JUST Go Hook It - Rug Hooking

VALENTINES QUILTING BEE

2012-02-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

HAVE A GRAND VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!

I myself . . .after a trip to the dentist . . ..
will attend a valentines quilting bee . . .I have never been to such a thing and . . . .
I have not hand quilted for years . . . .so I don't know if Ill be of much help.
Hooking seems to be what my hands do automatically these days. . . .
Where on earth is that long forgotten THIMBLE I hate to wear? and my quilting THREAD? . . .and those tiny needles?

VALENTINES COOKIE DAY CHEZ NOUS

2012-02-13T10:16:00.001-05:00

VALENTINES CUT OUT COOKIES

by Cheri Payne

1cup unsalted Butter-softened

1 ½cups granulated SUGAR

1 Egg

1 ½teas Vanilla Extract

½ teas Almond Extract

2¼cups all-pur FLOUR

2teas Bk Powder

1 teasSalt

PreheatOven to 400 F

InMixer bowl creamButter and Sugar until light and fluffy

BEATin Eggand Vanilla and Almond extracts

MIX: Flour,BK Powder and SALT and

ADD: to Butter MIXTURE-1 cup @ atime-Mixing after each addition.

KNEADin a small amount of colouring if wanted.

DONOT CHILLdough.

DIVIDE in ½ and on a floured surfaceroll each ball of dough out to a12’’ circle.

CUT out with cookie cutter dipped in flour to not stick.

BAKECOOKIES oncookie sheets for 6-7 mins. . .. or until slightly golden.

NOTE**They freeze well before decorating

ICING in colours and decorate as desired . . . . . . .

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FUN LEGO JEWELS

2012-02-10T20:48:00.002-05:00

Saw this great bracelet

on a friends wrist last night. . .made of recycled things!

I Love this idea . .

fun and beautiful at the same time!

Apparently any used recycled objects are a go to create wonderful wearable things of any kind . . . .check out the artists website ,blog spot . . ..

MADE in ITALY by EGG
so look for the translation button to click on!

I keep wondering if these are the real thing and could be nibbled on now and then ? or . . . .
if they are FIMO made to look like the real thing . ..
or if they are recycled from someones lunch?

Received this info in comments!Thanks EGG !!I follow you on FACEBOOK!
coments
-the pieces are made of Fimo, and the little pearls are recycled from a baby sweater.

The Egg staff
(what does it means Egg? It means not only an egg, but also Eleonora and Giordana Gorgeous)

RUG of the DAY!

2012-02-07T09:37:00.000-05:00

A Beautiful ANTIQUE DOG RUG

Love this RUG !Hooked with limited colour palette of old clothing ,I imagine . . . .
These days .with all the dyed wool around ,we have so much to choose from that we over complicate it colour wise . . . . .great border example here also!

FACES of TIME

2012-02-05T10:14:00.002-05:00

WONDERFUL VIDEO
by Philip Scott Johnson

Women In Art from Philip Scott Johnson on Vimeo.

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LEFT OVER STRIPS of WOOL

2012-02-02T12:23:00.000-05:00

MAKE A WOOL QUILT

HERE IS A BEAUTIFUL old fashioned simple quilt . . .reminds me of the old Swedish strip quilts . .

good idea to use up all my strips of samples I dyed . . .just another project . .

oops . . .where is the last unfinished wool quilt?

A GREAT STORY RUG !

2012-01-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

SNOW-WHITE and ROSE RED

a Grimms fairy tale
STORY
Snow-White andRose-Red (German: Schneeweißchenund Rosenrot) is a German fairy tale. In theseventeenth century Charles Perrault was the first to write it down, but thebest-known version is the one collected by the Brothers Grimm as talenumber 161

and . . . ..
here above is the story hooked by my friend DAWN !
Wonderful job BRAVO!!
VERY creative and tells the story perfectly!
The border is transparent kind of ,and my photo does not show it well . . .Its a large rug about 34'' X 50 ''and
YES HORRAY !!! its for the FLOOR!!
GREAT STORY RUG!!!DAWN . . . . .and a wonderful mix of colours!

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For my PAINTER FRIEND CAROL

2012-01-29T13:33:00.000-05:00

LEFT
I am the left BRAIN .I am the scientist.A mathematician.I love the familiar.I categorize.I am accurate.Linear.Analytical.Strategic.I am practical.Always in control.A master of words and language.Realistic.I calculate equations and play with numbers.I am order.I am logic.I know exactly who I am.

RIGHT
I am the RIGHT Brain.
I am creativity.A free spirit.I am passion,Yearning,Sensuality.I am the sound of roaring laughter.I am taste.The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.I am movement and the urge to paint (or hook a rug )on an empty canvas .I am boundless imagination.Art.Poetry.I sense.I feel.I am everything I wanted to be.

BEAVER ANTIQUE RUG REPLICA

2012-01-28T12:10:00.000-05:00

FREEZING RAIN

2012-01-27T11:12:00.000-05:00

JANUARY 2012 THAWThis charming little truly

PRIMITIVE FOLK ART

mat comes to mind today as I see the rain outside . . spring on its way? or just a tease . . . ..

BOATING BUNNIES RUG

2012-01-26T15:27:00.001-05:00

SS - BOATING BUNNIES Rug Hooking Pattern
by - Sharon Smith

I LOVE the sky and the water in this delightful little creative BUNNY rug !
The pattern is available in Montréal and everywhere @ my friend Joni Blacks web site!
BRAVO Sharon!

YEAR of the DRAGON

2012-01-25T10:29:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

WORDS for a RUG

2012-01-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

HOw about a SAYINGS RUG?
The very first rug show I went to ,that was the theme

-it was I think the second Green Mountains rug hooking guild show in a round barn but not at Shelburne. ..

it was in Waitsfield VERMONT . . .

I have still got visions of that show in my head . . .one rug sticks out still to this day for me . . .
It was a field with a father cow and his son cow looking up at the moon with maman cow jumping over it!
Father says to offspring . . .
''Son,your mothers a remarkable woman!!

CHILDRENs ARTWORK

2012-01-23T15:53:00.000-05:00

I saw these 2 little joyful masterpieces ,on the wall in a hall of a school I visited the other day . . .
. . . . I love them both . . . .

The 2 B's =Background and the Border is important in the top one .. . .
while the clothing designs are the main focal point in the bottom one . . . . .
same decisions we make with every rug we hook!!!

@ KNITTING AGAIN

2012-01-22T12:47:00.000-05:00

A KNITTING FIESTA GOING ON HERE

I have been into cleaning my knitting machines and reorganizing the space lately . . .
this above shot is rather inspiring . . .maybe I'll cover the furniture . . . . no,I think Ill cover with rugs . . . .but . .
hooking has been put aside for the moment except for the dye pots . . .
been involved with them again . . .

A Pale Aubergine Flesh Tone colour for you using both ProChem +MCD dyes

1/64^th teasBlue-Violet

1/64^th teas # 502Brown

+1cbw

over 1/2 a yard natural wool

PETITE MINOUCHE TAPIS HOOKÉ

2012-01-19T16:03:00.000-05:00

BRAVO SYLVIE! J'adore ton tapis!

Fun little cat mat my friend Sylvie hooked from

KAFFE FASSETTs book

WARM RUG

2012-01-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

Thats where I'd like to be -in the BAHAMAS

right now on that sailboat, instead of . ..
in the snow . ..
super RUG here ,hooked by my friend Claire Molson!
I love the simplicity here Claire. . .its very ''painterly'' . . .meaning,
you have not been after the realism . . .
You have created and expressed your own emotions . .
I can feel the brush strokes . . .
the wind in the clouds ,the bushes flowing in the sea breeze . . .the warmth . .
Colours are wonderful . . .yes, I dyed the wool . . .but you chose how that went together!
its a great composition also! Bravo!.

NIGHT SKY with TREE

2012-01-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

I LIKE this TREE very much!
Great fun composition!Cathy . . . and , congratulations on being a featured artist at Shelburne RUG SHOW next NOV 2012!

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PIGS and TUTUs

2012-01-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

Les tapissiers de Saint-Henri

Silly view today for all PIG lovers . . . I am off to a Montreal HOOK-In . . . all welcome to drop by!!check out St Henri Rug Hookers

HAPPY little RUG

2012-01-12T10:19:00.000-05:00

Seen at Shelburne show . .. I LOVE this happy little mat . . .great floor rug . .
A wonderful study of how values and contrast play throughout the design . . . .The background is as important as the motifs . . . .
the STORY is . .
all about the kitty . . .

BOOK for the SHELF

2012-01-09T16:46:00.000-05:00

Just got this nice reference book of Magdalena Briners rugs and the wonderful reproductions hooked by Evelyn Lawrence . .I love old rugs and these are treasures for sure!Congratulations Evelyn -great job!!!
ps Dorr Wool has the book . . .. .

GEOMETRIC ROPE RUG

2012-01-08T13:57:00.000-05:00

ANTIQUE REPLICA

Finally back to hooking my rope rug to replace a beautiful mat that is falling apart!Perfect JAnuary cold outside thing to work on . . . .

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ART EXHIBITION to SEE

2012-01-07T11:21:00.004-05:00

KNITTING? or WEAVING? HOOKING?

the quiet rhythmical movements feel the same to me . . . .

I really like this art piece . .

a Black Forrest created slowly before your eyes . . (watch the video)

or is it the universe?in a room . . . .

SHOW by this Japanese artist is on in PARIS until 18 FEBRUARY

exposition du 7 janvier au 18 février à la Galerie Daniel Templon, impasse Beaubourg (IIIe).

Chiharu Shiota tisse sa toile à Paris

the YOU TUBE VIDEO WAS REMOVED FOR SOME STRANGE REASON . . .. by the artist . . .
but you can go to the YOU TUBE SITE and See it still as she has set it up again . . .
worth watching . ..

click HERE . . .

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6th JANUARY

2012-01-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

EPIPHANY
6 janvier, 'nyuct des roys', 'jors de la Typhaine' : l'Épiphanie au Moyen Age

Le 6 janvier, jour de l'Épiphanie ou jour des Rois, on mangeait la galette qui contenait une fève. La représentation iconographique nous renseigne sur une pratique encore admise de nos jours (mais ici sans couronne). Tandis que le père de famille coupe la galette, un enfant se tient assis sous la table : c'est lui qui attribue à chacun sa part. Une tradition qui perdure..

King cake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Louisiana-style King Cake: a cinnamon-roll like cake inside with sugary icing with traditional Mardi Gras colored sprinkles on the outside. The baby figurine is seen in the middle of the roll.

A king cake (sometimes rendered as kingcake, kings' cake, king's cake, or three kings cake) is a type of cake

associated with the festival of Epiphany in theChristmas season in a number of countries, and in other places with

the pre-Lenten celebrations of Mardi Gras / Carnival. It is popular in the Christmas season

(Christmas Eve to Epiphany) in France, Belgium, Quebec and Switzerland (galette or gâteau des Rois),

Portugal (bolo rei), Spain and Spanish America

The cake has a small trinket (often a small plastic baby, said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, and

the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket has various privileges and obligations.

The 6 th JANUARY is also the 12th day after CHRISTMAS-

take down all decorations or it is bad luck my grandmother always said . . . .and so

I think of her today as I put everything away again . . .

until next year. .

JANUARY RUG IDEAS

2012-01-05T10:24:00.001-05:00

SIMPLE LITTLE SCHOOL of FISH RUG

Once again I am thinking of a new rug design and January is always a good month to do this.
It seems I have time to look through photos of rugs I have seen lately and like . ..so today just to get started . . . .I am posting this charming little rug I saw at Shelburne rug show.Once again I am sorry in my enthusiasm over this rug I forgot to get the name of the hooker!Please forgive me ,but know that I liked this rug a great deal.What ? did I like about it?
For one,its the simplicity.
Next I like the random colouring and designs of the inside of each fish playing throughout the rug.Colours and TEXTURES are very pleasing to the eye!
Background is not overwhelming against these little fish . . .. . and
I love the different OUTLINES!
The light outline in Border I am not sure about but it seems to balance with the light colours in fish . . .at least in this photo . . .
I hope this mat sits on a YELLOW FLOOR somewhere . .. . . .

FOUND the HOOKERS name!!Congratulations!Its a great Floor RUG!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2012-01-04T18:13:00.000-05:00

SO Hard to get BACK @ IT ALL after a holiday . . . .

but

START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH QUEBECS BEST CIRCUS!!!

2 more shows added!! @ half price!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2011-12-23T16:48:00.000-05:00

QUEBEC and VERMONT CHristmas . . .
DELIGHTFUL Winter Scene . ..
a Hooked rug by Betty Bouchard and yes it was in the SHELBURNE RUG SHOW this year!

I am off to such a paradise for the next while and will be without internet . ..
so I wish you all a very Happy NEw YEar et BONNE ANNÉE ! 2012 mes amis!

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WINTER SOLSTICE 22 DECEMBER

2011-12-22T10:49:00.002-05:00

Winter solstice sunrise over Stonehenge is good omen for 2012, say druids

The omens are good that 2012 will be an excellent year, a druid said today, after the sun shone on Stonehenge during a dawn ceremony to mark the winter solstice.

This is a rug by SUNNIE ANDRESS!!!!!-I saw in the Shelburne show this year . . . . . .
already a month ago . . .
the theme I seem to remember being ''working '' . . . ''All the Live Long Day''.

it certainly expresses how I feel the last few days . . . . and there are more to come . .
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THANK YOU SUNNIE! for your comment!I love your rug!

Hi Judith...Sunnie Andress here. Just a note to say that the "Woman's Work" rug you
have on the Blog - from the Shelburne Museum show this year - is mine. : )
I had such fun designing and hooking it...
adapting old advertising from the 1920's

and 1930's.

My Mom and Aunties used to laugh at this, saying "How true, How true".

LOL Happy Hooking! Sunnie ; )

CHEERS

2011-12-20T10:51:00.001-05:00

STREET ART . . .
its all about the idea . . .this one is so simple and fun for today . . . . .

No BEAVER could ever think of this result. . .must get out my sketch book and colour . . .except
I am wanted to make cookies in the kitchen . . .

COLD COLD OUTSIDE

2011-12-18T18:08:00.001-05:00

YARN BOMBING a la WINTER

TIME to mitten and scarf it up . .. .

HOLIDAY RUSH

2011-12-17T13:12:00.000-05:00

HAPPY DAYS card

This is a charming little card I have kept over the years in my box of december time ''STUFF''
ITs a cut out and glue all kinds of textures kind of thing I loved to do as a child.I came across a pile of these that I had made years ago . . . in a box put away in the farm house attic the other day . . .

I think I will try some more of this type of work for designing my next rug as it would help me to simple it up I think . . .
but meanwhile back to those CHristmas duties. . .(yes I am a use the word christmas person ). . . . . .

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DOWN HOME MEMORIES

2011-12-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

WINTER CHRISTMAS SCENE
Not only was my gr gr grandmother a TRASK . . . .but here is Mauds house painted by the folk artist Fred Trask!
Everyone in Nova Scotia is related one way or another . . . .
As a child ,my parents took me often to visit Maud and Everret her husband ,
here in her little house near Digby . . .
I remember her fondly today , while looking at this sweet little winter getting ready for christmas scene!!!

SANTA COMING SOON!!

2011-12-14T12:21:00.001-05:00

PRIMITIVE SANTA

Trying to get into the spirit of things . . .. baking. . .etc. . .came across this little closeup of a delightful Primitive SANTA rug .online . .
Please forgive me if you made it as I can not find name of who hooked it?!!!Was it you ALice?
I love it whoever you are!!!
? a KRIS MILLER DESIGN- maybe . . .but she has some nice primitive designs anyway. . .. . .
Available online @

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WEDDING RUG

2011-12-13T10:55:00.000-05:00

Bharati -The WONDER that is INDIA RUG

This is a wedding rug my friend Claire made for her neice . . .
She has certainly captured the spirit of it all!
The colours are hot!
and the poem you wrote to the bride is beautiful Claire!

COOKIES for a CHRISTMAS TREE

2011-12-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

ITs ALL ABOUT THE ICING . . GINGERBREAD COOKIES . . . .Dipped in COCOa
on a cold winter day . . .

EXHIBITION in PROVINCETOWN MASS

2011-12-10T10:58:00.001-05:00

53 Bradford st. Provincetown MA

ART WORKS ALL REPRESENTING the NUMBER ZERO for ZERO AIDS

SALE of work on 17 DEC 6PM -9PM

Friends of mine involved making O art work -I saw some !They look wonderful!

The theme was chosen by the World AIDS DAY U.N. organzation which I believe is around 20 yrs old now.

This theme,

Getting To Zero will be kept up there until 2015.

CHALLENGED with GREAT RESULTs!

2011-12-09T10:23:00.001-05:00

A fun rug here . . .
EYES WIDE OPEN -keep looking to see more and more in it!

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ANOTHER of JENs RUGS

2011-12-08T13:34:00.000-05:00

BULL RUSHES by
JEN LAVOIE

Wow !!!!such an amazing use of dipped dyed wool melange . . . .
I would love to have this rug on my floor . . because it is very contemporary looking . . .. .

Sky looks like it may be made from a large dyed piece of wool that was painted . .then painstakingly cut and hooked in the order it came from the large piece . . ..
gives a smooth transition in the sky background from one colour to the next . . .
but
then again maybe it was just hooked with what ever strand of colour the sky felt like being that day!

ANOTHER BURMA masterpiece!

2011-12-07T17:27:00.000-05:00

VERY Soothing this rug is Burma . . .One of my favourites . .the fields the space the yin and yang of it . . . . .

HOOKED HOUSES

2011-12-06T12:02:00.002-05:00

BURMA CASSIDYS HOUSES

Still Hooked on the SHELBURNE RUG SHOW . . .. so many great rugs to show here . . .. a never ending supply . . .
There is something I love about this little rug by my dear hooking friend Burma . . .although my colours are not great here in this photo, I dont believe,
ini real they are a wonderful mix . . .
For some reason it makes me think of Cape Cod . . .although I have only been to Woods Hole to get the boat to NANTUCKET . . . . .there is a story here perhaps you could comment ? Burma!What was the challenge for you?
THANKS for comment Burma!!

'' I wanted to capture the atmosphere of of the sea and sky--
how they surround small summer cottages. sometimes when I am walking
in these quaint places I cannot tell where the ocean stops and the sky begins--
so that was a challenge--to be very subtle with the blues colors.
Also to capture the charm and colors that I see in the Algarve in Portugal--

-though this montage comes from a photo of houses on an island off the coast of France.

BORDER of LARCH BRANCHES

2011-12-05T15:04:00.000-05:00

FALL COUNTRYSIDE

Another magnificent RUG by ANN COX of MAINE USA !

Her borders are never NOT exciting to see and each new rug is always full of SURPRISES!Something that makes me want to see more and more and more of her beautiful rugs as they inspire with newness and creative joy!

This rug is beyond words for me (for once!)
Look at the beautiful branches spread about in this rug . . Thrilling to look at . . . .LOOK at the values and how she uses them . . .Its realistic but not . . .a total fall of wonder-ment !!
Ann,I still think my favourite rug is your stones and seaweed at ebb tide . . . .seen at Shelburne maybe 4 years ago . . . ..

A STORY RUG

2011-12-02T12:36:00.001-05:00

THE CITY

What I liked about this rug (yes @ Shelburne show) is that it not only works as a wall piece but it could also be a FLOOR RUG due to its abstractness . . .the design works all around even though there are realistic objects in it!I especially love the little dog and the little cars . . . .and the afternoon shadows cast on the rock cliff canyon . . . .it has an interesting and unconventional border . . and tells a story I would love to know!

I apologize to the maker as I can not find the photo of the label!

THANK YOU JEN MANUEL for sending me the photo of explanation!!!
ANN WINTERLING
how could I have forgotten! . .too many things on my mind these days I guess . . . .BRAVO to you ANN!Thank you for letting us all know about this amazing place!
I certainly hope to go there one day!Meanwhile Ill just enjoy looking at your rug!

DECEMBER 1st BRINGS. . .

2011-12-01T09:05:00.002-05:00

ADVENT CALENDARS

THIS little 16 ''X 23 ''wall hanging by Pretty SWAN

Has little pockets to fill with candy, messages,holiday activities or

Christmas stories. . . . possibilities are endless . . . . . . . ..

COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS

has started ! and I am frantically filling these little numbered boxes with surprises for Raphaël and Justine . .

24 days left to start and finish . . . . .

FUN SQUARES

2011-11-30T15:45:00.000-05:00

KNIT SQUARE ART by SUSAN B A

I dont know why but . . . . this rose SQUARE below reminded me of

the painted KNIT Relief by my dear friend and fellow rug hooker . . .and knitter . . . .Susan . .

(by the way . . .yes ... .I liked it very much ) . . .

These pieces were made for the Fund raising show at the Visual ART Centre next door to me . . . .held last week here in Montreal. . . .

RUG HOOKERs NEW NOVEL

2011-11-29T09:16:00.001-05:00

BIG NIGHT here for my friend and fellow hooker . . .

CONNIE BARNES ROSE

of AMHERST Nova Scotia and Montreal Québec

!!! CONGRATULATIONS Connie !!!

GOOD and or BAD

2011-11-28T10:12:00.001-05:00

ARIES WOMAN

Nice section here of depth.My picture was taken without the flash,this piece was more in real life . . . . like velvet in texture.
''It is both good and bad'' as Mariah says . . . .
Could this be Natalie Portman?. . . . . . . . . . .

JENS CORNY RUG

2011-11-27T10:46:00.000-05:00

CORN STALKS By JEN LAVOIE

@ Shelburne RUG SHOW

Take the time to really LOOK at this large(maybe 6' X 4') rug!!!
Beautiful use of DIPPED DYED WOOL ,VALUES and hooking direction . . . .
movement . . .colour . .. etc. . .

This rug was also a favourite of mine at the SHOW
SMALL sections are just as beautiful . . . .a joy to look at Jen
BRAVO! and THANK YOU for making the whole thing HAPPEN this year!!!

SECRET MESSAGES @ SHELBURNE SHOW

2011-11-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

BEV CONWAYS

SECRET MESSAGE PROJECT

This secret message was on the back of one of Bevs rugs . . .
yes -a genius way to sign your rug-BRAVO !!

I think your name or date would be hooked on the back first, then the front rug design in a wider cut ?Just guessing . . . . perhaps just hooking the words backwards and low on the front is what she means here . . . .. .

Bevs own words :

FLOWER-OVARIES

2011-11-25T15:21:00.001-05:00

More rugs from the show up here today . .
This one is a flower ovarie rug. . .
I will not give any input myself but rather let the viewer decide what they feel or think ,if anything ,for themselves!

I would like to say that any person who enters a rug or (anything else into an exhibition) of any kind , open to the public should be aware and be prepared for negative as well as positive feed back and be brave enough when they chose to exhibit not to have hurtie- feelings if someone says something they don't feel is just, regarding their work.
Otherwise -its their choice they should not enter their rug to the show.
I know rug hookers who do extraordinary work but wont show it for this very reason . . .

An artist makes something because they are driven to it and have to create the work . . .they may not even like it themselves sometimes!

This OVARIE rug, hooked by Emily Robertson is a brave statement and it is HUGE-12 feet X 8 feet at least . . .I dont think she is worried that folks will love it or not!!!
I heard -it took her 5 months(only!!!) to hook!
I am curious how the backing was done-how many pieces and how were they connected together . . .not an easy job . . .(I have tried this before myself on a small rug!)

As to the other day comments,my remark was my own personal reaction to a rug . . .it was not in any way a critique of the rug . . . there is a difference . . . .
Which ever way the rug was noticed !!!. . . .
and that is what counts!

To be walked right by and not given a second (in time) LOOK would be far worse!!!!
REACTIONS COUNT!! in my book!

THANKSGIVING USA !

2011-11-24T10:03:00.000-05:00

HAPPY FAMILY GATHERINGS to you ALL in the US of A!

SHELBURNE RUG THAT SINGS to ME

2011-11-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

JUDITHs CHOICE another

I would like to congratulate you Diane on this wonderful rug!!!

TRULY THIS RUG SINGS TO ME

Looking at it is thrilling . . . and I can tell you why!!!!

I love this mat because . .

it is a big mixture of

ANTIQUE and CONTEMPORARY style. .

the BORDER

Traditional CLAMSHELLS or CATS TONGUES

the BEAR is traditional Hit or MISS

I love the texture with the background-ABSTRACT beautiful

Your VALUES are BALANCED SO PERFECTLY!!

the trees . . .mixed with the background forrest . .

the soft water flowing through the mat . .grounds the bear onto the grasses . . ..

The year and your initials -traditional and so well integrated value wise to the background and predominantly displayed in centre of mat but softly mixed in . . .

The MUSEUMS CHOICE RIBBON

a replica of an antique rug - with also more or less hit or miss chickens . ..with a traditional plain matching border. . . . square corners . ..and bright 2011!!

SHELBURNE RUG SHOW-A VIEWERS CHOICE & A CUP of TEA

2011-11-22T12:26:00.000-05:00

This here traditional FRUIT.. . . was voted as one of the peoples (viewers) choice!!!
WHY? I ask . . . .maybe because it is so obvious and real looking . . .''must have taken so long to hook'' It is SAFE . . . .

please comment if you feel like it as maybe I am missing something!

because . . .
for me the fruit is rigid ,stiff, and just doesn't speak to me . . its boring . . .
Not my cup of TEA!! . . .but . . . .

This little mat (maybe 8X10'') by ANN MARIE Littenberg was one of my very favourites!
WHY?
Because it has a whole story about it . . .its INTERESTING . . .
makes me think of all kinds of things and it is so very COMFORTING on a COLD NOVEMBER DAY! . . . .OREOS . . . .
Nice composition also . . .Ann MARIE!!

SHELBURNE -'' Flowing Nature''

2011-11-21T10:49:00.000-05:00

THis mat was one of my personal favourites . . .Hooked by Rita Hammond-I like the combination of dipped dyed wool -the optical illusion affect and the primitive simple combinations -great job Rita . . .I always enjoy your work and this one is special!!

ANTIQUE REPLICA RUG

2011-11-18T15:05:00.000-05:00

This ANTIQUE mat original is in a small museum here in MOntreal . .
This one is titled ''CAT & MICE'' but . . .looks more like a cat & rats!
Nice rendition of the old rug . . . .
This time of year the old farm house is getting invaded by- mice!
Off to the ROUND BARN At SHELBURNE rug show tomorrow . . .
Why were barns built in the ROUND?
Because
. .. it was believed that . . .DEVILS LIVE in CORNERS . . . .
maybe thats why this mat has those extremely round corners?

KNITTING- WARM For WINTER

2011-11-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

Sweet little BAAAAAAAAA LAMB

A few saturdays ago we went to the GREEN MOUNTAINS Rug HOOKING GUILD meeting where we heard a delightful talk by Kristin Nicholas and saw and touched her marvellous knits!Her colours were far nicer than this photo I took . . .and she had lots of sample knits with her all in BRIGHT RICH COLOURS!For a good look go to her BLOG and check them out! She also had a pattern book with all kinds of keep me warm this winter things!THANKS for the great talk and slide show Kristin!

SHELBURNE VERMONT RUG HOOKING SHOW

2011-11-15T11:10:00.000-05:00

reminder to:

RUN if you CAN to GREEN MOUNTAIN SHELBURNE VT RUG SHOW

OVER 400 RUGS to see!!!!!
THIS WEEK the SHOW is on until SUNDAY 20th @ NOON then its rug pick up until 4 PM
***NOTE****
20 + VENDORS = so take those US $$$$ Dollars!
also. . . .
SATURDAY 19th NOV @ 4 PM -5PM = JUDITH DALLEGRET- guest speaker

CANADIANS: Dont forget your PASSPORT for the border!!!

NOVEMBER TREES

2011-11-14T12:17:00.000-05:00

While lying in a pile of leaves looking up. . . . I think how beautiful TREES can be . . .in NOVEMBER . . .
well this year has been warm and glorious . . .
all the better as winter is around the corner here in Montreal . . .
the flow of colour,the light from the sun . . .the glow of the evening sky at 3:30 in the afternoon . .
the silhouette of branches, black against the sky blues . . .
time to create . . .
oh- but all those leaves will soon be on the ground and more raking will be needed . . . .

PALINDROMES

2011-11-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

A YARN BOMBED TANK-REMBERANCE DAY
11/11/11
A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction

TEA COSIES GALORE

2011-11-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

TEA COSIE MADNESS

I came across this wonderful and fun TEACOZY
made by Loani Prior on her blog . . she is apparently The '' TEA COSIE QUEEN'' . .. . .and I agree. . .

If one loves TEA then we all have our collection of cosies right?. . . . . . . . .(remember the HOOKED ONE I POSTED HERE LAST SPRING?)

Loani says
Tea cosies are funny even when they are not meant to be funny. It seems there is a place in the heart of Australians everywhere for the iconic tea cosy, especially one with a sense of humour.

HICKSTEAD the MAGNIFICENT

2011-11-07T15:14:00.001-05:00

ERIC LAMAZE and his Beloved HICKSTEAD

Yesterday on returning from the Green Mountain Guild RUG HOOKING meeting I got the devastating news that the worlds BEST and
MOST LOVED HORSE HICKSTEAD the JUMPER
had collapsed and died after finishing his round of jumps at a Horse show in Italy with Eric Lamaze ,our Canadian Olympics 2 gold winner . . .still on his back as they left the stadium . . . .

This was a majic pair of Horse and Man .
The Little Stallion - and CANADAS CHAMPION

For me personally , most of my rug hooking friends do not know , that before hooking I was a horse rider . . . . .Eric was a young man of 14 -16.
I took under my wing at the horse shows my daughter competed at around Quebec and Ontario . . .drove him down the 401 to TORONTO many times. .
I pressed his jackets and steamed his hats and made him look super to enter the ring . . .
He was a genius rider at that age . . .I knew, as everyone else did ,that he was Olympic bound one day!
Then he found his true partner the DUTCH bred Hickstead. . . .
For me to see them win the 2 GOLD medals in 2008 was a real kleenex box afternoon of joy, just as it was yesterday in sadness . . .

My heart goes out to you Eric and may Hickstead rip
He was loved -the world over . ..

Erics words
We finished our round, I circled and was leaving the ring, and he collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack”. We had him until he was 15, and we had a great time together. He was the best horse in the world. We are all devastated.”

DALLEGRETS LONDON EXHIBITION

2011-11-04T13:14:00.003-04:00

GOD & Co François Dallegret

Beyond theBubble

5 November – 14 December 2011

Monday to Friday 10am–7pm
Saturday 10am–3pm

AA Gallery

Architectural Association

36 Bedford SquareLondon WC1B 3ES

Information

020 7887 4145

www.aaschool.ac.uk

François Dallegret’s life and work denies anything so predictable as a neat synopsis, but in essence his work, beginning in Paris in the late 1950s and early 60s, and later taking in New York and Montreal, absorbs everything from intricate line drawings for a series of astrological vehicles and designs for a number of machines to the ‘A Home Is Not a House’ collabo- ration with the critic Reyner Banham; a drugstore/gallery in Montreal; proposals for a new Montreal Palais Métro; designs for chairs, more cars and yet more machines; a film collaborative

set up to shoot a western; contri- butions to the Montreal 67 Expo; bars of soap; subversive credit cards; ‘ironique’ villas and light installations.

Examples of all of this work will be on display in the AA Gallery in the form of drawings, photographs, films, cars and a small cosmology of objects designed and produced by François Dallegret from 1957 to the present day.

An accompanying catalogue published by the AA and illustrat- ing a great many of Dallegret’s works alongside texts by Alessandra Ponte, Laurent Stalder and Thomas Weaver will be launched at the Private View.http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/PUBLIC/WHATSON/exhibitions.php

WARM FOR SNOW COLOURS

2011-11-02T12:12:00.000-04:00

SHAWLS KNIT BY JUDITH

Getting set for the cold and digging into colour . ..besides hooking- I am a knitter . . .by machine most of the time .
. . .knitting by hand I only do for small items .
machine is fast and allows me to play with patterns,lace,and colour . . .which is so much fun! . .. the textures are just as much fun by machine as hand knitting . . .and because of the speed I can at least get paid for the work!
Yes, they are available by special order . . .just email me for details . .
gohookit@gmail.com

GOURDS GALORE = COLOUR to DYE 4

2011-11-01T12:54:00.001-04:00

The market is full of inspiration for rug designs and or COLOUR! @ this time of year! Yes its now NOVEMBER . . . .BUT . . . . Just LOOK at these
shapes twining together . . . .

BOO ! and a HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-10-31T19:36:00.000-04:00

Love that marzipan . . .. now to make something with all the left over PUMPKINS!

PUMPKINS and ORANGE !!!

2011-10-30T13:49:00.000-04:00

ORANGE/YELLOWS/ WHITE/RED STRIPED . .

a beautiful fall still here . . .

We were off to the market to see the colours yesterday . . .to choose a pumpkin from the thousands of every colour and shape imaginable . . .
Here in Montreal it is gorgeous weather still . . .cool . . .but . . .not like those of you on the eastern seaboard in 1 foot of SNOW!!!!digging out!

I thought one of these beauties above would be fun . .. but oh no . . .
I was told plain and straight . . . . . .(it was like choosing the biggest and most perfect Christmas Tree in the forrest .) . .
IT HAD to be large and all ORANGE . . . .
Why? I asked, at 3 and 5 do they already think pumpkins are only one kind and colour ?!!!
So . . .Here we are digging pumpkins today . . .to make a real all ORANGE Jack O Lantern . . .

BEAUTIFUL LABELS INSPIRE

2011-10-28T13:47:00.000-04:00

ALMOND OIL . .inspiration for colour combinations and designs are everywhere if we take the time to LOOK!
This label struck me this morning as it sat there on the shelf . .. .I never took the time to really study it although I always liked it . ..
Having a digital camera in hand is what did this for me . .. . . always have it close to you to grab that imagine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . HINT* have a backup batterie charged also . . .

TRADITIONAL QUILT PATTERN

2011-10-27T12:58:00.000-04:00

A CREATIVE USE of DIPPED DYED WOOL

This rug was hooked by a Montreal rug hooker,MAureen . . .it was one of a challenge we had done of the traditional quilting pattern where you find a useful object in the kitchen and make a pattern with it . . .in this case a large bowl.
Every rug was completely different and I think Maureen's was the most contemporary version . ..
Its here in photo above with its joyful use of dipped dyed wool . .the border giving a really unusual effect . . . see it in Real Time colour soon!. . . as it is on its way to the Shelburne show coming up!

AUTUMN COLOURS

2011-10-26T10:23:00.001-04:00

Now that everyone knows the RUG SHOW is happening this year . . .

Ive collected the rugs and labeled them and registered online at the Green Mountain Guild site . . .before 1st november . . .

I am back now into hooking and dyeing . . .colour seems to be everywhere these days . . .if one looks . . . .otherwise
it is dark black at 6:45 AM and getting there at 5:30 PM . . . .. . . which means HALLOWEEN is around the corner and immediately after that Christmas . . .what a thought . . .so much to do . . .
OK ,back to hooking . . . . .

Green MTS RUG SHOW @ SHELBURNE VERMONT ROUND BARN

2011-10-17T12:28:00.007-04:00

DONT MISS THIS GREAT SHOW OF RUGS!!!

Hooked In the Mountains XV

Rug and Fiber Art Show of the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild

at the Shelburne Museum’s Round Barn Shelburne, Vermont

November 12 – 20, 2011

Featured Artists Betty Bouchard, Bev Conway, Helen Wolfel*

400 hand-hooked works of art on display held throughout the show

20 Vendors

Daily Guest Speakers and Demonstrations

SATURDAY - 19th NOV : 4-5 PM

ARTIST : Judith DALLEGRET

'' Demonstrating: Creating a RUG - Start to Finish''

3-Day ”Hooked In the Mountains” Workshops

• Special Package Tours for Groups

• Hooked Rug and Fiber Art Exhibit that Celebrates Working, Industry, and Innovation

• Educational Programs for Children Each Week-Day Morning

• Raffle rugs • Refreshments available • Artist’s Reception • Silent Auction

Show Hours:
10am–5pmDaily
Show closes at noon on Sunday, November 20, 2011

Admission: $8.00 adults/$4.00 seniors
Children are free

The Shelburne Museum is located at 6000 Shelburne Road (Route 7) Shelburne, Vermont

Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild
www.gmrhg.org • 802-434-8191

MOON LIGHT HOOKED FOX

2011-10-12T15:30:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Hooked rug by Dawn of Montreal!
This was a bought Stain Glass pattern online -made into a hooked rug . . . . full of movement colour ,a moon, and a foxy fox . . .love it Dawn!great job!!
It is to be auctioned off here in town . . .we need tickets!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

2011-10-08T11:24:00.001-04:00

the TURKEY TWINS

and

Pumpkin pie Use canned oryour own mashed pumpkin in this delicious pie filled with spices and kissed with brandy. The crystallized ginger kicks it up a notch from the standardpumpkin pie.

Ingredients:Pastry for 9-inch pie

3 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup canned or mashed cooked pumpkin

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup half-and-half

2 Tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons apricotbrandy

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground mace

2 Tablespoons finely chopped candiedginger

Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:

Roll pastry to 1/8-inch thickness on alightly floured surface. Place in a 9-inch pie plate; trim off excess pastryalong edges. Fold edges under, and flute. Prick bottom and sides of pastry witha fork. Bake at 400 degrees F for 3 minutes; remove from oven and gently prickwith a fork. Bake an additional 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, half-and-half,apricot brandy, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and mace. Blend well. Pour into cooledpastry shell. Sprinkle top with candied ginger.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 35minutes.

Garnish pie with whipped cream, if desired.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

FACES in a MUSÉE

2011-10-06T15:44:00.000-04:00

These interesting but pretty ugly-faces were all talking and winking their eyes . .digital computer driven expressions. . . . . .
I was fascinated . . ..
they slightly stole the show from the outfits they were wearing . .
and also from the blank faces on the rest of the . . . .

mannequins in the exhibition . .

Faceless . . .

well ,I do see the outfit here first . . . and the woman with her back to us makes me imagine what she looks like . . .but really it does it matter . . .I like her back to me . . ..

I am always torn by the blank faces in rugs . . .some seem to work . . .others freak me out . . .the ugliness is fine but . . . it seems to me that when hooked , a face must ,as when painted be an expression of creativity . . .and not a realistic strained self conscious FACE . . .making it all that you see in the work of art . . .

FASHION SHOW

2011-10-05T09:55:00.000-04:00

I agree Mayumi, PEOPLE WATCHING

was the most fun!!

I loved this show . . .it was so inspiring . . . .not to -design fashion . .
but just to create - anything!
I have been out of that department lately . . .as my blog seems to remark. . . .. .

I was as much looking at the people -looking at the display of creativeness as I was at the many mannequins !
Another thing I noticed was that the number of cell phones and cameras taking pictures of the outfits was outnumbering the outfits themselves displayed!!
Often I have heard mumblings of no cameras being allowed at rug shows . . .if that ever happens I will not bother to go see the show - as , for me, such thinking could not possibly result in exciting work on display . . . . . . .
I was thrilled to see everyone taking photos at this exhibition of JPG !
He is obviously not afraid to be copied as he has long passed the moment of creation of these outfits and moved on to new ideas . . .
IDEAS yes . . .the most valuable thing we possess . . .IMAGINATION . . . .

Things stay in ones memory a great deal longer if you take the time to focus and click!
Therefore the work of art is enjoyed for a longer time by many people as the photos are shared and re-looked at over the years . . .
oh yes - there were catalogues for sale in the shop at the exit door- at mega bucks . . . but the photos in it did not include the crowd of people watching the show!
I would love to have been able to question some of these folks to hear what they saw . . .or . . .thought . . .of these beautiful outrageous fashions !

FASHION SIDEWALK to CATWALK

2011-09-30T10:54:00.000-04:00

Last 2 days to see this show !!JPG= Jean Paul Gaultier
35 years of creative inspiration !!
go to a museum this weekend -wherever you are . . .
look everywhere you can and get inspired . .
if you cant get out then look at a book . .of any artists work . . . or
one of the books Amy Oxford made of the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Shows at the round barn in Shelburne Vermont . . .
get out those rugs and enter them in an exhibition . . .
let everyone see and share your work and get inspired . . .
relax about that old copyright thing . . .anyone who gets inspired from your work will do something totally different because they aren't you!!!

oh yes . . . . .that old copyright thing . . ..I forgot ,
its really about money isnt it . .
so be careful . . .always give the original designers name and . . . .if in doubt send them the money $$$$ for the pattern that inspired you!

Fashion designers often get inspired from everyday folks right on the sidewalk . . . . . . and look at what JPG came up with . . . .
and here he is in a museum!!!

A WILD SEPTEMBER DAY

2011-09-26T13:12:00.000-04:00

WILD GRAPE JELLY

I have tones and TONES of these wild grapes . . .I hooked a RUG once all about them . . .a friend made me jelly with them once and it was so gooood !!

So today is the day to try myself . .. I cant bear to waste them . . .

Here is a ''CANADIAN LIVING '' RECIPE for you to try your very own . . .

WILD GRAPE JELLY

Ingredients:Yield:5cups Units: US | Metric

• 3lbs wild grapes,stemmed

• 3cups water

• 41/2 cups sugar

• 1(85 ml) package liquid pectin

Directions:

1 In largesaucepan, crush grapes with potato masher; pour in water and bring to boil.

2 Reduce heatand simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until fruit is very soft.

3 Transfer tojelly bag or colander lined with a double thickness of fine cheesecloth and letdrip overnight.

4 Measurejuice (you should have 3 cups/750 ml) into a large heavy saucepan; stir insugar.

5 Bring toboil over high heat, stirring constantly.

6 Stir inpectin.

7 Return tofull boil and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly.

8 Remove fromheat and skim off foam with a metal spoon.

9 Pour intosterilized jars, leaving 1/8 inch headspace.

RUG HOOKERS -EASY TIME WORM GATHERING HINTS

2011-09-23T12:21:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER is REORGANIZE MONTH

At least it is chez moi!
So I am trying to have fun at the same time-here is a hint for all those worms that seem to float around all over the house from hooked rugs in the making . . . . . .just shuffle around in these great slippers . . .
Method:
Buy 2 mops at the Dollar store
sew them on to a pair of flopsers from said dollar store and putter about all daily business . . .
note* you could also practise the cha cha cha with music to make it more fun . . .

MORE BOTTLE CAPS

2011-09-15T11:04:00.000-04:00

Here is another great bottle cap piece by Rachel Thomas . .

A friend and I someday are going to make a Mermaid rug . .
we are both working up a design . . .

I especially like the composition of this mermaid with the negative shapes (Black parts) in the background . .always an important thing to consider for any work of art . . . .

RECYCLING STUFF These DAYS

2011-09-13T11:29:00.000-04:00

BOTTLE CAP ART

I am supposed to be doing FALL CLEARING OUT these days . . .yes I prefer it in SEPT than to Spring as for me FALL is the start of all things NEW . . .

So while dusting off some of my BOTTLE CAP ART collection . . .and the thought of the big RECYCLING SHOW of HANDICRAFTS coming up in a few months in Montreal . . .
and the wonderful gift from my cousin Nibby H of 5 000 bottle caps he collected for me . . . .

I am into studying what I can do with them . . . .
and I came across this wondrous Bottle-cap FISH art all made with recycled materials . . . made by John UNGER . . . .so very neat all these caps lined up . . .

reminds me of hooked loops all so neat . . .
all measured and lined up perfectly against one another . . .
To SOME folks this is a great achievement . .
- the neatness . .
- the evenness . .
.- the perfection of it all . . .it is exciting to look at all the neat organization . ..
It is so hard to be such perfection that it must mean the work is incredibly good work right?

Never mind the colour ,composition,excitement of design . . .texture. . . .personal creativeness of the rug . . .

Therefore ,sorry, but I beg to differ . . .

. . .many rug hookers think that this is what they are to do to reach the level of a good and perfect hooked rug!. .. . . leaving all others that do not have these neat machine made looking loops in all their rugs to feel they have failed . . .

Some folks prefer the TEXTURAL LOOK of a Lumpy UNEVENESS LOOK in a Rug.

PLEASE LET ME REMIND YOU ALL to

DO WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY in your Rug!!

That is what makes your rug SPECIAL . . . There is absolutely no ONE WAY or the OTHER . .

REMEMBER it is a totally PERSONAL CHOICE of what you LIKE that should guide you in your choice of hooked loops look!!!
Its a matter of PERSONAL TASTES ONLY .
There are no ''RULES'' set by a gang of ''WHAT THEY'' say loops should be!!!

My own Bottle Cap Fish would NEVER be as organized or neat as this one here pictured . . . .Although I love this one above and I might try - in the end it would look very different . . . .
more like ''ME''
and '' Vive La Difference'' If we all made things the same . . .how dull and boring . . .

So as I told someone yesterday who was stuck with deciding . . .

''JUST GO HOOK IT''

JOE NORRIS PAINTING to HOOKED RUG

2011-09-08T13:45:00.000-04:00

Nova Scotia FOLK ARTIST

JOE NORRIS

I am very fond of Joe Norris paintings and have mentioned here before this fact . . .Here is a rug hooked by my friend from Vermont, Betts.She is capturing the feeling very well from the photo I would say . . .the blue is a different hue but she is hooking this piece with what she has meaning only left over scraps . . . .that was her personal challenge! GOOD work Betts !It is charming!
Pattern is available from Highland Heart in Nova Scotia . .

SUMMERS END

2011-09-07T11:45:00.000-04:00

QUEEN ANNES LACE
A perfect flower . . .. its going to seed now . . .and means summer is at an end . .. I feel like a slow thinking and moving bee these days . .cant get back into the swing of things . . . .
Burma my rug hooking friend is doing OK . . .what a relief . . .I hope she can get back to hooking her wonderful creations soon!!

Reaching the cutoff community of Rochester - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

2011-09-02T12:13:00.003-04:00

I had not realized until today . . .
that One of my dearest rug hooking friends ,Burma Cassidy , is stranded in ROCHESTER VERMONT
She looked out and saw and heard her neighbours house falling into the river . . . He was saved but completely in shock . ..
there are no roads,no power,no food . .
I can not imagine how it must feel to be so cut off from the world. . .

Now I am worried about all the other Hookers there in Vermont . . .
Please comment if you have any news . . .

Reaching the cutoff community of Rochester - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

AUTUMN is in the AIR and on the BREEZE

2011-08-31T10:24:00.001-04:00

RUSTY BRICK DYEING

I love the beautiful rusts and yellows found in RUDBECKIA @ this time of year . . . .

each flower tells its own colour theory . . . .

I could never hook it so perfectly beautiful . . .

so . . .I just press it instead and watch the colours fade over winter . . .

much the same as our rugs fade over time . . . .

be sure to use good acid dyes . . .such as

Majic Carpet or Pro Chem . . .

not the Koolaid or RIT . . .

if you want longer fade results that is. . .

no sense in not putting the best into our precious rugs !

CITY SHOCKER

2011-08-28T15:09:00.000-04:00

BACK to GRAFFITI EVERYWHERE!!

yes here I am back just ahead of IRENE wind and rain . . .even all unpacked. . .the car that is . . .one really notices all the walls that dont have any graffiti . . .which are few and far between . . .. RAIN is cozy time ,o my . . . .time to spend in the dye kitchen again . . .cant wait . . .. .

FAREWELL to NOVA SCOTIA

2011-08-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

Leaving on the boat tomorrow morning . . .back in Montreal next week . . . .its been a rainy foggie august but I LOVE the fog . . . .

VISITOR

2011-08-24T12:18:00.000-04:00

LOVE those LITTLE HUMMING BIRDS

This is the busy season for these beautiful little birds as they are feeding up sugar to travel 4,000 miles or more going south away for the winter . .so they are franticly feeding and fighting around the feeder these days . . .
Yesterday afternoon I came into the house and there was a little baby one flying by the ceiling . . .
I was shocked that it got into the house -BUT- how to get it out?
While my husband held the door open . . .I waved a broom around up near it . . . .nothing happened -it just kept flying in the same spot . . .not at all afraid . . . .
I edged the broom(Soft bristles) up closer slowly . . .getting nearer . . .still it wasn't afraid . . .
so I touched it . . .and it sort of did a startled humming bird jump . . .and landed right ON the BROOM!!relieved to stop fluttering its wings!
I quickly went out the door with it and in a few seconds it flew off happily!
So just in case this happens to you-show it the broom . . . . .

SEAWEED COLOURS to DYE FOR

2011-08-23T10:36:00.000-04:00

WHARF SIDE SEAWEED

As the ferry pulled away from the wharf, I was amazed at all these gorgeous greens and mustards hanging out here . . .
I am back in Montreal next week and eager to get at the dye pots once again . . . .will start here with these inspiring colours . . .
and see what they lead to . . . . .

NATURES GLACIER VERSION

2011-08-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

SUNDAYS SPOT . .
to watch the world go by . . . . . . .

whales , fishing boats and fog . .drifting by . . . .with the sound of the fog horn now and then . . . . .

Here can be found Natures version of Inukshuk
BY FAR the MOST BEAUTIFUL!!
Still untouched and I hope it remains thus . . .
A favourite picnic spot of mine . . .
Basalt in all its glory!with the greens around it wether grass or seaweed . . .a dyers paradise of inspiration!!

THANK YOU CLAIRE for this message!from last posting . . .

I'm with you 100% - an Inukshuk belongs in the North where it serves a purpose..making them on a tidal beach is a travesty.. the ocean -beach and stones have their own song ,no need to add to it..sit and listen!

FAVOURITE SPOT - SHOCK

2011-08-19T13:14:00.001-04:00

On getting out of the car the other day at a favourite sitting and thinking spot beside the Atlantic ocean and a LIGHTHOUSE . .
I was completely shocked to see the beloved rocks covered with hundreds of these man made . . .I forget what they are called . . .please someone send me the word . . .they are Eskimo
folklore objects left to let them know that man had been here and to follow on this route and they would find what they were looking for . .
NATURES stones here on this piece of precious coast are to me extremely beautiful . . .At first I was angry . . .
but on looking harder I found that I had to feel happy for the folks who created something that day . . . . their sense of joy at the shapes they made with all the stones found here . . .
but . . .I am still stuck wishing that nature was enough for them to look at . . .WHY do humans have to label every place on earth with- if not their garbage then something they think is better than nature?
I could take them all down but there are hundreds of them . . .so I just took a couple of photos . . .
no I did not leave my own mark . . . .
I went to another area of the island . . .and happily I was relieved that it has not been touched (yet) . . . .
perhaps I am just getting cranky . . .am I the only one who prefers to LOOK at untouched by humans nature?
THANK YOU Anonymous for the information!I guess I better leave them there !
They are called

Inukshuk

Inukshuk (singular), meaning "likeness of a person" in Inuktitut (the Inuit language) is a stone figure made by the Inuit. The plural is inuksuit. The Inuit make inuksuit in different forms and for different purposes: to show directions to travellers, to warn of impending danger, to mark a place of respect, or to act as helpers in the hunting of caribou. Similar stone figures were made all over the world in ancient times, but the Arctic is one of the few places where they still stand. An inukshuk can be small or large, a single rock, several rocks balanced on each other, round boulders or flat. Inuit tradition forbids the destruction of inuksuit.

ISLAND VISIT

2011-08-17T08:54:00.000-04:00

SCENE by the WHARF

It seems these days I am in between rug designs so its camera time . . .here is another view in the fog that I loved . . .those COLOURS!
I would never hook this scene . . .it makes me happy just to look . ..
I was on a quest looking for friend Vicky Grahams rug hooking studio . .in the old Joshua Slocum workshop . . .. .but alas she was closed the day I was on the island . ..
I found all kinds of beautiful things this day even if it wasn't you Vicky! More shots to come . . .I am off to make BLUBERRIE PIES ! and chowder for dinner tonight . . .

FOG MAJIC COLOURS

2011-08-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

DOWN by the WHARF and ENJOYING the FOG

I was struck by the absolutely perfect balancing act of nature and these coloured boats in the harbour!I am sorry you cant enjoy the sea smells as I can . . .have you ever noticed how beautiful colours look in the grey sky air of fog . . . .I remember I heard somewhere that you should never use grey in a hooked rug as it sucks all the colour out of everything,eg. all other colours in the rug . . . .why does it work the opposite here in this beautiful cove photo?
Oh those RULES . .lets just throw them away . . .and hook on . . .

INEXPENSIVE Portable FLOOR STAND

2011-08-15T15:28:00.000-04:00

FLOOR STAND IDEA

WALMART CLOTHES RACK . . CAN BE CUT OFF , SCREW like this one added at the top centre and your frame screws onto it!Easy to transport ,just unscrew and travel!I am not a big Walmart fan but for this I would go!I think your frame should be on an angle on its base for a comfortable possition to hook! . . ..

Get this type of BOLT to attach the frame base!

SUMMER HOOKING

2011-08-14T09:15:00.001-04:00

@ the LIBRARYBack to spending time with friends at the weekly Hookin in our wonderful old LIBRARY . . .I have been totally busy with guests and cooking etc . .so my blog has unfortunately had to take a back seat! . . .

but here I am again . .

happy to get to hook again with friends that I see only in the summertime . . here from Toronto,Alexandria Virginia,Essex Junction Vermont,and cousin Betsy from Kemptville NS .

Please note her hooking frame STAND . . .this is an easy transportable home made floor stand from a clothes rack found at Walmart of all places!!! . .

watch tomorrow I shall post a photo to show how it is constructed . . .

Sarah the knitter from Guelph Ontario . . .new to the cove, is yet to get started rug hooking . . .

and beside her Cousin Pat,from Little Rock Arkansas . . working away at an incredible fine shaded rug!

Her grandmother , my great grandmother , was a prolific RUG hooker . . .how thrilled she would be to see us carry on the tradition together . . although I myself prefer a # 9 or even 10 cut!!!

COUNTRY BATHROOM

2011-08-05T08:48:00.003-04:00

With A MAT

Such an inviting room!For ages I have wanted to hook a bathroom rug . . .but what fibres to use? What backing?Cotton,Linen,or something that wouldn't hurt getting wet . .maybe Varel?with nylons hooked?.. .Wendy suggests polar fleece in comments . . .good idea . . .
Here I see a little hooked mat . . .
maybe I should just hook it . . .. . .
.meanwhile. . . down to the wharf to get fresh haddock. . . . then back to the kitchen . . .visitors arriving. . .no hooking for me today . . . .only cooking.

DINNING ROOM GEOMETRIC NS HOOKED RUG

2011-08-02T21:09:00.001-04:00

Like this unusual hooked geometric with various assortment of background patches!Saw at my friend DGs house here nearby . . . .you can see the other mats nearby . . .all look super on her soft mustard floor!!

GEOMETRIC RUG

2011-07-29T15:42:00.000-04:00

ANOTHER SIMPLE GEOMETRIC

Another rug seen at my friend DG's home . . . .
Easy design -just draw on a grid in about 6 '' squares and hook whatever colours you have in the worm bag . . .the values are divided evenly so thats not complicated either!

DOUGHNUT GEOMETRIC RUG

2011-07-27T11:25:00.000-04:00

Been busy busy . . with company but yesterday went to visit an dear friend whos house is full of old hooked rugs and here is a picture of one very simple O mat!
It really looks wonderful on her floor . . . easy to make just take a cup from the kitchen shelf . . .draw it on and use up those scraps!Endless possibilities to play with also . . . .

SO EASY BREAD!

2011-07-22T15:51:00.000-04:00

TODaYS result

YUM and delicious !great gift for going out to dinner at friends or cousins!
Try it on a cool day!Nova Scotia sea breeze here all day . . . .

Recipe:No-Knead BreadPublished: November 8, 2006Adapted from Jim Lahey, Sullivan Street Bakery Time: About 1½ hoursplus 14 to 20 hours’ rising

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting

 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast 

1¼ teaspoons salt 

Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.

1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt.

Add 1 &1/2 cups water (to 1 & 5/8 cups), andstir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap.

Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2. Dough is ready when its surface is dottedwith bubbles.Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a littlemore flour and fold it over on itself once or twice.

Coverloosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep dough fromsticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape doughinto a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheatbran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour,bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will notreadily spring back when poked with a finger.

4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready,

heat oven to 450 degrees.

Put a6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in ovenas it heats.

When dough is ready, carefully remove pot fromoven.

Slide your hand under towel and turn dough overinto pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K.

Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenlydistributed; it will straighten out as it bakes.

Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, thenremove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifullybrowned.

Cool on a rack.

Yield: One 1½-pound loaf.

BOTTLE CAP CROCHETED TRIVETS

2011-07-20T22:16:00.001-04:00

Just cover those bottle caps that are hanging around after the beach day . . . .and there you have it a wonderful summer hotpad trivet . . . busy days here for me . . .not much time to write here as I've been hanging out with cousins . . . .
I discovered on the internet there are patterns out there for crochet enthusiasts!
This one I have I found at an Antique store here in Nova Scotia . . I have a couple other things in my collection of bottle cap objects . . I can never seem to throw them out and find caps in drawers . . .one day ? maybe projects . . .

PAINTED VISIONS

2011-07-18T11:03:00.000-04:00

FOLK ART PAINTINGS NS BOOK

This is a beautiful book to look at Joe Norris vision of the world around him . . .
beach reading for me today . . . .in the distance you can see the men empting the weir of fish onto a fishing boat . . .that arrived from across the Bay in New Brunswick . . .Grand Manan . . .island . . .
I am thinking of all my rug hooking friends over there . .. . Trish Johnston . . .all my hooking friends here in the cove ,who went to your talk at the Toronto hook-in last winter -absolutely LOVED IT!!!!

A FUN FOLK ART RUG

2011-07-16T19:44:00.000-04:00

Although not hooked here in Nova Scotia this was hooked in a class I taught . . .I drew the fish and helped with the background but I seem to remember the student had seen a folk art piece with a fish and pipe . . . the BORDER is a repeated FISH TAIL in corners . .a FUN mat for sure!and a real sea shore one at that!