The Portable Pinewood

Life in Door County

I have been away from my blog much too long. Since the newspaper article we have had a wonderful time meeting new people who have taken the time to search for us way up here in northern Door County. This is what makes our business so special besides the fact that we love making the items for sale in our gallery.

This past month has been a mix of way too much to do at times and then having some wonderful days when we've been able to enjoy this gorgeous Spring weather. Our temperatures have been in the 70's and low 80's with lots of sunshine and soft breezes.

Yesterday was a crazy day of people stopping in all day long besides having my rug hooking group spending the afternoon on the porch (see photo). We felt that when we lived in a larger city that people seemed to need to be invited in order to come for a visit and here we have people stopping in often just for a chat or as a friend did today, to borrow some mint for a chicken recipe.

I had spent 60 hours cleaning a new home of construction dirt during the month of May and am learning what I want to do and do not want to do with my life. Sometimes we need to try them and feel like we can fit them into our schedule but our body tells us differently. Again, I am having to learn to prioritize in order to take care of myself. I find I keep going at a hectic pace until I am able to sit down quietly and really think about what is happening. We all need a Sabbath time, even if it's for an hour, to sit and listen to what we're being told about how we're spending our days.

I will keep you informed as to how I do this next month as I have to make many items for our shop along with visiting with our wonderful customers, having family and friends come for a visit and try to fit in the cleaning job. I know I'm not the only one who struggles with too many things on their agenda and we moved to Door County to live a more peaceful life. I need to work hard at doing that.

Enjoy these wonderful days and get out in nature sometime each day even if it's just to soak up a few rays of sunshine or go for a short walk.

Rug Hooking Friends

It is now May 9 and what started out the first part of January as classes to teach some women rug hooking has now turned into a wonderful time of sharing our lives as well as a handwork that we are all loving. We are still meeting one afternoon a week at someone's home, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea and a small treat. We didn't want to make this into anything that was "work", meaning having a clean house or providing fancy food.

It is amazing to see what my "students" have created and for some of them the number of items they have made. Each week is a time of sharing what we're working on and discussing problems or asking for advice (both regarding rug hooking and our lives). Our time together goes for 4 hours or more as we get so involved we forget to check the time. One day I asked what time it was and it was almost
5:00 and we were having company for dinner at 5:15.

Gather your friends together to share the love of rug hooking, even if it is only once a month. It does
keep you inspired.

Rug Hooking Book

For those of you who like primitive rug hooking, here is another wonderful reference book with great photos and helpful hints regarding rug hooking. I read the book, cover to cover, and felt so inspired. Just looking at the cover gave me inspiration.

The book is Purely Primitive by Pat Cross. Be sure and take a look at it.

Favorite Rug Hooking Book

There are many wonderful books out there about rug hooking but this one is my favorite: Rugs For My Red Cape by Edyth C. O'Neill. She has very easy-to-understand directions, but also fabulous close-up photos of her rugs so you can understand some of the techniques she talks about. She tells the story about her red Cape Cod home in Texas and the antiques they have collected. It reads like a story and is one anyone would enjoy looking at.

She shared a recipe for a punch which she uses when her rug hooking group meets at her home. In the winter she serves it hot and in the summer serves it cold. I made it for my first rug hooking class and everyone loved it so thought I should share it with you.

In a large pan combine two 46 oz. cans of apple juice (I used 2 of the large frozen cans and then reconstituted them), one 46 oz. can of pineapple juice, one cup of orange juice, and a stick of cinnamon. Simmer this for a short while and then be sure you stir it before serving. You can keep leftovers for up to a week....we loved warming up the leftovers on a cold winter afternoon.

Enjoy!

Vicky

Rug hooking class at Pinewood

Another part of my dream has finally happened. I've always wanted to teach a class in our studio, which is also part of our home. For the past couple weeks, I've been teaching six women to do Primitive Rug Hooking. It has been a wonderful experience for me as I've been learning along with them.

What is the most exciting is to see how enthused the women have become learning this new art form. A couple of them have been up to 2:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., wanting to see their designs develop.

Friends are telling me that this is the beginning of a new dimension of Pinewood Studio.