CATCHING UP

In my last posting I talked about my "stitches" workshop. Several e-mails arrived asking me what that was all about. Guess I really didn't explain the purpose of the workshop. This is a 4 hour session where we learn to use 6 different embellishing stitches and do one element of the design as a "proddy." The proddy element is the sun, the tree trunk is done in chain stitch, and the wall in the brick stitch. There are other stitches involved but I'm sure you get the idea. This is a really fun course and everyone that takes it seems to have a ball. I have taught this on 5 different occasions and have seen the finished product farmed to be hung on the wall, finished as a table mat, and several mounted as pillows. The pillows seems to be very effective. I hope this clears up the mystery of what this workshop is.

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Several of you have asked about the design that I use. Several years ago when I first started thinking about this workshop I consulted my friend Pat Wenger. I am no artist, strictly a "stick figure" girl. I showed Pat thru the stick figure process what items I wanted in a pattern, the size of the pattern and the approximate places I wanted the elements. The rest was up to her. She produced this charming pattern and I have used it for the past 2 years. In addition, Pat has done several other patterns for me. She is a wonderful artist and has some very imaginative ideas when it comes to rug designs. If you ever need a design or a design enlarged, I suggest you contact her.

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In the past I have told you several times how proud I am of my students so I have decided that from time to time I will feature one of them on my blog. This blogs feature is Syd. Syd is a new hooker, that is, she has been taking lessons from me since last fall. Before that she did not even know about hooking. She saw a demonstration at a fiber artist's meeting and decided to give it a try. The demonstrator told her about me and so she joined my Tuesday class.

Here is Syd going thru part of my stash looking for just the right color for a project. In the past Syd has raised sheep and is very familiar with the feel and usage of wool. She also is used to the feel of burlap since feed bags or made of this. It feels natural for her to work with these two products.

This small piece, featuring a tulip, was her first hooking. Sorry the picture is not of the finished product. Unlike many hookers, Syd has to finish things even if it mean staying up a night! I assure you this piece was finished and is very nice. In addition Syd has done another small piece that I don't have a picture of. Since she wants to hook with a three cut, following all of the old principles of Pearl McGown, I sugggest that her next piece be a rose. She like the idea because she has an antique foot stool that needs a new cover. So working together, we put a very nice full blown rose on a backing for the foot stool. At our next class Syd expressed her concern that her stitches did not look good enough to work on the rose and she would like a "practice" piece" in order to perfect her technique.

I drew up this piece I call "bare bones." The idea of doing this practice piece was not only to improve her technique but to be adept at doing curves, rounds, and to understand what the difference is between hooking vertically and horizontally. as well as making sure straight lines are straight. Syd has a frame that rotates 360 degrees and I asked her not to use it. I wanted her to see how the stitches pull when you have a frame that is stationary. When she started on the piece she had more lumps and bumps on the wrong side than the had on the right side. Also the right side loops were many different heights.

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As she and I discussed this project, the other members of her class also get a lesson in hooking techniques. To do this worked out well for all of us. My expectations of Syd were as follows: I expected her to do several of the circles, to do about a half inch of straight hooking, to show us how she could do curves in a few lines of hooking and that her technique would improve somewhat. In addition to the pattern, I furnished her with a few strands of assorted green wool left over from a project. The following pictures are of the finished piece she brought to class two weeks later!

Vastly improved techique. No lumps or bumps on the back and the right side looks vastly better.

The finished product is lovely. She added the browns and the off white background. The picture does not do the piece justice. Up close and personal, as they say, this looks like an American Indian creation. It really is beautiful. There is no substitute for imagination and creativity. These kinds of surprises is what makes teaching so rewarding.

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Happy hooking until next time.

Doris

SOME THOUGHTS AND A WORKSHOP -

About 5 weeks ago I began to have trouble breathing. It was not to bad, I just thought that it was the cold weather. I had no pain. So, being the stubborn person that I am, I just went on my merry way, moving a bit slower. Several weeks later, when one begins to sufficate, seems it's time to go to the dorctor! In all honesty, I had no idea how sick I was. I had no knowledge that bronchittis/pneumonia could make you so ill. It was only when the doctor told me he would give me three days in which to get better or I would be hospitalized that I understood that I was in trouble. I was not going to leave Eloise, so I had better get on the ball, take my medicine, and behave myself. That's just what I did and I am glad to report that I am much better. This seems to be an up and down thing. My lungs are much better and I have days when everything is great. Then the next day I don't have enough energy to get out of my own way. I did not know that anything like this could make you so tired. I have been able to do a few things but my schedule is very curtailed.

My Saturday class sent me these lovely plants.

The minature daffadils and narcissis are just

delightful. I am planning to save the bulbs

and plant them in my round garden.

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Several months ago I scheduled a "Stitches" workshop for last Saturday and since I was feeling much better, and the workshop was sold out, I decided to go ahead and teach it.

There was 8 in the class. In the past I have only enrolled

6 when the workshop was in my home, thinking that

I could not accommodate more than that. However, when I

offered registration I immediately had

8 and thought I would give it a try.

It worked! We had a great time and there was certainly enough room..You can see from the messy table that everyone could put their "stuff" on the table.

We managed to get all 7 seven stitches on the

pattern by 2:30. This is what Elinor accomplished.

She is a very neat and tidy hooker and her work

reflects the care she takes.

This is Syd's piece. She is a relatively new hooker.

Her technique is totally different from Elinors.

Look how much bigger her apples are.

I think this is Darleen's piece but I am not sure.

Sorry I didn't get pic's of all 8 pieces but I am sure

you can get the idea from these few.

This is what the finished product should look

like. It incorporates 7 different stitches as well as

the usual type of hookiing for sky and grass.

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I taught this class several times last year and have seen a number of these finished. Several were made into pillows and were very effective. I was very proud of this workshop since all 8 members got all of the stitches and accomplished a lot. No only that, but we had a lot of fun. What a great group to teach - lots of repartee among them - a good time was had by all.

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I am very proud of my students. I have been accummulating pictures of their work and will post a group of those shortly. Ellen has returned from Texas and will be joining us next week as we continue learning together and enjoying each others company.

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I keep hoping that Mother Nature will make up her mind what season this is. I am sure we will all be better if the sun shines and warms us all up. In the meantime, I am going to continue with a curtailed schedule, but keep teaching, and attendiing only 1 or 2 hook-in's a month. I also need time to develop several more workshop's that I have been asked to present. Never enough time, always something to think about, boredom is something I know not about.

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There comes a time in every girl/woman's life when she has to do something practical. I hear the washing machine and the vacuum cleaner calling - so until next time - keep the faith!

Doris

IT REALLY HAS SPRUNG . . . . . . .

I saw this scene when I looked out my

kitchen window - a long shot that they would

still be there by the time I got the camera.

A bit closer. I really know that spring has

sprung when I see this years herd in

my pasture.

They seem to have jumped thru one of the

bars of the riding ring. Guess they were anxious

to get to the grass.

This is a scene that makes me very happy. In the herd that frequents my pasture, there are usually 12 deer. I often see several does and their young but I have only seen the buck twice. He is a really big fellow with a nice rack, that stands off from the does and young, always on alert. These deer arrived just before the Lady Moon did her beautiful display. It never ceases to amaze me just how intelligent the animals are. They always seem to know what mother nature is doing and always warn of storms and unusual weather.

Hope you are enjoying this little big of spring that we are having.

Doris

IS IT SPRING YET?

Everything is in place . . . . . . . . .

The seed catalogs started coming about

three weeks ago. A wonderful variety of fruits,

flowers and vegetables

The buds on the Magnolia tree look as

tho they are ready to burst - it should be

beautiful this year

Today is a beautifully warm and sunny day.
Just look at that lovely blue sky!

The bird feeders have been cleaned and

repainted, ready for customers.

The double daffy-dills are up and loaded

with buds. Looks like it will be a colorful

spring.

In addition, the garage has had a spring cleaning! Oh, my goodness, we are

ready for spring, are You?

Doris and Eloise

ADAM AND EVE

It's finished! That is the hooking is finished. Feels to me like it took a long time to complete this piece. I think that is because I did not hook for the six weeks before Christmas. Did you ever get "hooked out?" I have only had that happen one time before and it lasted for five years! Fortunately, this spell only lasted six weeks. When I say finished, I mean the hooking only. I have started to add the kick strip but I am only half around.

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I do not know why my computer blog program will not double space between paragraphs but this star thing seems to work. When I first began to hook and attend workshops, camps and social hooking groups I was advised to pack lightly. Oh how right my advisor was. Some people think they have to take everything in their hooking room with them to camp. I travel light. The older I get the lighter I travel. Hence, kick strips and rug binding are only added to finished pieces as I go to social groups. It is just to much to carry a heavy frame and large rug for a days social gathering. Since I have a number of rugs in my home I am not in a hurry for Adam and Eve and can take the time to add the finishing touches.

An overal view of "Paradise"
My cross-eyed angel
I love her - she happened by accident and
I think she is to cute to change


Adam

Finally a picture in which the background

shows up. I have had a difficult time getting

this to show in pictures.

The background consists of eight

different fabrics and was a joy to hook

It was all the snakes fault!

The snaake is two different paisleys worked

together (this darn computer!)

Eve in all her glory!

I saved her for last to hook because I

wasn't sure about her arm and skin color.

I love this little Lion element.
Is it a deer, elk, or moose?
I really liked this pattern and think that

Edyth Oneil did a great job of designing.

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It is always fun to complete a rug and I am glad this one is done. I am trying to do one folk art piece a year altho I think this year there will be two. In all honesty, I am much more comfortable hooking with a #3 cut and so I am glad to be working again on my large farmyard pictorial.

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We had about 7 inches of snow yesterday and today it is very cold. It was 7 degrees at 6:30 this morning - enough to give anyone the shivers. I was supposed to go to a hooking group today but am opting to stay home. My car is buried in snow and it is just to cold to try and clean it off. Perhaps I can get some more hooking done today. Also, I must get in the dye pots. I am taking Pam Bartlett's workshop in March and need to dye for water and waves. I am planning to do painted and sponge dyeing for the waves. This should be an interesting project.

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Keep warm and safe and pray for spring.

Doris

MORE RUGS -

Last week was a busy week for rug hooking. On Monday I attended the Blue and Gray hooking group in Gettysburg, Pa. I posted pictures of their rug show on my last blog. On Tuesday I attended the ATHA Mason/Dixon Chapter. For this meeting the group chose to have a "show and tell" program instead of a speaker. This "show and tell" program was an outcome of the Buckeystown three day workshop held last fall. Many rugs were started at the workshop and we were all anxious to see the results of three days work. As it turned out many that attended the workshop were not at the Tuesday meeting. However, many attendees did bring samples of their work and I hope you will agree with me that the workmanship is excellent and the variety wide.

This rug was hooked by Ginny and is in

wonderful shades of pink, blue and purple
closeup of one of the Iris'

This Oriental was also hooked by

Ginney and is a very long runner.

A close up of the center of the rug. The color

scheme for this rug is red, blue and green with

a neutral

This is Elinor's rug started at the

Buckeystown workshop. It is being hooked

with a number 3 cut and is her first

truly shaded rug with flowers. A great job.

This is a "protest" rug done by one of the

Mason/Dixon members in protest to the

continued killing of the whales

This is the corner of an exceptional oriental
rug hooked by the late Ruth Dietzel. Mrs.
Dietzel past away about 6 weeks ago. She was a long
time hooker of exceptional talent and a
wonderful person. We will all miss her.

The center motif of Mrs. Dietzel's rug.

Absolutely beautiful!

This is a very interesting small piece.

It was hooked by Sally A. I'm not sure if it was

started at the workshop. Here is what makes

it so interesting . . . . . . .

A close up of one of the roses. Sorry the picture

looks a little blury. All of the roses are

hooked with satin ribbon!!!!

Two color satin ribbon was used throughout -

a truly impressive use of alternative

material.

This is just a partial photographic showing of the rugs presented at the meeting. I guess that I start talking to people and forget to take the pictures! It sure was interesting to see what other members are doing.

In addition to the above, I did show my Adam and Eve. The hooking of the rug is finished and I am adding the kick strip. I will show some pictures of this rug on my next posting.

In the meantime the wind is blowing like fury this Saturday. I hope where you are it is a bit calmer. I attended an Oyster roast this afternoon. I must say that it was yummy. In addition to the Oyster's there was Ham, Roast Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Saurkraut. String Beans, Dessert and coffee. A fair feast all for very little money and for the benefit of the local Ruitan club that does so much for the small town in which I live.

Hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend - hold on to your hats if you go out!

Doris

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BLUE AND GRAY RUG SHOW

Last Monday I attended the meeting of the Blue and Gray hookers in Gettysburg, Pa. What a wonderful turnout they had. As I have told you before, each month we have a rug show. Everyone is welcome to bring a rug they have just finished or are still working on to show, however, one member is designated each month to give us a rug show. We are seeing some wonderful works of art.

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This month the rug show was put on by Lina W. Lina has been hooking for many years. In addition to the Blue and Gray hookers, she is a member of the Mason/Dixon Chapter of ATHA and the Pearl McGown Cattail Creek Chapter of the National Guild. She also hooks with a group every week in Cockeysville, Md. I have not attempted to get the names of all of these rugs, nor did I ask her the particulars of each rug. Sit back and enjoy this lovely rug show.

No picture will ever do this rug justice. The

colors just glow as tho a light is shining

thru a window!

A wonderful rendition of iris using the
stained glass method of hooking."Reddy Fox" on the prowl

Another piece that just glows. Look at the

shading in the leaves. They curl and bend as

tho they were in the garden.

A sampler of fruits.

A lovely footstool to prop tired feet.

Wish I had gotten a better picture of this rug.

It is one of my favorites that Lina has hooked.

The wool was dip dyed so that all of the colors

automatically blend into one another.

Simply lovely.

Last but not least by any means. A beautiful

rendition of a crewel design

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As I have stated before this computer has a mind of its own. Since it usually will not double space between paragraphs I thought I would try the star method and see what happens.

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Yesterday I attended the Mason/Dixon chapter of ATHA. I will post some pictures from there in my next blog. They had a very poor turnout. I can't understand what is happening there. A great chapter with wonderful contacts and interesting projects and it seems to be having growning pains, or is it shrinking pains?

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We have had two days of beautiful weather. Such a relief. I had been down in the dumps for so long that I had begun to wonder about myself. Sunshine sure does help. This is a time when I am very busy. I have 4 new students all at different levels of skill. It is a real challenge to get materials ready for all students and keep everyone interested. I do find that once my students get "hooked" on hooking they don't quit but keep getting in deeper and deeper and trying new things. In addition to new students, I am preparing for a workshop that I am giving late in March. It is sold out so I have to really get everything ready.

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My next real chore in the hooking world is to get in the dye pots. I am taking a 4 day workshop in the middle of March with Pam Bartlett. I am really looking forward to that since it is a subject that I really am interested in and am going to challenge myself with the dyeing. I should mention that the hooking on "Adam and Eve in Paradise Dwelt" is finished and I have begun to add the kick strip. Pictures in a later blog.

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Get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. Eloise is out on the deck taking a sun bath as I am writing this. She has really enjoyed these last two days. She is a little girl that hates rain and cold weather. If she could dance, it would be on sunny days. Take care everyone and have a wonderful week.

Doris