I had just enough of this lovely turquoise leather to make a final Keller bag. The last one went to Chicago and I was very pleased to read this comment about it. I have been running the online store for 10 months now and I have learned lots and met some super people. I will be closing it for a month beginning January 21 because, as you know, I will be in Kenya. There are a few things in it now and I will be adding more for Monday when I will be having the first online sale. I hope you will check it out Monday afternoon for some great bargains. This Keller will be available on Monday too.
the positive effects of rug hooking on an icy morning
I went to my hooking group this morning. What a treat on an icy morning to settle in with my hook, newly-dyed nylons and good conversation. These longtime friendships meeting over hooking frames are incredibly sustaining. A recent Globe and Mail article, explained the therapeutic advantages of knitting which I am sure are equally relevant for rug hooking. After quoting Kaffe Fassett about the ‘life-enhancing’ advantages of playing with wool and colour, the article cites the work of a doctoral student at the University of Exeter who says: “I have seen how knitting helps people with stress problems, post-traumatic stress disorder and pain. But it’s not just for people with problems. It’s a great, portable preventative tool.” No one in our group is conducting research, but at the same time, no one doubts the positive effects of a morning with colour, design and good friends. As for the sunbird–I’ve made some adjustments to his beak and started the background. I hope to have it finished and another one started before I leave. Stay tuned.
dyeing nylons on an icy day
All night long there was freezing rain and ice covered everything this morning, again. It seemed a perfect time to head to the dye pots. Colour and steam can do wonders to improve one’s outlook. As I mixed the colours and watched the magic happen (nylons are so unpredictable in the way they absorb colour–all the colours in the second pot came from 1/8 tsp Aljo Royal Blue) visions of the Kenyan landscape filled my mind. I was aiming for the colours of the birds and plants as well as the grasslands and sky. By the time I was finished I had dyed 60+ pairs in the brightest hues. 
Below are some of the t-shirts which have been donated. I’m not sure if we will be able to combine the cotton and nylon or not. But either way, we will have the beginning materials for the next stage in the Kenyan rug hooking story. Of course, I can never bring enough, so I want to find a source of used material which can form the backbone of the hooking once I leave. I’ll keep you posted.
the rugged grosvenor travel tote
This is the last bag of 2013, a rugged, durable tote which can easily accommodate your laptop and all other essentials. It is also big enough to serve as a great overnight bag–or, as I have seen with one of my totes, a very serviceable diaper bag! It is made from a remnant piece of upholstery leather with a double leather base. And although it is new leather, it has some character marks where it was folded and creased. It has two carry options: an adjustable shoulder strap which can be removed as well as a set of handles. On the front is a large zipper pocket and on the back a funky phone pocket. Inside it has a taupe canvas lining with three pockets and lots of room. Overall size: 17″wide, 15″ tall and 5″ deep. 
new year sunbird reflections
I sit in the bay window at the back of the house, morning light over my shoulder, enjoying the antics of the juncos and blue jays at the feeders — and — hooking a Kenyan sunbird. My mind jumps to Louis MacNiece and the poem I first encountered in high school. The world soundlessly collateral and incompatible…crazier and more of it than we think, incorrigibly plural. At 18 I had only the slightest notion of the pluralities, the incompatibilities and incorrigibilities to come. I contrast the world of my small Ontario city with its birds pecking in the snow and the world of Matangwe Kenya with its glories and its desperate needs. I will be there again very soon, planning to hook again with the local men and women, to create some beauty and hopefully move a little closer to a sustainable enterprise.
I am hoping that this year we will hook some of the beautiful flowers and birds around Matangwe. I decided to begin with a sunbird using some dyed nylon hose I had. I was trying to capture the magical incandescent colours. Last year we worked with t-shirts, and of course, my goal is that all the materials we use will eventually be sourced locally. And yes, I will pack t shirts and hose into my duffle bags this year. But we will also scour the local markets to see just what is available to hook with and see what beauties we can create with local goods. I am inspired by the hooking being done in Guatemala. Below is one these rugs which was on display at the Textile Museum in Toronto last spring and here is a link to Jen Manuell’s work there.
a new tote for the end of the year
Here are a few glimpses of the last bag of 2013, the Rugged Grosvenor. It is made of a remnant piece of upholstery leather with lots of character. I find I enjoy working with limited material–it makes me look at the design in a new way. I have made two other Grosvenor totes, but this one is my new favourite. The fittings are brass. The pockets are many. A great travel bag for sure. 
back to sketching
Today was sunny so I thought it was a good day to sketch. I haven’t been sketching regularly for a while, but will soon be travelling again and I want to try to capture it all in my sketch book. Clearly, I need some practice! I had hoped I could sketch this building from the car, so I parked across the river, but there were too many icy trees between the building and me. So I stood with sketchbook in hand just across the road and did these two cartoon-like sketches in ink, pretty fast, straight on and from the side. This is one of my favourite local structures, the Henderson building, built in the 1850’s. Fortunately, the talks of its demolition seem to be averted for now. I didn’t plan this sketch very well –I was freezing!–I had no room for the main floor and the windows are a bit squished. But this building has so many interesting features, I am going to try again next week, taking a little more time.
merry xmas hip bag
This is another modification of the basic Keller bag. This one is not as tall and has an extra exterior pocket behind the zippered pocket. I think this will prove to be a useful and comfortable day bag. The pocket extends to a double bottom, making the bag very sturdy. Inside are two of my favourites: the great checked lining and the wwwdot birdbrain graphics on a double pocket.
This bag is made to specifications for someone very special. It is the third bag of this leather, one of the most beautiful and largest hides I have ever used. I like to use recycled pieces but every once in a while something comes along that I know I want to work with. And there is enough left for two or three more. Meanwhile this one is wrapped and under the tree.
recycled sweater christmas stockings
Making Christmas stockings from recycled sweaters is great fun. The trick of course is having the right sweaters. I knew when I found this Jenny Ferguson pure wool sweater from Scotland that it was perfect. The whole quest involved in reusing adds to the adventure. When you are least expecting it, the absolutely perfect sweater speaks to you from a rack of ugly acrylics. With these teddies taking centre stage, a little needle felting on the top and a few seasonal buttons were all that was needed to make the stocking ready for Christmas morning.
friday pouches in the shop
Two new Friday pouches in two sizes are in the on-line store. The top one is a great leather, a kind of black/green, which was a skirt in a former life and the bottom one is a larger size in the traditional black with pebbly pocket. These pouches are made of recycled leather, have an exterior zippered pocket and an interior slip pocket as well as a removable wrist strap. Great on their own to hold your essentials on a Friday night or on another day, thrown in a larger bag. Lined with the Montreal striped fabric. 
