Here at High on Hooking we do “not so traditional” rug hooking and stitching. That is, the art isn’t necessarily fashioned using only woolen strips or yarn. I prefer to use old textiles (especially old t-shirts and bed sheets!), funky fabrics, and notions like yarns and ribbon. Cutting cloth strips by hand to a fairly broad width gives each hooked mat a bit of a rustic and bulky charm, creating something you can really sink your toes into. They look good on the wall too. Don’t forget to try them on benches and tables.
It’s mid-July already!
Yesterday, the Albuquerque Journal referred to this time as “late summer”! Huh? Of course, summer weather’s been here since…March when we had a slew of days in the 90s. And kids have been off from school since mid-May. Less than a month till they go back! We’ve been playing with 100º and 101º in the backyard lately. Ugh. But given our long-term drought situation, we’re all praying for a good monsoon season. Any time!
The Salamy family, Bowyn included, have already done our big travel for the season. We visited the kid in Seattle in May and headed back to family in New England in June. Yes, the gas cost a mint! Never mind all the doggie-friendly hotels. We’re home now till October, when we head up to Durango, Colorado, to teach a couple of classes at the Mountain and Valley Fiber Arts Festival. If you’ve never been, Durango is gorgeous in the fall. It’s running the first weekend of Balloon Fiesta here in town, so you could conceivably attend them both. Hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky and a fiber festival; it doesn’t get any better than that.
For now, in the AC, of course, there is making, hooking and stitching. A guild retreat next week leads right into a the American Craft Council’s National Craft Open Studios Weekend (July 18 and 19). I’ll be spending that with other teaching artists at Fiber Arts on 4th here in Albuquerque – one big open studio. Come visit us to talk fiber and textile arts, pull a few loops, maybe register for a class or five. The shop and each artist will be selling artwork as well.
What are you making today?
For the art teachers out there, In the Studio Online is now soliciting workshop and lecture proposals for WORKSHOP WEEK 2027 – February 4-14, 2027. Find the INSTRUCTOR CALL HERE.
An important note:
Because I tend to be pretty busy, my blog posts have been limited for a while now. To find out what I’m up to on a daily basis, please see my Instagram page. I’ll be honest, given Meta’s policy changes and the crap that shows up in my feeds these days, I am actively exploring other platforms.
Let’s all practice PATIENCE and, especially, KINDNESS. The world continues to have a tough time of it; let’s share beauty and the best humanity has to offer. And make art! Creativity is life-affirming. (And often subversive too. :))
Laura
WORKSHOP INFO
You can find info regarding scheduled classes and other events on the CALENDAR page. Note that we’ve recently added some dates to our 2026 schedule.
And no worries if you can’t make a scheduled class, I also host individuals and groups on Zoom, in my home, and at other locations. Just give me a yell at Laura@highonhooking.com if you’d like to set something up. I’ll even provide lunch!
We’ve got an ETSY SHOP! (Not that we update it too much given the current state of ETSY. LOL)
Nothing says I LOVE YOU like a hand-hooked rug or piece of art. See us at www.etsy.com/shop/HighonHooking. Make us a favorite please. Feel free to buy there or contact me directly if you see something you like (there or on our social media) or if you’d like made just for you. In fact, customers outside of the USA should contact me directly.