THREE WONDERFUL DAYS!!!


This was the week of the Cynthia Norwood three day workshop sponsored by the Mason-Dixon Chapter of ATHA. It was held at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City. When I got up Thursday morning and it was raining and foggy I thought that this is a day that under normal circumstances I would not try to go "over the mountain" (South Mountain, that is) but this was a special morning! Sooooo, I took my nerves in hand and off I went. How glad I was that I braved it.

This was a class of 17, most very experienced rug makers. There were three fairly new hookers in the class however, they proved to be very talented as you will see in the pictures that follow. Because of the experience of the class members, Cynthia was able to talk about some things that she normally does not have time to discuss, with a less experienced group. Also, her color plans for this group were spectacular! There were only two small pieces brought for hooking, all of the rest were large rugs with one rug being 72 x 108.
This first picture is Cynthia showing how this particular piece of material can be used.

Joanne and Ellie hard at work - notice the piles of wool.

Just look at the piles of wool to be used in the rugs being hooked by three people. When I said big rugs - I meant big rugs!

Across the room from the last picture also piles of wool for hooking. A discussion going on among the hookers.

Here is Cynthia demonstration the Euro-Steam Iron. This is the iron I call the "majic" iron. When used to steam a rug the rug looks all new and beautiful. Takes out all of the wrinkles and spots hooked to tight and makes a lovely smooth rug. You can also iron clothes with it but who does that these days?

And now for the rug show . . . . . . . .

This is a small portion of a rug hooked by Cynthia that will appear in the ATHA magazine in the next few months. It is part of an article showing this rug hooked by three different hookers and how their skills differ.

Another view of the same rug. I took this picture because I loved the fish in the stream and also while it doesn't show in the picture there was a small amount of silver embellishment in the water. So unlike Cynthia!

This rug is a long runner and impossible to get the whole thing in one picture. It was hooked by Ivi C. This is a truly beautiful rug. The colors are breath taking.

A close up of the leaves and the border that incorporated all of the colors used in the rug. The border really made a difference for this rug.

A close-up of Mr Squirrel eating his nut. Ivi did a wonderful job on hooking him.

This rug sparked an in-depth conversation with Cynthia and all students participating. It is hooked with a #6 cut - so what category does this rug fall into for show purposes? Is it "primitive" or "traditional" is it "folk art" is it "original" is it a "commercial design" is if an "adaptation." What categories do the juried shows in your area recognize? All very interesting thoughts. And last but not least, by any means, keeping in mind that all judging is arbitrary and is judged by the "eye" of the beholder!

This is the beginning of a log cabin type rug using only left overs. It is being hooked by one of the lesser experience hookers - each row a different wool strip and it is quite effective. This is a large piece.

This is a truly beautiful rug. The face is wonderful and is being hooked by a very experienced hooker.

Can you believe - this is a first rug! The perspective on the pumpkins in this rug is wonderful. They really look round. The leaves are all hooked with spot dyed material - each leaf a different spot dye with different shades of purple for veins. Imagine what beautiful rugs this young lady will hook with some experience under her belt!

A closeup of the pumpkin - truly well done.

This last picture is of the rug that I started in the class. I did not get as much done as I had hoped but I was to busy listening to what Cynthia had to say. This rug will have lots of paisley in it as well as many plaids and textured pieces. Can you believe that it will also have some purple areas to go with the reds. I can hardly wait to get hooking on it.

Those of you who know me, know that I have been hooking for many years. I maintain that it doesn't matter how long you have been hooking there is always something new to learn. In the early days of my hooking I had the advantage of taking workshops and attending camps with some of the best teachers that Mrs. McGown had to offer. As I have been told many times I was in the right place at the right time. Just very lucky I think. However, I have never worked with a teacher more sharing of her knowledge and more talented than Cynthia Norwood. I understand that she will be in our area again next November and I certainly suggest that if you can get in her class you do so - BUT be sure to leave room for me!

Until we meet again keep the hooks moving and the mind open to new ideas - be sure to try new things in you rugs - you will be surprised at the beauty that you can create.

Doris

GETTYSBURG ANNIVERSARY -

As I was driving to Gettysburg today, I could not help but enjoy the beauty of the trees on the mountains. Altho a lot of the leaves have already fallen many of the trees were very colorful. There seemed to be a lot of trees with yellow still in leaf. I wish I had gotten better pictures but it is hard to take pictures with one hand on the steering wheel as you are going down the mountain!

This is the old covered bridge on Jacks Mountain Road. A short cut to avoid the golf course and ski lodges on the way to Gettysburg. The floor of the bridge is plank and rattles as you cross.

Since this was the 20th anniversary of the Blue and Gray group the turnout was quite large. This is an overall shot of some of the attendees.

Another view of the group. As you can see we do hook but we also do a lot of talking and laughing. The ladies of this group turn out some very beautiful rugs and are very congenial.

This next picture is of Ann Nevitt one of the founders of the Blue and Gray along with one of the longest attending members.

Everyone out did themselfs in the food today. There were several types of dips, chips, salads and of course cookies and cakes. Not one cake but 2 cakes. One was an ice cream cake and the other was so rich that I think that we all must have gained much weight!

This cake was very rich and had icing that I think was at least 2 inches deep! So yummy.

This is a picture of the ice cream cake. It held up extremely well for most of the meeting and then began to melt. However, most of us had already had a large piece before the melting began. About a half hour after we had eaten, Joan came around and inspected tongues. All of us had blue lips and tongues from eating blue icing!

Some of the goodies on the table. Also a counter full of goodies that I didn't get a picture of.

In spite of all of the eating we do hook! There were not many rugs for display today but I did get a few pictures. Sorry I don't have names to go with the rugs but as you can see we have been a productive group.

I loved these mats. They are so colorful and obviously made from leftovers. What a wonderful way to use up all of those leftover worms.

Another hit or miss mat.

This is Ellie's rug in progress. Her colors are so soft and warm this is going to be a wonderful piece. Sorry I didn't get the whole rug in the shot so that you could see her lettering at the top of the piece. She is really doing a great job on this piece.

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout for this important occasion. We are all in debt to Ann fo starting such a wonderful group and keeping it going for all of these years. Whenever you get hooked out or need an inspiration to keep hooking this is the group to visit with. So many in the group are willing to help and offer suggestions that get you going again. The ladies of this group truly are the essence of what hooking is all about.

I hope that each of you has such a group to meet with and to draw inspiration from. Until we meet again, happy hooking, take care of yourself and each other and be sure to tell your family that you love them.

Doris

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF -
When I got up yesterday morning I thought to myself that I have nothing on my agenda today - aah - a nice relaxing and easy day. I worked like a Trogen all day long! I completely GI'ed my kitchen and as a result had to run the dishwasher. Next I went in the bedroom to change the sheets on my bed but instead looked in my closet and got sick! So many clothes that were not being used. Sooooo, I went through all the things hanging there and now have a big bag of clothes for the women's shelter in Baltimore County. My friend Angie helped to start this shelter and is very active in its daily running. It is always a pleasure to give good usable clothing to those less fortunate then we are.

Next to the underware drawer - what a mess - this took a whole hour to straighten out. Why is it that this is the drawer that we tend to just jumble things in? Just separating the summer socklets from the knee high winter socks made a big different. Another hour gone by and still no hooking!

By late afternoon I was getting pretty tired and decided that I would do something fun. Bless WeaverPat for putting a link from her blog to the "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" blog. Several days ago they had posted their receipt for cheese bread. It looked so good I could hardly wait to try it and try it I did! I knew that one loaf would not be enough so I doubled the receipt. So easy to do. The results are yummy. I had it warm from the oven for dinner last evening and lightly toasted this morning with sausage for breakfast. I hope all of you will try it.
These are truly beautiful loaves. The only thing I did that was not in the receipt was give them a wash of egg before baking.

Pat the rest of this blog is for you. I have photographed the 3 spinning wheels just as they came from the barn. I have not attempted to clean them up because I know so little about them that I didn't want to harm them.

The one above is a fold down model and seems to be all in tact. It was used a lot.

I took two pictures of this one. I'm not sure why. However perhaps you can get a better idea of it. It also has some spun yarn on it as you will see in the next picture.

I'm guessing that this was one of Kris' many unfinished projects. As you know I am trying to finished up the rug projects. That will take me several years since most of the rugs were very large. She was a beautiful hooker.

I know this wheel has a broken part. I have the part and think that it will be an easy fix for Zip. I believe this to be an antique - it surely is pretty.

I hope that this gives you some insight to what I was talking about in my e-mail to you. I would appreciate comments from anyone who knows about spinning wheels as I am not knowledgable on this subject.

I had thought that today would be a "do nothing" day but looks like it will also be as busy as yesterday - laundry and errands and such - women's work is never done.

I am almost finished with my black and white rug - only 4 more squares to do and I am hoping that I can get to it today.

Wishing all of you the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful day, the weather is perfect! Have a wonderful week and above all keep smiling!

Doris

THIS AND THAT -

This is the time of year that I begin to "store my nuts" - just like the squirrel's so that on Thanksgiving and Christmas I don't have to spend all of my time in the kitchen. I can really enjoy my family and still put good "eat's" on the table. Soooo, last Tuesday I baked 5 pumpkin pies and 4 of them are in the freezer. I had to taste, of course, so one is about gone. They turned out very creamy and oh! so yummy! On Wednesday I went to my Pearl McGown hooking group. We met at Vi's house this time and it was so good to see our friend Barbara. Barbara lost her husband a few weeks ago and this is the first time she has joined us in some months. She is a most beautiful person and we are all praying for her and her new life without her best friend.

On Thursday I went to the Grant Street Woolworks hook-in. Seems to me that there was a full house. Several new guests as well as some of the regulars.

Bo is a regular. He loves hook-in days. So many people to love him and so many for him to mooch from. He thinks that he is a hooker - thus he has taken his table space!

This is part of a piece of paisley that I was able to purchase from Linda. I am color planning a new rug (geeze you'd think I don't have any in progress!) and I loved this paisley. I am planning to use several paisley's in this new rug because it is an Amish design and just calls for this type of material.

This is a picture of the rug that Joanne brought with her. She has finished the hooking and was planning to start the binding. With all of the talking going on I wonder how much she got done.

This was Joan's first visit to the Grant Street Wool Works. She was also putting the binding on a finished rug. So sorry I didn't get a picture of the rug but I was so facinated with the way she was doing the binding I forgot to take the picture.

Kathy and Joanne. Kathy is starting to set up to work. Please notice the paisley piece on the table. It is truly lovely.

A friend of Linda's (sorry I didn't get the name) on left is knitting, Linda and Pat laughting about something. Pat is a spinner and weaver in addition to being a rug hooker. I took her some of my daughter's basket making materials since I know that she will use them. I want someone to put these things to good use.

Traci is here with me today (Friday). She went to the Brandywine hook-in on Saturday. I was unable to go because I was concerned about Eloise (who is much better). Traci reports that there were so many people that she felt like a sardine in a can and did not even get her hooking out. She has some great pictures of the rug show and also bought some wools. I think in spite of the crowding she had a good time.

Tomorrow the Boonsboro ATHA group is going to visit Barb Carroll at her shop. Wish I could go but to long a day for me. I do think that this is a great group project and I hope everyone has fun and comes home with lots of wool and lots of new ideas.

Thought of the day -

An idle mind is the devil's workshop.

George Carlin

Happpy hooking!

Doris

A MOSTLY QUIET WEEK -

My little Eloise gave me a bad scare this week. On Wednesday night she lay on the floor as tho she was dead! Just out of it. Her eyes were so filled with pain that it was as tho she didn't know who I was. I was really scared that she was dying. During the night I lifted her onto the bed and at sometime during the night she moved from the foot of the bed to the top of the bed and I knew that she was not paralized. To make a long story short, we have been having a bit of aspirin therpy and things are much better. She has managed to get on the bed twice today by herself and up in my hooking chair (her favorate place) several times. Things are looking up at my house!

This evening reminds me of a little saying that I used to tell my girls when they were little. The rain rains all around - It rains on ships at sea - It rains on towns and cities - and it rains on you and me! It appears that it will be a gloomy weekend. I happen to love the rain so I have been hooking all evening. I have purchased a new hooking frame and I am loving it. It is large and swivels and has a great floor stand. I am beginning to think that I must start selling some of my extra stuff. I now have 5 frames and only two hands.

I went with my friend Traci on Thursday to the hook in at the Grant Street Wool Works. We always have such a nice time when we go hooking there. The company is so good - such good conversation and friendship. I have come to the conclusion that Linda is a "neat freak." The shop is always so clean and neat and during last week she had rearranged everything. I always see something new every time I go there. As I have mentioned before, not only things for hookers, but gifts that every women would like to purchase. How about these cute teddy bears?

This grouping of wools, baskets and gourds galore!

And to top it all off this lovely winterberry tree. The whole shop was decorated in oranges, browns and greens in keeping with the season. Really pretty - great eye candy.

Traci and I enjoyed all who were there and we missed all who were not there. Looks like the weekend is going to be a washout - great for spending time with the family and doing a lot of hooking!

Thought for this blog -

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away!

George Carlin

Doris

WEATHER. WEATHER. WEATHER!!!

Everybody's talking about it. Seems more like January or February than October. I love the rain so I am very happy. I think that these types of days are the best for doing whatever makes the heart, mind and soul happy. Thus I have been spending my days hooking and playing bridge.

My friend Linda programmed Pogo and especially their bridge games on my computer for me. My husband and I were avid bridge players in our youth and spent many happy hours with friends playing. When you loose your partner you also loose many contacts. Seems unfair, but that's the way life is. I have missed the happy hours of bridge and have always read the bridge column in the paper to keep up with what is happening. This Pogo program is great fun because you are actually playing with other people. I often wish I could see their body nuances or facial expressions since that is so much of the bridge bidding but I am glad just to be able to play. It has given me many happy hours during this cold rainy spell.

I did go to the Blue and Gray rug makers in Gettysburg last Monday. They had quite a turnout. That is the place to see beautiful rugs. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures this time - guess I was just to busy talking!

Also during this rainy spell I have been hooking. The Boonsboro chapter of ATHA is having a Christmas swap. It is a small mat 10 x 10 to reflect either winter or the Christmas season. I have chosen Christmas for my theme. My piece is almost finished but I can't show it until after the swap. Also, since this is the year of purple for this group this piece is supposed to have at least several loops of purple wool incorporated. I could not figure out how to do that in my piece so I will simply roll it for presentation tied with a purple ribbon.

I'm sure that by now all of you know that Eloise hates rain and the cold. If it rains to hard she won't eat and doesn't even consider going out. She would rather walk around with her legs crossed! As a result she has spent these last few days in my bed (?) her bed (?) upside down, her favorite position, under the covers with all four legs up in the air - very unlady like - making the covers look like they have a tent in the middle. I have given up making my bed neat and tidy since she remakes it as soon as I have finished.

Even tho the weather is bad, I do feel that mother nature always finds a way to surround us with beauty. Thus, the following pictures taken from the deck.
Beautiful clouds surrounded by outlines of trees that are almost bare leafed.

Storm is on the way - how beautiful is that!!!

I wish I ould get that blue in the dye pots!

Getting lighter after the storm - love the trees and one white, white cloud.

May peace be with you on these gray and rainy days - keep your spirits high for this too shall pass.

Doris

RANDOM THOUGHTS

It's that time of year again. The beautiful fall harvest of pumpkins, fancy corn and gourds has arrived. Time to begin looking for the wooley bear worms to see if the winter will be cold or mild.

This hanging arrangement is on my kitchen door and is my welcoming sign to those coming to see Eloise and me.

The chimney sweeps are coming this afternoon to clean my two chimney's and get my wood stoves ready for the coming season. It sure feels mighty nice to have a wood stove going on the cold fall mornings. It is wonderful to drink your first cup of coffee in front of the stove - especially since I have an arrangement where I can watch the flames.

This is a week of chores. Downtown this morning to the drug store to pick up some medicine and get a few things at the grocery - no food - just those cleaning products that always seem to get used up - necessary but not much fun.

Part of the arrangement on my dining table. I intend to prepare the butternut squash for some nice pies for the winter but until I get them ready to cook they look great as part of the centerpiece.

Sadly, the last of the tomatoes and squash have been harvested from the garden. When I think of Maryland, I think of tomatoes, sweet corn and crabs! All are past their prime now but oh! what wonderful memories of the goodies of this past summer. Now it's time to put the vegetable garden to sleep for the winter.

We put the lily beds. magnolia trees, and rhoda's to bed for the winter last weekend by cleaning and heavily mulching them. The new iris roots were planted by "Mr. Tree" and should bloom this next spring.

I want to thank my friend Linda for putting Pogo on my computer. I have spent many happy hours playing bridge with other bridge nuts like me. Most of my partners have been great and certainly understanding when I have made a mistake. Bridge must be like riding a bike, you never forget, just get a little rusty. The rust is wearing off and the old desire to be competitive is showing its ugly face! A good pastime for cold winter days!

Tomorrow will be a cleaning day and no doubt I will find a few more stink bugs, altho they seem to have slowed down their appearance. Thursday is another day at the doctors office to see what is going on with my blood count. If it doesn't take to long I will go to Chambersburg to hook with the Grant Street Group.

If you want to put some beauty in your life go to the blog named Pugs and Hugs. The pictures of the church that is going to be dismantled are absolutely georgous! What a wonderful place to worship in - so sad to close it down.

Quote of the day -

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.

elizabeth bibesco

Doris