A personal story from Gretchen, a recent addition to Vermont's rug hooking family.
]]>A personal story from Gretchen, a recent addition to Vermont's rug hooking family.
My first rug hooking project was an 8"x8" floral kit which gave me “firsts” in everything from how to achieve the proper tension on the frame, to how to create a row of loops that did not resemble lumpy porridge. The pattern challenged me with rounded flower petals, pointed leaves, and tight spaces, while offering me a lesson in how to push through self-doubt.
My second project was a 10"x 20" blank canvas. I wanted to work in an open space to find the rhythm of hooking continuous monochromatic lines outside the confines of an established design. I attached the canvas horizontally, and hooked my first row in deep autumnal colors. Two more rows, more new colors. Throughout this process I found myself repeatedly drawn to the empty space in the left-hand corner of the canvas. I kept sensing there were something there, and tried to discern what was under the invisible. After finishing the third row with a mustard plaid, I found myself pencilling a circle in that lower left corner, then returned to hooking the next few rows. The circle sat empty. But it wasn’t.
When I returned to the circle, I filled it with golden wool. The circle evoked the sun, so I filled in the space around it as if it were sunrise. I Then turned to the top of the piece and continued hooking, row after row. At the “sunrise” section I decided to extend the sun's rays across the canvas. When it came time to trim the ends, something held me back, so I left them sticking up and continued to fill in the piece.
As I worked, I periodically removed the canvas and laid it on the dining room table. Examining it from different perspectives, I discovered what I had missed while working horizontally. What I thought was a horizontal “sunrise”, was in fact my great-great grandmother. Vertically, the "sun" was her head with braids. The uncut ends were her prayer flags, her prayers. By turning the canvas 90 degrees, I discovered my Onondaga-Oneida great-great grandmother, who had been left by her son on the reservation in upstate New York.
There is no record of this separation. There is one photo of three sisters that disappeared after my father died. My grandfather's grandmother was one of the three. My older siblings insist there is no proof of a blood relation and deny her existence. Since then, the photo has gone missing. I don’t remember the photo. I don’t remember my grandfather who died when I was five.
A pair of photos have survived, taken of my great-grandfathers, both born in upstate New York. My grandmother’s father, a burly man with a wide face and short beard wearing a three-piece suit and tie; the other my grandfather’s father, born in a town bordering the reservation. “Dark-skinned” the census called him, with dark eyes and hair.
I turn the canvas 90 degrees and found my great-great grandmother, prayers rising up from her golden image, and am moved by the power in the invisible; of the past to find us in the present.
In Honor of the Ancestors,
Gretchen
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For the past ten years I’ve been designing and hooking geometric rugs… and loving them! I’ve learned a few things along the way and incorporated some new techniques taught to me by others.
My geometrics are pretty big so before starting a large project, I experiment with a small sample. In this way I can play with the size of the shapes and the color plan. Sample: 18" x 24"
I started my latest project about 4 months ago by determining the size that would fit well in the long hall being redecorated. The finished runner needed to be 28 inches wide by 9 feet long. I measured the linen carefully and cut 36 by 116 inches because I like to have at least 4 to 6 inches extra on each side beyond the hooking. Linen is dear so I “measure twice; cut once”.
My next step was to draw a grid on the linen which is how I start all my geometrics. This insures that the design will lay straight when hooked. I dragged a pencil along the straight of the grain or “in the ditch” as some people say. I had already worked out the size of the diamonds I wanted in my sample piece, 4 by 6 inches, and then I used a yard stick to draw a diagonal line intersecting each cross of the grid. I darkened the diamond lines with a permanent marker so as not to get confused when hooking.
Before I start the hooking, I sometimes machine stitch the binding onto the pattern which makes the finishing step go along much quicker, but I need to make certain of my color plan first so I don’t choose the wrong color binding. For this rug I found a hand-woven binding in reds that added a small but elegant touch to the edge. Of course this is only one way to finish a rug, and we know there are many different ways.
Now for the fun part… playing with wool and hooking! I sorted my wool into 4 piles; reds, blues, neutral light colors and brown-golds. I wasn’t exactly going for a patriotic theme, so I included many different colors of blue, from turquoise to Navy and reds that included rusts to bright cherry. I love mixing in textured wool too. This allowed me the freedom of a ‘hit-or-miss’ theme while still having a planned sequence of color for each diamond. I hooked 2 rows of red, 1 row of neutral, 2 rows of blue, and filled with a gold or brown. The alternating diamonds were 2 rows of blue, 1 neutral, then 2 of red with gold or brown in the center which is what I used for the line separating the diamonds. I wanted something a little different for those dividing lines separating the diamonds so instead of using one solid color, I decided to vary the color from deep brown-gold to bright gold or yellow. I wondered if this might give the lines a kind of shimmer. Look closely at Photo 4 and you’ll notice the different browns, golds and yellows.
The next step in my color planning evolved as I started hooking the center diamonds. You may notice in my sample piece that the color pattern of the diamonds comes right to the edge. It almost looked like the rug was cut off rather than having a definite plan for the edge design. To my eye, the rug really needed some kind of a border, but I didn’t want to introduce a straight line around the edge so I decided on an ‘implied border’. The 1/2 diamond shapes were perfect for the implied border and alternating the solid red and blue colors added just the right touch.
Almost the last thing I do to any rug I create is to hook the “Secret Message”. Thanks go to Beverly Conway of Middlebury, Vermont, for this wonderful way of adding text without having it show on the front of the rug. Now I sign all my rugs this way so that in the future if the label is worn off, there is still some clue as to who hooked the rug and in what year.
This technique was a little tricky at first. I drew the letters and numbers a legible size of about two inches then I used a light table to trace my initials and the date onto the backing. The text needs to be reversed so that it’s backwards on the front but is readable on the back. I used a dark-colored #3-cut strip and hooked the backwards letters and numbers very low. Using #8-cut strips or larger, I hooked the design around these low loops, pulling the loops a little higher than normal. I hooked right up to the #3 loops packing my larger loops within one hole of the smaller ones, but not crossing over in the back. This way the shape of the number or letter on the back is not covered. The #8 loops should ‘umbrella’ over the smaller loops.
I love my geometric rugs and look forward to starting another one!
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Let’s face it, finding time to craft is something that haunts us all no matter the season. But it can be especially difficult in those summer months.
Here are 10 things you can do to make time to craft.
10. Pick one time every week. Things are easier to accomplish when they are habits. My mom spends 1-2 hours every morning hooking. She has done this for as long as I can remember. Of the family members she is the only one that consistently finishes projects. There is a lesson here.
9. Find a buddy. Projects are more fun to do when you do them together! I can go for months without hooking and suddenly when my mom or sister visit I find I like doing it better.
8. Get inspired. Take a class. Find a blog. Read a magazine. Inspiration helps to motivate. Every year I leave Rug school filled with ideas and motivation.
7. Start small. I find I don’t have big chunks of time in my day. But I do have 15 mins here and there. You don’t have to set aside hours at a time, just do a little here and there.
6. Start smaller. Once a week isn’t working try once a month. The more you do it the more you will find you want to do it.
5. Set goals. Make it manageable. Nothing brings greater satisfaction than accomplishing a goal.
4. Book it. If timing isn’t working book it to force you. A hook in, Rug School, Guild meetings - these are great ways to ensure you set aside the time.
3. Figure out what the barrier is and kick it down. What is truly holding you back? You can use any answer but time. Really think about why you aren’t crafting.
2. Find ”you” time. Remember that taking time for yourself makes you the best you. Kids, work, school, pets. They are all things that require our attention, but setting aside time for ourselves makes the nagging, barking, phone calls much easier to manage.
1. Combine your loves. Like wine drinking and crafting. My mom and I were recently talking about how multi-tasking has become a necessity. It no longer feels good to accomplish 1 thing at a time. Now we must do 2 or 3 at a time. Like driving and talking on the phone, watching TV and surfing the internet, or writing a blog post while you throw the ball for your dogs (ahem).
Find what works for you and make time! If it is important to you, you find the time! No excuses, play like a champion!
]]>Last Spring I fell in love… again, but this time was extra special. I knew I was falling hard for this one as I stepped onto the porch on that warm, sunny day in May. Oh, the delight when I saw the colors overflowing from the totes, and the delicious smell of the linen furled out over the entire length of the deck! The blank canvas ready for my hands.
How enamored we rug hookers can be with a new project! Actually any rug on which I’m currently working is generally my favorite, but this rug in particular holds a special place in my heart.
For the past 4 years I’ve had the privilege of restoring a large collection of nineteenth century rugs that have become a major source of inspiration for me, and have renewed my love for designing and hooking. The genesis of this particular design was a late1800’s rug that was just too far gone to repair. I took the general diamond shape and added two different types of leaves. After some measuring and consulting about the design, I drew a small sample so that I could play with the color palette. I wanted softer, more muted colors to add to the antique look. A variety of Reds on a gray background, blues on tan background, some diamonds outlined, some plain. I also enjoyed mixing lighter values and different textures between the diamonds. The gold-colored crosses completed the pattern and were the grid lines.
With my small sample done, I was satisfied with the size of the blocks, the color scheme and the general layout of the rug so I moved on to tackle the big, blank piece of linen. Using a pencil, I drew a grid of lines so that I would get my diamond shapes straight. Being a true hooker, I couldn’t wait to actually start pulling loops so I made templates that I could lay on the grid, trace, and then hook one at a time. I didn’t draw the entire design first. I knew the rug would get heavier the more I hooked so I started in the center of the rug and worked toward each corner.
I can’t say exactly how many hours or days this project took to complete as I was away for several weeks in June and July, and the fall months were pretty busy too, with classes and other work-related events. But I can say that when I’m home, most days I hook one to two hours every morning.
I finished my big project after Christmas and just had to take a photo to commemorate the event.
This is the final place for my special love. An antique house with antique furniture and a (new) antique hooked rug.
]]>My hooking buddy, Suzi Prather, and I live less than 15 miles apart, so we get together regularly to hook, talk hooking, dip into dye pots, and imagine and plan future projects. During a recent cold snap here in Orlando, I showed up at Suzi’s house with the happy thought of my latest hooking project bundled under my arm. I'm working on Green Mountain Design’s Vermont Cow. I am working on this piece as an example for my 2018 Green Mountain Rug School class on Whimsical Animals!
Suzi met me at the door announcing, “Isn't this the perfect day to get into the dye pots?" And so we did! Suzi taught me her beautiful formulas and great dyeing methods, and showed me how to get specific colors. I had so much fun learning her techniques and hearing stories of her dyeing experiences; Maryanne Lincoln was Suzi’s dyeing mentor in the early days of Suzi’s dyeing. With Marianne’s encouragement and welcoming heart, Suzi often went to help Maryanne dye for the large orders for her classes or just to experiment and play together in the pots. Suzi is so fortunate to have had a master dyer for a mentor and for such a great friend!
After a wonderful day of steam, chatter, and skill building (on my part) check out what we did! They're so beautiful that I don't want to unbundle them or use them! It just makes me happy to look at these lovely pieces. Aren't these just gorgeous?
Suzi Prather will be teaching “Strategies for Dyeing at Home,” June 16-19, 2018 at Green Mountain Rug School.
Pam Kirk will be teaching “Whimsical Animals,” June 20-23, 2018 at Green Mountain Rug School.
I am excited about my upcoming class at Green Mountain Rug School in June, 2018. The class is essentially about developing designs for ourselves from our photos, using the camera as an important tool, and exploring our own creativity. One of my favorite quotes which is on my studio wall is one by Henry Ward Beecher.
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
One of the lessons I have learned from traveling around the world with photography workshops is that we all have an individual perspective on the world we see around us and our creative spirit and individuality comes out not only in what we choose to capture in a photo but how we see it and photograph it. For example, I love pictures of tree bark and roots, but others may choose to photograph the entire tree or just the leaves. In any case, we have our photos as a basis of original designs which capture what we select and lets us play with unlimited possibilities in our art. Whether you like wide cut, fine cut, primitive, abstract, realism, impressionism, vivid colors, subdued tones, architecture, nature, geometric, etc. photography will be your best friend for ideas and your camera will be a very important tool for you to use.
I will introduce participants to basic photography guidelines and ways to "think outside the box" with some fun field work taking some photos (ok, more like a scavanger hunt!) We will share photos and ideas. We will look at different ways to convert photos to a style of your choice and then to the canvas via software and/or drawing. Other topics include copyright laws and design basics. Our only limits will be time and our own imagination! Come play and learn! Beware however that photography can be addictive....like wool painting!
Pat Levin
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Yup! That's right. This article is going to teach you to dye like a pro in 5 mins! More likely an amateur, but hey, at least you are doing it... and I am going to kill the first 2 minutes of my time with the silly story below. Therefore, I am really teaching you to dye in 3 minutes. Begin time now.
I have a short attention span and am therefore quickly on to the... hey, look a squirrel. I also learn best by doing. These two things make it incredibly difficult to teach me anything. I often say to people "tell me everything you know in 5 mins or less". Many look at me like I have 5 heads - but the fact is, they can typically tell me 80% of what they know in that 5 mins and listening to them drone-on for an additional 2 hours just to get that extra 20% isn't worth it to me.
I was ready to learn to dye and said to my mom (who has been dyeing for 40+ years), "tell me everything you know in 5 mins". First, she looked at me like I have 5 heads (she does that a lot), then she said the following:
Viola! Your Done! Here is what came out of my pot the first time I dyed. I used 4 colors and 1/4 yard pieces of white wool.
Obviously, there is much more to dyeing than this. How do you get the color you want? Dip dyes, spot dyes, swatches... how do you do that? There are also best practices in dyeing and things you shouldn't do. How to keep you and your equipment safe, etc. But use the above notes to get started and play. See if you even like the process.
Not sure how to build your at home dye kitchen? I wrote a blog on that too! Read "Set up your dye kitchen in 5 mins or less..."
If you decide you do like dyeing and want to learn more, contact Stephanie at the Green Mountain Hooked Rugs shop to schedule a lesson.
802-223-1333, retail@GreenMountainHookedRugs.com
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It's been a bad week. Even us big retailers have bad weeks where the business seems hopeless, we feel like we aren't making progress, we get a bad email or we are fighting internally (this happens a lot in a family business)... and in a really crappy week all of these things happen at once. Oh yeah, and I am getting married in a month. (insert swear word here).
When life's stresses pile up and I become unbearable to myself and those around me, my glorious sister (who has a way with words) tells me to "go sit by myself in my poopy diaper by myself". And so the first half of this week, that is what I did. None of my family members would play with me, no one wanted to talk to me and there I sat. So I decided to pick up my rug hooking.
A question we are often asked in the rug hooking world is what do I make with this? It's not large enough to be an area rug and not small enough to be a coaster. But after this week I realized, that maybe you do not need to make anything with it... maybe it is the process of creating that is, in fact, the gift. In this utilitarian day and age we are constantly needing to create a purpose for everything and needing to know what we have accomplished. But why, the Yogi asks? After an hour of meditation, would you want to know what you accomplished during that hour? Would you be wondering which item from your daily to-do list you checked off? No, because that is not the purpose.
"One conscious loop - pulled up and then the next - is a meditation. -Lindsay Krauss
Rug hooking has long been known for its meditative powers. The act of pulling each loop could be compared to breathing in meditation. As you pull each loop you let go of your worries and fears and focus on clearing your mind. Do not underestimate the healing powers of rug hooking. Maybe the process of clearing your mind and relaxing IS what you are creating. You are working on yourself, your health and letting go.
We could all spend more time on our health and well-being. I, of all people, am the biggest culprit of putting aside myself for seemingly higher priorities. But I find that if I do that for too long, somehow it rears its ugly head and forces me to take a break. I like the quote above. It reminds me that we make time for the things that are important to us. And rug hooking is not just about creating art, but also about working on ourselves and making time to reflect inward.
And so, during weeks like this, I turn to meditation in the form of rug hooking. One loop and the next. One loop and the next.
]]>The weather couldn't be nicer and the Green Mountains of Vermont are shining in their full glory. We are, once again, honored to host a meeting of the minds (and rugs) with an exemplary array of teachers for session #2 from near (Vermont) and far (Canada).
We begin every session with a teachers' dinner wherein we all get the chance to gather the evening before classes begin to share a meal and, often, a bit about the stories and inspirations that have brought us together. Without any planning or guidance, we often find that a theme emerges from this communal time that is woven (or hooked, if you will) throughout the course of conversation for the evening. This year was no different.
Amongst the many wonderful anecdotes and expressions of joy and gratitude for the honor of teaching one's passions, was the common thread noting the importance of allowing for and, indeed, embracing change and the various techniques, perspectives, and personalities that have kept this art form alive through eras, regions, and, of course, families like ours.
So, in the spirit of inclusiveness, creativity and exceptional innovation, we are pleased to welcome the following teachers to this session of Green Mountain Rug School 2017:
"Impressionism & Post-Impressionism in Rug Hooking" with Janet Conner
"Florals, Fruits & Waldoboro" with Jackeye Hansen
"Using Perspective for Impact" with Jen Lavoie
"Finding the Design Process" with Rachelle LeBlanc
"Hooking the Textures of Surfaces" with Liz Marino
"Modern Colors in Wide-Cut Hooking" with Jule Marie Smith
"A Beginner's Guide to Advanced Dye Techniques" with Mariah Krauss
Connecting the generations of Green Mountain Hooked Rugs School are the instructors. Nancy Blood was hired by Anne Ashworth thirty years ago on a three year contract. Her skills have been used every year since.
A new addition to the school in Montpelier is Artist-in-Residence ably filled with Nancy's bubbling personality, knowledge and networking. Just this morning I chatted with a student who felt her conversation with Nancy channeled an instructor from thirty years ago.
Nancy is being incorporated into the teacher's lesson plans along with official hours in the store for consultations. In the Abstract Expressionists class we shared ways to incorporate spot dyed wool into our designs, wrote down dye recipes, and laughed.
The exhibits are back and Nancy has a collection of work including students' pieces.
In conversation, Nancy has said: "Stephanie is easy to work with, a different approach to directing from her mother. Now with the next generation their intelligence and modern quick programming is considerate of all generations attending."
Her husband Seth attended the first year in Montpelier and the reception was a warm welcome, from the staff at the hotel to directors at Green Mountain. Now Jean Laurence is a great traveling companion.
Love and Laughter are the guidelines Nancy uses to instruct, a common thread here in Montpelier.
]]>Whether you forgot your hook or are looking for a new pattern we have you covered.
The shop at Green Mountain Rug School has everything your little heart could desire! We supply our students with the supplies they need to aid in the creative process. You can run a tab during your time here and pay at the end or pay as you go. You can also borrow wool and take it to your class to see if it will work with your project. Maybe you are in the market for a new hook... you can take a few and test drive them.
Coming from a far? No need to worry, we can even loan you equipment so you don't have to lug it here!
Last, but certainly not least, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the basket tradition. Every year the students literally line up outside the shop before we open to have a first crack at selecting their favorite basket. They are hand made for us by a local artist who has been supplying them to us for over 20 year!
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Green Mountain Rug School is in full swing now with teachers well into their various specialities and students at work on their projects. The backdrop for all of this learning and fun is The Capitol Plaza in the heart of Montpelier, Vermont. We were interested to see from a pamphlet (pictured below) in the lobby that the spot has been welcoming visitors for nearly 200 years! Fortunately, there are many modern upgrades including elevators, plus air conditioning and a coffeemaker in every room.
Another great feature of The Capitol Plaza is the thoughtfulness and overall attentiveness of the staff. As you can see (below), we were once again treated to a Welcome GMHR (Green Mountain Hooked Rugs) "train" in the lobby. I can hear the voice of my grandmother begging me to insert a "happy hookers" double-entendre at this point so there, I just did! All jokes aside, we are very lucky to have joined in this partnership and have heard rave reviews from teachers and students alike. Indeed, the hotel and the town itself provide the best setting for "happily hooking" in our truly charming state capital.
]]>Everyone has checked in, and their first class session is in the books! My dogs are barking! I have the morning session free and I think I will toodle into town for a nice mani/pedi before I have to go back to work. Before I do that I will be going downstairs to have a little (or if you have been here before, BIG) breakfast.
The food at the Capitol Plaza is nothing less than amazing at the Capitol Plaza! During your stay here, you will eat breakfast and lunch as a group in the ballroom. We had a great Welcome Lunch yesterday of baked chicken with a sliced tomato sauce and fresh seasonal squashes. I was going to take a photo to share, but it was gone before I could do so :) So I will share a photo of my breakfast instead, below. There is always hot breakfast at the hotel, which I love, and it rotates - some mornings scrambled eggs, some mornings eggs benedict. In addition, they do a cereal and yogurt bar in case you tire of the egg and potato routine.
Breakfast and Lunch are included with the Green Mountain Rug School rates, while dinner is on your own so you can experience the over 40 restaurants downtown Montpelier has to offer. My two personal favorites:
J.Morgans - attached to the hotel. We eat here all week as it is a short commute for us (only about 10 steps). However, it doesnt hurt that the food is awesome as well. I overheard a student talking about how pleased she was with the portion sizes - you can get 2 meals out of 1!
Julios - If you love a good plate of nachos, Julios is the best in town. Their reasonable prices and laid back atmosphere make it one of my favs in town. If I get a free break I will try to snap a photo of the California nachos - black beans, guacamole and fresh tomatoes! mmmmm... my mouth is watering already.
]]>The fiber arts have long been known for their place in history. The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation and people have used these crafts as an outlet for for their creativity and a stress reliever. But it is the intersection of this tradition and innovation that really interests me. I love innovation. New ideas, finding a better way to do things, creating a faster, more efficient process. This is what drives me.
Kris McDermet is sitting right in the middle of this intersection I am describing. I have known Kris for a long time and been familiar with her work but have never had the chance to hear her speak about her process. This woman is so far a head of her time, I am not sure people truly understand what they are looking at when they see her work.
If you aren't familiar with Kris, she is primarily known for her rug braiding. Rug braiding is the simplistic circle and oval shapes that are used as floor rugs. Like many rug hookers, Kris is pushing this boundary by incorporating other materials like yarn, roving and silk. She has also begun to mix braiding with rug hooking (and other techniques as well). The way she lets the art guide her in the process is truly intriguing. Rather than following a strict process for creating each piece, she sets out with a mission but stays flexible as she moves through out. The result - simply stunning.
Her most notable piece - which was recently featured in Rug Hooking Magazines celebrations! - a kimono. She combined rug braiding a rug hooking to make a 3 dimensional Japanese kimono. I believe that these traditional techniques are on the verge of a renaissance. In the next few years you will begin to see the intersection of some of these traditional arts with the main stream craft world and even the fashion industry.
Call me crazy - I am. Crazy for this art that is in my blood and I am here to help it grow in ways it never thought it could. Recently, in Chicago we met a high end, couture fashion designer who wants to feature our artwork on his clothes. We are currently working with him to make this dream a reality.
My ask of you - when rug hooking and rug braiding is being displayed in your local Banana Republic and Gap, remember the woman who did it first, Kris McDermet
Photos below. Pardon my feeble attempt at photography.
Want to learn more from Kris? Check out her book below.
The Kimono
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Life moves too fast. I turned 30 in March! I'm a full-time teacher, Board Member for GMHR, and a rug hooker on the side. I feel like each day is a sprint with every minute completely filled. Anyone who has worked in a school knows that the kids keep you busy. For those of you who have never worked in education just imagine you're trying to put out a fire while herding cats in a straight jacket. It's not easy... and it's incredibly exhausting! Add to this the short days and darkness of Maine winter, plus the snow that is still above my window sill even though it's April 6th and all I want to do when I get home is make a good, hot, filling meal, get into some warm jammies, and watch a movie. And lately that's what I've been doing! The problem with this is that it's not a very fulfilling life. I'm an artist! I need my outlet!
So after months of not working on anything I recently forced myself to pull out my wool again and even though it felt like a job I started hooking. A little at first, and then for hours. I noticed that I was excited to get home to my wool and the small mess I had made in my living room (thank goodness for amazingly supportive and understanding roommates!)
As the days and weeks went by I started to feel like I had accomplished something by the end of the day, which helped me sleep better, which gave me more energy in the morning! Adding rug hooking back into my daily routine had this cascade effect on the rest of my life... everything got better. I'm happier, healthier, more productive, have something to show for my days other than work, and feel recharged. So it's no surprise that the key to my mental health in the winter iiiiiiiiiis... making the wool dust fly!
As a side note I'd estimate the Birth of Venus to be about half done now! I'm hoping to finish it by 2018! A project that took six years to complete is definitely a labor of LOVE!
Here is a sneak peak:
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This is a true story as told to me by Lynn Soule, North Hero, Vermont.
There once was an ugly rug... its owner had no interest in finishing it. It sat in a closet untouched and sad - crying over its colorless holes.
Until one day - its owner got so fed up with all her UFO's (unfinished objects) that she decided it was time to finish the ugly rug. She put neon colors in its holes and called it a day.
Fast forward several months to the rug show. She brought her rug, hoping it would sell as she was unsure where to put it in her house. Upon entering the exhibit hall, the curator spotted it from a far and said "Everyone STOP and look at this rug! This rug is amazing! This rug will be the focal point for the entire exhibit!"
The ugly rug's owner thought, "hmm, this lady must have had a few glasses of wine before coming", but continued on. Now what to title her rug - only one named seemed fitting, she decided to call it "The Ugly Rug" and marked the price down from $500 to $400.
The exhibit opened the next morning and much to the owners surprise the first buyer of the day wanted to purchase her rug! The buyer said "I usually haggle over prices but I see you have marked it down already. I tell you what, if you tell me why you called it the Ugly Rug and document the story, I will pay the full asking price". The owner agreed, thinking this was the deal of the century.
The moral of the story is that one mans ugly rug is another mans treasured artwork. Photos of the rug and buyer below.
The Ugly Rug - Lynn Soule, North Hero, Vermont
I am hoping this will be an inspiration to you to finish your ugly rug. But, if you need a break from your ugly rug (as I did), try one of our kits below! We can guarantee it will come out looking fab and give your brain a break from the hard work of a UFO!
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You too can dye in the comfort of your own home without ruining your kitchen or taking up a ton of space. I built myself a portable dye kitchen. I set it up in the morning and take it down at night when I am done!
In October of 2015 we moved into our brand new house that we spent 2 years building. I promptly began to dye in our new kitchen, everything was going swimmingly. Until one day - even though I was being extremely careful, I slipped. In slow motion I watched some of the dye water jump out of the pot and hit the backsplash. Thank goodness the backspalsh is brown and the red dye water didn't leave a mark. I was lucky this time but might not be as lucky with our white granite counters next time. So I set out to create a safe kitchen for myself and I'll have shared the results (along with links of where to buy) below.
Here is what you need:
1. A burner (or two) - When we hold dye classes in our shop, we use induction burners - they draw less power, you can plug two into the same outlet without blowing a fuse and they turn themselves off if there is no pan on the burner. TIP: No need for the high setting, the medium setting will keep your water plenty hot. We use these:
Gently used Induction Hot Plate from Green Mountain
2. A table to put your burners on. We use these:
They are plastic, lightweight and easy to clean. They also fold away when you are ready to put your dye kitchen away.
3. Measuring cups Pyrex is a good brand. I was using a glass pitcher for a little while and it wasn't long before it cracked, I assume from the heat.
4. Dye spoons - There are many options on the Internet from a variety of stores. Single dye spoons, sets of 3 spoons, and sets of 4. Which do you need? Of course, it depends on the amount of wool you are dyeing and the quantity of dry dye you are measuring. The set of 3 offers 6 different sizes from 1/128 to 1/4, but you will find yourself doing a fair amount of extra math. ie: when you need a half tsp, you will have to use two 1/4 tsp. The set of 4 offers the 6 smaller sizes plus a 1/2 tsp and a 1 tsp size. Sounds simple, but it can get complicated depending on the formulas you use.
5. Dyes, Citric Acid and Synthrapol - There are several different brands of dyes, although the most popular are Cushing, Prochem, and Magic Carpet. You can use white vinegar in place of citric acid as the mordant or color stabilizer, but your dye kitchen will smell like you've been pickling all day. Synthrapol or Propasol are the "wetting" agents that you add to your water to pre-soak the wool. This makes the fibers more absorbent in the dye bath.
6. Pots, Tongs, Gloves and Pans - I bought these items from my local Ocean State Job Lots store, but I think you could get them at WalMart, Target, or possibly even a thrift store. I bought several large stock pots with lids, that hold about a yard of wool each. If you don't dye a yard at a time, you could use a smaller pot. The tongs I bought have plastic covers on the ends; I do not recommend these. Choose tongs that are just metal with long enough handles to reach into the boiling water without burning your hands. I recommend heavy rubber gloves to protect your hands from the hot water. I use large or extra large Bluette Gloves. I also use light plastic gloves when measuring the dry dyes. I picked up some smaller pans, too for placing the dyed wool in a warm oven to set the color. This allows you to move on to dyeing your next piece of wool! It might be a good idea to have an apron, too.
Tip: Remember that if you are using Induction burners, you'll need specific pots containing the right metal to conduct the heat. For more detailed information about induction burners, Using Induction Cooktops
7. Dye books - You can, of course just play and experiment with colors, but if you need to be more precise and want some formulas, here are a few good books to help guide you, or visit our online store and Search Dye Book: Books
For Cushing dyes:
"New Age Green Mountain Colors" by Anne Ashworth. Call the shop for a copy of this booklet.
For ProChem dyes:
Some other things to think about: I put lots of newspaper down on the table and have a roll of paper towels handy. It helps to catch any water and keeps things from getting messy. I also put an old towel down on the floor. We have dark wood floors so I am not worried about them getting stained, but if you have light floors you might want a few extra towels. A sink with running water is another handy thing to have. We have a utility sink in our laundry room which I use. You can use your kitchen sink and not risk spills by putting the entire pot in the sink and filling it with water and slowly dumping it every so often. You also don't want to dump boiling water down your drain as it may case the glue on pipes to melt and you will have leaks. Cool the hot water down by adding cold water to the pot before dumping.
Feel free to contact us with questions... retail@GreenMountainHookedRugs.com or 802-223-1333
If you still have questions or want more in-depth instruction, contact Stephanie at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs to schedule a class.
]]>The family is busy planning for... Green Mountain Rug School 2017 (but also a wedding!) Lindsay is the middle daughter in the fifth generation of fiber artists at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs. She has shared some of her engagement photos with you below. In honor of the month of love, we are offering free shipping on orders over $65 on our website. Check out the new banner at the top of our website to help you track how far you are from getting free shipping! Enjoy!
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By: Lori LaBerge
The world is full of sites we overlook and pass by without a second thought. What if we really looked at things? What if we not only viewed subjects outdoors, but experienced them and brought that experience to our work? Working outdoors, or en plein air (in the open air), opens our eyes. We learn to see in new ways and to fully experience our subject matter.
What do you see? A broken down home or stone, steps, doorway, windows, weather-worn edges, collapsed stone, falling chimney, overgrown grass, moss and a feeling of isolation.
It was while sitting on the front deck overlooking the mountains that my thoughts turned to friends who paint. They learn, laugh and create some of their work outdoors. They meet in groups and share their knowledge of art while painting in the sun, wind, shade or even snow. I began to wonder why rug hookers could not have the same experience. What could we learn? How could we laugh? How could we create our work outdoors?
Typical outdoor set-up with supplies
Through plein air study I have expanded my knowledge of elements such as line, shape, space, value, texture, form and color. Seeing these elements in life brings a broader knowledge of how they function. I have read how shadows change with light, but stepping outside and watching the shadow of a tree change position as the light changes throughout the day brings that knowledge to life.
Plein air artists are known for creating realistic portrayals of the outdoors. They capture a moment in time with attention to light, much as the Impressionists did.
The bare branches of a small tree underneath a bridge and the light on the water grabbed my attention, leading to a combination of realism and abstraction.
What if we are not realists? What if we choose to depict the outdoors abstractly or in any other style? There is no reason to limit yourself. Creating art is a process of discovering yourself, trying new directions and finding what you are drawn to.
Here I studied shapes and shadows to create a geometric work from an outdoor sketch
I laugh to myself, and occasionally out loud, as I work. Every piece I have completed outside has an experience attached to it. There was the day I hooked on the sand by the ocean and a dog ran in front of me to catch a Frisbee while families played on the beach. Another time a bird landed in my pile of wool and flew off with a strip of wool hanging from its beak. If I were working in the studio, would a family of turkeys have walked right in front of a scene I was hooking? These memories will be with me forever.
“The Art of Plein Air” class at Green Mountain Rug School will allow us to laugh and learn while expressing ourselves artistically.
For more information on The Art of Plein Air visit: https://greenmountainhookedrugs.com/products/theartofpleinair?variant=14964072518
]]>I loved the idea of “Story Rugs” when I first heard it years ago – which I have no idea when or in exactly what context. But I wondered at the time what my story would be. Then, in typical “me” fashion, I filed it away in my brain and went on to some other hooking projects.
I saw Paulette Hackman’s book Story Rugs when it came, grabbed a copy right away and dove in. When Green Mountain Rug School asked me to co-teach a “Story Rug” class based on Paulette’s book I was ecstatic! I was fortunate enough to have Paulette help in the planning stages and so she and I had some preliminary conversations about the class last summer. Have I mentioned how amazing she is and how excited I am for my class?!
In talking with Paulette I became so energized and inspired that I decided to create and hook a brand new story rug to use as a teaching tool for the class. So I started to ponder “my” story. What would it be? Did I really even have a story? The answer to that question is always “Yes, everyone has a story…” the trick is in finding the story. Little did I recognize “Work of Heart” my rug that I had designed with Bev Conway and given to my dad, was really a story rug. But then aren’t most rugs story rugs? As I began to really get comfortable with the idea of story rugs I realized that at least 90% of all rugs I’ve ever hooked can be classified as story rugs!
I settled on telling the story of Green Mountain Hooked Rugs and started a journal book making notes on ideas; what parts of the rug might look like; what ‘stories’ did I want to include? What did I want the over all pattern to look like? I love oriental rugs so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to pick an overall look of the Azeri rugs as they have such a strong oriental flavor to them.
Okay. That was settled.
I still did not know how big it would be, but I knew the center field area would contain five sections – one for each of the generations. How would I put them together? Should they be separate? Should I have the sections wind along a ‘path’? A path through the mountains? The center was tough to lock down and not having come up with anything concrete, I moved on to the borders. I wanted a wide border and two narrower ones – typical of oriental and Azeri patterns. After much more wondering, pondering and doodling in my journal I finally hit upon the idea for the large border! I would use the original logo of three mountains. But what for the smaller borders? And the overall color – green or buff – light or dark? And still that center field eluded me.
In fact it still eludes me! I’m not finished with my story rug just yet, but I’m still working toward how to incorporate all of my themes, hidden meanings, and mini-stories. You can see some of my ‘ideas’ as they progressed in the sketches below - I supposed I have the brain of an artist: moving too fast for my hand and somewhat disorganized! But I am loving this process nonetheless and I know I am getting closer to a ‘final’ design. I can see the different parts of the design, both the center field and borders, coming alive.
The process of creating this story rug has helped me define my own story, the story of my family, and immortalize it in the medium most appropriate for myself, my nieces, my sisters, my mother, and all of the important women who came before us and made Green Mountain Rug School possible.
Creating a story rug helps us become a part of something bigger.
Pam is teaching a class on creating Story Rugs at Green Mountain Rug School this year. For more information visit: https://greenmountainhookedrugs.com/products/planningstoryrugswithpamkirk-june17-202017?variant=3905124739
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We will begin with Susan Fellers design in a box. If you are unfamiliar with this product it is a tool to help those who are starting to venture into designing their own patterns. It is comprised of a design book which tells you all about the history of Frakturs, design tips, color techniques, composition and more! The box also comes fully stocked with templates to aid in the design process. Perfect for a beginner, those interested in Frakturs or advanced rug hookers looking for a fun project!
So Mariah and I decided to turn this Frakturs in a box into a competition to see who could design and hook the best pattern. Or a "Frak-off" if you will.
Below is a photo of each of our designs. Tell us whose you like better. I did not include our names so there will be no retaliation against those of you who don't pick mine! I will post more photos of our process as we go on Facebook. Make sure to "like" our page to get the updates! Enjoy!
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainHookedRugs/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Purchase Design in a box and join the fun! https://greenmountainhookedrugs.com/products/designinabox-frakturs?variant=702763091
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Have you ever wished that you could mix relaxing on your porch during the summer with rug hooking? Well it turns out you can! Lori is planning a class that will involve observing and enjoying nature with no stress rug hooking. Lori focuses on capturing the emotions and feel of nature in her hooking and uses minimal or no patterns at all! Her plein air pieces develop on their own from start to finish and take the viewer through the inspiration of the season, the colors, and the shapes of nature.
This is a concept that I have been so curious about since I first heard of it that I finally decided that it’s time to try it! I set myself up on my porch with my frame, a small blank square of backing, a stack of lovely wool, and a small glass of liquid inspiration! I spent a couple of minutes just observing and listening to my surroundings until something caught my eye. I noticed the inevitable proof of the changing of the seasons in a small tree near me and decided that I wanted to capture my bittersweet excitement at the beauty of fall, and sadness at the passing of summer. The way the light was coming through the trees made the golds and oranges glow and made the greens still evident slightly brighter with a yellow tint. Fall is my favorite season despite the fact that it means winter is approaching with its dark days and mounds of snow. I like the reminder of the slow and steady passing of time (even though I'll turn 30 in less than a year!) Most of all I like the fact that I can still feel the summery warmth from the sun with much cooler, crisper air. And I love sweaters with no need for a jacket! Anyway, pictures of my ode to fall coming soon!
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At long last! You have waited all week for this moment – the exhibit at Sauder Village Rug Hooking week. 800 rugs. Over 4 days. 50 celebration rugs. 6 special exhibits. Over 5000 exhibit attendees. This is one of the largest exhibits in the country. The artwork is truly amazing, the exhibit walls read like a who's who of the rug hooking world.
“Martellotti Family Picnic Circa 1928”
Liz Marino
This is a family portrait of the Martellotti family done in a sepia swatch. Her use of value in creating texture in this piece is unsurpassed. Look closely at the techniques used in creating the texture in the trees vs. the skin and especially the little girls legs. To see another monochomitic piece done by Liz, check out the Tarot Card project – she did “The Lovers” in the same style. Liz will also be teaching on this topic at Green Mountain Rug School in 2017.
“The Guardian”
Dana Psoinas
This is a piece that we got a sneak peak of in June when she attended Green Mountain Rug School. Every time you see it is just like the first time – this rug is awe inspiring. It certainly falls in the category of realism but her style is very unique – you know a Dana Psoinas rug when you see it. She is able to capture the soul in the eyes of the wolf and the girl, its haunting, in a good way. And if you have the good fortune to meet Dana in person she is one of the kindest, most humble fiber artist’s despite her incredible talent.
“Sod House Near Broken Bow”
Sharon Townsend
There were many other “Nebraska” rugs in this series but this one caught oue eye. Sharon’s masterful use and fusion of technique, color and value brings this rug to life. The more time you spend in front of it, the more detail that presents itself. You just can’t look away!
“Memories of Oak Point”
Trish Johnson
This is our favorite story rug from Paulette Hackman’s new book and it is even better in person. There were a few architectural pieces by Trish Johnson in the show – each one better than the last - but this one packs 4 buildings into one rug and tells a story toboot! Her lines are so perfect that you actually feel like the buildings are in front of you and the background adds a level intrigue to the piece.
“Mary Deer”
Barbara Hoffman
Reindeers with knobby knees - this rug had us in stiches! This purely primitive piece reminds us that rug hooking is fun and whimsical! It also doesn’t hurt that Barbara’s technique is perfect. ‘Tis not the season, but we can’t wait until it is!
“Nick@Night”
Donna Hrkman
Donna Hrkman does it again! She achieves the texture of a beard and the structure of the building simultaneously without skipping a beat. The added detail of the non-linear top boarder immediately makes this piece one of a kind.
“Progress in the Mountains”
Susan Feller
The amount of purposeful creativity that went into this piece raises it to the level of Art. Susan’s compositional choices and exceptional use of color make her a master of this craft. The piece starts at the bottom with incredible detail and takes the viewer on a journey through the West Virginia mountains. Notice the break in the tiny white line where the road meets the boarder. This helps draw in and guide the viewer through the piece – a minor detail with a major impact. We would be remiss if we didn’t also acknowledge her use of linear hooking, these subtleties in the mountains help differentiate layers. Susan’s unique style always leaving you wanting more! Susan is also teaching at Green Mountain Rug School on this topic in 2017!
“Room with a View: Sea Cave, San Josef Bay, Vancouver Island”
Maia Levine
First off, the photo does not do this piece justice. The artist creates the feeling of looking out to the point you feel like you almost might be. Flat black and texture in the water creates the ominous feeling of being enclosed. One can only image what lies beyond the mouth of the cave and is despite to see more. Due to the interactive nature of this piece – I began to wonder why I was in this cave and how I got here. This was one of our favorite piece in the show.
There were so many other great rugs in the exhibit and we wish we could talk about each one! We are sad to say goodbye to Sauder after such a great week! Until next year Sauder Rug Hooking Week!
]]>It is our second to last day here and we spent most of the day in and out of the exhibit, soaking as much of the art up as we can before we have to say goodbye. The show is so incredible, you see something new every day. In between learning, dissecting and just standing in general awe – we found some time to do some shopping. The wool, ahh the wool. Enough wool in a single place to hook a rug until the day you die (or dye) HAHA!
As we mentioned in an earlier post, there are a few vendors that return year after year.
The Dorr Mill Store – Dorr is one of three large bolt fabric manufacturers on the east coast. They have an enormous selection of fabrics in every color and a good selection of equipment. But arguably the best part of the Dorr Mill Store is the owner Terry Dorr. He is a real gem in the rug hooking world - no one is more knowledgeable about the contents or make up of wool. If you have any wool related question we are certain Terry has an answer.
Ali Strebel Designs – Ali sells a wide variety of fiber art supplies, you won’t be disappointed you stopped in here as you are sure to find something you are looking for. You can find felting, applique and rug hooking items as well as books, dyed yarns, threads and even dyed velvet! Our favorite part of this vendor booth is Ali and her always cheerful staff - we heart Melissa!
The Wool Studio – You will be greeted as you enter the exhibit hall by the friendly Erb family. This family run business has more yardage then we have ever seen in one place, what seems like endless stacks of wool! They carry an amazing selection of bolt fabric and primitive patterns and they are just so darn nice! Vendor fun fact - at the end of the event when everyone is tired and wants to go home the Erb family will load their van and then help every other vendor load theirs until no one is left!
Let Nola Do It – This booth is full of beautiful dyed wool and patterns. Nola will help you color plan or answer any rug hooking questions you may have. Have a problem rug? Nola will help you work through it!
Rug Hooking Magazine – The entire exhibit is centered around Rug Hooking Magazines Celebrations! They also have a booth and have all their books available for sale – like a mini library at your fingertips!
Bee Line Art Tools – The old “Townsend” cutter. If you are in need of a new blade or looking to upgrade your current cutter, you can plan to do so here as they are a Sauder Rug Hooking Week staple.
In addition to the vendors above there were 7 others including:
You are likely drooling by now just thinking about all these great vendors. The opportunity to see so much wool, kits and equipment is reason enough to attend Sauder Rug Hooking week. In addition, every vendor is so knowledgeable, they can help you with any project you may be working on!
Tomorrow, at long last, we will share the amazing exhibit with you! Here is one of the rugs below! Enjoy!
"Maine Barn"
Roslyn Logsdon
Classes, workshops and gallery walks was today’s game. Even our astute Green Mountain team has to stay current and learn new techniques from time to time.
First up was the Quillie class taught be Annette Shaffer. What a fun class and very exciting to learn a new technique! In this class we created either a tree or a wreath by rolling 8.5 wool into little circles and hot gluing them on a base. Lindsay was very pleased with the way her project turned out and can’t wait for Christmas to display her work of art! Photos below.
Next up was an all day class with Susan Feller on the work of the McDonald sisters who lived in rural West Virginia during the mid 1900's. Their technique for rug making involved mixed-media, using scraps of fabric or whatever they could find that were sewn on a backing then stuffed to give a three dimensional effect, and their designs were always flowers or elements from the natural world around them. Stephanie also chose flowers for her project and spent the day sewing. She's looking forward to adding some hooking around her design when she gets home. Photo of Stephanie's project below.
Mariah spent the afternoon and evening in the dye class playing with her dyes! She learned an entirely new method of dyeing and really tried to stretch herself out of her comfort zone. She dyed VERY light wool, incredibly dark wool (almost black!) and she used a ton of green, which is not her favorite color to dye. She has about four yards of wool to play with when she gets home now and couldn't be happier! Pictures of her class, the process, and some of the products below!
Last but certainly not least was a Gallery Walk with Susan Feller looking at some of the Celebration rugs, the Story Rug exhibit and then at the special exhibit of the McDonald Sister’s fabric work. Amazing to see and understand the rugs more up close and personal through the Gallery Walk process. Susan spent time with several of the Celebration pieces answering questions as to what it was about that rug that made it worthy of Celebration. She explained the judges look primarily for three things - Technique, Material usage and Composition. It was interesting to be aware of those elements and look at rugs from that perspective. In the Story Rug exhibit we looked at the technique of two rug artists and their rug collections to be able to identify their work. We also discussed the stories a few of the rugs were telling. The last section of the walk was spent learning about the McDonald Sisters, two sisters who lived in West Virginia in the mid 1900’s. They did not create hooked rugs, but created fabric rugs and hangings using the materials at hand. It was how they used the materials and their compositions that were noteworthy. Photos below.
Because we took a quillie class today we decided to share this piece from the exhibit with you. Enjoy! Tomorrow we will check out the vendors and do some shopping!
"Rainbow Runner"
Mary DeLano
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Day three of Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week and it was a historical day for our Green Mountain team! We spent the morning hooking and talking about our upcoming classes (I'm taking the dye class with Wanda Kerr!) and then headed over to Old Sauder Village (which my sister Lindsay kept accidentally calling Old Sturbridge Village... where she lives full time.) The village radiates out from a beautiful green with old trees and includes shops (shoppes?) like a weaver, a basket maker, a glass blower, a pottery shop with someone throwing a vase at the wheel (pictured below), an ice cream parlor (highly recommended!) and an old timey doctor's office that Lindsay called spooky.
In true Green Mountain Hooked Rugs fashion, we commemorated the occasion with a fun and ridiculous photo! Needless to say we had a blast, but our wool was calling so we went back to hook shortly after that!
After hooking the day away I set off for the Founder's Hall with my mom and aunt for two gallery talks, one on Pearl McGown given by her granddaughter Jane McGown Flynn and the second on James and Mercedes Hutchinson given by Janet Conner and Kathy Wright. As a young(er) rug hooker these gallery talks are such an amazing opportunity for me to learn about and connect with the history of my fiber world. I'm well versed in my own family history, but this is only a slice of the history of rug hooking. There are so many powerful women that have helped build and sustain this art form and we owe them so much! While not much of a rug hooker herself, Pearl McGown was a completely self taught artist who not only designed patterns for a large part of her life, but also encouraged the spreading of ideas throughout the rug hooking world by educating rug hooking teachers from across the country! The second gallery talk was about the Hutchinson family's promotion of rug hooking through selling rugs at auction, designing patterns, and commissioning rugs from different artists to sell at auction.
Jane McGown Flynn pictured above during her gallery talk
Pastel drawings of patterns down by Pearl McGown above
Janet Conner and Kathy Wright during their gallery talk on James and Mercedes Hutchinson above
We start our classes tomorrow morning and continue through to the evening. Stay tuned for our blog tomorrow with pictures from class!
]]>It does not matter what part of the country you are in right now or what you are doing – DROP IT and get to Archbold, Ohio immediately! The hooked rug exhibit this year is inconceivable! I am sure you are thinking to yourself “they say that every year…” and you are right (it is incredible every year) but this year in particular has knocked our socks off! The Green Mountain Hooked Rugs team got a sneak preview tonight. We only had two hours to take it all in and needless to say we ran around like kids in a candy story. I will do a full blog on the exhibit later in the week with lots of photos, but until then, I will give you one photo a night. Scroll to the bottom to see tonight’s photo.
Oh yeah, I completely skipped over the rest of our day…
The two hours of we spent at the preview of the exhibit completely overshadowed the rest of the day which was otherwise lovely! We spent the entire day hooking, something we have not done together in a really long time. We had a spacious, well lit, room to hook in. There is plenty of space in the hotel and lots of little nooks and crannies where you can hook alone or in a larger group (like ours). We all got a lot done on our projects, photos of our current projects below.
We are working so diligently.
Lindsay looks miserable, but she wasn't :)
Pam's current project - a Green Mountain Design, Morgan & Sulky
Stephanie's current project - 4 commissioned chair pads of the state seal of Vermont
Mariah's current project - Green Mountain Design, Heart & Home
Stephanie’s Teacher Tip for The Day: Highlights
A small highlight on any object can make all the difference in the world. See the before and after of Lindsay's current project below.
Before:
After:
Today's Exhibit Rug:
"mirrormirror"
Nancy Thun
Hoboken, NJ
Stay tuned to tomorrow’s blog where we will provide more pictures from the exhibit! Wish you were here!
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