Playing around in my photo editing program

And I came up with this fun Halloween Collage (a little out of season, I know, forgive me) and..... it is a little small and kind of hard to see. I'll be working on how to make it bigger.....but pretty cool for my first time playing around with this program, eh?
This weekend, I am starting a new rug that I designed and will hopefully preview on Monday.....And I probably should get cracking on my Creative Blog Challenge!
Have a good weekend. Maria

Creative Rug Hooking Blog Challenge

CREATIVE RUG HOOKING BLOG CHALLENGE 2011......

Recently, I asked three of my teaching friends who also have blogs if they wanted to participate in a challenge. My thoughts behind the challenge were to make the four of us think outside the box and come up with some new ideas for classes. Below you will find the statement that each of us have posted on our blogs. The deadline is the 20th of December and I have no idea what I am going to do. I hoping this weekend my creative juices will start flowing. Maria



In an effort to expand our rug hooking creativity,

Maria Barton http://starrugcompany-maria.blogspot.com/
Alice Frazier http://alice-folkartprimitives.blogspot.com/
Kris Miller http://www.spruceridgestudios.blogspot.com/
Ali Strebel http://alistrebel.blogspot.com/

have joined together to challenge one another to come up with fresh new ideas for rug hooking projects. How the challenge works is simple. Over the next few months, one of us will take the lead and will send items to the each other to use in our rug hooking project. The only requirements are that the project involve rug hooking and all items received be used in the challenge. The leader of the challenge can designate a theme if she wishes.
We will have deadlines for the projects and will post the deadline along with the items received for the challenge on our blogs hopefully on the 20th of the month. The day of the deadline, we will post on our blogs the finished project along with links to the other participants finished projects. Our hope in this challenge, is to inspire you to think outside the box, use new materials in your rug hooking projects and to be creative. If you would like to participate in the challenge with us, you can contact the leader of the challenge to purchase the items. Thanks for allowing us to share the works of our hands with you.

If a dog could talk.....................

We've being trying on hats and scarfs on Miss Josie in an attempt to locate the perfect look for the Christmas card. Doesn't her face just say it all? She was very obliging at first and then just wanted to play with the hats!



Hope your day is Merry! Maria

Drum Roll Please.............................

And the winner of the Antique Santa and Reindeer Rug as generated by the random number generator.........................
Quaint and Plain!!
Please send me an email so I can get your address!

I want to thank everyone who participated in the giveaway by leaving comments, posting the giveaway on your blog and becoming a follower. I'm totally blown away by the response and all the kind words. It truly gives me a warm feeling knowing what you do is enjoyed by others. A big, humble thank you to all!!!
Maria

Star Rug Company Giveway Antique Santa Rug

I'm very grateful for all that visit my blog, buy my patterns and offer friendship so in honor of all my followers and customers, I'm giving away this reproduction hand hooked Santa and Reindeer rug.
It is the sweetest rug and was hooked and punched by my hands using strips of wool. It has the time worn look of an antique rug and is replicated from an antique pattern which I love. This special rug would make a perfect addition to your holiday decor. It measures 18 inches by 18 inches.

So let's get to the Nitty Gritty.........HOW to ENTER to WIN this rug:

You have several options for registering to win!

1.) Simply become a Star Rug Company blog "Follower" by clicking on the "Follow" button at the upper right column of this page.... (your name will be entered).

OR

2.) You could enter a comment for me here at the bottom of this post by clicking on the "Comment" button ( and if you don't have a Blogger Account no problems....you can simply click the "Anonymous" feature to leave the message). Keep in mind though that I'll need to identify you if you are chosen! If you are unable to leave a comment just email me, and I'll add your comment to the list below.

And Finally,

3.) If you have a Blog and help spread the word about my Giveaway on your Blog, I not only thank you but encourage you to leave a 2nd comment here for a second entry! You can use the picture below to advertise on your blog's sidebar, or just use the larger picture above!



I'll be announcing the winner of the rug in one week, December 7, 2010. So sign up and check back in one week to see if you have won the rug. Again, thank you all who read my blog, offer support and friendship. I enjoy hooking and sharing my hand goods because of you.

For all you rug hookers out there that want to hook this pattern, I do have it for sale. Email me if interested.

~Maria~

Sneak Peak of the Giveaway Rug

As promised, below is a picture of the giveaway rug. It is a remake of a popular antique rug. Details for the giveaway will follow tomorrow.
Thank you for the overwhelming response to the Cyber Monday sale. There are still a few hours before the sale ends. See post below for details. Maria

CYBER MONDAY SALE at Star Rug Company

I hope all of you enjoyed Thanksgiving and the long weekend. We enjoyed spending time with our families and eating all the wonderful food. Dave and I didn't make the turkey dinner but we did help cleanup afterwards. Here is a picture, albeit small, to prove it.

In honor of CYBER MONDAY, I'm offering 15% off all patterns. Plus every order over $50 (after discount and before shipping) will receive a little thank you gift and free paper pattern from me. The sale will conclude at 12 am pst. If sending an email, in the subject line, type CYBER MONDAY SALE.
Looking for a pattern to hook over the holidays or maybe a little gift for your rug hooking buddy, take advantage of the sale.
In the next coming days, look for a giveway in honor of my 100th post.....IT WILL BE WORTH CHECKING BACK FOR....trust me on this one. Maria