French country rug or “the $7,000 rug” as my loving husband refers to it!!!!!
Guest Blogger Francine Birket
First of all I am so flattered that Christine has asked for some comments to add to my in-progress 8’ by 12’ area rug. I am a new rug hooker, I bought my first kit in Cape Breton in 2009, we just retired and started our North American road trip. I was introduced to the craft and art of rug hooking from my dearly departed girlfriend Audrey who made me a gorgeous “old Santa” rug and her final gift was a frog design purse. I was intimidated by the beautiful rugs being made by Audrey’s group in Sarnia. So I thought maybe later on when I retire I could try it, my husband looked at me with sheer panic as he noticed the huge plastic boxes full of wool and patterns, the cutters, the frames. For him this would be a big cash drain!!!!
But once we toured P.E.I, Newfoundland and ended up in Mahone Bay I was in love!!!! So, five kits later, the last one being Cock a Doodle Two from Christine, this naïve, ignorant one, decides that I need to make an area rug for our living room that will complement our artwork and décor. The area has wall to wall carpeting (builder’s grade, only the best!!!) which we planned on replacing with wood flooring down the road anyway as I remind my husband!!!! Thus, he had named this effort the $7,000 rug!!!!! My husband hopes this rug will take 2-3 years, gee, is he ever wrong.
Some of the bridge players in our little town of Cobourg are rug hookers and introduced me to the guild. So, before I know it, a very generous lady, Elaine unloads four bags of materials, all parts of blankets!!! Motivated by the memory of my husband’s panic, I made a critical decision to hook the rug using mostly blankets to try to keep the costs down. I would guess that at least 50% of it will be made from blankets. Thrifts stores between Burlington and Cobourg have been and will be checked out as I try to complete the project.
None of this would be happening without the wonderful, generous ladies I have met in Cobourg, Fort Myers who contribute ideas, encouragement, techniques, wool and feedback. The design is my own, I wanted to convey Provence thus sunflowers, the poppies and the roosters. I will frame the roosters and flowers with stripes depicting French linens. The colours are reflective of the region as well. I must acknowledge Carol Feeney from Florida who designs and sells her exotic patterns, kits and wools. She provided input on colour choices and tweaked my design. So, I started working on this just before Christmas. The most challenging part for the next three months was not collapsing while hooking with all this linen around me in more than 25 Celsius weather. I can just imagine your concern and empathy now!!!! “Poor Francine is hooking in the heat and sun of Florida”.
Guest Blogger Francine Birket
First of all I am so flattered that Christine has asked for some comments to add to my in-progress 8’ by 12’ area rug. I am a new rug hooker, I bought my first kit in Cape Breton in 2009, we just retired and started our North American road trip. I was introduced to the craft and art of rug hooking from my dearly departed girlfriend Audrey who made me a gorgeous “old Santa” rug and her final gift was a frog design purse. I was intimidated by the beautiful rugs being made by Audrey’s group in Sarnia. So I thought maybe later on when I retire I could try it, my husband looked at me with sheer panic as he noticed the huge plastic boxes full of wool and patterns, the cutters, the frames. For him this would be a big cash drain!!!!
But once we toured P.E.I, Newfoundland and ended up in Mahone Bay I was in love!!!! So, five kits later, the last one being Cock a Doodle Two from Christine, this naïve, ignorant one, decides that I need to make an area rug for our living room that will complement our artwork and décor. The area has wall to wall carpeting (builder’s grade, only the best!!!) which we planned on replacing with wood flooring down the road anyway as I remind my husband!!!! Thus, he had named this effort the $7,000 rug!!!!! My husband hopes this rug will take 2-3 years, gee, is he ever wrong.
Some of the bridge players in our little town of Cobourg are rug hookers and introduced me to the guild. So, before I know it, a very generous lady, Elaine unloads four bags of materials, all parts of blankets!!! Motivated by the memory of my husband’s panic, I made a critical decision to hook the rug using mostly blankets to try to keep the costs down. I would guess that at least 50% of it will be made from blankets. Thrifts stores between Burlington and Cobourg have been and will be checked out as I try to complete the project.
None of this would be happening without the wonderful, generous ladies I have met in Cobourg, Fort Myers who contribute ideas, encouragement, techniques, wool and feedback. The design is my own, I wanted to convey Provence thus sunflowers, the poppies and the roosters. I will frame the roosters and flowers with stripes depicting French linens. The colours are reflective of the region as well. I must acknowledge Carol Feeney from Florida who designs and sells her exotic patterns, kits and wools. She provided input on colour choices and tweaked my design. So, I started working on this just before Christmas. The most challenging part for the next three months was not collapsing while hooking with all this linen around me in more than 25 Celsius weather. I can just imagine your concern and empathy now!!!! “Poor Francine is hooking in the heat and sun of Florida”.
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