....just a Chili day....

It's definitely Chili today! The soup will soon be on and then I decide whether to bake cookies or wool and onion skins!  Less calories with the latter :)

When shopping in Lancaster I found a lucet.  Now I had heard the word but did not know exactly what it involved.  Loving hand made and woods I couldn't resist this hickory lucet.  Research was necessary for the historical value....the lucet was used by the Vikings.  The result is a 4 sided very strong rope that had many various uses...in clothing, in work, jewelry, etc.  Though easy to accomplish, small enough to carry along with you.....my work is ummmm a tad uneven.  Now I have to be on the look out for an antique version!

Here are a few UnFinishedObjects on my bench.  What a joy it is to take rug hooking classes and learn, but with most comes the "next" project to complete.  Complete them I must ....then there are the patterns that are dancing in my head....

Reversed hooking, or pulling out, is necessary as I stand back, look and realize that there is no other option. The grass is being reworked, Joe's hand will be rehooked, and then I will start on the second antler.

Enjoy your weekend....may you get some rug time in!

Renewed & Inspired!

The ATHA hooked sign greeted visitors from all over the world to the Biennial.

It was a wonderful experience to see Yahookers, Phyllis, Diana, Gene, Heidi, Mr. T (who is a favorite blogger of mine!), but so sorry to have missed Ivi! (She was there for I saw a photo of her with Gene!),MizT, Barb and Fritz.....  I happily met Rugs and Pugs blogger Lauren as I found my way to her lunch table Saturday!  It was the largest biennial to date with over 600 in attendance ....

The class with Jule Marie Smith was fun and the lolly mat she had for us will not only be a joy to work on, it will be a learning experience to select the correct side by side colors that will make the mat pop! I'll hook the next colors before I decide to change or pull out and rehook a color.

Nancy Parcels dyeing class was just the best.

There was hands on experience which is always a plus.  To the right is Sue helping Nancy.  Notice the large plastic covering the counter tops!




The Saturday tour of the Landis Valley Farm was special.  Knowing a group of "rug makers" were heading their way, they displayed their antique hooked rugs and hooks.  We were shown the freezer that is 20 degrees below 0 to get rid of any unwanted visitors within the furniture and textiles.The silverfish require two visits in to the freezer as they survive the first visit!

With luck my hooks will look like this some day if used often enough.

The Landis Hotel and the stately sycamore that guards it.  We were invited in for cider and sticky buns...yummm. I would have enjoyed stepping back and staying one night.

.......But perhaps only visiting the stone tavern on the site....umm, the sheets were not often changed in that era!  BTW, one of my ancestors was indeed a tavern and ferry owner.

Meet Norma Jean, the table favor I won.  She was hooked by Lelia Ridgway of the Brandywine Rug Hooking Guild! I especially looked for a bent hook from Gene Shepherd to ease wrist discomfort while hooking. My roommate found wool to dye on sale and shared with me...thank you Sue!  ...and on arriving home I found a box of Pendleton wool a relative sent to me from Montana! 

Pip liked my new hook!

...so to those I knew, to those I met, and to those reading this blog....may you have a wonderful week of renewal and inspiration!

Witch-le Ways

Hello everyone!  Fall is such a busy time of year here.  The calves were allowed in the meadow...one of my favorite sites, rug hooking and watching them out our windows.  Here is the view!

Thanks to Lauren of Rugs and Pugs I have adjusted my comments to pop up.  Perhaps it will become easier for those wishing to comment to do so....I hope so... :)



The veggie soup is simmering and my home has a wonderful "soup's on" atmosphere!

Packing is underway for ATHA....I'm making certain that I do not forget Laura's necklace and my Yahooker's pin.

Until I attend my two scheduled classes at the Biennial I will be working on a design of my own.  It's not a large piece and it will be easy to carry along.
Am so looking forward to seeing all those "ahhhhhh" rugs!

Perhaps we'll meet......Happy ATHA, Happy Halloween, and Happy Hooking!

Witch-le Ways

doyouseeher?

This evening was a photo surprise for me.  I wanted to share and see what you think?

Do you see her?  Pip does.