News/Blog

New! Virtual Meetings!    April 27, 2020    By Emmy Maten    Feeling out of the “loop”? Join us at our virtual “Hook-ins”! When: Monday mornings (recurring) from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Many thanks to Heather McClure for suggesting, organizing and guiding us through our first and subsequent virtual Hook-ins. April 20 was our first go at the new normal of getting together. What a joy to welcome every new arrival to the meeting, as each person is greeted with hellos and waves from the others. Ti surprised us by joining in too, it being 7 pm in Abu Dhabi, and no airplane trip involved! Conversation was easy. We asked how everyone is managing during “social distancing”, what each person is working on, and we shared some tips on how to get rug hooking supplies (and some practical things like groceries). Some unexpected guests were several cats, dogs, and a pet bird! April 27: Maria joined us for our 2dn meeting and was able to take a picture of us! ...

“What’s on Your Frame?”       By Emmy Maten    March 24 Dawna Matthew had a wonderful idea. With everyone at home and physical meetings no longer possible, wouldn’t it be fun to try a “Show and Tell” by email, or better “What’s on Your Frame?” so we can see what everyone is working on? It has been a great success, opening up a new way to stay connected and inspired. The process is easy. Just send Dawna a photo of your work with a few words. Dawna then sends it to all our members and then we can reply with a message to the creator if we wish. To start the ball rolling, Dawna went first. She had attended the Searsport Rug Hooking School in Florida and worked on a Snowman piece and a Santa piece (both Searsport patterns) to “help keep me cool when it was 80F!”. She took a class with Ali Strebel to learn different techniques such as caterpillar, ruching, and needle felting to create a sea turtle swimming in the sea. Stay connected and inspired wi...

In Memory of Jeanne Osler _ Jeanne Osler (1931-2020). Photo: 2015. It is with a heavy heart we say farewell to Jeanne Osler, a member of BHCG for nearly 40 years. In the days when you had to hook a rug with 9 flower panels before acceptance into the Guild, Jeanne was determined to join despite her lack of interest in the rug itself. Her heart was instead passionate for a butterfly rug she had seen and that saw her through to the end of the requirement. She completed a wide array of classes taught at the Guild from fine shading, to crewels, carving flowers and a Cheticamp picture frame amongst those that I’ve seen. She was a skilled rug maker and designed her own rugs too. One of her favorites was of a lighthouse scene. Jeanne was an active member even at the end of her time with us. She got us making and participated in the “Tuit” giveaways at our Annual picnic and always encouraged members. Rest In Peace our friend, we will miss you. Submitted by Ti Seymour, Past President ...

OHCG Newsletter / Spring 2020 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. There are 5 BHCG pictures in this issue. On page 4, see Candace, Dawna, and Cathy in Williamstown for International Rug Hooking Day, and see a group picture celebrating Ti’s OHCG Teacher Graduation. On page 6 with our Branch Report, see a picture of Kitt and one of Claire at Ti’s Yarn Painting Workshop. On page 31, see a picture of Dawna at the November OHCG Teachers’ Workshop on colour theory. OHCG Newsletter, 2020 Issue 1 - Spring, Cover OHCG Newsletter, 2020 Issue 1 - Spring, page 4 Up and left: (From left to Right) Candace, Dawna, and Cathy during International Hook-in Day; Center-Right: OHCG Teacher Graduation Celebration for Ti Seymour OHCG Newsletter, 2020 Issue 1 - Spring, page 6. Up: Kitt and Claire during Ti’s Yarn Painting Workshop ...

Show & Tell: Easter_ This is a selection of rugs from our last Exhibition, held in September 2017 at Centennial Hall. Use the posts' label "Show and Tell" of this Blog to see the rugs showcased in the past.    Sugaring off. A Rittermere Pattern hooked by Rosemary Jean Hudson Sugaring off Rosemary Jean Hudson This Rittermere pattern represents a typical Quebec sugar-shack scene: the collecting of the sap from maple trees to make maple syrup, which takes place between mid-March and the end of April. Bunny, hooked by Cathy Wilson Bunny Cathy Wilson Judith Dallegret and Susan Alain helped me with the design of my bunny rug. I got to use a variety of blue wool from my stash. This rug is on the floor in my very small bathroom. Hit and Miss Birds, by Debbie Séguin Hit and Miss Birds Debbie Séguin My husband and I love birds, in fact one of our spare bedrooms is called the Birdroom. I decided to hook a bird r...

April 1st_ Poisson d'avril / April Fool's Day Melanotaenia Beaconsfieldi (Beaconsfield's Rainbowfish) Beaconsfield's Rainbowfish © 2020 BHCG. Illustration: Maria Romero Melanotaenia Boesemani (Boeseman's Rainbowfish) Boeseman's Rainbowfish © Eileen Kortright (Wikipedia) Keywords: Covid

Special Show & Tell : Things are going to be OK_ We will all get through these troubling times together!  Somewhere over the rainbow. Original by Denise Vandenbemden Denise Vandenbemden  Somewhere over the rainbow  Original In 2015, the theme of the 45th Ontario Hooking Craft Guild Exhibition was "The Sound of Colour". This is what inspired the rainbow to represent colour, and the musical notes and the violin to evoke sound. Clothesline in the winds, hooked by Monique Goulet Monique Goulet  Clothesline in the winds  Adapted with permission from a painting by Francine Bourque During a trip to the Magdalen Islands, at the first stop when I got off the boat, I saw a painting by the artist Francine Bourque. I was very touched by her art, and I asked her permission to copy her work. This piece is made with wool from Judith Dallegret, mainly cut in number 6 strips. Keywords: Covid

Reunions cancelled due to COVID-19_ During the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, all BHCG hooking sessions: both at Centennial Hall and at La Tricolette, are cancelled until further notice. Keywords: Covid

Saint Henri Retreat_  Ermitage Sainte-Croix Pierrefonds, QC          February 15th-16th, 2020              By Chris Delaney           What a wonderful weekend! What made it special was the gathering of guilds from not only Montreal but also from the Ottawa area. Present were members of St Henri, Beaconsfield, Old Forge and Burris Falls (hope I didn't miss any!). There were hours of talking, laughing, sharing, consultation, encouragement, admiration and we did hook as well. It was a great success!  Thanks to Loretta, Isabelle and Jacques for vending their fabulous wares!  Carol P. from Old Forge sent me some photos of Saturday evening - the view from the dining room. Enjoy the photos! We had 26  Rug Hookers on Saturday and 25 on Sunday! It was cozy in  the workroom Loretta, Leslie and Carolyn working on a colour plan There were 30 items...

Rug Hookers at a Spin-In?_ By Isabelle Rollin Isabelle Rollin Jacques and I went a bit out of our comfort zone and accepted an invitation to vend at a Spin-in  on February 15th in Chesterville, Ontario. What fun! Jacques made spindles and distaffs for the occasion, and I designed special name tags and wooden things  for spinners. We also brought rug hooking items and introduced punch hooking to spinners who have tons of beautiful wool.  We are looking forward to attending this event again next year. See you there. Chesterville Spin-In

Valentine's Day Special_  By: Emmy Maten       February 10th, 2020      A sudden last-minute snow alert issued by Environment Canada for 15 cm of snow Monday morning kept many of our members from coming to our Valentine's Day party. But eight of us did come, including Claire and Kitt and all the treats, decorations and fun they had prepared, so we partied! From Right to Left: Claire, Angelina, Jacqueline, Kitt, Heather and Joanne.  Missing from the group picture are Claudette and Emmy. Yes, those are cherry sprinkle cupcakes, fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate, shortbread, and more. For all who wore red (and also for those who forgot), Claire had made us Valentine brooches from tartan wool fabric and recycled zippers. Too LOVE-ly, Claire! Valentine's Pin By Claire Fradette Claire also created a game to decide who would win the first door-prize. We had to guess the 3 ingredients which went into making the delicious...

Special Show & Tell / St Valentine's Day_ Live, Love, Laugh, Life by Ti Seymour Live, Laugh, Love, Life - 2017 By Ti Seymour This was my therapy rug.  I needed something easy, something I could de-stress with and remind myself that life does get better by Living, Loving and Laughing through life.  I think I get top marks for giving that period of my life my best effort!

I'm Hooked_ Happy St Valentine's Day! Happy Hook-In  Illustration: Maria M. Romero. Copyright: BHCG

BeaconsfieldRugHooking.com_ In 2020 we celebrate  12 years on the Web  and BHCG 45th Anniversary! On January 28th 2020, BHCG is celebrating 12 years on the Web! 2020 45th Anniversary January: Blog Search Optimization Web Committee 2019 - 2020 Dawna Matthew President Emmy Maten Vice-President Jacqueline Bouchard Editor/Translator Ann Arial Photographer Maria Romero Webmaster/Designer

International Hook-In Day 2019_ Susan  L. Feller talks about us in her Blog  A rtWools Studio .   See the red arrow and follow the link to read the entire article:  Getting Together for International Rug Hooking Day Susan L. Feller's Blog - Post "Getting together for International Rug Hooking Day" Susan L. Feller's Blog -  Screenshot (detail)

A Jolly Season _ By: Emmy Maten    Deck the Walls with Hand-hooked Rugs,   Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la… The Season was Jolly at the Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild Christmas party. Everyone contributed to making our party lively, joyous, and delicious. The amazingly talented M created some rug-hooking lyrics to old favorite Christmas tunes, and we enjoyed an interactive singsong together while M played her keyboard. An interactive singsong together with Rug Hooking Christmas tunes! We oohed and aahed at the beautiful Christmas themed rugs and crafts which several members brought in to show. Knitted Christmas trees with cork trunks We had a heartfelt Secret Santa gift exchange and as always, our snack table was marvelous. The best gift of all is being together and sharing each member’s creative spirit. Thank-you all and have a Happy and Healthy 2020! Our Heartfelt Secret Santa Gift Exchange