SNOWMAN UPDATE

Am thinking maybe it's time to put this one aside for now as I'm stuck.  Have painted hooked myself in the corner again.  Was proud of my design, had a plan, and now confused on the sky.  My first choice when color planning I won't show you as it ended up being way too dark.  My second choice which is hooked in spots thought might work...but think it is too dark for a winter sky too.  

Perhaps if I mingled lighter colors in some areas between the top letters it might work, I dunno.  After all, it is not in a contest, it's a gift.  Also hooked some of the same wool on top of the red house and between the tree and snowman.  That seemed okay.

Anyway here is what it looks like at the moment with the 2nd choice wool hooked in.  By the way, the last word is "Man".  The tail is not secure and looks like an h.

Below is a picture of the piece of wool I'm using.  At first glance it looks like it would work, right?

Questioning my wool choice I went to the messy wool room looking for alternatives.  Here is a picture of options and with my 2nd choice in the mix.  The top of both sides are what I've used so far.  But maybe I could used some of the grey/tan section on the right side to mix with the chosen 2nd choice around the letters to make the letters more visible??

I told Robin that this wouldn't be put aside until it was at the point of no return.  Think I've reached that point but something in me is wanting to push this endeavor further even tho it won't be needed until Christmas which is still 5 months away.  Since Cathy loves snowmen am sure she will be elated with the saying "There's No Man like a Snowman".

If there was a plus one drawn I just might throw it on the frame tonight.  But there isn't one.  However, there is one antique rug that has been in my mind for a while and may just be the next project.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHooked Rugs

ANOTHER PEEK

Sorry to disappoint with just a peek, but I want something at the top to be completed before showing you the whole design.  Meanwhile, my eyes have been in a snow 'white out' 😵.  However, looking at what I've hooked perhaps I've really too much blue and gray for the hills and valleys where there should be more white, hmmm.

At one time there was a primitive cat drawn to the right of the snowman.  Plan was to hook it like a Siamese cat, as that is what my DIL and son have.  But it was too small to get any detail and didn't want the cat to overpower the snowman so eliminated it.  Main character, after all, is the snowman.

Will work more on the snow below, trees and something at the top before the whole reveal.  And in case you're wondering ... no I don't know what will be on my frame next.  Still nothing has made my heart go pitter patter but I keep looking.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

Sensational Seasonal Swap

I am participating in the fun and rewarding Sensational Seasonal Swap on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers/ .  The rules were that the pieces had to be exactly 8" x 8".  The purpose of that was so if anyone wished to participate in all four seasons they could choose to display just one season at a time, attach all four in a row, or two seasons at the top and two seasons on the bottom. 

In addition to being a quick mat to hook because of it's size, we were also asked to just trim the excess backing off (finish the edges so it wouldn't fray)  and gently tack it to the back so that the recipient could decide later how they wished to display their mats.  So for those who don't like the binding aspect, this was a relatively fun and simple project with great rewards at the end.

Today I received my swap mat from my partner Marci Braun.  Oh wow, am I ever happy happy with my mat.  I know women like her who hook so evenly that the project looks steamed when it is still in the process of being hooked.  I've a friend Bonnie who goes to Woolley Fox who is just like that.  Well, I think Marci's hooking is just the same way.

I know, I know you all want to see the mat and I'll get to that.  But, in addition to the mat she sent some delicious over dyed wool, some Ghiradelli dark chocolate and a very nice hard cover journal which I will take to write special things in when I go to rug camps.  But, my first entry will be for the first of the four seasonal swaps and friends I make along the way.  It will be nice to journal my hooker friendships and special moments.  Okay, here is the mat.

Isn't this cute as the dickens?  There are so many things it says to me.... first, I live in the woods and there are trees in the foreground and background.  There is the comfort of a home where someone is probably hooking in the lighted room, and the Snowman is decorated in Christmas lights and hat to keep him warm in the chill of winter.

I plan to do all 4 seasonal swaps and Marci has set the standard for me to try and achieve for the next 3.  In the event you are considering joining I want to mention it was not a requirement to sign up for all 4 seasons.  And, the swap partners will change so that I won't get Marci for any of the other 3 seasons.  But I definitely plan to participate in the others as this was fun.  So, if you would like to join check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers/ , join and inquire about the seasonal swap because our next one will be due sometime in March I think.