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Liking your project.....goes a long way to finishing it!

5/5/2014

15 Comments

 
By Guest Blogger Dick Barr
PictureDICK HOLDING UP HIS HEIRLOOM GIFT TO HIS SON
Hi Christine,

I've hooked a lot of rugs and I believe in something I was told or read years ago…"you have to love your rug". Well, our first born and only son, asked for a rug for his bathroom and he described a "bear reaching for honey". I asked for more input, but all I got was, "I know what it looks like…in my head". Not much help.

So I took the measurements and checked some colors in the bathroom, cut some linen and started drawing. I was underwhelmed. Beginning to hook it didn't help much. I was using a lot of scrap, so no tactile "boost" from any hand dyed strips. With a dozen hours or so under my belt I was just about to the point that I was dreading the next 50 or so more. I just didn't care for this rug. I don't hook cartoon rugs. I like primitives; cats, horses, chickens, the odd village or farm scene. This rug was going to be a real bummer.

Then something really neat happened. I showed the design to my son. Ben is usually pretty calm. He doesn't show a lot of emotion. So it was particularly uplifting when he was really tickled with the design and said, "it's just what I was thinking of".

Funny, you can have a little guy around for 33 years and even though he is out on his own and quite independent, when you see that old glimmer of excitement in his eyes you are powerless to ignore it. From that point forward I "loved my rug".

Thanks for your blog. I always enjoy it!
Best regards,
Dick Barr


Dick Barr sent this touching story that's steeped in a lesson learned.  It reminded me of the time, many years back when I hooked commissions.  I found them to be trying, usually the patterns didn't inspire me personally and I was using colours that aren't normally a part of my repertoire so I was unenthused about the project.  Not being motivated by the money and hooking for a stranger also made the effort lack luster. 

Suddenly every loop is fingernails along a blackboard.  To take the time and effort needed to hook a rug there needs to be a whole lot of inspiration, excitement, a thrill to see the finished project; the necessary fuel to take you to the end.  Hooking a rug should never make you feel like your being escorted to the gallows.  It's all about fun... sharing....a journey.  It should be stimulation for the artist within, a connection to the finished product formed in your mind's eye, not a pin stuck in it. Any time there is drag, the project ends up in a closet, neglected and forgotten.  I stopped doing commissions for these reasons and now only hook for my own pleasure. Once hooking becomes work, a chore, the fun fades away.  Dick certainly summed up the emotional trail that is traversed when not inspired by a rug, but luckily he found the connection needed to make it to the finish line in the glint of his son's eye. 

Thanks so much for sharing Dick and like your son, I was sentimental when I saw the heirloom you are leaving to your most precious creation, Ben. 

15 Comments
Elizabeth
5/5/2014 02:55:48 am

It turned out great ... I can almost taste the honey!

Reply
Susan M Barr
5/5/2014 02:56:16 am

My husband is so talented and I am
Constantly in awe of his creativeness. To take an idea that was in Ben's head and to translate that into this beautiful creation is just amazing to me. The best part, is that Ben said it is exactly what he was thinking of and he absolutely loves it. Every time he looks at it, he thinks of his Dad. This is a wonderful addition to all the other rugs that are living in their home.

Reply
Michelle
5/5/2014 02:56:59 am

What a sensationally fun rug! I love rugs that make me smile or make me laugh out loud...this one surely did

Reply
Marye
5/5/2014 02:57:22 am

This one makes you smile for sure...love it.

Reply
Elaine
5/5/2014 02:57:41 am

What a great fun rug!!!

Reply
Joyce
5/5/2014 02:58:11 am

Love your rug!

Reply
Gwen
5/5/2014 02:58:37 am

Wow! Great job!

Reply
Ben
5/5/2014 02:59:33 am

My Dad is an absolutely amazing artist in so many mediums. Here's one. Bear in mind he drew the rug from hand, hand-dyed the wool, stripped it. Pretty great!

Reply
Allison
5/5/2014 03:00:08 am

I love it! I'm ready for a new project!

Reply
Brenda
5/5/2014 03:17:42 am

This is absolutely fantastic!! Well done.

Reply
Margie
5/5/2014 04:53:38 am

Who wouldn't love hooking that rug. It's 'bee' utiful.

Reply
Becky
5/5/2014 12:40:19 pm

WOW!!!! beautifully done! I am so jealous!

Reply
Francine Birket
5/6/2014 07:17:10 pm

thank you Dick for sharing your photo of the beautiful rug and your feelings about the process. I also appreciate Christine's comments as it cements the need of purpose and vision in order to love the process and ultimately the rug.

Reply
Ruth
5/7/2014 11:53:48 am

It is an awesome rug ... so happy that it was just what your son was envisioning - loved the story !!! thanks for sharing

Reply
Bull
10/1/2014 09:22:00 am

I can almost smell the Honey..and I see the Bees......

Reply



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