is the perfect title for this post. I made this penny rug mat with the help of two special friends. Katrina bought the kit to make it, but had a case of buyer's remorse. I bought it from her because I've always wanted to work with wool. Since it came as a kit with everything included, it was a great first piece for me to start with. I did stray from the original design and omitted a couple of things. My friend, Sandy (no blog ) who I call the "wool master" was a patient teacher and is my personal wool guru. She visited the Phoenix area over the holidays and spent a day with me. She got me started and taught me a few of her tricks. Now I blame her for my newly acquired addiction to wool. I've been searching the local Goodwill stores in search of blazers to cut up, and they are starting to recognize me there. Who buys wool blazers in Phoenix? So, it's not really surprising. It's a great way to build a stash of wool, but it does take a bit of work, especially the felting process. I'm very happy with my first attempt even though I made a few mistakes. It was definitely a learning process. 
On the stitching front, it's still Country Life for me. I keep thinking that I'll finish it soon and then another week goes by and another and another...My overall photo doesn't do it justice so I've taken pictures of it in sections.
I love the little dog and bunnies. I'm not so crazy about where that gun is pointed though. Let's just ignore that part of the sampler. The doves on the feeder and the bunnies are stitched over one.
I need to mention that there is an extra skein of AVAS 3734 needed for Jane Tindall's grass. Thank you to Margaret for pointing that out. It was a crazy time when I was finishing up Jane before the St. Charles market, and it didn't get mentioned on the chart. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Happy stitching everyone.
32 comments:
Ah! Gorgeous!!! Absolutely wonderful! You are a wool pro now -- I love the penny rug so much! And your Country Life! You're so close! It's gorgeous!
The penny rug is beautiful!
I just love Country Life too!
I will check back in to see how it comes along. I may just have to put that one on my wishlist!
I love your penny rug!!! I hope that you're able to find the wool you need in your area. Who does wear wool jackets there??? :o)
Country Life looks wonderful too. I'm sure that you'll have it finished in no time!!
Country life looks wonderful-) yes what is he shooting!! not the bunny's I hope LOL.
Your Penny Rug is fabulous:)) I can't work with wool myself, so it's a pleasure to see these pieces of art.
Your Country Life looks fabulous Tanya. Congrats on your wool tablerunner finish... love the way you have it displayed.
I love the penny rug - such lovely colors! Country Life looks great. I don't know about the gun either - the bunny, the sheep, the cow, and the fisherman look unconcerned though! ;)
The penny rug looks great...never made one....there was a lday who was in JoAnn's last week buying wool felt just for a small rug.
Oh my gosh!!! Tanya, your mat turned out great! I love it. Of course, your display is amazing.
I LOVE Country Life! I have to stitch it, though, as you said, I'm not crazy about where that gun is pointing! ;) My DH happened upon a fox hunt on Saturday and got some pics for me... I love the imagery (before the fox is caught, of course) of the riders in their outfits and the hounds ready to go, just don't like the reality of it all! Anyway, great job--can't wait to see the finish!
Your penny rug is really cute. I look forward to seeing your continued progress on Country Life.
Wonderful things!!
LOVE your penny rug-so pretty! I love wool everything, and all of the thrift stores know me too. Luckily in the midwest here there is an ample supply of wool and I am often able to find pendleton and the like with no problem. Country life is looking wonderful-I love to see your progress.
Tanya, the penny rug is gorgeous! And I love the way you have it displayed. Country Life looks great, too. I love those little animals. You do such beautiful work! You're such an inspiration to me. kelley
Love your wool project! Sandy is indeed the Wool Guru!
Country Life is looking good and LOL about the gun and what he's aiming at! Every time I read "it's the Country Life for me" the music for Green Acres cues up in my head.
I've been haunting the thrift stores searching for wool and wool sweaters to felt. I get the oddest looks, "Like why does she need wool, in Florida?"
Oh Wow Tanya. They are both beautiful. You have really done a lovely job with your penny rug. I can see you taking up his craft as well. Country Life is looking lovely. Not sure about the man with the gun though, but it is called Country Life - Sandra.
Country Life - even with the bunny shooter - is gorgeous. WOW! And I'm a huge sucker for penny rugs. They are just the coolest. :D
The penny rug is gorgeous! And very special since Katrina and Sandy contributed to the project.
I love your Country Life, too. It's on someday list. I don't ever really read the verse before reading in your post - it's great.
That penny rug is so pretty and perfect with your decor! Another obsession! Good for you!
Country Life is coming along nicely!
Your penny rug is very cool. I really like the colors. I wonder if Katrina is now envious of your rug. lol! Country Life is gorgeous!!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Your penny rug turned out great Tanya! And looks great with your decor!! I can't believe you are so close to being finished with Country Life! It's looking great too!! :)
I'm betting Katrina wants that mat back now! Gorgeous. I love the little tongues. And Country Life is looking beautiful. I always think it's going to take me 1/10th the time it actually takes to finish something!
OOOOOOO good - another woolie convert - I love it Tanya - very nice - You know there is tons of wool on ebay and if you look at some of the rug hooking blogs - there are lots of links to cottage industries - indie dyers who dye wool and also import wool by the bolt - some quilt shops sell wool since so many quilters are using wool now for quilts and wool mats plus rug hooking. I have quite the little stash of hand dyed wool - if you are looking for a particular color - shoot me an email (mbryan10@comcast.net) and I'll drop it in the mail to you if I have something you like.
Your Country Life is gorgeous - I love that sampler but no ma'am - I am not starting that one ! enjoy! Mel AKA Woolwoman
Your penny rug and sampler are beautiful.
I just love your penny rug and have been wanting to try one myself. I just don't know where to go to get started. About the wool...HA! I live on the Gulf coast in Texas, and the thrift stores know me, too. I have quite a collection of wool blazers and skirts, and it's amazing that I can even find it here. It's so hot all the time. So, I have it, but have no idea what to do with it. Time for googling, I suppose, and then try to find a kit or something to learn this craft. I KNOW I would love it.
Your sampler is wonderful! Did I read somewhere that you were stitching on 45 count? OMGosh! I'm so impressed!
Glad I could enable ;-). I love how it came out and the display is just perfect!!!!
Your Country Life is fabulous, you will have it finished in no time.
Congrats on your first penny rug finish -they are fun aren't they? And you don't have to be perfect when you're making something primitive anyway, right? Your sampler is gorgeous as are all of the ones you do. :)
The penny rug came out GREAT!!!
Thanks for showing all the close ups of Country Life! It is a wonderful piece - you'll be done in no time!
Love the penny rug. Country Life is looking beautiful. I agree about the direction the gun is pointing.
Love the penny rug and Country Life is in my pile to do..will Jane Tindall and Marie Tilley have any more companion pieces like Jane Simcock...Donna
The rug is lovely, congratulations
Country Life is looking gorgeous, great progress
You did a great job with the sample and it looks great how good the man with the shotgun looks in the sampler.
I really appreciate sharing this great post. Keep up your work.
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