Not About Quilting...or Napkins...or Kleenex Cozies...

Nope, this post is about hooking.  Wool rug hooking, that is.

It has been a very long time since I sat down and hooked on a rug.  It was back in February of 2011, when I finished my 2sheep rug.  Remember that one?  I loved that rug, but ended up giving it to a good friend.  

Here's a photo...

Since that time, I re-homed most of my rughooking supplies.  I did keep my frame and a few tools, though.  I also kept two rugs.  One that was never started and one that was started but never finished  The unstarted one...3 collies and a lab...let's be real...that one is never going to be hooked.  But, the star rug?  I have recently been thinking that it would be a good thing to work on.  Here's a photo of how it looks thus far...                      
                                 


It isn't like I'm looking for something to do, because....well, you know...I have a lot of projects on my list.  Nope...it's because I was inspired by Kelley of With Hook and Needle.  She posted progress photos of a rug she was hooking on Facebook...and I fell in love with that rug!  Guess where it is now?  Here on my living room floor!!!  ohmygosh...I love it!!!  

Isn't it gorgeous?  I love it so much!  It measures about 16 x 26 inches and fits perfectly in front of my tv cabinet.  

And, Kelley also sent along this little mat (about 7 inches square) for me...isn't it too cute?  She left it for me to finish off as a pincushion or a mat...for now it is laying on my table so that I can see it (and smile) often throughout the day!  (This isn't showing good color...the background is more red than it looks, here.)

I have always loved Kelley's work...she is the best at primitive.  

I will let you know what I decide as far as finishing my big a** star rug.




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

The Meeting...

It was a great meeting...

Bren and I met on the Wool Snippets message board about 13 years ago.  We started chatting via instant message and eventually began talking with each other on the phone.  Never together in person...until yesterday.  Now that I live in Colorado, Bren and I live a short almost 3 hours apart.  She patiently waited until I got (mostly) settled before she demanded begged for us to meet.  The date was set for yesterday.  What a great day!  We lunched, we shopped (more on that below) and we laughed and we chatted. I met the kids and then it was time to leave.  A really fun day and it was so nice to actually spend time with each other.  We plan to get together often...working together and apart on various quilting projects.

We shopped at Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver, a craft store with yarn and wool and quilting cotton. What a fun shop!  We both found some 'cannot leave without it' fabrics.  Here's what I came home with...

This is Liberty voile...I had never seen it in person before.  To touch it...ohmy.  I bought 1/2 yard of it...not sure what I'll be making but I could not resist.

 This will be used to make a cover for my crockpot...which needs to sit on the kitchen counter because there is no space for it anywhere else.

  I think these are just delightful fabrics!  Will use them to make some kind of quilt...not for sure what pattern, yet.

I absolutely L-O-V-E this fabric...kind of a gray green with dark circles around the x's.  Nothing spectacular about it...but it definitely wanted to come home with me.  I cannot remember if I was going to use it with the above pieces, or not.  

This is Sherlock, one of Bren's cats.  He is very outgoing and friendly.  Nosy, too.  ~grin~

Kelley, of With Hook and Needle fame, sent Bren a quilt top to machine quilt...and she received it yesterday!   I was so happy it got there so that I was able to see it!  The quilt top is for Kelley's Mom and is all hand-pieced...absolutely beautiful work!  (I am fortunate to own a quilt that Kelley hand-pieced.)  Here's the quilt Bren received yesterday...

sorry, a bit blurry.

The landscape...beautiful mountains near Denver.  

I had a wonderful day with my good friend...and am already looking forward to the next time we're together.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

The Little Kleenex Cozies...

I made some kleenex cozies

and sent them to Ohio.  

To Kelley of With Hook and Needle and her Mom.

Kelley is definitely not into bright colors.

Primitive is her style and color palette.

These are the cozies I sent...

had to send this one...such soft colors

too bright for them, but they have friends, right?

 

hoping these might  be okay

back/bottom of cozy in above photo's lower left corner.  made esp. for Kelley's Mom.

It's Friday the 13th!

And, a full moon! 

Have a good weekend, okay? 




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Waiting...

I was reading Ashley's blog (Film In The Fridge) the other day...she had written a post about her unfinished quilts.  Go here to see what she has to say (and show).  

It got me to thinking that I really need to finish some wip's.  Good grief!  I have probably about 8 quilt tops done, but five of them actually have the backing ready and are completely ready to be finished!  So, what's the holdup?  I just need to get at them and get them done!  Right?  (And, you know what's even better?  I have the bindings ready for those five, too!!!)

Here they are, in no particular order...

Wonky Log Cabin (wow...I started this back in September of 2009!) 

Paris Park...this is for Kaylynn and was started 2 years ago...

Paul (son) and Rachel's wedding quilt...been married almost 3 years now...oops!

And, this whirlygig quilt that I am not totally in love with (but am sure I will be once it's quilted)...

Kashmir Filmstrip...

I also have this one waiting...it's from Kelley and it is all hand-pieced.  I've not done anything but prepare a backing for this yet because I keep thinking I should hand-quilt it.  We shall see what happens with it.  Need to make up my mind and get it done.

                      

 

Of course, you know that there are more in various stages, but I really need to get at those five that are waiting.  

Anyway.  Just taking stock.

And, trying to keep cool in this hot weather.  

Have a great Sunday!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Another Mail Call!

Look what came in the mail today!

From my friend, Kelley, who blogs here.

She has sent me boxes before.

She warned me that this one was heavy...and it was!

She sure can pack a lot of fabric in a box!

The fabric in back...the stars and such...

that is all yardage...WOW!!! 

The fabric in front...those are all fat eighths (at least).

And, these books...

haven't looked too closely at the one on the right,

but the one on the left...

I think I must make every quilt in it!

Help! 

I must say, I have the best friends!

I know I do.

Even if I seem to take them for granted.

I truly don't.

I am blessed, indeed. 

 Thank you so very much, Kelley!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

What's Goin' On...

I've got some projects going on.

4 major ones...a few minor ones.

I think.

Could be wrong.

In any case...

I got the backing together for last year's BOM.

This quilt will be going to Janer.

Not sure if you all knew that or not.

That corner there, with the red blocks...

that's a signature square.

On the back.

I started putting my Charmed Whirlygig top together.

Bit by bit, it'll get done.

Borders to add once the rows are together.

Backing is a large floral...gonna be very exciting!

I have all of the blocks cut out for Paul & Rachel's quilt.

I am very anxious to get started,

but really need to finish those other things first.

And, I got the backing all sewn together for the quilt top Kelley sent me.

With the backing fabric she sent me.

More than enough.

Will use the rest of these 3 for a scrappy binding.

Maybe.

I also have a large rug hooking order that I've been working on.

Almost done.

So, that's what I've been up to.

How about you?

A Package for Me...

From my dear friend, Kelley

(of With Hook and Needle)!

A quilt top measuring ~60 x 78 inches
 that she made a long time ago.
She decided I should have it.


I am speechless.

All I can say is, 'oh. my. gosh.'  

over and over and over again. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  

Please read on...

She also sent fabrics for backing...

This is all hand-pieced!

Absolutely beautiful workmanship...

And, I can say this...

'It is gorgeous.  
Thank you, Kelley.
I am so blessed.'

Kelley's Coasters...

Kelley of With Hook and Needle made fun of Bren's and my quiltalong quilts cuz of their brightness. She is all about drab/prim...and we love her dearly...know she was just giving us a bad time. (And, yes, Kelley, we do really know that brights are not for you.) It was done all in good fun...and I thought I was going to fall off my chair laughing!


Kelley left this comment on Bren's blog..."I'm going to go rest my head and add a cold compress, maybe hang on to the phone in case I need to call 911 since those colors are giving me chest pains...ummmm, they coordinate nicely and your piecing and pressing look great...and uh, glad you're happy with it...(rolling eyes and giggling - you know me and color)"


And, on mine..."just when I was getting over the shock of seeing Bren's quilt...thud..."


So, just to shut her up help her get over the shock to her system (ya know, the brightness of our quiltalong quilts), I made two coasters...even put binding on them like I do on my quilts!


Kelley has the coasters, so I can show you...they measure ~4" square...