Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Whew!

I'm back! I've been SO busy the past few weeks - first with out of state company - then a vacation - then a holiday weekend - and then childcare. It's probably been close to a month since I even held a hook in my hand, so today when I attended my monthly rug hooking meeting in SLC I was very happy.  Nancy's home was dressed for the holiday with this flag rug on her coffee table - perfect to display at this time of year.


Since I always forget to share my own project, I'll begin with it this time. I am hooking a geometric design from Barb Carroll's book called Hannah's Star. It's usually made as a runner, but I reduced the block size a bit and set them 2x3. I hooked the block in the lower right corner today, and when I pulled it off the frame realized that I had made a mistake, so I'll have to pull out that first ring of orange wool and replace it with a teal like I used in all the others. Other than that, I was happy with my progress. Each block will have similar colors in it, but the wools I use in each one will be totally different pieces.

Myra is making some 6" wool applique blocks that will be pockets for a cute basket - and each one reflects her own interests in watercolor painting, gardening, beehives, sewing and nature. She'll also be doing a sheep and one other square.

Yvonne was also doing some wool applique in anticipation of cooler fall weather that will soon be here (hopefully!)

We meet at Nancy's house and she has been working on a landscape rug loosely based on an original painting her daughter owns. I love the wonky little houses.

The other Nancy who meets with us showed us her recently finished rug. She did a great job whipping the edges on this one. I love the beading around the edge.

A couple years ago she visited Heather Richie in Reeth England and made these two small mats - about 6" square. The landscape represents the scene she saw outside the window of Heather's home.


Our newest member, Susan, had done some shopping at a local quilt store and is well on her way to accumulating a stash. She recently traveled to Pendleton Oregon and was able to stop in the factory outlet there for some shopping therapy too!

While on vacation we rented kayaks for a day and spent a lot of time on the water at Swan Lake in Montana - pretty close to heaven on earth!

I think tomorrow I will be able to spend more time working on my rug and listening to a book that has been waiting for me. Sounds perfect!


11 comments:

Yvonne said...

Your Montana vacation looks very relaxing! It must be so much fun to meet up with your friends and hook together, just as we do on our Bee! You make such lovely work. Your little rug is on my coffee table and I love watching it every day!

Earlene said...

Has Myra had her garden tour yet?
Montana is a great place to vacation!!!!! Peaceful

Three Sheep Studio said...

That picture of the lake in Montana sums it all up !!!! Gorgeous - peaceful - relaxing !!
Love all the creativity and neat projects going on in your group.
Rose

Kyle said...

It sounds like you've been having a marvelous summer. Your vacation spot looks beautiful and tranquil.

Mugwump Woolies said...

Oh, that lake is so peaceful! Thanks for all the peeks at creativity going on in SLC.
Robyn

Rugs and Pugs said...

Lovin' your rug and your lake time does look like heaven.

Jennie in GA said...

Lovely projects, all. And I like your star rug. Always nice to go away, but even nicer to come home!

Raymond Homestead said...

Sounds like you have had a busy summer. It's nice when you can get together and work on projects!

woolwoman said...

must be nice to be able to sit on a lake and not worry about being eaten by a gator or a shark. My folks live on a lovely huge lake and when I was young we never worried about skiing and swimming in the lake but now there is flesh eating bugs and bacteria to enter your orifices and so forth. I just stand on the lake and look into the murky water and think no way! not getting in that water anymore. I'll just float in my pool thank you ! Glad to see all the fun projects from your group. Have a great weekend - Mel

Karen said...

The flag rug is well displayed. I would not have thought of using hooked pieces in that way not being one that knows how to hook. I often wonder how all the wonderful hooked pieces are displayed or used in their maker's homes.

Janet O. said...

Love the patriotic rug, which should come as no surprise.
Your star project looks really nice. What other colors will it include in the rings around the stars?
I want to be on that lake--gorgeous! So peaceful.
I have never kayaked, but I love canoeing!