ADAM AND EVE

It's finished! That is the hooking is finished. Feels to me like it took a long time to complete this piece. I think that is because I did not hook for the six weeks before Christmas. Did you ever get "hooked out?" I have only had that happen one time before and it lasted for five years! Fortunately, this spell only lasted six weeks. When I say finished, I mean the hooking only. I have started to add the kick strip but I am only half around.

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I do not know why my computer blog program will not double space between paragraphs but this star thing seems to work. When I first began to hook and attend workshops, camps and social hooking groups I was advised to pack lightly. Oh how right my advisor was. Some people think they have to take everything in their hooking room with them to camp. I travel light. The older I get the lighter I travel. Hence, kick strips and rug binding are only added to finished pieces as I go to social groups. It is just to much to carry a heavy frame and large rug for a days social gathering. Since I have a number of rugs in my home I am not in a hurry for Adam and Eve and can take the time to add the finishing touches.

An overal view of "Paradise"
My cross-eyed angel
I love her - she happened by accident and
I think she is to cute to change


Adam

Finally a picture in which the background

shows up. I have had a difficult time getting

this to show in pictures.

The background consists of eight

different fabrics and was a joy to hook

It was all the snakes fault!

The snaake is two different paisleys worked

together (this darn computer!)

Eve in all her glory!

I saved her for last to hook because I

wasn't sure about her arm and skin color.

I love this little Lion element.
Is it a deer, elk, or moose?
I really liked this pattern and think that

Edyth Oneil did a great job of designing.

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It is always fun to complete a rug and I am glad this one is done. I am trying to do one folk art piece a year altho I think this year there will be two. In all honesty, I am much more comfortable hooking with a #3 cut and so I am glad to be working again on my large farmyard pictorial.

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We had about 7 inches of snow yesterday and today it is very cold. It was 7 degrees at 6:30 this morning - enough to give anyone the shivers. I was supposed to go to a hooking group today but am opting to stay home. My car is buried in snow and it is just to cold to try and clean it off. Perhaps I can get some more hooking done today. Also, I must get in the dye pots. I am taking Pam Bartlett's workshop in March and need to dye for water and waves. I am planning to do painted and sponge dyeing for the waves. This should be an interesting project.

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Keep warm and safe and pray for spring.

Doris

MORE RUGS -

Last week was a busy week for rug hooking. On Monday I attended the Blue and Gray hooking group in Gettysburg, Pa. I posted pictures of their rug show on my last blog. On Tuesday I attended the ATHA Mason/Dixon Chapter. For this meeting the group chose to have a "show and tell" program instead of a speaker. This "show and tell" program was an outcome of the Buckeystown three day workshop held last fall. Many rugs were started at the workshop and we were all anxious to see the results of three days work. As it turned out many that attended the workshop were not at the Tuesday meeting. However, many attendees did bring samples of their work and I hope you will agree with me that the workmanship is excellent and the variety wide.

This rug was hooked by Ginny and is in

wonderful shades of pink, blue and purple
closeup of one of the Iris'

This Oriental was also hooked by

Ginney and is a very long runner.

A close up of the center of the rug. The color

scheme for this rug is red, blue and green with

a neutral

This is Elinor's rug started at the

Buckeystown workshop. It is being hooked

with a number 3 cut and is her first

truly shaded rug with flowers. A great job.

This is a "protest" rug done by one of the

Mason/Dixon members in protest to the

continued killing of the whales

This is the corner of an exceptional oriental
rug hooked by the late Ruth Dietzel. Mrs.
Dietzel past away about 6 weeks ago. She was a long
time hooker of exceptional talent and a
wonderful person. We will all miss her.

The center motif of Mrs. Dietzel's rug.

Absolutely beautiful!

This is a very interesting small piece.

It was hooked by Sally A. I'm not sure if it was

started at the workshop. Here is what makes

it so interesting . . . . . . .

A close up of one of the roses. Sorry the picture

looks a little blury. All of the roses are

hooked with satin ribbon!!!!

Two color satin ribbon was used throughout -

a truly impressive use of alternative

material.

This is just a partial photographic showing of the rugs presented at the meeting. I guess that I start talking to people and forget to take the pictures! It sure was interesting to see what other members are doing.

In addition to the above, I did show my Adam and Eve. The hooking of the rug is finished and I am adding the kick strip. I will show some pictures of this rug on my next posting.

In the meantime the wind is blowing like fury this Saturday. I hope where you are it is a bit calmer. I attended an Oyster roast this afternoon. I must say that it was yummy. In addition to the Oyster's there was Ham, Roast Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Saurkraut. String Beans, Dessert and coffee. A fair feast all for very little money and for the benefit of the local Ruitan club that does so much for the small town in which I live.

Hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend - hold on to your hats if you go out!

Doris

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BLUE AND GRAY RUG SHOW

Last Monday I attended the meeting of the Blue and Gray hookers in Gettysburg, Pa. What a wonderful turnout they had. As I have told you before, each month we have a rug show. Everyone is welcome to bring a rug they have just finished or are still working on to show, however, one member is designated each month to give us a rug show. We are seeing some wonderful works of art.

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This month the rug show was put on by Lina W. Lina has been hooking for many years. In addition to the Blue and Gray hookers, she is a member of the Mason/Dixon Chapter of ATHA and the Pearl McGown Cattail Creek Chapter of the National Guild. She also hooks with a group every week in Cockeysville, Md. I have not attempted to get the names of all of these rugs, nor did I ask her the particulars of each rug. Sit back and enjoy this lovely rug show.

No picture will ever do this rug justice. The

colors just glow as tho a light is shining

thru a window!

A wonderful rendition of iris using the
stained glass method of hooking."Reddy Fox" on the prowl

Another piece that just glows. Look at the

shading in the leaves. They curl and bend as

tho they were in the garden.

A sampler of fruits.

A lovely footstool to prop tired feet.

Wish I had gotten a better picture of this rug.

It is one of my favorites that Lina has hooked.

The wool was dip dyed so that all of the colors

automatically blend into one another.

Simply lovely.

Last but not least by any means. A beautiful

rendition of a crewel design

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As I have stated before this computer has a mind of its own. Since it usually will not double space between paragraphs I thought I would try the star method and see what happens.

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Yesterday I attended the Mason/Dixon chapter of ATHA. I will post some pictures from there in my next blog. They had a very poor turnout. I can't understand what is happening there. A great chapter with wonderful contacts and interesting projects and it seems to be having growning pains, or is it shrinking pains?

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We have had two days of beautiful weather. Such a relief. I had been down in the dumps for so long that I had begun to wonder about myself. Sunshine sure does help. This is a time when I am very busy. I have 4 new students all at different levels of skill. It is a real challenge to get materials ready for all students and keep everyone interested. I do find that once my students get "hooked" on hooking they don't quit but keep getting in deeper and deeper and trying new things. In addition to new students, I am preparing for a workshop that I am giving late in March. It is sold out so I have to really get everything ready.

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My next real chore in the hooking world is to get in the dye pots. I am taking a 4 day workshop in the middle of March with Pam Bartlett. I am really looking forward to that since it is a subject that I really am interested in and am going to challenge myself with the dyeing. I should mention that the hooking on "Adam and Eve in Paradise Dwelt" is finished and I have begun to add the kick strip. Pictures in a later blog.

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Get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. Eloise is out on the deck taking a sun bath as I am writing this. She has really enjoyed these last two days. She is a little girl that hates rain and cold weather. If she could dance, it would be on sunny days. Take care everyone and have a wonderful week.

Doris

THIS AND THAT

It has been sometime since I posted. I don't know what got into me. I have been so depressed. First I had a flu like cold that knocked me for a loop. I thought I was over it and boom! it hit again. Now for the third time I think I am over it.

I am also disconcerted by the fact that something has gone wrong with my picture reception on the computer. As I have commented before, my computer has a mind of its own. Sometimes it does what I tell it and other times it does as it pleases! That is the case with the pictures. It no longer tells me where it is putting my pictures - they just go into cyberspace - it is a hide and seek game.

My grandson, Richard, played with my blog as you can see and it now has a different look. I'm not sure how I feel about it but I guess change is good. Until I can figure out some things to do with the blog, it will just stay this way.

In the meantime, I gave a program at the Boonsboro Chapter of ATHA last Saturday. I took rugs that showed two things. One was simple color planning - monochromatic, 2 color, etc. and two was the various styles of hooking. If you would like to see the rugs that I showed and read a bit about them go to:

www.thestonefencecottage.blogspot.com

I do have some hopes for spring. When I sit to the computer I can also look out of the window to my front yard which is bordered with Pine trees. The Snow Drops planted under the trees are not only up but some are in bloom. Can spring be far behind?

My daughter and I went shopping on Monday. Found a few things that I needed. I own 5 watches, all batteries had stopped, so get 2 of them fixed. Got a much need hair cut. I purchased a little lightweight jacket for spring. It is bright yellow. It gives me hope that Mother nature has not forgotten we are all waiting for her to warm us up.

I continue to work on my Adam and Eve rug. I only have Eve's upper body to do and a small amount of background around her and the rug will be finished. I am pleased with the way it is turning out and will be glad to get it finished. Pictures once I figure out this darn computer

I hope all are well and keeping warm.

Doris

ODE TO JOANNE

Dear Joanne,

I read your blog and nearly fell off of the computer chair laughing. So you are approaching your 50th birthday and have just received your first junk mail from AARP. Whoohoo! This is only the beginning.

In the next few weeks you will learn how good their health insurance is, how they can get you discounts on cruises and other vacations, how important it is for you to have their sticker on your bumper and other sundry things. Of course, they are not the only organization that will be contacting you about "your old age."

Now that you are approaching your 60th birthday, you must be getting ready to retire. That means that you must have some money in the bank to live on. You will be surprised how many organizations want a share of that loot. For instance, St. Luke's hospital for Children, Children living on the Indian Reservation will send you a dream catcher, Disabled American Veterns will send address labels, as will 30 or 40 other groups. By the time you reach the age of 69 you will have accumulated at least 2000 address labels. I think they are planning on your living to 105. Don't forget to give to your local Sheriff and the Bene. Order of Police - they send you a bill - not a plea for a donation. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.

Now that you are approaching 70 I'm sure that your eyesight has suffered from all of those long days in the sun and watching the ocean. Do you know how many ophthalmologist's there are in your town or county? Gosh, there are lots and they all have large advertising budgets. Cataracts are surely dimming your eyesight. You probably don't realize it but the advertisers sure do. Lots of advertising in the mail box. This is also the time of your life when you begin to go deaf.

Now that you are approaching 80 - guess what??? You are deaf, dumb and blind! Of course anything that you don't understand that the younger generation is doing makes you senile or "in the generation gap." I say phooey on the generation gap. I still believe that manners and morals are important. I also believe that the English language is a beautiful thing. It's to bad that our young people have forgotten how to communicate with each other. I do not consider - I M OK - R U ? to be legitimate communication. However that belief does not make me deaf!

Now is when the cemetary brochures show up in the mail box. Do I care if the dirt above my head has been sifted so there are no lumps on me? Heck no. Do I care if the handles on my casket are silver or gold. Of course not. I will be with my God and loved ones and not worrying about such things.

They say advice is only as good as what you pay for it. Here's my FREE advice to you. Keep your mail box cleaned of junque mail. Keep your sense of humor fresh and sassy. Keep a positive and upbeat attitude. Remember to sing in the shower and dance in the kitchen! Sing and dance every day.

The best years are yet to be lived by you!

Posted with love,

Doris

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOANNE

FRUSTRATION OVER .......I THINK

I have been very frustrated for the past week and unable to update my blog because my computer has a mind of its own! For some unknow reason, to me, the computer decided to no longer tell me where it was putting my pictures when I transferred them from the camera. I find using the computer one big mystery - even Basil Rathbone could not solve.


On Saturday Traci, Elinor and I ventured to Sterling, Va. to the Goose Creek Hookers Hook-in. This turned out to be a great adventure. First, we decided to listen to Tom-Tom but we didn't like what the lady was telling us so we looked at MapQuest that Traci had printed out. Very conflicting instructions. After about an hour, and a few run-abouts we arrived at our destination. Believe it or not, we were a bit early so ventured to the shopping center to visit McDonalds. That proved to be another interesting trip. The layout of the shopping center was done by a cross-eyed engineer and confusion reigned!


However, we did finally get something to eat and then were on our way back to the church meeting place. This proved to be a most delightful hook-in. My guess is that about 75-100 people were in attendance. It was held in the church recreation hall, a very large room, with several smaller rooms leading off of the main corridor. The room was extremely well lit, which is so important to hookers. The smaller rooms housed the vendors leaving plenty of room in the main area for hookers. A most pleasing arrangement. The co-chair persons, Anne Geiger and MaryAnne Harden, did a wonderful job of preparing and seeing that everyone was confortable. Raffles were held every hour on the hour and a very nice rug show also was hung for all to see.


The following pictures are from that show. I did not attempt to get all of the rugs nor did I get names of those that hooked the rugs or titles of the rugs. I hope that you will enjoy seeing what some of the rug makers in Virginia are creating.

This study in color was created by
Sarah Provence

This is a close-up of parts of a pillow. The

flowers are all three dimensional

An overall view of the pillow. It was

much more beautiful than my picures

show

A very nice half-round in the

crewel style

I don't know whose piece this is but I do

know that several attendees were from

the Nova Scotia Guild - was someone

there from Wales????

A very nice pictorial

Another color study by Sarah Provence

An interesting design

I loved the pastels of this rug. I belive that

the flowers were prodded

As last years hook-in the chapter offered a

challenge to its members and attendees to

do a snowman piece. This is one of the

finished pieces

A different snowman

A third interpretation of the snow man

theme.

I hope you have enjoyed this little rug show. This was the nicest hook-in that I have ever attended. Enough room to set up and actually hook and yet room to visit with friends and meet new people. Well organized and a well thought out plan by the chairpersons. If you have an opportunity to attend next year I recommend you do so. A good time was had by all.

It is snowing and sleeting in Maryland today. A thoroughly miserable day. I put on a pot of spicy bean soup early this morning. The whole house has a wonderful aroma of soup cooking. My latest rug project is on the hooking stand waiting for the hook to do its work and I have several good books to read. The book that I won from Pamela Terry's House of Edward arrived yesterday and it is a beauty. I have only looked at the first few pages and can't wait to read it. Eloise is tucked up in bed with several blankets around her. On a cold snowy day what more could a person ask for?

Doris

A SNOWY DAY -

It began to snow about 5 pm on Monday evening, just a lightly snow that felt a bit wet. Not big flakes, not small flakes, just white fluff drifing down from the heavens above. Eloise and I did not think much about it since it had been forcast most of the day. We went to bed at our usual time and were surprised when we arose this morning to see about 2 inches on the ground.

Wonder whose foot prints these are?
Well, white on white, with a bit of
brown so she can be seen in the snow.
For someone that hates rain she is
very adept with snow.

Look closely at the left hand side of the
picture. These are my neighbors horses
picking for grass thru the snow.
This was a very picturesque scene and
oh, so peaceful and serene,


This hand carved Antelope normally stands

on the hearth in my family room. We

moved it outdoors for Christmas since

we were having a small child in attendance.

He looks wonderful in the snow.

So regal!

Richard came this afternoon with his
shovel. He purchased a snow blower
last year but still prefers to shovel.
Silly boy!
This was my first knowledge that
there was an inch of ice on top of
the snow. What a slippery mess.

These are the scenes that I love. When I
see these barren branches against the sky
I know that Mother Nature is showing us
the beauty of her world.

The curving lacyness of these branches
are a thing of beauty to me and inspire me
to know that all will be right with
the world.

Upright branches against a molton sky.
Hard to find a more beautiful sight.
It's the small things of life that are so
important, just looking around us and
seeing our world for what it is.

Doris