TABLE RUG DONE, "ROCK RUGS" IN RUG HOOKING MAGAZINE

Festive Table Rug with metal, 10" X 12 1/2", Lori LaBerge, 2012

I am guessing I was in a festive mood when this rug was hooked as it really reminds me of a party or Mardi Gras with streamers and confetti falling down upon the crowds.  A better photo will be taken later. The current cold air and strong winds had me taking a quick picture outside and heading in for a cup of hot tea.  While sipping on tea, I managed to finish updating the website with the new logo and a new section of contemporary floor rug designs.

The time of year has come when I am finishing up most hooked pieces and getting ready for the Carolina Designer Craftsmen show which takes place Thanksgiving weekend.  Unless time permits, the table rug above will most likely be the last hooked piece that will be ready for the show.

"Rocks and Rugs:  When Opposing Textures Meet"  in Rug Hooking Magazine.

Rug Hooking Magazine's November/December issue arrived in the mailbox yesterday and I had a chance to see my article on rock rugs in print. The article has information on how the rock rugs came about, their relationship to my hometown, and the creative thought process.  I had a wonderful time writing it and in the future would like to do more to encourage others to experiment with the art of rug hooking. Thank you to Debra Smith, Kathryn Fulton and the rest of the staff at the magazine who made this such a pleasant experience.

November/December 2012 issue

I would encourage those interested in rug hooking to subscribe to the magazine.  It has articles for beginners as well as those more experienced.  The magazine has information for use by both traditional and contemporary artists as well as dye info.

Writing about your work can clarify why you are doing it and where you want to go with it. Take some time to think about all those wonderful pieces you've created and where they are leading you.  Would you like to do a series of works or possibly experiment with new styles?  Send a message to viewers or just create something beautiful?  There are so many directions.  Whichever you choose, enjoy the ride and have a great day.

TABLE RUGS, COLOR, THEN VACATION!

Table rugs, 10 X 13, Lori LaBerge  2012

This week saw the completion of two more table rugs.  For these two, vertical stripes were added on the lower section for a slight change of design.  I tend to veer toward painting the metal parts in a shade of gold, but it just did not fit with the green rug, so I switched over to silver.

Wingnuts stitched to hooking

Coupling nuts (I'm learning all kinds of hardware terms!) stitched to hooking.

While shopping this week, I came across a great book on color. "Can't Fail Color Schemes" by Amy Wax.  The link is to Amazon which has it through third party sellers. Barnes and Nobles has the book available new here.

The book has sections on color meaning and perception, how light affects color and great photos of rooms decorated with various color schemes.

There is an explanation of why each color is used in the room in combination with the other colors. Though the book is on color in interior design, there is no reason why these color combinations could not be used in artwork.

Kami LaBerge, my daughter, will be guest blogging from Los Angeles the next couple of weeks, as my husband and I have set up house sitters and pet sitters and are headed off to Scotland to celebrate our 29th anniversary.   Next week, she will be writing on the colors of Southern California.  She has a bachelor's degree in Art History and a master's degree in Library Science.

I am busy making lists of galleries and woolen mills along with the castles and pubs we plan to visit, so there should be plenty to report on when I get back.  Think back to the wonderful vacations you've had or those in your future and have a great day.

TABLE RUGS FOR DECOR

Yellow table rug, 10" X 13" linen, wool, metal, Lori LaBerge  2012

This week has been a wonderful combination of dyeing, hooking, whipping edges, stitching metal to fiber and designing.   I love the table rugs.   They are wonderful for displaying pottery and look great on coffee tables, sofa tables and chests.  The rugs will be available for purchase at the Carolina Designer Craftsmen show in November.

Full view

The whipped edges were finally finished this week.   After the edges were finished, the various hardware parts purchased last week were poured onto the studio table.   Decisions were made as to which metal parts would go on which rug, then the parts were scraped and painted according to what was needed for the design.

Red table rug, linen, wool metal,10" X 13", Lori LaBerge 2012

Full view

I also purchased some art this week.  My husband and I took a ride toward Banner Elk, passed a little gallery and had to turn around to go take a peek inside.   I'm so glad we did as we had the chance to meet Sally Nooney.  The gallery was full of her paintings, fused glass and jewelry. She was a delight to visit with and we talked about art, painting, glass and rug hooking for at least an hour.

Now at home on an entry wall, fused glass, "The Forest" by Sally Nooney

I love exploring back roads and finding little gems like Sally's gallery. Enjoy a weekend ride near your home, explore new places for art and have a great day.

TABLE RUGS IN PROGRESS, BOOK IN RUG HOOKING MAGAZINE

Table rugs in progress.  Lori LaBerge  2012  Hooking, whipping edges and embellishing the rugs still need to be completed.

This week I started work on a series of table rugs which will measure approximately 9" X 12" each.  They would also look wonderful framed if one wishes.  The rugs will be created in a variety of colors and based on the same design.   I also had the chance to do some dyeing this week:

Colors dyed for use on future table rugs.  

The table rugs will be embellished with metal so a trip to the hardware store was in order to search for items to add to the rugs.  When not at home, a good place to find me is in the hardware or electrical section of Lowe's, Home Depot or the local Trustworthy hardware store.  I love those places!

Items waiting to be scraped, cleaned, painted or used as is in work.

I had received an e-mail from the editor of Rug Hooking magazine, Debra Smith, a while back asking for permission to place my book in their "Good Reads" section.

It is in the September/October issue and they did a wonderful write-up on it. Information on ordering the book can be found here.  As I was going through the issue, an article I really enjoyed  was one by Diane Krys.  She combines knitting and rug hooking in a wonderful way and I can't wait to see more of her work.  

Think about how you can create different combinations in whatever your work, hobby or project may be and have a great day.