RUG HOOKING 102

If you are pulling loops and have a comfortable rhythm, you have already graduated from rug hooking 101.  Many of the seasoned hookers will know this already but for you newbies here are a couple things you may not realize.  

There are no real hard/fast rules in rug hooking but rather guidelines like, pull loops up as high as the width of your wool strip, it is okay to use different size strips in the same rug but if you use #8.5 for most of the rug and use #4 for inside the flower, you need to pull that #4 strip up as high as the #8.  Other than that it is follow your heart.

Someone asked me if I would be offended should someone make changes to one of my patterns.   My answer was an honest "no I wouldn't be offended" as I've made my own creative changes to others' patterns.  There is a caveat with that choice tho ~ you still cannot claim it is your design even after making the changes.

Case in point, 2007 I hooked Kindred Spirits' Crow Sampler, her design shown below.

After buying the pattern and ready for my frame, I felt it needed a border framing all the way around.  It took a little time but I moved the border over and re-drew the pennies all the way around.  This is my hooked version and I cannot claim it my design, it is still an Ali Strebel design.

Another example is Bev Conway's whimsical pattern Speckled Hens.

Although her design is cute with huge eggs laid by the hens, I envisioned the design for them to be sitting on a straw nest, thus my finished rug  ~ it is still Bev Conway's design.

Yet another rug I made changes to is by Bill Laraway named Gossip.  This is his original pattern with some of my early redrawing of the design to suit me. 

And here is the finished rug.  Am so proud of the feathers and my birds.  When I posted the finished rug photo on Facebook I gave credit to Bill, of course, for the design and mentioned I took creative license.  He saw that post and gave me a 'like'.

Although I drew a modern day image of clock, added a cabin and chicks in the mat below, I cannot lay claim it is my original design.  For it was inspired from the antique quilt of Harriet Powers, therefore, you guessed it, it is an antique adaptation.  You can read a little about it HERE and see what I'm referring to.

Evelyn gave me a Nola Heidbreder pattern named Golden in the Garden.  Naturally it beckoned me to change that Golden into a Rottweiler. 

Perhaps one day I will take the rug off the wall and change Ben's head and nose as it doesn't look proportionate to the body.

This is how my boy Ben looked and I hooked it in mostly #8 and #8.5.

There have been a few other patterns I've had to change but won't go into the lengthy detail of the purchased botched antique adaptation of the Mary Comstock rug but you can read a segment about that HERE.

More for you newbies to know...and something I notice often even with rug teachers and people to sell patterns which irks me.  There are those folks who put their web site 'watermark' on antique rugs as if it is their brand.  An antique rug in public domain and dated 1927 or older is free for anyone to draw and cannot be copywritten.  Sometimes people put that watermark on a rug to make people believe they own the rights to draw it and only them.  

Not true.  Perhaps it would be a friendly thing to do, but that would be a monopoly with a lack of healthy competition.  Another thing I've noticed is where a pattern seller will make changes to an antique adaptation (changing a deer to a sheep), (changing a Magdalena animal into something else) and calling it their design.  

Nope, again not true, it is still an antique adaptation.  It would behoove them to change the wording to something like: inspired by Magdalena Briner Eby, or antique adaptation of Magdalena Briner Eby or if the designer is unknown, that word would do too ~ but it is still an antique adaptation.

Sorry if this was a boring blogpost or seems redundant, but I wanted to write about something and this subject popped in my head.  Happy weekend and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

P.S.  Colleen, I cannot respond to you since you are a no-reply blogger.  Please introduce yourself thru the E MAIL ME section of my blog so I can add you to my contacts.

                                    

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

What was I working on in June 5 years ago?  Well, here is the finished rug.  It is named Gossip and sold by Woolley Fox.  However, if you purchase the pattern (designed by Bill Laraway), it won't look exactly like this.  I took creative license to make the feathered friends the way I wanted.

You can read more about the rug's evolvement by clicking HERE.

In case you're wondering, I've still not drawn out my next project but have enlarged the drawing.  Have decided to endure finishing Mother and Fishbowl come hell or highwater.  Tweaked the eye numerous times  over the last couple days and surprised the linen endured the torture.  Working on the fishbowl now and not stopping until that is done.  Once done am not sure I'll make any more changes whether it needs it or not.....at least don't think so at this point.

'Tis a very nice mild Friday and tomorrow will be rainy.  Which might be a good time for me to draw out a pattern.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

What Rug/Mat are You Most Proud Of?

I have many 'favorites', mostly related to memories of camp camaraderie and my teacher.  The rug I'm most proud of can't be narrowed down to just one, but rather two.

For those of you who followed my blog for a while it should come as no surprise that one of those rugs is Rottweiler Memorial of my departed Shumba and Panzer.  Not only did I capture their likeness but feel their spirit when I look at it.

Another reason I'm proud of that piece is because I'm a wide cut hooker who, at that time, hooked with #8 cut.  Now my go to strip size is #8.5 and higher.  The Rottweiler Memorial was hooked with #3 strips for the dogs and #5 for the background.  Hated the #3 so much I refused to do the background in that size too.  

Also I've a sense of pride in accomplishing what I thought impossible of me and proved to the people who said 'wide cut primitive hookers aren't real hookers' ARE real hookers.  Now I've nothing to prove to them or me.

Here is the photo from which the pattern was designed.

The other rug I'm quite proud of is one I had no clue how to color plan and was scheduled to hook it in a class with Barb Carroll ~ that is until I had to drop out of class as my ex was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and could not come take care of my boy Ben.  This was about a week before camp and couldn't find a kennel to take a Rottie.  Of course I was sad to hear the diagnosis and my missing camp and staying home with Ben was minor compared to the devastating news.  In case you're wondering, my ex is still walking and breathing due to his continued healthy lifestyle but does still have cancer; we email often.

That second rug I'm quite proud of is Gossip, a pattern given to me by friend Deb, designed by Bill Laraway, and sold by Woolley Fox.  My friend Deb accidentally purchased the same pattern twice and didn't know until organizing her rug hooking closet.  Below is the original design.

Deb was working on hers at one of the Barb Carroll camps we attended and I snapped this photo of her work in progress, little did I know that in a year or so I'd have the same pattern.  Deb hooked the motifs on the side similar to a Magdalena Briner leaf.

Even tho I could not attend camp with my gal pals I decided to go with my plan on hooking Gossip the week everyone else was having fun with Barb and do the color planning myself.  What the hell to do now?

Upon studying the design those tiny shapes other than birds just weren't me and didn't care to hook them like drawn.  And, I could go for the leaf look too... or would I????  So it was then it all came together for me!  If I hooked that big top bird (think crow) in black and instead of making those side and bottom motifs leaves, what about feathers?  Thought was it would provide a very dark framing of sorts.  

On my own to color plan and a little re-draw here and there I'm quite pleased with the outcome with having no one else's help.  So proved to myself I can (sometimes) color plan on my own successfully.

Notice at the bottom left I hooked a heart ~ that was for my ex who is still in my heart.

A question to you who read my blog ~ do you have a rug you are most proud of?  If so I would LOVE for you to share the picture with me.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Finally Finished

Thank goodness the rugs are finally bound and can continue hooking my current project without telling myself I should be binding.  The Primitive Horse rug below is a Lib Callaway design which is offered by Jeannie Benjamin and understand Jan Cole sells the pattern as well.

The finished size of Primitive Horse is 251/2 x 391/2.  It was hooked using hand torn, scissor and machine cut.  Also pulled wool from my worm bags.  Size strips ranged from #8 to #10 and larger.  The photo below shows this rug was bound using doubled cotton of the same colors.

Birthday Lion is a Bill Laraway design, was hooked using #8.5 and #9 strips.  The finished size measures 201/2 x 25.

This one also got its label attached since I'd already printed it up.  However the Primitive Horse rug still needs its label.  But the most dreaded work has been done....the binding.

Blizzard still going strong here but weatherman says snow will let up today around 5 p.m.  This area is receiving more snow than predicted but what is worse is the sub freezing temperatures with wind.  

That is compounded by the fact my stage 2 emergency heat is fueled with propane and am almost out.  The company does not deliver this area until next Tuesday so I'm sure the tank will be totally empty before that.  So if my heat pump kicks in it will work its self to death trying to keep the house warm.

But at least I'm thankful for what heat and electricity there is here now.  Hope all of you in this weather are able to stay warm.  Snuggle up under a rug and hook, hook, hook.

Saundra

End of Year Binding Progress Report

Don't think I'll stay up past midnight to finish binding the last two rugs of 2017.  Have been working on both simultaneously so neither is totally finished and probably won't be until sometime tomorrow.

Was asked how I bind my rugs ~ answer is many different ways depending on the look I want.  Here are a few ways I've bound rugs:

• wool yarn whipped over cording
• wool fabric over cording and continued on back as binding
• Wool strip bound edge
• cotton binding tape
• twill or cotton fabric binding
• Betsy Reed primitive binding

Here is a picture of the Birthday Lion being bound.  The linen has been serged at the edge to protect from ravel and was cut away at about 1" away from the last row of hooking as cotton binding tape is only 1 1/4" wide.  Then wool yarn is gently stitched from the outer edge to the edge of binding tape.

That process continues all around the rug while easing gently at the corners and doing a miter edge.

In the photo below you can see it is pinned as I go and the corners have been mitered.  There's still one side to attach with yarn at the edge before stitching down the inside.

Sometimes I don't want the added color or texture change beyond the last loop pulled.  So the Primitive Horse rug I didn't want wool whipped edge, crochet edge or braided edge either.  This is to be a primitive rug so used wool I'd dyed in a black walnut bath some months ago.  Wanted it to look like it had a faded and scuffed edge from wear ~ it's an antique replication.

While purging my cottons I found this perfect match so cut strips wide enough to double.  Sewed the raw edges together first then stitched close to the last row of hooking.  Sure would have been easier to do if I'd sewn it on before hooking.

In the photo below you can see how well the colors match the wool in the rug.  Since this is cotton fabric doubled believe it is at least as strong as the woven cotton binding used on the Birthday Lion.  Plus, this binding is a tad wider so protects more of the foundation's edge.

Hope everyone has heat as it is frigid.  I tried to go for a walk and don't think I walked 1/4 mile before turning around...my fingers and face frozen.  No way anyone could pay me to go for the Ball Drop in NYC tonight.  Not only the frigid temps would keep me away but also the dangerous times we are being exposed to.

Stay safe, don't drink and drive and be aware of your surroundings.

Saundra

Another Finish

This afternoon the last loops were pulled on a pattern named Birthday Lion, a design by Bill Laraway.  Bill designed the whimsical lion as part of a larger rug for his wife Jayne Hester called "Jayne's Birthday Rug". 

This finished piece measures 20 x 25.  So now there are two rugs/mats here which need binding.  Tho I've a pattern ready to go on my frame it won't be hooked until after some binding of the rugs has begun.  Besides, I still need to pull wool for my next project so it isn't really ready yet.

It is very frigid here in Delaware but at least luckily (so far) not having to deal with snow some states are seeing.  Safe travels for those of you still commuting to and fro for the holidays.  There is still the new year celebration so please stay safe, be aware of your surroundings and keep you eyes on what is around you INSTEAD of your cell phone!!!!!!

Hugs.
Saundra

Birthday Lion

This is a pattern designed by Bill Laraway named Birthday Lion.  And probably all that will be accomplished before leaving for rug camp on Sunday.  Thought I'd show you my accomplishments so far.

Per usual I'm making changes, have pulled out wool around the perimeter and redrawing wavy lines between the border and background.  At least the campy, folky carousel style lion is hooked.  That makes what wool I take to work on at camp before Betsy gets to me makes it easier.

Happy Friday.

Saundra

Birthday Lion Update

Actually not much of an update if you compare it to the previous picture a few posts back.  But in my defense I've been doing end-of-season yard work and after last night's storm there is even more to do.  Plus desperately trying to clean up my wool room before the next camp in 10 days.  OY!  What a task.

As mentioned before, Birthday Lion is a design by Bill Laraway.  Isn't it the cutest, least fierce lion you've ever seen?  He almost looks like he's smiling and reminds me of a carousel ride from my youth.  You could probably get any size you want but this one is 20 x 23.5.  I'm sure Bill would accommodate your requests for smaller or larger.  

My boy Ben will visit his recently found friends at the same kennel and am so happy they welcomed him back.  I knew he was a good boy but many people are timid around Rottweilers and Pits.  But Kathleen Marie and I know they are not all bad dogs.  We happen to have lap dogs who like head and body massages.  

BTW, Ben was adopted when he was 3 years 7 months and I feel lucky to have my boy.  Please adopt a dog rather than from a breeder farm.  There are so many homeless and owner released dog which need homes.  Sometimes people don't realize it IS an emotional and financial commitment to care for a dog like it was your family member.  And that is what Ben is to me...he is my child.

Saundra

Birthday Lion

This pattern (designed by Bill Laraway) was started just before leaving for Cape May rug camp last month.  I purchased two patterns and gifted one to Evelyn since she loved it so.

Evelyn finished hers and it appeared in the rug show at Cape May ~ I'm still not done.  Uh, and neither of the other two rugs are completely bound yet either.  Oh MY!

Am now wondering if Birthday Lion will even be done by the time next camp rolls around the beginning of November.  For sure the binding will be done as that is my first priority.  But at least if it isn't finished there will be something for me to work on until Betsy gets to me.

Happy Thursday.

Saundra

Short and Sweet

It took me a while to find my focus on Birthday Lion and you can scroll down to see my journey.  But now happy to find my direction (uh, I think).  But so far so good.

Birthday Lion is a design by Bill Laraway.  Can't wait to see how Evelyn hooked hers next week.  

Sure hope Hurricane Jose doesn't make too much of a mess along the eastern shore line and tear up our beaches.  Check in with you later.

Saundra

Ready to Hang

All hooked, steamed, bound and ready to hang.  The 7 in the date at the top isn't very clear so will work on that later.

This rug is going to hang in my bedroom so sewed a sleeve and inserted a yardstick with a saw-tooth hanger.  Unfortunately the top didn't fit as snugly to the wall as I'd have liked.  Will change the saw-tooth hanger closer to the top of the wood.   OR, maybe use a heavy duty stapler to staple a D ring to the yard stick.  That should make it more snug.

Here is what the binding on the back looks like.  I used a heavy cotton twill as the binding.

And a close up of the label.  It is hard to read but I copied and pasted a picture of the original design onto the label.  As I took creative license to change some of the motifs thought it might be nice to have reference to the original design.  It was designed by Bill Laraway for Woolley Fox. 

Nice to have this big honking thing done.

We're in for a monsoon later tonight, tomorrow and into Saturday.   Hope there isn't another flood here again.

Saundra

Let's check out the Gossip Rug

Sad to say it is still not finished yet and am humbled by the amount of rugs Jo Wick has hooked compared to my paltry contribution.  However, this is how the GOSSIP rug appears now.

It is a design by Bill Laraway and offered by Woolley Fox.  I admit to taking LOTS of creative license to make the design more me and something to hang on my wall.  You can see some of the red re-draw but some has already been hooked.

Am very pleased my vision turned out well as I'm not always so lucky. Now I'm concerned how to hook the other birds.  The one to the right of the purple bird is planned to be a wren.   The others will just be un-realistic birds like the purple one I think.

Wishing you a happy Sunday evening.  

Saundra

S

Remember When........

...I asked if those should be leaves or feathers?  That was quite a few posts ago.  It was interesting to see the responses.  I felt since the birds have feathers, that was the way to go ~ yet others said there were already too many feathers so should be leaves.  

In all honesty I have always felt insecure in my color planning ability; unless trying to replicate an antique.  With the antique I'm in my comfort zone with the dirty and muddy mix..

My friend Deb purchased two GOSSIP patterns at different times but didn't realize until organizing her wool room.  She generously gave me the extra but wondered how the hell I'd hook it as color planning is not my strength.  

When I missed taking the pattern to Barb Carroll's camp knew I was still going to hook along with my 'buddies'.  So it was me and not Barb who would color plan.

My initial thought was to use the blackbird and the feathers as 'the border' and frame the design.  Wasn't sure my idea would work or if I'd be able to pull it off.  BUT must admit I've surprised myself and am completely happy where it is going.

The pattern came from Woolley Fox, called Gossip.  As mentioned previously there is no hooked sample of the pattern on their web site yet and as I've taken liberties am sure mine won't be on the web site ever.  

BUT, just think of the potential you'd have with hooking your own favorite birds which use your feeders.  

Saundra