Fall Course Descriptions
A Celtic Moment In Cornwallis – Doris Norman – All Levels
Celtic music, history and story combine to make this a fun and relaxing class. Celtic knots, spirals, spirit stones, crosses, illuminated letters, anthromorphics, zoomorphics, trees, and very funny men with beards all combine with other motifs to create a Celtic design. Commercial patterns and specially dyed wools may be purchased from the teacher or a vendor. Or create your design and dye your wool. A list of copyright free books, dye formulas and Celtic motifs will be sent to student. Depending on the size of the motifs and the weave of the backing, cuts from #3 to #10 may be used to hook these designs. Shading not required, however student must know how to hook.
Beginners/Advanced Beginners – Linda MacDonald
This course is designed for students wishing to learn the art of traditional rug hooking using wool fabric strips. Elements of the course include how to draw and transfer a pattern, instruction in basic rug hooking, the history of rug hooking, choosing recycled and new wool, tools of the trade and finishing techniques. No previous rug hooking experience is required. The purpose of this class is to give you a solid foundation from which to advance on your rug hooking journey.
Basic Dyeing – Barbie Baker-Dykens – All Levels
This class is full
Dyeing skills and primary colour possibilities are available to the first time dyer as well as the seasoned dyer wishing to review the basic dyeing processes. During this week students will be dyeing both new and recycled wools. This course involves an inspiring week of fourteen plus basic dyeing techniques and basic colour possibilities studying both harmonious and contrasting colour theories. Since this course is saturated with learning various dyeing techniques, there isn't any time for hooking in the classroom. Students will leave this course with a binder full of the work they have completed to review at their leisure at home. This reference binder will be used time and again for future dyeing and colour combinations. Lots of fun and laughter plus lots of work are in the plans for the students of this course.
Birds, Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms – Barb LeDuc – All Levels
This class is full
In this class we will be colour planning for your mat and emphasis will be placed on your background as it relates to the scene, or subject. Attention will be paid to colour choice, importance of contrast, and the composition. I had the privilege to attend a workshop with Wanda Kerr, teacher, and author of articles in our rug hooking magazine. I learned several new dyeing techniques from her that we will be doing in this class, as it relates to your project. I am currently working on 3 patterns that will beavailable for you to choose from, however I encourage you to design your own. The pattern can be single or multiple birds, butterflies, bugs or blooms or a combination - the choice is yours. Templates will be provided for those of you who would like to design your own mat. I would like to emphasize this class is open to all levels. From beginners to advanced. The student has the choice of working in fine cut or wide cut. Your wool can be hand dyed or recycled. Your rug can be hooked in the style you choose -primitive, realistic, or impressionistic. I look forward to seeing you next September (2008) in class.
Bringing Animals to Life – Jon Ciemiewicz – Intermediate to Advanced
This class is full
Do you have a favourite pet, person or wild animal that you would like to capture on a hooked mat? Why not let Jon help you bring the image to life. This workshop will include instruction on creating faces, fur and feathers, rocks, trees and water, and how to create perspective (adding the third dimension). Jon is willing to create the pattern based on a provided picture and will kit up the wool if you so desire. Jon=s approach to rug hooking is laid back so take this workshop and plan to have a very relaxed week. This workshop is designed for intermediate to advanced hookers. To see some of Jon's hooked pieces visit www.anajon-rughooking.com
Fine Shaded Flowers and/or Fruit – Bette Wrathall – Intermediate
This class is full
Flowers and fruit-two subjects most people enjoy-this year, we are combining them in our fine shading class at Rug School. Many of the “old masters” combined fruit and flowers in their paintings-we will do the same if that is what the student wishes. The fine shading technique in rug hooking will be taught to the degree it is required for the student's pattern-some of the patterns will undoubtedly be flowers only, while others will be fruit only and some, a combination of the two. The student will learn how to fine shade using six, eight and ten value swatches as well as dip dye, skipped value shading and cross swatching. This course will also cover leaves and stems.
Mandalas and Magical Landscapes – Doug Rankin – Intermediate
The word "Mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean, "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness. The integrated view of the world represented by the mandala, while long embraced by some Eastern religions, has now begun to emerge in Western secular cultures. Awareness of the mandala may have the potential of changing how we see ourselves, our planet, and perhaps even our own life purpose. The Magical Landscapes are depictions or collages of nature's elements, land sea and sky, in forms and colours that only exist in the mind of you the artist. You may choose your pattern from our collection or create your own design. Through the choice of colours, form your own world in spiritual or landscape form. Dyed wools and patterns will be available. This is an opportunity to try something new in wide cuts, to explore the use of colours and extend your scope in employing them. Have a “walk on the wild side” with colour or take a quieter journey.
Nova Scotia Folky Primitives – Celia Charlton – Advanced Beginner
In this class you will explore Nova Scotia Folk Art, learn about some of its noted folk artists,and have a chance to create your own masterpiece. Nova Scotia Folk Art is primitive, naïve, simple, colorful and fun, and you are highly encouraged to create your own design to bring to this class. If you can draw like a child (or have a child draw for you) you can easily fulfill this requirement. Your artful piece can be for the wall or floor and the variety in subject matter is unlimited. A wide cut will be used. You can hook with any fiber, fabric or substance, on any backing, and embellish as you wish. Be prepared to do something different and try something new. Creativity is queen in this class. All copyright laws must apply.
Persnickety Primitives-Pictorials, Pets and Posies – Cherylyn Brubaker – Beginners with Some Experience
This class is full
There is more to primitive hooking than simple outline and fill. This class is all about the details that make for a better mat. Topics to be covered include color planning, background techniques and lettering. We will also explore multi-cuts, manipulating plaids, the use of textured wools as well as finishing ideas. Students may choose any commercial pattern or their own design, printed on the backing that is suitable for a #6 cut or larger. All subject matter as well as family pets, primitive pictorials and antique florals are all welcome. Please remember this is a primitive hooking course. Your pattern should be the Reader's Digest version - abridged! Smaller width strips aren't prohibited but will only be used where necessary for a few intricate design details. Dive into your stash! Make your textured wools do the work.
Village Holmes, English, Irish, North American – Joan Patterson – Two or Three Years Experience
This course is designed for those of you who enjoy hooking houses. We will specialize in different types of roofing such as thatched, tiled or cedar type shingles. Siding will also play an important part in your design as any English/Irish cottages are built of stone, brick or stucco. Plaids are an interesting roofing material and you will be taught how to use plaids and build a color scheme that will create a perfect marriage of color. Flowering plants and climbing roses over a pergola or arbor give a warm inviting feeling to your pattern. You may want to incorporate ponds, shrubs, bushes, ducks, swans, chickens, cats, dogs, pigs, lambs or people in your design. Have fun and use your imagination. There are commercial cottage designs available that you can purchase. However, I encourage you to design a European house or your own home or cottage keeping in mind the Copyright Laws.
Teacher Training – Shirley Bradshaw
So you want to be a teacher of rug hooking? We shall begin Sunday evening, after getting aquatinted, with examining the characteristics of any teacher, and the aims and objectives of teaching rug hooking. The aim of this course is “to develop you as a teacher of rug hooking”. The week will be filled with learning about the craft as well as how you would present the topic to your students. There is a great difference between being a mentor and working one on one and actually teaching a class so that the student becomes adept at the craft while absorbing all you have to offer. Come prepared with knowledge of the history of rug hooking, and what we mean by many of the terms we use in hooking strips/wool through backings. You will learn how to begin with the knowledge you have, how to plan courses, the process of teaching and learning through to evaluation. The letter sent to you following registration will give you more details of the course and the requirements.
On Your Own – No Facilitator
This class is designed for members who want to participate in our rug school and enjoy all it has to offer without the classroom setting. No instructor will be offered, simply bring your hooking and come for a week of rest and relaxation, renew old acquaintances and make new ones—delight in all that has made our school a success story.