Category: inspiration

September 24, 2020

New season, new rugs, new scenery!

It’s a new season. Finally! Fall officially started Tuesday when the autumnal equinox happened. For those of us who can’t wait to give 2020 the boot, it couldn’t have come sooner.

Tynan in Bosque/woods in the new season. — A fall picture of Tynan running in the **Bosque** in a fall past. Sadly, he’s a little slower these days, but he enjoys his sniffing time there.

Fall is like the New Year to me; it’s a time of new beginnings. Sadly this year, that also necessitates endings. Right now I’m thinking about Friday’s death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I like to think that she’ll have even more influence up there in heaven than what she had here on earth which is and was FREAKING AWESOME. Women, teach your daughters well. I was reading an article today about how much more house- and child-work women have to do at home during this time of the Coronacootie. It’s often been at the expense of their jobs and careers. If, like me, you’re not out in the world-at-large working, perhaps you can offer a helping hand to a working mom you know. She shouldn’t have to lose her career footing just because she can multitask better than a man, just because kids ~~are~~ have to be on her mind more than her partner’s.

Angel Ruth, pray for us!

So, new season, new scenery. Tom and I are finally getting out of Dodge! Our 2020 vacation plans have dwindled throughout the spring and summer from a driving trip to Oregon (we were calling it the pinot noir tour, alas) to a wedding in Rhode Island (no to planes and too many motels on the road) to northern Colorado (couldn’t find a place to rent) to farther south in New Mexico (too expensive to rent a house and the town was filled with Texans escaping germs and heat) to…thankfully…kind of in the middle of nowhere northern New Mexico. (But there is internet access, speed unknown.)

So, we’ll be off soon to visit mountains other than our own Sandias here in Albuquerque. Somewhere cooler! The plan is to veg: read, hike a little, walk, hook, read, write, read.

Did I mention reading? I have a novel written by a good friend (see below)* queued up, a backlog of New Yorkers, and String Felt Thread: The Hierarchy of Art and Craft in American Art (by Elissa Auther) as recommended reading by Susan Feller of ArtWools.

Book and magazines — Some of my reading materials for vacation. Kerry’s novel *Heat Stroke* is on my tablet.

I’m in the midst of sewing rug tape onto a new rug that will entertain me up there. It’s Boucherouite-esque. All recycled t-shirt. Colorful – much like the new season – but not taxing to hook. Like you want on vacation.

Below Tynan brings you part of the rug currently on the frame, though the hooking will be done tonight. You can only see a portion of it now because it’s a commission due next month. It’s hooked almost completely in wool strips and yarn. I know, I know, that doesn’t happen too often in this house. And that will continue as I found out that my wool dust allergy is worse, now extending to some loose, bulky yarns. Bummer, but I won’t give them up completely. Love them too much.

A reminder! My Alt Fibers Hook-In is taking place Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 PM Eastern. For those in the Mountain time zone like me, that’s 5:00, cocktail time. Perfect! You can learn more about the event in the link above, but it’s a time for:

sharing experiences hooking with materials other than wool;
experimenting;
Tynan presents “Whats on the frame” today.
drinking cocktails;
chatting as if we were in a room together (the cocktails will help with that);
and whatever other topics and questions we come up with.

Please know that this is a hook-in, NOT a class. And wool, you’re welcome to come. I know that you play nice with other fibers in my rugs. Email me at Laura@highonhooking.com if you’re interested. (Know that may take awhile for me to get back to you.)

I pray to God that you manage(d) to get away from your everyday view for at least a little while. It’s good to get out. I’m hoping to avoid the news as much as possible and forget…what I’ll have to come home to. At least my mind and my soul will be rested.

Angel Ruth, pray for us in this new season!

*Heat Stroke is by Kerry Radloff

September 21, 2020

IN THE STUDIO – October 7 with Judi Miller

Judi Miller – On Artist Residencies

Judi Miller, textile artist — IN THE STUDIO WITH JUDI MILLER – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020; 1-2 PM EASTERN (11-NOON MOUNTAIN)

Join Canadian Textile Artist, Judi Miller, as she discusses her experiences with artist residencies and answers the questions: What is a residency? What are the expectations? And are you ready to attend?

Judi is a textile artist specializing in free motion embroidery. Using a variety a threads, colour, and weights, she creates pieces with finely stitched details on a painted, fabric base. She uses her sewing machine as her choice of artist’s tool, no different from a paint brush or pencil.

Her inspiration springs from so many sources, but most often she explores the natural landscape of the Ottawa area. Her embroidery technique lends itself to capturing light, colour, and movement that all help to create a strong sense of memory and place.

Judi Miller has exhibited and taught workshops across Ontario and has had a number of solo exhibits of her work. She did her first artist residency in 2017 at Stiwdio Maelor in Corris, Wales. Her second artist residency was at Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island, in 2019.

Learn more about Judi and her work at www.judimiller.ca

Purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/32319/

Please Note: This is an ONLINE event, and the Zoom link that you will need to attend will be on the e-ticket that you receive after purchase.

FAQ’s: PLEASE READ
* Will this talk be recorded for viewing later?
Unfortunately, no. Due to the logistics involved, we decided some time ago to keep these events live. Hopefully if you can’t make it to this talk, you’ll be able to make it to a future talk.

* It’s the day of the talk and I’m having trouble finding or using the link for the talk. How can I find help?
It is very advisable to LOG INTO THE EVENT A FEW MINUTES EARLY to be sure that you have no trouble with the link, and if you are having trouble the organizer can help you out. You can email or message the event organizer up until 12:30pm Eastern on the day of the talk for help. ONCE THE EVENT STARTS, however, messages and emails are not able to be monitored.

* I’m finding it distracting during the talk seeing all of the other participants on my screen. What can I do?
During the event the organizer will put the screen setting on “spotlight view” so that the presenter is the focus on your screen. Depending on your device, you may still see audience members on your screen and changing your setting from “gallery view” to “speaker view” should help with that.

September 17, 2020

Workshop Week from In the Studio: October 26-30

We’ve all been enjoying the In the Studio talks that have been running on certain Wednesdays since May; Workshop Week is your chance to “play with” the five artists behind the In the Studio series. Of course, the classes will necessarily be online, Zoom. But this undoubtedly allows many to attend workshops they wouldn’t have been able to travel to and attend otherwise. It brings new meaning to the phrase about a door closing and 5 windows opening. Or something like that.

Descriptions of the five workshops are found by scrolling below. You’ll also notice there are some free bennies for folks who sign up for at least one class. We’ll be running an evening hook-in for all participants that Wednesday and a panel discussion to close the whole shindig out come Friday evening.

Please note that some classes will be creating waiting lists if they fill quickly. Also, popular classes will probably run again sometime in the new year, either under the auspices of another In the Studio Workshop Week or independently by a particular teacher.

If you have any questions, please contact the individual teacher or me at Laura@highonhooking.com, and I’ll forward your question to the appropriate person.

Hope to see you at our first Workshop Week!

Click to access Workshop-Week-info.pdf

September 8, 2020

Come to the Alt Fibers Hook-In October 14!

Been hoping to attend a hook-in?

Hooked rug — Up close and personal with “Autumn’s Coming.” The pumpkin is hooked using wool strips and yarn and recycled t-shirts. The background is primarily cotton batik. See it in the **Etsy shop**.

Between my workshop last month and social media chatter, it appears that many are interested in hooking fibers other than (or at least as well as) wool. Again, there’s nothing wrong with wool; in fact, the current rug on my frame is hooked with wool strips and yarn. I will say that the latter allows for easier breathing given my wool dust allergy.

All this being so and seeing how everyone is missing HOOKING TOGETHER, I’m offering an Alt Fibers Hook-In on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 PM Eastern, which makes it 5:00 Mountain time, my time. Evening should be a little more relaxing, though, unfortunately, the event must be BYOB.

What you’ll need to bring to the Alt Fibers Hook-In:

A hook;
A hooking project;
Your “fun” fibers – and wool can come too;
Your beverage and snacks of choice; and
Enthusiasm, questions, tales (tall or not).

This is not a class, but a time for give and take with one another. A time to share what might have worked for you. A time to ask if anyone has experience with ______. A time to have some fun.

DETAILS

Hook-In will run WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern.

Tynan invites you to the Alt Hook-In. He also presents this week’s “What’s on the Frame?” It’s a commission being done in wool strips and wool yarn. He apologizes for his summer absence from the blog. (As he calls me dirty names.)

Hook-in will be held online through Zoom. Upon registration and payment, the Zoom link and password will be sent via email.

There is a COST of $10 to help defray my Zoom account costs.

Hook-In will be limited to 20 people.

For more information or to register, please email me at Laura@highonhooking.com.

Both Tynan and I hope that you can come. (But don’t tell Bowyn!)

September 1, 2020

IN THE STUDIO – Sept. 9 with Meryl Cook

Meryl Cook:
The basics of the Chakra colour system and how Meryl applies it to her intuitive design process.

In the Studio with Meryl Cook - a Zoom talk — **IN THE STUDIO WITH MERYL COOK – SEPTEMBER 9, 2020; 1-2 PM EASTERN (11-NOON MOUNTAIN)**

Colour, texture, joy and self-compassion are the key features of Meryl Cook’s beautifully crafted hooked mats, her books about her journey from homeopath to artist and journal writer, and her journal writing practice. Meryl is the author of One Loop at a Time, a story of rughooking, healing and creativity (2016) and One Loop at a Time, The Creativity Workbook (2017).

What makes Meryl’s process unique is the ties between her writing and design. This introspective process includes writing on the linen around the design highlighting the inspiration for each mat, selecting colours based on Chakra colour theory, and using techniques that follow the healing energy to produce an intuitive, abstract design. Each mat represents the next step in her life journey.

Since 2016, Meryl has spoken and taught creativity workshops across Canada and in the U.S. A juried member of Craft Nova Scotia, her work has appeared in the Craft Nova Scotia Member’s Exhibition (2019 & 2020 (upcoming)), and as a special exhibit at Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week (2018). What began as a way of holding space for herself following breast cancer treatment has become a career as an artist and as a corporate team facilitator focusing on well-being and engagement.

Join Meryl Cook as she shares the basics of the Chakra colour system and how she applies it to her intuitive design process. Come prepared to play with colour and to take a tour of Meryl’s “Wild Women” mats.

Please Note:

Event is Wednesday, September 9, at 1-2 PM Eastern.

This is an ONLINE event, and the Zoom link that you will need to attend will be on the Print at Home version of the e-ticket that you receive after purchase AND it will be emailed to you the day before the event.

Tickets are $6 Canadian and are purchased through Ticketscene.

Purchase tickets here.

FAQ’s: PLEASE READ

* Will this talk be recorded for viewing later?

Unfortunately, no. Due to the logistics involved, we decided some time ago to keep these events live. Hopefully if you can’t make it to this talk, you’ll be able to make it to a future talk.

* It’s the day of the talk and I’m having trouble finding or using the link for the talk. How can I find help?

It is very advisable to LOG INTO THE EVENT A FEW MINUTES EARLY to be sure that you have no trouble with the link, and if you are having trouble the organizer can help you out. You can email or message the event organizer up until 12:30pm Eastern on the day of the talk for help. ONCE THE EVENT STARTS, however, messages and emails are not able to be monitored.

* I’m finding it distracting during the talk seeing all of the other participants on my screen. What can I do?

During the event the organizer will put the screen setting on “spotlight view” so that the presenter is the focus on your screen. Depending on your device, you may still see audience members on your screen and changing your setting from “gallery view” to “speaker view” should help with that.