Thelma Morris-Fogarty
Thelma works with wool warp and weft, over shot patterns, twills, color variations, and hand spun for design interest and texture. In the early eighties she moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia along with her husband and two sons. They worked to bring a century old farm on the beautiful St Mary’s River back to life where they raised sheep for nearly fourteen years. Thelma developed a weaving studio selling wool sweaters, hats, vests, mitts, scarves and ponchos. During her time on the farm she washed and prepared fleeces for others as well as her own flock. This gave her the opportunity to experience many different breeds of sheep fleeces and gain an understanding of wool quality and use. Thelma is a juried member of the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council and in addition to selling her wares from the farm, she can be found at craft markets and local events. Please check the bottom of this page for coming events.
After retiring from farming in 2000, Thelma has written and illustrated three children’s picture books, as a way to share her farm and introduce weaving to children.
LICORICE AND THE BROWN SWEATER
This is the story of a young sheep who doesn’t want to be sheared. Children learn the process of washing, carding, spinning and weaving wool into a sweater.
FRECKLE AND THE CHICKS
Freckle a small dog learns about her new job of guarding the chicken pen. In the process she also learns where eggs come from and life down on the farm.
I HATE MY NAME
All the sheep on Rosanpuff Farm have beautiful names, except Sweater. He thinks his name is stupid and dumb. He takes his anger out on everyone, butting small lambs and knocking over water buckets, Until Licorice tells him a story. Sweater learns about wool and how his name really is special. He soon becomes a kind and happy sheep.
Her books are available from
Glen Margaret Publishing, P.O. Box 3087
Tantallon, Nova Scotia, B3Z-4G9
tel/fax 902-823-1198
www.glenmargaret.com
Thelma has had a number of short stories for adults published as well as magazine articles on spinning and weaving wool. She enjoys reading her stories to children and has been invited to read and show how the spinning wheel works at many schools, museums and libraries. Call or email to book a reading.
She continues to write and weave from her home studio in rural Guysborough County and invites you to visit anytime. Please call ahead for directions and to make sure someone is going to be home. 1-902-833-2201
