Thursday, October 30, 2008

Thursday Eve...


It's good to be home...sorry I've been away from the computers for sevral days...my Mother-in Law passed away and we we're in SD for the funeral. She was a very sweet lady...we will miss her so...

For now I need to focus on our annual fall hook-in on Saturday. I am so NOT ready. Between an audit by the state sales and use tax department and loosing Mom...well I have much to do tonite and tomorrow...so I best get to drawing the patterns. The pic above is the fourth part on this year's rug project, "Under the Sun". The kits are sold out...so I'm going to make the linen patterns available as of Saturday's show...if I get them done in time...

More soon...L

Friday, October 24, 2008

Thanks for the Honor...


Two sweet friends have honored me with this award...Thank you so much Betty and Kathy! Along with the honor goes the task of honoring 6 others...there are so many GREAT blogs around this will be fun...and I promise I will this weekend...as soon as I have the time to blog hop!

Things have been hectic around The Rug for a few weeks...I'll be back to blog~land soon!

Enjoy the Autumn breezes...Wooly Hugs, L

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Tonite's Class...


We're hooking up some Indian Corn tonite...
I hooked these 10 years ago...and while looking for something fun to offer for classes this fall...I remembered them! Of course, when I originally hooked 'em...I just DID it...no notes...no pattern...
Seems like I always work this way...kind of backwards?!?!

For a class it's not a problem cuz I'm there to talk people thru the process...I had no idea that putting the picture on the web class list would attract so much interest
...Well...I finally wrote up the pattern. So if you can't join in on the hookin' here tonite...you can now order the pattern!

Hope you have a GREAT day,

One loop at at time, L

Monday, October 6, 2008

Finishing Hooked Rug Class Tonite!


Happy Monday Everyone,
Just thought I pop in to say Hi...Hope you all had a great weekend!
I'm prepping for a finishing class tonite...click on over to my PictureTrail album to see several great ways to finish off your hooked pieces...not quite like joining in on the class...but close!

Wooly hugs, L

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

What's New...


Happy October Everyone...
I've spent the morning adding lots of goodies to the website...

I've had these Apple Pin Cushion kits and patterns available for several years...just never got around to getting them up on the web...but these cool, replica antique vices finally arrived last week and I think it's just the perfect addition!

If you have a minute...hop on over and see all the other fun sheep and wool goodies, too!

Hope you are having a GREAT day...it's a cool, crisp sunny one here...

Sunday, September 28, 2008

UFO Finished!!!


Yippee...the Speckled Hen is done!

It sure feels good to have this completed and down on the floor! Now onto the next one...

Friday, September 26, 2008

Freebie for the First Friday of Fall...


Grab your scrap baskets and hook up some fun fall pins!
My gift to you today...
3 of my Autumn pin designs and easy directions for how I make ‘em!
Happy Hookin, L

You will need:
* Monk’s Cloth, Linen or Burlap backing
* Red-Dot tracer (optional way of transferring design to backing)
* A variety of wool strips…perfect way to use up odds and ends!
* Small scraps of coordinating wool for pin backs
* “Wonder-under” fusible web
* Marking pen (Shapie permanent marker)
* Fray-Chek and craft glue
* 1” or 1 1/2"metal pin back
* Hook, frame or hoop and scissors
* Steam iron and towels

These pins require only a small amount of foundation fabric. I like to save the “trimmings” from larger rugs and machine stitch them together in a patchwork/crazy quilt fashion to make a large enough piece of backing to attach to my hooking frame.

To transfer the designs to your foundation you can either cut out the shapes and trace then on using a marking pen…OR…Using Red-Dot tracing fabric, trace over the designs, then lay the “Red-Dot” fabric on your backing and trace the image again. The ink will go thru the tracer fabric to your backing.

Hook the pins. These small shapes hook up best in a #5 to #6 cut, but you can always hand trim wider wool strips. After hooking, use heavy towels and a steam iron to block the ornaments. Let dry.

Cut a scrap of wool a bit larger than the pin size. Following manufacture’s directions, fuse “Wonder-Under” to this piece of wool with an iron. (Craft glue may be used in place of fusible webbing, but leaves a hard stiff finish.) Allow to cool, and peel off paper. Place web side down on back side of pin and fuse. Let cool. Using a small sharp scissors, trim backing close to last row of hooking.

Using a permanent “Sharpie” marker, go around the edge of the pin to color any light foundation that shows. Apply “Fray-Chek” to seal the edges. Let dry. Glue or sew on metal pin back.