My Cape May Project ~ Shadow's Portrait

There really are more rugs from the Cape May show to post on my blog but thought I'd give you a reprieve from that to present the project I started at camp.  That would be my sweet, departed Shadow.  After hooking my two Rotties in #3 in 2006 told my teacher Diane Stoffel that Shadow was going to be hooked in #8.  Well I know now that any kind of realistic hooking isn't fun, even if it is my sweet girl and even if she is being hooked with 1/4" strips.

There was a time at camp that I wasn't sure I'd even continue hooking the rug once I got home as I found it stressful.  It was a self-induced stress as there were certain expectations I'd placed on myself to get the realism and capture the spirit of my girl.  Part of me had wished that I'd taken a primitive rug to hook as it would have been 5 days of pure fun.    I would work on Shadow in class and at night I'd pull out my comforting and forgiving Magdalena Lollipop rug and hook on that for relaxation.

This is what I'd accomplished at rug camp on my girl Shadow, it measures 20 x 24.

And returning home this past Friday I finally put Shadow back on the frame Monday.  I looked at my hooking calmly and critically and replaced a few strips.  The left eye looked okay but on the right it appeared too dark just under the eye so removed that dark wool and used something a tad softer.  Also the right side of the forehead appeared too dark and harsh so replaced that wool.  A few other places here and there I reverse hooked and feel a little better about it.  This is what she looks like now.

I might very well make a few more changes along the way as I hook and will be very glad when it is done and hanging on my wall.

Thanks for dropping by and visiting.

Saundra