Crafts it seems have always been a part of my life. I remember as a child asking for painting sets and knitting kits for Christmas. The interest of crafting continued into adulthood only becoming more sophisticated.

As our three sons grew up they were surrounded by decorative chest that I painted and sold in the 1980s.

I took a break from crafting for awhile going back into the work force but after crafting for so many years, I felt something was missing and once again turned towards making items by hand. During this time Malcolm’s grandmother, who hooked and braided rugs, passed away and I acquired her supplies. It wasn’t until I saw a demonstration of rug hooking at a local fair that I became interested in rug making.

My first rug was done on burlap with uneven cuts strips and like most first time hookers, I put wool into every hole of the burlap. Needless to say the rug of a heart and two stars was and still is very primitive, plus my hands hurt. But there was a lesson in this rug -- you don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. I did persevere, took a basic rug hooking class and became thoroughly “hooked”. I design my own rugs and after six years of reading, trying different techniques, making lots of mistakes, I feel my own style had emerged. I also demonstrate, teach and make braided rugs. I combine these two loves into my rugs by using a braided border at times around my hooked rugs. I never get tired of the wonderful feeling of running my hands over a hooked wool rug. It is very addicting.

My rugs are done in primitive style with no shading. I use a lot of earth tones with wool that has been over dyed.

My inspiration is the love of the farm we live on and the love of old crafts and antiques of by gone years. I feel by acquiring my Grandma’s supplies the craft has been passed onto me and in turn, my commitment is to continue to pass it on through demonstrating and teaching. During the late summer and fall you will find me at Homesteads demonstrating and selling my rugs.