The intimidation was not just internal but also external. When starting to hook on the eastern shore the hobby/art/craft was consumed with McGowan narrow cut designs and rug hookers. As mentioned in a previous post, the McGowan school would only allow McGowan, Primco or Charco designs.
There appeared to be an atmosphere that wide cut hookers were not considered 'real' rug hookers; if your project wasn't a flower using dip dyed wool with fingering technique or an oriental rug you weren't up to snuff. Or at least that is what I felt.
So under the tutelage of Jon Ciemiewicz decided to hook my Rottie Memorial in #3. Hey, I was used to hooking in #8. Yes, I was able to get good detail with the #3. As soon as the dogs were hooked decided the background would be hooked in a wider cut so used #5 (or was it #6?) for the background.
As a side note, when the dogs were alive and would groom them would save each of their hair in a baggie. Later, a dear friend spun each of their hair on a narrow piece of wool roving. That wool was hooked at the nape of necks of each dog. And, the dog tags were added just recently when being found while cleaning out my shed. Below is the photo from which the design was hooked.
Just as soon as the Rottweiler narrow cut was hung on the wall I drew out a primitive design and hooked the pups in #8. That one is on the floor beside my bed and has been there since 2006. Many is the night that Ben will lay on it.
As I was doing artisan shows (primitive dolls and hooked items) thought hooking items to sell might be in order to help support my habit. So I hooked the following items which sold at shows. Some of the same design were hooked over again to replace the ones sold previous and purses were really popular, particularly the cat purses.
Decided to try a hooked penny or cat's paw purse and it even sold.
My original way to document what I hooked was with photos on my computer's hard drive. Then the unthinkable happened ...my computer crashed and along with it many of my hooked rug photos were lost. When I could find photos of them most times I'd 'cropped' the photo so the date of the photo changed. Now, I have started a Word document with the rugs by year.
What makes it difficult tho is getting the timeline right. One such example is this 1880 Running Horse adaptation which has a last date of 2010. But I know it was hooked before that so will include it in 2006.
Happy Sunday everyone.
Saundra
You did such a great job on Rottweilers and using their own hair really adds a special touch.
ReplyDeleteI love that lion rug.
I can't imagine the patience it takes to hook large figures in #3. I like hooking with #5 cut probably because I learned on #5 and I only use #3 for fine details or in a challenge rug.
Smiles & hugs
Julia
I am just loving the trip down your hooking memory lane.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started hooking, I did not have a digital camera so took pics with a 35mm and put them in an album. I also numbered the rugs. Both of those have long fallen by the wayside...lol! My blog will be the best documentation I have.
Happy Sunday :)
Lauren
The three cut of your babies is beyond amazing...but then I like all of your work.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun post ....still am amazed how you were able to hook your beloved dogs with such detail , but the most special part ,was to be able to include their fur ...that just gives me goose bumps ! Puppy Love melts our hearts !
ReplyDeleteEnjoying this tour of ur mats, saundra! Wow! That #3 cut mat is gorgeous! , BUT like u love the primitives and big cut!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!