Monday, July 18, 2011

SURELY FALL IS NEAR???

What a stupid title to this blog post - with record high temps all over the country and the heat index here at 100 + and rising thru the week - I must be delirious from the heat or maybe just day dreaming about fall when I was plundering thru my rug hooking projects on Saturday night looking for something new and different to work on at rug guild yesterday. Meet Mr Fancy Pants.  Here is a close up shot of him - Jody made me laugh - he said he looked like that Jeepers Creepers thing in the horror movie - like he was going to jump up and get you any minute.  He said he has a sick sadistic look on his face - AAAWWWW - now wasn't that mean of him - I think he is sooooo cute and doesn't look mean or creepy at all to me.

I love this canvas with the whole backround filled with pumpkins and pumpkin leaves.  I thought the bird looked like some silly tropical bird instead of a crow so I had someone redraw it for me - I think it was DF Henri or maybe DF Karen - honestly it has been so many years since this guy has seen day light I don't remember who helped me redraw the bird.

My goal is to do every single pumpkin in a different shade of orange and use a lot of textures.  It is a very busy canvas and really does require quite a bit of study to make sure you are seeing everything correctly that is going on in this canvas.  For any rug hookers out there - the canvas was designed by Bev Conway and is called Punkin Patch or maybe Pumpkin patch and I did this in a 2 day workshop with her some years ago.  I've only worked on it a time or two since that workshop about 5 years ago but he is such a cutey and I sure needed a blast of fall feelings yesterday.  I am doing this mainly in a 6 cut mostly with wools I bought from Bev at the workshop.  I have a lot of browns so I am hoping to find stash for the aged picket fence in the foreground.

 Next up is the Figurehead shawl FINISHED and on time for the Camp Loopy KAL with the Loopy Ewe shop.  For anyone interested in the knitting stats - it was a design out of the Summer Knitscene mag knitted with the called for Spud and Chloe Sweater which is a worsted weight 50 wool/50 cotton - lovely yarn.
This photo is more accurate of the true colors - one of the requirements for the Loopy project was the item had to be striped - anyway - here is the cool horn button  I found in Savannah last week.

Yes there has been stitching going on in my house but I just did not feel like trying to take another WIP photo of that huge Spanish sampler - I do enjoy working on it but Jody's nickname of "the lap blanket" does paint a picture for how big this sampler actually is and working with that all over my lap and under the OTT light - it is a hot project so I don't work on it as often as I should.  I have fallen far enough behind in the Attic SAL that I no longer feel obligated to work on it when I don't want to. In sampler world - I just don't have anything that is screaming my name - I have enjoyed working on the Plymouth Sampler a few days here and there but no dramatic progress on it either. I have been doing some fun needlepointing on the Autumn House and maybe next post I will show you a WIP photo on that one.  That is what I am really enjoying doing at the moment.  Oh and I have just started the 2nd Camp Loopy project with the Loopy Ewe - mittens of all things - well my logic was that I had a better chance of  finishing mittens than gloves and certainly more than socks. To participate - you had to knit one of those 3 items using cables. 

I'm going to leave you with a beautiful breathe of summer - This hibiscus on our patio has done really well.  It always reminds me of sultry summer days.  I hope you are enjoying your sultry summer day doing what you love to do most.  Clink ! and Cheers to you all ~ ~

12 comments:

Deb said...

I don't think that Mr. Fancy Pants looks creepy at all - quite the opposite. He looks like he has a sweet disposition. Perhaps working on him makes you hope for cooler temperatures. I think that this weather is getting a little too warm for my tastes.

I love your Figurehead shawl too. Very pretty color. I need to pick up some knitting again (and hooking), but at this time of year, it makes me too hot to think about.

Would love to see your needlepointing on Autumn House. You definitely seem like you're in the mood for cooler weather.

Margaret said...

Oh I love your new rug project! It's going to be so pretty and fall-ish! That shawl is so gorgeous! Love the color and love the whole design as well! Here's hoping for cooler weather.

Kim said...

LOL he isn't creepy at ALL and how great that's going to be with all the different shades of orange on the pumpkin patch! Can't wait to see it done!

I kick myself for not jumping in on the Camp Loopy, but it's probably for the best...I'd just be buying even MORE yarn! LOL The shawl is great!

Stay cool!

mdgtjulie said...

Wow, you have a lot on the go, stitching wise. So do I, lol. Your rug is sort of cute, but I can see the resemblance to the Jeepers Creepers thing. It was really creepy. That movie scared the crap out of me for some reason!! LOL, thanks for the memories! He's kinda cute though, and kinda scary, so I don't totally agree with Jody. Here's hoping you get him all done soon. I can't wait to see all your pumpkins!!

geeky Heather said...

I agree the scarecrow's cute rather than creepy!

Congratulations on finishing the first Camp Loopy project! You have NO IDEA how close I came to participating more than once...the yarn was in the basket and all!! But I really didn't need any more stress in my life this month! Good luck with staying the course!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I think Mr. FP is just the cutest! and it will be a lovely rug all done up :)
Your knit shawl is gorgeous and that hibiscus is beautiful! I have a red one that comes up every year and it just started blooming last week. :)

Rugs and Pugs said...

Mel ~
Love the scarecrow and I don't think he's creepy at all. Keep us posted on your progress.
It's hot and humid up north, too, but I am in no way, shape or form wishing for fall!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Katrina said...

That scarecrow makes me ready for Autumn!!!!! Love him, pretty knitted shawl too.

Beehive Needleworks said...

Upon my word...you do keep your hands busy! Each time that I pop by for a visit you have something (or somethings...plural) in process. And, if truth be told, each and every project is marvelous!
Keep thinking cool thoughts, and I wish you a splendidly creative day!

Warmly,
Judy

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, I love that scarecrow! Your shawl is amazing, too. I know it's the middle of July but I've felt the pull of autumnal and Christmas projects. Of course, I haven't pulled anything out, but I've thought about it!! LOL

Enjoy your weekend. I hope it cools down a bit for you!

Karoline said...

The shawl is gorgeous, congratulations and the rug is lovely.

Jeanne said...

Well I hope you have a lot of orange wool Melody cause there's a lot of pumpkins there! I love anything with a fall theme, your scarecrow is pretty cute and not creepy. I agree with the changes you made to the bird, he sort of looked like the toucan from the Fruit Loops cereal box before. :)

We are definitely ready for cooler weather here too but it won't be here until October likely. Thanks for your continued visits to my blog....I am working hard to finish up Quakers & Quilts and what a relief that will be.

Your shawl is very cool - hoping it cools off soon so you can wear it!