Workt by Hand, 2010

Another great WBH weekend! So much fun to be with Sally, Sue and Melissa again, and share in teaching. Not to mention all the wonderful participants both old and "newbies."
This years project guidelines were 9 - 5" cubes, reuse & recycle fabrics and embellishments, embellish at least one side and the four of us each did something different with the cubes. I stacked them on the lamp base, Sally hung hers from the branch, Melissa's were loose in a basket, and Sue covered wooden blocks that will hang on the wall.
From there all participants were given a packet of fabrics and 9 designs to get started. Mini workshops are done all weekend long, not only by us, but the ladies all share ideas with each other.
It is by far the most creative weekend I've ever been apart of and look forward to it each year.

Sally's project

Close up of a couple blocks

Melissa's project


My project

Sue's project

Close up of one block

Setting up to get started

Thursday night's pincushion project

Friday night dinner

Pincushions done by Lori and Lana

Show and tell on Saturday - another favorite time. Some amazing talent out there!


An angel done for Kristi by Linda from London, England

Some of last year's finished projects by Linda, Barb & Nancy

Rug hooking by Marketa and Faith

Jan returned from New Zeland, and shared her interpretation of a hooked rug done in applique

Quilts and wall hangings shared by several of the ladies

Flowers, anyone?

Last week my car was filled with fibers - this week flowers! A trip to the nursery, with my good friend, Nan.

Holmes County, Hook In

Packed and ready to head out to the Amish Country Wool Artisans Hook in. Just enough room for me!

A perfect spring day, can't remember when I've driven this long (2.5 hours) and not been on the interstate. Beautiful countryside through the heartland of Ohio. Reminded me of driving to my grandparent's farm in Pennsylvania. Quite the contrast of where I was 2 weeks ago in Vegas! I must admit, I prefer the country.

The view from my "cabin" room - lovely!

Arrived in Berlin, with a quick stop at the http://www.countrycraftcupboard.com/. Lots to see, with a great wool room!

Booth is set up, read for tomorrow.

A great turnout for the day, over 100 ladies in attendance. Hooking, shopping and eating. Some of the other vendors in attendance: http://www.madhenprims.com/, Loop Dee Loo Rugs, Crows on the Ledge, http://www.pbpatterns.com/ [hope to have some of Marlene's patterns at Sauder].

What a fantastic display of rugs. One that sticks out in my mind is this cat & crow rug. I have never seen a large rug with so much of the Waldaboro (sculpted) technique used, beautiful job. So much talent out there.

Coming up is the Workt by Hand workshop. Can't wait for Sally, Sue and Melissa to arrive, along with old friends and new. This weekend is one of my favorites of all year. My project is done (yeah!) so watch for all the photos of the weekend!

Debra Henkel

Debra Henkel [www.handmaidendesigns.com] was visiting again from Virginia. She's working away on her line of hooking patterns.

Las Vegas

I just returned from a fantastic whirlwind trip to Vegas. I went to see my friend, Jan who is the one who got me started making jewelry. She beads with a great group of ladies, and convinced me to come out to take a workshop with Robin Howes. [http://www.robindudleyhowesblogspot.com/] I am so glad I went, because it was GREAT! It was my idea of the prefect trip, beads, ribbons, quilt shop, a little site seeing, and doing it all with friends both new and old.

This is a small part of Jan's wonderful studio, and the first necklace she made with Robin in Calif.

While there we visited this amazing ribbon store, http://www.ribbonstore.com/, I was so blown away by the reams of ribbon, both new and vintage. You must check it out.

Slots are everywhere, even in the grocery. Gives new meaning to gambling away the food off the table, who's idea was this??

Another stop was the Christmas Goose quilt shop, I'm excited that they have asked me to come back in the winter of 2011 to teach a wool workshop. I'll have more info. on this later once the date is set. They have a great selection of many different fabrics with lots of great samples.

Next was a visit to the National Redrock Park, breath taking.

Now for the main reason I went, the workshop at Bead Haven [http://www.beadhaven.com/] with Robin. This shop has more wonderful beads than I have ever seen in one place. VERY dangerous! I was able to do some major damage, it's a good thing I don't live there.

Here are a few photos of some of Robin's jewelry, I just love the mix.

Some of the pieces I got done to go on my necklace. I definitely got the bug and you will see more from me.

Happy Easter

God loves you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Happy Easter

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