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.

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!

Slowly....Some Progress

I managed to get some leaves and my pumpkins done...slowly....as my back is doing better ....a little punching here... and a little there. I manage a about a 1/2 hour at a time. I add up my 1/2 hours and there I am - some progress.
I am learning much about working with yarn and punch hooking - CONTRAST is extremely important. Notice how my leaves sort of blend altogether - even though I dyed up some very different values, and purposely made one a blue green and one a yellow green. Thankfully the two oranges work - just. The stems of the pumpkin and the crow read almost the same value as well. I will have to wait and see 'til I put in some background to see if I need to take out some and replace.

The Show Must Go On...St. Henri Exhibit 2010

Squirrel - Pillow

Designed and Hooked by Mayumi Takahashi

Follow The Guide - Pillow

Designed by Di Franza Designs

Hooked by Christiane Lavoie

 Geometric Cushion

Designed and Hooked/Prodded by Terry Ballantyne

Hampden - Pillow

Designed by J.McGown Flynn

Hooked by Rosemary Daisy Sylvestre

Primitive Flowers - Pillow

Designed by Tara Darr

Punch Hooked by Mary Guay

Show Continues....St.Henri Exhibit 2010

Antique Rose - Chair Pad

Adaptation of Design by Karen Kahle

Punch Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

Cape Breton Fishing Boat - Brick Cover

Designed and Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

Floral Teapot - Chair Pad

Designed and Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

Cape Breton Lighthouse - Brick Cover

Designed and Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

OM - Chair Pad

Designed by Tony Latham

Punch Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

Sacha The Cat - Brick Cover

Designed by Di Franza Designs

Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

1st Annual International Punch Needle Rug Hooking Day!

1st Annual International Punch Needle Rug Hooking Day!

 Erzuli

Designed and Hooked by Yanick Duchesne 

In the words of the artist: " Erzuli, voodoo god of love, is often represented in wrought iron on the front of homes to protect them. The central motif of the pillow is inspired from a traditional Haitian drawing. 

I added some decorative folkloric curves and hearts."

For more info on this first time Punch Needle Rug Hooking Day check out Amy Oxford's website - here: http://www.amyoxford.com/