NOSE JOB

Bet the title got your attention, didn't it, lol.  The nose job wasn't for me, it was for a rug pattern I drew my boy Ben in and hooked several years ago named Golden in the Garden.  You can see the original pattern HERE.

The rug has been hanging in my bedroom since it was completed and every time I looked at it knew the snout was too long- he looked more like a Doberman than a Rottweiler.  

This is the before.

Below is how he looks now.

Perhaps I removed too much of the nose because now the body looks too long, legs too short but was drawing in Ben over top of a dog already drawn.  If you want to see the original Golden and missed the link above, you can get there by clicking HERE.

And here is a photo of my boy from which I drew over the Golden.  Loved that boy.  Cannot believe I adopted him November 2011 and didn't have him nearly long enough.

Worked outside for a couple hours today picking up limbs and bits the tree men neglected to gather up, smoothed out tire impressions made in the yard and I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.

Saundra

TEMPTATION

I have more wool than I can use up in my lifetime and in every color combination possible.  Why then, when getting The Wool Studio samples am I tempted to buy one or two yards of the wool I see?  Hey, I quit smoking cold turkey, no patches, no hypnotization ~ just quit.  But wool? 

BTW, the colors of wool you see on The Wool Studio web site are way different than the samples in a flyer.  For those of you who don't get the wool samples here is a photo below.  I particularly like Sky Bridge which is the 3rd one down in the middle sheet.  But looks so very different on the web site which is not nearly as interesting as the sample.

And just for comparison, here is a screen shot of one page on the web site which includes Sky Bridge.  I also liked Salt and Pepper but figured a good overdye of some wool already in my stash could sorta resemble that.

In other news, I'm having some tree work done and thankfully that gawd awful gum tree out front will be gone after today.  Plus other work which amounts to the cost of 71 yards of wool, 😬.  Wish I could afford to have all the gum trees removed but this one is more troublesome since it is in the very front of my house.

Here is a before photo of the gum tree but you can't see all those gum balls which are the main pain.  The guys are working in the back and side yard on other trees right now.

Here  is the after.

A humongous dead oak was removed and it was huge.  The after stump is hard to see even with the red outline.  I've still another huge oak tree closer to the house and hope it lives.  Although it was a falling branch which bent the leaf filter system just after the new roof was put on.  You'll love it in the woods they said....

A dermatologist appointment tomorrow and dread the hour drive there.  Wish there was one in my town.  But maybe I'll stop and pick up a couple things I need; but I always think that but will probably be anxious to get back home instead.  There's no place like home.

Saundra

Magdalena's Double Horses Update

Actually, guess that should be 'Magdalena's one of two horses update'.  Sure appears to show my leisurely hooking of this design as not much has been accomplished since the first post on 9/20.  Think a lot of time is taken up looking thru the wool baggies ~ gotta use those strips up or they will multiply.

I'm surrounded by numerous bags of woolie worms and rather than put what I don't choose at that moment back in their respective bags, I place them on the sofa arm, end table and another table.  

Why?  Figure they will be close at hand and make it easier to locate?  And when the rug is completely hooked all those strips will need to find their way back to the proper color baggie.

Today was a nice warm day and even reached the high 80's.  BUT, tomorrow temperatures will only be in the low 60's once again, with rain in the forecast.  Plans are to make soup tomorrow so I can enjoy it a couple days then freeze some for future use.

Happy Hooking everyone.

Saundra

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OLD RUGS TO INSPIRE YOU

When first seeing this rug it appeared to me it was a wild stallion running free and probably looking for his harem.  No dimensions were provided but was said to be circa 1920.

The last time I did a show of old rugs there were two George Washington rugs.  Janice commented she'd never seen even one before and now was looking at two.  Well, here's your third, and it even has his apple tree.  No date or dimensions provided.

A masted sailing ship rug 25 x 38 but no date.  Still listed for sale.

The rug below, pot of posies, is also still up for auction.  No other information was provided.

The rug below Circa 1930, I named Native American Spirit.  That is how I felt about the rug with the spirit of the first residents living on in the land (38 x 41).  One day I'd like to hook a rug depicting Delaware Indians ~ the Lenape, the Nanticoke and Moors.  You can read about the Delaware Indigenous people HERE.  

I may be living on the land they inhabited since I am surrounded by a stream and the Nanticoke River is just maybe 5 minutes away from me.

Another primitive floral and easy for a beginner to hook.  It measures 24 x 37, no date.

I named the rug below 'runaway sled' and thought it was a hoot with the dog chasing it.  Was the dog chasing it to get the horse to stop or perhaps it isn't a runaway.  Maybe the round black spot at the back is the head of a person and the dog wants a ride.  Either way thought it was a cute rug.

In June I found this Nancy Gertrude Scott rug for sale.  It appears to be the main house, barn and houses for the farm help perhaps.  Given a date of circa 1985 and dimensions of 31 x 54.  

And recently Nancy Kilrain found this NGS rug at an outside antique show and shared it with me.  I suggested it would be a great blog post for her but she hasn't done that so I'll share it.  If you recall, NGS was the daughter of Barbara E. Merry.

That's it for now from rainy windy nor'easter Delaware.  During the night I heard what sounded like a tree falling.  This morning when looking out all my windows didn't see any in my view but perhaps it was further into the woods.

Happy 'keep your hands and mind busy' day.

Saundra

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FALLOWEEN AND OTHER HORRORS

It's definitely fall y'all.  I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt and sweat pants as it is chilly and rainy.  Just the kind of weather for you to conjure up a Halloween project and still time to have it done in time to display.  

Here is my Witchy Moon which is small and will hang on my front door.    A limb works fine as do the clip-on hanging loops.  This is an inside photo but will be on my front door come October.  

If you recall, the initial idea was for non-hookers to join in too.  While I mentioned an applique for quilters, I was negligent in not mentioning stitchery.  Thankfully Maureen, who doesn't hook, said I inspired her to pull out an old stitchery to work on and sent me this photo of her cross stitched owl.  Is that moon scared of the owl?  It will hang near her fireplace on a wooden rake.  

Thanks for joining in Maureen, you and other non-hookers are always welcome to visit and comment.  But am so  pleased you joined with your cross stitch.   Has this rekindled a lost interest in stitching?

In case you haven't seen it already, this one below is being hooked by Lauren who pushes herself to contribute even tho she has a full plate.  I love the witch, her cauldron and the beaded border.  Also think those darker multi-colored strips hooked in the background add interest to the design.

And now to other horrors ~ a nor-easter is at our doorstep and will pick up stronger winds and heavier rain as the day progresses.  This is what will bring a return to my back woods lake I'm afraid.

Oh no!!!!  Say it isn't so.....looks like I'm in the much above normal snowfall this winter.  With all the acorns which fell I'm not surprised.  Guess I'll have to prepare for lots of hooking this winter.

Happy hooking, stitching, or whatever your crafty pleasure may be.

Saundra

THIS and THAT

Haven't started binding Crossed Flags yet but will surely begin tomorrow during The Five.  But have pulled a few loops on Magdalena's Double Horse pattern.

I've mentioned previously that replicating and antique (to me) feels like putting puzzle pieces together.  Some people attack a puzzle around the perimeter and get the flat sided pieces hooked then work inward.  Perhaps some concentrate on certain colors of the larger or main subject.  

So let me explain my fragmented hooking below....first I wanted to begin in the corner and move toward the left.   But couldn't hook the space between the swag at the corner and V until the top of the horse and space just above was filled in; which is where I will go next.

Have also been working on a different kind of hand work ~ removing insignia's and stripes from Navy dress uniforms.  For several years since my step-father's passing I've had his metal foot locker in which he kept his dress uniforms.  Rather than giving them to a civilian thrift shop to prevent mis-representation, I removed the insignia's and strips so they may be given to the Naval Thrift Shop.  

Of course my son wants these patches and will put them in a shadowbox frame to hang on the wall.  Since there were 2 dress blue suit coats I kept a set for myself.

Am planning for my next blog post to be about Falloween and wonder how many of you may have begun working on something.  So far I am only aware of 3 of us.  So send me a photo in a day or so of your progress so I can share it.  If you don't have my email in your contact list you can send it to me by using the "EMAIL ME" link to the right side of my blog.

Happy  hooking.

Saundra

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DETERMINATION RULED

I thought I could, I thought I could.  In other words, I didn't succumb to the temptation of putting Crossed Flags aside to start Magdalena's Double Horses early.  It was steamed today and might start binding today during The Five; maybe.

Here are the other two sections already completed ~ The Golden Eagle from the center of the antique triptych rug.  

The Eagle resides on the wall in the office along with art prints and Naval documents associated with my step-father CPO E.C. Patterson.  Once Crossed Flags is steamed and bound I'll need to rearrange the wall to include one or both of the other two rugs.  

The third and right side of the original antique, The Shield, presently lives on top of the cabinet to the left where the flags are placed.

Here is a photo of the hooked but not bound Crossed Flags.

And although I've posted this numerous times before, here is the original antique Patriotic Triptych rug.

Am thinking that although I'm still very patriotic, me thinks my hooking of patriotic rugs may be done for this year.  But I've learned to never say "never".  Hope each of my hand crafty friends have enjoyed what they have been working on.

Saundra

TEMPTATION

Crossed Flags has become boring and am fighting temptation to start Magdalena's Double Horses.  This is so close to being completely hooked that part of me wants to continue pulling loops on it until it is finished.  That other weakness part of me wants instant gratification, lol.

Obviously the positive of doing this type of hit and miss background is that you can use short pieces of wool, mix narrow cut with wide in neighboring rows and I've not had to cut one piece of wool for the background.  All have come from the wool worm baggies.  Seems it takes me longer to find the right piece of wool than it does to hook.  That's because I search for the right value and color to ensure it doesn't get hooked right beside the same shade or value of an adjoining row.

When this one is hooked and bound it will the the final section of the Triptych antique posted below.

Will try and hold out and not allow temptation to give me that immediate gratification.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  Remember those words from a child's book The Little Engine That Could?   When my mother was battling cancer at the time (and won) I would repeat those words she knew so well from reading the book to me as a child, and me to my own son when he was little.  If you want to know more of the book's history, author, etc., you can read about it HERE.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

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25 YEARS AGO

This is one anniversary I wish did not occur.  Evil does exist in this world and it came to America.  This is a picture of ground zero, World Trade Center where mad men hijacked planes and flew them into the towers.  Many lives were taken that day and more continue to die due to cancer caused by inhaling the smoke and other toxic fumes.

With a 3rd airplane hijacked, the next destination by the evil terrorists was The Pentagon.

With their 4th hijacked plane and last attack planned to hit the United States Capitol.  Below was their flight plan.  But thanks to the heroics of men and female flight attendant on United Airlines flight 93, their plan was thwarted.  The men made sure the plane would go down before reaching Washington, D.C. and the female flight attendant contacted airport security to provide information of what was happening and seat numbers of the terrorists involved.  I get choked up every time I even think of those brave souls.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, all first responders and those who sacrificed their lives.  Question is, do you think evil still lives among us just waiting for the next opportunity? 

Saundra

IT'S ABOUT TIME

It has been a month since posting an antique rug show so guess it's about time to do another.  First photo is a dog and kids, said to be hooked late 19th to early 20th century with dimensions of 29 x 49.

A faded General George Washington rug, no date or dimensions provided.

Another George Washington rug circa 1900, 35.5 x 47.5.

Home Sweet Home with date of 1922 hooked in.

A horse with a corner cut off with no explanation as to reason ~ maybe damaged and salvaged or perhaps cut to fit in a certain area after it was hooked. Size is 18 x 36 and hooked late 19 to early 20th century.

A landscape early 20th century 17 x 34.5

Another  dog rug with leaves at the corners measures 29 x 75.

Recently found this cats rug and is still offered for sale.  Said to be a Mennonite hooked rug from 19th century (25 x 39).

And, another horse, this one with an odd looking mane.  Looks more like a blanket thrown across it's neck than a mane.  Hooked 1930, 34.5 x 44.5.

That's it for this rug show.  Meanwhile I'm working on my collection of hand hooked rugs for this year.  

Enjoy you long Labor Day weekend and happy hooking.

Saundra

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MULTI TOPIC CHIT CHAT

Remember the Dollar Tree?  Me too, the old one; and remember when it changed to the $1.25 Tree.  Today I went there hoping to find a small witch broom in the Fall/Halloween section to use at the top of the Witchy Woman piece to hang at the front door.  No witch's broom was there but did pick up a 2027 calendar which last year I paid $1.25 for.  This year the price is $2.  Yes, still inexpensive but noticed Dollar Tree carries more expensive items now well beyond $2.  Wonder if they will change their name since Dollar Tree name is no longer valid?

I didn't grow up in a 'throw away' society but rather a 'make do' one.  So decided to replace the elastic in a perfectly good pair of working shorts.  They were comfortable but the elastic was shot.  Now they are good to use again.

The sink hole was finally repaired.  Just hope I don't need to call them back in another 5 months due to another sink hole appearing in the area.  This was the before but with the almost 3 week wait the hole got a little bigger.

Here is a photo right after the repair and guess they placed sand on top to absorb any wet asphalt and help harden it.  

Then came a storm in the afternoon and washed away the sand so it now shows the repaired area a little more clearly.  Kept my feet in the photo so you could see the size of the repair.

Witchy Woman is all hooked and will do the binding/covering back during The Five. 

Now the back ~ looks like I have a few ripples to fix before the other sides are stitched.

There's just one rug my frame now, Crossed Hearts.  The heart is completely hooked and am plugging hooking away on the hit and miss background.  Next project still not drawn on linen but present plan is to hook Magdalena's Double Horses first.

Lastly, do you need or want a little hooked something for Halloween?  FOR SALE, "Hester", a design by Lori Brechlin and hooked by me, which was in Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  $148 plus shipping.  Contact me if interested.

That's it folks.  Happy hooking.

Saundra