This book features original designs and motifs, inspired by the long traditions of the craft Canadian rug hooker Deanne Fitzpatrick presents a collection of colorful, whimsical designs for welcome mats, area rugs, chair pads, and other decorative household items. Inspired by the seascape, the people, and the long rug-making traditions of the communities of the Atlantic coast, Deanne has adapted some of her favorite motifs to create practical, pictorial hooked canvases-Kissing Fish welcome mat, Old Rose oval rug, Coastal House chair pads, Dancing Women rug, and more. She provides the basic hooking instructions and tips on choosing the right backing (burlap or linen), gathering fabric (silks, wools, velvets-or just about anything else you can cut into strips), and binding the edges. She also provides templates for each of the 33 projects and instructions on transferring and positioning the motifs. Scattered throughout the book are inspiring photographs of Fitzpatrick's many award-winning rugs, her stories of traditions that inspire her work, and insider's tips for shortcuts and techniques. The whimsical, folk-art-style designs range from simple to more complex and will appeal both to beginners and experienced rug hookers. The technique is simple, and the materials are few and easy to find.
Learn the common elements in antique hooked rugs to create your own pattern from start to finish--transferring, customizing, color planning, dyeing techniques, and which cuts of wool work best. Also included is information on different background treatments and fabric use and what effect it has on the finished product.
Artist Molly Colegrove has a love affair with barns and the landscapes that surround them. Take a walk with her through her beloved New York state and learn many of her tricks and techniques for depicting a rural landscape in wool. Molly uses wool strips, wool yarn along with many alternative fibers and techniques to hook her lovely pieces and she shares her hard-earned knowledge with you. Molly incorporates quilting, roving, felting, beads, embroidery, and more. Capturing clouds and skies, water and fields, trees and fields-Molly has her own approach to translating a landscape into textile art.
What would happen if The Unthinkable blindsided you, requiring everything be put on hold to become a full time caregiver for a loved one? At the very least, it would reshape your life. Without a survival guide, it could even destroy it.Barb Owen delivers precisely that survival guide in NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore: An Inspiring Story of Hope for Caregivers. She weaves a story, through the first two parts of the book, based on her life-changing experience as primary caregiver for her elderly parents. Following each chapter a bit of wisdom gained from Barb "s experience is summarized as a Reflection. The third part of NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore addresses the critical need for self-care for the new and seasoned caregiver alike. Specific suggestions abound for Me Time ”how to find it ”what to do with it ”and how very important it is for sustaining oneself throughout the often arduous caregiving-marathon. This truly inspiring book is one part parable, one part autobiography and all survival guide, illuminating a path for the more than 65 million caregiving Americans. SEverything hinges on your ability to care for both yourself and your loved one, says Owen. SThis maxim is of great consequence ”heed it, and you will endure. Dismiss it, and you will have trouble surviving. Take care of yourself, your loved one and keep the faith, because you "re not alone. ----- EXCERPT FROM: NORMAL Doesn "t Live Here Anymore - Chapter 21; The morning after I brought my 90-year-old Dad home from the hospital, Mom called me to say that he was not feeling at all well. My nagging intuition insisted that I visit Dad and spend some private time with him. Finding Dad awake and resting in his bed, I struggled to find my voice. Sitting beside him, I asked, SHow are you feeling this morning? SOh, I "m so-so, he sighed, as a tear rolled from his eye on to the pillow that cradled his head. SReally tired of all of this and worried about your mother. She "s having a hard time with everything. We stayed there in silence ”just being together for a few moments.Holding his hand, the heavy words finally left my mouth. SYou know, Dad, you can trust me to be sure that Mom is okay. I will take care of her, no matter what. He responded quietly, SI know. Studying and caressing my dad "s hand, I knew there was one more important conversation that the voice in my heart insisted upon. SDad, I know that this is getting to be really tough for you. If staying here becomes too hard, it "s okay to let go... During the following few weeks I watched my 89 year old Mom experience a renewed sense of purpose and increased strength as she doted on my dad and met his needs, as best she could. Some days were better than others. Most nights were difficult when Dad "s heart pain was significantly worse and his level of anxiety escalated. Often my mom would pass the hours by reading to Dad. Although her eyesight was clouding, she still managed to read the newspaper, column by column, or inspirational short stories she found in the stack of magazines beside their bed. Amazingly, dawn nearly always brought ease and comfort for them both. And so the nights and days continued ----- REFLECTION; Difficult subjects sometimes need to be discussed. You might be asked by others to deliver bad news ”news of someone "s death, a life-altering diagnosis, or even the necessity for a change in residence. Each conversation carries the potential for unleashed emotions. My advice? No matter how difficult or emotional, don "t leave words left unsaid. People, if capable of understanding, deserve information. Often, they are much stronger than we realize.Words are powerful. They carry courage, condemnation, reassurance or permission. Choose them wisely as your words may be the ones that bring freedom from pain or suffering. It "s tough, but I know you can do it and if you listen to that voice inside, you will know exactly the right time and the right words.Be Strong!
Learn to make beautiful punch needle hooked rugs with veteran instructor Amy Oxford. A complete "how to" photo essay walks you through every stage of rug making. A question and answer section, interviews with professional punch needle rug hookers, and photographs of work from some of the field's most innovative and inspired craftspeople make this book a must for any textile lover.
Hooked on Tancook depicts a collection of whimsical hooked mats made on Big Tancook Island where there is a long history of rug hooking. These original hooked mats and the stories they tell, pay homage to the people of Tancook who make this island an idyllic place to live.
Syndicated columnist and renowned craft authority Leslie Linsley presents a beautiful and practical book on the art and technique of rug-hooking--a folk art that is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Over 150 full-color illustrations. Advertising in Martha Stewart Living.
So you just finished hooking the rug of your dreams. So now what? How do you finish that beautiful rug? Complete with step-by-step, photo-illustrated directions on every finishing technique imaginable, this book has the answers. Whipping your rug with yarn, braiding edges, and hanging your finished piece are just a few of the dozens of techniques covered within.