Lady and Horse

Lady and Horse is done!

Finished Size 14.5x14”

Thank you Saundra Porter for the challenge; this block comes from the Reconciliation Quilt of 1867!

 I’m not sure what I will hook next.

In my candle making world I’ve been looking for a smoke/campfire fragrance oil. I’d had some good stuff from Northwoods Distributing but they changed their formula. A bit of a gamble, but I ordered some from Canwax— paying more for the shipping than the product— but I am very pleased with the scent throw. Think hearth from a log cabin. Lovely!

Even with the pricier shipping I made 4 good candles to the single one I would have bought premade online. Candles are expensive!! 

Saturday I had three friends over for brunch. One was turning 63 and one was mourning the return of a fast acting cancer. Five hours later we were done, having exhausted ourselves laughing and crying and eating.

Bittersweet….

Though we have a skiff of snow over ice I am donning my crampons over boots and going for a walk. Talking to God and immersing myself  in creation is a great rejuvenator for me.

Challenges challenges

 Too bright, too dull, too this, too that… this simple pattern has me pulling my hair out. I’ve changed colours of the lady’s shirt and the animals many times. Next actions will be to outline the pussycat in the tree and shut the pattern in a closed room for a day. 

Saundra of Woodland Junction blog is having challenges too. Be sure to check out her progress.

For those just joining me, this block is from the Reconciliation Quilt of 1867. Did the creator have this many issues?!

On another note, our little rug group has a new challenge: to hook a mat from the Garrett Bluenose patterns. These are copyright free now. We will celebrate the end of the challenge in September with a little party and prizes.

I signed up for the rug retreat in NB next month. It’s the casual, teacher-less hooking camp near Rothesay. Cannot wait!

New Hooked Rug Book!

Here’s a shameless plug for a real treasure that was published very recently; The Garrett Bluenose Patterns is a group effort by teachers from the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick area. Besides giving well researched history on this collection, there are fantastic photos and patterns which you can hook up. In Canada the book is around $35. 

Right now I’m working on a Saundra (Woodland Junction blog) project. This was an invitation to hook up a quilt block from the famed Reconciliation Quilt of 1867. I can draw, so I sketched out my own but Saundra can do up a pattern if you struggle. 

My choice was the lady on horse but there are many to choose from. I’ll post my progress soon. Here is Saundra’s spot:

 https://woodlandjunction.blogspot.com/?m=1

Ring in 2023

Hubby and I spent Christmas with our adult kids in Montreal. The snow, sweet holiday lights and festive markets were a wonderful backdrop for celebration.

 As the year ebbs away, my heart is full of times with family and friends 

Merry Christmas

May the beauty and wonder of Love come down to earth, of Emmanuel—God with us and among us— sing with gusto it’s rich melody in our lives!

May our mourning, strife, anger and hopelessness disappear in the face of this amazing Grace.

Merry Christmas 

Hooked Ornaments

 I’ve been busy finishing ornaments for a job and one for a senior. These Santa’s carry books in their bags— they are going to librarians. 

And Big Mama Squirrel is the likeness of my client’s friend who is fed hulled sunflower seeds year round. Big Mama has raised many kits, has a notch out of one ear and has her whiter winter coat on. 

And here she is in pride of place on her little tree: 

My pre Christmas “to do” list is winding down. Though I kept it low key this year.  I have a brunch this morning with several close friends. Last week we had our rug hooking potluck party. I wish I’d taken pics. We exchanged gifts, ate and ate, played Left Right and Center with wool strips, and laughed a lot. Can’t get much better. 
May your week be calm and bright.

Christmas at Kings Landing

I’m thoroughly enjoying volunteer work behind the scenes at the Kings Landing historic site. Going through the mats here I feel like a kid in a candy shop. But last weekend the site opened temporarily for Christmas in the Village. Sunday was a chilling 24F

so hubby and I wrapped up and headed there. Maybe you’d like to walk through with me…

L

The attention to decorating small spaces is charming 

Yes we sampled these sugar cookies, prepared in an old wood stove. Mmmm

The general store was doing a brisk business with hot chocolate, cider and fudge sales. We said yes to all three.

A Christmas tree suspended from the ceiling of the store. 

These horses were decorated with sleigh bells and their breath came out in clouds of steam. 

I’m finishing some hooked ornaments I’m gifting for Christmas. I only made four ornaments on commission this year; too busy with other things to put the word out. I’ll post photos soon. 

I spent the morning making gingerbread cake, a spice loaf and Moroccan stew. The smell was amazing. 

May you pause frequently in the day to connect with others and nature around you♥️