Today is proving to be a busy, busy day. I realized yesterday what a total mess my hooking room was. It qualified as a disaster area. Fortunately, my grandson came by and I put him to work moving my reference books from two long shelves, to the downstairs bookcases. Now two more shelves for wool! I have spent this morning moving wool, trying to get the piles of wool neater (lol) - I just have to much. It is better, but I still have a long to go to make it a neat room.


I went to Gettysburg on Monday. I have some misgivings about this because of the ice storm the day before - but I must say that Pennsylvania did a great job on their roads. I had no trouble at all getting there. It is such a nice group of people that I hate to miss a month hooking with them. It was good to see Judith and Brenda there also. It was their first time with the group. We were all glad to see them and hope that they will enjoy hooking with us. I managed to take a few pictures.


I am teaching a dyeing workshop on Wednesday, January 21st from 1 till proximately 3 - 3:30. This workshop consists of four types of dyeing - Open Kettle, Stocking and two types of Jar dyeing. I have 2 openings in my Wednesday workshop. I am repeating the workshop on Saturday January 24, same time, same agenda. I have 3 openings in the Saturday class Price of the class is $18.00 to cover the cost of supplies. If you are interested please e-mail me at daymar@myactv.net -


Mother nature is doing her thing again. She is making up for lost time on the "cold" deal. Hope you all keep warm and have a great week.

Last week was a joy for me. I was home almost everyday. Time to think and reflect on what has been happening. I prepared my workshop agenda and distributed it at the last meeting of the "With Hand and Heart Antitem Rug Artisans" guild meeting. Since I have done that, my mind has been full of ideas all rolling around - one on top of the other - trying to decide which samples I would work on first, and also wanting to work on several personal projects at the same time. I realized that I have only two hands and just 24 hours in my day. In the meantime, I have acquired a lot of new wool and my hooking room is overflowing. I wish I had a wall stretcher!!!!

I also had a birthday last week. Another milestone in my life's path. Because of my daughters working hours we were unable to get together to celebrate until yesterday. We had a great day of shopping (I got a wonderful pair of earrings) and then we went to lunch at our favorite "all you can eat" Chinese resturant. We lucked out and got home just as the sleet started. I also got a card for my camera that will allow me to take many pictures of rugs and I am looking forward to documenting my own rugs as well as those of my friends.

On Friday my grandson made a survey of the property to inspect the damage done by the ice storm. I had hoped that our pine trees would be spared - but no such luck. We have lost many branches, really big ones - but perhaps this is mother natures way of pruning large trees. I just have to hope for the best. I would hate to lose these trees as they are a great wind shield for the house. Last fall we planted 7 southern magnolia trees in a line up the road side of the property. We lost one of those to the ice. It will be my first priority for replacement this spring. THINK SPRING!

Weather prmitting. I am planning to go to Gettysburg on Monday. I do enjoy that group of hookers so much. I always look forward to seeing Kathy, Nancy, Joan and my old friends Margaret, Vi, and Peggy. I am planning to take the rug I just finished (My House Sampler) and a finely hooked pictorial so that I can see them side by side. It should be interesting to see the different techniques together.

It is now 6:30 am and time to get my second cup of coffee - my days start early - I need the time. Hope all of you have a great Sunday and a good next week.

I'm ashamed that I have so neglected my blog. Christmas has come and gone and I just have been in a lull period about everything. Guess the let down got to me.

I attended the local ATHA guild meeting last Saturday. It was great to see so many turn out. Everyone was so busy working on their rug and talking, that even tho we have extended the time by 1 hour, our time to meet was up before we all realized it. All seem to be working on big projects - many are working on the rug that they started with Cynthia Norwood.

Speaking of the workshop, I have finished my workshop project, My House Sampler Rug, and I am very pleased with the results. I especially like the background and the fact that I was able to modify it to make it look like the house was sitting on slightly darker ground. All in all a very satisfying project. I spent time yesterday working on the overcast edge and hope to finish that part today. My goal is to have the binding and another steaming done by Sunday so that I can take it to Gettysburg on Monday for "show and tell."

As you can tell I am a novice with the camera. My Santa brought it to me for Christmas - I was sure lucky or very good, I don't know which. I am just learning how to put pictures on this blog - that is why they are at the top instead of in the text. Hope to have them in the text by the next blog entry.


Mother nature has outdone herself with this ice storm. As I sit to the computer I can look out my front window. My yard is ringed with pine trees all of which are laden with ice. Looks like fairy land - but - I'm sure it is hard on the trees. We have lost many limbs in the past but so far all looks good this time.

It's time to get started on my day so I will stop for now. I hope all keep dry and warm and have a wonderful day.