This doesn’t seem like much progress for 5 days of hooking. But if you subtract the designing time, the pulling out time and the visiting time, it doesn’t seem so bad. I’m set now for the rest of the hooking, but I think the border will take as long as the centre of the rug.
Here is the second corner I finished. I always try to include a bird in my rugs, sometimes hidden. But this fellow is in a prominent place- the rug seemed to need a little levity.
I took a week-long class with Bev Conway whose Rufus is the third rug here. My weekend class was with Michele Micarelli–her goddess rug and Klimt rugs are below. Great inspiration from both!!
There were many, many outstanding pieces in the classrooms and in the student show which was held both during the week class and the weekend. Yes, I was lucky enough to be there for both! Below are just a few of the pieces that were worked on in the classes. I will post the rugs from the show soon.
Kathleen’s Boston
Jeanette’s Panda:
Judy’s Peacock (Look for the spandex, yes spandex! You can buy it buy the yard in glorious sparkling shades):
Glenn’s street scene:
and a selection of Artist Trading Cards:
I’ve just returned from a week at Green Mountain Rug School–a glorious place. Above is a shot from Jule Marie Smith’s classroom. Below a peek at the gardens that are everywhere, including Suzanne Dirmaier’s gorgeous rug. I have many photos of rugs to post and will do so soon.
I’ve been dyeing to prepare for my week at Green Mountain rug school. I needed some more of the border colours. The light spot outlines all the motifs–I’ve already used over a yard of it. The dark colour was dyed over already darkish textures as pictured in the second photo. I find this gives the best results both in colour and hand.
And here is Fireworks with the centre almost all hooked and half of the border drawn. I always include a bird on my rugs and am just thinking about where the one on this rug will go.
Yesterday the Moira Mat Makers (the Belleville rug hooking group) gathered for our monthly meeting at Loyalist College. Our main project for the day was organizing for our show at the Corby Library in September. As we looked at all the rugs, we decided that it will be an outstanding display of talent and ingenuity. Below are only a very few of the rugs to be displayed. The opening night is September 1st in the library gallery on Pinnacle Street in Belleville. I hope that you will mark your calendars.
Glenn’s Scooter:
Mary Anne’s Echinacea:
Joan’s streetscape–this is just one third of the rug!
And Luba’s story of the creation of the world. Again, this is part of an amazing triptych.
I should have taken more photos as the room was filled with rugs, but I got lodged behind my Fireworks rug, coming closer to my goal of finishing the centre and drawing the border before I go to Green Mountain rug school, one week today. YIKES!
Peruvian Images is finished. My very first rug Euclid, is of similar design. Both are from House of Price. Peruvian Images stayed in the cupboard for several years before I decided to start it last year. It is interesting to see the evolution. Euclid was hooked in 2006 on burlap, using #4 cut wool purchased at my first Annual in Lindsay in 2005. Peruvian Images is hooked on linen, with #5 cut and lots of textures, spot dyes and marblized wool, mostly of my own dyeing. Euclid is finer, more careful, more reserved. Peruvian Images is thicker and a bit riotous. Am I taking more risks these days? Maybe.
This wonderful Peruvian is from the Ayacucho region. I have had it on my computer forever, taking inspiration from the colours, geometric progression and whimsical insects. Here is where you can find more beauties.
This large round rug is by Anna Stowe for Red Spruce Rugs. You can read the manifesto of this Canadian group here. Of course I love the birds!
I’m nearing the home stretch on Peruvian Images. I read some where a long time ago that you should whip your rug all round and save the corners for last. This may sound like torture, but the idea is that your corners are more likely to be symmetrical if they are done right after one another. It always takes me a bit to remember just how to mitre them!
I roll the backing towards the rug so there is no finishing after the whipping. This is always a relief at this stage–no tape, no hand sewing! I’ll take it off to the local cleaners to be steamed this week and then take a picture of the finished piece.
