My latest rug pattern......

I'm still around just having a hard time keeping up with the blog. My bad, I'll try to do better. Over the last few weeks, I've been working on Halloween Quartet, my latest pattern. If you follow this blog, you know my affinity for Halloween and this rug is my new favorite.






I just love how that Pumpkin guy is belting out the song!


The pattern comes in two sizes 14.5 x 30.5 for $58 plus shipping and 20.5 by 45 for $85.00 plus shipping. If you would rather have a skeleton in the quartet, I can add him in place of the owl. If interested shoot me an email. Maria

Atha Magazine

Warning......This is kind of a shameful plug for my patterns!

Oh good you are still reading.....in the latest issue of the ATHA magazine, there is an article featuring rugs that have been hooked by Linda Long from Texas. All I can say is wowzer! The rugs are fabulous. She hooked Matilda and Tilda and turned them into pillows. Around the edges, she added fringed wool that matches the hooking beautifully. They are amazing..... Swoon!
They make my heart sing.
Isn't her Mister Snowman rug the best? There is also a tiny picture of my Halloween Hooligan pattern that is colored planned perfectly in the one photo.
She also hooked my Daper Sheep dude pattern which is just terrific.

I had the pleasure of working with Linda at Star of Texas Rug camp in Fredericksburg a couple of years ago and she is the most amazing hooker. Her loops are so high and she spaces them perfectly. I kept rubbing my hands over her rugs because I loved how they felt. Linda must have thought I was a complete loon!

Keep the pictures coming!.....Maria

Friends

We all have them...and aren't they the best? I was talking to a pal last night and after I hung up the phone I reflected on how lucky I am to have such neat people in my life. You all know who you are and I am thankful to count you as a friend! Maria

Sheep Eye Candy

As many of you know, I swoon over sheep. Currently, I have a few sheep rugs in progress and need to finish them. While cruzing the web, I found some great sheep photos.....Enjoy the show.......


Artiparti

RainbowHamj
RainbowHamj


Marion Rose

Love,love....the colors in this painting!

Marion Rose

Rachelle Levingston


Marion Rose Make sure you scroll through the blog to see all the pictures.


Marion Rose


Sunshine Sheep



KILSOOK

I included this photo because of the circles all over the body. Can't you just envision a sheep rug with the rolled circles for the body? Did any of these sheep inspire you? Happy Hooking, Maria

Traveling in a car and hooking.....

I have been a hooking fool lately. Why? Mainly because I've spent a lot of time in the car (as a passenger that is!) Anymore, it seems the only time I have to hook is when I'm trapped in a car for long period of times.
Funny, most people don't like to travel in a car for any distance. Me...I see it as a grand opportunity to hook uninterrupted!
Here are a couple more mats I'm working on for Ghoultide Gathering.....

(disclaimer....pictures make the mats appear brighter than they are)

I also started two larger rugs (well larger than these little mats) that I'll offer as patterns. Hopefully, I'll complete this weekend and share details and pictures.

So after all the bright Halloween colors for a week, I craved a nice primitive palette and decided to hook my Little Dog pattern in a textured dull primitive palette. So far, I am really diggin it. When I get a little further along on the rug, I'll share a few "in progress" pictures. Have a great rest of the week. Maria

Cats, Cats, Cats.......

That is all I have been thinking of lately. I'm trying to get some items done for Ghoultide Gatherings, which is going to be a two day show this year. Here are a few samples of some cats I've been working on for the show. Keep in mind that these little guys are in the early stages of the actual product....




Honestly though....the real reason I have cats on the brain is due to the KENTUCKY WILDCATS....
they are awesome and have made it to the final four. They play tomorrow night....GO CATS!

Challenge Pictures.....

I knew before I received the box of materials from Alice, what I was going to do. The challenge for me was to work the materials Alice sent to me into the purse I wanted to make. Ali Strebel's purses are the bomb and I was hoping I could combine the materials into the purse somehow. Here is the link to All's website where you can purchase the book. I have made several of these bags and I love them. www.alistrebeldesigns.com/products/Best-Bags-Ever.html

So here is what I came up with. I made the purse out of wool and a fun cotton lining.

The three hooked stars have the wool, paisly, yarn, sweater material and ribbon hooked into them.


Below is one of the wool circles that I added to the purse. I added some decorative stitching to the wool.

Don't you love the fun orange lining fabric in the purse?

Here is a picture of the side of the purse. You can see the yellow wool yarn that I made into the button. I love how the purse folds when the straps are pulled (thanks to the grommets).

Check out Ali http://alistrebel.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-blog-challenge-for-now.html , Alice http://alice-folkartprimitives.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-challenge-4.html and Kris's http://spruceridgestudios.blogspot.com/2011/03/fourth-blog-challenge-project-revealed.html
projects They all did a great job!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the pictures. This is going to be the last challenge project for a few months. All four of us get really busy in the spring/summer/fall and we thought it best if we take a break for a few months. I for one am so happy we decided to do these challenges as I have learned so much. From new techniques to new color combinations, it has been a growing process for me.