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

I'm in the mood for winter!

You read that correctly. We are between fall and winter and it has been raining lately. When it rains it is dreary and the cold just seeps into you. You know what I mean? But when it snows.....it is so pretty and fresh! So bring on the snow!
This little mat was punched with that in mind. I was playing with my new Oxford Punch again and used 8.5 strips of wool this time. The more I fiddle with this punch hook....the more I like it. This mat is on the small side about 5 inches by 8 inches and was punched in less than two hours. Not bad eh?

On another note, I'm two posts away from my 100th post.....so stay tuned for a giveaway! Maria

I'm teaching a Workshop at Sauder Village

In case you didn't know, I'll be teaching a 1/2 day workshop at Sauder Village next August. The class is called Altered Rug Hooking and involves artist canvas, scrapbook paper, paint, glue, glitter, napkins, and wire just to name a few pieces I'll incorporate into my rug hooking.
You can check here for more details about the class. Scroll down and you will see the details about my class http://www.saudervillage.org/creativity/rughooking_workshops.asp. I'm very excited about the class! Have a good weekend. Maria
Maria

Punch Hook using 1/4 wool strips

I wanted to share a little mat that I punched hooked while at Barbara Carroll's last week. After class, I stayed up late and hooked while my mates were ZZZZZZZing....I'm not naming any names though!
Years ago, I purchased an Amy Oxford Punch hook and never had much success with it. Lori Brechlin had punched a rug using 1/4 inch strips of wool and it was wonderful...but again when I tried I just couldn't get the hang of it. After reading my friends' blogs (Ginger, Primitives by the light of the moon and PatiJane)and learning about their new found appreciation for punch hooking, I thought I would give it another go. Ginger and Pati had taken a class from Frank Bileac (sp)(who is also a great guy) at Star of Texas rug camp earlier this fall and made all these wonderful items....so through their blogs, I was determined to try it again. AND this is the result. I love the ease of the punching and how quickly the projects are completed. I was also able to punch some glittery wool into the rug. I'll be posting some photos soon of my rug and time spent at Barb Carroll's class. Til next time. Maria

Enjoying my time at Barbara Carroll's class

I've been hooking with Barb Carroll for the past two days at her lovely home and have had such a great time. I'm hanging with good friends, learning from one of the best in the business and enjoying every minute of it. I'll post pictures of our rugs in the next post, but for now, I thought you would enjoy seeing pictures of Barb's sweet Maine Coon kitty named Posie. She is so dang adorable.....Check out the last picture where she is laying on her back on my lap. Very calm and mind mannered.
As for the rugs, I'm working on Tennessee Hearts and am loving my color palette. I'll snap pictures of every one's rugs in progress so you can see them. Maria

Isn't this guy great too?

Another Mister Iggy has made an appearance.

Jennifer Faulkner sent me this picture today. The colors in the rug are wonderful. He looks so real. Great job color planning this rug! Don't be shy....send me pictures of those completed rugs. Maria