2012 Challenge Rug

The mat above is what was presented at last year's BYOP.  The ladies have 1 full year to complete the mat and bring it back the next year completed.  Seeing the completed rugs finished is always my favorite part of the BYOP.  I love to see how different the rugs are.

TAKE A LOOK

Aren't they great?  I can't wait to see next years!!

HAPPY HOOKING

BYOP PICTURES

Sorry for the delay in getting some pictures up.  The BYOP ended on Saturday and our fair began the next day.  Life keeps hopping right along. :)

Brand new patterns and fresh new hand dyed wool hanging in the breeze.

Great parking and valet service for all of the attendees.

The brand new garage came in mighty handy.......who would have ever thought that it would be COLD the end of July? 

Thank goodness for the garage.  Note that everyone is eating with their jackets on......unreal weather!

Lunch time.  Recipes will follow on a later post.

Mom and Dad had to cut down a tree when the new garage went up so we had to improvise. :)

This sign was given to Dad and Mom as a gift for the new garage.  It resides just inside the doorway of the garage.  I think many events are going to happen there!

More pictures to come.  I'm off to the beef show at the fair.

Landscaping

 I'm not sure these pictures give a good idea what the landscaping is like but you get the "general" idea.

 This is in front of the house.  Dad saved all of the bushes when they tore up the old steps.

Entrance to the house........we are so used to walking in through the garage it will be hard to use the front door.

Now that the BYOP is over the mess will begin again.  The contractors are to arrive next week to start mudding and taping the drywall.  Gotta love that mess. ;)

New Wools

We received new wools. They are torn, washed and ready for the BYOP.  Check them out!

A very emotional day..........

Today we took a 2 1/2 hour drive to Des Moines, Iowa to drop our 18 year old son off at the airport for basic military training in San Antonio, Texas. 

We have known  the date for several months now but somehow it arrived all to quickly. I have a new appreciation for those mothers who have sent their sons off to deployment. I can't even begin to imagine what that must feel like. 

We said our tearful good-byes, hugged forever and are counting the days until we see him again. 8 weeks........it seems like eternity but I'm sure it will go by quickly. 

Drew has such a passion for serving our country that I know in my heart he is in the right place. We love him and are very proud of the commitment he is making. 

See you in 8 weeks Drew. 

New Need'l Love

Just in the latest Need'l Love book Bewitched Threads.  It is full of projects for wool appliqué, quilting, rug hooking and more.

The book retails for $25.00

Bit off more than I can chew?

Several months ago on a trip to see my 2nd daughter at college I stopped at this place (I would never go in alone) that buys estate sale "stuff".  I bought a side chair for 35.00. It was in good shape and I thought that it would be an easy piece to reupholster. (Did I mention this was the 2nd chair I purchased there)? :) I have big aspirations............plus I'm cheap! My wing back was 40.00 and fit me perfectly.......I'm short.

I bought my fabric at JoAnn fabrics for dirt cheap.  I was so proud of myself! 

The other day I needed a break from drawing and decided to take it apart to see what I needed for foam etc.

Much to my surprise I found LOTS of interesting things! Horse hair, webbing and foam.  I watched a couple you tube videos and decided who ever upholstered it last probably didn't do it correctly.

After much deliberation I decided that I wanted the chair to be done correctly and called someone to see about reupholstering it.  She told me many times grandma does it and really doesn't do it the right way.  It is such a good chair that I hated to ruin it!  

So, the 2nd week in October I get to take her my chair. Yep, October! I imagine the wait will be worth it!  Enjoy the photos.