Heather has a beautiful house that inspires comfort. The original cape style was built in 1760 and then additions were put on either end, making for quite a large dwelling. Heather is no stranger to renovating, making this her third project and by far the most extensive overhaul. She'd previously completed two full renovations in Mahone Bay; stepping stones to this current home outside of Lunenburg that spoke to her when she began searching for a new project. Actually, it was probably screaming at her…help, help! I saw the place before her carpenters started work and being very familiar with renovating myself, I could see the potential as she talked me through her vision, but really, most would have run crying from that broken-down state of affairs. You would never know today that this beautiful home had been so sadly neglected and in desperate need of repair.
Heather's is certainly brave to take on such extensive renovations, because I’m not talking about taking out a few carpets and changing out the cupboards. She had them gutted to the bone and then built back up so you would never guess they weren't always captivating. Her current home is very cozy with its inviting fireplace, in-floor heating and room after room of architectural character and personal touches.
Heather’s home is the perfect backdrop for her fiber art. She has an enviable, spacious studio on the second floor with a large dye sink and cupboards lining the walls that hold an eye popping
stash of wool all colour coordinated and ready to be called to service. She loves to work in her sunny studio and look out over the panoramic vista of the Lunenburg harbour entrance.
Heather began rug hooking in 1976 when she took a class with Ontario’s Jeanne Field, of whom she refers to as a “wonderful, wonderful rug hooking teacher”. Unfortunately, life got in the way so she packed it all up for another time and in 2002, she retired to Mahone Bay and settled into small town life. She didn’t know anyone in the area and rediscovering her love of rug hooking opened doors and developed friendships, providing a very rich social life and creative outlet.
Heather is currently the Director of the South Shore Region of the Nova Scotia Rug Guild, and is an accredited rug hooking teacher of the Newfoundland & Labrador Guild. She hooks with several local groups and is a regular at our Main Street Hooker’s Wednesday evening hook-ins.
Heather likes mixed media, working with all kinds of fibers and textures. She has a very keen eye
for colour, a natural talent that has served her well as a Colour Consultant and Paint Effects Specialist. Whether Heather is tackling a renovation or creating a new rug, she puts her entire soul into the process and the result truly speaks for itself.
Below are but a few examples of Heather's diverse body of work.