In Memory of Kim Nixon: I will miss you, friend.
Kim Nixon lost her fight to cancer on February 15, 2011. We became friends several years ago while teaching together. We quickly discovered that our approach to our personal work was similar. We were both trying to find a way to duplicate the effects we could get with paint in rug hooking, especially lost edges. So many rug hookers worry about this motif or that getting lost. We were exploring the ways to lose them on purpose.
One of my fondest memories happened in Dearborn, MI. Kim was teaching at our guild and since I had to travel an hour and 1/2 each way, one of the guild members, Cheryl, opened her home to me. Because Cheryl was working during the week and I was there without a companion, I joined Kim each night for dinner. While comparing our experiences, we discovered that neither of us had experienced a professional pedicure. Time and money had been an issue for both of us while raising our families. It never seemed important. Pam who was a local resident and up for any adventure, not only told us where to go, she joined us. I will never forget that day.
Kim’s class in Dearborn, MI was about her wonderful footstools. Several months before the class we were both teaching at Cape May. I purchased my pattern from her and she suggested I hook it so she could use it as an example during class to demo the assembly process. Finishing a footstool is faster than finishing a rug. I enjoyed the process so much, I decided I needed another one. Two in front of the couch side by side would be perfect.[clear]
I designed the pattern for “Annie’s Flower Power” as a study piece before I began my room-sized rug. I wanted to see how the hit and miss would look next to the scroll. I highly recommend study pieces before you hook a large project such as a room-sized rug.
A gathering to celebrate Kim’s life will be held on March 6, 2011.
Kim_Nixon_Celebration_Invitation
You can read her obituary here.
While we’ve lost a bright star in the rug hooking community, we can all keep a piece of Kim through our memories, wool and rug hooking. According to her husband, Kim’s designs will be offered through House of Price. Those beautiful designs will be with us for a long time.
Update: 2/4/14 The patterns are still unavailable.
I just learned about the rug hooking craft in July while on vacation and when I got home I hit the internet for someone in TN and came across Kim’s website. I fell in love with her Melon Patch footstool and wanted to do a footstool of my own (been needing one for my spare bedroom forever) and tried contacting her and later learned that she had passed away. I am so glad you’ll be continuing a source for footstool patterns and I look forward to your instructions on building the footstool itself so I can get my husband busy in his woodworking shop while I’m busy with the hooking.
Just heading home from a hooking school in Vermont where we met a girl who took a class from Kim. I would love a source for the stools & will check your website for patterns.
The footstools that are my design are on my website. Click on the patterns link under Supplies. I will be posting two designs by Katherine Porter soon. Instructions for building the footstool itself, cutting the foam and the assembly will be posted this winter. I plan on doing some videos if I have a hooked example to work with.
So tragic our young engaging artists passing much before their time.We are the fortunate ones to be able to experience Kim’s artistic legecy.She has inspired me to also try a footstool design.What do I need to know to go forward with a footstool plan?
I never had the pleasure of meeting Kim, but I have heard so much about her! It really was a tragic loss of a very gifted artist and wonderful person. My sympathy to her family and friends. I too will want more information on buying a kit to do one of her amazing footstools.
Pat
My footstool design, Square Annie Flower Power will be offered Summer 2011 through Spruce Ridge Studios and through this web site. I plan on designing a few other designs as well. Subscribe to the website, see the footer below, so you never miss a new post.
I love the footstool shown and am very interested in purchasing directions or kit. I’m working on one now and haven’t figured out how to attach the rughooking to the stool.
I was so sorry to read about Kim Nixon and she will be in my prayers along with her family and friends.
Sincerely,
Barb
I, too, am interested in directions or kit on the footstool and am sorry that I did not get to meet Kim. Gone too soon.
Ellen Dolmetsch