tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76072843809617590612024-03-13T14:59:13.364-04:00 Woolly Mammoth WoolensFiber Art, Birds, Books and Life in GeneralWoolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-61540691966016783562018-03-11T11:14:00.002-04:002018-03-11T11:14:33.439-04:00Tan Binding TapeHi! Just a quick post to let you know I am selling some tan binding tape at a reduced price. It measures just under an inch wide. Although I normally like binding tape to be an inch and a quarter, I think this tape would still work for rug hooking.<br />
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So, the price for a five-yard roll is $3.25 plus $2.75 s/h. I probably have five rolls, so if you want any let me know.<br />
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Hope you have a wonderful day!Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-6482018321182306282018-03-07T11:51:00.001-05:002018-03-07T11:51:29.725-05:00Update<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Hello fiber enthusiasts!</i></b></span><br />
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It's been awhile. I had foot surgery in early February that laid me up for a bit, but getting around better now. The good thing about sitting around, is that you get to hook, embroider, knit, read, etc.<br />
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Here is a nice little rug that I just finished. It's a Deanne Fitzpatrick rug that originally featured a Santa in a boat. I changed the Santa to a fisherman, knit him a hat, and turned it into a stormy day. A fun rug that didn't take too long and was small enough to use a lap frame making it easy to maneuver while my foot was mending.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRFPU_iS-aY/WqAUekm15pI/AAAAAAAACNI/AgPlbKeBRVoRFa_cwicB1ceNkTg2qNQJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRFPU_iS-aY/WqAUekm15pI/AAAAAAAACNI/AgPlbKeBRVoRFa_cwicB1ceNkTg2qNQJwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0605.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Another project I'm working on is a hooked book of birds. I have wanted to make a book of hooked pieces for a long time. Two are done, and I am working on a third. I have not decided what to do with the back of the pages yet, but I'm thinking of a wool piece with the name of the bird embroidered on it. We'll see.</div>
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The first page is a Canada goose. You can see that in addition to hooking, I've added in some wool appliqué and embroidery. The piece is hooked on hand-dyed linen. I am finding it a bit challenging keeping the loops crisp and sharp in the beak. I may have to put a few stitches in to keep it from leaning to one side.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bxb3SaYLfWU/WqAXhq910EI/AAAAAAAACNU/H_RaqzmIRBIvoRPBpi5jivgk3sc1RRboQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bxb3SaYLfWU/WqAXhq910EI/AAAAAAAACNU/H_RaqzmIRBIvoRPBpi5jivgk3sc1RRboQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0609.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The second page is an American Crow. In this piece I embroidered and appliquéd flowers. Note also that the wing was hooked separately and sewn on to the body of the crow to add some dimension to the bird. (Sorry, the picture is a bit dark.)</div>
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My third page is in the works -- a barn owl in a tree. The background linen is a deep blue and is the perfect night sky for this piece. I'll post that as soon as I get a little further on it.</div>
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I have plans to do a warbler, a shore bird, and my favorite, the nuthatch. Not sure how many pages I'll do, but each piece is small, so not a lot of hooking is involved. What's great about this project is that I've been able to combine different types of fiber art into one piece.</div>
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-8689745968101499572018-01-18T11:33:00.001-05:002018-01-18T11:33:32.290-05:00Crocheted VillageSaw this link and I had to share it. Some crocheting ladies in Ireland recreated their village by crocheting the buildings in the town. Crocheting has never been my forte, but I admire them for their beautiful handiwork in wool! Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/entire-northern-ireland-village-knitted-wool-crochet-cloughmills-county-antrim?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=9c6bc42389-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-9c6bc42389-64330077&ct=t()&mc_cid=9c6bc42389&mc_eid=733633c813">Crocheted Village</a>Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-41850260018875264782018-01-08T14:27:00.002-05:002018-01-08T14:27:54.325-05:00Working on a WhaleSince we purchased a home in Salem, MA to make it more convenient to visit my daughter and her family, I've been thinking about rugs to put in the new house. I added my sea village to the dining room, and am now working on a Polly Minick rug of a whale found in her book <i>American Summer: Seaside Inspired Rugs and Quilts</i>. Click on the image of the book below to go to Amazon. Surprisingly, the book is only $4.40!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/American-Summer-Seaside-Inspired-Rugs-Quilts/dp/1611690358/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515433625&sr=1-1&keywords=polly+minick&linkCode=li2&tag=rughooking-20&linkId=5acd005064dc16b2d8efbb8049506734" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1611690358&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rughooking-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rughooking-20&l=li2&o=1&a=1611690358" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Getting close to the finish, and I thought I'd post a photo. I'm working on the border and getting the sky done. I find myself taking it off the frame, putting it on the floor, giving it a critical eye, and ripping out some sections that don't work for me. Slowly, it's coming together. The eye still needs to be added. I'm going to use the same technique I used for the flag. The black area of the eye will be coiled around the yellow. The flag was a bit tough. I sewed the strips together and then attached to rug. Once the hooking surrounded the flag, the strips puffed up, and I had to steam it to get it to lay flat before the rug was even finished.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5YH4fDJOlw/WlPDvjzhZmI/AAAAAAAACMA/fnOlpxyc-6svrtVdALy5K4vJwnPeZf2SQCLcBGAs/s1600/whaleruginprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="988" height="352" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5YH4fDJOlw/WlPDvjzhZmI/AAAAAAAACMA/fnOlpxyc-6svrtVdALy5K4vJwnPeZf2SQCLcBGAs/s640/whaleruginprogress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a photo of the Sea Village rug that hangs in the house in Salem. It is a Karla Gerard design. I thought I had a finished photo, but this is close enough. What a fun rug this was to hook.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EtZ40H20QY/WlOvr-pI7JI/AAAAAAAACLw/eUsWmgIYSDcmXs_n7m24bUnZBOnSBBEwQCLcBGAs/s1600/seasidevillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="797" height="588" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EtZ40H20QY/WlOvr-pI7JI/AAAAAAAACLw/eUsWmgIYSDcmXs_n7m24bUnZBOnSBBEwQCLcBGAs/s640/seasidevillage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-11802277415361029712018-01-04T15:58:00.000-05:002018-01-04T15:58:38.604-05:00Dyeing wool in a blizzard!Today is definitely a snow day as Winter Storm Grayson barrels up the east coast. Luckily, in upstate New York, we are on the edge of the storm expecting 3-5 inches followed by frigid temperatures. My daughter is in Boston, where they will bear the brunt of the storm.<br />
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Because of the snow, I decided it would be a good day to hunker in and dye wool. Light shades were the colors calling me, so I got out the natural wool and some other lighter wool and dyed up about 10 yards. Here is some of what I got out of a morning of dyeing. And then, a few closeups.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-sBZRXcEU0/Wk6UvyCPCCI/AAAAAAAACLg/iYKceOpXgZw-YCfzwKR8NI1w8zZX8IfVQCLcBGAs/s1600/pileofwool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1475" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-sBZRXcEU0/Wk6UvyCPCCI/AAAAAAAACLg/iYKceOpXgZw-YCfzwKR8NI1w8zZX8IfVQCLcBGAs/s640/pileofwool.JPG" width="590" /></a></div>
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This wool will be available on Ebay and Etsy (links to the right side).</div>
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Hope you are having a wonderful start to the new year and that you are starting work on some new fiber projects. I'm finishing up my whale rug, a pattern by Polly Minick. Looking forward to lots of creativity this year. </div>
Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-48687156776540147102017-11-16T12:15:00.002-05:002017-11-16T12:15:38.096-05:00Visit to SalemJust got back from a quick trip to Salem, MA. Because Halloween is over and the streets less busy, we ventured downtown to visit the Witches Memorial Wall and the adjoining cemetery. It was the perfect day to visit a cemetery -- cold and dreary.<br />
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Quite moving to view the memorial wall with the names of those hung during that awful year of 1692. I didn't know too much about the witch trials and was surprised to see that several men were hung also. One poor soul was pressed to death.<br />
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As we ventured into the cemetery, I knew that the stones would reveal lots of young people's death and many children. I also expected to see lots of interesting gravestone art. However, I was surprised to see so many stones with depictions of skulls. Here are some photos of the type of art I am referencing.<br />
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This was a particularly sad stone. A piece is missing to the left, but the two hearts that are visible depict the deaths of two 16-month olds who died four years apart. How sad.<br />
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Kind of a depressing post, but history isn't always pleasant.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Be a blessing to somebody.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> -- Maya Angelou</span></div>
Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-46774906879878486612017-10-24T14:19:00.001-04:002017-10-24T14:22:27.270-04:00Catch UpAs usual, it's been awhile. It is not for lack of topics to talk about; more about the time to post and take pictures.<br />
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Since I last posted, I've been to Salem, MA twice visiting the ocean and birding. A lovely spot in the world. Halloween is in full swing in the downtown area, but we are in a quiet part of town, and just get to relax when visiting.<br />
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<b><i>The beach on the Nahant causeway. Paradise.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the things I've been up to:</span><br />
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<b><i>Alcohol Ink Dyeing</i></b><br />
Our rug hooking group that meets once a week at a local Senior Center often branches out into other areas. One week we explored the use of alcohol inks. What fun! A member of the group had a friend who was well-versed in the use of these dyes, and she brought supplies and know-how for a four-hour workshop. We worked on ceramic tiles, glass vases and bulbs, metal sheets, and even a clam shell.<br />
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The first two photos show finished pieces by the teacher whose name, sadly, I cannot remember.<br />
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The following photo shows a group photo of the student pieces.<br />
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<b><i>Hooking</i></b><br />
I have two pieces going right now. I am working on a "Big, Bold, and Beautiful" project for my class with Julie Smith. I chose to do a large variegated mushroom based on a photo I found on Pinterest. I love the results, and the best part is using up lots of worms!! I will show a photo of the rug in a later post.<br />
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I am also working on a large Polly Minnick pattern of a whale. Although the whale is coming out well, my choice for the sky may prove to be a challenge. I'm trying hard to pull it off.<br />
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<b><i>Teaching</i></b><br />
My fall beginner rug hooking class is in full swing. I have five wonderful students who are very enthusiastic about hooking and open to learning to use just about any fiber. Here are some of the rugs they are working on.<br />
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This rug was hooked by Tracey Allen. She has mainly just the binding to finish up. For a first rug, I think it is fantastic!<br />
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Sue Vial hooked these two rugs. I love that she hooked her whale in red, and the shorebird is something I would proudly display in my own home.<br />
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<b><i>Embroidery with Sue Spargo</i></b><br />
My block of the month club project with Sue Spargo continues on. I am still plugging away on my March block, but I made a lot of progress this week and hope to finish it in the next two weeks. Fingers crossed!<br />
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<b><i>Reading</i></b><br />
I am trying to get lots of reading accomplished. As I've said, I love to read, and I'm trying to tuck in time here and there to read. Currently, our book club is reading <span style="color: #e69138; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">News of the World. </span>I finished it up over the weekend and just loved it. Captain Jefferson Kidd travels the remote Texas towns in the 1870s reading from current newspapers to the citizens of these small towns who don't have access to a lot of recent news. During his travels, he takes on the responsibility of a returning a child captured by the Kiowa Indians to her family. A fascinating look at the life of a captive child and the reintroduction of that child in to American society.<br />
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Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-8911364594420257102017-09-12T12:01:00.000-04:002017-09-12T12:01:19.755-04:003-D Rug Hooked HouseToday, I finished my 3-D hooked house! I am so happy with how it came out.<br />
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This project was started over the winter in a class I take with Julie Smith. Because of the birth of my grandson in March, I was unable to work on it until the spring. The house measures 11.5" x 4" x 6". It was hooked mostly with a four-cut, but there are also some 5- and 6-cuts. A few bits of yarn here and there also. The cat in the upstairs window was glued on. I used a sock weight wool yarn to sew it together.<br />
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Here are the completed pieces before construction began.<br />
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I started by sewing the side panels to each side. It proved to be fairly easy. Here is the first side panel sewn to the main house.<br />
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Once the house was sewn together, I whipped yarn around the bottom of the whole house to finish.<br />
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Here are the three other sides:<br />
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To photograph the standing house, I placed it over the light I use to hook by.<br />
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Great project. I would certainly try more 3-D patterns.<br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-15104730684988937642017-08-22T17:08:00.001-04:002017-08-22T17:09:22.767-04:00A garden and a book...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's my little slice of heaven:</div>
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One of many bookshelves scattered throughout the house. (The hooked rug on the floor was part of a Gene Shepard blog challenge several years ago.)<br />
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And outside, we enjoy the garden and pool for a few short summer months.<br />
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Hope your summer is going well. I see some hints of color on the maple trees. You know what that means!!<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Shameless plug!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Check out my Etsy and Ebay wool items. Links to the left.</b></span></div>
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-45244139924827989982017-08-19T10:51:00.001-04:002017-08-19T10:51:02.157-04:00Book RecommendationHere is a quick post to recommend a collection of short stories that I just finished. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619024373/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1619024373&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=08793d261f4eabc5f17543a361941bea" target="_blank">The Last Animal</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1619024373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b></span>by Abby Geni is a fabulous collection of stories centered around nature and how people cope with everyday life by interacting with the natural world around us. (Click on the title if you are interested in finding out more about it on amazon.)<br />
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There was not a bad story in the lot. Each one kept me wanting more, and as I finished a story, I was wondering how could the next story be any better.<br />
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Check out this cover. It's amazing!<br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-30301158193654276202017-07-29T12:10:00.001-04:002017-07-31T09:32:41.758-04:00Hello<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Summer is slipping past quicker than I hoped. I've spent some time in Salem, MA at a home we own there. Had the pleasure of watching the fireworks off Nahant Island on the fourth of July, spent some time on the beach, and had a great time birding on the North Shore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are some great wildlife refuges and sanctuaries in Massachusetts. I am a regular visitor to the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Parker River Wildlife Refuge</b></span></a> on Plum Island near Newburyport and found another great spot in Ipswich (the <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/ipswich-river"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary</span></b></a>) on my last trip. That sanctuary is part of <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Massachusetts Audubon</b></span></a> whose mission is "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">To protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Snowy egret (photo taken in Parker River Wildlife Sanctuary)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I've been so busy traveling lately that I've just recently gotten back to my hooking, embroidery, and other projects. I finished a heart pillow that was part of a project in one of Julie's Smith's classes (shown in a previous post), and am working on a second project from another of her classes. That project, when complete, will be a 3-D hooked house. Here is a photo of the front of the house and the roof.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I'm also working on a Sue Spargo block of the month embroidery project. Each month a lovely kit arrives with thread, material, and instructions. Okay, this is July. I'm just finishing up February! I really don't mind being behind, because I'm learning so many wonderful embroidery stitches and learning new ways to incorporate them into other embroidered items I am working on. Very enjoyable.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I finished up a table runner that I've had on my loom for quite a while. Came out great. As part of the weaving process, I worked up a small sampler of the pattern before beginning the actual runner. I wasn't sure what to do with it, but decided to embroider some flowers/plants into the rectangular shapes that were crying out for some kind of stitching! I'm eventually going to turn this into a pillow of some kind.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">So, I feel like I'm back in the groove of crafting. It feels so great to be back! What are you working on?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>New color wool available on Ebay called Mulberry</b></span><span style="color: #333333;">. A bit lighter than photos show, it is a nice prim color. You may purchase directly from me for $10.00 per 1/4 yard plus $3.00 s/h. Let me know if you are interested. 4 sets available. Nice prim color!</span></span></span></span><br />
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Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-72793086793216803962017-06-16T12:14:00.000-04:002017-06-16T12:14:15.377-04:00Just finished ...I just finished the book <i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Kitchens of the Great Northwest</b></span></i> by J. Ryan Stradal. I wanted to love this book, but it was not to be.<br />
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I put a lot of emphasis on whether I like the characters or not, and I think someone should be likable. This book didn't have any characters that I became invested in. The story is told in a series of vignettes, and as the years pass, you come to know a variety of people whose connection comes to center around the main character, Eva Thorvald. I think if I had gotten to know the characters a little better, I may have enjoyed the book more. A few recipes are scattered throughout this book, but that didn't much help it either.<br />
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So, if you plan on reading this novel, get it out of the library.Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-32190962289007419702017-06-05T15:47:00.002-04:002017-06-05T15:47:28.725-04:00Great Fabric LinkCheck out this wonderful link about rare fabrics and textiles in a shop in Vermont. Wish I knew it was there when I was last in Brattleboro.<br />
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<a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/delecatable-mountain-cloth?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6dc3975067-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_06_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-6dc3975067-64330077&ct=t(Newsletter_6_1_2017)&mc_cid=6dc3975067&mc_eid=733633c813">Delectable Mountain Cloth</a><br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-21170931199511993332017-05-31T19:31:00.001-04:002017-05-31T19:31:07.265-04:00Update from Woolly Mammoth Woolens<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WOW! It's been a while! I've been so busy these past few months. Here's an update on what I've been up to.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Grandson!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of the last few months have been spent enjoying and getting to know my new little grandson, Thomas. Born late in March, he lives a fair distance from us, so I've made quite a few trips to visit. In fact, during our last trip over, we bought a vacation home to be nearer to him and watch him grow up!</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rug Hooking</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I haven't done a lot of hooking lately, but I did manage to finish a small project I started in February. This heart pillow was hooked entirely of yarn and used a cording to separate the sections and bind the edge. I attached a wool backing to it, stuffed it and voila. The fun part was needle felting the top motif which give the whole piece a regal feeling.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dyeing</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haven't gotten a whole lot of wool dyed, but did manage to dye nine yards recently. Here is that pile of wool – a nice variety of lights and darks. Most of this wool has been listed on Ebay. Either check out my listings there (link on right side) or contact me directly if you see a color you like.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reading!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did get a lot of reading done. Here's some of the highlights:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>All the Light We Cannot See</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anthony Doerr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. A great book -- depressing and hopeful at the same time. A novel of World War II. Told from the perspectives of a blind French girl who becomes involved with the resistance in France and a German soldier who doesn't really believe in Garmany's cause. Well-developed characters who you really care about. Even the more minor characters are interesting and play such an important role in the story. The lightness of youth and the darkness of the time are incredibly contrasted in this story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Reading Promise</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alice Ozma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A delightful book about a single father and his daughter whose love of reading turns into an over 3000-day challenge to read aloud each day. Loved this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Tenth of December</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">George Saunders</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A collection of short stories. Although I didn't get the gist of all of these stories and almost gave up on the book, I did enjoy some of them. It was very readable, and perhaps I need to read more short story collections to learn to appreciate this type of book. In particular, I enjoyed the first and last story the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Betty Smith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Quietly fabulous! The simple lives of the characters in this novel made this story a monumental read. The poor and quiet lives of the people in this novel have a lot to teach us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>and there was one for every mood."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Wild America</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Roger Tory Peterson and Jame Fischer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Written in 1953, this book is a tour through the United States by leading bird experts with the intent of seeing as many species of birds as possible. A glimpse into life in 1953 with no digital camera or phones. Easy reading. Interesting to see how life has changed in sixty-plus years.</span>Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-38648999499408237512017-03-14T10:48:00.000-04:002017-03-14T10:48:05.512-04:00Blizzard!Sitting here at my desk, watching the snow fall. Luckily, I'm surrounded by fun projects. I am finishing up the border on my Seaside Village Rug (designed by Karla Gerard). I love the way this rug turned out. It's funny that you sometimes plan for a rug to look a certain way, and it winds up taking on a life of its own.<br />
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Here's a photo:<br />
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You can see several techniques used in this rug: quillies, a roof with a solid fabric (the olive green house) that has been sewn on and stuffed, French knots in the purple flowers, a roof woven with yarn (the rust-colored house), and an attempt at Waldeboro hooking near the bottom of the rug. I think using different hooking techniques is what made this rug so fun!<br />
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What are you hooking?Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-91465005327037252862017-03-07T15:12:00.000-05:002017-03-07T15:12:05.571-05:00FEBRUARY favorites<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a new post I've been wanting to try: favorite things of the month!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Favorite Movie:</span></b> Hands-down my favorite movie this month was Lion. Starring Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar as the young Saroo. This was an amazing story of survival. I wondered as I watched this how the little boy manages to stay alive in a 1980s big city in India. It was both heartbreaking and heart-warming. I loved the little boy who played Saroo, and Dev Patel's performance should have won him an Academy Award. Be prepared to shed a few tears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Favorite Book:</b></span> The best book I read in the month of February was </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052RDIUA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0052RDIUA&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=b0c27bb70c8871acb1124682d6b5fa0a" target="_blank">The Keeper of Lost Causes: The First Department Q Novel (Department Q Series Book 1)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0052RDIUA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">by Jussi Adler-Olsen. A story set in Copenhagen and the first in the Department Q mysteries. I loved the characters and immediately ordered the 2nd book in this series after finishing this book. You will love the Head of Department Q, and his quirky assistant who set out to solve long-unsolved crimes. This was a real page-turner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Favorite TV Show:</b></span> Without a doubt, "Victoria" was my February fave. Airing on PBS, this period piece tells the story of the ascension of Victoria to the English Throne and her subsequent marriage to Prince Albert. Loved the history, which I didn't know enough about. Enjoying the learning aspect of this as well as the storytelling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Favorite Song:</b></span> The opening music to Victoria is my favorite this month. Available on iTunes, the music was composed by Martin Phipps and Ruth Barrett. Hauntingly beautiful and mournful at the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Favorite Outing:</span></b> Spent three days in Newburyport, MA this month with side trips to Gloucester and Rockport, and Woodman's Restaurant in Ipswich, MA. Parker Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island is a birder's paradise. Even with the still chilly temperatures, we saw a number of birds. Stood within 10 feet of a Barred Owl and got some wonderful pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Favorite Bird:</b></span> My favorite new bird this month has to be the Red-breasted Merganser Duck. I saw this duck in Gloucester along with other many other birds. The thrill of adding a new bird to my life list never gets old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Favorite New Hooking Idea:</span></b> My favorite new technique this month has to be creating quillies and caterpillars to add to a hooked piece. I love the depth of dimension this adds to the hooked piece and and brings the art of hooking to the level of fiber art.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What are your favorite things from February???</span>Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-78873389266680888842017-02-26T11:42:00.001-05:002017-02-26T11:55:13.540-05:00Books, Books and More Books<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is part of my latest book haul. I buy way too many books, but I just love to read. I also love watching booktube, a part of YouTube where people discuss the books they read, buy, love and hate. Lots of great discussion and easy to listen to while rug hooking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, my latest acquisitions:</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEbO_ytWdqw/WLMBAnfkFyI/AAAAAAAAB-g/p3D7IoBTFTo9NkfVEh2MlLsaNHMmL2DVQCLcB/s1600/books1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEbO_ytWdqw/WLMBAnfkFyI/AAAAAAAAB-g/p3D7IoBTFTo9NkfVEh2MlLsaNHMmL2DVQCLcB/s640/books1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This bunch was mostly recommended by booktubers, although <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005M9745I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005M9745I&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=b89af28e75a9d771c8fdd525f2a5164a" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">East of Eden</span></a> </span></b>was on my radar for a long time. I have read that, but the others pictured above are still waiting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0Xit_prjpc/WLMBApJFgDI/AAAAAAAAB-c/uZAzOxzCqbErva0j44aTVriHL0c9IWVMwCLcB/s1600/books2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0Xit_prjpc/WLMBApJFgDI/AAAAAAAAB-c/uZAzOxzCqbErva0j44aTVriHL0c9IWVMwCLcB/s640/books2.jpg" width="538" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Had to have <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1465453237/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1465453237&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=4dd78b900c84436df4bc9ec0f00277ab" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Baking with Mary Berry</span></b></a> I'm a big fan of the "Great British Baking Show," and I also watch the American version. Who doesn't need another baking book?!?!?</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3Xi4VXL2a8/WLMBAKdT4uI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/S7e5kcqNE8YTp2FyIvptWLaOUaoMycqgQCLcB/s1600/books3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3Xi4VXL2a8/WLMBAKdT4uI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/S7e5kcqNE8YTp2FyIvptWLaOUaoMycqgQCLcB/s640/books3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1847807828/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1847807828&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=e2e657a48eaaf15ee98078180499acc1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>The Natural World</b></span></a> was a Christmas gift from my daughter. She selected it from my Amazon wish list. An absolutely beautiful book with amazing illustrations. My grandson loves this one and is trying to get me to give him the dust jacket as the inside of it is a full length poster. So far, I've kept it! The other book, the classic <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394810112/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0394810112&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=410ddf2b0fe42efecfe276ec7c54096a" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></b></span>is a book I got my grandson for Christmas. We are reading it together. It's been many years since I read this book, and I am enjoying it as much as he is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are the first two illustrated versions of the <span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545790352/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545790352&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=f8b499bcdf5c226ef987a6742e56ce05" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Harry Potter series</span></a>.</span> </b></span>I do have the hardcovers, but these were too special not to have. I want to reread all seven books, and hope to do so using the illustrated copies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have purchased other books in the last month. Will try to mention those in a future post. I also purchased another new rug hooking book, which I plan on doing a separate review of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please check out booktube! It's wonderful. If you need recommendations of some good channels, feel free to ask.</span></div>
Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-13790741286521608112017-02-15T13:54:00.001-05:002017-02-15T13:54:15.481-05:00Quillies in my rug!I'm nearly finished with my latest rug, Seaside Village by Karla Gerard. I was inspired by Gail DuFresne's book to add some quillies. Here's a photo.<br />
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You can see in the upper left hand corner a spot where another quillie will go. I do love the effect. The possibilities are endless!!<br />
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Also, lots of new wool in my Etsy shop:<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/woollymammothwoolens?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Woolly Mammoth Woolens Etsy Shop</b></span></a></div>
Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-9390143604711176982017-02-02T15:33:00.000-05:002017-02-02T15:33:58.535-05:00Hooking on Wire MeshIn a recent class at Julie Smith's, Julie talked about her experience taking a class with Molly Cosgrove who is well-known for hooking on wire mesh. I've tried to find photos of her work, but didn't have much luck. Julie showed us the project she started and challenged us to try our hand at hooking on wire.<br />
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Here is a sample of the wire:<br />
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We started with a rectangular-shaped piece of mesh, and with a few cuts, shaped it into a box. Once that was done, we took crimpers and folded the ragged and sharp edges over to make the top edges of the box smoother. Next, using a tapestry needle, we wove in the top edging of the box about a 1/2 inch down the sides. </div>
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Once the top edging was complete, you commenced hooking in the thick yarn chosen for the project. Here was where I had a problem. I had my good hook with me, and after pulling a few loops did not like that my hook was catching on the wire and not easily pulling the yarn through the mesh.</div>
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Now for the dilemma: I was supposed to be "hooking" this piece. Eventually, I found that using a tapestry needle and weaving loops in and out of the mesh proved to much easier. So, this basket/box was not really hooked!</div>
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Anyway, I did enjoy the process and would like to try using the mesh to sculpt a shape. Here are some photos of the finished box. The flowers are pieces of sari silk.</div>
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-47835108922843620652017-01-24T10:19:00.000-05:002017-01-24T10:19:45.250-05:00Gail Dufresne's "Rug Hooking with Fancy Fibers"<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1945550023/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1945550023&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=d281183a570e5aa46f229f8a9274d613" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1945550023&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1945550023" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Published by "Rug Hooking Magazine," Gail Dufresne's book <i>Rug Hooking with Fancy Fibers</i> was worth every penny I paid for it. I can't say enough good things about it.<br />
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I flipped through the book when it first arrived and knew immediately that I wanted to sit down and actually read it. It soon became apparent that I should <i><span style="color: red;"><b>take notes</b></span></i>, <i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>mark pages</b></span></i>, <i><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>talk with friends about it</b></span></i>, and do a review for my blog.<br />
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If you are a rug hooker wishing to expand your horizons, then this is the book for you. It focuses on the use of three-dimensional techniques for hooking including weaving, knitting, embroidery, beading, embossing, felting, knotting, quilting, sculpting, prodding, crochet, quilling, and more. The other interesting discussion in this book is the use of materials other than wool to complement your rugs.<br />
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Through the use of photos of the most incredible rugs, you will get ideas for using the above techniques in your work. There are lots of close-up photos that detail these techniques.<br />
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In addition to all this, you will also get a concise history of some of the aspects of hooking. I particularly liked the discussion on Waldeboro sculpting. It's something I've tried in the past, and now want to do more of it.<br />
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However, the most fun I saw was in the use of quilling or standing wool shapes. UNBELIEVABLE!!! I have never used this technique but want to try it immediately! I want to do all of these techniques!<br />
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Finally, the photographs! There are photos of rugs created by some of the best rug hookers in the world such as Cindy Irwin, Jen O'Malley, Liz Merino, Tracy Jamar, Kris McDermott, and many others. And let's not forget the stunning work of the author, Gail Dufresne.<br />
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"Rug Hooking Magazine" always puts out great books on rug hooking, and this is no exception! Go buy it now!!! (Click on the photo above to take you to the amazon.com link for this book.)<br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-11434269142494454392017-01-08T13:11:00.000-05:002017-01-08T13:11:20.729-05:00December ReadsEven with the busy holidays, I managed to read eight books in the month of December and ditch one other. Here they are:<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">J.K. Rowling</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1338109065/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1338109065&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=b072e89e5eb3b5887ee48d085a58a200" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1338109065&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1338109065" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
This is the screenplay version of the book. I really enjoyed this story, even though it was a quite a dark tale. I have not seen the movie yet, but hope to. The magical aspects of this brought to mind the wonderful times reading the Harry Potter books. I don't know whether Rowling intends to take these characters forward, but the story left you wanting to know more about them.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>The Phantom Tollbooth</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Norton Juster</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394820371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0394820371&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=1753d1f4cbc41e29b7ac5974b1aecc1b" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0394820371&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0394820371" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
This is a classic, or so I've read. I did enjoy this book with its very clever wordplay, but I found that a few pages went a long way. Took me a fair amount of time to finish, but I'm glad I did.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Mr. Dixon Disappears</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Ian Sansom</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K3NQKPW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01K3NQKPW&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=f6f7ad2679a9c763dc5dcbb6bd575a6b" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01K3NQKPW&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01K3NQKPW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Loved, loved, loved this second book in the Mobile Library series. This was laugh out loud funny! The quirky characters of rural Northern Ireland interact with the common sense librarian who runs the local bookmobile. What fun!<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Lewis Carroll</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1503222683/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1503222683&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=af17aaedf65351dfdd77920e47edbccf" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1503222683&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1503222683" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
I've been hoping to read more of the classics, and started with a beautiful antique edition of Alice in Wonderland. I had recently purchased the book <i>Heartless</i> (a new release), and thought I better read the original before reading a story based on the original. I'm sure you all know the story, but it was a pleasure to actually read it.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">The Misremembered Man</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Christina McKenna</span><br />
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A good, not great, story. I got this as a "kindle deal of the day," so I didn't have a lot invested in it. I probably would continue with this author if her other books were also "deals." The story takes place in Ireland and centers on a very lonely man looking for companionship and an equally lonely woman looking for something more in her life, too. Interspersed with their present day story is the talk of the man's upbringing in an orphanage where the conditions and treatment of the children were horrendous.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">To Kill A Mockingbird</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Harper Lee</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446310786/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446310786&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=9d1d2b8639dfcb90b8b9e98142e4a522" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0446310786&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0446310786" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Not sure how I missed out reading this in high school and college, but I did! Obviously this is a classic, and it certainly felt that way as I was reading it. What a wonderful story and a wonderful group of characters. With a few exceptions, I loved them all! As I got near the end, here was a wonderful coincidence.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Aunt Alexandra was hooking a rug and not watching us, but she was listening. She sat in her chair with her workbasket beside it,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">her rug spread across her lap. Why ladies hooked woolen rugs on boiling nights never became clear to me."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>The Stockholm Octavo</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Karen Engelmann</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061995355/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061995355&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=539d523342644833fef4056c2c8deb26" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0061995355&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0061995355" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
I didn't love this book, but it was good. There were parts that dragged, and I almost gave up on it, but saw it through to the end, and I was glad I did. Interesting bits of history around the time of the French Revolution were mixed into the story which took place in Sweden and centered on the "octavo." The octavo centers on a group of eight cards representing eight people who can help you achieve your vision. Worth a read, and the cover art is so beautiful.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Did You Ever Have a Family</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Bill Clegg</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476798184/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1476798184&linkCode=as2&tag=woolmammwool-20&linkId=d5373635cac7936d2e09cad9964db08a" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1476798184&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=woolmammwool-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=woolmammwool-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1476798184" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Tragedy strikes the night before a wedding. The story, told in many voices and therefore different perspectives, reveals just what a family is and can be. I loved this book. It was an easy read, with likable characters whose stories were heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Definitely recommend.<br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-9514458165838798012017-01-01T15:59:00.003-05:002017-01-01T15:59:52.116-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!Happy new year one and all! Hope your holidays were peaceful ones and that you are looking forward to 2017.<br />
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I wanted to post my favorite bird photo of mine from this past year. This is a picture of a Peregrine Falcon taken in Parker Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Massachusetts. One of my favorite places in the world! I was so pleased to add this bird to my life list in 2016. What an incredible bird! It has been clocked at 200 m.p.h. while diving from great heights.<br />
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The word "peregrine" means wanderer. I hope in this new year, you will all be able to "wander" to new places, explore new arts, and search out the many wonders this world has to offer us.Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-45846880966054051432016-12-21T11:17:00.000-05:002016-12-21T11:17:41.891-05:00Japanese Book BindingLast winter I signed up for a Creative Bug membership. They have all sorts of crafts represented and some wonderful art classes. I have taken several of the classes, and although some of them are simplistic, I've gotten something out of each one. Membership is $4.99 a month. What I love about Creative Bug is the variety of options you have. Keep in mind, these are not Craftsy-like classes.<br />
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One of the classes I stumbled upon under "Paper Crafts" was a Japanese Paper Marbling class taught by Jody Alexander. It was a wonderful introduction to marbling paper. I got the supplies, and as soon as the holidays are over, I intend to practice and hopefully come up with something useful. Along with the marbling class, Jody also teaches a Japanese book binding class. What a wonderful gift to give -- hand marbled paper bound into a book! So here's what I just got from <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/" target="_blank">Dick Blick Art Supplies</a>:<br />
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If you look carefully, you can see the stitching on the edge.<br />
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Really looking forward to trying these techniques out. If you are interested in investigating Creative Bug, here is the link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.creativebug.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">www.creativebug.com</span></a>Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-2982120644311154102016-12-15T11:12:00.000-05:002016-12-15T11:12:58.690-05:00Dye BooksI know that not all rug hookers dye their own wool, but I have always loved dipping into the dye pots. Because I was dyeing so much, my wool business became a necessity!<br />
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I learned to dye wool while taking class with Dick LaBarge, a very well known rug hooker and teacher. Dick is retired now from teaching, but I'm told he still hooks with some of his former students.<br />
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Anyway, Dick was a master at dyeing. I always felt like I was entering a secret laboratory when he got the dye pots out. We had lots of fun experimenting with colors and techniques.<br />
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From that experience, I developed three dye booklets of my own. These booklets used different methods -- spot dyeing, transitional dyeing, graduated dyeing, abrashing, and overdye. My first dye book -- The Dye is Cast -- is only available as a .pdf, but my later dye books -- The Dye is Cast Again and Three Times a Charm are still available in printed format.<br />
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The next photo shows most of my dye formula booklets that I reference when dyeing. My favorites are the three Prisms booklets. I also use Vermont Folk Rugs book of formulas on a regular basis. The Prisms books use only ProChem dyes, while the Vermont Folk Rugs book uses Cushing dyes.<br />
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I also have compiled in a notebook all my favorite formulas. I have my own formulas, and other favorites from the books seen in the photo. In addition, I have a lined notebook where I write down formulas I want to try, mostly ones I have developed on my own. I try to keep up with organizing these formulas, but sometimes I get behind and then have to search out that scrap of paper where I wrote down a new formula. That is not fun!<br />
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What dye books do you use?<br />
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<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607284380961759061.post-45392635088977726112016-12-04T15:39:00.000-05:002016-12-04T15:39:09.474-05:00Woodland Rug updateI have finished the interior of my Woodland scene rug. Just the border remains and some tweaking I want to do to some of the elements in the main body of the rug. I like using dyed roving to accent in small spaces. For instance, I'll probably needle felt in some black/gray lines on the birch trees, add some sparkle to the eyes, etc.<br />
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Here are two photos. I'll upload a photo of the completed rug once the border is finished and the rug is bound.<br />
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I need to have this rug completed by the middle of January, so I feel that I'm ahead of schedule. I'd really like to finish this week, so I can concentrate on the holidays.<br />
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I think I'm going to change the orange plant above the deer. Not really fond of it. Also, the spots need to come off the deer. He looks like part watermelon!!<br />
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Hope your hooking is going well, and the holidays aren't overwhelming you. If you need wool check out my Etsy shop and my Ebay sales. Links to the right!<br />
<br />Woolly Mammoth Woolenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474129972622759216noreply@blogger.com2