Happy 2015

It is so hard to believe another year has gone by, and even more that I haven't posted anything since last January. It has been a year of change, we moved to town in May, started a B&B, opened a new business in November, Kindred Spirit Art & Antiques, had some issues with the people we rented our houses to and then decided to move back to the Beach, whew. Quite a year.......

Of course I didn't do any of this alone, my dear sweet friend Irene Williams has been there every step of the way along with my significant other, my dear Richard. We worked hard and had a lot of fun along the way.  With the beautiful venue of the little church and the warmth of all those who have supported our efforts along the way, it has been a joyful journey. So I wish you all a Happy & Healthy New Year my Kindred Spirits. xo

Harvet Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving, We had a wonderful hook in this week, hosted by Yvette Hutchison, beautiful setting, with wonderful friends sharing our hooking stories. I always come away from these hook-ins inspired to take on a new project.
This week I am preparing a course for beginners taking place in Ramara Township for their rec program. The group will be working on an 8"x8" trivet. I look forward to meeting some aspiring new hookers..it's always a good experience.
I was one of the stops on the Bay Studio Tour last weekend, and was very happy to see new and old faces show up. It was a very successful weekend but I have to working as I need something to sell for the next show at Huronia Museum , on November 29th.
I am
hoping to also host Christmas by the Bay in November, have to pick the dates yet, but will keep you posted. Have a wonderful thanksgiving weekend, blessings to all.

Another New Year!!!

My goodness, so hard to believe I haven't posted on the blog since 2011, I guess I lost heart for it after the fire( lost the house and business April 15, 2011, and the 2 most important things my Molly and Snookie the dogs), Dad got sick and 2 of my best friends Paul and Leslie, all died with in a 5 months. But with the passing of time we heal and must move on from our grief and start to live again, even if it is never the same, it can be different and still be good. I moved out to the country near the beach to lick my wounds and find myself again, it has been a wonderful experience. I see the deer daily, and a sweet little furry fox has been visiting lately it is food for the soul and if your ever feeling blue just walk down to the shore of Georgian Bay and delight in the view, it is something I never tire of.
At first it was difficult to rug hook, paint or pursue any of the things that brought me such joy, I think there was just too much to do with the insurance claim first which took a whole year, I advise people to take pictures of their home and possessions, it is very difficult to remember everything, thank God for Facebook pics because the computer/and pics were lost. But slowly I forced myself to get on with life and started my first rug, "Healing", using my Metis background I designed a rug based on aboriginal teachings of my ancestors, then a logging rug of a pic of my Great Grandfather with his men and logging team back in the late 1800's/early 1900's, with no date on the pic it is hard to know, and from there I keep on going.
I think the most touching thing thru all this heartache was the wonderful women I have become friends with thru rug hooking, these wonderful ladies had a shower for me pretending it was a hook in for me to go to, this forced me to pick up a hook and start again. I cried for 3 weeks after this, because I was astounded by their kindness. I don't think I can ever express enough how much their friendship means to me.
So life goes on and we are back having our hooking meetings again, and I try to have the girls out once a season for a hook in, and my inspiration for art is back in full swing. This weekend my work among other artists is being shown at Winterfest in Midland, ON,. at the Huronia Museum. I was quite impressed by some of the work and hope the locals get out to take a peek.
This Wed Feb 5, I will be holding  the Winter Hook In, come out and hook sitting by the fire and hopefully the deer will make an appearance. Soup, dessert and coffee/tea will be on, bring your own sandwich if you desire, but believe me I won't let you go hungry, lol. Hope you can make it.
I have started another rug, just finished the 3D deer which are a winterfest on display along with a hand dyed silk yarn scarf/fingerless ruffled gloves, socks and a needlefelted coat. |So as you can see I am back it and plan on staying at it, lol. Have a wonderful New Year everyone, until I blog again, Au Revoir.

By the Bay-April 2011 Hook-In

Today was a day filled with inspiration, By the Bay Rug Hooking Group welcomed Bea Grant, Gayle Gunby, Lori Lennox, Angie Brandon and Debbe Bloom to our Hook-IN, the house was packed with talent(and I mean all of you ladies not just the guests). It is wonderful to see what others bring to the group and it encourages us all to expand our knowledge of the craft, by trying a new technique or listening to the wisdom of those with more knowledge.

Bea Grant (well know teacher and designer) is shown in this picture with her beautiful rug, which depicts a story of her life. She shares her stories and knowledge so freely, a breath of fresh air, we are honored to have her join us.

Pictured from left to right-Ann Hallett, Jane Allen, Bea Grant, Mary Ann Mclaughlin, Margaret Thomas.

By the Bay-April 2011 Hook-In

Today was a day filled with inspiration, By the Bay Rug Hooking Group welcomed Bea Grant, Gayle Gunby, Lori Lennox, Angie Brandon and Debbe Bloom to our Hook-IN, the house was packed with talent(and I mean all of you ladies not just the guests). It is wonderful to see what others bring to the group and it encourages us all to expand our knowledge of the craft, by trying a new technique or listening to the wisdom of those with more knowledge.

Bea Grant (well know teacher and designer) is shown in this picture with her beautiful rug, which depicts a story of her life. She shares her stories and knowledge so freely, a breath of fresh air, we are honored to have her join us.

Pictured from left to right-Ann Hallett, Jane Allen, Bea Grant, Mary Ann Mclaughlin, Margaret Thomas.

Spring classes and hookins

Just a quick note to let you know "By the Bay Rug hooking Group" will be meeting at the studio every 3rd Sat of the month from 10-2pm.

I will be holding a beginner class on Mondays from 6-8pm starting April 5th for 4 weeks. The cost of the class is $75, the kits are $70 which includes your pattern, wool, hoop and hook. If you have your hoop and hook, I will subtract that from the cost.

I am sorry to have taken so long to get this figured out but with reno's, a new grandchild, holidays and work it gets hard to stop long enough to have dinner let alone make the new schedule. Hope those of you interested will be ok with the times I have chosen, but with my other obligations this is what fits. Hope you all can make it.

The above rug was made for my daughter Nicole's 30th birthday, it is of her paternal grandparents home on Cambridge St, Penetanguishene. The house was sold a few years ago and has been demolished, she has fond memories of the place and asked that I make her the rug. she was quite pleased with the outcome which I was glad of.

The MAKE store in Collingwood has been doing very well. I sold 2 rugs and wool coats the first weekend, I have also sold the Hip/Hop Rabbit pillow and a 3D sheep, and have another order for the hip/hop pillow. The other artists are doing well also, it is worth having a stop in as it is quite a unique little shop.

By the way I have a new addition to our family, Nathaniel Charles Mortellitti was born March 9th, 2010 at around 4:15pm, at 9lbs 4oz. He's a keeper!

Has Spring Sprung

There is a new store downtown Collingwood!!!!!!! MAKE opened Feb 19th, the store is a collective of 16 artists who show, work and sell their work at this lovely little boutique. Allison Billings the owner has done a wonderful job of bringing it all together. Drop in and take a look if you are ever in Collingwood.

Just an update on how our group has progressed since January. We are now meeting here in the newly updated studio, the number of people attending has been encouraging. Our Hookers and Knitters meet every Tuesday from 10-2pm, you are encouraged to bring a pair of slippers, a brown bag lunch and your own mug ( I don't like doing dishes). Coffee/tea/bottled water are a loonie, for a bottomless cup, money jar is there and we are on the honor system here.
We will be closed the week of March break so no group that week only. The store will be shut down from Wed Mar 10-Mon March 22 for holidays. See ya on the 23rd for group.

By the Bay rug hookers hosted a Weekend rug show on Feb 19,20 & 21st at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum, Winterama weekend. I would like to thank everyone who
donated their time and rugs to make it the success it was. I had wonderful comments from the community about how well we did. Special thanks to Barb for help setting up the displays.

Dorothy Parker and I did demonstration of Rug Hooking at the Simcoe County Museum on Saturday for the Celebration of Arts and Crafts. There was a very good attendance. This event is sponsored by a Trillium Grant and we will be getting a donation to our group for attending. We will have to vote on how we will spend our money when we get it.

I have the yarn shop set up in it's new spot downstairs, I find it a much larger and organized space and hope you will all find time to come in and take a look.

Hopefully with the new studio we will see more people attending and have more workshops as it can sit everyone comfortably. See you all when I get back from holidays-Kirsten will be taking my messages and I will get back to people next week. See ya all soon.