Gene’s Rug Hooking Blog

Would you like a pre-view?  If so, keep reading.

The 2013 ATHA Biennial Committee is compiling a collection of original, reproducible rug patterns  as a fund raiser for the Long Beach Biennial.  I have only seen one of the patterns in that collection … the one I am submitting and here it is.  Hopefully, it will be joined by dozens of other patterns from ATHA members around the world.  In fact, you could really help us out with our “collection” process.  While most of our Biennial teachers have agreed to donate a design, we would still like to get many, many more.  In fact, we would like to have one from every ATHA chapter.  Can you help?  And, can you do it by July 15?

Here is how it works:

In order to get a fair and balanced representation from ATHA members, we are suggesting that each ATHA chapter put their heads together in order to come up with their best submission.  It might be fun to make it a contest in your group.  Who will get the honor of representing your chapter?  If you are the only one interested, then please step up to the plate and help us out!

The pattern can have a regional flare – it can be anything at all.  We just want as many great patterns as we can get for inclusion in the collection.  Florals, geometrics, landscapes, animals, primitives  -  whatever you like.  Once all the patterns are in, they will be put into useable form, copied and sold so that all proceeds go towards the costs of underwriting the 2013 Long Beach Biennial.  Each submission should meet the following requirements:

• An original pattern, design of your choice
• Drawn so it fits on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, either portrait or landscape orientation
• Include the pattern name and your name on the submitted document
• If you have a recommended finished size for you pattern please specify that on the pattern
• We will accept hard copies but prefer that you submit your pattern electronically as a PDF document that can be printed in its entirety on a 8.5 x 11 sheep of paper.  Email your file to Sally Coon at scoon2000@cox.net
• Include a singed Donation & Release form with your submitted pattern.  (This form is available by sending a request to Sally at the above email address.)
• Be sure to include your name, address, phone and email address and ATHA Chapter, if appropriate, separately with your submitted pattern.
• Contact Sally with any questions at scoon2000@cox.net

If you have been thinking about drawing a design, here is a wonderful opportunity to not only do that but also share it with the rug hooking world at large.  Maybe, as you have read this post, you have thought to your self I would never want to do that but my friend really ought to. If so, get your friend in the loop as we want wonderful patterns from rug hookers coast to coast.

By the way, did I mention, we need your patterns by July 15?

Although my favorite way to pick out wool with a student is in person, in my studio, most of the time I have to do it long distance.  That is especially true when getting ready for any rug camp.  Since I was putting together a project for a student, I thought you might enjoy looking over my shoulder while I worked.

The student in question has decided that she wants to hook Napolean, designed by Sharon A. Smith.  She sent me this photo, which I assume she got from Sharon when she bought the pattern.  Since she wants to use a similar color palate, it is just a matter of either finding appropriate wool in my stash or dyeing some.

Here is what I ended up with for her.  It is more wool than she will need but, when putting together a project stash, I would rather up aside more than is needed until we can confer in person.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene goes through his thought process in picking out this wool.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ to subscribe.

I was in an experimental mood on Monday night so decided to try some new colors … just to see how they would turn out.

They (a new recipe) turned out to my liking … but then, how can you go wrong with a pretty green?  You never can get too many green options.  It was not dyed for any other reason than I just wanted to play around with something new.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene discusses other new things he did on Monday night.

I did get back to that black Labrador Retriever wool that I was working on last week.  With this photo, you can probably see why I originally thought it was a chocolate colored dog.   However, as is often the case with color photos, the owner assures me that the dog is a decided black, not brown, regardless of how the photo looks.  Therefore, she will need a lot of black … and a lot of highlights for “black.”  Our discussion about highlights lead away from just values of gray to values of gray related wool with blues and purples in it.  Since gray is not my favorite color, I was glad for a little additional zip.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene shows the various values of wool he ended up dyeing for this black project.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ if you would like to join.

I have another dyeing assignment for Cambria and this one is going to be a challenge.

It’s a coal black Lab that has just a tiny bit of white.  I am letting you in on the challenge so you can be part of the process.  Although I had gotten a letter, photo and note from the supervising teacher (Elizabeth Black, who occasionally has me dye wool for her and her students) my photo looked very chocolate – not black.  In discussing the assignment with the student, however, I got straightened around very quickly.  You can tell from this new photo that even the dog was somewhat offended by the fact I thought it was chocolate and not black.

As far as highlights go … gray is an obvious choice … but so is a bit of  blue … and maybe a bit of purple … I seem to see them both shimmering out of this glossy, black coat.  What colors do you see?

Stay tuned to find out how this turns out as I can’t just send the artist just one big piece of black!  She needs at least four values.  Bunnies, I think, are much easier to dye.

Early and late in the day, I got a little more wool dyed on Tuesday.  Since I left several tweed/plaid pieces soaking in the pan when I turned in for the night on Monday, it was ready to heat up and dye very easily early Tuesday morning as I ate my breakfast and checked my email.  Later that evening, I got a few other pieces done as well.  All in all, plenty for one early and late day.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene goes into more detail about his dye projects.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ to join.

Being in a pre-Cambria mode, I am making the most of dyeing oppertunities late at night, before work and after work.  By that I mean, I get one batch done before going in for the night – wake up to another prepped batch ready for the heat while I eat breakfast – come home from work to another situation where all I have to do is turn on the heat while I de-brief after work.  It is all a matter of having prepped wool on hand and leaving water in pots on the stove when I leave the studio.  I usually don’t dye this much in a short period of time …. but then, I am usually not getting ready for as many students at one time as I will need to care for at rug camp.  Some of my dyeing is for specific projects.

For example, one student wants some green just like the border strip you used in Big Momma. That is a tall order since one of the off bolt pieces I used to dye that wool is no longer made by my supplier.  Happily, however, I recently found two odd pieces of that special teal I needed and set it back for something special … which would be this student.  Consequently, I did some odd piece marbleizing so she would have it for camp.

There are other popular colors that I usually keep in my stash for students.  As I am out of some, I am trying to get several pieces made up so I have them for camp.  Of course, once I get a bunch in stock they may not be in demand!

Other batches being dyed for camp are various values of blues and purples … because I am low on blues and purples.  Tuesday or Thursday, I may do a similar yellows and greens marathon … or a dump dye session.  When stash building, it really does not make too much difference as long as all colors end up being represented in the stash when the first onslaught of campers start shopping.

Even though it is just round one of stash building, I feel like I got off to a good start on my Late Sunday, Before and After work Monday session.

As we aren’t having the 1st Saturday Hook-in June or July, this was my last chance to get a shot of Jean’s fish rug, which will be finished and off to a wedding before the August Hook-In.  That is a little disappointing as I have been working with it since she got permission to make a version of this painting and I really wanted to see it done.  Nevertheless, she promised to get a good finished photo.  Isn’t this a great looking rug?

Of course, not every one was working with hooked rugs.  Peggy showed up with yet another way to use hand dyed wool.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene reports on the 1st Saturday Hookin.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ to learn more.

We spent a lot of time discussing color on Thursday night.

People came in to the studio through my wife’s garden, which was full of color.

Some color spots were rather delicate.

Some were rather bold.  Either way, it put us in a most colorful mood.

By “us” I mean those that showed up for the 3rd Thursday night hook in.    Some spent most of their evening hooking colorful things.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene discusses some of the various things being done on Thursday night.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ to subscribe.

This is a post about playing around with fiber.  After getting a needle felting mat and felting tool, I just had to play around  to see what I could do with it.

FRAME REPORT

I am happy to report that the new 14″ Orbiter Frames are starting to arrive in the homes of happy purchasers. Bee Line recently reintroduced their version of the old Townsend Orbiter, made with just a few upgrades.

One purchaser quickly wrote me with this assessment: I received the frame yesterday evening and have already been hooking. It rotates soooooooo smoothly! Once I got it, I was happy to find that it had even more handy features than I expected.

Obviously, I am glad to hear that, though not surprised.  I have depended on my 14″ Townsend for many years and always think that it can’t be beat.  Bee Line, which did a test run of 50 frames, ($795 plus shipping) still has a few left, just in case you want one for Mother’s Day … or Memorial Day.  Drop  me a note and I will get the ball rolling.

TODAY ON THE INTERNET RUG CAMP

Gene discusses his process for needle felting this little piece.  Go to www.internetrugcamp.com/ if you would like to subscribe.