Tailgate!

We held a tailgate party in Cobourg today - we normally gather at this time of year to celebrate the season and exchange small gifts, and eat, eat, eat....but due to Covid, we opted for a tailgate party that would allow us to congregate in a socially responsible way.  All of this was the brainchild of our own Christine!

There were about 20 of us, at the Frink.  The weather was somewhat cooperative - no snow or rain, but some sunshine would have been lovely.  We got to meet up with old friends, and new!  (Welcome to the folks just joining our group!)

Karen Kaiser joined us with wool and other goodies for sale.  She also had 2 free patterns she brought along to share - check your emails!

There were lots of cookies, and caramel corn, along with thermoses of hot chocolate, tea, apple juice, all served via the trunk of Christine’s and Bonnie’s cars.

Some of us haven’t seen each other since February, so there was lots to show and tell about.

And then there was the gift exchange.  We encouraged folks to make and/or bring something small, and there were lots of different items!  There was felting, embroidery, jewellery making, crochet, knitting, and even some hooking!

Tanya even got one of the guys working on the rink to come over and take our photo!

Maybe we’ll do this again?!?

A HUGE thank you to Christine for mobilizing us on this extravaganza!

December Zoom

We held another zoom session with 15 attendees - thanks to Iris’ internet account and my iPad!!  There were 2 groups who did the “buddy thing”, with folks at Karen Kaiser’s and Joyce Jones. We also had Carol Rolph and Martina Munroe there, along with 2 new folks: Bonnie Young and Sharleen Ward. Here’s a screen shot taken midway through - Mary Lou Adams joined us afterwards. 

We had a lovely chat, and did a show n tell of what we’ve been working on - very talented folks!  Dianne also filled us in on the plans for the OHCG Annual conference coming up in April. 

Here are some shots of Iris and Claire’s show n tell  

Some more shots from Joyce’s kitchen (and yes, these are real hooked rugs in the floor!):

There may be more zoom events in the not too distant future. Perhaps an evening one? And possibly another in January, maybe in our usual Monday slot?  Stay tuned for more updates. 

(The photo at the top of the post is of a lovely hooked piece hanging on the wall in Joyce’s kitchen)

Remembering John Major

I am so sad to inform you that one of our dearest rug hookers, John Major, died yesterday at the Golden Plough Lodge in Cobourg. His entire family from Calgary and Wisconsin were able to be with him in his final weeks and days – such a blessing. The funeral will take place this coming Thursday at Grace Church, 440 King Street East, Cobourg (our usual hooking spot), at 2pm. Regarding attendance, numbers are restricted but the service will be live-streamed should you wish to attend. I will send you a link when I receive it.

We also remember Maureen during the very difficult time, especially since she has had the close companionship and personal care from John for so many years. She will miss him tremendously as her own health continues to decline.

 

Jennifer was able to dig up some great photos of John “in the act” of rug hooking. We all remember the top photo of John with of his Bluenose rug – a real beauty. The second photo is of John demonstrating to a young lad the finer techniques of rug hooking at our amazing display at the Art Gallery of Northumberland – April, 2017?

Here are some more photos of John:

The making of a mug rug

It’s getting on for that time of year when we’re looking for small gifts and stocking stuffers. How’s about a “mug rug”? It’s a great way to show off your hooking skills, and use up bits and bobs you may have laying around. 

For those folks newer to hooking here’s a quick how-to....

First of all, find a mug with a suitably simple design to copy. Check your cupboards - is it time to cull the herd? Mugs have a way of multiplying in my house. If no candidates are available, check out thrift stores (ie someone has culled their own herd for your benefit). The mug pictured above came from one of Cobourg’s many thrift shops and was a stocking stuffer for the hubster last year.  Note: while Xmas mugs are popular, think outside the box and go for a different theme, if you want. 

Copy the design, or an approximation of it on to a small piece of foundation fabric. You don’t have to make an exact replica....just a suggestion of the mug’s design is fine. (Inside joke: the mug rug above depicts a calm day on the water - the kind I prefer, while the mug actually portrays a more blustery day - which is hubby’s favourite.). If you don’t have any scraps of linen or burlap, dollarama has sheets of burlap in the craft section.  Make the rug big enough to fit under the mug - 4 inches across or so. 

Use up your scraps from other projects, or pick up yarn or tshirts from the thrift store. Anything goes!  Give it a good steaming with your iron when you’re finished hooking. 

To finish it off, consider trying out one of the techniques Karen taught us.  It’s great to practise on something small. I opted for a simple finish: I coated the back with silicone sealant (couldn’t find clear, so this is the bathtub stuff!). You can use white glue, tacky glue, etc, too. Make sure your glue/whatever extends about an inch beyond the edge of your hooking. Let it dry and then trim as close the hooking as you can. 

And with that.....you’re done! 

New Annual! New Theme! Same Purpose!

Welcome to the brand new format of the 2021 Annual Conference!

Out of necessity, we have made changes to the usual format of the Annual Conference and want to keep you apprised of the latest developments.

Depending on pandemic conditions, a hybrid, one-day conference is being planned in which branches, small groups and individuals meet in person, according to health guidelines, for a day of hooking. A virtual link will be provided to all participants throughout the day for a sharing of information from the

Board, listening to a keynote speaker, and viewing of special demos and branch/individual rug displays.

Vendors will be featured virtually and workshops will be held, also virtually, before and/or after the Annual Conference.

If gatherings are prohibited, a totally virtual conference will be organized. Don’t worry. We’ll help you prepare for the use of zoom if it is new to you.

Date: Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17, 2021

New Theme: “Creativity – the Thread that Binds”

Since the initial 2021 conference at the Marriott-Niagara Falls was cancelled, it was decided that the original theme, “Daredevils and Thrill Seekers” be reserved in the event that a future conference is held at that location, and that a theme more reflective of the times be selected.

“Creativity – the Thread that Binds”: Theme rugs – time to begin designing and hooking an original!

The word “creativity” refers to the art-part of rug hooking; the visual appearance and creative aspect of theme rugs become especially important in a virtual conference.

The word “thread” appropriately refers to the fibre arts and implies a weaving and connecting of elements.

The word “binds” has a double

meaning for rug hookers through the binding of rugs and the networking and interaction of the rug hooking community.

This is a great opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Help Wanted! Can you help us out?

The 2021 Annual Conference Committee is embarking on a new vision for the annual conference and we need coordinators with creative talents for the following roles:

• technical assistance,
• judging of rugs,
• virtual workshops/classes
• registrar

Many hands make light work and we would love to have you as a part of the 2021 team!

If you are interested or require further information about the roles, please contact Joanne or Sandy. All meetings will be held virtually.

Stay tuned for regular updates from Constant Contact or the OHCG website/facebook page.

2021 Co-Convenors:

Joanne Harris

Sandy Smith

FRESH START

 We all need a fresh start, something new, something old, something that inspires.............

I received the Fall 2020 Issue of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild and much to my surprise there was Susan Clarkes' Theme Award winning rug from our "The Heat is On" hook-in and workshop from 2 years ago. How time flies and how times change. I was fortunate to have taken the course and learned so much, Congratulations Susan!!!

Then as I started going through the pages there were so many AMAZING rugs with such great ideas to inspire and it got me thinking........what had I done?????????  also I thought of all our new rug hookers, where were they getting their supplies? or inspirations??  It's great we've been meeting at Victoria Park so that helps us but what about cutting wool???? scissors do work well but if you are like me, my strips tend to be wonky so I saw this add in the magazine of a local (Canada) cutter store so I am passing on the photo with info.  Also from time to time Loretta Moore seems to have info if someone is interested in purchasing their own cutter.

We are all going through many challenges and changes but it is on comforting to see the old, the new and the yet to come.  Endless possibilities lie ahead!!!!!

Hope you are inspired as I am in this new season of Fall 2020 where anything is possible.