WHERE DID MY DAY GO?

What a timely and perfect title to my blog.  And thanks to friend blogger Cathy of Acorn Hollow for providing the idea for my post since that was the title of her last post.  

This morning after breakfast I started drawing patterns.  Most were Dancing Rabbits patterns but there were three other designs ordered too.  Since I'm a one woman operation it's me cutting and serging the linen and drawing so only accomplished one pattern before lunch.  Then went back to draw more but quit just before 5 p.m. to watch The Five.  Then another order for rabbits came in so will finish drawing and ship the patterns tomorrow.

Here's what has been ordered.  What took most of my morning was drawing the Cottage and Apple Tree.  I had to really concentrate on the tree limbs and apple's as it is easy to get confused as to where the limb and the background were because of the location of the apples.

Five Dancing Rabbits patterns, some with border some without. 

One Ali Katz small (without the zig zag border ends).

And one Mache' Jacks.

Or at least that's all on the schedule so far.  In queue tomorrow will be to finish Ali Katz and draw the last order for Dancing Rabbits with border.  Wish I could be more creative in my blog post this evening but I feel brain dead and tired.  BUT!  Not too tired to pull some loops.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

MY HALLOWEEN HOOKED PIECES

On the harvest table is my favorite Nantucket Broom Ride, designed by Lori of Notforgotten Farm, pattern by Spruce Ridge Studios.  The flowing scarf is not part of the design but rather a suggestion by my mentor Barb Carroll.  Actually Kris Miller color planned it for me in class but Barb use to read my blog and sent me an email with that suggestion and some wool.  She was a generous soul.

At home not thinking about the sliver moon being gold I hooked a gold house on the same side at the bottom.  It should have been a gold house on the left to distribute the color and make the eye travel, oh well.  So I made the far left tree in gold, lol.

Another design by Lori and color planned with Kris is the pattern Do Goode Be Nice.  Instead of hooking a skeleton key I attached a real one instead.  Those are supposed to be chin hairs on the the witch.  I think she needs eye surgery, 😁

This Jack was a free pattern insert in the Sept/Oct 1997 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine, a design by Barb Carroll.

Mache Jacks below is my design.

Another design by Lori which is sitting on the sofa table near the front door.  I believe this pattern was purchased from Lori's etsy page vs, Spruce Ridge.

Hobo Joe is a pattern by Lucille of American Country Rugs. It was intended to be a cut out door hanger but I had other plans for him.

I have another Halloween themed pattern by Lori which I haven't hooked yet.  Hmm, two in fact.  

Here's something I didn't hook, sew or applique but I love it and it is hanging on my front door.  It is a wool applique stocking which Tonya Robey made and I just had to have it.  Hard to see but the stitched word at the bottom is BOO.

Happy Halloween and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

At Least a Day (or more) Late

Yeah, that pretty much describes it.  It's October ~ the month when pumpkins and Halloween festivities are in full bloom.  But I failed to post one of my most favorite original designs in time for people to purchase.

As a child I never owned a paper mache' pumpkin.  Then one year decided to design my own pattern for the hooked version of Mache' Jack-O Lanterns.  The pattern measures 15" x 35" drawn on linen for $38.  

Here it is on my harvest table with a purchased crow and a paper mache' pumpkin I made when living in Columbia, MD and made with a group of friends.  With the cost of the antiques this will be my only paper mache' Jack-O-Lantern.

Today I had my flu shot.  There have already been flu cases reported in our area already.  It normally takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to become effective so hope to be protected when attending rug camp. 

Saundra

Sharing Spotlight Time

Just couldn't make up my mind which Halloween rug to display  on my harvest table so decided to have them take turns.  This way I can enjoy them both.  This is a design by Lori Brechlin named "Do Goode be Nice" and can be purchased from Spruce Ridge Studios.  It was hooked in a class with Kris Miller last September at Cape May.

Since I'm not lucky enough to have vintage jack-o-lanterns I made one of paper mache' a few years ago ~ which you see above.  

The mat above I designed and hooked for my love of vintage mache' Jack-O-Lanterns.  It may be a likeness but still not the same as those beauties I remember from my childhood.

Saundra

Goings On Here

Yesterday I told you of the recent pattern sales.  One was for Domestic Zoo which can be viewed at the top of my blog.  Since it is a popular pattern there is usually always one ready to ship; now need to get another to replace the one just sold.  In the same order was this Ali Katz design which needed to be drawn.  Both shipped yesterday.

Then later in the afternoon yesterday had an order for my Mache' Jacks so Deb can get a head start hooking it to display along with her antique mache' Jacks this October.

Also want to mention half of binding Chum has been done, the worst part, which is the outer edge.  The inside will be a piece of cake and go fast so I set Chum aside for today.  Then pulled a few loops on my son's rug and concentrated on getting the rest of the wording hooked.  Will show you progress tomorrow.

 

And believe it or not have even worked some in the wool room getting yardage a home and rearranging to make the space more work friendly.  Pictures there aren't ready to share yet tho.

 

Tomorrow will also show you a huge rug my gal pal finished binding recently.  It is Magdalena's Animal Parade.  So check back tomorrow to see what else is happening.

 

OH!!!!!!!  I would like a little help from my viewers.  On my side bar is a list of "bloggers who hook".  That is my very favorite place to see what my friends are doing but a lot of people aren't blogging much.  SO, if YOU have a favorite hooking blog you'd like to see on my side bar please send me the link and I'll add it.  OR, if YOU are a hooker who would like me to have your blog on the side bar also please send me your blog link.

 

Have a great evening everyone and life is looking up since my wool room is making progress as is my rug binding.  TA TA.

 

Saundra

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rugs in Review 2014

My but how time flies and will soon have to remember to write 2015 on checks instead of 2014.  Another year older and hard to believe almost 8 years has passed since the divorce.

Something that I like to do now is look back at the rugs I've hooked over the last year.  A few years ago I started keeping a list of the rugs completed during the year as it is fun to reflect back on them and memories associated with the time hooking. 

The first one finished in 2014 was an adaptation of a Harriet Powers quilt block which I named 500 Mile Betts.  I gifted it to my dear friend Evelyn Lawrence since she admired it so much and knew it would have a good home with her.

Next was Magdalena's Lollipop Bouquet and must say this one was on top of the list as one of the most fun.  It was fun trying to replicate Magdalena's colors while using up a lot of my left overs and with some cut wool for consistency in the neutral background and base.

Then was the project which wins 'greatest accomplishment' of several years of hooking..... that would be the completion of the damn Granny Geometric which had been started about 10 years earlier.  I'd pull it out, hook one block and back in the tote it would go for another year or 5.  Happy to say it is done and bound ~ again using up a lot of left over strips.

The Chicken Challenge was offered by Woolwrights Hooking Guild  and I jumped on the chance to get a free antique adaptation pattern.  This too was fun to make mine different from the original and have blotchy background.

When perusing Pinterest I found a wonderful rug hanging on the wall in a cabin.  I knew it appeared to have the age of a copywrite free rug but didn't know who owned it.  And some of the images were hard to decipher so guessed they were birds on the sides.  Once I learned who  owned the rug I wrote for permission to hook it, sell the patterns and received permission.  I named the pattern The Cat's Meow because as I had over dyed wool to give an aged look and as the rug came to be it was THE Cat's meow.

Next was Magdalena's Farm; building up quite number of Magdalena's rugs.  Soon I'll have as many as Evelyn Lawrence who did all the research and who has hooked all her rugs.

Then I wanted to have another antique adaptation pattern to offer for sale so hooked Pot of Flowers.  A picture with a flash and one without.  Makes a huge difference in the way they appear on the monitor.

After that I had two commission pieces to do which were rather large.  I listed them as something I hooked but they weren't mine to keep and received payment for my work.  The names of the patterns and client will remain anonomoyous.

Lucky to win a Duluth Pumpkin kit from generous Maria Barton of Star Rug company I hooked this next; thank you very much Maria.  Love those button eyes that came with.

Okay, so then wishing I owned some of those antique Jack-O-Lanterns I knew growing up, decided I needed to design my own Fall/Halloween pattern and came up with "Mache' Jack-O-Lanterns"

Always needing something else to have on my frame chose to hook Magdalena's Folk Art horse next.  Yup, those Magdalena rugs are mounting up here Evelyn.

OOPS, while going thru my photos realized I hadn't put Ali Katz on my 2014 list (it's there now tho).  Guess that is because still some defining lines need to put in around parts of some of the cats.  But it was hooked and bound in this year.  I have already sold one pattern and can't wait to see she chose to hook it and hope to get a picture.  I understand it won't be worked on until next spring/summer but am still looking forward to it.

Last year just before Christmas I saw what Maria was working on and that little Jolly drove me crazy.  Just had to have him so purchased it from Star Rug Company.  Yeah, did a change or two to make him my boy Jolly.  I love him Maria and he is sitting on my sofa table right now.

And recently last loops were pulled on Magdalena's Olde Ducks.  Even tho it hasn't been bound yet still consider it hooked in 2014.  Perhaps during the start up of 2015 and during the slow time of this remaining holiday the binding will get done.

EEK, I forgot to mention my 'detour' project of hooking arm chair covers for my computer chair.  It wasn't a big project but was hooking nonetheless.

Now all that remains of my hooking in 2014 is Cherries and Candy Stripe which I will show you tomorrow with a bit more of an update.

Have a great evening everyone and may all your loops be perfect.

Saundra

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Enjoy all those ghosts and goblins who drop by tonight.  I remember as a kid there was a neighbor woman who used to make pop corn balls; my brother and I used to love them more than the purchased candy people gave out.

Here is the rug I recently designed which is called Mache' Jack-O-Lanterns and guess it will be replaced with something else tomorrow.

This is the Jack I hooked last year and was a free pattern insert in a 1998 Oct/Nov issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.  The design was by Barb Carroll of Woolley Fox.

As I was a lucky winner of a free kit from Maria Barton (Star Rug Company), I also hooked this cute Duluth Pumpkin.  Love those buttons Maria sent with the kit as eyes.

This small piece was designed and hooked by Tonya Robey (Mad Hen) and I've several of her designs that I've purchased on ebay in the past.

Another item made by Tonya and it hangs in my sewing room 24-7.

When I did shows the witch below was one that was quite popular.  I may still have one in my containers from the last of my shows.  I should probably list my dolls on ebay.  Heck, it is almost Christmas perhaps I need to take pictures of some of my things and post the prices on my blog.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

Saundra

Two Down One to Go

Just finished binding the second of three rugs to be finished before I leave for Cape May on the 14th in order to have them show ready.  Here's my original design of Mache Jack-O-Lanterns.  Looks like it needed to be pulled up straight but hey, this isn't a professional photo shoot, just me.

Now I've got to get serious binding the Magdalena Farm rug so it can go to Cape May too and that will start tomorrow. 

Must also start pulling wool for the design I'm taking to Cape May.  That would be the crazy cat design which I dubbed Ali Katz since Ali Strebel of Kindred Spirits would be my teacher. 

I'm also wanting to pull wool for this to work on across the ferry from Delaware to NJ and the night before Ali gets to me in class.  It is the mat size of Magdalena Folk Art Horse a design from Woolley Fox.  This will give my fix and refuge if I need it while working on the crazy Katz.

So much to do in these short two weeks and I'm on this dang computer contraption.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Done But the Binding

I almost named my post The Fat Lady Sings but since it isn't bound yet couldn't honestly say it was completely done.  This is what my Mache' Jack-O-Lanterns look like now and am happier with it than the before.

Now.

Here's the before.

Some of the changes I made may be obvious to the viewer but just in case here they are:

~ used different orange wool on right Jack in various places
~ changed right eye on the right Jack
~ changed mouth on the right Jack
~ put a thin line above teeth on left Jack

I'm happier now and can concentrate better on my commission rug from which I took a mini-break.  Now I have two pieces which need binding and I'll take one with me to the doctor's office tomorrow to keep me occupied while sitting in the waiting room.  Since neither is a huge rug either would be convenient to carry in my basket.  If you are interested in purchasing the Mache' Jack-O-Lanterns pattern on linen (measures 14 1/2" x 25 1/2") write me HERE.

Have a great Monday and hope your whole week is magnifico!

Saundra

Lessons for Newbies from an Oldie (who should know better)

Lesson number 1 is try to pick your colors before starting a rug to see if the colors will work.  Duh, I just went with one at a time and started with the jack on the far right first.  Since you should "Hook what is on top First" my next hooking task was the jack on the far left.  Well I was sorta happy with Jack to the right until hooking the other two. 

My intentions were to have 3 Jacks in 3 different shades of orange.  Since the two on the right were too close in value my knee jerk reaction was to pull out some of the jack on the far right.  Well I didn't like the mouth compared to the others anyway.  So this is where I am now, when it could have been done had I done my planning ahead of time. 

In looking at the before (first photo) perhaps all I needed to do was hook a thin 'corn row' of a darker row along the shape of the Jack on the right.  BUT, I didn't particularly like it's mouth anyway.  And it still looks like there is a darker value (lesson #2) strip of wool between the Jack on the right and the middle one. 

Okay, so CORN ROWING is where you hook a very thin strip of wool between two already hooked rows, sorta staggering between the rows like a farmer would plant corn.  I hooked the pumpkins in #8.5 so IF I do a corn row (as I did inside the mouths of two Jacks) it might be a #3 strip or take a #8 and snip in half.  Anything which will separate the colors.

Who knows what I'll end up with after the Fat Lady Sings, but stay tuned to see the wonders OR disasters of this design.  Frankly I think it is an adorable design which just needs a little tweaking.  Besides there needs to be a good representation of the design on my web site once it is done.

Have a great evening and a fantabulous Sunday.

Saundra

Mache Jacks and Future Lesson for Newbies

The seasoned followers can probably already figure out what the future lesson will be when they check the middle and right side Jacks next to each other. 

Actually there will be more changes on this design as the future pattern coming soon unfolds.  Seeing the project on the monitor helps me see the problems.  Yes this is my design in progress of vintage paper mache Jacks that were a part of my youth and wish I had some in my possession now. 

The commission piece still isn't done but I just needed a break to work on something fun so pulled a few loops on the Mache Jacks.  Oh, and I've a few patterns to draw so both projects will be put on hold for a little.  Hey.... gotta make money to pay for more wool and rug camps.  AND, let us not forget to pay for my boy Ben's food and healthcare. 

Saundra

Mache' Jacks are Back...

....be it ever so briefly.  Still not done but a little further along than when you saw it last.  I'm liking the two Jacks on the left much better than the first one hooked so feel pretty sure some loops will be pulled and changed when it is all hooked.  AND, the left eye (as you look at it) on the left pumpkin needs to be tweaked too.

But, I've started on my commission piece so not sure when an update will be posted of the Jacks or when I'll put the pattern listed on my web site since it is always best to have a finished piece to show as a sample.

And, last night I finally did get my Outlook mail working again.  Actually guess the process of 'repair' took a lot longer than I'd expected.  When after over 2 hours there was still no e-mail I thought it was long gone, lost forever.  Again just now it is still working so I'm a happy gal.

Have a great Sunday evening.

Saundra

Old Project, Present Project and Newbie Tidbit

Cannot remember if I posted a picture of the antique adaptation of Pot of Flowers or not but here it is if I didn't.  As you can see it still needs binding.  Figured since I was going to do an update for the Mache Jack-O-Lantern pattern I'd post a picture of both at the same time.

Here's what my Mache Jack-O-Lantern design looks like now; one picture with a flash and one without.

It is quite helpful for me to see pictures of the rugs on my monitor even if the colors aren't the same as in person. At least it points out areas of concern for me and things which need changing.

And, for you newbies who may have read my previous blog post about "hooking what is on top first" the photo above shows you how to do that.  Notice that the Jack in the back still has the hooking going in the direction of what WOULD BE it's normal shape.  Therefore the rows of hooking will run INTO the sides of the other Jacks instead of following the shape of the other Jacks.

Have a great evening everyone.  I've thoroughly enjoyed this mild July weather today.  Tomorrow will be my day to do yard work so not sure how much hooking will get done.  Grass needs mowing and thorny vines need pulling, and more rain coming I've got to get control of this acreage before it encroaches on my front and back door step.

Saundra