Christmas meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

Another year gone by. We had so much to talk about at this meeting, but that is nothing unusual off course.
As we belatedly celebrated International Rug Hooking day, held on the 4th December, we shared about how we got started, and the international influences in our work that made us who we are today. Having said that, each of us has really developed our own Aussie style as well, which sets us apart from hookers across the waters. It is still so much harder for us Aussies to get hold of tools and materials though, and the cost of postage from the States, the UK and Canada often make it prohibitive. However we are thankful that a small handful of women in SA, Sydney and Q'land have done some of the hard work for us and a limited amount of tools available. Thank you ladies for that.  So we are not totally isolated.
Joy brought her lovely mum Margaret along again, who sat knitting away while enjoying the company of the 'hookers'. She is also a crafter and a very good one from what we saw. She had a happy surprise to tell us but I had better not tell as I am not sure whether she wanted this fact published on the Blog. Maybe next time.
Anne worked on her lovely colourful Santa Rug...will she have it finished for Christmas...I wonder? We will see.

Joy had finished her gorgeous 'The last leaf' rug. It is surely a winner and also started whipping her Manet Melon rug. She checked out Simone Vojvodin's Herringbone whipped edge video, for instructions, and for which we have a link right here on the Blog.  She completed quite a bit of it before home time. The herringbone stitch, worked in a matching rug wool makes a lovely finish to her rug. She certainly picked it up quick smart.
Jen joined us just after lunch as she had to work in the morning but didn't want to miss out on our special Christmas meeting.

She is adapting her daughters lovely painting into a rug. Check out that lovely sun, it will be very different from her carpet rug that she had been working on previously.
Leeanne came and joined us for a short time, just in time for lunch.
Sandra is doing magnificently with her Shaun the Sheep rug. Her young grandson has already claimed it. He certainly has good taste as Sandra is doing a wonderful job on it.                                     
Our lunch was to 'dye' for with everyone trying to accommodate special gluten free foods for our dear Joy. I think she appreciated that. :)
Chris had finished her last Grandson's Sam rug and also had the finishing edge to do. As she did on her other portrait rugs, she used a thick, wool, piped edge in a matching colour to her hooking. It is a lovely edge and quite quick to do. Only one more of her grandchildren to go and she is pleased to do a little girl for the last of her portraits. This will be a challenge.


We missed Robyne, who has been faithfully looking after her ill dad, bless her.  Hope you come back soon Robyne.
All too soon we departed again, each to their own home. 

At this time on behalf of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers, I would like to wish all our followers and readers a Blessed Christmas as we celebrate the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus, as well as a happy, joyful 2015.
Keep coming back to the Blog as more will be added before our next meeting in January.
Cheers

left to right: The last leaf by Joy Marshall; Joy and Chris working on the herringbone stitch; Sam by Chris Noorbergen