Daylight Savings Time Begins!

Isn't this a great clock?  I saw this at a museum in Helsinki when I traveled there in 2006.  I have always loved the whimsy and humor in the design. It made me laugh out loud when I came across it in a room full of clocks and furniture pieces. The Finns have a great heritage of design and innovation.

I so wish that I had a clock like this!  Maybe a rug design???

Enjoy your extra hour of daylight tomorrow!

"Spring Forward" Special!

It's time to "spring ahead" on Sunday and turn our clocks back to Daylight Savings Time.  I, for one, will be happy to gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening.  Somehow it feels like Spring is just around the corner....

to get that Spring feeling started, I am offering a special price on two textured woolens.  They are regularly priced at $20.00 per yard (unwashed), but for a limited time, I will be slashing the price to $15.00 per yard.

I love the versatility of this check!  It is reversible and while one side is brighter, the other side is more muted.  I've used this to hook stars but this would also be great for borders, flowers, wonky houses or chickens.

 This is another great texture with olive green and fushia.  Another perfect wool for flowers, borders, leaves....how about some really funky cats?!?!

Remember, these to Spring Special woolens are $15.00 per yard for a limited time!  Call or e-mail me if you are interested!

Rug of the day-Jaunary 22nd

Thank you for all your kind comments about "Rug of the Day."  I am humbled knowing that I had many readers coming back each day to see what was next.  I am happy that I have inspired you!  Now (sadly) I have to take a break, since I will be on the road teaching for the next two weeks and will have limited computer use.

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The rug of the day is Give Ye Thanks, adapted from Lori Brechlin folk art by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2007.

This rug is hooked by Susan Pilotto.   Wow!  What a great autumn look!  I love how Susan swirled those yummy colors into the hill/ground. And who wouldn't want to live in that wonderful rustic cabin?  Great job, Susan!

I took this picture at Sauder Village last summer.  This rug is hooked by Barbara Hoffman.  I love the addition of blue...very unexpected and very whimsical.  I also love the red roof and door on the cabin.  The background gives the rug an overall old "antique" feeling.

The third rug is hooked by Jan Adler. Her rug was on display at Sauder Village last year but this is the rug she worked on when she was in my workshop that I taught in Indianapolis in 2010.  The dark background sets off the red and orange colors perfectly.  I love the two-toned leaves!

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Again, these three rugs show the wonderful variety that can be executed with the same pattern...all have the same feeling of autumn and cozy-home-cabin, but still they are all different and contain the personality of the rug maker.

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I'll be back in two weeks with new rugs and new stories!
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PS:  Forgot to post what my secret was (mentioned a few days ago):  My Midnight Clear rug won an honorable mention spot in Celebrations XXII!  WooHoo!

Rug of the Day-January 21st-something different

I taught a great beginner class today!  There were 8 eager learners and they are now on their way to becoming accomplished rug hooking artists.  I talked a little about the history of rug hooking  and the way old rugs were hooked.  It made me a little nostalgic, so I looked up my pictures from the Magdalena rugs that were on display at the Sauder Village rug exhibit last summer.  I'm sure many of you have seen pictures already but I took some close-ups and I think they are worth sharing.

I like to think that Magdalena had a wonderful, whimsical, and very creative imagination.  I think this rug is terrific.  If you want the pattern, Barb Carroll from the Woolley Fox does an adaptation of this rug.  Look at these close-ups:

You can see all types of cool fabrics in there-stripes and dots and prints!  Maybe Grandpa's pants or Grandma's old Sunday dress. Not all of it was wool. The colors are vibrant still, even though more than a hundred years of wear has taken its toll.

I don't think anyone should ever worry about if their hooking is even or not...Magdalena just worked her magic and we love it!

I love this little dog rug too.  The colors are so simple and yet it just speaks to my heart.
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PS:  Just in case you haven't noticed, I have posted my 2012 schedule.  Just click on the words at the top of this page and it will take you to a new page with my schedule.  There may be a few more additions, so make sure you check  back occasionally to see what's new.

Rug of the Day-January 20th

The snow is coming down and swirling all around tonight! 

Today's rug is The Stocking Was Hung, a design by Lori Brechlin, adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios (c)2007

This rug was hooked by Rebecca Erb.  As you might expect, I love the turquoise stocking.  Her little doll has such a sweet face!

This work in progress is Janet Kersh's rug.  She was a student of mine at the Star of Texas Rug Camp in Fredericksburg last September.  What a beautiful job she is doing on this rug!  I love the gold dress with the "lace" trim and the multicolored wings.  Her doll has a sweet face too.

This rug was on display at Sauder Village last August and it was hooked by Alicia McLeod.  She used brighter colors and says she "gave the angel the wistful look of a child's porcelain doll."  I think the face is indeed lovely and I think it is wonderful that one pattern can be hooked up in so many different ways.  I think this is another pattern that will be added to my bucket list!

Rug of the Day-January 19th

Brrr....it is so cold and blustery outside tonight!

Today's rug is Midnight Clear, adapted from Lori Brechlin folk art by Spruce Ridge Studios.

This rug was on display at Sauder Village last summer and was hooked by Ann Corazzi.  I love how Ann used sheep curls for Santa's beard.  I also love the tweed that she used for the trim on the coat...it's a great texture!

This is my Midnight Clear rug....one of my favorites!  I have some news to share about this rug later...but here's a hint for now:  you will probably be seeing it at Sauder Village this summer.

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Rug of the Day-January 18th

Another Halloween rug!  

This is Olde Hallow's Eve, a Lori Brechlin design adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2010

This sweet little mat was hooked by Ginny Westover.  She purchased the pattern and wool kit from me and mounted it on a black board that was cut out in the same shape as the hooked piece.  Ginny has it displayed perfectly!

Here is my hooked version on display in my booth at the ATHA Biennial in October.  My husband is a professional picture framer by trade and he always comes up with creative framing ideas.  He made the gravestone out of wood and painted it with some type of textural paint to make it look like stonework. Throw in some leaves, moss, and a black crow...instant spooky grave!

(I still have a few of these kits available...if you are interested, shoot me an e-mail).