Portrait-topia

 

Eleven of us (plus Wendie) just spent the past 2.5 days immersed in a portrait class with Wendie Scott Davis.  We are exhaustipated, but exhilarated!  This was a difficult class, for even the simplest of portraits, and some of our number chose real whoppers to work on!

We learned more about value and flesh tones than we would have thought possible.  We also learned about techno bits to make some of the work a titch easier….and Wendie has supplied us with tons of notes and tutorials.  We even had a wee bit of fun…..

We started out with transferring our patterns using sublimation markers - a fabulous process - very easy to do if you have the right markers (we used ready-made ones from amazon or Michael’s).  Here’s a link to the Ottawa Old Forge Rug Hookers instructions on the transfer, using a refillable marker. (btw, their instructions for beginners page contains a whack of great info!)

And then we started in on the hooking part…..

After the first half day we were a tad overwhelmed and wondering what the heck we had gotten into….but we arrived the next day ready to jump in.

You start with the eyes….and this is where all of our portraits looked like zombies for a few hours.

Eventually we moved on to mouths, and teeth for some….now we had folks with chiclets for teeth….

After the 2nd day, we left feeling exhausted and drained - those portraits are hard work!

We were ready to get going by the 3rd day.  Everyone worked at their own pace - and some had almost completed portraits at the end, others have a tad more work to do….but by the end of it all, i think we were on a bit of high - we accomplished a LOT and have some really fantastic portraits underway.  Here are just a few examples.

A huge thank you goes to Wendie for guiding us along this journey - she pushed and cajoled and kept us entertained.  Her creativity is off the scale!  Her hard work allowed us to produce some amazing works.

For those interested in some true eye candy (and for the students who want to study how she did some of these things), here are photos of the works she brought along to inspire us. (For scale - many of these are 8x8-ish!)

Another weekend of winners!

Yes, indeed…..our group stepped up and there were many rug hooking entries at this weekend’s Port Hope Fair.  There were lots of (modest) prizes to be won - and everyone who entered, it seems, got a prize.

We won’t show photos here, as these folks may wish to enter these items at next year’s OHCG Annual in Cobourg…..but we will let you know that Best in Show was won by Carol Rolph!  Congrats!

We’ve also got a “booth” at the Fair where we showcase our member’s works.  There have been lots of folks checking out rug hooking and our group!  We’re there again today, so c’mon by!

99 Years Young!

Our own Joyce Jones recently celebrated a milestone birthday:  she is now 99 years old!  We feted her at our regular Thursday gathering, with cake and ice cream!

Joyce has been rug hooking since 1972, and has amassed some amazing rugs!  She regularly hosts our group at her stone farmhouse, and shares her knowledge and skills readily with us.  Still going strong, her current project is a William Morris Redcar pattern.

Looks like a good time was had by all!

Corn Roast at Lang

This past Sunday was Lang Pioneer Village’s Corn Roast, and the Northumberland Rug Hookers were there to demonstrate rug hooking:  Dianne, Judy and Audrey attended, and wore 19th century costumes, to boot!  There was a bit of rain in the morning, but as the weather cleared up more folks came along.

Here are some photos supplied by the Stitchery Guild (also there demonstrating).  

What to Wear at Peace, Love & Rug ‘n Roll

In anticipation of our grand event:  Peace, Love & Rug ‘n Roll, May 10, 2025 in Cobourg, we’re starting to think about 60’s fashion.  There were some very iconic looks back in the day.

Here’s a sampling of screenshots from a quick google search.  Some of these are back in style (tho some clearly aren’t!) and wouldn’t look out of place today.

Remember paper dresses??

Macrame for the win!

These images can all help you to determine what your theme project might be….hmmmmm…..inspiration????

They can also, however, help to determine what you wear when you attend our gala event on May 10.  Do you have anything like the above still in your closet?  Maybe you could wear it, with a few quick alterations?

Maybe you could create something?  Granny squares are easy to work with.   Ravelry.com is a wonderful source of patterns, both free and paid - and many are wearable by today’s standards.  

#Yarnitcobourg recommends a pattern called “Jethro” by Tanis Fiber Arts - photo from Tanis Fiber Arts, Ravelry.com

I’m currently attempting “Floral Diamonds Jumper” - time will tell whether I’m successful.  Photo from Fran Morgan, Ravelry.com.

Another current but colourful item is “Lanesplitter skirt”.  Photo by Tina Whitmore, Ravelry.com

Here’s one from instagram.

If knitting/crocheting aren’t your thing (or you don’t want to cut into your rug hooking time), how’s about crafting something from an old afghan?  I don’t recommend sacrificing an heirloom, but thrift stores abound with unloved (some for good reason) hand made items.  These can be redrafted into garments with a bit of ingenuity.  Google is your friend once again to find how-to videos for inspiration.  Our Sandra pointed out that a recent episode of The Great British Sewing Bee featured a challenge to remake afghans into high fashion garments.  Here’s an article with the full episode - the segment on the afghan remake starts around 31:00.

There’s lots of inspiration out there!  It’s not too early to start planning!

Edited to add:  this just in (July 24):  how’s about this fabric?  Fits our logo perfectly!  Only 10 yards left, so act now!

#Onthookingcraftguild

#yarnitcobourg

#greatbritishsewingbee

#peacelove&rug’nroll

Save the Date!

                             

Breaking News! 

We have an important announcement! 

The 2025 OHCG Annual will be held in Cobourg at the historic Victoria Hall! Mark your calendars for a one-day event on Saturday, May 10, 2025. 

It will be hosted by the Northumberland Rug Hookers with assistance from area branches*. Attendees will gather in the renowned Concert Hall, where the future King of England, Edward VII, danced the night away in 1860.   

The theme for the event is “Peace, Love, & Rug ‘n Roll”. We’re looking back at the organization’s roots formed in 1966. Remember flower-power, go-go boots, Twiggy, man-on-the-moon, and tie dye? 

Stay tuned for details about an exciting program, great vendors, and a display of judged rugs in the Art Gallery of Northumberland (also located in Victoria Hall). 

Cobourg is known as “the feel-good town” and is located on the lakeshore between Toronto and Kingston. It’s a short drive (or train ride) from urban centres where you can enjoy unique architectural landmarks and great shopping, dining, galleries and theatre, a spectacular white sand beach and beautiful waterfront.

* We’re still in the figuring-things-out stage, but if you want to help out (aka: Tune In, Turn on, and Get Groovy) with this fun project, let us know! Your help would be most appreciated - simply send an email to OHCG2025Annual@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you!

Gather in the County

Well!  That was quite the day!  Yesterday we participated with other guilds in Gather at the County, billed as a modern textile market.

There were 80 vendors!  All with something pertaining to textiles:  weaving, knitting, embroidery, sewing, dyeing, printing, spinning, rug hooking, and soooo much more.  Eco printing is a really big thing right now.

Sensory overload was the name of the game….in a very good way.  There was so much to see that it was hard to know where to turn.

Our tent (courtesy of our Lynda) was very busy - lots of folks stopped by to check out our wares, pick up a card, or a Save The Date flyer.   Folks were interested in what we do, how we do it, why we do it, etc.  [Helloooo to anyone new checking us out!]. 

The difference with this event, over other things we usually do, is that EVERYONE was interested in textiles.  Usually we get a small percentage of visitors who understand/know what it’s like to create stuff, but in this case the vast majority of the folks were makers themselves, in a wide variety of media, and the few that weren’t were there to buy textiles.

Our booth was womaned by Dianne and I in the morning, and then Lynn came by, followed by Judy & her sister, and then Lynda and Mike.  Christine and Harry stopped by, and Christine started chatting up vendors for our event next year!

The venue itself was lovely.  Organizer Bear said she wanted a pretty place, and she certainly picked a good one!  The building dates from the 1880’s and was a lovely light-filled space.  We were outside and so lucky the weather was good - maybe a titch on the cool side, but definitely not too hot.  

I took several spins through the building but only had my camera with me once, so i only have a few photos to share.  

This event is not to be missed next year!  It’s worth the drive to Picton!

[edited to add:  here’s a link to an even better reel, produced by the Gather folks….

https://fb.watch/sMssICYReM/?]

#gather_inthecounty #rughooking #hookedrugs #rughookersofinstagram