Who is Orange Sink?

My photo
Rice Lake, WI, United States
My home town is Rice Lake, a small town in northern Wisconsin. I own Red House Wool Studio~ an in-home wool and rug hooking business. I enjoy collecting and decorating with antiques and primitives. Orange Sink Blog is a journal of my interests and ramblings about life. Cathy Greschner

Email Me Here

Monday, September 28, 2015

Autumn in Bayfield, Wisconsin


Dave and I with the two pooches in tote are in Bayfield, WI for a much needed little break from our daily work and routine. We are being blessed with perfect weather as we walk the hilly streets in this quaint village on Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay. 
My favorite thing to do is check out the residents' backyard gardens and the local architecture of the old houses.  This charming whale weathervane caught my eye this morning as did a garden of dahlias. Or are those zinnias?  I couldn't remember which but they were gorgeous and worthy of a snapshot!



The sumac are the the first to show their firey red color here on the south shore of beautiful Lake Superior.



Yes... there were vacancies here at the Seagull Bay Motel this morning but by early afternoon the neon sign switched to No!  It's still very busy with tourists here this time of year but we beat the mobs of Applefest goers who arrive next week for the town's biggest celebration!





Milkweed was the plant of choice in this frontyard garden. No doubt to attract the Monarch butterfly that is experiencing a decline in numbers.  Worthy of a snapshot and it made me smile.












Our time here is never long enough, but it sounds like I may have an opportunity to come back and teach a rug hooking class at the quilt shop here in town!  It may have to be next fall before we can get the class underway but it will be a great excuse to come back to one of our most favorite places of all.  Bayfield, Wisconsin. 
Cathy G


Tuesday, September 8, 2015

September Hook-in at Red House Wool Studio!


We gathered here on this gorgeous day in northern Wisconsin to hook, stitch, a little show and tell and above all enjoy each other's friendship and company! 
I hear it again and again how everyone looks so forward to our monthly hand-work gathering!
Shirley in the photo above, is working on her bunny rug with beautiful background! A Sharon Smith pattern. She's hooking in 8.5 and 9... wow!  I love it!

Saundra brought this quilt she is working on.... her grandson is an Eagle Scout and will soon be gifted with this quilt!  Isn't it awesome! I am sure it will become a family heirloom! 
We love looking at all kinds of hand-work and are so grateful when someone brings their projects to share!


Betsy who will be heading south very soon ( yes, she's a lucky snowbird!) has finished hooking her reindeer rug(a Judy Cripps design-her website is Rustic Rugs) ..... oh it is wonderful!!  I love the wools in this rug so much!
Maybe she'll accidentally forget it in front of my fireplace for the winter! LOL!!




Betsy is just starting to hook my Autumn Trio pattern! I can see already that it is going to be full of Autumn glory!


And sweet Nancy! She is working on her stitchery with wool appliqué!  I can't wait to see this one finished!  She does lovely hand-work and loves the primitive patterns!  A girl after my own heart!

Well.... it's been SO DARN busy around here!  The wool is flying out the door and I am working like mad to keep things fresh with new models, colors of hand-dyed wool and inspiration for all to feast their eyes!
If you are traveling this Fall and are near Rice Lake, WI and would like to visit the studio... email or call ahead as I would love to see you!
I carry plenty of wool, patterns and books, linen,Valdani threads and supplies for all your hooking and wool applique' needs!

I am headed to the studio right now to unpack the latest shipment of wool!
It's gorgeous!
Maybe it will inspire a new pattern or two!!  

Cathy G