New rughooking project!

The night before last, I had severe "rugger's block". I'd decided that my promise to myself to not start any new hooking projects until I'd finished the other two simply meant I wasn't hooking at all. In fact, I think it had been since last August, and since I was going to an all-day rughooking retreat, I needed a new project.

On Tuesday night, I sat there staring at a blank piece of linen that I'd prepared. All I needed was a pattern, but I couldn't really come up with anything. Nothing "felt" right. Finally I gave up and went to bed, telling myself that, if need be, I'd just draw some circles on it or something when I got to the retreat.

Well, yesterday morning I woke to the sad news that a university professor for whom I'd been a student assistant had passed away. I'd known that she'd had a brain tumour, so it wasn't unexpected, but knowing the candle is growing shorter doesn't lessen the shock when it finally goes out. Dr. Hilary Thompson was one of the brightest, sunniest people I have ever known, and her positive attitude was infectious. As I sat there digesting the news yesterday morning, I knew right away what I was going to hook: a tribute piece to Hilary.

I drew the pattern when I got to the retreat, and it just seemed to come together. Hilary was very involved with children's literature and theatre, and her office was a riot of joyous colour. Accordingly, this rug will be very colourful indeed!

Taking the opportunity to use my grandmother's hook, I settled in and began. I'm always shocked at how fast time goes when hooking, and it seems to go doubly fast when I'm surrounded by other women working away on their projects.

There were so many beautiful rugs there! So much colour and detail and skill. Just amazing stuff. My rugs look so lumpy and bumpy next to theirs, but that's okay. In some ways, I like how rustic and unskilled mine are in appearance.

So, now I'm sitting here, itching to pick up my hook and keep going. I love this art form so much! Any hope for a snow day tomorrow? *grin*