A Weekend of Inspiration

I'm just back from a wonderful weekend of rug hooking inspiration - this was the annual Camp Wool April hook-in, held at The Coastal House in Wells, Maine. The rug exhibits on both days were extraordinary, with one stunning rug that kept taking everyone's breath away - check it out:

This is an Edyth O'Neill design hooked by Terry Parent of Freeport, ME. It was displayed on an antique iron bed all weekend. Many pictures were taken, and pictures just don't do it justice. It is absolutely spectacular. Terry finished it with a crocheted edge using the wools she hooked in the background. This bed rug is heavy! You'd never be cold under this!

There was a featured exhibit this year displaying the delightful rugs of Tom McNerney from Newburyport, MA. Tom is known for his wide-cut primitives, mostly his own designs, displaying his love of animals and nature. Below is a picture of Tom as he worked on another rug. He was on-hand for much of the weekend, demonstrating how he works with his extra-wide cuts and had fun talking to groups of hook-in participants about his rugs and the stories behind them. Tom is fun to listen and talk to, and is always eager to share his tips and techniques.

I was humbled by the talent on display this weekend! Activity in the vendor room was brisk too, and people were eager to add to their wool stashes! I tried to offer some great "needfuls", and actually debuted a couple of hooked designs of my very own - this is one of the samples for a two-design paper pattern set called "Warm Hearts". I'd found the great old wooden box at Camp Wool a while back and the paint splatters and patina inspired the color plan I used for the rug attached to it. The round mat, the second design in the pattern set, was a spin-off, continuing the neutral colors. I liked using the little bits of robin's egg blue here and there for a bit of interest. Here's "Warm Hearts":

And now it's back to the real world, where I'll review my sales from the weekend, take a look at what sold and what didn't, unpack the SUV and fill orders from last week and the weekend. Maybe later I can get back to what I'd really like to be doing, figuring out what my next hooking project will be! More pictures to come of the hook-in when I get them from my friend. Have a warm and wooly day!