Tuesday, February 11, 2025

OH NO, NOT AGAIN!

It's another Winter Storm Warning!  For another 6-10", which, last time turned into a 12" snowfall that lasted almost 3 weeks.  And part of that 3 weeks it was rock hard white ice.  Yesterday at the store noticed there was still snow from the January storm left after they shoveled the parking lot.

Tomorrow was my dental appointment but rescheduled it as I'm sure I'd not be able to leave my driveway, let alone the development by 10:30 a.m.
In other news...my desk top PC which operates on Windows 10 will cease to do updates by October this year.  Already I see the usb ports are malfunctioning.  Also, my 10 year old DELL computer did its last update the end of November.  I found that out when trying to do an update when the usb ports didn't work properly.

So that means I'll be purchasing a new computer before the end of the year.  I loved my DELL much more than any of the HP computers and don't know much about the off brand names.  

Have heard nothing good about Windows 11 but perhaps Microsoft has had time to iron out the wrinkles.  I like my iPad but don't want an almost $3,000 Apple Mac computer because of the expense.  And as lovely as the iPad is I cannot use the flash drives with it.

If anyone has Windows 11, a desk top PC brand name you like, please contact me so I can take notes when I'm ready to buy another.

I'd better go fill up the birdfeeders and get ready to hunker down and wait out the storm.  At 5 p.m. I've a little more to bind on Animal Parade then sew on the label and it will be done.  Then hook on Animals Great and Small.  Happy hooking.

Saundra




Sunday, February 9, 2025

A DOZEN RUGS

Found a few new (to me) old rugs so thought I'd share them with you.  While I'm not into hooking another floral, or at least not yet, this one is quite appealing.  The original measures 16 x 35 so would be a nice table piece.
A prancing show horse with scrolls, late 19th century measuring 24 x 38.
A pastel geometric dated 1920-29.  Or was it faded?  Dimensions are 19 x 38. 
Another geometric with quite a different design.  
The auction house indicated this 19th century bed rug was located
 in Ontario and was being used as horse blanket when found.  Sure has miraculously kept its color.  Dimensions are 65 x 69.
1900's love birds (22.5 x 35.5) would make a great wedding rug.
Billy Boy was hooked early 20th century.  The date Oct 5, 1923 was the date interpreted by the auction house.
Here is a close up of one corner of the that rug.
Can you imagine any dog with squirrel friends?  All of my dogs thought they were fair game for chasing up a tree.  
Docked in Belfast, Maine was hooked early to mid 20th century.  Nice reflection depiction.
flame design given a date between 1850-1899 measures 20 x 38.  If I decided to do a flame rug think I'd hook it in the other direction.
This 1900's cat rug disturbs me, it almost looks evil.  The rug (25x60)  sold for $1,610 in 2004.
And now a sweeter cat rug, IMHO, hooked early 20th century.
That's it for today's dozen rug show.  Happy hooking.

Saundra


Friday, February 7, 2025

THIS and THAT

Now that enough rugs have been hooked to fill up a full page of labels I've printed them out and have begun sewing them onto the rugs.  Those last two rugs needed to fill the page were Magdalena's Animal Parade, presently being bound, and Animals Great and Small presently on my frame.

Today I sewed on 4 of the 6 labels to the proper rugs (below) and the other 2 labels await their turn.  FYI, for those antique adaptations I hook, the photo on the label would be the original antique rug from which my rug was hooked.  You can see how I do my labels by reading about it on a previous blog post HERE.

As I used my last printer page from the 10-pack will need to order more once I've gotten close to another 6 rugs hooked to fill a page.
Also patched that too short binding tape on Animal Parade and even tho it's on the backside it was still frustrating that it came up just a smidgen short.  Yet, a quarter inch or a foot short, would have prompted the same frustration.  I'll be sure to steam my rugs before measuring out binding tape next time. 
Won't have that problem when binding Animals Great and Small as that one will be whipped with yarn from Ali Strebel.  I do various binding styles depending on the rug, the border style and colors.  You can see some different styles in the first photo.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

OOPS!

Binding tape is too short!  This is what happens when you unroll the binding tape, lay it out along the edge and cut it before steaming your rug.  Guess I won't make that mistake again.  So now I'll have to piece a small section before this task can continue.   And it was so close; but close doesn't count.
This afternoon I'll hook on the scallop bottom border of Animals Great and Small while waiting for whatever form of precipitation the heavens decide.  When driving to the grocery store this morning noticed the roads had already been coated with brine.  And to think on Monday I took my vehicle through the car wash, lol.
Happy hooking.

Saundra

Sunday, February 2, 2025

UPDATE ON CURRENT RUG (edited)

Still not bored and enjoying each loop pulled.  Even when I've chosen to reverse hook an area.  

Thanks to pal Lauren realized I didn't explain myself properly so will try again.  I replaced the wool in the big grey cat in the central part of the rug.   The wool in the cat between the legs and tail under the cat was reverse hooked and this newer version doesn't appear to be any better.
For comparison, below is a previous photo of the cat with a somewhat lighter wool between the legs and tail.  Perhaps I need to pull out the wool just hooked and replace it with white.  
The original antique had white separating the legs and tail but at the time thought that was too bright.  However, since white shows up now in the borders perhaps it will look okay.  If you want to see a picture of the original antique you can see it HERE.

Saundra



Friday, January 31, 2025

JUST ANOTHER RUG SHOW

This first beauty isn't hooked, it is Colcha embroidery.  You can read about Colcha and see a few other works HERE.
The rug below appears to be floral combined in scrolls.  No date provided but measures 19 x 34.5
Again no date was provided for this horse and rider.  Comes from a Vermont estate (12.5 x 16.5).
Thought this was a cute landscape but absolutely no information was provided, so I googled Muskoka and this is what was found HERE.  Perhaps someone wanted to capture and memorialize their time there in a hooked mat.
Colorful rug with yellow cat said to be hooked early 20th century.
Probably a chair pad is this chicken farmer piece.  It's sweet and was well used.
An eagle with a double border.  No date but wouldn't surprise me if this was a Frost design.
Don't listen to the Mermaid Lad ~ a Hutchinson rug.
A montage (jumble) of figures and animals.  Wonder if the rug below ls also a Hutchinson?  I have the booklet but am too lazy to search thru it to see if the image is in there.
And finally, several pics of an 18th century painted box from Lancaster, PA dated 1764.  This is the chickens and flower side.
This side has images of a couple.  Maybe it was a hope chest?
Below is an image of the top of the chest.
Another side depicting a peacock and flowers.
Finally a dog chasing a stag.  All of these would be great images to use in a primitive rug.
Did another small dye project again using the same dyes ~ Olde Patina and Pro Chem's mocho chino combined.  Will show you results in another post.

I've never enjoyed rain as much as today, finally the white s**t is gone.  True I've complained about the monsoons experienced here in the past, but I've always hated snow since becoming an adult.  Yes it is pretty when it snows then melts the next day.  But don't want foot high snow which turns to white ice and lasts for almost 3 weeks.  Looking forward to spring.

Saundra


Thursday, January 30, 2025

MINI HOOK'N CHIT CHAT

In the morning, I pulled out my dye pot and half yard of wool to soak.  Sadly the choices for primitive light wool isn't available as it used to be.  I purchased Steel Cut recently but it was just too grey.  I put 1/4 yard natural, 1/4 yard steel cut and an odd piece in the pot with a little of two mixed dye recipes.

Here are the results and I'm quite pleased.  The before of the natural and Steel cut is at the top.  So just might do another pot tomorrow with more Steel Cut and Shadow Fax which has too much white in it for me also.  Will use the same formula amounts.
Also, in keeping with my personal commitment, did more binding on Animal Parade today during The Five.  Of course with a glass of cabernet by my side for a sip now and then to make that task a little easier to endure.  There's still more to bind, so if anyone wants to join me long distance please feel free to set aside that time and hook in harmony with me.

MESSAGE TO SUSAN:  This morning I received an email from "Susan N" asking about rugs from Iowa, New Jersey and Montana.  Susan, I tried to reply but the email bounced.  Don't know if you typed in the address incorrectly or your email provider needs to be updated.  But did try.  

My question was if you were inquiring about the rugs hooked by Molly Nye Toby.  I've already posted photos of whatever rugs I found hooked by Molly already but you could always to do a Google search in case more show up somewhere.  OR, if I see more rugs I will post them on my blog.

Think I had more to write about but have gotten far too wordy already so will sign off.  Rain in the forecast tomorrow so perhaps there will be more dyeing here inside.

Saundra


Tuesday, January 28, 2025

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Today was a great day ~ it was warmer than the last 2 weeks and the snow was melting.  There's still some in the shady spots but after tomorrow's expected high of 45, my hope is it will all be gone.

And, I have a new garage door opener.  The cost was $625 installed so decided to only do the side where my vehicle is parked.  The other side is the same age and it will eventually bite the dust but I've other costly expenses coming up in February so chose to not get the other side done.

I've started binding Magdalena's Animal Parade while watching The Five at 5 p.m.  Since I hate binding but enjoy The Five and a glass of vino, figured it would make that bitter pill easier to swallow.  There just may be a friend joining me when she's feeling better.  Won't mention her name as I don't want to put pressure on her as she needs to rest and feel better first.  

Besides, I've more days of work on this long rug.  Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day y'all,😊.
Like Lauren, I've been shredding documents and filled a big black garbage bag full.  Still more old info to shred but those will be for next week's trash.  

I can remember as a kid thinking to myself .... 'I can't wait until I'm an adult and can do whatever I want, no school, no parents or other adults telling me what to do..."  HA! ain't it fun to be an adult?  Oh to be that kid again back in the 50's when life was so much easier and safer.

Saundra


Sunday, January 26, 2025

ANIMALS GREAT AND SMALL

Here's an update on the present rug on my frame which was aptly named "Animals Great and Small".  At first I couldn't figure out what that top right red image was.  But just now realized it resembles the shape of a  horse's hoof with frog in the middle.  Since it is an antique, the designer not around, I'll never know for sure what it is.
Today I finally steamed Magdalena's Animal Parade and will begin binding it for an hour or so at a time beginning Monday during The Five TV show.  Thought I'd better get that one started before adding this one to the pile.

In other news, I drew an 11 Star Flag adaptation for a customer and it will ship Monday.  Here is a photo of one hooked by another customer who ordered it.
Also, registration forms for Cape May rug camp (held each September) have been mailed out and I've decided to not attend for the first time in 22 years.  Since the leadership change over, the camp is no longer worth my money nor my time.  The staff at the Chalfonte Hotel are great, food was good, loved my teacher Lucille Festa.  But the organizers leave a lot to be desired with their lack of preparation and only one primitive teacher.  I tried two camps under the new leadership hoping the second year would be better than the first.  But it wasn't and not going this year!

Saundra

Friday, January 24, 2025

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

A stag hooked 19th century with dimensions of 28.5 x 34.  This rug has everything fun ~ a stag with blotchy colors, flowers in the corners and hit and miss of sorts in the background for interest.
This 19th century hooked dog rug has several borders but the scalloped inside border gives it character.   Size is 28 x 46 and still for sale I think.
The rug below is an antique but cannot recall the date as that info was lost when my flash drive became corrupted.  I keep the photo around tho, to remind me to hook it one day.
Cats and birds hooked late 19th century or early 20th.  Ha, bet you paused to hunt for the birds, didn't ya?  I did also.
Deep water sailor, a Hutchinson style hooked rug, no date was provided.
A floral hooked rug is not in my future.  But for you who might, here is a basket of flowers hearth rug, circa 1890.  Measures 31 x 61.5.
Abstract or floral?  I wasn't sure how to label this next rug.  Size is 21 x 34 and would be a no muss no fuss, easy peasy hook for something to do.
The one below is definitely a geometric hooked early to mid 19th century.
A framed hooked cat (14 x 16) but with frame it measures 19 x 21.  Said to be hooked 1900-49.  Appears the cat is sitting on a tree limb.  Wonder what is hiding behind that wood?
A view of the back.  There appears to be a puzzle used as support behind the foundation.
Another runner or perhaps a hearth rug of a dog, stars with a hit and miss background.  I can't figure out what those other two motifs are.
Today we will have a heatwave reaching 37 degrees.  Yesterday morning when I woke up to turn the temperature up on the thermostat this is what the temp was outside.  At 7:27 a.m. it was 5 degrees outside, and that was after the sun had come up.  Wonder how low the temps got when it was dark o'clock?  FYI, stage 2 heat is when it is auto switched to propane heat from heatpump.
That's it for this show, now to pull a few more loops on the Animals Great and Small.  Happy hooking.

Saundra