Pre-order your copy of Magpie Times: Busy Bees today!
Magpie Times: Busy Bees is available to pre-order now, in print, digital, plus our new digital subscription (4 issues for the price of 3!). Once again, we are featuring the work of 38 talented artists in rug hooking, punch, quilting, embroidery, felting, rug repair, and so much more.
If you would like to submit an article or gallery project for our June issue, Magpie Times: Wish You Were Here, send your materials to magpietimesmagazine@gmail.com by May 1, 2025. Be sure to include the name of your project(s), who designed it, who hooked (or made) it, who took the photos (if it wasn't you), and your city and state/province.
If you live in the Puget Sound area, you won't want to miss the Waulking of the Wool demonstration at Shepherd's Extravaganza, April 12 at noon.
The demonstration is put on by Slighe nan Gaidheal is a Gaelic language and cultural society. One of the best ways to learn a language is with songs, and since the group also has a few weavers, they re-enact this fascinating activity with waulking songs, similar to sea shanties sung with a call and response. The caller sets the pace for the group to follow, slow songs first, then faster, and even a song for resting their hands.
They begin with woven cloth, around 24 feet long, with both ends sewn together. The cloth is soaked with a mordant which opens the fibers and makes it easier to lock them together, or felt. In olden days, the mordant was urine, which was collected by the village for the weaving and dyeing of the cloth (but I promise they won't be using that at our show!). Then, seated at a table, the cloth is pounded by hand for an hour or two. Hard work, but necessary.
My show and class schedule for 2025 has been updated. Click here to see the new offerings.
Be sure to order your copy of Magpie Times: Busy Bees!
Happy Hooking Everyone!
Judy Taylor