A FORMER DOLLMAKER'S MEMORIES and some for sale

By request from a loyal follower, I'll show you some dolls I've made and how I got started.  Not sure I can locate my very first doll but would be embarrassed to show you if it was found.  Like most things we get better the more we practice.  But I digress.....

A question Maureen asked was ..."Were you always a creative person? Did a family member pass on the art gene to you or did you develop it on your own?" 

Gee, thanks for the compliment on my being creative and none of my family did any sort of crafts.  Back in the 'olden days' there was a semester class of Home Economics, so I learned to sew in high school.  Then once married made my own clothes and eventually clothing for my husband and my son including footie, snap crotch sleepers.  Then many moons later decided to shop for a primitive doll to fit in with my antiques.  Checked out a shop at the Columbia Mall and a small primitive doll was $70.  How hard could it be to make a doll since I can already sew??  I made one and then a few more.  It was fun at the time.

Although I had a day job thought it might be fun to build up an inventory  to be a vendor at craft and artisan shows.  Here is a photo taken at the outside show held by the Historical Society in Lewes, DE.  My photo was taken by the buyer of those two dolls.

The red headed beekeeper angel below still hangs on a wall here but think she needs new wings.  The brown paper wings I originally gave her look wilted.

As a child I did play with dolls but never had an Andy or Annie.  So did enjoy making those and still have a photo of one which sold ~ an Annie with her own li'l Annie.

I made a couple Beloved Belindy's which were popular.

And one woman who attended the Lewes show yearly purchased numerous black dolls from me over the years.  One day she sent me a photo of all of them lined up on her fireplace mantle.

The child's book "Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" inspired me to do my own pattern and sold some Edward Tulane rabbits, mostly to teachers.  And even after no longer vending I'd get orders but would decline as I was sick of making any type of doll.

Sure made my share of Patriotic dolls too, some female and numerous Uncle Sam dolls.  Here is a sample of the traditional Uncle Sam I made and sold; sorry have no more and don't plan to make any.

Although I started out making primitive type dolls decided to expand my skills and learn more techniques.  One such class provided me with the pattern and techniques to make a classic Columbian cloth doll coated with gesso, painted then coated with a sealer.  This one still lives with me but further down there is a reproduction Moravian Doll which is for sale.

I've many additional photos of bears, dolls and critters which sold and will do another blog of this subject if there is interest.  Meanwhile, I'll list a couple dolls from my reserve to see if there are any bites.  What a surprise when opening up the bins, didn't realize there was such a big inventory left when I quit selling.  Well, here goes....

Two primitive black dollies (and I've more where these came from).  On the left is Della Mae (I used to name the dolls).   She has buttons for eyes, stitched on twig for nose and embroidery lips.  A vintage doily for her apron.  She is 20" long, can hang or sit and her arms are just rolled fabric, no stuffing.  She is $25.

On the right is Hattie Mae who is 16 1/2" tall from top of head (not counting standing pigtails), can hang on the wall or sit.  Vintage trim and cotton fabrics for clothing.  Also  $25.

The only patriotic type dolls I have left are the following.  Uncle Sam the Tax Man who is 30" tall, will hang or sit, coat is made of craft felt, painted hat and pants.  You can see his cash bag is stuffed full.  Sam is $50.

This guy wants to help celebrate America's 250th Birthday with you.  He is 22" long, holds a rusty wire America sign and dons a party hat.  He will  hang or sit and is $50.

On the left is Chasity who is 18" tall, has a painted face with wool roving hair.  She is not prepared to hang but does sit well.  Her dress has 3 narrow pleats running around the bottom. Chasity is $50.

Her friend Lesley Lou, 15" tall, has a stitched face, wool roving braids and has her own dollie.  Lesley Lou is $38.  

A Moravian style doll reproduction I have left is wearing a vintage child's Christening Dress, handmade bloomers and antique bonnet.  Doll measures 19" from top of head to toes.  Christening gown falls below the feet ~ $90 plus shipping.

And finally, Susie Homemaker was made using a different technique applying a vintage face photo onto fabric.  She measures 18" and is tea stained, $40 plus travel costs.

Now I know what Lauren feels like when she gets out her boxes during holidays.  My house looks like a tornada came through.  But perhaps I'll be able to consolidate remaining items into fewer bins.

It is raining lightly but constantly here and is COLD.  Have pulled chili out of my freezer to have for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.  Now it's time for me to have some hooky fun.

  

Saundra

BINDING THE EAGLE

April 15th I started hooking on the eagle and posted the first photo the next day.  After taking this photo I see the narrow strip of wool in the eye needs attention as some of the loops are dropping between the other loops.

For the rug to be complete it needs to be bound and labeled.  The binding has started but the label will be delayed until there are a couple more labels to fill a complete sheet of fabric coated printer paper.

The cotton flag tape I'm using to bind was gifted me by Polly Minick when doing work for her a few years ago.  It was a Moda item called Flag Day Farm and when googled, it was not listed on the Moda site.

A new rug will be on my frame, the one I already drew in case I needed a quick relief from the Eagle.  It is Spot the pup; I think he is cute as the dickens and hope to make it sorta scrappy.

And I have a special request to post some photos of dolls I used to make, so that will be an upcoming post too.  Might even open up my bins to see what is left over from my vending days and post those with prices on my blog.

OH, I've been in touch with Polly Minick recently and learned she has some Patriotic rugs in the Country Home summer issue.  Walmart didn't have the latest on the shelves yet.  Am hoping she has some new patriotic designs in there.

My morning is getting away from me but I've got to run to buy some bottled water, then if it isn't raining might do a little yard work before the rain begins.

Saundra

HOOKED RUGS DURING 2007

For some unknown reason this year I came nowhere near the average of 10 rugs.  Maybe because I was in the middle of a divorce and making more dolls for vending?  Not sure.

First is Crow Sampler, a Kindred Spirits design.  Thought I'd take a little creative license and do the penny circle border all the way around vs.  the original design.  Luckily there was plenty of room for me to extend the top border over and draw all the way around.  You can see the original version by clicking HERE.

Farm Scene, a design by Tonya Robey, ended up being displayed in one of her pattern booklets. Tonya provided the pattern and the wool; thanks Tonya.

WELCOME HOME, a pattern designed by Polly Minick.  In 2017 I donated this to my son for a raffle to benefit the American Legion.  You can see a single "S" as my sign because I didn't consider myself using the last initial of my future ex.  But wasn't back to Porter until final decree.

The actual date of this wool applique below is iffy.  It may have been done in 2006 but missed it in the previous post.  OR....maybe it was during 2007.  A design by Fredericksburg Rugs think it was called Folk Art Stars and I sold it at an artisan show.  I personally do not enjoy applique but admit it is easier to transport and with less bulky equipment.

At a rug camp in Cape May with Lucille Festa I hooked 1847 Turkey, a pattern in a Needl'love booklet.  The turkey still lives with me and bring it out each November.  Again, the single "S".

That is all I have documented for that year.  But could be there were other rugs or mats incorrectly dated or perhaps missed taking a photo of it before it was sold.

Those chilly days I complained about are long gone and now have oppressively hot weather yesterday and again today.  It is difficult to even breathe outside so will stay inside.

It has been a while since treating myself to this but today's lunch was the day ~ seared tuna steak and salad.   I did a marinate of 1 T soy sauce, 1/2 T honey and 1/2 T sesame oil.  Since I  didn't have sesame oil I used EVOO and crushed some sesame seeds.

Saundra

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RUG SHOW ~ OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Will start off with a beautiful American Eagle rug.  Sadly I couldn't find a date or dimensions but safe to say it is old.  That second star is hard to see at first.

I like this rug below too, love the earthy colors; again no age or dimensions provided.

Noticed the next rug had all the symbols of being a wedding rug ~ a bouquet border, love birds surrounded by a ring (circle) and heart which joins them together.  No age but measures 37 x 44.

When I see pinwheels, it always reminds me of my youth walking on the boardwalk of Rehoboth Beach, DE.   Rug dated late 19th to early 20th century (19.5 x 35).

A pair of ducks dated 1900 (26.5 x 48).  Am wondering if those are 4 pots in the corners and if the designer/hooker decided to get a little artsy with the weaving in and out of color with border.  

Perhaps a beloved hunting dog, hooked early 20th century measuring 24 x 43.

What's a rug show without a horse?  If I'd drawn and hooked it, the rectangle would be horizontal not vertical; and the horse bigger to fill up the space.

A lot of activity going on in the village, but don't think it is old.  

And a cat rug for good measure.  No information on this one either.

Happy day to everyone.  Will do a little outside work in the morning then make a couple minor changes to my eagle rug.

Saundra

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250th BIRTHDAY EAGLE UPDATE

Made a tad more headway on the rug.  And yes, I re-drew the olive branch and lightening bolts 3 times.  Had it not been for the ink color change am not sure I'd know which to hook.  When looking at several inanimate eagle images saw some longer and wider leg extensions.  They reminded me of frog legs and I didn't want mine that long and wide.  At least there is more of the leg shown now than was drawn before.

I chose to hook a calm linear hooked background so it wouldn't compete with the eagle and ribbon for attention.  The wool used was off the bolt Laramie Stripe wool purchased from The Wool Studio.   

Luckily I've already drawn out a pattern to throw on the frame next. It was drawn just in case I got bored with this rug and would be my plus one.  Obviously no boredom happened so it will be my next hooking project....  UNLESS someone has an idea for a hook-along which interests me. If you do, let me know.

Weather today is dreary, drizzly and chilly so am planning to make a pot of vegetable soup.  Will have that for a couple days and freeze the rest for future.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/woodlandjunctionhookedrugs

RUGS HOOKED DURING 2006

The first rug hooked that year was Birds and Pomegranates, a design by Edyth O'Neill which was offered in some book I have on my shelf.  Later sold it.

My next project was from a photo of my departed Rotties Shumba and Panzer.  It was hooked in a class with Jon Ciemiwicz who also drew the pattern from the photo I provided.  The dogs were hooked with #3 and background I hooked in #6 as using a #3 was out of the question at that point.

A side note...when grooming my dogs I saved their hair in separate baggies.  Then had a friend spin their hair on a small wool core and used their hair in the nape of each of their necks, so there is each of their DNA in the rug.

As soon as this was hung on the wall in my bedroom I got a piece of linen and drew a small full body picture of each of the dogs and hooked that baby in #8.  I hate hooking a whole rug in narrow cut but must admit you sure do get good detail.  And yeah, my boy Panzer sat like a girl, lol.

In a class with Bev Conway I hooked her Rufus the Lion design.  This rug is in my wool room, not my living space as those are not my colors.  Perhaps I need to offer it for sale.

For vending I always like to have something small to offer so hooked a couple cat purses.

Actually, this penny purse I have documented as being hooked in 2005, but I missed it in my previous post, so here it is now.

Designed a fish mat in hopes of selling it at the beach area, and it did.

That year I drew an adaptation of a rug from the Kopp book "Art Under Foot".  As much as I love horse rugs I sold this one too.

This folk art stars pattern is in a booklet on my shelf and was a pattern offered by Polly Minick.  Matter of fact there is a rug exactly like mine for for sale at an on-line auction house.  So someone else saw that pattern too.  

There ya have it for 2006.  Wish I'd started keeping a record visually and written on what I hooked exactly when.  But didn't start doing that until I'd been hooking for a few years.  Therefore exact year gets a little iffy once in a while.

Have a wonderful day and hope all your loops are perfect.

Saundra

MOTHER'S DAY RUG SHOW

Happy Mother's Day, here's a bouquet of flowers made with standing wool and applique for each of you.  No estimate of age was provided.

This bird rug was promoted as an antique Charlevoix, Quebec folk art rug.  Dimensions are 21 x 38 but no date hooked given.

A landscape hooked early 20th century measuring 24 x 36.  

Hooked runner with a dog cameo near the center (21.5 x 53.5).  No date was provided but certainly looks aged to me.  Love the various background colors.

Below is the primitive eagle I wrote about.  Perhaps it was a chair pad by the shape and size, it measures 13.5 x 14.  The colors may throw you off a little but remember this person used what was on hand.  You could do a rectangular shape and put flags on the sides, hook 1776, or whatever comes to you creative mind.  A small easy hook with little detail in the face.

A worn rug with stars and diamond border.  No date offered but it measures 20 x 35.  Personally I'd forego the busy diamond shaped border.

Soft to the eyes hit and miss with flowers, dated the 1930's.

Another worn rug, a geometric which has mellowed with age.

A cowgirl circa 1920's.  Oh how I would have loved this for my bedroom as a kid.

This cat doesn't appear to be old, but saw it on a Leatherwood Antiques posting.  Plus it is all I have for the feline lovers right now.

Again, Happy Mother's Day.

Saundra