this weekend

Buoyed by my recent trip, I've been hibernating at home this weekend and treating myself to a reprieve from all of the things I should be doing (going to the gym, visiting AJ, groceries, laundry, etc.) and just playing instead.

First up was finishing off the hooking of my newest purse.  Needing a project for Georgia, wanting a bigger purse, and discovering one of the handles had detached from the purse I've been using, all conspired together to encourage me to design a new bag.  For the longest time, I didn't think that I would ever hook another purse.....but you know what they say about never.....LOL!


Anyway, I got a new design put together for my trip, and hooked all of the pocket side and almost 2/3 of the solid side while I was away.  Riding the momentum, the rest seemed to go quite quickly on Friday night and Saturday morning, such that I was able to finish all of the hooking within a week.

Yesterday afternoon, I pressed the hooking with my amazing steam iron, the Rowenta DG5030 Pressure Iron & Steamer (now there is a purchase without an ounce regret!) and while it was out and ready, I also dug out a cardigan I finished ages ago and blocked it (pictures forthcoming).  I don't know why I procrastinated getting out the steamer 'just to block the sweater', but in hindsight it was just laziness meets thinking it was more of a hassle than it really is.  It is not a big deal, nor does it take very much time.

While both lay to dry, I hauled out the felted mittens I stared in Georgia.  Started sewing them together....and then steamed the outsides after turning the right sides out.  Lay them to dry.

With all of my various project pieces needing to dry before I could proceed, I was forced to wait a spell.  So I decided to play with some of my batik strips.  I've been crushing on the scrappy around the world quilts that are popping up everywhere these days (simple tutorial here).....and remembered that I had cut all of those 2" strips for binding my ewe-fuse projects.  But what to make?  I settled on making some shams for my euro pillows, quickly calculated how many squares I would need for my dimensions....and started picking and choosing.  Before long, my idea had morphed into just an 'around the world' and I was stitching up a storm.   I finished up my first complete top this morning, but when I put it on my bed, I realized that the colours are too similar (blendy) with my quilt.  A far better choice would be to concentrate on a colour or make more of a value statement (darker?) that would provide a better contrast.  Waaah!  I will have to begin again for the shams....but in the meantime, I think I might adopt the quilted piece to use in sewing my purse lining.

I'm off to go and start stitching the purse together....and finish off the mittens....and try to figure out a plan for the lining.  Everything is dry now, so it's time to buckle down....and stop procrastinating!  ;-)

making progress

Skeleflora

Bullseyes

It's been a pretty busy week – and there will be another busy one to come – but after that I'm hoping to take a bit of a breather....

The two new purses not only have names, they are also sewn together – the only thing that's missing is the linings! ;-) Since it's not noticeable in photographs, I figure that can wait for a little bit yet. I will be working on writing up the instructions this week...and I'm hoping to have patterns ready to ship sometime in the next two weeks. In the meantime, I do have a new catalogue ready to go, so please e-mail if you'd like me to email you a copy.

Other things that happened in the last week....

• I received my final shipment of Grayson e. leather handles last week. Yes, I'm afraid that my beloved handles have been discontinued. Not to worry though (I've done enough of that for all of us!), I am currently working with someone to create a suitable replacement....and will hopefully have some details and pictures to share with you soon.

• I broke my camera. I guess it didn't like crashing to the ground while still attached to my tripod, with the lens extended. Yikes. So, I did some research and finally decided on this one. I ordered it online yesterday (for a great price), and hopefully it will arrive this week.

• While searching in the closet for the perfect brown wool to trim my purse, I happened upon the previously mentioned box of fun and exciting items. I'd kind of forgotten about it, but now that I've rediscovered it, I can hardly wait to dive it. Must. Write. New. Pattern. Books. First.

• When sewing the leather handles onto Bullseyes and Skeleflora, I tried out the 18 guage syringe needle method, suggested by Jane....and it worked like a charm! My sewing needle was a little of the large side, so I just pushed it in until it started to stick and then pulled the syringe needle through to the front (along with the needle and thread. Super speedy and very simple. If you know any doctors or nurses, this is one tool you should add to your sewing basket....

Things will be quiet around here for a little while yet....but I will pop in when (if) I have anything exciting to report.....

Bullseyes - Day Three

I am the type of girl who works best with a deadline. I blame it all on my mother - I've inherited it from her. I've told myself and others that I'm going to finish off two new purses by the end of July....and if I can just maintain my current momentum, I think it's totally doable.

I hooked some more last night.....and I've gotta say that I'm really loving this new design. It's so simple....and there is lots of room for playing around with colour. I've also enjoying the marblized wools that I'm hooking into the background.


Since I seldom pay attention to “how much” wool I use, I really had no idea if I had enough of my marblized wool for the background. How do you know if you have enough wool? Here's what I do....

I assemble what I think will be an adequate amount of background wool. I divide each piece into 4 equal pieces (by cutting notches) , and rip off 1/4 of each of them. I cut up all of the torn pieces of wool (=1/4 of all of the wool)....and begin hooking. If I am able to hook 1/4 of my piece (or 1/2 of one side of a purse), before cutting any of the remaining wool, then I'm pretty sure that I will have enough. If I don't have enough to hook 1/4 of the area, I add some more wool to the mix. I check again at the 1/2 way mark, making sure that at least half of the area has been hooked before cutting any more wool (i.e. 1/2 of the original amount). And, because sometimes you tend to pack more (or less) and pull your loops higher (or not), I check again at the 3/4 mark. There is nothing worse than nearing the end of your project and realizing that you don't have enough wool, so the sooner you know that you won't have enough, the sooner you can correct the problem and start blending in the new additions....
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P.S. I keep forgetting to take a picture of the inspiration piece - I will try to do that again tonight...

Bullseyes - Day Two

This purse is turning out to be quite muted.....but I sorta like it like that. It's a real switch from the last one - now named Skeleflora (Wendie deserves credit for the name - she's always got good ideas). I think it will be another great everyday design....

I'm really loving how quickly it's hooking up - using leftover strips and slubby bits for everything other than the background is helping speed things up....as is the simple design. Choosing the colours for the "buttons" seems to take the most time. I started pulling out a selection of strips that I'd like to include (a few each of teals, some greens, golds, browns, darker violets, etc.) and have them sitting on top of my frame. Rather than rooting through all of my bins each time I hook a new circle, I just look to the small pile on my frame. Fewer choices leads to faster decision making! ;-)

I was a little worried about the background being a little too dull for the grape handles I'd chosen, so I added in a couple of brighter bits to see if this might fix the problem. My initial reaction was dislike, but I left them in overnight to see how they looked in the daylight. They are now gone.

I still haven't quite decided what to do about the handle.... I seem to waver between the original grape and the brown. What do you think?

You can really see the handful of brighter strips in the above photo - they are not there anymore ;-)

Bullseyes - Day One

Another grey weekend….with a few scattered showers and a couple of glimpses of the sun, has come to an end. This summer has been so un-summerlike. One good thing about the weather is that I haven’t been faced with the “too hot to hook” problem, and I’ve been getting more hooking done than is usual for me in the summer months. Hooking seems to have replaced my usual summer activities of camping and spending time at the lake. I haven’t yet pitched my tent, and I don’t think I’ve even been down to our lake in the last month or so….maybe even longer.

I procrastinated starting my newest purse on Friday and again on Saturday, using knitting to fill the time instead. [I’ve casted off the bottom edge of my February Lady sweater, and have begun knitting on the 2nd sleeve. Now that I’m finally able to try it on properly, it’s obvious that the first sleeve is an inch or two too short, so I will need to take care of that before I’m all done. I really love how it’s turning out, and I’m sure that it will fast become a wardrobe staple this Fall – if not sooner, the way the weather has been!]

On Saturday, I happily wandered around the annual Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show. It is always great to see so many creative people in one place. There were definitely lots of lovely things to see, but nothing that I couldn’t live without (that fit within my limited budget). Mostly I was holding out for the potter that I saw there last year, but in the end I realized they did not attend this year (I guess I should have done my homework first). Of course, since I got home, I've thinking about all of the beautiful things that I wish I’d bought…

Sunday was such a dull day that I had the urge to just stay in bed all day with a good book….but I resisted. I originally had a very different plan for my next purse, but the more I thought about my idea, the more I realized that it would be a big challenge – perhaps a bigger challenge than I had time for right now. Instead, I drew another idea that’s been brewing for a while….


I will take some pictures of the source of inspiration tonight and post with tomorrow's progress picture(s).

Skeleflora - day seven and day eight

Well, after much procrastination and delay, the hooking is finally complete! I did get a little bit hooked on Tuesday night - before I got fed up with my lack of significant progress...


Once again, I've been reminded about how much more hooking I can get done when I'm not trying to watch TV at the same time. Now that CBC Radio 2 Drive is on until 7pm on weekdays, I've been putting the radio on when I get home from work. (I'm so happy that Rich Terfry is back from holidays ;-) ) Tonight it made a huge difference.....and I was cruising right along, listening without the impulse to lift my head to see what they're talking about. Even with switching to TV later in the evening, I was able to finish off the second half (of the second half)....


I've decided to delay the sewing together until after I have my other purse hooked....so I can finish them at the same time (and be more efficient with sewing the linings, etc.). Plus, I really need to get started on my next purse, and I don't need any distractions. Ultimately I'd like to have the second one hooked by the end of the month....and although I think it's an attainable goal, I will have to boogie. I'll keep you posted as always....

I know my posts have been a little brief this week....but my theory that some is better than none (and I'm trying to avoid that...). Last night I took a night off from almost everything, lay about on the couch and then went to bed early. Sometimes I just need to do that....and then I'm good to go for a few months of my regular schedule (of getting more accomplished in the evenings). I hope it works again this time.... ;-)

Skeleflora - day three

Well I've decided that watching "In Treatment" and hooking on my new purse are a great way to spend an evening! ;-) I think that if I can get a full evening's worth of hooking done tonight, I might be able to finish the first half before bed....

I've already decided that I'm not going to bother hooking a flap on this one.....and instead of using the leather buckle (since I don't have one in stock that's brown), I'm going to just use the magnetic closures to secure it.

Wendie asked about whether or not I've already chosen the handle colour....and the answer is yes! I knew already before I started hooking that the handle would be brown - very similar to the brown used in the flower skeletons. I'm also thinking that I will trim the opening in a similar brown, too.

Now that I've finally started hooking again, I can't wait to get this purse finished and onto the next one. In fact, I've already started hooking my next purse (in my mind, of course) while I work on this one. Do you plan and/or fantasize about future projects like this - when you're working on something else entirely?

Skeleflora - day two

I hooked some more on my newest purse last night. I knew on day one that I didn't want to continue the tealy turquoise background across the whole bag, but I wasn't really sure what to do. (I'd already deviated from my original plan by hooking the turquoise in the way that I did).

I really love the coral/turquoise colour combination and scarlet/jade, too. Since I'm (mostly) working out of my bins of cut strips....and I don't use a lot of either coral or scarlet, I had to do a bit of a modification....and like our forebears, just made do with what I already have.

I'm happy with the way it's turning out, and I think it makes a more dramatic statement than some of my other bags. One funny thing about the summertime is that I tend to be drawn to stronger colours than usually appeal to me during the other 10 months of the year. Weird, eh?

Lately I've been noticing that my photography skills have a lot of room for improvement. Part of me - the part that wants a new camera - is convinced that it's my camera's fault....but deep down inside I know that most of it is caused my being hasty. I often find that I have to choose between being in focus and having accurate colours.....and my choice varies each day. I took a couple of pictures this morning - one was taken outside (overcast) and the other one was taken indoors. I think the colour in the indoor picture is more true...


Does anyone have an camera recommendations in the under $500 category? I need to be able to take close-ups of rugs, and I'm a big fan of Canon (but will consider others). Thanks in advance for any advice you'd care to share....

limited editions nearing retirement...

There's been a little flurry on purse pattern sales lately, and if you've had your eye on one of my limited edition patterns, you might like to know that I am down to the final 3 patterns of each of the following...

Two Owls
Gossip
Bar-Jello

No additional patterns will be printed for any of these designs....so to avoid disappointment, please contact me for ordering information.

Edited to add: there is now only one more Two Owls pattern remaining....

another done...

At the end of last week, I had my (Wendie is a) Jeanius bag at the stage where all of the remaining finishing could be done by hand. My plan was to bring it with me to R.U.G., where I could sit quietly and stitch. This plan was all well and good - until I realized that I'd forgotten (or lost) my spool of upholstery thread!

It's been said that "necessity is the mother of invention"....and it rang true again this weekend. After putting out my first call for thread of any kind, and receiving no response....I sat stewing for a few minutes. It wasn't long before my eyes fell upon my Mum's cone of whipping yarn - it was the perfect black-brown for my purse. Rather than whipping the whole outside edge, I kept with my original plan of rolling both the wool and linen seam allowance forward. Without thread to secure the jelly roll, I opted to secure it with blanket stitches (with yarn). Not only did this allow progress to continue, it also broke up the purple frame - without which I think the purple would have been too dominant.

I didn't get the whole thing finished at R.U.G., but it was all done before I headed to bed on Saturday night. I love it.


I'm still getting used to the size -- it's much smaller than the purse I've been toting around since last Fall -- and I don't have room for everything I've gotten in the habit of carrying. This isn't necessary a bad thing, though....just a sign that it's time to down-size to just the essentials. Like so many things in my life and society in general, there's just too much "stuff", and my purse is no exception.

it's hip to hook squares

....at least I hope so! ;-) I first started hooking these minature squares many years ago, and made this pillow top...


Two or three years later, I needed to whip up a quick demo for a purse workshop....and the squares fit the bill....


A couple of Christmases ago, I hooked a variety of checkerboards for gifts, and one used the same squares....


It was only a matter of time until I'd visit this favourite pattern again. I've been wanting to create another purse with a more geometric design and I thought the squares would work well on my new shape. After a fairly self-indulgent weekend, I'm happy to report that the hooking on my latest purse, Everyday Carré, is now complete!


Not only are these squares a great way to use up leftovers, there's really something almost hypnotic about hooking them. Once the simple hooking pattern grid is memorized (this is what keep the squares in line), it's easy to just get lost in the sea of colours...and just play with beautiful wool.

finished pomegranate purse

I'm feeling a little behind on my plan for the day, what with losing a whole hour and everything....but it is Sunday, after all, so it's a perfect day to tie up lose ends and pluck away at things.

I can hardly believe it, but it's finally finished! I love the shape of this new purse, and I'm looking forward to making a few more using this basic construction, but adding a flap, and playing around with different closures. In fact, I'm going to be starting a new one this afternoon - right after I fix myself some lunch! ;-)

Of course, I'll be writing up the pattern, but it won't be available for a few more weeks yet. I have a self-imposed deadline of having it (and hopefully one or two more) ready in time for the Belleville Hook-In on April 18th. Naturally I'll be blogging all about it when the time comes...

The pictures pretty much speak for themselves. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Why didn't I listen?

Sometimes a little voice in your head says "I don't think this is
going to work...". But you ignore it. Sometimes on purpose, because
you're pretty sure that you planned accordingly and that, in the end,
it will be okay. Other times, you just trudge ahead, because you're
afraid that it might be true, and you don't want to switch to Plan B
-- or you don't have one!
When I was sewing the pom purse together on the weekend, this little
voice started as a quiet whisper...but it soon became a terrified
screech. Sadly, not soon enough.
In short, my flap wasn't long enough. Much ripping out of both hooking
and even whipping (that's what you call true denial), re-hooking
(without a frame), more sewing, and further trimming....resulted in
the surgical removal of the flap. The pom purse is now flapless, but I
think it will survive.
...Just a bit of final finishing is left to be done. Part of another
evening should do it...and then (once all of the bandages have been
removed) the grand reveal will soon follow.

Getting closer...

The poms are hooked and pressed, the whipping yarn is dyed and dried,
the lining has been chosen...and now I just need a chunk of time to
figure out how it's all going to come together and make a purse. I'm
keeping my fingers crossed that happens this weekend...and I'll be
back soon with a report on how I make out. Have a great weekend!

mock up

I'm over at my parents today, visiting in honour of family day...and my mum expressed her disappointment in my lack of new posts - so here is a new one, just for you, Mum ;-) (Ever since they got high-speed a few weeks ago, she's been stalking me....)

I haven't got a whole lot to say, other than that I'm really happy with the way my pom purse is progressing. The design was inspired by a desire to use the leather purse closure that I bought last summer. My initial plan was to use it on a clutch, but the impracticality of such an item finally convinced me that it wouldn't be the best plan. I saw a pair of great handles at Karen's a couple of months ago, and decided a single one might just work...

With the first side of my purse hooked, I still needed to plan for the flap before I could draw the second side onto my backing. I was having a hard time trying to visualize the finished purse, so yesterday I broke out my binder clips and started "sewing" it together. Then I took my photo and played around in Photoshop to approximate the flap. Here's what it looked like....


I've now got the second side drawn, on the backing and almost half hooked. In case you're thinking I'm a speedy hooker - I'm not. Yesterday was pretty much an "all about me" kind of a day....or at least all about my purse! ;-)

Pom purse progress...

I'm feeling a little bit behind in my posting from the past week or so. Both life and work have been busy and although I've had lots of ideas and things I'd like to have posted about, I've either lacked time or an internet connection - or both. (tonight's sleep will be on my fifth bed in six nights...) I'm hoping to get all caught up in the next few days - on both my blog and my e-mail.

I did get the drawing finished for my new pomegranate purse the other night...and although I didn't actually start hooking on it until after I'd arrived at Saturday's hook-in, all was well. I'm very happy with the way it's turning out so far...



Lots of little pieces of wool (I knew this was time well spent and that the bins would be put to many good uses), some slub yarn and some sari selvedges are all coming together for a party in this purse! I will have to tweak the greens a bit, so that they look a little more yellow and a little less blue - although I like the way it looks, the leather handle I'll be attaching doesn't quite "go" yet. Soon, I hope.

Pom...wonderful?

Time will tell. I've been busy drawing and designing a new purse over
the last few days. I'd been wanting to get to it for a while now, but
it was always getting pushed down the to-do list.
Just like my mum, I work best with a deadline...and since I'm going
down to visit Wendie this weekend, and we're going to a hook-in, and
I'm not currently hooking on anything, and I've got these gorgeous
olive leather handles that are begging to be used, and I'm getting
bored with the tote, and....and...I just wanna, I finally have a
pomenagranate pattern drawn on a piece of rug warp.
....and before you start thinking that I'm a few days ahead of
schedule, you should know that I'm actually leaving tomorrow for a
business trip (and stopping at Wendie's on the way home. So, I really
should be hooking right now instead of typing -- it would be helpful
to have an idea if my planned wool is going to do the trick
(preferably before I pack)
Back soon with an update...

it's ready!

I know that some of you have been waiting for some time for me to finish writing up the pattern for this purse - and the moment has finally arrived. If you would like more information about ordering, please send me an e-mail (fisheyerugs AT hotmail DOT com).

I've been busily getting ready for my upcoming workshop in Amherst, Nova Scotia (part of the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival). As far as I know, the class is already full (and then some!) Speaking of the workshop, if you are signed up and you haven't heard from me (I tried e-mailing everyone last week), please give me a call or send me an e-mail and I can give you the scoop. It's sure to be a fun - albeit very busy - day.

why bleach was created...

...just in case you were worried that I had died from laziness and boredom - rest assured that I haven't had much time for either ;-) My holiday week flew by...but I was able to get a few things accomplished and several things started. I've been busy getting ready for my upcoming workshop in Ottawa this weekend: dyeing wool, assembling samples, printing patterns, and gathering my thoughts. It's been quite a while since I last taught a class, so it's taking me a little longer to get organized - but I'm excited and energized about going on Friday.

I'll be bringing some of the gorgeous hand-made leather handles I've posted about in the past from my LYS. I'll also be bringing wool, including these bits I dyed last week...

I finally accepted the reality that my heart's not into hooking on the horse right now....and rather than spend all my time procrastinating and getting nothing done, I've started work on the new purse. It's quite a bit larger than I've done in the past....and I really hope that it's not going be be too heavy even when it's empty - especially since there's going to be a lot of room to carry stuff! Here's a sneak peak...

The design has morphed a few times from the original seed...and while it might not be perfect for this application, I imagine I'll be revisiting it again very soon. Hey, and I've also managed to incorporate some lights and some darks with my friendly medium tones. Wa-hoo!


What else have I been up to? Reading (a couple of fluffy novels, Clara Callan, and I've started on the first of my Christmas presents from AJ: the Kent Books), watching season 1 of the Tudors, cooking and cleaning at my folks (my mum finally had her knee replaced last month), and work, or course (I'm in Sudbury tonight).

I'I'll be bringing my camera to Ottawa....and back soon with a report.

progress - part II

I was just re-reading my post and realized that I had forgotten to give a progress report on the owl purse. Well, it's got the darts sewn together, the sides sewn on and the lining cut out....but now I'm pretty much at a standstill until my sewing machine is resurrected. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will come home very soon (and so is AJ, since she is hoping it will come and live with her) ;-)