RANDOM RAMBLINGS

Today I drew a Dancing Rabbits pattern for someone.  That has been my most popular and most reproduced pattern.  I offer one with a border and another without.  When I had a challenge my friend Lauren hooked one without a border and added a flag with red, white and blue patriotic rabbits. 

This one below was hooked by Lori who hooked one with a border.  

If you want to travel back in time to view some of the hook-along photos you can see them HERE.

Tomorrow I have another visit with the vein restoration doctor to scan the work he did on another section of my right leg great saphenous vein.  And then in 3 months another follow-up visit to have that area scanned to be sure the veins do not have reflux.  I'm so over doctor visits, especially since it is an hour drive there!!!!!!!

Am also over the hot humid summer weather.  Yeah, I know it IS summertime.  Hurricane Debby is still wandering and wondering where she will settle but for sure we will experience some rain from her near the end of this week.  I know it is hurricane season and each year with September Cape May rug camp it is always a concern since the camp is just 2 blocks from the ocean and I take the ferry across.  

Soon it will be time for me to pick a new project.  The pattern for rug camp has already been drawn (nope, not gonna show you yet, lol) and think I accidentally stumbled upon my next 'fix'.  But you know how fickle I am so that may change.

Time for me to grab my big green salad so will sign off.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

I FOUND IT

I found my mojo again and it took me quite by surprise.  In the morning I had an order for a pattern and couldn't find the master.  Then started searching everywhere around the room.  About half an hour later I checked a place where it shouldn't have been but was.  Next had to cut the linen, serge the edges and draw it.

That pattern happened to be an antique adaptation of Dancing Rabbits recently posted on Facebook by Lori Neickarz who is hooking it.

Then someone inquired where she got the pattern so Lori mentioned me and sweet Lauren posted a link to my pattern site.  THANK YOU Lauren; I've had a few other inquires on how they could order a pattern, I've responded but so far just that one confirmed sale.  

For those of you who want to go down memory lane and Dancing Rabbit hook along, you can visit those posts HERE.

I found some suitable wool for another section of the background for the stag.   That was just enough time away from the hook to make me want to go back to the Stag.  However, I have chosen my 'plus one' or 'second string' and it has even been put on linen.  But since my mojo was found I'd better make good use of it.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

Yesterday I drew a Dancing Rabbits pattern with 5 rabbits for Beth and it will ship today.  Below is Nancy Kilrain's rendition of the original design with 3 rabbits and she added a swag border.

There were many talented minds at work so each person created their own personal rug.  If you would like to visit previous posts of that hook-a-long I hosted you can see some posts HERE.  

However, I haven't drawn a pattern for my next project yet as I'm still force feeding my sheep wool strips.  Plus there are two rugs vying for top position. This photo appears to have just a sliver of empty hooked space but this shot is deceiving as the unhooked area goes all the way around the pattern.

Yesterday I also ordered a bolt of linen.  As people will be spending more time inside where it is warm so someone might want a new pattern for 2024.  I didn't want to find myself out of linen if someone wanted a pattern.  In the past that did happen and had to wait to draw the pattern for the customer ~ don't want that to happen again.

In case you need wool or a Hartman hook, Dorr is having a sale, click on that link.  Not sure how long the sale will last so check them out soon, good luck on finding something you need ... uh, or want, lol.

Oh that weather, oh my lake, oh my gawd!  My lake levels have barely dwindled since it is cold, cloudy and in the shade.  If that isn't bad enough at noon today it began to rain with 1 1/2 - 2 inches expected.  Then on Tuesday another round of inclement weather is coming through with higher levels of precipitation expected.  Below is a photo taken this morning before the rain started.

Guess it is time to settle in my hooking spot and resume pulling loops.  Hope your area doesn't get hit too hard with the wet or white stuff.  On this cloudy and rainy day am wishing you happy hooking, punching, knitting, etc.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

NOT MUCH TIME FOR HOOK'N (edited)

Fewer loops have been pulled this week since I've been busy drawing patterns.  This is even after drawing two Domestic Zoo patterns.  Dancing Rabbits design has regained popularity again so drew a couple of those for folks.  Here is a version hooked by Nancy Kilrain when I hosted the hook-along last year.

edit:   I'd completely forgotten that I also drew Blue Bowl of Flowers and was reminded when Lauren said she was in a class with Lora for whom I drew the pattern.  The is the version I hooked.

One person ordered two big rugs, one named Rainbow Petals (on my web site) and hooked by Diane Klamik;

and another pattern I've not drawn before.  I believe it is a Canadian rug and have even written to Rug Hooking Museum of Nova Scotia to see if they could provide me any information.  So far no response.  If any of my readers know anything about this design please let me know.  This pattern I titled "Flower Girl" and hope to have a photo on my web site this summer after it is hooked.

And lastly, one for me, it is also a biggie for me at 32 x 35.  Nope, not gonna unveil it yet you'll just have to chew on it a while longer, lol.

Hope all is well with everyone and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Chit Chat Smorgasbord

Are you ready for Sam the Tax Man?  Notice the 'man' is fat on his greed.  I had my taxes done last month and received my return from the Fed and State already.  So April 18th is the deadline unless you've asked for an extension.

On Monday I had a dermatology appointment in Maryland and it so happened the state was still selling tax free gas for their one-month one-time event.  I had 1/4 tank of gas so filled up and it cost me $52 plus change at $3.639.  In Delaware the cost per gallon was $3.899.   Yet, it wasn't American gasoline at all ~ we used to have American gasoline when we were energy independent until 2 years ago.  Gee, wonder why that is??  Okay, off my soap box now.

Remember me telling you I couldn't get the blade off the Fraser 500?  Thought about shipping it back to Fraser and have them do it for me then happened to remember my neighbor's father owns Seaford Machine Works.  So grabbed the cutter, the #5 blade (the cut for my camp project), instructions, hex wrench, some wool and off I went.  

Luckily her dad was there.  I explained what my problem was with removing the blade and he proceeded to remove everything and anything which I've never had to remove to replace a blade before.  Then the spring popped off the bottom which prevents the wool from getting jammed.  OMG, now I'm getting nervous.  But thought...worse thing is that I'll box up all the pieces and ship everything back to Fraser.  I asked if he wanted me to leave it there and he said he'd call me when it was ready.

He asked me where it went and I wasn't sure because I'd never taken the whole thing apart.  But did know at one time my wool was jamming and had to send the cutter to Fraser and he said the spring was out of sync.  But my neighbor's father was able to get it working and took a photo of the spring and how it should be ~ UH, just in case this happens to you.

I'm back in business and was quite happy her dad was able to help.  I asked what I owed (because I'll bet he worked on it at least an hour) and he said nothing.  Now I've a #5 to cut the wool for Mother's rug.   If I ever get time to hook.  Cut some grass yesterday and today will cut the rest of the yard. 

Sharon has shared her rendition of Dancing Rabbits frolicking around some decorative kale.  Thanks for joining in the hook-along Sharon.

I promise the next blog post I do will be a photo of my mother's profile.  Meantime, happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Wake Up Day

Drew a last minute Dancing Rabbits pattern this morning and will stick it in the mail on my way out to rug camp.  Also cleaned up that rats nest which always occurs around the place where I hook so it will be clean when I return home from camp.  

I should be able to get all the background hooked by the end of today ~ hopefully.  Meanwhile this is what Blue Bowl of Flowers looks like now.

Am looking forward to seeing some friends and capture the thrill of rug camp again....maybe I'll have that once I get there. One thing for sure is that I'm excited to finally hook the sepia image of my mother as a youg woman.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Dancing Rabbits Update

Dancing Rabbits photos are becoming less frequent but arriving nonetheless.  Karen sent me her finished version and the chocolate bunnies are sweet...pun intended.

Denise sent me her finished piece and makes me wish I'd not hooked my rabbits so white.  

I recently sent out a few more patterns so there will be another wave of rabbit photos to share soon.  So make note hookers, I'll be at rug camp next week so any photos which are sent to me next week will be shared once I return home.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

DOUBLE-FEATURE of HOOKED RUGS

Rug hooker and friend Lisa often sends me photos of antique rugs and asks me to draw them for her.  She tells me the dimensions she is looking for and I enlarge them close as possible.  This one of her most recent finishes 1907 Eagle which measures 23.5 x 27.5.

If you're curious here is the original antique.  Lisa said she didn't want all the other tidbits and also opted out the date.

Another she recently finished is 11 Star Flag, another antique adaptation which measures 26 x 35.

Two things can describe Lisa ~ she is patriotic and she loves horses.  She hooked this antique adaptation "White Horse and Scrolls", it measures 23 x 37.5.  

Here is the original antique.  I hooked this rug also but drew mine out smaller at 20.5 x 33.5.  

In 2017 Lisa hooked Frost Sheep and Birds, this is her interpretation of that antique rug.  Think I like the way she hooked it without the circles in the triangles and would make for an easier hook as well.

The E.S. Frost original.

Lisa has hooked several other rugs I drew for her but can't locate photos of them on my various flash drives at the time.  She has a couple in her stash that I'm anxious to see when they are hooked.

As promised, it is a double-feature;  now will show you the latest Dancing Rabbits photos sent to me.  Naomi said she made 5 dancing rabbits for each of her grandchildren.  I've inquired what the wording was on her rug but all I know so far is that it's a Grateful Dead theme (the dancing bears) and the first couple lines from Row Jimmy. 

Paula also has 5 grandchildren and did the same. 

Janice finished hers and added wool strips as a bow around the neck, I'm guessing they are all boy bunnies.

That about wraps up today's blog post.  Happy Friday and Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Springing Forward (Edit #2)

Fran hooked a checkerboard pattern in the rabbit's bodies to give it the optical illusion they are moving.  She said "...it was one of those happy surprises you see when you've finished a mat, stand back and see the rabbits dancing".

And Robin was right, the rabbits were hooked using the beading technique with #8 strips of off white and blue.

Lauren recently finished her Patriotic Dancing Rabbits also. 

Laurel sent me her 1st finish which is lovely.  But she said it didn't turn out quite as she first envisioned.  She was thinking more of a Magdalena style but lighter colors.    I know the feeling Laurel, my desire was to hook that antique look with blocks of different background colors. 

So she decided to pull out a somewhat darker wool to hook the rabbits in.  I love her background colors!!!!!!!

It's definitely looking like spring and Margaret's bunnies are dancing with joy because they found a cache of Easter eggs.

Finally finished hooking my version of Dancing Rabbits and am in the process of binding it.  Perhaps one day I'll be in the mood to hook the one which was the most vintage looking.  Til then, this will have to do.

My kitchen is looking a bit more spring like also.  Very rarely do I display this Claire Murray rug design named Strawberry Patch.  I thought it would be fun to experience hooking with yarn, the kit was on ebay and purchased it.  That was my first experience with an all yarn rug and my last; but must admit it is cute.  I also made the paper clay rabbit container.  The rug is for sale and measures 29 x 33.5.

Photos of Dancing Rabbits has slowed down.  Happy hooking and enjoy your weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

With this time change I tried going to bed half an hour earlier Saturday night but my body still hasn't adjusted to the time difference.  Even this morning I didn't want to get out of bed at my normal wake time, which was to me still 6 a.m.  How long should it take for a body and brain to adjust for goodness sake??  Has anyone else felt the difference?

For those who may not know, I used to be more of a dollmaker than rug hooker and did the vending/show circuit for years.  Then when trying to anticipate what the public wanted and not always hitting the mark and getting older, decided to stop doing shows.

A couple months ago I received an order for a sizeable vintage looking Angel doll.  Then earlier this week an order for a patriotic doll holding a flag and yesterday an order for a primitive black doll and a whimsical patriotic doll.  Here is the photo of the two sold yesterday.  Have a current photo because I wanted to confirm we were talking about the right dolls.

Back in the day I also built a web site with software whose name I don't remember.  But as software often does, you need to buy the upgrade and learn how to work the new system.  I did not buy the new software.  However, decided to pay for and keep my domain name Woodland Junction therefore the web site is still visible on the web.  

That said, I am unable to remove a photo when sold or type the words "sold" in the text because I didn't buy that new software.  People still find it when searching me out and inquiries do come in to see if 'so and so' is available.  Sometimes it is and sometimes not.  I've still inventory which is stored downstairs in totes marked for the category.  So if you are hankering for a doll or just want to see what I used to do, you can look HERE.  I sometimes think they stumble upon that site when looking for my rug patterns.  So if that is what you're looking for, the link is always under my name at the end of the blogpost. 

In case the above is confusing and you wonder if I still make dolls ~ I do not.  Is that better ~gt~?

So ya wanna see what's been hop'n in the bunny world?  You've probably already seen them either on Facebook or a blog.  Susan joined early on and recently sent me her finish.  Love that little bunny butt.

Kimm (Sheep Underfeet) was weakened by seeing all the great rabbits and finally decided to join too.  She drew her design for the door  vertically.  What a great idea.  It was hooked in #6 cut and measures 4.5 x 14.5.  She used jute twine around the edge to add the folky feel to it. 

Even I decided to pull more loops today but didn't get it finished.   I'm determined to not post an almost done photo.  It's all or nothing at this juncture baby...well, it won't be bound but will be all hooked, lol.

Sorry the post was so long so maybe save the reading for tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee while you slowly wake up like me.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

New Submissions (Edit #2)

Jo finished her needle punch piece which measures 3.5 x 5.5 punched with Merino lightweight yarn.  The rabbits were hooked with Valdani #8 pearl cotton and is mounted on a vintage wood box.

Look at this wonderfully primitive rug hooked by Angela.  The rabbits are hooked with t-shirts, the rest is wool and she did a crochet edge.

Claire's rabbits are wearing ruffles and bowtie and holding their lunch of carrots.  She created her own interesting background of blocks and it looks like she also did the beading technique at the edge.

After reading about the Dancing Rabbit Hook-along, Kris (Spruce Ridge Studios) emailed me saying, "You had me at granddaughter".   That post  inspired her to draw the pattern with her granddaughter and grandson in mind.  I adore your version Kris, me thinks you'll need to hook two rugs ~ one for each grandchild.

Kris said she chose blue and yellow  for the boy bunny as a salute to the University of Michigan.  Her grandson was an extreme preemie and spent 2 months in the pediatric NICU there.  This rug will forever hold a special meaning to the entire family, particularly when the grandson gets a little older and understands.

If you would like Kris to color plan your dressed up rabbits you can click on her link above.  She can get close to the same colors she will use for her rabbits, however, it may not be the exact same colors as she is using wool from her own personal stash and some wool which hasn't been milled in a while. 

Was surprised when reading her blog that Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) decided to join after all.  She declined at first because she had previously hooked it.  So I borrowed stole this photo off her blog.  And I know where she is going with her design because the saved name gave it all away Lauren, lol.

For those of you reading my blog for the first time you can read about the Hook Along HERE.  It has been underway since February 18th and a few folks have already finished.  I've put mine aside to work on my other rug but will pick it up again soon.

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

A Little THIS and a Little THAT

I'm itching to work on Blue Bowl of Flowers again so will put Dancing Rabbits aside for a bit.  Having another project waiting on the sidelines has been very enjoyable because I get bored easily.  Have only accomplished a little more since the last photo but it was something.  Think I will attack the large flower next.

This is what my rabbits rug looks like but the background hooking just got too mundane for me.  Perhaps if I'd drawn in flowers, hearts or something to fill the space it would have gone much easier on my patience.

I hate watching the news for our own domestic disheartening issues but also international news is scary.  I pray for Ukraine people and President Zelensky.

That said, our own United States could use a lot of prayers as well.  

Thank goodness I have rug hooking to keep my hands and mind busy.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

DANCE PARTY, Rabbit Style

Oh my but Chris put a huge smile on my face with her rendition of Dancing Rabbits and her words of ..."1, 2, cha, cha, cha.

I also chose to draw that design with border but didn't include the birds in mine.  Might regret not doing that after I see hers finished.

Kim (My Field of Dreams) has hooked all three of her rabbits too and appears she will have a little movement in the background.  Can't wait to see what colors she chooses for grass and sky.

Believe it or not Nancy didn't start hooking until 2 pm today and worked her hands into a frenzy before stopping to send me a photo at 5:05 pm.  WHEW Nancy you accomplished a lot in that short time and bet your hands are still smokin'.  Love the addition of the hearts so you can use this for Valentines all thru spring and Easter.

It is fun to see these rugs come to life with each persons' personality.  Hope these give all of you ideas for your rugs.  Happy hooking everyone.

"R" you are a NO-REPLY blogger which does not provide an email address for me to respond to you; sorry.

 

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com