Hearts and Flowers
Designed and hooked by Kris Miller
Happy Independence Day! You might not think that this design has any connection to July 4th, but it holds lovely memories of a July 4th from a few years ago! Of course there is a story to go with it.....
Four years ago today, I was in Finland visiting my friends and family. My friend Sirkku asked if I might teach a rug hooking class for her and some invited guests. Rug hooking is virtually unknown in Finland but Sirkku had gotten a copy of my Introduction To Rug Hooking book and was intrigued by this art form.
Our class took place in Sirkku's home on July 4th and her goddaughter Fei-Sophia made a caramel cake to honor our class and they decorated it to celebrate the US holiday. As you can imagine, the cake was absolutely delicious!
Each student received a Hearts and Flowers kit with a basic hook, a linen pattern, and cut strips. They were very eager to get started. Once they got the hang of it, they seemed to keep one step ahead of me, asking "what's next!?!?"
It was fun to see them create their new projects and they quickly talked about choosing a name for their newly formed group!
I realized that the new Finnish rug hookers were no different than rug hookers anywhere else in the world...a sisterhood of enthusiastic people getting together to create and socialize. We enjoyed coffee and caramel cake and they hooked all morning and afternoon.
Even after everyone else had gone home, Fei-Sophia sat outside in the twilight while we grilled sausages and had a picnic. She put her iPhone on flashlight mode and continued to work on her project well into the night!
We were scheduled to return to Finland this summer but the pandemic put a stop to that. I can't wait to return soon and perhaps bring another rug hooking project for my Finnish friends to work on. Until then, I can look at my pictures with fond memories.
You can buy the Hearts and Flowers pattern here:
And you can buy my book Introduction To Rug Hooking here:
There are step by step instructions for the Hearts and Flowers project, along with 7 other projects...each project teaches a different technique or lesson.
3 comments:
Rug hooking has no borders! I love this story and it’s nice to read your blog.
What a lovely story and fond memory of yours. Oh, and that cake, while delicious, was also beautifully made. Hope you get your trip back to Finland again soon and give us another story and finished pieces done by the group since this class.
You have the best stories. Sad that your trip got cancelled. It feels as though 2020 has been cancelled. We need a do over!
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