Searsport Hookin 2015 - Punta Gorda, Florida

Members of our guild who attended the Searsport Hookin in Punta Gorda, Florida on February 25th and 26th had a great time.  According to Julie from Searsport 261 hookers were in attendance. As Biffie said, “Have you ever seen so many hookers in one place?”   Some were sitting at tables in the middle of the room with their projects on their lap or floor stand just hooking away. Others were wondering around to see all the displays set up by the vendors selling their wares.

We all had our goals to obtain certain items from these many vendor booths. Judi Overly was on a mission to replace a beloved hook that she had lost. The Searsport booth had just the right one for her. Check out all the selections in the picture above.  I do not know how she could just chose one?

My goal was to have my “Happiness” pattern designed by Lib Calloway color planned. That was accomplished by using my free color planning coupon in my welcome bag with Carol Feney.  See my earlier post regarding that experience. Awesome colors!

Doreen was hoping she would find her next rug hooking project.  After looking at all the patterns available at the vendor booths, nothing really got her excited. Sometimes that happens and you have to wait just for the right pattern to speak to you.  However, she did find some beautiful wool from “Heaven to Betsy’s” to add to her stash. Well, I think we all did!

“Heavens to Betsy” was an interesting booth. Judi Overly and I fell in love with the Rabbit and Cat pillow patterns on display. Of Course, we then had to purchase the wool and Lavender Potpourri to stuff them with.

Next we moved on around the room and "Pelican Pete" caught mine and Judi's eye. This beautiful hooked piece was at Capri Boyle Jones booth. She only had one pattern remaining and after Judi decided it wasn't what she was looking for I grabbed it. I fell in love with it at first sight! Capri was so helpful in helping me choose the wool I would need to finish it. 

As we walked around we noticed the door prize table. So many vendors and teachers had donated so many items to be giving away by a silent auction. Everyone attending received one ticket in their welcome bag to bid by ticket on any items they wanted to take a chance on. Additional tickets could be purchased for $1.00 each if you wanted to take more chances.  All the door prize ticket money and 20% of the money raised in the yard sale booth went to the Semper Fi Fund. This fund uses 95% of donations to directly provide Financial, emotional, and tiered support for injured/ill service members and their families. . The final total raised in two days was a whopping $4300.00. .

Polly Minick donated two finished rugs all mounted and signed to be in the silent auction. Our very own Lynn Soule won one of these beautiful rugs. Lucky Dog!!  Searsport Rug Hooking Facebook Page posted the picture above and said ““She ran up whooping and screaming!! We all laughed so!!! All anyone heard for the next hour? Did you know I won a Polly Minick!?!?!? I understand she was carpooling home.... A couple of hour drive.... Lol I bet it was not a quiet ride!!!!!” Okay ladies looking forward to hearing all about the ride home. 

I was starting to feel guilty that maybe I had stolen "Pelican Pete" from Judi because at the end of the day she still had not found the pattern she was looking for. However, the next day she saw a pattern called "Sea Horse" designed by DeEtta Beebe and knew that was the one. Mission accomplished! She plans to take that pattern to Manistee Rug School at Onekama Michigan in June to get it color planned.

This was an amazing two days! I hope you enjoy some of the pictures taking by our Gator group members. I know I’m looking forward to going back next year! 

Happy Hooking!
Peggy Weimer