I have a good friend who likes to hook rugs. Years ago, when I first learned about her hobby, I thought it was pretty cool and enormously envied the rugs she had up all over her house (I still do). I suddenly wished to be a rug hooker, but realistically knew that I just wanted Laura to make them for me. Because, let’s face it, I like to read too much to start making rugs.
Meet Laura…
Her rug-hooking room and her home-dyed wool…
Some things to know about Laura’s rugs…
- they’re so beautiful that they hurt to look at
- they’re so wonderful that you cringe at the thought of each sale (I don’t now how she does it)
- they can be fun and whimsical
- they can be dark and depressing
- they can be political and timely
- they have graced the walls of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, as well as many other smaller galleries around Nova Scotia
And now for the rugs… There are so many great rugs, I tried to contain myself. But who wouldn’t want to look at these for hours?
Ballerinas
Families
Empty Nest
Scenes
Lighthouses
Now, meet Judy…
This is Judy, a lively character is many of Laura’s rugs.
Judy saving the lighthouses
Judy waiting for the cat to let her out.
Judy at the end of a hard day.
Judy attempting a selfie.
Judy hanging out the wash.
Judy getting ready to go out.
Judy caught in a wind storm.
Judy on election night.
Judy welcoming the Syrian refugees.
Judy thinking of the victims of Orlando.
And, because you knew it was coming, a couple of bookish rugs…
I would rather read than iron.
The rugs I have on my own walls… (my photography skills are lacking)
I made this little beauty myself.
Laura made this rug of my kids for me a few years ago. My favourite. 🙂
Laura’s rugs amaze and inspire me. She hooks the same way I read; compulsively, and with passion. I think this is why we understand one another.
In this interview with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Laura talks about her connection to making art in Nova Scotia, and her plans for the future (more hooking!).
For more information about Laura and her rugs, and oodles of ruggles to goggle, visit her website.
*Thank you Laura, for letting me write a post about you! And for letting me use all your pictures!
Consumed by Ink 
Gorgeous! What a talent 🙂
Very talented!
How lovely to see these. It’s always inspiring to meet someone with such a creative passion.
And it’s been fun watching it develop over the years. Suddenly I was thinking, Wow, she’s really done it!
The rugs are beautiful! The colors are amazing, I’m sure they’d bring sun to grey London winter 🙂
They’re perfect for anyone in need of brightening up! 🙂
These are lovely but I’d have to hang them on a wall. Too beautiful to set foot on them!
Oh, yes, definitely on the wall! I keep forgetting that rugs are originally meant to go on the floor. 😉
The photo of the yellow rugs hanging on the line is absolutely gorgeous.
I love that too, Elle! She has quite a few pictures like that, with different colours, but that one was my favourite.
Thanks Naomi..love ya.
🙂 xo
These are fabulous – I love the wit in them! I particularly loved the one of Judy hanging out the washing – made me laugh out loud. I’ve done a fair amount of crafting of lots of different kinds in my time, but always to patterns – I so envy people with the creativity to design their own. Does Laura create patterns for other people to make her designs?
For some reason it doesn’t surprise me that you especially like the one of Judy hanging the man out to dry. 😉
She doesn’t create patterns for other people at this point. They are so clever, aren’t they? The things she thinks of! The one she’s working on now is of Judy standing on her telephone – trying to see what all the fuss is about when people say they’ve been “on the phone” all day.
Thank you so much for sharing these beautful quirky rugs. What a talent your friend has! I do quite a lot of making and was only thinking the other day that I’ve never had a go at making a rag rug. Now I feel quite inspired. 🙂
I’ve only made the one little star rug, but it was fun and very satisfying. You should give it a go! Then take a picture. 🙂
I’m glad you liked the post!
Whoa these are amazing, your friend is seriously talented! Now I want those rugs, I didn’t know I needed them. Where can I get a Laura!?😊
I feel the same way – I want every one that she makes!
These are so beautiful and evocative, I’m so glad you shared your artist friend’s work with us. Thank you!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this beautiful work. My wife works in textiles so I know how laborious they can be. But also how glorious.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful – and so creative, too. I particularly like Judy on Election Night. Thanks for sharing these.
Judy is very good at expressing her feelings. 🙂
How much does she sell them for? Very pretty. I like the pink ballerina rug at top and the bright ones you have. Really nice!
The price depends on the size and how long it takes her to make. You can get a better idea from Laura directly if you want. Her contact information is on her website!
My father used to hook rugs, they were beautiful. Simple black backgrounds with flowers in the middle. They were in use, on the floor. I wish now that I’d asked him to do one for me.
Traditionally, of course,hooked rugs were for using. I bet they were beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful. The ironing one reminds me of the Tillie Olsen story, “I stand here ironing.”
Well, now I’m going to have look that up! 🙂
Beautiful. Laura is definitely talented
She really is! Thanks for having a look. 🙂
Oh my goodness, these are lovely. Thanks for sharing your friend’s talent with us!
You’re very welcome. 🙂
These are great!
Aren’t they? 🙂
Amazing
Yes!
These are great! Thanks for posting them.
Thanks for having a look!
I WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH JUDY. Next, she totally needs to make a #WomensMarch rug!
I bet Judy would love you. 🙂
I’ll pass along your rug suggestion – but, who knows, she may already be way ahead of us!
She just replied back saying that she’s already made one of Judy with the pink pussy hat! Can’t wait to see it!
Just a sea of pussy hats for sure.