"Chicken or Egg" (2021) Hooked by Brenda Fulmer from Sugar Run, PA
14"x14" - wool on linen
A lively border harmonizes with a realistic hen and egg design by Darcy Spilman of Woolen Folk Art. Color is key in this work. Brenda's expertise in hooking is developing beautifully for a relatively newcomer to hooking.
(Lucy's comment: This rug would look great in my kitchen)
“Winter Tree” (2020)
18.5” x 21.5", #8-cut on linen
This delightful holiday rug is a Martha Lowry design hooked by Amzi Collins of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The border is a very clever adaptation of a repeating log cabin design, placed in such a way that symmetrical holly leaves emerge. Most rugs benefit from using the border colors elsewhere in the rug to anchor the rug and balance the color plan. The tree does just that! A red plaid outer borderline and a touch of red between the leaves suggests berries. Add a frosty, windy sky, a lamb, bunny and star…and voila! A beautiful Christmas heirloom.
(Lucy's comment: Such a peaceful scene, we need this NOW!)
“Purple Mountains Majesty” (2019) An original design by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, PA
26”w x 30.5”h - Primitive linen, recycled & new wool, 8 cut
Purple Mountains Majesty is another Challenge rug, "COLOR". We drew our challenge color out of a hat. The color had to be used primarily in an original rug, subject was of our choice.
Debbie states: " Although grapes and flowers would be the normal choice for most, I went the country way with mountains.
I love the little cabin in the forefront that just makes you want to visit it and sit on the dock in the shadow of those purple mountains."
(Lucy's comment: I want to go there!)
“Charlie” (2018) - An original design by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, PA
20”w x 22”h - Wool on primitive linen.
This rug honors the best "keeper of the hens" that ever lived. It was difficult to decide on the background to make him be the star that I wanted him to be. I think I nailed it with the yellow variation giving the morning glow that wakes all roosters and brings out the best of them, well at least their voices.
(Lucy's comment: "You nailed it...Charlie and the background")
"Woodsey Welcome" (2020)
21”w x 30”h - wool on primitive linen.
Brenda Fulmer from Sugar Run, PA captured the essence of her homebase by hooking a design by Debbie G of Whimsy Rugs. A personalization was added to welcome guests to her woodland retreat.
"Lightning Bugs" (2018) - Designed and hooked by Debbie Kolodziej
16”w x 13”h – Wool on primitive line
The theme of the Sisters Rug Hooking Challenge in 2018 was "Fun and Games". "This is reminiscent of what we did when we were little every summer night. We would fill a mason jar up with lightning bugs aka fire flies. I lived near a corn field and that was where a lot of the lightning bugs were so I had to add a stalk on the rug".
(Lucy's comment: I especially love the shilhouettes and sky.)
“Finding a Tree” (2019) by Brenda Fulmer, Sugar Run, PA
New and recycled wool on primitive linen, #6 cut - 16"x 24"
Admiring hooked rugs over the years finally convinced Brenda to pull a few loops and complete her first rug. It took a year from start to finish, but patience paid off. She now has an heirloom rug which will bring much pleasure for years to come. Intended to be gifted…maybe not.
Our Mom, Stella Kolodziej, took a rug hooking class offered through Flemington (NJ) Adult Education in the 1960’s. She completed two rugs during the next few years, both in a very narrow cut. Both were used on the floor in the living room for many years. Sadly, pets were not kind to them.
This cheerful rug (36"w x 22"h) was hooked with yarn and may have been done before she took classes. Our little brother was born in 1960 and this might have decorated his nursery. It is now 60 years old and has withstood time with just a slight blemish near the border.
In 1990, she inspired me to start hooking. Ten years after that, I urged my sister and sister-in-law to pick up a hook and did they ever! We all have completed many, MANY rugs over time, but the best fun we’ve had was to create two themed challenge rugs each year since 2009...and we're not stopping anytime soon!
"Wickford Point"
This rug is an adaptation of the cover of the book Wickford Point (1939) hooked for here daughter Dana, whose initials are in the tree. Approx. 4'x6'
Phyllis Kapner has a long history of rug hooking.
"I started hooking 35 years ago after a trip to Nova Scotia where I heard the history of how poor the people were, and a doctor wanted to help by creating a cottage industry of rug hooking. I came home and saw a hooked rug in Country Living, and wanted it for myself. So, I went and sketched it out on burlap, bought dye, wool remnants, and a hook."
"Colonial Floral"
2'x3'
" Eventually I bought a cutter and a stand and have made over 25 rugs, averaging 2'x3'' to 6'x8'.
Although I have painted, knitted, embroidered, sculpted, made jewelry, quilts and Tiffany lamps, rug hooking was by far my favorite hobby. I still love to look at them. The rugs are all still in use in family members' houses. "
Phyllis Kapner
More rugs by Phyllis:
"Delft Tile" - 2'x3'
"Garden of Eden" - 6'x8'
"Medieval Tapestry" - 3'x5'
"Daisies" 2019
15-1/2 " x 23"
#8 cut on a linen backing. Materials: wool, sari silk and velvet.
Good hooking friend, Amzi Collins of Lake Charles, Louisiana, took this daisy pattern by Sharon Smith and created a wonderfully vibrant wall hanging. Materials were from the studio of :
Gail Dufresne - https://www.goathilldesigns.com/
and
Sharon Smith - http://www.offthehookwoolrugs.com/
"Sunrise Fishing" (2015) An original design by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, PA. New and recycled wool on primitive linen using #6 & #7 cuts
"This rug was done with the help of a workshop presented by Sandra Brown to the Old Barn Rug Hooking Guild, Tunkhannock, Pa. The workshop focused on the use of light in rug hooking. It was a challenge to bring the beautiful sunrise sky colors down into the reflection on the water. The inspiration for this rug was my son, Bryan, who is an avid kayak fisherman. It was presented to him at his graduation from Lock Haven University."
Private Collection
Eric Turnbull, 94, (1922-2018) father of Amzi Collins, was born in Canada, moved to Birmingham, AL, and last resided in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He and his wife, started hooking in the late 1970’s, she hooking the design, he filling in backgrounds.
Then he wanted his own rug. He always hooked with a #3 cut. Nothing else would do.
He hooked geometrics and Orientals. He cut his own wool and would even pick out his colors. Some of his rugs had unconventional colors for the patterns he hooked.
“Yellowstone” (2012)
Hooked by Eric Turnbull, Lake Charles Louisiana
At 94, it's getting harder to distinguish variations in color. But if you go with your gut feeling to select colors that you like, it becomes your own unique color plan.
“Talish Medallion” (A Jane Flynn design, 21” x 26”)
Hooked by Eric Turnbull, Lake Charles Louisiana
An engineer by trade, Eric Turnbull is methodical and disciplined in his rug hooking as he was in his work.
"The Ultimate Fisherman" - An original design hooked by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, Pa. (2010)
37" x 26", New and recycled wool on primitive linen, #6 and #8 cuts.
I come from a fishing family but to me the Kodiak bear is the ultimate fisherman.
The central image captures the bear perched on a swift waterfall and caught in the act of catching a salmon.
The border also tells a story. The inset at the top is a view into the bear's wooded habitat, footprints decorate the bottom, small fish medallions are at each side, and the large bear paw quilt pattern anchors each corner.
Private Collection
"Oh! Canada" An original design hooked by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, Pa. (2013)
19" x 32", New and recycled wool on primitive linen, #6, #7, #8 cuts
Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfeld was instrumental in introducing the residents in the north country to the production of hooked mats and developed a prosperous cottage industry, from the late 1890's through the Depression years. This rug was done in that style, with a dogsled delivering the raw materials to the rug hookers in the town below.
The insertion of the boat on the water is an adaptation of a typical Grenfeld image, often of a fishing scene.
Private Collection
"Buy American" – Designed and Hooked by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, Pa. (2010)
12 1/2" by 24 1/2", Recycled wool in a #6-cut, done in a primitive style on linen.
This rug replicates the old tin advertising signs.
Buying American-made products is a sentiment that my family believes in and we make a conscious effort to buy items with a Made in the USA label whenever possible.
The depth of the lettering is enhanced by shadowing in a familiar, authentic American style.
"Childhood Memory" - Designed and hooked by Debbie Kolodziej, Wyalusing, Pa. (2013)
20" by 25", New and recycled wool in a #6-cut, done in a primitive style on linen.
Ice skating was a favorite past-time when I was younger. Other memories are incorporated here as well: I had the fur-trimmed, blue coat for years. The pompoms on my skates are a cherished memory of my Dad making them for me each year. I knitted the gold mittens and scarf with the free yarn that Grandma got at Woolworth's.
During my hooking, I happily relived the days of getting all bundled up and going off to some frozen water spot to spend hours twirling and skimming over the ice.
I experimented with a new dying technique on the wool for the ice, 'painting' the dye color on the gray wool before cutting it.
A simple design in a 'story rug' recalls a wonderful memory.
Private Collection
“Three Witches” designed and hooked by Debbie Kolodziej of Wyalusing, PA,
25”w x 22”h, hooked in #5- & #6-cut new and recycled wool on a primitive linen.
Ever wonder where rug hookers find such beautiful wool?
This rug is a fun take on a possible answer. Some think we must meet in the middle of the night in funny outfits to concoct our creations. Here, the hooking sisters toil at the dye cauldron to stir up a batch of colorful wool. The moon and sky have a mischievous swirl and wooly sheep graze off in the background, while a cat curls up to watch the nighttime activity. And of course, colorful rugs and wool ready for hooking are everywhere.
Story rugs are filled with details and this one is no exception. Have you read a good rug lately?
“Stained Glass Balloons” Amzi Collins, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 16 x 20, #4-cut on burlap. Designed by: Jane Flynn/Charco Patterns #682
The big balloon was hooked with bright colors to give it prominence in the design. The smaller balloon in the background was hooked with subdued colors to give the appearance of being distant.
The light blue wool background was hooked in the order in which it was cut which created the swirling patterns found in stained glasswork. The border picks up the colors used in the big balloon to tie the colors together and 'frame' the piece.
This hooked wall hanging was gifted to my son and his family in Colorado Springs, a popular place for hot air ballooning.
Private Collection
“Little Spring Breeze”, 14”h x 14”w. Hooked by: Amzi Collins, Lake Charles, LA., #6 cut on Scottish Linen. A Bea Brock Design
Bea is an expert in creating patterns using vivid colors and imaginative designs. This rug is no exception. To complement the bright turquoise background, many other bright colors were introduced, producing an interesting pallet of shaded colors with a punch to create a striking design.
The colors were repeated in border using graduated shading of little half rounds, urging the eye to move from one decorative element to another.
This little rug now serves as a top of an accent pillow.
Private Collection