HOOKED RUGS OF 2011

First on my list for the year was Home Tweet Home, a design by Karen Kahle which I sold at the Lewes Historical society show.  It does look sorta cute with the bird I made and tiny houses I didn't make.

This Hit and Miss Star chair pad I still have.  Decided to keep it.

That same Yahoo rug hooking group who hosted the "Elf Challenge" offered up another challenge and this one was more fun and satisfying.  The challenge was to design and hook our own version of a Jane Stickle quilt.  Requirement was to purchase the Dear Jane booklet which had the pattern pieces in it.  The author Brenda kept a journal of her journey while making her version of a Jane's quilt and published it.  I found Brenda's candor and humor a very entertaining read.

Below is my version.  And, by the way, all of our challenge pieces were published in the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.

As there was an upcoming visit and class with Barb Carroll, I designed and hooked this Rubber Ducky chair Pad for her.  That was the year a group of us gals got together and purchased a case of yellow rubber ducks for her Koi pond.  Was surprised and honored that when Barb sold her Ligonier property she took it with her and hung it on the wall of her new townhouse.

And so it was off to a class with Barb.  I drew an E S Frost Sheep design with scrolls.  Who better to to teach me about scrolls than Barb Carroll.  I'm no longer afraid of scrolls and she taught about several ways there were hooked back in the day.  But for this rug she liked the idea of spreading the colors around as a type of border.  The rug has a prime real estate location in my living room above the fireplace.  I cherish the rug and especially the memories.

This patriotic pattern is designed by Polly Minick and of course had to hook it.  Had an opportunity to sell it so I did.  Have regretted many times that I sold it, yet thought I could always hook another.  But I haven't and probably won't.  The photo below shows the red, white and blue tape with ruler numbers used to bind the rug.  Thought that gave it a childhood look on the back too.

Cat in a Shoe is another Lori Brechlin design I thought was cute as the dickens and hooked it that year also.  An adorable fall design.

Hooked this candle mat and gifted it to a new neighbor as a 'welcome to the neighborhood'.  

That's it for the year 2011 according to my discombobulated records.  The hooking continues making more rugs and my records are much better now.  Happy Hooking everyone.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/woodlandjunctionhookedrugs

RUGS OF 2008

It was 2008 when I first attended Barb Carroll's class at her home in Ligonier, PA and was so thrilled to be in the company of such an icon.  My rug of choice to hook was Kinderhook Basket, an antique adaptation by Barb.  And this lovely piece still lives with me.  I refer to it often to remember those lessons from Barb.

Left to my own devices at home, I drew a Wytch pulling a pumpkin which is in one of Lori's (Not Forgotten Farm) booklets.

There was an upcoming class with Bev Conway and my intention was to hook a Deanne Fitzpatrick pattern with a group of young gals at the beach holding wavy scarves.  But going thru a divorce I felt the need to support older ladies.  Thus I hooked "Olde Gals" which was adapted from a quilt applique design, with permission.  I attempted to show the crooked seams and drooping at the ankles.  

The therapy rug after my divorce decree was a pattern by Karen Kahle named Small Flower Basket.  It allowed me to concentrate on one small item at a time and complete it.  Also was the first rug to have my initials SP back.

A Polly Minick design, Patriotic Sandpails was my next project.

And the last rug I have documented for 2008 is Herb Angel, a design by Brenda Gervais.  I hooked her hair with a red and orange loopy yarn of which I still have yards left.  It was a huge spool I purchased around 1980 when working for Sunset Designs, a needlework company located on Crow Canyon Rd. in San Ramon, CA.  BTW, I did not choose that pinky purple wool, it was color planned by an unnamed teacher...but not Barb.

From here on the number of hooked rugs per year increased a little.  And enjoyed pulling every loop.  

My grandson is officially a Sailor as of yesterday and I'm quite proud of him.  Now he will be on his way to avionics training.

Happy hooking and have a wonderful weekend.

Saundra

A FAVORITE RUG

Do you have a favorite rug you've hooked?  Has anyone ever asked you that question?  If so, did you have a clear and direct reply?  Probably not, just like me.  Usually I say, "the one I'm hooking".

Truth is I have many favorite rugs and some I've hooked which weren't.  For me there are favorites in different categories and I'll give you two examples today.  My favorite rug hooked with teacher was Kinderhook Basket which was hooked in my first class with Barb Carroll.  Numerous times I've looked at it for lessons learned with Barb that day and how she used values and color.  Here is that rug hooked in 2008.

While I've hooked numerous rugs with Barb, that one is my favorite.  Must admit there are a couple least favorite rugs hooked with a teacher and perhaps one day will show you those.  One I sold years ago and usually like to keep the teacher taught rugs.

The rug I'm most proud of isn't what you would think.  It happened out of the blue and with a pattern I didn't have a clue how to color plan.  Actually it was to be taken to Barb's and have her do the color planning for me.  But my ex couldn't take care of my big boy Ben and couldn't find anyone or anywhere to board him.  So had to cancel my class with Barb.

However, I decided to work on it anyway, while my friends were having fun attending class in Ligonier with Barb I'd be hooking the rug I'd planned but alone at home.  That happened to be a pattern called Gossip, sold by Woolley Fox and designed by Bill Laraway.  

Part of my problems were the little odd critters.  So decided to take a little creative license and make changes.  Obviously it is still a Bill Laraway design, not mine, but made it more to my liking.  Here is a photo of the pattern and the beginning of my changes.

Okay, made some bird changes.  But was trying to decide if those were leaves on each side and bottom.  Guess that's what they were intended for as someone else thought so too and this is how she hooked hers.  Hooked the leaves Magdalena style.

Me?  I didn't see them as leaves; I envisioned them as feathers, after all there are several birds perched there.  And so here is my adaptation of Gossip hooked 2017.

This is  how the label on the back reads....

Happy weekend, happy hooking.

Saundra

RUG SHOW

A 19th century hooked rug with deer, bunnies and birds, the dimensions are 31 x 40.  Love that blotchy background.

Perhaps a pet duck?  Wouldn't be my choice of subject but someone cared for it enough to hook it.  Said to be hooked between 1850-1900.

Colorful rug of fern leaves; no date or dimensions.

A horse in pasture hooked early 20th century per the auction house.  Size is 30 x 42.5.

While no date was provided, I feel confident this dog rug is old.  It measures 19 x 40.

This little lamb was hooked on burlap between 1900-1949.  Measures 11 x 19.5 and only the motifs were hooked, not a background.

A Canadian chair pad.  Wonder if it was hooked with nylons.

A perfectly stitched cat and tongue applique mat.  I wouldn't want to do it, too much detail work, but it is lovely.  Look at that wonderful hand work.

Primitive birds and flowers on burlap dated early 20th century (24 x 39).

A lovely Frost Sheep with scrolls.  I love it despite and because of it's blotchy and different colored scrolls, border and background.

I love the one I hooked at class with Barb Carroll doing the color planning.  Once I was petrified to do scrolls and now I love them.  Here's mine below.

There ya have it, another rug show put to bed.  Have a lovely weekend.  According to local forecast I'll be hunkered down with a few days of rain.  And you know what I'll be doing ...happily hooking on something.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

TIPS TEACHERS TAUGHT US

The other day I emailed follower/reader Denise and asked if there was something she'd like me to blog about.  As any of you who have a blog know, sometimes we (or at least I) struggle to come up with a topic which might interest readers.  Her question was "wondering what was the best tip learned from a class or teacher".  

A comment from Julia made a perfect and classic example of 'must do' ~  Use a good linen foundation and not cheap brittle burlap for your rug hooking.  Must admit that when I was teaching myself and practicing that is what I used because it was affordable and could be a 'throw away'.  But when I got seriously hooking that was the lesson taught me also and is what I use.

Continuing with Denise's email, she said she was struggling with a random background.  When hooking a large background we all get bored!  I'm speaking for myself here but know someone (UH, that would be my friend Lauren) who finds it a soothing task.

When I first started hooking think I just followed the outline of the main motif's (the ripple effect) until the lines eventually connected and then filled in.  But attending an early rug camp my teacher Bev Conway suggested drawing, then hooking, S's in the background, hooking the S, hooking around the S, moving onto the next and as each S is hooked around they eventually meet up.  

This Rottweiler Memorial wasn't hooked in her class but I used her technique.  You can see the S or C movement throughout the background and I used two values of the same color wool.

Another teacher Lisanne Miller suggests the puzzle piece style.  I tried it on my eagle rug but didn't do her technique justice as I didn't draw the small areas on the background, I just hooked random spots using dark and different wools.  It is a primitive after all. 

Reader Nancy commented on my last blog post that her teacher suggested adding small bits of color or different value here and there for interest.  

Robin mentioned using 'ugly wool because ya just never know when that ugly will look wonderful in a rug'.

Barb Carroll made a similar comment in class.  Barb's was more of a color contrast which she called 'poison' as a random out-of-place hooked piece of wool.  After all, they used what they had back in the day.  An example of Barb's teaching is in this Westmoreland Ponies pattern designed by her and I hooked it in a class with Barb 2012.  Click on the photo below and look closely.  You can see the odd yellow green strips, random plaids and even a lighter color in the background.  All of which provides interest and makes the eye move around the rug.  AND, makes it more fun for the hooker.

Westmoreland Ponies is a free pattern in a previous issue of RHM but can't recall which year but maybe around 2011 or 2012.

Please don't hesitate to email me a question or an idea you'd like to see on my blog.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitive.weebly.com

HIDDEN GNOME REVEALED

For those of you who couldn't find the gnome in the rug and wondering where it was, look at the photo below.  I outlined the gnome so it is easier to identify.  Did the hooker intend it to be a gnome or was it a fluke?  Don't know but I'd like to think whoever hooked it decided to add a little interest to her rug and give the kids some entertainment looking for a hidden person.

There is only one bid on the rug and 2 days before end of auction.  I'm not bidding on it so if you're interested contact Carey Auctions in Youngstown, PA or bid on line HERE.  If not for the charm of the whimsical rug itself, remember it was once owned by Barb Carroll.

So far Chris Z is the only person to notice the gnome and she identified the location perfectly.  Thanks Chris for taking the time to comment and thank you for being a loyal follower.

I'd intended to outline the gnome on the iPad but attempting to charge the pencil's internal battery failed.  Then I learned the pencils are useless after a couple years.  And am sure it had been at least that long since it was used last.   When I purchased the iPencil the cost was $99 but now the cost is only $24.  Don't think I'll purchase one, after all if I haven't wanted to use it in a couple years how badly do I need it? 

Hard to believe another year is coming to a close; how did this last year go by so fast?  With just 2 days left in this year am quite sure my present rug won't get finished.  I'd be happy just to have all the loops pulled and even if it has to be bound in 2024 would call it a hooked rug  in 2023.  Guess I'd better 'publish' this post and get hooking to see how much I can accomplish.

                            

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Testing, Testing ...

Am testing my happiness scale with a photo to see if I'm headed on the right path.  The sheep has been re-hooked to my satisfaction, almost.  But not sure if I should pull out all the loops around the sheep and start over.  So have decided to work from the border inward to see if the wool chosen will work with that hooked at camp.  If not I'll remove more loops.

I usually prefer to replicate antique rugs similar to the original antique but I didn't care for the flower and leaf colors in the original.  Also there were wool pieces taken to camp which are not my 'go to' colors.  Purple has never been my favorite color.  Yet I do love periwinkle.  Also have to remind myself Barb Carroll said she considered "purple a neutral".  That plus the fact the overdyed wool is named "Granite".  So granite and neutral is what I keep saying to myself when pulling those colors.  Just hope I have enough to complete the rug.

I've made a couple notes to self on my critique ~ there are some curly loops in the sheep I'll replace with similar medium value which doesn't curl.  That big brown blob close to the front leg of the sheep will be replaced with something else.  After that it is still working by the seat of my pants, as always.    

It has been a rainy few days here in slower, lower Delaware.  But since we were in a drought am sure the farmers are quite pleased with the precipitation.

Am thinking the wool yarn ordered from Ali should arrive tomorrow afternoon so whipping the edge of 1776 Eagle will begin when it does.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MY HALLOWEEN HOOKED PIECES

On the harvest table is my favorite Nantucket Broom Ride, designed by Lori of Notforgotten Farm, pattern by Spruce Ridge Studios.  The flowing scarf is not part of the design but rather a suggestion by my mentor Barb Carroll.  Actually Kris Miller color planned it for me in class but Barb use to read my blog and sent me an email with that suggestion and some wool.  She was a generous soul.

At home not thinking about the sliver moon being gold I hooked a gold house on the same side at the bottom.  It should have been a gold house on the left to distribute the color and make the eye travel, oh well.  So I made the far left tree in gold, lol.

Another design by Lori and color planned with Kris is the pattern Do Goode Be Nice.  Instead of hooking a skeleton key I attached a real one instead.  Those are supposed to be chin hairs on the the witch.  I think she needs eye surgery, 😁

This Jack was a free pattern insert in the Sept/Oct 1997 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine, a design by Barb Carroll.

Mache Jacks below is my design.

Another design by Lori which is sitting on the sofa table near the front door.  I believe this pattern was purchased from Lori's etsy page vs, Spruce Ridge.

Hobo Joe is a pattern by Lucille of American Country Rugs. It was intended to be a cut out door hanger but I had other plans for him.

I have another Halloween themed pattern by Lori which I haven't hooked yet.  Hmm, two in fact.  

Here's something I didn't hook, sew or applique but I love it and it is hanging on my front door.  It is a wool applique stocking which Tonya Robey made and I just had to have it.  Hard to see but the stitched word at the bottom is BOO.

Happy Halloween and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

January and Magdalena's Goat

The start of early January has been unusually mild, particularly enjoyable since it had been way below normal recently.  The last couple days I've worked in the yard blowing and raking leaves in preparation for the upcoming next rain.

Also drew a Magdalena Goat pattern (29 x 35) for yet another person; this gal is attending a workshop January 11th.  Now I'm wondering if the gal I drew the large one for in December is attending the same workshop.  

Here is Magdalena's original antique which measures 29 x 36.  I'm proud to say I found it while surfing my on-line auction houses and sent Evelyn Lawrence the link for her to confirm it was indeed a Magdalena rug.  

Magdalena's remaining family had confided to Evelyn when they were kids they remembered Goat rugs but none had been found at the time Evelyn was doing research for her book, shown below.  Which makes me wonder if there are more undiscovered Magdalena rugs out there.

The starting bid for the Goat rug was $100 and I watched it increase to the final selling price of $10,000.00.  So someone else knew it's value and the price skyrocketed.

Haven't made much headway on the 'forever floral' so no need to take a photo quite yet, nor have I chosen what to draw as my next project.   At this moment I'm thinking along the lines of a log cabin with a red fox in it somewhere.  

Since I feel like you're getting cheated with just one rug photo thought I'd show  you a couple log cabin rugs I've hooked but still think I'd like to hook another.  Would want the new one to be larger, hooked in #9 cut and  be a rug which is placed in front of my fireplace ~ which I switch out every couple months.

This first one was hooked in 2012 and is a design by Barb Carroll free to hook in one of her books.  I drew leaves instead of flags, redirected the smoke to make the design less tall.    It is hanging in my bedroom.

Rainbow Cabin is another Barb pattern which I purchased from her and was hooked 2016.

This last one was hooked 2014 and is an adaptation of a block from one of Harriet Powers Bible Quilts.  I gifted it to Evelyn Lawrence that year.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com