Thursday, February 27, 2014

5 things that will make you a better rug hooker


Use the following as required, expect to see blossoming in one or two minutes:

Look
Don't rely on instruction or the object of your hooking as hooked by others. Look look look at the object itself. What parts come together to make it look like itself? Now look at the way artists of other mediums used colour to create this object because as a whole we are piss poor colourists no matter what people tell you.

In the beginning think of the whole work
You are dealing with a complex array of decisions, work the big ones out before you start. What is it, where is it placed, when is this taking place, how big, what cuts, where will I get colour, what are my main colors, what is the mood and style?

Don't fall in love with your work
If you do you will not see its shortcomings, this will inhibit your growth. No matter how expert there is room for growth.

Make something more than once
We only light on a object for a brief time, it has much more to tell us, give it opportunity.

Carry what knowledge you accumulate forward to the next work.

Do not rely upon the collective rules of rug hooking, nor what you read or are told. Ask why, if there is no good answer, don't do it. Seek your own answers by looking.


There are innovators, imitators and lastly theives. You will fit into one of these categories more than another. Innovators think and do things in new ways, imitators act and quickly follow these good ideas, thieves take an innovation, call it something new and tell us they invented it.
To tell when you are in the presence of a big T look for work that does not live up to the talk. Follow them if you like but they are as satisfying as a hollow Easter bunny, nothing to bite into!
We are all some mix of all three.

Pick up your hook and frame and make anything, make ugly, pretty, sad, happy , good and bad. Make and Make again what is true for you.

Don't look for accolades. You must know when you feel you did well, what other people say or not should not stop you. Now go say something nice to others about their work, it helps make you a better looker and a bigger person, put out what you want back.

Look for your own heart and to your own life and your skill set for expression of your own style. You don't need to do what the bishops, queens and kings are doing, this makes you their pawns.

Let go of old shit, it just doesn't work when you are dancing your heart out to be carrying a big old sack of dung, so heavy and useless. You need fertilizer of a different sort.

Keep your inspiration and love tank topped up.

Look after your body and your time wisely.


Learn to count.


This has been brought to you hot and fresh from the Our Daily Bread Forum on The Welcome Mat, where all good hookers go to grow. Plenty of high grade fertilizer made just for you. What are you waiting for? Join us!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Making Stuff

Yup I'm still doing it... my Jan. Journal.
I'm dogged if nothing else.

 I really like seeing photos of my rugs in progress to help me on my way .... you can see when things are working or not. In a simple attempt to create logo placement for Target I've compromised my very soul
Out it will come. I do like the bottom one though and will continue on dotting and such in the background. 
I think I want to create some glow so I'll dye a new green better yet  I'll just over dye some of the ones I'm using with yellow.

Also knitting this:



Dyed this mohair :



Generally letting messes lay where they're made.  It's a skill

I've been teaching on some great subjects on the Welcome Mat are you missing out?
 •how to create more dimension using planes
 •great examinations of artwork to look for ways we can do better hooking and over come problems we run into.  
•brave hookers asked how the piece they are working on might be improved, we learn so much when this happens. 
We're about to study three orange dyes rug hookers own and how they compare to each other and a video on the great technique of padding is coming your way this coming week.

So much great info with a live studio feel.
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Been a while? Just sign up again
We're waiting for you !

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Pin Keep Week

This week we created pin cushions as part of our weekly lesson on the Welcome Mat. We want to keep our minds open and ideas flowing and take a step away from rug hooking from time to time. Great inspiration can be found by expanding horizons and it can be fun to use our wool and linen in new ways. It can refresh our parameters a great deal.

Here is mine.




Tuesday, February 11, 2014

January Journal Rugs from The Mat

Some journalists have completed their wonderful rugs.


This wonderful portrait with embroidered scrappy insets  is the work of Diane Louise Cox


Brigitte Webb created a colourful apple with magical incantations to bring her family closer.
It is called So Far Away

More later as they appear.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Hooking Olympics


See these beautiful turn of the century hooked rings? I love the way the striped background plays the off and on trick so aptly.

In a few days, Feb.6th, we are hosting our own games, The Hooking Olympics on The Welcome Mat.
There is only one event and that is finishing what is undone.
Yup at the Welcome Mat it doesn't matter where you place as long as you finish.
At least for the duration of the Olympics.
Use the time you are watching those splendid athletes getting one or a few of the great unfinished wound up.

Imagine the multitude of benefits - exercise, hands busy ( not in the cookie jar) , hearts happy and minds and spirits pleased to have the creating honoured by completion. February will pass in a blink and you will have a gold medal when it is all hooked, sewn, labelled and done.

Some of us have a hard time when we get stuck.
Some of us only like hooking, not the finishing process.
Could that be you?

Be brave, be bold, be done!
That's our Olympic motto.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Free Online Class on The Welcome Mat starts today!

We want you to join us in our annual online class. This year we will hook the Spirit Owl. Tell your friends the fantastic news, an interactive teaching class, the pattern and the Welcome Mat for a whole year, only  $30.00.  Spread the word !  Go to The Welcome Mat  to join us!

Here is the introduction for a little taste of what's to come.

Welcome to this free annual online class Welcome Mat members.
I'm happy you have decided to join us and will be hooking this splendid little owl.
You prefer to just observe?
That is fine as well. We also love cheer leaders.
This class is about hooking this specified pattern which is free to all Welcome Mat members for their own personal use. If you know someone who admires what you are making please direct them to our wonderful Welcome Mat site!
We will cover several ideas pertaining to this pattern which you will find helpful as you hook other things in your future.
I treat this class as I do any other. I have things to impart, pick them up as you deem fit, have fun and tell me specifically if you want to have teaching, ie, hear what might be done to improve or reach your own stated goals.
To participate:  Look for my announcement of lessons posted on the Main Page.
Once you read the lesson a couple of times get in there and get it done!
I've hooked and taught this owl and recognize the pitfalls.
Ask me as many questions as you like about each lesson.
If you feel like it and I hope you do, you can send in photos to the class for help or as your homework or to show others how you are doing. 
When you reply, simply reply to the lesson most pertinent.
Encourage others, support me in my teachings and talk about your experience as you hook this project in your replies, all comments are welcomed as long as they are respectful.
It is just like a normal hooking class except it lasts all month!
Our first lesson will be about the pattern transfer, picking our wool and testing our colour choices and will be presented later today.
Looking forward to seeing a whole grand flock of spirited owls!