The Dark Side

There's a dark side to everything, I suppose, and that includes the world of rug hooking. We've been made aware of the brazen theft of two beautiful hooked rugs belonging to rug hooking teacher Norma Batastini. Below is her description of what happened and pictures of the two rugs that were stolen:

Last week I was teaching a workshop in Ohio for a small group in a local church. Two rugs were stolen from the church sometime after class on Tuesday and before class began Wednesday morning. The room was filled with wool, hooking equipment including frames and cutters, other rugs and a digital projector. None of those items were touched. Please forward this email on to your rug hooking guilds and groups. If you are a frequent follower of Ebay, Craigslist or any other internet site that sells things I would appreciate it if you would be on the lookout for the rugs. I am offering a reward for information leading to the return of the rugs.

Rug #1 is my Crocodile Mola design. It was featured in the November/December 2011 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine. It was exhibited at the ATHA Biennial exhibit in Lancaster, PA in October 2011 and at the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild exhibit at the Shelburne Museum in November 2011. The rug is 36 x 48.

Rug #2 is my Pumpkins and Leaves design. It was hooked by Linda Woodbury and has been exhibited at many local shows in New Jersey. The rug is 28 x 40.

If you see either of these rugs, in person or online offered for sale on Etsy, eBay or another venue, please contact Norma at g_batastini@msn.com or Linda Woodbury at linda.woodbury@yahoo.com.

Luckily these incidents are few and far between, but they hurt and make us angry. I hope the rugs are found quickly and are undamaged. Perhaps with all the publicity this has received, the person or persons who stole them will have a change of heart and return them. I'm sure Norma would be very happy just to have them back.

Waiting for Maggie

I've finally got a picture of Maggie Bonanomi's wonderful-looking upcoming book, A Day at Sunny Brook: Primitive Projects to Recall Home Life in the 1800s. Yep - looks like another keeper! Here's The Kansas City Star's description of what Maggie has in store for us in this new collection:

"This is a little tale about three sisters living in rural Lafayette County in the mid 1800s.

Inspired by the rich colors of a vintage quilt, an 1899 book of advice, and a favorite doll, Maggie Bonanomi brings you the world of Sunny Brook School for Girls. Explore and make the necessary items for every part of their lives: classroom study, sewing, exercise, rest, finer skills and sleep.

Maggie supplies the projects that will take the girls though their days! And what an abundance of projects: a sampler, mending baskets, a chatelaine, pincushions, a fireplace screen, pillows and more pillows, a throw, pinched purse, several hooked rugs, a bed cover, daily books, even a flower press. The golden hues of Sunny Brook School await you."

I'm offering my familiar pre-order deal on this book - free shipping of your order that includes this book when I get them in stock. They are expected in early July, per Kansas City Star. Pre-orders will be accepted until the books reach my door, so there's still time.

Need another tease? Click here to view some pages from inside the book.

Enjoy your day - and where did the month of June go anyway? Wow - I was shaking my head looking at the calendar this morning! July will be really busy too. I hope summer doesn't slip by under my nose...

Shamelessly Showing Off

My angel-faced granddaughter, Sophie, almost six months old now. Her mom just took this picture and I can't help but share it everywhere! I saw her last weekend. Oh, the kisses she got. And there are many more to come!


Happy Flag Day!

A Little Bird Told Me...

What??
Say that again?
Maggie Bonanomi has another new book coming out?
When?
July??
What's it called again?
A Day at Sunny Brook: Primitive Projects to Recall Home Life in the 1800s?
(BTW, how did you remember all that, little bird?)

Yes, it's true! I've heard it from a number of other non-avian sources too. Kansas City Star will release a new Maggie book next month! The woman is a primitive project machine! Are you excited? Me, too! So, I've started taking pre-orders as I've done in the past. The book can be pre-ordered now, and as a Thank You for pre-ordering and helping me determine how many books to buy, you'll get free shipping when the books arrive and orders start flying to their new homes. It looks like the retail will be $25.95. (Sorry, but pre-orders for this new book are not eligible for the SUMMAH 30% discount that is winding up tonight.) I'll post a picture of the book cover as soon as one is available. Several folks have already pre-ordered sight unseen because they know anything from Maggie will be fabulous!

Isn't this a beautiful little bird? I found the picture online so don't know what kind it is. I love the colors. In the past week I've seen a mama Ruffed Grouse with a brood of babies crossing the road (in front of my mail truck) and my husband saw a Red-Winged Blackbird on his way home from work. I noticed a little orange salamander in my garden the other day. All the wildlife are out loving spring!

Enjoy the waning hours of your weekend. Hope yours wasn't as soggy as ours has been here in Maine. Wet, raw... Perfect for a little baking (banana bread is in the oven) or a nap, which is what my snoring husband chose!

Summah's Almost Over!

Have you used your 30% SUMMAH discount yet? There's still time - orders placed through midnight Sunday, June 3rd using the SUMMAH discount code at check-out (not case-sensitive) will get a 30% discount off the entire order, sale items included! Already ordered but still want something? Use the code again if you like! Family and friends are welcome to use it too.

You've probably seen these cute mail trucks in your neighborhood. This is my new job these days, as a Rural Mail Carrier for the town of Freeport, Maine. Not full-time, just a fill-in, but it's helping "plug the dike" in these tricky economic times. This is traditionally a slow time for fiber art retailers, and it seems this year belts are tighter than ever. I've just started delivering the route this week and it's been a real learning experience, especially since my career has been in the information technology field lo these past 30 years! I'm up for the challenge though, and in lieu of finding something where I can use my career skills I'm working hard and trying to have fun too. So, Freeport residents, give me a wave if you see the truck coming! It might be me driving!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. It's June already!