CAPE MAY 2023

It felt good to see Cape May and hooking pals again.  I didn't go last year since there were no primitive teachers.  This year was a BLAST!  Was finally in Caroline Twigg's class (Eagles Nest Woolens) and will have her again November at Ocean City, MD.  The class of eight (three had to drop out due to health or family emergency) made for a more intimate gathering.

Our class was in the 'dungeon' a name given by hookers since the room  is dark and requires a lamp.  But had we been in the dining hall with good lighting and other groups we probably wouldn't have felt free enough to laugh as we did.  I took many photos so will have to show them in a few posts.  Also have 'throw down' photos of rugs we started in class.

First rug from the show is a design by Theresa Kogut named Moon Dance and hooked by our classmate Leslie.  

Another Halloween rug but cannot see who designed or hooked it.  Since Halloween is just a few weeks away this will give you time to order a pattern and get in the Halloween spirit.

Below is a Karen Kahle design (Primitive Spirit) hooked by Shari.

I believe the chicken rug below was designed and hooked by Lucille (American Country Rugs).  Some several of the labels were written with pencil which is hard to read and doesn't photograph well so I'm guessing.  

Beach Bums, below, is a design by Deanne Fitzpatrick and hooked by Kim McWilliams.

There were a few other Deanne's beach themed rugs in the show; these next three were hooked by Roberta Olah.  They are a hoot and can't pick a favorite.

Roberta also designed and hooked this blue ribbon winner of Elise.

If memory serves me correctly, again can't read the card, the rug below was named Crop Circles and hooked by Deb Lesher.

Shari hooked this Hutchinson style mermaid rug.

A geometric and cat by Shari also.

A pastel floral hooked by Vicki Bartkowski.

The rug below is named Horse Feathers by Vermont Folk Art and hooked by Deb Lesher. 

I've many more photos to share so there will be more blog posts coming another day.  Besides I want to sit and hook in a few minutes as ....

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjuctionprimitives.weebly.com

Let's Drop By Cathy's for Coffee......

Another familiar name is Cathy Greschner of Orange Sink.  Cathy's journey began when she and her friend Irene were both selling antiques.  Irene was a rug hooker and Cathy fell in love with her rugs. Having just moved to Rice Lake Irene announced she was going to teach a beginning hooking class. Cathy took the class and had a couple years hooking together until Irene moved back to Minnesota ~ that was 2006.

On a humorous note, Cathy confided at the first class... she asked Irene, "how in the world is that big piece of wool going to fit through that tiny little hole?"  To which Irene chuckled and said, "it just does".  Cathy said that shows just how very little she understood the concept of rug hooking.

After learning the basics of hooking rugs Cathy knew she wanted to design her own.  Above was her first own designed rug.


Her choice of pattern design depends on a spot in the house and if she plans to keep the rug.  Her favorite colors are reds, golds, mustards, muted blue.  Lately she has been eyeing and appreciating the softer faded colors and neutrals.  She says it is rather tricky hooking with neutrals and feels she needs more practice to perfect that style.

Cathy has admired several rug hookers: Deanne Fitzpatrick, Lori Brechlin, Polly Minick, Barb Carroll, Karen Kahle and Maggie Bonanomi. She admits to have hooked about 4 designs of Maggie already.

When first hooking Cathy said the biggest hurdle was finding wool colors she wanted.  She purchased every piece of wool clothing in thrift stores within a hundred mile radius but they were all the same colors and textures.  That is when she decided to try her hand at dyeing wool. Cathy hopes to have a designated 'dye kitchen' in her future.

The rug above is called "Tree Birds" and is a rework or her original first design previously shown.  If you would like to purchase a "Tree Birds" pattern visit her shop on ETSY.

Cathy hooks in her studio most of the time listening to XM talk radio and will switch to music sometimes. But when she has a deadline will listen to old rock and roll from the 60s' and 70's as well as hard rock. Yup Cathy, that will get the adrenalin and hands moving quicker to meet a deadline. When doing wool applique' she will spend time with hubby and the dogs watching TV rather than in the studio.

Thanks, Cathy, for joining in on the fun of this 'getting to know us'.  It is a warm fuzzy feeling to realize that most of us have traveled the same road to this wooly goodness we love.

Saundra

An Interview with Elaine Allerton

YIPPEE, my first responding volunteer; thank you Elaine for participating.  What a better way to welcome March than introducing rug hookers to one another.  We see the names posting on Out of Hand Rughookers but it will be nice to get to know one another on a more personal basis.

Elaine lives in Ontario, a Canadian neighbor.  I'm sure everyone will enjoy these rug photos you shared with me and your rug hooking journey.

Elaine said her friend wanted to learn how to hook so she went along for the ride ~ that was 1995.  Elaine said "what a ride it was!"  She cannot believe how much joy and wool she has welcomed since then.

Above is her own design and was the first rug she hooked.  WOW, she certainly put me to shame on the first project.

The inch mat is an original design by Elaine which she has named "Year of the Rooster".  Nicely color planned too Elaine, the pop of yellow surrounds the rooster and focuses in on the subject.

She loves primitives but says her style changes back and forth to bright landscapes where she can use wool, wool yarn, sari, and wool sweaters to give the rug lots of texture she enjoys so much.  The primitive rug above is called Harvest and is a design by Lori Brechlin of NotForgottenFarm.

The landscape design above was hooked by Elaine and is a Block of the Month by Deanne Fitzpatrick.  If you tap on the photo you will be able to see the various textiles which Elaine incorporated into the rug.

Her winter hooking spot is the 'hooking room' listening to music or audio books.  In the summer she sits outside on the deck to hook and listens to the sounds of nature.  

Elaine says she "....has been inspired by so many hookers ~ including my work".  Ah, I paid her to say that last part, lol.

Am so glad my friend Shari inspired me to do this segment on my blog as I'm totally enjoying seeing people's work and learning more about the people who follow my blog.  What surprises me is the response; you won't believe some of the great hookers who have happily responded to yesterday's post.  Will take them in order of response so hang tight as you will each be featured.  This is fun and can't wait until tomorrow to showcase the other wonderful hooker.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

p.s.  If the link on the word HERE isn't working for you then go to my proile page and choose to email me.

Inspirations Rug Show

When I peruse blogs, Pinterest, rug shows, etc. I keep inspirational photos on my flash drive.  It could be the color combinations, it could be a new pattern someone is offering which I'd like to hook.  So I thought it was time to share a few of those pieces with you.

Sharon Smith's designs can be picked out of a room full of rugs even without a name tag.  I admire everything she does but not sure I'd be able to do the pattern justice since the colors are way out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless I continue to save wonderful photos of her designs.

And is also as easy to pick out a design by Deanne Fitzpatrick.  Her hooking makes it look so dang easy to hook people and colors which are near close to the same value (woman third from left) with just a few darker hooked loops.  She doesn't do a solid line, just hit and miss so it is like a dot dot dot of wool here and there.   Deanne's books are on my shelf and one day plan to hook one of her designs.

Cannot remember where I saw this picture posted but do know it is a design of Bev Conway.  My gal pal Deb had the design early in her hooking and didn't like what she did so threw the whole thing away....wool and all. OMG, silly girl.  This is one I'd like to hook myself and these colors are quite in my palate.  Fantastic job who ever hooked this!!!  If you know who hooked it I'll post the name.

Cathy Gresher hooked this gorgeous beauty below and those color combinations are YUMMY together.  Cathy, please let me know if this is your design.

While I've proven to myself and you that I'm not much of a geometric person, this pattern (is it called log cabin?) with light and dark has always caught my attention.  Just wish I had the endurance to see a project thru with several blocks like this.  But saved it for inspiration to give myself a prod.

This Polka Dot Pony rug below was hooked by Pat Merikallio.  She will always have a special place in my heart for nurturing my virgin trip to Cape May when she saw me post questions on RugHookers.  She was also the first woman whose work I'd seen using colors in value hooking.

Most recently I saw this on Pinterest and is by Caroline Hegwer.  What was awesome to me is how she used the dark blue, light blue and the light stems with such a fantastic contrast.  Awesome.

Well kiddies, I've lost more time looking up names to post here for the pieces so gotta run. 

Saundra