Captain Cook's Lookout

On my journey around town this weekend, I went to the Captain Cook lookout which has an amazing view of the Bay of Islands. Captain Cook was the first to map the island of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific. It was on his third voyage that he died in the Hawaiian Islands in a fight.

Enough of the history lesson, the view is spectacular!

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!