Fall / Halloween Season Continued

Was hoping to be done with those hooked and stuffed pumpkins to show you this evening but they're not quite done.  I've forged on because I knew if I set them aside unfinished they would never get finished.  

Tonight I'm showing you a photo of Hobo Joe which is a design by Lucille Festa .  The design was meant to be a cut-out but chose to hook him as a mat.

Despite not being a cut-out he is presently hanging on my front door.  I think he looks dapper in a Halloweenish way.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Here are some fall and HalLanterns is my design.  Since I've always wished I had a collection of them decided to hook my own version.

The most recent hooked Halloween rug was Do Goode Be Nice a design by Lori Brechlin and sold by Kris of Spruce Ridge Studios.

Nantucket Broom Ride a design by and offered by the above talented ladies.

Jack which is a design by Barb Carroll and was a free design in an old issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.

The cat Hester was in a Primitive Quilts and Projects issue last year and a design by Lori Brechlin.

This cute Duluth Pumpkin was a very generous kit, complete with pattern on linen, all the wool and buttons by Maria Barton of Star Rug Company.

Hobo Joe was hooked using the same green background as Hester (above).  Hobo Joe is a design by Lucille Festa of American Country Rugs.  Instead of making it a cut out I made it into a mat.

A photo dated 2012 of a mat I hooked using Lori's design which was in her booklet "October Folk".

Well darn, I hooked another of Lori's mats from her Wytch's Stitches with a witch pulling a large pumpking but can't find a photo of that mat. I know I've seen the photo, so must be on another flash drive somewhere.

Happy Haunting everyone.  Yup, I made this cute quilt piece a number of years ago.

Saundra

Happy Hallow's Eve

This neighborhood used to have young kids who would dress up and visit homes in this small community, now they are too old so doubt that I'll have anyone visit tonight.  Even my grandson is of the age where he wants to go out with pals so their moms drive them around then they gather and share the bounty at the end of the evening.

Below is a Netty LaCroix witch I made several years ago and subsequently sold at a show.  Loved making her dolls.

Then here is a pattern called Hobo Joe, designed by Lucille Festa as a cut out and I chose to hook the background and added his chest.

Before him I hooked Hester which was a free pattern in Primitive Quilts and Projects.

Last year I designed and hooked Mache Jacks just before Halloween.  I don't own an antique jack-o-lantern but always wanted one.  My blogger gal pal Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) has some and you should see her decorations.  Bet she has lots of candy to hand out too.

And of course my latest and greatest treasure just finished is Nantucket Broom Ride, a design offered by Spruce Ridge Studios from the art work of Lori Brechlin.

The last few days I've been very busy doing patterns and have been remiss in acknowledging some newbie hooker questions.  I've written to the gal to let her know I've not abandoned her, just busy.  And tonight's post was easy since the pictures were readily available and didn't have to think much, lol.

Kim, sweetie, hope those clowns don't come near your house.  

BOO to all of you.
Saundra

Natural Wool ~ For Sale and A Recipe

First I'll speak about the recipe called Soft Green which is in one of my favorite dye books Beautiful Wool by Laurice Heath.  The Soft Green recipe uses Cushing Dyes; 1 1/2 t. Bronze Green, 1/2 t. Khaki Drab in one cup boiling water.  Then from that 1 cup you apply the dye one tablespoon at a time in your pot over natural wool until you achieve the intensity you want.  

Remember that well water vs. city water, as well as physical location does have an affect on how the final wool turns out. So be sure to add only 1 tablespoon of dye at a time, you can always add more.

The background wool used in both Hester and now Hobo Joe is this green below which was overdyed on natural wool.  The ticket I attached to the wool indicates the recipe used was Soft Wool, 4 T from Beautiful Wool.

When I dye wool I'd usually do a couple different dye pots and put 4 T of the solution in a pot and the other maybe 3 T of dye.  Normally I start with one tablespoon and add to see what I like.  You can always add more if it isn't dark enough.  Here is the background on Hobo Joe, close to the end.  

Here's Hester, a design by Lori Brechlin and was a free pattern in the last issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  Looks like I used up the lighter pieces of wool from the same dye for this mat.  The outside border and base was from an as is textured piece of wool.

Now about that natural wool sale.  Below is a picture of one yard of UN-washed natural 100% wool.  If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you can read the tag.  

NOTE:  I have received orders from folks who are a NO-REPLY Blogger making their order in the 'Comment" section.  I cannot reply to you since you are a  DUH, "no reply' blogger.   You can learn about how to fix that if you search my blog.  So IF you want to place an order follow the instructions and click on the HERE that is provided below.  

I am not over dying much natural wool these days since there are so many colors left in my stash to use up so really need to clean some of this wool out.  The natural is $15 per yard and I've several yards.  

As you can see there is more on the bolt.  At this time I'm not ready to sell my as is textured wool but that might be next because when I walk in that wool room I become over whelmed.  

If you are interested in the natural wool sale, again it will be $15/yard, unwashed and shipping will be added.  If you'd like to inquire as to postage tell me how many yards you are interested in, your address and I'll give you a price on shipping.  Then you can decide and either send check, money order or could send you a PayPal invoice.  To place an order send a message with the information HERE.

IF any of you are interested and going to Cape May NEXT WEEK I can deliver the wool to you there and no shipping of course.  Just let me know what you want so that I can have it packed in my car by next Saturday.  

I will ship wool out until next Friday and then if there is any wool left to ship it will have to wait until I return home from Cape May.

It's storming here again so should get off this computer.  Have a good weekend folks.

Saundra

A Hobo Joe Update

For sure the hooking of Joe will be done before I leave for rug camp Sunday morning 9/20.  And it will be bound in time to make the show at camp along with the other 12 pieces I've hooked since last year's show. But before everyone gasps at the number, just remember that these weren't humongous rugs as several were mats but still fun and entertaining for me to hook.

When hooking Joe's shirt thought about hooking buttons down the front but was afraid that would be too distracting so just hooked a strip of wool like is around his hat.

There's only that bit of background to hook and perhaps the green circle around the eye....not sure about that change yet.  Since the cotton binding was sewn on once the perimeter was determined it will be an easy and quick binding job.

There are chores to be done here before I can leave for camp and since the weather is going to change will hold off packing a suitcase until Friday.  Saturday I will load the car so that I can leave early Sunday morning to the Lewes/Cape May Ferry to catch my ferry ride over.  Of course Ben will need tending and walking before that so he will be okay until the house/Ben sitter arrives.  I haven't liked placing any of my dogs in a kennel as it is not their fault I wish to enjoy myself and they shouldn't have to pay the price for my pleasure.  

Soooo, IF Hobo Joe is bound before leaving for camp what will I work on the night before camp and before Kris gets to me?  Don't know yet but I'll have something.

Hope you all have a good evening.  Right now at 5:31 pm. the temperature in Seaford, DE is 90*.  Yup, but things will change beginning tomorrow I believe.  Now you know why packing the suitcase will be a challenge.

Saundra

Gettin' Ready

Am trying desperately to get ready for Cape May amid the continual unrest with Windows 10 and trying to keep order to my humble abode, property and my boy Ben.  Now that Kim has her own drill perhaps she can fly by and give me a helping hand.  She can bring Abby and she and Ben can play in the backyard (Ben likes baby pups and big dogs).

Have made my first (got that...first) packing of wool for the rug I'm hooking at camp with Kris Miller.  That would be Nantucket Broom Ride designed by Lori Brechlin of NotForgottenFarm.  While I do pack up wool a week or so ahead of camp, I do check it and usually make additions to the wool before leaving.  I am SO looking forward to this adorable whimsy to put on my harvest table.  

It is hard to see in the photo of the wool selection but there are reds, golds and greens.  But now looking at the wool in the containers see perhaps I need a brighter gold to add for those stars.  Hmmm, see what I mean?

Am still plugging away pulling a few loops on Hobo Joe when I can. Was hoping to have him finished for the show at Cape May but don't think so.  I've also been busy pulling together the items I want to sell at Cape May.

As I'm not doing shows any longer I've a Witch Doll with a hooked face, some applique wool pumpkins on pedestals, cats in candy corn, a cute pumpkin head doll with spider web wings and a few other things to sell. What doesn't go at Cape May will be put on ebay or etsy once I return from camp. 

HOBO's BOW TIE

I've managed to pull a few more loops while trying to get ready for Cape May which is just two weeks away. Lest we forget also having daily tasks of a home, yard and pet ownership. 

I decided where I wanted the last row of hooking and sewed on a cute cotton rug binding.  This will make binding the rug at the end a lot easier.  I only do this IF I know for sure that my pattern demarcation is defined.

As you can see in the picture above the bow tie isn't complete since I'm not sure if that is the wool I'll keep.  AND..... am still thinking about that green circle around the eye and think I want it darker.  Again, continuing to hook until I am closer to the finished piece.  Hey, there's a lot of background and body to hook yet which may influence my decisions.  

As previously mentioned, this pattern was intended to be a "door hanger" and is a design by American Country Rugs .  But I decided to make him into a mat and took some creative license.

Have a good evening everyone.

Saundra

HOBO JOE

Today I managed to pull a few loops on Hobo Joe, a design by Lucille Festa (American Country Rugs).  I continue to be amazed how different a hooked piece looks at a distance or seeing it on the monitor vs just under my nose. Now it appears Joe's eyes need to be more prominent. While I did want that green circle outline maybe it needs to be a darker green.  In planning stage the bright yellow green seemed like a good idea .... then.

For Joe's body thought I'd use a black which has an orange stripe thru it.  This was a piece of Moda wool that Polly Minick generously gave me one year and think this is the first time I've used it.  And for his bow tie thought I might try one of the two black and white textures shown as I've lots of worms for each of those.

Today I had my annual flu shot.  While asking for the shot the drug store employee told me there is now a Pneumonia Booster shot.  Even tho I had a shot a few years ago this booster covers other strains of pneumonia.  So I got that one too and was told I'm covered for the rest of my life.  Sure hope that's a long time because there too damn much wool in this house to use up before I go anywhere.

Still having computer woes with Windows 10 and still no Windows Update for those issues.  Haven't made much progress on that new web site either as I'm still trying to find out how to navigate that program. But did notice that the link on my blog still takes me to the old now defunct web site.

Am looking forward to less humid and less hot weather and tomorrow is the day it begins; just in time for the Labor Day weekend.

Hugs to all.

Saundra

Hobo Joe

Got a smidgen more hooked on Hobo using a few worms but having to cut some wool too.  I'd hoped to have more than this hooked not only to have more progress to show you but anxious to watch him develop.

If you recall, I mentioned this pattern was to be a cut-out door person designed by Lucille Festa of American Country Rugs.  Since I'd decided to hook it as a mat vs. cut-out added some cotton edge around so the rest of the foundation could be utilized and fit on my frame.  There is plenty of foundation there for the pattern to be used as a cut out but silly me has to be different.  Oh, and I did give him a body too; I'm going to like this guy..... a LOT.

Remember my Windows 7 computer crash?  Yeah I know I just won't let the topic end will I?  Anyway, along with that crash went the software downloaded to do my web site.  Today I called my web host to find out when my next annual fee was due and learned it will be due 9/20.  Sheesh, that's only 20 days from now.

Did some research and read that when folks transferred their web site from Dreamweaver to their new Windows 10 the web site kept crashing.  Which means I'd have to download another Dreamweaver to the tune of $399 and on top of that pay the web server fees.  Therefore think I'll drop my web site and figure out another venue to promote the patterns I draw.  Haven't figured that all out yet as I'm still reeling from computer issues and tending cats for a neighbor last week, which ended yesterday.  

Have a great evening everyone.  Summer is back here with a vengence and will be high temps and high humidity for the next few days.  Uh, and my grass needs to be cut......again.

Saundra


     

My Next Hooking Project and Wool Samples

Finally decided what to put on my frame next...... Hobo Joe by Lucille Festa.  For years I've had this design, fell in love with it in her class where Lucille had that door hanger and others for sale.  My pal Deb bought the one you see in two posts down and I just HAD to buy the pattern.  The pattern is designed and drawn to be a cut-out but I decided mine will be a mat.  There was plenty of foundation to hook it as a cut out but needed to sew on some cotton around the edge so that I could do the mat.  

I doubt that I'll hook the piece as large as its drawn but wanted to guesstimate the space and will have a better idea how big once it gets going.  Maybe, just maybe I'll give this handsome fella a chest too. After all he does have on a bow tie and top hat so stands to reason he needs the rest of his finery.   

Yesterday the wool samples came from Heavens to Betsy and you'll see some scribbled notes along side.  Trust me when I say there is NO ROOM for wool here other than the floor.  So I'd better hook til I drop and use it up a little faster.  Summer grass cutting has really taken a bite out of my 'fun' time.

If you don't already get Betsy's flyer 4 times per year, please contact her to be put on her mailing list.  Even if it costs $5 to get these flyers that still doesn't quite cover the cost of her mailing these to you each year.  Besides, the wool looks much different when you get the washed samples than it does on her web site.  Heck, we know how much difference there is in the photos we take of our rugs to post vs. in person.  

Have a great weekend everyone.

Saundra

What To Hook Next

As I'm close to being done with Hester, I've been wracking my brain to decide what to hook next.  Briefly thought about hooking some more flower pins to take for sale at Cape May but that thought passed quickly.  

Also thought of hooking Lucille Festa's Hobo Joe even tho I am presently hooking Lori Brechlin's Hester, a fall design.

And lately have also had neutral monochromatic thoughts and would like to experience that.  So I went thru the antique rug photos I've collected and thought I'd post a few.  Okay Kim.....FYI I'm not on any 'medications' of choice, lol so maybe these photos will make it on the blog.

There are a couple of these rugs which I find interesting and would be fun to hook.  But still I don't know what is going to be on my frame next.  What I REALLY need to do is clean this pig sty of a house and trim some limbs on some of my bushes.

Time for some yogurt and fresh blueberries and sit with a hook in my hand after.  Enjoy your evening everyone.

Saundra

What Does It Take To Call It Fun?

This isn't the original title I'd given my post but while walking Ben thought about what my post was really about and changed the title.  For me here are the items which would determine if I was having fun hooking or not:

Style/Subject ~ Definitely Primitive hooking for me.  I most favor antique adaptations since that is what pulled me into the hooking bug.  But sometimes whimsy wins out.  One day I want to do a landscape and a memory rug but those will need to meet the following criteria with maybe the occasional exception.

Wool strip size ~ for me it would be nothing less than #8 and preferably #8.5 & #9.  Yes I've hooked ONE rug with #3 for my departed Rotties but no more narrow cuts unless it is the center of an eye or center of a flower.

Wool color ~ I prefer earthy and olde colors.  Not particularly fond of bright colors although I did hook Ali Katz in bright for a specific purpose and that was fun.  PLUS, it was hooked in wide cuts so that helped.  Not fond of flat colors anymore either, but use them on occasion as I've a fondness for textures as that lends itself to primitive old rugs.

New on the Frame ~  AH.... now that is the one that has me now.  Don't ask if I'm having fun yet....'cuz I'm not.  As much as I enjoy the subject matter and antique adaptation this isn't new on the frame.  It is the second time hooking this design, one right after the other.  Yes, it is for a friend so I'm a bad girl for saying I'm not having fun.  Since just finishing one am itching to start something new.  Here is what the second Black Kitten Mat looks like as of this moment.

This a shot of the one I just finished with Betsy Reed's primitive binding compared to the one  in progress which will have a traditional cotton rug binding.

Now back to that fun part ~  I'm itching to put something new on my frame to hook before going to Cape may.  A few months ago that something was to hook Lucille Festa's Hobo Joe, below.

But, as you know I've become enamored with Hester, a free design in Primitive Quilts and Projects, which is a design by Lori Brechlin of NotForgotten Farm. 

Not sure about you other rug hookers but my excitement level can bee fickle and flit from one design to another in a flash ~ just as with Hobo Joe and Hester.  But, who knows, since these are small maybe I'll be able to hook them both before I leave for Cape May in September.

In other news..... I just noticed this will me my 1002 posting.  Dang, for a long time I watched the numbers to make that 1000 announcement but I missed it.  Well, that's me... a day late and dollar (or two) short.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Been Thinking....What's Next?

As you could tell from yesterday's post I'm itching to take a wee break from the Man Cave rug and contemplated pulling loops on that antique rug.  Well after looking at it again nixed that idea, rolled it back up and stored it away again.  So am now thinking about one of these two projects.

This simple small black kitten has been tugging at my heart strings ever since I saw it.  And already have loads of similar colored background wool but I'd dirty up some even more to give it the old look.  Problem?  It isn't on linen yet.

Or, since I already have Lucille Festa's "Hobo Joe" pattern could start this right away since it is already on linen and would reduce my stash of patterns by one.  That would "only" leave 27 patterns left in my stash....sheesh ~ that impulse buying habit of mine!

If I choose Hobo Joe don't think I'd make him a cut out but rather a mat to enjoy on my kitchen harvest table or end table.

Oh, by the way, a loyal follower wrote me this morning asking if the sweet annie I mentioned in yesterday's post really worked as a moth repellent.  And it is; you can read about it yourself HERE.  There were a lot of other links but most of those had the technical names of Sweet Annie and all species of her relatives.  So do you own search if the link above doesn't satisfy your curiousity.

Have a great weekend y'all.

Saundra

Oh Dear.... What Next?

The commission piece is done, I'm binding the rug to be sold and still have another yet to bind.  Plus, this delightful pattern by Star Rug also still needs to be finished; I started the binding but got side tracked. 

Since there is nothing new on my frame....YET, and since my creative juices have been floating in my brain, I'm not sure just what will go on my frame next.  But I must say I'm getting fidgety, my hooking hand is shaking and I'm beginning to get frustrated and unsatisfied. 

Today I did sketch one thought but not the whole piece as the border hasn't been decided. That one is a fall theme. 

And, being in the heat of summer celebrations thoughts of my youth, dancing and being happy and free is another theme.  I might work on both ideas but realize fall is coming sooner than the next summer celebration. 

So.....while in my wool room today saw a pattern purchased from Lucille Festa.  It was during one of my classes with her in Ocean City, MD a few years ago that she had this design hooked and I fell in love.  I knew Hobo Joe was a must have pattern. Today I stumbled upon the pattern and even tho it was planned as a cut-out figure maybe I'll hook it in a rectangular shape ...not sure yet.  Guess that depends on whether or not I get my mojo juices flowing to start something of mine.

Lucille, must tell you this guy is still beckoning me and I LOVE him still.  Hobo might be on my frame next unless I can get my groove on.

 

Have a great night everyone. 

 

Saundra