Remembering My First Rug Camp Experience

I was a self-taught rug hooker and learned by reading the instructions in a Rug Hooking Magazine as well as a Kindred Spirits booklet.  Since I was also a doll maker believe it was this booklet which got me started.  However, I do own several of Kindred Spirits booklets.

So for a couple years I hooked smallish things on my own at home until one day decided to bite the bullet and attend a rug camp an hour away from home.  Figured it was time to find out what I was doing wrong , unlearn bad habits and develop proper hooking style ~ which for me was primitive and wide cut.

At that same time a doll maker and hooker friend Shari was also new to the world of rug hooking.  We discussed the camp ad we'd seen mentioned in Rug Hooking Magazine and decided to go. We could have stayed at my house and driven the hour to and fro but ....duh.... why miss all the fun.  So we chose to stay at The Dunes Hotel in Ocean City, MD where the Maryland Shores Rug Camp was being held in April.

At that time it was a McGowan school using only accepted patterns.  Thankfully they changed and now designs by anyone will be accepted at the school.  These McGowan trained teachers have had to hook numerous styles, different cuts, various techniques, different finishing and basically jump through hoops to get their certification.  Some of those teachers, like my friend Lynne, also has an art degree in addition.  So needless to say I was TIMID.  I didn't know Lynne at the time, and frankly didn't know ANY hookers until going to camp, but I was still timid.
    (this is getting long, do you need to go get a glass of water, tee hee)

Okay, so my friend Shari and I decide that once in the class room we will hurry to get a position where our backs are against the wall so other hookers can't see what we've done.  Mind you I'm an adult and am feeling like a scared child in a fetal position.  So we do pick a spot like that and we were happy.

Now, my poor poor teacher, the wonderful Mary Lou Bleakley who will (I'm sure) never forget me didn't know what she was in for.  Even tho I was a grown woman.... senior even.... I was still timid and insecure.  Since I had no stash of wool to speak of, and now know what I did have wasn't good wool, I chose to have my teacher color plan my design.  I told her which pattern I wanted, gave her ideas for colors and she did a great job for me.  I chose "Heritage" which is a Charco design and acceptable in the camp at that time. 

Guess I should have vacuumed my rug before posting the picture.  This is the rug and has been at my front door since 2003, wool is very resilient.

One of the pre-class questions Mary Lou asked was what did I want to learn from class.  Even tho I was going to hook a wide cut (#8) I wanted to learn how to do shading because this was going to be my first and last rug camp.  HA! (but that's another story).

At some point before camp I'm sure poor Mary Lou thought I was the student from hell because I had so many questions; am sure too she thought I'd be the trouble maker in the class and not a happy camper maybe always complaining.  Well I didn't start trouble in the class and she and I have laughed about that class each time we see each other. 

OH, but yes, troublemaker I am.  When I go to camp it is fun to get laughs and play with my pals so do like to stir the pot a little.  But it is all in fun not in malice.  And for the record, all the teachers and seasoned hookers greeted us newbies with open arms and tend to share every bit of information they know. 

Going to camp is a great way to see tools other hookers have and everyone is willing to share usage on a hook or a frame just so other hookers will have the experience and know what product suits them best.  Shari and I (even as newbies) had people lining up to try our 'sit-upon' swivel and tilt frame which was new on the market at the time.

All sorts of other fond memories are going through my cranium as I type this but think I'll sign off for now and take my boy Ben for yet ANOTHER walk since he didn't do his duties before and he didn't want the back yard as a substitute... dang dog.

Mary Lou, I doubt you're reading my blog but want to thank you for being patient with me. 

Please everyone, be kind to one another regardless of their difference. 

Saundra

OK... I GIVE

I'd planned to have Merrie October (Lori Brechlin design) finished by now.  But it has been 3 days since my last blog post so gave up trying and decided to post my progress anyway.

Am very pleased with my background.  Someone asked me after my previous blog post what I'd planned for the background.  This is a piece of wool I've had for a few years and never seemed right until now.  And it is a perfect color and wool for this design and this holiday. 

Still undecided what color to do the leaves on the climber vines; first thought was to have various fall colors.  But maybe that introduces too many colors.  Tucked away in my cranium am remembering a class with Kris Miller when she said usually she hooks lighter value leaves at the top and darker at the bottom.  Hmm, maybe I should use light and dark green colors being used on the ground in those leaves.

FYI, the colors used for the climbing vines, Haus witch's hat and waist I used a piece of wool Kris picked out for me last September at Cape May.  I needed something for the flowers at the curved bottom of Oh Glorious Day but didn't want colors to overpower the rest of the design.  Kris and I went on a walking tour for wool from other teachers since she didn't think what she had left would work.  

So you will know where it was used in Oh Glorious Day here is the finished photo.  If you look between the green hill and the darker area at the bottom you will see shades of purple.  That is from the same piece of wool.

Haven't heard contrary about the November rug camp so guess it is still a 'go'?.  Have been in contact with a few of the attendees and we're all figuring out how we plan to navigate the class scenario.  

All I know is that the over 6 months of being hunkered down and being non-social isn't healthy either.  I am planning to attend rug camp, will follow health regulations and plan to continue living LIFE as best I can.

Happy Hooking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

Saundra ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com