night---home alone

2011-09-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

This has been a quiet weekend---hubby is out of town so it is just me and Fred, the dog. I picked up my race packet today and am planning to be in bed early as I ave to be up about 4:45 in the morning to get ready and drive to the Plaza. It rained alot today and am hoping it is dry in the morning. 6.24 miles---here I come!!!

I bought a great new carry on bag today at Marshall's---a Liz Clairborne suggested retail $300 for $59.99. I liked it because it was lightweight and will look different that all the black bags out there. I am not checking it as I am already checking two big bags with wool supplies---1 1/2 weeks of clothes will have to fit in my carry-on.

Wool is on it's way to Ohio and has already arrived in Vermont...on I am getting so excited!
Are the leaves turning colors in the East? I sure hope so---I love fall!

Picture time...

Sorry it sideways---hooked by Carol---taken at the Angela Pumphrey workshop in San Antonio in August. Happy Fall!

Friends

2011-09-15T04:43:00.000-07:00

Here is something I received today in my e-mail from a friend---when I receive these mass e-mails I hardly ever read or respond to them but this is one that i think has some truth to it.

Vitamin F

Some real truth here

Why do I have a variety of friends who are all different in character ?
Some of them have obvious flaws, but then, so do I?.
How do I get on with them all ?
I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me...
With one of them I am polite and as refined as I can manage.
I joke a lot with another.
I talk about serious matters with one.
With another I laugh a lot.
I share a glass of wine with one ,
And dance on occasion with another.
I listen to one friend's problems and give them advice
Then I listen to another advising me.
They are all like pieces of a jigsaw,
When completed they form a treasure box.
A treasure of friends!
They are my friends who understand me better than I myself do,
who support me through good days and bad days.
They are the anti-depressants that I need to make it through life.
Doctors tell us that friends are good for our health.
Dr. Oz calls them Vitamins F (for Friends) and recounts the many benefits of friends to our well being.
Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes. If you take Vitamin F constantly you can be a lotyounger than your physical age. The warmth of friendship reduces stress and can decrease your risk of cardiac arrest or stroke.

We should all value our friends and keep in touch with them.
I'm fortunate to have a plentiful stock of Vitamin F!
Thank you for being one of my vitamins!

So if you are reading this---take the time to contact one of your vitamins. In my life I have found that friendships just don't happen easily---they take some effort to keep them working.

So thank you friends for helping keep me healthy!!!

Even though I don't know a lot of people who are reading my blog I hope that if you are reading it that there is something here that will bring you back to read it again.

So now on to rug hooking...I spent Tuesday packing and shipping 6 big boxes of wool to Vermont which should arrive there tomorrow. Today I plan to dye some more wool and ship 3 boxes to Ohio---what is left from Vermont will makes its way to Ohio in a rental car...oh what fun!

I am hoping the leaves are turning and am looking forward to some lovely fall color!

Sunday is my 10K Plaza run---so at 7:30 Sunday morning think of me as I pound the streets running 6.24 miles. I never did get a 6 mile training run in but did to a couple of 5 mile runs so I am hoping for the best. I wish it was this morning as the temperature is in the low 40's---Sunday it is supposed to be low 60's.

Here is a picture of my daughter Chelsea and her hubby at the San Jose Opera grand opening. She assisted the costume designer for the production of Mozart's Idomeneo. I think they look GRAND!

Here are pictures of some fall to inspire you.

These rugs were hooked by Cheryl---the top one and the Mighty Oak runner---thanks Cheryl for helping me at the Warsaw Hook-in!!!

Hook-in Warsaw Mo

2011-09-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here I am in my booth on Friday night after we got set up. We had a wonderful time and Patty and her crew did an amazing job. There was a wonderful rug show as well as many good vendors. The crowd was enthusiastic and had a great time. Here are a few more pictures I took on Saturday.

I love this new paisley top I found at Marshall's---I fit right in with my booth.

Paisley, anyone?

First Place rug show winner above

Second Place rug show winner

Third Place rug show winner

congratulations---great job ladies!

These ladies were part of the wonderful entertainment---they sang Baa Baa Baa baabaabarann---sorry I don't know how to spell it! But it was fun!

there were about 10 of them all together. So cute!

Thanks Patty for a successful Hook-in! A lot of hard work was put in to making it a success.

Drawing a blank

2011-09-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

This morning I am drawing a blank as to what to title my post---hence "Drawing a blank" will have to do.

Yesterday I received this photo of Harriet's rug from a workshop last May.

Thanks Harriet---I love it!

My legs are still sore from Sunday's run---hopefully today will be the last day so that I can get a good run in tomorrow before heading to the hook-in on Friday. I have lots of packing to do today. I dyed a lots wool yesterday and today I will let someone else do the dyeing on my hair. I learned my lesson a few years ago that I can dye wool much better than I can dye my own hair.

Well it is time to go get busy!

It is another beautiful early fall day.

Another beautiful morning---perfect weather!

2011-09-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

My Labor Day run yesterday was a good one, but my legs know today that I pushed harder than my normal runs. Sore legs today! I spent much of my run yesterday trying to get away from people around me who were making guttural noises that were driving me crazy and the more I tried to pull ahead the louder the noises got. I had taken my iPod to listen to my music and it was dead---so it was up to me to make my own music...I came in second in a time of 29:53---not my fastest but considering the heat of the summer I felt good about it. The lady in my age group who came in first is a real runner---probably been running her whole life---came in under 24 minutes. Impressive!

Her I am before the race just leaving the house---a little fresher than in the finish picture.

I love it when students send me progress pictures of their rugs...here is an update of Sherry's rug from Texas.

It is a Bea Brock pattern called First Time Spring.

Well this will be a busy week getting ready for a Hook-in in Warsaw Mo---a first time event that hopefully will turn into an annual event. It is on Saturday the 10th so if you are in the area be sure to come. Here is the link to the information. Check it out!

http://saltboxprimitivewoolens.com/Events.html

I will also be getting ready to pack up wool for two camps in Vermont and Ohio. I will be flying to Vermont for the Fall Foliage workshop in Montpelier then driving to Ohio to teach a workshop at Bass Lake, the flying home from Cleveland. Lots of logistics to figure out on this one but I am so excited about both workshops.

I am also continue my training to run a 10K on Sept. 18th---this will be my second 10K but it is around the Kansas City Plaza and is supposed to be flat---flat is good---and the scenery should be great.

Yeah!!! Fall is here!

Down right chilly this morning

2011-09-05T03:37:00.000-07:00

Well I got up early this morning because I am going to run in a Labor Day race this morning. Having a cup of coffee and just stuck my head out the door---pretty chilly. I may need to take a jacket to wear until it is time to run, It will feel great when I am running. We are having friends over tonight for brats---should be perfect weather to sit on the patio.

I have a few more photos to post from the other day when I set up my hooks and reorganized some things in my rug hooking studio.

I used to keep a lot of my hooks in this case so now I put my shuttle and punch hooks in it---I don't ever use these but it is still fun to collect a few of them as well. I have picked up a few old latch hooks but I don't display them.

Lots of collections of stuff

Well, I have to go get ready---I'll check back later. I hope every has a wonderful day with family and friends.

Check out my hook collection!!!

2011-09-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

Last week I bought a Spool cabinet on Ebay. I have wanted one for a long time with glass front drawers to display my antique hook collection. The bottom drawer needs a new piece of glass and I used some antique restorer on it after cleaning it up. Most of the time they cost way more than I wanted to pay---I got this one for $77 plus $55 shipping. What a deal! Here it sits in its new home filled with my hook collection. I also received my rug hooking magazine yesterday with an article on old hooks---how timely.

Enjoy these pictures.

This is the bottom drawer and has newer hooks---the rest are old ones.

Wool from Friday's dyeing---a fun, but sweaty day. so glad the weather turned cooler!

Tomorrow I am running in a Labor Day 5 K---supposed to get down to 50 degrees tonight! Heaven!

My daughter and her husband got two new kittens yesterday. They are so cute...I'll post a picture later...gotta run now as i am on y way to go see "The Help".

Have a great day!

Finally a quiet morning to catch up on my blog

2011-08-26T04:51:00.000-07:00

I really didn't mean to not post more about Texas for this long but it has been busy around here. Where has the time gone. Last Thursday afternoon we headed to the lake...wasn't sure I really wanted to go since I had gotten home late Tuesday afternoon but Doug wanted to go and since he had been here by himself for over a week I caved in and was glad I did. We had a nice time, I got in some early morning runs, some hooking time on a piece that I am teaching at Teacher's workshop in November, some fishing, some jet skiing...some bad storms about 2 o'clock in the morning that made it feel like the trailer was moving--things were blowing around. Woke me up but somehow my dear husband just kept sleeping. We came home on Sunday and I worked on getting things ready for home classes this week, both Monday and Wednesday. tuesday and Thursday I drew patterns and hit the dye pots. We had a break in the hot weather yesterday and it was a delightful day with early morning temperatures in the low 60's. I left the house at 6:20 for an early morning 60 minute run---it was great---and even better I am not sore this morning. My 10K Plaza run is Sept. 18th---I am getting more confident that I will be ready.

Here is a shot of yesterday's dyeing---estimated at about 22 yards of wool.

Today is another day of dyeing and also have a lady coming today to color plan one of my paisley patterns.

Here are some pictures of my pictorial piece---

This is a picture that I took when I was working on it and struggling with the left side with the sandy bank and the water---I finally decided to eliminate the water on the left side and add more sand as it really is a bit of a cove there...that with some more changes resulted in this.

I still have some more tweaking to do but am happier with the piece. It is the place where our workshop has been held for the past 6 years at lake Texoma---I plan to donate the piece to the Prothro center for their cross wall. The lesson will be focused on "skies"----speaking of skies we are having a beautiful sky this morning.

Almost makes me want to go out and do another run, hmmmmm...maybe I will do a short one.

Okay, I really want to do sue more Texas photos.

Sherry was working on a Be a Brock pattern---this is a fun pattern to color plan---so many possibilities

Cathy was working on Susan Quicksall's Crazy Horse rug---the backgrounds are always a challenge on this piece and we were able to get that worked out for her. See the color code at the top of the rug---if you closely you can see that I colored them in on the rug.

Cyndee was working on Comstock---this is a favorite pattern on mine and hers is going to be beautiful---she was hooking it in a #6 cut.

Carol was hooking another Susan Quicksall rug---I can't take credit for this one---she was trying to get it finished to take to the ATHA biennial in Louisville---I think she will make it---it is beautiful. We worked mostly on some of the center flowers.

Stephanie was working on a Primco pattern called Early Frost Adaptation---I taught this piece at Teacher's workshop two years ago---a great Primitive Oriental. good job Stephanie!

This is an Edyth O'Neill design called Tulip Runner. Georgeanne was wearing many hats during the workshop and didn't get much time to hook, but this is going to be a beautiful runner. Love it!

That's it for this morning---gotta go!

Great time in Texas

2011-08-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

What a great time I had last week in Texas. I used to live in the Dallas area so on my way to teach in San Antonio I stopped to visit my good friend Lily, my old next door neighbor. They say you can't go home again but Lily is sure trying to get me back to Duncanville. I left early Thursday morning to head to the Riverwalk in San Antonio to teach for the Heart of Texas hookers. After unloading all my stuff and getting set up, can you say HOT!!! We went to the Westwood's for a Texas welcome and make your own pizza in an outdoor wood oven.

We rolled out our pizza dough then headed to the table with all the fix ins. Yummy pizza!

Friday morning the workshop was under way with 17 eager students ready to hook.

we hooked morning, afternoon and night all weekend. There was a great rug show on Saturday as well as a sale of handmade items by the students. I didn't get pictures of all my students pieces but I have some to show over the next few days. On Sunday afternoon at 2 the workshop came to a close and the packing and loading began...I left San Antonio and headed back to Dallas to see Lily again before heading home to unpack again. The last day I was in Duncanville it was 111 degrees in the shade. I did get to eat at Pappadeaux's---my favorite restaurant. Lily and I shared a fish dish.

My almost 30 hours of drive time was occupied by several books on tape---one called Rescue and one called Thursdays at Eight. Both were an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Okay back to the workshop pictures.

This is Karen's Rabbit---she is putting paisley in the bird's wing and the rabbit's bow, but decided to wait to put it in till the end. I love the great rich brown background.

This is a M Shaw Folk Art Fruit Basket hooked by Janyth---what a great pineapple!

Melanie hooked this fish, a Spruce Ridge pattern. It took us a bit to get this fish going the way she wanted but she persevered and it is looking great!!!

Denice was hooking this Mosey and me pattern---we played with the curls on the sheep and decided to go black---check out the sunflower center---sculpted---and the stem is chained. It was a fun pattern made even more fun with her creativity.

this view shows the border...

More pictures tomorrow...have a great day!

My bags are packed---I'm almost ready to go

2011-08-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well here it is---almost time to head to Texas. I am leaving for Texas on Tuesday. I get to stay with my friend and old neighbor, Lily, on my way to teach in San Antonio. Early Thursday I will head to teach at
The Angela Pumphrey weekend workshop on the Riverwalk.

I packed my wool in my new Ikea bags and since I wasn't sure exactly how things would fit this time I partially loaded my car on Friday. The last minute stuff will go in the back and then I'll put the platform on with the tubs and strap them down. Oh and I guess I'd better make some room for some clothes. There is always the front passenger seat.

Tonight we are going to friends to cook out and play Bocce ball---if it isn't too hot. This morning I thought that I would run outside and changed my mind when I opened the door---went to the gym instead and ran on the treadmill and on the upstairs track---yeah air conditioning! I am planning on running a 10K on Sept. 18th so I need to be increasing my running time if I am going to be ready. Fortunately they say it is a flat race so it shouldn't kill me.

this is where I spend a lot of time in my house---my dye area in the basement---I have a four burner stove and a two burner hot plate---

Gotta go!

Oh no, not again

2011-07-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. Today I went shopping at Stein Mart for a shirt for my husband and a top for me...i was about ready to leave and I reached up to my ear and oh no---my earring was missing again !!! I have been praying to St. Anthony again---don't know if I lost it in the store or elsewhere...haven't found it yet...I am beginning to wonder if I was supposed to have that earring...keep the faith, keep praying! I left my name and phone number in case it would get turned in. There is obviously something wrong with the clasp.

Any help with prayers would be appreciated!

Anita

Raining in Kansas

2011-07-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and headed out for a run and got caught in the rain---so I headed to Starbucks and called hubby to come pick me up. Just had some delicious french toast made with made with whole wheat tuscan pane from Trader Joe's---yum!!! Served it with fresh strawberries and fage yogurt. Now I ready to get to work!

Yesterday I was cleaning up my studio downstairs and took some pictures of my wool.

At my home classes last week Wanda has been working on her Crazy Horse rug designed by Susan Quicksall. She is having fun hooking this pattern---she is flying through it. Here is a picture of her progress.

I'm betting that she'll be finished when she comes back to class on Wednesday.

I hope everyone has a great weekend---time to get to work!

New Cupboard Series---Acorn Vine

2011-07-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a finished sample of Acorn Vine, one of my newest Cupboard designs. I hooked all the way home from the lake in the car. I still need to do the binding but you can get the ideas---I like it in the green frame. the background was an as is dark stripe of Rebecca's. It is almost too plain for me but it is what I took with me and the green frame really helps.

We caught more crappie this morning before we headed home---my biggest one broke my line just s I was bringing it up---I should have had a net but most of what we were catching didn't need a net---I was bummed! Oh crap!

Tomorrow is supposed to be the hottest day of the year and I plan to dye wool---guess I'll just turn the thermostat lower and make sure I keep the pots covered as much as possible.

Today I got the pattern in the mail that I will be teaching at Teacher's workshop this year. Hmmmm! the lesson is on skies---As a student what do you want to learn about skies---any feedback would be appreciated as it might influence how I decide to approach the piece. It is a small pictorial that was inspired by a photograph that I took at workshop last year at Lake Texoma in Texas...rocky cliff, sky, water, trees, but the main emphasis is supposed to be on how to hook skies.

Texas Hill Country---Cupboard Series

2011-07-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Here is is---finished, well almost. I just have the edge turned under so will have to do finishing when i get home. I did remember to bring my frame to check fit---got it right!

I may have to take another look at adding a little bit of dark to the bluebonnets. In real life I thought there was enough contrast but the photo makes it look a little light.

Now I am going to work on the Acorn Vine---maybe I can get it finished too!

I'm a believer

2011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

The last time I was at the lake---almost two weeks ago I lost one of my inside outside diamond rings---no idea when or where I lost it. I called the company where I purchased them about 5 years ago to see if I could get a single replacement---I could but the price today for a single was almost what I paid for a pair when I bought them. I decided to wait until I went through Dallas in August to make sure it was a match.
When we got to the lake on Friday we were getting ready to go put the jet skis in the water and I was walking toward the car slowly looking down---my husband asked what was taking me so long and I said that i was praying to St. Anthony to help me find my earring---I took two steps and there in the gravel was my earring. It was a powerful moment for me---I've always believed in St, Anthony, the patron saint of lost things, but this was very emotional for me. Wow!

Had several good rides on the jet skis, hooked on my bluebonnet cupboard piece---I'll be ready to post picture soon---just a little more background, and had a great dinner.

This morning we got up early and went crappie fishing at the dock---I caught 6 or 7 keepers so I guess it will be fish for dinner.

It is going to be another hot day today...we are heading back home tomorrow.

Happy Hooking!

where has the week gone

2011-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe a whole week has gone by! This week I had classes at home and hit the dye pots several long days---it is so HOT here in Kansas. I am ready for a break in the weather. We are heading to the lake tomorrow---hoping for a little cooler weather and then I plan to hit the dye pots when I get home---as well as hit my hair dresser for a hair dye job as well...it is overdue!

I have been enjoying my trips to Trader Joe's---great food!

We went to church tonite so that we can leave early on the morning. The CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging) representative was there. We sponsored a child six years ago from
Guatemala, a boy named Christian...so today we decided to sponsor an additional child, a girl named Leydi---I picked her because her favorite school subject was Art Expression. I love this program because you get real letters from your sponsored child...I have often been remiss in responding back but I have promised myself that I will write more letters to my children. Here is a picture of Leydi.

Who could resist! She's a cutie and must love color!

Okay, time to hit the sack!

The week ends

2011-07-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well here are some recaps from the week. I did pop into Trader Joe's but will go back after the rush dies down. I did get some wonderful California figs which I cooked with olive oil, agave nectar, balsamic vinegar and a little marsala. This got put over grilled chicken breasts with some goat cheese. Yummy!

I had to take my computer into the Mac doctor---they said it could be a week to get it fixed, but lo and behold it was ready today---only 24 hours in the shop. I love my Mac and the Apple Store. They are great.

Now my pictures are downloading again so ,et me go in and see what I can find.

Here is a picture of my booth in Greenwood the last time I was there a little over a week ago.

And another view!

Well I signed up for my first fall race---a 10 K race on The Plaza in Kansas City in September.

Hopefully it will be a cool morning.

We are going out to dinner with friends from Branson---going to Lidia's. Lidia does a cooking show on TV---yummy food!

Have a nice night!

bluebonnets, dye pots and trader joe's

2011-07-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a fun day---designing patterns---dyeing wool---and planning a trip to trader joe's which opens tomorrow in Kansas City at 8 AM---as much as I would like to be there for the openings, I really don't like crowds so I think I'll plan to wait a few days...although I might break down and brave it later tomorrow.

In preparation for the workshop in San Antonio I designed this new Cupboard design---I called it Texas Hill Country. Here it is! If you want to order one for me to bring to the workshop in August just let me know. They are $22 on linen. I hope to get a sample hooked before the workshop. Bluebonnet wool is in the dye pots now.

sorry it is sideways---

Having trouble with the camera and computer tonite so this is the best I can do.

Have a nice night!

Heading back home from the lake

2011-07-12T03:34:00.000-07:00

We are heading back home today from the lake. We had a good time although it was not without some challenges. It always seems as though there some problems to tackle----this time it had to do with the jet skis...we finally got them working and enjoyed the ride, especially late Sunday and Monday when most of the people had gone home and we had the lake almost to ourselves.

It wasn't all play---we did wash the trailer yesterday in the morning before it got so hot we had to hang out inside or get in the water to cool off.

I did get 15 paisley pincushions made to take to Texas. I still have to put them on the clamps. This is what they will look like.

I also started hooking Acorn Vine, my newest Cupboard pattern. I plan to work on it in the car on the way home so I'll post a picture when I get home.

This is home at the lake and while I do enjoy coming to the lake I am ready to go home and get my hands in the dye pots even if it 100 + degrees outside.

I woke up way too early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep...guess I'll drink coffee and hook.

needed a break---batteries recharging

2011-07-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am home---got home last Friday and then went to Manhattan, Ks on Sunday to pick up my dog at my daughters and to help her out with some stuff. I came home on Monday evening, the 4th and was exhausted. I went to bed early and didn't even watch any fireworks.

Today I went to Greenwood to my shop and got things straightened up there and taught a class---always fun to see the gals and get caught up. Tomorrow I am heading to the lake for a few days---seems like I'm never home. I need to get some hooking things together to do some hooking at the lake. I have only been to the lake twice this year so I am looking forward to going. Fred my dog loves to swim in the lake and I'm looking forward to a ride on the jet skis and some fishing.

I promise to get my orders out next week from Caraway.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time making arrangements to go to California for Christmas with my daughter and her husband at his folks and then to the beach near where they got married and then to Oakland where they now live...this should be a fun trip. My youngest daughter will get to go as well. Poor Fred---need to find a dog sitter. He just doesn't do well at the kennel. Know any pet sitters???

Okay I can't close this post without a picture...so here is one.

This is one of my cupboard designs on display at Caraway---she did a great job!

Vickie hooked this rug in my class year. She designed this herself---her three dogs. Be sure to click on the picture to see the textures on the dogs. Great job Vickie!

Okay---I can go to bed now!

On the way home---in Louisville tonite

2011-06-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

We are spending the night in Louisville, KY tonite---we are going to take the shuttle from our hotel to the 4th Street Live area---fond memories from the Atha biennial---partying on 4th street with Diane and Kathy! I also spent some time here with Kim Nixon during the biennial---how she is missed.

When we got here we took a dip in the pool----it felt great!

I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow---another long day of driving. We passed the time listening to a John Grisham book on tape---will finish it up tomorrow. It was a big help.

Here are a few more pictures from the rug show at Caraway.

This rug was hooked by Dayne in a class with Jane Halliwell Green.

Here's a beauty---sorry I didn't get the name of the rug hooker on this one.

This dog was hooked by Nancy Hackney---unfortunately Nancy wasn't able to come this year. She was supposed to be in my class---hopefully next year she will be able to come---get well Nancy!

Robin hooked this rug in my class last year---great job Robin!

Here is a great Santa hooked by Shirley---a jolly old soul!

Okay that's it---time to take the shuttle to 4th Street Live.

Peanuts!!!

2011-06-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Virginia has great Peanuts! We stopped at several places on the way to Virginia Beach to do some tasting...and buying. Here I am at one of the shops.

The rug on the left is a rug Linda, one of my students from last year brought back for the rug show. It is a pattern designed by Susan Fellers designed and lengthened for Linda's table. I love it when finished rugs come back for the rug show.

This was a sensational rug, forgive me for not giving credit to the artist. I know it was hooked by a student in Diane Stoffel's class---be sure and click on the picture to see more detail---phenomenal!!!

Georgia hooked this dimensional pumpkin from her scraps---isn't this a fun one!

Kathie Meyers is selling a book with a braiding technique for adding braiding around hooked rugs---got the book but haven't studied it yet, but here is a sample done with her technique on one of my cupboard patterns---also check out the way the background it hooked to maintain the plaid effect---WOW!

When I get home I will get the book out and give you the info on ordering her book---still is somewhere in my stuff to be unpacked when I get home.

A Pris Butler rug---you can tell that Pris is a talented painter---this is one to be studied carefully!

Okay that's it for today---have a great day. It is going to be a hot one today.

Back from Virginia Beach

2011-06-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

We had a nice lunch on the waterfront, did a quick walk on the beach and dipped into the water---Doug and I were the only ones who went into the water. The water felt quite cool. As we were leaving we had a burst of rain, but thankfully didn't last too long.

We are back in Chesterfield so I think I'll try to post some pictures from Caraway.

Here are some class projects.

Here are three versions of Comstock that were being hooked, two in colors resembling the original from 1810.

Georgia was hooking this piece for her nephew's wedding---last name of Shelton. What a lucky bride and groom!

Jennie made great progress on her Hidden in the Garden rug---she did a great job of balancing her colors.

Nancy was working on a Lib Callaway pattern called Jumbo Star---it is a great pattern for a workshop because you can work on one-fourth of the rug and get your color plan.

Linda was working on Aunt Tillie's Garden a Woolley Fox Pattern. It is a little difficult to see the light colors but it is going to turn out great---esp. love the leaf on the end with the blue spots.

Nancy came with the background already hooked so she was able to concentrate on the flowers and leaves. The pattern is called Rose of Sharon by New Earth Designs. What a great rug!

Here is Ginny's Santa---sorry, I am drawing a blank on the designer. It is a great design and she did a great job on the face. Hope you are feeling better Ginny---she had to leave a bit early on the last day due to not feeling well.

Deste was doing a great job with this M Shaw pattern---we added he tongues. What a great basket!

Sheri was working on my Paisley on Paisley. She is almost halfway there! It is going to have a dark teal border...great rug!

Dayne, one of my last minute students who was going to be in Jane Halliwell's class was a delight as she was working on her own design with sunflowers...she was doing a great job---be sure and do a close-up on the lupines.

Sorry this pattern is sideways---this is a fraktur that Shirley designed in a class with Susan Fellers---she wanted to change the colors she had started with so we unhooked some wool and started over. It is going to be a great rug---check out the colorful bird by clicking on the picture.

Vicki was working on Edyth O'Neill's Cape Ann---a fun rug to hook---love the big flowers.

Fred and Nancy hooked this Primitive Grace pattern---can't wait to see this one finished!

As you can see I had a very talented group in my class.

Thanks for a great week. Tomorrow I will post some completed rugs from the rug show.

Finally, a short post

2011-06-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

I know that it has been a long time since I have posted and this will be a quick one as we are heading to Virginia Beach today. I am still in the Richmond Virginia area, arriving here last Friday after finishing up my workshop at Caraway. We celebrated my brother in law's 70th birthday and my husband's 61st---they were both born on the same day 9 years apart.

The Caraway workshop was great. I have lots of pictures to post but that will have to wait till I have more time. One neat thing at camp was getting Jessie Turbayne's new book hot off the press.

This is a book you will definitely want to own. Her address is: 76 Oak Street Westwood MA 02090

On my drive to Virginia I stopped at an antique mall in Burlington North Carolina and bought a paisley shawl---I was very happy!

Everyone is ready to leave so I'll post again when we get back. Have a great day!

Anita

Record heat in New Orleans

2011-06-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

Wow is it ever hot here! We had a nice relaxing day and are meeting old friends for dinner tonite.

I had raw oysters for lunch---they were quite tasty!

It sounds like all I have done it eat. I did do an early morning run but it was hot even at 6:30.

The wedding is tomorrow at 5 o'clock with a reception afterwards in the quarter...I hope it will be fairly early to bed for me as I have an early morning flight back to Charlotte on Sunday morning and a 1 1/2 hour drive back to Caraway to set up for the workshop. So far everything has gone smoothly so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. the hotel that we are staying at is listed in the top ten of haunted places in the US---I haven't encountered any ghosts yet...I'll let you know if I do.

The big easy

2011-06-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

I love the food here! We had a wonderful lunch at The Bon Ton---I never eat fried food but i had fried soft shell crab and Oyster Alvin---yum!!! Tonite we opted for appetizers and had mussels, scallops and gumbo that we shared. It was yummy too. It is a good thing that I didn't eat too much the last 3 days because I made up for it today. We are here for a wedding that is on Saturday evening. Tomorrow I plan to try to get an early morning run in---it is very hot here so it might be difficult. Laying around by the pool sounds like a good idea. I went to a weaving shop today and had a nice conversation with the owners.

Great trip so far---New Orleans tomorrow!

2011-06-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

I left Kansas City on Monday---have enjoyed my trip so far and am looking forward to the wedding in New Orleans. I have an morning flight---staying near the airport in Charlotte. I dropped off all my stuff at the workshop in Caraway and am hoping to be back by 1 o'clock on Sunday to set up...thankfully I was able to put everything in the room I will be teaching in.

I am looking forward to the workshop. I had forgotten how beautiful the setting was---love the mountains and tall trees---such a beautiful drive in. I was able to go to the IKEA shop in Charlotte this afternoon and got some new bags for my wool--my current ones have seen better days---I have patched them up so many times but I think it is time to replace them..I almost got lost in the store---it is huge!!!

I have settled in for the night and am watching chopped...love that show! I have finished one audiobook and plan to start another one tomorrow.

I took this picture of a hooked rug in an antique mall that I stopped in on the way---happy little cats!!!

Couldn't get to sleep at all

2011-06-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a hard day---should have done more on Saturday to get ready but after going to our guild meeting and a graduation party nothing got accomplished which left too much to do yesterday. I stayed up past my normal sleep time and sleep didn't happen. I hate it when that happens!

I finally decided to get up and go ahead and get an early start---so after coffee I plan to finish the packing, shower and get on the road. I plan to drive to Clarksville, TN today. The car is loaded! I've got audiobooks to listen to. Packing clothes for 18 days is not fun especially with planning packing for a wedding in New Orleans---with only carry-on to speed things up---and save money! A quart ziplock bag doesn't leave a girl much room for beauty products!

Time to hit the road!

It's a heat wave in Kansas

2011-06-08T04:24:00.000-07:00

Hot and humid in Kansas! A couple more days and we are supposed to get a little break.

this has been a busy week with home classes on Monday and today. Yesterday was devoted to getting the shop in Greenwood Mo. ready for The Primitives of the Midwest---This year it is June 22-25---it brings in textile artists from around the country to attend classes. This year there are no hooking classes but lots of wool applique. It is sponsored by Quilter's Station. On Thursday our shop---Greenwood Mercantile--- stays open late for a field trip to the antique malls in Greenwood for the visitors. Unfortunately I will not be back from North Carolina to be there but my friend Kate will be there to assist. Here is the link to The Primitives of the Midwest. http://www.quiltersstation.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=7

I hope everyone has a great workshop and enjoys the trip to Greenwood.

Tomorrow and Friday I will finish up preparation for Caraway and start the packing---fun and games!

I am also working on the next three workshops---August in Texas, September in Vermont and Ohio. I've been hearing back from lots of students and am excited about the workshops.

I finished up a new sample of Nick at night , one of my cupboard designs---just need to do the binding but here is a picture in one of the frames.

this was done mostly with leftovers---except for the blue plaid background---quick and easy!

There is another new one coming out soon---Acorn Vine---hope to have a picture to post soon.

Here is a picture of the cutter box that my husband makes---got a new batch done and took two to Greenwood yesterday.

I guess that's it---gotta get the studio ready for classes.

Hospital Hill---I conquered the hill

2011-06-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

Yeah---the race is over and I didn't die, although it was painful at times. I finished in 33:18 which was good for 2nd place in my age group. The longer distances 10K and the half marathon usually draw the faster runners, but overall I was very pleased, considering that when I hurt my knee I wasn't sure that I would be able to race again.

This photo was taken quite a while after the race was over---the action shot that my husband shot had his finger over the view finder so it got chopped off.

Okay I'm going to go treat myself to a shopping excursion---something cute to wear.

Yeah---I found it!

2011-06-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, I don't know how it got buried so deep! I must get a grip on my storage. I have a closet in the basement underneath the stairs which has been a catch all kind of storage place. It is difficult to get into and it is definitely time to clean it out! This morning I decided to see if it was in the back part---as I was pulling everything out from the front part I caught a glimpse of it---yeah---now I have a big mess to clean up but I don't care.

Another cup of coffee and it's back to the closet...

Comstock is still MIA

2011-06-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

I'm still looking for my rug...just doesn't make any sense,

Here is what I am looking for.

I do not have all my rugs out---I keep many of them rolled up and rotate them.

I'll look more today.

Today I am picking up my race packet for tomorrow and meeting a friend for lunch.

Summer is here in Kansas City. Coffee is ready---gotta go!

Another day in the dye pots---and missing a rug

2011-06-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

I have looked high and low in my house and I cannot find my "Comstock" rug---where could have have put it? I've tried praying to St Anthony and no luck yet...I really need it as I have three students doing the pattern in June and more in August. I don't think I took it to Wisconsin and can't remember if I took it to Ohio...it is hiding somewhere...I've checked in all the closets and trunks...think Anita, think....

Had more fun in the dye pots today but it sure is hot and muggy!

I can't believe it is Wednesday already

2011-06-01T05:02:00.000-07:00

Where has the week gone? Yesterday was a fun day in the dye pots. I got interrupted with several things but still managed to get quite a bit done and have another day planned today.

And check out these beauties...

A visit to the eye doctor---no poison ivy---yeah but I do have an eye infection so no contacts and drops three times a day. I can wear them on Saturday morning for the race but have to take them back out and put them in a special solution.

Cheryl send me this picture of one of my Cupboard patterns. I love what she did with the proddy effect on the flowers.

I sent out my Welcome letter last night to the students for the Angela Pumphrey workshop in San Antonio in August, so if any of you are reading this blog---welcome!

New Phone---Yeah!

2011-05-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

When we got home we checked and found out we were eligible for a new phone with a two year contract extension---for $49.95---yeah! Fortunately I had backed up my phone while we were at the lake so it was easy to recover all the information. I didn't even have to cry----went to the AT&T store instead of the Apple store.

Tomorrow is a day in the dye pots getting ready for the Caraway Rug School.

This coming Saturday is my next race---Hospital Hill. I am as ready as I'm ever going to be. A couple more easy training runs this week...I sure hope it is not too hot Saturday morning.

http://www.hospitalhillrun.com/

Anita

Cell phone at bottom of the lake

2011-05-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

I had one of those "oh *!*##!! moments about an hour ago. I was getting out of the boat and had just taken my car keys and cell phone out of the bag am put the phone in my pocket---big mistake. I bent down to pick up something and plop!!! the sound you don't want to hear. I was so mad at myself!

I'll have to make a visit to the Apple store and see what they can do for me. Maybe if I cry???

I caught one crappie---if we don't catch more we'll let him go.

Where there's a will there's a way

2011-05-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

We came down to the lake on Friday afternoon and I brought a couple of my Cupboard designs with me to hook samples. When I got here I realized that I forgot my frame. Not many shops here at the lake---I found a plastic ring for a dollar---don't know what it was used for---got some clips at the Dollar General, found a wood frame at a garage sale for 25 cents, knowing I had some thumbtacks at the trailer.

Here are pictures of my make-do inventions.

You would think I would be smart enough to just leave a frame here.

We are about ready to go try catching some crappie. It is warm and sunny today.

I got into some poison ivy yesterday---have some blisters by my left eye---I am hoping it doesn't spread---not fun!

Tornado warnings in Kansas

2011-05-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Good thing I teach classes in my basement---the sirens were blasting this morning---tornado activity was in our area this morning---about two miles from my house---it never developed into a full blown tornado but headed east to Sedalia. The girls hung around until we were sure it was safe for everyone to head home.

The afternoon class was small due to the tornado threat. Welcome to Kansas and the land of Dorothy and Toto too.

I hope it is a quiet night.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Joplin and Sedalia, Missouri.

Dentist and doctor day

2011-05-25T05:21:00.000-07:00

Today was the day to get my final crown and I also asked the dentist to look at a small chip on the backside of my front tooth---well he smoothed it out and on my way to the car a bigger chip came off the front---yikes!!! So back into the office to end up with some bonding material to try to repair it---I don't think it is going to work long term---I will probably need to get it fixed more permanently as it is still not right---but at least it looks okay even if it feels funny.

Then it was off to the doctor for what might be called a well woman exam---yeah!!! I have to wait for the blood work to come back, but everything else seems to be good. I am happy to say that I have kept off 45 pounds for 4 and a half years now---doctor was very happy with me.

I came home and worked on patterns today---I have finally gotten my geometric figured out and drawn up properly for two students from Wisconsin---and then I realized that I drew the big one 24 by 48 instead of 32 by 48 so it is back to the drawing board.

Here is a picture of the pattern. I am calling it Pinwheel Star Geometric.

Here is my smaller version I did as a test.

Here is an updated picture of Paisley Hex---almost finished.

Well gotta go---time to go do my run before classes this morning. My next race is Hospital Hill on June 4th---yes it is hilly---not looking forward to the big hill---it is uphill from mile 1.4 to 2.4---the reward is a downhill finish!

Storming at the lake

2011-05-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

We came to the lake yesterday to set up our fifth wheel trailer on our lake spot. We got here just as the rain quit---so we got to set up with some sunshine. We had some minor problems but all is well---our electric meter is still not working on 50 amp, only 30 but since we don't need air conditioning it is not a problem. It has been raining hard for several hours today. Here is a picture that I took early this morning before it clouded over.

I have been hooking today on Paisley Hex---however I forgot to bring my cutter---had some wool cut and have had to do some hand cutting. No problem---it reminds me of my favorite quote from "Choice Hooked Rugs" by Stella Hay Rex..."you need some of the irregularity that comes only from hand cutting, that slight lack of perfect coordination between the hand and eye resulting in uneven strips contributes to the texture in a rug. To be told of a handcrafted product, it looks as perfect as if it had been made by a machine is scarcely complementary.

Here is where I am on the piece. Photo is not very good as I took it with my phone because I don't have the cord to download from my camera.

Here are a few more photos from Wisconsin.

Here is Hazel's Santa's Helpers from Ewe and I. Santa has some might big boots---she decided to make them a bit smaller and fill in with more reindeer on the left.

Rosann was tackling a new Edyth O'neill pattern with Jonah and the whale---the paisley shapes will be done in off-whites, blue-greens, pinks, purples to resemble waves and shells. This is a very big rug!

Carol designed this rug herself to be a companion to a larger rug she is hooking. The border went through several color changes before settling on this one---it will be a tablepiece.

Here is Margaret's Thistle Penny Rug, by Red Barn Rugs, a great little primitive floral.

Okay...back to hooking.

Anita

Cream city workshop

2011-05-18T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it is good to be home. This morning I am planning to put away my wool and get reorganized at home. We are going to go get our fifth wheel set up at Pomme de Terre lake in Missouri either Thursday or Friday. We have not been able to put it on our site due to high water at the lake but all is well now. I can't believe that I am leaving home again for a few days.

Here are some more pictures from Wisconsin.

Cheryl hooked this runner for her daughter. I love what the striped wool did in the border. She is going to bind it with the striped wool with about 3/4 to 1 inch showing.

Jackie hooked this piece designed by SharonSmith---Off the hook wool rugs---what fun!

Sally hooked Pumpkin Pie designed by Carrie Martin---do a close-up on the bittersweet!

Harriett hooked this pattern from Bea Brock called Spring has Sprung. She is off to a very good start.

Here we are at the end of the workshop---minus three people.

Thanks everyone for a great workshop.

I will try to post more pictures in the next few days from both workshops. There are so many more to show you.

The sun is shining and it is a good day to go for a run before I start to work.

Home from Wisconsin

2011-05-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to all my students in Wisconsin for two great workshops---I had a great time working with all of you and I know that some great rugs are going to come out of these workshops----can't wait to see them finished...as much as I would like to post pictures of all of the rugs I just don't have the time to do it so I'm going to select a few to give you some idea of the talent in Wisconsin.

I was also very lucky to get to attend a rug show in Waupaca at the city library---160 rugs on exhibit!

There are far too many rugs to show you but I've selected a few to showcase...I do not know who hooked most of these rugs as not all were labelled but hope you like the show.

Here are a few rugs from the class...

Here is Sandy's grandson holding his big catch!

This is Pat's Narcissus---those are some great watering cans!

This is the Soule family house...sorry i can't remember the year---I think it was in the 1700's???
I can't wait to see how this comes out.

When my daughter got married the photographer said hand in the air and say 'Whee!"---here is the group from Waupaca saying "Whee!"

Thanks again---I am home safe and sound but tired----in a good way! 'the car in unpacked but I have a lot to put away tomorrow...

I will post the Cream City pictures tomorrow. So stay tuned.

Heart and Sole 2011

2011-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

This morning was my first 5k since I hurt my knee back in January. I completed it in 31:51---not my fastest but I still finished first in my age group. I was pooped when it was over---and very red faced. Here is a picture that my hubby took near the finish line.

Here is my award---I am proud of it. I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to run again when I hurt my knee but it is getting better...thankfully. This late in life runner actually enjoys it---I never thought I would ever say that. It is good for my heart and my stress. The race today benefitted Special Olympics.

I am about ready to start loading the car---hubby went to fill it up with gas first.

Wisconsin---here I come!

The Barn, packing for Wisconsin and more

2011-05-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

Well I thought about posting more picture from The Barn but Amy did such a great jog that I decided it would be better for you just to go to her link. Here it is: amysdustytrail.blogspot.com Great job, Amy!

I have been getting ready to leave for Wisconsin on Sunday. The bags are packed, well mostly. I did dye a bit more wool yesterday afternoon that needs to be packed---got some good stuff.

Yesterday I also went to the dentist---not my favorite thing to do. I got my final crown from an implant that was started in December...yeah! It was dampened by also having a new crown prepped because the old one broke. Now you know where my money went this month.

I am running in a race on Saturday, the Heart and Sole race benefitting Special Olympics. This will be my first 5K since I hurt my knee. I am excited to be doing it! It is supposed to be a relatively flat course so that should help. I have also signed up for Hospital Hill in June---it is not flat!

Well I can't do a post without at least one picture so here it is:

I took this picture at the rug show in Ohio. It was hooked by Madonna. I love looking at it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend...looks like some warm weather for a change.

Happy Mother's day!

Home from The Barn

2011-05-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend. I arrived at The Barn on Friday at noon and got home around 11:30 today. We had a small but mighty group---12 of us settled in for a weekend of food, fun and lots of hooking.

The first night there was a group of women from a church having a retreat and a couple celebrating their anniversary, and a group of five sisters from five states in addition to our group. The church group was having a great time---they made a lot more noise that we did. I'm not sure what they were doing outside at midnite but they sure were having quite a good time. I did not hear or witness it because I was pooped and went to bed early.

The second night besides us, there were the five sisters, and an assortment of other couples who probably did not know they would be spending the night with a bunch of noisy hookers.

There are so many pictures to share...I don't know where to start. No way I can share them all so...too much to do this week to finish getting ready for Wisconsin.

Here is what I worked on.

This is the almost finished geometric---16 by 24 that was my test for a larger one that I want to do.

This is Paisley Hex a Jane Flynn pattern from House of Price.

Here is a picture of the group in out hats.

I only have time for one more picture so here if Amy's Crazy Horse runner. You can see more of this on
Amy's blog---amy'sdustytrail.blogspot.com

Okay---one more---I am expecting some hookers from St. Joe and they aren't here yet.

Here is out guild rug---State Line Rug Hookers, and ATHA guild. It was hooked by 11 members with only one more square to go. It is going to be raffled at some point in the future and the fund being donated to a worthy cause. I'll post more info on purchasing tickets at a later date.

The squares are 12 inch blocks---so it is about 36 by 48...who wouldn't love to own this one!!!

the royal wedding

2011-04-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

I got up early---only because I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep so have been watching the wedding and hooking.

I am getting ready for a hooking retreat weekend at The Barn in Valley Falls KS---have packed my hat and gloves and my teacup...we will hook and I'm sure watch some more TV coverage of the wedding. The sun is shining so it should be a great day.

It brought back memories of my wedding day---without all the pomp and circumstance but still a meaningful day over 40 years ago---I was an almost 21 year old ( sounds better than 20) innocent with no real idea of what my life would become. I made my own wedding dress and I think the whole wedding, reception in the church basement with cake and mints and some spiked punch cost less than $1000. I think I heard an estimate for the Royal wedding was something like 23 million. I wish for them a long and happy marriage.

No time for pictures but will try to post from The Barn.

Anita

New Project---geometric

2011-04-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have had this pattern in my mind for sometime---I drew it several years ago and kept it in my file of things to do. I am doing a test piece in a 16 by 24 inch---not sure how large the final rug will be and not positive about the colors but I am trying it in reds and neutrals to see what I think. All the wools are as is wools---3 reds and a paisley, 3 neutrals, and two darker neutrals for the lines---lighter one in the neutrals and a darker one in the reds.

Here are some pictures.

I plan to take it to The Barn this weekend so it should be finished soon.

It is cloudy again today---I want sunshine!

I am having home classes today so I gotta run---the studio is still a mess from dyeing wool yesterday.

Have a great day!

This week in review

2011-04-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

Well here it is early Saturday morning. This has been a catch up week of sorts---paperwork, dyeing, organizing, cleaning, etc. I finished color planning the Crazy Horse Runner for Judi---wish I had taken a picture. I had visitor from Oregon who had fun shopping for wool. I taught a class at the shop in Greenwood and straightened up my wool and also put in some new things that I had gotten from my sister in Texas. There is still more in the garage and hope to get to the rest of it before the antique show in Greenwood at the end of May. I am hoping for some sunshine today...none yet.

I have classes at home this week so it will be good to see everyone...with my traveling schedule I haven't had as many as I normally do. I leave in two weeks to go to Wisconsin to do two workshops. The first one is in Waupaca and the second is for the Cream City group in the Milwaukee area. The Waupaca area had 8 inches of fresh snow this week---make it go away! I am looking forward to both of these workshops. I will get to visit my friend Janet in Iowa both coming and going. She is working on a great rug...Here is a picture of it that I took a few weeks ago.

It is called Blooms and Berries by Lynn Rudeger. She is planning on doing the corners differently---without the bee so we discussed several possibilities so I'll get to see what the outcome is while I am there.

Next weekend our guild is hosting a retreat at The Barn in Valley Falls KS---a small group is attending but it promises to be fun. We are planning a Royal wedding watch---complete with our tea cups and saucer---considering it will be so early in the morning mine is going to have coffee in it to wake me up.

I plan to start a new small rug---actually it is my design but I have never hooked it. It is called Paisley Boteh and is a Primco House of Price Pattern. I am hooking it as a student piece for Kate so it will be good to work on it while she is there to make sure that I am a good student.

This is the pattern---this one was started by a student in Arizona.

Well, I think that it is time to get busy...so I hope everyone has a great Easter with family and friends. After mass tomorrow I am going to Topeka to meet my daughter from Manhattan for a late lunch, early dinner.

last photos from Iowa

2011-04-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

Today has been a good day---I got in a run, I got a pedicure, had a wonderful dinner and am planning to work hard tomorrow. It was good to have a day of rest.

here are the rest of the photos of Iowa projects...

I can't take any credit for this piece that Joanne was working on---It is a vision in her head and she was not working from a photograph---just a vision---WOW!

This is Mary's Symphony in Red---yes the backing is rd burlap---I love red!

This is Elsie's Jumbo Star a Lib Callaway pattern---one of my favorite patterns. Elsie is off to a great start. She was the organizer of this workshop and did a great job...one very talented hooker!

I am missing my daughters---I will get tot see Sarah next Sunday for Easter dinner...hoping to seeing Chelsea sometime soon...might have to make a trip to Oakland Ca one of these days...I've been a bit emotional today thinking about them. Love you both!!!!

More from Iowa

2011-04-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

This mornings photos will center around Paisley design rugs hooked at the workshop. The sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day.

This is a pillow that I designed for Eden. She is still going to add a few more motifs to fill in around the paisleys. I think it is going to be a beautiful pillow.

Karen chose to work on my Paisley runner that is 16 by 34---she got a lot done. The border is changing to the border started at the bottom.

Marie chose my large single Paisley design that is 20 by 30. I like to draw the basic design and let the students add the details---I like what she chose to do.

Wanda started with my runner pattern but changed the smaller paisley to go over the larger one---adapted from a shawl she was using as her inspiration. She added some interesting smaller details.

Jane is doing the Paisley on Paisley design in a slightly smaller size than my original---about 28 by 48. I will get to see this continue to develop as jane is also one of my home students. I also owe a big thanks to her for transporting some of my wools to and from the camp. Thanks Jane!

And last but not least of the paisley designs is Sharon's---she designed this one herself for a table mat and is going to finish it without a background---leaving some open areas. I'm so excited to see this finished!
It was a delight to have Sharon in class as she has been my teacher at several workshops in the past. I admire her work and am happy to call her my friend.

That's it for this post---one more tomorrow should finish up the Newton Workshop.

It looks like a great day for a run!

Newton Iowa workshop photos

2011-04-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy day---wool got put away, and paperwork got done, twigs from the willow tree got raked---just to name a few.

We were just about ready to put a steak on the grill and no gas in the tank---so dinner is being delayed so have time to post a few pictures.

Here is the class photo---what a great group. Now for some of their accomplishments.

Tania was hooking a large poppy pillow---here is the photo she was working from.

Beth's nephew Ben drew this lion when he was 4---a fun rug. She is going to add a proddy border to repeat the prodded look of the lion's mane.

Marge, Beth's mom was working on a rug that was a collaboration between them---based on a song she sang in the morning to wake the kids up---she even sang the song or us.

This is Barb's pumpkin pillow---I talked her into doing a hooked braided border on the pillow---she came so close to finishing...it is really going to make a great pillow!

Another pillow was being hooked by Kay---a beautiful scallop.

This is the last photo for this post---this is Diana's rug called Joanne's Quilt a Moshimer pattern. She was doing a great job--be sure to click on the photo to make it larger to see the great details.

Dinner is almost ready...more later.

Wet and cold in Kansas

2011-04-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

Well here it is early Saturday morning---even the joy of sleeping in my own bed last night still didn't get me all the sleep I wanted so I am up enjoying my cup of coffee while my husband and dog sleep in and snore...something I didn't miss while I was gone since I don't hear myself snore.

Speaking of Fred---here he is with his summer cut---not sure that I like it. I keep wondering if he knows he looks different.

This is Fred before---lots more hair!

Okay, time to get a coffee refill and then post Iowa pictures before I start working. Lots of wool to put away.

Sorry, changed my mind...you'll have to check back for the Iowa pictures. I decided I needed to write some e-mails regarding my two Wisconsin workshops first.

Have a great day!

Anita

More from Ohio Rug Camp

2011-04-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

I thought I would try to get the rest of the Ohio rugs posted tonite so that I can start the Iowa pictures.

So, moving on around the room brings us to the "Judy" table.

Here are their rugs---

This is Judy's rug designed by a friend in Ohio and based on her grandmother's paisley. I am anxious to see how this one comes out.

another Judy's, Posy Basket, a Port Primitive pattern. What a great pattern!

Phyllis was tackling a large floral runner---about 8 feet long called Field of Flowers---some great large flowers.

Sally was working on one of my Paisley designs called Paisley on Paisley---it is always fun to see different color plans for this pattern---I love teaching this patterns and having the students add the details to the motifs. You will see more paisley patterns in the Iowa workshop pictures.

Here is Evelyn's Kitty chairpad---a Red Saltbox pattern with a changed head to look like her kitty. Purrrr!

This is half of Noreen's eagle pattern callled Liberty from Spruce Ridge---love this pattern!

and last but not least, Jean worked on two patterns of her own designs called her '"freedom series"---

Thanks for a great week---looking forward to seeing these rugs finished!

Back in Kansas

2011-04-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a great two weeks. I got home around noon today and have been unpacking and trying to get settled in. I drove through lots of rain and the wool in my yellow tubs got wet---no more yellow tubs---I am going bak to good old Rubbermaid! I am hoping that it will dry out without putting it in the dryer by spreading the damp pieces around to get some air.

I am too pooped to post pictures today but hope to get back to it soon. I did want to post the finished picture of Madonna's rug that I received today. Way to go Madonna!

Have a great weekend!

More from Ohio Rug Camp

2011-04-10T05:26:00.000-07:00

Well here it is Sunday morning and I will be heading to my next workshop today. After a couple of days of R & R, I will hit the road later this morning.

Before I post some things from Ohio I'll share a few pictures of our Saturday antiquing adventure. I didn;t buy much but I enjoyed the day. At a shop in Coal Valley, Il I found a few small oil cans which I hope to make into pin cushions...I'll post a picture when I do. At the next shop there I took some pictures of some wonderful vintage kitchen displays...check this out.

and here are a few close-up shots...

At another shop in Geneseo we found 4 old antique rugs...here is a picture...they are still there if anyone is interested in them...priced around $50 each. Not in the best of condition but still interesting.

I rearranged the rugs for this photo...and left them nicely displayed for the next person. They were just kinda wadded up and not being treated with the respect they were due.

So now back to Ohio...

This is Cindy's flower basket---she redrew a few of the flowers. This is going to be a great little rug. Click on the rug to see the directional hooking which really helps the basket and the wonderful paisleys used in the rug.

I am working my way around the room and this next one is Sandy's Button Basket, a Holly Hill design.

Sandy was working her color inspiration around a crewel rug she had seen and loved the colors ---I think she is well on her way to a great rug.

Weathervane horse was hooked by Kathy for her granddaughter...we played around with different border ideas and this is the one Kathy decided on. She has a grey horse and purple is one of her favorite colors. Jensen is a lucky little girl.

Gail was working on a PJ Rankin pattern called Majestic...and certainly this is going to be a proud bird done if soft teals. Check out the paisley in his tail. If you look closely you will see the color plan for the tongues on the right.

Kathy chose a floral runner from Black Sheep Wool...the soft muted floral is going to be beautiful...while still a work in progress and Kathy is working out the flowers...the bottom right flower got too large so she changed the shape to get it smaller...the flower above she kept the shape but was making it smaller---I think that is going to win.

Well that's it for this morning...more pictures to come so stay tuned.

The sun is shining and it is a great day!!!

Ohio Rug Camp

2011-04-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

I had good intentions of posting to my blog while I was in Ohio however my computer did not work in the cabin I was staying in and I was usually too pooped by the time I got back to the cabin.

I am now in Iowa at my friend Janet's house. I stayed in Angola IN Thursday night. I had a rather uneventful trip until I stopped at an Antique Mall in Peru IL---my second antiquing stop yesterday. I was walking down the first row of booths and there laying in a chair was a paisley shawl...yeah! I continued through the mall and in one of the glass cases rolled up on the bottom shelf was another one---and it was even better than the first. That made my day!

When I arrived at Janet's we unloaded the tubs of wool off the back of my car because I had been in quite a bit of rain---and the new yellow tubs that I brought had leaked and there was wet wool in them...so we had some wool to dry. The wool in the blue tubs was just fine and one of the yellow tubs had bagged wool for some students in Iowa and it was just fine.

Janet took me to the hospital emergency room to get the staples out of my head---it hardly seemed like an emergency but that is what they told me to do. Too bad the staple puller in my desk drawer couldn't have worked.

We had a fun relaxing evening enjoying a great salmon dinner and a dip in her hot tub and after a good nights sleep, a cup of coffee and computer access I am ready to share some things from the Ohio Rug Camp.

I had a great class of 15 talented women who turned out some great work. We got the ball rolling Sunday evening and kept it going.

Over the next few posts I'll share some of their work with you.

This is a Martina Lesar pattern called Cheltenham or something like that.

As you can see she changed the blobs to acorns which really worked well.

Kathy designed this pattern as a pillow for her nephew---I see the moon and the moon sees me, God bless the moon and God bless me...lucky nephew! She did a great job with her lettering.

Linda was working on a Holly Hill design called Antique Floral. Don't you just love her leaf in the corner? Linda wanted the orange background in the leaf and it is going to really set the rug off. Be sure and click on the pictures to enlarge them.

That's all for now---a lovely breakfast is waiting for me.

Early Sunday Morning

2011-04-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the hotel in time to catch the Butler/VCU game---didn't want to get back in the car so I ordered delivery from Donato's ( pizza and salad ) and worked on trying to finish my rug while I watched the game. I only made it through half of the Kentucky/UConn game. Congrats to Butler and UConn---I'm still a Jayhawk fan but it is what it is.

I have about 30 inches left of sewing on the wool binding, then I have to go around and tack the inside down all the way around, but that part goes pretty fast. When I was carrying the rug in the elevator a lady in the elevator was quite taken with the rug. Who knows---maybe she will become a future rug hooker!

I'll be in the road soon---I'm thinking about a stop at Trader Joe's---I think I passed one last year on my way there.

I was right---it didn't all fit but thanks to Jane the rest will arrive in Iowa next weekend in time for the Iowa workshop. Thanks Jane!!!

Ohio and Iowa here I come

2011-04-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

I took this shot of stuff to get loaded in the car---

This morning I loaded it except for the five tubs that go on the back---and it isn't all going to fit.

Hmmmmmm!

I plan to get an early start in the morning and make it to Dayton---I'm hoping there won't be bad traffic in Indianapolis like there was last year.

Head is still tender---good thing I have a soft pillow---I'm going to try to squeeze it in.

Off to run errands.

Who said rug hooking isn't dangerous

2011-03-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

As I was working on packing up my stuff I went into my back storage room and there was a rug hooking stand hanging from the ceiling which came crashing down on my head---I said "ouch" or something like that, and put my hand to the back of my head and discovered blood all over my hand. I grabbed a rag to put pressure on it and called my husband who had gone to Costco to come home. I called my doctor's office and she was off today so they said I would have to go the the ER. I am now sporting four staples in my head---the ER doc shot it with numbing stuff and then started putting in the staples---ouch! more numbing stuff and still ouch! I don't know if he didn't wait long enough or if the numbing stuff was just water!

It was a good thing I got my hair cut and colored yesterday!

This has set me back a bit today---I guess I'd better get back to work although a nap sounds really good and I never nap.

This will be a boring post without a picture so let me see what kind of eye candy I can find in my photo files.

This pattern is called High Wide and Handsome---I hooked this piece for a Teaching piece at
South Central teacher's workshop several years ago---it is a Night Blooming Cereus. It is hooked in a
#9 cut and the wool was dip-dyed---very long pieces!

This is a pillow that I hooked at Northern Teacher's workshop---the two on the left were hooked in 4/5 cut textures and the two on the right were #3 cut dip and cross-swatches.

I must be ready for Spring!!!

Monday---still winter

2011-03-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of our most recent snow and another one is expected tonite...great!

Sad day yesterday for the Jayhawks. Boo Hoo!

Just got back from the gym and now it is time to get to work prepping for Ohio and Iowa.

Saturday---less than a week to go

2011-03-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it is now less than a week before I leave for Ohio. I checked the weather---40's so shouldn't have any road problems. We has some flurries here today. Snow, snow go away!

Well, I finished hooking my runner today---got it steamed and it is drying. Now I need to make my binding so that I can sew it on. Here are a couple of pictures of it now.

It is 8 feet long---not easy to run through the serger!

The KU Jayhawks advanced to the Elite 8---I'll be watching the game tomorrow with friends---Jayhawk fans also!

I'm going out on a date tonite---Bonefish---one of my favorite restaurants.

My knee is still improving---yeah!

Tearing my hair out!

2011-03-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy week in the dye pots and following up on future workshop projects.

I have two workshops the first two weeks of April---Ohio and Iowa, then I will be home for three weeks and leaving for two more workshops in May---both in Wisconsin, then home for a month and leaving for North Carolina in mid June---so there are about 75 plus projects in the works running through my mind. I spent some time this week organizing each student into a folder---things are looking up after a hard day today.

I also was working on a rug for Judi in Indiana---a job I was remiss in getting to---but all is well as I mailed the first part of it today with what I hope is a great idea---this was a color planning of Susan Quicksall's crazy Horse Quilt tote---I bought pastel permanent color fabric markers and colored in the backgrounds of the pattern and then pinned swatches of the animal colors on top the pattern. I have never colored the linen before but after reading up on them I decided it was safe to do---someone may tell me otherwise but I kept it light and in the tome of the actual swatch I was using. I rubbed it with a wet towel and saw no movement of color on a test piece.

Watching a little basketball---KU is still in and I'm hoping for great things from them.

Tomorrow we are going to a brunch for our MT Nester's group. I still have to make my egg casserole tonite to bake in the morning.

Knee seems to be getting better---bought a new pair of sandals to help my toes---Merrell's. I guess I left my favorite pair in the trailer when we left it in storage at the lake when we got home from Texas.

To see some picture of my daughter's show in Berkeley visit this link and watch the clip from Narnia.

I am very proud of her. She worked very hard.http://www.berkeleyplayhouse.org/

I love you Chelsea.

Time to relax! Cheers!

march madness

2011-03-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

Just watched the Jayhawks win over Colorado and advance to the finals of the Big 12 tomorrow night.

Tomorrow I am doing a program for our State Line Rug Hooking Guild on Hooked braiding. I have no idea how many will show up the program---but I am hoping for a good turn out. Here is a picture of a hooked braided piece that I did a couple of years ago.

I had a class in Greenwood this week---It was good to see the girls. Here is a picture of the class in Greenwood.

Congrats to Donna(in red) who got married in October!

Here is a picture of my booth in Greenwood.

I've started back into working out---trying to test my knee... so far so good!

Time for bed...good night!

Saturday night---hooking away!

2011-03-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

I have hooked a bit today watching basketball. Yeah---KU beat MU. Here is the current status of the AntiquE Floral Runner---it is getting heavy!

My daughter Chelsea is the costume designer for the Berkeley Playhouse production of Narnia, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I sure wish that I could go see it---it opens next weekend. She has been working extremely hard. If you are in the Bay area and go to see it I would love to hear from you.

Home classes on Monday and Wednesday and class in Greenwood Missouri on Tuesday---it will be good to see everyone.

have a great weekend...

Good news, bad news

2011-03-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

I got the results from my MRI---found out that I have an old injury to my ACL which severed it, but it has stabilized itself and I don't need to do anything about it. I most likely have a tear in my miniscus and may or may not need it fixed---so I had a cortizone injection and am going to start back with some walking, jogging, eliptical, and biking to see how it does---if I am still having problems I will need to have arthroscopy surgery to fix it.

I have been in the dye pots all week. It is finally warming up enough that I can take the wool outside to drain and cool off by draping it on the fence. It sure makes it easier!

Well, lunch time is over and it is back to the pots...happy hooking!

Here is a poppy pattern that I have drawn for a student in Newton. It is going to make a beautiful pillow.

Anita

Lenexa Hook-in

2011-02-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well I finally got my camera working and got the photos uploaded.

Amy did such a great job posting hers that I'll try to get some that I didn't see on her website.

Here is Kate's Pretzel Boy that she mentioned.

Mary Flanagan came all the way from Wisconsin---here she is visiting my booth. Mary runs a great cam called Green Lake Rug Camp which is held in Sept. every other year. Visit her website to check it out. It is a great camp. mfwoolens.com Go to her website and click on Green Lake Camp info.

Here is a picture of my booth.

Here is a shot of happy hookers---this is some of the Iowa hookers that were there, many of whom will be in my workshop in Newton in April. It was sure good to touch base with them before the workshop.

This rug is called Montreat and is a Quail Hill Pattern hooked by my friend and helper Jody.

Well it is pouring down rain which has melted most of the snow and we have a river running through our back yard. good thin the sump pump is working.

Well back to hooking on my runner...plan to hook and watch the Oscars tonite.

Another great year in Lenexa

2011-02-27T02:34:00.000-08:00

Despite less than ideal weather conditions yesterday the Lenexa Show was a great day. It is always great to reconnect with rug hookers both new and old. I appreciated hearing from those of you who said they enjoyed following my blog.

I couldn't sleep this morning so here I am up already this morning. I tried to upload my photo off my camera and it is not working. I'm not sure why but...here is a link to a great blog that will show you lots of pictures from the Lenexa Hook-in----Amy took at least 70 photos and will be posting them over several days---the first post is already up---Thanks Amy.

Go to: amysdustytrail.blogspot.com

Be sure to check this out---you won't want to miss it!!!

I was so tired when I got home that I haven't even unpacked my car---today will be a better day to do it anyway. I have high hopes of getting my studio back together this week and getting in the dye pots again to finish getting ready for Ohio Rug Camp and the Newton workshop. I will be starting my home classes next week on Monday and Wednesday so this will be a busy week. No news yet about the MRI but still hoping for the best.

I owe a special thanks to Jody and Kate for all their hard work yesterday---I couldn't have done it without them! An to my husband too for helping my haul my stuff over and back to the show---good thing he has a big truck.

Dog-gone tired

2011-02-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! I thought I'd share a photo to explain my title. It's not me that is tired but...

Yesterday I was working on getting things ready for the Lenexa Hook-in and poor Fred had a hard time finding a place to take a nap---nice pillow!

I spent yesterday in the dye pot getting some colors that I was low on dyed---what fun! I haven't been in the dye pots since December so it felt good---even though I was tired when the day was done.

Here is yesterday's wool:

This morning is my appointment with the Orthopedic doctor---I am hoping that he says there is nothing wrong with my knee and that I can start running again...that is best case scenario as I want to run again. I find it to be a great stress reliever as well as good for weight control. I have missed it this last month.

The weatherman is unsure what is going to happen with the wintry mix they are talking about but I am being optimistic for the hook-in---not ice and snow please!

I'm still waiting for a box of mail that was forwarded to Texas by mistake to come back to Kansas---a weeks worth of mail---hoping there was nothing too terribly important in it.

Time to get ready to go. Hope to many of you at the hook-in.