OTTAWA AREA 1 HOOK-IN

WHEN:  Saturday APRIL 5 TH, 2014, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

WHERE: Maki House 19 Leeming Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

Please bring one rug, either finished or in progress, for Show and Tell.  Remember to bring your lunch and a coffee mug. Plan on enjoying coffee and tea along with the goodies provided by the members of Olde Forge.

Our vendors:

                        Christine Gibson

                        Loretta Moore

                        Elaine Tigges

                        Cathy Ivory

will have a variety of beautiful wool, yarn and other hooking supplies available to purchase.

We are asking that you pre-register by contacting Lucie Deschamps at  luciedeschamps@rogers.com . We will tick your name at the registration table upon your arrival. This will allow us to have a clear idea of the number of attendees.

Unfortunately, because of space limitation and fire regulations we can only extend our invitation to members of OHCG Area One Branches  (Sorry no non-members or guests at this event.)

JOAN MOSHIMER'S DIRECTIONS FOR ONION SKIN DYEING

 Joan Moshimer, an American icon of rug hooking, once provided the following directions for onion skin dyeing.

"Gather together an assortment of colored flannels, new or used, in all sorts of odd sized pieces.  The colors can be red, rose, orange, tan, greens, blues, grays, lavenders and some small checks and tweeds if you have them.  Darker colors will result if you start with a lot of dark colored wools.  Generally, for the best results, use medium and light colored wools.  Soak wool for a few minutes in warm water with a little detergent in it, then arrange the wool in layers in a medium size enamel pan, putting between each layer a handful of the onion skins and about one tablespoon of uniodized salt.  Let these layers build up to within a few inches of the top of pan then cover with boiling water.  Let it all simmer for about 30 minutes, then rinse well and dry.  The colors that emerge will be like no others you have evern seen, soft and subtly blended with a golden glow from the onion skins.  The more onion skins you use, the more pronounced will be the 'glow'."

PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Regrettably, this year’s winter weather has kept me from attending WM gatherings. As a result, I have not had the opportunity to book a program for the first Monday in February.  As you may know, January’s program was on the second Monday of the month rather than the first so let’s have our February program on the second Monday as well.  This extra week will give us some time to decide what we want to do.  As I understand the current schedule, our sister branch in Algonquin will not be meeting that day and so they too will be able to attend the program, if they so desire.

While I was huddled up at home this past month, my pent up creative juices were flowing.  I had some time to think about what we might do as part of our programming for this year.  I would like to propose the following two programs that I have designed based upon comments that were made and interest that was expressed at WM gatherings last year.

Colour Theory

The first program is a colour theory demonstration.  We will look at primary colours and how to use them to create a 12-step colour wheel. Then we will put this knowledge to work using food colouring to create a 12-hue colour wheel. You will learn about different sets of primaries and which ones to use to create an unlimited number of colours. 

Please note that this is a colour theory dyeing demonstration and not a dyeing demo.  It will give you basic information that can lead to a better understanding of how to create the colours you want when dyeing your wool.  You will also gain a better understanding of colour that will be beneficial when planning your rugs. 

The first part of this workshop is being offered to regular Women Matters members, free of charge. The second part is more advanced and so for those of you who, after taking the first part, are interested in pursuing the second session, can do so by signing up for the class which will be held in my home studio.

 A Potpourri of Patterns (POP) -- Zen Tangles, Fair Isle and Fabric

The second workshop, Potpourri of Patterns, is inspired by Zen Tangle artwork, Fair Isle patterns and fabric designs.  Above is a sample Zen Tangle design that I have hooked which will give you an idea of what Zen Tangles looks like.  You can search the web for more Zen Tangle artwork.

To begin this workshop, I am suggesting that each participant create an original rug design that contains various segments or elements.  One session will be devoted to designing your pattern.  In each of the subsequent sessions, I will introduce you to two or more patterns that you can use to hook the sections or elements of your design.  

This workshop series is also being offered free of charge to regular Women Matter members.

If you are interested in participating in one or both of these workshops, please let me know by commenting on this post or by sending me an email.  As soon as I know that there is enough interest, we can flush out the details, set a date (possibly

Monday, February 10^th) and we can get started.  

Rhonda

APOLOGIES TO JUDY

My sincere apology goes out to Judy P.  She was the one who wrote the majority of the post dated January 29th, entitled Pen's Dyeing Demo.  So sorry Judy for not giving you credit for the post.
Thanks so very much for providing the write up.  Much appreciated.

PERTH RUG HOOKING WORKSHOP

When:  Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th, 2014
Where:  Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa
Teachers:  J. Cuthbert and C. Shewan
Registration Deadline:  February 1, 2014 (limit 32 students)

In the workshop you will have the opportunity to work on a different pattern each day.  The teachers will focus on colour planning the patterns and will discuss pattern history and the use of texture in rug hooking.  The patterns are designed for wide cut and are Fantasy Leaves (23" x 23")  and Paisley (19" x 26").

Workshop fee $195 includes the two patterns, instruction and notes, 2 coffee breaks and a sandwich lunch for both Friday and Saturday.  

Registration:  Thursday afternoon 4:00 - 5:00 or Friday morning 9:30 - 10:00.  Classes will start on Friday at 10 and end at 4.  Saturday classes will start at 9:30 and end at 3:30.

Hook-ins in the evenings.

The hotel is holding a block of rooms.  Two queen beds or 1 King bed for  $159.99 plus tax per night, double occupancy.  A hot continental breakfast is included. The hotel has an indoor pool, hot tub and steam room for your enjoyment.  Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation.  613 326-0082.

If you have any questions or want a registration form, please contact:
 cshewan@kingston.net or jcuthbert@ripnet.com.

PEN's DYEING DEMO - ONION SKIN AND MARBLING

Early morning, on January 13th, the ladies of Women Matters received an urgent plea from our dear friend and 'demonstrator of the month',  requesting that we go on a search for every bit of onion skins that we could find.  Apparently her 'supplier' had left the country, on a quest for hooking knowledge

and Pen didn't have one onion skin for her demonstration.  The ladies came through in good form and before long, Pen had "onion skins coming out of my 'ying yang' ".

In preparation for the onion skin dyeing, Pen showed us how to layer the fabric, onion skins and salt; fabric, onion skins, and salt and so on, in a pan or dish. Pen used an old, metal crisper, that she had found at a Good Will store.  'Now you fill the pan up with water; enough to cover the layers.'   Water?  Did Pen say water?  Who would have guessed that the water was turned off due to some construction work at the Library?  Not a problem;  the construction workers ran off enough water in a pot, so that Pen could proceed with the demo. We all had a good laugh and Pen remained totally unruffled (as only Pen could do).  

 Here are the results of the onion skin dyeing.  Four fabrics were dyed.  From left to right; the dyed results to the left of the original green/beige/white plaid fabric,  the dyed results to the left of original mauve plaid, results to left of the original pink fabric, and the results to left of the original purple fabric.

Time for the marbling demo.  Pen showed us how to layer the fabric, then we twisted and tied the fabric and placed it carefully in the pot, with a 'glug' of Tide and enough water to cover the fabric.  Oh no!   We're told it could be atleast 1/2 hour before we have more water.   In time, we heard that welcome 'gurgle' of water and Pen was able to finish her dyeing demo.  At the end of day, we were in total 'awe' with the beautifully dyed fabric.   We've all been motivated to go home and put this knowledge to work and be creative with our own fabrics.

Here are the results of the marbling demo. Once again, the dyed wool is to the immediate left of the original wool fabric.

Here are pics of the dyed fabrics in all their glory.

Thank you Pen,  for a wonderful demonstration and a fun filled day.

We enjoyed lots of laughs and Pen was so gracious and accomodating, amidst all the adversaries.   

Judy P.

LANSDOWNE PROGRAM - PEN'S MARBLEIZING

This Monday, January 13, 2014, Pen will be demonstrating  "Marbleizing", a dye method that can give  our existing stash of commercial wool a 'remake'.  If you do not know what to do to change the look and colour of your commercially dyed wool fabric or perhaps you just want to dabble in dyeing without the added expense of buying chemical dyes and measuring spoons, then this demonstration was made for you.  Pen has been rug-hooking and dyeing fabric for many, many years and has offered to share her talents with us.  If we are really lucky, she may even add a second demonstration of onion skin dyeing.

SHOW BINDING

One of our own, Patricia M.

shared her knowledge.

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how to do show binding. This was something many of us had wanted to do for some time. We learned how;

It is not as easy as it looks

That it takes just as much time as whipping

But the effect can be quite marvelous when you use a piece of fabric you used in your hooking piece.

Around seven of us brought our pieces and with Pat we cut, pressed and sewed in place our framing fabric.

Some pieces are better whipped, but show binding is definitely an alternative method of finishing.

Thank You Pat

Janice's Show Binding in Process