A Woolly Winter Holiday to You...

Wishing you all a warm & safe holiday season to share with your loved ones. And remember those who are not as fortunate by giving a little back in some way.....even the small things help.
Thanks to my wonderful friend, Charly, every year I have the good fortune to be involved in adopting a needy family in our community who otherwise might not have much at Christmastime. Thank you Charly.
My decorating for the holidays consists of pulling out a few of my favorite things.... simple, not much fuss, and usually involving wool of course!
Do you remember this post....
A Blank Canvas
Well, he now graces my mantle along with a few beautiful pots and a lovely painting by my studio mate, Suzanne D'Arcy.

This girl is out for the first time....my first attempt at doll making. She's not perfect but she has a great personality.

Getting in the Spirit.....

Just now home from a couple of weeks of non-stop family gatherings, Thanksgiving, traveling and the wonderful wedding of my niece, Michelle, at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama.
I also got to pay a visit to one of my favorite hooked rugs....this little guy now resides with my brother and sister-in-law in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

I fell in love with many houses on Mobile Bay as I walked along the beach beyond the hotel....wouldn't you love to decorate this little beach shack for Christmas!

Of course, it doesn't hurt that this is the view from the front porch.

(Doesn't show up well, but the weather vane has a flying crane atop it...I love the little details.)

And I couldn't resist sharing this photo of Michelle and her father (my darling, smart & bratty little brother, Jack).

O Christmas Tree Rug Completed!

It didn't get done by December 31st as I'd hoped, but the hooking is done!

I found a nice brown plaid for the shoes..... I was surprised at the trouble I had deciding what to use for those darn little things. I really liked the black textured wool I had originally used and then had trouble coming up with a different idea when I realized it would certainly not work with my background.

The snowflakes were inspired by a Deanne Fitzpatrick rug, Standing Before the Monument.

I'm finishing this rug in a traditional manner by adding a corded edge whipped with black wool yarn. I'll then hand stitch an antique gold twill rug binding tape over the serged linen on the back. This finish takes a bit of time but I love the feeling of knowing that I've made a piece that will withstand the ravages of time.

Merry Hooking.......

Winter Time Rug Hooking

What a spunky fellow this snowman is with his jaunty bow tie and red hat!
I've been agonizing over the background in this little rug but I think it's going to work out. And, I keep changing my mind about his shoes. Originally, they were black but, of course, with the very dark background, that had to change ....so, gray, brown???
Can I finish this by New Years Eve?
Thank you to Maria Barton (one of my favorite designers) for this lively design.