And Then.....

.... after hooking for a couple years had feelings of inadequacy as to my hooking.  There was an atmosphere that wide cut primitive hookers weren't 'real' hookers and hooked only what they were capable of.  

That year I signed up for a class with Jon Ciemiewicz ~ I know you have seen his magnificent works of art in Rug Hooking Magazine and shows.  That was the class I started work on my Rottweiler Memorial.

The dogs were hooked in #3 but got so frustrated with narrow cut that the background was hooked in #5.  The background was a mixture of that same High Meadow Green dye recipe, a staple of mine.  The wool in the dogs were dip dyed by me using repurposed brown wool dip dyed in black.  

And some of you may know, at the nape of the neck between the color change some of their hair is hooked in.  I'd saved each of their hair during grooming when they were alive.  Friend Leslie, now departed, spun their hair on a narrow core of wool yarn.  In person you can see the hair, which makes this a very special piece for me.

Okay then.... I got my confidence back!  I now know my capabilities of handling a narrow cut, could paint well with wool but CHOSE to hook wide cut and primitive.  So what did I do next, you ask?

Pulled out a piece of linen and drew a primitive rug and hooked it in #8.

One year at Cape May someone was working on Bev Conway's pattern Rufus the Lion and it was love at first sight.  So purchased the pattern and hooked that in a class with Bev.

Those shades of fuscia and purple aren't really me but since his adorable mane had those colors they needed to be spread around the rug.  The rug is in my wool room.

Meanwhile during the year I hooked several more purses for shows and small mats until it was time to go to another rug camp.

The pattern Birds and Pomegranates by Edyth O'Neill was in a book so drew that out for the class with Eric Sandberg; and sold that one.

Was time to put another rug on my frame so chose 1880 Running Horse.  This one I hooked on my own using the picture of the antique as a guideline ~ sold this one too.

Going into 2007 Polly Minick was offering Patriotic kits with portion of the proceeds to benefit the Semper Fi Fund, which helps wounded warriors and their family.   I recently donated this to the American Legion so they could sell chances  ~ all proceeds went to their cause.

That was also the year  Polly and I developed a great working relationship which lasted 10 years until her recent retirement.  

In a class with Lucille Festa I hooked 1847 Turkey, a pattern in a Needl'love publication named Falloween.

Next on my frame was Crow Sampler, a design by Kindred Spirits.  I changed it up a bit with the border.

And here is the original on the web site.

Tonya (Mad Hen) invited me to hook a design to be included in an upcoming booklet.  There were a few of us rug hookers who were included in that publication.  It was quite an honor for me; heck, she provided the pattern as well as the wool.  The only stipulation was that the black was to be for the sky (a/k/a/ background).

There ya have it for another blog post rug show.  After breakfast I will go back outside and work my aching bones to clean up the small limbs.  But at least the trees are being whittled down and the mess will eventually be gone.

 Although you can't see it in theese two photos, the trees are still in a very precarious and dangerous position as the weight of the top tree is teetering on the tip of my clothes line post.  

Here are close-ups.  The weight of the top and heaviest tree is sitting on that tilted clothes line post.

The men will be back this morning to begin work again.  Would you believe there is another storm with rain/snow and wind developing for Tuesday and Wednesday?

Saundra

Rug Camp in OC other teachers

The other teachers at the Ocean City Workshop were Jon Ciemiewicz and Betty McClintic.  Jon was in one of the suites on another floor and Betty was sharing the same room with Betsy.  I thought for sure that there was a picture taken of Betty but guess not....sorry.  She is quite a lovely lady who is good at fine cuts.  Also didn't get a picture of Jon since his class was on another floor.

However here are a couple pictures of Betty's class.  This is sweet Grace who was in Betty McClentic's class and visited our group to chat with friends.  Look at what she is using as a wool strip organizer and place to put her snippets.  Smart southern gal who makes do.

 The great gal to the right is Kimberly who has 'Brooke Shield eyebrows'.  She and Susan (in Betsy's class) are bosom buddies.  The two of them together are entertaining and hell on wheels.  Loved listening to their friendship families' exploits.

There was an impromptu rug show of class rugs in progress (for those who chose to participate) as well as finished rugs for those who chose to bring them.

This beautiful piece of art is by none other than Jon Ciemiewicz.  Can't you just feel the hot breath of the animal and the rough edges of the cave? 



 Jon's depiction of Native Americans always gives me chills for their beauty.  Standing in front of his works is looking at a true artist.

 

Here are a few of the students' works.  Frankly I'm not sure which was in Jon's class or in Betty's class since both were narrow cut.  But, I'd say the animals would be Jon's class.



 

 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend and hope we can all stave off the winter weather coming soon.

 

Saundra