April Rug Hooking in Cody, WY

Once again, three of us met at the Park Co Library for a fabulous day of hooking and laughter.

 Patty finished her Rooster and made him into a pillow. It is wonderful!

Patty and her husband belong to a group of Land Rover lovers. She drew one of her dogs driving the Land Rover and her other dog sitting in the foreground. I can't believe what a great job she did drawing this adorable story rug!

 Carol is working on her covered bridge. This is a really big rug! It would have been nice if she had gotten a picture with the rug pattern so she knew a little bit more about what to do but Carol is very good at knowing what she wants. She is doing a beautiful job.

 I finished my Flower Banner from Red Barn Rugs. It was SO nice to work with a size 8 after doing my last two rugs. I'd really like to try a REALLY wide cut at some point!

For now, I'm hooking Laszlo. The design is taken from a woven coverlet. I truly don't have a fetish about lions. I do, however, love this rug. I saw it finished when Debra Inglis was working on the binding when she was here last and I knew I had to hook it. At first I was going to copy hers, and then I decided that wasn't very nice and copied another colorway instead.

Laszlo is a pattern from Wooley Fox and there are supposed to be new designs from old coverlets coming out very soon! I can't wait!

Blog post written by Sylvia Gauthier.

March Rug Hooking

Three of us met in Shell Wyoming on the 19th and again in Cody at the Library on the 26th. Patty, Carol and I had such a good time sharing ideas, life stories, and just plain having fun.

Debra Inglis is still in Texas but Woolley Fox had her finished rug in their Newsletter. This is Gilmore 1839. It is one of the rug designs taken from a woven coverlet, I am always in love with the way Debra colors her rugs. We are all learning so much about textures from her. 

 Here my Lincoln Bag is almost finished being hooked. I am now done with it and it's ready to be sent to Down Home Leather to be made into a bag. They do such an amazing job. I can't wait to see it finished. I changed one element of the design. I don't know why I can't do a pattern without changing something.

 Carol Messerli finished her flowers and fruit mat. She really had a challenge whipping the curved edge but she did a beautiful job.

Patty Tyrrell hooked the rooster from Judy Carters, Hooking Animals book. The background is all Patty's design. I just love how it turned out! When she was taking strips out of the rooster and redoing them her husband said, "How many time are you going to pluck that chicken?"

We have all moved on to other projects so next month will be full of surprises.

Written by Sylvia Gauthier

Our February Rug Hooking

Barbara Pearson was a sight for sore eyes yesterday at the Library for our monthly hooking at the Library in Cody, WY. We hadn't seen her is a few months and we missed her so much!! Sometimes life takes over and I pray Barbara's gets easier.

Patty had finished her Cups by Deanne Fitzpatrick. It turned out so cute!

She used Black Magic wool on the border. I wish is showed better because it makes a great design. She used leftover wool for a lot of it. Great job Patty!

Carol was working on her flowers and I didn't get a picture. She is almost finished too!

I finally finished my Lion and Lamb. Leonard Feenan drew the pattern for me and Judy Carter color planned the lion. I am so grateful for Judy Carter's book, Hooking Animals, How to Bring Animals to Life in Wool Rugs.I learned so much doing this rug. I'm thankful it's finally finished.

January Hooking

Three of us, Patty, Carol, and I, met up in Shell Wyoming earlier this month for a fun filled day of hooking. Patty was on her Christmas vacation from bus driving so we thought it was the perfect time to hook for a day. Carol and I were the only two at the Library this month but it was still a really fun time.

The big news of the month is that Patty got her Lincoln bag back from the leather place. It has leather gussets, leather around the top, leather handles, and a sturdy lining with pockets.

Patty's bag is absolutely stunning! I am going to hook mine after I finish my lion and lamb rug. I'm ready for a geometric and since I'm used to a size 4 cut that I'm using in the Lion and Lamb it seems like a good time to hook it. But after that... I'm going to an 8!

 I have finished my grass since I took this picture at the library. I am pretty happy with how it has turned out so far. I'm so happy to be finished with the animals.

Carol finished the edge of her landscape rug but it blends into the carpet at the library so it's hard to see. I absolutely love how it turned out.

Carol started this small pattern. She hasn't decided what it is going to be when finished. A pillow, a chair pad, we will have to wait and see.

Patty this picture of her cups when we hooked in Shell, WY. She has since finished the background. The cut she hooked on the far left cup has the most amazing wool in it. When I told her how wonderful it was she informed me it was one she bought from me! I over-dyed a plaid and didn't think I'd ever use it. Now I'm trying to remember what I over-dyed it with so I can do it again. You know what they say, the wool is always prettier in someone else's rug. Okay, so it's grass and a fence, but you get the idea.

December Hook Together

Patty, Carol and I got together at the Park County Library this month to hook together. We enjoy that time so much. Not just to see what each other are working on, but for companionship and support.

Patty had finished her Lincoln Bag and it is already on it's way back from the leather place.  I know she is waiting by the mailbox every day! We are all anxiously awaiting it's arrival. I will post pictures when I can.  In the mean time Patty started a cup runner of Deanne Fitzpatrick's. I just love her bright colors. I think these are leftover worms that she is using. 

Carol has almost finished the rug she started in Briggita Phy's class. She took out some of the sagebrush and she is almost finished. I absolutely love her colors! This was done primarily out of leftover worms. 

I am still hooking along on my Lion and Lamb. I swear if I have hooked an area once, I've hooked it 5 times. But I have to hook more to see what I want to change. I really am enjoying this rug even though I keep saying, " I have no idea what I'm doing."

We are going to try to get together during the Christmas break. I'll keep you posted!

November Hooking

There were only three of us at our November get together but we still had a great time. Carol was working on the rug she started with Brigitta Phy at Prairie Rose Rug School in August.

I couldn't get the color adjusted just right but the sky are diamond shaped peachy and yellow. It is bright and beautiful. Hopefully we can get a better photo in December. But Carol looks GREAT!

 Patty finished the hooking on her Lincoln bag. The first photo is of the folded bag and the bottom picture is the unfolded bag. She is sending it off to have leather gussets, handles, and top sewn on. I can't wait to see her show it off at Rug School in August.

I am plugging away on my Lion and Lamb. There are so many lessons for me to learn on this rug. I wish I had taken art classes now. It sure would have come in handy.This head is so big. I swear it's life size.

October Group Hooking

We had a wonderful time hooking at the Park County Library this month. Even though there were only 4 of us it was so much fun talking and learning from each other. Carol Messerli told us a little about her trip to Branson but the best story was when she told us about zip lining. I have a whole new respect for Carol. I could NEVER zip line and I admire her so much for being brave enough to try it. That's one check mark on her bucket list!

 Patty Tyrrell made a sign for the outside of the door at the library so that people would know what we are doing and come in to visit. It worked! Our visitors were mostly men, however. The name may have had something to do with it. Thank you Patty.

 Patty Tyrrell is over half way finished with her Lincoln bag. Her hooking is so perfect.

 This is what one side of the bag will look like. She is really inspiring me to get mine started.

 Debra Inglis was working on this Barbara Carol design. She is using a 9 cut. The colors and wools she is using are amazing! I just want to copy everything she does. We are all so excited to have her move to Wyoming and we can't wait until she is back full time

I (Sylvia Gauthier) was finishing the edge of my Irish Chain, a Polly Minick design. I used the same wools in my Game Board but this time I added tans. I think it neutralized it more. I am so happy with the way it turned out. 

The day was filled with laughter and inspiration. We are so blessed to have such a great group and it keeps getting bigger one hooker at a time.

August Meeting

We have a new hooker in our group! Debra Inglis and her husband are moving to Clark, Wyoming from Texas. She was such a delight to meet. Debra had contacted me a while back through a shop Patty and I buy from called I Love Rug Hooking. Debra had run into the owner, Shelley, at a Camp and through the conversation Shelley mentioned she had a couple of customers from Wyoming and contacted me to see if it was okay if she gave Debra my information. I was so excited! We are all looking forward to more meetings with Debra.

 Debra brought two of her finished rugs to show. I adore these two rugs so much. The first one is called Two Old Deer by Sally Kallin at Pine Island Primitives. 

 Debra also hooked this adorable floral designed by Maggie Bonanomi. I just love the colors! She had an adorable sheep pillow too but I guess we didn't get a picture of it.

 I (Sylvia Gauthier) was finishing the edge on my Game Board Rug designed by Polly Minick. It is in the book Everyday Folk Art by Minick and Simpson. I had so much fun making it that I'm doing the Irish Chain from the same book in the same wools.

 As in an earlier post, I had ordered this kit from Molly Colegrove. I must say that I learned so much by hooking this little rug. I framed the mat on a frame my gracious daughter Shelly made for me.

 Patty Tyrrell and I both hooked Crocks from Encompassing Designs.  I really enjoy seeing the same pattern hooked two different ways. Both are very similar and yet very different. The top one is mine.

 This Crock rug is Patty's.

 Carol Messerli was working on Hearts Abound by Designs in Wool. She is making it for her son and daughter-in-law as a commemorative rug for their wedding.

Patty Tyrrell was working on her Lincoln Bag. This one is going to take a while. She is using a lot smaller cuts than usual, but it will be worth it! I love how it's turning out!

Barb and Craig Pearson were working on their same rugs. They have had super busy lives and it doesn't seem to be slowing down for them. We are just happy when they are able to come.

Prairie Rose Rug School 2015

Two of our group, Patty and Carol, were lucky enough to go to Prairie Rose Rug School this year in Richardton North Dakota at Assumption Abbey. It is always such a pleasure to see old friends, make new ones, and learn from such wonderful teachers. The Monks cook amazing meals and the atmosphere is amazing.

Patty took a few pictures from the rug show for us all to see. She said it was really hard because most of them were on chairs and not flat like usual.

These are the grandchildren of Betty Dahlins. I saw her hooking this last year and couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It's nice to see it finished. 

This floral is also by Betty Dahlin. Beautiful job of color planning and hooking.

Carolyn Godfreed is one of the most amazing rug hookers I have ever seen. She does original work and it is always shades perfectly.

Darlene Buckner punched this rug of her favorite spot on their property. She says it is so comforting and she can see Canada from here.

 Darlene also punched this adorable floral. She certainly does beautiful work.

This is a gorgeous floral hooked by Joan England. I wish I knew if it was an original or not.

Mary Ellen Weyerman started this pillow in a class by Sharon Saknit. It turned out beautiful. The design uses a piece of wool paisley and is hooked in matching colors around it.

Pat Horn is the most amazing woman. She hooks beautifully and even with back problems, still attends the school with her amazing daughter Suzy Jones, the Director of the school.

 This cutie was punched by Sara Judith, one of the teacher this year at Prairie Rose. Don't you just love the moose's rubber boots!

 Sue Cunningham, another rug hooker from Wyoming, hooked this amazing geometric. She does such perfect work.

This is also an original work by Sue Cunningham. I just love everything about this rug!!

Patty and Carol both had the best time at Prairie Rose. Sara Judith and Brigitta Phy were wonderful teachers and after our meeting on the 22nd I will have pictures of the rugs they both worked on. Next years teachers are going to be Ingrid Hieronimus, Hethie Boll and Pris Butler. I just can't wait until next year!

Rug Hooking Frame from The Needleworks Shop

My new frame is here!! My new frame is here!!

Out of the 5 of us who hook together, 4 had the amazing rug hooking frame from The Needleworks Shop.  The first time I saw the frame was the first time all of us got together to hook at the Library in Cody, WY.  Patty, Carol, and I had all hooked together before. Carol and Patty both used hoops to hold their rugs while they were hooking and I had a floor frame. We were all unloading our things and taking them into the Library when Barb and Craig came rolling in with the most amazing frames I had ever seen. I was instantly green with envy. Oh, but I got even greener when I saw the way the frame easily turns the rug while you are working on it. My frame turned a little but it wasn't easy and it didn't turn very much.

Patty was next to get a Needleworks frame and give up the hoop, then Carol. I was so excited for them but thought my little frame would serve me fine. Eventually, it wasn't serving me well and started to slip, and my frame would drop while I was hooking. It only took a couple of times of not staying up for me to decide I needed a new frame. The good news was that I didn't have to research which one was the best. I already knew.

The large hexagon shaped frame spins as easily as a lazy Susan. The height is adjustable, the angle is adjustable, and it folds flat for travel . Jan from The Needleworks Shop  also makes the most amazing bonnets for the frame. It was an easy decision to get the bonnet to cover my frame during transportation or storing.

They also make a lap frame but I don't like hooking on a lap frame. No lap and short legs don't work well with a lap frame.

I am so grateful for our group and rug school. We all learn so much from each other, even if it's what frame to buy, what hook we like best, or what rug design we want to hook next.