Tuesday, January 5, 2010

~*Back 'At It'*~

Hello Dear Friends! Well, the school bus was here on time this morning... so that means I am back 'at it'! Well, maybe I wasn't fully 'at it' before the Christmas Break... but I'm still trying to be anyway. I have almost finished the sampler that I started right before Christmas. There are a few spots I want to re~do... that happens a lot when working freely & making it up while stitching. I do hope to have it finished and ready to offer as a pattern for the February Market in Nashville. Here is a lil' sneak peek...

While stitching, I was inspired by my Great Grandma. Those are her initials & year of birth. The other day, while visiting with my Grandma (her daughter), we chatted about Gram. She passed away when I was only 9, but I have always admired her and remembered her fondly.

So, I should be stitching more to prepare for market... but what do I do? Pull out a rug I've been working on. I started this rug a few months ago. I had the house only partly hooked and didn't care for it. So last night, I ripped all those loops out & re~hooked. I actually have more hooked from just last night than I had from earlier. Yes, my loops are all 'hickety~pickety'... but I like them like that sometimes. This rug is inspired by the lil' house, the original farm house, that is here on our property. I still want to use it as a studio someday... but that is still a long way in the future.

I re~scribbled on the linen last night too. Originally, I wanted to hook the rail and front porch. I've decided against that because I'm not sure how it would hook... and then the front door would have been missing because it is on the side of the porch (into the room with the peak).
Hopefully the rug will hook up looking good & olde... simple & prim. The year '1857'... if you haven't read me write about it before... is the year Americus (our small town) was founded. It appears over and over again in my works.

We are still cold here in Kansas too. We have gotten more snow on top of snow... and are expecting even more tomorrow. This is more snow than I have ever seen this time of year here. Normally our heavy snows are in February and March. We are surviving... and keeping our outside babies warm & inside. We have a heat lamp set up for the cats in the lil' house and another heat lamp in the garage for Brownie. (He does love to get out to run in the snow... but is so happy to run back to the garage when he is done. He is one spoiled pup!) Here is the snowman that Tony and Trinity built together last week. He has been covered with more snow after construction... and seems to be loosing an arm... but he is still standing. (This photo was taken from inside the house ~ through the kitchen window... it was too cold this morning to carry the camera for a photo shoot outside!)

Wishing you all warm smiles...
Betty

23 comments:

  1. Love the rug hooking! I just finished one I was working on. Can't wait to see the finished piece--love the colors. I used to live in KS--over near Manhattan (Junction City) to be exact. I miss the snows :)

    I finished one of your pinkeeps last month (the two peacocks facing one another and the whole piece is one color, and has an arched top) and it turned out fabulous! Your designs with a single color throughout are my favorite. I'm planning on doing your pewter colored sampler piece this year.

    Take Care,
    Bridget Brewer

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  2. Oohh! Thanks for the peek! I love the colors and can't wait to see the entire piece.

    I have not tried my hand at rug hooking - but I certainly love looking at them - perhaps one day I'll give it a try!

    Stay warm!

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  3. Thanks for the sneak peek! Can't wait to see the design! It looks beautiful!

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  4. The new pieces are wonderful. I like to switch around in my projects too. It breaks it up and gives my hands a rest from doing the same thing for hours.

    Debbie

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  5. Love the colors of your sampler you are working on!

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  6. Wow Betty you are back at it! Love everything - now send some motivation my way! Stay warm!

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  7. Love those pieces. They looks awesome, love the colors.

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  8. I have been wanting to do a sampler and can't wait to get this pattern..it looks wonderful!

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  9. That sampler looks pretty neat Betty and so does your rug! Great eye candy. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see the finished works!

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  10. Love the 2 pieces Betty! I'm a huge admirer of your cross stitch patterns. And your rug will be wonderful when you are done. Looks great so far.
    Just do me a favor?? Keep the snow out your way?? I've had enough lol.

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  11. Your work is always so inspiring. These cold days just keep hanging on here as well. Wishing you a week filled with lots of stitching and hooking!

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  12. Hi Betty! The sampler looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it finished. I can't imagine just making it up as I went along! You are one talented girl.
    Keep warm!

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  13. Hi, Betty! I'm very excited about the new design--just from the sneak peek I can tell I'm going to love it! Can hardly wait for the release!!! Happy New Year!

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  14. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

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  15. Can I reserve a copy of that cross stitch pattern now?! LOL...I love it and it will be a great addition to my sampler wall in my sewing room!
    The rug will turn out great...I look forward to seeing it when it's done! I came across a hooked project I started some time ago...I wanted to try my hand at hooking but decided it wasn't for me and quit working on it. I kept things to finish it and I do want to now that I've found it. It will most likely be my one and only hooked piece!
    Stay warm!!

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  16. Thanks so much for the sneek peek! It was just enough to get my interest pumping! I can't wait to see it completely and available!

    Love the rug, too.

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  17. You are very creative. I can't imagine being able to do all this!

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  18. I love the rug hooking! My Grandma taught me how to do it!

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  19. Betty, thanks for the sneak peek. I'm looking forward to another design to add to my stash.

    I've never done any rug hooking, looks interesting. Maybe someday I'll learn.

    Hugs,
    Barbara/MO

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  20. Betty dear,
    I know where Americus is!! I live in the boonies near LeRoy!!! Glad to see someone else close to home. Hope your having a wonderfully blessed day!
    BTW LOVE THE STITCHERY!! I wish it was something I liked to do!!
    Will be back again often for a visit! :D
    Debi

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  21. Thanks for the quick peek, they look great. Wish I could still hook, I love hooked pcs. Love the snowman too!!

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  22. Loving the finishes you highlight in the next post! Your freebie designs give all of us, some great little gifts to share the love...

    You do the world's most wonderful cross stitch designs. How wonderful to use your great grandma's initials and year of birth in the design. Our families are so important! Blessings too many to count in the new year!

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