There is nothing that says summer has arrived like a bee skep! 

I forgot one of mine in an obscure place and it 

was left out over the winter ... it didn't weather well.

I gave it a face lift with gesso ~ which is a primer, but

white paint would do just fine. 

I have redeemed myself!!

Here is a bee skep pattern perfect for hooking ...

You could hook it in off white ... dark gold background.

Narrow strips would be good for the details ... black.

Finish as a pillow for the porch swing ...

Life is good ...

RIGHT CLICK - SAVE - PRINT

It's traditional to plant gardens on Mother's Day ... 

our squash is sitting by the kitchen sink next to the

peat pots of early planted and sprouted morning glories. 

 A typical Rocky Mountain spring snow ...  

came our way on Mother's Day.

The night before we had to carry all the newly potted 

pansies and the hanging pots of blue lobelia and 

white petunias into the screened porch ~ 

and cover with blankets. 

Outside in the yard a big blue tarp 

makes the lilac bush look like a hot air balloon. 

We left the tall red and yellow tulips to fend 

for themselves ~ they are fine. 

Everything else will get unveiled this afternoon. 

It's hard to believe but the latest safe date to plant 

here in Colorado Springs is June 10. I have seen

it snow wet big flakes ~ melting when they hit the 

ground as late as June 4th! 

Home Sweet Colorado!

I am hooking on the Rooster and Cart rug ... It is

going a little slow ~ so much going on in the backyard garden!

When it is too cold, windy or hot I turn back to my frame ...

It is wonderful to have a rug to sit down to ... 

one that I don't have to rush to finish.

This rooster seems to be in a hurry though!

Saturday was beautiful outside in our gardens. 

Sunday not so much. Gray skies.

I took some pictures anyway because I knew the 

blooms from our fall bulb planting would not last forever. 

I want to share them with you and along 

with that share an idea for those who are

not as confident as others when it comes to drawing.

1. We will begin with a simple digital photo. 

Downloaded onto the computer from our camera's card.

2. Next ... I changed the photo to a grayscale. 

I used photoshop but there are a

lot of other image applications out there. 

I printed this grayscale image.

3. Making the pattern is next and is simple ... 

I placed the grayscale photo onto my

small light table, securing it with a piece of scotch tape.

Then, placing a clean white sheet of

paper on top - tracing the outline 

and some details with a fine tip marker.

You can now reduce or enlarge this pattern for 

hooking, needle punch or applique.

Apply it to your backing using your favorite method.

My plan is to create a small hooked pillow for our 

wicker love seat that sits on our back porch.

Now you know how to create a pattern if you are not

confident in your drawing skills.

Just by pushing a button!

Watch for a sample of hooking this pattern 

in a future issue of The Wool Street Journal.

We have a wonderful downtown street here in Colorado Springs. It is called Tejon and is pretty much the center of activity for shopping, eating and strolling around for several blocks. It is walking distance from a couple of famous hotels and you can look west at every corner and see Pikes Peak. Today it is covered with snow - and when the snow is gone ... "purple mountain majesty!" I love my home town!
I remember when my folks would drive us downtown on this very street and park and do what they called "watching the people go by." Sometimes we would get out and let others watch us go by. Great memories of the good old days - when the best things in life were free!
Today we can find the freebies in our back yard ~ and we don't have to go far ...
This watering can filled with silk lavender sits on a shelf under a window right outside the room I use for WSJ office. A family of morning doves built their dream nest right under my nose!

HELLO SPRING!!!

HAPPY SPRING!

Winter was really hard for some of you! Too much!

It is so good to see the spring bulbs peeking up through the mulch ...
and sometimes through the snow here in Colorado.
We are having a typical Rocky Mountain Spring -

snow one day sunny the next day. That is what turns everything green! 

Georgia where Tina lives is way ahead of us with the color scheme
... we will catch up.

There is a Robin that visits me ... through the window behind my computer
... sits on a branch and looks right in! I swear!
The amazing thing is that it is for a long time.
You know how birds flit around and come and go fast?
This Robin is different - and I am enjoying it so much!

The April issue of The Wool Street Journal has
reached most of you by now ... and, I am hard

at work on the July issue.
 It can be confusing at times ... exactly what season
I am I living in!

Old rugs are popular in any season ... they are usually designed
around the homesteads of days-gone-by.
Home is where the heart is ... will always be true.

I recently posted this old pictorial rug circa 1890 on
Wool Street Journal's Face Book Page ...

Please visit us there and don't forget to like us ...

You have a rug hooking pal in Colorado and Georgia.

Hooked wedding pillows.... will be featured in the January issue of The Wool Street Journal!

TRICIA TIES THE KNOT!

Had a fabulous time with family celebrating my sister's wedding in St Augustine, Florida. She was a BEAUTIFUL bride and I wish her and Guy all that the Lord has for them!

I ran across this rug photo on my computer today ~ It warmed my heart. I do love
to hook houses and so did our sisters who hooked all those house rugs long ago!
The date is such a great addition ~ true or not. We can pretend....
And, a small project is just what I need right now. So much going on this summer....
Need to finish the Maggie pattern first.

Time flies when you are planting seeds and pulling weeds. I hope and pray that your summer was as glorious as mine! 

I have been hooking on a Maggie Bonanomi design for the January issue. Here is a little peek . . . Mr. B is peeking with you . . .

Mom is hooking on a surprise for my sister, Tricia who is getting married ~ on the beach ~ in St. Augustine, FL ~ in September . . . no peeking!