Locker Hooked Rag Rug

Here's a pic of my newest locker hooked rag rug ... don't the colours look beautiful against the current landscape!?  Many shades of gray brightened up with pops of mustard yellow.  Durable, washable, and soft under foot.  This piece measures 39" x 23".    $230.

SOLD

I just finished up a wonderful Christmas show at Mark St. United in Peterborough, and am now preparing for the final event of the season .... the very fabulous Finer Things, a juried show at Emmanuel United Church (also in Peterborough) on Friday evening December 7, and Saturday December 8.  Here's one of my newest locker hooked rag rugs - all set for next weekend. The soft tones and nearly square shape would work especially well in a small bathroom, bedroom, or in front of the kitchen sink ......

Measures 29" x 27"
$175
SOLD

Locker Hooked Rug

This is a bit of a departure for me; after spending many years focused on traditional rug hooking, I decided to learn another primitive art called locker hooking.

One end of the locker hook resembles a crochet hook; the other end has a large eyelet for threading yarn. Using the crochet hook end, loops of fabric are hooked into the strong canvas backing, then locked into place by pulling the threading yarn through the loops.  The resulting piece is thick and durable; washes easily and can be worn and walked on for years.

Blue & Burgundy
37" x 28"
$250
SOLD

Brown & Plum
37" x 28"
$250

Teal & Cream
43" x 27"
$325
SOLD

Denim Blues & Cream
37 x 28"
$250
SOLD

Silk Screen Workshop

META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery in Peterborough hosted an inspiring workshop yesterday - led by the equally inspiring Leslie Menagh - where an enthusiastic group was introduced to the art of textile marking/silk screening! My first piece turned out quite well I think😁 Can't wait for your new studio to open Leslie! I'll definitely be back for more workshops!

Market season

It's been a steamy, sultry summer - but the lovely Lakefield Farmers Market continues to get great support from both the community and the local cottagers.  I've been busy "making" but haven't done a lot of posting lately..... so below are a few of the pieces made recently and, happily, already sold at market.

Rug hooked chair pad
Measures 11" diameter
$65
SOLD

Rug hooked bench pad
$250
SOLD

Rug hooked chair pad
Measures 11" diameter
$65
SOLD

Rug hooked hot pad
$40
SOLD

Rug hooked hot pad
$40
SOLD

All ready for market season!

Just two more sleeps til I'm back at the Lakefield Farmers' Market. Here are two more pieces I managed to finish in time for Thursday! (Rug hooked chair pad; rug hooked runner/bench pad). And a reminder that I'll also be at the Chandos Lake Art Festival (Lakeview Marina) on Saturday June 30. Keeping fingers crossed for a sunny week ahead.

Rug hooked chair pad
Wool hooked on burlap
Measures 11" in diameter
$65
SOLD

Rug hooked runner/bench pad
Wool hooked on burlap
Measures 34" x 10"
$180

Close-Up

Hooked Rugs

I'm getting ready for what I hope will be a busy market and festival season.  My first day at the Lakefield Farmers Market is June 28th and I continue, every Thursday, until Labour Day.  As well, I'm looking forward to taking part in the Chandos Lake Art Festival, June 30th at the Lakeview Marina.   Below are two new hooked rugs - hot off the hoop!  Both have been hooked with wool on burlap.

Dramatic "hit or miss" statement piece for small space
Measures 26 1/2" square.
$300

Large "hit or miss" geometric
Measures 36" x 24"
$400
SOLD

A few new offerings

I've been working happily, but feverishly, in anticipation of a busy festival and market season.  This Sunday (May 6), I'll be taking part in the first event of the season - The Willow Spring Artisan Show  in Duoro, Ontario - a lovely hamlet just east of Lakefield.  I'll be at the Lakefield Farmers Market throughout July and August, and will also be at the Chandos Lake Art Festival on Saturday, June 30.

Here are few more of my recent pieces -

Hooked Chair Pad
11 1/2" in diameter
$65
SOLD

Hooked Table Runner (or Bench Pad)
Measures 36" x 10 1/2"
$180
SOLD

Hooked Table Runner (or Bench Pad)
Measures 38" x 9 1/4"
$180

Rug Hooked Hot Pads

It's been a nasty April - cold, snow, freezing rain, ice .... and of course, a power outage.  How grateful I am that I was able to fill my days working on several new pieces for the upcoming market season.   Thankfully the sun is now shining, and warmer weather is promised over the next few days.  I'm sure everyone's spirits will soon be lifted.  In the meantime,  here is a small selection of hooked hot pads in various sizes and designs that kept me busy during the drearier days.

Sunflower  on blue
Measures 8 1/2" x 6"
$40
SOLD

Hit or Miss in warm earth tones
Measures 8 1/2" X 7 1/2"
$42.00
SOLD

Cheery Red Flower on brown
Measures 8 1/2" x 6 1/2"
$40
SOLD

Hit or Miss in blues with cheery pops of coral
Measures 7 1/2" 7 1/2"
$40
Sold

Rug Hooked Chair Pad

The graceful cone flower is one of my favorite flowers to hook.  Here the design is hooked in warm tones against a flecked navy blue background.  Simple and elegant.

Measures 11" x 11 1/2"
$65
SOLD

Rug Hooked Hot Pads

Fun,  functional, and durable, these hooked hot pads protect the table while adding a dash of colour to the decor:

This piece is extra large - perfect for a hot platter or large casserole dish
Measures 9" x 9 1/4"
$55
SOLD

Measures 7 1/2" x 7 1/2"
$40
SOLD

Measures 6 1/2" x 7"
$38
SOLD

Rug Hooked Chair Pads

A new series of rug hooked chair pads - hot off the hoop!  In the tradition of rug hookers of long ago, I use only recycled materials.  As mentioned in a previous post, I've recently been using up some recycled burlap coffee bags which, unlike finer "hairless" burlap, leave visible fine burlap fibres.  With use and wear, these little fibres will eventually felt themselves in to the wool.   Each chair pad measures approx. 11 - 11 1/2"; $65 each.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Textile Collages

When I'm not rug hooking, I absolutely love to stir up my creative juices by working on textile collages. Unlike hooking, where I'm following a pre-determined pattern, the collages demand that I completely loosen up and go with my instincts about the composition of a piece from start to finish.

Measures 12" x 16"
$60

Measures 12" x 16"
$100

Measures 8" x 10"
$60

New Rug Hooked Pieces

I've had a very productive winter.  Although the weather has been snowy and blustery, my upstairs loft is a joy to work in.  On sunny days, the light streams in on my work table; on dreary days I can still enjoy the beautiful and serene view of the lovely fields that stretch before me.  So, here are a few of the pieces I have finished over the past several months:

Hooked Bench Pad/Table Runner:  Flowers and Homestead

Measures 28 1/2" x 11"
$180
SOLD

Hooked Bench Pad/Table Runner:  Classic Hit or Miss with navy background

Measures 29" x 12"
$180

Hooked Bench Pad/Table Runner:  Outstanding in their Field!

This piece is much longer than most I've done and would be ideal on a long bench or harvest table.

Measures 37" x  9 1/2"
$220
SOLD

Hooked Chair Pad

Measures 11" in diameter
$65
SOLD

Rug Hooked Bench Pad/Table Runner

I was visiting friends on Christmas morning and was so pleased to see, on display on the breakfast table, this whimsical hooked runner I made a few years ago.

I love the idea that flowers can grow larger than houses, and was inspired to do another runner (or bench pad!) with a similar theme.

Rug Hooked Bench Pad/Table Runner
Measures 11" x 28 1/2"
$180
SOLD

Textile Collages

I have long been drawn to the art of slow stitching - mindful, organic, hand stitching. It can come in many forms such as quilting, textile collages, and even mending.  Over the years, I collected beautiful bits of fabric, lace, antique handkerchiefs, and ribbon, determined that one day I would focus on this contemplative art form.  So, last year, when a broken arm kept me from pursuing other, more strenuous projects, I dug into my collection of beautiful old textiles.  Over the six weeks of healing, I let the colours and textures speak to me as I worked them into a collection of lovely fabric collages. Although the collages were created some time ago, I used the quiet (and very cold) time after this year's holidays to finally display them properly.  Wooden artist palets, painted white, were turned into shadow boxes; textiles were mounted on foamcore to create a three dimensional effect.  I love the way they turned out!

8" x 10"
$60

8" x 10"
$60
SOLD

12" x 16"
$100

12" x 16"
$100