I started this a week ago as a gift for our daughter.  Polka dots and zigzags are the focus in this rug.  I am using darks and lights to have great contrast for the design to show up.  The pattern comes from Nancy Young, a well known braiding teacher in Maine.  This is her Killer Chair pad pattern.  I understand the "killer" now, as each row is individual, and therefore, butted.  9 rows here, 9 times to perfect the butting.  

This measure 18" in diameter now.  I would like it larger.  The decision to make is what color row next.  Yellow and light green?  all three?  I will braid some samples to help make up my mind.

The noodle bags are overflowing like a cascading waterfall!  This little round footstool has been wanting a new cover, so it's time!  A few tips and techniques to help you.  When you want to use up noodles for a hit & miss project I find the finished piece easier to look at when you make a rule or two to follow.  My rules beyond using only noodles, were 1.  use lime green for the center of circles.  2. only use blue to red on the color wheel for the circles.  red, red violet, blue violet, blue. 3. use all lightest pastel values, any color.

Now I have a plan, ready to sort the leftover strips and begin.

I used a rummage sale footstool.  Kind of old but solid and sturdy.  The hardware was in good shape so I was able to reuse it.  The legs do need refinishing but it's way too hot to work in the garage, so will wait til winter.  When I finished hooking I put cording on top of the backing right next to the hooking and whipped with two strands of wool yarn.  Then measured how much backing I needed to fold to the back..  Remember to measure twice before you cut!  I left the old cover on so I did not have to add layers of padding.  The cording did cause a bit of waviness at the edge, so on a future round piece I will consider a row of chain stitch instead.  Staple the backing on, stretching from side to side.  Add the liner to cover the raw edge of backing and tack in place leave space for the leg braces.  Screw in the leg brace.  Using a screw through the layers of fabric caused a problem.  The screw snagged the liner and the linen backing pulling threads unevenly.    I had to use sharp pointy scissors and exacto knife to cut tiny holes to make space for the screw to not catch any threads.  Are you ready to tackle your footstool project?  Have fun! 

Pack your go bags everyone!  Remember to bring finished items for the fiber exhibit, a wearable fiber art for the fashion parade, a pet supply donation to the Humane Society of Marion County, a project to work on for the day, rug hooking, spinning (a spinning vortex will be in the middle of the room), weaving, knitting, kumihimo, any fiber art is welcome!  We will be at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala Fl.   Pre-registration required at ShadyHillRugHooking.com. 

November 15th was the Strawberry Rug Hookers Annual Hook-in in Dover Florida!  Always an exciting day full of shopping, vending, door prizes, raffle tickets and most of all - friendship!

Here is a picture of my booth before everyone came through the doors.  

Put this event on your calendar for next year!

Yes, it's true!  I started and finished a rug in the same year!  I have a habit of starting many, many projects, way too many projects.  Then working on all of them, and soon they will be finished at the same time.  A couple weaving projects, knitting projects,  rug hooking projects ready to enjoy.  That means piles of stuff all over the place.

The big news is the Spring Fiber Fling registration will open on October 7th!  Details are in the Spring Fiber Fling section.  Check it out!

A little messy on the frame this week.  Steamy hot week with temps in the high 90's.  So it's hooking in the afternoons.  I can see some adjustments need to be made on the rose, one petal is a bit too dark.  I like hooking the background as I complete a design.  A row or two of background help to define the design, and confirms the background choice is a good one.  Plus, the rug is mostly done and only a little boring background to do at the end!

Plans are shaping up for the Spring Fiber Fling in March 2020.  Friday afternoon classes will be listed soon, just waiting for information from the teachers.  Check back soon!

Sneak preview of my current rug hooking project.  I attended the Off the Ocean Rug Camp in Jacksonville FL in January and thoroughly enjoyed a class with Sybil Osicka.  After a busy spring I am getting back to it.  More pictures to come with progress. 

We are working on details for the 2020 Spring Fiber Fling too!

Finished, finally!  Colchester Vase, available from Honey Bee Hive Rug Hooking.

I added the braid to make a border.  The first one I tried was green and yellow, trying to bring the yellow from the center to the outside.  The contrast was too sharp and all I saw was the braid, not the flowers.  Red made it look to Christmasy.  I think the final decision of three strands of green plaid for the braid is the right one.  It takes trial and error sometimes to get it right.

This is Oscar!  Anne Doucet from Titusville FL  hooked this charming sea turtle using several fun decorative stitches.  I had the pleasure of teaching the class in January in Titusville.  We focused our fiber fun on learning these stitches to add texture and interest to our rug hooking.  Thank you for inviting me to teach, and sharing the picture of your finished Oscar!

Drop Spindle spinning and knitting out in the woods during a hike on a beautiful day with my talented sister who came to visit for Christmas.  

Are you ready for 2019?  Have you set some goals?  Either to finish the UFO's, or learn a new art form?  Make a plan and get prepared and go for it!

Only two weeks until the Country Roads Quilt Show in Ocala Florida!  We all need needle cases to store our favorite needles and pins.  I will have these kits available for you at the quilt show.  A perfect size to give wool appliqué a try!  

Stop in my booth and say Hello!

I am excited to be a new vendor at the Country Road Quilt Show in Ocala Florida!  For all the important details check out their website at crqocala.com/quilt-show-2018.

I will be playing in the dye pots over the next several weeks!  Last week I dyed brilliant reds and glorious greens for Christmas projects and some outrageous oranges for pumpkins to get you started on fall.

Be sure to stop in my booth and say HI!

I will have several wool appliqué kits and patterns available also.  

Once in a while you need several values of the same color.  Santa faces anyone!

Registration is open!

Follow the Spring Fiber Fling 2019 tab on the tool bar to register.

One of my all time favorite rug patterns!  I am making some progress and enjoying each flower and leaf.  I guess I need to tackle the roses and strap leaves next.  During the summer I need extra fans to keep cool under this extreme rug!