Next meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

A day in the life of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

Sunday 29^th September 2019

Today was the most wonderful get together ever. Not that we don't enjoy other get togethers, we most certainly do, but it's always great to have new members as well as an international visitor come nd join us.

We welcomed three new members to our little group; Lynne, Lee and Veronica who had met both Robyne and Anne at the Gembrook show and the Melbourne show last week, and our guest Trish Johnson from Canada who visited for the day, while on holiday in Victoria.

So there were ten of us present and as some of us showed the newbies the how and wherefore's of rug hooking, Trish showed us a slide show of her wonderful rugs, each with their own story to tell, and the memories that go with them. Trish told us a little of her life as a child with old photos of grandparents and pictorial rugs depicting their childhood memories of her mother’s and grandmother’s homes which included the use of text.

She grew up in Capreol, Ontario but now calls Toronto home.

Some of her rugs that stood out for us [and it was hard picking one above any other], were her 

“Portrait of the artist” rug- a hooked reflection of Trish in a kettle, in her grandmother’s kitchen at Oak Point, New Brunswick.

“Chris and Blackie-  a delightful rug of her mother, with the text “Our house is very quiet, as Fred forgets to talk most of the time and lets the tv do it for him. The kittens have their eyes open and soon should be allowed to climb up the sheer curtains in the living room, as they need sunshine to grow.”  Ha ha ha, don’t you love it?

Trish shared that she remembered her mum as always having a towel draped over her chair. At the time Trish thought it a bit odd, but now realises how like her mother she really is, as she

now does the same. She also looks very much
like her mum as you can see in the rug.

 "Honest Eds”, which was one of her favorite places in the city of Toronto. Always being able to count on getting a bargain there.

“Bucknam Benson House” [below]-  the home of her great great grandfather at Seal Cove on Manan Island.

Then there's "Gannet rock" [bottom right], based on a lighthouse 13 km south of Grand Manan in the Bay of Fundy (Province of New Brunswick, Canada). Gannet Rock is where Trish's grandmother Elsie Maria Harvey lived when she was a little girl (aged 6 - 13). Her grandmother told her stories about her childhood on Gannet Rock. Trish says; "I feel that my grandmother's lonely and isolated upbringing has had an 

influence on her, on my family and on me. We all enjoy our time alone but we're also excited when we have company."

Off course there were many more beautiful rugs, and you can see some of them in Robyne’s previous post.

Lynne practiced her first proggy rug, while Lee practiced hooky with sock waste, giving a delightful textured look to hooked fabric. Chris is in the process of decluttering her home and craftroom so brought wool bundles for sale to the delight of our new members. It looks like they are with us to stay.

Unfortunately, much to our disappointment, no one was able to attend the rugging get together at Strathalbyn this year, maybe next time. We all have busy lives.

Then we had lunch. Everyone brought a wonderful plate of goodies to share. Around the lunch table, our conversations continued, we then reluctantly finished and moved on to the rug room, until one by one as the time dictated we took off, each to our individual homes.

Melbourne Show 2019

We did it. The Melbourne Show for one day. It sounds simple, pack a case, go to show, demonstrate rug making...
There is always a lot of interest in rug making. We didn’t have our big proddy frames and it’s these proggy/clippy/peggy/proddy rugs that the children like to try. However Anne had a standing hoop frame for quilting so managed to let folk have a bit of a go... and lots of people watched or tried hooking too. Plus I got along with my Uzbekistan style rug #2.

It still surprises me that Rug Hooking is so little known in Australia, considering how it parallels quilting in the USA and always has.
But, we did meet Lee, who plans to come on Sunday, so slowly the group is expanding! And we have Veronica as well so that’s two more.

On the way in I bought a coffee at Belgrave’s Blacksmith Cafe and the lovely Alex was wearing this amazing cowl. Her grandfather had spun the wool and she had crocheted it herself. It is done in Crocodile stitch. It was so gorgeous and unusual I asked if I could photograph and post it. Thanks Alex.

I keep meaning to say that another old friend Jennifer Walton, who lives in Far North Queensland, is now a long distance member of our group. Jennie went crazy on tugging after a visit down to mine a little while back. I gave her Miriam’s excellent book and that’s the end of her!

Jen is onto her second rug, this time a hooked rug. She has a good eye as you will see. Pics to follow.

(Too lazy to come and bring a plate, obviously).

Trish Johnson Is Coming To Town September 29th. Warrandyte.

Our next get together is on Sunday September 29th in Warrandyte, at Anne’s.
We are very excited to be meeting Trish Johnson who is visiting from Canada 🇨🇦 and will be joining us for our rug day this month. To that end, we are meeting on the Sunday, rather than Saturday as is usual.

Trish’s work is extensive and very interesting. I have picked up but a few images and it’s clear to see Trish’s extensive experience and skill! It’s going to be loads of fun.

So people, put on your glad rags, pack your show and tell and get over to Warrandyte on the 29th. If you need more information, email me at r.m.square@bigpond.com or text or phone 0410876096 (leave a message and I’ll call back... I’m Robyne).

I found a very good article at Rug Hooking Magazine’s website: https://www.rughookingmagazine.com/Celebration-Hall-of-Fame-Profiles/Trish-Johnson-Class-2018#section36228723

And go look see Trish’s own website:
http://trishjohnson.ca/

Just Home From Gembrook Quilt &Craft Fair

Anne and I (Robyne) braved the hail, wind, rain and freezing cold to get up to beautiful Gembrook for the CFA Quilt Fair. A mini stitches and craft type (indoor and cosy) event with loads of stalls and a raffle, in which Anne took 4th prize. She won a gift voucher with enough in it to purchase batting for a new quilt. We also were visited by old and very dear friends, whom we hope to snaffle for rug days and more chitter chatter.
Quite a few ladies were keen to begin rugging. It seems that people have had it earmarked for the future (which encroaching age makes you realise is now). This also was my story when I first met the gals.

The hall had three large canvas works with local themes. Also were what appeared to be children’s needleworks. Love the skate ramp seen in one of them!

A happy mess of fluff. Oh, and I reposted the 'Blossom' cat seat pattern on my own blog:
https://robynefmelia.blogspot.com/2019/09/blossom-reposted-from-2013.html

Go Anne!!
Our next get together is at Anne's on Sunday September 29th. The day after the grand final. Let us know if you want to come on 0410876096. Leave a message if I don't pick up!

Quite a few people picked up a copy of Miriam's brilliant book!

Katherine's and my magpies.

Gembrook, Saturday September 7th

Please come and see us at the Gembrook Community Centre between 10am and 4pm. Anne and Robyne will be demonstration hooky and proddy rug making. We'd love to see you!
It's not far from the Puffing Billy terminal!
The day is a fundraiser for the Gembrook Fire Brigade, so all in a good cause.
$5 entry.https://www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/events/event/854/everything_patchwork_and_quilting_at_gembrook

Hi fellow rug hookers and crafters.

The next meeting of our group will be held at Joy's home in Kilsyth, on on 31st August, starting around 10. Happy hooking.

Hope to see you there. Cheers

I thought you might like to see my free form crocheted throw rug.