Spring 2013 Hook-a-Month Project

 Hook-a-Month Project for Spring 2013

I had a really hard time choosing an antique rug to adapt for this new Hook-a-Month spring project, so I took three of my real favorites, combined them into one design, and called it Triplet. I hope you love it as much as I do!

If you are unfamiliar with how my Hook-a-Month projects work, just click over to my web site and you’ll find all the details there. Or you can download the PDF that basically tells you the same thing (and you can print it out for reference.)

I will be moving from the design phase of this project into the color planning stages, and working with my awesome overdyer, Jo Ellen Dismukes from LaceyJanePrims.com, to get going on our color collaboration. I am going for dull and old with lots of mottling and textures. I re-colored the sample you see in the photo, bringing the colors of each of the old rugs more into the same color palette – they were close to begin with and I think that’s why I loved them all.

The number of kits available for these projects is always limited, so if you want to participate in this project, order yours soon to reserve your kit. The pattern and first wool shipment will be sent out between the middle of April and the beginning of May, allowing us enough time to overdye all the wool and get kits made up for your orders. Each subsequent month, another wool shipment will be sent for another section of the rug, with the last shipment arriving in September or October.

Well, that’s it for now. What do you think? Like it?

New rug hooking patterns available

Okay – 100 lashes with a wet wool strip (or a noodle if you prefer.) I have again been a bad blogger . . . I just don’t get here, between all the other social media, my web site and Etsy shops, plus working an outside job – yeah, blah, blah, blah, I know. Anyway – here I am with just a little news about rug hooking patterns. I have updated my site with the celebration rug patterns I have been hooking for Create and Decorate magazine, as well as a new Hook-a-Month project for fall. So, if you are so inclined, check out the latest at my site. The cupcake rug, Happy Day, was my favorite to hook,

and I can’t wait to get going on the new Hook-a-Month pattern, Sunflower, adapted after the antique rug below:

I also have a custom offer for you needle punchers that I explained in my latest newsletter. What? You aren’t subscribed? Well you are missing out on news, sales, and announcements that you just might want to hear (since I don’t seem to update you very often here at the blog.) Sign up here - it’s free and easy! If you missed the latest newsletter, and you want to know about this offer, comment below with your email and I’ll send you a copy.

Are you a pinner? Pinterest is so much fun! If you aren’t pinning – try it, and if you are, check out my pin boards and repin something so I can find you and follow your boards, too!

‘Til next time (whenever that might be . . .)

Sally

Ridgeway Cutter – instruction sheet link

Click HERE to open a new window (pdf file) with thea copy of the Ridgeway Cutter instruction sheet. Thanks to Sue Fellenzer for sharing it with us!

Leap Day Savings at Folk ‘n’ Fiber!

Head over to the web site tomorrow to get 2.9% off your order! We all need a little help, so celebrate Leap Day, stock up on some supplies or treat your self to a pattern and save a little, too.

Just enter LEAPDAY in the coupon box when you check out and you’ll get your special discount.

While you are there, check out the new Hook-a-Month pattern for Spring! Two horses is my adaptation of an antique rug from the 1800s, found in Pa. I hope you love it! Limited kits available and will begin shipping April 1. Order yours now to be sure you get one!

Happy Leap Year to all my wonderful hooking friends!

Sally

Hooking Gifts in a Poor Economy

It’s coming, like it or not! I am talking about the season of giving gifts. You look at the stack of bills and straight into the empty bottom of your wallet, and wonder “how am I going to pull this off again this year?” The economy and job market hasn’t gotten a lot better over the last year and it remains difficult for so many people to stay on top of bills

Yep, it's coming fast!

and finances, and have any funds left over for hobbies or fun. Luckily for us, thrift store wool and a little linen can keep us hooking if it comes down to that! But think of how much money you can save by creating holiday gifts yourself — and the joy it would bring to a friend to receive them! A stack of hooked mug mats tied up with pretty ribbons would melt my heart, for sure! To receive an actual rug created by a special family member just for me would make me feel so special. I know the retailers want us to buy, buy, buy throughout November and December (and I know we still will do that) but we can save on those post-holiday bills a little by giving rug hooked gifts to a few very special folks this year. I received and order for my Barn Star Mug Mat kit this week with a note from the customer saying, “please send this order asap – I want to get these hooked for a Christmas gift.” It got me wondering how many rug hookers give special, hand-hooked presents every year? Think about that . . .

I am presenting a new series of designs in Create and Decorate this coming year called Celebration Rugs. The designs are for rugs that you would give as special gifts to mark an occasion, like a wedding, a special birthday, or a housewarming. The first design will appear in the January/February issue – it’s a Wedding Rug. At any given wedding, how many of the couples’ closest guests might be rug hookers? Not many right? Probably only one – you! So how special would it be for that couple to receive a gift that would last all the years they are married? You couldn’t say that about the old standby gifts, like a toaster, or roasting pan, or even sheets. Our craft is one that is sustainable and one that creates finished products that are intended to last several lifetimes. That in itself is a gift.

Have you created gift rugs in the past? Will you give one this holiday season? Tell me about it!

Happy Fall Hooking, my friends! Stay warm, stay well, and hook on . . . .

Sally

Support for Folk Art in America?

Recently read in the Etsy forums:

“Please. Someone, everyone, do something to save the American Folk Art Museum from dissolution and dispersal,” begged art critic Roberta Smith in the opening line of her plea in The New York Times last week.

I was unaware that the American Folk Art Museum was in trouble . . . it is the most awesome place I have ever visited! How can we let it fall and disappear?  Apparently, it has been rescued . . . but for how long? We need to do something to preserve and protect our folk art heritage!

The article goes on:

Having narrowly escaped financial ruin by selling off one of its two locations, the future of New York City’s American Folk Art Museum (AFAM), whose staff of 50 has dwindled to 10, has been bleak. Fortunately, within a few days of Smith’s article, donors came through and saved the museum at the last minute. AFAM is still in critical condition — the road to recovery will involve internal restructuring and, presumably, a massive media campaign to attract visitors. The case of AFAM is just more evidence proving how over time, the words “folk” and “craft” have developed a negative connotation, often marginalized and excluded from high art.

 

Please read the rest of the article at Etsy.com here:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/noted-the-future-of-folk-art/?ref=fp_blog_image

(note the gorgeous photo of all those red and white quilts hung for a show!)

Who would have ever thought that folk art would make it to the endangered species  list? Unspeakable! What can we do to make sure we don’t lose all this wonderful, historic art?

Sally

Shetland Wool – Come & Get It!

9/26 Update!! These sold out so fast that I was able to get more from the source and give you all more time to order. My website is updated with the new available quantities and I added a nice blue solid and a blue plaid that coordinate so well!

I occasionally run across a good deal on rug hooking wool. When that happens, I try to offer some at my web site. I just added some Shetland wools that are all great for hooking in the primitive style and add awesome texture to your rugs. They are offered with limited availability, so if you see one you like, better get some now before it’s gone. I will never sell a wool that I would not use myself and that is not suitable for hooking. Selling these by the fat quarter but if you need more than I have on hand, let me know and I  can try to get more for you. Each fat quarter comes to you washed and ready to hook!

 My favorite one! This blends great with the Cranberry Solid.

I haven’t offered wool on my site in a long time, but since the re-design, I just feel like adding more stuff that you will love!

SpoolMag Fall issue is out now – got my comp issues in the mail. the Spot the Cat pattern is on my web site now – and there are links to the instructions on my Home page.

I wrote an article for The Wool Street Journal, which is in the current issue for October (Fall/Winter issue.) Watch for that and let me know what you think of it. I will be writing another for the January issue. Bonnie is so good to me and I am so grateful.

Is the Fall weather making you want to stop all that weeding and mowing and start hooking? I just completed my project for the April 2012 issue of Create & Decorate magazine – a wedding rug! Got that shipped off yesterday. Magazines work so far in advance – just when Fall arrives and the weather is starting to turn cooler, we are creating projects for Spring when the weather is starting to warm up again. Sort of makes everything feel all wonky and backwards.

What are all of you working on? Do you have something fun on your frame? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it – Sharing is fun!

Well, back to my hooking . . . thanks for visiting!

Sally

Grand Re-Opening, Re-designed & Ready for Prime Time

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . . .

Lauri Troutman for Rug Hooking & Susie Vohlken for Punch Needle!! Congratulations ladies! I have emailed each of you privately.

Thanks to everyone for all your wonderful comments regarding my newly re-designed web site. A few of you took me to heart and shared a couple of things that you didn’t like very much – I appreciate that, and I made some changes per your suggestions. Overall, your comments were very positive and I thank you all for your input. I am only sorry that you could not ALL win. You can however, get into the giveaway action at my Facebook Page every month. If you have not LIKED my FB Page, you’ll find me here.

Remember everyone – I am offering  free shipping on any order from anyone who entered but did not win – through the end of September (I can’t offer free shipping on Frames because those are drop-shipped from the manufacturer in Texas directly to you.) When you place an order between September 20 and September 30, just enter FREESHIP in the coupon box when you check out. You all win!!

Sally

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Done! What a lovely word . . . I thought I’d never get there. If you haven’t visited my web site recently, you’ll be surprised at the new look and organization. I completely re-designed the site, making it more relevant, easier to navigate, and all around prettier. It has been growing and growing over the years, and like anything that grows, it has a tendency to take on a life of its own – out of control and sort of all over the place (like the weeds in my gardens – which have not gotten the attention that the web site has!) Anyway, stop over and take a look.

So, after all that work and thought (taxing at my age,) it’s finally time to celebrate with a

Grand Re-Opening of the redesigned site!!

First – a big old giveaway! I have put together two giveaway packages – one for rug hooking and one for punch needle, that will be awarded to two lucky, randomly drawn winners on September 20th – one week from today. You do have to work a little bit to get yourself in the running . . . go to Folk ‘n’ Fiber and send me a comment via my Contact page, telling me what you like best about the new web site (if you have a “what I like the least” comment, I am happy to hear those as well.) Tell me if you are a rug hooker or punch needler, so I know which package you’d like to win. That’s all . . . so what does the winner get?

Rug Hooking

1. A pattern of your choice, on red dot tracer, from this page of my web site: Seasonal Designs (Halloween & Christmas are approaching fast – but you still have time to hook something special for those seasons!)
2. One yard of red dot tracer fabric – for easy transfer of a future project or two to your favorite backing.
3. An eco-friendly zippered project bag - measures 15″ x 15.5″ x 8″ – that’s plenty of room for carrying tools, supplies, wool and projects to guild meetings, camps and workshops! Hard flat bottom to support your cutter and all your essentials.
4. 30 yards of 3-ply 100% wool Paternayan binding yarn in Mustard
5. A copy of the book Folk Art Friends by Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson – rug hooking and quilting projects, including patterns
6. Plus some little goodies that I will throw in at the end (surprises are fun!)

Punch Needle

1. A pattern of your choice, on weavers cloth, from this page of my web site: Seasonal Designs (see above – haha!)
2. Snip-Eze threads snips
3. Square tin pin back frame by Twisted Threads to create a pin from your punch needle creation
4. My tile topped punch needle storage box
5. A thread assortment (it’s fun to play!) including DMC cotton, Gentle Arts wool, and Old Willow silk threads
6. Plus some little goodies that I will throw in at the end (yes, punch needle surprises are fun, too!)

And, if you don’t win – you still win. I will offer free shipping on any order from anyone who enters and does not win – through the end of September (I can’t offer free shipping on Frames because those are drop-shipped from the manufacturer in Texas directly to you.) When you place an order between September 20 and September 30, just enter FREESHIP in the coupon box when you check out. See? I really love you all!

Okay – don’t delay! This is a short window to get entered, so do it now! I want you to all have your names in the drawing! I will announce the winners of the give away packages here at the blog on Oct 1, as well as on Facebook! You can’t win if you don’t enter. Why are you still here? GO!

~~Sally~~

PS – I hate to have to mention this, but, it seems I am having intermittent PayPal problems with my cart since the re-design. If you place an order and can’t get it through PayPal, PLEASE email and let me know and I can help you. You do not need a PayPal account to pay for an order via PayPal! I am trying to get this figured out, but in the meantime, please don’t give up if you have trouble. Just email me and I can fix it! Thanks!

Excitement is Building!

SpoolMag

I mentioned in an earlier post and on my Facebook page that I will be featured in a new magazine, called SpoolMag, in their September issue. I just had a peek at the layout as they are getting ready to go to press. I am getting so excited! The new issue will be in shops and mailboxes on Sept. 15th. They ran a nice article about me and one of my designs as a free pattern for you to hook. When the magazine hits the stands, you will be able to download the instructions and more images of the featured rug from my web site. Just watch my home page for a link (after Sept 15th.)

I am very grateful to Diane Selby, editor extraordinaire of SpoolMag, for the opportunity to spread the word about rug hooking to a new group of crafting enthusiasts. If you have not seen the magazine yet, go to their web site and take a look. You can also use their shop finder to see if a shop near you carries the magazine. Or better yet, get a subscription! Here is a sneak peek:

  Now, doesn’t that leave you just a little curious?

Hook-a-Month Kits

There are a few of these new Fall Hook-a-Month kits left for the taking. If you are thinking about it, don’t wait too long – they are going fast. I will start shipping mid-September, so you still have time to grab one! You can read all about it here.

That’s all the news that’s fit to print for now . . . til next time, Hook On, my friends!

Sally

Woot! Web site Re-design Finally Done!

More news people!! I finally have my pretty, new re-designed web site online! Yay!! It was a long and grueling process, but I finally finished it today. Still tweaking here and there, but it’s mostly done. The great news for all of you is that I have lowered many of my prices (we all feel the pinch, right?)

I am closing out the cotton punch needle threads, so you can get great deals by the bagful while they last.

And there are tons of downloadable tutorials for both rug hooking and punch needle. Lots of helpful information for beginners, too.

Also, don’t miss the free punch needle pattern of mine from Weeks Dye Works!

That’s just the beginning . . . stay tuned for the Grand Re-Design Celebratory Opening! More good deals and fun things in store! Whew!

I’d love to know what you think about the new design – is it easier to find things?

I’ll be back soon with details about the Grand Opening . . .  I just announced the winner of the free red dot pattern and 1/4 yard of overdyed wool on my Facebook Page. If you haven’t visited there (or LIKED me there) come on over. I have been giving away a free pattern every month to my Facebook Fans. Get in on that!

Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend everyone! As always, pray for our troops and never forget 9/11!

Sally