rughookingmagazine.com

Lizards and Ladders

Dimensions: 48" x 48"
Materials: #3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-cut wool and mixed media on linen
Designed by Gail Dufresne and Norma Batastini and hooked by Gail Dufresne, Lambertville, New Jersey, 2001.
Featured in: Celebration XII

"This design got its start when Norma Batastini proposed to our local McGown hooking group that we create game boards as a group project. If I recall, I was the only one to take the bait. I told my sister about it, and she gave me a book on old game boards. In it were different interpretations of the game board Chutes and Ladders or Snakes and Ladders. I had never heard of the game, but I knew that it was for me since I immediately thought of substituting lizards, which I love to hook (not own!). After buying about $200 worth of reference books on reptiles and amphibians, I selected the critters I wanted to represent, both by color and form. Each lizard I used was just as it appeared in nature. I balanced colors as I placed the lizards on the ladders with Norma’s help. Norma also gets credit for the fabulous border where lizards lurk among the bugs and foliage. I added myself in the border. Can you find me? I had one of my biggest breakthroughs with this rug while hooking the background. I could not decide which color to use, so I tried wool in all different colors but of the same value. I could not decide which one to use so left them in to try to make up my mind. What a surprise that they all worked! I left them all in, and that is when I learned the value of value, which I went on to write a book about with Geometric Hooked Rugs: Color And Value (printed in 2010 from Stackpole Books). This rug necessitated my complete and undivided attention. It took me about 1 1/2 years to finish and remains one of my very favorite rugs. It hangs on the bathroom wall in my studio."
- Gail Dufresne, Celebration Hall of Fame 2018

YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ARTICLES

Free tutorials, expert tips, exclusive partner offers, and more straight to your inbox!

Reviews

I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it.

Include a Photo Include a Photo

Click the button above or drag and drop images onto the button. You can upload two images.

Cancel Reply to Comment

Thanks for your comment. Don't forget to share!

Close

Report Inappropriate Comment

Are you sure you would like to report this comment? It will be flagged for our moderators to take action.

Thank you for taking the time to improve the content on our site.

Sign In to Your Account

Close Window
Sign In with one of your Social Accounts
Facebook Twitter
OR
Sign In using Email and Password