I am a folk artist living and working in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom of Vermont! Born in 1941, I am the grandmother of 17 and soon to be a Great Grandmother in 2008!
I am a transplant from the state of Washington to Vermont where my husband and I have lived for 13 years…and we are thankful to enjoy a peaceful, rural life in a wonderful small state with terrific people.
I have been so pleased that my art and craft work has been warmly received here and it is encouraging that residents and visitors alike find joy in purchasing a piece of original folk art created by my hands. All of us who are artists or craftspeople appreciate the support and the kind words our customers give us. Their delight in our creations encourages and stimulates us.
I have come to greatly enjoy the serenity that I find in this place and in this time of my life. Since my late 40’s and early 50’s, I have found the trivial and the petty dropping away and a gentle understanding of the important things in life coming forward. I try to encourage others more, to give more hugs and to let friends and family know that I love them. I find that reason is sweet and common sense is the order of the day.
I am able to face each day with a sense of joy, even as I pray for those who have no joy. I have reasonably good health and I rejoice in that even as I remember those who face sickness and pain. I find that I have more compassion for those who have faced temptations that I have never known and have forgiven myself for my own poor judgements, decisions and actions. The result of all of this is the appreciation of each day of life and a hightened awareness of our individual role in caring for the earth and all who inhabit it! Let us all do our small bit…and the result will be great indeed.
Hi Again…
Have to say that I love your sentiment here , also! I’ve been up in your neck of the woods and the winter peace must be wonderful.
Hook-on! Loretta
Hi Loretta!
Thank you for the kind words!!! : )
Yes, the winters here are lovely and we enjoy the quiet. We are not “winter sports” people although my husband did more ice skating, sledding, etc. in his youth. (As I did in Washington state)
But now we really enjoy the beauty of the snow, feeding the birds and the wonderful peacefulness of it all. And…what a terrific time to create!
Enjoy! Hugs to you, Sunnie : )
Hi Sunnie,
This may just be the best profile I have ever read. wow. you do sound centered. Thank you for being such a great role model for kindness and a genuine love and appreciation of life.
Thank you, Laney, for such a nice comment! I appreciate it so much. Human life is filled wtih joy and sorrow, sickness and health, good times and bad…and all of us go through these times.
I think my mother and father set a good example for me. They loved me every minute of every day and they loved and respected each other, even when they disagreed. Their love gave me strength in almost 30 years of a very difficult marriage.
Now, married 20 years to a kind and gentle man who loves me, (even if I am a little “wacky”) LOL, I am very happy.
He supports and enjoys my art, appreciates the simple life we lead and his heart is in this part of the world where he spent many happy childhood years. I love seeing him contented too and feel so blessed every day.
May you have many peaceful and creative days in 2008.
Hugs to you, Sunnie : )
Sunnie:
What a great blog by a lovely lady. You sure have it all figured out – maybe I will when I grow up too LOL. Remembering our workshop together in Searsport and all the fun you brought to all of us and continue to do through your work and your blog – keep it going. Perhaps we will meet again on the “hooking” road – I hope so.
Ken
Hi Ken: What a nice message to greet me this morning!!! : )
I visit your Maine hooked rugs website from time to time too and always enjoy your beautiful work!!!
When you reach my “advanced age” (LOL), you will certainly have figured out Something!!!!! : )
However, the wool dust in my brain makes me a little addled from time to time and I forget to be serene!! The sight of a little old lady tottering about on the wooden steps leading to a little house with a carrot-railing porch is a sight that would cause most Vermonters to faint…so you see there is a “down-side” to being ebullient!!!!
I, too, hope we meet in Maine again or on the wool road to “somewhere”!!! Didn’t we have fun at Searsport!!!
However, I might need to have you help me across the street after I become a great-grandmother!!! Were you a Boy Scout? LOL
Happy Hooking! Sunnie : )
Hello Sunnie
Greetings from a snowy Scotland. Have just visited your site for the first time. Your work is lovely and your sentiments too, if only everyone could think like this. A more peaceful world we would surely have.
Nice to find me on your blogroll. This technology is really great for ‘hooking’ up with folk from around the world.
Happy creations.
Hello Moy…How nice to hear from you! : )
I can’t remember how I came across your Blog but I enjoyed your work so much that I just had to visit from time to time to be inspired! : )
Your use of colour is wonderful and uplifting and, of course, the “sky, fields, animals and homes” themes speak to me. I love them too!
Yes, I am so pleased we have the internet too…especially here where we are in rural Vermont…the connections we can make are great!!
Enjoy!!! Sunnie
Find a comment. Leave a comment. Visit a blog – link to a website, take a trip to Moy’s Scotland – journey back with a new appreciation and energy gained by a short, fulfilling trip.
What a wonderful time to be an artist. Aren’t we all lucky!
Hi Wendie! I’m so glad you visited me…isn’t it fun? I enjoy your Blog too and will visit often. We can take a trip around the world without leaving home!!!!! LOL
And the inspiration I find in the work created by all the artists and craftspeople on my bloglist is wonderful!
Happy Tuesday!!! Sunnie : )
Hello Sunnie (what a LOVELY name) and greetings from Queensland.
I dropped by to thank you for visiting KenMaursCorner.
I sometimes wonder at “how” people find me.
It’s truly great , meeting with people who are centred and enjoying life,no matter what is thrown at them.
I loved visiting and meeting with you,and truly enjoyed the gorgeous snow pictures.
Living in a sub tropical area,snow is something I have yet to experience first hand.
It’s just over 12 months since we moved from our idyllic rural home to suburbia.,and four months ago my darling supportive husband of 46 years lost his battle with cancer; he was the wind beneath my wings,and I owe it to him to keep going forward….
Best wishes,
Maureen
Maureen, I am so glad you visited me! Thank you!
My heart goes out to you and the loss of your beloved husband…but I rejoice that you had the joy of him for 46 years! : ) And the memories will keep you moving forward as he still is there beneath your wings!!
Joe and I are planning to move to a smaller, more easily cared-for place in 2011 as our wonderful rural home just takes more care than we can handle as we age. I will be 70 in 2011 and Joe will be 80. We still have reasonably good health but aren’t getting any younger! : )
I’ll be visiting your Blog from time to time to see what you are working on…and to say “Hello”!!! My son lived in Australia for 10 years (Sydney) and just loved it!!!!
Warm Regards, Sunnie : )
I appreciate all my visitors…if anyone is working on similar rugs, I’d love to hear from you!
HAppy Hooking! Sunnie : )
Sunnie, your rug is lovely. I hope to get back to your site to see its completion.
Hi Barbara:
Thank you for visiting me!!! I’m really having fun with this rug project!!!
Warm Regards, Sunnie : )
Hi Cousin Joanne!
That’s what we called her in her youth, folks! Your latest hooked rug is going to be beautiful. I also play with wool, as in knitting, and have recently become hooked on quilting. So the sewing machine is consuming most of my time these days.
I am writing from Kodiak, Alaska, and we too, still have snow. We will have spring by June, and then a summer day or possibly a week, in August, then in September back to rain, rain, rain before the snow, snow, snow.
Our small town is a great community of very creative artists, and there are lots of things to do and learn here. I have learned beadwork, grass basketweaving, knitting, and quilting, and enjoy being here very much. I do miss the Eastern Washington desert country a lot though, and miss my horses.
KKV
Hi Cousin Karen!!!!
I’m so glad to connect with you!! : ) Remember all the fun we had when we were children and all the times you took me out to ride horses!! (I always chose the slowest one and you always chose the liveliest!) LOL
Isn’t it interesting that we both find such enjoyment in art and crafts at our “advanced” ages!!!! : ) Your community sounds great and I’m glad you are having a delightful time living there.
Unlike you, I never felt that I Ever belonged in the Eastern Washington desert community even though Mom loved it so much. I knew I was meant to live in a place with trees…lots and lots of trees!!! : ) And a place where it was more “Endless Winter” than “Endless Summer”. Vermont is ideal for me and Joe loves it here so much.
Love to you and Ray…and to all the family!!!
Cousin S/J : )
Dear Sunnie (Joanne),
It’s amazing what one can learn about another just by reading a blog. Now I know your ‘real’ name (although Sunnie seems to fit you better), your age (you’re 10 years older than I am) and that you’re also on a second, wonderful marriage. My first, which wasn’t great, lasted 7 years, until he walked out, leaving me penniless with a 6 year old and a 3 year old. But God, in His all-knowing way, knew what He was doing. He sent Gerry into my life and next March, we celebrate 25 wonderful years together. He is truly my soulmate.
You already know I’m one of your most ardent fans. I do hope that one day we’ll meet at some time and some where along the woolie highway.
Hi JoJo!
Yes, it is amazing what we learn from these blogs!!!!
Aren’t we lucky to have wonderful second marriages? Joe and I celebrated 20 years together this year! : ) (I was married 27 years in a difficult first marriage)
I already feel like you’re part of my family…and that is one of the terrific things about the internet! It connects us in ways that might not be possible otherwise. : )
I know I have been helped and encouraged in my rug hooking life by our Snippets friends-and-family group and that has brought me much joy! I think that my “fearless” hooking adventures are possible because I know that even if I fall on my face and hook a real disaster, my friends will help me up, puree those veggies and encourage me to try, try, try again!!! LOL
Hugs to you…and I hope you are feeling better these days and not trying to do too much!!!!! : )
Hi Sunnie, I just wanted to tell you I finished my chair pad and I think it came out nice, It was’nt hard at all to put on the rug binding and whip the edges, thank you so much for showing me how to do it,
See you at Brenda’s in August,
Annette
Hooray!!! Wonderful, Annette!! I’m so glad you came to hook with us Saturday and your work is looking so good! I’ll be waiting to see how you finish up your new hooked project!! August, here we come! LOL
Hugs to you, Sunnie : )
Hello Sunnie, My name is Anita Tabbytite, age 53. I live in Tucson Az. I found your website on a Rug Hooking link. I’ve just discovered Rug Hooking and fell in love. I’m trying to get started on my first ‘Welcome’ rug… (that I designed). Ive gone wool gathering @ a nearby secondhand store, I picked up a few colorful wool blazers, jackets and skirts, ripped them up and they r all ready to throw in the wash and dryer. But gosh girl, there is so much fake wool out there. You can no longer feel fabric, you have to read the labels, LOL. Also I picked up a few rug hooking books on Amazon, a great place to shop. Anyway- I was on your blog and saw the huge tapestry rug you are working on, what a beauty. I’m hppked and will continue to follow your daily progress. I have a question? Do you hook it on the floor or do you have it on a frame all tight and tant then take it out to take your pictures? Seems like a lot of work but everyone has their own way of doing things. One never knows. Okay, also I wanted to say, I do love your website, your blog showing US your work in process, how great is that? And your own rugs. such gems they are. Now if i could only finish a rug of my own- Happy Hooking ~Anita
Hello Anita! I’m so glad you have discovered rug hooking! It is just a wonderful art and craft! : ) Thank you for visiting.
Yes, it is important to find 100% wool for your wool strips unless you are doing some branching out to use ribbons, trims and all kinds of fabrics!!! LOL
For rug hooking, you really need a frame to work on that will hold your backing taut. It can be a lap frame, table frame, floor frame or even a large rug hoop. Some hookers use a large floor frame (rather like a large quilting frame) and roll out the rug as they work on it.
(for rug hooking, you need the frame, the backing of your choice, your hook and your wool) You can purchase frames at your local rug hooking store or on eBay!!! : )
I mostly use a Snap Dragon Frame on a Puritan floor stand. It is easy to put a rug on and take it off …and I DO take my rugs off the frame and put them on the floor to do these quick photos. : )
(see my frame photo) You might start with a small “learning” frame that is not so expensive and then graduate to a better frame when you know you will be hooking more and more!!! LOL
Your books will help you and, if you have a chance to take a class or workshop with a rug hooking teacher in your area, you might find it very enjoyable! It is really a matter of learning to pull your loops up to approx the same height and checking the back of your work to see that you don’t have crossovers or lumps. You will find your own comfort zone!!! : )
Feel free to ask any questions you might have…and if I can’t answer them, I can certainly refer you to more experienced hookers! : )
Warm Regards…amd Happy Hooking!!! Sunnie : )
Sunnie….You are the best!!!I love all of your work, it is so inspirational as well as spiritual. You express what I feel….and that is wonderful. I look forward to seeing all of your work
HI Win…thank you so much for visiting!!! : )
I have a great time with my folk art pieces and I think it is so important to do what is meaningful and joyful for you. Not necessarily what someone else thinks you should do!!!!! : )
I feel very blessed to be able to express myself in words and wool…and to live in this beautiful state. I always wanted to live “down a country lane”…and now I do!!! Hugs, Sunnie ; )