So What’s NEW?

the Guild Website! it’s been revamped –

now mobile & iPad friendly, includes an updated Events Calendar, additions to the SWAP n SELL page and another Book Review by Miriam Miller.

Printed by Nimbus Publishing Ltd ISBN 978-1-55109-846-3 Paperback ISBN 978-1-55109-829-6 Bound Miriam Miller received a copy of ‘A Lifetime of Rug-Hooking ‘ by Doris Eaton, from the TIGHR member who received Miriam’s hooked Friendship Square at the 2015 The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers Triennial Conference in Victoria, BC Canada.

Speaking of Canada – Miram and the Narrawilly Proggers enjoyed a visit from a group of Nova Scotia ruggers who were on a South Pacific cruise. Miriam (second from right) said .. Canadians_on_Sth_Pacific_cruise_Cindy_Betty_and_Cathy_with_Miriam_Miller_in_NSW_Australia

“it was brief a day and a half. but we managed to fit in many things. Walks on the beaches, a progressive dinner then a rug day, a visit to the milking for Cindy who comes from a dairy farm, and to see the kangaroos at the Conjola Caravan park, they come out each evening for the grass. Even a short bush walk to Granite Falls.”

I’m sure there’ll be more about this visit in the next issue of Miriam’s Narrawilly newsletter “Connecting Us“.

Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times

Miriam has also recently hosted a rug hooker from Darwin – who came on a Thursday for a private workshop and stayed overnight to take part in the Rug Day, held in the Rug Room at Narrawilly on the 1^st and 3^rd Friday of the month.

Miriam_Millers_Rug_Room_Narrawilly_Australia_photographer_Nina_&_Michael_van_ Ewijk

On the Guild’s SWAP n SELL page you will find a new frame with “substitute” grippers. These frames have been used by several guild members and reports are, the substitute works well. The frame is available on both the East and West Coast.

A very different frame made in South Australia and featured on Swap Sell was sold to a rughooker in Nova Scotia. Who’d have thought frames would be going from OZ to Canada when there is so much available in the way of rug hooking equipment over there.

“NETWORKING” – it’s happening on the Guilds Facebook page –

Cat_elusive_grey_rug_designed_&_hooked_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_5816 the post about a search for grey army blankets to finish off a large rug generated much interest. As soon as the post went up five members from across the country answered the call about the elusive blankets. After Ann’s had a chance to contact them I’ll let you know if any were suitable. Hooked_&_ woven_rugs_designed_&_created_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_coloured grey woven _5799

As you’ll see from a stack of her rugs shown here, Ann from Bellingen doesn’t only work with muted greys and blues.

Most of Ann’s rugs are hooked, however like the denim rug shown some are woven and there’s even a crocheted rug in the stack.

Queensland:

Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Austrlaia_with new_rughooker

Judi Tompkins not only gives workshops at her Shed studio in Landsborough, QLD, she now has a student in the Netherlands – giving her rughooking lessons via Skype.

Read more about Judi’s background and her creations on her website.

And then there’s the Chook Folly or maybe it’ll become Judi’s Folly – more about this project in another blog. Hooked_Chook_by_Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Australia

Western Australia:

Another interesting online happening; the colourful works of Kira Mead from Albany Western Australia, were featured on Folt Bolt an inspiring website worth following.

Some of Kira’s recent pieces, will be displayed at Expertise Events Craft & Quilt Fair in Perth including this large wall hanging shown below – the oranges and tree created with quillies and the leaves crocheted.

Orange_Tree_Quillies_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_Western_Australia

Colour Abounds in WA :-

Robin Inkpen has been giving locker hooking workshops in the South West. Locker-hooked_Tote_Bag_designed_&_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Donnybrook_Western_Australia

More workshops are scheduled and participants will be making this tote bag from a kit prepared by sold by Robin.

It’s not as elaborate as her bespoke carpet bags, but is an easier project for beginners.

Carpet_bag_designed_and_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Western_Australia

From the Editor:

Don’t forget to click or tap on Current Events to see what’s happening in your area. Be sure and let us know if you have an event planned, or if you know of an upcoming associated textile event. Send details to Jo at rughookingaustralia@gmail.com

Until next time – Happy Hooking – Jo Franco; Editor/Membership

Eastern States Award Winners and Shows

A big Winner at the Milton Show

2016_Milton_Show_Champion Award_designed_&_hooked_by_Ilka_Landahl

Ilka Landahl, member of the Narrawilly Proggers gathered many awards for her sculpted wall hanging 1^st prize- Shorn Hooky & Proggy Item, Special Award & Champion of Show.

When asked how she created such an interesting piece of work Ilka said ….

“I hooked it with normal and partly fancy wool a little bit higher than usual and cut it, sculpting it into shape.

Between the different sections of colours I hooked with a small strip of fabric which helps to hold the wool better and brings more out the effect.

For variety I hooked some sections normal without shaping.

It makes a lot dust and fluff so I had the vacuum cleaner by my side all the time.

I like it because it looks so cosy/cuddly.”

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Editors note for overseas readers; Shows are held across Australia in Capital cities and country areas. In general they are a combination of agricultural displays, stock and farm machinery, and competitions involving livestock, as well as arts & crafts and entertainment – similar to a State or County Fair in North America. They are generally called Pastoral or Agricultural Society Shows or AgFests.

Members of the Narrawilly Proggers have been entering rugs in competiton at the Milton Show for some time.

Miriam Miller said ……

“I cannot remember when the first time was, but it was many years ago and at first we entered in the general handicraft section under “Any article made from recycled materials(soft)” Then we got our own section which was about 6 years ago.

We have 5 categories. Jacqui Thomson and I provide the prizes. The stewards are Janet Walker and Elke Smith-Hill and we also provide our own judge. We have a different person judge each year.

While many of our members compete in the various categories, some just exhibit their work, demonstrate rug hooking and talk to interested visitors about the craft.”

2016_Milton_Show_Christine_Alexander Above Christine Alexander taking a break in a quiet moment at the Show.

The following are images of winners and place-getters in the various rug making categories

2016_Milton_Show_1_1st_Place_Proggy_Floor_Rug_by_Carol Flyn_ 1st prize winner in Proggy Floor Rug by Carol Flynn

2016_Milton_Show_2_Special_Award_Pat_la_Rance - Copy

Pat la Rance received a Special Award for this piece

2016_Milton_Show_3_2nd_Hooky_and_or_Proggy_Wall_Hanging_Gail_Nicholls

Gail Nicholls took 2^nd Hooky & Proggy Wall Hanging for her superb work in this rug.

2016_Milton_Show_4_Chloe_Thompson The Santa cushion was hooked by a 14 year old. Chloe Thompson who received a Highly Commended Award.

2016_Milton_Show_5_2nd_prize_Hooky_or_Proggy_item_not_otherwise_mentioned_Marilyn_Smyth

This bag by Marilyn Smyth took 2^dn prize Hooky or Proggy item not otherwise mentioned.

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1st prize in the Hooky Floor Rug category was awarded to Elaine Kitchner for her floral rug.

1^st prize in Hooky or Proggy item not otherwise mentioned was created by Christine Alexander

2016_Milton_Show_2nd_Hooked_Floor_Rug_by_Maggie_Hickey Maggie Hickey took 2^nd prize in the Hooked Floor Rug category.

2^nd Prize Proggy Rug was awarded to Bev Latta for this rug 82cm x 110cm (33″x43.5″)

Carol Thompsons received a Highly commended award in the Hooky and/or Proggy Wall Hanging category for her hooked and framed rug.

TO THE NORTH, in Queensland, there was a SHOW of a different kind!

Judi Tompkins held her first Sunday “Shed Day“ – it was a huge success – the inclusion of a wine tasting may have had something to do with that. Jewellery was shown along with some rather unique mens shirts.

Here is a report on the event from Judi Tompkins –

13 people attended the “Leap Year Eve” Shed Day and Wine tasting…several other people were also invited to the wine tasting which meant Ron Duggelby was able to show off some great lapidary and wire wrapped jewellery which inspired several people in terms of colour and design.

Ron_Duggelby_lapidary_&_wire_wrapped_Jewellery

Several hookers wanted to learn how to locker hook (and thanks to my tuition by Robin Inkpen I was able to show them the basics!).

Margaret’s first lesson in locker hooking.

Sally_with_new_locker_hooking_project

Sally starting on a new locker hooking project.

We then we moved on to lunch where Simon Rawlins from Pieroth Wines offered a great range of white, red and dessert wines form South American and Europe.

Simon_Rawlins_Pieroth_Wines_Wine_tasting

Finally, Jacqueline Rawlins brought in a selection of her shirt design work, she uses Aboriginal print fabrics (designs approved by the Aboriginal elders) and turns the fabric into high-quality men’s shirts for the Australian climate.

Jacqueline_Rawlins_designed_mens_shirts

It was a day of fun for the senses; colour, taste, texture and folks! It was especially nice to have virtually two “visiting artists”!

More from the Editor:

There will be another Show report in the next News – the exhibition of rugs at a NSW Quilt Show.

Are you thinking of setting up a Rug Show? Watch the ARG News Blog coming soon – for an article on “Judging Rug Shows” – where our members will offer their suggested guidelines for choosing a judging panel as well as the criteria for judging rug submissions.

Jo Franco

Welcome …..

Jo and Judi setting up for a day of rug hooking demonstrations in Perth, Western Australia.

All set up and ready for visitors in the morning – just hoping the weather will be kind and we won’t need the ceiling fans – it’s been the warmest spring (Sep-Nov) on record and the hall is not air-conditioned. It’s also been the driest Spring in 5 years.

Alexander Park Craft House – where WAFTA meets

What a difference a day makes ….

The next morning a storm blew in – wild enough to cause the City of Perth to cancel the Christmas Parade. Wind and pouring rain kept people off the roads – except the intrepid Wanneroo Rugmakers who headed in to Alexander Park Craft House to demonstrate various rug hooking techniques.

Below Yvonne explains how she hooks without a frame.

here are some small examples of Yvonne’s work

and Kath’s latest proggy rug is the centre of attention here

while Jo discusses her Rittermere rug hooked with wool yarn (carpet wool hand-dyed by Judith Stephens)

This rug pattern is a classic – the design is printed on hessian and it was imported from Canada about 40 years ago before there were any other names added to the company then called only “Rittermere”.

Also in this picture is one of Robin Inkpen’s rugs which she hooked with recycled fabrics.

Jo had begun work on this rug when she received the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine featuring orientals in wide cut and bright colours. While tempted to switch to “brights“, Jo continued with the colours in keeping with a large rug already in her living room.

Below Robin helps a beginner rug maker who was pleased she braved the wet roads to come and learn about this craft. Judi Tompkins had started her morning off with instruction in the basic rug hooking technique.

Kath was also pleased to receive some artistic help from Robin to adjust the colour plan another classic Rittermere rug she is working on.

and …. yes, there was yet another Rittermere rug on show – the peacocks below.

The rug pattern may have been old but Anna decided to go her own way with her colour plan – no desire for “realism” here.

All these old Rittermere rugs were purchased last year at a weekend hooking retreat in South Australia, from a rug hooker who had given up hooking and was “downsizing” in preparation to move house. She had taken lessons years ago from a teacher who had immigrated to South Australia from the UK via Canada in the late 50’s – and for over 30 years held a monthly meeting at her house for her students. During that time she imported all the patterns and tools for her students from Canada.

At previous rug hooking events in Perth we’ve had the pleasure of the company of Kira Mead from Albany – she always has something different and exciting to show – she couldn’t make the long drive this time – but sent an image of her latest creation.

Who’d have thought of 3-D Quillies

What a fabulous and colourful way to “wind-up” the year.

In the New Year we will bring you more news from other groups around Australia, until then

Tag: Judi Tompkins QLD