New rug hooking patterns available

Okay – 100 lashes with a wet wool strip (or a noodle if you prefer.) I have again been a bad blogger . . . I just don’t get here, between all the other social media, my web site and Etsy shops, plus working an outside job – yeah, blah, blah, blah, I know. Anyway – here I am with just a little news about rug hooking patterns. I have updated my site with the celebration rug patterns I have been hooking for Create and Decorate magazine, as well as a new Hook-a-Month project for fall. So, if you are so inclined, check out the latest at my site. The cupcake rug, Happy Day, was my favorite to hook,

and I can’t wait to get going on the new Hook-a-Month pattern, Sunflower, adapted after the antique rug below:

I also have a custom offer for you needle punchers that I explained in my latest newsletter. What? You aren’t subscribed? Well you are missing out on news, sales, and announcements that you just might want to hear (since I don’t seem to update you very often here at the blog.) Sign up here - it’s free and easy! If you missed the latest newsletter, and you want to know about this offer, comment below with your email and I’ll send you a copy.

Are you a pinner? Pinterest is so much fun! If you aren’t pinning – try it, and if you are, check out my pin boards and repin something so I can find you and follow your boards, too!

‘Til next time (whenever that might be . . .)

Sally

Hooking Gifts in a Poor Economy

It’s coming, like it or not! I am talking about the season of giving gifts. You look at the stack of bills and straight into the empty bottom of your wallet, and wonder “how am I going to pull this off again this year?” The economy and job market hasn’t gotten a lot better over the last year and it remains difficult for so many people to stay on top of bills

Yep, it's coming fast!

and finances, and have any funds left over for hobbies or fun. Luckily for us, thrift store wool and a little linen can keep us hooking if it comes down to that! But think of how much money you can save by creating holiday gifts yourself — and the joy it would bring to a friend to receive them! A stack of hooked mug mats tied up with pretty ribbons would melt my heart, for sure! To receive an actual rug created by a special family member just for me would make me feel so special. I know the retailers want us to buy, buy, buy throughout November and December (and I know we still will do that) but we can save on those post-holiday bills a little by giving rug hooked gifts to a few very special folks this year. I received and order for my Barn Star Mug Mat kit this week with a note from the customer saying, “please send this order asap – I want to get these hooked for a Christmas gift.” It got me wondering how many rug hookers give special, hand-hooked presents every year? Think about that . . .

I am presenting a new series of designs in Create and Decorate this coming year called Celebration Rugs. The designs are for rugs that you would give as special gifts to mark an occasion, like a wedding, a special birthday, or a housewarming. The first design will appear in the January/February issue – it’s a Wedding Rug. At any given wedding, how many of the couples’ closest guests might be rug hookers? Not many right? Probably only one – you! So how special would it be for that couple to receive a gift that would last all the years they are married? You couldn’t say that about the old standby gifts, like a toaster, or roasting pan, or even sheets. Our craft is one that is sustainable and one that creates finished products that are intended to last several lifetimes. That in itself is a gift.

Have you created gift rugs in the past? Will you give one this holiday season? Tell me about it!

Happy Fall Hooking, my friends! Stay warm, stay well, and hook on . . . .

Sally

Shetland Wool – Come & Get It!

9/26 Update!! These sold out so fast that I was able to get more from the source and give you all more time to order. My website is updated with the new available quantities and I added a nice blue solid and a blue plaid that coordinate so well!

I occasionally run across a good deal on rug hooking wool. When that happens, I try to offer some at my web site. I just added some Shetland wools that are all great for hooking in the primitive style and add awesome texture to your rugs. They are offered with limited availability, so if you see one you like, better get some now before it’s gone. I will never sell a wool that I would not use myself and that is not suitable for hooking. Selling these by the fat quarter but if you need more than I have on hand, let me know and I  can try to get more for you. Each fat quarter comes to you washed and ready to hook!

 My favorite one! This blends great with the Cranberry Solid.

I haven’t offered wool on my site in a long time, but since the re-design, I just feel like adding more stuff that you will love!

SpoolMag Fall issue is out now – got my comp issues in the mail. the Spot the Cat pattern is on my web site now – and there are links to the instructions on my Home page.

I wrote an article for The Wool Street Journal, which is in the current issue for October (Fall/Winter issue.) Watch for that and let me know what you think of it. I will be writing another for the January issue. Bonnie is so good to me and I am so grateful.

Is the Fall weather making you want to stop all that weeding and mowing and start hooking? I just completed my project for the April 2012 issue of Create & Decorate magazine – a wedding rug! Got that shipped off yesterday. Magazines work so far in advance – just when Fall arrives and the weather is starting to turn cooler, we are creating projects for Spring when the weather is starting to warm up again. Sort of makes everything feel all wonky and backwards.

What are all of you working on? Do you have something fun on your frame? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it – Sharing is fun!

Well, back to my hooking . . . thanks for visiting!

Sally

Sunny Day

Good Sunny Morning!

It’s warm, sunny and beautiful here on the North Coast today – Finally! Sure makes one feel so much better to see and feel the  sun. The colors are so much brighter and so is my disposition. I think I live in the wrong area of the country. Winters here drag on and rarely do we see the sun during those months. It has really affected my creativity this winter. But, now I can get out in the sun, tend the yard and gardens, and wait for the flowers to bloom. I planted crocuses scattered in my front lawn years ago, and yesterday they opened their pretty little purple, yellow and white heads as if to speak to me saying, “it’s here – Spring is really here!” I sure hope it stays here, but in northern Ohio, one never knows – I’ve seen errant snow as late as May here (shudder!)

Well, yard work is beckoning me, and you know what? It isn’t even going to feel like work! Until tomorrow when this old body tells me that I can’t work that long any more. Oh well, that’s what aspercreme is for, right? Until next time – enjoy the sun – I hope it’s shining in your neck of the woods.

Sally