New Years Eve all done

Oh what fun it was to hook this rug.  It was started November 9th at rug camp with Bev Conway as my teacher.   

I'd like to point out a couple things about hooking the rug which you may find enlightening.  In an earlier post I mentioned how the directional hooking of the floor which gives the illusion of distance from the bear to the book case.  But there are a couple other things you may find interesting.

The alarm clock on that bookcase is a button from my stash from when I made dolls.  Works well, dont'cha think?  

And, one day when walking thru Walmart before rug camp was wondering how the heck to hook the wine glass.  All of a sudden I saw a huge palate of boxes with shrink wrap.  AH HA!!!!  A lightbulb went off so ripped off a piece, stuck it in my pocket and packed it with my wool for camp.  Wasn't sure how it would work and had to be careful to not place the iron on that part when steaming the rug.  But it sure gives it a shine like a wine glass.

There's more...see the bear's scarf?  Notice the end has a tassel look to it?  Something so simple yet it took my teacher to show me how to make it.  She said when I got to the end of the scarf to leave at least 1" of end sticking up.  Then Bev came over with a T-pin and plucked out the weft section of the strips to leave just the warp.  Ingenious yet so simple.  Thanks Bev.

This design was fun to hook on so many levels ~ first it is looking forward to the new year, get thoughts of Covid 19 out of my head, and hopefully looking forward to a happier and more peaceful new year.  If you would like to hook this design too visit The Wool Farm and purchase yours today.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Flash Back Friday

I've been going thru old ATHA magazines as they have mounted up over the years.  Am saving those which have articles for reference and made notations on the front cover like 'fold dyeing', 'hooking techniques', designing styles, etc.  

Then I came across one I'd totally forgotten about dating back to 2008.  Happened it was one with an article about me and my rug which I named The Ole Gals.

Here is a photo copy of the article as I didn't want to cut it out and scan it; I'd like to keep it intact in the event my family might want it as a memory????

Have started binding New Years Eve and will have a photo for you soon.  Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Saundra

woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

What a Difference a Year Makes

This time last year I was planning to bake two pies to take to my son's house for Thanksgiving.  After passing the Thanksgiving cooking torch to my wanna be chef son now I only take pumpkin pie for him and apple pie for the Princess, my wonderful daughter-in-love.  Not this year.

First are the restrictions put on families due to Covid but in all honesty had Greg called saying he was cooking for Thanksgiving again I was ready to decline since they are more socially active.  Me, being of risk factor age I'd feel more safe in my own cocoon since other family members would be invited also.  However, Greg called to say his wife Cathy (sweet DIL) had Covid as did her sister who works in the ER.   So my decision was made in that call.  

This will be one of my turkey's to enjoy the rest of the week and a tad beyond Thanksgiving Day.

(Turkey and Tallowberries hooked 2016)

Have no fear, I will eat healthy as always.  Tonight I'm just finishing up left over chicken, broccoli and carrots so not sure more foul will be on my plate in two days.  Maybe some homemade soup?  Or maybe some stir fry veggies and rice?? Not sure yet but I'll contemplate that tomorrow when I make my weekly run to the grocery store.

Here is another turkey which will be on my  harvest table beginning tomorrow.

(1847 Turkey by Needl'love hooked 2007)

Reason the rug has just the initial "S" is because I was going thru a divorce and didn't want the current last initial to show up on the rug.  In the final decree I'd requested to return to my former and departed husband's name which is also the last name of my son ~ Porter.

Oh, almost forgot I've another Turkey for Thanksgiving....Old Tom, which I just recently completed.  Will have to take a better picture of it for future postings but this happened to be handy on my flash drive.

(Old Tom hooked 2020)

Hope all my readers and followers have a Happy Thanksgiving no matter how small it may be.  Mine will surely be small but let's all be thankful for the small blessings and beauty around us.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

A Small Collection of Rugs

First up is a Floral Hearth rug hooked mid 19th century and the private collection of Dan Wagoner.   The rug measures 33 x 66. 

When I find rugs on auction sites they sometimes mention the name of the collector or the estate name from which the rug came.  But this is the first time the auction house provided a bio of the owner.  So before I continue with other rugs from his collection thought you'd like to know more about him.  

Dan Wagoner was born in Springfield, West Virginia when the population at the time was 150.  He is one of the country's most celebrated modern dancers and choreographers of the second half of the 20th century. He started life far from the big stage in rural West Virginia, born in Springfield with a population of 150 at the time.

Wagoner was introduced to the performing arts through his experiences in grade school.  Then as a student at WV University he discovered modern dance and began taking classes.  Here is a young Dan Wagoner as he dances with Liz Walton.

After serving in the Army Medical Corps at Walter Reed Hospital Wagoner moved to New York to pursue a dance Career and eventually established his own studio and troupe which lasted for 25 years.

In 1970 Wagoner purchased the 1789 Kurkendall House, an important stone home on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Romney, WV and with the help of his nephew began a laborious restoration.  With no electricity or running water Wagoner made that his vacation home away from the hustle bustle of city life. In that stone house Dan was able to display his collection of painted furniture, folk art and textiles. 

One such rug is this Central Octagon design, 23 x 38, with a hooked cartouche with Albert on one side and Hollowell on the other.  Hooked late 19 early 20th century.  

Although difficult to see is "Albert".

And below is "Hollowell".

The braided edge folk art rug incorporates hour glasses, triangles, crescents & fleurets.  Hooked mid 19th century. 

General Washington hooked rug circa 1920.  It measures 35.5 x 47.5 and this is the front.

Although a little worse for wear, the color doesn't seem to have faded a lot, here is a view of the back.

Doubt these are the only rugs Dan owned but they were the only ones I've found so far on an auction web site.  Hope you enjoyed the mini show.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Getting Closer on New Years Eve

For my friends who said I'd be done hooking New Years Eve pattern by this weekend....it didn't happen; but it's close.  

For you newbies here is a little lesson to tuck into your grey matter.  First I must say I'm not fond of directional hooking as I personally find it boring.  BUT, if you notice the up and down direction of hooking and color change gives it the appearance of the inside of a tree trunk with bear paw clawing to make it his home.  Uh, my interpretation.

Also notice the slanted directional hooking of the floor to give the appearance of distance from the lantern which would be smaller than the bookcase on the far right.  It's to give the illusion of distance.

I still have to face hooking the Coleman lantern but want to finish the right side of the rug first.  BUT...if you recall, there is a clock on top of the book case, right?  Teehee, wait until you see how I handle that.

Love keeping my readers waiting on the edge of their seats.  Or, maybe there aren't any readers waiting, lol.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Close But Not Exact

I've loved this antique rug for a few years and fell in love even more when watching a friend hook her version in a class with Kris Miller.  The original rug measures 23 x 41.

This morning while perusing various sites for old rugs stumbled upon this Sheep said to be hooked 19th century and from the estate of Penny Marshall ~ yes, THAT Penny Marshall.  The rug measures 23.5 x 36.

So I'm wondering if one is a derivative or adaptation of the other.  If you are wondering who that friend was, it was Tanya Wishard and what a beauty she created.

The antique rug is back on my 'to do' list but am still working on New Years Eve, Over the Moon is on the side lines awaiting the last loops and Woolly Santa still needs to have the binding completed.  So by the time I'm ready to put a newer rug on my frame my interest might be elsewhere.

Happy hooking and stay well.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Reverse Hooking

Seems I do a lot of reverse hooking as you (my regular readers) already know.  Truth be told I've reverse hooked and a couple times put back the wool I'd pulled out.  This is what New Years Eve looks like now.

And this is the previous photo.  It will be fun for me to compare them too and who knows, maybe I'll put back some of the wool I pulled out.

You probably already noticed the reverse hooking was mostly in the window/port hole and the book case to the far right.  For sure I like the darker colors of the bookcase much better as it looks like a companion piece to the bed and even stands out rather than sinking into the background.  

And of course I hooked more of the wall background.  But Buster's eye needs a little tweaking, still need to decide how to hook the Coleman lantern and undecided about the wine glass and if that sparkle line needs to be pulled out.  Yeah Mz Robin I know you want it gone, lol.  But how did I do with the other tweaks?

Still having fun with this fella, have Over the Moon on the side lines, Woolly Santa needs the binding finished and then will need to choose something else to  hook.  I want to hook an antique adaptation again!!!!!!  I miss my antique rug adaptations.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

New Years Eve

No, I haven't time travelled to the future, it is the name of the rug on my frame which was my camp project with Bev Conway.  It was love at first sight because it gave me hope for 'the new year'.  

The pattern reminded me of me in my cave for over 9 months and this bear has been in his tree cave for probably as long.  This design would be a happy covid rug as a reminder of good things going forward because I did not want to hook a mask or a colorful covid germ.  To me those are not happy motifs to hook.  But this one, oh man, does it speak volumes to me on the future.  Plus, my 'Buster the Bear' has a glass of cab in his hands to celebrate'.  Yep, that's my boy's name....Buster.  If you would like to purchase this pattern in either pdf or drawn on foundation you can find it HERE.

Am thinking that window is a big chipped out hole from woodpeckers, large retired Owl nest or a huge rotted out knot hole but it still serves as a window for Buster.  There's snow on the ground there but hopefully not here any time soon.

A story about the wine glass ~ which, by the way I think the glass shine should be removed between the thumb and the rest of the paw behind the glass, think the lighter color provides the idea of glass distortion.  What say you Lynne?  

To be continued on the glass... I know I've seen wonderful hooked pieces in narrow cut with a fishbowl and other reflective items and what 'to do' was running thru my mind one day while shopping at Walmart.  All of a sudden I see a palate of boxes shrink-wrapped and when I saw that glistening shrink-wrap immediately though "wine glass".  So pulled off a section of it and put it in my handbag.  

Those snowflakes are salvaged white linen threads ~ you pull up a loop in a hole, pull up two ends in the next hole and pull into the loop to make a knot and snip off the top.  Voila, easy peasy snowflakes.

I've still the Coleman lantern to figure out but have lots of background to hook as I ponder that part.  Lindsay, Loris and Bev....if you read this, I'm having a BLAST hooking this fun design.  Thank you.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Room With A View

Actually all rooms face the ocean and this is what my view looked like at 5:55 a.m. Monday morning.

And again at 6:30, time for a shower then first day of camp.

After the April and September camps were cancelled and just two days before Ocean City camp, it became a reality that this one was really going to happen.   I was cautiously apprehensive but decided to go anyway, I needed to get back to living.  

As soon as I arrived to my room and before unpacking anything I wiped down all surfaces with antibacterial wipes, sprayed the air with an antibacterial spray, pulled down the covers and sprayed the sheets and pillows.  Plus I took two of my own pillow cases to place over top of the two pillows I would sleep with.  

At camp I wore my mask and or face shield all the time.  Well, except at meal time.  Even then, when not eating but waiting for the main meal after soup or salad service I'd mask up again; some didn't.

There were 8 students in one class and 7 in the other and all held in the same room.  The weather was nice so we opened one door to the outside which brought in fresh air and it flowed out thru the doors open on the opposite side so air flow was good and the breeze could be felt.

In the photo above, to the left is Jeanne Benjamin, behind her is the door to the outside which is open.  Not sure where all the other students are but perhaps I was taking photos just after lunch when the room was less full.  

Below is a Sharon Smith pattern being hooked named Carrot Cake. 

Here's a review of what some of the students were working on.  It was easier/better for me to take photos when people were out of the room so as to keep distance.  

Hard to recall who was sitting where on the other side of the room but think this one was being hooked by Martha, who obviously started it before camp.

Cant remember who is working on this truck and you can see she is trying Bev Conway's message technique which will not be seen from the front ~ believe it or not.  I tried that at Cape May once and it does work.  If you would like to see the post I wrote about my experience click HERE.

The geometric below is being hooked by Phyllis Sheetz.

Pam Johnson hooking this rug and I love the coneflower colors.

Love the colors in the flamingo, and each time I see a pink flamingo I'm reminded of my dear departed mother who used to have the plastic things in her yard.  

Renia is continuing on the lion rug she started with Jeanne in a previous class.

Heather is hooking a Star Rug Company design and changed the dog into a cat.

Someone is working on a small version of an antique geometric.

Below in the forefront is Heather, one of my table mates, close and on the left in the grey and black top is a portion of Bev's head as she is doing something with Stella's design.

Another table mate is Loris who is returning to her spot and working on the floral pattern purchased from Bev.

Below is a view of the rug by Bev.  The rug is folded to show the front and the back.  The secret message can be hooked not be seen from the front but perfectly legible from the back.

An Owl in flight was awesome and had to take a photo of it even tho it won't be something I'll hook ~ too much detail for this primitive wide cut hooker.

My rug isn't posted today and plan to save it for a separate post.  There's a couple things I wanted to point out so you'll have to wait.  😉

Happy Friday 13th and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Couldn't Take It Any Longer

I did manage to bind Old Tom and binding Woolly Santa binding has just begun.  But just couldn't stand not having a rug on my frame any longer.  Yes I've plenty of drawn patterns in my stash.  But my heart was set on doing my own version of the sweet Homestead Design  by Terri Leamer.  Of course I have $11 for the pdf pattern but wanted to put my own spin on the design with a log cabin, and other critters.

I had a slew of drawings to choose from and placed them in various positions to decide what I wanted.  

Even cut in half a huge piece of linen to use the flip side for my wanna be design.  It happens to be a doll to match one I'd made a few years ago.  This is what the pattern looked like but the hooking never came to fruition.

Below is the doll I'd made and subject of the never hooked piece.

After a couple days of frustration and failed planning efforts for my wanna be design, I pulled something from my stash.  At least it is giving me comfort having immediate gratification as the wool was also gathered and I've a hook in my hand again....ah...happiness.  

Haven't pulled many loops as I've been preparing for rug camp ~ leaving around noon.  I pray I don't come home with Covid and am equipped with several masks, a face shield and even taking my own pillow cases to place over the hotel cases.  Also taking wipes to make sure everything is wiped down and a spray for the room and sheets. 

After coming home I have a suspicion eventually I'll nix my design and purchase Winter Cottage Studios design by Terri Leamer; after all, hers is a nice design.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

It's Been A While (edited)

 Seems like forever since I've posted photos of old rugs so me thinks it's about time.  The rug below I've had on my flash drive since 2018 and haven't shown it until now as I was hoping to learn more about it.  That hasn't happened so will share all I know...it was being sold at Christies.  No info on size, provenance or age.  But I do like it.

Dog at rest early 20th century from the estate of Gail and Charlie Lohr, Rockingham Co., VA.  17 x 18.5.

A floral said to be hooked 1920 with the initials DEC and MEC.  From the  estate of Ann Vail, Waynesboro, VA measures 16 x 28.

A floral early 1900s measuring 31 x 54.

A shirred rug dated 1916 from Pennsylvania.  For those wonderful non-hooking friends who follow my blog here is a link to explain what a a SHIRRED RUG is.

House and Barn flying American Flags hooked late 19th early 20th century.  This is the front side, measures 24 x 44.

Here is the back side so you can see original colors. 

And lastly is a Moose with arrow shaped corners hooked 19th century, measuring 26 x 34.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com