Dyeing Darks

I have been dyeing lots and lots of darks lately for a geometric I have been hooking away madly on. These above colors Licorice and Republic Red are dyed over textures with formulas from Susan Quicksall's book Dyeing For Color. Check out her website Hollyhilldesigns.
These darks do a wonderful job of showing off the lights and mediums....contrast of value is what it is all about in geometrics. I will post a photo soon of my progress. 

'Tis The Season to Be Dyeing...

Lots of yummy colors.....all over textures. Ready to be hooked. Tried to keep my steamy dye kitchen under wraps today as we had SO much humidity (read RAIN) from the tropical storm already...didn't need more to make the house extra humid. It seemed to work, most of the humidity was contained and sucked outside with my venting system. Here are the fruits of my labor....today. What fun it is to play in the dye pots again. Some of these are dye by eye, but most are reproducible colors....a necessity when customers want the same color...right? These lovelies are headed off in the mail tomorrow...

I hope this post finds everyone safe!

OUCH!!!!

I am back at work after being off for awhile on vacation AND being back ....feels kind of....

...nice..... but really is very PRICKLY...lol

Cactus from New York Botanical Gardens

Give Away Over at ...THE WOOLY RED RUG

Help Laurie CELEBRATE over at The Wooly Red Rug ....A Give Away

Congrats Laurie! The NEW website looks great! 

Wishing you much success!

Find Laurie's New Website ....here....The Wooly Red Rug Website. 

 Find Laurie's blog...here....The Wooly Red Rug.

A Portrait Study

Here is what I have been working on lately. This past spring/summer I participated in an online class with an amazing instructor - Wanda Kerr. For more info about Wanda and her online classes visit her blog at WandaWorks . The learning experience was exciting and wonderful as I acquired many new skills that will translate into my future work.

 Each student benefited greatly from tons of individual
attention  and assistance to build the skills necessary to hook a portrait independently. The study that we completed incorporated many exercises to build not only our skills, but also our confidence in working with values and shapes to successfully (re)create a portrait in wool.
If you are looking for an enriching learning experience to enhance your hooking and looking skills  - then I suggest checking out what Wanda has to offer.

A Folk Crow

If you have followed my blog you will remember that my Mom and I both like Crows. Well, here is yet another one. Enjoy!

 Folk Crow

Hooked by Lois Latham

Design by Judith Dallegret

A Heart For Wanda

I was wandering on the beach the other day and found this lovely heart shaped flat rock. It reminded me of my friend Wanda Wandaworks .

I can't believe how time flies....

I have been busy working on a project and will show and tell when it is complete. It is really great to finally have time to hook!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Color Inspiration at The New York Botanical Gardens

A recent Easter weekend trip to the
New York Botanical Gardens. 

A wonderful way to welcome Spring. The riot of color is amazing. From the Spring bulbs to the extraordinary Orchids. A feast for the eyes.

  More to come. Stayed tuned! Enjoy!

Dying for Spring...

OK Mother Nature has been fooling with our weather again. It was WINDY and COLD this weekend with RAIN and SLEET....So, I dabbled in the dye pots....one of my favorite things to do. I had some orders to fill for some students and customers. Here are some of the results....

I dyed this skein of RAGG 2 ply in the microwave. Here it is cooling on the back deck. The yarn is Briggs and Little 2 ply RAGG.

This is what it looks like dried and twisted. It is a nice soft spring green.

I used Wanda's float or wandering method to dye this . It is a lovely parade of browns. The wool is Dorr natural.

Here it is dried and ready for hooking. It is simply delicious. I hope the richness and variation of color and value comes through. Yummy!

This one does not have a before. I got carried away and forgot to take the photos of it in the electric fry pan. I used a spot method to get this wonderful beauty. Inspired by maple syrup and sugaring off. The yarn is Briggs and Little 2 ply Heritage natural.

 

Another one that escaped the camera. What can I say my hands were busy....LOL. Anyway, I dyed this one in the electric fry pan as well. It is also spotted with several colors to yield this softness. The yarn I started with is  Briggs and Little 4 ply washed white.

Spring!?!

In Montreal we have been seeing some signs of Spring! In the park yesterday I saw crocus on the sunny side of the park.

Also, I heard them long before I was able to see them..Canada Geese...These are one of my definite signs that Spring has really sprung! I will say that and we will have more snow, as we did this morning mixed with rain.

Oh well, you know what they say "April showers bring May flowers." Bring it on!

 

Obstacles.....

Bye Bye Winter....

Welcome back the light.....so long winter blues.... I really think winter does a number on my body, mind and spirit..... Thanks to all of you who have emailed me or phoned me to ask if I was still alive and kicking...I will try to be more present on my blog.

Have a look at some antique rugs from Quebec, Canada. These are from my personal collection. We think these were hooked in the 40's - 50's and 60's. The style is typically Quebec "paysage" or landscape. The first two are hooked with cotton cord or yarn on fine linen, while the third is hooked with mystery fiber on burlap.

Happy First Day Of Spring!

Making/Finding Time to Make Handmade

In the midst of all of the preparations for the amazing race to "THE DAY" (read christmas)... I found some time to make some homemade things - (I took the Handmade Pledge in 2010 and tried as much as possible to adhere to my pledge. So as I have 5 min. today, I thought I would share three little christmas ornaments I punch hooked with Amy's No. 14 punch hook with you. They were given as gifts to three of my dearest colleagues. Most of the 2 ply  wool yarn is Briggs and Little Heritage that was hand dyed by me. Enjoy!