A SMORGASBORD OF CHIT CHAT

This is my current project and the one which will entertain me until Lucille gets to me at camp next week.  As I've been busy taking care of yard work, little by little, and other tasks in preparation to leave for camp, this is all I've accomplished so far.  BUT, I'm pleased with how it is turning out.  The pattern I drew on linen is 20.5 x 35.  If you recall I'd printed out a larger size but nixed the idea of hooking the bigger size.

Below is the original antique and I won't show the comparison every time, thought I'd refresh your memory on how the original looked.  Actually my wool is a tad brighter in person (believe it or not) than it appears in the photo above.

Last week I forced myself to do another dye batch just to get the pots and stuff out of my kitchen.  On the left was the new batch to be dyed and on the right had already been posted.

Both shown together (below) and in my stash now.  They will be used for something, even that lower piece on the left.  At least it is better than having the stark white showing.

To all the readers who take the time to comment, I thank you.  Seems many of you don't have an email connected to your blog when you signed up or you chose to be anonymous as I'm unable to reply to your comments.   Here is a comment which to me was quite special.

AnonymousSeptember 7, 2024 at 9:23 AM

My husband and I did that trip from Falls Church VA to Laguna Beach CA in 1974 in a VW squareback pulling a small U-Haul. A shame I did not document it as you did but we were hell bent for leather. We still try to remember some of the places we ate. Funny. We are still here after a 3 year stint in Santa Barbara. Things have changed so much here and not for the better.
I'm sure you could probably care less but I loved your posts because they all took me back. Thanks again.

Whatever your name is, thank you.  I was so concerned that those posts would bore people out of their minds and yet it seems it struck a cord with someone who had a similar experience.  Just wish I was able to reply to you.  IF anyone would give me their email and name I could put you in my 'contacts' file so that if you type your name as anonymous I'd still be able to reply.

This time next Sunday I should be at the dinner table at Cape May rug camp.  Still haven't heard from my teacher about camp yet but she just returned from the ATHA event so she's taking a well deserved breath to catch up.  Just hope the weather remains as it is and without any ocean turbulence.  It is chilly at night now and sunny during the day so fall is in the air.  Will be sure to take clothing to fit summer and fall before I leave as I'm sure I'll be needing both.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

CALIFORNIA ARRIVAL FINALLY

Ventura, California greeted us at 7:50 a.m., January 6th 1979 (a Saturday).  What a sight it was to look at dedicated surfers in the Pacific Ocean at that time of morning.  

And further along the highway the Pacific is still to our left side but highway veers more inland to the right and between us and the ocean is farmland.  It looks so strange to my east coast eyes to see palm trees growing in the middle of a pasture with cows grazing.  When I think of palm trees I'm thinking lounge chair and a cocktail with an umbrella on the side.

Now 11:05 in Paso Robles we're all weary as we've been up since 5:30 a.m. and driving 4 1/2 hours.  Our trip that started out ahead of schedule had gone to  hell for one reason or another.  First it was the ice storm in Texas, then the flat tire in Texas, requiring time spent waiting to have new tires put on the Scout.  After that it was the traffic jam in LA, then closing of Route 5 to Bakersfield.  Through it all I feel we have maintained a constant level of sanity and humor.  With 4 1/2 hours left of our trip am glad the voyage is almost over and we can settle down to a fairly normal way of life.  How the hell did our forefathers manage this trip in covered wagons and fewer resources?

We filled up with gas at 2:10 p.m. in San Jose so we are in the home stretch.  Route 680 is the last road needed to get to Dublin, at the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge.  From there it is only minutes to our new home in San Ramon.

It seemed like a lifetime ago that we left our old home in Bowie, MD the evening of 12/29/1978.  We had no idea the experiences we would encounter or tests we would be put through.  But we made it as a family, we felt like modern day pioneers and made it all happen together.  This is our own story of "How the West Was Won".

We arrived at Howard Johnsons at 3:08 p.m.  and looking forward to moving into our 'new to us' home.  These photos were taken before the previous owners moved out.  We wanted a typical 'eastern' style home not the hacienda or California trendy style.  That is an olive tree in the front yard.

Here's the backyard which backed up to a golf course.  On the other side of the house there was a lemon tree.

I know you are wondering if I would recommend to people they fly instead of drive out west?  I'd say hell no if life was like back then.  But with today's violence and illegals coming across the border I'd say don't take the chance so fly.  Take the safest and fastest way to your destination.  Can't imagine what may have happened to us when we were stranded on a desolate stretch of highway along the border towns  today.

Well, that's the story written in my journal and I'd forgotten a few things so it was fun for me to read again to refresh my memory.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

JUST ANOTHER RUG SHOW

Found some newly listed rugs but several of them didn't seem interesting enough to take up flash drive space so didn't save all.  Here goes and these were some which did merit space on my drive yet you may not find them worthy.  

Three geometric rugs from the collection of Robert L. Pfannebecker early 20th century.

Another two from the collection of the same person and a smidgen more interesting than the three above.  There were a few more of his collection for sale which I didn't save.

This next one I do like and isn't from his collection, nor are the rest of the rugs I'm going to post.

I thought this dog with big stick was cute.  No idea on date as it must have sold at some point and no info could be found.

Black horse with two-toned leaf border or are they primitive scrolls?  No other information available.

Not a rug but rather a 1700's stitched pocketbook.  Lovely fall colors and would  make a fantastic rug project.  Shame it is in such ad shape, but it is old afterall.

Below is a chair pad that friend April Leas took a photo of at an antique show.

Another lovely floral dated approximately 1899 and with dimensions of 42 x 59.

That's it for today folks.  Trying to do a little inside and outside chores before rug camp.  It might not all get done by camp time tho 😞

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

RUG HOOKING CHIT CHAT

First of all, cannot believe it is September 1st and tomorrow is Labor Day known to all as the official end of summer.  I'll certainly welcome the cooler evenings and warm days of October for sure.

Yesterday I was quite busy cleaning up my rats nest around where I hook in the living room, over dyed some wool that had been soaking for 2 days and enlarged a pattern for my next project.  After all I WILL need something to work on when at rug camp in just 2 weeks.  TWO WEEKS!!!!!  Good grief but time has whizzed by.

Here are 2 quarter yards of wool that had soaked and then grabbed another piece which soaked for an hour or so but didn't get a photo of the before.  Actually, it was soaking when I took a photo of these wet pieces.  

I like having dark options to mix in the background for that delightful blotchy look one sees in antique rugs.  Here is the result of all three pieces of wool.   Since these aren't for my next project I just might pop them back in the pot with another tablespoon or two of the same recipe.  While I don't want a pitch black dark think I'd like it a tad darker than it turned out.  And of course the wool always looks darker when it is wet.

Bird on a Tree Stump is all hooked and am prepping it for wool yarn whipping.  I love, love Ali Strebel's wool yarn and a previous purchase is just perfect for this rug too.  She will variegate dye wool specifically for your rug if you ask.  It might be a couple dollars more than the solid colors but well worth the difference I think.

Now I can't recall which rug I ordered the yarn for but purchased two hanks to have some left for future rugs.

My camp pattern had been drawn months ago so was prepared for that.  But as many of you know I'd not made a decision on a pattern for when the Bird was done.  Yesterday feeling pressure to make a decision I decided to replicate this antique.  Do you think that is a giant vase with flowers or a giant flower with baby blossoms????

Anyway, I enlarged and printed out 12 pieces of paper, trimmed the edges and taped them together (22.5 x 37.5).  I did want a larger pattern but after taping it together it appeared too big and while tracing over the lines to make them darker scratched the whole idea.  So there I was pattern-less still.

Today, again feeling the pressure of needing a pattern fix I spent a couple hours searching thru my flash drives and even pattern books for something to catch my attention, to no avail.  So let it be known I'm a gluten for punishment!!   I enlarged the same line drawing AGAIN to a somewhat smaller size of 20.5 x 35.  Guess I gotta go with it since it seems to be the only design of interest.  Now to put it on linen. 

This evening I'll work on whipping the Bird rug as I want it ready for the rug show at Cape May.  Happy hooking, stitching, reading, knitting (Elaine) or whatever strikes your fancy this holiday weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

NOW ON THE LEFT COAST

Cannot imagine making this trip by covered wagon with more adverse circumstances than we endured.  We've been on the road for a week with today, January 5th, being the 8th day of travel.  After a good night's sleep we leave Tempe, Arizona at 9:20 a.m.  Not such an early start because I made a grocery run before departing so we can eat lunch on the road.

OH!  The Holiday Inn we stayed in Tempe, we slept in the only room they had available.  Which happened to be the suite Bob Hope stayed in November 1978 ~ that according to the brass plaque on the door outside.

The giant cactus looks majestic and thriving in the dry, sandy soil of the Arizona desert.  Even tho we have encountered troubles during our trip can honestly say I'm still glad we drove instead of flying.  And what a great experience for our son.

Arrived in southern California 1 p.m. mountain time, 3 p.m. eastern, but our new life's time is 12 noon Pacific time.  Rain greeted us at the California border as did a different land appearance.  The desert and cactus stopped once we crossed the Colorado River.  We are, however, still surrounded by mountains as we continue our journey to our new home in northern California.

A couple misnomers I've encountered during this trip: 

1) I've often used the phrase "...for all the cows in Texas".  Well I only saw 3 cows from the highway in Texas but saw hundreds just as we entered into New Mexico.

2) "It never rains in Southern, California (the song)".  It was pouring as we entered California and the river was rushing through its concrete runoff.  Remember the old show CHiPs (California Highway Police)?  Here's a picture of the real deal riding in the rain.

Near Thousand Palms, CA we stopped for gas and Greg picked a few oranges off an abundant orange trees nearby.  They sure were finger licking good and freshly picked fruit.

We hit just over 3,000 miles on our journey at 4:50 p.m. in the heart of Los Angeles (City of Angels).  Seems everyone and their brother has left work and travelling home.  We are too but San Ramon is still some 397 miles away and traffic jams all over the freeway.  Finally at 5:05 we got to 5 North to head toward northern California when we heard a news bulletin reporting route 5 to Bakersfield was closed due to a snow storm.  The higher elevated areas are getting snow while it is rain here.  Seems the entire trip has been a test of our perseverance and sanity.

Since route 5 to Bakersfield was closed we spent the night just outside Magic Mountain.  Gary and I ordered prime rib which was tough as leather so neither of us ate it all, thankfully the salad was delicious.  So Misty had a prime rib meal too and Pyewacket had her standard fare.

Still on our way to our new home.  Stay tuned.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com  

OOPS, IT'S POST DAY

The day fast forwarded and just now realized it's time for me to do a blog post.  The easiest thing for me to do right now is a 'rug show' and I'm still looking for the new shiny penny, lol.  In other words, my next new project to put on my frame .

A grid geometric with dimensions of 31.5 x 52.  That grid is easy to and the design is in public domain so you can draw whatever size you desire.

Here is another hooked variance of the same shape.  Isn't it interesting to see how color and hooking style changes the look?

Here is the grid for those interested.

A cat and squirrel dated 1899 and located in the Hagley museum (22.5 x 45.5).  Can't tell exactly what is attached to the ends but guess it was someone's version of tassels back then.

Here is a vivid colorful floral circa 1900 measuring 20 x 38.5.  Or at least that is what the auction house said.  Hey, I didn't see it in person or touch it but it does seem a little far fetched for me to think those colors would be so strong now or even available back in the day.

Deer and flowers said to be hooked late 19th to early 20th century.   I'd be tempted if I hadn't already hooked several deer.  Now horses are another thing, lol.

Something different I found is this jacquard coverlet from 19th century.  Would make a nice rug.

Rug inspirations are everywhere, even this stitched potholder of which I have no date.

Sold 4 of the 5 patterns listed on FB Buy and Sell today so it was a good day sitting in the chair in front of the PC and reduced my pattern stash.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

WHAT'S IN A NAME? (Updated)

You've seen this rug worked in stages and is now finally bound and finished except for the label.  The label will be forthcoming when I've 6 labels to print out.  Now for the title of my post ~ What's in a Name?

I always name my rugs even if they are antique adaptations.  If by chance the auction house provides information which makes a great name I'll use that.  Or in the case of Magdalena Briner Eby rugs I'll use those names previously given since they are iconic.

This one, however, had me in a quandary.  Frankly when I first saw this antique rug thought it was ugly because of the background.  The background seemed cluttered, junky and never had any intention to hook it.  Until I did, lol.  

Therefore, my first thought was to name it "Junk Yard Dog".  Any of you the age to remember Jim Croce?  He had some wonderful songs and one was named "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" who was meaner than a Junk Yard Dog.  So the idea of naming it "Junk Yard Dog" was born, because the background was junky on the antique.

BUT, my dog adaptation doesn't look mean at all.  Matter of fact comparing the two my poor pup's background looks pale in comparison.  So I'm searching for a name.  Two of my amiga's have suggested names in the past but am opening up the idea again.  

    Have been brainstorming with a compadre and came up with a few           ideas for a name in addition to those listed above:

    Leroy Brown  ~  Leroy   ~  Leroy's Dog   ~  Jim Croce   ~  Jim's Dog  ~        Croce's Dog   ~     

NOTE:  If it wasn't bad enough with the NO-REPLY Blogger issue, it seems even those whose emails would previously show up in my personal email, they no longer do.  So unless I have your email in my 'contacts' list I'm unable to communicate with you.

And when you make a comment even tho there is a 'reply' section you wouldn't see my reply unless you visit the comment section again.  Seems BLOGGER has gone BONKERS.  Oh, and let us not forget they removed the option for people to subscribe to our blogs.  Okay, am off my soap box now.

Got an idea for my doggie rug?

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

STILL IN TEXAS

It is 8:20 a.m. and still in Texas as I'm writing in the journal.  We had to double back to put a fresh tire on the Scout.  So far we have driven 114 miles since that 1:30 a.m. attempt to find a tire which was unsuccessful  So we had to sleep stay in the van along a desolate stretch of highway until morning.  

We finally reached El Paso at 10:20 a.m.  Texas has many moods, she is a vast state so it makes sense.  The soil has changed again.  Sand and stone have replaced the top soil and clay which was characteristic many miles and 3 days ago.  The scene below looks like it could be used for an old western movie sans the railroad crossing signs.

The landscape of America is beautifully different with flat land, hilly and mountainous regions.  Mountains in some areas were smooth like the photo above then others changed to a jagged mountainous region like below.

Thank GOD we reached New Mexico.  Have no plans to ever venture into Texas again ever.

We stopped in Las Cruces, New Mexico and bought 4 new tires for the Scout so we won't have a reoccurrence of last night's episode.  Gary made it known that these 4 new tires cost more than those advertised in Longview, TX he wanted to buy.  Big oops.

I drove for almost 2 hours through part of the desert.  The weather out west was quite different from the east coast ~ it gets very hot during the day, very cold at night and no humidity.

Entered Arizona at 3:34 p.m. with mileage reading 58,343.

Arriving in Tucson, AZ at 6 p.m. and 420 miles driven we are reluctant to drive any longer and take undue chances again so we're looking for a motel.  Driving along I 10 at 7:15 p.m. in search of a place to sleep, an 18 wheeler passed us and wanted to know if we 'had our ears on".  He said he'd seen our Scout parked along the roadside this morning in Texas and wanted to know if we got everything under control.  Turns out he was one of the 3 guys who pulled us into the Holiday Inn parking lot way back in Longview, TX ~ that was 1,300 miles ago.  Small world after all I guess 😏. 

Found a motel in Tempe, Arizona and oh boy did it feel good to take a shower and wash my hair.  I did brush my teeth at one of the gas stations when we purchased our tires.  Now looking forward to sleep zzzzzzzzzz.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

COMING UP

Only 3 1/2 weeks until Cape May rug camp.  Since it seems to take me longer to do things these days should soon do some dying.  I've got to over dye some wool as I'll need some dirty muddy wool for my class project.  And even if not selected during color planning with Lucille I'll use it at some point at home.  Today would be a great day to pull out those dye pots since there a delightful chill in the house but must do outside work first before the heat and humidity returns.

This is what Bird on Tree Stump looks like now and think it will be finished by camp time to put in the show.  Previously told you I've already drawn out my camp project but don't have anything prepared to put on the frame once this one is done.  Gotta work on that too.  I've seen a couple that seem likely projects but haven't decided or enlarged a design yet.

Wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the space below the tree stump where the initials MB appear in the antique below.  I'd thought about having just background.  Now I'm considering putting my initials there instead mostly to make the transition from dark wool to the lighter side ~ ya know I do love a blotchy background.

Comparing my endeavor to the original antique now wish I had hooked the scrolls in #9 instead of #8.5 to get fatter scrolls.  Could have made 3 rows of wool strips instead of 2 I used most of the time, but hey, it's only a rug, it's an adaptation, and no one will ever notice unless the original is beside it.

Enjoy this crisp, dry weather while we have it as the heat and humidity isn't far behind.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

RUG SHOW

Have a few newly found rugs for sale some old, some not so old and one advertised as old but will let you be the judge of that.  You can find that one further down in this post.  But first, horses, hearts and stars said to be hooked late 19th to early 20th century measuring 24 x 39.5.

Rabbits and dog with no date or dimensions offered.  Kinda cute and wish there had been a better, cleaner photo.

Roosters rug with scrolls in corners and blocks background dated 19th century.  Dimensions are 31 x 46.

Another geometric of blocks hooked early 1900's (16 x 22).

I saved the rug photo below early March and since it wasn't a favorite didn't show it.  Am tired of looking at it so thought I show it to you then move it to the other folder.  Perhaps I'd like it better if it was just one basket of flowers because it looks more like a placemat or serving tray to me.  Guess the hooker wanted it to have the same view either way you walked into and out of the room or hall.  

Not a rug but would make a wonderful one; it's an 18th century embroidered wallet.

Oh I love this abstract geometric!  Dimensions are 39 x 44 and hooked late 19th century.  It's probably the dirty colors which attract me.

And now, this is the one I spoke of early in the post.  What first caught my attention was the listing which said it was a 1908 hooked rug.  Well that's right up my alley and got my eyes and ears perked up.  Then I saw the photo.

Upon looking at it more critically doubted it was from 1908 despite the seller stating it was and "08" hooked in the rug.  So I contacted the seller telling her I was a hooker and thought she may have assumed incorrectly and the date might actually indicate it was hooked 2008.  Then she returned a reply saying I was wrong.  So you be the judge as there are a lot of more experienced rug hookers who read my blog and perhaps you know better than me.  You can see the listing HERE.  Does that look like a rug hooked in 1908 with cotton seam binding and wool yarn whipped edge?  And do you know a hooker with the initials JC?

That's all I got for tonight.  Think temps are gonna cool down a little and the local weatherman said we just might have an early fall. 

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

FURTHER WEST

January 3rd we're finally on the road at 9:20 a.m. in Fort Worth, TX.  The last three days Gary has been driving under a lot of tension with road conditions due to icy roads.  There are so many overpasses and bridges that even if we get a good patch of road to speed up, we have to back it down for the bridges since they freeze faster.  And if driving the underpass the sun doesn't get there to melt the ice so it is a no win situation either way.

I spoke about it before but horrible visions of our furniture's welfare keeps entering our thoughts as we see accidents and then these 18-wheelers on their sides.  

Roads beyond Ft. Worth are also bad.  We are now at the 419 mile marker and someone on the CB said ice ends at the 400 mile marker so only 19 miles away.  Sure hope they are right.

Farmland in parts of the Texas landscape has the blackest soil I'd ever seen, perhaps because of the oil below.  Here are a couple scenes showing rigs reaching for that Texas liquid gold.

We stopped for gas at 3 p.m. and getting back onto I 20 the roads are wet and snowy.  Just had another incident where the van and Scout were at an angle or perhaps a road slide but the Scout behind us pushed the hell out of the van and Gary almost lost control.  Was eating lunch when that occurred and lost my appetite.

El Paso, TX is 324 miles away at 4 p.m. with temperature of 36* but when the sun goes down the wet roads will freeze.  We've only gone 261 miles since 9:20 a.m. and didn't even stop for lunch, just eating our packed food (fruit, sardines, crackers, cheese, pepperoni).

We stopped at a Great Western Motel for dinner at 6 p.m.  I had filet mignon and for cattle country these people are ignorant on how to cook good beef.  They must export all the good stuff.  We decided to travel after eating supper in an attempt to catch up for lost travel time.  Our destination is El Paso and we should get there approximately 12:30 a.m.

With less than 100 miles to go until El Paso at 10:30 p.m. our Scout had a blow-out on the right rear tire ~ out in the middle of BFE (foul translation).  We were unable to raise anyone on the CB, the van spare tire wouldn't fit the Scout as he thought when we left Maryland, and had no spare for the Scout.   The nearest truck stop was 22 miles behind us and 40 odd miles ahead was the nearest.  Gary didn't want to leave me alone along the highway with the Scout while he got the tire fixed so we got out the pillows, sleeping bags and attempted to get some sleep.

At 1:30 a.m. when Gary woke up I was sitting in the front passenger seat trying to rest in the freezing temperatures.  He suggested I turn the car on to warm the interior.  He got up, we discussed the problem and decided to unhook the Scout, leave her and drive to the truck stop 22 miles behind us.  Hoping the Scout and trailer hitch would still be there when we returned.  The 22 mile trip was unsuccessful and about 2 a.m. we settled in for what we hoped would be a short winter's nap.

Already awake at 6:30 a.m. I'm writing and waiting for the gas stations to open to get the tire fixed.  Must admit I'm so happy to be alive and see day break.  I was afraid of being rammed in the tail by a sleepy 18 wheeler or being vandalized/terrorized during the night.  We didn't manage to make up for lost travel time after all.  As I think back there were ways the blow-out could have been avoided:  1) had a spare for the Scout, 2) had purchased those tires Gary wanted to buy when we first entered Texas but which I talked him out of.

Even if we had felt angry at the other it wasn't shown and since there is still about one-third of our trip to go tempers wouldn't have cured our problems.  One humorous event out of this situation was when son Greg and I were trying to get situated in the back of the van to go to sleep.  Gary said, "I guess you wouldn't want me to mention about the tires I wanted to buy earlier, huh?"

I said, "No, but what about those boots you wanted to buy instead?"  Then with a carefully calculated thought he replied, "Well if I had bought them you'd be wearing one up your ass by now."  I thought Greg would choke laughing, he laughed so hard that his throat gurgled.

To be continued  .....

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MEMORY RUGS (Updated version)

Have you ever thought about designing and hooking a memory rug?  I've seen some lovely ones at rug camps, on Pinterest and even antique rugs which I believe were a type of memory rug for the maker at the time.  But that's all I've done ~ think about it.

I've considered hooking a memory rug but couldn't decide which memory of my decades of life I'd like to hook.  The thought of doing memories of my various trips (California, Iceland, Taiwan, Hong Kong) seemed too daunting.

The one idea which reoccurs are memories from my youth of the 1950's.  I had lots of 45 rpm records, remember those?  So could draw circles for the records... 

and a few music symbols.

I also collected horse statues even after getting my own horse.  On weekends or summer break a schoolmate and I would pack lunches and ride our horses through the country side near her farm.

After school we teens would ride in cars around the circle (now called a 'round about') then to The Jimbo.  Jimbo's was a small restaurant and local hangout for school kids.  For you young'uns that's  where servers would come to the car, take your order and return with trays which attached to the window of the car.  Anyone my age remember those? 

The above photo is one from the internet but you get the idea.  

When I turned 16 everyone else in town had a cool modern car and I had 1946 older model of a brand I don't remember.  So I decided to put big yellow polka dots all over it thinking that would make it 'cooler'.  They were big circles which was used at the E.I. duPont nylon plant where daddy worked to place on the floor for safe break areas.

Guess at one point I did a tad more than 'think about it' because I started with drawing my car but ended up flipping it over and drawing something else which I hooked.  However think I've lost any ambition to make my memory rug a reality.

That wasn't such a smart thing for me to do because everywhere I went everyone knew who it was driving thru which town. Below is a 1957 Chevy which was popular in my town then.

Since I was a cheerleader could add a pom pom or two on the pattern.  I'm too lazy to go search and copy an old photo of me in my cheerleading uniform but you know what a pom pom looks like.

Perhaps my need to find a next project has resurfaced the memory rug idea.  Guess this would fall under the category of 'still thinking about it'.

I was reminded about the Memory Rug that friend Julia did.  It is awesome and demonstrates just how much work and effort it takes to pull off such a wonderful heirloom for family.

Was a nice day with low humidity it was today. Made plans to work outside for a couple hours in the morning but forgot about my dental appointment.  However in the afternoon did manage to pull up some invasive periwinkle and ornamental grass.  Boy did I make some very bad gardening decisions early in my planting days.  Didn't think they'd ever grow and now they are growing faster than I can remove them.

Finally the guys are coming to wash my back deck and in two days after drying they will seal it.  Also having a new porch door installed which won't rot or swell when it rains.  While they're washing the deck I'll work more outside to take advantage of the lower humidity before it creeps up.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com