RUG HOOKING BLOG

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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Monday, April 4, 2011

WHAT A WEEKEND IT WAS...

I had such a great weekend from start to finish even though I wasn't quite as ready as I wanted to be. I went as is and had a ball. One of the highlights of my weekend retreat was meeting Kim from Millie's Mat quite by accident. As I entered Deane Fitzpatrick's studio, who do I see but Kim. We immediately recognized each others and we hugged and chatted for a while. It was such a pleasant surprise. I have to thank Sarah and Jackie for letting me tag along.

Deane was there and she took pictures of us and even mentioned us on her blog the next day. It was also the first time that I met Deane. She offered us some tea and chatted  a bit. Everyone was buying something except me. I was looking for some light blue mottled wool for my sky as I didn't get the chance to dye some before I left and I was on my way out the door when my eyes saw three large pieces on a shelf near the door.  I bought all three and spend over $40.   I was so happy, now I could hook some sky.

 This is Sarah, Deane, myself and Kim. I can't even remember what we were talking about, but look at that gorgeous yarn that Kim purchased.

Sarah, my daughter's friend and driver, myself, Jackie my talented artist daughter and my friend Kim. Kim's eyes are smiling but I can tell that she can't wait for those braces to come off. I love those beautiful eyes.
We had to get back on the road and try to make it to destination before the weather got too bad. We got snow, slush and wind and the temperature dropped to 1 degree Celsius on the last half hour of the drive and then we got rain.  We carried all our supplies and checked in and then went to eat before joining the Fiber artists in the common room.


Meet our host who organized the third Annual Maritimes Fiber Arts Retreat, Sharon Orpin and her husband Richard. We owe them a lot of thanks. They made sure that everything ran smoothly.

First order of business was to buy an apron for $18. in support of the retreat and to keep myself from being covered in wool dust.  Isn't it a beauty... I forgot to take a picture of it at the retreat.


An update of my Childhood Memories rug. I didn't get much done but tied my scene with the sky above the apple trees with  Deane Fitzpatrick's  wool.  My rug generated a lot of interest so I had to explain my process many, many times and didn't got done as much as I had expected. I did a lot of networking and met so many fine artists, made new friends.


My spinning daughter Jackie and her friend Sarah having a great time.


There were over 160 fiber artists registered for this three day event. There was an atmosphere of positive energy and as you can see a lots of smiles everywhere we looked.

I can't remember the name of this nice lady who shared my table but I was so grateful that she joined me. Take a look at her strip holder. This fancy gadget was a conversation piece and many stopped at our table to asked where she bought it. She bought it at an estate sale along with this unfinished rug which she was working on. She was doing a wonderful job. I love it. I'm gonna try to make my own strip holder with my husband's help. (some day)


These two ladies came all the way from Kitchner Ontario to join us. We exchange a lot of information and they have decided that they are coming back next year. I'm looking forward to see how they made out after a year. I hope that they have a safe trip back.

There were circles of spinners  as they did not required tables. They did a lot of spinning and laughing. So many different spinning wheels. This is only a portion of spinners.
This picture was taken on Sunday morning  and many had left already when I took this picture. As you can see by the divisor in the ceiling, they had 2 large rooms this year instead of one.  Many have registered already for next year.  The chairs were very comfortable.


There are ample room to get around and the lighting was the best. There are windows all around and plenty of lights over head. No need to bring a light.  The quilters and sewers are all along the wall where they have access to electrical outlets.

This lady is felting a polar bear and she did a fantastic job. Sorry that I cut out her head from the picture.


This is the amazing Doris  Eaton with her new book which is coming out on June 15 and can be ordered now from Amazon .com. They will also be available from book stores. I stupidly forgot the name of her book. But I'll look it up on the web.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow, there were lots and lots of beautiful prizes and awesome pieces being worked on.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Welcome to my 61st followers.  JB

20 comments:

  1. Kim had told me on the morning she got to meet you. It gave me chills that you were both there at the same time. I felt like I got to meet you too, It made me so happy all weekend knowing you were having fun. It just looks wonderful. I have been waiting for pictures. I love them all and I love the picture of you and Kim, it makes me so very happy.

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  2. Wow how fun Julia, That look like tons of fun.Thank you so much for the pictures.THat was crazy seeing Kim. Small world.Cheri

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  3. We have such a cute "first meeting" story. But what the heck was going on with my bangs in those pictures?? LOL It cracks me up.
    The retreat looks fun. The last time I stayed in that resort it was October and the scenery was beautiful.

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  4. That was soooo much fun...seeing you and Kim together! (tell her for me that she looks good with no make-up!). You both look great!
    Looks like a wonderful time and productive confab.

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  5. Such joy for all of you to meet and the photos are fantastic Julia! I feel like I was right there with you! What a wonderful experience it must have been!
    Hope you are all inspired and rested from your trip!
    Thanks so much for sharing it all with us Julia!
    Hugs!
    Cathy G

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  6. Thank you all for the nice comments, and I agree with Donna that Kim looks great without her makeup. There is nothing wrong with her bangs. I don't care even if she was still in her PJ's . She looked fantastic to me. She looked much better than I did.. I just was so happy to have met her.

    I had no makeup either and didn't even had earrings on and that coat some how looks bad on me but kept me warm. JB

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  7. How awesome that you and Kim had such a great first meeting. It was meant to be! I am so glad to put a face to Kim's blog, so thank you for posting these pics. Looks like a fun event to attend also Enjoyed looking at the pictures.
    Karen

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  8. Oh Julia, what fun! Looks like everyone is having a great time. You memories rug is enchanting. I can't wait to see more. Also, I'm so glad to see Kim. Thank you for sharing her pictures with all of us. It is so wonderful to put a face to the blog. I can see her sense of humor in her eyes. Please show the rest of your pictures.

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  9. Oh that looks like so much fun! I am going to a hook in at the end of the month I need a little energy put in my hooking. So great to see a picture of kim. Glad you had a great time julia
    lucky you with a a daughter who is an artist.
    cathy

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  10. What a great post, Julia, from beginning to end!! The hook-in looked wonderful ~ all those different types of fiber arts in one place ~ a great idea!! Loved seeing you and Kim and Deanne together ~ I agree with Karen ~now, we can put a face to the name ~ and a pretty face, at that! Would love to go to Deanne's shop sometime ~ you all looked very happy there!

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  11. I'm still laughing. All I can think of is Alfalfa from the Little Rascals. Remember him? Now look at those bangs....LOL

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  12. That looks like you had SO much fun for you and all the other ladies too. Your memory rug is amazing too!

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  13. What a great post!!!
    It made me feel excited and happy just looking at it! There is just so much to see and so much creative inpsiration. I like the fact that the event is open to all areas of fiber arts so that you can have the opportunity to become involved in other addictions if you choose! LOL!
    Hey Kim, where are your Red Shoes???

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  14. Hi Julia, glad you had a great time at your retreat. It sure did look awesome, all those artists in the one room networking. It was nice accident that you and Kim had, lol. Lots of memories to file away. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Julia,
    I was so thrilled to see that you met up with Kim. I am excited to go to my first hook-in at the end of April. I didn't know that your daughter was a spinner. I am interested in her wheel! I have a traditional Ashford...and I'd like to learn about other wheels.
    Your rug is amazing. There are so many things going on, I'm not surprised that people had questions and wouldn't allow you to get any hooking done! It's coming along beautifully. I love these memory/history rugs. They just thrill me. Such a wonderful post! I'm so happy you had a great time!
    Hugs,
    Courtney

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  16. Thanks everyone for your comments, I'm so glad that you stopped in for a visit.

    Kim, I think that everyone will agree with me that you are beautiful and that your bangs do not look like Alfalfa from the Rascals. Thanks Kim, for allowing me to post the photos on my blog. Everyone are grateful. JB

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  17. Julia ~
    What a great post and I love the picture of you and Kim. Both beautiful hookers inside and out :) The retreat looked like great fun.
    I am lovin' your rug!
    Thanks for sharing with us.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  18. Looks like you had a grand time.
    Don't you love meeting blog friends. Now I know what Kim looks like.
    I loved seeing the rugs and the spinning that was going on.
    The little felted polar bear is amazing.

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  19. Thanks honey for sharing such great photo's. Love that I got to see you and Kim together. How cool is that and your both beautiful. I have not seen Kim in a picture and she looks almost just like I have her pictured. lol
    Never have I seen anything like this group of artist together each doing their on thing.
    What a wonderful way to spend time
    Love
    Maggie

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  20. You all look wonderful and yes, it is nice to put a face on people, especially Kim....Looking great gals.
    Oh to be among all those different projects. I wouldn't do anything, I would be too nosey and want to see everything that was going on there.
    Love that spinning wheel and those other gadgets for spinning...have to be honest...have never seen one before....Thanks a bunch for sharing all the photos...

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