MaryGrantRugHooking

I finally finished tthe Large Waldoboro Mat which I've been working on (not regularly) for about 4 years.  What a joy.  It was finished in time for the Heritage Rug Hooking Guild of New Brunswick, Fredericton exhibition at Government House.  I am really thrilled with it, although preparing it for hanging was quite the challenge.  

Well, I thought I had it done correctly, but pictures would sure help the list of courses.  Will work at it and get them on within the next week.  Sorry for those who would love to see what I'm planning.  Mary

Well.  It is evident that I don't check my web site too often....almost let it die an unnatural death. 

My resolution is to check it out at least on a monthly basis, add photos of the rugs I have not added in the past years and generally keep in better touch.  Today, I am listing the courses I have scheduled for 2017 both in the blog and under the Courses page.

Hope you enjoy the selection.  Mary

Mary Grant Rug Hooking Classes

2017

All courses are small in size, max. 6 persons.  With the small class size comes individual attention.  Cost is for instruction; supplies are extra except where noted.

To register, please contact Mary Grant at mary.e.grant.rughooking@gmail.com

It has been an eventful year as I have spent most of it learning to live on my own again.  My husband Don was my main support and fan, a real cheerleader.  Each day brings wonderful memories of our years together.  It has also brought challenges as he originally set up my web site and being a ludite, I never checked out what my password was.  Obviously I rose to that challenge and many others as well.  Family support has been wonderful.  I look forward to the coming year.

It is now time to tackle this new year and I am beginning to do so by updating my web site.  You will notice differences mainly in the photo gallery.  I have added to the Beginner Mats and added 2 new albums, 1 of the animal purses which I hook for young children and 1 of kits which may be ordered from me. 

I wish all of you a wonderful year as each of us takes it one day at a time. Talk to you soon,  Mary

Check out the website under Courses Given for 2 courses to be offered this fall and one to be offered as part of the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia at the Spring Rug School in May 2015.  I'm quite excited to meet new rug hookers and those with some experience.  We always learn from each other and have a great time in the courses.

It's been a busy summer and I have been very fortunate to have been selected for 2 Artist in Residence programs.  I spent a week at the casements, sharing the space with Melissa LeBlanc an accomplished clay scuptor.  The past 2 weeks and this week I am at the Fredericton Region Museum.  I even have a floor frame set up with a hit and miss pattern for people to try.  I've been working on a large Waldoboro style mat as well.  This style of hooking is very much related to the war of 1812, so it fits right in with one of the displays at the Museum.  I'm there today and then Thursday August 27th right through till Monday, Sept 1st.  Most days I'm there between 1 and 5 pm.  Please come for a visit to the Museum, located at Officers Square, Fredericton, NB.  There are a variety of exhibits and it is well worth the very reasonable admission fee.

One of the greatest thrills for me this summer, given that I love hooking in 3 cut, is using my Grandmother's hook with the wide cut on the hit and miss rug.  The hook was made from a nail and piece of wood by my Grandfather.  Just the smooth, satiny feel in my hand brings me closer to my family. 

We are off tomorrow for a trip to The Rock.  I will be teaching Waldoboro Style hooking at Twin Ponds 3 day rug school.  I'm really excited.  My husband Don is going with me and we will end the week with a few days of sightseeing and R&R.  One full bag of wool dyed for the various student projects.  a few samples, and packing everything else into a second bag and carry-on luggage.  Will add pictures when I return.

It isn't exactly a mat challenge, but it is indeed a challenge. From Monday to Saturday this week, I am the artist in the window at the M&T Deli in downtown Fredericton. I mapped out the floor space in my living room with painter's tape and arranged my shelves and items, leaving sufficient room for my frame, cutter table and chair. I am hooking on a fine cut Waldoboro style mat which has had people stop and look. So far I've had a chat with a rug hooker who is visiting from Lakefield Ont., and a young girl has expressed interest in a Beginner Course. Several people have stopped to look through the window, and some seem embarrassed if I happen to look up from my hooking. Negatives; only a stiff neck at the end of the 10 am to 2 pm stretch. That was cured with exercises. The deli has an artist in the window each week, and has a lot of art work for sale in the deli. This is the first time they have had a rug hooker. I am getting more courageous and definitely venturing outside of my comfort zone. Isn't that the aim of a challenge? If you're in Fredericton, come by and visit.

Aug 1, 2013

I've just finished my 4th day of 6. Yesterday I did some daisy-like flowers and today, I turned my attention to the scrolls. I am doing quite a bit of explaining and trying to assure people that a Beginner Course does not start off with the finest of cuts, nor sculpting. I did get a chuckle today when a young man and his wife stopped by and he wanted to stay and look, but his wife was most disinterested. Most times it is the man trying to get the woman to move along. Although I have prices on the mats, I have not sold anything. I'm not surprised and it is a good public education to see the slow but steady progress. It does not move as fast as oil painting does. All in all, I'm having a ball and will definitely take another turn in the window.