Good Stuff to Know

It is a glittering, golden morning here in Greenport today.  I love these fall days, but I am not liking the long, dark nights.

There is some good news for rug hookers, and I am late in posting about it.  But, as you all probably know by now, better late than never is my motto.

Up first:  Wanda Kerr has acquired Magik Carpet Dyes.  These are food grade dyes, supposedly a much healthier product than other dyes.  You can find Wanda and the dyes at Wandaworks.  She is also the owner/moderator of The Welcome Mat and writes Rug Hooking Magazine's dye column.

Second:  Heavens to Betsy has acquired George Kahnle's (Hooked on the Creek) wonderful and whimsical rug hooking patterns.  (Sadly, George passed away a little while ago.)  It is great that George's great talent will be available to rug hookers again.

Third: The Fiber Festival of New England is this coming weekend, November 1 & 2, at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  Barb and I will be there, with loads of new stuff.  Please come and see us in booth 457 East.

George Kahnle 1931-2014

Back in 2004, my sister Barb and I took a class called "Dye and Design" at the famed Hooked in the Mountains rug school in Vermont.  It was taught by partners in life and in rug hooking, Dick LaBarge and George Kahnle.  Dick taught the dyeing and George taught the designing. Barb and I  laughed so much that weekend that we dubbed the class "Fun with Dick and George."  George's approach to rug designing was whimsical and fun -- the perfect foil for Dick's gorgeously dyed wool.  We were able to visit with them again in 2008, when we traveled to their hometown of Victory Mills, NY to attend a show featuring their students' rugs.  Once again, we laughed the day away. 

There's a lot less laughter and whimsy in the world this morning -- George Kahnle passed away yesterday. I send my heartfelt condolences to Dick, and I am thankful that George's spirit will live on in the rugs people have hooked from his delightful patterns.   

Happy New Year!

I'm sending good wishes out to one and all for a happy and healthy new year -- especially to George Kahnle, rug designer extraordinaire, who is in the hospital today.  Please send him and his partner Dick Labarge lots of positive, healing thoughts.