First Braided Rug

I don't think I ever shared a finished picture of the first rug. I think of it as a "flying carpet" or "Aladdin", but I'd rather name it something biblical. Perhaps "Joseph's Coat"...I like that.

Behold! The Rug Has Taken Shape

If you know me very well at all, you know that I love color and fabric and I have a great passion when both are combined. After collecting a good deal of woolen garments from various sources and making them into three inch strips, I at last set about to work on my second braided rug! Yipee, I thought. But as I progressed from the middle section to the second outer section, which involves lovely greens, I thought this is going to be some wacky rug...but with the four and fifth color scheme going on, I am truly excited. I think this one shall be called, "Joseph's Coat", because I have many more colors to add. I will keep adding pics until it is completed. Lillibeth, have you tried your hand at rug making? I can't wait to get this one completed and then I'm onto needlepoint and from there, to hooked rugs!

Leather Bound Beauties

A librarian friend who works at a local university has kept her eye on these richly leatherbound editions by Alfred Lord Tennyson. If they were ever selected to be gotten rid of, they were headed to me, because she knows I love old books. These are especially nice and in great condition overall, despite being published in 1888 and having been in a college library.

I would like to read these, but I am concerned that something should be done to preserve the leather, so it will not start to crack. Dear friends, any ideas?

Hart Children

These little ones know how to sell chocolate! They are selling chocolate bars at my church to raise money for their private christian school. Who can resist their charm?

Betty Gram's Abode

My Dear Betty Gram

Stepping in you'll see...

delightful 'Old World Charm'

and tea tins stashed here and there...

and everywhere!

How about a nice little brunch in the breakfast nook?

Getting sleepy from all the cares of life? Just pull up the soft coverlet on Betty Gram's bed and take a cat nap.

Woolen is in the Forcast

The last stash of woolen that I have needed for my next future braided rug has just come my way. I must wait until Saturday to make the appropriate strips of wool, but my hands are itching to get started! I suspect that this one will be larger that the last one made that I completed in June 2008. I have delved in a hooked rug making book that my Aunt Carole gave me a number of years ago, and that has spurred my interest in getting this rug started and completed before I move on to the land of the Hooked Rugs.

Cello Celebration

For two months now, I have worked towards performing in the Zuzuki String's Contest in our area. The contest was held on Saturday. I played "The Swan" by Camille Saint-Saens and Minuets by Bach. Surprisingly, the judge graded my performance "Superior +". This means I will be going to State in April. While I was playing, I wasn't thinking, "I wonder if I'll win". I was thinking..."I am just enjoying playing". What a blessed day...the hard work has paid off and the experienced has energized my desire to practice more faithfully.

Photograph: Mary Martin
Web-site: http://www.bartlesvillesuzuki.com