What a wonderful fun-filled day to spend with dear friends who gathered from near and far for our monthly hook-in here at the studio!  We were blessed and pleased beyond measure to have visitors from quite far spend the day with us!  Deetta ( shown above with her wonderful wool feather tree and hooked tree skirt) traveled over 3 hours to join us!  She also brought along her friend Karen who is new to hooking! You will recognize Nancy who finished her fabulous wool spread she has been stitching on!  We photographed it on our bed as it is quite large!  Nancy found t ..read more

How can it be?  There's absolutely no snow on the ground here in northern Wisconsin!  The calendar however says it's time to haul out some Christmas decorations...  I've decided to keep  the decorating really really simple this year..putting out a little bit  in each room... just enough to make the season bright.  Monday our carpenter friend is coming to help trim out the new windows we had put in last month. So a little more saw dust will join the regular dust around here. I like sawdust.  I know the work is getting done. I hope y ..read more

Our second Tuesday of the month Hook-In here at the studio was a fun day even though only about half of our large group were able to attend!  But rest assured the talents and projects were in abundance! Rhonda models a wonderful sweater she crocheted! Don't you LOVE the color!  I am always impressed with those who crochet garments and big projects!  The extent of my crochet skills is very limited... I have made a few dishcloths.  Lisa brought a whole pile of cross-stitch projects she is making good progress on!  I think I counted at least half a dozen or so ..read more

The long awaited new windows are finally being put in today! My excitement was mixed with a little anxiety as the snow flurries and cold temps yesterday kept me wondering how we were going to survive during the time the old windows came out and new ones put in!   Our small dining area is windows all around and a door which is also being replaced.  Oh and the bedroom windows too... so lots of work going on here today! Yup that's snow on the deck railing!  Surprisingly enough the day is rather mild and Max and I are staying quite cozy through it all with a little space ..read more

I never did share photos of our last second Tuesday Hook-in!   So many wonderful things were shared including this hand-decorated vest that Holly was wearing!  Maggie Bonanomi made this for her back in 1994!  It is signed and dated...how cool is that!   I took photos of this all around and as you can see it is so awesome!   The back.... And the signature and date just under the arm. That Holly... she is always full of surprises!  And what about her crow necklaces!!  She doesn't remember where she got them but at a folk art show she thinks!!   So ..read more

A trip with my friend Lisa to the Autumn Valley Hook-in in Stillwater, MN was just the medicine I needed!!  I haven't been to a hook-in for at least four years and I was ITCHING to go!!  Well... it didn't disappoint!  I met people who I had only talked with online and practically all my hooking friends from our group who meet here every month were in attendance! Warning.... TONS of photos follow!  I will try and explain as I go and hope I remember everything! My brain is a little tired from all the excitement and inspiration overload today! The very first booth just ins ..read more

Two days wasn't nearly long enough to unwind.  Thankfully the weather was glorious and the softer light of the evening was a photographer's delight! I looked for fresh angles and interesting sights as we wandered along the docks at the marina. Walk along with me and enjoy the magical energy of this beautiful place...... Max is doing well for being 15 years old now. I do think he misses his brother Smokey at times.  If dogs could talk...... I have lots and lots of pictures I want to share of our last two hook-ins here in the studio  a ..read more

They traveled four or more hours from the Minnesota (Battle Lake) and North Dakota border area to take a beginning rug hooking class from me!  Seven friends who quilt together and wanted to learn rug hooking in the worst way! Their eagerness to learn and the excitement that exploded the minute they walked through the front door of my studio was all I needed to know they would be a dream class!  Watching as they pulled their first loops and hearing the sighs and exclamations of "oh.. I was hoping I wouldn't like this" then laughter.. I knew they were on their way to joining the for ..read more

I've always had issues with narrow doorways!  This one is our bedroom doorway... or I should say WAS our bedroom doorway..... Last week the remodeling started on this doorway which is something I've wanted for a very long time! I could always envision a wider opening... kind of utilizing the hallway making it seem more a part of the bedroom.  Well..... .....mission accomplished! I could feel the difference in the room immediately as the doorway  went from a mere 30 inches wide to a whopping 72 inches wide!!  Oh be still my heart!  Never having to bump my elbows o ..read more

The two Betsys hold Betsy's ( on the left) patriotic whale rug!  She used a great gold wool to hook the background!  Just love how it's turned out! You know what they say!  Yes... "The Tough Get Going!"  That's my mantra these past few days.  The heartbreak of  losing our dear little Smokey is still fresh on our minds but you know what helps is having good friends come around and share their delightful work.  Several of us in our hooking and sewing group have lost those close to us in the past few months.  Some are undergoing health issues... Saundra ..read more