Gene Shepherd teaches Las Rancheritas

Las Rancheritas came to my house in San Miguel on April 22nd to view the special bilingual lesson Gene Shepherd created about finishing the borders in wool. They have been finishing with crocheted synthetic yarn for years. Check it out at: http://geneshepherd.com/Genes_Intro/Welcome.html

They were thrilled to hear themselves referred to on the video as they watched, with wrapped attention, this new technique. All of them agreed that this was a far superior way to finish the edges of their rugs. They noted that now the color of the borders would be the same as the rug, something many of us have also been concerned with. Gene had sent them all needles so they were able to practiced the technique right after the film. Everyone got the idea and I think we will be seeing these edges on the rugs from now on. Thank you Gene!

Judy Christoffersen, a retired art teacher, and one of our rancherita angels was there to help. She taught them how to find the middle of a pattern and other tricks for making designs from paper. Remember making paper snowflake designs? This group had never seen this done. Judy gave the demo: folding and cutting to create beautiful symmetrical forms. They loved drawing and Judy and I were delighted to see them having such good time learning. 

  We also spoke more about dying. By the way a group of hookers, lead by Barbara Hanson and Anne Boissinot, visited last August to teach dying. I will talk about this experience and show photos of their workshop in a future blog. Wool fabric is very expensive to purchase in Mexico, and only available in dark colors so they are dependent on the donations from rug hookers in the USA and Canada for their supplies. This wool is magnificent some of it even hand dyed!! However, they always lack bright, light and white. So once again I want to request that your donations focus on these colors. My plan is to bring as much white as I can find when I return in July. 

Judy and I have donated sewing machines so in July sewing lessons will begin. They are so excited to learn new things. This is one of the rewarding parts of working with Las Rancheritas. Much of our everyday knowledge turns out to be exciting and special to these people. All teaching is a joy but seeing lives change our efforts is a great reward.