Patriotic Pumpkins

You already know it was all hooked, but now it has been bound and being displayed on the harvest table in the kitchen.  Those cotton cats are some of the remaining unsold items from when doing shows and certainly came in handy today.  

If you think your eyes are playing tricks with you with dots and dashes at the bottom of the mat, it's okay.  That is a stripe fabric used to bind the mat with.....

..red and white cotton fabric.  Seemed like a very suitable binding since there's still many yards of cotton still on my shelves.

This wall in the kitchen will be the next venue to hang rugs...me thinks.  The wall has looked like this for more years than I can remember and time for an update.  

Yes Lauren, that is an antique ceiling lamp which traveled thousands of miles with me over the years.  Purchased it from an antique dealer in Federalsburg, MD, moved to Bowie, MD, then 1979 moved to San Ramon, CA.  1981 it moved to Seaford, DE, then to Columbia, MD and now back to Seaford, DE.

For those just seeing my blog, this is a design by Kelley Belfast which I named Patriotic Pumpkins.  Happy Saturday everyone.

Saundra

Second Try

Last post I wasn't quite pleased with the tongues so decided to take a break and put the other pattern on my frame.  There weren't but a few  loops pulled on the Use it Up design before Patriotic Pumpkins haunted me.

So put it back on the frame.  This is what it looks like now and without any change to the larger pumpkin.  I reduced the tongue colors from 4 colors to 3....that old saying 'less is more' ringing true.

Here is what the tongues (unfinished) looked like before.

To be honest this is just a fun project and not a Celebrations entry nor any other contest.  So what was all my stressing about????  The first picture will be just fine for me to use as a mat on my table or front door to welcome fall.   AND, I'm no longer worried about the colors of the large pumpkin.  All of a sudden I feel free ..took a deep breath and moving on.   

Now my concentration will be on Use it Up design.  Which means I'll be needing to have a back up pattern to hook.  Oh No!

Horrific oppressive temperatures outside today.  There is to be some rain relieve Tuesday and/or Wednesday.  Sure hope so.

Saundra

Patriotic Pumpkins Update

As you will see, there's no change (yet) in the large pumpkin.  I wanted to move forward for a while before taking more steps backward by pulling loops.  Besides, when more is hooked it might help me decide which direction (color) to go.

The first photo shows what it would look like it I hooked two more rows on the flag ~ wool strips were just placed there.

Below is what it looks like with the strips removed and tongues longer.

Am leaning toward the extra two rows.

Any of my readers start their version yet?  If so I'd love to see your photos and you can send them to saundra125@comcast.net.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

Patriotic Pumpkins

Or at least that is the name I've given it.  Actually it is a freebie generously given by Kelley Belfast thru Out of Hand Rughooking Group a couple weeks ago.  As she didn't give it a name thought I'd give this great design a name of Patriotic Pumpkins.  

I've hooked, ripped out and re-hooked that big pumpkin so many times was afraid of weakening the linen.  So will leave it for now and decide later what to do.

Okay, okay.....here was my initial color plan thought ~ ~  I wanted white pumpkins in the flag as Kelley designed to represent the stars in the flag.  SO, thought the big pumpkin could be some sort of hybrid white/orange pumpkin.  

Therein was my problem.  How to make a pumpkin look white and orange.  Me thinks that once I get the flag going the rest will be a 'piece of cake'....right?

If not, maybe I'll change the big pumpkin to all white....OR...hook the big pumpkin to orange and change the pumpkins in the flag to stars?  Think I'll sleep on it tonight.

Have a great evening.

Saundra





S

The Kelley New Project

That is not a good name for this sweet design even tho it was an interim new fun project to hook.  Here are some names I pondered:

• Kelley's Cat, pumpkins and Flag
• Patriotic Fall
• Patriotic Pumpkins

Of course I always give credit to Kelley for her designs so everyone knows where the design originated.  Heck, anyone knows what is a Kelley Belfast design immediately no matter who hooked it.  Anyway, this is what was accomplished during the break from the Magdalena rug.

Was hoping to hook the big pumpkin by now but at least it is giving me something to look forward to when I continue.

No biopsy report from the doctor yet but sent photos of my wound to the doctor yesterday and asked it that is what it should look like after 6 days.  Was prescribed an ointment and antibiotic wash to do twice a day.  So am hoping the healing process will look a little more appealing to me in the morning.

Saundra  

Back to the Big One

Must admit I'm liking hooking a small rug as a break and just might keep two rugs going simultaneously in the future.  That would be one SMALL and another whatever size.  It gives me a break between rugs and prevents boredom for those who might read my blog on occasion.

Here's the Great Granddaughter's Rug right now.  Am embarrassed to say I binge watched Killing Eve with Sandra Oh.  It is such a weird show and required my full attention to catch what was going on.  When doing that I can't pull loops.

This evening my attention will be directed to the great Kelley Freebie so am hopeful there will be more accomplished on that for next post.

It has been too hot for me to do walking, besides with the big scoop out of my shin I wasn't supposed to overdo since the legs carry the weight of my body.  Will hate to step on the scales after a week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and there's a big holiday coming up.

Saundra

The Fickle Rug Hooker

Not finished with the Great Granddaughter's Rug quite yet but I told you about having something lined up right after.  Well, make that to start right after my new interest.

This is due to Kelley Belfast's freebie design offered at The Out of Hand Rughookers on Facebook.  If you are a member of that group you know what I'm talking about.  If you aren't a member, click the link above and ask Lori Brechlin if you may join in.

Meanwhile here are a few photos of Kelley's designs which may have been hooked by Kelley, me or others.... enjoy.

That is  only a sampling of Kelley's wonderful designs.  Am looking forward to starting that new project soon but alas, must have a questionable spot removed from my shin this afternoon.  

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

FLAG DAY

Flag Day is celebrated June 14th to commemorate the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.  Below is the Pledge rug designed and hooked by Polly Minick.  It measures 36 x 43 and pattern can be purchased by Woolley Fox.  

An old and beautiful rendition of the American flag is the 46 Star flag hooked by  Laura Etta Clarke of Barrington, NH 1902.  It measures 29 x 37.

And the Old Glory Flag designed and hooked by Kelley Belfast.  If I'm not mistaken, this was Kelley's adaptation of the original antique.  Good job Kelley.

GOD  BLESS  AMERICA!!!

Saundra

CAT NAP FINI

With the eyes changed and potential customer approved it was time for binding.

I don't have a favorite binding style as each piece determines what is needed.  This one had a potential buyer who wanted to hang it on his wall so decided to do a wide double layer of cotton with the same color sleeve to insert a dowel.

As previously mentioned on other blog posts, this is a delightful design by Kelley Belfast.

Today, also printed a sheet of labels for a couple rugs recently hooked, for Cat Nap, the Magdalena I'm working on AND...... the next two rugs.  Those two  would be patterns to hook at Cape May and camp in November.  So guess I'm definitely committed to those two patterns for SURE!

Had to use up the whole sheet and it was the last sheet of printable fabric left.  Now must find a new resource because my local Walmart does NOT sell anything like that. 

IF you folks new to hooking or new to my blog you may want to visit HERE to see the other ways I've bound rugs.

Hope your next week is a happy one with good weather.

Saundra

Maybe, Just Maybe.....

.... Cat Nap could be done except for binding???  Just maybe?

If you scroll down to previous photos of my progress you'll notice a change in the cat's face.  First I removed the white mouth and hooked in a softer grey.  Then the face stripe (nose) was changed to grey.  Now I'm wondering if the eyes need a little tweaking.

Had so planned on starting the Magdalena today but that won't happen.  Tomorrow is wool mess clean up from around my hooking nest.  And in the morning is the HVAC guy to spring service my furnace/heat pump.  

Binding on Cat Nap is not on my schedule at the moment, neither are any tweaks.  This little guy will sit on the sidelines and take a little Cat Nap to wait.  Magdalena is calling me.

Saundra

Now and Next

I'm nearing the end of an adorable design by Kelley Belfast and happy with how it is turning out.  The top part of the 'sky' is hooked with the over-dyed wool previously posted.  While hooking that part wondered what to do about the bottom ~ ground/grass.

Went shopping in my wool room and found some different wool but with same value and colors, pictured below.  So think I'll use those strips plus incorporate a few darker value more greenish fronds of grass also.  Not sure if that plan will work but we will both find out soon.  

As for NEXT.......I'm yanking at the bit to start my next project.  Would love to expand on it but need to save something for another post.   

Those of you who follow me, know I get impatient when wanting to move to the next project.  Today is no exception.  I've sketched out and enlarged the paper pattern and started drawing it on linen already.  But think 'kitty' needs to be finished properly to enjoy her 'cat nap'.

Saundra

Cat Nap Update

I did it....I over-dyed that other half of the wool and it turned out similar to the other.  Was hoping it would be a little darker for variance but it is close in value and will do well.

Here is Cat Nap and you must agree there is a huge difference with the background now.

Am trying to decide what to do with the bottom portion of the design.  I don't want to do flowers but to introduce ground/grass might be nice.  Maybe during the night I'll 'sleep on it' and make my decision.

Saundra

A Pause to Dye

Thought since this pattern was small it would go fast ~ and it probably will once the wool gets right.  My plans for the background/sky just didn't make the cut.  It is way too light and bright.  You can barely see the hooked section above the cat.  Plus it would be too light in value compared the wool I've planned for the church birdhouse.

So, into a pot of Warm Sky (Beautiful Wool) dye recipe it went.  There was about half a yard of wool and I used 1 TBS + 1 tsp. of dye.  This is how it turned out.  The left are the results and the right is the other part of the yard I purchased.  Have no idea why I purchased it but with the dyeing it will do fine.  Matter of fact tomorrow think I'll do the remainder in a little darker pot so there will be a variance.

Stay tuned to see Cat Nap.  Can't wait until it is done because I'm hot to trot for my next antique adaptation.  Think it will be another Magdalena rug ~ or at least that is my plan now.  But you know how hot and cold I run with what's on the frame.

Happy Tuesday, happy hooking and hope you are all in a 'good place' since there is so much chaos in the world.  When news gets to me I change the channel or turn it off.  After all, why would I expose  myself to such negativity?  I choose to surround myself with happiness.

Saundra

This and That

Let's start off with a Kelley Belfast design.  Rug hooker Kathy wrote asking for a rug pattern she'd seen on Debbie's blog several months ago.  Here is what she saw ~ Debbie did this adorable needle punch glass case.

I wrote to Kathy saying that was Debbie's rendition of Kelley's original design and I'd need to ask permission from Debbie to use her idea.  Debbie graciously permitted me to draw a rug pattern for Kathy and I love it so much I'm thinking of hooking one myself.  Thank you Debbie for giving permission.

Kathy took a little creative license with grass and flowers, what a delightful rug it is.  She is gifting this to a friend who has a cat named Monkey ~ you can see the cat's name hooked into the rug under the bench.

On another note, I had an 'unknown' ask a question about Townsend Cutter sizes.  Since that person is a NO-REPLY blogger I'm unable to correspond to her.  The only way I could reply is if that question had been sent via the "EMAIL ME" section on the right side of my blog.  

But my advice to her would be to buy the second size you think you'd use most.  When I first started hooking my 'go to' size was #8 cut.  Now my favorite is #8.5.  However, I have #6 thru #10 and use all of them but use my #8.5 most often.

Seems more bad weather is predicted beginning this evening.  I've already received 'flash flood' warnings on my Apple product.  

Happy Good Friday everyone.  

Saundra