©2008, 2009, 2010. All concepts and images are protected by the American Copyright Law
and are owned by Meetinghouse Hill Designs, LLC.
Welcome to Meetinghouse Hill Designs, LLC! My name is Kathy J. Gaul, and I want to thank you for your interest in my patterns for wool appliqué art (historically named “penny rug appliqué”). Whether you are an old friend to wool appliqué or a brand new one, I am confident that you will enjoy the journey you have just begun! My desire is that whether you actually hand sew one of my original designs, or make the opportunity available for others to do so through retailing my patterns, that both the process of stitching a piece and the finished art brings enjoyment and a smile to the stitcher, the seller and all those who see the framed picture, door hanger or “penny rug.”
Allow me to share with you a brief history of Meetinghouse Hill Designs, LLC. I began this business in January of 2007, with rough sketches and penciled notes of images I could see in my head, and thought would translate well into wool. I had always worked in the textile world whether it was custom sewing garments, teaching quilt making or restoring antique quilts. I have enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts throughout the years (like cross stitching, rug hooking, quilting, sewing clothing and home décor, painting... you know how the list goes on and on!) Throughout most of 2008 I drew and stitched the designs that are featured on this website. In that late summer some of my finished artwork was introduced to a folk art gallery owner from Osterville, Massachusetts. Kindred’s Antiques and Folk Art (www.kindredsantiquesandfolkart.com) began carrying my work in the fall, and continues to show art pieces at the present time. This gallery has a spectacular mix of truly American made folk art, with everything from paintings, carvings, textiles, paper art, and even shell art! It is a privilege to have my art displayed along with such amazingly gifted and talented people.
At the beginning of 2009 I decided to return to my initial desire which was to develop patterns for my wool appliqué art. After four months of drawing, writing, editing, printing and packaging I launched my new patterns in late April, and it has been an awesome experience ever since! I have received kind and very positive feedback to my designs and patterns, and I am humbled by that. I hope as you review my art, you will be pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of the designs, and the detail that I put into each. My tag line, “Wool Appliqué Art Designed for Distinction,” really defines the way I think, that this handcraft is truly an art form that stands out from the rest! And, it is one that I desire all skill levels of artisans to attempt their hand at, and journey through to having a completed piece that they are inspired and delighted with!
Each pattern that I publish includes a set of very detailed instructions, a full scale drawing of the design as well as individually drawn pattern pieces, a page of instructions for felting wool fabric, a page of hand drawn images of all stitches used in my patterns, and a complete supplies list. The pattern cover also has a very clear photograph of the finished piece. Each pattern is copyright protected, and all inquiries regarding copying patterns, kitting, selling of finished artwork and other such protected ideas may be directed to me (see “Contact” page.)
A little bit more about me, and “meetinghouses”… I grew up in Leominster, Massachusetts, a city known for one of its early famous residents, “Johnny Appleseed.” I learned the values of respect, honesty, integrity, perseverance and hard work through watching my parents and my family live life, and serve others. And while I have spent more than half of my life away from New England, it is the place I will always call home, and is truly the inspiration for most of my designs. (Visit my “Behind The Artwork” Page to read detailed information as to why and for whom I design my art pieces!)
New England towns were built around “commons” – grassy areas usually centrally located – surrounded with buildings and at least one “meetinghouse.” The meetinghouse was often used both as a place of worship and a place of social gathering for the community. My husband Jerry and I were married in a meetinghouse, which just happens to be located on Meetinghouse Hill Road! My desire with this business is to stand firm on the solid ground of my faith and family, to do business right, to gather people together through the arts and to express the gift of creativity that has been given to me by an amazing Creator. I am blessed to travel back to New England often, first to see my family, and second to drink in the sights and sounds, the smells and tastes that feed my soul, and its expression – my art! I hope you are amazingly pleased with my designs!
My work on display at Kindreds - "Autumn Splendor" and "Autumn's Perch" on the trunk, center front.
The original inspiration for "Autumn Splendor"-
a pumpkin stack in Vermont, 2007.
The pumpkin stack Kathy and Jerry built September 2009 in Colorado Springs!
This is me at one of my favorite places, Sholan Farms Apple Orchard.
First Church in Sterling, Massachusetts - a
real meetinghouse!
I had the privilege of being a featured artist at the November 2009
Open House for "Needleworks by Holly Berry" in Colorado Springs.
My booth at the Quilt & Stitch Expo
in Pueblo, Colorado - April 2010.
