Search Results for: rug hooking
recycling t-shirts and leather
I have begun to hook with strips of t-shirt material and it is taking some getting used to. First of all the cutting of the strips is a challenge. I am currently using a rotary cutter, but that takes so much time! Then there is deciding on the width of the strip–wider seems better. And I am discovering that cotton does not behave in the accommodating way wool does. In addition, finding good colours is a challenge–I have slipped in some dyed lime green nylons in this square, just for some pizzazz.
With all these negatives, why am I doing this, you ask? Well it is a challenge. And it is recycling. But the main reason is I am going to Kenya in January and hoping to teach the women in the village there how to hook rugs. I was looking for material which would be locally available and thought immediately of this source of cotton. So I am experimenting with all facets of this new hooking and will keep you posted.
And here is the next leather bag–still very much in process. This will be a big travel tote with handles and a cross-body strap. I order to make something this size, I am using two leather sources, a pebbly bomber jacket and a pair of leather pants. The colours seem to work well together, so I am just trying to work with the many seams in the jacket. Will let you know how this goes as well.
small rough pouches in colour!
I have long had a romance with turquoise and magenta. I remember a hot mat I wove in Brownies on a box loom my father made for me. It was–turquoise and magenta–and I thought it was beautiful. At a recent workshop we talked a lot about emotional connection to colour–Deanne talked about her mother’s turquoise fridge and the memories it evoked. I think these rich colours evoke the excitement I felt as a little girl when the brown paper packages arrived from my Scottish grandmother containing hand-knitted sweaters in the most beautiful hues. Those packages spoke love to me.
I had a number of small zippers and some small pieces of my favourite leathers. I decided to make some small rough pouches–no lining but a little pocket for subway tokens or other small treasures. And I have fallen for them–the little ones for change and the larger ones to pop in your tote with phone, cash, cards etc. A perfect injection of colour!
east coast inspirings
I have just returned from a trip to the east coast where I had a chance to absorb the light, the texture and the colours…
and then to participate in a fabulous workshop on colour at Deanne Fitzpatrick’s studio in Amherst Nova Scotia. The workshop combined theory — presented ably by Phyllis Cameron — and an intuitive, experiential, reflective approach led by Deanne.
We considered colour using all our senses–some experiences were delicious as well as beautiful! (Perhaps here I should also mention the locally roasted coffee and oat cakes always on hand in the studio kitchen.)
Deanne has expanded her shop and studio area since I last visited in 2006. The class was held in a lovely room adjacent to the store, a room with high ceilings, white walls and lots of natural light — a perfect spot for the fourteen students to spread out and hook while absorbing the presentations.
We explored colour as well as alternate fibres like sari silk and hand-dyed fleece and yarn. On the left, a snake comes into life and below a maple leaf bursts in full fall colours. To the right of the leaf is my frame with white pines of silk and yarn–my first landscape and my first hooking with hand-spun yarn. I loved it!
How wonderful to see Deanne’s ‘colour intuition’ up close in the shop. Below are two of her pieces. I’ll have more photos in the next post, as well as a glimpse into another wonderful studio I visited.
pencil cases
These three pencil cases are currently available. They are made of recycled leather, lined with fine black cotton and closing with a durable zipper. They are approximately 9″x4′, suitable for pencils, rughooking tools, or other small treasures. Great colours to brighten your day. Check here for a look at the backs. $22. plus postage.
my cup of tea…
Inspired by Lisa Congdon’s 365 days of handlettering, I decided to try my hand at illustrating a familiar phrase. Now, I know that I am not up to doing one each day like Lisa, but this was fun. I also was sketching while I was away at Georgian Bay and our own cottage. Here is the view of the island next to ours–followed by Adam’s photo of same. Look at that reflection!
and another of my sketches as I struggle with all those trees…
and some more of Adam’s cottage images…it is inspiring to see your much-loved landscape through someone else’s eyes. I find all these things link — sketching, photographing, blogging, hooking and sewing. Each one can lead you into the creative zone–a what a place that is! Thank you, Adam.
cottage interlude
wave inspiration
My son often starts the day off on the St. Lawrence on his surf board (even a sprained ankle doesn’t stop him–he just modifies!) The pictures taken by his friend are beautiful. Here on dry land, I am struggling with chair seat #3. This happens to me sometimes–the hooking takes over and starts to boss me. This piece is very temperamental, demanding this, rejecting that, and being satisfied with none of my attempts. Yesterday at our hooking gathering, several suggested I pull out one of my trees — which I did. Last night I rehooked part of the sky. I tell myself it’s only a sample — relax, you are learning. But it sits on the stand clamouring for attention–and it’s hard not to listen. I am trying to ignore it for a while and instead take inspiration from those amazing waves.
trees
These are some of my favourite trees. First up, are Jule Marie Smith’s delightful pine trees, (look at her colours!) followed by my version of Susan Feller’s winter scene. Susan says she saw these trees driving one cold winter night.
I have been saving this cover for years. I think the wooden trees would translate so well into hooking. On the right are my cedars from chair seat two and below the spruce from the new chair seat. I am experimenting to see just what style will work in the new rug.
ready for #3
The hooking on the first two samples is done and I think I have determined the tone of the wedding rug. The first sample is just too sedate and ordered. This rug is going to be playful and a little off-kilter, more like the second chair seat. I have one more sample to do–this one depicting a version of Owen and Carissa’s home–before I actually begin to plan the rug. Background colour is a big question right now. And type of border. Both things need to be determined before I begin the rug. Meanwhile, I better get design #3 on backing so that I will have something to hook at the Hook-in in Belleville this Saturday!!