Another Hurricane Hook-in, come and gone...

Mats on display - great when visitors bring their
show & tell to add to ours!

The Quoddy Loopers of St Andrews NB held their 4th annual Hurricane Hook-in Nov 6th--always the 1st Saturday of November, so please mark your calendars for next year (Nov 5th, 2011).

There were over 40 people in attendance and it would seem a good time was had by all. Unfortunately, I had to miss as a family visit coincided. Thanks to Sandra L for taking these photos so I didn't feel totally left out!

Three of Deanne Fitzpatrick's wonderful women... not sure who they are hooked by. It's neat to see so many of these women and how different dress/hair/background colours give individual character to each one. Two mats by (I believe) Mary G of Fredericton: a crisp Celtic and monochromatic self-portrait. The different styles available to us are legion; this shows three distinct and delightful takes on rughooking.

 A few Quoddy Loopers in the background
with guests enjoying a visit in the fore

a happy mat, marking seasons of the year

I love the mat on the right, which was inspired by a decorative tin, left, by Carol-Ann N of Carnegie Rughookers in Saint John. It's been interesting to see it progress over the last year or so; looks like binding is all that's left to finish.

Sande and David Gunning of River Gallery.ca brought their roving shop to St Andrews (from Glenwood, NB, not far from Saint John and GrandBay/Westfield). As well as supplying rughookers with great wools, patterns, notions, etc, they bring some delicious batik and other quilting cottons every year, as the Guild does a lot of quilting to support the Church. River Gallery generously donated several yards of luscious wool to add to our door prizes and raffle baskets, which is much appreciated, helping everyone to have a wonderful day.

Two generous gift baskets were raffled off, with funds going to the church where we meet every Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, missing the very occasional stormy or holiday Wednesday. Our group is smaller these days, with members having different priorities in life, but it's good to see some out at the hook-in (minus hurricane) and wonderful that even those who could not be present contributed so we would have a fun gift for each guest as well as these baskets to raffle. Kimm M of Fredericton HRHG won the big basket. Carol-Ann N, Gwen H, Sandra S, David G and Rhonda B were our other winners of door prizes. We hope those who come infrequently, continue to come and that those faces we haven't seen in awhile will return to hook with us!

More visitors, some from HRHG and at least one from Carnegie. Mary J is holding the front line, with surgery recovery getting in the way of wielding her hook. Of course, a lot of the 'business' of any hook-in is looking at each other's rugs and mats, chatting, enjoying the camaraderie... and the food. As always, the Guild ladies of the Catholic Church of St Andrew presented a lovely lunch, with sandwiches and sweets provided by the Loopers.  

Hope to see everyone next year, or sooner!