A LEGEND LOST

Sadness overwhelmed me when being informed Barb Carroll had passed away.  Barb was a rug hooking icon, a legend, master of primitives and color ~ she was my mentor.    I had her books and savored them not imagining I'd ever have the luck to attend one of her classes.  Here she is behind the color planning desk at the old Woolley Fox Lane and wearing her bold and wonderful necklaces.

My first rug camp with Barb 2008 I was in such awe of her that I even took a photo of her talented hands showing us the next rug ready for hooking.

A photo of Barb color planning Lion and Trees taken back in 2012 and so happy to have a photo of her with me.  

While I had a photo of those talented hands her creative mind couldn't be captured in a photograph, but the results of her creativity lives on in the rugs she color planned.   Barb would eye the design then say I've just the right wool for 'this', what ever this was.  She walked across the room and came back with a piece of wool.  

That was something else about Barb.  She never ever measured a piece of wool for a specific motif or border, it was instinctive and always was exact.  There was either just a short strip of that wool left over or it took exactly what she'd torn for that item.

Kinderhook Basket was the first rug first class with Barb 2008.  It hangs in this room and I often walk up to review the lessons I learned from her that day.

Barb was a devout Catholic, generous in sharing her knowledge as well as giving in other ways.  She would read my blog to see what I was working on.  One particular time when working on Nantucket Broom Ride and I had cellulitis she sent me a 'get well card' with various pieces of wool to assist with my problem.

That problem was what shade purple to use for the goode witch riding the whale because I didn't have a good one and was determined to make her clothing purple.  Barb also suggested that such an adventurous gal should have a scarf flowing behind her.  Oh, and red hair.  It was quite a surprising 'get well' package indeed.  Just one instance of her friendship and generosity.

She would also send cards for no reason, I kept one (wish I'd kept them all) which has a cut out primitive flower shape that I'd like to trace out one day and make into a pattern.  Her cards were always up-lifting and with inspirational words.

Nantucket Broom Ride is a design by Lori Brechlin and pattern sold by Spruce Ridge Studios.  The pattern won't have the scarf but I'll bet if you ask Kris nicely she'd draw one on for you since she has this picture on her web site.

I could write volumes about that LADY, and she was indeed a Lady in all manners of speaking.  She also had a great sense of humor.  You will be missed Barb, rest in peace and happy hooking in heaven with your friends Bobbi, Emma Lou and Jayne Hester. 💜💜

Saundra