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

How I Hang Rugs (edited)

Thanks to a follower who asked the question "how did I hang my rugs" you will all benefit from the answer, I hope.  In the beginning when I knew the rug or mat would go on a wall I would sew a sleeve on the back and insert a dowel.  Here is one I hooked several years ago showing the dowel inserted and a ring to hang it.  This happened to be an Elf Challenge piece which I'd hoped to sell at a show but still have it.

I did the same to the Rottweiler Memorial as well but didn't sew a ring, but rather hanging it in the middle of the dowel.  

When the rug is heavier or wider I used a yard stick and cut it to size.  Gossip's back has a sleeve and a yard stick with a sawtooth picture hanger nailed in the center.

In 2016 I did the same thing for my grandson's Favorite Sports rug.  I hadn't purchased the yard stick at that time so inserted a pen so you could see the opening because of the busy binding.  In case you're wondering I used doubled cotton for the binding on this and on Gossip above.  And I chose it to correspond to the racing checkered flag and the beading on the front.

Here is a view of the front of the rug.  That black and white beauty line was achieved by doing the 'beading technique'.  For you newbies that is when you work with 2 different colors of wool and hook them alternately.  

Once I used a carpet gripper strip but didn't like that nearly as much.  The last several rugs hung I used flat head short straight pins.  Of course I can do that since I have drywall not wood paneling or plaster walls.  I took a photo of two hanging in the the living room and maybe if you click on it you can see the shiny pins.  If I want to move any of the rugs and place them somewhere else it will only leave tiny pin pricks in the walls.

So there ya go, that's how I've hung my rugs.  If anyone has any questions about anything, please feel free to ask.  If you are a NO-Reply blogger I'll not be able to reply directly to you but if you send the message thru the 'EMAIL ME' location on the right side of the blog I will be able to respond and perhaps even do a blog post about it.

Follower Julia asked if I would show the pins I use and should have done that initially, but have attached a photo, thanks Julia.  The one on the far left is what I use now but have used the shorter pin on the far right previously.  Didn't like using that since the colors show up.  The pin in the middle is what I use for sewing.

This is the information on the container and not  sure if I purchased these at Walmart or a sewing center.

Follower Elaine says she uses 'map pins' a/k/a 'push pins'.  I chose not to use them since the top is big and thought it would be distracting, albeit easier to use.  I don't push the pins in but rather hammer them in with a mini hammer which, after checking at Lowes, they are really very cheap, click on the Lowes link.  I'm sure Home Depot offers them too.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Perception ~ Interpretation

As in literature and music, rug hooking is also left to the individual for interpretation.  The other day I posted a photo of a folky homestead with a patriotic theme.  

A seasoned rug hooker friend of mine interpreted the piece as a bird house. Until she said that I'd interpreted the design as a house with garden in front and the grey strip below the house and "Y" shapes as walkway and driveway.  How do you interpret it?

Below  is a pattern called Gossip by Woolley Fox.  Excuse the red drawing as those were my personal changes to the design.  But you can see the images along the sides and bottom.

Back in June before starting hooking the pattern I asked my readers if they saw the images as leaves or feathers.  Frankly either way would be okay as the birds are on tree limbs so leaves would be quite normal.  I decided they should be feathers to go with the birds and the dark on all four sides would act as an inside border of sorts.

However, my friend Deb perceived those shapes as leaves.  Note she followed the original pattern and didn't change the bird shapes as I did.

Deb was inspired by the leaf shapes in the antique Domestic Zoo design, a section of which is posted below so you can see those leaves.  

This rug was hooked by me and if you wish to purchase a pattern click on the link just above.

Since we are talking about interpretation there are several elements in  Domestic Zoo which had me thinking as I was pulling loops.  That made this big rug even more fun and fast to hook since it didn't take long to hook a motif and hook a row of background around.  

In addition to the cats, horse, donkey, birds and snakes I saw apples, a pear, leaves, hearts, bird house and cherries.  So even a busy runner like that is up for interpretation.

Seems to me I had another design in my head as another example but forget what it was now.  Happy hump day.

Saundra

Need a Break?

Well it isn't a true break from 'my rugs' because this is my current project, the Gossip rug which I want done so badly!!!!!  My plan (wish) was to have the rug done by tomorrow as that is the 2 month mark since starting it.   You can see the diverse blue and purple strips used in trying to achieve a feather look.

Guess I shouldn't complain for not having it done because I've been busy drawing Magdalena Goat patterns and more patterns for Polly to hook.  

It was definitely too hot to work outside today so only did errands and rode bike to get the mail instead of walking.  Ben only wanted to go for his early morning walk; noon and 4:15 he walked outside and walked right back to the front door.    

Have a good evening and hope your A/C is working.

Saundra

Almost to the Finish Line

This pattern was started May 21st, the first day of camp at Barb's where I couldn't attend.  My initial plans were to hook on it during the camp time to be a part of the group since this was what I'd plan to hook with Barb then put it aside and work on it in intervals.  Something took over and it has been my focus since starting it.

Sadly wish I'd enlarged the Blue Jay drawing but no way in hell I'm pulling out loops and re-hooking it.  That will be my 'baby' Blue Jay.

As previously mentioned, this is a pattern by Woolley Fox to which I took creative liberties.  I removed an owl, swan, turkey and changed up some bird designs to suit myself.   The original pattern measured  35 x 43 but I lowered the feather and added about another 2" to the length so it will be 35 x 45 by the time I'm done.  

Oh, and I'll be quite glad when it's done so that I can move on.  For the life of me cannot understand how someone has the patience and fortitude to hook a room size rug.  That would be a lifetime commitment for me, hell, particularly at my age now, lol.

Have a great evening and hope you in this heatwave has a good working air conditioner.

S aundra

Gossip Update

Finally the 'mother feather' has been hooked.  After having hooked the one on the left and saw what was waiting for me, wondered why the heck I hadn't hooked that big mother first.  

Now there are just two birds and the bottom feather to hook.  The original pattern measured 35 x 43 but I extended the length to move the bottom feather down a tad.  Now it measures 35 x 44 1/2. 

Once the hooking and steaming is complete the binding won't be as dreadful since the fabric has already been stitched on.  There will be a sleeve at the top so the finished rug can be hung on my wall.

The background wool is mostly Irish Eyes (which is reversible) with a few strips of Shepherd's Sheep hooked in random spots.  Both of those came from Heavens to Betsy.  

Hope your day is delightful.

Saundra

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

EEK, I Almost Forgot

Yesterday late afternoon while hooking on the blackbird (crow, raven) thought I'd start hooking at the top and around the corners.  All of a sudden realized my pre-binding stitching wasn't done.  What a fiasco that would be with the size of this rug to do after it was all hooked.  So stopped hooking and worked a little more on wool whipping Magdalena's Goat.  Am SO hoping to finish that binding task tonight.

So first thing over coffee this morning was the sewing task.  From the edge I drew a line 1 1/8" away from what would be the last row of hooking.  Then did two rows of straight stitching 1/4" away from each other with a row of zig zag connecting the two rows.  This way it prevents the linen foundation from unraveling and I want to be sure the edges are secure.

Next I drew a 1/4" line from where the last row of hooking as a sewing guide on where to attach the fabric.  Yeah, I know, I know there is some controversy as to whether it should or shouldn't be done before the rug is finished.  I don't do it all the time unless I know for sure how it will be bound AND, no other changes will be made.

As I knew my plan of action I did make some changes so was good to go with sewing the binding fabric on.

If you notice at the very bottom I extended the length of the rug about another 2" for more separation between the last rung of the 'tree branches' and the bottom feather.  Plus wanted a somewhat larger feather ~ not that much larger but wanted it to have the same impact and bordering effect as the top bird and the side feathers.

As previously mentioned tonight will be wool whipping time with a glass of pinot noir ~ that should make the pain of the whipping a little more palatable don't ya think?

Happy Sunday.... the rain will visit here again after 10 p.m. tonight.

UPDATE:  My blogger friend Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) keeps me in check to ensure proper information is provided my readers.  

She suggested I post the dimensions of the pattern.  Actually, if the pattern is enlarged I've usually kept the size visible in the photos. However, for those of you who can't read thru the changes in the photo above or didn't notice the dimensions in the previous post, the original size was 35 X 43.  With the increase it will now be about 35 x 45.

It is great to have an editor who isn't on my payroll ~ thanks Lauren.   

Saundra

GOSSIP

Nope, not talking about the verbal exchange of stories being passed from person to person ~ I'm talking about the pattern Gossip by Woolley Fox.  I looked on the web site but didn't see any hooked example and since I've taken creative liberties to the pattern mine won't be on the web site either.

Just couldn't wait to start the blackbird at the top, even before the bottom birds are hooked.  The wool used for the black bird is called "Crow Feathers".  It is an over dyed wool purchased from Jeannie Benjamin years ago.  Found it while attempting to get my wool room organized and glad to have found it.

I've a plan on how the rest should be hooked and hope my vision turns out.  So far I'm loving it. 

Sadly the Magdalena Goat still isn't bound nor is the Olde Hearts. Frankly I hadn't intended to be as attached to this pattern as I am so figured the other two rugs would be all bound by now.  

Happy Friday.

Saundra

The Fun Continues

Boy was I surprised when picking up mail yesterday afternoon.  There was a large brown package in the box and I hadn't ordered anything. When pulling out this pillowy soft package it sure felt like wool ~ but again hadn't placed an order.

Once pulled out could see the return address of my constant roomie and friend Deb.  Just couldn't wait to get back home to open it ~ was like Christmas in May.

There was a sweet message saying the gals thought of me daily so everyone decided to send me a piece of their wool.  Goodness, my pals were very nice to share their wool with me and Barb was very generous, but that IS Barb.  

Obviously some of this wool needed to be included in the GOSSIP rug ~ it was, after all what I'd planned to take to camp.  And if you read my blog you know that I did work on during their camp time. 

When the package arrived I'd already completely hooked the top 4 birds and the 5th was in the works.  Had to finish that bird first so today I started the 6th using some of the gals' wool.  That would be the purple bird using mostly Deb's wool because there just MUST be a purple bird, right Barb?

The eye of the bird and part of the wing is a strip of Shari's wool, the remainder of the wing is Barb's favorite wool as well as a piece of Deb's purple for a stripe.  

I think the beak and legs of the bird need to be changed since it is so close in value as the background (not part of the gal's wool).  I pulled that out of my grey bag of worms but maybe they need to be black.  

Am planning to use the other gals' wool in the rug as well and not sure where just yet.  

WOW, I'm so blessed to have such good friends who kept me close during a rug camp we've come to consider a part of our life and I couldn't enjoy this year.  

Thank you dear friends for thinking of me.  And now the fun still continues here at home and in my heart even after that camp.

Saundra

Getting Ready

Am finally starting to get ready for rug camp less than two weeks away. For several days it was questionable if I would be able to attend this year.  Many of you may know that my ex would come care for the dog (previously Shadow and now Ben).  But sadly he is very sick and cannot do it.  I'm very saddened for his illness for I never wished any ill harm come to him.  

Was uncertain at such late date I could find a kennel with an opening. Luckily I was to find one who would take on a Rottweiler as the first place refused to take a new client with a host of certain breeds.  Am sure I will worry about Ben at camp and hope he adjusts, if not that might be the end of my travel to rug camps.

The pattern I'm taking to Barb Carroll's is a Woolley Fox Design called "Gossip". Here is a photo of the rug my pal Deb started at Barb's camp a few years ago.

Deb halted hooking on the design because she wanted to tweak the swan, owl and another bird.  Deb liked the design so much she purchased the pattern twice.  She found the other when cleaning out her stash and I was the lucky recipient of the duplicate.

In anticipation of hooking this design got thinking about the motifs she has having a problem with and had an idea..... what about changing the turkey, owl and swan into birds also.  AH HA!  Good idea Saundra.

Today I started digging thru my wool to decide what candidates there are for a background and pulling small pieces of color for various birds.

And am wondering about some motifs on the rug ~  referring the the motif at the very bottom and those along the sides.  When thinking about the name and the design have two thoughts...  'birds of a feather flock together'  and are those motifs feathers? 

Would be interested in your thoughts.... feathers or leaves?

Must walk Ben as we will soon be on the way to the vet (AGAIN) but this time it is to get him vaccinated for kennel cough since he will be kenneled in 11 days.

Saundra

Meet the Group and See some Rugs

The end of any rug camp is sad because you not only leave one of your favorite teachers (in this case Barb Carroll), but also saddened by parting from new and old friends.

On the left in the photo below was a new friend who joined us; her name is Vicki.  She is working on Birds and Pomegranates which is an Edyth O'Neill design.  In the pink and red to the right in the photo is Joanne.  I remember seeing her at the Ocean City, MD rug camp ~ I'm terrible with names but never forget a face.

In the foreground with the green sweater is Colleen, a friend of Vicki's and they both flew in from Colorado to take their first class with Barb.  In the back on the left is my pal Deb who is at Barb's work space where she color plans each student's rug personally and individually.

The following rugs were hooked by Joanne (in the pink) she brought them to show Barb and to be photographed for Katie's Woolley Fox web site.  Below is a Magdalena Animal Parade rug.

 Another rug hooked by Joanne named Kansas 1878.

Purple Peeps below was also hooked by Joanne. 

My pal Deb took Monticello (a Karen Kahle design) to Woolley Fox last year and Barb asked if she'd bring it for show-n-tell.

Below are designs everyone was working on.  This one below is called Country Gentlemen (I think) and being hooked by Joanne.  Actually, she brought another rug to have Barb fix something that was bothering Joanne.  After it was fixed Joanne put this one on her frame.

Birds and Pomegranates (Edyth O'Neill design) being hooked by Vicki.

For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the rug below that Colleen was hooking.  What's worse is that when thumbing through the Rug Pattern book I did see it...once.  Since then I've thumbed through every page and cannot locate the design.  It IS there, why am I not seeing it??  Crazy.

Below is Gossip, one of Woolley Fox's newest designs; so new it will be the first hooked picture to appear on the web site I believe.  It is being hooked by my pal Deb.

Ah, so now you're wondering where my rug is...right?  Well I could do a whole blog post about mine so will save it until tomorrow.  Besides it will allow me to get a little more hooked for it's grand entrance.  No, it won't be finished then.

Right now I've got to go and TRY to start that #!*?% lawn mower again so that I can get Ben's backyard cut.

On this Memorial Day I'd like to express my gratitude to all the military who have served in this country to keep us from harm.  Sadly some warriors made the ultimate sacrifice.

Saundra