Marbleous Mat Makers!

What a busy weekend! I know that there is a rug hooking group in Corner Brook but because of the conflict between the Day Job and the time the group meets, I have never been able to join.

This weekend, the Marbleous Mat Makers, which must be a play on words between our gorgeous Marble Mountain and the group, had a demonstration of their mats. I was extremely impressed with the quality and artistic ability of these rug hookers.

With permission, I took some pictures of the display rugs, but these pictures pale in comparison to the actual mats.




And to top it all off, I won one of Cathy of Orange Sink's blog prizes!

The Winner of the Icons of Newfoundland!

My donation to the Bay of Islands SPCA raised over $1700.00 which will go directly to the new building fund. Pictured here are Isabel Power (shelter volunteer) with Kim Taylor of Pasadena (Rug Winner).

This rug was designed by Anne Kirby of Lord's Cove.

A Bundle of Sky

I had to order some wool so I can complete the Three Little Houses. I received my bundle of sky from Deanne and it is so cute, I don't even want to unwrap it. Deanne always adds abit of artistry to everything she does.

The Three Little Houses is my wool strip project, having only used wool strips and maybe, a bit of fleece for texture.

My Little Town!

This is an aerial view of my little Newfoundland town, Meadows. This view is approximately in the middle of Meadows and my house is at the beginning of the town and not in the picture.

Meadows is one of six communities on the North Shore of the Bay of Islands, approximately 15 kilometers from Corner Brook and has a population of 600 homes.

I thought you would like to see this picture which I borrowed from our town clerk!

OMG!

I returned to the Day Job this week on an easeback schedule. OMG! (Oh, my God), I am so busy catching up with the changes, I had to have a nap this afternoon. But, all in all, it is good to be back.

I had started a small rug hooking group before my leave of absence and if I find time, I will be restarting the group in the next few weeks at lunch hour. I hope to have some pictures to post on the hooking projects.

Sheltered from the Storm

I took this picture while in Long Point which is near Twillingate. This tiny little fir tree clenched against the cold North Atlantic winds and sheltered by five million year old rock. What an example of silent strength and the survival.

It was my first day on the Day Job after being off for six months and by the state of my office, I think I was missed.

Blue Nose Mat

I am trying to complete a number of sample hooked mats using a variety of background fabrics and wool. This simple mat of the Blue Nose is done on linen with 100% wool yarn and ribbon for the flag.

My next small sample mat is going to be on primitive burlap and using only t-shirt material. Should be interesting as I have never used this type of material.

I am in the process of obtaining some wool from Deanne for the sky on the Three Little Houses, so I will be finishing off that one, hopefully, soon.

Restful Time in Twillingate

In preparation for the impending return to the Day Job, I took several days rest in a small coastal community of Twillingate. A lovely cottage by the sea and several days of quiet and peace helped me get myself in perspective.

I didn't even work on any hooking projects but certainly saw lots of inspiration in the sea, the fishing sheds, the smells and the friendliness of the people.

People all over the world pay millions of dollars to have vistas like these which we see everyday doing our everyday things.

Deanne is right; happiness is wanting what you have!

Where did the Summer Go??

I have been away from my blog for so long, I almost forgot how to post etc. Since the last post, almost a full month has passed me by.

Due to medical problems, I had to make a trip to Toronto to get it sorted and happily, I am feeling a bit better and will be going back to the Day Job soon. Oh yes, I didn't tell you that I haven't been well enough to work since the end of March.

Thanks for the concern from my dear blogging friends! As John Lennon once said, Life happens, when you are busy doing other things.

Progress on Mat

The weather in NL has been cool and unsettled with lots of rain. This has allowed me to work on my rugs. Here is the progress on Three Little Places. I am still getting used to pulling wool strips but it is coming along.

Garden Pictures!

Sadly, the garden is starting to peak in its blooms and colours. I took these pictures this morning while everything was still damp from yesterday's rain.

I can feel the changes even though they are subtle; more dew in the mornings and cooler nights. Blue jays have returned from the back country and the robins have stopped their egg laying.

Three Little Houses!

You may recognize this style as a Deanne Fitzpatrick pattern and you would be correct!

When I first took up rug hooking, I had purchased some #8 wool strips on eBay but never used them. So when I got one of Deanne's patterns, I wanted to use only wool strips on this project.

I started out using wool yarns, so I was quite used to yarn as opposed to wool strips. I must say the change to wool strips is taking some getting used to. I have watched Deanne's new video several times for some tips and hints and this has certainly helped.

I have had to make a few changes in my hooking technique but I am enjoying the different look of the wool strips.

Have you seen this?

This is a non-native invasive weed called HOG WEED and apparently, is spreading all over North America. It is dangerous to touch the sap of this plant as it causes burns and blindness.

A few years ago, while I was in Atlanta, Georgia, I discovered another invasive non-native plant known as Kudzu. This plant is a climbing, coiling plant which literally smothers trees and any plant in its way.

I have visions of a hitch-hiking plant disguised with glasses and a moustache at the side of the 401 with a sign saying "Anywhere"?

Mausey Weather!

In one of my NL quizes, I used the word "mausey" and this is the perfect word for the weather all across NL and of course, the rest of Canada and the US. HOT, HAZY and HUMID!

We were 29 degrees yesterday and with the humidity, it was about 35. But by the time the sun went to bed, the cool ocean breezes cool down the house and I slept without any fan or air conditioning. We are lucky but then, we pay for it in the winter.

Here are a couple of pictures of the Bay of Islands after the rain on Sunday, complete with a rainbow. The other looking towards the west from my deck. Keep cool!

Number Three and I am Free!

Well, my third little mat is now completed and I am free to start a new project! My goal as you may recall, was to finish all the small hookings before I thought about anything else. This is the mat from the creative stitchery course with Molly from "Molly Made". I did not finish the grass in the suggested brick/basket stitch as I tried but could not achieve that stitch. Sorry Molly but I need a refresher.

I really love the course I took and used the reverse stitch on the pathway and the sky. The clapboard on the house is done in a straight stitch with a darning needle and not hooked. I finally learned how to do a French Knot for the flowers.

The weather in western NL has turned very warm and today, we have finally reached 29 and it has been quite humid and rainy the past few days but today, we are in brilliant and very hot sunshine. The good thing about being on the east coast is that we don't need air conditioning. At night, just open all the windows and catch the cool breezes!

Number Two Finished!

This is the little tea mat I started in February. I never felt the colours were right but glad it is finished as I am tired of it.

I watched Deanne's video yesterday afternoon and it is like she says great mats are sometimes purely by accident. If you have something that's not working, Deanne says stop worrying about it!

What an inspirational artist she is, and the ebb and flow of her pieces often leave me speechless! She is not worried about where her stitches go and if they line up like little soldiers. It is the overall movement and colours that make the difference.

Mat #3 is the small creative stitchery mat that I started recently and will finish next.

One of my fellow bloggers, Jacque from Ohio, asked about using wool yarns. I love the versatility of yarn, the texture of using slub and fleece and of course, the availability. Try yarn for a change!

Summer Snoozes!

Dogs seem to be able to snooze no matter what's going on. I on the other hand, have a disorder called FMS.

FEAR OF MISSING SOMETHING??!!

It is the terrible truth and seeing everyone is being honest about their shortcomings in the media, it is my summer confession.

No Puffin!

Well, the beginning of summer has been beautiful but busy. I have three small mats to finish and of course, the larger one which is a fall/winter project. This little puffin turned out very well in my own humble opinion.

This pattern is a small one I designed for my mother but she found it hard on her shoulders, so I finished it. I used primarily wool yarns and some acrylic yarn.

Mats two and three are next!

A Picture says a Thousand Words!

For any of my fellow rughookers, this picture says it all!

Overwhelmed!

All I can say after not posting for more than a week, is I am overwhelmed! So much going on in my life right now, I wouldn't know where to begin.

Anyway, rughooking on the back burner for at least the next week. Just wanted my dear blogging mates, I am fine and should be back on track soon. (fingers crossed)

Creative Eye!

My mother always is trying to learn new things and is independent and active as possible. My recent attendance at a creative stitchery class held by Molly was a wonderful addition to my rug hooking. This is a picture of the group all holding our projects. I am the third from the right.

I am continuing to work on the mat from the class but silly me, I have two others mats also in progress. I vowed not to do this but alas, I have to finish up all these projects and hopefully, before something else catches my creative eye!

Lovely Day!

While the rest of Canada and many parts of the US are in record high temperatures, we have only had one day of 16C so far this year.

Last year, only one day edged to the 30C mark, so we are blessed with moderate temperatures in Newfoundland. In the evening, just open the windows and doors to the cool ocean breezes; no need for air conditioning!

Here are a couple additional pictures of different views of the garden.

On another more serious side, after receiving a number of comments which were linked to commercial and/or spam sites, I have changed my comment options to allow moderator approval.

I love comments but if you too have a number of inappropriate comments or ones that are linked to a website, maybe you should consider the same option.

The Joy Of Gardening!

Neighbours always comment on our garden saying it must take hours of work. The secret is, it doesn't if you routinely weed and tidy it.

Oh sure, the infrastructure was indeed, the hardest and most physical part. Hours of rock collecting, shaping, amending the poor soil, planting etc. But what joy it gives you looking back at the fruit of your labour.

I do everything in little bites, somewhat like April's Ten Minute Hooking Challenge and before I know it, mission accomplished.

Just a word of warning, gardening is addictive!

Pansy Delight!

After a medical appointment yesterday with the weather finally warm and sunny, I made a stop at a local nursery.

In my garden, I have loads of perennials but I usually place pots of annuals for bursts of colours in between the rock garden.

I have become a real fan of the much unappreciated lowly pansy and as such, I bought a flat of a variety of colours. I potted up 9 medium size pots and planters with the bearded wonders and I am not one bit afraid of any late frost to harm them! They are a hardy plant and although, they settle down their blooms in August, I can have loads of colours until then!

Beautiful Day!

We had lunch yesterday down by the port in Corner Brook. Weather has been abit on the wet and cool side but that's life in the East.

I opened up my pond when I got home from lunch and this morning, I drank my coffee with the delicious warmth of the sun, the chirp of a thousand song birds and the soothing splash of my fountain. Does life get any better than that?

Creative Stitch Workshop

Attending my first workshop yesterday, I learned to give my rug hooking pieces more dimension by adding texture and embroidery stitches. It was a lovely day of learning, socializing and it sadly, ended all too soon.

These are a few of the pictures I took of Molly's pieces. What I learned most of all is that there is no end to where you can take your rug hooking. I used to think there was one stitch you can use. How wrong I was!

Grow where you are Planted!

I saw that little saying in one of the seed/planting catalogues I was recently browsing through. As someone who has lived in three provinces in my life time, I believe that saying is the absolute truth. I feel that I could grow and be happy no matter where I am planted.

I think that inner growth and happiness are the essentials that anyone should be packing into their lives above all else. The things that we think are essential; the big house, the flash car, the fancy clothes are not essential. But it seems it takes a lifetime to figure that out.

Tablelands!

I realized this morning that it has been a while since I thought of my blog posts. But I have an excuse as this week has been consumed with watching hockey! Of course, I am a Montreal Canadians fan and unbelievably watched the best hockey I have seen in years from them. Seventeen years to be exact!

Hockey in Montreal has been called a religion and I heard that this week in Montreal, people were going to St. Joseph's Oratory to pray for the team and go to Mass. It must have worked because the team that wasn't supposed to even make the play-offs, are in the Eastern Conference finals.

These two pictures are from a nice drive we had last weekend to Norris Point. The first one is looking towards the Tablelands and the second one is looking out from the Norris Point marina.

The weather hasn't been good and still quite cool. I putter in the garden in between rain/snow showers.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the special mothers of the world and especially, to my mother!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mother's birthday and from across the miles, I wish her a wonderful day.

Learning New Stitches!

Way back, more than year ago, when I first decided to take up the art of rug hooking, I purchased my first kit from Molly Made Fibre Arts in near by Rocky Harbour.

Since that time, I have continued on learning through books and youtube, but never had an opportunity to take any classes or workshops.

I noticed the other day a new post on Molly's site and saw a one day workshop coming up and couldn't resist. It will be held in Norris Point during the Trails, Tales and Tunes festival and here is the link for the festival website.


http://www.trailstalestunes.ca

I want to learn different stitches and how to add texture to my rug hooking and also, it will be nice to socialize with other rug hookers from NL.

E. R.?

Well, the weekend was going along nicely and quietly, until Sunday morning around 2 am. Maddy started to feel sick and I thought it was just some bad bug or grass she had eaten.

Throughout the whole night, she shivered and would not settle. By 5 am, I took her out for a walk and then, put her in her crate for awhile, thinking it would pass. It didn't and by noon, a call was made to the E. R. and the vet met us at the clinic.

After x-rays and bloodwork and a through exam, Dr. O felt it was gastritis. Apparently, two days before she picked up some old silicone caulking on the ground and before you could say "Jack Rascal", she swallowed it. Thinking it would just pass through the GI tract, we didn't worry about it.

But Dr.O said it irritated her stomach and caused belly cramps and gas. You have to know Maddy as she has such a low tolerance to illness or pain. Most dogs would just be quiet, but Maddy shivers and cries like a baby.

The good news is that she is back to her old self. Yesterday, I picked up this beautiful rock and decided that as I would never have a real pitcher plant in my garden, I would paint one.

A Rose by Any Other Name!

Many of my blog friends have a variety of pets or as I like to call them, fur/feather babies. Do your fur babies have "pet names"?

Maddy has several and her formal name is Ms. Maddy Mae Petunia Brown. Often, we use the less formal "Boo" or just Maddy.

We recently had to board her at the local critter camp and her camp name was "fatty Maddy". Not nice but understandable after a long winter of too many cookies and not enough exercise. She was able to trim down and came home looking much slimmer.

Here she is after her spring bath and hair cut, looking slim and vampish! Fatty Maddy, no more!

Coming Along.

I haven't been doing alot of hooking but just taking my time with life, in general. Sometimes, you have to stop and take account of everything and see where you stand.

Weather is dull and cool but trees are starting to push out buds. This is the time of year in NL where things seem to be stuck in a time warp. With winter behind us, spring is slowly, slowly releasing her treasures!

Class of '69

I recently connected with a high school classmate who is trying to arrange a class reunion. I graduated in '69 but went back for one extra year, to get algebra, geometry and chemistry credits necessary to enter nursing school.

Most often, you lose touch with the people you went to high school with but you still remember some of their names and wonder where they are now.

A class list was sent and I took a quick look. It came as a shock to see that some of my classmates have passed away. I still see them in my mind's eye, full of life and eager to embrace the future. Somehow, I can't see them any differently and they will remain captured in time and space.