Miscellaneous Rug Hooking Chit Chat

 Someone asked about the wool colors in the Oxen.

Below is the wool I overdyed years ago before hooking the Rottweiler Memorial of Shumba and Panzer and had some left.   Yeah, it really is the same wool used in the darker Ox but the flash makes it appear lighter.  This came from a recipe book I have and think it was in a Jewel Tones booklet.  If anyone was truly interested I could look for the recipe.  And think it is one of the XOXO scrunched wool in baking pan recipes.

The other Ox wool is what was left over from an onion skin dye bath.  As the dye started to take up decided to toss in a little more white wool to absorb what was left for a lighter shade.  Now all my onion skin dyed wool is gone.

I discovered Margaret Shaw is the designer of this rug and she is going to draw a pattern for me.  She did say it won't listed on her FB web site as a regular design but will draw it.  Obviously she is taking the holiday off but I'm excited to get the pattern and is what I'll work on at Cape May in September....hopefully.

Today I saw the ATHA Magazine layout for our Textile Challenge gals!!!!!!!!  It is going to print today and I'm getting really excited.  However did learn that those of you who are not ATHA members will not have your name mentioned but your project will be seen in the article. 

I'm hoping to host another Textile Challenge this winter and plan to start a little earlier than last.  So if you plan to participate you may want to  get credit for your work and be an ATHA member.  The magazine is full of great information, inspiration and sometimes a free pattern.  You can subscribe HERE to join or even just to buy the upcoming issue.

Am drawing two big rug patterns for someone ~ the large Mighty Whale and the large original size of Magdalena's Goat.  So they will be ready to ship tomorrow.

Happy hooking and hope you have a fun-filled and safe weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Still Going Strong

The Challenge Group is still active with new finishes coming in and some folks deciding to do another.  This is Chris' Tulip.  She said this was such fun because she's never been to a rug camp and loved the comradery of  group participation and communication.

Margaret finished challenge #2 with the Tulip.  If you recall she already completed Magdalena's Pup.

Rhonda has made some progress on her Tattered Tulip and has only  background to do so she is on the home stretch.

Joan finished her Tulip and says she will do another since the blue in someone's piece caught her fancy.  You go girl!

Maria added her special touch to make this pup her star canine.  I like stars too Maria and crescent moons particularly in love with that overdyed t-shirt.  I think Magdalena would approve as well.

Maria shared something special and one I plan to take advantage of if I can find that random olive drab shirt of my ex.  Unless I gave it to the thrift shop eons ago.  Oh I hope I didn't.   She overdyed one of her hubby's t-shirts in a black RIT dye bath.  Said not to worry it wasn't one of his good ones, this was in the thrift shop pile.  She used some of this in her Magdalena Pup challenge.

Guess what I found!!!!!!  Yup, it's here and I'm going to use some of it in black RIT dye and save some for another time in another dye bath.  Thanks Maria!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the challenge; Sue, Sheila and Donna, do you need any help or have any questions?  

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Textile Challenge Update

 Sondra finished  her tulip and boy does it look old.  Not only did she not do that tan border all the way around (similar to the antique) but she made 3 square corners and one rounded corner on purpose.  Job well done Sondra.  Wish I could claim I hooked it, lol.

Rhonda has made great strides on her challenge piece despite having a job and taking care of grandchildren.  You can see the textiles she's using in the project ~ wonderful Rhonda and now I'm wondering what color that background will be.   That blouse was perfect for your tulip.

Kimm chose Hearts in Circles as her challenge.  She is using t-shirts, jeans, and pillowcases ripping them in 3/4" strips.   She said the red t-shirt is a pleasure to hook with but not the black.  She plans to use the jeans too but hasn't tried those yet. 

Elizabeth provided an update on her Tulip and the silk tie she's using in the center of the leaf adds more interest.  Perfect addition to your textile usage!   Sure hope that wasn't a favorite tie of someone in your home😁.

And, a different color background too.  It is cool to see the different color choices for backgrounds for the same designs.  I find that as interesting as the various textiles people choose or have available.  

Will post another update tomorrow if there is something to share.  Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

A New Showing and New Finishes

Jane's Scrappy Cat has an interesting story... their neighbor's cat always visits and has a lot to say when they mow their lawn.  The cat's front legs are slightly bowed so she changed the pattern to show that.  

Jane used a Marino wool sweater, acrylic knit woman's top, synthetic blouse and yarn to hook the cat.  She said the fibers all hooked up like butter and much better than using a #8 wool strip.   She is hooking the cat on dyed burlap.  

Nancy has finished her Tattered Tulip and it's ready for binding.  Looks nice with the blue background Nancy!

I asked Nancy what she was going to do next and she said finish this design which was started in the fall.  It is a design by Woolen Memories.

An update on Sondra's Tulip has the leaves finished now and am looking forward to see what she does with the rest of the background.

Well of course Margaret finished her Magdalena Pup.

Margaret said she didn't use any wool and liked working with the knits and think she will do more hooking with tee shirts in the future.  Also shared that ultra and micro suedes hook up nice and the wide corduroy worked good after washing.  She's not a fan of using thick cotton flannels even with a Hartman.  So you gals out there who are still working on this challenge take note.   She plans to hook this design again in wool...wonderful wool.  

And guess what!  I finally pulled the last loop on my Tulip piece, that's why my blog post is late tonight.

For me this was a great challenge to try and think I kept going because my hooking, blog sisters where in there with me.  Believe me there is a whole new respect for those rug hooking trailblazers before me and they only used chiseled nails imbedded in carved wood as their hook ~ I have some which were found in antique stores.  Even tried pulling loops with it but gave up after numerous tries before pulling out my Hartman hook.

There are still a few participants who I haven't heard a peep from and am wondering if you need advice from us who have started and/or finished.  Are you still gathering textiles?? BUT I DO KNOW one person just joined and another just received her linen.  

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

CHALLENGE OVER ACHIEVERS

If I was a gambler I'd have placed two bets with equal money because I knew either Elaine or Jo would be the first to complete the Challenge task first.  Jo is a work horse and don't think she sleeps at all, just hooks.  Elaine is used to hooking with different textiles so this exercise didn't slow her down at all.  

Here's Elaine's wonderful work.  She used sweaters, sari silk, wool, yarn  and can't recall what else but wrote about it in a previous post.

This is Jo's beautiful finish.

These are the textiles Jo used; it looks like woven cotton, homespun, some yarn and some wool.

Oh my do I have a new respectful fondness for our beloved wool.  It is so pliable, soft, oh well, ya'll know.  Please try this challenge even tho it may be uncomfortable.   It is a great experience. Fantastic job Elaine and Jo and am so honored you joined the group.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Checking In and a Confession

Oh boy, I know that word "Confession" got your attention, didn't it?  But first, the group has expanded with some gals figuring out how to fix or circumvent the No-Reply Blogger issue.  But Linda wants to join and is a No-Reply.  I've decided this Friday will be the deadline to join. 

Wow, 15 17 people have joined and I'm honored that you've selected this as a challenge.  It will be quite a challenge for me too and I love antique rugs.  But I've never hooked an entire piece using textiles our foremothers used.  Also will use one of my antique hooks (for as long as I can) which seems so small to pull those hefty pieces of homespun cotton, but they used to do just that.  Am sure I'll be grabbing my Hartman tout de suite.

Okay, now you ready for this....the CONFESSION?   This is the design I chose to hook for the challenge.  But....you all know I'm a fickle hooker, I've told you that numerous times.

Have decided to hook a smaller piece, lol.  I'm going with the majority and have decided to hook the Tulip!  There, you heard it here first.  Think I bit off more than I could chew with the larger Shield, the Tulip is cute and achievable in a shorter time ~ particularly since I'm the administrator of this challenge.  

Now for those ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:   As people have signed up several have inquired if folks would be sending updates on their accomplishments.  And I would hope so and I could do a blog post with pictures/comments from participants on what they have done every couple days.  I'm sure many would like to know what fabrics you're using for which design and maybe even see a photo of your progress.

I plan to do a post tomorrow showing what I'll be using to hook the Tattered Tulip.  But since there are new participants lets give them and you a chance to gather your stuff and plan to give me an email, pictures, and info on what you're doing on Friday, 2/19.  

Gotta get myself busy switching color plan from patriotic to flower.  Have a great evening and happy hooking.  Hope everyone is warm and so sorry for those freezing in Texas and the tornado victims.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com