e-Newsletter

Issue: April 2008

Welcome . . .

. . . to my first "live" e-newsletter issue. From this issue forward, my e-newsletters will be published here rather than sent to your email Inbox. I hope you enjoy each and every issue. If you are subscribed to the newsletter, you will receive an email notice when each new issue appears here. You will also receive special links in your email notice that will take you to pages of unannounced specials and sales.

Read about how to become a subscriber.

quick links

Quick Links are links to other websites that I think you will find useful and interesting. Places that are fun to explore, articles that are interesting to read, and people I just love!

In this issue -- quick links to wonderful wool!

Lacey Jane Prims

Some of you know Jo Ellen Dismukes for her great hooking projects in Create and Decorate. But do you know she sells the most scrumptious rug hooking wool? I get most of my wool from her cuz I just love her overdyed colors. Check it out.

Hollyhock Hill Designs

Melvina Langston offers beautiful textured wool, which I recently had the opportunity to try. I loved them all! If you're in the Greencastle, Indiana area April 11-12, you'll find her at The Fiber Event.

The Wool Studio

If you've never had the chance to add Rebecca Erb's wool to your stash, now's the time. It is the softest, most luscious wool. She always has something new and wonderful. Send in your request to be placed on her mailing list to get a swatch folder of new woolens every 3 months. You can find the information on her website. While you are there, check out the great rug hooking designs by my pal, Lori Brechlin, produced by Kris Miller at Spruce Ridge Studios.

Skip to My Ewe

Last but not least, an eBay store with a grand selection of rug hooking wool. I have ordered wool from Tammy and Renee many times and have never been disappointed.

There you have it -- build your stash!

Subscribers: Do you have a favorite website or shop you'd like to share with everyone? Send me the link in an email and I will share related information in a future Quick Links column.

Business owners: Want to advertise here? Just  email and ask how.

Spring!

The calendar says it's Spring, and boy am I ever ready! The photo at the left was taken in my herb garden last year, and I can't wait for all those perennials to poke out of the ground again! I hope it's already warming up where you live . . . I am still waiting.

But while I wait, I hook, and that's all good. How about you? What are you hooking, stitching or punching? Whatever it is, enjoy it and share it - there's nothing like creating something with your own hands.

This issue will focus on rug hooking and wool (next time we'll talk more about needle punch stuff.) I've been working (on and off) on a reproduction of an old clamshell rug I saw at an auction. Plus, there are always those UFOs (un-finished objects). I have a couple of large rugs that need binding (my least favorite part), so I need to get to those soon.

Beginnings

Since I am talking about new beginnings (no, not my going back to childhood -- Spring, of course!), I thought I would share with you how inspiration for new designs sometimes take hold in my brain and, if I am lucky, end up in a rug. My everyday dishes are the America pattern by Pfaltzgraff, which are no longer in production. The motifs on the pieces are reproduced from original artwork taken from textiles and other artifacts in the Museum of American Folk Art. I love everything about these dishes, from the artwork to the colors, and the feel of the pottery.

One night, an idea came into my head to create a rug for my kitchen. Since each dinner plate has a different image on it, and the accessory pieces do too, I had a lot of ideas from which to choose and to move around in the design for this rug. It wasn't long before I was scanning dishes and putting together a design idea in Photoshop. That's as far as the idea has gone, but as soon as I find some of that time I need, I will adjust those pinks to be more golden-apricot like the bird in the dish, and then begin to overdye some wool for this rug.

Here is the Photoshop design concept that I am playing with; it's not cast in stone at this point, but I am liking it so far. I'll keep you updated if this rug ever comes to fruition.

New Designs

Below are three of my newest rug-hooking designs. You can order them as a pattern or kit, here>>

If you are a subscriber, be sure to click the link in your email to see the Subscriber Special for this issue before you place an order.

That's it for now . . . thanks for reading along . . . happy Spring and, as always, Happy Hooking!

Sally

I do not advocate spamming or unsolicited e-mail. I will only send you emailed newsletter announcements if you subscribe, or if I have otherwise done business with you. I will never sell or distribute your email address to any third parties for any reason! I respect your privacy. You can remove your email address at any time.

Sally Van Nuys          Amherst Folk Art & Rug Hooking      141 Woodhill Drive     Amherst, OH 44001         440-984-3486 Home Studio

Feel Free to Ask Me A Question!

I do not advocate spamming or unsolicited e-mail. I will only send you emailed newsletter announcements if you subscribe, or if I have otherwise done business with you. I will never sell or distribute your email address to any third parties for any reason! I respect your privacy. You can remove your email address at any time.

Sally Van Nuys          Amherst Folk Art & Rug Hooking      141 Woodhill Drive     Amherst, OH 44001         440-984-3486 Home Studio

Feel Free to Ask Me A Question!