Travel Back Tuesday

This time last September I was in Cape May enjoying rug camp, fall at a beach resort and sharing memories with friends.  Not this year with Covid issues ~ so travel back to Cape May with me and see what happens there.  

I know many rug hookers who have hooked Covid or quarantine pieces but honestly I don't want to remember these last 6 months with a hooked piece.  Just my personal opinion.

Here are a few photos from a previous Cape May time.  This photo below was one taken across the street from the Chalfonte.  The year was 2017 and was the 30th Anniversary Celebration.  You can see all the rug hookers gathered on the porch, eating hors d'oeuvres, and enjoying libations.  Oh what fun and the next anniversary will be in 2 years. 

That year I was in Cammie Bruce's class and recall we were in the 'dungeon'.  For those who have not attended camp there we hookers call that room the dungeon because lighting is not very good in that room.  So we always take an OTT or similar lighting in case we get that room.  However, many folks set up and hook on the porch anyway.  A photo of Cammie and students.  Cammie is the one in front with a dark top. 

Some of the owners go over the top to decorate for fall/Halloween or, has that couple been waiting a long long time for breakfast?

And this photo shows a dead-icated cyclist 😁 and loyal dog.  

Am hoping the November rug camp will still be a go as time is counted down.  And it is amazing just how fast the days fly by.  I won't hold my breath and have learned to go with the flow and avoid disappointment.  

Sorry there aren't any rugs in the post but hope you enjoyed it anyway.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Let's Have Another Rug Show

If life was back to 'normal' I'd be having a glass of wine on the veranda at the Chalfonte Hotel thinking about tomorrow's class.  But that's not happening this year.

This first rug was hooked in the 20th century and measures 24 x 40.   

This rugs looks like confetti but the description on the auction site said it was hooked using cut lace.  It measures 38 x 79 and hooked in the 19th century.  I'd never given any thought of using the lace I had from my doll making days and think I've gotten rid of all of it.  Sure gives an interesting look tho.

A Five Point Star at the center and using soft neutral colors for hit and miss and darker hit and miss border.  Possibly army blanket wool surrounds the star.

I got a chuckle at this obviously yarn needle punched rug depicted as  Don Quixote hunt scene.  I'm not a fan of hooking/punching with yarn but the design got my attention.  BTW, I have hooked with 100% wool yarn on a Claire Murray rug and hated the look so will never hook or punch with yarn again.  The Don Quixote rug measures 33 x 46.

A very nice dog and cat Welcome rug but have not dimensions.  Is said to be hooked in the 1800s. 

Love this old hooked tiger below and the way the hooker used a different texture but same color wool to give dimension in the body.  Said to have been hooked late 19th or early 20th century.

The design below appeals to me with the simple design and colors.  It is a Waterloo County Floral, New Hamburg Canada and measures 20.5 x 41.  Is from the Don Pero Collection. 

This is a view of the back so you can compare colors and it doesn't seem to have faded a whole lot.

Okay, one more.... Here is a geometric with crescent shapes plus hit and miss.  It measures 35 x 63 and date was provided.

Well guys and gals the weather here sure does feel like fall.  So far I've refused to turn on my heat despite the temperature dropping the inside temp to 62 degrees last night.  I've watched the thermostat and seems to drop about 3 degrees per night.  But tomorrow is supposed to be a tad warmer so the inside will increase during the day.  

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com  

New Pattern on my Frame

Recently purchased Merrie October, a design by Lori Brechlin and sold by Spruce Ridge Studios (Kris Miller).  As soon as it arrived I knew what colors the house was going to be.  This photo is misrepresenting the colors as the dark side is purple and the chimney is a textured black.  Yet both give a brownish appearance.

Have no idea why I wanted these colors as these aren't normally me....well the front of the house.  Now I'll work on the merrie haus witch then decide on background.  Couldn't wait to start this.  So if you'll excuse me I've some loops to pull.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

An Unexpected Day

Yesterday I received a phone call and very unexpected.  It all really began two weeks ago when the water pump on my van needed to be replaced.  Since I'm terrible waiting for anything will take a rug to bind and make use of the boring wait and accomplish a boring job.  Lea, receptionist and wife of the mechanic/owner, saw I was working on a hooked rug and said her mother used to hook.  

We've all had those folks who say..."I used to do that in college", or "my mom used to do that" and we learn they were referring to latch hook.  She knew exactly what wool I used .  She said her mom had passed and had no desire to hook since she had many of her mother's rugs.  So yesterday was the call that she could deliver 2 boxes of wool or I could pick up.  Needless to say I grabbed my car keys and left to pick it up.

Before I left with the wool I asked her mother's name so I could channel  her while her wool was being used.  Her name was Joyce Kloster and I googled her obit and captured this photo of her.  Joyce lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

I opened up the boxes and separated the wool outside in my driveway.  Must say she was quite organized by cut and color.  There were some pieces which I pulled out to wash but those wool strips went into my freezer.  Those few pieces of wool in the laundry basket was the beginning and there is another box to be emptied.

This other box had some interesting items in it which told me something about Joyce.  Her daughter had told he she dyed her own wool but there was more.

Joyce did what I do, sew strips of fabric to the sides of small foundation to fit the frame.  She also used rug warp as her foundation.  I will use that small piece to draw and hook something ~ she has already marked the center for me.

Found this pattern drawn on another piece of rug warp and first thought was that it was an aerial view of something. 

Then as I dug deeper found two red dot drawings which I placed on top of the rug warp.  One red dot says "Dragon 2"

And the other red dot says "Dragon 3".  I want to ask Lea if her mother hooked these designs for her now adult children or grandchildren but have been too busy to call.  That's yet another whole blog post.

I noticed a very pleasant aroma in the wool of both boxes and wondered if it might be the perfume Joyce used.  Then as I continued to rummage through my gifts found this aromatic wooden block by Lillian Vernon.  

For those of you who have followed me for a while you may or may not recall my story of another aroma from salvaged hooked pieces from the thrift shop.  If not, you can read about it HERE. 

 

The pieces of wool have been washed and the wool strips won't come in the house until a few days of freezer.  Then I will put some lavender in the containers to hopefully stave off any moth infestation.  However, since Joyce was a knowledgeable hooker and did her own dyeing she probably knew the proper care of wool.  But still, better safe than sorry.

I voted today for Delaware's Primary and await the results after 9 p.m.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Just the Border

All that is left to hook on Old Tom is the border.  Haven't decided which colors to use so thought if I took a photo with wool laid out could make my decision easier.  Below is a photo with a thin cut of the gold used in Tom's legs and some textured used in the wing.

And here is a photo of the gold with a primitive black border.  Think I definitely prefer the black but..... what if I put one row of gold, one row of the texture of wing and then black????

So decided to lay those out.  Hmm, Think I'm leaning toward the gold and black only.  But will see how things shake out as I try and finish this up.

As the three day monsoon has ended I was able to get the grass cut so won't feel guilty spending the rest of the day hooking.  And I am REALLY looking forward to my next project ~ that is unless my passion for something else interferes.  You know how fickle I can be.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.com

This And That

Just recently printed out and stitched 6 rug labels on previously hooked projects.  Since I don't want to waste fabric pages always wait until there are 6 labels to print.  Here they are:  

In case the print is too small or the pattern name escapes you, they are, beginning at 12 O'clock an antique adaptation I named Bespectacled Lion, Early Bird design (sold by Spruce Ridge), another antique adaptation Lone Flower.  At the 6 O'clock is the recently hooked and bound antique adaptation I named Pride, Glory, Freedom, then is Windy Day by W. Cushing,  and another adaptation of the ever faithful  Cats Paw. 

Still not bound and no label yet is for Jack's Crow.  And think I know what my next project will be.  Today I received a new pattern fresh off the drawing board from both Lori Brechlin and Kris Miller (Spruce Ridge Studios).

I chose the smaller size and hopefully will be ready to celebrate next month.  Must say that Kris Miller draws out a PERFECT pattern.  When I buy a pattern from anyone, before hooking I always check the exterior drawn lines to be sure they are straight of grain.  I have never ever found even one row off in Kris' patterns.  So gave up checking as there's no need for any correction at anytime ~ she's dang good at what she does.   

Forgive me for not having links but this #!&+?} new blogger interface just kicked in for real and have no idea how to do much of anything anymore.  Good luck when you do your next post and have fun figuring it out.

Saundra

It Is Folk Art .....Right?

Had this Old Tom pattern (design by Lori Brechlin and offered by Spruce Ridge Studios) for a few years now.  Each fall when someone posts a picture of theirs I want to  hook it but usually have something else on my frame.  This year IT is on my frame.

Full disclosure....didn't use the wool I yanked out of Kris' hands at a rug camp planned for the turkey.  While contemplating background color (primitive black) my mind went to brassy gold for Old Tom.  Guess I'm in a 'bold gold' mood.  

Perhaps Old Tom looks more like a Durkey (duck/turkey) but I'm happy. Like I said...it is folk art, right? 

Will hook the letters next, more background and then fiddle with the tail feathers.  The two rows of border will be decided after the letters and tail feathers are done.  I already pulled out and replaced the last row of wing wool and might re-hook it with some of the same dark plaid to define it better.

Happy hooking.


Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

More About Jack and His Crow

I received an email from someone living in the Land of Nod inquiring about Jack's Crow. 

The email went like this:  

   "AHEM!  I do believe Jack's crow somehow strayed too far from Nod when he was just a fledgling and ended up at the Edge of Nowhere....his father, Poe, who still lives in Nod goes out daily searching for his son, but has not yet been successful in bringing him home.  Can you ask Jack what he named his crow so I might comfort Poe and let him know he is safe and content???"

So being a concerned parent myself, albeit my child is now an adult, I responded with:

     "Oh, Jack had already told me his crow's name is Hugo (Huginn, the Norse name).   Jack also said Hugo has no desire to return to the Land of Nod as he is dedicated to Jack and the information he provides about the world outside End of Nowhere.  No longer a fledgling, Jack says Hugo is now off his leash and free to roam wherever he desires.  Hugo is quite content, says it was time he left the nest, but sends love to his father Poe. 

Me thinks there might be future adventures of Jack and his Crow from time to time. 

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Once Upon a Time.......

....there was a young boy named Jack.  He and his family lived at the end of nowhere and lived a humble life making do.  That was less inhabited than another place I've heard of called 'the land of Nod'.  But Jack had a happy childhood, was home schooled by his adventurous and inventive parents and enjoyed exploring on his own.  

Most young boys would catch a frog and ask his mom..."can I keep it"?  But Jack befriended a crow and his mom said "yes".  Jack is wearing a pair of brand new pants his mom made from pillow ticking so thought he'd take his pet crow for a walk.

Jack has since grown up and still resides at that end of nowhere land.  He has a fondness for critters large and small, cares for wounded wildlife and even helps with domestic animals for neighbors in the area.  This is a true story told to me by Jack and I'm sticking to it. 

Funny, but this is the story running thru my head as I was hooking the pattern and just had to share it.  The pattern is a design by Terri Leamer so if you want to hook your own Jack's Crow click HERE.  The pattern is offered in pdf format as well as linen.  

I had fun letting my mind wander and the story developed as I was working on the pattern.  Perhaps that is why it was so easy and stress free.  Have fun making up your own story about Jack and his crow.  If you have a blog I'd love for you to tell your story and hope it is in my list of blogs.

Hope you had fun reading the tall tale from a home sequestered crazed rug hooker 😊.  Writing this post was almost as much fun as hooking the pattern.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

The Show Must Go On

Since I'm not ready to show another update of Jack's Crow but realize 'the show much go on' 😉 thought I'd provide an antique rug show.  Recently found this landscape of a Log Cabin and Birdhouse which measures 30 x 46, no date was provided.

And a view of the back so you can see the true colors and foundation or repair of such.  Looks as tho it kept the color well.

This geometric mid 20th century hooked rug reminded me of covid masks.  A big rug measuring 96 x 124.  Although the auction house said hooked rug I'm wondering if it was really a woven rug.  But the humor of the masks is what prompted me to post it.

Another recent find is the Prancing Horse with diamond border.  It is from the collection of Susan and Mark Laracy of NY.  Dimensions are 31.5 x 37.75.

Also found this wonderful Dove with Berries and scrolls.  Dimensions are 19 x 35 and was  hooked late 19 early 20 century.  I sent this photo to Kris Miller today thinking it was the same shape dove as the previous posted...but it isn't. 

In a previous blog post I showed this Dove with Welcome banner which measured 19 x 32. 

A naive primitive Rooster rug with colorful border and mixed textiles in the rooster.  The rug measures 26 x 41.

Here is a close-up of the rooster and you can see the colorful textile used to hook it.

A rug depicting a Stalking Cat hooked early 20th century and measures  20 x 40.

Titled "Situation of America 1848", the rug measures 29 x 49.  A rather sublime vision of America, don't you think?  Progress, American flags flying proudly, trade, and calm village.

Can you imagine what a present hooked version of the situation of America would look like today?  I shutter to think how it would be hooked.  It surely would be a sad vision and wouldn't want to hook it or want to own it.

But I am confident it will all get sorted out.  God Bless America.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Marching to My Own Drum

I fell in love with a rug Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) posted on her blog HERE and knew it had to be on my frame next.  If you are interested in buying the paper pattern click this link: Jack's Crow.  

Yet, I'm marching to my own drum....first of all I'm using mostly all the ugly grey thin wool, using worms for the pumpkin head and star out of character and a blue moon.  

Not only that but am using strips of wool with a blue stripe saved since working on a Polly Minick patriotic rug.  It was a cream and blue windowpane design and saved the wool with the blue line.  I'd always wanted to use that for a white striped jeans pants for a boy.  Finally that has come to fruition.  

After the rug is all hooked I might give the pants a spray of walnut dye to tone it down.  But what I'm seeing here doesn't seem to need it.  Must say this has been a slow and relaxing project...no muss, no fuss.  Which is what I needed after the last storm and preparing for the remnants of Laura over the weekend.

My fish pond pump still needs to be replaced (waiting on my son), the ceiling fan and replacement TV need to be set up by my son but the fish pond is my concern before the water becomes stagnant.  But he has a wife and son so they are his priority.  Push come to shove I can always hire someone.  HA, so guess husbands are good for something....IF they stick around.

Hope everyone stays save during this summer season's last hurrah of devastation from Laura. 

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

National DOG Day

I miss having a dog for company, someone to hug, someone to talk to and yes, make me get up and walk him/her.  Since there isn't a companion here to share a photo of now, will share pictures of my departed fur babies from the past.

This is Shumba, our first Rottweiler pup at about 8 weeks.  We purchased her from a local breeder who also shows their dogs.  Her chew toy is almost as big as she is.

And here she is about 2 years old and a mother of 8.  We had her hips OFA certified to ensure healthy pups and to show potential buyers the k-9 parents' hips were certified.  Our intentions were to breed her once and have her neutered.  We were not going to ruin her health by over breeding.

Shumba was a fantastic mother.  Bruce built her a whelping pen and it was in our living room so we could watch over the group.  No way did mom want that.  She wanted to care for her brood in the basement out of the prying eyes of others.  So we made a place for her down there.

We sold 7 pups and kept one, a boy named Panzer.  He was a silly, funny dog who made me laugh all the time.  When loose in the park area behind the ball field if there was no ball to play with and they got tired chasing one another Panzer would pluck a wild flower and tease his mother with it.  Once his endeavor got him a bee sting on the nose....poor baby.

After Shumba passed we adopted Shadow from a local vet.  She was supposed to be half pure bred Rottie and pure bred German Shepherd.  Here is Shadow at 10 weeks ~ she sure looks like a Rottie doesn't she?

Then she grew up, 😏 and her behavior was 100% German Shepherd.  Her behavior changed faster than her appearance which was that of a Shepherd.

We had both Panzer and Shadow together.  As rotties are more relaxed than hyperactive  Shepherds, the elder Panzer had no patience for Shadow.  After my precious Panzer died it was me and Shadow.

Shadow was a loving dog and full of energy which Shepherds are known for.  Sadly I lost her too and she is also missed.

One day I received a phone call from the same vet from whom we adopted Shadow, asking if I was still looking for a Rottie.  Heck yeah!!!!!  In comes my boy Ben.  He was 6 years 7 months old when I adopted him.

Ben was a very affectionate and protective dog.  He was my warning system whenever anyone came into the yard.  He loved my grandson too and let folks know if they were being too rough with him or me.  Ben would growl and jump up but not bite.  And I  miss my big boy Ben a lot.

When I hear of new pets up for adoption at the local shelter I consider inquiring.  But in reality know that at my age it probably isn't wise.  Besides, I'd want another Rottweiler or Pittie and if rug camps ever begin again would have to put them in a kennel.  Not only do I NOT like putting dogs in a kennel, but most kennels don't take those breeds in.

Be kind to your beloved dogs and I do promote adoption over buying from breeders.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

PRIDE ~ HONOR ~ FREEDOM

My adaptation of an 1830 patriotic hooked rug is now complete except for binding.  Mine measures 16 x 35.  Still might use a little walnut juice on it to dirty it up a tad but that will be it.

The original antique sold at auction for $3,690 and measured 32.5 x 71.5.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com