Be Prepared

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared".  The next time I host or do a textile challenge my motto is "be more prepared".  In 2021, during the pandemic, I hosted a textile challenge on my blog and you can read a little about it HERE.  The objective was using more of an alternate textile than wool in a rug to get back to our roots, so to speak.  

Not such a wise decision was that I chose to use woven cotton and homespun as my alternate textile.  Not next time baby, it is a bear to pull through the linen.  Finished works by the participants of the challenge were featured in the August/September 2021 issue of ATHA magazine.  Thanks to all the rug hookers who joined in, it was fun.

So in order for  me to be more prepared for the next challenge I've started looking for and collecting silks, cotton knits and nylons.  If you peruse the rug hooking sale sites on FB you've seen Sari silk offered I'm sure.  What makes Sari silk (a silk garment worn in India) any more special than a silk item worn in America?  Go to your local thrift shop and look for silk items.  Yeah, you'll have to dismantle and rip it yourself but much more thrifty and you can use the savings toward gas.

Yesterday I did rip a couple items which you see bundled to the left of the photo below.  I'll bet that colorful blouse will be beautiful and will eventually work on that.  The white nylons will be thrown in a dye pot once I know what the project will be.  You can also see a green and yellow piece of nylon stocking.

And here is my collection of cotton knit, and more yellow and green nylon stockings.  These will have to be cut vs. ripped, but at least I've got my bounty ready.

For those who have followed me regularly, you know my passion for hooking antique adaptations.  Here is a photo of antique star and diamond rug which measures 33 x 70.  Love those blotchy off color patches on antique rugs.  Shows me they used what they had.

Now look at the close up detail of the textiles used AND notice the spacing between the loops.

And yet another closeup of another section of the rug with burlap showing thru.  That may also indicate weakening of the foundation.  Point is, that's not wool.

Here is the back of another antique rug and look at the spacing between loops.

On another rug, the photo below shows this person even used a sweater.

And probably my all time favorite antique rug designer/hooker is Magdalena Briner Eby.  Here are two closeup photos of the front and what is now known as Great Granddaughter's Rug.

Notice that even tho these rugs were well used, walked on (pressed), during Magdalena's time you can still see foundation showing.  And of course they got dirty which adds beauty to the antique and tones down the bright white.  Sometimes I have used walnut juice from walnuts collected in the fall or I've a favorite dye recipe called Olde Patina which I use.  So if you want to make a rug look old, follow in the footsteps of our foremothers, just say'n.

Here's Magdalena's fine rug held by relatives.  That is the great granddaughter in the middle.

In 2019 I hooked that design and tried to follow the color scheme Magdalena used but hooked in my normal rhythm and using what I had on hand.

Guess I've rambled long enough on this post and need to save up something for future posts.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Did ya Miss Me????

Have wondered if I'd be missed if I stopped blogging as so many others have done.  Before leaving for Cape May though I'd not be able to post photos on my blog from camp did a pre-saved post and planned to hit send from camp.  Turned out I couldn't remember my password and Google wouldn't send.  Thus, no posts until now.  But this is what I'd saved............

If you are reading this blog I am already at Cape May but saved this post before leaving home.  Reason is most times Blogger will NOT let me or anyone post photos on iPad.  So Google, there's more than one way to skin the cat!!!!

On Wednesday there will be a rug show open to the public at the Chalfonte Hotel and these are the rugs I'm taking to show.

Star Geometric (above), an antique adaptation drawn by me, designer unknown.  

Lititz Hens, an antique adaptation drawn by me and the designer was Magdalena Briner Eby.

Above is Early Farm Scene an antique adaptation drawn by Frontier Homestead and designer unknown.

I thoroughly enjoyed every loop pulled on the Great Granddaughter's Rug above.  It was drawn by me and designed by Magdalena Briner Eby.  Below is a photo of the great granddaughter of Magdalena and the great granddaughter's son, who recently donated the prized possession.

Below is a rug drawn by me using the wording from the War Advertising Council of 1944 to conserve resources.  Always thought it was a phrase from struggling farmers and mostly used by quilters and rug hookers.  I'd be totally wrong when doing a search on the phrase.

An adorable winter piece from the design of Kelley Belfast and drawn by me is Welcome Snowman.

Also hooked in 2019 but not in the show is Cat Nap, which has already been presented to a friend.  It is also a design by Kelley Belfast and drawn by me.

OH!!!!!  Don't want to forget Patriotic Pumpkins but that piece is busy gracing my harvest table at the moment.

However,  I'd forgotten to take Horses and Hearts so it stayed home.  Guess I can take it for next year's show at Cape May.

Will do another blog post tomorrow.  I'm BAACK.
S

The Object of My Affection (edited)

You may have recently seen the photo below on Facebook.  In the photo is Ellen Jacobs, great granddaughter of Magdalena Briner Eby, and Ellen's son Gregg Jacobs.

Ellen was donating Magdalena's original hooked rug to the Historical Society of Perry County, PA.   The design is aptly named "Great Granddaughter's Rug" which has two ducks, one crow and two lollipop bouquets.  The original size of the rug is 32 1/2 x 43 1/2 but mine will be smaller.

That was a very generous gift by the family as the rug would have brought thousands of dollars if sold at auction.

That is the rug which is the object of my affection.  I've hooked several Magdalena designs but not this one.....yet.  It is already drawn on linen and am ready to start but have a bit more to hook on Cat Nap.  Thinking that will be finished by tomorrow. 

If you would like to learn more about Magdalena and her rugs, below is an insightful booklet on Magdalena's history.  The information was researched by Evelyn Lawrence and published by Kathy Wright of Rug Hooking Traditions.  The booklet would also be helpful to have available photos for when you hook one of Magdalena's designs 

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

p.s.  I have been asked why the ducks were upside down.  Evelyn Lawrence, interviewed the family and saw the family rugs.  It was acknowledged in the booklet that Ellen (great granddaughter) thought it strange the ducks were upside down.

The only reason I can think of is that way there would be something to view walking toward the rug in either direction.  So the rug could be in an open room or door way.