A day to just "do"

Yep, a day to just "do" is what my goal is today.  I started off by sleeping in. Catching up on the sleep I've been missing. Really don't like to do that, because the day feels like it is half gone now. And really it is. It's close to 5 in the afternoon. Time is flying today.  I started off by sewing up a curtain for my back door. Unfortunately, it's too light in color. It will do for now. At least the sun won't be shining in on my eyes when I walk into the laundry room.  From there I moved on to finishing up a challenge piece which I will share when the deadline passes in a week or so.  And now I'm just getting to updating the blog from last week.  Hard to believe that one week ago was the hook-in out in Lancaster, whew!

Last Monday, I drove out to East Berlin to meet up with the girls and hook a little.  It was raining when I left, and the closer I got there, the harder it came down. And at one point I ran into some hail.  Plus the mountain was a thick fog.  Just had to take my time. 

Janice and Becky were finishing up their rugs with the whipping.

Here's a close up of Janice's...

Willa was making some pennies for some projects she will be making for Colonial Day in September.

Louise is hooking in the background and Tanya is making some really great headway on her Pomegranate rug. I'm sure since last week, she's gotten even more done~

It was a really nice night to be there. I did hook a bit on my rug, but never took a picture of it. You will see it later in this post.  My drive home was ok. No hail, but it was rainy and foggy again.  I know I always have to watch out for the deer, which I did see quite a few that night.  But what really made me laugh was when I had to dodge the frogs!  Yep, frogs/toads whatever they are, were hopping all over the place. Too funny!

Thursday was the hook-in at Grant Street.  I took care of what needed to be done in the morning, and then headed on over. When I pulled into the driveway, I thought "no way".  But sure enough, Joanne decided to surprise us again!  I headed upstairs and it was just her sitting there. No Linda, nobody.  Joanne was watching the shop while Linda ran home for her hooking that she forgot.  What a wonderful surprise to have Joanne come!  Joanne gifted me with a bag of goodies. She met up with the Easter Bunny that day!  Such sweet gifts. A beeswax bunny, and a beeswax sheep, along with a bunny on an egg made out of wool, and an old fashioned egg that held the beeswax bunny inside.  I just love it all Joanne, and will be placing them around the house in a bit.

She also brought something for Linda. It was a sheep dish, and a few other things. And she also  brought candy for the other girls that came. She's so generous.  Thank you Joanne.  Hmm, wonder if the Easter Bunny had anything left to give out next week?  lol

Jill and Beth came later on and were working on their rugs. Jill's picture didn't come out, I was bummed. Her rug is looking awesome.  Beth is working on her bunny rug and it is really looking sweet!

Beth also received a gift from her Secret Pal. She got some lovely Easter gifts.

It sure was a day of hooking for everyone.  Joanne was looking so intent while she was working. It was actually "quiet" at a few points during the day because everyone was into what they were doing! Imagine that! Quiet??? lol

Nancy came later on and she finished off her rug.  I can tell she really enjoyed hooking this one. It was done in no time at all. That is such an awesome feeling when you are hooking something you enjoy and it all comes together so nicely.  Just love the color plan she used. So earthy..   

 Sherry came later in the evening and was working on a horse rug with a hit or miss around it. I think she is going to have fun with this.                                                                                                                     

 Joanne had a long ride home, and it was in the rain. I know that was hard for her. Nothing more frustrating than being on a highway and having a bunch of trucks while it is raining.  Glad she made it home safely!

On Friday, I had my dye group over at Joan's house.  Always a fun time :).  Joan is working on a pretty big rug right now.  The colors are so soft.  When I took the picture, it was neat to see how the tumbling blocks came to life.  She has it on her floor frame.

We talked about our next project. It will be a scroll.  I have always wanted to do one, but am not really        

 looking forward to the smaller cut.  It will be a good lesson no doubt.                                                                                                              

Before we talked about that though, there was a little surgery about to take place.  Nancy needed some help from Louise.  She asked for some alcohol and Joan provided it.                                                                  

Ok, just kidding. Joan is such a jokester. lol

Not enough light on the subject??

I hope Nancy's hand is feeling better :).

We also did a new technique in dyeing. At least is was for me. Called Point dyeing.  Looks like a spot dye in a way.  We used Pro Chem and Magic Carpet dyes.  Scrunched a half yard of wet wool into a pan and      

used a wet end of a  chop stick to dip into the dry dye.  We just placed it where we wanted the dye to go. I wish I would have gotten a finishing shot of the pieces of material. But forgot, grrr.                                      

                         Here is Nancy showing us and then Louise had her turn.                                                                                   

                                                              

                                

Ritchie looked like he wanted to have a turn too.  He is such a sweet dog. Joan sure does know how to raise them!                                                                                                                                                          

Now that I'm done with the blog, I need to get back to "just doing". Oh yeah, I forgot to show you my rug~~ (big smack on the forehead)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

And a big thanks to Joanne too for suggesting the way to hook the roof. I went up and down instead of just making long rows left to right. Really gave it a cool effect. That's what I love about a room full of hookers. Always willing to share their tips to help each other out. Isn't that what it's all about?

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend~~!!

Saturday Hook-In Fun~~

Gorgeous weather and a Hook-In. What more could a girl ask for?  Yesterday was the WoolWrights Hook-In out in Lancaster, Pa.  Linda picked me up early, and Jill, Beth and Meriam were following behind.  We then picked up Sherri at Pat's house.  Pat, we missed you. I was sad to find out you were not coming. Linda told me that Doris couldn't make it too.  Hoping you both will make it to the Brandywine hook-in in the Fall. Same for Joanne.  We missed you too!!  But I know you were having fun in NY with your friend Renee.  Can't wait to hear about your trip too :).

When we arrived, we were amazed at how full it was.  Sherri and I searched and searched for a gathering of chairs so we could all sit together. But that wasn't going to happen. We had to split up. It was packed already and it wasn't even 9:00!  Luckily I found a table with friends Deb and Leslie. They were only saving one seat, so they said we could sit with them.  We were lucky to find a table beside them with 3 more seats for the others.  Once we got our seats, we plopped our stuff down and off we went to shop! lol

Rebecca Erb's booth was packed, but that was the first place I hit. You could say that I helped the economy.  Most of the wool I bought, and the book was from her, and then there were 4 other small pieces I got from the Wool'n Gardner.

I knew I was going to be shopping for a while.  So I figured I would do everything I wanted to do , and then sit down and hook for a bit. Well, it wasn't until around 1:00 or so that I finally sat down to hook.  I'll start sharing some pictures, and then you'll understand why it took so long..

What a rug show it was!! I enjoyed taking each and every picture. What a variety....  After I was done taking the pictures, I walked around some more to all the other vendors.  There were quite a few, and all had some lovely things.  I stopped here and there to admire some of the rugs being hooked.  Here are a few.  Some people I know, and some I don't.  Here is Marion. Her fine cut is just stunning. It took her 6 months to get to this point. She was working on the border. Can you even imagine?                                                                                          

This is Deb's.

This is Leslie's

I stopped to take a picture of this. Her colors were just so soft and lovely.

I was able to zoom in from my seat and take a picture of Mary.  She too is in the AAPG group on line and was whipping her challenge rug.  I got to see it, and man oh man, is it ever gorgeous.  She was using a 9 1/2 cut.  After seeing her piece and Caroline's piece done so wide, it really made me want to do a piece. I

thought my 8 1/2 was wide lol!!  It was so nice to see you  Mary.  I hope to see you again soon.

This was Caroline's

This is Meriam's purse.  She has different mats to attach to her purse.  They are attached with velcro.  Cute, huh??

This Diane's.  Colors are so lovely in person..

I didn't catch the name of this girls. She was sitting with some friends of mine.

Beth and Jill were having fun at their first hook-in.  Lots for them to look at.  And they even sat down to hook, I was impressed.  I don't think I did that at my first. I was too overwhelmed lol.

Throughout the day, they were calling names for door prizes.  What was truly amazing, is that 3 of us won.  Linda won 2 yards of linen, Jill won a lovely assortment of wool, and I won certificate as a guest to the next Brandywine Hook-In in the Fall!

When we left, Linda Sherri and I stopped at a couple thrift stores and then stopped for some dinner.  It was a long, long day, but OH so worth it!!  Thanks ladies, for a great day!

I slept in today.  After the last couple of days, there was no way I was getting up early.  On Friday, I had a surge of energy, and cleaned out my bedroom closet, drawers, and linen closet in the hallway.  Oh my goodness, what a feeling to have that done.  I kept opening up the closets to just stare at how clean and organized they were lol.  I was on a roll and just went with it.  What isn't funny is that I wanted to "clean".  But how can one clean when it's so unorganized?  Now that things are where they are supposed to be, I can actually do the cleaning. But that will have to wait until another day. I couldn't do it all in one day.

I was also supposed to hook or do something this weekend for the retreat. But that never happened. Right now it is 9:00 pm and I am on here doing this instead.  I had every intention of hooking earlier, but it was soooo nice outside.  So I took a ride and went to a couple antique places.  Just wanted to be outside. I've been inside for too many of the nice days, and it is going to rain for the next couple of days. I was being selfish.  But to show that I did actually hook a little bit at the hook-in, here is the next project I am working on. It's the My House Sampler.  Ok, don't laugh. I know, I know, I didn't get much done lol.  I'll be sharing progress with you on this one. It's a big rug.  I'll be hanging this one over my couch in the family room.  

My goal is to hook a little each night on this one.  If all goes well, then by the end of the week, I shall have something to show for it. 

Hope you enjoyed looking at all the rugs.  And wishing you all a glorious week ahead!!