Out of Hiding

Today I did a little nesting, thanks to sweet Cammie.  When I saw her blog post on Primitive Junky it made me think that my delightful hooked rugs needed to be brought out of hiding and displayed for me to enjoy every day.

Heck, I had the perfect container, an antique copper boiler which belonged to my dear departed grandfather.  Matter of fact as a child it was filled with water and used to sit in it during the summer.  My mother used that as bath time and to me it was play time.

Now some of my rugs are in clear view and can rotate them more easily and frequently. There are MANY more rugs rolled and in wire mesh baskets.  Some are ones I'd like to sell, some are small mats which are brought out for table top decorations during certain seasons and some are meant to be put on my walls.  There's more wall space along the wall below as well as other rooms.

In the same room and to the right side of th above couch along the adjacent wall is the fireplace and an E.S. Frost Sheep rug with scrolls I hooked a few years ago with Barb Carroll.   On the antique dry sink are a few dolls which were made by me and some of my friends.  The oil painted Columbian doll in the antique rocker is one I made.  Two were made, I sold one and kept this one.  She is wearing an antique baby dress but in her lap is the Challenge rug which I've started to bind.

I've got it easy tonight and tomorrow.  My son, however will be cooking and always turns out a great meal for the family.  My only task is to take an apple pie for the Princess (aka the daughter-in-love) and pumpkin pie for my son.  In return I'll bring home all the dark meat and bones on the turkey since they only like white meat.  So you know what my meals will consist of on Friday and into the future.  

Friday will be dark turkey with sweet potatoes and veggies.  But there's the makin's of turkey soup too and the broth can be frozen for later.

Happy eve of Thanksgiving everyone.

Saundra

E.S. Frost Sheep Rug

Oh my but it was a delight to get a picture of a finished Frost Sheep pattern that I drew for someone.  Each time I've sold a design, whether it be a Domestic Zoo, one of the Frost Sheep designs, etc, I always tell them that I'd love to have a picture of their finished piece.  You are in for a real treat.

This is Melinda Cole's creative version of the E.S. Frost sheep design, it delightful and has wonderful fall colors in it.  Melinda said she used up a lot of her left over woolie worms like women would have done years ago and used cuts #8, #8.5 and #9.  It is definitely a happy rug.  Double click on the sheep picture and look how the subtle color of the jaw line, face and ears almost makes the face look 3-D, and her similar but different colors of the sheep.  

This next picture, a close up of the top right side; I love how she changes the background color and the odds and ends hooked randomly in several areas.  If you look at the flower under the bird, it almost looks as tho she used a piece of antique paisley there.  

Okay...... this just in from Melinda and she said it is indeed antique paisley and she used it in 3 of her flowers.  Now, if I could detect antique paisley in a picture of a rug can you imagine the impact it has on the beauty of this rug in person?

Of course I asked for Melinda's permission to post the pictures and her name and since she should be proud of her work and permission was granted.  Seeing her work almost makes me want to hook the piece again.

Thanks for sharing your rug with me Melinda, ya dun good!.  I LOVE IT ! ! !

Saundra

YIPPEE! It's Finally Done

Yesterday afternoon I pulled the last few loops on the E.S. Frost Sheep and steamed it.  It still needs to be bound yet but was so excited to finally post a picture of finished that I turned under the foundation to take a picture.  Looks like the lighting is a little better on the right side than the left so will take a better picture of it before I post it on my web site.

So now I can move on to other things, and just in the nick of time too.  I guess I misunderstood the deadline for the Sensational Seasonal Swap because I understand we need to send it by the end of February instead of middle of March.  So now I have drawn out the design and pulled a few loops on it.  That shouldn't take me any time to hook that because it is only an 8" square design required. 

And then can finish up the Sincerely Jane challenge rug, with only some of the border triangles left to hook.  That rug is due shortly after the Seasonal swap with an early April deadline. 

So what will I hook once my required hooking is completed?  Haven't decided yet but believe me when I say my stash of drawn patterns is huge with lots more that I have dreamt about.  Guess it will determine what is tugging at my heart strings by the time I get my other tasks finished.

Gettin' Closer to Completion

The Frost Sheep rug is getting closer to completion but seems to be going too slowly for me.  The problem?  Not sure, other than life gets in the way.....running errands, walking Ben, making the occasional doll (just finished one of those this week).  Not to mention being on this here dang contraption!  If I didn't have a computer I'd get a lot more accomplished around here I'm sure. 

I only have a few more border triangles to complete and then I can steam and bind it.  I  haven't decided if I'm going to whip the edges with wool yarn, wool strips or use binding tape.  Some of my rugs were also finished with bias wool strips around cording and on the back where the binding tape would normally go. 

Sometime real soon I also have to draw out the Sensational Seasonal Swap mat and get hooking on that since it is due to my partner by the middle of March.  Of course that won't take long because it is only an 8" square mat and all we need to do to finish is steam, fold back a 1" margin and gently tack it down instead of the full binding process.  That is so the recipient, should they be getting all 4 seasonal mats, can either attach them 4 in a line, or two above and two below, or have them individually.  I think that was a great idea by JoAnne, the organizer.

Well, guess I'll put the rug back on the frame and pull a few loops.

E.S. Frost Sheep Rug

Boy have I been extremely lazy today when I should have finished cleaning the rest of the house.  And, my excuse for not walking was that it was raining so only walked when my four-legged companion Ben needed or wanted to go out.  Otherwise I sat on my butt and hooked while I watched reruns of, I'm embarrassed to say,..... "Millionaire Matchmaker".  I think that show is a hoot, get a lot of laughs out of some of the antics, and admire Patty's chutzpah. 

During today's hooking marathon I did at least get all the background done and hooked another flower.  But maybe the other flower wasn't done the last time I posted so perhaps it will look like I accomplished a lot since last picture post.

Since it is getting close to the end of the month when the Sincerely Jane Challenge rug pictures need to be posted on Yahoo Rughookers, I'll have to put this one down and accomplish something on the challenge rug.

Can't believe it is so close to Christmas ~ where did this whole last year go?  It is mild here in Delaware and was close to 60 degrees today and Christmas day is to be in the 50's.  Thankfully all my gifts are bought and wrapped.  And, if I get some unexpected drop-ins I have a couple gift bottles of wine to give as well. 

Frost Sheep Design

With the Annie doll done, Christmas gifts wrapped and another doll in the process of being made, I've been able to pull a few more loops on the sheep rug.  What really needs some attention is my house ~ it is in dire need of vacuuming, the kitchen floor needs to be scrubbed, but it is much more fun hooking than cleaning.   Christmas count down is getting critically close so will have to do something about that before Monday for sure.  Tomorrow is out since my grandson is coming over; seems Santa has to wrap gifts so I'll be watching him for a few hours.

It is a good thing I hooked this design myself before offering the pattern to others.  Now that I've hooked it will draw the border lines a little differently on ones I offer for sale.  Initially I drew a wide zig zag thinking that my wool strip would fit perfectly in there and would make a better pattern.  But it might be confusing to others so instead of drawing two lines to indicate the border zig zag design shape I will draw just the one line to indicate the zig zag border so the points come together better when hooked.  And of course you can see the edges of my rug are curling so it looks a little distorted along the edges ~ sorry.

I was hoping to get a little more done on the rug to show greater accomplishment but it has already been 3 days since my last post to the blog and since I'll be busy tomorrow thought it needed to be done today. 

Must Move On, but first.......

I just had to start hooking some on the border and take one last picture of the rug before putting it aside so the other projects can get worked on, or at least started.  As I mentioned previously, there is a Santa waiting to be finished and must start the Santa mat for my daughter-in-love.  Must say that my son couldn't have a nicer, sweeter wife even if I'd been doing the interviewing myself.  Anyway.....


In the process of hooking this border I learned that since the dimensions of my rug are a smidgen smaller than the original rug it will require me to cornrow a more narrow strip of wool in the triangles in order to get the colors I want, since I want it somewhat similar to the original in color but am still taking some creative license here and there. 

Both triangles will be re-worked so that the one on the left has a more narrow light strip which will match the one to it's right.  However, the right triangle will need to come out too so that the light strip doesn't look so packed in.  But at least I know what the plan will be when I get back to hooking this. 

But before I can even start hooking on my DIL's snowman mat I'll need to clean up my hooking area around the sofa.  OMG, what a mess.  There's strips on the sofa arm, wool strips in baggies to the left and right of me, wool stuffed in the sections of the woven basket.  I just hate switching from one project to the other.  It is bad enough when one rug is done and you can put away all the wool, but when you have more than one project going on at the same time it is total chaos in my house.

Well, guess I better just grab the bull by the horns and go for it.  Ta ta for now.

The Frost Sheep once again

Okay, I did something a little differently.  First thing I did was remove the echo line under the chin which was there yesterday and have since redirected my hooking.  I think that with two lines hooked in the same direction gave the appearance of a chin and mouth.  Here is the way it looked yesterday.

Then I pulled out the eye color which was the same value as the newer dark face outline features.  Since I was undecided whether to go dark with eyes or lighter with eyes I have hooked one of each for yet another opinion from my readers.   And here is the way it looks right now.  For sure the under chin looks better.

Of course since this is an adaptation of antique rug we do know the colors would have faded.  But it is that worn and faded look of antique rugs that appeals to us, or at least to me.  Sure I could try to second guess what the original colors were but what I've fallen in love with is the faded look so that is what I'd want to hook.  And even the variance in background color which may have all been dyed using black walnuts by the original hooker in the beginning but that some of the wools may have faded more than others.  Yup, just love that blotchy background appearance in the antique rugs and that is what I will try to achieve in this rug.

As much as I want to keep pushing on with this rug there is a Santa which I started about a month ago and my dear daughter-in-love saw me hooking a snowman mat for a swap, she thought it was going to be hers and can't disappoint her at Christmas so must start hers soon.  I did buy her a gift but she usually likes the things I make for her.  I'm quite lucky in that respect, my dear DIL appreciates the things I handcraft.

Good News and Better News

The good news is that I've finished hooking my Frost Sheep rug and it has been steam pressed.  It still needs to be bound and I'll get around to doing that because it will go to Cape May in September for the annual rug show.  Then when it comes home will reside over the fireplace mantle in the living room.  But I was so anxious to show you the rug that I just turned the backing under to photograph it. 

And, the better news is that I think I'll have a new roommate and companion.  That's right, I've applied for and have been accepted to adopt a Rottweiler thru the Majesty Rottweiler Rescue organization.  You'd think I was applying for a government security clearance with the investigation and research they go thru.  But it makes sense.  Anyone can have an animal but they do not want people perpetuating the inhumane treatment, abuse or neglect to animals so they do good investigation. 

So tomorrow there will a home visit to see if I am a good fit with Bella.  And, they requested that the person who will be watching her when I go to rug camps be in attendance tomorrow as well to see how Bella is a fit there as well.  You can read all about Bella here:  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/20189244

So, earlier today I went out and got a new bed, new collar, some new toys, food similar to what she was getting.  Pro Plan Chicken and Barley was recommended but when I went to the pet store they said they have discontinued using that brand.  And instead has suggested this: http://www.veruspetfoods.com/products/for-dogs/canine-bags/verus-life-advantage-chicken-meal-oats-and-brown-rice-formula-dry-dog-food.html .   The pet store said they decided to do a lot of research on different brands, where it is processed, where the food comes from, etc; we all know what happened with the food from China.  He said the chicken used in this food comes from Tyson in the US and is human grade food.  So hey, that sold me and hope Bella likes it too.

I'm trying to get my cleaning done, need to cut the grass today and then can spend important time with Bella getting her acclimated to her new home.  Oh, and still need to bring down the crate from the attic.  I crate trained both my Rotties and Shadow and they were never put in the crate as punishment, but rather to let them have their den when I'm gone so that I'm happy they were good while I was gone (no boo boos in the home) and they are happy that I'm happy.  It will also be a good place for her to just walk into and lay down if the transition seems a little daunting at first.  Since dogs are den animals anyway, it will be her special place.  Then, once I know her habits and can be trusted loose all day, i will put that crate back upstairs in the attic, and life will be great.

This is not to replace Shadow as there will never be another Shadow.  The adoption of a Rottweiler is because I love the breed, have had Rotties before and I desperately want a four-legged companion to keep me company.  Besides, I feel a littly silly talking to the empty house.  Just might be rather busy the next couple days but will check in to let you know how we are doing.

Back to the Sheep

Oh it felt so good to pull some loops on my Frost Sheep rug.  OH, and I've been referring to it as my E.S. Frost sheep but will need to do more research because maybe it is really a Robert Sands Frost design. 

Anyway, I've plenty that I could do around here, like vacuum, dust, or even organize my wool room.  But hey, it will still be there tomorrow so yesterday I decided to play.  Here is what I achieved so far....

I think that I mentioned my plan was to take a different soft dark wool and do some directional hooking.  You can see it at the chest area in the middle of the rug.  I plan to do the same in an area behind the sheep so that it looks like I needed something to fill in on the middle of the rug.

On antique rugs you will often see areas in a rug where blocks of different color are hooked in.  I'm sure it was because the hooker ran out of what she'd planned for the background and just had to wait until something suitable became available.  You can see an example below in this antique hooked rug where the hooker introduced the lighter wool upward to make the transition softer on the eye.

In the picture below there is another example where there were approximately 4 different background colors, but they were placed in such a way to make it work and have an endearing effect. 

Well, I still have a couple dolls to finish and the tea cozy to assemble before my July 9th show.  I am dragging my feet but will have to knuckle down and do a little more work so play time might be over temporarily.

E.S. Frost Sheep

Since I was going thru hooking withdrawal, I just had to pick up my sheep rug and pull some loops...even tho the rabbits aren't quite done.  Well, that plus the fact I took care of my grandson and his cousin a couple days this past week since school is out, and that way I could be closer at hand and fill the needs of the kids.

I am really loving the various colors used in the scroll work around the sheep.  It seems much more interesting with the change of colors than if the scrolls were just a brown red (or other color choice) with a gold vein running thru it.  This adds much more interest to the rug and makes the eye move around.

And, I thought I'd add a little interest and make the shape of paisley in the area and work around it, but also wanted to do a little directional hooking as you will often see in antique pieces.  I've often wondered if that woman just got bored and decided to do the directional hooking, or perhaps she had put the piece down until she came up with more similar in color wool and just began hooking directionally, or maybe she had to do more natural dyeing to achieve a similar color, but I've always found that interesting when looking at antique rugs.

So thru my wool stash I went and found a wool jacket I'd washed and disassembled and it had some similar colors of the other soft blacks I'm using for the background and thought I'd do some directional hooking as well.  Must admit it is a little boring but it is easier hooking in a straight line than it is curving or angle hooking.

I drew out two sizes of this design and chose to hook the larger one, thinking that I'd need the larger size thinking that I'd need the size for the detail.  But now think the smaller size would have worked just fine too and wouldn't have all the excess background and body of the sheep to hook.  But, this will look quite lovely in my home for sure, not certain where it will go yet but someplace where I'll see it every day to enjoy it's beauty.

Frost Sheep Pattern

I've had precious little time to hook on my E.S. Frost Sheep because of life getting in the way and two special orders for 36" Edward Tulane rabbits.  They are inspired by the book entitled The Misadventures of Edward Tulane.  I was first asked to design one about 4 years ago and have since sold a few of them.  Anyway, on to my Sheep pattern.

My intentions were to hold off taking any pictures and posting until I'd managed to get all of the scrolls hooked and more of the sheep.  But, who knows how long it will take for me to reach that goal.  Normally I'm a rather fast hooker ~ uh, because I would hook a lot more during the day than I've been doing lately.

Anyway, the picture is a little dark here, but then the next picture looks brighter than normal and doesn't give the piece justice either.  But hey, I'll post it anyway.

Well, like I told you.... doesn't do it justice.

Guess I won't get any more hooked on this today either because I've got to start getting ready to attend a wedding and won't be able to pull more loops until later this evening.  And, I really wanted to share my scary day yesterday.

I live in a wooded area and my property alone, is close to 8 acres in a community which is mostly all wooded properties.  Unfortunately there is some underbrush, particularly since the bad wind storms and felled trees during the heavy snows this past winter.  Delaware is having a bad drought which makes for a very bad fire hazard. 

I get furious when I see smokers toss out lit cigarettes from their cars.  They may think it is falling on the road but a spark could lift off and ignite blades of grass in a flash. 

So, just beside the development is a field where the farmer had just harvested his hay.  Perhaps it was even his own vehicle's hot exhaust or muffler which cause the fire, I don't know.  The field went up in flames.  Today I went out and took a couple pictures.

The first picture shows a speck of white in the background toward the left hand side.  That is a white pick-up truck and the area that burned is all the way back to there, right beside the woods.  My house is just beyond that track of woods and at some areas when I'm doing my walk can see the field easily between the trees and in others it is thick. 

The next picture just shows that it was spread wide and long.  Suffice it to say that if the fire had gotten to the woods many of us would be homeless right now. Thank God and the Seaford Volunteer Fire Dept. Gonna make a donation to the SVFD for sure!!!!!!!

The Woolley Fox Project

Okay, okay, I can't stand holding back any longer.  My intentions were to not post a picture of the project I started at Barb's until I'd had a chance to hook some more in the rug but I'm going thru withdrawals with not hooking on it and thought I'd look at it and dream of me hooking.  But I've been so busy with orders, with yard work, getting ready for a show this weekend at our local Heritage Day, where there will be civil war reenactors, olde timey crafts, antique car show, horse drawn carriage rides, and tour of the Ross Mansion.

So here is what I started.  This is from the antique rug designed by E.S. Frost.  Barb was saying that years ago when scrolls were first done by our foremothers that they used whatever colors they had left over and that the fancy fine hooked scrolls came later with Pearl McGowan.  So the random use of complimentary colors which will repeat themselves around in random order will be the scrolls for this piece.

The background will be a soft black.  Sorry for the blur I've a doctor's appointment this morning and maybe later today I'll replace the picture with a better one.  But for now, since I'm in a hurry this will have to suffice.

Waaaahhhhhh, I want to hook.  At this particular time I don't even feel like I'm a 2 minute hooker, let alone a 10 minute hooker.  And I used to hook at least 2 to 3 hours per day.