SMOOTH SAILING

Smooth sailing is hooking The Ark, not the new computer set-up.  

Usually I hook the central motifs first and then work my way around the border and background.  The ship's wooden frame will require more narrow strips.  So am afraid they would get pulled out easily if that section is placed on the gripper strips while hooking the border.  Not sure if my theory is correct but decided to play it safe.  Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Still sitting on the side is the remainder of Snowman binding.  But it is a Christmas gift so there's plenty of time to finish that task.

Sometime tomorrow the monitor connection should be delivered.  Sure hope it is the right part as I'm anxious to take the new computer for a test drive.  If it isn't the right connection cable I'll be driving somewhere in search of the part.  

But tonight I'll be hooking and watching my summer guilty pleasure show "Bachelor in Paradise".  Yup, ashamed to admit it, but true.  My least favorite bachelors are the mafia-acting Brian and the wanna be politician Sean, who thinks he's smarter than anyone else there.  And in case you're wondering ~ no, I don't watch Big Brother.

Saundra

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TEST RUN #1

After placing my order for the PC was notified it would arrive on Saturday by 9 p.m. (yesterday).  Then received an email saying delivery would be delayed until Tuesday.  But last evening I heard a noise on my front porch and there was a delivery man.  

Didn't open up the box until this morning and as the title indicates test run #1 on setting up the new computer was an epic fail.  My old computer tower was disconnected and moved out of the way.  The new smaller and lighter tower put in its place.  All connections were made and at the very last was hooking up the monitor when things went south.   I  didn't have the proper connection.

My present and suitable monitor and old PC were using the HDMI cable you see on the left.  So unhooked everything and reconnected the old PC setup to stay connected with the outside world and order another monitor.  As soon as I placed the order with BestBuy decided to do a live chat to find out if there was an adapter vs. the cost of a new monitor ~ something I should have done before placing an order.

Hopefully once I get the proper cable all will be okay with the world.  Must say I'm liking the smaller tower yet I have more storage than the other version.  The new tower is on the right.

Below is the busy side of the new tower.

Maureen wished me luck in setting up the computer and said .. "she would say a prayer to St. Isidore, who had become the patron saint of the internet of all things!"  Later I responded to her by saying she should have said the prayer earlier, lol.  Thanks for thinking of me Maureen.

It's late in the afternoon now and I'm going to finally pull a few loops and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

ROLLING OUT THE OLD RUGS

It's blog post day and tho I try to do one every other day, sometimes don't hit that goal.  Today I'm on target.  This first rug is still on the auction site, a floral with braided border and given a date of 1870.  Dimensions are 25 x 46.

Next is a geometric and no date was provided, tho measurements were, 23 x 46.  Hmm, so far there seems to be a fall color theme.

This next one is quite familiar as a recently popular reclining lamb design which was hooked by many, including me.  This was said to be hooked early 20th century and measures 23.5 x 33.

A jockey on horse hooked late 19th to early 20th century (24 x 38.5).

 A sweet rabbit appears to be eating a flower leaf.  Size is 23 x 34.5 and hooked late 19th to early 20th century.

A peacock on a flowering tree branch, the branch is barely noticeable.  No date provided, 27 x 47.

An old floral rug I've had in this file for almost a year and want to move it to the shown rugs file before it becomes even older.  I think there are a couple birds in there.  No date or dimensions.

A landscape (26 x 42) said to be hooked 1920-30.

Another geometric hooked and braided rug, this one dated 1900's.  Measures 27 x 32.5.

No clue as to age but it is so dang cute had to post it.  Yes, it was on an auction site a while ago ~ cat placemat size 7 x 9.5.

This antique below was Barb Carroll's and sold at auction for $3,000.  It was hooked late 19th century and dimensions are 27 x 39.  Love those colors and miss Barb.

And for an even dozen rugs, a basket of posies with measurements of 30 x 39 but no date was provided.

Not sure how much hooking will get done in the next couple days as I've ordered my new computer and with no tech savvy family or friend to help me set it up I'll be struggling thru it just like when I purchased this one.

Saundra

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TECHNOLOGY TROUBLES

This is probably going to be long post and you may get bored before finishing the read.  But if your computer isn't suitable to upgrade from WIN10 to WIN11 you may want to come back and continue reading.  As you may know and as your computer may have reminded you, Windows 10 will discontinue their security updates as of October 14th 2025.

The other morning I turned on the PC then went to get my first cup of coffee and let the computer boot up so I could do my anti-virus update upon my return.  I came back to see a different blue screen which said "we are getting your Windows ready".  HUH?  I hadn't even typed in my 4 digit PIN to identify the user.  Plus, the computer is not compatible for the WIN11 update so couldn't understand what was happening.

Immediately noticed the icons were rearranged on the screen, no icons at the bottom showing Outlook, file access, Google Chrome and a couple others.  I had to type in my password to access my Comcast Xfinity email (not my Outlook mail).  Actually had to type in passwords for Facebook, and everything else I'd lost.  Decided to shut down the PC as I was ticked off big time, as you may imagine.

Next day deciding to face the demon computer again, turned it on and everything was back like normal; even my contacts were back.  Wonder if it was Microsoft's way to give me a wakeup call and get me moving to buy another computer?  Well I started researching that day but still haven't ordered my computer just yet.  It's a lot of money to make a hasty decision.

I know the brand will be a DELL.  Right now I'm considering a Vostro 3030 , Inspiron 3030 and Inspiron 3910.  Reading people's ratings some have commented that the operating system in some was advertised as Pro but was loaded with Home.  Also read on one where there was a CD tray but was non-functioning.  Frankly I don't use the CD a lot but what if I did want to access some of my old CD files?

Someone suggested a DELL OptiPlex but when doing my research found numerous refurbished ones.  One reason people gave for not liking that brand was because it was registered in a foreign country and the buyer couldn't register it in their name.  Maybe that was due to it being made in foreign country or perhaps it was previously owned by someone in a foreign country, who knows.  But I did take a screen shot of the refurbished listings on one page.

OptiPlex is not one I'll purchase even if new as I don't want it to eventually become a statistic too.  Of course there is a chance of getting a lemon in anything these days.

Am nervous to just click the "BUY" button on anything until I exhaust my searching.  Problem with waiting tho, is that if there are limited numbers of the model I want in stock will it still be there when the decision is made.  Or...what if I do wait to find a good sale due to school starting soon?  

On Best Buy there were several computers which said "open box".  When I inquired to the exact meaning was told it had either been returned or was a display model.  Neither is a good choice for me, I want a NEW one.

OH!  There was a disappointing revelation that DELL doesn't have any models which have a speaker port or phone port on the back any longer.  I don't want my speaker wires hanging out of the front of the dang computer!!!!!  But was informed there is a $6 connection sold by Amazon to take care of that situation.  However I don't know what that connection is or what it looks like to order.  So will deal with that when faced with the issue.

Meanwhile will go back and pull a few more loops on the current project.  If I get bored doing that can always continue binding the Snowman rug.  There's more rain and heavy winds coming as the hurricane moves up the east coastline.  So will batten down the hatches and keep myself busy.

Saundra

ON MY FRAME

Finally have a new project to hook which was inspired by an antique rug drawn for someone else, but with changes to suit my historical and ancestral records.  This is what the rug looks like today.

You may recall my mentioning in a previous blog post the following rug was drawn for someone whose ancestors immigrated to America on this ship.  This is where my inspiration came from but with a few changes.

I decided to have horizontal stripes and instead of the Rebecca ship image am using an image of The Ark which brought my ancestors to America from England.  Actually the ship The Ark, was referred to as The Ark and The Dove since the two ships sailed together.  The Ark was the largest of the two ships.  You can read more of the history and passenger list HERE.

My ancestors listed in my father's research named Thomas Greene, who was among the passengers aboard The Ark.  My maiden name is Green, so at some point the 'e' was dropped from the spelling.  Whether it was by choice or perhaps even misspelled often due to the color green, who knows.

As I was in need of a new pattern decided this adaptation would be the one.  Sadly the photo of my rug doesn't come close to that of the colors in the Rebecca photo.  Yet in person the colors look just like it.

It's a rainy day so guess I'll go pull a few loops.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

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METAMOPHOSIS OF THE SNOWMAN RUG

You've been waiting for this so will present the tedious transformation on what became the final look of the rug.  Below is a photo of what you saw on my blog 4 days ago.  Wasn't quite sure how it would look with the lighter plaid sections hooked around the dark letters, and snow on top of the upper letters.  Didn't work as the top letters are almost unnoticeable.

And then Betty made the suggestion of having snow colors at the top and dark colors at the bottom.  Good grief!  Why hadn't I thought of that?  So hooked the last two letters, "a n", in the light grey and the previous 3 letters in white.  

I preferred the white so the letters would stand out.  Thank you Betty! 

Okay, I know you're wondering ~ will I reverse hook the bottom words and hook them in the sky colors? Frankly not sure there is enough of the blue wool to do that.  If I use the lighter sections of the plaid there might be but think the words would get lost.  So the green will stay ... me thinks.  

Since there's still 4 months until that C word holiday Lauren doesn't like to see, read or hear about, there's time.  Stranger things have happened.  But today I'm calling this finished except for the binding.

And would you believe there still isn't a new project drawn and ready to go on my frame?  Nope, today in this sweltering heat I pulled some weeds, picked up limbs from last evening's storm and then about an hour later cut grass.  So I'm too dang tired to worry about a new pattern this evening.  I'll just start binding this one.

Happy Hooking, uh, and binding.

Saundra

JUST ANOTHER RUG SHOW

Have been busily working on the Snowman rug to finish it.  Had hoped to show it to you this evening but it isn't quite done.  Hopefully this post will entertain you with an antique rug show.  

Although I've a bad relationship with destructive squirrels, I love this 1907 squirrel in a flower garden.  Dimensions are  17 x 38.

This rug is still listed for sale if anyone is interested.  Said to be hooked late 19th or early 20th century and measures 35 x 54.5.

Essex Floral (27.5 x 44.5) given a date between 1880-1900.  Is part of the property of Cogswell's Grant.

I'm not a pink person, but must admit I adore this Fisherman's House rug.  It measures 28 x 41 and said to be hooked 19th century.  

Another 19th century rug is this geometric with flowers.  It almost looks like proddy.

A rug not just for the November holiday, but every day ~ "Let Us Be Thankful".  And honestly, despite whatever hardships we have had in our life, we all have something to be thankful for.

The auction house indicated this 1885 Shaker rag rug had a crochet foundation thru which strips are worked.  Very interesting and a lot of work to provide oneself a rug.  But they didn't have internet back then either 😊.  

 

Double stags (23 x 41.5) hooked sometime in the 20th century.

That's it for tonight.  I want to get back working on the Snowman rug so there's something to show you soon.  Tomorrow it is supposed to storm and sadly I've also a dental appointment.  Otherwise I'd not venture out.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

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AT A CROSS ROAD

It was inevitable tho I'd hoped my plan would work.  Thought that if I put a little snow on the top of the lettering at the very top, the dark sky background would work.  Sadly the lettering still doesn't show up all that well.

So, I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and surround the lettering with the snow colors.  Think of what the comic books looked like with people's thoughts or speech encapsulated in a bubble.  Perhaps that would also balance the dark/light thing too.

Meanwhile, tonight I'll concentrate on hooking just background in the lower right side and think about any other alternative solutions to my problem.

Saundra

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RUG SHOW TIME

It's still officially summer, tho the temps the last couple days have been comfortably cooler.  So will show you some pieces still up for sale in the summer theme.  Here is Fisherman's Wharf circa 1920 (18 x 22).

Offered by the same antique shop are the following two pillows.

With summer comes fishing.  Here is someone's catch of the day hooked.

An applique penny mat dated late 19th or early 20th century measuring 23 x 33.

An 8 point star with hit and miss dated between 1900-1920.

A dog rug with fringe around the corners.  I've never hooked a rug and used the extra foundation as fringe.  Since these are colored perhaps it was purchased fringe or yarn used for that.  No date or dimensions were provided.

This is a very eye appealing rug, tho I don't want to hook it.  This is hooked and shirred with birds on border.  Made late 19th or early 20th century and measures 26 x 39.5.

With what time is left of the evening I'll go pull a couple loops on my rug.

Saundra

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SNOWMAN UPDATE

Am thinking maybe it's time to put this one aside for now as I'm stuck.  Have painted hooked myself in the corner again.  Was proud of my design, had a plan, and now confused on the sky.  My first choice when color planning I won't show you as it ended up being way too dark.  My second choice which is hooked in spots thought might work...but think it is too dark for a winter sky too.  

Perhaps if I mingled lighter colors in some areas between the top letters it might work, I dunno.  After all, it is not in a contest, it's a gift.  Also hooked some of the same wool on top of the red house and between the tree and snowman.  That seemed okay.

Anyway here is what it looks like at the moment with the 2nd choice wool hooked in.  By the way, the last word is "Man".  The tail is not secure and looks like an h.

Below is a picture of the piece of wool I'm using.  At first glance it looks like it would work, right?

Questioning my wool choice I went to the messy wool room looking for alternatives.  Here is a picture of options and with my 2nd choice in the mix.  The top of both sides are what I've used so far.  But maybe I could used some of the grey/tan section on the right side to mix with the chosen 2nd choice around the letters to make the letters more visible??

I told Robin that this wouldn't be put aside until it was at the point of no return.  Think I've reached that point but something in me is wanting to push this endeavor further even tho it won't be needed until Christmas which is still 5 months away.  Since Cathy loves snowmen am sure she will be elated with the saying "There's No Man like a Snowman".

If there was a plus one drawn I just might throw it on the frame tonight.  But there isn't one.  However, there is one antique rug that has been in my mind for a while and may just be the next project.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

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AUGUST ANTIQUE RUG SHOW

Ahh, weekend at a lake cabin.  Notice the baby birds in tree?  Hopefully if you tap on the photo it will enlarge.  

A pictoral dated 1939 which appears to be maybe a stitchery on a piece of fabric.  I say that because of the selvage edges and perhaps hooking would be too overwhelming on faric.  It measures 30 x 45.

A bright red mill, no date provided nor size.

A black horse with a nicely hooked hit and miss border that's easy on the eyes, said to be hooked in the 19th century.

And a colorful 1908 lion which Robin will thoroughly look over.

A pair of horses hauling logs.  No date.

A beautiful geometric measuring 23 x 41 circa 1900's.

This next one doesn't even measure up the the geo above.  And could be considered an abstract geometric (or is that redundant?) circa 1900.  The auction house said the numbers hooked in was "155".  Or, could it be "SSI" or even "991"?  Only the original hooker knows for sure.  It measures 33 x 43.

A cat, bird, leaves and scroll.  No other info provided.

And finally, 1880 horse which you may have seen in one of the Kopp "Rugs Under Foot" publications.

Many years ago I hooked this rug and sold it in 2015 as I was divorced and needed money.  It appears I didn't do 'blotchy' at that time.

That's it for this show.  Back to hooking snow, but at least I'm hooking it and not shoveling it, lol.  Yet.

Saundra

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