After yesterday's blog featuring the Gecko chair pad I thought it would be timely to show the rug that inspired its smaller version, but first a bit of history on the evolution of the chair pad.
A customer prompted this the idea by wanting a kit for her daughter for Christmas, but felt something smaller with a gecko design would be more appropriate as a starter than the full sized rug. So I said I would downsize the design to a chair pad and make up the kit.
I designed a 14" in diameter pattern, colour planned it and as I was doing the work the colours were so alive and fun I felt moved to hook the piece. The palette reminded me of my childhood crayon box filled with jewel tones and rich saturated colours; my favourites being the tantalizing teal blue and purplish pink. I've never been comfortable providing a kit without a photograph to use as a guide for colour placement so because the pattern was small and would total about two evenings worth of hooking I made up two kits and took one home. This piece was so much fun to work on it practically hooked itself! Now that I had a finished sample, I felt more confident the present would have a greater punch for the recipient than just a burlap pattern, bundles of wool, written instructions and colour placement chart.
A customer prompted this the idea by wanting a kit for her daughter for Christmas, but felt something smaller with a gecko design would be more appropriate as a starter than the full sized rug. So I said I would downsize the design to a chair pad and make up the kit.
I designed a 14" in diameter pattern, colour planned it and as I was doing the work the colours were so alive and fun I felt moved to hook the piece. The palette reminded me of my childhood crayon box filled with jewel tones and rich saturated colours; my favourites being the tantalizing teal blue and purplish pink. I've never been comfortable providing a kit without a photograph to use as a guide for colour placement so because the pattern was small and would total about two evenings worth of hooking I made up two kits and took one home. This piece was so much fun to work on it practically hooked itself! Now that I had a finished sample, I felt more confident the present would have a greater punch for the recipient than just a burlap pattern, bundles of wool, written instructions and colour placement chart.
Hooked by Mary Doig.
This is the original version of Geckos hooked by Mary Doig. Doesn't it look like an explosion in a Crayola factory? What child or kid at heart wouldn't love this vibrant rug! Wowza! A few years back, this pattern was hot off the press and Mary said she would hook it for the shop as a display piece to sell the pattern. She welcomed the challenge to work outside her comfort zone with colours that didn't normally appeal to her autumn palette appetite. Of course she did a fabulous job that exceeded my expectations!
For me this rug just glows and all those who cross my threshold tend to agree. The rug has served the shop well as I have made countless kits over the years. The rug is now for sale and once gone so will the request for kits but I won't be sad, we've had a good run....every rug has its season and then on to something else. So this pattern has brought a lot of joy to those who fall in love with its whimsy. Although lizards are perceived as icky little creatures, these critters have a charming personality so no one would be bothered seeing them skitter across a hotel ceiling on their tropical holiday. To view these patterns on the site click the link and scroll down the page: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/signature-designs.html
For me this rug just glows and all those who cross my threshold tend to agree. The rug has served the shop well as I have made countless kits over the years. The rug is now for sale and once gone so will the request for kits but I won't be sad, we've had a good run....every rug has its season and then on to something else. So this pattern has brought a lot of joy to those who fall in love with its whimsy. Although lizards are perceived as icky little creatures, these critters have a charming personality so no one would be bothered seeing them skitter across a hotel ceiling on their tropical holiday. To view these patterns on the site click the link and scroll down the page: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/signature-designs.html
Hooked by Joan Sponagle.
This story is by Joan Sponagle......Well after doing my first piece, your round hummingbird design, I knew I would be doing your gecko rug. I've always loved lizards, have even considered getting a tattoo of one on my ankle ( haven't yet done that). When I saw the finished rug in your store as I was picking out my first pattern, I knew I couldn't do it first because it was so big. I was worried that hooking would be too hard but made a pledge to myself that if I couldn't hook that I would save up and buy your rug.
As you know I love hooking so my husband bought me a cutter, my son and his girlfriend bought me some wool and I got your pattern and the rest, as they say, is history. The rug, done in some of your brighter colors, is hanging in my front entry way and I love it more every time I come in the house. By the way, I really don't like any live lizards no matter how cute but I love that rug design ( and my Catch of the Day rug ). Keep up the good work!
As you know I love hooking so my husband bought me a cutter, my son and his girlfriend bought me some wool and I got your pattern and the rest, as they say, is history. The rug, done in some of your brighter colors, is hanging in my front entry way and I love it more every time I come in the house. By the way, I really don't like any live lizards no matter how cute but I love that rug design ( and my Catch of the Day rug ). Keep up the good work!
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