For the birds

Here is one of my latest rugs, it is currently on ebay. This heat and humdity is "for the birds" too. My goodness, I have been away and done so many new things this year....(explains my "not blogging")  

My Dave and I celebrated 20 years of marriage in May.  We went to New Mexico, and we LOVED IT!!!!!! No humidity, etc..history, culture, beauty, very crafty atmosphere, good food, etc.... We plan to retire in Albuquerque in about 10 years or so. If we are FB friends you may have seen my photo's. We visited Santa Fe too. It was awesome! I have been hooking for quite awhile now, so it was fun to look into the southwestern weaving, pottery etc....

Speaking of other crafts..... Pinterest is so great, if you are not on it, you should be...lol...I have always loved to make jewelry, so I have made lots of things (mostly bracelets)  for me and my girls. I taught myself  bead weaving on a loom, which is something I have always wanted to do. Been making some of those fun ruffle scarves, etc... Not sure if I will sell any of these things, but it sure is a fun summer diversion.

Been working on fall goodies! So I will post photos soon of my "makings."

Dye Resist & Wool Painting

Hello,  I do love to play!  Last fall, I started to experiment/play, painting my wool with dye, and trying dye resists etc...  I am intrigued with the look of batik, etc..

Maybe you have seen the articles in RHM about painting wool?  The top 2 photos are my "paintings." 
I wondered if I could paint a simple picture and then hook it for an abstract look, etc... First, your dyes need to be VERY color intense, then your not quite sure what your colors look like until it is rinsed/washed out. As you can see in the tree line, one tree is pink, an accident..lol.. Your image shrinks a lot when you hook it...lol. That is after you cut each strip, keep, and hook it in the right order. It was time consuming and messy, but I always find every process to be a learning experience.  In RHM, the wools were used mostly for landscape rugs, which was perfect for this process. Now in the top right I made what I call a "simulated plaid." It was wonderful for my hooked Indian Corn. So, it does work well for a specific motif or subject.

Now, I feel I had better success with the dye resist.  These are the 3rd and 4th photos, the last photo is each resist hooked as a background for my pottery hearts. I did use some resists in my painting. I tried several glues as my resist. I had heard that blue galactic glitter glue was great as a dye resist. If you are dyeing blue that is fine, but it stains blue and a bit of the glitter remains. I tried tacky glue, but it didn't want to wash out of my wool. So, what I liked the best was Aleene's Clear Tacky Glue. It was perfect, and a fun way to make shapes etc. on your wool. Just apply it, let it dry, and dye away.  I think it is a fun effect and just something to consider.

Please let me know what you think? If you have ever tried this or anything like it, please do tell.

Tulips, Pinterest, etc.....

Hello~! Spring cannot get here fast enough for me! This is my latest rug....been working on lots of orders again.

I am addicted to Pinterest, have you checked it out? Do you love it? Here is my link:  http://pinterest.com/hookedonprims/   EYE CANDY! So inspiring, etc..... tons of craft tutorials, etc...

OK, still behind on my blogging here, so coming up next time/post...something fun, I have been experimenting with wool painting and wool dye resist, I have photos to share, will do it soon. For dyers, etc.. it is great fun and worth trying. Until next time.....

Cold Weather Hooking and Easy Sugar Scrub Recipe

Hello!!! These are my latest creations! All currently on ebay. 

Is everyone getting ready for Thanksgiving?? I always have it, so I had better get ready.lol.

Does anyone like sugar scrubs? I found several recipes, but didn't really want to hunt down and/or order all of the essential oils, etc.. some of the recipes have several ingredients. I thought there has to be an easier way to make these.  Some use olive oil, which is ok, but I am not a big fan of the fragrance, or lack of with some olive oil.

So I simply made some up with only 2 ingredients.  I used regular granulated sugar and mixed it with my favorite body oil. Vaseline has a nice gel oil, here is a photo, it has a really nice fragrance. Any body oil will work.  I just kinda found I liked mixing it with this gel. Since you use them in the shower, just grab an old small plastic container with a lid ( I wouldn't use it for food again.)  Fill your container about 3/4 of the way full of sugar and start adding your oil until it just makes your sugar look clear and it is no longer granulated. Rub into your skin in the shower and rinse well! Your skin will feel wonderful and soft! I have purchased sugar scrubs for much more than it cost to make my own, and really could not a tell a difference. You can always mix these is glass jars, decorate them and give them as gifts. FUN!!!!

Coxcomb.........

Sorry, so long in updating. Summer fly right by like it always does. We went to the Smokies about a month ago, it was awesome!!! We took our little dog Libby, Gatlinburg is a very pet-friendly town. We have had Libby a year now. I bet it is beautiful in the Smokies right now with the leaves changing!!

Each Friday, I've been visiting a Farmers Market in Fort Wayne, and I bought this gorgeous Coxcomb. Such a unique flower. I plan to hang my bouquet and dry it so I can keep it around for a long time! I had to plan and hook a Coxcomb rug too! I just listed it on ebay! I did some gradation dyeing to get the colors for my flowers. FUN!

Penny Rug Finishes

Well, I had a super wonderful time with my cousin! Miss her lots! Tomorrow me and the girls are going to do some back to school clothes shopping...(wish me luck)....Summer always goes so darn fast! Just finished these 2 rugs, thought I would finish them with tongues...lol! Yes, fall is just around the corner! Here is the link to these 2 rugs......

 http://stores.ebay.com/My-Heartfelt-Designs?_rdc=1

The witch is in....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190548985312

Hello! Having a wonderful visit with my cousin, she is here visiting from Scotland! I just finshed my Witchy Poo Make Do Pattern! Hope everyone is enjoying some nice summer weather! Cathy