The workshop focused on the hooking style of Magdalena Briner and how to hook in the Magdalena tradition, but hooking her designs your way. Barb focused on the simplistic folk art of this early and most well known rug hooker. However...choosing the design was the easy part...choosing the colors...well, that was the tricky part. This sample was hooked by Barb's assistant Lisa in Pennsylvania. This is Barb's sample. Barb hooks in the more primitive, looser fashion. She called it "developing your own rhythm"...well, I don't think I have a rhythm..I just keep pulling up the wool..some loops are shorter and some at taller...

This is Jenny...Magdalena was her great, great aunt. Jenny brought a beautiful book with pictures of rugs hooked by Magdalena and rugs hooked by her, using the designs of Magdalena. It was very special having her at this workshop..thanks Jenny!

Barb Carroll helping with color selection for the "Magadalena Your Way" workshop. Poor Barb..we had her running from table to table and room to room!
One lovely cupboard after another, just stocked with beautiful, buttery soft wool. It was so hard to make a decision!
Barb brought a huge selection of wools for us to choose from. Every color you cold imagine, in every amount, every size. But she took us each individually to the wool tables, and there were many, to choose the most interesting and "cool" colors, as Barb would say!Loved this apothocary cabinet in the shop....

This is the group of gals I shared a hooking room with at Aults. There were two rooms with ample space to be comfortable and hook till your heart's content. Such a pleasurable atmosphere! These gals, some were from Michigan and some from Ohio, were a riot!! Besides, lots of hooking...we did lots of laughing!

Ok...this didn't have anything to do with hooking...but I fell madly in love with this asparagus fern Gloria has in her shop.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's day...it's cold here in Michigan, but at least we haven't gotten anymore snow. I don't have anything new to report this week. Wasn't able to get much hooking done. It has been crazy at work and by the time I get home...I'm exhausted, to say the least! I did go to the monthly hook-in, Thrums and Chums yesterday in Brighton, which is Kris Miller's group and needless to say..it was very entertaining! There are some really, really funny and witty hookers in the group. Kept me laughing till I had tears in my eyes...and I did manage to get a bit of hooking done.

I am going to Ault's this week for the workshop with Barb Carroll. I am so excited! I have never been to a "retreat or a workshop" in all of my hooking history...so it will be wonderful..plus...I am going to make the trip by myself....I have never gone anywhere without my hubby or kids, so it should be interesting! Of course, I'll have to leave a light on in the hotel...I scare really easily!! Have a great week everyone and I will take pictures of the workshop and post next weekend..

"EMMA"...Such a delight!

For the past two Sunday evenings, there has actually been something deliciously delightful on TV. On the Public Broadcast Station, Masterpiece Theatre, has been presenting the works of Jane Austen. This Sunday is the final chapter of "Emma". It has been nothing but wonderful!! I have DVR'd the episodes and this Sunday...of course being SuperBowl Sunday..I will have to wait and watch the final episode on Monday...oh joy, oh joy!! I have seen "Emma" twice with different actresses, one being Gweneth Paltrow....which was pretty good..but the two hour movie cannot compare with the works of PBS. Love, love, love Jane Austen..but of course..who doesn't?