Primitive Homespuns and Goose Creek Ruggers

 A little weekend getaway was just what Kay, Pat and I needed to get back into the hooking spirit. It felt like ages since I picked up a rug and hook and I was dragging in inspiration. We decided to sign up for a hook-in hosted by Goose Creek Ruggers. Goose Creek Ruggers is another ATHA rug hooking group in our region, about a three hour drive away. They have held an annual hook-in for many years but this is the first one that I attended. It was a bright, happy affair with loads of talented rug hookers busily working on rugs. There were five wonderful vendors, many door prizes and a nice boxed lunch. It was fun to reconnect with four of the ATHA ladies I lunched with last October who were helping host this event. I also chatted with several hookers around the room about their rugs. I found a couple of pieces of gorgeous hand-dyed wool to add to my stash. I particularly loved the hand dyed wool by The Spotted Cur. I also chatted with Marian Hall of Wooly Dye Works. She is going to dye four gradients of a cobalt blue wool called "Shady Blue"for me to use in a future project. Gosh, this blue is so pretty. I could simply hang it as is on the wall and be happy.

Kay and I were inspired with ideas to bring back to our group. Before this trip, we were in a slump as leaders of our Blue Ridge Ruggers group. I am so glad we had this opportunity to hang out with talented artists and to rekindle our craft, even if only for a day. It was just what we needed.

I brought a small mat to work on since we didn't have a ton of room in the car with three of us carrying rug hooking supplies. I made two of these heart mats for Daughters 1 and 2 a few years ago. I decided I would like to have one for myself. Almost finished! : )

We made this into a two day trip and stopped the first day at Kathy Maker's shop, Primitive Homespuns in Frederick, Maryland. She and her husband are the shop owners and they are a lot of fun and very helpful. Their shop is loaded with cross stitch threads and patterns, supplies for wool applique and punch needle, and loads of wool. They also carry lovely wooden boxes and paddles for mounting fiber arts onto. She holds classes at the shop as well. 

It is no small thing to be re-inspired and invigorated. I hope I can carry this excitement long enough to share with our group when we next meet. I also hope to get some work done and finish the large Apothecary Rose rug so I can move on to something new. Maybe I will even be able to post a photo of it finished before too long.

Kathy has finished samples of her patterns all over the shop. I was really impressed with the decorative blanket stitch on this one.