Intro to Rug Hooking: A Mug Rug

My earliest memories include the feel of a wool blanket across my upper lip as I was tucked into bed with a good story. Choosing yarn for a new sweater that my mother was going to knit was agony; I wanted all the colours! I always loved stories and now,  my hooking allows me to tell stories; building slowly and often evolving as they are told.

Throughout all the stages of my life I have taught. As a nurse, a parent, a volunteer and as a coach I’ve spent decades teaching, guiding and sharing the joy of knowledge and new found skills.

 Rug hooking is both a time honoured craft and an emerging art form. The original recyclers, our ancestors repurposed old cloth and rags into strips to pull through loosely woven backings to create rugs for cold floors. Today we use anything that doesn’t fall apart when cut to pull a variety of materials through linen or burlap backing to create wall hangings, three dimensional pieces or beautiful rugs for our floors. Some of those 3 dimensional objects could be hats, mitts, purses, tea cozies, garbage cans…the list goes on!

 I will give you a choice of  two simple patterns that contains straight lines, gentle curves and bright colours to practise pulling a variety of both new and repurposed wool and yarn through linen backing.You will learn how to transfer a pattern from paper to the backing, how to pull a loop, how to finish the raw edge of a piece and a few tips and tricks to keep your piece looking tidy.

 Saturday 9-4, Sept 10 in the upstairs hall at  the Community Centre on Bridge St. Almonte.

Please note  $80 supply fee is payable to the teacher.

Fee: $75.00 + $80.00 Supply Fee
Duration: two Three hour sessions with break in-between.
Date: Saturday, September 10, 9:00-16:00

Cost is $75.00 per student at www.ticketsplease.ca and a supply fee of $80 payable to the teacher.

Supply kit consists of : 10” non slip hoop $30.00, Hook $20.00, 18” square of linen $10.00, Wool strips and yarn to complete project $15.00, transfer medium $5.00 Pattern on paper, free

Hand out, free.

Students bring: Black permanent Sharpie, fine point. Pencil, Paper, Sharp scissors, straight pins, a good sense of humour and a willingness to learn! Lunch, snacks or beverage of choice.

My earliest memories include the feel of a wool blanket across my upper lip as I was tucked into bed with a good story. Choosing yarn for a new sweater my mother would knit was agony; I wanted all the colours. My favourite way to avoid chores was to hide with a good book and later as a busy mother of four, books provided quick entertainment.
Now, rug hooking allows me to tell my stories; building slowly and often evolving as they are told.

Throughout all the stages of my life I have taught. As a nurse, a parent, a volunteer and as a coach I’ve spent decades teaching, guiding and sharing the joy of knowledge.

Sheepskin Slippers for the Whole Family

I’m Christine, with Log Life Handmade, and Maker’s Lodge. Ihave been making sheepskin slippers for 7 years and have made over 2000 pairs, along with having designed and written my own patterns for all sizes of slippers! I use Canadian sourced sheepskin and all natural fibre yarns. These slippers are the heart and sole ( see what I did there? ) of Maker’s Lodge, our new log studio space near Carleton Place/ Almonte.

In this 3 hour workshop you will have the choice of various sizes of a pair of sheepskin soled slippers from infant through to adult. We will follow the Log Life Handmade Sheepskin Soled Slippers written by me, Christine. These slippers are crocheted so a knowledge of basic crochet stitches is recommended but not required. This is a beginner pattern and has been used as a first crochet project for new crocheters. We will also discuss yarn types and where to find supplies and resources.

Thursday, September 8 from 9-12 at the Community Centre in the upstairs hall on Bridge St. Almonte

Fee: $30.00 + Supply Fee (see below)
Duration: Three hours.
Date: Thursday, September 8, 9:00-12:00

Cost is $30.00 per student available at www.ticketsplease.ca plus a size specific supply fee payable to the teacher.

Teacher supplies: All patterns $10.00 each. Infant soles and yarn 25.00 Youth soles and yarn $40.00 Adult soles and yarn $70.00, crochet hooks…optional $5.00 each  plus cording, cord stops, faux leather sew-on tags.

Student brings: small scissors, crochet kooks…3mm and 6mm or may purchase from teacher if needed.

I’m Christine, with Log Life Handmade, and Makers Lodge. I have been making sheepskin soled slippers for 7 years, and have completed over 2000 pairs, along with having designed and written my own patterns for all sizes of slippers! I use Canadian sourced sheepskin, and all natural fibre yarns. These slippers are the heart and sole (see what I did there) of Makers Lodge, our new log studio space near Carleton Place/Almonte.

How to Spin a Consistent yarn

From the comfort of her home to yours, join Master Spinner, Alanna Wilcox as she happily guides you through all of the elements of consistent spinning; drafting styles, preparation of the fibre, and understanding twist.

Final details to be finalized. Please check back often.

Fee: $115.00
Duration: TBD.
Date: Thursday, September 8, TBD

Alanna Wilcox is a fiber artist, professional educator, Master Spinner and color specialist with acid dyes. She loves empowering fellow fiber enthusiasts by helping them overcome their creative challenges, learn new skills, and achieve their fiber related goals through her expert instruction via online workshops and books. Alanna is constantly making things, especially projects that have to do with color and fiber to express her creativity. She earned the OHS Spinning Certificate with distinction in 2015 and the Master Spinner Certificate in 2017. She wrote and self-published the spinning book “A New Spin on Color” in addition to developing over 2,000 precision dye formulas to color match digital images and HEX colors. Her newest book “Color Alchemy: From Digital to Dye” will be available in a course she is developing for dyers and spinners that pairs the science of color with the art of dyeing. Working with fiber is something that she lives and breathes, sometimes literally.

Making Molas 

FULL – Registration closed

Learn to make a Mola the way generations of indigenous people in Panama have for generations. Using colourful cloth in up to 8 layers in a reverse appliqué technique they proudly wear these iconic symbols. Marjorie will patiently guide you through a geometric 3 layer pattern and then get you started on a pictorial cut out motif. Intermediate to advance hand sewing skills is highly recommended as the process requires narrow seams and very fine work.

Please note there is a $15 supply fee payable to teacher.

Cut off date for registration is September 6.

Thursday, September 8, 1-4pm at the Almonte Community Centre in the upstairs hall

Fee: $50.00 + $15.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 3 Hours.
Date: Thursday, September 8, 13:00-16:00

My mother taught me to sew around age 7 and I have been using my hands and mind to create things since. There are so many fiber creations to make! Sewing, quilting ,embroidery, needlepoint, knitting and crochet, tatting, stained glass, and most recently rug hooking , and dyeing the wool for my projects. I became interested in the Mola pieces that were being taught in Hooking and decided to see if I could create my own with fabric, as i was curious to know how to do it. So I learned from books during a long Covid winter.

Needle Felted Daisy Clutch

FULL – Registration closed

Wendo Van Essen

I’ve been a Needle Felter for over 20 years and still find exciting ways to utilize this incredibly versatile art form.My life career is traditional animation and it’s amazing how my experience crosses over into my fibre art career. I love to creat wacky, whimsical fuzzy little personalities and the joy it brings me to teach is soooo wonderful!

In this 3 hour workshop we will needle felting a field of daisies on an industrial felt clutch bag. It measures 8” by 12” and has a zippered closure. It has a tab to hold a wrist handle. No experience necessary. Everything is included in the kit that will complete this one of a kind clutch bag. Student might possible finish within 3 hours but more likely will need to complete at home.

Friday, Sept 9 9-12 in the upstairs hall at the Community Centre on Bridge St. Almonte

Fee: $50.00 + $40.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 3 Hours.
Date: Friday, September 9, 9:00-12:00

Cost is $50.00 per student purchased through www.ticketsplease.ca plus a $40.00 supple fee payable to the teacher.

Supplied by Teacher: Instructions, foam, a grey felt bag with pattern already applied, fibre, and a felting needle.

Student brings: a small pair of scissors

I’ve been a Needle felter for over 20 years and still find exciting ways to utilize this incredibly versatile art form. My life career is traditional animation and it’s amazing how my experience crosses over into my fibre art career. I love to create wacky, whimsical fuzzy little personalities and the joy it brings me to teach is soooo wonderful!

Ancient Art of Basketry

FULL-Registration closed

Every society since ancient times has made baskets from the raw materials that nature provided. There are only so many ways to transform these fibres into a basket for functional use. For almost 30 years, Michael Peterson has been practising this craft using a variety of plants and will teach some of these techniques. He will show examples of baskets from his collection from around the world and discuss which plants can be used, how to forage and how to prepare them for weaving.

Friday, September 9 1-5 pm in the upstairs hall at the Community Centre on Bridge St. Almonte

Participants will make a basket using round reed and grapevine. The imported round reed, a natural but processed material, is easy to work with while the grapevine, being a more wild locally foraged natural material has a mined of its own. You will learn how to ‘ finesse’ or persuade the materials to do what you want them to do. You will finish a basket to take home and you will have learned skills to use as you make more baskets!

Fee: $45.00 + $20.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 4 Hours.
Date: Friday, September 9, 13:00-17:00

Cost is $45.00 per student at www.ticketsplease.ca plus a supply fee of $20.00 payable to the teacher.

Teacher will supply: all materials for each basket and tools for students to use during the workshop.

Students Bring: their hands and their creativity!

Every society since ancient times has made baskets from the materials that nature provided around them. There are only so many ways to transform the ‘raw material’ into a functional basket. For almost 30 years I have been practicing this craft using a variety of materials and I will teach you some of these techniques. I will show you baskets from my collection from all over the world and discuss what materials can be used and, once foraged, how to prepare the materials for weaving.

Intro to Oxford Punch Needle

During this  3 hour workshop Robin, an Amy Oxford certified instructor, will share the joy of Oxford Punch Needle as she guides the students through the basic skills required, the options for yarn and materials and how to finish the cute bird pattern. Students may choose their own colours making each project uniquely theirs.

Please note there is a $28 supply fee payable to teacher.

Saturday, September 10, 9am–12pm at the Almonte Community Centre in the upstairs hall

Fee: $65.00 + $28.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 3 Hours.
Date: Saturday, September 10, 9:00-12:00

I am a passionate textile artist, rug hooking teacher and Certified Oxford Instructor. I love to share my passion for all things hooking and punch needle related. My goal is to help people connect with their inner artist, build confidence in their abilities and create a supportive community for creative expression

Intro to Pine Needle Basketry

Janis Goad, a retired teacher, has been making pine needle baskets for ten years. Join her as she teaches you the harvesting, preparation and storage of the needles while learning how to make a small basket with a fitted lid. All levels of students are welcome and follow up assistance is available, if needed, for anyone unable to finish their basket during class.

Please note there is a $10 supply fee payable to teacher.

Cut off for registration is September 8.

Sunday, September 11, 9am-12pm at the Almonte Community Centre in the upstairs hall

Fee: $80.00 + $10.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 3 Hours.
Date: Sunday, September 11, 9:00-12:00

Teacher to Supply: pine needles, sinew, needle, and beads

Students bring: Scissors, thimble if preferred, and a thick elastic like the ones on broccoli, as a needle grabber

I am a retired teacher and have been making pine needle baskets as a hobby since 2012. I have taught one workshop at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops in 2018 and another in March 2022 at Indigo Hill Dye Studio in Vankleek Hill. I have a workshop scheduled for July 2022 at Pontiac School of the Arts near Luskville, QC.

Exotic Colours with Dyes on Wool

Paulette-Marie Sauve was born in North Bay, Ontario. She moved to Montreal to pursue her studies in fine art, architecture and weaving, then began a career as an artist. In 1976 she moved to a farm near Montreal and worked at rising sheep. She began the production of quality wool mastering ancestral and contemporary spinning and dyeing, and published in 1977 she published 2 books in French, one on spinning ( Le Filage ) and the other on natural dyes ( La Teinture Naturelle ). In 1992 she was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Quebec at Montreal.

In her fifty year career, artist and artisan Paulette-Marie has devoted her research and explorations to textile art. She carried out several years of research to go to the source of her favourite material, wool by raising sheep, dyeing and spinning wool. She has published books on natural dyes, spinning and weaving, and also taught several techniques of textile art.

In this full day workshop Paulette-Marie will show students how to compare wool from different breeds of sheep, and students will learn about ancestral and contemporary wool dyeing. Students will examine textile art create by Paulette with hand dyed and hand woven fabrics. Her publications in French and English will be on display. The student will learn to create colourful blends with resist methods in “ cold water” dyes. The steps to create the dye bath for each colour will be preformed by the students, and they will learn how to blend colours in each dye bath.

Saturday, September 10,  9-4pm at the Learning Centre in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on Rosamund St. E in Almonte.

Fee: $175.00 + $20.00 Supply Fee
Duration: Two 3-Hour sessions with a break in-between.
Date: Saturday, September 10, 9:00-16:00

Cost : $175.00 per student at www.ticketsplease.ca plus $20.00 supply fee payable to the teacher.

Teacher Supplies: Cold water Dyes, large dye pot and all utensils, electric warming plate, soda ash and vinegar, rubber gloves, pails for rinsing yarn, 100 gm skein of 100% Leicester wool yarn, resist tape and twine for attaching skeins in prep for dye bath, documents containing instructions, recipes and addresses for supplies.

Student brings: notebook, pen, pencils

Paulette-Marie Sauvé was born in North Bay, Ontario. She moved to Montreal to pursue her studies in fine art, architecture and weaving, then began a career as an artist. In 1976, she moved to a farm near Montreal and worked at raising sheep. She began the production of quality wool mastering ancestral and contemporary spinning and dyeing, and published in 1977 she published 2 books in French, one on spinning (Le Filage) and the other on natural dyes (La Teinture Naturelle). In 1992, she was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Quebec in Montreal. During her career she has created important works for public buildings and has received many awards that highlight the excellence of her work. She travels, teaches and continues working in textile art. In 2021, she was awarded a major retrospective of her textile art at the Museum of Fine Crafts of Quebec (MUMAQ). This exhibition is titled “Vibration on Fibres, Retrospective Paulette-Marie Sauvé”, and will be presented in 2023 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The works cover 50 linear meters. A bilingual catalogue of 88 pages accompanies the exhibition.

In her fifty-year career, artist and artisan Paulette-Marie Sauvé has devoted her research and explorations to textile art. She carried out several years of research to go to the source of her favorite material, wool by raising sheep, dyeing and spinning wool. She has published books on natural dyes, spinning and weaving, and also taught several techniques of textile art.
She has learned to create on high and low warp tapestry looms, mastered the Goblins and Jacquard techniques. For the past twenty years, she has devoted some of her research to digital art, using photography and programming to create on electronic weaving looms.

She also creates textile art incorporating fiber optics animated by microprocessors and LED lights to produce kinetic effects, thus renewing the plastic language in a very new contemporary artistic expression.
The artist offers lectures and workshops about textile art.

Garden Gnome

with Fabrilicious Creations

Join in for a fun filled day of learning how to create an adorable, unique Garden Gnome of your very own to enhance your garden year round. A Master Trainer, Gwen will show you how to combine recyclable resources into a charming piece of ornamental art.

You are encouraged to wear old clothes and old shoes…and book your manicure for AFTER this workshop! The teacher will bring all supplies required.

Please note there is a $75 supply fee payable to teacher.

Workshop is from 9am-4pm in the Learning Centre of the MVTM

Fee: $80.00 + $75.00 Supply Fee
Duration: Two 3-Hour sessions with a break in-between.
Date: Wednesday, September 7, 9:00-16:00

Cost : 80.00 per student at www.ticketsplease.ca plus $75.00 supply fee payable to the teacher.

Teacher to bring supplies.

Gwen Rousseau is an Engineer, a Certified Human Behaviour Consultant, a Tea Leaf Reader, an avid speaker and trainer, as well as a dedicated multifaceted artisan. For as long as she can remember, she has always been passionate about creating unique projects. In recent years she has found a love for sculpting fabric and other natural materials with the use of the environmentally friendly fabric hardener Paverpol. Her skills have led her to become a fully Certified Paverpol Instructor, Master Trainer, and Regional Director. Gwen thoroughly enjoys sharing this art form with her students in workshops. The sense of therapeutic expression & accomplishment felt by her students, and the ability to recycle resources into incredible art forms give Gwen great satisfaction.

As a Paverpol Instructor, Gwen brings her love of creativity and structure to others through classes, inspiring students to have fun with this exquisite and versatile technique.

Small Bird

with Deborah Watts, Tiny Studio

Create a 6–8” outdoor sculpture of a bird using quilt scraps, styrofoam, and a environmentally friendly wood based resin called Paverpol. The scraps will be cut into feather shapes and attached to a form created with tinfoil and hockey tape.

Please note there is a $30 supply fee payable to teacher.

Sunday, September 11, 9 am to 1 pm in the upstairs Community Hall at the Community Centre on Bridge St.

Fee: $60.00 + $30.00 Supply Fee
Duration: 4-Hours.
Date: Sunday, September 11, 9:00-13:00

Cost : 60.00 per student at www.ticketsplease.ca plus $30.00 supply fee payable to the teacher.

Teacher to Supply: styrofoam, foil, tape, wire, Paverpol, paintbrushes

Student to Supply: Several pieces of quilt scraps or quarters in colours for your bird. Scissors. Small box and plastic grocery bag to take your creation home