~*Hook-In Holiday Fun*~

Hello Dear Friends! Today has really been a great day! My sweet SIL, Robin, picked me up & drove the hour long drive to Topeka today. (Thanks for driving Robin!) That was so we could make it to Judy Cripps' ~ of Rustic Rugs ~ monthly hook-in. It has been a few months since Robin and I have been able to attend... but we really didn't want to miss it this month. December is the holiday hook-in. Judy cooks up a delicious lunch and we have the Christmas Mat Exchange. (Lunch was a yummy taco salad with mint cake for dessert! Thank you Judy!)

Each year Judy draws up a simple pattern on monk's cloth... and suggests we give a $10 donation. The funds gathered are shared with the Topeka Rescue Mission. We hook the mats anyway we wish ~ then wrap them with our name on the inside. When we arrive at Judy's house, the wrapped packages are set in a pile and we drop our names in a bowl. After lunch, Judy begins drawing names one at a time. We then pick a package. We all opened at the same time... and each were delighted to receive a new rug hooked by one of our hook-in buddies. See all the smiles...



Here is the lovely mat I received. It was hooked by Jan (no blog or online album). I just love how she hooked the background of squares... and the colors are so warm & lovely!



Here is the mat I hooked... kind of like a snowman peeking in the window...



On the back, I added another tiny heart & snowman face... and a label with my name & the hook-in information...



You can tell we all started with a simple heart. It is exciting to see how we all interpreted and worked the heart. Here is a photo of most of the mats... unfortunately we thought about grouping them all together for a picture after a few girls had to leave for the day...



The talent is amazing!

Wising you all warm smiles...

Betty