The Rug Aid Rug Rave - 21st November 2009, gallery 2 of 6 Rug makers around the world joined in the fun, some of them hooking blindfold to 'see' what it's like for trainees in The Gambia. These photos are in no particular order but they are all wonderful! We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent in photos of their Rug Raves, and an even bigger thank you to everyone who raised money for Rug Aid: your generosity and kindness are much appreciated. Please send in your Rug Rave photos - we'd love to create another gallery!

Rug Rave in The Gambia This group of enthusiastic rug makers joined Ebrima in the Rug Aid workshop for a special Rug Rave day session. They were joined by Paul and Anne Sayer, whose support Rug Aid really appreciates.		Rug Rave in The Gambia This is what the Rug Aid trainees in The Gambia worked on during their Rug rave: they completed the special design while Heather was there and didn't have another copy of the pattern to work on.		Alice's Friends, Ohio The group met, as requested, for rug making and fun: they added to the fun by baking a birthday cake for Heather!
Alice's Friends, Ohio The birthday cake looks wonderful, and thank you very much for the donation, too!		Quoddy Loopers, Canada Each person in this photo is working on the special Rug Rave day pattern - it's a lovely sight!		Quoddy Loopers, Canada And here is one of the designs by the end of Rug Rave day - there is still a long way to go, but it's a very promising start.
Rug Rave in California Gene Shepherd's local ATHA Guild, The Orange Coast Classics, had a special party on Saturday. The captions to these photos, all of which Gene took, were written by him for his blog.		Rug Rave in California 2 "Always on the look out for as many reasons to party as possible, my guild was happy include the Rave in our holiday celebration."		Rug Rave in California 3 "Although we did spend time talking about Rug Aid, the real focus was on experiencing what it must be like to hook without sight."
Rug Rave in California 4 "While no one is suggesting that a few minutes of hooking blindfolded can even remotely qualify as being the same experience as that of a sightless rug hooker, it certainly did get us to thinking about the great achievements being made in Gambia."		Rug Rave in California 5 Gene made some specially-dyed blindfolds for the event. "If we had to be blindfolded, then an attractive wool piece seemed the obvious choice. Those who wished to do so could keep their blindfold, after making a donation to Rug Aid."		Rug Rave in California 6 "Money coming in from just the blind folds came to $273. Then, at the actual guild meeting, the group decided to donate an additional $500 to Rug Aid, making a grand total of $773 from our event. As November 21 is also Heather Ritchie’s birthday, this donation will also have to double as our gift!" Thank you, Gene, and thank you to everyone who supported this Rug Rave which gave such a magnificent donation.