Hooked rugs by...guess who? Maria Barton of the Star Rug Company. I missed Maria at the show by one day, but I really enjoyed looking at her rugs. They are always such fun!

I just love this pattern by Maria Barton--Star Rug Company. I don't remember who hooked it, but they made it into a pillow with a shagged wool finish. Too sweet!!

Stay Lively

This display had more of a contemporary theme. Beautiful colors!

HOT, HOT, HOT!

How in the world can it be 70 degrees with cold, damp, rainy weather yesterday and then today.................be 98 degrees???? It is so blasted hot outside, that I am NOT going outside....nope, not to see the grandkids, not to the grocery store, not to a restaurant. I am sitting in the house, watching TV, hooking, and doing some laundry. I know I will regret it tomorrow when I am back at work, but for today it is what I have to do!

I am still hooking away on my rug. Just can't seem to get it done. We have had a busy weekend. Yesterday, we went up to Ubly Michigan (no not "Ugly Michigan!) which is about 70 miles north of Detroit. My husband's cousin & husband celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary....can you imagine? What a blessing! We had such a wonderful time. This lovely couple have raised 11 children and have a total of 58 grand and great grandchildren. Their immediate family consists of 78 people (I think...it may be more, I kind of lost count yesterday). Anyway...we didn't get home until 11:30 last evening.

And...as if I don't have enough to do....I am planning a 60th birthday party for my husband. It was one of those things, should I or shouldn't I?? My kids wanted me to rent a hall, have a DJ and all that. Make it a "surprise" party...well, I thought at one time that may have been a cool idea, but the more I thought about it...I decided it was just too much work. So, I have decided have a party in our yard, invite the family, his brother and sisters' families, a few friends, and a couple of his childhood buddies. I think there will probably be about 70 people and that is big enough...NO suprise either...he will be involved. My husband loves a party! Well, at least he loves having family and friends over.

Hope everyone has a nice day...stay cool!

LEARNING TO DYE MY OWN WOOL

For the past year, I haven't picked up a rug hook. I don't know what happened along the way, but I just could never get in the mood to hook. I have about 3 UFO's sitting on my shelf..and I really hate not finishing what I start, but I just cannot seem to get to those 3 projects completed. So, I think that's what did it. It put me into a rughooking "funk"!

Yesterday, I was thinking about hooking a rug using beautiful blues...indigo blues, royal blues, navy blues...thinking about how I could dye the wool that I have into beautiful blues. I have mostly reds, browns, greys, greens, and off white in my stash.....hardly any blue. So, today I bit the bullet. I dug out my "Two dye or Not Two Dye" book by Sue Hoss. She uses only two dyes from the Cushing Perfection Dyes to make the most beautiful primitive shades for wool! Her instructions are foolproof, or I should say, "Idiot proof"! It is a rare day that I have time to start a new adventure, but I have to admit, it was quite enjoyable. I just took my time, and enjoyed the process. I am also excited to start a new design, one that I have already sketched out.

I guess it is just a fact of life with women who share the love of any kind of needlework or craft...there are going to be unfinished works of art sitting on a shelf or in a closet. The real test is...just being able to get over the hump and do what makes your heart sing!