Here at High on Hooking we do “not so traditional” rug hooking and stitching. That is, the art isn’t necessarily fashioned using only woolen strips or yarn. I prefer to use old textiles (especially old t-shirts and bed sheets!), funky fabrics, and notions like yarns and ribbon. Cutting cloth strips by hand to a fairly broad width gives each hooked mat a bit of a rustic and bulky charm, creating something you can really sink your toes into. They look good on the wall too. Don’t forget to try them on benches and tables.
Spring is in!
And I’ve been away from this page for months! That’s okay; it just means that I’m out there living rather than being chained to the laptop. (Sadly, I still find myself attached to the little phone screen more than I’d like, if only to triage email, read newsletters, and, yes, scroll social media. I’d like to dump it all, but I am weak, and, frankly, it’s how I keep in touch with a myriad or friends, family, students, and other artists. But I do need to update this website more often. I promise to try. Though it won’t be for a couple of weeks. In May I’m off to visit the kid in Seattle. I’m NOT bringing the laptop either. There’s far too much to see and do there.
It’s been a busy 2026, thank goodness, given politics, a new war (let’s not forget the Ukrainians who are years into the one forced onto them), all kinds of gun violence, and so on. We’re recently back from Camp Verde, Arizona, a new place to us. I taught at the Arizona Fiber Arts Festival. Excellent experience especially thanks to my fantastic class who are now all expert punch needlers. Or will be soon. We’ve got one more workshop this spring on May 16, HOOKING WITH YARN, at the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center north of Santa Fe. After that, we’re off till August and September, when we’ve got two classes scheduled here in Albuquerque at FIBER ARTS ON 4TH. Find more info HERE.
Meanwhile, MAKING continues here at High on Hooking. We’re hooking, punching, mini-punching, stitching, sketching, and crocheting. Uncharacteristically, this has caused A LOT of WIP to build up. They’re littering the house. Tom is understanding…to a point. I was always the neat one. In fact, he and the kid both used to tell me I had OCD because I insisted on tidying regularly. (The horror!) I get older; I let loose a little, and look what happens. Now I’m creating clutter and mess. So says he. Perhaps as I age, I’m relaxing and just becoming my grandmother. Her favorite poem was WARNING by Jenny Joseph. Tom should take care…
An important note:
Because I tend to be pretty busy, my blog posts have been limited for a while now. To find out what I’m up to on a daily basis, please see my Instagram page. I’ll be honest, given Meta’s policy changes and the crap that shows up in my feeds these days, I am actively exploring other platforms.
Let’s all practice PATIENCE and, especially, KINDNESS. The world continues to have a tough time of it; let’s share beauty and the best humanity has to offer. And make art! Creativity is life-affirming. (And often subversive too. :))
Laura
WORKSHOP INFO
You can find info regarding scheduled classes and other events on the CALENDAR page.
And no worries if you can’t make a scheduled class, I also host individuals and groups on Zoom, in my home, and at other locations. Just give me a yell at Laura@highonhooking.com if you’d like to set something up. I’ll even provide lunch!
We’ve got an ETSY SHOP! (Not that we update it too much given the current state of ETSY. LOL)
Nothing says I LOVE YOU like a hand-hooked rug or piece of art. See us at www.etsy.com/shop/HighonHooking. Make us a favorite please. Feel free to buy there or contact me directly if you see something you like (there or on our social media) or if you’d like made just for you. In fact, customers outside of the USA should contact me directly.