Stitch Therapy…My Changing World

There is something healing about stitching…or really any handwork.
Something about busy hands that free the mind to wonder
…to meditate…to pray
tiny stitches…like tears…

This piece, also known as Mending a Breaking Heart
began by stitching leftover scraps from my natural plant dyed wool journal
in a mosaic fashion onto a Osnaburg and cotton batting base.

This was really a “therapy stitch”...quiet, tiny stitches
as I contemplated my Mom starting hospice and my son graduating college and moving to NY.

These are the hands that taught me everything…

It’s just over a month now that Momma’s been gone…
so many changes this year…for me
and many in my circle…
some happy…some sad…some both at the same time.

and so I’ll continue adding stitches…
♥ ~ L

Fall arrived in the studio today...

the Fall issue of Rug Hooking Magazine...

with MY article and FREE pattern for Autumn Fox...
hope you enjoy it ~ Laurie

PS...check out the Classes & Events Page above under header...
I've updated it with Fall info...AND a link to the registration form for
The Prairie Primitive 3rd Annual Rug School
where i will be teaching in April 2020

2019 Directory of Traditional American Craft...

Honored to be selected again for EAL's Directory of Traditional American Crafts!

One of my entries "Swan with Fish" was inspired by a 1810 watercolor and ink drawing from Pennsylvania found at the Free Library of Philadelphia rare book department.

Ah, Spring...fresh wools...

just add to the Etsy Shop...
my naturally ~ plant hand-dyed wool...
marigold...goldenrod...fustic...saxon blue...brazilwood...lac...madder...

...and looking forward to a new gardening season...
this past weekend I planted seeds for this year's dye garden, still to early here for getting in the beds... but soon little sprouts will appear under the grown lights:)

Until next time, Laurie

Another SNOWY afternoon...

So...I took the time to finally edit some favorite old designs and make Paper and PDF Downloadable Patterns...

The FRUIT MAT Collection is NOW available in the ETSY Shop

...and now back to the rug frame...
hoping this is our last winter blast...
Stay warm and safe ~ Laurie

Springtime Hooked Mat Workshop

Join us for a fun day of hooking spring themed mats
Saturday, March 16th, 2019
10am to 4pm
at Minnetonka Center for The Arts
still a few spaces available!

March...ing in like a Lion...

Good Morning,
Hope this Saturday finds you well...

We are headed back to the deep freeze after yet another round of snow!

I hear Paul scraping snow off the roof, so I'm sure this pile has grown.

It's beautiful, but a hassle trying to drive around the city...
a good excuse to stay in...
to make soup...
and putter around the studio.
I've been organizing the wool shelves and discovered some beauties I had forgotten about.
I'll be making new bundles and putting them in the ETSY shop soon:)

but before I do that...

I want to share a few of my students rugs from the MCFTA Student Show...

Lisa hooked this adaptation of 1885 Horses...a Woolley Fox pattern...#8 cut wool on Monk's Cloth

Debi hooked this stunning butterfly...
her own design...and her FIRST rug after her little beginner mat!
mostly #8 wool cut on linen...with a bit of black and white nylon stockings.
There are still openings in my Spring II class...
visit the Minnetonka Center for the Arts website for info... Stay warm...think Spring...and have a great weekend! ~Laurie