Wishing you and yours a woolly Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Dec. 12 Christmas Open House

Can you guess where I was today? Just look at these colors and amazing hand work. That's right, my good friend Sue Spargo's  workshop/ studio/ shop. Her work is so very inspiring and just makes you smile, love this talented lady. Please keep her in your prayers as she is in her battle with cancer. She is surrounded by her wonderful family, who work with her and great friends who  are lifting her up. You too can have some great photos of her work in her new book, Stitches to Savor, and her 2016 calendar. Eye candy!

Dec.11 Needle Night Christmas

Another fun party last night with my needle ladies! More fabulous food( tis the season, right?) lots of laughs, and of course another wonderful ornament exchange. Too much fun, and I love it!

Dec. 7 Hooking Club Christmas

Last night was a great evening of sharing wonderful food and conversation with some lovely ladies. Of course the fun part is when we have the ornament exchange. Missed those of you that couldn't make it!

Dec. 5 Gift yourself

Why not give yourself an early Christmas gift and order Donna's new book from RHM. This new book is chock full of great information and wonderful photos!

Dec. 3 Stockings

Just finished my (last?) grandchild's stocking. I've done one for each of them, all different, this is no. 11.

Dec.1 Change of plans

Today I was to go with friends for an outing, but it was canceled. So, instead my friend Nan came over so I could help her finish her snowman that she wants to hang in her wreath on her front door. Thought I would turn it into a little tutorial to show how we went about it. This is a great way to finish small projects.
Here we go.

After the hooking is done, we trimmed away excess fabric, then took the iron to it. Steam the hooking and pressed the excess fabric to the back.

Then we cut a piece of wool to go on the back, folded the edges in, and used the binding clips to hold it all in place. Now the backing is whipped stitched in place.

Once the backing is sewn on, we added the scarf, needle felted a hat and felted it in place. The twigs were poked between the layers, a hanging loop added to the back, and he's ready for the holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov. 20 Miami Valley Rug Hooking Guild

Finally able to get to a meeting last night, love to see what all these ladies are up to. Just a taste of projects in the works or finished and brought to share. 

Creative Spirits Workshops 2016

                     

                                                      Something New for 2016

            CREATIVE SPIRITS WORKSHOPS

3 different dates, 3 different teachers, for 3 days

These creative teacher/ designers will share a unique project for 2 days. The third day is an open hook/ stitching day.  Join us in Tipp City, Oh.  for all 3 days, or just for the final day of fun.

February 25-27 2016  is Maria Barton - Star Rug Co.

June 23-25 2016 is Maggie Bonanomi

November 2016 (dates to be determined) is Katie Allman

Christmas JOY

I like to come up with an idea that can be personalized to suit the person making it. Although the directions for this project are given to do a "JOY" ornament, changing it up can be easily done. Instead of "JOY" add a name or date, or another word that has meaning to you. The trick is to hook the same number of rows of color forming the pattern, then it can be made as long as you need it to be.Needle felting the word on top of the hooking is quickly and simply done. Finish the ornament with a little holiday sparkle using glitter glue.

Wishing you and yours "JOY" for the holidays!

JOY for the Holidays

* Draw a 3.5" x 5.5" rectangle on rug hooking backing
* Hook 4 rows of red in a #8 cut, one row of green in a #8.5 cut, repeat 2 more times, finishing with 4 rows of red.
*Using natural roving, needle felt the word JOY on top of and into the rug hooking
* To finish, apply white glue at the edge of the rug hooking front and back, once it is dry, cut away the excess backing.
*Using white glue,cover the back of the hooked ornament and place it on top of a 4.5"x6.5" piece of black wool. Once it is dry, cut a zig- zag edge.
* Needle felt 2 green holly leaves, with a few red berries.
*Add the wire hanger, lacing it into the ornament on one side, thur the holly leaves, and out the other side of the ornament.
*For the finishing touch apply a little glitter glue on top of the lettering and the holly leaves and berries.

 
My idea of good entertaining is to keep things simple. Buying good things to share or making something with a few ingredients to keep make it easy. These little sausage balls are something my mom used to make and couldn't be easier with only 3 Ingredients. You can change it up by simply using different flavors of sausage or cheese. Enjoy!