News/Blog

September 21st, 2009  Hook-In From left to right: Ailish O'Keeffe, Betty Austin, Alice Hamilton Denise Vandenbemden and Lucie Lambert Denise Morissette Maureen Rowe Kay Cousineau and Alice Hamilton Mmm!

Work In Progress Show & Tell  by BHCG rug hookers of rugs in progress during Hook-In of September 14th, 2009. Ailish O'Keeffe Alcie Hamilton Alice Hamilton Audrey Colliss Audrey Colliss Barbara Kerr Barbara Kerr Denise Morissette Denise Vandenbemden Lois J. Morris Lois J. Morris Sally Perodeau Sally Perodeau Sylvia Solomon Sylvia Solomon

Oxen in Summer. A Maud Lewis painting hooked by Maureen Rowe. Oxen in Summer Designed by Maud Lewis and hooked by Maureen Rowe This was hooked from a Maud Lewis kit purchased in the boutique of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia where there is a permanent Maud Lewis exhibition. I was so taken with Maud’s primitive art and her colours that I decided to do this piece of “Oxen in Summer” with variegated wool in the same colours she used, rather than the solid house paint coloured wool that came in the kit, so it is hooked à ma façon. It was lots of fun to do as Maud’s subjects are always so whimsical. Sampler. Designed by Mary Lou Lais and hooked by Lucie Lambert Fall (sampler) Designed by Mary Lou Lais Hooked by Lucie Geneviève Lambert I used #6 cut and new and recycled wool on monks cloth. Jacobean. A Rittermere design hooked by Audrey Colliss, Jacobean A Rittermere Design hooked by Audrey Colliss This is a print I bought from Rittermere the late ...

Saint-Jean Baptiste Day 2009    by L.G. de Tonnancour    This year again, Centennial Hall was the meeting place for the Fête nationale du Québec in Beaconsfield . The sky was perfectly clear and live musicians filled the air with traditional Quebecois music. The old white building was decorated for the occasion with blue and white flags and on the grounds, sheltered under small kiosks, artisans of all trades were selling their wares or demonstrating their art. There was a great deal to see. Alice Hamilton, Ailish O’Keeffe, Sylvia Solomon and Louise G. de Tonnancour of the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild gave rug hooking demonstrations throughout the event. It was a wonderful day filled with laughter and friendly conversation. Alice Hamilton and Ailish O'Keeffe with  some visitors  

A day trip in Ontario By Louise G. de Tonnancour Thursday morning, June 11 th 2009 , Sally Perodeau, Denise Morissette, Maria Romero and myself left Beaconsfield at 8:30 to attend the invitation for a picnic in Mallorytown hosted by the Brockville Thousand Islanders . Sally drove us there, in what was a very smooth drive, in exactly two hours and fifteen minutes.  The Library&Community Hall where the event took place was just ½ km or so off the 401.  We were gracefully welcomed and directed to the beautiful grounds surrounded by trees under which the rug hookers had found places to sit.  In the middle, a white gazebo sheltered one of the vendors, the others regrouped in the shade, along a rustic fence.  On that special day, hats were the theme of the day.  All colours, sizes, shapes and wonderfully decorated, they were everywhere to be seen and admired.  At 12:00 , we were invited inside to help ourselves to buffet tables very...

Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Picnic 2009 by Rose Kandy Saturday, May 23, dawned somewhat cloudy and cool – but a little weather has never daunted rug hooking aficionados. Tables and chairs were set out on the lawn at Centennial Hall with its beautiful view of Lake St. Louis . Refreshments and coffee were kept inside, away from feathered, furry and other creatures that always show up uninvited to picnics. Guests began arriving about 10 and were given badges and tickets. It was a pleasure to welcome  fellow crafters from North Hatley ,  Montreal , Pointe-Claire, and our own Beaconsfield , especially those rug hookers who work and are rarely able to join us on Mondays. The sun finally came out and warmed our chilled hands and feet and we all set to hooking. Soon it was lunchtime; the desserts and fruit brought by the hosts made a tasty finish to the meal. At which time, squirrels, a pair of ducks, the ever-present freshwater gulls and blackbirds came in to jo...

A Rough Guide to Rag Rugs an exhibition to celebrate 21 years of the West Riding Ruggers Saturday 2 May to Sunday 12 July 2009 Take a trip to see this exciting exhibition of traditional and contemporary rag rugs.  Find out about their historic origins, be surprised by their beauty, and explore how this fabulous textile craft has gone global.  There are colourful hooked and prodded rugs, subtle shirred and braided rugs, even a spectacular rag rug birthday cake.  Sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and the travel book company Rough Guides, discover the story of this successful group of local rug makers still going today after 21 years.  Over 200 striking rugs and wonderful wall hangings created by group members are on display, many have been inspired by places around the world, from Mongolia to Morocco and from India back home to Yorkshire.  The group has been enthused by special celebrations from home, other countries a...

The Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild  goes international By L.G. de Tonnancour Last January, through a member of our group, we learned that The West Riding Ruggers from Bradford , England was preparing a rug show of their own at the Bradford Industrial Museum to be seen from May 2, 2009 till July 12, 2009 .  An email, from them, invited ruggers to send pictures of themselves with their rugs, done in any technique, to be exhibited under the International Postcards.     In the spirit of Show & Tell, our guild sent a disc of photos.  Over sea, the idea followed its course, the response was encouraging and with the work and dedication of a wonderful group of people the exhibition has become reality.  Read the press release and see some pictures of the show ... I have no doubt, you will be charmed.   The pictures were taken by Lora West.  All of it was emailed to us by Mrs Penelope Gardiner. From left to ...

Carving Workshop by  Louise G. de Tonnancour Lois Morris The Beaconsfield Rug Hooking Guild really spoiled us this Spring with two wonderful workshops. The last one of the season “Sculpting” was given to us by Lois Morris, Saturday, April 25 th , 2009 . What a wonderful and profitable day this day was for all who attended!  Most of us feared of cutting at the wrong place...!!! The instructor gave undeniable expertise and personal care to all her students. It goes without saying that with laughter and good fellowship we all pulled through. Thank you, Lois, for your step by step guidance and the generosity that your teaching prevailed over the years and still fortunately will do, in the future. It’s a wish! Follow the link to see the Photo Album: Carving Workshop

Show & Tell  by BHCG rug hookers of rugs in progress during Hook-In of April 6th, 2009. Alice Hamilton Betty Austin Betty Austin (detail) Lois Morris Lois Morris (detail) Louise G. De Tonnancour Sylvia Solomon Sylvia Solomon (detail) Ailish O'Keefe

Olde Forge Hook-In by Denise Vandenbemden On Saturday April 4 th we were invited to a hook-in hosted by the Olde Forge in Ottawa . Rug hookers from Ontario and Montreal ’s West Island hooked together and shared the stories behind the rugs they were making. A sale of hooking supplies had been organized and we felt like children in a Christmas store, looking, touching and buying beautiful wool.   The hosting ladies had baked delicious goodies for their guests and raffled a basket with desirable hooking supplies for charity as well as the flowers decorating the buffet table.  We had a wonderful time. A big thank you to the ladies of the Olde Forge. Follow the Link to see the Photo Album: Olde Forge 2009

© Jen Tabangcura   If you're planning to create a portrait or you want to design a human character, take a look at Jen Tabangcura's   drawing  tutorial  at Anatomy plz!

Round trip to New Mexico. Original by Louise G. de Tonnancour. Round trip to New Mexico Designed and hooked by Louise G. de Tonnancour I always wanted to see New Mexico. My dream became reality during a March school break. Upon my return, I designed and decided to make this rug in the punchneedle technique. 60" in diameter Sudoku. Original by Brenda Ticehurst. Sudoku Designed and Hooked by Brenda Ticehurst When planning my next rug, I wanted to do something that would be more interactive for viewers. In the summer at the cottage our family does Sudoku contests. It gave me the idea to hook one. I chose a puzzle that was symmetrical. It is a medium difficult one. To make it more colorful I assigned a consistent colour to each number. At the bottom I made a pocket to hold pencils and a paper copy of the puzzle for those who wanted to try it. I also hooked a few individual numbers that could be pinned in place when viewing the work. It is hooked on bu...