1. home and garden
2. home furnishings
3. rugs and carpets

©
16th Annual Rug Hooking Week 2012
Exhibit & Vendors: Wednesday - Saturday, August 15 - 18, 2012
Retreats (4 Day): Tuesday – Friday, August 14 – 17, 2012
Retreat (3 Day): Tuesday – Thursday, August 14 – 16, 2012
Workshops: (1/2-Day, 1-Day & 2-Day): Wednesday - Saturday, August 15 - 18, 2012
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Workshop Registration... Participate in a variety
of exciting 1/2 day, 1 day, or 2 day workshops taught by
talented and highly respected teachers.
Class sizes are limited, so be sure to register early!
Registration… A confirmation will be sent to you
after receipt of your registration and class fees.
Kit fees… If required, kit fees are in addition to the
class fee and are payable to the teacher at the start of the
class. Unless otherwise noted, bring all basic hooking
supplies.
Level… Be sure to note the pre-requisite requirements
of each workshop before registering.
Students should bring… Supplies that are listed in each
workshop description.
Stay on-site… You are responsible to make your own lodging reservations at Sauder Heritage Inn or
Campground, using a Booking ID # and Confirmation # that will be given to you with your workshop
confirmation. These numbers will give you priority to make a reservation from a block of rooms and
campsites being held for confirmed students, available on a first-come basis.
Cancellation Policy… Student retreat and workshop reservations are NOT TRANSFERABLE,
all cancellations and registrations must be administered by Sauder Village. Cancellation prior to June
30, 2012 will receive a refund of your fees paid minus a10% processing fee. If classes do not meet the
minimum number of students by June 30, 2012, we may be forced to cancel the class and all fees will be
refunded.
Questions? Call or email Dawn Hauter at 800.590.9755 ext. 3076 or dawn.hauter@saudervillage.org
Sauder Village P.O. Box 235, 22611 State Route 2, Archbold, OH 43502
419.446.2541 or 800.590.9755 • Site: www.saudervillage.org • E-mail: info@saudervillage.org
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2012 WORKSHOPS
2-Day Workshop - Wednesday & Thursday
“Dyeing Around the Wheel in 68 Colors” Workshop with April DeConick ............................................. pg. 3
Wednesday, August 15 Workshops
“Back to Our Roots - Hooking with Recycled Clothing”
Lecture & Demonstration with Karl & Mary Jo Gimber ................................................................. pg. 4
“Fun with Punchneedle” Workshop with Teresa Kogut ............................................................................. pg. 5
“Gallery Talk” with Barbara Carroll ............................................................................................................ pg. 6
“Tray-Chic” Workshop with Alice Strebel ................................................................................................. pg. 7
Thursday, August 16 Workshops
“Finishing Touches” Workshop with Alice Fraizer ..................................................................................... pg. 7
“Playing With Proddy” Workshop & Slideshow with Kris Miller ............................................................... pg. 8
“Vintage Postcard Wool Pillow” Workshop with Laurie Simpson ........................................................... pg. 9
“Pattern Application Methods - Design and Transfer”
Lecture & Demonstration with Leonard Feenan ............................................................................. pg.10
“Tavern Sign Rugs & the Stories They Tell” Gallery Talk with Karl & Mary Jo Gimber .......................... pg.11
Friday, August 17 Workshops
“Primitive Rug Hooking for Beginners” Workshop with Nancy Blair ........................................................ pg.12
“Focus Group” Gallery Walk with Susan Feller .......................................................................................... pg.12
“Primitive Flower Basket with a Twist!” Workshop with Maria Barton ..................................................... pg.13
“Hooked Evening Bag” Workshop with Polly Minick ................................................................................ pg.14
“Hit-or-Miss 101” Workshop with Wendy Miller ...................................................................................... pg.15
“Eye See You II - Special Exhibit” Gallery Talk with Judy Carter & Leonard Feenan ............................... pg.16
“Wagon Wheel Rug” Workshop with Nola Heidbreder .............................................................................. pg.17
Saturday, August 18 Workshops
“Hen Party” Workshop with Barbara Carroll .............................................................................................. pg.17
“Knowing our Borders” Lecture & Demonstration with Donna Hrkman .................................................. pg.18
“Hooking Your Life Story into Your Rugs” Lecture and Slideshow with Trish Johnson ............................. pg.19
“The Art of the Secret Message” Workshop with Barbara Carroll ............................................................... pg.20
“Doggone Jewelry” Workshop with Cindi Gay ........................................................................................... pg.21
“Wool Gizzard Basket” Workshop with Linda Pietz ................................................................................... pg.21
“A Journey” Lecture and Slideshow with Polly Minick & Laurie Simpson .................................................. pg.22
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2-Day Workshop - Wednesday & Thursday
“Dyeing Around the Wheel in 68 Colors” Workshop with April DeConick
Dates: 2 Day - Wednesday & Thursday, August 15 & 16, 2012 – 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $160.00 / Members $148.00
Kit Fee: $100 or $139 (see description below) - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Center & Kitchen
April’s Website: www.redjackrugs.com
Description: This class will transform your rugs. Students will have the opportunity to study with a
master of dyeing and color, splitting each day between the classroom and the dye kitchen.
April will take students into the dye kitchen and demonstrate Palette DyeingTM basics and techniques from her best-selling book, The Wool Palette: A Rug Hooker’s Guide to Dyeing Your Own
Color Palette of Wool. April’s specially crafted dye procedures will be demonstrated step-by-step,
so that you learn how “easy” it is to create 68 colors from the three primary dye formulas. She will
demonstrate 8-value jar dyeing, crock pot dyeing, and mottled dyeing.
In the classroom, April will cover lessons on color theory and the color wheel. Students will experiment first with paint and brushes
and then start hooking the Glorious Color Caddy design. The hooked design will serve as a both a learning tool and handy reference
for the color and dyeing theory you will learn in class. The Caddy can be hooked in any cut and then made into a 20”H x 14”W x 6”D
tote bag (size does not include handles). April will show you how simple it is to either hand or machine stitch the side seams of your
hooked piece to complete the tote bag (with handles and a hooked front and back), which is perfect for carrying your cutter and hooking supplies.
April created Palette DyeingTM so that rug crafters, like painters, would have a full range of colors in
every value and shade possible. It is a dye process conceived from the point of view of a painter who
mixes all her colors from three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). But here is the catch. This process is not only about creating the 12 colors on the color wheel from the three dyes; it is about learning
an easy way to mix 68 colors from three unique dye formulas for red, yellow and blue. April will provide
you with recipes for these Starter Palette formulas, as well as tips for creating your own three formulas
if you want a more customized color palette.
It may sound complicated, but April will make it easy, interesting, and
fun, and give you the confidence to start filling your wool closet with
your own beautifully dyed wool.
Level: Students who register for this workshop will need to have: Basic
Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
No prior dyeing knowledge or experience is needed.
Kit Description: Art supplies (palette plate, paint brush, acrylic paints,
cup), dyeing demonstration materials, Starter Palette dye formula recipe
cards, dyed wool swatches, Glorious Color Caddy pattern, hand-dyed
Dorr wool to complete the project, full-color booklet with instructions
on assembly and finishing the easy-sew tote bag, and the book: The Wool Palette: A Rug Hooker’s
Guide to Dyeing Your Own Color Palette of Wool. (Students may pre-order the book ahead of class or
bring copies that they already own and pay $100 for the kit on the day of class.)
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades (in the range of
sizes you prefer to hook in), hook, a pencil, paper, and dye aprons. Students should bring the Glorious Color Caddy pattern on linen backing to class. (April will send students the pattern and transfer
instructions in advance and give you a choice of rustic red, blue-gray, or eggplant colors to personalize
your design.) Students who do not wish to transfer the pattern themselves, may pre-order a hand-drawn pattern on Dorr primitive
linen from April for $50.
Bio: April DeConick has been rug hooking since 1995. Since then, she has experimented with form, color, and texture, trying to push
the boundaries of traditional rug making. She developed a dye process which allowed her to reproduce colors with consistency and
create a signature color palette unique to her rugs. The dye process is just like a painter blending paints on a palette in order to achieve
a tint, tone, shade, or value. Using this dye process, April filled her wool closet with all the colors in the color wheel, eliminating the
need to every worry about whether or not particular wool she purchased would work in her rugs.
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Continued from page 3
Two of her rugs have been featured in the Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs IX and XXI. In
2011, her rug, Alexander, won the People’s Choice Award for the Theme Challenge exhibit at
Sauder Village. She has authored numerous articles for ATHA Newsletter and Rug Hooking
Magazine and writes daily about rug hooking on her blog Red Jack Rugs which hosts the popular
Ten-Minute Challenge. April wrote and published the book, The Wool Palette: A Rug Hooker’s
Guide to Dyeing Your Own Color Palette of Wool, after developing her Palette DyeingTM
technique so that rug artists would have available a full range of kinship colors in every value and
shade possible.
Specialties: Dyeing, color, design, impressionist and abstract styles, human and animal portraiture,
and hooked dolls.
Wednesday, August 15 Workshops
“Back to Our Roots – Hooking with Recycled Clothing”
Lecture & Demonstration with Karl & Mary Jo Gimber
Date: Afternoon - Wednesday, August 15, 2012 – 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Website: None
Description: Our early rug hooking ancestors went to their rag bags for scraps of fabric to be used in their hooked rugs. Today we can
follow in their footsteps by hooking with wool from old garments. With the cost of new wool steadily increasing, recycled wool is a
cost effective alternative. For less than a dollar a yard, you can find beautiful tweeds, plaids and herringbone wool if you know where
and when to shop.
Thrift shops, flea markets, rummage sales and consignments stores are well known sources for recycled wool clothing. This interactive workshop will explore how to go beyond simply “shopping” and
how to maximize the value of these sources for inexpensive quality hooking wool. You will learn how
to bring down your per yard cost.
There is wool and there is wool, this husband and wife team will explain the difference. The quality
of the wool found in clothing varies and not all is well suited for hooking rugs. How about blends?
Can they be used? How can you tell if it is wool or a synthetic blend? We will explore how to identify
the more suitable woolens with samples of different quality fabrics that will be available to examine.
Using their own rugs, Karl and Mary Jo will illustrate how quality wool and less desirable wools appear in the finished product.
After you have purchased recycled clothing, what are the next steps in getting it ready for hooking? The workshop will review the step by step process including over dyeing to achieve the
colors you want in your rug. We will also explore which are the best and least desirable garments
to purchase. To complete the “going green” element of hooking with recycled clothing, we will
discuss uses for the buttons, linings, zippers, and labels.
The couple will have an assortment of their rugs with examples of hooking with recycled clothing
for students to examine and discuss. Students will receive a handout on the topic.
Level: No Experience – everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Students Need to Bring: Pen and paper for notes. Students may bring their own rugs in which they have hooked with recycled clothing to share with the group.
Bio: Mary Jo and Karl started hooking in the fall of 2003 after taking a beginners’ workshop at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown,
PA. Their interest in early American history and rug hooking converged with their current project of hooking a series of primitive rugs
adapted from old tavern, trade and farm signs. Besides working on rugs together, they have traveled to historic places and museums
gathering more information for their project and enjoy the hunt for “as is” wool in thrift stores, rummage sales, and flea markets.
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Karl retired from human resources consulting in 1997 and began pursuing his interests in the
American Revolution and the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries. He began carving birds in the tradition of the Pennsylvania German artisans and making small boxes with old
looking finishes. All that was set aside when he became engrossed with rug hooking. Karl is
responsible for public relations for the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild and its newsletter,
The Loop. He also handled PR for the 2011 ATHA Biennial that was held in Lancaster, PA.
Continued from page 4
Mary Jo is a former airline stewardess who has been involved with the fine arts since high school. She designs most of the rugs that
she and Karl hook. Mary Jo often adapts a rug based on an old sign but prefers to design an original pattern inspired by an interesting
tavern name or one with an interesting story associated with it. Mary Jo is an accomplished printmaker and painter in watercolor, oil
and pastel. The traditional arts of the Pennsylvania Germans such as tole painting, theorem painting, bird carving, grain painting and
quilting are skills she has mastered. Mary Jo likes to include Waldoboro and proddy elements in her rugs.
Their rugs have been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, the ATHA Newsletter, The Wool Street Journal, Contemporary Hooked
Rugs, and Hooked Rugs Today. Together, they have done presentations and exhibits on their rug collection at The Red Mill Museum
Village (Clinton, NJ), The Schwenkfelder Heritage Center (Pennsburg, PA), The David Library of the American Revolution (Washington Crossing, PA), The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County (Lancaster, PA), and at regional rug hooking guilds.
Specialties: Tavern, trade and farm sign rugs, using recycled wool.
“Fun with Punchneedle” Workshop with Teresa Kogut
Date: Afternoon – Wednesday, August 15, 2012 – 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: (See below) - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Right
Teresa’s Website: www.teresakogut.com
Description: In this workshop you will learn how to create a punchneedle “miniature rug” from start
to finish. Students will be using a special needle to punch 3-stand cotton floss through fabric to make
tiny loops in a primitive folk art style design. Punchneedle is fun and easy to learn. Teresa will share
her tips, tricks, and walk you through the steps from how to thread the needle, hold the needle, hold
your hoop, punch another color floss so your loops don’t tangle (and how to fix it if they do tangle),
punch around words, and ensure your design is “square” before you finish the border.
Students will have a choice of 4 pattern designs and sizes to work on in this workshop. Teresa will
talk about what to do with your finished piece, including mounting to wood, framing, or attaching to
a felted purse. She will also bring examples of these finishing methods for you to see.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior punchneedle knowledge or experience required.
Kit Description: Choice of patterns* on weavers cloth, line drawing
showing placement of floss colors, weeks dye works 3-strand cotton
floss (to complete your pattern), full color picture of finished piece,
and instructions.
*$18.50 Got Wool (2.75” x 2.25”), $26.00 Autumn Crows (4.75” x
3.75”), $28.00 Liberty Wool (5.5” x 3.25”), or $32.00 A Home for
Sparrow (4.25” x 4”)
Students Need to Bring: CTR 3-strand punchneedle (red needle) or Cameo punchneedle, threaders
(that come with your needle), 7” Morgan no-slip hoop, and small embroidery scissors. Note: the instructor will have these supplies available for purchase on the day of class.
Bio: Teresa went to college to pursue her love of art and ever since she has immersed herself in creativity. In 1991 she started selling her original artwork and by 1994 her work was sold in shops across the
country. For the past 17 years she has worked to build an art licensing business with more than forty
companies to produce greeting cards, calendars, prints, quilting fabric and other product lines.
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Continued from page 4
In the spring of 2004, while attending quilt market, Teresa saw punchneedle for the first time.
Her eyes widened and mouth dropped as she was mesmerized by these “tiny hooked rugs”.
Within days of returning from the show, she had the materials necessary to start punching one of
her own drawings. From that point on, Teresa has been punching her own designs, teaching the
techniques, and developing a punchneedle pattern line.
Teresa lives five miles from where she grew up in her beloved state of Michigan with her husband, Kevin, sons, Kyle and Ryan, step-daughter, Briahnna and furry children, Buster, Daisy, and Kitty Girl.
Specialties: Licensed artist (including watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and collage), fabric designer, clay sculptor, punchneedle and punch
hook rug designer.
“Gallery Talk” with Barbara Carroll
Date: Evening - Wednesday, August 15, 2012 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Exhibit Hall
Barbara’s Website: www.woolleyfox.com
Description: Accompanying this very special Featured Exhibit of Barbara Carroll’s work is a unique opportunity to hear the story behind her rugs. Barbara has studied, designed, and hooked primitive rugs for
more than 25 years. See this exhibit through her eyes.
Barbara will share what she was thinking back in the beginning when she started rug hooking in 1987
and how she progressed to where she is now. Barbara will share insight about how to buy wool, how to
use the wool, and show you how to have a blast with the wool. Also, see how she learned to hook and
teach the “old rugs” and the fun of doing that. Barbara will go through the rugs in her exhibit and point
out different aspects where she could have done better and what caused a rug to be “spot on.”
She has been privileged to have Emma Lou Lais as her beginning teacher and continuing mentor and friend. Barbara will share some
of her “wise owl sayings” that have formed some of her teaching skills. She loves teaching and seeing people “get it”, which is probably
even more fun for her than hooking. She is excited about rug hooking and sharing this wonderful skill with everyone.
This presentation will take place in the exhibit hall, so that Barbara can refer to individual rugs, discuss interesting details and answer
questions. Seating will be provided for all attendees.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Bio: Barb started hooking in 1987 with her good friend Bobbie True. They traveled to Kansas City once a week to take classes from
the legendary Emma Lou Lais. That was surely a great three years.
After a move to Pittsburgh, PA she found many people who liked her style of primitive rug hooking and so the grand adventure began.
As time and wools evolved, the adventure took on the excitement of all textured wools and using cuts # 8 and above. Since her head is
a bit on the “wacky side,” the rugs all have a sense of fun and whimsy to them while reflecting the personality of the rug hooker.
In addition to her great start with Emma Lou Lais she has taken classes from Jule Marie Smith, Heather Ritchie, Kathy Morton, and
other neat teachers along the way. Barb teaches at The Woolley Fox Rug Camp in Ligonier, PA, Star of Texas in Fredericksburg,
mini workshops in her home and some small “MINI mini” classes from time to time.
Barb has coauthored two books with Emma Lou - Antique Colours for Primitive Rugs, and American Primitive Hooked Rugs.
She has also written The Secrets of Primitive Hooked Rugs and American Folk Art Rug Hooking. She has written articles for Rug
Hooking Magazine and the ATHA newsletter. She wrote the rug hooking section of Warren Kimble American Folk Artist book, the
introduction for Hooked Rug Storytelling: The Art of Heather Ritchie book, and has had her work featured in books published in
Japan and England. She was one of four featured teachers in a recent Early American Life Magazine article. Barb is the proud mother of two wonderful girls, Diane and Robin and the Oma of four wonderful grandchildren, Abby, Nick, Jack,
and Molly.
Specialties: Primitive and antique rugs in wide cuts. Barb’s approach to rug hooking is using total textures in the rugs, to create rugs
that “push you a bit” and yet still reflect your personality -- and doing it with lots of fun and learning.
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“Tray-Chic” Workshop with Alice Strebel
Date: Evening – Wednesday, August 15, 2012 – 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: $48.00 (finished wood tray) or $42.00 (unfinished wood tray) - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Alice’s Website: www.alistrebeldesigns.com
Description: You will have the opportunity to learn how to combine needle felting with rug hooking
to complete this charming 6”x14” handcrafted wood tray with mat insert. Use it to hold your hook &
scissors, jewelry, or add a hanger to the back and hang it on the wall. The mat insert is 5”x11” so you
may very well leave class with a finished piece in hand. Alice will show you how to attach the mat to
the wood tray. You will have a choice of finished on unfinished tray to choose from. If you select the
finished tray, it will have a black finish. If you select the unfinished tray, you can take it home and paint it or stain it the color of your choosing and then
insert the mat.
Alice is a whiz when it comes to helping students have more fun and be more creative with
their projects, so this is sure to be an entertaining evening.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no
prior rug hooking or needle felting knowledge or experience required.
Kit Description: Handcrafted wood tray, linen pattern,
wool for hooking, and wool roving for needle felting.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blade #8, hook,
sewing needle, and black sewing thread. (Foam and felting needles with be provided to use in class.)
Bio: Alice has been teaching fiber art nationally and internationally since 1986. Her business, Ali Strebel Designs for Kindred Spirits,
is located in Dayton, Ohio; where she sells the extensive line of books and patterns she has published as well as hand dyed wool, yarn,
roving and other fiber art supplies. She has also developed a line of fiber and fiber art inspired jewelry. Beside her own books, Alice’s
work has been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine’s Designs for Primitive Hookers, The Wool Street Journal and numerous other
publications.
Specialties: Art of embellishing clothing, primitive stitchery, needle felting, punch needle, whimsical dolls, quilts, rug hooking and
other fiber arts.
Thursday, August 16 Workshops
“Finishing Touches” Workshop with Alice Fraizer
Date: 1 Day - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: $50.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Right
Alice’s Website: www.folkartprimitives-alice.com
Description: Do you have rugs that are just waiting for that ‘Finishing Touch’? Let’s see how creative
we can be! In the morning session Alice will demonstrate a number of finishing techniques: rug tape,
wool binding, a proddy edge, braiding, whipping with wool strips, a corded wool edge, and more.
Students will be ‘hands-on’ practicing each of the techniques. In the afternoon, you will finish a small
mat that Alice hooked for you to finish your way! As a little bonus -- you will also learn how to finish a
pillow with proddy! Get ready to have fun so you can add a neat finish to
all those great rugs you hook!
Feel free to bring a hooked rug to class that is ready for finishing and binding, if you would like suggestions on how to proceed! Alice will have rug binding, proddy tools, cotton cord and some funky yarns,
etc. for sale, if needed.
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
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Kit description: Foundation fabric with hooked areas for you to create your own Finishing Sampler, binding
tape, wool, cotton cording, yarns, etc. for binding techniques, buttonhole thread, and a 7” x 7” hooked mat
(steamed & surged) ready for you to finish in your favorite technique.
Students Need to Bring: Sewing needles, scissors, pins, primitive rug hook, proddy tool (if you have it).
Continued from page 7
Bio: Alice is a self-taught rug hooker and has taken classes from many nationally known rug
hooking teachers and traveled to Northern England to attend classes with Heather Ritchie and
Cilla Cameron. Her “England Memory Rug”, a Keith Kemmer design based on places they visited, was published in Pictorial Hooked Rugs by Jane Halliwell Green.
Alice and her husband, Sonny, have a blended family of one daughter and six sons, their four
spouses, ten grandchildren and two greats! Along with being a custom home builder, Sonny
also builds rug hooking frames and stands that Alice sells in her studio and at various shows and
hook-ins. She has done shows for 30 years, from being a doll maker to now, selling her handdyed wool and frames. She gives beginning rug hooking and proddy classes in her home studio. She designed a purse pattern to learn
various hooking techniques and stitches, hooking into wool, and finishing techniques. Alice is all about having fun and sharing her love
of rug hooking, as you will see in her blog and blog challenges.
Alice is a member of ATHA and the Western Reserve Rug Hooking Guild in Ohio.
Specialties: Wide cut primitives and using alternative fibers to expand our hooking horizons.
“Playing With Proddy” Workshop & Slideshow with Kris Miller
Date: Morning - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 9 a.m.-12 noon
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: $35.00
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Kris’ Website: www.spruceridgestudios.com
Description: Add a playful element to your primitive rugs with
proddy! We’ll explore its varied use for enhancement and embellishment in your hooking projects as grass, plants, flowers, and
trees, or as animal fur and feathers. Proddy can be used in other
projects too, such as fringe for pillows, clothing, and scarves. Kris
will talk about proddy tools and teach you the basic techniques.
In 2006, Kris traveled to England and she will share her photos in
a slideshow presentation and discussion on English proddy tools, history, rugs, and techniques.
Participants will be able to practice their proddy creativity on a choice of three 8” x 12” designs during
class time to create a fun mat combining both hooking and proddy techniques.
Level: Basic – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge and experience. No prior proddy knowledge or experience is needed.
Kit description: Choice of an 8” x 12” sheep, flower, or lion pattern on linen, uncut textured wool to
complete the project, and proddy technique instructions.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter,
cutter blades #8 or larger, and hook*, plus tape measure or ruler. (*Students should bring a primitive
hook with a wide shaft, such as an 8 mm Hartman Hook or Ritchie Hook. Students may purchase this
type of hook from the instructor on the day of class.)
Bio: Kris Miller is a self-taught rug hooker who specializes in primitive designs with an emphasis on
textured wool and wide cuts. Roving, sheep curls, paisleys, and novelty yarns are also some of Kris’ favorite hooking materials. She is the owner of Spruce Ridge Studios, featuring original primitive rug hooking
patterns, hand-dyed and as-is wool, and wide variety of rug hooking supplies. Kris has won many awards
and ribbons for her rugs including her county fair, the Michigan State Fair, Sauder Village, and two
honorable mentions in Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XIII and XVI.
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Her original designs have also been featured as pattern inserts in Rug Hooking Magazine and the books Projects for Primitive Rug
Hookers and Pattern Designs for Rug Hookers. She served as a judge for the 2008 edition of Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs
XVIII. She has taught at many workshops and rug camps across the United States.
Continued from page 8
Kris lives in Howell, Michigan with her husband, two sons, and an assortment of Angora goats, sheep, cats, and dogs.
Specialties: Primitive designs, textured wools, wide cuts
“Vintage Postcard Wool Pillow” Workshop with Laurie Simpson
Date: Afternoon - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 1:00pm-4:30pm
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: (See below)
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Laurie’s Website: www.minickandsimpson.com
Description: This 10” x 19” wool stitched pillow was inspired by a vintage summer holiday postcard.
The workshop will combine penny rug, wool applique, and stitchery techniques. This type of project
is great to work on in between those large hooking projects and the perfect project for traveling; all the
equipment and supplies easily fitting into a small tote bag and you’re good to go. After you complete
this pillow, you could make one for each state you travel to. What a great souvenir, remembrance, or
gift for your hostess!
The applique and stitchery is all done by hand and the
pillow can either be hand or machine sewn to assemble. The pillow can be stitched,
assembled, and completed in 1-2 days.
Laurie will teach you the fun and creative stitches, give you tips on cutting out the wool
shapes and give you ideas on how to personalize your pillow. Students will have the
choice of making the Michigan pillow pictured or one of Laurie’s other designs. Students can expect to have the pillow completely cut out and a good portion of it stitched
by the end of the class.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge
or experience required.
Kit description: You will have the option of purchasing a Michigan or other design pillow kit (in advance through the website) or bring
your own supplies. The kit fee is $ 75.00. If you select the Michigan pillow kit it includes: Background turquoise wool (15” x 24”),
Dark red wool (6” x 20”), Light red wool (15” x 15”), Flesh colored wool (3” x 9”), White or off white wool (6” square), Navy Wool (6”
square), 1yd of fusible web (like Steam A Seam 2), 1 yard of freezer paper, Fine tip Sharpie marker, Sewing thread that matches your
wool colors (in either embroidery floss, pearl cotton, or tapestry yarn - your choice), and a Needle for sewing (that works with your
thread like a chenille needle is sizes 20).
Students Need to Bring: Scissors. If you choose not to order a kit, you will need to bring the supplies listed in the Michigan Pillow kit
description. For the other pillow design options, Laurie will send you a supply list.
Bio: Laurie Simpson has delighted others with her quilts for over 30 years. Her work graces galleries and private collections. A patchwork quilt in a magazine inspired Laurie to make her first quilt at the age of 14. Drawn to traditional themes and techniques, she
pieces, appliques, and quilts by hand. “I quilt in the car and at hockey games. Handwork is calming and meditative.” It is the way she
was meant to work.
Laurie is the author of “Modern Primitive Quilts: Redefining Country Style.” The co-author with sister, Polly Minick, of Folk Art
Friends: Hooked Rugs and Coordinating Quilts, Everyday Folk Art: Hooked Rugs and Quilts to Make, and the most recent publications “Victory Girls: Patriotic Quilts and Rugs of WWII”, released in September 2011, and “American Summer” released January
2012. Laurie is also a Moda Fabric designer and was featured in the book “Designer Quilts: Great Projects from Moda’s Best Fabric
Artists.” Other publications such as Country Home, Coastal Living, Architectural Digest, American Patchwork & Quilting, McCall’s
Quilting, and the Wool Street Journal have featured Laurie’s work.
She resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Bill. They share their home with a happy menagerie of two cats and a dog.
Specialties: Quilting by hand, designing fabric, wool applique, and the art of handwork.
9
“Pattern Application Methods - Design and Transfer”
Lecture & Demonstration with Leonard Feenan
Date: Evening - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: $20.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Leonard’s Website: www.theburningartist.com
Min 8 / Max 15
Description: Leonard is an artist who has worked in many mediums. While working with Mary
Sheppard Burton, he began turning his artwork into rug patterns, most notably the 3-dimensional “Noah’s Ark” project. During this class, he will walk you through the basic steps from the
initial concept, to the art of design, and finally the transfer of the design onto backing ready to
be hooked.
We will cover the basics of design, inspirational ideas, designs from photos, portraits, use of
computers, creating paper patterns, use of light tables, red dot or screening techniques, stencils
and different backings, and finally, a freehand drawing demonstration directly to backing.
Every rug design begins as an idea in the mind. Half of the battle of creating a rug is
getting that idea onto the backing. Leonard will discuss the various design application
or transfer methods to use on the different types of backing foundation. Each backing
has its own challenges and he will share his tips and techniques.
If you have ever wanted to design your own rug, but didn’t know where to start, Leonard will simplify the steps and techniques to give you the confidence you need to give
it a try. This is a hands-on class and students will be able to practice the design and
transfer techniques.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking or design
knowledge or experience required. Although there will be advanced methods discussed,
Leonard’s goal is to inspire every artist, no matter what the skill level, to step outside of
their creative box and achieve better results.
Kit description: Handouts, pattern pencil, permanent markers, stencil cutter, sketch
paper, and piece of blank rug warp.
Students Need to Bring: Although a piece of blank rug warp will be provided for practice, it is recommend that you bring a piece of
backing (of your preference, one you are accustomed to hooking), and a human or pet photo (as an inspiration for designing a pattern
on your own backing).
Bio: With the two exceptions of Faux and Decorative painting classes, Leonard has never
been formally trained as an artist. His work has been a lifetime of the pursuit of learning
and self- taught techniques. He is inspired by wildlife and the beauty of the creations all
around us and sees potential for art in just about everything. He does not limit himself to
any one medium or subject, but instead chooses to challenge himself with each project. He
describes his talent as that which is not of his own making, but rather a gift.
Pyrography is Leonard’s specialty. He has spent 12 years refining this medium and he is
known as ‘The Burning Artist’. Pyrography is fire graphics or burning art onto wood or
paper substrates. Leonard’s work is untypically large for pyrography and the largest of these
has been 24” x 36” full coverage. Like rug hooking, burning art is very time consuming
and tedious. Leonard specializes in people, pet, and wildlife portraits. He converted his recent burn, ‘Mothers Comfort’ into a rug pattern, which is now being taught in workshops
by Judy Carter.
Making textile patterns is a newer medium to him, acquired over the last six years during the very special time he worked with Mary
Sheppard Burton. “Inspiring other artists to always to be creative and go outside of their comfort zone” was the most important principal he learned from Mary. He counts this most important higher learning as a specialty, and owes thanks to Mary.
Specialty: Pyrography (fire graphics or burning art onto wood or paper) portraits of people, pets and wildlife, and designing hooked rug
patterns.
10
“Tavern Sign Rugs & the Stories They Tell”
Gallery Talk with Karl & Mary Jo Gimber
Date: Evening - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Exhibit Hall
Website: None
Description: Accompanying this Special Exhibit is a unique opportunity
to hear the story behind this rug hooking husband and wife team. Political
messages, historical references, religious themes and humor can be found
in many of the old signboards. See this exhibit through the eyes of Karl and Mary Jo Gimber,
who in 2003 began working on a series of hooked rugs inspired by old tavern, trade and farm
signs. Over 70 rugs have been completed so far.
Karl and Mary Jo are experienced and respected artisans. Mary Jo designs most of the patterns. Together they have done extensive research into 1700s and 1800s taverns, farms, and
trade signs as well as historic flags, gravestones, old weathervanes, and folk art which are
the inspiration behind the rugs in this exhibit. These signs were created when houses were
unnumbered and many streets were unnamed; merchants relied on eye-catching images to
attract customers. Many of the original signs are now in museums or private collections.
Historical accuracy is the key to the rugs and each rug has an interesting story. Long-time
American history buffs, Karl and Mary Jo, will share those stories. The rugs in this collection
are primarily hooked with recycled wool in keeping with the love for all things old using wider
cuts (#8-#9) with narrower cuts used for detailing and outlining.
This presentation will take place in the exhibit hall, so
that Karl and Mary Jo can refer to individual rugs, discuss
interesting details and answer questions. Seating will be
provided for all attendees.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Students Need to Bring: Pen and paper for notes
Bio: Mary Jo and Karl started hooking in the fall of 2003 after taking a beginners’ workshop at the
Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA. Their interest in early American history and rug hooking converged with their current project of hooking a series of primitive rugs adapted from old tavern, trade and farm signs. Besides working
on rugs together, they have traveled to historic places and museums gathering more information for their project and enjoy the hunt for
“as is” wool in thrift stores, rummage sales, and flea markets.
Karl retired from human resources consulting in 1997 and began pursuing his interests in the American Revolution and the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries. He began carving birds in the
tradition of the Pennsylvania German artisans and making small boxes with old looking finishes. All
that was set aside when he became engrossed with rug hooking. Karl is responsible for public relations for the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild and its newsletter, The Loop. He also handled
PR for the 2011 ATHA Biennial that was held in Lancaster, PA.
Mary Jo is a former airline stewardess who has been involved with the fine arts since high school.
She designs most of the rugs that she and Karl hook. Mary Jo often adapts a rug based on an old
sign but prefers to design an original pattern inspired by an interesting tavern name or one with an
interesting story associated with it. Mary Jo is an accomplished printmaker and painter in watercolor, oil and pastel. The traditional arts of the Pennsylvania Germans such as tole painting, theorem painting, bird carving, grain
painting and quilting are skills she has mastered. Mary Jo likes to include Waldoboro and proddy elements in her rugs.
Their rugs have been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, the ATHA Newsletter, The Wool Street Journal, Contemporary Hooked
Rugs, and Hooked Rugs Today. Together, they have done presentations and exhibits on their rug collection at The Red Mill Museum
Village (Clinton, NJ), The Schwenkfelder Heritage Center (Pennsburg, PA), The David Library of the American Revolution (Washington Crossing, PA), The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County (Lancaster, PA), and at regional rug hooking guilds.
Specialties: Tavern, trade and farm sign rugs, using recycled wool.
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Friday, August 17 Workshops
“Primitive Rug Hooking for Beginners” Workshop with Nancy Blair
Date: Morning - Friday, August 17, 2012 - 8:00a.m. – 12:00 noon
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: (See below)
Location: Founder’s Hall - Stage Right
If you ever wanted to try rug hooking, this is the workshop for you. Nancy will start with
the basics and cover the equipment, supplies and techniques of primitive rug hooking.
Students will then have an opportunity to practice the technique of pulling up loops of wool
and see why we’re all “hooked” on this fun and creative textile art.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required. This class is open to
both adults and children who are 12 and older.
Kit Description: pattern, pre-cut wool, hook and hand-outs (The kit must be purchased from “Tomorrow’s Heirlooms” vendor booth
in Founder’s Hall anytime between Wednesday and Friday before the workshop begins. There are many design, color and price options available.) Optional Frame: Hooking frames are also available for purchase (prices vary)
Students need to bring: Scissors, pen and paper
Bio: Nancy and her husband Fred started their rug hooking business, Tomorrow’s Heirlooms, and sell rug hooking supplies in Michigan and throughout the Midwest. Nancy teaches and specializes in primitive rug hooking, color planning, dying wool and designing
patterns for children.
“Focus Group” Gallery Walk with Susan Feller
Date: Morning – Friday, August 17, 2012 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Exhibit Hall
Susan’s Website: www.ruckmanmillfarm.com
Description: Here is an opportunity to take a closer and more in-depth look at the exhibit with a
focus on the elements and principles of design, color, and techniques. Susan will also discuss the
concept behind the Zodiac Rug Exhibit and give insight into the creativity and techniques used by
the twelve artists. The Zodiac Rugs are featured in the January/February 2012 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine. The Gallery Walk is a great opportunity to ask questions and get a better understanding of a particular piece in the exhibit that intrigues you.
With 20 years’ experience as an Art Gallery owner, and a full-time fiber artist herself, Susan Feller
will share her fascination for fiber, color and composition. A previous judge for Celebrations and
the Rug Hooking Week exhibit, Susan will guide you through the exhibit focusing on key elements
which may help with the challenges and dilemmas that may be troubling you in current projects.
Attendees will walk through the exhibit so that Susan can refer to individual rugs, discuss interesting details and answer questions. Seating will
be provided for those in need.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Students need to bring: Optional: pen and paper for notes.
Bio: Susan Feller has written articles for Rug Hooking Magazine and
other fiber art publications. The author of a new book for Stackpole
Books (December 2011) titled Design Basics for Rug Hookers and
contributor to Designs for Primitive Rug Hookers. She received a BA in
Art and History from UMass/Boston and began rug hooking in 1994. A
Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs X, XVII, and XXI finalist, Susan
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Continued from page 12
has exhibited her work in numerous juried fine art exhibits. Teaching fiber arts since 2004,
she resides in Augusta, West Virginia and operates Ruckman Mill Farm, a design and dyed
wool supply source. The past President of TIGHR (The International Guild of Handhooking
Rugmakers), networking and promoting rug making worldwide is Susan’s focus.
Specialties: Rug pattern designing and rug making techniques including hooked, punched,
needle felted, and dimensional collage.
“Primitive Flower Basket with a Twist!” Workshop with Maria Barton
Date: 1 Day - Friday, August 17, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: $65.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left
Maria’s Website: www.starrugcompany.com
Description: This class will combine many different techniques including making flowers from wool, knotting, quilling (rolled, wrapped), and the beading stitch to create a one of a kind hooked 10” x 13” Flower
Basket mat. Maria will teach you the basic techniques of creating 3-dimensional wool flowers in various
shapes and styles. Learn to use quilling as a flower center, petal, and other flower parts. Knotting is perfect
for flower buds and berries.
Once students have made their flowers, quilling and knotting shapes, Maria will teach you how to attach
them to your rug and incorporate them into your hooking. All of these techniques add interest and give a
new dimension and texture to your rugs. Students will be hooking the remainder of the mat in #8-#9 cut. Top it off with the beading
stitch to create a fun and colorful border.
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
Kit description: Flower Basket 10” x 13” pattern on linen and an assortment of beautiful hand-dyed and textured as is wool to complete the mat.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades #8 - #9, hook, a needle, and thread.
Bio: Recognized by Early American Life Magazine in 2005, 2006, and 2011, Maria was selected as one of the top artisans in the country for her hooked rugs. Her work has been exhibited at Rug Hooking Week and Star of Texas Camp. She has taught workshops and
at camps in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, and Alabama. In 2011, Maria served as a Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs judge.
Her hooked rugs have been featured in the ATHA newsletter, and magazines such as Country Almanac, Phyllis Hoffman’s Celebrate,
Early American Life, Rug Hooking Magazine, and Wool Street Journal. She has written articles for both Rug Hooking Magazine and
The Wool Street Journal.
Maria, owner of Star Rug Company a website based rug hooking pattern business, began hooking in 1992. Inspired by Polly Minick,
after seeing Polly’s home and rugs featured in a Better Homes and Gardens Magazine article; Maria is best known for her primitive
and whimsical style and patterns. Her favorite topic and signature pieces are Halloween themed rugs.
Specialties: Primitive color palette, unexpected adornments, whimsical designs and motifs, unique ways to display rugs.
13
“Hooked Evening Bag” Workshop with Polly Minick
Date: 1 Day - Friday, August 17, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: $75.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn – Homestead A
Polly’s Website: www.minickandsimpson.com
Description: These sweet little 8 ½ ” x 6” evening bags are large enough for the most basic essentials - a cell phone, credit card, and lipstick - and you’re good to go! Perfect for a night on the town,
shopping with the girls, a day at the beach, or a cocktail party, when you need a purse but don’t want
to drag along your large purse. This little bag will show your personality and be functional and stylish
all at the same time.
Polly will provide a small hoop, so no need to bring your big hooking frame. Students will be hooking
the front of the bag in #7 or #8 cuts and have the option of hooking the back or using wool fabric for
the back. You will most likely have the bag all hooked during this workshop. Polly will demonstrate
and provide written instructions on the finishing steps including assembly, fabric lining, and adding
the handle.
Students may select from Polly’s Americana or nautical patterns: American Flag, Nantucket
or Michigan Light House, Moby Dick, Christmas Tree, and state map. Whatever pattern you
select, Polly will offer hand-dyed wool in several color options. For example, the photos show
one American Flag in red, white and blue and another in white tones. Your kit will include fabric
for the lining and wool for the shoulder strap to match your bag or you are welcome to bring
cording, chain, leather, etc.
Continued from page 13
Level: Basic – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge and experience.
Kit description: Your choice of pattern on linen, hand-dyed wool to complete the front and
back, fabric for the lining, wool for the shoulder strap, a small hoop, and instruction sheets on assembly and finishing.
Students Need to Bring: Scissors and hook. Optional: cutter and #7 - #8 cutter blades (Polly will bring a cutter and blades for students
to use).
Bio: Polly Minick started hooking rugs in the late 70’s, when she wanted to hook two rugs for her home. What began as a one-time
project ended with being “hooked” on the art. The ambiguity of Polly’s motifs and patterns is understandable given her aim to stick
with her goal of making her rugs primitive and naïve. She describes her drawings as “childlike” which places strong emphasis on her
respect and appreciation for early-American creations. Polly’s enthusiasm for the art has led her to national acclaim as a creator of
primitive style rugs and she enjoys traveling the country speaking to others who love this art. She has written The Americana Collection: Hooked Rugs and coauthored a number of books: Sand Pail Encyclopedia: A Complete Value Guide for Tin-Litho Sand Toys
with Karen Horman, and with her sister, Laurie Simpson, a Moda Fabric Designer and Quilter, Folk Art Friends: Hooked Rugs and
Coordinating Quilts, Everyday Folk Art: Hooked Rugs and Quilts to Make, the most recent publications are “Victory Girls: Patriotic
Quilts and Rugs of WWII”, released in September 2011, and “American Summer” released January 2012. Polly and Laurie were also
featured in “Designer Quilts: Great Projects from Moda’s Best Fabric Artists.”
Her work has received praise, thanks to magazine articles in Country Home, Coastal Living,
Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Digest, Victoria, Colonial Homes, Early American
Life and American Patchwork and Quilting. Newspapers such as The New York Times, Houston Chronicle and the George Towner have also written of Polly’s achievements.
Like many primitive rug hookers, Polly draws inspiration from her love of home, family,
country and nature. Polly and Tom, her husband of 45 years, have three grown sons, three great
daughters in law and seven grandchildren. Her patriotic works were inspired as their youngest son, Jim, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps; he is currently a
Lieutenant Colonel serving in Iraq as a Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Army.
Specialties: Creating primitive, naïve, folk art, and Americana rugs.
14
“Hit-or-Miss 101” Workshop with Wendy Miller
Date: Afternoon – Friday, August 17, 2012 – 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: $45.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Right
Wendy’s Website: www.theredsaltbox.com
Description: Love hit-or-miss borders or hit-or-miss rugs? This workshop will
focus on six variations of the technique. Wendy uses the hit-or-miss technique
extensively in her hooked rugs and she has selected her favorite techniques to
share with you in this workshop project.
Wendy will cover: straight line one color hit-or-miss, straight line variegated
hit-or-miss, boxed or square one color hit-or-miss, boxed or square variegated
hit-or-miss, continuous maze variegated hit-or-miss, and straight line dashed
hit-or-miss.
Students will be working on a 12” x 12” Hit-or-Miss geometric sampler pattern which is divided into sections
so that you can hook and practice each of the six techniques. The finished hooked piece will make a very nice
hooked pillow or mat, and will make an excellent reference piece to be used as a visual guide for future projects.
For this workshop, students should bring wool strips in a range of colors and values – enough to fill several
one-gallon Ziploc bags. Wool that is loosely woven or easily ravels is not recommended. It will simplify your
workshop experience to bring and work with all the same width or cut of strips, choose one cut size #6 up to #8.5.
Wendy prefers to work in #8 or #8.5 cut strips (approximate 1/4” wide) but you should bring the
cut size you are most comfortable with hooking with, in the #6 - #8.5 range. Bring 1/8 yard of
black wool pre-cut in the same cut size that you selected for your other strips.
Level: Basic – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge and experience.
Kit Description: 12” x 12” geometric pattern (hand-drawn straight on grain) on primitive linen
(designed just for this workshop).
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades (see description), and hook, plus 1/8 yard pre-cut black wool (see description), and pre-cut wool strips
(see description).
Bio: Wendy Miller learned the basics of rug hooking in 1999. In 2001, with the encouragement
of local rug hooking friends, she started selling her rug designs under the company name The
Red Saltbox. She designs both primitive folk art style rug patterns, as well as antique inspired
designs. She hooks almost exclusively in a wide cut #8.5 and her specialty is working with textured/plaid wools in a very primitive color palette. Her rugs have an instant old-age appearance
to them.
Wendy is an accomplished rug hooker, a four time Celebration finalist and recipient of the Sauder Award in
both 2003 and 2005. Her rugs appeared in Celebration XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII and she has also served as
a Celebration judge in 2009. Wendy is a member of ATHA and travels across the country teaching wide cut
techniques, as well as teaching at her studio located in Attica, Indiana. Wendy writes regularly for Rug Hooking Magazine and also published her own dye book, “Recipes from The Kitchen of The Red Saltbox.”
Specialties: Designing primitive, whimsical, folk art and antique inspired rugs and dyeing wool in a primitive
color palette.
15
“Eye See You II - Special Exhibit”
Gallery Talk with Judy Carter & Leonard Feenan
Date: Evening – Friday, August 17, 2012 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Exhibit Hall
Websites: www.theburningartist.com
www.theburningartist.com/JudyCarter.aspx
Description: Judy and Leonard, the artists who developed,
designed, and organized the “Eye See You II” project will tell
you all about this remarkable and large 9’ x 13’ rug. The rug is
comprised of 38 individual rugs and was adapted from a onepiece 2’ x 3’ rug hooked by Judy and designed by Leonard.
This Special Exhibit is unique, outstanding, beautiful and an
excellent example of how a large group of rug hookers can work together to complete a significant piece of textile art. The life-like and
stunning animal eyes were developed through an outstanding use of design, color, and techniques.
Judy is a rug hooking teacher who studies and focuses on hooking realistic animals and Leonard is an artist who designs, draws, and
creates unique rug hooking patterns. The rugs in this Special Exhibit were hooked by 37 McGown certified or trained teachers who
attend the Northern McGown Teacher Workshop in Dudley, MA. Learn interesting information about this project such as: how Judy
and Leonard started creating art together, how the idea was formed, how the rug hookers were recruited, how the project was organized, and how the individual rug hookers each created their own unique block which together create the Eye See You II masterpiece.
This presentation will take place in the exhibit hall, so that Judy and Leonard can refer to individual rugs, discuss interesting details
and answer questions. Seating will be provided for all attendees.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
List of What Students Need to Bring: Pen and paper for notes.
Bio: Judy Carter began hooking in 1993 when she took a beginner class taught by Pat Moyer. Since she started hooking, Judy has
completed 100 hooked pieces using tiny threads to large hand ripped 1/2 inch strips. She currently prefers to hook with #3 and #4 cuts.
She is a Juried member of the PA Guild of Craftsmen, accredited McGown Teacher, President of the McGown Northern Teacher
Workshop, and a member of ATHA and the Conestoga Chapter of the McGown Guild. Her rugs have appeared in Celebrations
eight times and she was a Judge for Celebrations in 2010. Her rugs have won awards at National Exhibits, local shows and fairs, as well
as Best in Fiber at the PA Guild of Craftsmen Holiday Show.
Judy gives presentations, teaches classes and workshops, and writes articles for Rug Hooking Magazine, ATHA, and the McGown
Newsletter. Her article on hooking realistic animals appeared in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine and her Lion Profile was on the cover.
Bio: Leonard Feenan - With the two exceptions of Faux and Decorative painting classes, Leonard has never been formally trained as
an artist. His work has been a lifetime of the pursuit of learning and self- taught techniques. He is inspired by wildlife and the beauty
of the creations all around us and sees potential for art in just about everything. He does not limit himself to any one medium or
subject, but instead chooses to challenge himself with each project. He describes his talent as that which is not of his own making, but
rather a gift.
Pyrography is Leonard’s specialty. He has spent 12 years refining this medium and he is known as ‘The Burning Artist’. Pyrography is
fire graphics or burning art onto wood or paper substrates. Leonard’s work is untypically large for pyrography and the largest of these
has been 24” x 36” full coverage. Like rug hooking, burning art is very time consuming and tedious. Leonard specializes in people, pet,
and wildlife portraits. He converted his recent burn, ‘Mothers Comfort’ into a rug pattern, which is now being taught in workshops by
Judy Carter.
Making textile patterns is a newer medium to him, acquired over the last six years during the very special time he worked with Mary
Sheppard Burton. “Inspiring other artists to always to be creative and go outside of their comfort zone” was the most important principal he learned from Mary. He counts this most important higher learning as a specialty, and owes thanks to Mary.
16
“Wagon Wheel Rug” Workshop with Nola Heidbreder
Date: Evening – Friday, August 17, 2012 – 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: $7.00 or $60.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Right
Nola’s Website: www.nolahooks.com
Description: Students will take a step back in time in this class and learn how to
make the historic Wagon Wheel Rug with wool.
Learn the history of this rug while making a modern day version of this rug in
class. This is a very simple woven rug. Using a Hula Hoop for a frame, students
will have the option of either making a small rug or a chair seat/pad in class. In
this hands-on class you will learn to prepare the wool and make color choices for
your rug, weave the wool strips, join the strips together, and how to finish your
rug. Also, we will talk about how to care for your new rug.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking or
weaving knowledge or experience required.
Kit Description: Either a booklet with information, history, and instructions
on Wagon Wheel Rugs or all of the supplies listed below including the booklet.
Students Need to Bring: All students should bring scissors and safety pin. Students then have the option of bringing their own additional supplies to class or ordering them from the teacher. If you would
like the teacher to provide the additional supplies, please contact her by July 31, 2012. The additional
supplies are: A Hula-Hoop (or Bicycle rim without the spokes) and 3 contrasting colored – 1 yard pieces of 60” wide wool (washed and
dried prior to class – do not use loosely woven or coat weight wool).
Bio: Nola is a certified McGown instructor, teaching rug hooking at her studio in St. Louis and across the country. She also does rug
repair, historic demonstrations and teaches a variety of other fiber arts including toothbrush rugs, broomstick rugs, wagon wheel rugs, shirring, locker hooking, proddy, wool appliqué, knitting, crocheting and
braiding.
Her work has been featured in publications such as Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine,
Rug Hooking Magazine, The Healthy Planet newspaper, ATHA newsletter, Hooked on Rugs, Creative
Hooker, Hooked on Wool, Hooked Rugs Today, Contemporary Hooked Rugs and in The “Art” of Playing Cards traveling rug hooking exhibit and catalog and exhibited twice in the Coalition for the Environment show. Specialties: Creativity, embellishing, dyeing, recycling in rugs and historic rugs.
Saturday, August 18 Workshops
“Hen Party” Workshop with Barbara Carroll
Date: 1 Day - Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Supply Fee: $100.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn – Homestead A
Barbara’s Website: www.woolleyfox.com
Description: In this one day workshop, everyone will be hooking the same 13” x 22” “Hannah’s Hen”
mat. This is not a kit class and no two rugs will be alike! Barbara will be using some of those fun and
special textured wools from the “You Ain’t No Spring Chicken” retreat so you can hook old, down and
dirty, colorful and fanciful, or funky. Students will select from at least four different background wools,
six or seven hen wools, eight or so wing wools, five or so ground wools and many fun wools for the hit
n miss sides.
This will be a quick paced, special class; see immediate results as each Hannah mat hooks up. This day
promises to be super fun in a party-like atmosphere.
17
Continued from page 17
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic knowledge & experience.
Supply description: Hannah’s Hen mat pattern (on linen or monk’s cloth) and wool to
finish the project.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades
#8 - #10, & hook.
Bio: Barb started hooking in 1987 with her good friend Bobbie True. They traveled
to Kansas City once a week to take classes from the legendary Emma Lou Lais. That was surely a great three years.
After a move to Pittsburgh, PA she found many people who liked her style of primitive rug hooking and so the grand adventure began.
As time and wools evolved the adventure took on the excitement of all textured wools and using cuts # 8 and above. Since her head is a
bit on the “wacky side” the rugs all have a sense of fun and whimsy to them while reflecting the personality of the rug hooker.
In addition to her great start with Emma Lou Lais she has taken classes from Jule
Marie Smith, Heather Ritchie, Kathy Morton, and other neat teachers along the
way. Barb teaches at The Woolley Fox Rug Camp in Ligonier, PA, Star of Texas in
Fredericksburg, mini workshops in her home and some small “MINI mini” classes
from time to time.
Barb has coauthored two books with Emma Lou - Antique Colours for Primitive
Rugs, and American Primitive Hooked Rugs. She has also written The Secrets of
Primitive Hooked Rugs and American Folk Art Rug Hooking. She has written
articles for Rug Hooking Magazine and the ATHA newsletter. She wrote the rug
hooking section of Warren Kimble American Folk Artist book, the introduction for Hooked Rug Storytelling: The Art of Heather
Ritchie book, and has had her work featured in books published in Japan and England, plus was one of the four featured teachers in a
recent Early American Life Magazine article. Barb is the proud mother of two wonderful girls, Diane and Robin and the Oma of four wonderful grandchildren, Abby, Nick, Jack,
and Molly.
Specialties: Primitive and antique rugs in wide cuts. Barb’s approach to rug hooking is using total textures in the rugs, to create rugs
that “push you a bit” and yet still reflect your personality -- and doing it with lots of fun and learning.
“Knowing our Borders” Lecture & Demonstration with Donna Hrkman
Date: Morning - Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9:00 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50.00 / Members $46.00
Kit Fee: $5.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn – Homestead B
Donna’s Website: www.blueribbonrugs.com
Description: Rug borders can encompass a major part of a rug design, but often they don’t. They
enhance the pattern in many ways, through color, repetition of design elements, or even continuation of the main design, but often rug hookers ignore their potential completely.
In this lecture and demonstration, Donna will explain elements of rug borders, why they make a difference in composition, how they can add depth and definition to a rug, and how to create a border
for your rug design.
Donna will show examples of borders in her own work, explain how to calculate size and
dimension, and how to choose colors to make an effective border that enhances the quality
of your rug design. Donna will discuss special techniques like beading for detail.
There will be time for questions at the end of class. Students are welcome to bring the rugs
they are working on to class; Donna will help students with their border dilemmas.
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
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Supply description: Booklet of information, paper, and pens for taking notes.
Students Need to Bring: Nothing, unless you would like to bring a
rug that you are working on in order to get help with the border.
Bio: Donna has been an artist all her life. She earned her Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree in drawing and painting, and went on to do freelance illustration work for Kindred Spirits. She began stenciling and
started her own stencil design business, doing additional work as a
freelance designer for the Daisy Kingdom Fabric Company.
Donna was introduced to rug hooking nine years ago. She has designed her own rugs right from the start and has exhibited them in
various venues, including every Sauder Village exhibit since 2003, a one month show at a local fine art gallery, and several other art
shows as well. The Paul Laurence Dunbar rug, done in sepia tones, was commissioned by the Ohio Historical Society’s Dunbar House.
Donna works by commission much of the time, creating rugs for people who have fallen in love with the beauty of hooked artwork.
She has written articles for Rug Hooking Magazine, including a cover article in 2006 of her Women of the Congo rug. Recently several of her rugs were included in Anne-Marie Littenberg’s Hooked Rug Portraits book.
Her rugs have been chosen as Finalists in Celebrations XVI, XVIII, XX, XXI and the Veteran’s Day
rug was voted third in the Celebration People’s Choice Issue in 2010. At the Sauder Village exhibit
she won an Honorable Mention ribbon for Women of the Congo and People’s Choice ribbons in the
Theme Challenge category for her Veteran’s Day rug in 2010 and in the People/Places/Pictorials category for Ah-Chee-Lo, Native American Boy rug in 2011.
Donna enjoys teaching rug hooking workshops, sharing techniques and tips to help students design
their own rugs. Donna has taught at the Manistee Rug School in Michigan, Buckeye Rug Hooking
Guild in Ohio and at Rug Hooking Week. When she isn’t hooking, she’s spending time with her family
of her husband, three sons, dog and cat.
Specialties: Designing and hooking people and animals working in the finer cuts like #3, 4, and 5.
Creating textures in fur, feathers, and hair, and capturing expressions found in the faces of people and
animals.
“Hooking Your Life Story into Your Rugs” Lecture and Slideshow with Trish Johnson
Date: Morning – Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Heritage Inn – Gathering Room B
Description: Over the years, Trish has developed an award-winning style and the techniques to capture details in her impressionistic landscapes, which sometimes include maps and letters. Come hear
the stories behind her work and see photos of the people and places that inspired her work.
As well as being a hooker of rugs, Trish is a quilter and
photographer. This will be a slideshow presentation but
Trish will bring along a selection of both her rugs and
quilts. Some of the art quilts are based on the same subject matter as her hooked rugs,
creating a unique opportunity to see a design in two textile mediums.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or
experience required.
Bio: The first time Trish remembers seeing a hooked rug was in 1972. As a student, she accompanied her grandmother on the train to
New Brunswick, for reading week. During the trip, her Aunt Eliza was hooking a rug of a sailing ship and Trish spent a lot of reading
week hooking in the sky for her.
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About 18 years and three children later, Trish bought a kit from Rittermere-Hurst-Field and
hooked her first rug -- pink roses on a black background. Self-taught until 1998, she then joined
the Georgetown Rug Hooking Guild and took beginner’s shading from Shirley Lyons -- twice!
Trish likes to hook pictorial rugs – landscapes of the places important to her and her family’s
history, frequently including text and lately adding people. She usually designs her own patterns,
mostly from her own photographs. She dyes most of her own wool, always dyeing the skies, and is
an avid collector and user of recycled wool, which she buys at Goodwill.
A teacher in the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild, she has
taught rug hooking in South Hampton, Fergus, Huntsville, Paris, and London – in Ontario, Canada. She is
also a member of the Georgetown and the Upper Toronto Rug Hooking Guilds.
Five of Trish’s rugs have been selected for Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs; My Grandmother’s Diary: Machias Seal Island, Tea and Oranges, Culley’s Cottage (2nd prize Readers’
Choice Award), Chris and Blackie: Summer of 1977, and Memories of Oak Point (Readers’ Choice Award). Memories of Oak Point also won the People’s Choice Award in the
Traditional Category at Sauder Village and the Rowan Award at the annual meeting of the
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Trish graduated from the University of Toronto where she studied English Literature and Art History.
Later she graduated from the Ontario College of Art, where she studied photography. Currently living in Toronto with her husband, a
bad dog, and two cats; she is the mother of four children -- the youngest one left for university this year -- and a granddaughter.
Specialties: Impressionistic landscapes and seascapes which include text, people and animals. A storyteller through her hooked rugs,
who incorporates a variety of cuts in any one piece from #2 to #8.
“The Art of the Secret Message” Workshop with Beverly Conway
Date: 1 Day - Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: $36.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn – Gathering Room A
Beverly’s Website: www.beverlyconway.com
Description: In this one day class you will learn the new and intriguing technique of hooking a
message into your rugs. This message is only visible from the backside of your rug. The technique
is magical and was originally developed by Beverly as a form of signing and dating rugs on the
back, for those who didn’t want to put it on the front and also for those who wanted to put a
subtle message into the rug they were making for family and friends.
Bring a simple 3-5 word message or use one of Beverly’s. You will learn how to transfer the
message onto the back of a 12 3/4” x 9 3/4” Pineapple design and then Bev will share tips and
techniques on how to hook and incorporate your message. Students will be hooking in #4, #6,
and #8 cuts.
Beverly developed this technique so that “our rugs could talk!” If your rugs could talk, what would they say?
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
Kit description: 12 3/4” x 9 3/4” Pineapple pattern on linen.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter
blades #4 - #8, hook, and red or blue Sharpie pen. Students may bring their own
wool or purchase wool on the day of class. Optional: Bring a simple 3-5 word message.
Bio: Having been involved in many different fiber arts since childhood, rug hooking
was a natural evolution. Beverly began hooking in 1987 when a friend signed them
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up for a class in punch needle with Amy Oxford. In 1991 she began traditional hooking; she was, as
most of us are, hooked! This was the art that allowed her to combine drawing, textiles, and a passion for
color.
In 1995, she organized a variety of designs into a catalog of rug hooking patterns and began the business
of Beverly Conway Designs. To date she markets over 200 designs. Teaching nationally came a few years
later. Her work has been published many times.
Continued from page 20
A frequent guest speaker to many guilds and continues to teach nationally. In 2000-2002 she served as
vice-president of the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild and from 2001-2002 she was chairperson for
the annual rug show, and a longtime member of ATHA. Beverly hooks primarily in a #8 cut, but loves
to combine many cuts which allows her to capture more color.
Specialties: Color, dyeing, designing, combining wools, and the Secret Message.
“Doggone Jewelry” Workshop with Cindi Gay
Date: 1 Day – Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: (See below) - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Right
Cindi’s Website: www.cindigayrughooking.com
Description: Hook three small 2” x 2” portraits of your favorite dog, cat or other critter and make
them into pieces of jewelry. Learn how to take your pet photo and transform it into its simplest
form for a hooking pattern. Cindi will you in advance to give you the option of selecting from a
wide variety of animal patterns or you may send a photo in advance for a custom design. You will
be hooking in #3 - # 4 cuts. Some background or borders can be hooked with wider strips. Cindi will show you how to finish your
hooked piece into a pin or pendant for a necklace. Let’s get creative and recycle a forgotten necklace into a new favorite. These projects
are small and very personal. They make great Christmas presents.
Hook in the morning and finish it in the afternoon!
Level: Basic Skills – students must have basic rug hooking knowledge & experience.
Kit description: Three 2” x 2” patterns on one piece of rug warp, wool to finish all three projects, and instructions. Cindi
will send you design options and costs.
Students Need to Bring: Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades #3 - #4, & hook. Students may also bring sewing thread and needles, beads, buttons, chains made of metal, leather or cording or other jewelry findings if you have them. Cindi will
have a supply of jewelry options available for purchase that will turn your simple hooking into a treasured personal piece of jewelry.
Bio: Cindi has been involved in art all her life, studying at the Toledo Museum of Art while in elementary school and majoring in
commercial art in high school. She tried many different mediums until she found her niche in 2000 when she discovered rug hooking.
Teaching at her home and across the country, Cindi has also designed a line of patterns that is available through Spruce Ridge Studios.
She has developed two dye books, Dyeing without Dye and Dyeing by the Numbers. Three of her rugs have appeared in Celebration
of Hand-Hooked Rugs and she has written for Rug Hooking Magazine. Her book, Pine Trees, Grass and Sky will guide you through
the steps to hook her signature pine trees.
Specialties: Color planning to get that special spark, use of textures, simple realistic landscape techniques (especially for sky and pine
trees), tips and tricks to make all styles of rug hooking easier, custom pattern designing.
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“Wool Gizzard Basket” Workshop with Linda Pietz
Date: 1 Day – Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90.00 / Members $84.00
Kit Fee: $12.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn – Board Room
Linda’s Website: www.nolahooks.com
Description: What to do with all those gizzards (worms, strips of cut
wool) left over from your hooked rugs? Linda has a beautiful solution
for you. Why not turn them into a wool gizzard basket? You will start
by learning how to make cordage, an ancient rope making technique,
from your gizzards. Next, Linda will teach you to make your colorful
cordage into a basket using coiling with perle cotton as the binding
material. This is the same technique as used in making pine needle
baskets. Linda will discuss shaping as this technique adapts well to
you adding your own creative flair.
This basket is so much fun to make, you won’t want to stop. It makes a great little container for your wool snippets.
Level: Students who register for this workshop will need to have: No Experience – everyone welcome,
no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Kit description: A bag of colorful gizzards, perle cotton, #18 tapestry needle, and hand-outs.
List of What Students Need to Bring to the Workshop: Scissors.
Bio: It would be a bit of an exaggeration to say that Linda Pietz was born with a paint brush in one
hand and yarn and needles in the other, but not too much of a stretch. Having both parents as artists
and a great aunt who did it all in fiber arts, how could it be otherwise? Linda learned to knit at age four
and from there she never stopped her passion for art and all things fiber related.
While finishing up her bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Washington University in St. Louis, Linda started designing needlepoint. After
graduation, she started her own needlepoint design company, Cactus Needle, selling to shops nationwide. She has created needlepoint
designs for Dimensions and Bucilla and her designs have been featured in Woman’s Day Magazine and Family Circle Magazine.
Several years ago, Linda began designing rug hooking patterns featured on her sister Nola Heidbreder’s website. Her designs have been
featured in publications such as The Art of Playing Cards, Contemporary Hooked Rugs, Hooked Rugs Today, The Creative Hooker,
and Rug Hooking Magazine.
Linda also has a passion for teaching and has taught in California, Texas, Missouri, the Shelburne Museum in Vermont, and as a volunteer teacher at the Christianson Native Craft Workshop in St. Louis which is dedicated to preserving traditional arts and crafts.
Specialties: color theory, elements and principles of design, drawing, acrylic and watercolor painting, perspective drawing, knitting,
embroidery, rug making, weaving, quilting, doll making and pine needle baskets. She loves it all, but a real favorite is teaching color
theory to rug hookers.
“A Journey” Lecture and Slideshow
with Polly Minick & Laurie Simpson
Date: Afternoon – Saturday, August 18, 2012 – 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Center Stage
Website: www.minickandsimpson.com
Description: “A Journey” is a series of photos the two sisters, both
textile artists with different specialties have taken and collected while
working on their latest three books and magazine articles. The slideshow will show hooked rugs (and lots of them), Laurie’s wonderful
quilts, stitchery projects, and some travel and decorating pictures shot at
interesting sights and at their homes. You will also see pictures that haven’t been published.
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This lecture and slideshow is a great way to see what the sisters have been working on, hear how they develop and work on their textile
arts together and individually, and gain insight on how they achieve their truly Americana folk art look.
Realizing fiber art is so visual - they are trying to capture and document slices of all their work.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Bio: Laurie Simpson has delighted others with her quilts for over 30 years. Her work graces galleries and private collections. A patchwork quilt in a magazine inspired Laurie to make her first quilt at the age of 14. Drawn to traditional themes and techniques, she
pieces, appliques, and quilts by hand. “I quilt in the car and at hockey games. Handwork is calming and meditative.” It is the way she
was meant to work.
Laurie is the author of “Modern Primitive Quilts: Redefining Country Style.” The
co-author with sister, Polly Minick, of Folk Art Friends: Hooked Rugs and Coordinating Quilts, Everyday Folk Art: Hooked Rugs and Quilts to Make, and the most recent
publications “Victory Girls: Patriotic Quilts and Rugs of WWII”, released in September
2011, and “American Summer” released January 2012. Laurie is also a Moda Fabric designer and was featured in the book “Designer Quilts: Great Projects from Moda’s Best
Fabric Artists.” Other publications such as Country Home, Coastal Living, Architectural
Digest, American Patchwork & Quilting, McCall’s Quilting, and the Wool Street Journal have featured Laurie’s work.
She resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Bill. They share their home with
a happy menagerie of two cats and a dog.
Polly Minick started hooking rugs in the late 70’s, when she wanted to hook two rugs for her home.
What began as a one-time project ended with being “hooked” on the art. The ambiguity of Polly’s motifs
and patterns is understandable given her aim to stick with her goal of making her rugs primitive and
naïve. She describes her drawings as “childlike” which places strong emphasis on her respect and appreciation for early-American creations. Polly’s enthusiasm for the art has led her to national acclaim as
a creator of primitive style rugs and she enjoys traveling the country speaking to others who love this art.
She has written The Americana Collection: Hooked Rugs and coauthored a number of books: Sand Pail
Encyclopedia: A Complete Value Guide for Tin-Litho Sand Toys with Karen Horman, and with her
sister, Laurie Simpson, a Moda Fabric Designer and Quilter, Folk Art Friends: Hooked Rugs and Coordinating Quilts, Everyday Folk Art: Hooked Rugs and Quilts to Make, the most recent publications
are “Victory Girls: Patriotic Quilts and Rugs of WWII”, released in September 2011, and “American
Summer” released January 2012. Polly and Laurie were also featured in “Designer Quilts: Great Projects
from Moda’s Best Fabric Artists.”
Her work has received praise, thanks to magazine articles in Country Home, Coastal Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Digest, Victoria, Colonial Homes, Early American Life and American Patchwork and Quilting. Newspapers such as The New
York Times, Houston Chronicle and the George Towner have also written of Polly’s achievements.
Like many primitive rug hookers, Polly draws inspiration from her love of home, family, country and nature. Polly and Tom, her
husband of 45 years, have three grown sons, three great daughters in law and seven grandchildren. Her patriotic works were inspired as
their youngest son, Jim, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps; he is currently a Lieutenant Colonel serving
in Iraq as a Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Army.
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