Maintenance and Other Stuff

The Radiant Flower rug all hooked (not bound yet tho) it was time to do some maintenance.  I cleaned all 7 Townsend cutter blades for when it is time to cut more wool.

Put away the piles of wool and scrubbed the top of the cutting/drawing table.  Since there wasn't a Domestic Zoo pattern ready to go I cut a linen, serged the edges and drew it out yesterday.  Now it is ready when an order comes in.  Thought it wise to do this while the table was clean of wool and debris. 

Then another order came in for an antique adaptation for someone who likes to hook humongous designs.  She's purchased several and before drawing them on linen I always double-check with her to see if she's changed her mind.  Nope, she didn't.  I've cut and serged the linen and will draw it out tomorrow.

Then it seems some small critter enjoys my sweet basil as much as I do.  There had been a few tiny holes and this morning saw a huge chunk out of one leaf from that hog.

I made some 'easy' Minestrone soup yesterday and chopped up a few leaves for it.  Also put sweet basil in my salads ~ omg does it add to the flavor of a salad.

Won't use any leaves today so gave it a spray with Safer, the insect killing soap.  So take *'that'* you basil leaf eating insects!

Oh, not 'new' news, just the same old s**t ~ it poured rain all day yesterday so the water level has increased even more.  Mosquitos are so bad I can barely stand to be outside long enough to fill up my bird feeders.

Saundra

Let's Visit a "Jewell"

...that would be Jul from California who still considers herself somewhat of a 'newbie' even tho she has hooked around 10 rugs so far. Unfortunately she couldn't give me pictures of her early rugs as they are remodeling their home and couldn't get to the rugs.

Jul says she is completely self-taught with one hook, no cutter and learning as she goes. Where she lives there isn't much to offer in a craft department if you don't scrap book.  She buys wool on line and pre-drawn patterns on whatever foundation cloth the pattern is drawn on. As there is no way for her to see how others hook she purchased a few already hooked rugs.  That way she could see what they looked like in person to have a way to guide her.

She is drawn to primitive black and reds with a cranberry rich red being her 'go to' color.  Since there are no supply resources nearby, she is still learning about types of foundation.  So for Jul and other newbies, here is a link to my source of foundation cloth ~ Dorr Mill Store.  

My choice of backing (foundation) is the natural primitive linen because of the durability and the acceptance of my wide strips.  Bleached foundation weakens the fibers.  I don't care to hook on monks cloth because the hook always seems to find itself between those tiny fibers no matter how hard I try to zero in the center hole.

Here is a rug Jul just finished and told me to not look too closely. In all honesty, I think she did a great job.  No way I had the courage to choose a large project like this when first starting.  

Jul went on to say she is just learning to hem {bind} a rug and got a wee bit frustrated but even that didn't discourage her.  She joined Cindi Gay's on-line class but because of work and house remodeling doesn't have the time to spend on the class time.

Jul uses hand torn strips, then learned she could tear the wool and use scissors to cut those pieces in half.  BTW, I LOVE the look of hand torn and the way the loops curl after they are hooked.  Now I WISH that your rug could be seen up close just for that curling effect.

She recently purchased a rug pattern from me, another long runner to hook~ Domestic Zoo.  Wow, she doesn't seem to be intimidated by rug size so we definitely have a fervent hooker amongst us.

So Jul, I'm hoping once Domestic Zoo is hooked you'll send me a picture to brag about your great work.  

And thanks so much for participating in this endeavor of getting to know each other ~ I know you are a little leery of being acknowledged and gave you the opportunity to back out or to be anonymous.  So thank you for your trust.  Believe me, each of us have been where you are; all of you can read my story which was posted in 2014 about my first rug camp.

Happy Hooking everyone.

Saundra

Busy, Busy, Busy

Believe it or not that is not a complaint as it is a good thing to keep the mind and body busy.  Also thought of naming the post "when it rains it pours" but for a few weeks all the rain wasn't such a good thing when it was flooding.  However, I'm talking about pattern drawing.  I'm right in the middle of drawing patterns for someone knowing there could be more added to it.  

Thankfully I'm halfway thru this order.  Then, yesterday I shipped off my last drawn Domestic Zoo pattern and today get an order for another. 

So now you can see the linen has been cut, edges serged and will draw this one out tomorrow.  Hey... life is good even when it pours pattern orders.  Besides it gives me more pocket change for rug camps.

Which means my grandson's sports rug didn't get a lot of progress  but this is what it looks like now.  When taking the photo noticed I've pulled out a few loops which means rehooking.

Oh lordy I'm worried about having enough blue background.  Me thinks me will be looking for that recipe.

TGIF tomorrow for you worker bees.  Have a great evening and a more fantastic weekend.

Saundra

Good News, Bad News

The good news is I cleaned my room....sorta.  Not as much as it needed but good enough for now.  There is still a lot of wool I need to use to make room for that sitting elsewhere. 

BUT, that small clean up enabled me to draw out another Domestic Zoo as I just sold one and like to have one on hand ready at all times.

The bad news is that Cherries and Candy Stripe isn't done yet.  Knowing today would be rainy needed to do some leaf raking yesterday ~ there's still many more man (woman) hours of leaf raking to clear around my home.

This is as far as I've gotten on Cherries and Candy Stripe.  I'm so looking forward to finishing this as I want to clean my kitchen and put this on the harvest table.  Loving how this is turning out.

Have a great evening everyone and please be kind to one another.  Kindness is contagious.

Thanks to all my followers who keep reading.  I love getting posts but for some reason I'm not getting the comments sent directly to my e-mail.  So unless I go to my blog and check the comments don't know what was asked or commented on. 

All comments and questions are welcome.... newbie or older..... there is NO stupid question.  Trust me when I say I've asked all of them.   So, if you have a question you can find my e-mail and ask a question or post it on the blog. 

Saundra

The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY

The GOOD and must say surprising thing that happened this week is that two ladies from Canada have ordered the Domestic Zoo pattern. 

Stranger yet is they don't even know each other.  I was sure that since the first gal said she was attending a camp in September had passed on her pattern intentions to a friend or someone else in the class who decided to order it also.  Nope; they don't know one another and each just liked the design so ordered it.  Also GOOD thing I had two patterns already drawn of this big guy.

The BAD is that my Windows Outlook 2013 e-mail program just stopped working on my Windows 7 program today.  Unlike Lauren it has nothing to do with my server but with Windows.  I have spent hours trying to read about and fix it myself.  I've done the Windows HELP thing and tried their recommendations on fixing this problem.  Thank God I've my iPad because on my PC I've lost my contacts, can't receive mail nor can I send e-mail.  Lauren, I feel your pain!!

The UGLY is my attitude at not only the windows program I purchased and worked not quite 2 months, my ugly attitude at myself for being such a computer illiterate, okay, let's add the words angry and frustrated. 

So I finally gave up tonight trying to fix it or keep in touch with the Windows help because I knew my blood pressure would end in a boiling point so stopped. 

Instead I've started a pot of soup as it is damp and dreary outside.  So my rest of evening plans are now to go sit and hook for a bit until Ben needs his walk.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Chicken Challenge Changes...

...say that real fast 3 times.  I just love it when people give me their opinion.  Lots of times I asked for it but even if I don't, your thoughts are truly appreciated even unsolicited.  Sometimes another eye sees something that mine don't.  While the advice may not always be used, it is always welcome.

Goodness there were a lot of comments on the feet and did read them all.  Yet when I saw the picture on the computer monitor my eyes were happier with the light feet as well.....so today I made that change.

Plus, I pulled up my big girl panties and made another change.  While I was enamored with the rooster antique and had wanted to put the flowers in the upper corner using my wool closest to what the original hooker had....uh... just didn't do it for me.  So today the leaves on the flower on the top left were pulled out and hooked using the green wool as in the trees at the bottom.   

Wish there was more accomplished on the Chicken Challenge rug to show you but I had a Domestic Zoo pattern to draw out today as I'd recently sold the last one.  Hey, gotta keep those hook'n hands busy.  I know that when I want a pattern "I want it now".  So I aim to please.  Plus, these sales help subsidize my hooking habit....so thank you Rhea.

Now I want to discuss GUILTY PLEASURES.  And this is my confession time so hope there's input from my readers about theirs.  I have a food guilty pleasure but this isn't about that.  When I'm hooking there is usually something I'm watching on TV that has been pre-recorded.  Today I just watched the final episodes of The Bachelor.  OMG!!!!!!  I cannot believe that Nikki accepted his 'final rose'.  And the one I was most worried about ended up being the one I was most proud of  ~ Claire!  Good going woman (Claire)! 

Yes I DO understand that what the show is about is a short-time fantasy which doesn't last beyond the show.  So then it becomes reality.  But I (maybe we) have seen real love and marriage develop from the show.

All us females want our prince charming...the man on the white horse.  I do believe it does exist as my step-father was one to my mother (God Bless you ECP).  But what a piece of crap Juan Pablo is.  Okay, I could rant all night in my frustration but Nikki will eventually have to learn on her own as did I.

Can't wait to read messages about the changes I made on the CC rug, guilty pleasures or The Bachelor.

BTW, my food guilty pleasure is pasta.  OH but I could eat pasta and red sauce (known as gravy by Italians) 7 days a week.  I don't, but could.  Now I want some but it is soup and salad for tonight.

Have a great night everyone.

Saundra

Another Domestic Zoo Picture

I love it when people send me pictures of their finished Domestic Zoo. Although I've sold dozens of the patterns only a small handful of people have shared their photos with me.  

My friend Shari started this Domestic Zoo rug a few years ago and has hooked several other rugs and kept busy making dolls before finally getting this one bound recently.  Today she sent me a picture.  Thanks Shari, so happy it is finally finished and one UFO out of the way.



   

DANG IT.  this is the way the picture came and then I turned it on it's side with the PAINT program in the hopes it would be sideways and upright.  Nope.... so sorry.

Here are a few other versions of Domestic Zoo:

This one is by Susan and nice with a dark background.

A Domestic Zoo hooked by Mary.

And a Domestic Zoo by Debbe.

Thank you all for sharing the rugs with me.  I'd really like to have pictures of the rugs hooked by others if you're willing to share. 

Now to Newbie Hooker Tidbits.

Annie wrote and we chatted about her not having a cutter or linen but did have a rotary cutter.  Hey, in the beginning I didn't have a cutter either and used a rotary or scissors. 

First you must rip the wool so you will start out on the straight of grain. You could rip every 3 or 4 inches and either take the rotary cutter and use a quilt guide edge to cut the strips to your width.... OR, you could even rip the wool every 1" or so and scissor cut down the middle (or rotary cut down the middle), down the middle again, until you achieve your strip size of choice. 

When first starting out hooking my strip size of choice was 1/4" wide a/k/a #8 cut in cutter strip language.  But since then my favorite strip size (because I'm a primitive hooker) is #8.5.  And, if you've followed me for a while know that I've begun hooking with a torn strip ranging from 1/2" to over 3/4" depending on how straight my 'snip' is.

Tomorrow I'll talk about backing (foundation).  There's burlap, monks cloth, linen, hairless linen, verel and loosely woven wool.

If any newbies have subjects they would like me to talk about you can write me personally by writing me at: saundra125@comcast.net.  If my info so far has not been clear enough, please also write me for more explanation.  Since this is a craft/art/hobby that I enjoy so much it would be a pleasure to share the joy of TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING.

Have a great evening and see you same time tomorrow night.  Stay warm and wrap up in your woolies.

Saundra

Domestic Zoo

I love it when people send me pictures of designs that I sell.  Here is a picture of Domestic Zoo (originally hooked by Magdalena Briner) and it was hooked by my friend Mary of Linthicum, MD.  She said it is hooked  using both #8.5 and #9 wool strips.  Great job Mary!

And previously this picture was posted but will post it again so you can compare the light background and this dark background version.  That is also fun to see the same rug design but different color choices. This one was hooked by Susan for her friend.

And, of course my version is at the top of the page.

Happy hooking everyone, and thanks for dropping by.

Saundra

True Friends

I have been fortunate to sell numerous Domestic Zoo patterns but one of the sales was a wee bit different than all the others.  A lovely woman named Carol ordered and paid for the pattern and asked that I ship it to her friend Susan who lived in another state.  It was her friend who was going to hook it for her.  Now folks, this isn't any small trivet, chair pad or table mat.... we are talking about a big honking runner here.  Now that is what I call a true friend.

And of all the Domestic Zoo patterns I've sold and hoped to get a picture of, this was the first I've received so it is also very special for me too. Eventually will post this picture on my web site so potential buyers can see another hooked version.

It is quite lovely with a dark background.  And dark backgrounds are my favorite but have also hooked light and medium backgrounds for variety or if the pattern called for it.  Since I was trying to stay fairly close to the original antique that is why mine was hooked with a light background.

Susan, you did a fantastic job hooking this rug and Carol you are one lucky woman to be the recipient.  And, Susan, since word is out that you hooked the rug for someone you'll find yourself with lots of new friends.

Thanks for dropping by.

Saundra

In the Nick of Time

I've been known to be on a path and all of a sudden take a hard right hand turn.  And that is what I did about a week ago when I was happily hooking on the Seaside Swimsuit rug,  (this is how it looks right now).

So I'm hooking along and daydreaming about my upcoming class with Barb at Woolley Fox.  She has been so generous in posting my Domestic Zoo pattern on her Magdalena page that I thought it would be nice to do something nice for her.   Hmmm, but what and would I have time to get it finished in time?  Well, maybe if it were small enough I could.


Part of the daydreaming was visualizing entering the driveway and Woolley Fox sign which greets us and which is Barb's web site logo.  I dropped the swimsuit pattern like a hot potato and ran to pull some linen and sharpie to draw out a design.

Luckily I was able to finish it, get it bound and sew a tag on the back.  It has been rolled and wrapped with ribbon tie.  


All my wool that I'm planning to take to Barb's has been packed OH OH, except for the antique paisley that I might (or Barb might) want to put in my rug.  Hope I don't forget to pack it between the typing of this and when I go to the wool room next.


Lots of things to cross off my today's 'to do' list.  I have two packages to ship, one of this fox for Evelyn to hook it Magdalena style, and without the plaid of course, and to ship an order for a Domestic Zoo pattern.  So I'd better get moving.


Thanks for the visit and have a great day.


Saundra

All in a Day's Work

I've kept busy all day until just now and figured it was time for me to rest before starting my next project.  First thing I did this morning was ship two packages ~ one was another Domestic Zoo pattern.   I received an e-mail from a lady who had just come back from Woolley Fox and upon inquiring with Barb about obtaining a Domestic Zoo pattern, they sent her my way.  

That was the last Domestic Zoo pattern in stock so today I cut two linens, serged the edges and will start drawing another when I update my blog.

And the other package was the Beloved Belindy, whew, she's done and gone.  I just don't enjoy making dolls like I used to.  This is a picture of her that I sent to the customer to see if she wanted me to tea stain her or if she wanted her like she is.  She wanted her clean and pristine so she is travelling to her new mom.

Also drew out another pattern for someone else, cut my grass and other menial tasks which needed attention today.  I'd really like to sit and hook but think another Domestic Zoo should be drawn and be on hand because word has it two other ladies in Barb's class were asking how to get in touch with me.  They haven't made contact yet but want to be able to ship right away if I get an e-mail ~ I hate rushing a job, it is much better when I am in a relaxed state while drawing a pattern.


I'll leave for rug camp at Woolley Fox myself in two weeks and need to clean up the guest room because I'll have someone come stay with Ben.  I personally feel it is much better when the pet can remain in their surroundings rather than caged at a kennel.  


And soon I will have to get serious about gathering my wool for camp ~ more about that on another blog post.

Santa, doll, rugs and things

Tis the season and since I needed a new Santa for my web site I made this guy standing on a base.  He looks real cute there so think I'll enjoy him until he is spoken for; and if he doesn't sell before this Christmas I'm one up for my shows for 2012.

I've also wanted to do a whimsical and primitive Annie type doll and right now this is all the further I've gotten since I'd really rather be hooking ~ but at least it is a start. 

Actually, I have two bodies started but don't know what I'll do with the other doll's legs so will finish this one first and decide on the other.  There was a day (before rug hooking) that doll making was my favorite pasttime.  But now rug hooking takes that number one spot of enjoyment. 

I also drew out a couple more Magdalena Domestic Zoo patterns on linen so if I got last minute orders  for Christmas I wouldn't be in a rush to do them but could ship out right away.  There was a huge run on the patterns just before ATHA and didn't want to find myself scurrying around trying to draw them plus getting ready for Christmas here.

Today I'll wrap some of the gifts I have for family and maybe work some more on the doll.  But one thing I know for sure is that I'll be hooking on my Frost sheep rug.  Perhaps I'll have an updated picture for you tomorrow.