Thursday, February 23, 2012

Maggie Smith!

For all you fans of Downton Abbey, check out this video about Maggie Smith:

http://video.pbs.org/video/2196625085/

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

On the frame

On my frame right now is a pattern that I purchased from The Paisley Studio. I had seen a completed pattern hanging at their booth at the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY this past October and loved it! I got in touch with Sara (I think that's her name!), and she sent me off the pattern very quickly.
Here's a photo of their rug as seen at the show.



I loved their version and the colors they chose, but I opted for a brown/blue color scheme and decided to make it into a pillow. Here is the pattern and the work I have done on it to date.


The pattern as it was drawn had small dots all around the border of the large motif. I opted to sew on beads instead of hooking the dots. Went to our local bead store, got 58 beads, and started sewing them on. This is not as easy as it seems. You have to be sure to center the holes of the bead in a way that the threads don't show. As you can tell from the pattern, I have some of them sewn on, and am now alternately hooking and sewing. I obviously get bored easily! Here is a close-up of the beads:


Of course, this won't be used as a real pillow, just decorative. It will go nicely in a bedroom that has similar colors, and I'm pleased with the results. I'm using natural wool for the background, and it is so wonderful to use it in its natural state.

When the hooking is done, I'm going to use Gene Shepard's suggestion to whip the edges to the background and then stuff. I'm hoping it's as easy as he makes it look.

So that's where I'm at right now. My frog rug has the binding on, and I'm just sewing it down. Should be ready for hanging within the next day. Even though the hooking isn't complete on the pillow, I'm already thinking ahead to my next project. Time marches on!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Back from Boston

Took a quick trip to Boston to see our daughter. Have been many times now, but there is always something fun to do. On this visit, we went to the top of the Prudential Building which gives you a panoramic view of Boston. A self-guided tour points out all the highlights. Seeing the steeple of the old North Church (made famous during the Revolutionary War) on the edge of the modern Financial District is quite something.

Took an afternoon to go house or should I say condo hunting. Our daughter and her husband rent right now, but will soon be looking to buy. Property is quite expensive, but we saw several good options. Many of the buildings were quite old and had been turned into condos retaining many of the architectural details. Others were more modern, and they offered their pluses also.

It's always such a pleasure to visit Boston. We did keep our New York Giants hats at home as the Super Bowl had only taken place a few days before. No sense ticking anybody off!!

On the way back home, we stopped at WEBS Yarn Store. Their Web site is www.yarn.com, and that address alone tells you they are a premiere yarn shop. The back room is all discounted yarn, and you literally don't know where to look first. Got a little bit of yarn for my Prayer Shawl Group, and also picked up some yarn suitable for hooking. If you ever find yourself in central Massachusetts, look them up. It is well worth the visit.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

The ultimate in worm storage

Found this picture recently and got to thinking that this piece of furniture would be the "ultimate" in storing worms! One can dream....