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Happy Hilton Head Hooking Happenstance......

3/11/2014

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Hooked, Line and Sinker rug hooking group reels in Sue!
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I pouched this picture and caption off of Facebook. Hilton Head Hookers got together last Friday and had a special surprise guest. Sue Cunningham (Encompassing Designs) came from Nova Scotia to thaw out. Zta Lacey (right) was able to show Sue how she interpreted her designs.  Below is the link to the Hooked-Line & Sinker group. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hooked-Line-and-Sinker-Rug-Hooking-Club/227113965276

A rug hooking group meets at the Bluffton Library on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  The Bluffton Library is located at 120 Palmetto Way in Bluffton which is over the bridge from Hilton Head.  If you go over the Cross Island Parkway and continue straight you will come to Rte 46.  Take a left on Rte 46 and continue until you reach the roundabout.  Continue straight on 46.  Palmetto Way will be on your left.  Continue on that street and take a right at the end.  The library will be straight ahead.  We meet at 1:00  tomorrow.  The group leader is Deb Walland who is an owner of Seaside Rugs. 
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Today’s blog is a special treat.  It comes all the way from Hilton Head, South Carolina and all due to a chance phone call last Thursday.

The phone rang and I chatted with Carol Izzo as she ordered two of Sue Cunnningham’s designs,  Bottom’s up and Buoyant Beauty.  We talked about how much fun Sue's, Women of Abundance designs are and how other women in her group have hooked a couple of them.  We get to the part of the order where I ask for the mailing address and when she says Hilton Head, I thought wow….what a small world and definitely less than six degrees of separation for this coincidence!

I informed Carol that Sue was in her neck of the woods at this very moment, escaping the bite of our Nova Scotia winter for a bit fun in the sun.   She told me there was a large hook-in the very next day and I asked her to send the information to me so I could forward it to Sue because I knew she would love to drop in to say hi! 

Sure enough, Sue and long time artist friend, Jane Rowberry, also vacationing in Hilton Head, dropped by the hook-in. While Jane
is an artist of acrylic on canvas, she is known in the rug hooking community for her delightful dory designs which we produce on backing for the shop and are listed on Sue cunningham's page of designs. http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/sue-cunningham.html

The stage was set for a fun day and I’m trying not to think of all the excitement I missed or I might have to wrestle with a little green monster!    Really, could there be more fun that meeting a great group of rug hookers under sunny skies and across ocean views?


Below are three of Sue's patterns the gals have hooked or are in process of finishing.  Beach Blanket Beauty (top left), Beach Ballet (bottom left) and Full Moon (bottom right). 
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Left to Right:   Carol Izzo (she invited me via email) yours truly, Zita Lacey (she calls my women of abundance the "maidens of menopause") and Deb Walland far right, the group leader and the owner of Seaside Rugs. She's working on her own rug design...a wonderful bright tropical fish as pictured.
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These are the other hookers I met at the hook-in who allowed me to take photos of their work. Subject matter ranged from alligators to rabbits, flowers, sun, cats, fish, and women of abundance. A range of own designs, teacher-designed, fine cut and primitive.   The thing that struck me at once was the difference in their colour palettes. For the most part, their colours were incredibly bright and cheerful...reflecting the part of the world they take inspiration from...ie the south. As Deb Walland put it "we're all about colour down here".   I asked if they did much thrift wool shopping or was most of their wool new? As might be expected, the availability of wool garments is slim here because of the southern climate but once in a very long while, one can come up with an item of wool.  

Everyone was extremely warm and welcoming to me as can be expected...that southern hospitality thing. I didn't bring my hooking with me this year, but I will next year as the gals have invited me to join them. They meet at the Bluffton Library every 2nd Saturday. Their space is large, lots of windows and great lighting. I felt right at home and missing my hooking!  
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Last evening I Googled Hilton Head and noted a lovely, unique looking light house that screamed to be put in a design.  So I arrived at work this morning and whipped up with this lovely little pillowtop pattern, size of 18" x 18", with two bathing beauties and the Harbour Town Lighthouse. I've called it Bluffton Bathers.  I'm making this hot of the drawing table design, PATTERN OF THE WEEK and if ordered we pay the shipping.  To view details on my new designs page click the link: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/new-designs.html
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Rug hooking travelers in the area....what to do and see!

7/20/2013

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South Shore Rug Hooking Groups

Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia monthly guild meetings:  Last Thursday of each month except July, August and December from 10 am to 2pm. Morning coffee break provided. Bring your own lunch.  Church hall at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 25 Phoenix St., Bridgewater.  Contact Heather Gordon, 902-640-2369, hagordon@eastlink.ca

Hebbville at the Hebbville Fire Hall, Thursdays from 10 – 2.  Tea and coffee provided.  Bring your own lunch.  September to June.   Contact  Jean Wentzell, 902-354-3550.

Trinity – the Rose Bay/Riverport group, every Tuesday (September to April)  1 - 4 pm at Trinity United Church , Rose Bay  Contact Carol Harvey-Clark  902-624-9312  or chclark@tallships.ca

Spruce Top at Spruce Top Rug Hooking Studio, 255 Main Street, Mahone Bay.  Sundays 1 – 4 pm   Contact Carol Harvey Clark,  902-624-9312  or chclark@tallships.ca

Main Street Hookers at Encompassing Designs Rug Hooking Studio, 498 Main Street, Mahone Bay, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays year round from 7 - 9 pm   Contact Christine Little  902-624-0370 or clittle@encompassingdesigns.com  Visitors and travelers welcome.

Liverpool on Mondays from 10 – 2 at the Superstore meeting room, Liverpool.  Bring your own lunch.  Contact Rose Decker  902-354-5597   pdecker@ns.sympatico.ca

Shelburne on Tuesdays from 10-2 at the yacht club on the waterfront. Bring your own lunch.  Contact Gail Daniels   902-656-2574  gailannedaniels@hotmail.com  Continues through the summer.

In addition to these larger groups, there are several smaller groups that meet at the member’s homes.  We will try to provide information for newcomers when possible.

Summer Hook-ins for 2013 River House on Thursdays July 11 and 25, August 8 and 22.  10 am to 2 pm. Join the Hebbville group in Petite Riviere this summer.  Come and hook by the river.   Contact Jane Steele at 693-3111 or riverhousejane@eastlink.ca

Bell Island on Mondays   July 5 until end of August, except for August 5.  10am to 2 pm at the LaHave Islands Community Centre next to the LaHave Islands Marine Museum.  Earl Smith’s famous blueberry scones and cinnamon buns, tea and coffee are available by donation.  Travel across beautiful Crescent Beach and enjoy a day on the islands.

Summer Shows for 2013 From Mat To Masterpiece  –  Lighthouse Rug Hookers - July 2 - 28th at the DesBrisay Museum

From the Beginning  – A Retrospective by Doris Eaton -  opens July 6 at River House 

Out of the Box  – Innovative pieces by The Square Zebras – opens September 7 at River House


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"My English Garden" by Doris Wentzell
from Mat to Masterpiece

Welcome from the South Shore Lighthouse Rug Hookers.


We are delighted to support the DesBrisay Museum’s summer theme of Women At Work.  Traditional rug hooking has been an important part of women’s lives in this area since the mid-1800’s.  At first, hooked mats were used to provide comfort on drafty wood floors and to add a touch a colour to the home.   As women’s lives and roles changed, rug hooking evolved from a household chore to a form of artistic expression.  The display areas in this show reflect different periods and styles to show how changes in women’s lives are reflected in changes in rug hooking. 


There is a tendency to regard heritage pieces simply as drab old mats. We challenge that perception.  Considering the circumstances under which they were made, each and every one is, in its own right, a masterpiece.  Each mat reflects the artistic spirit of the maker.

Although it is no longer a necessary activity, rug hooking is not a thing of the past.  There is an active and vibrant rug hooking community on the South Shore preserving traditional styles and experimenting with innovative fibre techniques.   Please feel free to drop in and visit one of our summer hook-ins and shows.


Keeping Traditions Alive

As you enter the show, you will see how traditions are being kept alive.  These pieces are hooked with original patterns and designs, using traditional hooking styles and materials, yet they have a very modern look - a contemporary colour palette, a new dye technique, or an unusual treatment of a traditional design.


Traditional Hooking

On the fireplace wall, you will see wonderful heritage mats, early hooking tools, original Garrett Bluenose patterns, yarn hooking and new mats hooked in traditional Nova Scotia styles.

20th Century Revival


In the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s , a period of greater affluence and increased leisure time, there was renewed interest in rug hooking with emphasis on new dyed wool, shading and swatches, formal  Rittermere, Moshimer and Pearl McGown patterns, all hooked in fine cuts (mainly #3) and fine shading.  This was the period of the first guilds, early rug schools and development of teacher training and certification. A selection of these beautiful classic rugs extends down the center of the display.  

Contemporary Hooking


Multi-fibre pieces, wall hangings, modern folk art styles, a proliferation of original designs - the sky is the limit for artistic expression.  We now enjoy story mats, hooked portraits, abstract designs and multidimensional creations.  Many are unique and innovative.  Others reflect innovative application of traditional influences, which takes us back to Keeping the Traditions Alive and back to the entrance of the show. 


Thank you for visiting from Mat to Masterpiece

DesBrisay Museum
130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater, B4V 2A7
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 - 5 and Sunday, 1 - 5
902-543-4033


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    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

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    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
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Shop Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Saturdays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
We are closed during ice and snow storms
​so please call ahead.  If school is cancelled we probably are as well.  

Toll Free: 1-855-624-0370
Local: 1-902-624-0370​
encompassingdesigns@gmail.com

498 Main Street
P.O. Box 437
Mahone Bay, N.S.
Canada B0J 2E0

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