The Journey Begins

I'm doing this small project to see if I can hook a piece to look like an antique.  My intentions are NOT to pull the wool over someone's eyes (no pun intended) and pass it off as a real antique, but to get the look of an antique for my personal pleasure.  

For authenticity the kits provided in Shari's class were drawn on burlap since it is lighter weight and what women used back then.  Her kit contained quality wool, cotton knit and nylons dyed in various colors.

Based on information shared by my pal, these were the first basic instructions from the teacher:
            Hook low
            Hook sparsely (3-4 holes away)
            Keep strings

Always wanting a personal challenge decided to give this new journey a try.  As previously posted I chose an antique which I've named Lady the Donkey.  Here is a close-up view of my loops and spacing.

Appears I've failed the test on the top two instructions as my loops seem to be the same height I normally hook.  Had a feeling that would be hard to depart from.  But was sure I could handle the 3 or 4 spaces away to leave a noticeable gap between loops.  Nope, failed there too.  However, I can see the strings of the paisley used for the halter and reins.

Since this is a small project I will continue anyway until I get bored because I must finish binding a rug and start getting ready for rug camp.

Instead of hooking the donkey in the grayish colors I wanted to hook my Lady Donkey in browns.  Here is a picture of my paternal grandfather with a miniature donkey on his property.  

When I was a kid I lived in a home built by my father and grandfather which could be accessed from behind the barn and thru the space where the fence is.  Also, as a teen I kept my horse in the stable which is the building to the far right.  There was a paddock connected to his stall which is not visible.

So this post was a little about my personal challenge as well as a 'throw back Thursday'.

Today will be another oppressively hot and humid day where the 'feels like' temps will be over 100* Fahrenheit.  Don't think I'll spend too much time outside today.

Saundra

Antique Rugs

I'll bet you all have been itching to see some antique rugs, right?  Here ya go.  Below is a poor photo as the auction house site wouldn't let me enlarge it.  Not sure if this birds and flowers design was a stair riser or a runner.

Love this old and worn rug with deep scallop border ~ colors are wonderful.

A  black lamb early 20th century found in Williamsburg, VA was hooked with wool on burlap measuring 18 x 26.  If you wanted to take a journey with me when I start my donkey you can either use the sheep, donkey or another design of your choice.  I haven't started Lady the Donkey yet but plan to do so soon.

Another small mat is, what looks to me to be a Shorebird.  Would be another great option for someone who wanted to go on the journey with me.

Stars and Hearts below was hooked early 19th century and from the Joe and Linda Caputo collection.

The horse rug below I found interesting because I'd like to ask the hooker some questions.  Is that "H" a ranch brand?  The motif below the H, is that a bucket of water being lifted up from a well?  Also, the border looks like it is most scrolls.....BUT, on the left side at the top it almost appears to be a hand making an 'Ok' sign with the thumb being white and the fingers being red.

Yeah, I know I've got an overactive imagination, lol.

The rug below depicts Alden House of Danbury, Massachusetts.  Don't know the year it was hooked,

Well,  that will do it for today and give me more time to bind the rug.  Am hoping to start Lady the Donkey today so there will be something to show you in a day or two.  That will give you time to draw out something, pull some wool and follow along with my experiment.

Saundra

Almost Ready........

....for the next journey to begin.  I've finally made up my mind which design I'll start with and if that is fun have a second one lined up.  I drew this out small and think it measures 12 X 18.  Because the original antique has a pinkish halter and reigns think I'll name this one "Lady the Donkey".

Here is the Belgian linen I drew it on which is light weight like burlap but a stronger thread and weave ~ less brittle.

Am hoping to NOT cut any wool but use wool from my worm bags.  I pulled a few to start with which are in the white basket.  The top is an old piece of vintage paisley which was in the pile of free wool at Cape May last year.  I cut it in thirds lengthwise and hope there is enough for the bridle and reigns.  And if not, Magdalena would have made do with whatever else she had that was close in color...or not.

I'm not suggesting this is a Magdalena design, merely what hookers would have done years ago to 'make do'. 

Am not ready to start hooking tonight...uh, I AM READY but still need to finish binding Stars and Diamonds.  That ugly task takes longer than a couple hours and I cannot stand to be sequestered so damn long.

Going back to work attaching the outer edge of the cotton binding tape and hope to have that done before Tuesday.  That is the day of my doctor's appointment and will do the inside stitches in the waiting room.  

Happy Sunday everyone.

Saundra

Stars and Diamonds antique adaptation

Yippee, it is all hooked and steamed....not bound yet tho. 

Now it is clean up the wool mess time before binding.  Since I hate binding will work on it a little at a time but for sure it will be completely bound in time for Cape May rug show.

My wool room is in total chaos again ~ it usually is after finishing a rug.  And I can't even begin to get wool ready for camp or the next primitive project until that room has become a little more orderly.  And my living room sofa and floor looks like a sheep has been sheared in there 😉

So I've resigned myself to the fact work comes first and then I can play again. 

OH!!!!!  Christmas is coming early to me this year.  This afternoon my new iPad with Pencil arrives and I won't leave for wine tasting until it is delivered.

My present iPad2 was acting up ~ a web site would start to load and then the screen would go blank.  It happened even when fully charged and happened on every website and FB.  I had to tap the home button several times for the beginning screen to show again so it could be swiped away.

As much as I hated spending the money definitely didn't want to attend camp limping along with a poorly functioning iPad.  So now I'll have time to learn how it operates and perhaps even 'pencil' color plan my camp rug in different colors and save in the photo file.

Happy Friday.

Saundra

Pre-Project Info

Little did I  know that one day I'd revert back to the new hooker who had no clue how to hook the proper way ~ in other words, unlearn everything I was taught.  To hook with the naivete of a child teaching herself to hook.

Nancy Gertrude Scott is quite good at hooking in that style pulling loops several holes away from the last loop and hooking higgly piggly.  Below are some of her pieces.   A single primitive chicken.

Two chickens.

  Kids playing.

And a village with workers indicating cotton picking.

Barbara E. Merry is another hooker who is quite successful hooking the  antique look.  Think I heard Nancy is Barbara's daughter, please someone correct me if I'm wrong.  Here is one of Barbara's pieces.

And two more of Barbara's rugs; Before and After below.  

And Row of Houses with shirred border, rainbow and walkway.

Will get more in dept on my next journey later.  Meanwhile I've a few more loops to pull on my Hearts and Stars rug...almost done. 

Saundra

Inquiring Minds Want To Know....

Jennie from Georgia said she didn't think she had ever seen Belgian linen and what was the source.

On the left is Dorr natural primitive linen, what I normally use; and the right side is Belgian linen.  You can see the Belgian appears more translucent since it is lighter weight and holes are somewhat larger.

A group of my friends got together and purchased yardage of this to try.  Can't remember which rugs I hooked using this but after experimenting with various foundations chose Dorr natural to be my 'go to' linen.

My friend Shari's class used burlap as the foundation to achieve the lightweight and authentic ingredient for the antique look.  I'm not in that class and prefer to use a stronger foundation, since I already have a little of the Belgian linen left will use that.  For sure it will be more light weight than the Dorr natural primitive linen yet strong.

I purchased mine over a decade ago from Silkweeds of Searsport, Maine and have this small amount left.  I'm not sure where you could purchase it now.

Will continue painting this afternoon after errands.  Can't wait until all coats of paint have been applied and can call the task DONE.

Saundra

Almost Decided

My next project is between these two antiques.  If I go for the donkey I'd hook it in browns instead of the grey.

And Flying Horse which I would also hook in browns.

Whichever I choose it will be hooked on Belgian linen which is strong but the holes are larger and may lend itself to a more OLD look.  I've tried doing antique adaptations for a while but my friend Shari recently attended a rug camp and she shared some information.  So this time I intend to hook an antique look on steroids!

First time I have sat down all day except to eat lunch.  My back porch door is literally falling apart.  If my ex were still coming here he would have repaired or replaced it for me.  So I've purchased a new door and used a sealer paint on one side today in the heat and humidity of outside.  I swear more time was spent prepping and looking for supplies than the actual painting.

Still have the other side to seal paint and then two coats of brown paint before getting someone to hang it for me.  I was meant to be a hooker not a painter 😀

Saundra

Mystery Solved....

..almost.  

~Most recently Merrie confirmed that on page 30 that book gave credit to Marion Hamm as the designer of the pattern.  So mystery IS SOLVED!

Yesterday I asked if anyone recognized a pattern and also posted that question and same photos on Facebook.  Today I received part of the answers.

Thanks to Merrie James-Bell know it was a free pattern in this book American Country Folk Crafts (thanks Merrie).

She said the rug design in the book shows 8 horses whereas my pattern has only 6.  Frankly I'm happy there are fewer on my pattern since 2 more on each side would make a larger rug to hook.  Mine measures 21 x 37 but IF and WHEN it is hooked will probably make a wider border.  It might require sewing a piece of cotton on each side to adapt to my frame but that's okay as I've done that dozens of times.

What hasn't been solved yet ~ is it a Marion Hamm design as I've been told.  I've written to the woman who is now handling Marion's designs but have not received a response.  

Was sweltering heat today cutting the remainder of the acreage; Sunday I cut Ben's back yard with a push mower and was too hot do do the rest of the yard.  Two showers today and looking forward to staying in the A/C, working on my Stars and Diamonds this evening and tomorrow.

Saundra

Recognize this Pattern or Designer?

I was fortunate to get this pattern very reasonably at Cape May last year during the anniversary special pattern sale.  It has horses on it so picked it up fast.  

I asked Norma if she knew who the designer was and she couldn't recall ~ but did say it was an antique adaptation.  I've searched Pinterest using 'horses and hearts' in the search engine and nothing like this shows up.

Am wondering if someone designed it based on this antique rug below.  This is the only rug with horses and hearts I could locate.

If anyone knows the designer I'd love to give her credit when I get around to hooking it.  Also would like to know the source for the inspiration.

Happy hump day for you worker bees.

Saundra

It's Been Fun....But..... (edited)

...I'm ready to move on.  Think Stars and Diamonds was started sometime in June and have loved every second working on it until just about now.  Am ready to move on to my next challenge and it (they?) will be smaller.  Here is my beauty now and it is close to finish.

If you are interested in having this pattern measuring 21 x 43 on natural primitive linen let me know.  The edges will be serged and there will be at least a 3" margin all around.  Cost will be $75 (plus shipping) despite all the drawing that is involved.  

I could have finished the rug before now but remember it is summer  and I'm the one who cuts grass in this acreage.

Just think.....that little bit on the right side.... so close but seems so far away 😒.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

p.s.
        This comment just in but since she is a No-reply blogger I could not reply to her.  Instead, I would like to thank Michelle H for her very complimentary message to me:  

"I have been hooking for over 20 years and very few rugs blow my mind. This rug stopped me in my tracks. I know of the original and I have to say your rug has done it justice. Your adaptations of the original rugs that we all love are the best I have ever seen. Great job"

I've Got that Itch

That would be the itch to start a new project.  Of course it will be an antique adaptation and this time something smaller.  Going thru antique rug photos here are some I'm considering.  But you know how fickle I am so before the linen is on my frame there might be other plans. 

Love the shape of the donkey and messy background.

The hit and miss border plus the blotchy background is visually pleasing to me.

Tossed this one in the mix also but probably won't make the cut.

Also attracted to the rug titled "Flying Horse" by the auction house.

Like the horse rug below but think I like flying horse better.

Four hearts four flowers might be fun.

Oh no, what is it with horse rugs and me?  I like this one too.  Actually it is a horse love thing.

This very primitive lion is interesting as well.  You'd think it was a dog were it not for the black whiskers under the chin.

Sheesh, another horse rug.  But if this is chosen I'd do a hit and miss border all around instead of his name at the bottom.  But still like flying horse better.

And this is the rug I was certain to be on my frame next. 

What happend?  I'm fickle, besides this would end up being bigger than I want to hook right now.  I want to challenge myself in hooking a very primitive antique look with a different style and want it smallish.  That way if it doesn't turn out it will be done quick.

Happy Saturday.  Going out to cut the back yard before it rains.  I still think of it as "Ben's backyard".  Miss that boy terribly.

Saundra

Stars and Diamonds Update

Getting closer to the end but getting excited about starting something new so am getting antsy.

Below is the original antique which was hooked early 19th century.

I'd like to have this one bound before Cape May and a project started to work on while waiting for the teacher.  It will be something smaller than this rug which measures 201/2 x 43.

Saundra

QUILT and STITCHERY Patterns for SALE

On this post there are 4 offers for sale, since someone may purchase more than one item I will combine shipping.  Therefore shipping will be added to the final cost.  Sales to US only (sorry friends in Canada) I just don't want to deal with or worry there may be declaration forms to be filled out.  

#1 ~ DEAR JANE journal and pattern book by Brenda Manges Papadakis (autographed copy) ~  $40 plus shipping.

I looked on Amazon to find out the cost because I cannot remember what I paid for the book before I hooked the rug below.  If you click on the Amazon link (above) you will see what others are charging for the book.

The book is intact, no pattern pieces cut as I copied the motifs I wanted to use in my rug.  There are 160 pages in the book.  And it is fun to read what Brenda wrote to Jane Stickle as she replicated her quilt.

#2 ~ CROW CREEK pattern booklet by Denise Clason $5.50 plus shipping.  Unused booklet, first photo is of the front cover.

Back cover and subsequent pattern pages uncut.

#3 ~ WORTHY HANDS applique and stitchery by Pat Peak $7.00 + Sh.

#4 ~ SHOW ME YOUR GARDEN by Sarah Sporrer $20 +shipping.
The booket is uncut and has a total of 64 pages.

The sales will go to the first person to respond.  FYI, if you are a NO-REPLY blogger I will not be able to reply to you or send you a PayPal invoice.  So if you happen to be first but a NO-REPLY, the sale will go to the second to respond to the offer.

Good Luck,

Saundra