Thursday Live Videos (11 am AST) and the Sunday Letters.
How to hook a tiny bird over a calm deep blue sea 0
How to hook a tiny bird over a calm deep blue sea
How to add new life to an old unfinished rug hooking project . 0
How to add new life to a rug hooking project that you left behind.
Competing Forces in Rug Hooking 0
I was making a lot of small pieces and suddenly I felt that I needed something big to show for this time. Something I worked on day after day. So I surrendered the little mats and drew a big one on a piece of linen. I gather my first four or five wools that I would need and I sat and I hooked and hooked and hooked. My hand was tired but I felt like what I did was going to matter more sometime. That what I did during this time would not be lost in a pile of small things but would stand out as the one I laboured over. It is yin and yang, is that what they call it. Competing forces? I was working small and suddenly working big became important. This time is both difficult and precious. Two more competing forces. I want something special to show for it.
What about those chin hairs? 1
It's Wednesday but I wanted to tell you something. I have a little dressing room off my studio. Don't get jealous. It is not like one you'd see on House Hunters. It is just a room I put a big rolling clothing rack in and a second hand refurbished vanity that I bought from Peter at the junk store down the street. But it is my space to get ready for whatever my day might bring. When I sit at it to get ready in the morning I feel like Audrey Hepburn until I lean into the mirror. Then I see that it's just me and I am still happy. I love to get ready. To get ready for the day. Or in the old days, three weeks ago, to get ready for an evening out Sometimes getting ready was my favorite part of the evening...I might be an introvert?
What have you learned about yourself while staying home? 0
I came into my yard after my morning walk and I saw the branches in their baskets from Christmas looking so forlorn. It was not til the last couple of days that they were thawed enough to pull apart. I carried them to the fire pit. It is way past time. At Christmas these baskets were a welcome home. Right now they are a reminder that I am out of step with the present. Today my doorstep is free and clear of any encumbrances. It is no longer a reminder of things that need to be done. It feels good. I am a list maker but that doorstep never made it to the list. When I put things on my list, they get done. I love the thrill of the mark off...putting a line through it. Done. One woman told me that sometimes she writes down things she has already done on her list just so she can get the immediate satisfaction of striking it off. I smiled. I understood.
What is the difference between Rug Hooking and Punch Hooking? 1
Angela does such great job explaining the difference between two very similar crafts, rug hooking and Punch needle or punch hooking. With punch needle you work from the top side but your finished work is usually consider the back side. As Angela explains, some people are so good at it they can use either side. Amazing. In rug hooking you put your hook on a slight slant and work from the top side. The top side will be for finished rug.
Free Rug Hooking Lesson: How to outline for hooked rugs & hooking landscape rugs. 11
Well today we did a free facebook live video and I taught everyone about how I hook the rocks, the sea, the sails of the boat, the little houses, and the back hills. I answered as many questions as I could. We had about 680 people watching from all over the world. It was really fun. My husband, Robert was the camera man and he did lots of close ups including showing you how my hand works underneath the frame when I am rug hooking.
Janine Vangool of Uppercase Magazine is full of good ideas. Listen to the Podcast. 1
I love having a podcast because I get to just ask people if I can ask them a bunch of questions. It is so wonderful for me because I am a naturally curious soul. When I meet someone new I have to be careful not to interview them, firing off questions. It is my nature. I have to hold back...except when I do my podcast....
Oatmeal biscuits with maple butter 5
I was walking down the road and thought I should make oatmeal cookies. I do that on my walks. Think about what I am going to eat to make up for the walking. I decided they would have too much sugar. No cookies. So then it dawned on me . What about biscuits , oatmeal biscuits cause there is not much sugar in biscuits. S...
Have you cleaned your junk drawer? 2
Like you, most likely, I cannot remember a time that I stayed at home so much and focused on my life, my art, and my work. This morning, here and now in this place I am seeing this as a time to love my life. To nurture it, to cultivate it, to prepare it for growth and change. It is a time to be. A time to learn. A time to make. Through out these days I have times when I have felt scared or stressed. For me, I always turn to faith. Faith in my family and my community. Faith in God and faith in humanity. Faith right now, regardless of your spiritual inclinations is important. We need it in ourselves, in each other, and in what ever it is that you believe. Faith.
