Happy Hookers

      

A model of  a hooker -- rug hooker that is

 As you may know, I enjoy creating crafts. Therefore we must see as much art and crafts as possible on our travels, even for ideas only (sometimes, to Al's chagrin!). One of my goals is to learn a new craft skill in each province.  So far, I have learned to paint (arcylic), loop knit and paint a heritage vinyl rug.

     In Nova Scotia, the big thing is rug hooking and I have tried my hand at it as well. I have purchased several kits and have made them up. Here are the products of my attempts.

     In Amherst, there is a rug hooking studio that was just fabulous. The artist is Deanne Fitzpatrick and her work is beautiful. Here are some samples:

The Swimmers
The swimmers are not afraid of themselves or of any one talking on shore about how age has changed them or how they have matured. Life is grand and they remain as beautiful in each others' eyes as they were ten years ago when hips were thinner, and their joints were anointed with youth. The strength they carry now is in their eyes and in hearts that have softened since forty, fifty, sixty slid upon them and brought with it reams of thoughtfulness about how things begin and end.
And how much the centre can matter.

     I have been to several studios, shops and museums on rug hooking and it is a beautiful art. The artists have so much passion for their art and it is nice to share it with the world. Of course, many studios have workshops on rug hooking but they are too far away from where we live to make it feasible for me to attend. I will just have to continue working on it on my own. Have you tried it?

     Even in Lunenberg at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, they had a display on rug hookings which were part of a exhibit with the theme: Wonders of the Deep. In October they are holding their annual Hook In. Unfortunately I am not able to attend. Here are my favourites:

     Last year, when travelling through Cape Breton, we stopped at les Trois Pignons which held
a museum on rug hooking. So many beautiful things! Click here and go to scene 9 to 16 to see a variety of the rug hookings in this museum. Many rug hooked portraits of Elizabeth Lefort are displayed here.

Elizabeth Lefort with a rug hooking of Queen Elizabeth II.
Below is Pierre Elliot Trudeau admiring his portrait made by Lefort

Note the technique of hooking in squares is a traditional
method of  hooking.

Close up of  a raised pattern.

A beautiful raised pattern of flowers

     In the past, every house had a hooked rug in many different sizes and designs.

A rug that may have been used on the floor of a home

     In Hubbards, which is really not too far from where we live, is the Hooked Rug Museum of North America. Here on display are many historic examples of rug hooking -- many of which would have been used in the home. Also, there are many examples of modern pieces and techniques. It is worth visiting this museum.  The star of the museum is the 3-D recreation of Noah's Ark. Click here to see more about this creation.

     It is a great skill to have and with a great imagination you can create anything. Have you tried? I still have a few more rug hooking projects to do myself. I'll show you when I am done.

This Pussy Willow Coaster was made by a woman in her
90's from Cape Breton. Of course, I bought a few of them.