News/Blog

Mug Rug Class Beginners Classes Create a Mug Rug Available dates:  April 25th and May 2nd, from 10 AM  to 2 PM  Mug Rug: $20 includes Mug and Materials Come along to this class to learn traditional rug hooking. A mug rug is the perfect small project for all ages. You will choose from a variety of mugs and design a Mug Rug (coaster) to match. Help will be on hand every step of the way. These classes are held at: Le Coin Artisanal                      454A Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield, QC For more information, please contact : ti.seymour@yahoo.com or call 514-247-9310

Padula* Party  *Padula - stylized representation of a flower. As one of the activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the guild, it was decided to give back to the community by making small flowers (padulas) to give to recipients of Meals on Wheels in West Island.  Members got together on Saturday, March 21st and Monday, March 23rd to make fabric flowers with fridge magnets.  The artistic talent of many of the guild members shone through as dozens of flowers came to life, with no two alike.  The activity proved to be a lot of fun and certainly brought some brightness to what we hope is the end of a very tough winter.  We hope in turn that this small gesture of a happy little flower will bring some joy to someone who receives it along with a meal. Making Padulas for Meals on Wheels

Scrappy Rug Class Review_ By Jacqueline Tseng Judith Dallegret’s Scrappy Rug course, which consisted of 4 classes*, given at the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild in February, was marvelous!! Her course took us through the basics of cutting wool, how to hook, and blending colors. We were shown many examples of different types of borders to give us ideas, and were treated to a day of dying wool.  Judy gave us a great tip - put some poison (colors that stand out) into our rugs to give them a nice pop! Although a Scrappy Rug is perfect for using up our scraps, a lot of us couldn’t help but stock up on some more beautiful wool from Judith’s collection.  Judith’s class was very inspirational. Her carefree, open-minded attitude and support of individual tastes and talents were great incentives for some of us who are “not so sure”.   This way we enjoy what we are doing and we do more of it! * Feb 9 ...

Teaching Rug Hooking to Grade 5 Students At the Sherwood Forest Elementary School By Ti Seymour Jacques Lepage and Isabelle Rollin at Sherwood Forest Elementary School As part of the Guild's 40th Anniversary it was decided that community projects would lead our celebrations. The first such project would be to introduce rug hooking to a local school and exhibit their pieces at our 40th Anniversary Exhibition to be held September 25-27, 2015. At the first session, the children were shown rugs and wall hangings that members of the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild had hooked. There was genuine interest and curiosity from the children - we had them captivated from the start!  Each child will be rug hooking a 5" square that will be sewn together to form a banner, which will eventually be displayed in the school’s entrance. Knowing that this piece is something they would not be taking home, some children were even planning a second project.  They drew their de...

Montreal Gazette  ( Printed Version) March 4, 2015 Page D17 Beaconsfield crafters take rug hooking to a new level By Kathryn Greenaway Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild members Claire Fradette, left, and Alice Hamilton practise their craft. The guild is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Johm Kenney/ Montreal Gazette.

Beaconsfield guild takes rug hooking to a whole new level    Kathryn Greenaway, Montreal Gazette   Published on: March 4, 2015 Last Updated: March 4, 2015 12:26 PM EST Call them happy hookers — it comes with the territory and they take it in good-natured stride — but the members of the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild are not only happy, they are proud. The guild is celebrating 40 years of hooking tapestries to hang on the wall or lay on the floor and to get the celebratory ball rolling members have launched a six-week project with a group of Grade 5 students at Sherwood Forest Elementary School in Beaconsfield. The students will each hook a section of his or her design for a banner to be hung at the entrance of the guild’s 40th-anniversary exhibit at Centennial Hall from Sept. 25-27. Passing on the pleasures of the craft from one generation to the next is just one of the ways guild...

The Guild in The News_ The video done by John Kenney (Montreal Gazette) has been published on Youtube! See Isabelle Rollin, Lois Morris, Jacques Lepage and Alice Hamilton in action!    Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild Turns 40_ March 3, 2015 Description: "Members of the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild show some of their creations Monday, March 2, 2015 in the Beaconsfield area of Montreal and founder Lois Morris speaks of how the guild has thrived as it celebrates 40 years of existence. (John Kenney / MONTREAL GAZETTE)"

BHCG in the news! Monday, March 2, 2015 began with a regular monthly meeting followed by a flurry of activity. In anticipation of news coverage, many members had brought in rugs for show and tell. Normally these rugs would be photographed by guild president, Ti Seymour who was away on March break. In her absence, Bob Turnbull took photos of the rugs for the greeting card project.  At the same time, John Kenney, a Montreal Gazette photographer, was there to take pictures and videos in support of an article on the guild being written by West Island Gazette reporter, Kathryn Greenaway. It was wonderful to see the guild, its members and their rugs receiving well-deserved attention and media recognition! Brenda, Claire and Alice Isabelle, Lorayne and Sally Jacques' Work In Progress

New Emblem    By Maria Romero    For a few years now, the Executive has been thinking of creating a new emblem to represent the Guild at our biennial exhibitions and participation in the annual exhibitions of Area 1 branch Ontario Guild . The Executive fell in love with the 40th Anniversary logo and presented Maria Romero with the challenge of redesigning the logo as our guild's emblem. From among the many different versions suggested by Maria, the Executive chose this version, which you can appreciate in the attached image. The emblem will be hooked by Lois Morris. BHCG Emblem (2015)

BHCG Facebook Page As part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration Activities, we have launched a Page on Facebook! Follow us at this link:  Beaconsfield-Hooking-Crafters-Guild

Design by Kaffe Fassett and Hooked by Lisa Finken* Primitive Scrappy Rug Class With Judith Dallegret Hook a Floor Rug any size using Wide Cut - #8 to #10 wool strip Beginners welcome When: 4 classes: Mondays at Centennial Hall Feb 9 & 23 – March 9 & 16 With a make-up class 23 March for anyone who misses a day. Course Content: Keynote Presentation on Inspiration with Photos & Books Choose a pattern design in a Primitive style (draw your own or bought pattern) Set up Foundation to start Hooking Colour Planning Basic Theory with Exercises Dyeing - without powdered dyes Borders - with Keynote Presentation Learn Finishing Techniques Cost: 100$ Note: Judith is very flexible regarding the course content. Please contact Ti if you would like to sign up, at ti.seymour@yahoo.com If you have a friend or know someone who would like to learn rug hooking this would be the perfect start to getting hooked! Please spread the...

Logo    40th Anniversary Logo, by Maria Romero This logo was created by our Webmaster Maria Romero to mark the 40th anniversary of the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild. The hook featured in the logo is taken from our website banner. The curved lines represent both the passage of time as well as the strips of textiles used in rug hooking. The lines can also be seen as confettis and represent the celebration of the 40 years of the Guild. A palette of reds was chosen to express the dynamic aspect of the Guild and the passion of its members towards rug hooking.

Founder's Message    By Lois J. Morris    I have drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. In Toronto, I took adult education courses in Traditional Rug Hooking and became” hooked.”   By the late sixties I was teaching in my house.  We were transferred to Montreal in 1973, my neighbor was interested in what I was doing.  She gathered a few friends together, I taught them and then approached Beaconsfield City to see if they might offer a beginners course in Rug Hooking. They were willing to try one and before long I was teaching five classes a week. The need to get together, and share and inspire one another was evident, but we were too  many to meet in any one house.  In 1975 the City graciously offered us Centennial hall, and the Guild was born. Now, 40 years later, The Beaconsfield Rug Hooking Crafters Guild of more than 40 members still meets at Centennial Hall to continue their work, which now extends to the ...

Free texture by Rin-Shiba - Devianart The Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild celebrates its 40th Anniversary In 1975 Lois Morris founded the “Lakeshore Woolgatherers Hooking Craft Guild”, subsequently renamed “Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild” and thus began 40 years of rug hooking adventures that continue today.  Founding and early members, under Lois’ expert guidance, learned to hook and to this day, strive to not only expand their own creative talents but to share their experience with new members as well.  From McGown and Moshimer inspirations, to crewel and sculpted pieces, to designing original artwork, to proddy and scrappy and 3 dimensional, from #2 cut to #10,  BHCG members are ever evolving and attempting new skills. The guild has met throughout its existence at Centennial Hall on the lovely shores of Lac-St.-Louis with the generous support of the City of Beaconsfield and its helpful staff.   The current executive is made u...

Merci Rose. Photoshop Illustration by Maria Romero The Executive and Members of  BHCG showed their appreciation at our January Monthly Meeting to Rose Kandy after the announcement that Rose had stepped down from her position as Web Editor/Translator.  Rose has been the backbone in supporting Maria Romero, our Webmaster, coordinating features on the Website and translating articles into French for the last 5 years. The Website has gone from strength to strength and in 2014 was visited by 96 countries around the world - this data supports the amazing achievement of a truly fabulous Website with interesting articles, coordinated by Rose during her tenure.  We wish Rose all the happiness for the future and look forward to seeing more rugs on show with the extra time on her hands. Respectfully submitted by Ti Seymour Keywords:  Thanks / Farewell,

2015 has been declared Craft Year by the Canadian Crafts Federation. Craft Year 2015 / Année-des-Métiers-d'art 2015 is Canada's largest year-long, nationwide festival aimed at promoting craft as a key player in Canadian Culture. Website:  http://www.craftyear.ca/ You can follow the festival at  Canadian Crafts Federation/Fédération canadienne des métiers d’art  and  @CraftYear2015  on Twitter.

Rug Hooking Magazine, vol. XXVI – Number 4, January-February 2015 . By Rose Kandy Congratulations to Lois Morris, founder of the Guild, whose work appears in two articles in the January-February 2015 edition of  Rug Hooking Magazine. In the article entitled From Doodle to Adaptation by Tamara Pavich, under Repeating Patterns, page 62, you will find "Celestial Spirits". Then in Readers' Gallery beginning page 70 in the same magazine, you will find nine pages devoted to the artistry and teachings of Lois Morris, entitled Dream, Design, Dye, and Do, also written by Mrs. Pavich. Follow the link to read an abstract of the article, at:   http://www.rughookingmagazine.com/article/dream-design-dye-and-do   We would invite all members to read these articles, as well as the previous ones published in the September-October and the November-December 2014 edition of Rug Hooking Magazine. We would like to remind our members that our other teacher, Judith Dallegre...

All these rugs are original designs by Jacques Lepage Fish Underwater   I wanted to work with very wide cuts of wool and play with colours.  I hooked this carpet on linen using recycled wool and I whipped the border. Instead of cutting the strips I tore them (in the old way) ) into widths equivalent to no.10.  The mat is 11 in. high x 26-3/4 in. wide. This is an original design. Fish Underwater - Jacques Lepage The Beaver This rug, an original design, measures 18 in, high x 30-1/2" wide. I hooked it on linen using recycled wools cut in #8. The border is whipped. This rug was inspired by the nickel in my pocket when I was young. I love plaids and I always wanted to use one in a rug. (The Canadian nickel or 5 cents depicts a beaver on the reverse side.) Beaver - Jacques Lepage The Monks   This original memory rug represents a visit to St-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey in Magog, Quebec. The rug measures 15-3/4 in. x 16 in,; I hooked it on rug...

OHCG  Winter 2014 Newsletter Once again, some of our members were featured in this month's OHCG Magazine. The   following members were mentioned: - Brenda Ticehurst - with her rug Old Houses , Adapted, page 11; - Jacqueline Bouchard, Restoration, page 24; - Kay Cousineau, 90th birthday recognition, page 25 and her rug Winter Scene , back page. Congratulations to all!  Click for a larger image. OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014 OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p. 10 OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p11. Brenda Ticehurst Architectural Rug OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p. 24. Reports by Branch OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p. 25. Reports by Branch, Kay Cousineau Birthday OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p. 36. Winter Scene, A Rug By Kay Cousineau

Ontario Hooking Craft Guild - Reports by Branch Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild (Area 1) This is the Quarterly Activities Report published in the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild Newsletter. Click for a larger image. OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014 OHCG Newsletter _ Winter 2014, p. 24. Reports by Branch

Monday 15th December 2014 Xmas Luncheon 2014_ By Ti Seymour A jolly time was had by all who attended the Annual Festive Hook-in. Tables were lined with Crackers and Ferns. Festive Music was played throughout the morning, though probably not heard as the Auction got underway. Beautiful turned bases made by the West Island Woodturners were auctioned along with rug yarn and an unfinished birch rug. The raffle table and sale table were full, everyone left with something. The day ended after a show & tell. Linda henderson and Jacqueline Bouchard - Xmas 2014 *** Follow the link to see the Photo Album: 2014 Xmas Luncheon

"Jacobean Crewel" Course    By Lois Morris  On Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, Ti, Dawna, and Denise V. finished a course on “Jacobean Crewel” given by the guild founder and one of its teachers, Lois Morris.   The participants used authentic Jacobean Designs which they created themselves using patterns made available to them. The color swatches provided by Lois included  Blue, Red, Purple, Gold and Green. These represent the strong, but soft traditional Jacobean Colours. The participants mixed these colours in the Crewel Manner and learned a number of fancy stitches to emulate the look of crewel embroidery.  Notes were given on formulas both for the main colour swatches as well as for 3 accent colours they could dye themselves.  Choosing background colours and stitches as well as learning to correct mistakes are part of the process. Judging by the progress so far, beautiful works of art will be produced. Watch for them at our 40th an...

This year, the Beaconfield Hooking C rafters Guild Xmas Card is embellished with a rug designed by Maud Lewis and hooked by Marion Hood.   The Covered Bridge. A Maude Lewis Design, Hooked by Marion Hood.

International Hook-In Day     By Linda Henderson    The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR) invited rug hookers all over the world to join an international hook-in on Dec. 4, 2014.  BHCG joined in the fun by hooking at Plaza Pointe-Claire where people dropped by to admire our work and tell stories of their mothers who hooked long ago.  Some were fascinated enough to join our guild!   The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers Website: http://tighr.net/ Hooking at the Plaza Pointe-Claire Mall Sylvia's Rug (Work in Progress) Dawna's Christmas Tree