N.S. Day Three: first day of class

Today was a wonderful day. The class was amazing....and many other great things happened, too. One of the most interesting things for me (and I think I've mentioned it before) is seeing where a person's ideas for their art originate. Doris Eaton has one of the best scrapbooks for this -- including pictures of the finished piece alongside her original sketches and any inspirational images or photos.

In today's class, she shared with the class her streamlined approach to sketching the design for a recent rug....and we were also able to see the finished piece: Tall Trees and Hollyhocks.




Doris also shared a wonderful work that was designed and created by her daughter, Mary Vaughan. This picture gives some idea of the size - it is massive! Originally designed to be a stair runner, she later opted to hang it on the wall so that the design wasn't broken up. It is stunning.



We also had a special visitor in class: Mama Mansour! Are you familiar with Mama's video? Deanne and Donny will be offering a class together next year during the Fibre Arts Festival.


One of the things we did in class today was a little challenge piece. Everyone was provided with a little bag of wool - including small amounts of cut and uncut fabric, yarns, ribbons, fleece, etc. - and we were challenged to hook a little landscape using only the contents of our bag -- in just an hour! What amazed me the most about the exercise is that by limiting my choices, I hooked much faster than usual. I didn't have a lot to choose from, so I didn't spend (waste?) a lot of time selecting each strip or color.

The following picture shows what I hooked, as well as the remaining contents of my scrap bag. I will admit that I had a particularly good bag....


At lunchtime, we went for a quick walk over to Bella's Cafe, where there is little show of Doris' work on display. Since people were eating their lunch at the time, we didn't feel comfortable taking pictures.....but we will have that luxury tomorrow night, when there is a special dinner at Bella's as part of the Fibre Arts Festival.



I love these hockey rugs - even though I'm not really a hockey fan...unless it's the Olympics!



It is so interesting to see all of the different colours, values, textures and fibres that were used in this piece (this is a close-up of the above mat)....


We had a quick trip to Heidi's after class - where decision making is always difficult, because there are so many lovely things. Then it was off to Duncan's (again!) for supper. So far I've been able to keep to my "eat seafood every day" diet... ;-)

In the evening, we had the fortunate opportunity to be introduced to Newfoundland author, Donna Morrissey, at her book reading. There is nothing quite like hearing an author read sections of her book aloud -- it makes me wish that all books could talk. I picked up an autographed copy of Kit's Law....and can't wait to read it (as soon as I finish An Echo in the Bone, of course!)

I cannot wait to see what we do in our second day of class....

N.S. Day Two: Purse Workshop

Today was a great day. Apart from forgetting to take any pictures, and the fact that I still have my cold....all of the rest was pretty great.

My class was full - full of lovely people, including two bloggers, people from 3 provinces (4 if you count Ontario!), and one lady from the US. Everyone got along famously, and the day zoomed by, as it always does when you're having fun. Having everyone working on the same basic shape (their choice of my Bala bag patterns) made it a lot easier for me and certainly a little less chaotic.


Three ladies came with their hooking complete and the finishing started -- one was able to leave class with a finished purse, which is definitely a first for me ;-)

(Thank you for the photos Carmella! ;-) )

After class was finished, we headed over to Deanne's new studio/shop for a quick visit. It's a wonderful space....and I must say that her new dye kitchen gave me a serious case of green-eye. I did a little bit of shopping, including a couple of skeins dyed by the Wool Fairy and a very cool looking hook (that I tried out by pulling a few loops on Deanne's hooking frame -- I ripped them out, of course!)

We had a quick trip to Sackville for supper at Joey's - they make awesome pizza! Then it was back to Amherst for the Fibre Arts Festival's opening reception. It was a great chance to reconnect with some friends I met last year - and meet some new folks, too. On display were several beautiful art quilts by fibre artist and writer Laurie Swim. I happily added her newest book to my library...

I know that it will be one of those books that I keep coming back to, and never get tired of looking at....so many beautiful pictures -- and I haven't even peeked at the stories yet!

Tomorrow is the first day of our class....I'm still not sure how it will all unfold, but hopefully I can pull together a new project that is inspiring -- and one for which I brought the right wools!

N.S. Day One: Sunrise Trail

I heart Nova Scotia! Have I said that before? It's so great to return to a place you've already been to a few times before....except for the part where you already have a long list of all of your favourite places you want to visit again. Not to worry though, we've visited a couple of new places already.





The fall colours are not quite the same as we have at home (it looks like maybe they had a big storm? that caused many of them to fall already....because there are still lots waiting to turn). It's not quite as lovely as last year, but still quite pretty none-the-less.

Since yesterday was Thanksgiving, many places were closed for the day....and we decided to drive around for a bit instead. We drove along part of the Sunrise Trail, stopping in Pugwash to pick out some beautiful pewter.


We also had a bit of time to walk along the beach at Heather Beach....and I found some pretty rocks, including a few more heart shaped ones - they are my favourite. (This picture is not the best -- it was taken while they were laying on the floor in the back seat of our rental car...)


We capped off the day with another delicious dinner at Duncan's (the local pub which has featured prominently in all of my previous trips to Amherst)...and then it was early to bed, in an attempt to get rid of my cold.

...and we're off!

Just sitting at the airport, waiting to board -- and armed with my
coffee and my book. If you're a Diana Gabaldon fan...the new book is
great so far (and makes me wish I could just sit and read it for a
couple of days). I will be posting from the road as time permits...

Happy thanksgiving!

Oh my!

I am a little stressed out about just how I am going to fit in everything I have to do over the next 48 hours (laundry, packing, making pies, eating pies - and the family feast, visiting a friend, leaving my place spotless and tidy -- and sleep!) before I leave on Sunday for my trip East. In spite of the frenzy of activity, seeing these lovely wools makes me feel very happy. It also makes me excited about my next next trip -- and wonder how I will manage waiting a month to see them in person....

As they are currently on sale, it also means that I might have to find some time in the next two days, to place an order before I leave. What's one more task on a list that's already a mile long? ;-)

Blog = B(ack)LOG ?

It's been a busy few weeks, and in between my sporadic posts I've actually had several little things to blog about - I just lacked the time (or frame of mind). So now I'm going to try and play catch up - in no particular order, here are a few of them.....


When I went to Michigan last month, I was lucky enough to stay with Alaina Trout. This was the first rug (of many) that I saw at her place - and I couldn't believe it when she told me it was the very first rug she hooked. I think that it's one of the most impressive first rugs that I have seen -- and I like it sooooo much better than my own....


Which, coincidentally, is still not whipped (even though I finished hooking it almost 10 years ago). Later this fall will be my 10 year hooking anniversary....and it's hard to believe that I've been hooking for almost a decade.


When I was in Michigan, I was also introduced to these beautiful rug hooks crafted by Tom Ingalls. He combines piece of old silverware and other antique bits of silver with beautiful woods. I was immediately drawn to the shorter, stumpier hook - since I am a palmer - and it was definitely love at first loop, as well as first look. I wasn't so sure about the one with larger handle, but it was surprisingly comfortable to use - and with a larger hook, it would be even better.... IMO ;-) I hope that I cross paths with Tom one day soon...and look forward to one day having my own special, handcrafted silver hook. In the meantime, I'll be saving my shekels and maybe scavenging for family silver....to make it even more personal.


There's a new rug hooking book on the shelves.....and a couple of my rugs are pictured inside. It is always exciting to see pictures of your work in a book -- even when it's simply a matter of being in the right place, at the right time. (The book features all of the rugs included in the 2008 Hooked in the Mountains show at the Sheburne Museum).



It was another great day at R.U.G. on Saturday. One major drawback of not doing the newsletter anymore is that I don't take nearly as many photos. I cannot remember another RUG when I took so few (or such poor photos - sorry!) Here are my favourites from the handful I had time to take....

It was great to be able to see Dorinda's rug finished. I think it looks fabulous - even if my pictures does not. Even with a good photograph, nothing compares to being able to see a rug up close and in person. I'm sure there are hundreds of wools and yarns and other textures in this rug....and they all meld together so beautifully.


I dyed more slub on the weekend. Now that the cooler weather is here, I was a little worried about getting it all dry, inside. Dyeing a smaller quantity (20 skeins) helped....since it fit easily on my drying rack. So did shutting it in the bathroom, with the heater on max, and a fan blowing the air on and around the wool ;-) I think it dried as quickly as if it had been out in the sun....and I will definitely try this again. Plus, the smaller quantity meant that I didn't feel as exhausted when I was done. yay!


I picked up a few pieces of batiks when I was in Michigan. There was a great quilting store in nearby Bear Lake, called Two Sisters. I like to buy up pieces of batik when I find ones that I like, especially ones with small scale patterns and those in colours I tend to use often.


When I write my blog, I tend to imagine that it's only being read by the people whom I know read it regularly (i.e. my close friends and family) which is why I don't always clarify and elaborate on all details, all of the time. Since several people have mentioned "my kids" over the last little while, I thought I should clarify about these two cuties....


Although Wyatt and Sienna will openly tell you that they are "my kids" (since I don't have any).... really I am just a lucky Aunt, who spends lots of time with her 6 nieces and nephews ;-)

Happy hooking!

getting ready

It's the Ruggers United Gathering (R.U.G.) on Saturday, and I will be a vendor there for the second time. I'll be bringing all sorts of slub (shown above), silk worms, and handles....and a few more things, as well. Of course, I'm not yet nearly ready....so I will be busy assembling and labelling everything tonight and tomorrow night - and wishing that I hadn't spent the last two evenings reading my book and watching episodes of The Closer (although both are quite enjoyable :-) )

The R.U.G. program is being provided by "the Others" this time around. "The Others" are all of the people who come to R.U.G. who do not belong to one of the groups who are in the rotation for providing the program (such as Orillia, Barrie, Lindsay, etc.). I am one of "the Others" ;-) If you are also one, don't forget that it is our turn to bring the snacks and the (nut-free) sweets on Saturday.....

Saturday might also be the last time you can see the complete hooked carousel together in one place...since the horse are being returned to their creators afterwards.

Hope to see you there!

I never made it....to Manistee

After talking about going to Manistee for many months, I'm now home from my trip -- and I never actually made it to the town. Instead I saw many other beautiful and interesting places in the County....and I guess I will just have to visit Manistee (the town) on my next trip! ;-)

In spite of not making it to Manistee, it was a whirlwind trip....and a very full one. Each afternoon, following class, there was an opportunity to visit the area. One night we drove down to the channel connecting Portage Lake to Lake Michigan, and walked through the sand to the causeway in Onekama (oh-neck-ah-ma, not one comma).....





Another night, we visited the local quilt shop (I bought some lovely batiks, but haven't yet taken any pictures) and drove to Franfort for a lovely dinner at The Fusion.


On my last night, we went on an adventure, travelling further up the shore....


...to Empire and climbing (just a small portion) of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Hi Joanne! ;-)

The pictures are deceptive -- it's steep and quite difficult to climb. My hips were humming later that night and into the next day (and I was feeling very much in need of returning to the gym!)


Following a fortunate detour, we also stopped in for a peek at Leland and its historic Fishtown marketplace, before continuing on to Traverse City. What a neat place! Of course, everything was shutting down for the day (and the season)....but I would love to return there again.

Michigan really surprised me. It is very much like Muskoka - minus all of the rocks, of course! I had a lovely time, met lots of wonderful people, ate many delicious meals, and left with a desire to return. I can't really ask for more...and must give a huge thank you to everyone for making my stay so delightful, and extend a special thank you to Alaina and the two Jims for their gracious hospitality and Joanne for playing tour guide ;-)

the reveal....

After much discussing, evaluating, meeting and modifying....the first batch of my new handles arrived yesterday! Here is a sneak peek....


I decided to keep it simple to start, and made only wide handles (to replace the discontinued Urban) and buckle clasps (combine to replace the Perfect Pair). I was also able to have a small magnetic clasp mounted on matching leather for each of the Single Urbans to be sold without the larger buckle clasp (i.e. won't be included with the Perfect Pair, since it comes with the larger buckle clasp).


There will be a few different colours available: Black, brown (2 shades), red (2 shades), magenta, purple, and eggplant. I tweaked the following picture so that it's a more accurate colour representation of the colours currently available (I will post another picture when the remainder of my order arrives).


I will start working on designing a new brochure with details about the new handles (prices, dimensions, etc), once I return from Michigan on Sunday.

Aside about the Grayson e. handles....There is some talk of production resuming on the Grayson e handles....as Val hinted in a recent comment. I've spoken with the Canadian distributor and pending approval of samples made with a new leather, only the Long Rolled (I called these Long and Lean) and Short Rolled (shorter versions of the same) handles will be produced at first. There are no immediate plans to produce the Urban handles or buckle claps or either style of long straps.

quote

The other day while flipping though a magazine at my Doctor's office, I happened upon a quote that I loved.....and I wanted to be able to remember it. I didn't have pen, so I couldn't write it down, and I didn't want to rip the page out of the magazine. Moments before I went out searching for a pen and paper, I had the bright idea to just send myself an e-mail using my phone.

"Creativity is synonymous with audacity"

--Patrick Frey, designer

Even more important than retaining the quote, was figuring out this simple solution to preserving good ideas at times when I don't have my trusty notebook at hand. I have a feeling that I will be e-mailing myself quite a bit from now on....

like butter

I know I haven't been posting much lately, but it's not because I was being a sloth had nothing to blog about -- quite the opposite is true. I've been busy getting ready for some upcoming workshops, drawing patterns, shipping orders, knitting, and sewing linings.....and I'm hoping to get you all caught up on the recent happenings in the coming days.

I know that I raved about my new Gingher sewing scissors a couple of months back....but I really hadn't had much of a chance to use them until last week. They are divine....and they cut like butter. Like a hot knife through butter. They are so good that they almost cut by themselves. I'm in love all over again....and not just with the funky handles - those blades are pretty amazing, too.

a preview

or "...just some of the 66 skeins dyed at my place today"
or "37 skeins still drying..."
or "I kept going - even after I knocked over a whole cup of dye...onto the floor, the counter, the wall, on cupboard doors, inside the cupboards...everywhere the eye could see"
or "I'm so glad my mum came over to help me today..."
or "one of the last great weekends of the year to dye yarn and dry it outside"
or "I think I'm getting the hang of this..."
or "I can finally see the bottom of my big box of slub...."


Regardless of how I say it, I am quite happy with the remains of the day. As the day went on - and I relaxed a bit - the dyeing got easier and the results more enjoyable. Dyeing wool is never boring (well, maybe a little when you're trying for really dark values.... ;-) ) and I'm really enjoying dyeing yarn in particular. I'm pretty certain that I'll be ordering another box of slub very soon.


I will be bringing slub - along with some other fun things - with me to R.U.G. on October 3rd. Hope to see you there!

night at the museum

On Wednesday, I trekked down to the city for a quick visit. After getting my hair cut and doing a bit of shopping at my new favourite store (they recently opened in Yorkville), I rushed a little further downtown to meet Wendie. We had plans a quick dinner before going to hear a lecture at the Textile Museum on "Hooked Rugs and the Economy" with Sharon MacDonald, followed by a sleepover and hours of chatting with Wendie. It was a fabulous 24 hour whirlwind trip.

The lecture was somewhat based on Sharon's recent journal article in the Material History Review, discussing the contribution rug making has made to the economy. She talked about four major commercial patternmakers (E.S. Frost, R.W. Ross, Diamond Dyes, Bluenose - John E. Garrett) as well as some of the smaller scale operators (Pioneer Mat, S.J Culley & Sons, Handley Wilson --> mostly wholesalers of fancy goods), cottage industries (Georges Edouard Tremblay, Madam Joyal(?), roadside stands, on reserves, etc.) and other various charitable endeavours (raffles, Grenfell Industries, etc.)

Highlights from the talk include...

• finding out that cotton mop string was often used in the hooking of GE Tremblay landscapes, due to its low cost
• seeing a picture of Emily Carr's studio with several of her own hooked rugs on the floor
• hearing that in the 1930s and 40s hooked rugs were already being produced in China (usually easily identifiable as Chinese since they are not only very even and approaching machine-made perfection....but also hooked on a cotton foundation, similar to Monk's Cloth)
• being inspired by the story of Madam Joyal (?) hooking over 900 rugs for Nettie Sharpe in the 1960s and 70s
• seeing pictures of interpretations and variations (hand-drawn copies?) of commercial patterns next to the real thing. Apparently people were already copying in the 1940s...
• hearing that one of the best folk art collections in Quebec is at the Musee de Charlevoix in la Malbaie, Quebec. I will have to put it on my list of places to go...
  

I've already forgotten much of what I heard and learned....but I think the most worthwhile thing that I retained was finding out that you can see pictures of the Textile Museum's rugs online. Did you know that there are pictures of 215 rugs on their site? It's definitely worth checking out...

I am really looking forward to our return to TMC on November 4th for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the rugs in the Museum's collection (I'm not sure if there is still room in the seminar or not, but you can find more information here). In the meantime, I know that I will be visiting and ogling these beautiful rugs again and again on-line....imagining which ones Wendie and I will be lucky enough to see up close and personal.

P.S. Things are starting to get back to normal around here -- now that I've finished reading all 9 of the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books (upon which the True Blood series is loosely based). I tend to gorge on books, so I have a hard time putting them down until I've read the whole book. And when there are 9 books in the series, it means that I get very little done apart from the essentials for almost two weeks ;-) This weekend I am going to be making up for lost time....dyeing, hooking, drawing patterns, and more! If you're looking for a light read, I really enjoyed the series.

Memories of My Mother Exhibition

It's been so long since I've seen this mat that I often forget that I made it. Once day it will make its way home again....

Before the exhibit heads west around Christmastime, it is on display again at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre until October 23rd, 2009.

I can't believe I dyed this...

Yes, I've been having a little bit of a dye-in around here this weekend. I finally feel like the big box of slub is emptying a bit...and I'm certainly having a lot of fun playing around in the dye pots.

Dyeing this yarn definitely requires a different dyeing technique than I am used to - mostly because it takes longer to absord the dye, it's more difficult to imagine the finished shade and I have to have a bit more patience. I also find that it's hard to find the happy medium between stirring too much (and the colours blend into one) and not stirring enough (and there are noticeably light patches). Needless to say, I got lucky a few times and ended up with some gorgeous skeins. This one is my newest favourite...

My pictures doesn't really do the colours justice, but suffice is to say that if I were able to dye like this all of the time, I think I could quit my day job. Seriously. It's really beautiful.

limited edition availability update

just busy...

...not still suffering from my wasp/bee sting! ;-) I hadn't realized that was mentioned in my last post, until someone e-mailed me about it tonight. Not to worry, all is well - just been busy. I will be back very soon to share....