January 2016 meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

As we all travelled from our various corners of the world to Warrandyte this beautiful Saturday, I am sure all our minds were on the day to be. Who would be there, what would we be talking about and what are the current projects.
We always look forward to this monthly get together.
There were six of us that gathered around the pool table at Anne's home. This large table being perfect for displaying all our rugs and hooking paraphanalia.
Anne always makes us feel very much at home and this is who we are. We are like a family as we get together and enjoy this day in each others company- learning from each other and with each other. New-comers are always very welcome as we had Anne Marie join us again this month. Anne Marie has taken to rug hooking with gusto and is working on two rugs at a time- a hooky and a proggy rug. What ambition this lady and accomplished spinner of many years has.  And she is making wonderful progress too.
Joy had us all intrigued with the gorgeous little needle felted dolls she was making for her grand daughter. At times she looked almost vicious as she attacked and punctured her dolls with a needle.However with needle felting there is no gentle way to do this and the end results is well worth it.
As we continued on with our current hooking projects we talked about the various activities we, as a group would be involved in this year. The Westernport Art and Craft fair on the 9th April, which we decided once again to attend, as well as the Biennial meeting of the ARG and exhibition of rugs in Canberra in September, and the Stitches and Craft Show in October.

Sandra's almost completed Shaun the Sheep rug

We also talked about ideas of promoting our craft in Victoria, but this is not such an easy undertaking as most of our ladies hold full time employment and other commitments, and spare time with family is always precious and to be treasured. Some ideas were demonstrations at libraries as well as conducting an exhibition of our works at some or other gallery or hall.
During the coming month some of us will investigate some of these options and report back in February.

As usual we had a delicious lunch prepared by  many hands and the end of the day came all too soon.

                Anne's lovely Sunflower proggy rug

Robyne's silk proggy rug

Jenny's 'Tight rope to the sun hooky rug

So, if you are one of those wonderful women who loves the challenge of learning another skill, maybe this is the craft for you.
Please come and join us at our next meeting, whether you live close by or far away, in Australia or even visiting our fair land. You are most welcome.

Anne Marie working on her chair pad

First meeting of the year 2016 for the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

Hi Rugging friends

Yes, we are holding our first meeting early in the year. If you need a rug hooking fix then come along to Anne's home in Warrandyte this Saturday 9th January at 10 AM.

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

Connected through our love of crafts

 

Our end of year breakup, which was not really a breakup

Well, as every else has an end of year breakup, we thought we would better have one as well, even though we will meet again in January. So technically it is the end of the year, but also technically it was not a breakup.
Anyhow...despite all that and that it was the hottest day in December and extreme bushfire weather, we still had a lovely day with just the four of us in Loch. Off course having air-conditioning  makes it all the more comfortable.
Anne, Joy and Leanne came over from the eastern suburbs, which was quite a drive on a hot day.

Being in between rugs-  her stair tread rugs, Joy brought along her lovely knitting. She is knitting a cobweb scarf from gorgeous lace knitting wool.
Anne was working on her Fowl Mood, chook rug and Chris continued with her oriental rug.
Leanne played around with her extreme colouring in book and was our official photographer for the day. 
After a most delicious lunch we did some sharing and Joy shared her lovely drawings, which included a Celtic Cross, which obviously lead her to teach us all how to draw Celtic knots. Well, this certainly had Anne and yours truly in knots. Joy assurde us that it was easy...well...maybe for you Joy, not for me. But really, after a while we got the hang of it and we all agreed that they would serve beautifully as a border in a rug

Because of the heat of the day and the danger of bushfires, we broke up a little earlier than usual.







We hope you will join us in January, and let's hook a rug together.


In the meantime have a happy and healthy New Year from the Yarra Valley Rug makers.

Next meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug makers

The next and last meeting for the year will be held on Saturday, 19th December at Loch.

Please bring a plate to share for our Christmas breakup. 

All welcome. 

Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord

November meeting of the Yarra Valley rug Makers

As yours truly has sadly misplaced the photos on her tablet, the Blog is short and sweet this month, so I hope to have more information next month and yes we will be meeting just before Christmas, on 19th December in Loch.


Joy's worms for her staircase rugs and Chris hiding behind the staircase rug

Anne Marie starting a new geometric

Robyne in a thoughtful mood and Joy working on her rug

Next meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

HELLO FRIENDS OF THE YARRA VALLEY RUG MAKERS

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT SATURDAY, 14TH NOVEMBER,

AT ANNE'S HOME IN WARRANDYTE.

ALL WELCOME

The Chaise Rug

The rug is 220 x 112cm. Backing fabric is nylon (I think). I 100% prefer to use linen, but couldn’t get it wide enough. I don’t really like working on this stuff as it splits a bit and it feels plasticky. The hooking is wool.

Much as I love hooking with silks etc., it’ll use tons of fabric and I don’t have it. I do, however, have heaps of old blankets and plenty of dye.
The drawing is roughly based on the Uzbekistan style of textile. I just love Central Asian textile designs, particularly Uzbeki, with their organic, hand-drawn, flowing motifs and pointiness. They are embroidered but lend themselves to hooking.
I made one already, which looked good in front of the beautiful old chaise (and rubbish in its intended position), so decided to do this new biggie and the first can go somewhere else. The chaise is covered in deep cerulean blue French (hand-woven) brocade, the absolute centre-piece in the house, so any rug needs to be a bit glowing and a bit subtle, hence the warm grey background. It deserves a major chunk of my time!
In the central, large polka-dot area, The big orangey-yellow dots are raised, Waldoboro style, which should look good as seen from an angle. That bit will be under the middle of the chaise.