On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
It was while visiting Christmas in Petite, a beautiful Christmas Market in the vibrant and welcoming community of Petite Rivière, that we discovered River House Rug Hooking for the first time. For the occasion, various textile artisans (weavers, knitters, felt objects) as colorful as beautiful, were gathered under the same roof. Through this explosion of colors, patterns, and textures, a few pieces really caught my eye. A technique that I was not familiar with, Rug Hooking.
Design & hooked by Jane Steele - River House Rug Hooking – Petite Rivière, NS
I had the pleasure of chatting with Jane and got to know a radiant and welcoming woman with an obvious creative energy. She is the driving force behind this wonderful space of creation and gatherings.
She came from England to settle on the South Shore of Nova Scotia over twenty years ago. Like us, and like many people we have met since we moved in, she came here for a visit and fell in love with this piece of Paradise. She suggested that I come and learn “Hooking” with her, while she could practice the French she had learned so long ago. An invitation that I quickly accepted!
I have returned there twice since. Each time I found women “hooking” around a large table near the wood stove with a warm tea pot spreading a comforting scent.
Just before Christmas, I went back for the Cat Mint piece I had seen on my first visit and which had been on my mind ever since! Four women were hooking around the big table. There were stories, laughter, brownies, shortbreads and cups of tea.
When I came in, they were “hooking” and chatting about the movie, Christmas Island, filmed last summer in Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. They hadn’t seen it yet and asked if I did, which I had. Immediately, they offered me to sit down and have a cookie or a brownies. We got to know a little about each other by sharing our own personal stories… of falling in love with Nova Scotia.
They talked about the summer evenings “Hooking” on the porch by the river. The idea seamed wonderful! ”I must be dreaming” I thought! I would certainly be there! I left filled with names, notes and joy! I had to go buy my lobsters, for Christmas Eve’s dinner. Strangely, I’ve been feeling like living in a Christmas Movie… since our arrival at the beginning of November!
Oh, by the way… you might not know, but Lunenburg County is considered the Balsam Fir Capital of theWorld!
Here are a few of Jane Steele’s beautiful pieces.
You can follow River House Rug Hooking on Facebook
Tomorrow I will introduce you to the beautiful and whimsical Collages of…
Seth Macbeth of Wolf Moon Cove
See you after the storm!