Hooking again!

Group photo of the 3 owls I have at the moment. The newest one is on the right back. I will be teaching a rug hooking class at ARtfiberfest in October and wanted to have some "owl" samples. I think I may hook a weird owl in non-owl colors, just for fun and to spark some new ideas.

My new owl...and a close up of the face.
And I just finished up this little squirrel holding an acorn. The squirrels around our yard are busy nibbling on young pine cones and leaving their left overs in the driveway. It's hard to see the acorn, but it's there and a new addition to my squirrel design.
And last night I hooked a little pumpkin face....another sample for class. I want to make a few more with different expressions....this guy is kind of glum.
Close up of face. I used some recycled blanket wool mixed in with regular weight hooking wool.
We have our Quarterly Hook-in this Sunday at Maren's home...we will reveal our "Fauna" pieces....which reminds me that I need to get mine finished up and made into a pillow!

a new arrival

A new visitor has arrived at the compound. Who is this mysterious feline?

Fiber jewelry and Pepa's hands

These are some fiber pins that I've made....the flower on the left side is hooked.

And the hands below are in Pepa's hand collection. Photo of her mother in the background of the second one.

Party at Pepa's!

The ARt Girls gathered at Pepa's delightful home for the August birthday girls party. Party favors awaited us on the patio, we each received a potted begonia and a special button to wear.
Some of Pepa's beautiful roses.
Susan Bezek, who will be teaching at Art & Soul in Portland brought us some show and tell brooches that she had made. She also brought us each a doll project to work on. She had pre-sewn all the doll parts for us and even printed out vintage faces.
Maren, Barbara, and Penny sharing a hug and showing off Maren's new cast. She broke her arm on a bike ride, but is healing nicely.
Here's Syd and sweet grandbaby, Maddy.
We had delicious tostadas for lunch and cupcakes for dessert!
Some of our completed dolls, Susan's is on the left. The body is a matchbox that opens.
Here is one of Susan's dolls...
and what fun presents! These wrapped up by Ms. Penny in black and white. She made each birthday girl a special necklace.
Yoyos by Colleen, the yoyo queen!
More yoyos in a garland!
Susan Halme gave the girls each an Olive Rose doll....love her work!
Maren holding the cat doll by Olive Rose.
We all had such a fun time visiting, making dolls, eating lunch and opening presents! Such a great group of women...I feel so lucky to spend time with these creative and inspiring ladies!

Mindy

Meet Mindy! Zora's cousin has come for a short visit. She is on her way to Portugal to go to cooking school. She has a black velvet face and buttons on her legs.....and an antique lace apron.
And I made this little embellished pin (brooch) last night for a trade. I love going to the mailbox and finding a surprise package in there, don't you?

Pumpkin boy

Like my art pal, Tara I've been thinking of Fall and pumpkins. One of my friends who has an August birthday loves all things related to Halloween, so I made this Pumpkin boy for her. He is a bit of a "show off"...climbing the wilting sunflower stalk for his photo.

Felted wool fun...

I made a couple of felted wool sweater flowers...I used the embellisher on the petals. I think these may go on some tote bags that I hope to make for Artfiberfest vendor night. The black background is a sweater I found at the thrift store, complete with the buttons sewn all over the front and back. Still pondering how to re-use it....

The softest wool sweaters make the best scarves! I use angora, cashmere and merino wools and have fun sewing patches together...then add some applique, felt again and hopefully some nice fun scarves to sell. The one above is for a birthday present for someone who loves black, white and red.
Been a busy week here....a friend from Hawaii is here for a week escaping the "Vog" and camping at the beach while we have our annual Sunburst Reunion this weekend. I'm about to head down to the beach at El Capitan State Park for a swim and see old friends from our communal days in the 1970's.....

kimono silk ATC's

a couple of Silk ATC's that I am working on....one for each month. I plan to make a little folding book of all twelve.

ATC day and the cats double date....

Today is our ATC meeting and I got these made last night to trade. Haven't been able to go lately so looking forward to seeing everyone. Not so sure my son, Justin will be crazy about coming along with me after his guitar lesson, but "oh well!"
I think that Lulu and Jazpurr are hitting it off after being properly introduced. Now they're off on a double date with Zora and Hubert.
And I'm off to work on some Fiber Jewelry and felty things for Artfiberfest!

Jazpurr

Look who's strolling by....it's Hubert's old school chum, Jazpur! Tall, dark and handsome, he is a jazz guitarist and all around cool cat. I think there may be a double date in the works....and Lulu just might be his type.
This little cactus flower just showed up in our front yard...so vibrant and pretty.

Flora

This is Flora. Made her last night after working at the Plumbing store....up until 2am...I am seriously addicted to art making and well, chocolate.
And below our biggest sunflower is beginning to fade a bit, but is still glorious. There is something I love about sunflowers...a happy summertime feeling and they add such a bright boost of color to the greens of the garden.

Surf cat

Justin's kitty likes his Boogie board!

Miss Birdie

Whenever Zella comes to visit, she loves to visit with Miss Birdie, the librarian who lives down the lane from us. Miss Birdie loves to read children's books and Zella loves anything with good illustrations.
Zella has to hold the books for Miss Birdie but she doesn't mind....
when her arms get tired she uses her head!
And here is what happens when you try to take photos outdoors with "real" kitties around!

Tiger

Here's a very relaxed Tiger...napping while I sew on softies...

Cats and sunflowers...

Zella couldn't wait to try on the new lacey skirt that her Aunt Lulu made for her. She also brought a sweet little necklace with a heart charm on it. And since it is Fiesta this weekend it will be the perfect outfit to wear to the West Coast Symphony Orchestra performance at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens this evening.
Now, who is that handsome cat back there? Let's get a closer look....
And here is one of our Sunflowers in all its crowning glory!
and some of our little tomatoes, ready for picking.

James Taylor and his Band of Legends..

came to the Santa Barbara Bowl tonight and rocked the house! He had many of his favorite (and excellent) musicians and back up singers with him ....even the original horn player from "The Blue Brothers" movie! Such fun...Dennis managed to get us tickets even though it sold out in the first few hours. James sang many of his old favorite songs and livened things up with some great oldies by Wilson Pickett, Jr. Walker, and Big Mama Thornton. The mostly older crowd was all movin' and groovin....ohh...what a fun evening!