5 years = 5 giveaways

In some ways I can't believe that it's been five years since I started blogging.....but that feeling quickly fades when I start scrolling back through the 675 posts that have been written since then. So many different projects, workshops, books, travels, colours, tools and ideas since that October day – it's almost amazing, in a way, that it's only been 5 years.

I had no idea when I started blogging how much I would love it. Or how motivating it would be. It's helped me to be more productive and encouraged me to take a lot more photographs than I ever did before. It's provided me with a tangible record of my making, doing, and thinking.....even though I don't always share everything here.

I don't really spend a lot of time thinking about who is reading my blog, so it amazes me that people from 108 different countries have visited here in the past 3 years. I am surprised every time I meet someone for the first time and they tell me that they read my blog. Somehow I tend to think that it's only just my family and close friends, and the handful of people who comment....although Google Analytics shares a different picture.

To help me say a great big Thank You to everyone who comes and spends a bit of time here, I will be giving away a few things at the end of next week. There will be 5 giveaways in all– one for each year of blogging – and each giveaway has its own separate post, below. Because I love comments and I want to find out a little more about you, the readers, you need to leave a comment and include your answer to the question(s). Readers are encouraged to leave a comment on any or all (or none :-D) of these giveaway posts....do as you see fit.

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw names for each of the five giveaways (using only the comments from the applicable post), and announce all the recipients names on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

Good luck.....and thanks again!

Giveaway #1

In my first year of blogging, I took a pottery class, knit my nephew a sweater, hooked several checkerboards for Christmas gifts, created new purse patterns, finished a couple of pillows, got a new to me sewing machine, finished another new purse, hand-wove some scarves, hooked another new purse.....along with many other things.

I was also still very much involved with the creation of "the R.U.G. sack" – a twice-yearly newsletter to record the happenings of the Spring and Fall gatherings at the Simcoe County Museum. The newsletter evolved over the 9 issues I edited and wrote between 2004-2008....and I think that the issues contain information and ideas that are still useful today. During the big purge a couple of weeks ago, I happened upon a 2nd full set of these newsletters that I would like to share with one lucky reader.

If you are interested in adding the complete collection of "the R.U.G. sack" to your library, please leave a comment and answer the following question: "How did you first discover this blog?" Did you happen upon it randomly, were you referred by another blog or link (where?), did you hear about it from me or someone else (who?).....I would really like to know how you happened to visit that first time.

• • • • • • • • •

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw for this giveaway, using only the comments recorded below. The lucky recipient will be announced on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment on any or all of the giveaways – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

Giveaway #2

In my second year of blogging, I went on a trip to Nova Scotia with my mum and AB, we attended Deanne's 1st Symposium, I fell in love with the Snapdragon and demonstrated short-lived willpower, I saw lots of wonderful rugs at Hooked in the Mountains, I dyed yarn for whipping for the first time, I started hooking on my Carousel horse, I did a lot of dyeing, designed and hooked a larger purse, finally finished hooking my horse, started hooking on "looking west" and posted daily progress shots, attended my first OHCG Annual.....and I also launched my 3rd limited edition purse pattern.

All of those LE patterns have since reached their maximum number of printings and subsequently been retired....but I still continue to sell my original style of purses (also available in large size) as well as 5 different design options for my newer, Bala bags.


If you are interested in receiving a free purse pattern, please leave a comment and answer the following question: "Which of the available purse patterns do you most covet?" Please choose from any of the Bala bags (Henry's Pomegranate, Everyday Carré, Blank Canvas, Skeleflora or Bullseyes) or any of the designs in the Original (Ode to Kaffe, Hummingbirds and Flowers, Pinky Purple Peonies, Even a Fish) or Large (Birds of a Feather, Leaving Home, Ode to Kaffe, Cornflowers) paper patterns. Make your choice wisely, as your answer will determine your prize, should you be the 'chosen one' :-)

• • • • • • • • •

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw for this giveaway, using only the comments recorded below and choosing one entry. One lucky recipient will be announced on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment on any or all of the giveaways – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

Giveaway #3

In my third year of blogging, there was a lot of stuff happening! Scrolling back through the entries, I can't believe I was so productive! In addition to designing and hooking 4 new Bala bags, I also created my first batch of silk worms, taught my first stocking workshop, met Heather Ritchie for the first time, rode the train all the way to Nova Scotia and home again taking pictures on my iPhone all the way, went to Cheticamp with my mum, cleaned my shelves for the ??teenth time, made my first Snow Folks, finally broke down and got a Snapdragon and stopped looking at frames, said farewell to a favourite uncle, did a lot of dyeing, had my first booth vending at the OHCG Annual, and dyed my first slub. And then I was tired!

Back at the very beginning of my third year of blogging, I was posted about my attendance at Deanne's 2nd Symposium, including a little post about African Threads.

While flicking back through my posts I realized that I still haven't done anything with these lovely embroideries.....and would like to share one of them with you (your choice).

Outside

Inside

If you are interested in one of the African Thread embroideries, please leave a comment and answer the following question: "If you're going on a holiday, which is the best rug hooking event to attend?" If you've been far away to attend rug hooking schools, symposiums or other events, I'd really like to know which one was your favourite. If you've not yet had the opportunity, what is your dream rug hooking holiday? (...and please don't forget to include your embroidery preference :-) )

• • • • • • • • •

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw for this giveaway, using only the comments recorded below. The lucky recipient will be announced on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment on any or all of the giveaways – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

Giveaway #4

In my fourth year of blogging, I taught lots of purse workshops, I went back to Nova Scotia for a 4th time, to take a class with Doris Eaton, I did a treasured swap, I saw the wonderful old rugs in the Brick House at the Shelburne Museum, got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the rugs at the Textile Museum, and wonderful quilts, too, I discovered Uppercase, I went on a wonderfully fun trip with my niece to NYC, I became addicted to straight line hooking during the creation and discovery of my Matrix Mats series, and I started working on Jumbo ( I am still not yet finished with that phase -- and I'm not just saying that because Jumbo still isn't hooked yet!)

I want to share the love of straight row hooking.....


If you are interested in adding a copy of my instruction and pattern booklet, "The Amazing Matrix," to your personal library, please leave a comment and answer the following question: "What is your favourite cut size or material to hook with?" If you have more than one favourite....please list all of them. Or do you prefer to hand-cut your material....or not use fabric at all, but yarn? I'm curious....and I wanna know! :-)

• • • • • • • • •

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw for this giveaway, using only the comments recorded below. The lucky recipient will be announced on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment on any or all of the giveaways – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

Giveaway #5

In my fifth year of blogging, I taught a lot of coin purse workshops, as well as my first week-long class, I splurged and bought Penelope, I worked on Jumbo A LOT, I went on a wonderful adventure to England, I did a lot of knitting, I pretended to be a quilter (oops! still not finished....), I finally started working on Jumbo's borders, I made some 'hooker jewellery', I came up with a new way to finish my rugs, I taught my first Matrix class, created a new label system, made my own rug hook, I hooked a bra, and I dyed a lot of wool and an awful lot of slub (thick and thin wool yarn).


I love dyeing slub, knitting with slub, hooking with slub, and even just looking at slub....and I think just about anyone would (at least anyone who is reading this! LOL!)

If you are interested in adding some of my hand-dyed slub to your stash, please leave a comment and answer the following question: "What is your most favourite colour in the whole wide world?" I know this is a toughie, but just think of in terms of what color of slub you would prefer to receive. Does that make it easier? I hope so..... :-)

• • • • • • • • •

On Thursday November 3rd, I will randomly draw for this giveaway, using only the comments recorded below. The lucky recipient will be announced on Friday November 4th.

All readers are welcome to comment on any or all of the giveaways – the only thing that I ask is that you check back here on the 4th to see if you are one of the lucky ones. I want to get the parcels out quickly, so I will need the winners' mailing addresses ASAP (and I'd really like to mail any US parcels when I go to Shelburne the following week....for faster delivery and cheaper postage).

true confessions.....

I missed my 5 year blogiversary. Ooops!

My very first post was on October 6, 2006....but my first "real" post was on October 25th, 2006. So to save a little face, I'm going to consider tomorrow (October 25th) to be my 5 year anniversary of blogging......and I'll be back then with details of a little giveaway to celebrate. In the meantime, here are 5 things – one in honor of each year of blogging – that you might not know about me or maybe just didn't notice yet....

1. I recently cut off most of my hair (just last Wednesday, as a matter of fact). After 20+ years of dyeing it, I've decided to go au naturel and see what my hair really looks like underneath.

2. In spite of hooking for the past 12 years, I really only have four partly finished hooking projects on the go: Jumbo (of course!), Pets, Grandparents portrait project, and my very first rug (it's all hooked, but the edge has never been finished).

3. I am a little anal. Okay, maybe more than just a bit. I recently went through all of my England posts and replaced all of the photos and added some new ones. I just wasn't happy with the crummy quality of the editing App I used on the road and the newly updated pictures are bigger and oh, so much crisper. Check them out, if you care....

4. I am very behind in meeting my reading goals for the year. I'm also behind in updating my list of reads on the sidebar....but even when I do that, I will still be woefully behind.

5. I sometimes do silly, klutzy things. Such as forgetting my iPad in a bin, following my security clearance in Amsterdam airport (it was returned to me on the plane, TG).....Knocking my glass of water over in the middle of a paper-filled desk.....Tripping on imaginary rocks. You get the picture...

Report from Chantry

I had such a wonderful time teaching at Chantry last year, that I signed up on the spot to return again this year as a student. In short, it didn't disappoint. Now here is the full report.....

It was a nice, relaxing weekend, filled with lots of visiting, a little shopping, some walking, and a small amount of hooking. I found it was especially nice to have the freedom that comes with being a student, and in all honesty, I really wasn't expecting to get a lot of progress made on my pets piece. Not only was the weekend my first continuous hooking stint in many months, I also didn't really want too intrenched in my piece knowing that I was going to be setting it aside when I returned home (and work needs to resume on Jumbo). So I guess you could say that I took it easy.

Here is the latest progress shot.....

Full Disclosure: Go-Go, the sheep was hooked about 8-9 years ago.....as was some of the border on Sammy, the snake :-)

Whenever I return to work on it again (it will be finished one day), the plan is to hook parts of 15 different pets that we've had over the years....drawing attention to any defining features. The spaces in between the black + white frames will be filled with echoing shapes in the hit and miss style, incorporating lots of colours and bringing in some reds, purples, etc. to add to the greens and blues used in the backgrounds. But for now, it will be going back to the bin for a little nap....and who knows when it will make its next appearance?! (hopefully it's not another 8-9 years, LOL!)

My teacher was Gayle Gunby from Orillia, and she treated us to a wonderful, well-planned class. I can't recall the exact title of the class, but it was something along the lines of Family Memories. We spent a lot of time in class sharing stories, and Gail shared several of her rugs with us along with a special behind-the scenes introduction to each rug. I've know Gayle for years, from R.U.G., and it was so lovely to be able to visit with her for a few consecutive days.

Many of these rugs were ones I had not seen before....and it's always wonderful to hear the stories and to see such variety in an individual's work. Thanks to Gayle for bringing them to share....and quickly agreeing to let me share them on the blog. All of the following rugs created by Gayle Gunby (Coldwater, Ontario)

Old family signatures transferred to fabric and sewn onto woolen hearts

The family flock of chickens -- including the one that would bite Gayle, when she was a child.

Gayle and her husband fantasy dancing.

Gayle administering the Spring Tonic to her 5 grandchildren.

Rug hooking as therapy, during Gayle's cancer diagnosis.

Transferring childhood art and stories into hooking.

Fun times in the Maritimes....Gayle and her husband.

Paying tribute to Gayle's Uncle, Mother, Father and Grandfather (?), who all served.

Winter fun with the five grandchildren.

It was wonderful to be able to reconnect with so many people that I had met last year. Being at an event likes this makes me long to belong to a group that gathers often....and really wish that I lived closer to more rug hookers. Thanks so much to Sybil and Vicki for organizing a great weekend, filled with lots of laughs. I hope can join you again next October....

I'm back....

and just noticed that unfortunate technological glitch -- accidentally sent an e-mail to the blog that was just intended for me. Please don't call Marg.... :-)

I will be back tonight with a full post on the weekend.....

mini get-away

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go to Chantry....or am I? Truth be told, I haven't hooked in ages, so I'm feeling a little out of touch and was at a bit of a loss for what to bring. When I first signed up for this class, I was planning on using it as a reason to resume working on the portraits of my grandparents (started at Hooked in the Mountains several years ago...and hastily buried after I returned home to too much critique in too short a time span). It's a project that I still want to get back to, but I just don't feel in the right mood to psych myself into tackling such a challenge.....

Luckily my conundrum of 'what to bring' was resolved last week. In the midst of a cleaning/purging of epic proportions (3 large boxes of books to the library, a full carload of stuff to the Sally Ann, and big bag for the food bank, not to mention many items passed along to friends and family), I happened upon another project from the past: family pets rug. It's still kind of related to the family theme of the class – not just because the two WIPs have been residing in the same bin for ages...LOL!.

I started the pets piece many, many years ago, in a class with Ann Hallet. It was probably 8-9 years ago.....and the reason it was set aside was sheer busyness - not that I fell out of love with my ideas. In fact, I modified my plan when I created "Hermiston Zoo" for my sister's family a few years later.

The list of pets is long gone. Same for the stack of blue and green wools that I had dyed for the backgrounds. So I was still scrambling a bit to get ready...raiding of my wool shelves for large pieces of blues and greens, 'borrowing' blacks and whites from Jumbo, and doing more than a little guesswork in pulling random bins of cut strips. I hope that I was correct in figuring there's a greater likelihood of finding what I need in there than in choosing a few select pieces from the shelf. It's so much easier to hook at home, where you have access to your entire stash....

At one point last night, I was briefly considering just bringing some knitting to work on....but I quickly reminded myself how rude that would be -- and really, all I am hoping to accomplish is to have fun, be social, share ideas, be inspired....and the hooking part is really secondary. At least it is for me when I'm a student in a class or at a school. So it doesn't really matter if I brought the right wool or not...right?

Back next week with pictures -- and not just of knitting! :-D

where the magic happens

In addition to seeing all of the wonderful sights, getting lots of inspiration, and meeting many nice people on my holiday......one of the highlights was definitely Greencroft. In much of England, houses are named and Greencroft is where Heather Ritchie and her husband Les have made their home.

From the minute I stepped in the door, I knew that I had arrived somewhere very special. It's cosy, it's quirky, it's colourful, and it's filled with so many creative and handcrafted things. It's a place where you can quickly feel welcome and easily relax. I guess it's exactly where you would picture Heather living, once you get to know her....


Like many people who create, I am always fascinated by the places where people do their making (hey, there are even books an magazines showcasing people's studios....so I'm not the only nosey one! ;-) ), and Heather's rug making studio was no exception. I was in and out of the studio many times during my visit -- and noticed more and more things each time.






Heather says that I need to come back and spend a couple of days helping her organize.....and not that I would mind, but I love the character of it as is. With several very tall piles of rugs, you can easily tell that it's an active studio and that ideas are coming alive all of the time here. There is so much variety in colour, texture, fibre and materials, that you're tempted to just sit down and get to work – right in the cosy chair by the woodstove....


Heather was a wonderful hostess....just the right amount of looking after without fussing. It really was great to get to know her, and we had lots of fun together. I am thrilled that I had this opportunity....and must thank Heather and Cilla for inviting me and for taking such good care of me.

I am pretty sure it won't be my last trip -- I haven't cashed in my leftover pounds yet -- and I hope to see this smiling face again soon....

Day 15: Bath

On my first full day in Bath, I left town. In my research before I left, I had discovered Mad Max Tours that offers bus tours departing from Bath and visiting Stonehenge, Avebury, Castle Combe, and Lacock. Since I wasn't planning on hiring a car, it was a perfect opportunity to go and visit the surrounding area.....









The tour was wonderful, and I would definitely recommend it. I thought it combined the right proportions of organized activities and freedom to do your own thing. There was always time for you to wander about and look more closely at whatever interested you. Plus, there was a good mix of people (13 in our group, including several others travelling solo).

When I arrived back in Bath at the end of the afternoon, it was a big rush to try and take some pictures before evening....






My time in Bath passed by very quickly, and the next day I left wishing that I had at least another day to explore the town.....and two or three more days would have been even better.

painful reintegration

I'm having a hard time readjusting to normal life, following my fabulous trip. I'm finally sleeping in the right time zone, but I can't believe it's taken me all week to post! Yowza. I'm hoping to finish off the last of the daily trip posts (2 to go) this weekend.....and get back into the swing of things.

In the meantime, check out Tammy's recent post for two great links, and treat yourself to a mini escape and, hopefully, a little inspiration.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 14: London + Bath

I arrived home, safe and sound, on Friday night....and I'm slowly readjusting to real life. Fingers crossed that by tomorrow I will wake up in the right time zone :-).

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My final morning in London was spent at Hampton Court Palace....entering another world. As an avid fan of The Tudors, I was familiar with the place, and eagerly awaiting my visit. Since it was just a short drive from where I was staying, it made sense to leave it to the last day.


I arrived early, so I think I might have been the first visitor to pass through the gates once it opened. In fact, they were still unlocking all of the doors, etc., so it was a little wait until I was able to put my bags in a locker....but all worthwhile in the end. It was a peaceful day, and apart from several school groups in some parts of the Palace, it was quite quiet (in complete contrast to almost everywhere else I visited in London).











The grounds and gardens are equally lovely....and I had a nice walk around outside. I also went in the historic Maze....and was quite worried for several minutes that I might not find my way out in time to make my train! Eventually I found the wheelchair exit, and decided to cheat and use it instead rather than risk getting really lost.




Before I knew it, it was time to catch my train to Bath. Within minutes dropping off my bags at my hotel in Bath, I was wishing that I had allowed more time to explore the area. The short walk to the Roman Baths was quite pretty....



And once I started my self-guided tour, I really felt as though I was stepping back in time. I think the Roman Baths Museum will be the place that I really came to appreciate the audio tour (prior to this I didn't really have much patience for them, and seemed to abandon them quite quickly -- when I even bothered to pick one up....). I think that the main difference here was that there were frequently several options to choose from, and once I had sampled the Bill Bryson commentary (and loved it!), I was hooked and only choose the red squares from that point on....







The Roman Baths was yet another reminder of how much history proliferates England. Canada in comparison is such a new country, that something or somewhere that has been around for 100 years is considered historical......whereas in the U.K., many places have been around for several centuries and some for millennium.

Following the advice of the innkeeper, in the evening I sought out the Mayor's Walk -- a free guided walking tour of the town which is held daily, and a few nights a week as well in the summer months. Even though it got dark early on in the tour, it was still quite worthwhile and a great way to learn more about the development of the town. I would have loved to have been able to take in a daytime tour and get another person's take on the town (all of the walks are conducted by volunteers and influenced by whatever questions are asked...so I imagine that no two would be the same).







A lovely first day in a lovely town.