Saturday, December 31, 2011

Resolutions

Well another year is almost gone and in the blink of the eyes 2012 begins. Yikes! It really has gone by fast for me and I am sure it has for a lot of you out there. I usually never make resolutions but decided that I might give it a try for the new year.






1. Make a few gifts this year. (Hooked rug items.)
2. Exercise.......this is a tough one for me!
3. Cut back on some of the junk food.
I think that I will stop. If I add anymore then I will most likely not do any of the things that I am set out to do! If I at least succeed in one of these areas that will make me happy.
On another note my daughter has finished her first hooked piece! I am very proud of her. She is now deciding on what to hook next. I can't wait to see her next design.



Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!

Elaine

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Happy Holidays!

Nice And Naughty Christmas Card
View the entire collection of cards.

Traditions

Traditions  a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)  
It seems that everyone has some sort of Christmas tradition. Our family is no exception! I found this web page that lists family traditions around the world....  Christmas Traditions Around The World.   Other traditions consist of going to get the family Christmas tree, attending Midnight mass on Christmas eve, going out to look at Christmas lights, going to get a picture made with Santa, baking a birthday cake for Jesus, lighting a menorah, read a Christmas story to our kids and many many more! 
Every year we make a gingerbread house.   It is the one thing that makes it feel just a little bit more festive for me!  I am wishing everyone a very happy holiday and I am sure that you have your own very special tradition that you do with your family!
 


                Happy Holidays!    Elaine
 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Liebster Award


 How wonderful it is to be acknowledged for a award.  I have never heard of it but am truly grateful!  I want to thank Sassafras And Winterberry.  She has a wonderful blog and beautiful yarns that she sells.  Thank you again Sassafras And Winterberry!

It's called the Liebster Blog award.  It's German for I love you.  Here are the rules:

  1. copy and paste the award on your blog
  2. thank the giver and link back to them
  3. reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
  4. hope that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers
I haven't been blogging very long but I do love all of the blogs that I follow.  Picking 5 blogs is a very hard thing to do!  My top 5 are as follows.  Most have under 250 followers or just a bit more!   
   1.   Rugs & Pug
   2.   From Sherry's Heart
   3.   Primitive Junky
   4.   After I Finish This Row 
   5.   Amy's Dusty Trail
Hopefully everyone that reads my blog or follows will check out these blogs!  They are candy for the eyes!

Elaine

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Color Explosion!

Color!   I love color!    Well .....I found this new site and it really is a great tool for color.  It is called colourlovers.com.   This is just another place that I could be addicted if I am not careful! The front page on COLOURlovers reads:  COLOURlovers is a creative community where people from around the world create and share colors, palettes and patterns, discuss the latest trends and explore colorful  articles... All in the spirit of love. The blog they have has some really inspirational crafts, art and decorating ideas.   I personally think that this program is easy to use. At least so far.  I have not really been able to take a deep look into what all they have to offer but it has been fun to set up color schemes and make patterns.  Here are just a few that I have created through this new web site.



This web also lets you buy fabric and other products with your the patterns that you have designed. You do have to sign up for a account that is free and an easy process. Once you do that then you are free to choose your color pallets and you can create a pattern with the colors you choose!  

Wishing you a wonderful color experience!  Elaine

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Turkeys And All

Thanksgiving is almost here and gone! Stores have been in business for Christmas it seems like for months already! I am ready to get decorating for Christmas but I have been thinking about turkeys lately. Oh how I need to find a pattern to hook up! I suppose that I could draw one up but want to see what is out there. I guess this project won't get done before this years Thanksgiving! Maybe next.......




This is cute love that you could just use your hand print to make the shape!




Love this! Wonder what the chicken is thinking! Eat more Turkey?




I love that it looks like the turkey is in front of a hill that he is going to climb.




This I really love! I found it at Winter Berry Cabin.







And a couple of vintage greeting cards....love the colors.

Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!
Elaine

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Mr. Pudge and More

Things are certainly much busier in my household!  Yikes!   My daughter convinced my husband into a new dog and you know what that means.  The mom gets the majority of the work!  I must say she has been very helpful and loving to our new member of the family.  Here is Mr Pudge with Luke.   Luke has adjusted very well.   He has had a few sad looks at why he doesn't get everyone's  attention but having a Pudge for a brother will do him some good!    Both Luke and Pudge are rescue dogs and they are very glad they have found a home.   Luke was chained to a tree for his first two years and  I don't know much about Pudge.  I do know that he knew that our home was his forever! 




Really not sure about this mom!


Well o.k., maybe...


        
He smells kind of good.               










































Well what I am working on.....some Christmas gifts for my neighbors and family  Every year I try to think of some recycled ornament that I and the kids can make to hand out.  Here is what I came up with but can always be adjusted.  I made this out of a jar lid and also put a magnet on the back so it can be used on the fridge.


I am probably going to put a different image like vintage house of some sort instead of the dog.   Think that it might stand out better and look a little bit more like Christmas.   My other project were these beaded gloves.  This is sort of tedious for me and I probably will not make very many.  I also like the first one because the kids can make these using what they might like!  

Elaine 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Vintage Rugs I Love!

Well now I am hooked on Pinterest!   Wow what a great tool.  It really is just like having your own magazine.  If you haven't tried Pinterest you should.  I just want to warn you though it can be very addictive!  I wonder if there is a support group for this???  Anyway I have a love for vintage and a great love for vintage rugs.  I am sure some of my followers do as well.  I thought that today I would share some photos of the ones that I really love!

Really love the colors in this rug!

I have always had a fondness for animals in rugs.




If you have a fondness as I for vintage rugs here is a great article: A Few Loops Of Hooked Rug History by Tracy Jamar.
I Keep wondering what I might hook after I finish the binding on my fall rug!

Enjoy!   Elaine

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Thinking and Something Else

Today as I browsed the internet I found some photos that I wanted to share.   I really love chickens!  I have a collection of vintage chickens and now I have been thinking about hooking a rug with a chicken or rooster. Maybe both  but not sure just thinking.........






Both of these are found at One Kings Lane.  If you haven't seen this web it is worth signing up to view the wonderful items that they have to offer!  

They also have some wonderful videos of  Brimfield. Looking for treasures is one of my other favorite pastimes!  Oh!  How I wish to be at Brimfields!  

 
 


Thinking of chickens and vintage finds.........Elaine

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Time

What am I working on now!    Well it has been a busy September with school starting and trying to keep up with everything has left me little TIME for my projects.  Hopefully some of the dust is settling and I will have more time on my hands!   Well as far as the pumpkin rug goes ......I thought that I was done until I decided to add a cotton fringe border to the edges.  This is easily achieved by using one inch strips of cotton.   Fold in half long-wise and pull through backing at edge.  Then pull the two ends through the loop. You will do this all the way around the rug!    After you have finished some of the loops you can cut to length that you want.    After I finish the edging I will go back and add binding to cover the folded backing.


My other project that I am working on is with the Go! Baby  Fabric Cutter by Accuquilt.  What a great tool to have for applique!   I am planning on making a bag for holding my rug hooking tools. I have everything ready just need to get busy and sew!      

That is all I have for now!   Wishing summer didn't feel so short this year but I am enjoying some cooler weather.

Elaine




 
      

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Meet The Teacher and Easy Granola Bars

It's time again to meet the teacher and It is almost nerve racking for me as a parent and teacher. You hope your child's new teacher will knock your socks off. I also hope that I can do this for the parents that I meet! My inner wish for my children is that they have someone that will be creative and innovative, loving and push them to the best of their ability. Let the creativeness flow for all or it could be a long day for a child to sit in a chair!

Here is a recipe that was in the paper last week and thought I would share.
I always love something easy to make with my kids! The best part is that the kids really enjoy making these as they do eating them.


2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup semi sweet or bittersweet chips or chunks
1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1 can (14ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9 square inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. We used Crisco butter flavored shortening in glass pan. When we made this we needed two pans one was 9 in and the other was a bit smaller. I wanted a bit of a smaller bar. Not too thick. You can adjust were needed. Also make sure to grease sides of pan this really helps getting the bars out!

Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Turn into prepared pan and pat down until firmly packed. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature and put pan in freezer. I did not put ours in the freezer.
Once cooled cut with sharp knife

Can be stored in an airtight container up to 1 week or frozen.

Enjoy, Elaine

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A Liitle Bit Of Fun And Luck

It seems everyone has been very busy this summer. Every blog I have read seems to have either gone on a trip or had tons of summer activities around them. I myself can be included with the blogland group. Just returning from a quick trip to Colorado visiting some good friends and fun sight seeing! It was also a way of getting out of the unbearable heat that Texas has provided us this summer!
Feeding the giraffe's in Colorado
I have had some luck while I was away. It seems that I have won the Go Baby Fabric cutter by Accuquilt from Heirlooms By Ashton House! I don't think that I have ever won such a big prize before in my life....besides the cake walk at the school festival. I have some fun ideas twirling in my head for this new gizmo! Another note is that I have completed my small mat. I am calling this one Pumpkin Sisters and will be offering it as a pattern on red dot tracing fabric hopefully soon!


Pumpkin Sisters
Wishing everyone a bit of luck! Elaine





Friday, July 29, 2011

Sharing!

I really want to share with you that Heirlooms by Ashton House is having a awesome giveaway! Ashton House is giving away a AccuQuilt Go! Baby fabric cutter! Just click HERE and it will take you to her post and you can enter to win a AccuQuilt Go! for yourself. Follow the directions carefully though!







Best of luck, Elaine

Thursday, July 21, 2011

On The Frame

I started  my new rug hooking project this week.  Thought you would like to take a sneak peek!   It seems to be going fast and I am really liking the colors that I dyed for this rug.
On my rug frame
Years ago when I lived in Colorado (Umm , Wishing that I was there now due to the heat wave!)   I made and sold my own dye formulas using Cushing Dyes.  Someone had asked for the formula from my last dying batch but unfortunately it is not mine to give away.  I used Pro-Chem dyes for the project above  using Holly Hill Designs Dyeing For Color. I highly recommend this book if you use Pro-Chem dyes.  So... hopefully you will enjoy this one for your fall rugs.  It is called Jack O' Orange.  You use a half yard of  off white, camel or light texture wool for this color.
Jack O' Orange using Cushing Dyes

Stay Cool,   Elaine






Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Oh! How I Have Been Dyeing To Dye!

As you can see I have made it back to the dye pots!   I needed some fall colors for some pumpkins I am going to start working on.  I used Holly Hill Designs Dyeing For Color.   In the past I have used many dyes like Cushing, Jacquard, and Pro-Chem.   I really am starting to like Pro-Chem the best.   I do use all of the dyes that I have listed but really enjoy the ease of Pro-Chem.  I also like the vibrant colors that you get using this dye.
Drying in the Texas heat!  100+ outside

No need for the dryer....with slight hot/dry breeze!


Links to purchase dyes:
Pro Chemical and Dye
Jacquard Acid Dye
W. Cushing & Company

Fun links to watch:
Heather Ritchie
Kool-Aid Dyeing


Books And Swatches For Dyeing:
Doo Dye Inn Dye Book
Primary Fusion Dye Book
Beautiful Wool

Other books to keep a look out for are:
Vermont Folk Rugs by Laurilyn Wiles
Recipes From the Dye Kitchen by Maranne Lincoln









Happy Dyeing............Elaine

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Who Couldn't and Who Wouldn't

Have use for a new tote! Well I love totes! My husband took me out of the house this week and let me hobble around in Hobby Lobby! I was wanting a couple of plate holders when I stumbled upon the tote! It is by Feltworks. The tote is 100% wool and in the color midnight blue. I also purchased the mini purse to match. Then as I was looking I saw that they had flowers and leaves to embellish my bag. The project didn't take long and I really love how it turned out!



Links to find Feltworks:

Enjoy! Elaine



Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th Of July!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday!


Elaine