CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

For the month of July, all the patterns and kits under "Holidays and Happy Days" by Jacqueline Hansen, and "Seasons Greetings" by Debra Walland are  20 % OFF.  Stock up, turn the air conditioner up, and start on the holiday rush... only how many days left before Christmas?

If you are using Google Checkout, the discount will be credited when the order is shipped and billed to your credit card.  It won't show on your initial order confirmation. 

Just starting out as a newbie hooker?  One thing you will want is a frame. If you have lived in a hooking household, or you have good friends, borrow one.  If you do need to buy one, consider a quilting hoop to start out with.  You may never need to buy an expensive frame, or at least you can put it off for a while. Many hookers try other frames and go back to the hoop. One caveat:  Don't be cheap and try an embroidery hoop like I did for my first project. Too flimsy. 

One of the biggest advantages of rug hooking over needlepoint or embroidery is how much space you can cover so quickly, so don't buy a small diameter hoop.  If it is too small you'll be repositioning your work way too often.

Next, change out the screw for a much longer one.  A hooked piece is quite thick whether hooking with wool strips or yarn.  You'll need the extra length on the screw as you start to anchor hooked areas between the hoops. There you go...

Our patterns are all available on Monks cloth, linen, and rug warp.  We know that hookers choose their backing by what they want to work on, not what it costs.  We don't want anyone hooking a pattern on a backing that they don't like because it costs less.  So, we have never charged a premium for linen.

When you order a linen pattern from us, we routinely use unbleached linen.  Many other pattern makers use bleached linen because it is easier to transfer the pattern but unbleached is actually a little stronger. If for any reason, you don't like the unbleached, we have a some bleached linen available.  Just let us know that you prefer it when you place the order.

Rug warp is great for geometric designs because it is the only backing where the holes are perfectly square and the thread count is the same vertically and horizontally.  It is a little stiff and will only tolerate up to a #5 cut.

Monks cloth is good for all cuts.  It moves easily to accommodate all but the largest width strips.  For fine shading, it is great because it will allow you to add just a few loops almost anywhere you want them to go.

SS 0808

Hooking T-Shirts

Well, it's almost too warm in South Carolina to hook in wool.  So I tried something new.  Old T-shirts.  Lord know, I have a stash of those!  I hand cut 1/2 inch strips and started hooking the Flip Flops pattern on Monks cloth.  The strip edges curled as I pulled them, but it gave a nice casual feel to it. And it's soft, almost like a Chenille.  I think I'll finish it as a pillow.  -Debra

"The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity."--Dorothy Parker

"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them."--Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh

Awareness Ribbons

Many groups are using ribbon colors to promote awareness or promotion for many reasons.  There are many causes that share a color.

White Ribbons Victims of Terrorism, Peace, Poverty

Yellow Ribbons  Support our Troops, POW/MIA

Red Ribbons  Courage and Inspiration, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, HIV/AIDS, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), DARE ( Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

Pink Ribbons  Breast Cancer, Birth Parents

Hot Pink Ribbons  Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate

Cranberry Ribbons  Fibromyalgia

All of our patterns can be drawn in reverse to use the punch needle.   Just ask...same speedy service!

Label your rugs.  With just your name and date.  Or add a title, with the designer's and your teacher's names.  Or add a short story of why you hooked it, what the design means to you. Or add a dedication.  Some keep a little card with the dye shades listed or a bag of extra wool strips for repairs (which is way too organized for me).  But label your rugs with things you may forget and things that others may never know.- Debra

Links

LINKS to our favorite Suppliers, Artists, and Associations

Gene Shepherd is one the most talented rug hookers we know.  He has a blog attached to his website, GeneShepherd.com/blog1/ .  He has instructions on finishing pillows, finishing brick doorstops, and all kinds of incredible photos from the West Coast rug hooking world.  You have to visit regularly!

ATHA - www.atharugs.com - Association of Traditional Hooking Artists -The goal of publishing both the ATHA Newsletter and this ATHA Website is to inform and educate members and, soon-to-be members about rug hooking happenings around the world. We are a close-knit group (all 3500 of us)! We travel, and we love to stop in and visit rug hooking shops, teachers, designers, groups, rug shows, etc. We often plan a trip JUST to work in a visit or two with a new friend, an ATHA Chapter or school. Our Resource link gives travelers information on where to locate teachers, designers, rug hooking studios and shops.

Dorr Mill Store - wonderful wools and fabrics www.dorrmillstore.com

1840 House,  Jackye Hansen - our Mentor and Designer www.rughookersnetwork.com/jacqueline-designs/index.htm 

National Guild of the Pearl McGown Hookrafters - The purpose of the National Guild of Pearl K. McGown Hookrafters Inc. is to educate and inform the public about the craft of rug hooking. We hope that you will enjoy exploring more information about the craft  www.mcgownguild.com

Virginia Rugfest Rug Show and Hook-in web site.
 www.geocities.com/varugfest/