Monday, November 26, 2012

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

Hello,
Nicola of the wonderful stitching blog has come up with a wonderful idea, a Scarlet Letter stitching challenge for 2013.  Go to her blog to read about it, you need to complete a WIP or start a new one, either in your stash or new, you then join her special SL blog and post about your projects and progress.  She is even having periodic giveaways and at the end of the year there will be a drawing for Scarlet Letter gift certificates.

I have chosen SL's Christmas sampler from 1991, which is something I have wanted to do for a very long time.


Oliver and Charlotte snuggling...aaahhh.  Savannah gets spayed tomorrow, so she will be an unhappy kitty for a day or so.  I am taking her up to the vet's to board tonight, as it isn't fair for all the cats to have no food or water after midnight.

Hugs to all.......Melinda

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Rug Finish and This and That...

Hello, and a Happy Thanksgiving to all.  This year Thanksgiving here at Merry Wind Farm is going to be a very quiet event, just me, my Mother and Evan for a nice family turkey dinner.

I have a rug finish to show you.  This pattern is from Maria Barton and I purchased it from her at the rug workshop she taught here in Tipp City with Alice Strebel a few weeks ago.  It was a quick and fun easy hook, and, as you can see, in my usual favorite colors.  I understand that this rug was adapted from an antique fraktur drawing.  I finished it with a crochet edge, which I learned from following Karen Kahle's instructions here.  For those of you who hate to finish rugs, this is so quick and easy, it only took about an hour!  I also bought three more patterns from Maria, one of two kitties, and two smaller size versions of Magdalena Briner rugs.  Can't wait to get started!


When Lauren of  Rugs and Pugs came down for the rug hooking workshop, she was so sweet to gift me with some of her lovely handmade items.  First is a pumpkin mat hooked from wide hand torn strips, and look at how she finished the back!


And this wonderful necklace she made from an antique spoon and monogrammed with Merry Wind Farm.  She even hung a little horse with it!!  I love it!!!!!!  Thank you, Lauren!!


Next, a scissors fob, also made from an antique spoon, and also monogrammed!


This is an authentic, signed, hand painted on velvet, Theorem that I scored on shop goodwill.  The detail is amazing, but unfortunately my cheapie camera can't handle close-ups.


Finally, this is what Evan came home with last week!  He found her in the grocery store parking lot.  She is about six months old, terribly thin, fleas, worms, ear mites (all taken care of).  Who could say no to this adorable face???  Not me, what's one more (laughing hysterically).  Evan named her Savannah, she has been to the vet for all her shots, get spayed next Monday, and is so happy to have landed in the lap of luxury.  Everybody gets along great, we are all just one big happy family!


You can't really tell from the pictures, but the vet said she has some "Bengal" in her, as she is spotted on the side rather than plain tabby cat stripes.  She is a love bug, and so grateful for her new home.

That's all for now.

Hugs,,
Melinda

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Rug hooking workshop with Ali and Maria

Hello, everybody,
This past weekend was so much fun.  Lauren of rugs and pugs came down from northern Ohio to stay and we attended the creative rug hooking workshop in Tipp City with two talented ladies, Ali Strebel and Maria Barton.  Lauren made me some wonderful handmade goodies, I'll photograph them and share with you tomorrow.  Thank you, Lauren!!!  There were three basic patterns to choose from, a sheep, a snowman, and a pumpkin.  We were to then elaborate on our basic pattern and create something from it ... some ideas were a penny rug, wall hanging, standing snowman, pillow, etc.  Visit Laurens blog to see pictures of all the projects and the inspiration pieces, I did not take that many pictures.

These ladies were so creative with their projects ... I could never think that far outside the box.  I am just dandy at copying :), and everything I do HAS to be primitive and/or antique looking.  I live in an antique house, surrounded by antiques, and I used to say "If it isn't antique, it isn't coming in the door".

I chose the sheep for my design, and made it into a pillow which I finished this evening.  My big learning experience was the proddy border, which was fun to do and I love how it looks.


Of course, I had to do some shopping in Ali and Maria's "stores" and came home with two Magdalena Briner patterns, a couple more primitive rug patterns, and WAY too much wool!!  :)

And, of course, Lauren and I had to hit the local antique shops...once again, spending TOO MUCH!!

This is now the third wonderful workshop that I have attended right here in Tipp City given by Ali Strebel.  Two years ago this was my project from the workshop with Karen Kahle and Nola Hiedbreder.   I learned about the medium background at this workshop.  I was a beginning hooker at that time.


Then, at last years workshop with Ali, Karen, and Nola, I did this mat, trying to learn the technique that distinguishes Karens rugs.


Changing the subject, the kitties are all now spayed/neutered.  Boy, was that expensive, and the vet was even kind enough to give me the 2 for 1 deal.  It is unfortunate that neutering is so expensive, especially for the little girls.  I think the cost is a large part of the reason that more people do not take in strays.

But, I have to tell you , it has been so worth it!  I just love the little kittens like crazy, they are so sweet and adorable and personality plus!  They are always cheeping and talking and responding to me. purring and swiping at me when I walk by.  At the risk of boring you.........

Benji.  There are two Benjis, identical twins, and they both have the same name.  The only difference is the weight.

Tisha, love her white chin.


Petunia.


Charlotte


Last night, when I went out to the barn at midnight, another wild black cat went running out!  I don't think I ever told you, but the mother to the kittens, about a month after we had her spayed, disappeared.  My thinking is that the coyotes probably got her, as there were vultures circling over the fields for a couple of days.  I sure hope the whole cycle of a wild cat isn't going to start again, other farmers around here don't neuter, so there are lots of kittens , a good percentage of which end up here because I can't stand the idea of a hungry animal!

Melinda