Noah's Ark Rug!

I finally finished my rug, I got all of the outside hooking done today. It is a good sized rug, 36" x21". Mine is an inch wider than the actual, guess I over hooked as usual;) It was a kit by Mad Hen Primitives and came with all of the wools precut. I did not have enough to finish the background and went a bit lighter. I like how it came out, looks like someone who used what they had to make a rug and gives it a more primitive look.

Since I tend to be a bit tight in my hooking, it curls a bit. I lay the rug on a towel and then use another towel, that I dampen and place that on the rug. I use a steam iron and steam it until it lays flat, but it still needs more. I will wait till I bind it, then I will re-steam it, before I hang it.

I lightened it up a bit, so you could see the details.

Noah's Ark Rug Progress!

I have been working a bit at a time, on my rug and finally finished the middle section. This was a kit from Mad Hen Primitives that was gifted to me by a friend. I love being able to hook without having to worry about picking colors or cutting the strips, just enjoying the process of hooking and watching the design evolve.

The bad thing is, I ran out of background colors and had nothing that matched her strips, so I just added what I had. The flash really popped out the colors, so hard to see how it looks in a photograph. Now all I have to do is the outer animals and a dark border background. I do have the strips, so I hope I don't run out, but it is easier to match up darker wools.

My friend Cyndi who gifted me this wonderful rug is down sizing her stash and has a lot of wonderful patterns for sale on EBAY right now, if you want to take a look.

Noah's Ark Banner!

After I got all of the chaos out of the way, I have been resting. I am so sore from the paddle, didn't realize I had paddled that far and when you start out tired, it is not smart to over do it, lol.

I think I got everything covered and taken care of, still need a new window for my car and I have to get another license and of course a purse to put it in. I want to thank all of you for your comments and encouragement, friends are a blessing when we have a bad day.

Yesterday I finished my ark piece, and hung it on the wall. I made it to fit above the back double doors, so it is long and narrow. I tried getting a good shot, but with it on the wall, I had the fan light in the way, and reducing it, made it hard to see the details. I used a lot of fun fabrics, some homespuns and patterns that worked well with the animals, I used them on. The design was made from patterns by Jan patek and some from Janet Bolten and a bit of my own. I also added some 3D elements to some areas, just had fun and made it up, as I went along.

Of course, you know who had to jump up on his tree to get in on the action. The quilt measures 68" x 10".

Here is a closer look at the center designs. I used jute for hay and some tools in noah's box. I had to lighten and sharpen the photos, so they look bright and cutesy, I wish I could have taken a photo outside before I hung it up. I used double backed rug tape to put it on the wall.

Fixes, Felines and Progress!

I was so upset that I ruined my piece, so I worked some more on it, a bit of bleach stick and a few washing in dish detergent and I washed all the red out. I stained it more heavily, thinking the red would remain and that would cover it, but I guess I didn't need so much. Now it is very prim, which is ok too. The threads are from Laura at ArtFabrik and she will be doing a posting about her threads and bleed throughs, so if you are not already, Laura's site is worth adding to your blogger list. She has lots of wonderful tutorials and inspiration. The design can be found at Elin's Kreative Side, in the side bar that lists freebies.

And...I worked some more on my Noah's ark rug. There was not enough in the kit to fill in the background, so I am using some of my tan/browns which are darker than the photo that comes with the kit, but still works nicely. The design is by Tonya of Mad Hen Primitives.

Today I had the fun of chasing two kitties who made a great escape. The builders didn't shut the doors all the way in the basement and moki, who is too smart for his own good, opened them. Luckily I was on the porch when I saw two black kitties go running across the yard. Moki was easy to get, he stays still, but Izzy kept running, so I had to crawl through some bushes to get her. Other than that, she plays the sweet little kitty who likes to sleep in objects not meant for cats.

Kitty Helpers and Rug Progress!

I started cleaning up the christmas decorations, a bit at a time and of course the kitties have to help. Nothing like a plastic bag to amuse them.

And once Moki got bored of playing, Izzy had to try it out. Then Moki went into his stalker mood and Izzy did her screaming routine until he stopped harassing her.

And I worked on my rug, the tree is done and two birds. I ran out of colors, think I used the wrong ones in the wrong places, but that is ok. I will work the background from the outside and inside the motifs. That way if I run out of colors, I can substitute easier.

New Project: Hand Hooked Rug

I have found myself missing rug hooking and thinking of finishing one I was making for my bedroom, when a surprise box arrived the other day. My good friend Cyndi was cleaning out her stash and gifted me with some new rug patterns, as well as some cross stitch patterns from Primitive Betty.

Not only did she send the patterns, but two were kits and one has all the wool cut for it. Now I could not resist that, no hassle rug making, just hook and enjoy the process. It is also one of my favorite subject matters, Noah's ark, so that is what I started this weekend. The pattern is by Mad Hen Primitives and comes with all the wool I need. They are all quality, hand dyed wools, so it is a pleasure to hook with them. I think I might have messed up with the tree colors and used the bird's pieces, so I will hook the bottom ones last, when I see what I have left from the tree area. The birds are dark browns with a mix of other colors, so I can always pull out some dark pieces from the tree and replace them with the lighter shades. The wool is marked for each piece, but the tree had the bird bundle mixed in with it. Now I am thinking I might go with a folk art biblical theme in my bedroom and hang this on the wall, now I need to come up with a quilt that will match it all.

Noah's Ark Progress!

I have been working on finishing my Noah's Ark and still working.
I did an outline stitch in black around the appliques and adding some embellishments as I go and will finish those off next.
Once I get the border on, then I will decide if I want to add more, I was thinking of adding a stitchery saying going through the empty spots, but will have to figure that one out, then decide.

Hard to take a photo with flash at night and hard to get it all in one, without being too small, so I have three shots, some better than others, I am a bit shaky tonight;)

This is the middle section, I got a bit carried away with my monkeys, lol. Noah now has a tool box and Mrs. Noah is bringing in supplies. I think I might add some strands of yarn for the sitting goose, needs something underneath her.



I gave the zebras some manes and added some new critters to the right.



And to the left, more new critters and finishes, details needed on some. I was told today that my good camera should be here on monday, so I hope i can get better indoor shots with the new one. This will be going over a double door, so higher up and I wanted more color and things that pop out, so it shows when it gets placed on the wall. Plus I am just silly lately;)

The giveaway, in the last posting, ends tomorrow, so you still have a chance to enter. Now I will make sure I get the information as I make my quilts so I can fill it into my Quilt Album.

Friday, Felines and Finishes!

For me, friday is the end of another week and lyme treatment and I think, I made it through another week, lol.
Actually I started on a Monday, so that is my actually two week of treatment day. I feel better in some ways, but weak and tired and it does effect me mentally. But, I know it is all good pain, the lyme is dying and someday I will feel good again and it won't come back this time. Weekends are nice too, I have Bill to boss around and cook for me;)

This is how the girls spend their day, bird watching.



And this is how I spend part of my day.... Working in the garden.....



And playing with Casey. Poor guy loves to play, so I have to make sure I spend a little time with him, outside.



And here is how I spend my nights, working on my ark. Adding more animals and birds.



And more animals and birds and some silly monkeys. I am definitely getting silly lately, but having fun;) I have a noah's book by janet bolton, so I used her monkeys, just need to add faces, as well as details on other things. I have a few ideas of what I want to add next, so we shall see;)

Animals, two by two!

I added a few more things this weekend. I finished Mrs. Noah and the tree and then added some animals. I took the elephants from the Country Days book, but I think they look a bit babyish, so I can going to add tusks to mine.



On the right side I went with zebras. I used the horse pattern and traced it out a little differently, then used this fun striped fabric that my friend kelly gave me. Later I will add birds and some will go on a back or two. I think it is coming out a little wonky, trying to keep it with the bottom lines for layout, but my brain is wonky too, so wonky it shall be;)

Still waiting for the camera part, it is supposed to come on the 15th, but I sure wish they would hurry, so maybe I could get some shots that show the colors better. So, you will have to bear with me and look at my horrid photos for now;)

Noah's Ark!

I was going to wait to take a photo, but I thought I would show you my progress. The picture is horrid, but i have to put up with my old camera which only has 5 mp's, so even in light the photos aren't great. I am using the book Noah, by Patek, Brannock and Kimmel. I plan on adding a few embellishments like a beard, etc, after I finish stitching the piece. I just wanted something fun to work on and I will hang it over my double doors. The space is narrow, so the piece will be 9" by 68" long. I will probably add a black border just to frame it, since it can't be too big. After I sew Mrs Noah and the tree, I will start adding animals and then see what space is left and throw some birds in the empty areas.

Today I started out feeling horrid, but then I went out for a swim and felt good enough to do some garden work. I have two yellow squashes almost ready and the beans should be ready for this weekend. Just wish the tomatoes would ripen, next year I have to start earlier. I really appreciate all of your comments and well wishes. My brain works on and off, so I can only do so much thinking in one day;)

My Secret Projects revealed!

Now that the gifts have arrived, I can show you what I was working on.
My friend Kelley is turning .... tomorrow and I wanted to make her something special.
She had shown me an antique cradle that she would have liked to have. So, I had my husband build me one just like it and then I painted it to match the original. We had to work from scratch so the sides had to be redone and I didn't realize until I painted it, that he messed up the rockers, they should have a slight dip in the middle. I notice these things;) But, it all worked out and not bad for our first try. I made ticking pillows and then antiqued them. This is a photo without the matte spray. If you want to see a picture of it with the finish you can check out Kelley's blog, on the left side column.



No cradle is complete without a doll quilt. I had planned on doing a hand pieced quilt, but then I got an idea and this is what I came up with. It is a combination of Janet Bolton, Jan Patek and Me.

Freebie Pattern and Contest!

Recently, I have been asked by Lynette Anderson, to create samples from her wonderful quilt and stitchery designs. Lynette is an Australian quilt designer who creates whimsical patterns that appeal to primitive and folk art quilters.

For a practice run, I decided to make a design from her free block of the month patterns; Noah's Ark. I took three different designs and incorporated them into one punch needle design. After I made the design, I made it into a cupboard hanger and antiqued it with walnut spray. It really gives a nice aged look to the piece.



Lynette's designs were so fun to punch up, that we thought you might enjoy making one for yourself. It is a preview of the new punch needle pattern line that Lynette will be offering in the future. If you would like to get your free pattern, visit Lynette's Blog. You will find instructions on how to get your free copy and a clue to a contest she is going to run in conjunction with the new pattern. Please remember to leave a message and feedback on Lynette's designs in punch needle.

New Patterns

For those of you who have asked for the Fraktur Rabbit in a pattern, you can now get that and my newest sheep pattern in one PDF pattern. I am offering it as an epattern on my ecrater site, Woolensails, which you can link to, in the upper left hand column. These patterns are great for punch needle and rug hooking.

Weekend thrifting

One of my favorite pastimes is to go thrift shopping, you never know what you will find.
We have a few thrift stores along with antique consignments, so there are plenty of places to look for treasures.
Sometimes I buy things just because it is neat, or interesting or something I can remake into a new item.

Today's find was a rustic candle box. I threw it on the wall with a candle, but I will be sanding it down and refinishing it in my favorite black over mustard. I need to find a candle that will look good in that box, another excuse to thrift;)



I have also been thinking in themes. It is fun to come up with new ideas and decorate areas with a theme, so these are my theme finds that I got Saturday. The church fits on a shelf I have, you know the big hole in the wall I showed before, haha. Well, I was thinking I could put the church on the shelf and make some sheep and items to go on either side. Then I can make some bird ornies and hang them in the hole. Well, it's an idea, we shall see what I come up with;)

Then I saw the noah's ark puzzle, had to have it, have no idea why, but I like it and that is what counts. I was thinking of doing a noah's ark theme, so that would be fun to design a rug and make more folk animals for an area in the house. I plan on doing a sewing/textile theme with my other found items and saw this pin cushion. Not sure if I will keep it, think it will be a fun gift to throw into a future box for a fellow sewer. Sometimes I buy things just because and put them in a box for future presents. This christmas I had a swap and the person loved to collect pin cushions, of course I couldn't find any then;)



Since I was out and about and the Folk art quilt store was in the area, I just had to stop by and see what new items they might have. Nothing new, but I picked up some nice greens and a beautiful red shade. I love to make hearts on some of my quilting items and it is hard to find nice prim reds. I am always in need of good greens for leaves and stems. It seems the stores never have the shades I am looking for, so I have to settle. I guess I will have to start ordering online.