Iowa woman celebrates 90th birthday in a unique way

(ABC 6 News) – A St. Ansgar woman who has a love of rug hooking is using it to celebrate her 90th birthday in a special way, with an art show.

Virginia Morrow, or as her friends know her, Ginny has been rug hooking for about 30 years. She thought what better way to celebrate her birthday than to share her projects?

“They’ve been rolled up in my closet for all these years,” said Morrow.

“A friend came and wanted to see some of my rugs. She’s like maybe after 20, she said ‘Ginny, I have to go now. Why don’t you have a show?'”

That’s what she did. She calls it “Oodles of Noodles.” Why? Because all the cloth strips she uses to rug hook, she calls her ‘noodles.’

“I’ve been so happy to see people I know, people I don’t know. They’ve come down from Rochester, they’ve come up from Mason City, Austin, Plymouth, [and] Lyle. They just come from all over. I’m really flabbergasted.”

Morrow said rug hooking has always been pretty easy for her. If she had to pick a challenging part, it would be making the rug even and keeping consistency throughout the design.

Each rug has its own story. To make her rugs, Morrow uses patterns and even creates her own. One source of inspiration is her husband’s glass collection. She makes about three rugs a year.

“I’m 90. I have to say that. This was a birthday present for me. I’m doing it for me.”

The show is located at 308 W Fourth Street in St. Ansgar. The show is open through Sunday. Morrow said she plans to start rug hooking classes.