Category: rug hooking

June 15, 2016

New England chicks conquer their first East Mountain Fiber Tour

This wooly one welcomed us to Maple Winds Farm. Baa! — This wooly one welcomed us to Maple Winds Farm and the East Mountain Fiber Tour. Baa!

Last Sunday Melinda and I successfully conquered our first East Mountain Fiber Farm and Studio Tour! Not bad for two New England rug hooking broads interested in discovering more of New Mexico’s fiber art scene. About the same time that I moved out here from Massachusetts, Melinda and husband Gary, a photographer, were trekking from New Hampshire. Though they already had a place to live, having purchased a condo decades ago, so they got to skip the whole house-hunting exercise.

Anyway, last fall Melinda stumbled upon the Adobe Wool Arts guild doing our monthly thing at the Albuquerque Biopark. Oh, she tried to cut and run, but she was busted. Now, of course, she’s a guild member doing demos at the botanical garden with the rest of us. And looking for more fiber art. Which we found on the East Mountain Fiber Tour.

Yarns and Cathy Kelly's rugs available on our first stop on the tour. — Yarns and Cathy Kelly’s rugs available on our first stop on the tour.

The farms, shops, and studios on the tour are located in the area east of Albuquerque and her Sandia Mountains. It’s horse country – and sheep and goat and alpapca country. I’m sure there are more animals, but we weren’t there for them this time. Six stops made up the loop. Thank goodness Melinda was driving her SUV thingie; my little Honda Fit might’ve gotten stuck in a couple of rutted roads or driveways.

FIrst up: SandraSilk by Sandra Holzman. It was her studio, but with her were Robin Pascal of Perfect Buttons and Cathy Kelly with her hand-hooked rugs. Before you ask, yes, Kathy is a guild-mate of ours. Check out the pics.

Some of Sandra Holzman's beautiful handpainted garments. — Some of Sandra Holzman’s beautiful handpainted garments.

Melinda caught me perusing some of Robin Pascal's woven items. — Melinda caught me perusing some of Robin Pascal’s woven items.

At Edgewood Yarns and Fibers, I couldn’t help myself despite my plans (and Tom’s back home) not to buy anything. A gorgeous blue skein of yarn jumped into my bag and begged to come home with me. “Hook me, hook me,” it called.

After that it was farm time – sheep! We headed to Garcia’s Shaggy Wagon and Baa-Baa shop and then the Wool Shed at Maple Winds Farm. (Walking around the windswept farms, Melinda and I kept a good eye out for snakes. Didn’t see one, but then, we never saw a maple tree either.)

Someone might've been a little warm in the 90-plus degree temperatures. — Someone might’ve been a little warm in the 90-plus degree temperatures.

Last, but first in many hearts, were the alpacas of Hollywick and Whispering Spirit Alpacas farms. Whispering Spirit even had a newborn for us to ooh and ah at.

For those in the area, Melinda and I have vowed to do it all over again next year. (Maybe we’ll win the grand prize goodie basket we didn’t win this year.) I think I heard someone mention that the East Mountain Fiber Tour 2017 is planned for June 10 and 11. Be there!

Is there anything cuter than this baby from Whispering Spirit Alpacas. (Angela, we could've easily put her in the Fit.) — Is there anything cuter than this baby from Whispering Spirit Alpacas. (Angela, we could’ve easily put her in the Fit.)

What are your fiber plans this summer?

June 8, 2016

Happy birthday to me!

Spot #55 was mine this week. And for most of the summer, I believe. We did pretty well filling up the 8'x10' space, I think. — Spot #55 was mine this week. And for most of the summer, I believe. We did pretty well filling up the 8’x10′ space, don’t you think?

Sunday was my birthday; it was also my first time vending at Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Market. Since I managed to sell a piece, it was a very happy birthday for me. Sure, it wasn’t a huge mat – it was a mug rug and matching mug – but it paid my table fees and gave me a nice boost of confidence in a new place.

Tortillas, tamales, fritters, rooibos teas, mustards, breads and pastries, jams and mustards. It was all there. — Tortillas, tamales, fritters, rooibos teas, mustards, breads and pastries, jams and mustards, and more! It was all there.

For those who have never been before, the Rail Yards Market runs from 10:00 in the morning till 2:00 p.m. Thank goodness, because during the summer, it’s getting pretty darn warm here in Albuquerque. I think we hit 94 or 95 that day. The market’s incredibly well run. It fills with locals and visitors both. I managed to meet a guy who came from Newtown, Connecticut. That’s one town over from where I grew up!

The Old New Mexico Bird House Company offered all kinds of funky stuff for the yard.

While most folks weren’t all that familiar with rug hooking, the response was definitely favorable. That I was hooking while I sat there was, as usual, a great conversation starter. (Even for the once-upon-a-time latch hookers. 🙂 )

How many of you have had the problem of the neighboring booth being a jewelry maker? Pam Schroder and her husband Tom were selling her chainmaille jewelry. Nice! She's the Bling Weaver. — How many of you have had the problem of the neighboring booth being a jewelry maker? Pam Schroder and her husband Tom were selling her chainmaille jewelry. Nice! She’s the Bling Weaver.

The place has a great vibe what with the entertainment venue being about 30 feet from where I sat.This past Sunday brought us belly dancers and singer-songwriters. Aromas from Jamaican, New Mexican, and other foods waft through the place from nearby food trucks and stands. Besides different arts and crafts, you can pick up whatever produce and flowers are in season.

UNforunately, I didn't get this lady's card, but she also proved that fiber is alive and well out here in New Mexico. — Unforunately, I didn’t get this woman’s card, but she also proved that fiber is alive and well out here in New Mexico.

I have a week off and then, come Fathers’ Day, I’m back. I”m looking forward to it. (Even Tom didn’t complain about sitting there people-watching.) I’ve got a few things to tweak and some signs to make based on would-be customer comments and such. Folks asked when I’d be returning, something I’m taking as an excellent omen. Till then there’s more hooking to be done!

Don't these make you smile??? They're made by WInnie and Wades Upcycled Hippie/Redneck Art. Love that name! — Don’t these make you smile??? They’re from Winnie and Wades Upcycled Hippie/Redneck Art. Love that name! They certainly helped make my birthday a happy one.

June 1, 2016

Rail Yards Market this week!

Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Market runs Sundays, May-October, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Rail Yards Market – Albuquerque is finally here! For me, that is. Once juried in, I opted to skip May and sell in the summer and early fall every other week. With so many excellent artisans around here, management gave me August off to make room. I won’t complain.

I enjoy sales and such. I try to bring work with me; it generates all kinds of conversation and memories. “I remember helping my grandmother do this…” (Of course, all hookers know that “I did this in the 70s” really means they did a latch hook kit their mom bought them.) Certainly, kids love to try their hand at hooking. And in a town where weaving and quilting are the fiber arts queens, I think it’s time for a new princess to show her hand. I’m happy to be hooking’s ambassadress.

HIgh on Hooking getting ready to go out on the road. Or at least to the Rail Yards Market for a few hours. — High on Hooking getting ready to go out on the road. Or at least to the Rail Yards Market for a few hours.

If you’re in the Albuquerque area between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. this coming Sunday, please stop by. There’s art, food, farmers and their produce, music, and a general good time to be had by all.

Before I can get there, though, I have a lot to do:

Remake tags for every rug. The ones still on some of the mats contain High on Hooking’s info pre-New Mexico.
Check to make sure that my Square is working properly.
Photograph newer rugs.
Finish a couple of mug rugs up. I steamed them two days ago.
Pay June’s rent to the Railyards or all this will be moot.
Sew some hangers onto some of the rugs.
Purchase a basket or two for the small mats.

Many of you know the work that goes into getting ready for a show or sale. I’m not new to this rodeo, but I haven’t done it for well over a year given that we were in the midst of packing, selling a house, and moving in 2015. Time to sweep out the cobwebs and…climb back in that saddle again…

Many hookers are averse to selling away their artwork. Not me; I have too many at this point. Even too many to give away. And I’m making more all the time! Here’s hoping they sell. Are your rugs and mats adorning your own home, given as gifts, hidden away in a closet, or sold to make room for more and/or to purchase materials to make more?

Lest we forget the work on the frame. It's a new bed sheet rug but on monks' cloth this time rather than a latch hook backing. Narrower strips, more holes to fill means it's taking a lot more time! — Lest we forget the work on the frame. It’s a new bed sheet rug but on monks’ cloth this time rather than on a latch hook backing. Narrower strips, more holes to fill means it’s taking a lot more time!

May 11, 2016

Open workshop with Cheryl Bollenbach gone but not forgotten

Cheryl (r) and Dagmar hold up Dag's rug for show and tell Friday. Dag's son was the original artist, but she's the one putting the life into it. She's a fearless fiber artist who incorporated al kinds of new techniques into this rug. — Cheryl Bollenbach (r) and Dagmar hold up Dag’s rug for show and tell Friday. Dag’s son was the original artist, but she’s the one putting the life into it. She’s a fearless fiber artist who incorporated all kinds of new techniques into this rug.

Hard to believe, but it’s a full week later and the open workshop with Cheryl Bollenbach has come and gone.

Fortunately, the lessons learned and the camaraderie enjoyed go on. Case in point: many of us from the Adobe Wool Arts guild are gathering Friday for another round of dyeing. Okay, personally, I’m not doing any dyeing; I don’t even have any wool to dye. I’m just going to hang out and provide the comedy.

Even though I was working with t-shirt strips last week, it didn't stop me from purchasing some of Cheryl's wools. I loved the sparkly stuff; every rug needs a little bling in it. — Even though I was working with t-shirt strips last week, it didn’t stop me from purchasing some of Cheryl’s wools. I love the sparkly stuff; every rug needs a little bling in it.

Check out the stem action on Dagmar's rug. By incorporating cording and stitching and her own hand-dyed yarn, she punched up the texture factor. — Check out the stem action on Dagmar’s rug. By incorporating cording and stitching and her own hand-dyed yarn, she punched up the texture factor.

Linda's Celtic color-planning. Oh, my! — Linda’s Celtic color-planning. Oh, my!

I’ve included a bunch of pics I took last week. Some are of rugs, some are of rugs and their people, and some are just of folks concentrating on their hooking or having fun.

Mary and her dog sat next to me. SHe was so life-like (the dog, not Mary), that I had to reach over and pet her now and again. — Mary and her dog sat next to me. She was so life-like (the dog, not Mary; Mary is full of life), that I had to reach over and pet her now and again. Again, the dog, not Mary.

How my own psychedelic Tynan (the Welsh springer spaniel) is coming. BTW, he’s made out of old t-shirts.

Cheryl helped each of us develop some new skills, learn a few tricks, and look further into what it is we’re aiming to get out of this art/craft of rug hooking. She did some “long and lovely” dying in the Fry Daddy.

The other Linda's rug included her Mom. I salute Linda for learning hoe to do a realistic face. — The other Linda’s rug included her Mom. I salute Linda for learning hoe to do a realistic face.

Mary's mountainscape is full of color. It made her absolutely giddy for the three days. — Mary’s mountainscape is full of color. It made her absolutely giddy for the three days.

Cathy spent three days hooking and then sculpting these rocks. Very cool.

Friday, Cheryl finally put the “fire” into her presentation as she’d been promising: she demonstrated how we might enjoy aiming a heat gun onto decorated Tyvek to shrivel it. “Cut it into strips and you can really hook this up,” she told us. For those not familiar with Albuquerque springs, they tend to be rather windy. Indeed, Friday, Mother Nature let it gust. The doors of our police substation venue were desperate to open and close on their own; Linda was almost blown down as she stepped outside. Maybe fire wasn’t the best idea for the day especially given our EMS facility. Nonetheless, Cheryl was up for it. Alas, the heat gun on hand wasn’t. Too hot, it blew holes into the Tyvek. They were, we noted, quite interesting-looking holes. (Sorry, the wind precluded photos being taken.) Yet I’m sure something could’ve been done with that Tyvek and some wool and a little imagination. And even the foot-long, blue twist tie Cheryl deposited on my table Wednesday afternoon. That’s how she made us feel about hooking. Anything is possible.

Some of the colors I'm using on Tynan. — Some of the colors I’m using on Tynan.

The values of those same greens. I think that one of the most valuable things I learned was how to use my phone's camera to help me be a better hooker. — The values of those same greens. I think that one of the most valuable things I learned was how my phone’s camera can make me use color better and thus improve as a hooker.

A "long and lovely" cooking. — A “long and lovely” cooking.

...and voila! Here's the piece all dyed and washed and ready to use. And it's all mine because I won it! — …and voila ! Here’s the piece all dyed and washed and ready to use. And it’s all mine because I won it!

Darlene hooking her rose with those skinny, little #3 cuts.

Denise, still new to hooking, even did some proddy work. (I've never done that...) — Denise, still new to hooking, even did some proddy work. (I’ve never done that…)

Thank you, Cheryl Bollenbach, for an an informative and plain old fun three days. Kudos to Catherine Kelly for all your organizational work and to all the other members of the Adobe Wool Arts guild for the hospitality and friendship you’ve shown me these last several months since I moved to town.

Denise working hard. So is Pat behind her, Pat who's been hooking longer than most anyone! — Denise working hard. So is Pat behind her, Pat who’s been hooking longer than most anyone!

Much as Rug Hooking Magazine has the first rug last, Liz presented her first rug and her new second rug. Bravo, Liz! — Much as **Rug Hooking Magazine** has the first rug last, Liz presented her first rug and her new second rug. Bravo, Liz!

May 2, 2016

The week ahead

Just stopped by to dash off a quick post – a “postette” perhaps? – as I’ve got tons to do to get ready for this week’s hooking activities. Tomorrow, being the first Tuesday of the month, will find me at Albuquerque’s Botanic Garden participating in my guild’s monthly demonstration. I’ll be bringing my recently completed bed sheet rug and the new one that I’m working on. Yes, I am rather obsessed and finding these rugs great fun to work on.

One finished bed sheet rug to show off at the Biopark tomorrow.

And a new bed sheet rug to demo with the guild.

Then there’s this week’s 3-day rug camp with Cheryl Bollenbach. Like I mentioned last week, I finally decided that I wanted to do a portrait of my dog Tynan. But not a realistic interpretation looks- and color-wise. I do want to realistically capture his spirit. I managed to draw him onto the monk’s cloth a few days ago. Picked the colors only this morning and still have to sew the twill tape onto the pattern. So much to do before Wednesday!!!

Tynan and I are off to workshop with the Adobe Wool Arts Guild and Cheryl Bollenbach Wednesday.

What are your hooking plans and/or goals this week?