The Story of Izzie Mae

Thank you -  I've received some positive feedback from adding a new banner for the blog.  It was fun to make the banner, and it made me think I should tell you the story of Izzie Mae.  Little Izzie is part fact, part fiction and a whole lot of story from my mind.  As the banner says "A girl, a hook and lots of stories" so let me tell you the tale of Izzie Mae.

Before starting, I recognize I will either lose you as a reader because you will decide I am entirely crazy or you will find my tale entertaining enough to come back again for more sheepy nonsense.  I hope Izzie Mae's story makes you smile rather than doubting my sanity.  So here goes:

I love rug hooking more than any other artistic pursuit, and let me tell you, there have been many hobbies, interests and attempts at different crafts.  When I retired last year I took some basic altered art classes.  I was scheduled to be a vendor at the Hooker Hill Rug Retreat, a small and intimate camp run by fantastic women, and I wanted to make something different for camp.  I wanted to make a statement and keep up my reputation:  the hooker who makes crazy stuff.  This all coincided at the same time I found Izzie Mae.

Izzie May's name is from my imagination as is her persona which developed after my purchase of a tin type photo of a little girl and her mother.  I named the girl Izzie Mae and so began the saga of her life as a hooker girl.   Izzie shows up sometimes as a normal girl, but she evolved into a sheep girl and has many versions.  Some of the photos are not so great; it's hard to photograph altered art.

Me and Mama - Mama knew I was destined to be a Hooker.

It's only natrual Mama let me be a Hooker when I grew up.

Color - That's the answer.  Color.  The spice of Life.  Lots of color.

Izzie Mae's life story collage.  Story is below.

Izzie Mae Hooker- Snooker

I was born’d on Hooker Hill in July 1847.
Becuz of my natural talents, Mama always
said I was meant to be a hooker.

  I been hookin’ for
so many years I can’t
  remember when I started
but I love every
 minute of it.  I tried
   bein’ refined and usin’
 those small cuts, but
I’m a prim girl at heart.

I’ve tried a lot of
  things, but hookin
is my best talent.

In 1863 I was married to
Billy T. Goat & we’z plannin’
 on havin a big
brood of kids startin’
any time now.

And this is Izzie Mae's cousin Matilda.  They don't show much family resemblance between one another.

Now that you know Izzie Mae, will you still come by to see me for future blog posts?!

Karen Kahle Class, More Continued

I've been posting pictures to show you a couple rugs that are the same Karen Kahle pattern, but different wool selections.  Today I'm sharing more pictures from class to give you some eye candy from the work of other hookers in the room. 

It is worth studying each picture carefully to see the interesting variety of wools being used in the rugs.  As you know, Karen uses many wools in her rugs; too many to count sometimes.  Her work is more mosaic and Impressionist in style than traditional rug hooking.  This unique style really works well!  The rugs are "the bomb" as they would say!  So for your viewing pleasure, here are some more student rugs in progress.  Enjoy!

Linda's rug; almost 100% in neutral tones; this rug was amazing.

Diane's Antique Rose Runner.  Diane was late to hooking with us, as she

was our hostess extraordinaire and spent a lot of her time pampering us!

Loretta's Apothecary Rose with a dark background!  OMG, I think
this was best in show!  I love the dark background.  I want this rug!

Close-up of Loretta's rug.  Did I tell you alread?  I want this rug! 

Nada's fun rug.

Carol's fun, fun cat and mice!

Work on Sentimental.  I love this rug too, and now I wish I'd worked on it!

Another Apothecary Rose rug.

Kathy's rug in progress.

And Now:  Drum Roll Please!!!

Karen our teacher and Diane our host and workshop coordinator!  

What a fun experience! 

Next I will share pictures I took of Karen's rugs, then we are heading back to my Magdalena Menagerie rug!  I've made a lot of progress on it and I want to catch you up on it!  Happy hooking! 

End of Year Hooking Reflections

Hello Friends!

I haven't created anything new these past two weeks, but I'm posting pictures of animal rugs I completed in the past few months.  Diane from Florida purchased these four rugs to add to her collection of animal hooked rugs.  Diane is very active in animal welfare, so I am happy she has my dog and cat rugs as a true animal lover.  Thank you Diane for supporting my rug hooking efforts!  I am grateful people like Diane purchase my rugs, as it gives me an opportunity to hook more rugs! 

 As I pulled these pictures up for posting, I realized that I hooked at least twice as many more cats and dogs in 2011 that are not shown here.  Most of the rugs are smaller mats that have sold in my Etsy shop.  I love doing animal rugs.  I have many more planned for my 2012 hooking adventures! 

Please note:  research I've conducted indicates antique rugs created before 1923 are no longer subject to copyright law and this is why these rug patterns are offered for sale by commercial rug hooking vendors.  Before replicating any antique rug pattern, please attempt to determine the date of the rug's origination to be consistent with copyright.