Journal

McGown Workshop

Michele Wise — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:46:13 +0000

Getting ready to put my director crown on for Western Teachers Workshop. This year I am teaching two classes and just finished the piece for the trainees. The worst part is typing up all the instructions and information. I love seeing everyone and all the talent they bring to Eugene each year. We have a lot of fun together and I am on an adrenaline rush the entire week.

Celebrations

Michele Wise — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:57:55 +0000

My Ram Tough rug made it into the 2012 Celebrations. I am very excited. I will be taking it to Sauder Village is August. It took about three months to do the 3' x 5' rug. I do not have a place for it in my home yet. I learned much from doing this rug.

Teacher Workshop Finished Projects

Michele Wise — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:40:21 +0000

I have been dyeing yards of wool lately and had time to finish some projects from previous McGown Workshop classes. One is a stained glass project. In stained glass, one needs to hook the wool in order and spot and casserole-dyed wool is the most common type of wool to use. One must hook the leading wool first and this can be the same cut of wool or smaller.

The second project was part of April Love from Jane Flynn's pattern. Since my husband has an interest in banjo's, this little girl got dressed up in her western shirt and she received a banjo. The original project had a winter muff and only one hand was showing. This is how I personalized this picture.

HOOKED JOURNALS

Michele Wise — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:14:21 +0000

I have been working with materials to come up with hooked journals. Journals are very popular, especially art journals, so why not hooked journals. I have made two travel journals and one creative stitches journal I can use for teaching and a handy resource. Below is my creative hooking journal. Inside I have numerous samples of creative stitches (Canadian stitches) and then instructions and illustrations on how to do the stitch. I bound the book with tied together chop sticks which I painted white.This journal comes in very handy when wanting quick information Top 10 Reasons to Make Hooked Journals:

Easy project to take with you wherever you travel.

Great way to improve your art.

Wonderful teaching tool.

Lots of ways to explore embellishments and alternative materials.

Many different forms of finishing your journals.

A great method to get all those ideas for rugs floating in your head down on cloth without making a total commitment to a big piece.

Creative way to play with patterns and design and not feel bad if it does not work.

Fun way to use your scraps.

Opportunity to explore ideas and problem solve.

Hooked journals take up less room for packing and/or shipping to a rug show.

Alternative fabrics in December.

Michele Wise — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:15:22 +0000

I have been using up some polar fleece I had on hand for quite some time. I made a large rug for my bathroom which has a sand pail theme. I also did a proddy rug for in front of the shower. I was surprised how much polar fleece each rug took but it was worth it because they feel so good on the feet.

Back from teaching at Little River Inn and had a blast.

Michele Wise — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:58:38 +0000

Before I taught in California I had a class with Susan Feller. I did the Queen of Games wall hanging. I learned how to apply the wool to the hooked piece. I also did needle felting, needle punch, die cutting the puzzle pieces, and embossing of the velvet skirt and the leather tickets.

Denise Hund at Little River with her version of Jane Olsen using my doll kit. Gret Job!

New Project for nephew's wedding

Michele Wise — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:28:02 +0000

I just finished this rug of the couple's two dogs and did a play on the "Lady and the Tramp" with the wool a heart coming from their mouths. The border reflects Katie's favorite colors. I hope they like it. All I have to do is the label.

-

Michele Wise — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:36:13 +0000

I have just finished a 3' x 5' rug of a fierce-looking ram. It was a challenge but I like the way it turned out.

I have also finished a paper doll of Raggedy Ann. She has a tab dress. I use her at Western Teachers' Workshop to help me introduce the day's events. She even took off her dress to join in the pajama party.