HEARTY PROGRESS

Even with Lauren's frantic busy schedule of late, she managed to find time for this Heart update. 

Having the border hooked in gives this a whole new fresh appearance and looks perfectly color coordinated.  I'm not so sure it needs that walnut bath she spoke of previously.  Seeing hers makes me wish I'd used darker wool for the outlines.

After my rug was hooked I reverse hooked a couple places.  Not sure if you will notice any difference but this is what it looks like now.

Below is the before.  

My rug looks anemic compared to Lauren's.  Oh well, no time to worry about that now I've still one to finish and one to draw.

Saundra

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NOOKS, CRANNIES and OTHER THINGS

I've been busy, but not rug hooking busy since reverse hooking a few loops in the hearts rug.  I digress... Although I haven't required new glasses and vision hasn't changed in a few years, I wanted new ones anyway.  When ordering them last Friday asked if they accepted donations of old prescription glasses.  Answer was yes, so I gave them about 8 of my old glasses that day.   

I'd never thrown the old ones away so began a search in all the nooks and crannies in every room.  Oh what a pandora's box was opened.  My new glasses will be in the end of this week or next week and I've found 5 more pair to donate.

Found a tin box of letters from family and friends after we moved from Maryland to California.  Haven't had time to re-read any of them yet as I've still a lot of clutter to go through.

Found a few photos which haven't seen the light of day for decades.  A couple were from my 2nd marriage which I try to forget ever happened.  The one below surprised me and at first wasn't sure who it was.  This was taken in 1987 according to the stamp on the back.  All that's missing are the height lines in the back and a number, lol.

Even found an old pocket calendar where I'd made notations of my ex's excuses for not being home or arriving late.  All the signs were obvious  for a while but kept ignoring them.  There were notations on a few months in that calendar.  Talk about love is blind!!

Amazing how many pencils, highlighters and ballpoint pens which didn't work there were in the school marm's desk.  Lots of clutter has found its way to the trash, some things salvaged or given to the thrift shop and prescription glasses to the eye doctor.  But there's still residue junk still to sort thru.

And there's more ~ new unused Cross pen and pencil sets.  Do employers still give those to office employees when they leave?  I've never used these so they are going to the thrift shop.   Plus hundreds of miscellaneous greeting cards which may have been separated from it's mate.  So  far I've been able to match up a bunch and put them into plastic envelope and have many more to sort thru.  They, too, are going to the thrift shop.  

Wind is howling again today so not putting myself in harm's way working outside in case a limb should drop on my head.  Afterall, you saw what one did to my gutter guards.

Saundra

HEART HOOKING UPDATE

It's no surprise to me that Margaret Zenk has her rug all hooked and bound already.  

Sue Swank's design is coming along nicely too.  Not sure how big her rug is but the chickens have nice detail so must be a sizeable rug.

Sheila Kennedy has made great progress too, happy to see her keeping those hands exercising pulling loops. 

And she confirmed that she did dye the wool for the hearts.

I have also finished hooking my rug.  Since this photo it has been steamed and ready for binding.  Hmm, but I see a couple strips of wool I'd like to replace already.  Should have inspected it closely before the photo and steaming.

That's it for this show.  Gonna get colder by Thursday I hear.  Now it's time for me to go outside and cover my tomato plant, just in case.

Saundra

MISC. CHIT CHAT

Wind has been horrific here the last couple days and lots of various size limbs to pick up.  But worse than the labor was the damage done to my newly shingled roof and leaf filter damage.  That is my reflection in the window. 

In a previous post I showed you the bounty of cherry tomatoes growing on  the volunteer plant.  With frost predictions I've covered the plant at night but most recently brought in some green ones to ripen inside.  I know some of you have told me yours are already gone.  But for next season you may want to consider bringing them indoors late in the season to ripen.  You can read about that HERE. 

This group of tomatoes are in a small cardboard box with a banana (as instructions suggest), covered with news paper.  I'll check on them every couple days to see if they have ripened.  Actually, I have brought in a few at a time which seemed to be changing from green to a hint of yellow and put them in a different area under newspaper and they have ripened and have used them in a salad.

In rug hooking news, Margaret Zenk has finished hooking her Heart Hook-along and even has that baby bound!  Boy, when she starts something she doesn't stop until it is done.  I'll not show her rug yet, to give readers a brief break and to give those who haven't sent me their first photo to send one in.  Plus mine will be done soon and the next update should be a great show.

Must say I did enjoy that extra hour of sleep last night.  Problem is now that it will be dark around 5 p.m.  But since I don't work any longer it's not a problem coming home after dark.  And soon Janice won't have to worry about that either as her retirement is coming up soon.  Hang on Janice, your time is coming.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.Facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

ANOTHER HEART HOOK ALONG CREATION

I'm really enjoying the various creative designs you gals have presented.  This one is from Margaret Zenk who has participated in several challenges and hook a long's I've hosted.

She chose to do a floral center with heart flowers.  And  think it is intended to be an accompanying piece to an antique rug she purchased and recently showed me....which is below.  

Great work, as always, Margaret.  Looking forward to seeing it finished and knowing you, there will probably be a few tweaks here and there before it is completely done.

Happy hooking.

Saundra 

ANOTHER HEART

There's an addition to the Hearts Hook-along.  This one is the work of Michelle Hoover, who is self-taught just since February of this year.  Not only do her loops look like a seasoned hooker pulled them, the story behind her design is very special.

Michelle and her mom had a beauty shop for the last 38 years.  In April Michelle turned off the lights, closed up shop and is now her mother's full time caregiver.  The design she drew has such significance to their life's story ~ her mom had Michelle's heart in her hands when she was growing up.  And now that her mom needs care, it is Michelle who has her mother's heart in her hand.

To quote Michelle:  I'm proud to say I'm a "hooker" who has also become a Wool Connoisseur!!!  Lol  I love hooking !!!"

Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

Been Search'n

Yes, I've been searching for rugs again.  This dog with a red harness was hooked late 19th to early 20th century (35 x 54.5).  The listing only started at $10 and am surprised by that since it is well hooked and an old design.  So far there are 3 bids with price at the moment is $30.  

This E. S. Frost designed rug is still on the auction site with 3 bids for $40.  Dimensions are 24 x 38.5.

For feline lovers, a cat and kitten dated 1908 (32 x 36).

I enjoy deer who visit my yard but know many of my rug hooking friends don't.  Moose are BIG animals and there aren't any in Delaware.  This moose rug was hooked early 20th century and size is 22.5 x 35.

Another moose still listed for sale measuring 20 x 40, has one bid price now $75.

A Masonic rug with the free mason design in the center.  Circa 1900 measuring 28 x 44.5.  

A great looking steed below but am not a fan of the colorful leaf border.  Not exactly sure why I don't like it, but I'd not hook that border.  

Any rug hooking farmer wives who raise cows?  Here's a rug with diamond border, no date provided but looks faded and worn. 

Think I found this kitten cutie rug on Pinterest so have absolutely no info.

A landscape circa 1900, 29 x 51.  Appears to be quite an elaborate home with a well before running water.

For you beginner primitive rug hookers, the antique rug below would be an easy one for you to draw and hook while toning up your hooking skills.  Just get a plate, saucer, etc. and draw partial circles and hook with various pieces of wool.

Perhaps I've found my next project when the hearts hook-along and farm menagerie are done.  Or at least one of them is fully hooked.  It made it to the enlarging pattern stage but not yet put on linen.  Don't want to waste linen as I'm so fickle.  Will wait to see if interest is still there after one of the rugs in progress is hooked.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

Hearts Hook Along EDITED

Jo Smith was recently on vacation but has returned.  She just sent me a photo of her progress, so thought I'd edit the latest post to include hers.  Thanks Jo, and welcome home.

Sue Swank's chickens are almost all dressed up, and I like the brown colors she's using for the chickens and outlines.

Lauren has made great strides on her rug since coming home from travelling and a hooking event.

Was too lazy to take mine off the frame for a photo but you know you'll see a picture of mine soon.  Guess I'll be covering my tomato plant again tonight but have a feeling it is a worthless endeavor since the day temps and sunshine are becoming diminished as the season is moving closer to November.

Already my body is adapting to the 'fall back' time change.  I've noticed waking up 10-20 minutes later in the morning than during summer.  But, at least I'm still waking up 😊

Happy hooking and looking forward to seeing others' hook-along updates.

Saundra

www.Facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

BARBARA and NANCY

They would be Barbara E. Merry and her daughter Nancy Gertrude Scott, both prolific rug hookers and painters.  There are a few of their rugs for sale and at this time still for sale.  This first one by Nancy I've never seen before, titled "Wedding Day".

One of Barbara's, a cabin in the woods, she used chenille standing wool to create her design.  What do  you think?  Artistic or sloppy?

Another standing wool rug has the initials BEB instead of BEM, as she was married to Henry Boulter at the time of its making.

Also listed is this fancy house with rainbow, man and cat.

I've wondered if rugs don't sell in their allotted time if they are stored at the auction house to be brought back out later to sell.  As I've seen some of their rugs listed a few times.

My iPad alerted me of a freeze warning last evening so I  covered  my volunteer tomato plant first with a sheet and on top a light weight tarp so the moisture wouldn't penetrate.  This morning when those were removed everything looks no worse for wear.  But know this isn't going to last, and probably not even until those precious green globes turn to yellow.

Happy  Hooking.

Saundra

HEART to HEART

Sheila Kennedy has made progress on her Hearts rug.  She's using overdyed wool and think it was dyed by Sheila.  Now I'm anxious to see more of her color choices.

Sue Swank said she recently hooked a rug with hearts so changed the center to chickens.  Will be interesting to watch her progress unfold.

After Sheila sent me her photo I decided it was time for my dessert.  Normally I start in the center of a pattern and work on the main motif.  This time I was saving that for last, as dessert, since the border would be more like work.  So yesterday I  headed straight for the heart. 

Wasn't sure if I wanted a grey or tan background.  So placed both choices on the rug and decided on the grey since the outside of the heart and the outlines have a blue grey hue.  

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

THIS and THAT

In hooky stuff, here's an update to the Farm Menagerie rug.  Since the last posting I've finished one horse head and sheep on the side facing you.  Am not too impressed with my shabby sheep tho.  Perhaps if I outlined it would make it stand out more.

So you don't have to stand on your head, thought I'd flip the photo to show you the other side.  On this side the cow and bunny were completed.

And the other thing....am hoping mild weather holds out for more of my prolific volunteer cherry tomatoes to ripen.  For my salads I purchase cherry and "Medley" tomatoes.  Sometimes there is a spoiled one in the mix so I toss them on the side of the deck for birds, squirrels to eat or, if  lucky, for something to sprout in the spring.  

This is the first year I've had the yellow 'medley' style tomato grow and have been fortunate to have a few salads with those delicious little fruits.  Here is the hearty plant in all it's glory.

Here is a  close up of almost two ready for plucking.

And a pic of a whole row that could well have been in one of the packages of 'tomatoes on the vine' packages (when ripe).  Can you see them?  If not click on the photo to enlarge.

Obviously not all these green delectables will ripen for harvest, but I have a shower curtain to cover them if frost is eminent.  I'd like them to last as long as possible.  And sadly I didn't water them ~ just imagine what I'd have if I'd cared for them.

Well, back to the hooking frame.  Hope you have a great evening everyone.  Rain and more wind in the forecast.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

HORSING AROUND

Recently discovered another horse rug of Dan Patch.  This one has a scallop border and measures 36.5 x 41.5.  If you tap on the photo it should enlarge so you can see the stitching on the edge of the scallops.  It is still listed for sale and has one bid with the present price at $100.

Below is the other Dan Patch rug I found many months ago.  This one was said to be hooked late 19th to early 20th century (27 x 46).  Nice colors and design in this one.

If you don't know anything about the horse you can read about him HERE.  There are even Dan Patch Days events each year in Savage, MN and a Dan Patch Festival in Oxford, IN.  I have never been into harness racing, or any horse racing as far as that goes, but do love all horses.  

Billy, the guy I was dating, had a sister who trained race horses.  So one weekend the family went to Shenandoah Downs to watch a race one of her horses was running.  I am the one with a scarf in the photo below.  Billy is behind me and his parents to the right and left of me.  That is Billy's sister Rebecca holding the reins of the horse.

Dating Billy is my only claim to 5 minutes of fame as he was singer/song writer Billy Graves.  He also stared on CBS as half of a duo known as The Country Lads and were regular performers on the Jimmy Dean show.  Billy is in the front, Dick Flood in the back of the photo below.

Billy also sang solo, probably best known for singing The Shag.

If you search his name you can find recordings of some of his songs.  Just remember those recordings were in the 50's and 60's so the acoustics and arrangements don't have the impact that today's technology provides.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/WoodlandJunctionHookedRugs

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Not too many great rugs to be found lately.  Or at least not many which floats my boat.  This one is still listed for sale and was promoted as "a stylized floral".  But I see puppies more than the two blooms, measures 22.5 x 38..  

Here  is a view of the back and while no date was provided as to age, you can see the burlap is brittle and breaking.

Lots of eye stimulation in this stag rug.  Circa 1900 and dimensions are 31 x 45.

Cat, butterflies, acorns, etc., dated 1888 (24.5 x 43.5).

I've had this rug of carriage horses since February 2025 and didn't show it as I was hoping to find a photo of the front.  This is the back and the auction house said it was hooked 19th century (20.5 x 36).

A floral circa 1890 with dimensions of 26 x 28.5.

Not sure whether this is a goose or swan.  I know swans have a longer neck but could the length be hidden in the curvature at the back?  Whatever it is, it's a waterfowl, lol.

Think I've shown this previously but it is, or was up for auction again.  Dated circa 1900 and measures 40 x 43.5, which is a sizeable rug.

A floral and geometric with hit and miss border.  It measures 18 x 36, circa 1920.

Another rug with a hit and miss border is this pot of flowers, circa 1900 (21 x 49.5).

It's raining  leaves outside and will be in the 30's tonight.  Weatherman says it will warm up for the weekend so don't plan to turn on the heat just yet.  Wonder if I can make it until November to turn it on?

Guess I'll go pick up some pinecones and limbs from the heavy winds before I can enjoy happily hooking.

Saundra