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!