Wednesday, June 11, 2025

MY SCRAPPY HORSE

 Lauren and Sue started their two-day class with Jenny Smallridge in her "scrappy" class yesterday.  Everything I see from Jenny's and Jo's classes are phenomenal and wish she taught a class closer as I'm not about to drive to Ohio.  Check out Jenny's web site at Wooly Horse.  And drop by to see what Sue and Lauren accomplished on their wonderful pieces.  Lauren will eventually post her photo I'm sure.

As I love horses, that was my project and this is all that was accomplished since I didn't pull a loop until 3 p.m. yesterday.  No, I wasn't in a 'virtual class'.  My participation was in spirit with Lauren and Sue since I would have loved to be there in person. 
Below is the 1884 Shaker rug I'm adapting for my pattern.
This evening I'll pull a few more loops on the horse and tomorrow I'll finish the background on the chicken rug.  Well, that is after laundry is done.

Happy hooking. 

Saundra

Monday, June 9, 2025

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

Yesterday afternoon I listed some wool yardage for sale on Facebook.  Number 1, 2 and 3 have sold so far.  
Also today, someone asked if I'd draw the following pattern for them, said yes and gave a price.  Actually I saw her initial inquiry about getting a pattern drawn on FB so told her to think about it and to even contact the other people who offered a solution so she could compare.  Would be happy to do it for her but want folks to be happy with their choices.  She responded and tomorrow I will draw this patriotic chicken design for her, sweet, eh?
Was so hoping to have my chicken rug done by today because Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) and Sue (Vernon Junction) are going to embark on another rug hooking event and I wanted to join them long distance by doing my own design using alternative textiles.  Am sure I'll not get this remaining background all hooked by the end of today.  Lauren says I'm a fast hooker but I'm not that fast.
And finally, the casualties of having a roof repaired.  I live in the woods, have no gardener as I'm it.  Back in the day I used to get on my hands and knees, pull weeds and mulch.  Now when I'm up to it my yard work is doing what is most important at that time.  So you won't be seeing any lovely gardens that my other blogger mates share.

That said, here are a few casualties and I'm doubtful the daylilies will bounce back and for sure the Bleeding Hearts are gone for this year.
More injured daylilies; actually I took several photos surrounding the house but when you've seen two photos of struggling day lilies you know what the others would look like.
One of my cement drain splash blocks was cracked as the wagon wheel ran over it.
And since it rained on Friday this the what the truck and wagon did to my yard.  It's an eyesore to the normal weeds that grow in my yard but soon enough the weeds will fill in those mud spots.  Below is the side yard.
And here is the front yard.  Moss tends to be the weed that grows most here.
I've still work to do tonight and tomorrow ~ draw a pattern and ship some wool.  Finishing my chicken rug isn't looking hopeful.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

Saturday, June 7, 2025

ROOFING DAY 2, 3 and 4

The house was completely shingled after day 3 but I was so over the noise of nail guns, footsteps on the roof, outside music and people talking that I couldn't stand to do a post.  The thought doing that just made more noise in my head even after they'd left for the day 😵.  

Tho the new roof was done, they came back today, the 4th day, to install the leaf filters.  Wish I had taken a before picture of the debris collected on what was there before, but didn't.  So now my son won't need to come each spring and fall to clean the gutters out...hopefully they will just slide off now.

The front of the house in a pre-rainy Saturday.
Garage view ~ The owner of the company will come back to pick up unused plywood and shingles you see on the ground and to get his check.
Something else they did was remove a huge limb which was hovering over the house.  In this before photo below you can only see the thinner dangling limbs resting on the corner of the house on the far left.  
No longer will that happen again, he trimmed a few limbs for which I'm very grateful.
Thank goodness there will be peace and quiet and in the morning don't have to worry about getting my shower and dressed early.  Bet I sleep like a baby tonight.

Saundra


Wednesday, June 4, 2025

NEW ROOF DAY 1

Yesterday afternoon the contractor and employee dropped off the shingles and other supplies they'd need.  Today the worker bees arrived around 7:30 a.m. and didn't begin to depart until 6:30 p.m.  That's a full dang day of hard work. 

This morning I went outside to exchange greetings and give the sunglasses I'd found among the supplies.  There was a young woman among them and I asked if she was climbing on the roof too.  She said "yes" and smiled.  I smiled back but said she was crazy; all laughed.  Must say she worked minute by minute along side those men as hard and long as they did.  You go girl!!

Most of the area is cleaned up of the shingles and debris from what came off the roof.  Am confident the rest will be gone tomorrow.  Here are a couple photos at the beginning of the day 11 a.m. before most had been scrapped off of the old roof.
view from front porch

view from back porch

Here are photos of the day's accomplishments and some debris which will be removed tomorrow. 
view at back of house

view from garage side

side view of front which has been mostly cleared

Robin emailed asking about my sanity after day one.  Told her I thought I was going deaf since I could only hear the click of my fingers on the keys at the computer.  A task and expense which was way over due and I'll be glad when the next two days are in my past.

Saundra




Monday, June 2, 2025

TOOK ME A WHILE

Mother with Fishbowl was finished and final changes made August 2023.  So why did it take me so long to put it on the wall?  Maybe because I was unsure where to hang it, or emotionally I wasn't really sure all changes were done.  Anyway, Mother is front and center in the living room where I can see her every day from my hooking spot.  You can see the August 2023 post where I point out the last changes made HERE.   
Arrangements had been made to have my roof replaced and first deposit made over a week ago.  The contractor said depending on when he could get the dumpster delivered and equipment purchased he would start either today or tomorrow.  No dumpster was delivered nor workers showed up today.  So perhaps the noise of footsteps and nails will begin tomorrow.   

Happy  hooking.

Saundra


Friday, May 30, 2025

THE CHICKEN PAIR RUG

Before hooking the roosters comb and wattle decided to take a photo with another camera to see if the wool used in the hen really does work.  I can see the red well enough so won't opt for a brighter red.  It is an antique adaptation after all.
This is how the previous photo with another camera appeared and which was my cause of concern.  So no need to swap out the red.
Since yesterday was an unusually clear day thought I'd better cut grass before last night's storm and today's rain ... yes, again there's rain.

Saundra

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

RAINY DAY RUG SHOW

Don't know how your weather is where you are, but it is dreary, chilly and rainy here.  So for your enjoyment I'll do another rug show then I'll hook the day away on my chicken rug.

A floral hooked mid 19th century with dimensions of 33.5 x 39.5.  A tad too ornate for me and would require narrow cut so isn't something I'd hook but I do admire the beauty of the rug.
Perhaps faded, is this folky design with a Greek bottom border.  No date was provided but measures 28 x 42.
The animal in this next rug looks like a gazelle to me.  Dated between 1920-30.
I have no information on this nice horse rug found on an antique show posting.
At first glance I couldn't identify this next animal.  But the auction house said it was a bear and was hooked in the 1920's (36 x 42).
A geometric with a hooked in date of 1931.  It measures 18 x 36.
Basket of flowers dated 1920's.
As much as I love horses I've no desire to hook a horseshoe.  Perhaps it is a way to focus on the horse and supposed to be good luck but I find them distracting and unappealing in a rug.  This is from the estate of George Fernald, Chatham, NH.
A tan horse hooked 19th century (28 x 40).
These pups with hit and miss border are cute, me thinks.  No date or dimensions.
And finally for you feline lovers, cat and kitten hooked late 19th century measures 25 x 30.5.
That's it for this show.  So now I'll work on my rug.  Yesterday I was getting bored with the chickens and thought briefly, like a nanosecond, to put Ezra's Farm on the frame.  But that got vetoed immediately and chose to stick with the chickens.  Happy hooking.

Saundra


Monday, May 26, 2025

MEMORIAL DAY

As you celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, remember the reason we have this holiday.
Saundra

Saturday, May 24, 2025

PAT'S WALL

The Eagle rug hooked for the office/library has been up for a few days  now.  Actually it was planned to hang among some of the memorabilia of E.C. Patterson's (PAT), military service.  Here is a wide shot of the wall.
Here are the photos closer.... 
On the far left are two prints of paintings done by President Dwight Eisenhower given to Pat as Christmas gifts.
On the right side of the Eagle is a signed photo (not autopen) signed by John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.  Next on top is a Certificate of Service to the White House signed by the infamous LBJ, below that a photo which includes Pat and others saluting President Eisenhower and De Gaulle.
Below is another photo of Pat, his Presidential Seal and Presidential Patch.  Also his father's pocket watch, one of Pat's childhood toys and flag.  FYI, Pat was my step-father and a wonderful husband to my mother.
My son has Pat's medals and ribbons and a few other items but told him he'd have to wait for these.  Plus, I have non visible memories of stories Pat shared of his experiences on the White House staff, at Camp David and deployments.  We miss you Pat!

Saundra

Thursday, May 22, 2025

CHICKEN PAIR UPDATE

Also considered another name for the rug ~ Perdue's Pride.  That is because I worked in the office at Perdue Farms corporate for a few years.  But you probably know the name of this design more as the Chicken Pair.

Next time I take a photo think I'll use the other camera since the red isn't showing up on the comb and wattle in the photo.  Don't want to hook a brighter red because it can be seen in person, maybe a different camera will show truer colors.  Besides the change in wool color between the chickens isn't showing up well either.
Like most rug hookers it doesn't seem as tho I've achieved as much as I was hoping, but we are supposed to enjoy the process, right?

It is downright COLD in my house and outside.  I refuse to turn the heat back on!!!!!  Last night I slept with not only a blanket but also a comforter, and was comfy until getting out of bed.  Of course the rain and humidity added to the low temperature makes it feel even colder.  And it's almost June for gawds sake!  Oh well, this too shall pass and I'll soon be complaining about the heat and humidity.

Happy hooking, ya'll.

Saundra


Monday, May 19, 2025

It's Monday Already????

OMG, that means it's time for me to do another post.  There is still some hand stitching of the cotton binding to complete the rug; but guess it's time for a show-n-tell.
Once the hand stitching is done and rug hung on the wall I'll show the finish again.

When my son was here last he asked if I was planning on hooking the 3rd quadrant of the triptych rug (shown below) since I'd hooked two of the 3 sections.  So guess that was an invitation request that it be in my plans.
Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Let's Have some Chicken

Since my posting of the chicken pair on my frame, several readers have indicated having a recent interest in hooking chickens.  As I've numerous chicken rug photos still not shown, thought this would be the time to do a 'fowl review'.

I love this rug with farmyard animals hooked 1930.  It measures 39.5 x 66.5 and frankly just that left top section would be wonderful by itself.
No date on these chickens but dimensions were 21 x 40 being sold for $225.
This next one was dated 1930's (22 x 38).
Lots of feathers in this circa 1900 rug and love the background as much as the subjects. 
A rooster and goose with no other info provided.
Rooster rug with hit and miss background and no date provided.
This rooster rug below I captured from an antique show display.
The remaining chicken rugs are presently listed on an auction site and are located in Missoula, MT.  

A colorful rooster below but several loops missing. 
And what a terrible way to finish the back.  Learn from this so it doesn't happen to your beautiful work.
There ya have it, another rug show put to bed.

Yesterday afternoon thru the evening there were tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms rolling across the eastern shore.  Thankfully no tornado touched down near me but I did have limbs to pick up.  Others on the eastern shore had more damage.

My weeds are in need of cutting but it hasn't stopped raining long enough for the ground and grass to dry up enough.  Today sun is to be out all day so am hoping by the afternoon I can get some cut.  If not, I'll be working on my chicken rug.  Happy hooking.

Saundra