Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild Board of Directors

The Guild is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who plan events, monitor the Guild's activities and keep you networked with others who share a passion for rug hooking.

 

Kathy Sweeten, President

I decided I wanted to become involved in the Guild after meeting so many great people.  I've only been hooking a few years but it is so wonderful and relaxing.  I took my first class with Stephanie Krauss  at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs.  I am inspired by the many skilled and talented people, many of whom have become friends!  The Guild offers great networking opportunities through  meetings, hook-ins and the annual rug show.  Contact Kathy to get more information on guild programs and activities.

 

 

 

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Kris McDermet, Vice President

I learned to hook in 1979 from Mary Shepard Burton but first fell in love with braiding.  Early on I combined a needlepoint piece surrounded by braid but soon my cats loved to pull out the stitches so I went back to hooking for the centers.  I love experimenting with wool and silk and ways to combine my favorite 2 art/craft forms, the feel of the fabric but most importantly the gathering of hooking and braiding friends, discussing our lives, sharing ideas, offering asked for advice, drinking coffee, and eating cookies.  I’m so happy to be part of the GMRHG and look forward to these 2 years,  meeting our members, and listening to your ideas.  Contact Kris for information about the Guild's scholarship programs.

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Suzanne Dirmaier, Secretary

 

 

 

 

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Sandy Ducharme, Treasurer

I’m pleased to be a board member of this fine organization and to get to work with such great people.  My hooking interested started in 2003 with an invitation to try hooking at a local hook-in.  Needless to say, I’m hooked!  I am also a Board member of the Artisans Hand Craft Gallery in Montpelier, VT, and own 2 businesses with my husband Richard:  Vermont Floorcloths and Fiber Arts and Hillcrest Adirondack Furniture.  We keep very busy and enjoy the country life.  Nature is my inspiration for all my creative endeavors.  I just retired my full-time job to delve into the creative side of life.  There seems to be less time than I envisioned!  

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Jane Griswold, Membership

I started hooking about 10 years ago. I took a punchneedle class from Amy Oxford and while I liked the speed of the punchneedle, I kept going back to fondling the wool fabric. I took a class from Dick LaBarge and that did it. I have been hooking ever since. Since retiring from teaching, I have been able to hook each Wednesday at Elizabeth Morgan's house in Wallingford. It is wonderful to be able to get together with a group of women who have similar interests. I tend to be drawn to any craft that involves wool fibers-penny rugs, sock knitting (I am addicted), etc. I can't imagine life without all of my fiber projects-some finished, some not!  Contact Jane for membership information.

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Gail Lapierre and the Hineburg Hookers, Program Chair

 

 

 

 

 

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Kathy O'Donnell, Education Chair

I have been intrigued with rug hooking since I saw my first show in 2007 but just knew I couldn't add one more thing to my life until I retired.  In June of 2010 I retired from teaching.  In July I met Lynn Soule, one of the most enthusiastic rug hookers around.  By August I was hooked on hooking.  It has become a passion, something to keep me occupied and creative.  Watching a rug take shape both soothes and excites me and when the rug is nearly complete I'm thinking about my next project!

 

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Jen Lavoie, Rug Show Chair

I am your show chair for Hooked in the Mountains 2012. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to know about the show or what you can do to help! I have been hooking for about 25 years. I love this guild for the friendship and the inspiration.  Contact Jen for more information and to volunteer for the Show.

 

 

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Sue Burton Kelly, Newsletter Chair