An October's Day

  I tried not to let thoughts of approaching cold weather interrupt the sunshine and warmth, sights and smells on this gorgeous October day.

The pungent smell of burning leaves, fresh cut firewood and Windex fill the air as the final outside chores are checked off the to-do list .

Beautiful birch branches lay on the lawn as Dave surveys his wood pile.  Is he thinking about how many more trips to the woods he needs to make before the stockpile is enough to get through the winter?

I hope he is also thinking about the project I mentioned to him earlier that involves those birch branches!

Wood neatly stacked in the backyard after it is split.

Pointing the camera up through the maple leaves captures what it must feel like to be a squirrel!

Our maples in the front yard are some of the last in the neighborhood to show off their golden orange and yellows.  

Look at that blue October sky!!

I've added some twinkly lights to a potted shrub in the backyard.

I see Dave didn't forget about the project I mentioned earlier!  Since the Green Bay Packers won today he was in a pretty good mood.  

It's nice getting a little head start on a Christmas decoration!

Hope your October Day was filled with sunshine and wins!

Cathy G

Pears and Squares

Howdy!  Oh gosh I know it's been awhile!  I'll be amazed if I actually have any readers left out there! Blogging is hard work you know.  There have been days lately where I just couldn't bring myself to sit down and write a word... I'd think about it then instead of coming up with a post  I'd just go immerse myself  in Pinterest!  I deserve a good spank!  LOL!

Of course a lot of things have been going on!   I've been teaching rug hooking classes here in the studio.  I've had a half-dozen lovely new students over the past few weeks.  And come the first week in November there are a group of TEN who would like to come take my class!  Whew!  That's quite a few in one class but this group of friends would like to take it together!  So... I hope I can keep everything straight!  Lots of learning, laughs and loops are anticipated!

That lovely pear in the photo is a real pear!  I know it almost looks like an artificial one doesn't it?   A couple of weeks ago while Dave and I were on a short trip up north to Bayfield, WI,   we visited an apple orchard and amongst all the varieties of apples I spotted these great looking pears.  They were not quite ripe when we purchased them but after a few days on the kitchen counter in a wooden bowl  they turned from green to a beautiful peachy glow!  They were the sweetest pears I've ever tasted!

I sliced a few of them up today and popped them in the food dehydrator to make pear chips!  Like potato chips except made from pears!  Sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon they are absolutely delicious!

And the house smells  of cinnamon and pears...  so Fall like and cozy.

Speaking of cozy...

A few days ago I drew up some little acorn shaped coasters on linen and hooked them using some new wools we got in the studio!  This little corner in the studio is quite comfy to sit and hook or work on some wool applique. The little acorn coasters are nice to set a cup of tea on while stitching or hooking.   I have been working on some models for the studio.

I have only recently been working with wool applique.  It's a nice break from hooking and I still get to play with wool!  There are so many cute patterns out there that I would like to stitch.  I thought this one from Primitive Gatherings would be easy and quick!

Well it turns out nothing with hand sewing is really ever quick for me!  It was fun though to cut out all the little squares.  I am using a product called Heat-N-Bond lite and it sure makes the work easier and keeps the wool looking tidy on the edges. 

We will be carrying this pattern in the shop now too.

So much more to tell you about but I think I need to go work on this project for a little while before hitting the hay!

I'll be back soon if all goes well!

Happy leaf watching and Fall merry making!!

Cathy G

Autumn at Red House Wool Studio~A Photo Tour!

I think we're ready!  Autumn has arrived at the Red House Wool Studio!

Tell me this is your favorite time of year to

add some scrumptious Fall colors to your wool stash!

Here we go.... 

Enjoy the tour !!

We hope you will stop by the Studio soon to see our selection of new hand-dyed wools, patterns, and everything for your rug hooking and wool applique needs! 

We're adding things daily and Fall classes for rug hooking are in progress!

Email me Here for more information on my beginning rug hooking classes!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Cathy G

Hooking Down and Dirty in the Hay Bales!

On Sunday of this Labor Day weekend Jill and I threw a few rugs and our hooking gear together and headed down town to  Heritage Days in Rice Lake, WI.  We were asked to demonstrate rug hooking to the crowds which never really materialized.  Unfortunately the crowds were there Saturday and by Sunday the hot and dusty ground was all that was left underfoot as we sat and hooked and sipped our iced tea from insulated mugs.

Heritage Days had it's humble beginning under a huge white tent with displays of logging equipment and trapping paraphernalia and a couple of ladies crocheting doilies and the town hookers ( me and Jill). Hay bales lined the outer edges of the tent I assumed for folks to rest a bit while listening to expert local historians speak on the logging history and lore of Indians and early settlers.  All interesting indeed... but we were hoping to drum up a few new hookers and lure them to the studio for lessons.

I think we spoke to three possible candidates.

Jill, however, was happy to have a few hours on a hot and dusty Sunday afternoon to sit and hook with her partner in business and crime.

She did a little reverse hooking as well!  LOL!

Me, with the dumb look on my face, made a little more progress on a new rug I started a couple of days ago.  It's a 20 by 40 inch runner with a wild hit and miss border done in all shades of green. 

So tomorrow starts the journey into a new week and the start of the Fall season.

I will get to those studio photos I promised too.

Never enough hours in the day it seems.

Today is a big day for my sweet hubby Dave who loads tables, fixes light fixtures in the studio, takes photos, takes care of friend's chickens while they are on vacation, takes care of his 91 year old Mom, me and the fur boys,  and puts in 60 hour weeks at the newspaper.

He turns 60.

I think we both will be sitting down a few moments to wrap our minds around that one!

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Cathy G

Hello!

It's me!  I'm still here!  Although feeling a bit sheepish about not posting in such a long time!  You know how hard it is to finally post when there is so much that has gone on in life and you want to tell it ALL!  Well.... maybe not quite all! LOL!

Summer is nearly gone.... but this next week sounds like we're in for some super hot weather!  Time to turn on the AC and get to work in the studio!

I have been hooking a little bit and getting the studio ready for our Fall classes here.  In fact I have a few ladies coming next Friday( August 30th) for their first try at rug hooking.  The class starts at 1:3o pm and I could take a couple more students if you have been thinking about taking a class. Just shoot me an Email for more information.

Here is a rug I just completed and am getting ready to bind.  It is a quick design I drew up for something new to hook to get me motivated again!  I hadn't picked up my hook for well over a month this summer!  I needed a fun and simple design that would hook up quick!

  For some reason sunflowers call to me this time of year!

And punkins and blackbirds!

They all made an appearance in this design.

I had to call this rug "Big Sunflower".

I love them and they are so fun to hook!  "Big Sunflower" is about 19 1/2 by 22 inches.   I don't think I will be offering this pattern as a paper pattern at this time  but I will draw one up on linen for you if you should like the design and want to hook your own.  

Email me with your request and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.  

( The cost will be 42.00 plus shipping)

  

  I have some new photos of the shop to show you in my next post!

Now.... I better get to binding.

Talk soon!

Cathy G