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Show & Tell / Nancy Thompson

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In memory of Nancy (Farnam) Thompson (1947 - 2024)  Respectfully submitted by Emmy Maten Nancy Thompson (1947-2024) The guild was saddened to learn of the recent loss of Nancy Thompson, member of our guild since the early 2000’s. Our guild member Cathy was a good sailing friend of Nancy’s and introduced Nancy to rug hooking and the Beaconsfield guild. Judith became her rug hooking teacher and helped her with most of her rugs. Nancy is remembered as generous, caring, giving, discreet, upbeat and happy. She had a good sense of humour. From 2019 to 2022, Nancy was an excellent secretary for the Beaconsfield Guild. Yet she preferred rug hooking to naming and dating her rugs; In her daughter Katie’s words “she would tell you that the rugs were finished long after they were started”. Katie continues “She loved rug hooking and the camaraderie of your group; I know she missed it when she became sick.” Judith reflects “Nancy was a dear friend - she had a great sense of humour and was the salt o
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Show & Tell / July - September 2024

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Featured Rugs Gallery       In this Gallery, you can tour a selection of rugs from our last Exhibition, held in April 2023 at Centennial Hall. Explore our Blog to see the rugs showcased in the past. Summer - Canadiana    July 1st brings us Canada Day, a time to celebrate our country, leading to our summer Show and Tell theme, Canadiana. The essence of this nation's greatness lies in its uniquely Canadian lakes and forests, with the Jack Pine holding an iconic status. Tom Thomson, one of Canada’s most influential painters of the early 20 th century, used brush strokes in a way which can inspire a rug hooker to “paint” with wool. Willow Creek Rug Hooking offered Tom Thompson patterns, which motivated three of our members.   Tom Thomson’s The Jack Pine.  Purchased pattern Willow Creek Rug Hooking, Hooked by Juliet Davies. Juliet Davies    Tom Thomson’s The Jack Pine Purchased pattern Willow Creek Rug Hooking 2022 Hooked with cuts #5, #6 of new wool on linen 12 in x 14 in Wh
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Fête nationale

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Fête nationale  celebrations in Centennial Park June 24, 2024 The weather added a dramatic touch to the City of Beaconsfield’s Fête nationale celebrations in Centennial Park transforming the mood from chilly to cheerful as the sun broke open the clouds and marked the end to a rainy weekend. A live band set the afternoon’s rhythm against a backdrop of Fleurs-de-Lis flags, surrounded by food trucks and a variety of activities for children. One of our first visitors is MP Francis Scarpaleggia. BHCG volunteers and MP Francis Scarpaleggia . Photo courtesy of Elizabeth and Hugh. A live band draws an audience. A Steam Punk theatre artist is an attraction for children and adults alike. Isabelle, Jacques, Elizabeth and her husband Hugh, Debbie, Karen, Harold, Denise, Janet, and Emmy generously volunteered their time to enjoy the day with the public. At our booth we made a fine display of our rugs attracting a steady flow of visitors keen on learning about our craft. Numerous people of all a
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Picnic

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BHCG’s Annual Picnic  By Dawna Matthew June 8, 2024 Our picnic was a great success again this year! We had over 60 attendees along with some helpful partners who gave a hand with the set up and take down. It was wonderful to see so many friends from neighbouring groups and inspiring to see their projects during Show and Tell. We had guests from North Hero Fiber Bees, Martintown’s Wild and Woollys, the Brome County Rug Hookers, the Ormstown group, Ottawa’s Old Forge, Track 2 and St Henri along with our own BHCG members. What a great turnout. The welcoming grounds of Centennial Hall. Our lovely greeters!    Some Martintown friends amongst the many who enjoyed this annual gathering.  We were nervous about the weather, but the rain held off and everyone was fine under pop-up tents kindly supplied by several members. We had door prizes, a paper bag auction and of course, our vendors, who offered a variety of items to tempt any rug hooker. Judith had her beautiful hand-dyed wool, Ti, her g
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2024 AGM

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Annual General Meeting 2024    Our AGM was held May 6 with in-person attendance plus a few proxy votes reaching 67 % of our membership. The president’s report covered the year’s events which included our April 29th, 2023 Rug Exhibition, the presentation of our Centennial Tile rug to Mayor Bourelle and the City of Beaconsfield, our participation in the City’s annual St. Jean Baptiste Day celebration (in the Recreation Centre due to rain) and the September Artisans’ Fair. Our Outdoor Poster Exhibit created by the City was officially opened on July 22nd in Centennial Park and stayed up until the fall. In September Dawna started Beginners’ classes of 6 students who all became new members. In early January M. organized a 3-day workshop called “Tiny Treasures” given by Sara Judith. Throughout the year, we enjoyed many events: our annual picnic, paper bag auctions, Sell or Swap, International Rug Hooking Day, and numerous themed hook-ins. There was never a dull moment! The Treasurer’s an
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OHCG 2024

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OHCG Annual 2024       “Onwards and Upwards” April 19 – 21, 2024 London, ONTARIO By Emmy Maten 2024 OHCG Conference and AGM - Onwards and Upwards Logo.  Image Source: OHCG Website. It has been our guild’s tradition for several of our members to make a trip to the OHCG annual conference each year, members’ cars loaded down with rugs for our substantial Beaconsfield Branch Displays of the past. Then came COVID, and 3 consecutive annuals were virtual. This year marked the first return to an in-person conference, and my own first time attending such an event. Our guild didn’t provide a branch display this year, however the number of rugs on display at the conference was amazing, easily 150 rugs to see! And not only rugs, but also rug upholstered chairs and stools, cushions, and 3-dimensional art such as a huge ram head with horns! It was most inspiring. There was a fine selection of workshops to choose from plus many vendors’ booths to visit. Our own Ti wore both hats – teaching and sellin
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