Mr. Dapper Snowman

January can seem like a long, bleak month following all of the holiday lights and glitter of December. January is the month when the winter cold sets in and is here in earnest.

To celebrate the season, I decorate the house with an assortment of snowmen to cheer me up. My design, Mr. Dapper Snowman adds a happy spark to my collection.

Mr. Dapper Snowman is now available in my etsy shop as an instant downloadable PDF.

It is a light-hearted, fun pattern to hook. Or perhaps you would prefer to make it into a wool appliqué piece. The heart can be sewn on a pillow, or be made into a wall hanging. I've also included a smaller version suitable for punch needle embroidery.

Don't bother waiting for the mail carrier on this one. Download the PDF files now, and start creating your own snowman collection. This is a great weekend project and suitable for the beginner or experienced crafts person!

Please visit my ETSY to view Mr. Dapper Snowman as an instant downloadable PDF, a pattern printed on linen, and other hooking relating items.

 

Star Of Wonder

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my home to yours!

 

Trees Beyond Christmas

'Windswept Sentinel' is the name of this design. Many of my favorite places to hike or camp are surrounded by forest lands, beaches and inlets with windswept trees. This tree reminds me of being out in the wild. Is it sunrise or sunset, dawn or dusk?

This time of year, many of us bring a Christmas tree into our home, to celebrate the holiday. I love having a real tree in the house. The smell of pine, or whatever that good-tree-smell is officially called, makes me happy!

I grew up on a farm, and I have many memories of climbing trees, planting tree seedlings, making forts in stumps of trees and hiking along trails where filtered-sun shone through the tree branches onto our path.

I continue to have good feelings about trees and have hooked many rugs that use trees as a backdrop or focal point.

In 'Apple of My Eye' the tree branches dance across the rug. The brightly colored motifs reflect the heartfelt emotion and sentiment of the wording. A concrete reminder to cherish the loved ones in your life.

In 'Bunny Lullaby' a rabbit naps serenely in a fruit ladened orchard.

Fir boughs and foxgloves decorate this little nuthatch's nest in 'Expecting'.

In 'Sanctuary' the roots of the tree spread out to cover and protect the salmon below, while the branches reach out to surround and watch over the bird above.

So, while it is great to have a real tree in your house for a month out of the year, consider hooking some trees in your rugs, so you can have them indoors, year round.

Please visit my ETSY or contact me to learn more about my patterns, designs, or hand dyed wool.

 

PEACE

I hooked this small mat a few years ago.

My intent was to use everything about this design to point me or you, the viewer, in the direction of feeling at peace.

You will notice the use of the peace symbol as part of the tree.

The sleeping baby bird is meant to pull at your heartstrings. Whether you are a mom, an auntie, a grandmother, have been a babysitter, or perhaps worked with young children, you know that a sweetly napping baby always fills you with peace.

The muted colors and dark background, again, are meant to make you feel calm and serene.

And finally, if you or I missed all the other cues, surely the spelled out word, "peace" will give your brain the message...breathe, relax, be at peace.

This wall hanging has been grabbing my attention a lot these past few weeks, and a couple of lines from a song keep popping into my head.

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

Peace my friends!

 

International Rug Hooking Day

This Friday, December 4, is International Rug Hooking Day! Who knew? Right?!

I first heard about it last year. However, I think it has been around for over 20 years. It is about time!

What a great idea to take a day to celebrate our art!

What are your plans for honoring the day?

Can you meet hooking friends at a coffee house, or library?

If you work that day, can you bring in some of your rugs to show coworkers or hook on your lunch break?

I am planning to hook in a public place, as a way to share with the general public, the art of rug hooking. I have sent an email out to members of my Rug Hooking Guild in the hopes that someone will meet me at a neighborhood coffee house. What could be better than to sit, hook and visit for several hours while sipping tea or coffee and celebrating the day that honors our craft? Maybe I will put a little sign on the table that says, "Ask me about rug hooking!"

Most people know about quilting and knitting. Now, I mean no disrespect, but I am weary of folks thinking that what I do is similar to latch hooking. It truly is time to educate the public.

I know it is a busy month. Yet, please consider taking time to celebrate and share rug hooking!

I am curious, what are your plans for the day?