I'm well into this table mat commissioned by my friend Mary. Hooking in a #6 which seemed small after my last project with the hand torn strips! But after hooking awhile it doesn't seem much different than an 8. I guess I'm tricking my own mind! Something which comes in very handy on occasion.
This little mat is designed per Mary's request to fit a small rectangular shaped table with rounded corners in her living room. The mat is to cover the entire top of the table. Hopefully my measurements and careful hooking inside the lines of the perimeter will have it fitting her table almost perfectly. It is a nagging thing I keep trying not to think about. ( fitting the table perfectly). The table was tipped upside down and traced onto my paper when I started the design. I actually cut the design out and walked over to Mary's and laid the pattern on the table. A couple of minor adjustments and we have what I hope is going to be the perfect fit. Using the word perfect lightly!
How do you like the colors? Mary has been over here visiting my wool stash and was drooling over the hot pink texture in my cabinet. I didn't think at first we'd go with the brightest thing in my stash..... but as time went on and we talked colors and I could sense she was thinking colorful and what she calls "Bohemian colors"was going to be what made her happiest. Then Mary sprung a little divine intervention on the subject which clinched the hot pink texture right out of the cabinet and into her rug! She shyly revealed that God wanted me to know that if I used one of my special wools ( read: one that I have been hoarding for God knows what) in her rug, that every time she walked past the rug knowing what special wool I used she could say a prayer. And God would send special blessings my way.
Well, I'm not one to interfere in divine interventions. Truth be told I was saving that special piece of pink for a special rug. Is this that rug? So far the colors seem to be picking themselves...... or are they? What better way to be hooking with such lovely thoughts in mind. Flowers, friends, color and happiness. Oh and maybe a little prayer that it actually fits the table when it's done!
Cathy G
It's almost time for the second class session! It's tomorrow night and I haven't even brought you up to speed on the first one! It's been a blur and flurry of thoughts and crazy emotions, but most exciting!
I have TEN lovely students. ALL sweethearts! It started with six who signed up but during the time I began to set up, things started to happen. It seems my rugs caused quite a stir! (blushing here).... In fact one lady passing my room on her way to Zumba class, came in for a look and to make a long story short decided she had to take MY class and scrapped the Zumba class! Oh my! I hope the Zumba teacher doesn't come looking for me tomorrow night! Yikes. In case you're wondering what Zumba is..... it's a dance work-out set to Latin inspired music! From dance to rug hooking! Hmmmmm.... I guess my rugs must be pretty exciting! LOL!
A couple more students had signed up just hours before the class began and a friend told a friend.... So we now have ten!Of course I was caught without enough supplies. But kindness prevailed and all were willing to wait until this week to start on the projects. There were so many questions and having a classroom full of students who don't want to miss a thing was truly inspiring for me! The dyed wool was a huge hit! Also the questions flew about where, how and the price of frames and cutters! One student inquired whether there was such thing as an electrified cutter as cutting the strips a couple at a time on my Bliss cutter seemed quite the chore. I assured her that yes, there is an electrified apparatus available. However at least to start with she may not want to cut all her available wool into strips! Such enthusiasm! I hope there continues to be all the excitement and wonder and craving to learn as we get into the nitty gritty of putting hook through backing!
I don't know if it's from all the excitement this past week or what but I have had a few days of not feeling the greatest. One big ache from head to toe! The thyroid may be out of whack or something. Maybe it's the weather! It's still COLD and more white s#@* predicted for tomorrow. Depressing to say the least. So I did start a little Spring decorating in the breezeway which leads to my studio. In my header photo you'll notice the empty space upbove the shelf. Well, I decided it needs a little rug there so I designed a new little ditty with simple flowers and tongues on the bottom border. I'm planning soft antique blues and browns. Trying to tame the brights as you know is very hard for me.... Mrs. Orange Sink!
Well, I must part for now. Have to go crack the whip after Mr. Orange Sink to get him going on the four more frames I need for tomorrow night. I think he has them almost done! I need a cup of hot tea to warm my bones so I can get going on drawing the rest of the patterns. Boy, I sure hope those extra hooks come in tomorrows mail or I am going to have to carve some for class...... just kidding!
Enjoy your day and tell your loved ones how much you love them!
Cathy G
