Bitten by the Rug Bug

So a while back, I believe When I returned from SA in May, I caught a nasty virus and was couch bound for 4-5 days. I was in no shape to work on my HRH Christmas over one ( the beginning of my stitching slump) so I remembered my mini rug project my GF got me started on when I first moved to Maine. Yes, over 7 yrs ago, it did not bite me then. I've posted about my finish of the blueberries. And I posted about picking up two new patterns and the ship I rescued and am currently hooking, little by little. That calls for a pic, doesn't it.

I moved the ship to a smaller frame, borrowed from my GF. Honey, Christmas idea. W*nk, w*nk.

Well I have been anxious to get some more wool for the moose and snowman projects, so after dropping off the in-laws ( after a terrific visit) at the jetport I asked hubby if we could stop at the Portland Goodwill. I wanted to check out the wool garments. I bought one man's jacket in tan herring bone and a woman's black and white houndstooth jacket. Holly cow that was a lot of work, lesson learned for a novice hooker, no more jackets. I will stick to pants and skirts. :)

Still itching to get some wool for these projects I bee bopped right back over to Wool & Ewe in Ellsworth to rummage through Chris's scrap bins. I found me some great pieces and even salvaged a pocket to use to hold my hooks. I added a Girl Scout button from my button jar and viola! I also picked up a couple if 1/4 yd pieces on sale.

I was getting in the Jeep to leave when I remembered that Chris had a cutter on sale, so I flitted back in to inquire about it, but it was gone. He recommended I check out eBay, I might be able to snag one on the cheap. So the challenge was on; eBay and Etsy here I come.

There is a cute little second had store on the way out from Ellsworth that I pop into every time I leave my GF after our S-n-B weekends. I riffled through the clothes and found two pair of pants (learned my lesson) that I could not wait to get home to wash so I could cut down for hooking. So I got ALLLLLL this wool and no way to cut them. Talk about feeling like a caged animal.

My GF and I talked about going halves-ies on a cutter, cuz day ain't cheap ya KNOW. Well by Saturday (I started Friday night) I had found the bargain of the year. A Fraser cutter with three cutter heads, plus shipping for just a smidge under $200. I was thrilled and hoped I was not going to be disappointed in the quality of the cutter. It was inside the door when we got home Friday night. I need to get some strip cutting under my belt, but it cuts well for a used one and I can't shake a stick at that price!

So like I have all this crafty time on my hands of late, I am now adding wool cutting to the mix. My GF tried to bargain with me to cut her wool for her... I said she could cut mine to work off the difference, she said she'll send a check. Hehehe. I feel so lucky to have a GF to do this kind of thing together. If she recalls this is all her fault to begin with. OOOXXX KB! let the cutting begin! I am sure there will be some cussing among the cutting I as get the hang of it.

I may need to see about these bugs....

Keep on stitching & hooking!
P.J.