Projects Update

After yesterdays post about all the projects I have going on I focused and got down to work.

First thing I did was to work on the little rug, as in mug size rug, I started on Saturday at the Wool Poppies meeting. This is where I was when I left the meeting:

This is where I am today:

 

While I'm on the topic of rug hooking here is the update on my very first rug. Here it is where we left it the last time I posted about it:

 



Here it is today.

I have a little bit of backround to do and I'll be able to put the binding on. I just learned I shouldn't leave the backround for last but work on it a little at a time. Wish I would have known that sooner.

Back to yesterday, after I worked on the heart rug I went into my studio and started working on all my blog projects.

I chose and transferred the pattern for the Stitch Me Up Blog Hop, I put together the top of the pincushion for the Pin Keep Swap and finalized the materials for It's All About Me.

Unfortunately because these projects are to be a surprise I can't show my progress but I can show you some of the materials I considered for It's All About Me:

Who knew choosing a material for this small project would be so time consuming?

All in all a very productive day.

Til next time, Ronda

 

Kid in a Candy Store

Since September I have been like a kid in a candy store when it comes to crafting, there is  so much to choose from. I've taken classes, made purses, wallets, pin cushions, discovered wool applique and rug hooking, and rediscovered my love of embroidery. I also decided to do two Block's of the Month.

On top of all that I started blogging and it opened up a whole new world, I've made new friends, discovered bloghops and swaps. I signed up for two bloghops and a swap.

No wonder I'm feeling a little scattered. I think I need to settle down, take a breath and focus. Who knew I'd need to prioritize my crafting activities? The due dates with the blog hops and swap will help me complete those projects, oh the pressure.

Time to sign off and do something.

Have a good day everyone. Ronda




 

Rug Hooking with the Wool Poppies

 Two of my Wool Club buddies, Debby and Earleen, belong to the Wool Poppies Rug Hooking Guild and just before Christmas they let me know that the WP's were having an beginners rug hooking class at their January meeting.

Yesterday was finally the day! After waiting almost six weeks I went to the Central California Traditional Rug Hookers, aka Wool Poppies meeting. Everyone was very helpful and welcoming.

There were 3 of us rookies at the meeting. Gail Becker was kind enough to give us a lesson. You can check out Gail's website at gailbeckerrughooking.com/. By the end of the meeting each of us were hooking away. Rug hooking you guys!

One thing I learned is that the backing you use makes a difference. The kit Gail had for us used primitive linen and I found it easy to pull the wool through it. My other kit used monk's cloth and I struggled to pull the wool up.

The ladies allowed me to take pictures of their rugs. Sorry ladies I forgot to get the names of who did each of the rugs. The rugs are approx 3' x2 or 4'x3'.

Enjoy the Wool Poppies creations:

The creator of this rug was working on the pink binding.

My Wool Club buddy Earleen did the next one. I'm not sure what cut of wool she is using but it is small. I love the sky.

My other Wool Club buddy, Debby is working on this round airplane themed rug for her husbands office. (I can't believe it's going on the floor)



Here's a closer look.

The rug below will be their raffle rug. Each of the members have done or will do one of the squares, there is another unfinished row I didn't put in the picture.

The Wool Poppies have a retreat each year, this year "Hooker Hill" will be held July 21-25 at a location just outside of Oakhurst California . Teachers will be Susan Feller, Brigitta Phy, and Laura Pierce, for more information check out their website: woolpoppies.com/

Thank you Wool Poppies for hosting me today. I had a great time and learned a lot.

Til next time, Ronda.

First Wool Blocks of the month

As promised this post will have pictures of my first Wool BOM I'm doing from Quilters Paradise. But first I want to show you what I bought with my Christmas money and gift card, it's an:







 Ott Lite

 

This has light has changed my life! I can sew at night and actually see what I'm doing. This has been helpful while working on my new little BOM. The squares are only 5x5 so you can imagine how small the pieces are that I'm working with.

 

 

The pattern is Garden Baskets from Primitive Gatherings;

 

 

 

I've already shown you the pattern and the pieces ready to be fused to the wool.

 

 

Here is the first block, fused and ready to be stitched. I put the sharpie next to it to give you an idea of how small the squares are.

 

 

Each month I'll receive two blocks, here is the completed second block:

 

 

Here are both of the completed blocks:

 

 

I love these little blocks, they make me smile. I think this is going to be a sweet little wall hanging.

 

 

Tomorrow is the beginning rug hooking class at the Wool Poppies Rug Hooking Guild. I'm so excited that the day is finally here. I hope to learn a lot and see different type of rug hooking frames so I can decide which is right for me. I'll share my experience with you in my next post.

 

Til next time, Ronda



 

 













My Local Quilt Shop, Bear Paw Quilts

Yesterday was shop at your LQS day so I went shopping at Bear Paw Quilts in Oakhurst CA.

Here I am with my purchase. I bought some material for my "It's All About Me" project so I can't show it to you.

Here is what you see when you enter the store. 

Bear Paw is located in Oakhurst Californis on HWY 41 about 20 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.

They have panels descripting Yosemite, here is a wallhanging using the panels:

Here are a couple more quilts that are hanging in the store (there are some more intricate but I picked these because they have a "mountain feel").



If you're in the area stop and visit my LQS.

Yesterday I promised to show you my BOM project but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Here is another peak at it:

Til next time, Ronda



A reason to go to your Local Quilt Shop

Today is Local Quilt Shop Day. (thanks to Emedoodle from Mommy's Nap Time for reminding me)

 



Like many of you I shop on line for the convience or at JoAnn's for the price. If we don't support our LQS it may disappear, how sad would that be? No displays of beautiful fabrics (that we can touch), no great classes, no friendly quilters to talk to, I couldn't bear it.

How do you support your LQS? Me? I take classes, doing a BOM, and buy some of my fabric there.

Let's go shopping! If you can't make it today try to get there before the end of the weekend. Urge your friends to do the same.



Here is a sneak peak of the BOM that I'm doing through my LQS, more pictures tomorrow.

 

Til next time, Ronda

 

Welcome Neighbors!

Welcome Neighbors!

Today is my day on Marlene's from Stitchin by the lake, Won't You be My Neighbor Wednesday.

I've been blogging since September 2012 and have enjoyed meeting new friends.

In my blog I like to share whatever is going on in my life at the time including my projects. My profile will tell you more about me.

Thanks for visiting, come back soon. Ronda.

Surprises in the garden

After a couple of weeks of freezing weather today it was 70 degrees, a good day to work in the yard.

When you've sold your pickup and replaced it with a Jeep you have to be creative when taking the leaves to the burn pile. Here is my DH's solution:

Almost 10 bags full of leaves and we still have more that needs to be raked up. He said as he was driving one of our neighbor ladies flagged him down and asked if he could take one of her bags as well. She couldn't see there wasn't any room???? He took it.

Look what was under the leaves:

 



The daffodils are starting to come up.

It seems we have a new neighbor moving in:

 

A closer look:

 



Looks like fairies have chosen our garden for their new home.

For those of you where the weather has turned bitterly cold, please take good care and stay safe. Sending some warm thoughts your way.

Til next time, Ronda

First Quilt Show of 2013

Yesterday I went to the "Heart of the Valley Quilt Show" put on by the Country Crossroads Quilters of Modesto CA.

There were two challenges at this show, one was called "The Doors of Modesto" and the other had 24 quilters do a quilt with colors of the color wheel.

Pictures of the Doors of Modesto quilts:

 

 

Pictures of the colorwheel quilts:

 

 

 



 

 

 

This quilt was made from selvages. how creative and time consuming:

 

 

Here's a closer look:

 

 

 

Cute Praying Mantis Quilt:



 

Beady Eyes:

 

 

 

Dresses anyone?

 

 

 



This waterfall quilt was amazing, it looks like the water is pouring into the pool below.

 

 

A few other quilts I enjoyed:

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the show.

 

Til next time, Ronda

 





Grow Your Blog Party, today's the day!

First I want to thank from Vicki from2 Bags Full for putting together this party. Vicki says there are over 300 bloggers taking part in this party so she is going to leave the list up the entire year. You can find the links by clicking here or the button on the right hand side of my blog ( I will leave it up all year as well)

Grow My Blog Party at 2 Bags Full

For all of you visiting for the first time, welcome. I'm Ronda I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Central California. I started blogging in September 2012 as a way to share my thoughts and what was going on in my life with family and friends. Along the way I have made new blogging friends, learned about blog hops and parties, learned more about sewing, quilting, embroidery and was introduced to rug hooking.

I would like my blog to be well rounded as I share about my life, the area I live in, my crafts and my discoveries.

This collage shows some of what I've blogged about since September, the projects I've finished or am working, my Mini, my Son proposing to my soon to be DIL and some pictures of the area I live in.

I hope you'll take some time to look around.

I look forward to "meeting" you, Ronda

What a difference 10 degrees makes

It has been cold (for California) here the past week. This afternoon it warmed up from 46 degrees to 56 degrees. What a difference those 10 degress made, I was sitting on my sunny front porch, people were out walking or gardening even the animals were out.

On our walk today we saw a Heron by the pond:

 

We also saw some rabbits but they were too fast for me to get a picture of them.

 

We saw a Bobcat in our neighbors driveway. On our way back to the house we saw him up on the mountain.

 



 

 

Not sure what he was stalking, glad it wasn't us.

Sorry the pictures were blurry but I wasn't going to go any closer to get better pictures.

Til next time, Ronda