Rug Show from Star Rug Camp

Just a sampling of some of the rugs at camp. Hope you enjoyed looking. I'll post more in a day or two.

Happy Trails...Ginger

Fredericksburg Star Rug Camp

I'm still unpacking from the adventure of going to Fredericksburg Star of Texas Rug Camp. The washing machine has been humming, duties of work called, family visiting here and there and finally a chance to sit and tell you a little bit about the camp.

Pati and I had the opportunity to take a class from Frank Bielec of Mosey N' Me or better yet known for his work on Trading Spaces TV show. I just can't put into words just how outstanding Frank's class was. Not only what we learned by doing and listening but by just how simply giving Frank is. He shared a wealth of information and went above and beyond the realms of teaching. If you ever have the opportunity of taking a class from him you simply must.


This class was about oxford punch needle. Now granted I have punched up a few pieces before this class but I experienced just how many different things you can make and how to finish the punching. I made a lid cover for a paper mache box. The picture is a little brighter than what it actually should be.


We made sheep to go on a tote box. I punched a grayish one and also a off white one. We then adhered it to a wooden box that Frank had made and painted. He took the time to write a little note to each of us in the class along the bottom. It will always remain a treasure for me.





There were 16 students and Frank in a makeshift classroom that was set up in a handicap hotel room. Yes we were elbow to elbow but we had the best time....we talked, shared ideas, laughed, had pizza parties, made primitive dolls, and made so many different projects...the possibilites were endless. We had visitors from other classrooms dropping by because they had heard so much good reports from that group of ladies.



There were times we met in the hallway to see a new idea.


There were several other teachers at camp....Karen Kahle of Primitive Spirit was also a teacher. She had a trunk show and here style of hooking was unbelieveable. She really knows how to capture the look of an antique rug.








Pati and I often throughout the trip would take a walk through Fredericksburg often hitting the back streets to find the most wonderful little shops located in what once were homes. We found a most delightful Pie shop with homemade pies...cherry, pecan, coconut, oh so many more. A middle aged man that waited on us said he makes them from scratch daily....and boy were they ever good. Inside the shop were handmade quilts, signs, and little knick knack items.

Outside of the pie shop were little sitting areas under the trees if you cared to dine outside.


We truly enjoyed walking the steets looking at all the history and loving the old homes with the wide wrap around porches and the huge trees.



There was a rug show before we left and I took lots of pictures but I'll save those to share in another post....the washing machine needs another load and it's time to stop and find something for supper. I hope you have enjoyed just a little taste of Fredericksburg Star Rug Hooking Camp.

Now before I close this post I want to leave you with a word of advice straight from Frank.....Share~ Share your knowledge, share your love of crafting, share your supplies whenever you can, just simply share with someone that wants to learn.

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Anticipation!

Harriet and Gladys are hitching a ride home with us. Pati and I have had so much fun this week and we haven't had a minute to stop and write about it. As I type fresh backed Morning Glory muffins need to be picked up from a bakery to bring home to my dear family! I miss them bunches.


Being in Frank's class you just never know what will happen....Oh do I have some pictures to share.



Well off to pick up those tasty morsels and return to class for the last few hours and then it's on the road to good ol' Oklahoma.....check back soon you'll be simply amazed at all that got made in just a few days. Love ya Danny~~~~~I'm headed home!!!!!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Something To Crow About!

First thing this morning Pati and I stopped at this quaint little place to have a muffin. I had the Morning Glory Muffin...delicious it was made with pineapples, coconut, carrots, raisens and probably some secret ingredient. I'm gonna bring ya home one Danny I promise! It had to be one of the very best muffins I have ever had. Oh I'll bring home some extra's too for you Mom and Dad don't worry!!!! Okay so now all my sisters are going to want one. Maybe I should just place an order for a couple of dozen.




Just around the corner was this GIANT CHICKEN.....now wouldn't Sloan love this. Look how big it is compared to the house.



After shopping around Fredericksburg and a wonderful lunch....oh and I had chicken and dumplings and Pati had a German plate filled with goodies we made our way over to the hotel where we have settled in for the duration of our trip. Our teacher for camp will be Frank Bielec and let me say I'm so excited.....all I can say is wait until you see what we are going to be doing. I have now looked at oxford punch in a whole new light and we haven't even got started yet. My mind is whirling like a tornado and now I can see so many options and can tell this can be done faster than a speeding bullet in so many different ways. So that's all I'm going to tell you for now...so stop back in a day or so and see what we are making....It's going to be a blast!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Fredericksburg, Texas Here We Come!

Pati and I hit the road early even before the rooster was crowing this morning and made our way south to Texas. We are going to attend the Star of Texas Rug Hooking Camp in Fredericksburg, Texas. We first noticed right before entering town that they were having Trade Days......we did find a few lil' bargains but mostly they had a lot of imported items. Just not my cup of tea.














Once into town we found Stonehill Spinning and enjoyed looking at the beautiful wool yarns, wool, and primitive hooked rugs. Confession....I found a couple of things there! Sorry Danny.....Just couldn't resist!

Tomorrow we have some free time to do a little looking around town at the antique and novelty shops before checking into camp.....I'm sure we will have lots more pictures to share before our trip is over.

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Friends and Another Hooked Rug

Happy Trails....Ginger

We Interrupt This Nice, Quiet Life

To bring you the dog that is into everything. So continues the story of the lil' dog named Pipsqueak. Able to leap over baskets in a single bound, wrestling tissue paper to the ground and shredding it into let's say hundreds of tiny pieces, snatching up fat quarters of wool and prancing around like they belong to her when in fact I for one know they very well do not! Let's not mention the balls of yarn that were strung from one end of the room to the other. All of this in about oh let's say 10 minutes.

Sloan matter of factly let her know that his toys do not belong to her and that he does not share his toys if she plans on chewing on them.

I expect I'm going to have to lay down the law myself on the wool, yarn and just overall any and all craft goods. Oh and let me not forget shoes....they are off limits, too!

Could be why that little jingle bell stays on that collar so I can keep up with one adventurous pipsqueak.

Oh what will tomorrow bring! :)

Happy Trails....Ginger

Oxford Punch Needle and Playing Chase

It's been a beautiful day here in Oklahoma and just perfect for sitting outside and working on a punch needle. This one I punched up using an oxford punchneedle #10 on monk's cloth. Today as Sloan played outside I finished the binding on it.

Sloan and Pipsqueak got along quite well and with a little bit of rain we had this afternoon it made for a for a few muddy areas....just right for one curious lil' pup.


Before the afternoon was over Sloan had helped me to give her a bath. He sure is a good lil' helper!

Well they are forecasting more rain tomorrow but we won't complain it helps it feel like Autumn Days are really on the way!

Happy Trails....Ginger

*Happy Labor Day*

It's been a busy day here on the farm. We went to church this morning and had lunch with my Mom afterwards and one of my cousins and his wife. Just love visiting with family!
Afterwards Danny and I came home and I picked some of the last little tomatoes and donated them to the chickens for a Sunday treat...they do love those juicy red tomatoes.

Our little dog "Pipsqueak" likes the water. She is so nosy with the chickens and not scared a bit.



It was an absolutely beautiful day to be outside and while Danny took care of working on some farm equipment I did a little yardwork.


This evening I've been binding one of the hooked rugs and looked up to see I have a little wool thief. Someone has been in my scrap basket snatching pieces of wool.

Monday we will be off for a visit to my lil' sister Bobbie's home for lunch. One last hoorah before the end of summer. Wishing each of you a safe and Happy Labor Day!

Happy Trails...Ginger

Pipsqueak and That's Not Wilson

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the Loose Caboose Fest with entertainment, crafts, food and lots of visiting. I grew up in Purcell, Oklahoma and it's downtown is still going strong with antique stores where department stores, the hotel, and theater once use to be....changes come and go but you can still go into these buildings and see and just feel the atmosphere of the history that once was there.



Sandra, Pati Jane, and I sure enjoyed the day and found a few lil' things to take home, too.


Here's a few shots of our booth.



We did surprisingly well with our little booth.







The guy next to us was not Wilson from Home Improvements. Remember the show with Tim The Toolman Taylor???? Nope that's not him at all why that's Danny of DJ Trailers....


Yes...that's my guy! He had a booth next to us and by the end of the afternoon we were setting in his booth enjoying the shade.



Not to be forgotten...."Pipsqueak" our new little addition to the family. She's been busy checking out the farm and I think she likes what she sees.




Well it's been a very long day and tomorrow is church so I better call it a day! Hope you had a wonderful day in your neck of the woods!

Happy Trails....Ginger

~*MaXinE*~ A Fun Loving Kind Of GaL!Primitive Hooked Rug

I just love the vibrant orange and purple in this little rug. I drew Maxine up last night after an exercise class that my daughter has at the local Vocational School. Twice a week in the evenings we meet to do some aerobics and stretching and one of the ladies that attends is Maxine. She is 81 years young and she does so well in the class....I hope to be in as good of shape as she is when and if I make it to that stage in my own life. So with that said.....Here is my lil' hooked rug Maxine!

I've also got another one setting on the frame that will be Maxine's beau so stay tuned!

Well the boxes are about packed for the Loose Caboose Festival that will be held Saturday in Purcell, Oklahoma. So if you are in the area stop by....

A storm blew in overnight and dropped the temps down and the windows are open welcoming in a cool breeze. Got to love the smell of rain! Wishing each of you a safe and happy Holiday weekend.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Waiting On Autumn

Don't you just love this hooked rug that was designed by Buttermilk Basin. I finished up hooking it a couple of days ago and will work on binding it in the next couple of days.



Then I drew up this big Jack O'Lantern and finished him up last night. Now I have him to bind so I'll be working on him, too.

Pati Jane and I will be doing a craft festival called The Loose Caboose on Saturday and I've been busy finishing up a few pieces. Sloan helped me today fill several boxes of goodies...he does love to help :)

Well back to work....

Happy Trails....Ginger