Funfilled productive weekend

I've really enjoyed myself this weekend. A wonderful group I belong to online (An American Primitive Gathering) decided to set a weekend aside each month so we can work on getting some things done, like Christmas gifts, Birthday gifts, things for ourselves, unfinished projects, etc. This was our first weekend. I had set aside 3 projects in mind, and I was able to accomplish them all. Just finished up the last one.

This was my first one. It's all hand sewn. I have never done this style before, but it was enjoyable. I really like hand stitching. I bought some new cotton stuffing, and I just love working with it. Will never go back to polyfill. This pinkeep has a weighted bottom as well. I added crushed walnut shells.

My second project was another pinkeep. A lot smaller, but again very enjoyable. It just kept evolving. I didn't know where I was going with it. Kept adding little details here and there. I am using it for my penny rug needles and cross stitch needles. I have since marked the inside corners with the number needle that is on each side. Again, this one is all hand stitched.

The last one I got done is one of Betty's designs. I have been telling her that I've been saving her designs to do them. I can finally say I did one! Wasn't sure how I was going to finish it off. I ended up making it into a small pillow to hang on my hutch, or in my wool room on my cabinet. Not sure which yet. Betty is one talented lady, and I just love her designs! I ended up aging this piece a little to give it a more worn look, and I have it very lightly stuffed. I broke down and used the sewing machine to stitch this together, and then I hand stitched some x's around the outside edge.

On Friday, I went to my dye group at Joan's. Everyone was able to make it that day, and it was a fun time. We are going to be working on a new project of mock braiding, (hooking our wool to look like a braid). Next month we will be bringing some of our own wool to dye with onion skins, and then we will share it with each other, so when we do use it in our rugs, we will have a piece of everyone in it. I am looking forward to learning this new lesson of hooking.

I also finished a runner I was doing as a challenge with a group on line. I can't show it now, because some of the girls have not seen it yet. But once they have, and it's ok to show it, I will post it then. I just love the way it turned out.

I have the Chambersburg rug hooking group to go to tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I can make it or not. Nicole has swimming lessons in the morning, even though they have the day off from school. I'll have to play it by ear. Maybe I'll just go later. I want to get back to my camp rug, so if I go, I'll be taking that to work on some background. I also want to try and get to the hooking group out in East Berlin. I haven't been there in quite a while. But of course, Nicole has somewhere she has to be. She is going to be a bridesmaid in July and she needs to go for a fitting tomorrow night for the dress. I'm hoping I can just drop her off and they will bring her home. Teenagers! Geez, they can really interrupt your plans LOL.

Well, it's still early enough that I think I'll go upstairs and get my supplies together to make a couple Birthday presents that I need to get done this week and mailed.

I can't wait for next month's retreat to do this again! Will start planning more projects for then.....

Have a great week everyone!