By Appointment at 905-648-7676 (land line) or 905-818-6577 (cell)
March 16, 2008
Wow… who can believe that we are 3 months into 2008 already! And that it actually is 2008 when the Millennium excitement is still so firmly fixated in my head. I guess that means that time really does slip by with frightening speed and we should all enjoy life as much as we reasonably can. That thought brings me, of course, to rug hooking and the great pleasure that I get from StoneHouse.
I am so grateful to all of you who have made the trek to Ancaster and visited my little studio. I have met the most astonishing and amazing women (and some pretty great husbands too) who have allowed me to participate in their lives and become their friend. I value knowing each and every one of you and in particular, sharing this great rug hooking experience. For some of you it has meant the fun of picking a new pattern. For some, it was the frustration of trying to find the perfect colors and hopefully the great pleasure when it all worked out. For some London nurses, it was finding a project that would give them respite from their emotionally grueling days at work. For a teacher, it was the joy of working on a very special historic project. For a few of my health challenged friends it was the pleasure of being able to think about something else. For a few families, it brought mothers, sisters and daughters together to rekindle some quality time. For me, it is the great pleasure of working with women on a mission. It doesn’t matter what the reason is that has made you love hooking, but the mission is made abundantly clear to me every day! I feel privileged and grateful to have shared these experiences with all of you and look forward to many more in 2008.
New Products This Month
· Over 60 new plaids and textures have finally arrived from South America, England and the U.S. and they are incredibly beautiful. If you like to hook wide cut designs, you will love these new items. They are high quality and really lovely new colors that will work beautifully with hand dyed or “as is” wool. Come and see them… they won’t last long.
· Ever wonder what to do with all of your wool projects? We now have stools in a variety of sizes that are specifically made to be “upholstered” with your favourite rugs. All are hand made, right here at StoneHouse and can either be prepared for paint or staining.
· Eight colors of Dorr’s best new shades of solid coloured wool.
Our New Classes
· Fine Shading… Starting Tuesday, April 15th from 1-4 pm and running for 4 consecutive weeks.
Come and learn the basics of fine shading which will help you with every rug you hook once you have mastered the techniques. This class will be taught in a logical and stress free manner by an experienced O.H.C.G. teacher who will cheerfully share her skill and her love of his particular style. Limited to 8 students. Cost is $40 for the 4 weeks and must be prepaid. Call or email to book.
· Wide Cut Crewel… Starting in the Fall… Saturday, September 27th to be exact, and running for 4 consecutive weeks. Space will be limited to 12 so book now to avoid disappointment.
This class will be fun and easy with large designs and tons of wool available to suit every décor. Bring your own pattern or choose form several that will be available here. More info and pictures to follow.
New Events!!
Hook-ins every Wednesday 1-4 PM
Please come and join us for a quiet afternoon of hooking with friends. No pressure. No cost. You can just experience the pure joy of hooking without interruptions. Look on it as an afternoon of hooking therapy. Call first or email to tell me you are coming because if I don’t hear from anyone, I may go and get my grocery shopping done!
March Madness First Annual Hook-…
Friday, March 28th or Saturday, March 29th
Cost: $40 Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Think how much fun it would be to pack up and come for a whole day of hooking with like-minded friends. Finish a project. Start a new one. Add to that a scrumptious buffet lunch and perhaps a little “vino” and we have a sure fired recipe for success. Pick one of these two days (or both for that matter) and watch your winter blues disappear as you chat and hook with others who share the same interest.
Call or email to sign up: m.wilkinson@cogeco.ca
905-648-7676 or 905-818-6577 (cell)
Space is limited and therefore your reserved spot must be prepaid. Visa and Mastercard accepted for those who need to book by phone.
Wool Swap - Saturday, April 26th 1-4 PM
Too much wool hanging around?
Clear your wool stash of unwanted colors and begin the Spring with new wool. Join us for our first wool Swap and hook-in Saturday afternoon, April 26th from 1-4 pm.
Customers are invited to bring their unwanted wool to swap with other wool lovers. Please RSVP to the store to let us know you're coming. Trading only, please. No cash exchanged.
And if that’s not enough
Plan to come to a Garden Party this July 12th. 2008 (Rain Date, July 19th)
Get out the white gloves and your big sun bonnet. We are having a High Tea Hook-In Ladies! Whoops and Gents :) Instead of just a regular hook-in, of course we wanted to do something a little different so this hook-in includes food, swimming in the pool (only if you want!), “rough-terrain bocce” (which just means the lawn is on a bit of a slant) for those who need to get up and move around; and sumptuous food. Space will not be as limited as our winter hook-in as we are trusting it to be nice, but if not we have an alternate day. Stay tuned for more information but mark your calendar for July 19, 2008 10-4 pm and call or email now to book your space!
Tip of the Month
Always take your rug out of the hoop or off your frame at night. The stretching that is needed to hook properly can cause the backing to weaken so there is nothing to be gained by leaving it on there longer than necessary.
This Month’s Special Offers (good until April 5th, 2008)
· Bring in a brand new hooking friend and I will give them 10% off everything they purchase to get started. Wool, hooks, patterns, hoops, Beginners courses… everything! We should all be encouraging new participants to ensure that rug hooking remains a viable art form so bring your daughter, your mother, sister, brother or friend and I will do my part to make it easier for them.
· Why shouldn’t you benefit too? Bring your new friend and I will give you 10% off everything as well! Come before April 5th and take part in this great deal.
One last thought
It is my greatest wish to assist rug hookers by making sure that the supplies they need are readily available in a happy and helpful studio. If anything is missing, just let me know and I will do my best to get it for you.
It is really my honor to work with you and to see your beautiful rugs grow through every stage. It doesn’t matter if you just want to stop in for a visit; to join me for an afternoon of hooking; or because you need a quick opinion on some aspect of your rug. (I’m very good at the opinion part!) Trust that I love to work with each and every one of you to find the perfect color or pattern and nothing is ever too much trouble so please remember that calling will never be a problem.
P.S. Husbands are welcome too if they will pat the Golden Retrievers and pretend to be interested in either hooking or golf with my husband.
Store Hours
A news flash… Sometimes I need to be a mother too! I am going away for a week from April 6th to the 13th which means the store will be closed until the 14th. My son is flying to D.C. to compete in an international event so his sister (who lives in San Francisco) and I are meeting him in Washington to watch and cheer him on. I hope this doesn’t inconvenience anyone because I am really excited about seeing both of them.
Other than that, it is my plan to be here whenever you need me. Having said that, I work in the mornings (well, actually I work all the time, but I work away from here until noon on week days) so the store is open starting at 1 pm. every day. I am happy to see you any afternoon or evening but I really need you to call and let me know you are coming because sometimes life gets in the way. I have dogs to walk, groceries to buy and sometimes I even get to go hooking myself on Thursdays! So please call… I am truly looking forward to seeing you.
Saturdays and Sundays… whenever you call and make an appointment. I always try to make myself available.
Therefore, we are open daily by appointment: Call 905-648-7676 or 905-818-6577 (cell)
Directons to StoneHouse Studio
From Hamilton: Take the 403 to Ancaster and get off at the Linc taking the ROUSSEAU Street exit. At the second light (McNiven Rd), turn right. The first street on the left is Longfield. The studio is 197 Longfield which is on the corner of Longfield and Briar Hill. The driveway is on Briar Hill.
From Brantford: Take the 403 and get off at the WILSON Street exit. Drive down Wilson Street and go through the town of Ancaster. You will pass a round-about and one stop light. At the next stoplight (Rousseau Street), turn right. Go to the next light which is McNiven Rd. Turn left. The first street on the left is Longfield. The studio is 197 Longfield which is on the corner of Longfield and Briar Hill. The driveway is on Briar Hill.
For appointments, call : 905-818-6577 or 905-648-7676
Happy Hooking!
