Dyeing and a bit more progress on the Beltie

I was busy dyeing wool for Knit One Smock Too in Winston-Salem this past week.  They are participating in Quilt Carolina! , the annual Shop Hop for Quilt-a-holics.  I'm joining in by having my hand-dyed woolens for sale at their shop.  Here's a sampling of what will be available.

There will be "Fat Eighths" of textures and mottles.  Also there will be 6 value Gradation bundles and Texture bundles available.  I will also have larger pieces of mottled off-whites and Antique Blacks for use as backgrounds. Shop Hop begins September 18th!  May your life be colorful!


Because of all the dyeing I was not able to get a lot of hooking done but I did manage to get the background in the upper right corner done. This picture is a bit washed out.  The light wasn't very good when I took it, but you get the idea.

Background, a change of pace...

We've had quite a bit of rain in the past few days so I've been stuck inside.  I got some dyeing and hooking done.  I needed a break from the beltie so I did some background.  I popped in the Downton Abbey DVD and got to work.  It's nice to see some color behind the calf.  It seems to add some life to him. 

A bit more progress on the beltie

I was able to get a bit more done on the Beltie calf.  I'm working my way down the backside.  I think I'll take a break in the next few days and work on some background.  I hate to get the subject all hooked and just be working on background.  It becomes monotonous to me after a while.  I'm happy with how he's looking so far.  I know I'll be making some tweaks here and there when I get done.  But all in all I'm pleased.

Baby Beltie

This past Spring I was out snapping pictures of the new Galloway (Beltie) calves at Fearrington Village.  I really liked the pose of this one as he looked back at his mom as if to say, "Hey, mom let's go."  They had just come in for breakfast. He was done with his meal and ready to head back out into the pasture.

I drew my design. I decided on 20" x 20" so he was large enough such that I could get the necessary details hooked in.  I am using primitive linen.  It is my go to backing as it has a nice weave and doesn't stretch.  I'm hooking him in a #4 cut.  It is my favorite cut for hooking animals.
The progress so far...

Check back later for further progress.

Along the way

It has been a very up and down year.  Just in the past few months we had 2 births, 1 wedding, 1 death, 1 injury, and another birth in the family.  We've been busy traveling about the country dealing with all of it.  Hence, I haven't been keeping up with my blog. I hope things have finally settled down.

 We did manage to stop by the Woolrich mill and mill store in, where else, Woolrich PA.  A small town in the center of PA situated beside the mighty Susquehanna river.  The mill has been in continuous operation since 1830!  Because they are still manufacturing in the USA I continue to purchase my wool from them.  I was able to meet the people I've been dealing with for the past several years and get a few pictures...  It was great to finally put a face to the voice.  I picked up some wool and did some shopping at the mill store.  The store is large, well stocked and just a great place to roam, shop and pick up some really great stuff.  I was able to pick up a wool blanket that will keep me nice and toasty this coming winter.

Here's some of the pictures I took...

Getting close...

Getting closer...

In the shipping area with Karen.

That's Leon working on the paperwork.

The mill store! Yes, you can spend some serious time and money in there!  It was great.

Going in a different dimension

This spring our local rug guild decided to add some dimensionality to our lives.  We took on a purse project.  It was designed by Susan Quicksall of Holly Hill Designs.   She has some really great designs.  I chose to hook my purse with a red background. I had a bunch of leftover reds from another project that I wanted to use up.  The motifs were also leftovers.  Here's my finished bag, front and back.

 

I did make a few modifications to her pattern.  I did not whip the pieces together with yarn but hand stitched the seams with upholstery thread.  I also used purchased handles rather than making them from wool.  I was very happy with the results.

A newly revamped website

So it's been a spring that has just flown by.  In and out of town, a new baby, 3 moves to help with etc.
I can't believe June is almost over with.

On to the news....

After having much frustration with not being easily able to update my website, I have transferred  it to another provider that is so much easier to deal with.  I had two minor problems getting it setup but with a simple dial of the 800 number I was connected with a very pleasant young man, a native English speaker, who was SO polite and helpful.  So check it out here.

I have gotten some new things done in the past month and will make a concerted effort to post at least once a week from herein out.

Thanks for reading.