"Fat Dog" - Design of Mad Hen Primitives - Hooked by Deb Burcin
TRAVELING HOOKERS........
However we get there, by plane, car, train, or boat, the Woolwrights are always seeking out other hookers, camps, and, of course, wool!! We pack up our frames, hooks, wool, our bags, our vehicles, our husbands and friends and off we go. We travel far and wide. We love seeing old rugs, new rugs, old friends, and making new friends. If you have photos of your travels and adventures with rug hooking, please submit your photos and we will share with everyone your sunny days, your smiles, and your projects.
Click on the photo to view the complete photo and then you can advance to the following photo.
However we get there, by plane, car, train, or boat, the Woolwrights are always seeking out other hookers, camps, and, of course, wool!! We pack up our frames, hooks, wool, our bags, our vehicles, our husbands and friends and off we go. We travel far and wide. We love seeing old rugs, new rugs, old friends, and making new friends. If you have photos of your travels and adventures with rug hooking, please submit your photos and we will share with everyone your sunny days, your smiles, and your projects.
Click on the photo to view the complete photo and then you can advance to the following photo.
CONNIE & LEANNE IN GUATEMALA
Members Connie Bateman and Leanne Sitler recently traveled to Guatemala with the 2019 Multicolores Rug Hooking Tour. Multicolores is an association of women artisans scattered across five communities in the highlands of Guatemala. Through rug hooking, they express their Mayan heritage and earn a sustainable income that enables them to improve their lives. As part of the tour, we paired up with the Mayan women and learned to hook the Mayan way with 100% recycled materials, mostly t-shirts. For more information about the Multicolores Tour go to www.multicolores.org.
To see more photos of items Connie & Leanne brought back from Guatemala, go to "More" and "2019 Show & Tell"
ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH LEANNE & CONNIE
Leanne Sitler and Connie Bateman traveled to Ringe, New Hampshire, on September 11, 2016, for five days at the Country Inn Rug Hooking School. The event was held at the lovely Woodbound Inn in Ringe. Teachers were Sarah Guiliani, Betty McClentic, and Beverly Mulcahy. What a great week of hooking! Wonderful accomodations! Great weather! Beautiful wooded pathways and lakeside! Friendly fellow hookers! Talented teachers! and Hooking! Hooking! Hooking!
Leanne Sitler and Connie Bateman traveled to Ringe, New Hampshire, on September 11, 2016, for five days at the Country Inn Rug Hooking School. The event was held at the lovely Woodbound Inn in Ringe. Teachers were Sarah Guiliani, Betty McClentic, and Beverly Mulcahy. What a great week of hooking! Wonderful accomodations! Great weather! Beautiful wooded pathways and lakeside! Friendly fellow hookers! Talented teachers! and Hooking! Hooking! Hooking!
HIGHWAY 17 - CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
The beginning of April, 2016, I had the chance to travel to Charleston, South Carolina. The trip was actually to see our son's golf team at Bull's Bay Hootie & Blowfish Tournament. But, as we all know, hooking can always be worked into a trip in one way or another. There is always a rug traveling with me wherever our wheels take us. I knew one of my destinations was just north of Charleston on Highway 17. This highway was designated by the State of South Carolina as the Sweetwater Basket Makers Highway. Sweetwater grass and pine needles are used in this craft which was transported across the Atlantic by enslaved African people. As you will see from the photos are included, there is a wide variety of baskets that are made by these artisans.
There are many, many stands along Highway 17. The stands are rickety and some just barely standing, but at times they are almost all filled with the work of these women and some men. As I drove out of Bull's Bay, there were two stands almost directly across from the entrance, so I made my way to the other side of the road and stopped at the first. I had in mind what I wanted from the time I arrived in South Carolina. All I wanted was just one little basket to deposit my snippets as I am hooking. I wanted something small that I could throw in my bag and take wherever the hooking supplies and rugs traveled.
The best part of this little adventure is that I got to meet Julia Howard. I stopped and talked with Julia. She was very pretty, very dark hair, beautiful smile, and so friendly. She wore very bright clothing and also tights or socks with little tiny polkadots with her skirt. I told her what I was looking for and she had such a variety of baskets, I could have been swayed very easily. But I need to stay focused. I looked over the baskets and saw exactly what I needed and as I was looking, I had a conversation with Julia and found out that she had been weaving these baskets since she was eight or nine years old. Her mother had taught her. After I found the small basket I wanted, I paid her and asked her if she would like to see what I do. I showed her my rug that was in the back of my car. She had never seen anything like that and thought it was beautiful. I explained to her why I wanted the little basket. I then asked if I could take a couple of photographs of her and her stand and she told me that I could.
As I always say, the best part of rug hooking has been the friendships that are made. I know that I will probably never see Julia again, but for that short time, I made a friend...... a friend that had something in common with me...... we both work with our hands making either baskets or rugs, things that have a history long before us. Julia asked where I was from and I told her Pennsylvania. We hugged and I told her I was glad I got to meet her that beautiful day in South Carolina and we went on our separate ways.
The beginning of April, 2016, I had the chance to travel to Charleston, South Carolina. The trip was actually to see our son's golf team at Bull's Bay Hootie & Blowfish Tournament. But, as we all know, hooking can always be worked into a trip in one way or another. There is always a rug traveling with me wherever our wheels take us. I knew one of my destinations was just north of Charleston on Highway 17. This highway was designated by the State of South Carolina as the Sweetwater Basket Makers Highway. Sweetwater grass and pine needles are used in this craft which was transported across the Atlantic by enslaved African people. As you will see from the photos are included, there is a wide variety of baskets that are made by these artisans.
There are many, many stands along Highway 17. The stands are rickety and some just barely standing, but at times they are almost all filled with the work of these women and some men. As I drove out of Bull's Bay, there were two stands almost directly across from the entrance, so I made my way to the other side of the road and stopped at the first. I had in mind what I wanted from the time I arrived in South Carolina. All I wanted was just one little basket to deposit my snippets as I am hooking. I wanted something small that I could throw in my bag and take wherever the hooking supplies and rugs traveled.
The best part of this little adventure is that I got to meet Julia Howard. I stopped and talked with Julia. She was very pretty, very dark hair, beautiful smile, and so friendly. She wore very bright clothing and also tights or socks with little tiny polkadots with her skirt. I told her what I was looking for and she had such a variety of baskets, I could have been swayed very easily. But I need to stay focused. I looked over the baskets and saw exactly what I needed and as I was looking, I had a conversation with Julia and found out that she had been weaving these baskets since she was eight or nine years old. Her mother had taught her. After I found the small basket I wanted, I paid her and asked her if she would like to see what I do. I showed her my rug that was in the back of my car. She had never seen anything like that and thought it was beautiful. I explained to her why I wanted the little basket. I then asked if I could take a couple of photographs of her and her stand and she told me that I could.
As I always say, the best part of rug hooking has been the friendships that are made. I know that I will probably never see Julia again, but for that short time, I made a friend...... a friend that had something in common with me...... we both work with our hands making either baskets or rugs, things that have a history long before us. Julia asked where I was from and I told her Pennsylvania. We hugged and I told her I was glad I got to meet her that beautiful day in South Carolina and we went on our separate ways.
HOOKED RUG FESTIVAL AT THE MILL
October 3, 2015 - It was a rainy, dreary day along the Delaware River. There was a chill in the air as you looked out over the Delaware River and the historic canal that backs right up to the mill. Cindy, Bonnie, Deb, Ellen, and Diane all made the short trip to Stockton, New Jersey, to the Prallsville Mill for the rug festival sponsored by the Alice Beatty, the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild, Lamb Yankees, and the Wool Whisperers chapters. This event is dedicated to the awareness, appreciations, and application of the art of rug hooking.
The rugs were beautiful and the vendors were great with our own MJ, Connie, and Leanne selling their wares to the shopping crowd. There were small classes being held, demonstrations from rug hookers, and a display of a simply magnificent folk life rug still under construction.
The rugs were beautiful and the vendors were great with our own MJ, Connie, and Leanne selling their wares to the shopping crowd. There were small classes being held, demonstrations from rug hookers, and a display of a simply magnificent folk life rug still under construction.
THREE HOOKERS IN NOVA SCOTIA - JUNE 2015
Leanne, Connie, and Janice made a trip to Nova Scotia and sites along the way with the plan of visiting the North American Rug Museum. They were able to teach proddy to other hookers and as you can see, they did a wonderful job. I know we all wish we could have been there with them. Additional photos and stories to follow.......
The story now from Janice, Leanne, & Connie:
Three PA Hookers traveled to Nova Scotia in early June, 2015. Our mission was to hold a workshop and fundraiser demonstrating how to make proddy flowers to participants at the Hooked rug Museum of North America in Hubbards, NS, so they can make and sell them in the museum "Marketplace". We also wanted to deliver several items that were donated by our members and friends to the museum for their fundraising. We had 29 attendees of varying hooking experience including one gal who had never hooked before. We were just thrilled by the success of this group. Everyone produced such beautiful flowers and had a great time in the process. Thanks to Leanne who taught the class!
Along the way, we made stops in: Kennebunk, ME to visit Linda Hodgeson at Camp Wool (must go), Deanne Fitzpatrick's in Amherst, NS (had tea and cookies, Deanne is such a generous host, books signed), Encompassing Designs and Spruce Top in Mahone Bay, The Fisheries Museum in Lunenberg (exhibit of NS Rug Hooking Guilds depicting Lighthouses), Peggy's Cove (just because although it was too foggy to appreciate), River House (Jane Steel) in Petite Riviere (wonderful mixed fiber exhibit on "Presenting Myself"), The Mariner Craft Shop (cozy little rug hooking corner with mats and supplies for sale), and lupines along the way. They were just coming into bloom and are found growing everywhere along the roads.
We had a wonderful time and met so many nice people and talented hookers. Go to the Museum if you get the chance! It is an amazing place filled with all things hooking and passionate people making it happen. They have lots of fun things happening such as the Hook In that we attended on Saturday.
Thanks to the girls for the article and the photos!
Leanne, Connie, and Janice made a trip to Nova Scotia and sites along the way with the plan of visiting the North American Rug Museum. They were able to teach proddy to other hookers and as you can see, they did a wonderful job. I know we all wish we could have been there with them. Additional photos and stories to follow.......
The story now from Janice, Leanne, & Connie:
Three PA Hookers traveled to Nova Scotia in early June, 2015. Our mission was to hold a workshop and fundraiser demonstrating how to make proddy flowers to participants at the Hooked rug Museum of North America in Hubbards, NS, so they can make and sell them in the museum "Marketplace". We also wanted to deliver several items that were donated by our members and friends to the museum for their fundraising. We had 29 attendees of varying hooking experience including one gal who had never hooked before. We were just thrilled by the success of this group. Everyone produced such beautiful flowers and had a great time in the process. Thanks to Leanne who taught the class!
Along the way, we made stops in: Kennebunk, ME to visit Linda Hodgeson at Camp Wool (must go), Deanne Fitzpatrick's in Amherst, NS (had tea and cookies, Deanne is such a generous host, books signed), Encompassing Designs and Spruce Top in Mahone Bay, The Fisheries Museum in Lunenberg (exhibit of NS Rug Hooking Guilds depicting Lighthouses), Peggy's Cove (just because although it was too foggy to appreciate), River House (Jane Steel) in Petite Riviere (wonderful mixed fiber exhibit on "Presenting Myself"), The Mariner Craft Shop (cozy little rug hooking corner with mats and supplies for sale), and lupines along the way. They were just coming into bloom and are found growing everywhere along the roads.
We had a wonderful time and met so many nice people and talented hookers. Go to the Museum if you get the chance! It is an amazing place filled with all things hooking and passionate people making it happen. They have lots of fun things happening such as the Hook In that we attended on Saturday.
Thanks to the girls for the article and the photos!
MARYLAND SHORE RUG CAMP 2015
In April of this year, a group of our Woolwrights attended the Maryland Shores Rug Camp in Ocean City, Maryland, at the Dunes Manor. Mary Margaret Kuhn, Arleen Mauger, Sharon Kollman, Patti Stone, Marion Sachs, Joan Garner, Helen Lynch, and Sue Obetz all had a great time and even went to dinner at The Hook, a perfect nighttime place to hang out for hookers. What could be better! Thanks to Arleen for the photos.
OFF TO AUSTRALIA, MATE.......
One of the Woolwrights, Ellen Domeltsch, recently returned from a trip to Australia. It looks like she had a wonderful time and we will wait for more of the story from Ellen. Photos follow:
PRESCHOOLERS AND RUG HOOKING
The last time I was in Wisconsin, I was asked if I would like to come to my granddaughter's preschool and tell the children about rug hooking. Oh, my, I thought to myself, how much detail will these little ones be interested in or will they just yawn and turn away? So I had a couple of months to think about it. What could I do to hold their interest?
So I went online and looked to see if I could find a book about sheep or rug hooking for children. I found a book almost immediately called "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep - A Yarn About Wool". Perfect! I ordered the book. It is out of print and I knew it might not be in the best shape when it arrived. Well, it came and it was very good condition. Okay, now I have the book....... what else can I do? I know.
We made the 14 hour drive to Wisconsin. We are always so excited to see everyone, but especially Josie, our little 3 year-old or....... 3 1/2 year old granddaughter. We would have her all to ourselves for a whole week as her parents would be traveling. I was scheduled to talk to her "Snowflake" classroom on Tuesday and Mike was going to speak to them on Thursday. Mike was going to tell them about nature and trout, his specialty. So on Sunday evening, I thought that I would read "Farmer Brown" to Josie and see what she thought. She loved the book and she told me in no uncertain terms that she would like that book. So I told her I would order one for her (I wanted to keep this one for myself!) because it is just perfect for rug hookers.
So the next morning, we are getting ready for preschool. I laid the book next to my purse on a chair and Josie asked what I was doing with the book. I told her I was taking it to school to show her teacher and see if I could read it on Tuesday. I then turned away and went to do something else. Josie got all strapped into the carseat and we were ready to go, I went to get my purse and the book and the book was gone. Now, I knew it had been right there, where was it? No one knew. So off to school we went. I kept saying I knew I had the book right with my purse. After we dropped Josie off for the day, we came back to get some other things and I started looking for the book. There it was.... behind the cushion in the chair. We laughed, she did not want me to take that book to school. It was hers! When we picked her up in the afternoon and went home, we talked about the book and she went right over to where she had hidden it early in the morning. I told her we had found it and it was going to be her book, but we needed it for school the next day.
The next morning, we packed up, lunch for preschool, mittens, coat, my purse and the book! I also had about ten hooked rugs to take along. We arrived at school and found out what the schedule was going to be for the day. We were excited to see what would happen. I was actually a little nervous as I wanted this to be interesting for the children. We started out on the playground for an hour, then we were each anointed with a lightly scented oil on our foreheads and then told to go to our assigned mat on the floor for meditation in the dark room. Music quietly played and Mike and I were on either side of Josie for this surprisingly very quiet, calming 15 minutes with 14 three and four year olds all laying on yoga mats. We all listened to directions coming from a soft voice telling us when to flex and when to release to calm ourselves. I could have almost taken a nap!
Now, it was time for rug hooking. Josie stood up and introduced Grandma and Pops and said that her Grandma was going to talk about rugs. So we started off by reading "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep" and then Josie gave each child a piece of curly roving and a noodle so they could each feel how soft it was. Some of the children tied the noodles around their foreheads and tickled each other noses with the roving. Then Josie helped me show the rugs and lay them out of the floor so they could walk, sit, or lay on them. I took rugs with animals on them as I thought they would be most interested in those. We took a short little break from rug hooking and then I gave them a brief lesson on how to hook. They watched and asked appropriate questions during the whole period. One boy made the remark "it's like sewing" which was exactly right.
What a wonderful experience to be able to share with these children something I love so much. We returned home, I ordered two more books, one for me and one for the school. They are in the mail on their way to Wisconsin at this time and Josie got to keep her own "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep".
The last time I was in Wisconsin, I was asked if I would like to come to my granddaughter's preschool and tell the children about rug hooking. Oh, my, I thought to myself, how much detail will these little ones be interested in or will they just yawn and turn away? So I had a couple of months to think about it. What could I do to hold their interest?
So I went online and looked to see if I could find a book about sheep or rug hooking for children. I found a book almost immediately called "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep - A Yarn About Wool". Perfect! I ordered the book. It is out of print and I knew it might not be in the best shape when it arrived. Well, it came and it was very good condition. Okay, now I have the book....... what else can I do? I know.
We made the 14 hour drive to Wisconsin. We are always so excited to see everyone, but especially Josie, our little 3 year-old or....... 3 1/2 year old granddaughter. We would have her all to ourselves for a whole week as her parents would be traveling. I was scheduled to talk to her "Snowflake" classroom on Tuesday and Mike was going to speak to them on Thursday. Mike was going to tell them about nature and trout, his specialty. So on Sunday evening, I thought that I would read "Farmer Brown" to Josie and see what she thought. She loved the book and she told me in no uncertain terms that she would like that book. So I told her I would order one for her (I wanted to keep this one for myself!) because it is just perfect for rug hookers.
So the next morning, we are getting ready for preschool. I laid the book next to my purse on a chair and Josie asked what I was doing with the book. I told her I was taking it to school to show her teacher and see if I could read it on Tuesday. I then turned away and went to do something else. Josie got all strapped into the carseat and we were ready to go, I went to get my purse and the book and the book was gone. Now, I knew it had been right there, where was it? No one knew. So off to school we went. I kept saying I knew I had the book right with my purse. After we dropped Josie off for the day, we came back to get some other things and I started looking for the book. There it was.... behind the cushion in the chair. We laughed, she did not want me to take that book to school. It was hers! When we picked her up in the afternoon and went home, we talked about the book and she went right over to where she had hidden it early in the morning. I told her we had found it and it was going to be her book, but we needed it for school the next day.
The next morning, we packed up, lunch for preschool, mittens, coat, my purse and the book! I also had about ten hooked rugs to take along. We arrived at school and found out what the schedule was going to be for the day. We were excited to see what would happen. I was actually a little nervous as I wanted this to be interesting for the children. We started out on the playground for an hour, then we were each anointed with a lightly scented oil on our foreheads and then told to go to our assigned mat on the floor for meditation in the dark room. Music quietly played and Mike and I were on either side of Josie for this surprisingly very quiet, calming 15 minutes with 14 three and four year olds all laying on yoga mats. We all listened to directions coming from a soft voice telling us when to flex and when to release to calm ourselves. I could have almost taken a nap!
Now, it was time for rug hooking. Josie stood up and introduced Grandma and Pops and said that her Grandma was going to talk about rugs. So we started off by reading "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep" and then Josie gave each child a piece of curly roving and a noodle so they could each feel how soft it was. Some of the children tied the noodles around their foreheads and tickled each other noses with the roving. Then Josie helped me show the rugs and lay them out of the floor so they could walk, sit, or lay on them. I took rugs with animals on them as I thought they would be most interested in those. We took a short little break from rug hooking and then I gave them a brief lesson on how to hook. They watched and asked appropriate questions during the whole period. One boy made the remark "it's like sewing" which was exactly right.
What a wonderful experience to be able to share with these children something I love so much. We returned home, I ordered two more books, one for me and one for the school. They are in the mail on their way to Wisconsin at this time and Josie got to keep her own "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep".
OUR WORLD TRAVELERS OFF AGAIN......
There will be no moss growing under these two. Connie, Connie's sister, Sue, and Leanne are off and running again. Thanks to Connie for the article and photos.......
Leanne, my sister, Sue, and I traveled to Stamford, CT, over the weekend for the Newtown Hooked Art Show 2014 at the U Conn Gallery. There were 57 contemporary works on display by 18 artists including Molly Colegrove, Gail Dufresne, and Susan Feller. What a glorious feast for the eyes! Hooked pieces incorporated alternative materials including paper, plastics, wire screen, dried grasses, ribbon, and panty hose. Techniques included proddy, needle felting, beading, sculpting, and braiding. The show runs until Nov. 29th so Go if you can! It's worth the drive!
LEANNE, CONNIE, & DEB'S ADVENTURES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
On September 10th, 2014, our fellow hookers, Leanne, Connie, and Deb made the trip across the big pond to the United Kingdom. They were taking a class with Cilla Cameron and then they went out on their own through the countryside. Do you the United Kingdom is ready for these hookers? We will let them tell their story and look forward to hearing all about their adventures.
The following description of the trip was written and submitted by Connie Bateman. The photos below were also submitted by Connie.
We attended the Reeth Rug Retreat from Sept 12 through the 15th at Grinton Lodge in North Yorkshire, England. It was hosted by Heather Richie and Cilla Cameron of England. Ingrid Hieronimus and Amy Oxford were guest teachers. Deb and I took Heather's class which was an open class in which you could bring your own pattern or she would help you design your own. Deb designed her own pattern depicting the Yorkshire countyside with rolling hills and dales (valleys), stone walls, and of course, our favorite, sheep. It is a great design and will be a wonderful memory of her experience when she is done. Leanne took Amy Oxford's punch needle class and finished two small mats while she was there. Her class was the most industrious! They were always in the classroom punching away morning til night! We met so many great people at the retreat mostly from England, Scotland, and Wales. And we have many happy hookey memories! Leanne's favorite Brit expression is "and Bob's your uncle" (meaning to come later).
After we left Grinton Lodge we traveled by car (Leanne was fearless, almost, driving on the left side of the road) to Scarborough and Whitby on the Northeast Coast, then south to York and the Cotswolds and finally to London where we stayed in Shoreditch and learned to navigate the overground, the underground or tube, the trains, and taxi cabs. We said Cherrio to England on the 26th of September and flew back home to Philadelphia. In all that time, 17 days, I did not need my sun glasses or my sunscreen, but I bought a rain hat and wore it many times! We enjoyed eating a proper English breakfast of eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sausages; fish and chips; yorkshire pudding; and chicken and beef pies and pasties; but most of all we loved afternoon tea with pastries! And fat rascal scones! Along the way we saw castles, stone houses with thatched rooves, iconic bright red telephone booths, open air markets, hot spring baths built by the Romans, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and other sites too numerous to name. We had a great trip!
The following description of the trip was written and submitted by Connie Bateman. The photos below were also submitted by Connie.
We attended the Reeth Rug Retreat from Sept 12 through the 15th at Grinton Lodge in North Yorkshire, England. It was hosted by Heather Richie and Cilla Cameron of England. Ingrid Hieronimus and Amy Oxford were guest teachers. Deb and I took Heather's class which was an open class in which you could bring your own pattern or she would help you design your own. Deb designed her own pattern depicting the Yorkshire countyside with rolling hills and dales (valleys), stone walls, and of course, our favorite, sheep. It is a great design and will be a wonderful memory of her experience when she is done. Leanne took Amy Oxford's punch needle class and finished two small mats while she was there. Her class was the most industrious! They were always in the classroom punching away morning til night! We met so many great people at the retreat mostly from England, Scotland, and Wales. And we have many happy hookey memories! Leanne's favorite Brit expression is "and Bob's your uncle" (meaning to come later).
After we left Grinton Lodge we traveled by car (Leanne was fearless, almost, driving on the left side of the road) to Scarborough and Whitby on the Northeast Coast, then south to York and the Cotswolds and finally to London where we stayed in Shoreditch and learned to navigate the overground, the underground or tube, the trains, and taxi cabs. We said Cherrio to England on the 26th of September and flew back home to Philadelphia. In all that time, 17 days, I did not need my sun glasses or my sunscreen, but I bought a rain hat and wore it many times! We enjoyed eating a proper English breakfast of eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sausages; fish and chips; yorkshire pudding; and chicken and beef pies and pasties; but most of all we loved afternoon tea with pastries! And fat rascal scones! Along the way we saw castles, stone houses with thatched rooves, iconic bright red telephone booths, open air markets, hot spring baths built by the Romans, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and other sites too numerous to name. We had a great trip!
HEDGY GOES TO ITALY
BY CONNIE BATEMAN
Connie recently took a trip to Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland to visit family and deliver a very special rug to a very special boy. Here is Connie's account of her trip:
My grandson, Brock, collects hedgehogs and so I decided to design and hook him a rug with a hedgehog motif. Drawing the hedgehog was the easy part, but I
could not decide on the background. At first, I drew a background with a fence and grass and leaves, but I was not happy with that. Then I decided to superimpose the hedgehog on top of small hit or miss squares. I sculpted the hedgehog's body hooking two strips of wool together, pulling the loops high, and clipping to shape with scissors. The flower is wool appliquéd and lightly stuffed and Hedgy’s eye is needle felted. The small squares are hooked in varying values of primary colors. It was a fun project and all the while I was hooking, I was thinking of my grandson.
Brock lives in Vicenza, Italy, with his parents (my daughter and her husband) and brother, Gannon. My husband and I recently visited and spent 15 days in Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland. I finished “Hedgy II” just before we left and packed him in my suitcase for the trip to Europe. Now, he is part of Brock’s hedgehog collection. I am including a few photos from our trip and my grandson with Hedgy and his hedgehog collection.
BY CONNIE BATEMAN
Connie recently took a trip to Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland to visit family and deliver a very special rug to a very special boy. Here is Connie's account of her trip:
My grandson, Brock, collects hedgehogs and so I decided to design and hook him a rug with a hedgehog motif. Drawing the hedgehog was the easy part, but I
could not decide on the background. At first, I drew a background with a fence and grass and leaves, but I was not happy with that. Then I decided to superimpose the hedgehog on top of small hit or miss squares. I sculpted the hedgehog's body hooking two strips of wool together, pulling the loops high, and clipping to shape with scissors. The flower is wool appliquéd and lightly stuffed and Hedgy’s eye is needle felted. The small squares are hooked in varying values of primary colors. It was a fun project and all the while I was hooking, I was thinking of my grandson.
Brock lives in Vicenza, Italy, with his parents (my daughter and her husband) and brother, Gannon. My husband and I recently visited and spent 15 days in Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland. I finished “Hedgy II” just before we left and packed him in my suitcase for the trip to Europe. Now, he is part of Brock’s hedgehog collection. I am including a few photos from our trip and my grandson with Hedgy and his hedgehog collection.
WOOLWRIGHTS IN FLORIDA
Leanne, Eileen, and Mary Lynne made the trek to Florida for a two day hook-in at the Punta Gorda Conference Center right on the water. The hook-in was sponsored by Searsport. Eileen states it was a lot of fun, people were enjoying themselves, and the vendors were great. There was a rug show in which Leanne and Mary Lynne both participated, classes were offered and Eileen took a class with Anne Eastwood on Grenfell hooking. Over 200 people attended the event and there was a silent auction to support the wounded warriors program and approximately $2,500.00 were raised in their support. Heavens to Betsy hosted a free preconference workshop for anything staying at the conference center.
Eileen said she came home with many new ideas and wool and she recruited a new hooker while there, her sister! Now, she is hooked! So I believe that makes this a success!!
Leanne, Eileen, and Mary Lynne made the trek to Florida for a two day hook-in at the Punta Gorda Conference Center right on the water. The hook-in was sponsored by Searsport. Eileen states it was a lot of fun, people were enjoying themselves, and the vendors were great. There was a rug show in which Leanne and Mary Lynne both participated, classes were offered and Eileen took a class with Anne Eastwood on Grenfell hooking. Over 200 people attended the event and there was a silent auction to support the wounded warriors program and approximately $2,500.00 were raised in their support. Heavens to Betsy hosted a free preconference workshop for anything staying at the conference center.
Eileen said she came home with many new ideas and wool and she recruited a new hooker while there, her sister! Now, she is hooked! So I believe that makes this a success!!
COTTAGE HOUSE PRIMITIVES - LODI, WISCONSIN
We had the opportunity to take a trip to Wisconsin to see our son and his family. If you ever get the chance, just a few miles from Madison and on the Ice Age Trail, Cottage House Primitives is a shop you must not miss. Carol has everything you could possibly want for decorating any room in your home, but the rug hooking supplies are just the best. There is nothing quite like the quiet, peaceful feel of a small town in a beautiful country setting, a little main street and bakery with friendly midwesterners with stories of Lodi. This has become one of my favorite spots. http://www.cottagehouseprimitives.com/aboutus/
We had the opportunity to take a trip to Wisconsin to see our son and his family. If you ever get the chance, just a few miles from Madison and on the Ice Age Trail, Cottage House Primitives is a shop you must not miss. Carol has everything you could possibly want for decorating any room in your home, but the rug hooking supplies are just the best. There is nothing quite like the quiet, peaceful feel of a small town in a beautiful country setting, a little main street and bakery with friendly midwesterners with stories of Lodi. This has become one of my favorite spots. http://www.cottagehouseprimitives.com/aboutus/
HOOKED RUG FESTIVAL
IN HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
The first beautiful weekend in October, Connie and several other Woolwrights traveled to Stockton, NJ, for the Hooked Rug Festival hosted by the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild and the ATHA chapters of the Lamb Yankees and Alice Beatty. It was staged in the Prallsville Mills building and was a feast for the eyes for anyone that attended. Thanks to Connie for the photos and article.
Cape May Days
Pat had the opportunity to go to beautiful Cape May in September and it looks like Santa is coming way too soon. What a wonderful time of the year to be at the shore!
The Beans of Maine
Gail has been traveling up north again and saw these rugs at the L.L. Bean restaurant in Maine. The rugs were hooked by Linda Bean's aunt. There were actually four rugs and we hope to post additional photos soon.
Gail has been traveling up north again and saw these rugs at the L.L. Bean restaurant in Maine. The rugs were hooked by Linda Bean's aunt. There were actually four rugs and we hope to post additional photos soon.
BARNS, GOLF, & HOOKERS
You know, you can make connections in many different ways. It is golf season for the University of Wisconsin and our son is the head golf coach. Since he is so far from home, whenever we get the opportunity to see him, we are off and going. On September 20th, 2013, the team was playing at Wolf Run Golf Course in Zionsville, Indiana, and whenever we are traveling, I try to make a connection with someone in the area to see what sparks my interest as far as hooking is concerned. I also had a new camera and wanted to try it out on the golf course and anywhere else I was able to stop along the way, like for barns and such. So my "connection" this time was made by making contact with Lori Cravens, Zionsville, Indiana, through Rug Hooking Daily. I wrote Lori a little note asking if she was aware of any shops in the area for rug hookers. She wrote me back and told me that she has a shop in her home and if I wanted, I was welcome to come on Saturday. Then she asked where we were going in Zionsville and I told her Wolf Run Golf Course. To our surprise, mine and hers, she lives one mile from the golf course!
Lori invited me to her home and what a wonderful time I had meeting her, her husband, Chip, a couple of her friends/students, and Pickles, the dog. Lori is a McGown certified teacher and teaches from her home under the name of "From Me to Ewe". Her home is in a beautiful wooded area and with fall setting in, it was just gorgeous. Lori sells her own patterns, patterns of friends, hooks, and wool. Her wool selection is extensive and absolutely beautiful. She has a perfect studio for teaching, dyeing, color planning, and displaying her wool, hooks, and patterns. The stove that Lori uses was her grandmother's stove and is used lovingly dyeing the most unbelievably beautiful wools I think I have seen. Thanks to Lori for welcoming me into their home and I will return again when golf takes me down that road and by that beautiful barn on another fall day. (Photos & article by Deb Burcin)
You know, you can make connections in many different ways. It is golf season for the University of Wisconsin and our son is the head golf coach. Since he is so far from home, whenever we get the opportunity to see him, we are off and going. On September 20th, 2013, the team was playing at Wolf Run Golf Course in Zionsville, Indiana, and whenever we are traveling, I try to make a connection with someone in the area to see what sparks my interest as far as hooking is concerned. I also had a new camera and wanted to try it out on the golf course and anywhere else I was able to stop along the way, like for barns and such. So my "connection" this time was made by making contact with Lori Cravens, Zionsville, Indiana, through Rug Hooking Daily. I wrote Lori a little note asking if she was aware of any shops in the area for rug hookers. She wrote me back and told me that she has a shop in her home and if I wanted, I was welcome to come on Saturday. Then she asked where we were going in Zionsville and I told her Wolf Run Golf Course. To our surprise, mine and hers, she lives one mile from the golf course!
Lori invited me to her home and what a wonderful time I had meeting her, her husband, Chip, a couple of her friends/students, and Pickles, the dog. Lori is a McGown certified teacher and teaches from her home under the name of "From Me to Ewe". Her home is in a beautiful wooded area and with fall setting in, it was just gorgeous. Lori sells her own patterns, patterns of friends, hooks, and wool. Her wool selection is extensive and absolutely beautiful. She has a perfect studio for teaching, dyeing, color planning, and displaying her wool, hooks, and patterns. The stove that Lori uses was her grandmother's stove and is used lovingly dyeing the most unbelievably beautiful wools I think I have seen. Thanks to Lori for welcoming me into their home and I will return again when golf takes me down that road and by that beautiful barn on another fall day. (Photos & article by Deb Burcin)
A Sister's Love
A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.
Isadora James
During the past year, we have watched the progress of this beautiful rug and listened to Bonnie tell us about each one of her sisters and the stories of their love for each other and why she chose the colors and design to tell each sister's story.
So finally in September, Bonnie and her sisters met at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. One sister could not make the trip because of health concerns and we know she was sorely missed. The sisters did not know that Bonnie was working on this beautiful rug, so it was a surprise to them when she revealed this treasured rug with each sister so lovingly depicted. What a wonderful tribute to the spirit and love between sisters! Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this project with all of us.
A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.
Isadora James
During the past year, we have watched the progress of this beautiful rug and listened to Bonnie tell us about each one of her sisters and the stories of their love for each other and why she chose the colors and design to tell each sister's story.
So finally in September, Bonnie and her sisters met at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. One sister could not make the trip because of health concerns and we know she was sorely missed. The sisters did not know that Bonnie was working on this beautiful rug, so it was a surprise to them when she revealed this treasured rug with each sister so lovingly depicted. What a wonderful tribute to the spirit and love between sisters! Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this project with all of us.
A Day in Bedford
Nancy and I made a day of it in Bedford, after delivering rugs for the upcoming coverlet and rug show at the National Museum of the American Coverlet. It is a beautiful little town and here are just a few photos of Bedford. More photos to follow after the events in September 2013.
Nancy and I made a day of it in Bedford, after delivering rugs for the upcoming coverlet and rug show at the National Museum of the American Coverlet. It is a beautiful little town and here are just a few photos of Bedford. More photos to follow after the events in September 2013.
The Sauder Seven
On Thursday, August 15, 2013, Leanne led this wild & woolly group of hookers off for the fields of Archbold, Ohio, to Sauder Village for 2013 Rug Hooking Exhibit. They shopped, went to a hook-in, took classes, enjoyed the exhibits, and shopped again. It was a great opportunity to see what others are doing and to "share the tricks of the trade".
On Thursday, August 15, 2013, Leanne led this wild & woolly group of hookers off for the fields of Archbold, Ohio, to Sauder Village for 2013 Rug Hooking Exhibit. They shopped, went to a hook-in, took classes, enjoyed the exhibits, and shopped again. It was a great opportunity to see what others are doing and to "share the tricks of the trade".
Gail & Robin on the road.....
Robin Dunkelberger, Gail Jones and their wonderful husbands drove all the way for the grand opening of the North American Rug Hooking Museum and stopped to shop at Encompassing Designs in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. They were grateful that the shop stayed open for them and made up patterns while they were out to dinner. For Encompassing Designs website, refer to: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/index.html.
Arleen on the seas.....
Our Sailing Hooker
Arleen and her husband travel each year in their boat down the east coast and right now, they are on their way to the Bahamas. As you can see, Arleen keeps busy while floating on these great sunny, warm days! To visit Arleen's blog, go to www.aamauger.blogspot.com
Mary Lynne in warm Florida.....
Mary Lynne is enjoying "winter" in Florida. She has joined two hooking groups and has met some really great ladies as devoted to their craft as we are up north. "While you might think finding wool would be a problem here, they solve it with three really good camps at Seabring and a hook-in this month in Sarasota. " She had the opportunity recently to demonstrate at the county fair with other fiber artists.
