Hooking Workshop

Tomorrow night will be our first rug hooking workshop. The first one I am thinking will be kind of experimental to see how everything goes. I am so excited to be getting started with a kind of new venture (new for me, Kris is very good at this sort of thing!!). When ever you can incorporate something you love into your "work", how much better does it get!?? I am going to make the heart and it will look so cool on the knob of my little corner hutch.
The next one will be offered on Tuesday, February 21st and again on Thursday, March 15th.

Anyone have ideas on primitive prairie?? Am looking to do some re-vamping the shop's victorian type area and would appreciate any ideas. 

Today will be busy setting up Easter displays in the shop and making plans for Eveleth's Puck Days - March 16 & 17. Not sure what we are doing yet, something with Bonsai Tea and Cottage Goods, will be fun...

Last weekend we decided at the last minute to vend the Laskanian "Finnish Sliding Festival". It was in Palo at the Loon Lake Community Center and we had just a great time! Seeing many new faces and many familiar ones we had much visiting to do!

Our new line of regular floss at the shop.
I asked my son to make something
that looks like it fits in and this is
what he came up with!! I am thrilled,
it will hold 80 boxes when all filled.

One of several wall make-do gathers
based on a pattern by Kindred Spirits
So fun to make... I'll have to tell you
about the turkey later...

Kris and I both did a lady liberty rug, seemed like it took
forever to finish!! and they both turned out so different...

Cat based on a pattern by Nettie Lacroix
sitting on a brown wool penny mat

Sample options for rug hooking classes

star in multi colors

mitten with tree

heart in multi reds

These are the samples Kris made up for the class. We have yet to work out details and will keep you posted!! The heart is my choice or maybe the star... I know which ever one will look awesome hanging on the door know of my china hutch!!

Spring?? No not yet...

A few beautiful raggedy girls...
who is that peeking around the corner??

 We have had the most beautiful weather here in northern Minnesota... yup, we'll take it. Makes me think of spring. I've been working on a couple new patterns for the shop and florals just come to mind. Maybe a cat too... we are taking care of a friends cat for the winter and she is great fun. It has been many years since we have had a cat at our house, I will have to get some pictures of her.

A new pattern in the works...

Kris has been working on samples for a rug hooking class. They are just beautiful!! A heart, star and mitten - will have pictures on tomorrow so you can check them out. Everyone has been asking about hooking classes and I am no teacher, it has taken me awhile to talk Kris into it!!!  I love to hook, felt, spin and do wool matts, but I've never taken a class and have no idea how to go about it. I'll be a good helper tho. Will keep you updated.

Some new valentine's day signs and decorations in progress...

Horses and ponies

Easter and bunnies sneaking up on us soon...

A look around the shop

The handiest wall box....

Some shabby cottage gold...

A wool felt wall tag...

A collection of Boyds moose...

Loons and northwoods...

Pink wool makedo pincushion with vintage scissors...

Tea cups and saucers and cream and sugar sets...

And vintage kodak cameras and a baby ben

Today is a bit cooler, we had about an inch of snow last night and the new year is fast approaching...
We would like to take this time to wish you a healthy and happy new year and to let you know how much we appreciate you all.

Sue & Tina

Austin, Tina and Matt

My grandsons, Taylor, Cole and Austin

 Happy Holidays!! 
It was a beautiful day, we had a little fresh snow to make everything look sparkling new and temperatures in the 30's. We were off early Christmas morning to pick up the boys then off to my daughter Tina's house where Matt already had a turkey on the grill. As we pulled up all the luminaries were lit by her front walk and it was beautiful! My Mom and Dad joined us a little later. The turkey turned out just great, it looked like a picture in a cooking magazine!! It was a wonderful day...

Matt and the turkey, it was just a wonderful tasting as it looked!

Thanksgiving revisited...

Where has the time gone?? I think I must say that every time I have a chance to get time on my computer, but again it has just flown by...

A collection of old clocks...
I think it is something about the faces

Grandma's old china hutch, a hard working
old mixer, a silly little fan and
the old standby coffee grinder

My house... 

Last weekend as I contemplated putting away my fall decorations I decided to get out my camera and share a few of my favorite fall decorations and then had so much fun that I continued to take more pictures. This weekend we will put up our christmas stuff and start getting ready for the holidays. So far we really have no snow, just a dusting here and there - kind of makes it feel a bit strange to put out the luminary candles on the grass!! ha-ha.. Northern Minnesota just really should have snow, it just kind of gets you in the mood to pull out the old ornaments...

A motley collection of kitchen stuff