Kris Miller from Spruce Ridge Studios

Just a reminder that the Prairie Schooler rug hooking patterns will be discontinued on January 1, 2016.  The creative "Schooler" ladies are retiring and Spruce Ridge will no longer be able to produce their patterns...so order your favorites before Friday (this Thursday will be the absolute last day)!

My favorite (and the favorite of many rug hookers) is the design, All You Can Eat.  I love the fish lined up in a row with their mouths open!  I think it would be a great design for a kitchen or dinette,  or a lovely gift for a fisherman or woman.  Click here to get size and price information for the pattern.

I hate to make New Years resolutions because I have trouble keeping them but I would like to resolve that I will make time to write more consistently on my blog for 2016!  There's so many good things ahead for the New Year!

Just two more sleeps until the All The Trimmings show!  I am scurrying around, packing all kinds of holiday goodies to sell, along with lots of great rug hooking supplies.  We have lots of  lovely sewing implements that are perfect for the seamstress or needleworker on your shopping list, along with rug hooks, wool, patterns, books, kits, and felted wool bags.

I always look forward to this wonderful little show because I also do some of my holiday shopping here.  The vendors and selection of quality goods are awesome!  We love to pick out a fresh evergreen wreath (sometimes two!) for our door and my husband stocks up on fresh local honey.  I usually shop the antiques for a special little treasure for myself.  And you can't pass up Marlene Dusbiber's wonderful carvings!  I give my husband a different wild bird carving every year.

What sets this show apart from other Holiday shows is that the admission and parking is free...and free refreshments, including coffee, tea, cookies and snacks.  You really shouldn't miss this show!

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In other news, the creative ladies at The Prairie Schooler have recently announced that they will be retiring and closing their business for good.  I will be carrying their rug hooking patterns until the end of December and then they will be discontinued.  If you have your eye on one of their whimsical patterns, the time to order is NOW!  I will not be able to produce or sell them after January 1, 2016.  Take a peek and order your favorite pattern today!  Click here for a link to their page on my website.

There's only a few more days until the Spruce Ridge Studios Open House and Tent sale!  I have been as busy as a bumblebee, pulling out lots of items for the sale.  There's a generous portion of wool (as-is and over dyed fat quarters as well as yardage off the bolt) and a great selection of patterns marked down between 25-50% off.  If you like to hook on monks cloth, you will have a lot to choose from!  This year I have pulled out quite a few books and marked them with clearance prices.  Books are always a great purchase for your crafting library.  We are also adding a few antiques and vintage collectibles.  Also a little bit of yarn and sheep curls.  There is definitely something for everyone who loves rug hooking and fiber arts!

Here are just a few things you need to know before you get here:

* The sale takes place this Saturday October 10th from 10 am to 2 pm.

*No early sales, please.  We will be setting up in the morning and we need the time to get everything out on the tables.  Many shoppers line up and wait until 10 am.  My husband usually gives the "go ahead" signal!

*You can park on our grass, along the street, or in our driveway.

*There is a "Bridge Out-1/2 mile" sign at the beginning of our road but this does not affect how you get to my house.  (We are 1/4 mile north of 

M-59).

*All sales items are outside under the tent in my back yard.  My studio is also open for shoppers but the merchandise is at regular prices.

*Due to the nature of our sale, we cannot provide a public bathroom so please plan accordingly.

*No returns, refunds, or exchanges on sale items.

*All major credit cards are accepted.

* Complimentary cider and donuts!

The weather will be cool and sunny so it's a perfect day to shop.  We hope we will see you on Saturday!

Spruce Ridge Studios Annual Open House and Tent Sale

Saturday October 10, 2015

10 am to 2 pm

(sale starts at 10 am sharp-no early sales please)

There will be clearance-priced wool and rug hooking patterns, along with other craft-related products at reduced prices.  Also a few vintage, one-of-a-kind, and antique treasures.

Enjoy fall with us - cider and donuts served!

All sale items will be under the tent.

For your regular shopping needs, my studio will be open during the sale.

Rain or Shine!

Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover accepted!

Two weeks from today, I will be on my way traveling to the ATHA Biennial in San Antonio, Texas. It  takes place at the Westin Riverwalk right in the downtown area.  I was teaching in San Antonio last year and had a fabulous time so I can't wait to go back!   

The biennial takes place from Wednesday September 9th through Saturday September 12th.  The vendor area hours are:

2 pm to 5 pm on Wednesday 9/9

8:30 am to 6 pm on Thursday 9/10

8:30 am to 5 pm on Friday 9/11

8:30 to 3 pm on Saturday 9/12

The picture above is a sneak peek of the special pattern I designed for the Biennial.  As you can tell, it is Texas themed, but you can change the flag to look like an American flag and it would fit in with all your patriotic decor.  You can either purchase just the pattern or buy the pattern with a wool kit...all the exact same materials as I used in my rug!  Also on Thursday and Saturday, I will be giving a free demonstration showing my technique of hooking a perfect "flag" star using a #9 cut strip.  It's fun and it's a FREE demo!

Are you going to the ATHA Biennial?  If you are, tell me now what pattern you are looking for and I will have it reserved for you and waiting in our booth.  Easy peasy shopping!

If you have never been to a Biennial, consider attending!  There are classes and workshops and demos, a fabulous rug show, shop the well-stocked vendors, and visit and hook with your friends!  You will leave refreshed and inspired!

Click here for more information about the ATHA Biennial.

There's the Alamo.  The lovely Riverwalk.  The fun Mercado.  But here's one more teaser why you'd really like San Antonio...the San Fernando Cathedral in the downtown area features a fabulous light and sound show right on the face of the cathedral (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, 9:30 pm, and 10 pm).  The theme is the history of San Antonio and I highly recommend that you see it!  I liked it so much that I saw it twice...and I'm going to go back to see it again this year too!

Click here for more information about San Antonio/The Saga

Recently Holly Hills Primitives announced that they will be moving to a new location, starting August 1st.  They are moving from the old mill to the Downing House, located at 512 E. Maple St., Holly, MI.  After a great deal of thought and careful consideration, I have decided NOT to make the move with them.  

Today was "packing up and taking down" day as we moved all of our stock and display pieces out of the mill and back to my house.  I am so grateful for YOU, my loyal customers, for your patronage and support during the brief months we sold our rug hooking supplies to you.  It was a fabulous experience!  Ken and I wish Dawn and Dick Rossell the very best of luck in their new surroundings!

For this time of transition, I will only be selling products by phone/mail order until I can get my studio back into a state of normalcy again.  I'm not sure how long that will take!  To shop our products in person, please visit us at our upcoming (and fabulous) shows...Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, Michigan (August), the ATHA Biennial in San Antonio, Texas (September), and the Brandywine Guild's 2015 Hook-In, Kimberton, PA (October)!!!  

I am tentatively scheduling our 2015 Annual Tent Sale and Open House for Saturday October 10th.  Keep checking back to my blog or the Spruce Ridge Studios Face Book page for more details on this very popular event!

Earlier this spring, Lori Brechlin introduced a charming collection of punch needle patterns called the Farm Chores Series.  I am happy to say that they are now rug hooking patterns as well, available through Spruce Ridge Studios!

(Top left) Laundry Day, (top right) Dipping Candles, (bottom left) Shelling Peas, (bottom right) Keeping the Bees

The size of all four patterns are 25.5" x 20".  The cost is $40.00 on monks cloth and $51.00 on linen.  They are not listed on my website just yet but you may place an order by phone or mail, and they are also available at my store in Holly Hills Primitives.

While we are talking about farm chores, you may also like Lori's other wonderful folky farm patterns, 

Farmer and His Wife...and Spring Cleaning...or Feeding the Chickens!  Absolutely perfect for your primitive farmhouse look!

This was my first beginner class at Holly Hills Primitives in March.  They were a wonderful group of people, so eager and dedicated to learning their new craft.   Everyone did a fantastic job and they are well on their way to becoming talented rug artists!  It certainly was a delightful day and one full of great memories.

So let's do it again!  I am offering a beginning rug hooking class at Holly Hills Primitives on Saturday, April 11, 2015.  The class runs from 10 am to 5 pm.  The cost is $75.00 (payable to Kris Miller and due in advance of the class) and includes a beginner kit with a hook, pattern, cut wool strips, and twill tape, morning snack/coffee, and all day instruction from me.  We will take a one hour break for lunch (bring a sack lunch or dine at a delicious cafe around the corner).  You will need to bring a sharp pair of scissors and a 14" diameter quilting hoop or a rug hooking frame.  Scissors and hoops will be available on the day of class if you need one.  Class size is limited to 8 students.

The address of Holly Hills Primitives is 105 Civic Street, Holly, Michigan 48442 (248-634-7040).  I hope you can join me for a fun day of rug hooking!  Please contact me or Dawn Rossell at Holly Hills Primitives to sign up.

This is Tombstone Sunflower, a Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm design.  I was drawing up the pattern for an order one day and a light bulb went off in my head.  What a great pattern for a kit!

I sat down that evening and began hooking.  I think it took me 3 evenings total to complete it and I enjoyed every minute.  I used all as-is textured wool, cut in a #8.5 cut. (I think a #8 cut would work just as well if you find #8.5 too big).  

You are getting a sneak peek because I haven't put this on my website yet. However, I have put some kits together and they are available for purchase now.

A kit with uncut wool and linen pattern is $58.00

A kit with uncut wool and monks cloth pattern is $52.00

I can cut the wool for you for $10.00 more.
The pattern dimensions are 11" x 14".

This is a great beginner kit but it's also just the right size for anyone to take along while they are traveling.  What a perfect project for hooking while at the cottage or lake!

My new book has been out for about a month now and I have received some very nice reviews.  If you have hesitated about buying it because you are not a beginner, here is a comment that might change your mind:

I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book Introduction to Rug Hooking. I have been hooking for about twelve years,but find your book very informative ~ Yvonne M., Canada

Yvonne has already hooked two projects from my book!  She used the Hearts and Flowers pattern and put the design end-to-end to create a lovely table runner.

She also hooked the Rise and Shine pattern, using happy colors that make me smile!  

Thanks for sharing, Yvonne!

Here are some other reviews from happy purchasers:

Hi!  I just wanted to tell you that I ordered your book from Amazon and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  Wow, you did SUCH a great job!!  ~ Judi Y., Michigan