Week-end wool dyeing workshop

A couple of week-ends ago our Rug Hooking group got together to have a wool dyeing workshop. More experienced members were kind enough to teach us newbies how to create beautiful colored wool to hook into our rugs. Fun was had by all, mistakes were made & learned from...especially by me. Having about 14 hookers running madly around a kitchen with hot water & dye tends to create a bit of confusion...my mishap turned into a beautiful piece of rich reddish wool...perfect for fall leaves.

Above a dye solution is mixed to create a wandering pattern. Precise measurements, timing & a prepared work surface are important.

One color dye bath...

Second color dye solution...

Adding the second color dye solution...

Adding the third color dye solution...the wool must simmer for a certain time between each added color.

Above is a photo of dip dyeing...a process where you create multicolored swatches.

First you dye the wool one color(the gold)...then you create another dye bath with a contrasting color(the green)...then slowly dip your wool in & out of the dye bath. Practice is definably recommended.

Practice makes perfect.

Explaining various ways to achieve a mottled look in wool. Fabric swatches can be ordered from various dye companies to help you in your color planning.

Equipment is set out, techniques, rules & recipes are discussed.

A good example of what can be achieved when using the recipe for a spotted/mottled look in your wool.

Below is a set of three dye solutions used to create a spotted mottled look.

Wool must be laid out flat in the pan, crinkled, scrunched with even valleys & peaks.

Dye is then spooned on evenly.

A second color

A third color.

Finished adding the dyes.

Then you have to gently squish the wool to blend the colors a bit & to make sure there will be no white spots left in the wool.

Off to the oven to cook for a while. After heating the wool is ready to be rinsed & dried...ready to use in a new project.

 

A few gals try their hand at dyeing.

 

Recipes are looked up & swatches examined.

The results of our dyeing workshop.

Thanks so much to all for an enjoyable day...great food & great company!

Cheerio, Susan

Show & Tell Treasures & Projects

I hit the mother-lode...a rug hooker's dream!!!

Feeling down & out yesterday I decided to do what cheers me up most...SHOP! 

But not any kind of shopping...treasure hunting. Decided to pay a visit to Mr. McGowan's antique shop...it's a teeny tiny place where you have to look carefully, scrounge, get dusty, peek behind things & generally be nosy...I happened upon his glass cabinet of curiosities & started digging around...saw an intriguing looking basket & pulled it out. I near fainted from excitement...inside was a hoard of antique to vintage rug hooks of every size & description...from fairly recent to my favorite...the truly primitive ones wrought by hand & nature.

Some examples were carved from wood, one from bone, another from forged metal. Initials can be seen on a couple of them...the stories they could tell.

It was an older woman who brought them in to Mr. McGowan. I wish I could have met her, heard her memories of how she came by each one. Whoever you are,thank-you! You have made this rug hooker very happy! Usually I would be lucky to find a couple of oldish hooks a year...to find a whole basket full of highly unusual ones is a gift. I am pleased that I found them & could give them a home where they will be appreciated.

Lets not forget the basket...it's rich color & patina...the fabric worn soft from years of use. I am not sure what type of basket it is, but it is beautiful in it's imperfections...a cozy nesting place for a truly one of a kind collection.

 After I went to the antique shop I went rummaging in the local thrift store...I found four wool coats in four delicious shades...chartreuse, raspberry red, taupe & a wonderful chocolate brown...I want to use them to create a penny rug.  

 

I spent the morning stripping the coats...us rug hookers...always busy hooking & a stripping...

  I'm a work while you wear your flannel PJ's kinda gal...

All the coats are have been stripped, now I want to marry them in a big old pot on the stove...get the colors to bleed a bit so that each piece of wool will have a little of every color in it...makes for a cohesive look in your project. I saved the lining from the chartreuse jacket...just to pretty to throw out...

I have almost completed another rug...an antique reproduction of a French Canadian rug...very primitive & rustic with loads of character...can't wait to show it to you...soon!

I haven't made much in the critter department...just not in the mood...& I definitely have to be in the mood to create them, becuase if I don't they end up looking like crapola...& nobody like crapola...right? I am hoping to be back in the studio soon. 

Please join us for our Birthday Giveaway!
Feb 28th - March 20th
Fabulous handmade prizes

donated by our members.

TDIPT Mercantile

Tdipt is celebrating their Birthday during the month of March with lots of chances for you to win one of many prizes that are to be donated by some of TDIPT's artists. Hope you can all come by for a visit.

Till next time...have a mice day!

Susan

Happy Valentines Day

Hello my friends...I am sure alot of you are by now eating that box of decadent chocolates, smelling sweet scented roses or getting love notes from that special someone...

Happy Valentines Day to you all!

Notes & News

On the creative front...I have decided to take a break from my studio...again...due to our house being on the market. Spring is nearly here and with spring comes a deluge of folks looking for a new home. Hopefully during this time we will find that special couple or person who will love our home and want to make it their own. We have had our apartment on the market for more then a year and a half and we hope that this year will bring a much anticipated move to the West Coast of Canada not far from Vancouver. We plan on madly marketing our home by having an Open House once a week for a few weeks & this is why I am taking a break...to much mess to clean up. I will satisfy my creative energy for the time being with my rug hooking which is far easier to manage.

I will keep posting of course & instead will bring you news of other things.

Cheerio & have a marvelous day!

Susan

My TDIPT Mercantile Offering for Tonight

I have been adopted...thank-you!

"L is for Love" Pin-Keep

Above is my last Valentines Day design of 2011. 

This teeny tiny mouse perched on his tattered & torn hearts will be available for adoption at 9 pm Eastern time on my TDIPT Mercantile page.

 

Apologies

Also...apologies to anyone I may have offended regarding my Guinea Pig post below...I should know better. My weird sense of humor can get the best of me sometimes.

Sorry...Susan

TDIPT Mercantile Offering...News & Views

Its a grumpy day here in the Pilotto home...at least it is for me...sorry...I seem to be suffering from the dreaded seasonal whatever ya wanna call it disorder. I've had enough of winter...really...honestly! Can you believe it, it was -40 here this morning with the windchill. Absolutely ridiculously cold!!! Sorry for griping...I had to get that outta my system.

In other news my hubby was wayyy down in Peru on business & just arrived home yesterday feeling tired & need I say...a little on the off side. While down there he was offered one of the local delicacies called "Cuy" Cuy Ravioli...& in English that would be Guinea Pig Ravioli. Seems the Guinea Pig is taking revenge, Montezuma's Revenge that is...Rule of the day...DON'T EAT CUTE SMALL FURRY THINGS! I am pleased my hubby is home safe & sound...although a little green around the gills...hopefully he will have more respect for the local wildlife next time he goes down there. 
Up above is a Sneaky Peaky Pic of my last Valentines Day creation for this year...it will be up for adoption tomorrow night on the TDIPT Mercantile Website. I hope you can come by to check out all the wonderful artwork that will be available for your perusal. Listings start at 9 pm Eastern time. 
I hope you have a better day then I am...being grumpy & all.
Not so cheery,
Susan

Silly Sunday Sale - Up for adoption

All I want for Valentines Day are...Hugs and Kisses.

I have been adopted...many thanks!
Sugar sweet & such a treat...

to have a wee friend so small & neat...

& what better way to celebrate Valentines Day...

 then to have a wee friend arrive at your house...

who could resist...such a sweet little mouse...

Description

Mouse - Wool felt, paint, glass bead eyes, black glass bead buttons, chenille stem feet,suede tail.

Pincushion - hand-dyed wool felt, Perle cotton thread, pins, hat pin with wool felt hand stitched heart on top. " Be Mine" paper tag pinned to the back of pincushion.

Pincushion Base - Painted & aged wooden spool wrapped with Perle cotton thread, aged seam binding ribbon.

Interested International buyers - shipping costs to be paid after purchase.

PayPal Only please

Email Me to Purchase

This is not a toy & is intended for the adult collector only! 

I hope you enjoyed your visit & if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me...I would love to hear from you!

My next & last Valentines themed listing will take place the evening of January 31st on the TDIPT Mercantile website...hope you can come by & take a look...there is sure to be something for everyone.

Have a Mouse Day

Susan

Sunday's Sneak Peek...news & veiws.

Good Wednesday my friends...I have been spending the day tinkering around in my studio...had a brain storm which I couldn't ignore...gotta love those creative storms when they happen. This one included the use of some luscious red embroidery thread, some soft Grey linen & one of my favorite cross stitch monogram books...not gonna tell ya what I'm making though...saving that surprise for another day!

I have been doing a lot of early spring cleaning...went through every nook & cranny in my studio...got rid of stuff I haven't used, gave stuff to the thrift store....I can be such a knuckle head...I will probably end up going back to the same thrift store & not knowingly...buy some of my stuff back...get it home...& look at it & say....GEEZ...this looks awfully familiar. Why is it that artist's tend to be...well...hoarders...we go to the store...pick random things off the shelf & say, ohhhh I might need that some day....ohhhh these may be the last ones left...better grab them while I can....ohhhh I might want to try that one day...better buy the book, the DVD, & all the supplies you MIGHT need & then it sits there for months growing cobwebs & breeding dust bunnies...Like how many project books does a gal need. Other then my cleaning spree I am still busy working on my Valentines themed characters. I am definitely not use to working with such girly colors...I am a Tom Boy at heart...but I have to say I am tickled PINK at how they are turning out.

Speaking of Valentines...above is a Sneak Peek at this weekends offering which will be available for adoption on Sunday evening at 7pm eastern time. I was so excited last Sunday...I was nervous & had a bad case of butterfly's in my stomach. It was the first time I had ever offered one of my characters for sale on my blog & I was overwhelmed by all the folks who took the time to come by & have a look. My gratitude & appreciation go out to all of you...thank-you! for making my first blog sale so special for me!

Cheerio & have a mouse day!

Susan

Up For Adoption Valentines Rabbit

I have been adopted...many thanks!

 Mr. Lonely Heart...a sweet little Valentines Rabbit.

Mr. Lonely Heart told me to tell you that he would really like to give his heart to someone special...perhaps that special someone is out there...somewhere.

Could it be you?

Mr. Lonely Heart is a One of Kind wool felt Valentines Day Rabbit. He is partially painted & has black glass bead eyes, needle felted sheep's wool tail & chenille stem feet. I have embellished his wee fuzzy coat with a row of teeny tiny bead buttons. He holds in his paws a bouquet of flowers and a hand stitched wool heart. You can remove the flowers as they are not permanently attached. I have perched him on a pin-cushion made from hand dyed wool felt & cross stitch linen. The top of the cushion has been embellished with a tiny cross stitched heart & a banner which reads, "Be Mine". Numerous white glass headed stick pins have been placed here & there for your use. Under the bottom cushion is a wool felt hand-stitched penny circle with an antique abalone shell button in it's center. 

Mr. Lonely Heart is 8" inches tall from the tips of his ears to the bottom pin-cushion. He will arrive snug in his wrapping with a hand signed & dated certificate of authenticity for your records.

PayPal only

 Email me to purchase 
 Click email me button on top right

Payment & shipping Information - After contacting me with your intent to purchase I will immediately send you a PayPal money invoice. After you have paid your invoice I will then ship you your item within a couple of days.

Mr. Lonely Heart is not a toy but is intended for the adult collector only!

Thanks for coming by & have a lovely evening!

Susan

Reminder - New Valentines Rabbit up for Adoption tonight

Valentines Day Rabbit up for adoption tonight here on my blog at 7 pm Eastern time

Come on by for a visit.

Cheerio...Susan

"The Stocking was Hung" Primitive Style Rug

Hey Strangers...A Very Happy New Year to you all...

I've been home for a while now...been hunkering down & hibernating. The holidays always play me out...meeting & greeting all those folks at Christmas, traveling, cooking etc just takes the wind out of my sails by holidays end... what do I have to show for it all...five extra pounds...all those Christmas cookies were good...& that Eggnog Latte everyday sure did tickle my tummy...the hazards of over indulgence...back to the gym for me & back to reality. Been busy in my studio designing some One of a kind Valentine's pieces...think PINK...I hope to share them with you soon. 

One last thing...thought I would share my latest completed rug with you. It's another Lori Brechlin of "Notforgotten Farm" pattern called, "The Stocking was Hung" if you are interested in hooking one yourself you can order the pattern from Spruce Ridge Studio, they have a wonderful selection of Lori's Primitive patterns to peruse. It's "17x33" inches on a linen backing. All the wool strips were hand cut with a rotary cutter on a green quilter's mat. I found this to be a challenging rug to hook...especially the doll's face & hair...decided to use a mixed media approach with the addition of antique metal button eyes, stitched wool strip mouth & knotted wool yarn hair. I didn't stop there & also embellished the rug with an antique skeleton key & a rusty bell on the tip of the stocking toe. The rug looks a little washed out as it was a cloudy day when I took photos of it. I really wanted to turn the penny circles & half circles into little works of art that could stand on their own...each strip was placed with a lot of thought & attention...my brain definitely got a work out by the time this rug was done. I love how it turned out...I know it's not everyone's cup of tea...but it really does put a smile on my face. 

Chow for now...

Susan

Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing you all the best for a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

  I am off for a holiday and will be back in Blogland January 3rd. 

Be good while I am gone...

Hugs Susan

Lavender Bird Themed Gift Sachets

I created these Lavender Sachets as Christmas presents for a few sweet friends and at the same time I made sure I had enough to give away as donations to raise money for Sherbrooke Home...the place where we have our bi-monthy Rug Hooking meetings. This was a fun project so I thought I would share it with you.

1. Print out your favorite images onto photo fabric... I use the postcard sized template which allowed me to print two photos on one fabric sheet.

2. Pick a fabric backing for your sachet... I used a bird themed complementary colored fabric. With right sides together sew the two pieces of fabric together...don't forget to leave an opening in the top to pour your Lavender buds into. Cut out sachet leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

3. Turn sachet right side out & press with your iron.

4. Measure out your Lavender...using a paper cone I poured about 1.5 ounces of lavender into each sachet.

5. Hand stitch top opening closed.

6. I used clear cellophane bags to wrap my sachets. Twisting both ends & then tying them off with decorative fabric ribbon.

7. Last but not least I went into Publisher & printed out some MADE ESPECIALLY FOR YOU BY SUSAN tags which I printed out on Sticker label paper...cut them out with decorative edge scissors & apply them to the front of the sachet packaging.

8. Make sure you nibble on some of those Christmas cookies while you work...

You can visit the Graphics Fairy for these bird inspired images...thank-you Graphics Fairy!

I purchased my lavender buds from here...Aquarius Aromatherapy & Soap Inc.

Cellophane bags, ribbon & photo transfer fabric from Micheal's Craft Store

Label paper from Staples

Wishing you all the best for a New Year filled with Creativity.

Warmly, Susan

Tom...Dick & Harry

 I was in Facebook yesterday...I don't go in there very much as I spend wayyyy to much time on this computer as it is. While in Facebook I upgraded to the new format. After doing this I checked out the folks who wanted to become my friends...in Facebook.

WHO THE HECK ARE THESE PEOPLE??? Manuel from Venezuela?  Miss Pea from Poland? Gosh darn-it...hows a gal supposed to be friends with all these folks...? Anyways...I came to the decision that I wanted to simplify & I want to applogize in advance...if I edited you from my Facebook.
Remember, its not you...just me trying to get a handle on the details that make up my life...trying to keep my sanity.

 . S . I . M . P . L . I . F . Y .

I decided my Facebook is going to be a place to meet & greet my family, relatives & my very closest friends.

For me...it is not going to be a place to meet

Tom...Dick & Harry...

 Tom

Dick & Harry

  Have a Funny Fun Day!

Susan

Big Cry Baby...

I am having a Cry Baby no sale Monday...instead of a Cyber Monday Sale which is taking place today after the Big Sunday Christmas Sale which took place after the even bigger Saturday Big Blockbuster Christmas sale which was directly after the Humongous Black Friday Sale...........I am saled out, & am feeling instead....discontent, malcontent & just plain miserable...there...I said it.

. M. I . S. E. R . A . B . L . E. 

. G . R . U . M . P . Y . 

...just plain blaaaaa...

. s . o . r . r . y . 

i can't help myself

The sale of our home didn't happen

So now I have to endure more cleaning, more open houses, more disruption, more waiting.

. I .  A . M . F . E . D . U . P .

. P . E . R . I . O . D . 

 The folks from the states who so excitably said that they wanted to buy our house & everything in it have decided to wait till the new year...bah humbug!!!

What a let down...I was so excited & as usual I became too hopeful...now I am in the doldrums sitting in my studio & feeling just plain uninspired...trying to get things done...but instead I feel like I am just spinning my wheels and not making any progress. So I thought I would come in here & whine. I have to say it does help as there are an awful lot of online shoulders to cry on...right my friends?

Anyways...sorry to blunt your Christmas spirit with my griping...but unloading this junk will help me get back to business. I won't be listing anything on TDIPT December 1st because I have been so preoccupied with this dang house *#*%$!#*....opps...sorry!

I am however trying my bestest to become un-GRINCH like & I hope to have a new outlook & new creations for a New Year...am thinking of taking a wee break to do some Personal stuff, Christmas Stuff, Happy Stuff...just for me & my family.

I am sorry to have not replied to all of your comments the last few posts...being a grumpy bear, I just didn't have the gumption to put my mind to replying...I do love you all & I appreciate every one of you shining stars...

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE!

Thanks for listening...

Susan

XOXO

Turkey Time & a Good Giggle

 Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends down south...

May your day be cozy & warm & filled with the company of family & friends.

Thanks to everyone who sent me notes of care & concern while I was down with this nasty flu bug...hearing from all of you made my days brighter...the worst is over thank goodness & I am getting back into my creative groove & into the Christmas Spirit. 

 

Notes & News

The PFATT artist`s group is having a Giveaway starting December 1st & ends with names being drawn shortly after December 7th.

Go to the PFATT Blog December 1st to look at all the wonderful pieces that have been donated for this occasion.

 Last but not least I have given you a visual treat below...this clip has been circulating around our groups & I just had to share it with you...HUSBANDS BEWARE!

Click below to watch video clip...get ready for a good laugh!!!

 REQUIRED VEIWING BY HUSBANDS AT CHRISTMAS TIME

CHEERIO...Susan

When it rains...it pours...

Hello my friends...sorry I have been missing in action...lots happening on my home-front right now. As I have posted about before, we are in the middle of trying to sell our apartment so we can move back to the west coast of Canada...the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia to be exact. Anyways...we had a couple come through from another country earlier this week who not only fell in love with our place but who also decided that they want to purchase every stick of furniture, all of my nick naks, old books, benches, beds, bedding...EVERYTHING I have collected over the years...said they would be content if we just gave them the keys & walked out...even my studio wasn't off limits to their desires. Well we were both a little dumbfounded by this news...we have been struggling to sell our place for almost a year now & then THIS HAPPENS. Caught us off guard & was a little shocking to say the least. Soooo we spent yesterday making a list of things we could part with & things we couldn't...I know it's just stuff...but you don't know how much it means to you until you have to give it all away. It has become a Buddhist lesson in what its takes to let go of everything............I don't think I would make a good Buddhist....couldn't do it...had to keep a few things & hopefully this won't put a halt to the sale of our apartment. I wish it could have been simpler, but I believe it will become a bit drawn out. Such is life & at this juncture I will just be content to move out & get on with our life...so please send us some good vibes that all will go smoothly & that we will be moved out by the new year.

On the other hand I obviously haven't been able to get any work done in my studio...my pieces sit in suspended animation till all this home sale business is complete...so I don't know what or if I will have any pieces available on TDIPT December 1st. I will keep you posted & hopefully things will have settled down enough for me to get back to work. Plus I am full of stitches from having a number of freckles & moles removed...& it is just to uncomfortable to sit on my studio chair for long periods of time if you know what I mean...

Till then I hope everyone in getting in the Christmas spirit & I want to thank everyone for all the kind comments you left on my previous post....much appreciated!!!

Cheers, Susan