Misc. Chit Chat

Another busy day with drawing a pattern in the morning, continued yard work and laundry in the afternoon.  The Fitbit already been buzzed with over 10,000 steps today around 6 p.m. and the day isn't done yet.

This is the pattern I drew for Pam, which was named American Floral Theorem by the auction house.  It was to have been hooked early 19th century but no dimensions known to me or Pam.  So I asked what size she wanted and that would be 24" on the short side.  So when the drawing was enlarged it came out to 24 x 37.

Must admit I was skeptical drawing the pattern for her as the urns  were off kilter.  That would be fine with me as I love the wonky irregular shapes and colors of an antique rug.  But drawing for someone else is another thing.  Of course it is a given the outside lines of a pattern should be on straight of grain.   Thankfully Pam said she wanted it as in the antique so the pattern will ship on Monday....thanks Pam!!!

An update on my yard ~ although there are still the roots and ends of the trees to deal with at least I've the fence and yard back.  But most of all my clothes line!!!!!!!!  I'm old fashioned and love the fresh air in the smell of clothes after hanging on the line ~ particularly the sheets.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, is sheet washing day!!!!  Can't wait!!!!  Now where is that bottle of Pino Noir????  Already my bones don't ache so much, lol.

Happy Saturday evening.  

Saundra

Antique Rug Show

Who doesn't enjoy a little eye candy in the form of rugs hooked in the past.  That is, after all, how I became interested in learning how to hook.

Blow is a Floral in an Oval hooked early 20th century and measured 28 x 39.   I enjoy the oddities of old rugs and they often conjure up questions I'd like to ask the hooker.  The one below has the right side of the oval design cut short.  Am guessing she realized if she hooked the oval like the left side she wouldn't have enough room for the border.  

The 1886 Folk Art Soldiers caught my eye and wonder what country they represent.  I don't know any other information.

The simplicity of the yarn hooked rug below I find endearing.  It was said to be hooked 1890 with yarn on burlap ~ from the Textile Museum of Canada.  Love that soiled blotchy look.   

The Boy and Dog rug below was listed on ebay and sold for $1,295 even in the tattered condition.  It was hooked in the 1800's and measured 19 x 38.  Believe I've posted this before but it still captures my heart.  If you tap on the photo you can see the person hooked the snow in blocks.

Another version of a 'horse trainer' rug.  This one was located in South Paris, Maine and measured 15 x 35.

Another view but further away.

Here is "Stubbs Horse Trainer" an antique adaptation I hooked in 2017.

My oh my, sure do love this Stars and Diamonds rug below.  It was said to be hooked early 19th century and sadly don't know the original dimensions or where it was located.  

Happy Friday and happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

The Border

Am referring to the question I was asked on border plans for Flower Power.  Here it is in beginning stage with not so much accomplished except for the 'plan'.

It is a primitive black border hooking a short span across the 1 1/2" border.  Thankfully there was enough margin beyond the rug design to draw that much border.

I've never hooked a hit and miss primitive black border in this direction but think it will be a really cool look.

Today I walked a number of steps (again) dragging more tree limbs into the woods.  This is what my yard looks like now.  It is looking better after the storm damage done March 2nd.

 It will be delightful to have my clothes line back and my fence.  The 'good ol guys' removed the lines and the poles so as to not do damage to them.  

Tomorrow, weather permitting, the guys will bring two log splitters and haul some or most, away.  Then not too long after that my back yard will have some semblance of order again.

Have a great evening...warmer weather is upon us.

Saundra

1909 Horse

Yippee... just finished pulling the last loop, steamed it and the rug is resting.  It will be bound when my car needs an oil change, which is soon.  A great way to work on a project to make good use of time.

Before starting the border on Flower Power, thought it best to finish the last couple blocks on this rug first.  The colors don't really looked that washed out in person.  

Want to point out those crazy blocks which have dark or light value changes within the blocks were in the original.  I'm speaking of the really odd ones like the third block down on the right and a few others.  Feels good to have this one done.  The binding fabric has already been stitched on so will be an easy finish.  I used a black, red and tan check cotton (doubled) for the binding fabric, you can see bits of it outside the rug.

On Flower Power I plan to whip the edges with wool yarn. I've been asked how the border will be done but while there is a 'plan' I'm not sure how it will go so don't want to say now.

Thank goodness the trees are on the ground.  One of them has been sawed in large sections and the guy will work on the other tomorrow.  He will bring a log 'splitter' to make it much easier for him and I don't mind the equipment in the yard.  His wanting firewood for next year is saving me money and he doesn't have to pay for cords of wood to heat his home next year.

Must say that I'm totally exhausted from working yesterday AND today ~ I hauled a lot of limbs deep into my woods.  Would be nice to have a wood chipper but sadly I don't.  My hips, back and arms ache so will sleep like a baby tonight I'm sure.  

S

In-Progress Rugs at Camp

Unfortunately I didn't get photos of all our class in-progress rugs.  Was waiting until closer to the end of camp to get a more complete capture of the work.  Then it was catch as catch can to get the photo at a convenient time.  Also, many hookers from other classes didn't participate in the 'throw down' for some reason. 

Will begin with Eric's in-progress of a big Peacock rug, a design by Michelle Micarelli.  Eric said he was changing the border on the left side which he referred to as 'confetti' and will make it blend better with the border on the right side.

Below is Val hooking a mola design by Norma Batastini.  It is called Crocodile from the Mola series.

Fran was working on this stained glass design by Jane McGowan Flynn.

The stool cover being hooked by Joyce has the same name as the rug I'm working on....Flower Power.  But they are different for sure.

Pat sat across from me and is busily hooking but didn't manage to get a good photo of her project.

Sarah started working on her geometric (below) immediately after the initial phone call with Eric before class.  You can see she accomplished quite a lot.

Friend Pat, who was in another class, was hooking a Folk Art Rabbit designed by Margaret Shaw.

And moi?   This is what I've accomplished so far on a design by Cactus Needle, was told it is the sister to Nola Heidbreder.  The name is Flower Power, the same name that was given the foot stool design above but different designers.

The open spaces are areas which I haven't decided what to do with yet.  There is a star to the left, and 3 circle areas.  Not sure if I want to just hook black background or put in a color.  

I made a couple changes..... first I added a border which I've drawn in...2) I changed the tulip from a five point tulip to a three point (pic below).

Happy Friday.

Saundra

Granny Geometric a/k/a Rick Rack Rug

Yesterday's post showed Eric's Rick Rack Rug and I mentioned having hooked one similar but drew it myself.  Here is mine, which is not nearly as artistic or well color planned since I pulled from my worm bags.  I named it Granny Geometric as it reminded me of crochet squares of a Granny Afghan.

Also mentioned the pattern I replicated was from an old book in my library. Decided to search thru my books to find the pattern for you.  Below is the line drawing which can be enlarged to any size you wish.

It was among numerous designs from a book purchased on-line from some source for a few bucks.  You can see it had been retired from a library ~ a book by William C. Ketchum, Jr.

During that morning search also came upon the Nova Scotia design which was Eric's mat pattern I'd admired so much.  That would be the bottom illustration below.  Think it came from a different book during my search.

Okay, I admit that I'm stalling to show in-progress rugs from camp.  Today was filled with 'car pool duties' for my neighbor's kids again, my laundry and feel like I'm catching something.   Yesterday and today I popped Echinachea and as there's no worry about picking up the kids tomorrow I'll be able to sleep better tonight.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

Maryland Shores Rug Show

I'll start with pieces hooked by Eric ~ Below is a design named Rick Rack and is for sale $1,700.  It was stunning looking at it up close.  I drew and hooked a rug similar, tho not this creative.  The shape is in at least one rug book on my shelf.

Eric, using the same concept but applying the design in a different way he did this smallish mat.  You can see the design in the four blocks, yet look at the artistic way he hooked the border and outlines of the blocks.  His mind is so creative.

Below is a huge rug hooked by Capri Boyle Jones which could be yours for $6,865. 

Another rug hooked by Eric is called Duncan and a Pearl McGowan design.  IF..IF I heard the conversation correctly, Pearl was asked to hook a 'log cabin' rug and this was her concept.  It is thought the circles in the middle was the chimney.  Remember, Pearl was NOT a primitive hooker.

Below, the edge of the rug and hit and miss scallop is gorgeous.  This was also hooked by Eric and he commented that primitive hookers love the edge but taken back by the orange and purple.   

Pat McDonnell hooked the rug below.  The design is called Gettysburg and was a pattern offered by Marion Hamm.

Dorset Flowers, below, hooked by Ingrid Heironimus is a design by Lucille Festa.  After seeing this rug hooked by Ingrid am now confident she could handle me in her class if I was hooking a primitive design.  Love her 'tile' squares for the background.

OMG, you should have seen this huge runner named Prudence, yet another Pearl McGowan design.  Eric said he had hooked about a third of the rug, found himself needing money.  So rather than finishing the project he sold it to Kathy Moyers who finished it.  You cannot tell where Eric's hooking stopped and hers began.  Awesome!

Here is the label on the back to document the story.  Eric asked if he could borrow it for his "Encore" to teaching this class.  And what a hell of a wonderful class it was Eric.

Pam Johnson hooked the proddy sheep design below from Heavens to Betsy. 

Pam Brune hooked Pumpkin Patch, a design by Betsy Reed.

There are more finished rugs in the show but since I hadn't gotten permission to post the photos didn't want to get in a battle with anyone.  

There are some in-progress photos from camp yet to come.  And then I'll show you mine.  Happy Tuesday.

Feeling so guilty and such a slug.  I have a rug pattern to design, still have laundry to do, yet enjoying the ambiance of slowly hooking on the camp rug.  Well, that is between doing yard work, grocery shopping and mom car pool for my neighbor's 3 kids.  I'm 76 and thought those car pool duties were over years ago.

Saundra

Camp Store

How convenient it was to have a class in the Ballroom as that is also the location of the rug camp store.  Loris of The Wool Farm had lots of beautiful wool.

I purchased a couple quarters of as is textures and this yummy roll. 

She had a variety of colors of yarn for whipping or punching rugs.....

Beautiful colors of fancy yarn and sari ribbon to embellish a rug,

There were also hooks, frames, patterns, kits, wool jewelry,  ~ you name it and it was there.

Some great deals on used books too.

A container of brushes to brush away the bits of wool and lint from your rug (I LOVE these and they were only $6).  The container was filled to the brim at the start of the week and almost empty by the last day.

Next post will include some rug pictures....promise.

Saundra

What Happened at Rug Camp Doesn't Stay at Rug Camp 😉

In a previous post I mentioned Eric Sandberg was my teacher again after 12 years.  Must say this class was top notch and would definitely take a class with him again.   Not sure if that will happen as he retired, has no wool (except for his personal stash), and only doing this gig since he is a substitute teacher for Maryland Shores Rug Camp.

Below Eric gathered us together to talk basics about...."light, bright, dark, dull".  For those who had Eric as a teacher before know these words by heart.

We students gathered in a circle and took turns showing our project and wool colors we'd brought to camp.  

Eric is working with us individually and we are learning as each person's rug is being color planned.    

It is impossible to give his 5 day class in just one blog post but there are many easy to remember hooking lessons ~ the Three Bears and Goldilocks, for just one example.  Don't ask, it would take too long to explain.  But OMG I will never forget that!!!

Below is a photo of Eric with just one of the hand-outs provided.  Cannot wait for life to get back to normal so I can read them.  He covered most in class but there is more in the handouts about hit and miss, geometric, dyeing hints and so much more.

Notice Eric also has a piece of wool in his hand.  He brought pieces to toss into the mix of what the student brought just to show how adding another color or value would change the rug.  

Below, this picture shows Eric using me as a 'teaching lesson' for bringing mostly medium value wool.  I brought red, blue, old gold and green ~ plus dirty white or black for background.

You can see students chuckling and I knew it was in good fun, yet a lesson for those who prefer colorful rugs ~ I was, after all, the 'what's different in the picture".   Eric said he took a class with Barb Carroll so he would be better able to work with primitive students.  

On another day we each took one or two rugs we'd brought for the rug show.  Students decided to have him 'critique' or suggest, how he would have chosen different wools.  We had to raise our right hand and pledge....."There is no such thing as an ugly rug, some are just better than others"

In the lesson above Eric used the Johannes Itten color wheel "The Color Star".   I'm sitting on a gold mine and have only looked at it briefly a few times.  Thankfully mine was purchased when the cost was maybe $40.  Because of Eric I unearthed my Star Wheel and will use it with future rugs.   BUT... lol, if I am replicating an antique rug of a woman who didn't know about bright, contrast, value, etc., I will hook it like the woman did but using what is in my stash.  

On that day I noticed a fantastic hooked pin Eric was wearing.  I asked if it was an image of him.  He said it was an image of his grandfather Pierre Keller which was hooked by Tish Murphy.    Was unbelievable to see the detail with wool which seemed to be hooked with floss it was so thin.  

Oh there is so much more to share from rug camp but will be in separate blog posts.  My hope is to have more time to pull more loops on my rug before having to share it.  But reality has given me yard work, laundry, pattern drawing, etc.  I like being on vacation better 😁

Saundra