Method to My Madness?

(Kelley Belfast designed Pumpkin)

I just might be a lunatic.  I've been working like a mad scientist the past couple of days conjuring up dye formulas and dyeing wool.   I've taxed my brain to it's limit trying to design my next class rug hooking project.  Is it going to be too hard for first time hookers to hook?  How long will it take them?  What colors should I use?......  for an October class that should be a no brainer right?   

Fresh out of the dye pot these rust textures dry on an early drying rack.



Out of the dye pots came a few golds.  I think these will work.



Now, to decide on the edging.  Don't want to go with a traditional binding.  Want something fun and different and fast to do.  Not sure if I like what I came up with.
The mad scientist may have to put on the very large thinking cap and come up with a different idea !
Cathy G

Purple Coneflower Beginner Rug Hooking Kit

My efforts of last night and today are shown here with the creation of this advanced beginner rug hooking kit for one of my students.  (notice the beading on the flower stem which I thought would give a beginner a little bit of a challenge)

1. Drew the Pattern on backing ( on the straight of grain!!!!!)
2. Cut the wool strips
3. Hooked the pattern/ counting the number of strips it took for each element and the background
4. Prepared another pattern on linen. 
5. Sorted the strips and labeled the bundles 
6. Measured the binding tape
7. Photographed the subject
8. Will be including a life size photograph in the pattern (9 by 7 inches)
9. I hope she likes it.
10. It was really rather fun creating my first kit!  Maybe if I had a different cutter I would consider making some of these to sell.  Or maybe I need to just go ahead and make some to sell and then use the money for a new cutter!

I'm off to watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution while sewing on the binding.

                                                            Cathy G