CREATIVE CAUSED CHAOS

All the artsy crafts were fun at the time, and when an event to vend was near I'd work harder to make what I was sure would be a seller.  Now, trying to get a grasp of what's left and reduce the 'stuff' turned into a chaotic nightmare which still hasn't been resolved.

Decided to go thru some of the dolls, take photos and try to sell them.  Then realized my inactive web site still had many of those dolls.  You can see the dolls and go from page to page but cannot be updated with new info.  

The idea was to gather items for my DIL to sell and keep the proceeds, what she doesn't sell she can take to the thrift shop or give away to friends.  Forgot to take a photo of the contents before it went to her.

Here is only part of the chaos.  To make it easier for me to locate said dolls if someone wishes to buy one, thought I'd combine similar dolls in separate containers.  You can see a vacuum there for when there is enough uncluttered carpet to vacuum.

The photo below shows the top shelf of the storage room where there are small rugs, early hooking frames, doll chairs hanging.  Think I'll order a bunch of skirt hangers with clamps to hang rugs on the shelving.  That way each would be easily accessible plus could get aeration rather than being rolled up and put into totes. 

An angel remains which didn't sell but will hang on my front door in December.  Oh, at the bottom a pumpkin painted bag I made for either child to use when Trick or Treating, or someone to use during October.  That didn't go over well either tho I thought it might.

Here is another box of stuff for my DIL if she wants to take it.  Otherwise I'll deliver it to the thrift shop.  This one I did get a photo of before it left.

I'm still overwhelmed by the amount of sh stuff left over from my vending days.  And tho the room doesn't look any better now than before I started, at least I know two large containers will have been removed.  But as July 4th is approaching faster than I can organize, I'll pause on the room and concentrate on finishing the Indian Peace Flag Canton.

Robin, this is particularly for you ~ yes we have a little rain, with the emphases on "little".  But we are still in a severe drought situation here in Delaware.  I live in Seaford.  Here is this Thurday's (yesterday) report:

The meteorologist explained being in this severe drought, that even if there is torrential rain, since the ground is so dry and compacted the water will run off into drainage channels vs being absorbed.  To relieve us of the problem we need a slow drizzle for hours so the ground can soften and begin to slowly absorb the much needed water.  This is your weather channel host signing out....lol.

Saundra

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HOOKED RUGS OF 2010

Perhaps my hooking choices transitioned after seeing Domestic Zoo last year at Cape May and the subsequent friendship with Evelyn Lawrence who hooked it. The year 2010 started with a Magdalena design named McCue Eagle.  I tried using like colors of the original and that bold blue was close to the antique.

A Stag Chair Pad was hooked at home and inspired by an antique rug published in a book on my shelf.  

Matter of fact, while recently trying to organize my storage room of dolls and rugs I came across a drawn pattern which hadn't sold by the time I stopped vending.  It measures 14 x 16 on primitive linen, cost is $35 plus shipping.  If interested use the E-MAIL ME location on the top right side of my blog.

In a class with Barb Carroll Brave Hunter was next.  Barb showed me a photo of the original antique rug which inspired her design and the Indian was holding a rifle, not an arrow. 

Then it was Cape May rug camp time and a class with Kris Miller.  I liked my small stag chair pad but wanted something bigger.  So drew and took this to her class.  The antlers are hooked with antique paisley. 

After that rug was finished I wanted another Magdalena rug, so Dog and Crows it was.

Lucille Festa was scheduled to teach in Ocean City, MD so I drew an ES Frost Sheep design with birds and Flowers for her to color plan.

As a member of a Yahoo rug group, before Facebook was born, someone organized a challenge. She didn't say what the challenge subject was at the time but I joined anyway.  Well, it was an image of an elf.  Although I lost interest immediately I'd have felt like a jerk to drop out.

A jack-in-the-box for a kid's room was the only bit of creative juices I could muster.  It didn't sell (no surprise there, lol) by the time I stopped vending so finally gave it to the thrift shop about a month ago.

The Distlefink Purse was my last project for that year.  It is a design from the creative mind of Lori Brechlin and of course it sold.  No surprise there either, isn't it lovely????  

That was it for the year 2010, unless I missed something with my hit and miss disorderly record keeping.  The last couple years I've gotten much better documenting and labeling.

In my neck of the woods there were two days of brief rains this week.  The weekly drought report will be discussed on the local news tomorrow evening and will see if we are still in the critical stage.  If so, with the way it looks with a tropical event about to visit, guess we won't be drought-stricken for long.  Just hope I don't get the lake back or water in my crawl space again.

Happy hooking!!!!  I've got to get crank'n to finish my present Eagle before July 4th!!!!! 

Saundra

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INDIAN PEACE FLAG CANTON PROGRESS

This is what I've hooked so far.  Am planning on finishing the left side down to the wing then will work on the Eagle and Shield.  Well, maybe the Shield first the left wing.

Although I posted it previously, will show you again the inspiration for my adaptation.

For an historical reference is a photo below of a magnificent Peace Flag from 1803.  You can read more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Peace Flag history HERE.

Just a couple weeks away from July 4th and sure hope my rug is done in time.   Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

OLD HOOKED RUGS

Will start off with some chicken-folk said to be hooked early 20th century measuring 24 x 40.5.  I kinda like this even tho the background is a tad busy.

You can see the colors of the chickens better from the back view.  I like it when auction houses post the back but sometimes they are framed and not possible.

For you feline folks, here is a rug with the name ANNIE so guess those are her kittens.  Hooked early 20th century and from the estate of Patsy Martin (16 x 25).

A geometric with hearts around the border, hooked late 19th to early 20th century measuring 39 x 61.

No information on this horse rug found while perusing the internet.

Small central flora of some type with scrolls and leaves for an inside border design.  Hooked 1890's with dimensions of 29 x 48.

No age on these horses facing one another (22 x 39).  I find it interesting and useful to study how people filled in the animals they hooked both color and directional changes. 

Was a short show and next post I'll give you an update on my Indian Peace Flag Canton.

Saundra

RUGS HOOKED DURING 2009

Woodland Deer seemed like the perfect choice to hook in a class with Barb Carroll.  That made perfect sense since I live in the woods and see plenty of deer to my enjoyment.  The photo is quite washed out and not that light in person.

At a Cape May class my teacher was Bev Conway and chose her pattern Speckled Hens.  Instead of hens each sitting on a huge egg I wanted them sitting on straw.

While at Cape May and checking out the rugs in the show I saw Evelyn Lawrence's adaptation of Domestic Zoo.  It was awesome and knew it would be next on my frame.  I drew it and hooked it at home trying to replicate the colors in the original.  It was the largest rug I'd hooked but nothing compared to the ones ladies are working on these days.

Tonya Robey's whimsical designs were always fun to hook and Fat Dog was no exception.  Matter of fact, you can't see it in this photo but he has a little 'bling' in his teeth, which were sequins.

My picking whimsey designs continued with a Red Saltbox pattern named Flying Trio.

The bee skep and attached bees was my design made to sell at a future show, just something fun and small.

Debbie's Horse is a Barb Carroll design drawn from a pattern in one of her books.  The colors are not that bright in person.

Another small mat I hooked and sold was a Cornucopia design by Maggie Bonanomi. 

Once I had a class with Gail Dufresne so I could learn how to better work with colors and she helped me design a mat I named The Great Escape.  Turns out that I'm more of a drab person.  Thought the name of the piece was better than the colors, lol.  Sold this at one of my vending events.

And last rug of that year was my first and last wool yarn hooked (not punched) rugs.  It went into time out for about 2 years before it was finally finished.  It was a Claire Murray kit purchased on eBay and immediately learned I was NOT a fan of yarn hooked rugs.  As the dang thing wouldn't sell I eventually gave this rug away just to get it out of my house.

Well that's another year of rugs and have learned many of my old rugs don't have a label nor a hooked date.  So if I was positive on the year some were hooked, I'd do a label with the dates.  But guess I could do a label anyway to provide the name of the designer.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

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AN OUTLINE IS IN

It may not be much but it's a start.  At least there's an outline showing the perimeter of the eagle now.  

I sorta guessed where the claws would be since it is all hooked in white. Plus I wanted to define the shape of them on the arrows and olive branch vs. continuous hooking all in white.

And finally an all hooked puppy so won't bore you again once it is bound.  Which will begin this week watching The Five and sipping on a glass of vino.

I have a spot picked out for Spot where he will recline on the floor. 

Saundra

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MISC. CHIT CHAT

Time passes by so quickly, can't believe half this year is almost gone.  Appears we skipped spring and it is now summer with temps here in the low 90's the last couple days.  

Am almost done with the pup and since taking this picture all the background and more border has been hooked.  Just neglected to take a photo.

Regarding my dolls...I haven't forgotten there were a couple requests to see my dolls.  Started setting up vignettes to take photos of remaining dolls then remembered my out-of-date web site. I was a struggling, self-taught, learn as I go web editor for myself.  So after ending my dollmaking there was no need to buy new software to replace the outdated one and learn how to use it.  BUT, I do still pay for my domain name, and since I did not delete my web site you can see some of my dolls HERE.  Some I still have, so if there is anything you are interested in let me know.  And sorry Robin, there are no Witchy women left.

Delaware is in a severe drought.  Would you believe that based on all those times I've talked about the lake out back?  My yard is bone dry with dried up crispy weeds where they have managed to survive.  There is a slight, ever so slight, chance of a thunderstorm this evening.  I'm hoping so since the farmers need the rain.  As for me ~ if the grass doesn't grow it doesn't need to be cut 😏.

Am looking forward to starting my next patriotic rug and also looking forward to seeing what might be on the frames of my fellow rug hookers.  I know some of you don't hook during the summer, me...I hook all year long.  It keeps me entertained, provides a creative outlet and probably lowers my blood pressure when watching the news, lol.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Use your sunscreen.

Saundra

RUG SHOW

The rug show will be short and sweet.  Cute kitten and ball hooked early 1900's measuring 12 x 14 and still listed for sale.

Hearts and Flowers.  For some reason I neglected to document the info, either that or none was available when finding this.

The information provided said this rug was attributed to Magdalena and measures 33.5 x 44.5.  It may be an old rug but my gut feeling is that it is not a Magdalena rug.  First because of the colors, the stars another.  It is still listed for sale.

A bulls eye with sapplings.  Dimensions are 17.5 x 28, circa 1900.

Another quite colorful rug ...cats hooked early 20th century and from the collection of Sarah Miller Coulson.

Animals around floral tree hooked late 19th century (32 x 66).  Another from the collection of Sarah Miller Coulson.

The designs in these rugs may be appealing but the vivid colors in some really turn me off.  Told you it would be a short show.  Enjoy your evening.

Saundra

MAKE DO EXTREME

Am sure you are familiar with the frugal mantra "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without".   That was a slogan during WWII since items were harder to come by as they were appropriated for the war effort.  I hooked that saying in 2019 and hard to believe it has been that many years ago.

Well, I went over the top in 'making do' for my next hooking project.  I hate wasting linen and usually end up with many small pieces left from drawing patterns.  So felt fortunate to have a piece of leftover linen the perfect size.  There was one problem ~ actually two.  Someone requested a zig zag design with an 8" excess on all sides.  And based on her description thought this was what she meant.

Nope, not how she envisioned it.  So I flipped the linen over and attempted to draw it with the exaggerated zigs and zags she described.  Still not what she envisioned.  Well definitely wasn't going to throw away that piece of linen so it has been hanging around for a few years.  Until now. 

Seems I'm still in a Patriotic mood with this year being the 250th birthday of America and have my next rug planned.  It was time consuming for me to get the pattern drawn with ink on both sides.  And now notice the shield needs to be corrected which means even more lines impeding my hooking comfort.

You may notice this rug is just the canton of the Indian Peace Flag, no stripes.  There are several variations of the canton and this is my version using the best parts of some I'd seen.  

Love the blue color in this original and tattered flag.  But didn't care for having dots as stars in the shield  

If you would like learn more about the Indian Peace Flag presentation  click HERE.  In the last ATHA magazine there were many patriotic rugs displayed in celebration of America's birthday.  Hope you rug hookers will be inspired to have one by this July too.  Happy  hooking.

Saundra

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PUP RUG UPATE

This isn't a big pattern and definitely not a complex one.  So why is it taking me so long to finish it?  Or maybe it is because I've already decided what my next project will be and want to start it?   Hmmmm, maybe that's an obvious indication to invite a plus one soon.  Not today tho.  

What beautiful weather it has been this weekend.  Shame it wasn't this way last weekend when folks had a 3-day Memorial Holiday.  The beaches definitely lost income due to the full week of rain. 

I've been busy all day so it is now time for me to sit down and pull a few loops.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

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