Introduction To Rug Hooking

My new book has been out for about a month now and I have received some very nice reviews.  If you have hesitated about buying it because you are not a beginner, here is a comment that might change your mind:

I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book Introduction to Rug Hooking. I have been hooking for about twelve years,but find your book very informative ~ Yvonne M., Canada

Yvonne has already hooked two projects from my book!  She used the Hearts and Flowers pattern and put the design end-to-end to create a lovely table runner.

She also hooked the Rise and Shine pattern, using happy colors that make me smile!  

Thanks for sharing, Yvonne!

Here are some other reviews from happy purchasers:

Hi!  I just wanted to tell you that I ordered your book from Amazon and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  Wow, you did SUCH a great job!!  ~ Judi Y., Michigan

Congratulations on your wonderful new book!  I just wish I had this book when I was beginning.  It is fabulous and I think you have done a beautiful job.  I’ve actually learned a few pointers myself just going through it and I have a dear friend who is just starting in rug hooking and I am going to give her this book.  It’s wonderful. ~ Hazel W., Michigan

The book is just grand, Kris! Mine came last week. It is so well done - lots of photos that will be wonderfully helpful whether we're beginners or not. Your explanations are clear and I love the patterns you included. Your book should be a hit! ~ Carol W., Tennessee

I didn't think I needed another book on rug hooking - until I read this and have learned many new techniques. Thanks Kris! ~ Nancy B., California

Hands down....the BEST book on rug hooking I have ever read. Period. Order yourself a copy before it sells out completely.

~ Kathleen MB, New Jersey

I am so blessed and grateful for the wonderful comments!  If you haven't purchased your copy yet, what are you waiting for? Find out for yourself why everyone is buzzing about Introduction To Rug Hooking.  And if you already own one, I hope you are enjoying it!  Thanks very much for your purchase!

A Very "Grand" Grand Opening!

My new store space within Holly Hills Primitives is finally set up!

Friday afternoon my husband and I stocked all the shelves and baskets and tables with rug hooking goodness. My new book took center stage on the main table.  We are ready for shoppers!  I wanted it to be cozy and inviting and I think we have accomplished that feeling.

The old pie safe holds half yard pieces of wool, perfect for backgrounds and borders.  Inspiring books are displayed on top.

Years ago, we found the lovely pie safe at a barn sale nearby.  It was in pretty rough shape ... missing a door, screens were torn, and chickens had roosted in the shelves...but I think it likes its new life now! It looks happy!

And here we are before the doors opened...(left to right):  Tammy Jias, Dawn Rossell, Teresa Kogut, and me. 

Teresa Kogut is my "neighbor" who shares my store space with me.  Her work is amazing! I can't think of a better artist to be connected with...our work just flows together.

 Tammy Jias was there for the day with her whimsical creatures.  Oh they are wonderful!  These pictures are just a few of my favorites!  Dawn's store was stocked with an abundance of them and they sold quickly.

I was lucky to adopt this dapper rabbit fellow created by Tammy. He is actually quite tall but I know the perfect place for him.

I feel very blessed to be friends with so many talented artists!

It was a true pleasure to see so many familiar faces come out to the Holly Hills grand opening.  I was extra-surprised when my brother and my sister-in-law arrived!  It all added up to a super fun day!

For those of you who came, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  And for those who couldn't make it, I hope to see you some time in the future.  I love my new adventure and I am grateful for your friendship and support!  

It's Here!

As if there isn't enough excitement around here, look what showed up on my door step on Thursday afternoon!

It's my new book!

Last year at this time, I was feverishly hooking and writing to make my deadline.  I have waited for this moment for so long and now it's finally here!

My book, Introduction To Rug Hooking, is packed full of information for beginners.  Everything that I would teach in a beginner class is here...information on tools (hooks, frames, scissors), how to choose and prepare wool,alternate rug hooking materials, how to draw a pattern, how to finish your edges, how to care for your rug, and of course, how to hook! At the back of the book is a glossary of terms and a list of resources.

There are 8 projects included in the book.  Every one of them includes the pattern, designed by me, a list of materials, and the complete instructions with step-by-step photos.  There are a LOT of photos (over 400)!

The projects start with the very basic and go from there.  Every project teaches a different technique or stitch, or gives a hint to make your rug hooking journey a little easier and more satisfying.

I am hoping that beginners will love it and refer to it often.  But it is not just a book for beginners!  Experienced rug hookers will love the patterns and I hope they will also find the techniques useful and inspiring.

I am waiting for a large box of books to arrive but I can take orders now and ship them ASAP.  The book costs $25.95 and shipping within the US is $5.05 via Flat Rate Priority Mail. (If you live outside the US, please contact me for a shipping quote).

I would be happy to autograph your copy...just let me know!
PS:  I will be doing a book signing next Saturday (January 31) during our grand opening at Holly Hills Primitives.  Get there early to get your copy!

Transformation

For the past week or so, my husband and I have been working on setting up my retail space at Holly Hills Primitives.  Every time we spend a few hours there, we see such a wonderful transformation and it makes us really excited.  It just keeps getting better and better! Here are a few photos so you can follow along:

I knew I couldn't take on this new adventure without my husband's help! This is the first time that we saw the room and he did some measuring. Then we needed to go home and decide which of our display pieces and props would work the best.

 The next two pictures show "day one" of moving in with our props, tables, etc.  Notice this is the same view as above, only we have cleaned and moved things around.

What a difference just one day makes!  We still have to figure out if we have the correct display pieces for the merchandise we want to bring in.

Books!  Patterns!  Wool!  Kits! Hooks! We have to make sure we can fit it all in.

Today we added lots of lights and painted the inside of the wool shelves.  What a difference the lighting makes! 

 I love this skirted table with the door behind it. The table cloth is a peach plaid and the door is  gray green chippy paint with some peach paint showing through...a match made in heaven! (want to know a little secret?  The table cloth was the one we used on our cake table when we got married.  No kidding.  That's what kind of pack rats we are!)

Lots of room for patterns and kits...and lots of light too!

We have a little more work to do yet before we start bringing in the merchandise.  I can't wait to start loading the shelves with wool and filling the baskets with patterns.   It's going to be a fun and cozy place to shop!

In case you hadn't heard, Teresa Kogut is also sharing this lovely room with me.  She has begun to set up a lovely space too and I can't wait to see what she has to offer!

I am so thrilled about this new adventure so I hope you will stop by for a visit.  The grand opening will be Saturday January 31st from 10 am to 5 pm at Holly Hills Primitives, 105 Civic Dr., Holly, MI  48442.  I'll be there to greet you!
(PS: don't come any earlier than January 31st...I won't be ready yet).

An Exciting Start To The New Year

Happy New Year to you!  

I am personally happy to leave 2014 behind and start the new chapter in my life called 2015. While there were happy moments and lovely opportunities in 2014, (teaching on a cruise to Alaska was the highlight!), we also had to say our sad and bittersweet goodbyes to family members and pets.  It certainly does take the wind out of your sails.  Now there is a fresh start and happier times to look forward to in the new year of 2015.

Just recently I have taken on an exciting new opportunity!  Starting January 31st, I will be opening a space dedicated to rug hooking and wool arts in a sweet little shop in Holly, Michigan.  My wool, select patterns and rug hooking supplies will be located at Holly Hills Primitives, 105 Civic Dr., Holly, MI  48442.  If you love primitives, you will love this shop!  Dawn has a keen eye for the loveliest primitive things.  We are hoping for a grand opening celebration on January 31st, so please do mark your calendar and stop by! 

Even though I will still have wool, patterns, and supplies here in my studio, this will give shoppers easy access to purchase all their rug hooking and wool needs from me, without having to come tramping through my house.  It's a wonderful opportunity for the new year!

Holiday Sale This Week!

I'm enjoying some extended family time after the Thanksgiving Holiday...so save room on your Holiday shopping list for Spruce Ridge Studios' Holiday Sale later this week. 

Thursday December 4th

From 11 am to 6 pm EST

For purchases up to and including $55.00, you will receive 20% off your entire purchase. You'll get 25% off your entire purchase of $55.01 or more!  Buy more and save more!

Discounts will apply to everything on the Spruce Ridge Studios website EXCEPT Eurosteam Irons. Shipping and MI sales tax is extra. 

Woolly Little Flash Sale

Today only!  A warm and woolly flash sale on a cold, gray November day!

Here is Wool Ewe Be Mine, a design adapted from Notforgotten Farms and offered by Spruce Ridge Studios.  I hooked this little sweet mat a few years ago, using neutral textures with a lovely red heart. You don't need a lot of different colors to make this look great! I used quillie circles in the sheep's body but you could also just hook little curlicues for the fleece.  I hooked the background in straight rows to simulate boards.  It's a nice contrast to the curves of the heart. The size is 16" x 14" so it hooks up quickly and I think it would make a great Christmas gift for someone special!

Again, I drew up too many of this pattern because I thought it was so adorable, so you get to profit from my exuberance!

This woolly little Flash Sale lasts ONLY today, Thursday November 13th (lucky number 13!) and runs all day (9 pm EST) or until I run out of patterns.  It is only for the Wool Ewe Be Mine pattern.  

This flash sale will offer 4 monks cloth patterns at 30% off (deeper discount for all you monks cloth fans) and 6 linen patterns at 25% off.  First come, first served, in the order that your order is received.  Shipping and sales tax (if you live in Michigan) is extra.

Here is a link to my website in case you need any more information:

Wool Ewe Be Mine 

That Time of Year!

Yes, it's that time of year!  Time for Holiday shopping and Christmas shows...and here is my favorite!

All The Trimmings Holiday Show in Chelsea, Michigan

It takes place Saturday December 6th

 from 10 am to 4 pm.  

(I'm giving you lots of time to mark your calendar)

 It's really a lovely, cozy little show with handmade items from Michigan artists, including wood carvings, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, felting, honey, folk paintings, pastels, counted cross stitch, textiles, rug hooking, and fresh greens. I personally do some of my own shopping at this show.  We purchase our Christmas wreaths and greens (they're always SO fresh!) and I've gotten some wonderful gifts too (earrings, fresh roasted coffee, wood carvings, and antiques).  I've heard some first time attendees say "Wow!  This is a GREAT show!"

The town of Chelsea is also having their Hometown Holidays celebration, so you can shop all day in the quaint town of Chelsea...and if you didn't know, the actor Jeff Daniels lives in Chelsea and founded the Purple Rose Theatre there!  The Common Grill is a special and favorite place for those who are looking for a tasty bite to eat!

Did I  mention free parking, free admission, and free refreshments?

If you are planning on attending, send me an email with your address and I will mail you a postcard with a discount when you shop in my booth.

I hope to see you there!

A New Old Friend

I vended at Harvest At The Mill in Holly, Michigan in the beginning of September.  It was the first time for me and as my husband and I walked through the gym on "set-up" day, I knew I was in big trouble.  There were so many wonderful primitive antiques, all of them in the rustic farmhouse kind of style that I love!  It was really hard to contain myself and at the end of the day, I had supported my fellow vendors very well.  I came home with a honey colored old cubby shelf and a wonderful old painted cupboard.  For those of you who know me, I have a uncontrolled love affair with old cupboards.  I always say that I have no more room for them, but somehow they come home with me, just like a good old familiar friend and we manage to find a place to make it work.  I just can't say no!

We finally put the new cupboard in its spot, cleaned it up, and checked it out like a newborn baby.  

I had been originally looking at an old bucket bench but then this caught my eye.  Double doors and double drawers.  The hardware worked great and the doors were straight and strong. The side boards on the top are original (all one piece of wood on the sides) but someone has shaped and modified it.  It sort of looks like a bucket bench but it's not.  And the streaky gray blue paint, all chippy and half worn off.  It made my heart skip a beat!

 When my husband opened the left hand drawer, he said "looks like the mice were chewing in there." Sigh.  I love that.  It gives it more character.  It has a story.  Just as long as they're not in there now, I'm good with it.

The nice thing is that it looks like no one used it as a tool bin or stored greasy stuff in it.  All it needed was a nice brushing out and a little vacuuming.  I said to my husband "Smell this thing...doesn't it smell good?" and he said "just smells like old wood to me."  It's not musty, just a lovely old smell, like sweet warm wood.

Now, can you imagine us bringing this home along with all our other merchandise from our booth?  My van was filled literally to the roof (with some stuff stuck inside the cabinet to make room)!  But where there's a will, there's a way, especially for a fanatical cabinet collector!

Old Tom

After I posted on Monday about Old Tom, I started hooking my own!

I decided to make a few "rules" for myself as I was gathering my wool.  I was only going to use scraps of wool that I had laying around.  Not necessarily from  my worm pile, but I wanted to use up some of my 3-6" pieces that have been accumulating, left over from other recent rugs.  I dug around and it seems I have a lot of those!  I wanted my turkey to have a bluish gray head, just like the real ones I've seen in our yard. I found a scrap of gray/brown pebbly wool that would work perfect for the tail feathers, so that was a "must" to use, too.  I'm using reversible black stripe for the background-it was the only wool I used that wasn't a scrap.

I can only hook about 2-3 hours at a time before my finger starts getting sore and achy.  I've only hooked on Old Tom for about 8 hours so this is a real quick and easy mat to work on.  I think I may ask my hand therapist if I can get a split to wear so I can hook a little longer!

The only thing I would change is that dark red strip at the top of the wing.  It didn't stand out so much in person but the photo makes it look a little out of place.

New Patterns

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the Flash Sale last Friday.  Your packages are in the mail and on their way to you.  If you missed the Halloween Flash Sale, don't despair.  There will be another flash sale on a different pattern in the near future.  So stay tuned!

I recently added two new patterns to the Notforgotten Farm collection. 

Here's Old Tom, a wonderful turkey pattern in a size that will hook up quickly.

I haven't ever hooked any turkey rugs so I think I want to do this one...in fact, the more I look at it, I might just take my Daisy rug off of my frame and start it tonight. I think I can get it done before Thanksgiving!

I do have a little inspiration for a hooking a turkey rug. We have had a group of turkeys hanging around our property all summer long. I think it is a mom and her chicks.  We have watched them grow and now I can't tell the mom from her babies.  They get close to the house sometimes, so I have gotten a few pictures. I love to watch them and see the color of their feathers.  Sometimes they roost in our pine trees in the evening.

 

The second pattern is called October 31st.

I love this pattern because it is not a typical Halloween pattern and has a very Fraktur-like feel to it.  It's a great design to hook in basic neutral textures...but you can still play with a few colors in the flowers.

Both patterns can be seen on my website and are available for immediate shipping.

Trick or Treat Flash Sale!

You get the treat....it's a Halloween Flash Sale! 

Eke and Zeke

This is such a sweet little Halloween design from Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm.  It's a very do-able size (17" x 21") so it will hook up quickly.  You don't need a lot of different wool colors to work your magic on this pattern: black, orange, a strip or two of green for the eyes, and a nice neutral background.  Use the beading stitch for a toothy grin!  Wow!  

 I got a little crazy again while drawing this pattern.  I adore this little cat and I probably had just the perfect size scrap of linen so I let that Sharpie whirl! But now there is just a bit too many patterns and I have to make way for some new ones. 

 So here's how it works: The Flash Sale just lasts today, October 31st.  It runs all day but please don't call too late, OK?  Late for me is after 9 pm.  And please leave a message on my machine if I don't answer-I might be down in the barn.

The Flash Sale is for the Eke and Zeke pattern only.  These patterns will be 25% off the normal retail price.  First come, first served, orders will be filled according to the time they were received.

I am offering 2 Eke & Zeke patterns on monks cloth and 6 on linen.  Shipping and sales tax (if you live in Michigan) are extra.  The sale ends at the end of the day or whenever I run out of patterns. Here is a link to the pattern on my website, just in case you want to take a peek:

http://www.spruceridgestudios.com/index.php/patterns/notforgotten-farms/eke-and-zeke-new/

On My Frame

Here is what is on my frame right now....

It's Daisy!  A really wonderful pattern that is adapted from Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm!  I used two yummy textures and "puddled" them around Daisy's body....she sure has a looong body so I felt it needed some interest.  I'm mixing 3 or 4 different neutral textures for the background and then used yet another one to work in the word "daisy" under the donkey (the word isn't on the pattern but I thought I'd like to fill in some of that negative space down there.  If you like it, I can add it to your pattern too). After I took the photo, I can see a few spots that I'd like to change up a little.  That's the beauty of taking a picture while your work is in progress...little things that you wouldn't notice with the naked eye suddenly pop out.  It's a great tool for evaluating your hooking.

I really love the way my Daisy is looking!

I'm sort of playing around with how I want to hook the stars.  So far, I like how they turned out. The next step is to play around with the blue and see how I can fill in between the star points.

Unfortunately, I dislocated my little finger on my right hand (yes, I am right-handed!) about 3 1/2 weeks ago.  The bone was set back in place but there is a huge amount of swelling, it's a little achey, and I'm probably facing a few months of physical therapy.  I can still hook but it goes much more slowly now.  And of course, now that fall is almost over and the cold winter months are nearly here, I want to get back to my hooking so badly!!!  Lots of designs and colors swirling around in my head and lots of projects begging to be worked on.  I love this time of year!

P.S. Stayed tuned...there might be a spooky kind of flash sale going on tomorrow. A treat for you without the tricks!

Mark Your Calendar!

What are you doing this week-end?  There is a wonderful primitive show being held this Saturday (September 6th) in Holly, Michigan from 10 am to 3 pm and I am so excited to be one of the vendors!  It is Harvest At The Mill, sponsored by Dawn and Dick Rossell.  I will be bringing a bounty of wool and rug hooking patterns, along with books, hooks, kits, and lots of other fun rug hooking accessories. A brand new Fraser 500 cutter with a #8 blade will also be available for purchase at the show.  I'm working on stitching up some sweet little lavender sachets and a bushel basket full of mini wool pumpkins (good for pin cushions or little fall decorating accents). It's going to look like fall has arrived in our booth!
I can't wait to see what the other vendors are bringing...there's wall to wall antique and early primitive goods!  I think this is going to be the show that a lot of people will be talking about for weeks!  Don't miss it!

I belong to the Welcome Mat, an on-line rug hooking group.  It is moderated by Wanda Kerr.  There is a discussion nearly everyday and a wealth of information that is accessible at your finger tips.  Most of the time, I just lurk around there and sometimes I skim over the reading because I am pressed for time.  

Today, Wanda posted a very wise discussion.  Even though I am pressed for time today (setting up at the Michigan Fiber Festival in a few short hours!), the words really spoke to me.  I want to share this discussion with you (she gave permission!) because I think it is important in this day and age of social media and internet sharing.

Alot of rug hooking connectivity takes place online theses days. I thrilled about this because I love my ability to meet and enjoy the heck out of so many like minded people! Thank you so much!

We on the Mat are in a very cozy little enclave. No one who isn't committed like we are is here.

From 15 years of working online with rug hooking I also know who possesses incendiary personalities and frankly I deny them access so that The Welcome Mat is as positive, calm and as loving as you and I can make it.

I grew up in a very negative atmosphere and I revile it, I'm sensitive to negativity and its influence on creating, our hearts and our souls. I think most people have a little well of non edifying waters they take a dip in every once and awhile. But most of shake off the waters, dry ourselves in the sunshine and carry on.

I don't like to be negative and I do like to act professionally at all times online. I have a pretty sturdy moral compass.

Every once in awhile my professional life is blurred by my private one but rarely.

What I'm saying is there are inside voices and outside ones.

I want to caution you about the permanence of your responses online.

Even if removed when read they create a lasting impression of you.

If you are a rug hooking professional, teacher, business person or even a blogger with nothing to sell, you need to conduct yourself with positivity and ethics.

A lot of what happens is simply reactionary. So and so writes a blog post with emotion ( not positive) and that in turn sparks a hussah of comments that both embroider and stumpwork ( build up ) the original words and emotions.

Be careful.

Try not to partake. Write a note but don't post it if you must.

Rarely do you ever see a dissenting opinion to these missives. And frankly they aren't that welcome.

Try to be the voice of reason if you are brave enough.

I have a list of good netiquette which I find even the top bloggers in rug hooking don't ahere to at all.

Please copy and spread this list around liberally. Everyone needs to see it and turn away from those who are not using good online manners.

1. Never denigrate a business or service no matter what happens if you have one yourself. NEVER.

2. Don't troll other services or blogs for good blog fodder without giving credit to the source ALWAYS with links. You would be shocked at the levels at which this is happening. We are having some very popular bloggers setting a very poor examples. In the greater blogosphere rug hooking bloggers are the only people who do not do this. It is very bad manners, akin to eating your snot at the dinner table with Her Majesty. Act more honorably, if the info they found, wrote or researched is good enough to add to your blog then don't they deserve a reference?

3. Always check with yourself before posting by asking would I want this said of me? Could I apply more understanding? Is this the seed I want to plant? What fruit will it bear? Would I want credit for my work?

4. If you have a quick emotional response to something you read ..... don't react by typing. React by thinking or creating. If a day later you still think you have something important to add then have at it. but I think you'll find in 10 hours much of the emotion will have dissipated. Don't feed that negativity.

5. Do not  ever and I mean NEVER take up the case of defense for someone else. Every horrible firestorm I've ever observed or weathered online came about because someone got indignant on another's behalf.

I'll tell you as an added bonus, this is something to look out for.... some people get that stuff going through behind the scenes manipulation and then sit back and actually enjoy the chaos, their hands nicely clean while everybody else is browned up to their ears in crap. Ohhh that stinks!

6. Don't act like spoiled babies when things aren't going the way you think they should. Change is inevitable and it is good. 

I'm going to use this as a blog post today too.

Spread the word on yours please with credit of course. 

Wanda is full of wisdom and I love the way she writes!  

If you want to join the Welcome Mat, click here.  There is a subscription fee to join.
See you this week-end at the Michigan Fiber Festival at the Allegan County Fairgrounds in Allegan, Michigan!

Thank you!

Thanks for participating in yesterday's Flash Sale.  I will be doing more Flash Sales in the future (darn, I wish I wouldn't have drawn up so many of such-and-such pattern!....) so keep checking back because you never know when it might happen!

Flash Sale!

It's a Flash Sale!

Sometimes I get a little crazy when I am drawing patterns and I draw too many of one certain design.  Maybe it's because I have extra backing left over and that pattern fits the scrap.  Maybe I am so smitten with a design that I think it's going to sell a lot.  Maybe it's just the full moon.  Whatever it is, I end up with more patterns than I know what to do with.  My overeagerness is your lucky day!  Today I'm having a flash sale because I have too many Do Goode, Be Nice patterns.  Here's how it works:

The Flash Sale lasts one day.  That's today, Thursday, August 7th, 2014.  It runs all day but please don't call me after 9 pm tonight, OK?  The Flash Sale is good for the Do Goode, Be Nice pattern only.  These patterns will be 25% off the normal retail price.

I am offering 5 Do Goode patterns on monks cloth and 4 on linen. (Linen is sold out - Thanks you!!!)Shipping (and sales tax if you live in Michigan) is extra.  The sale will end at the end of August 7th or whenever I run out of the patterns.

This is just in time for your Autumn and Halloween hooking!

Here's the link to the pattern on my website, just in case you want to take a peek:

http://www.spruceridgestudios.com/index.php/patterns/notforgotten-farms/do-goode-be-nice/

Psssst!

Check back tomorrow after 10:30 am for a little surprise event!