Sunday, March 21, 2010

~*Whirlwind of Creative Joys*~

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Spring! Isn't March suppose to be "in like a lion, out like a lamb"? We are covered with snow here. It started Friday night & we must have at least 8". However, the sun is out today and is working its magic to get it all melted & muddy. :) Maybe the end of the month will be "like a lamb"... but so far it is just COLD & icky!

The snow has kept me in & I've been enjoying a whirlwind of creativity though! I've been torn between stitching and hooking. Here are my many 'works in progress'...

A sampler ~ inspired by Nature...



This is a larger chart I'm still in the process of designing... with a chamomile border, olde~tyme alphabets, and a historical quote. I'm using wonderful GAST Sampler threads on linen I've dyed myself. I'm very excited about this one!

I finished stitching these last week... and am still working on attaching them to boxes. One is my latest ~*Crow Freebie*~ and the other is from a wonderful chart offered by Jennifer. (I had to make some alterations to the chart to fit my piece of fabric & the top of the box.) I'm still trying to decided what fabrics to cover the boxes with...



As if that was not enough projects (secretly I have MANY more WIPs scattered throughout the house... but we won't talk about them right now!), I started another rug yesterday too. My buddy, Lori, recently finished this BEAUTIFUL rug...



I TOTALLY LOVE LOVE LOVE it! She found it in this MARVELOUS book...



So, what was a girl to do? I bought the book awhile back... the home is incredible! The book shows the home through the seasons. I would LOVE to call it home! There are so many GREAT decorating ideas... and the greenhouse is WONDERFULLY STUNNING! The pages of my book are pretty much sealed together by drool now! LOL

Anyway, yesterday I drew up the doodle of the rug. (The rug is only shown in one of the rooms ~ an antique rug hanging over the fireplace. It is not a rug hooking pattern... that I know of.) This is how far I got before calling it a day...



I was very inspired by Lori's use of color and wanted to recreate it for myself. She has such an eye for color! I'm using similar shades for my rug... from scraps in my stash and hooking it in that old hickety~pickety way that I love so much. :)

Thank you for the inspiration Lori!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

18 comments:

  1. Uh-Oh! Looks like another winner of a sampler! Guess I had better finish the Live, Love, Laugh so's I can stitch this one too!!!! ;-) The stitcheries for the boxes are wonderful! LOVE the color of the linen you dyed! Tea? Walnut? Great progress on the lolipop rug! Smiles! ~Sharon

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  2. I can't wait to see your sampler inspired by nature. And the idea of adding a historical quote sounds fabulous. Today I started stitching "Spring Tweets." I will share my finish with you when that happens.

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  3. Can't wait to see your new pattern Betty. Sounds like all my favorite things!! Your other projects are wonderful as well as your start on the rug. Isn't that the best book?! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much. The pages in mine should be stuck together from drool too!!LOL

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  4. Dear Betty,
    I can't wait to see your sampler too. The photos are a feast for the eyes.
    Smiles

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  5. I absolutely CANNOT wait to see that sampler~~~ It is looking wonderful so and I know it will be another hit~~

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  6. Hi Betty! I love that book too, have a copy on my bookshelf. Altho, my cover is different.

    Love seeing your creative projects develop!

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  7. I love the colors being used also.
    The sampler sounds exciting. Will be looking forward to it.

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  8. You are busy making some beautiful pieces this week.
    I love those colors in the rug, they show better here than on ebay.

    Debbie

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  9. Lots of things you've got started there and they are all looking great! Hope your staying nice and warm on this start to Spring!

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  10. Lovely things you have going on! Can't wait to see more of that sampler!

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  11. Lovely things you have going on! Can't wait to see more of that sampler!

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  12. Betty ~
    Your cross stitch is wonderful.
    A couple people in the group I hook with have hooked that rug, too. Carol and Karin's are all done and Lisa just started hers. Now it's on my wish list to hook, too.
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  13. Such beautiful projects! It looks like you have been having a lot of fun despite the winter weather in spring. I love the chamomile border on your sampler!

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  14. Love everything you have going on. The x~stitch boxes are going to be so prim and you are off to a great start on that rug.
    I have the same rug. I purchased it from Rhonda at myglorystars and I love the design too.
    Here's hoping all the snow melts and you have a spring like week.
    ~Nan

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  15. I have hooked that rug pattern into a pillow. It is one of my favorite patterns. Can't wait to see your sampler....I started a little stitching this weekend also.....not enough hours in the day.

    Linda

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  16. Just wonderful - I can't wait to see the Sampler. Love Michelle x

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  17. I can't wait to see more of your new design!

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  18. i just printed your crow freebie this am. i finished tulip time over the weekend and am now working on may day.i love the hooked rug you've started. as soon as i've finish some of my wip i want to get a hooking kit and learn how.

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