Now you see it...

Now you don't.

I had abandoned this project years ago but could not toss the material and knew some day I would use it. So last Saturday afternoon I spent three hours frogging the over one stitches. Once she was all cleaned up I was ready to get to work on a sweet freebie from The Primitive Hare- Love Never Fails.

I needed a simple piece to keep my hands busy. I needed a break from HRH and hooking. I am doing this one in honor of our 15th wedding anniversary in April. I hope to have it done by then. Hahaha. I am making a small change to customize it with our year. :)

I worked on Winter's Day the week before, while watching the Olympics. I like what I have so far.

 This is supposed to be a rug in a day project.... 

I am finding I am picky...plus I am trying to go slow to get a neater loop.

 I am still working on NOT packing them in there. 

I am pleased with my improvements.

I dabbled with some painting too! It has been so long since I've put paint on canvas. 

I picked up this Warren Kimble print on wood while we were in Kansas in December. Well, I got it for a bargain as there was a strip torn in the upper left corner; the width of the top plank. It was a wedge of WHITE. I thought I would just stain it with coffee stain to brown it up but that didn't go as good as I had envisioned. THEN I remembered I had some acrylics from when my GF and I worked up some paper boxes to look old.

I just need to get some Bri-Wax to put the finishing touch to age it up. 

Turned out pretty good; if I do say so myself.

We had a tease of spring like weather this past weekend. It was in the 40's and sunny. I had the windows open to air the house out, took the dog for a walk, moved some wood and snow; taking full advantage of this small reprieve from Old Man Winter...I knew he was coming back this week. And he has....at 0.7 degrees this morning!

Looking forward to another get together to stitch in Belfast this weekend. 

Hope everyone has a successful weekend in whatever you are doing.

Keep on stitching.

P.J.

Thar she BLOWS!

Looky, looky what I did with my little hooky! 

Whale Done!

Whale Back

I finished The Whale today at Winterport Hookers. The ladies are so encouraging and inspiring. The hooking, beading and knitting projects today were no exception to the showcase of talent. It was a smaller group today due to the snowy days behind us and the one barreling down on us now. A predicted 14 to 20 inches tonight!! We'll see what we get. But makes for great hooking and stitching time! It was good for the soul getting to connect with the ladies on a more personal level. Many of these ladies warm my heart with their life tales, adventures and antidotes. Most endearing to be included in this circle.

I already have my next project lined up; a little 9x9 mat from Lois Roy- Olde Scotties Primitives Patterns; "Winters Day".

 An appropriate project for the BIG ONE! I am using wools from the generous hand-me-down gizzard pile

Last weekend I hung out with my GF for some good stitching, hooking, antiquing and girlfriend time. It was most needed. I worked a little on my Spanish Mystery sampler (update pics soon) and really put a dent in my whale sky. Hence why I was able to finish it up today. :) We spent Saturday hooking with a great group of ladies. Mary was a terrific hostess with a view to die for over looking Southwest Harbor. I was too stunned to take a snapshot. Maybe if we get to come back in the summer to hook on her amazing porch. She made two wonderful soups for our lunch. A four mushroom soup that was like velvety heaven in my mouth and a delicious kale and chicken sausage soup. Yum!! Or should I say slurp? These ladies are very talented; each with a unique style, and so inspiring. We even learned of a hooking retreat in Southern Maine that we plan to attend for the fall session. They even have a food drive and donations that go to the local food pantry. We really thought that was cool! I am enjoying all this exposure to such talent and creativity.

I had a marvelous find at the Creamery Antique Mall. We were just about out of the door when something caught my eye in the little case in front of the register. I spy a HOOK! Would it be considered rude to tell you I only paid $5 for this....

Isn't she perty! I put her to work that very night. I wonder what kind of rug stories she could tell. I found my hooking to be easier with this hook. As one of the ladies pointed out at the Saturday hooking, the size of the shaft makes it easier to pull the wool through the linen. And they said size doesn't matter...*snicker*.

I will share my other find when I post about my stitching progress.

When I got home Sunday afternoon I worked a little repair work on the old hit n miss rug in the hall. I used some wool from the hand-me-down gizzards; pretty good match if I do say so. In working this closely with the rug I noticed that it is not mostly wool but other blended fabric scraps.

I hope to get many loops pulled and stitches laid this long winter weekend. I have a date in early March to meet up with Patti from Stitching in Lobster Land and Barb of Mainely Stitching. I look forward to another fantastic creative Sunday with them.

 Happy Birthdays to President Washington and President Lincoln. 

Wonder what our founding fathers are thinking right about now?

Keep on stitching and hooking.

P.J.

Groundhog's Day

I am the first to say I enjoy winter; not my favorite season, but I love how clean, simple and peaceful everything becomes with a blanket of snow. I enjoy cozy sweaters, thick socks, flannel PJs and sheets, snuggling under a blanket in front of the fire with a hot drink....really I do. But I was just as disappointed as the rest of the you that old Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow. I am of hope that the next two months will be milder and provide a break to those not usually under these extreme winter conditions.

I got some good hooking done Saturday. I had started with some formed clouds and I didn't like the look so I pulled them out. I am really, really liking the way the sky is working out.

 I did not hook much this morning. I've been up since 1:45AM...I took a nap at 4:45AM hahaha. I had breakfast made and done by 8:30AM.... Seriously not my norm. Hubby noticed I was getting crabby restless; so off  we went on our annual winter excursion to the Fairfield Antique Mall. We usually end up there about this time every year just to get out of the house. It is a pretty decent sized mall so we get some walking in.

We had a couple of good finds. I picked up this nice, not so old red-ware deep dish. 

Love the wave paint work.

The Man picked up this great Lodge cast iron grill/griddle. 

Oh there will be some great grilling goodness this summer!  Cannot wait.

Check out this gorgeous textile art!!

 Love this piece. Old silk/satin quilt piece stretched on a frame. You can see the ties on the back. Would have loved to brought this home with me to hang on the big wall on our stairs but The Man wasn't feelin' it AND there was no price....a pet peeve of mine. Nothing aggravates me more than no price tag on something YOU are TRYING TO SELL!!

I got to work in the kitchen this afternoon; with complete enjoyment 

I baked mini zucchini bread for the Navy Girl. 

I am putting together a birthday and Valentines care package for her. If I was really on my game I should have stitched up a little freebie Valentine. Oh well its not like she has a whole lot of room. I have another freebie I want to stitch up for her.

Here is what I got done over a few lunches on my C@HRH. Need to get the arms on my snowman.

And Patti sent the sweetest thank you card; how appropriate it is a peacock, as we were discussing the many peacocks in this piece with a young lady that was curious about what we working on.

Hope everyone had a wonderful creative weekend.

Keep on stitching, hooking, baking or whatever else puts the wind in your sails.

P.J.