Wow. Last night was the first of two planned rug hooking workshops with Sally Charnley, the talented rug hooker who I featured in a recent Grand Rapids Press column. We teamed up to present an introductory workshop at the Grand Rapids YMCA and have been overwhelmed by the response. Tuesday’s class was bursTing at the seams, so we moved it across the hall to a bigger space and the ladies got to work hooking the floral coaster kit seen above.

What was everyone clamoring for? A chance to learn how to hook from Sally, a woman who is still rocking the hoop in her early 80s. I didn’t have to spend much time with Sally to realize that she is a kindred spirit. In fact, I want to be teaching workshops just like her when I’m 82! :  )

When the first class filled up in a day, I called Sally and we talked each other into expanding the class to include more hookers. When the extra seats filled, we scheduled an overflow class to try to accommodate as many people as possible. So we’ll be at this again in a couple weeks.

But we can’t do it alone. A special thanks to the talented women who helped with Tuesday’s workshop. Here’s a look at how we looked after our students went home…