My Magdalena Rugs

As you regular readers know, In early January I discovered a new Magdalena rug which I've aptly named Magdalena's Goat.  

Immediately notified my friend Evelyn who has done the research and hooked all of Magdalena's rugs.  We contacted the auction house where the item was sold just to verify it was a Magdalena and Evelyn asked if she could please hook it first before sharing information on my blog.  Out of respect for that sweet woman I did just that and she hooked and bound the 29 x 35 design in less than a month.  Wow, what a hooking machine she is.

Above is the original and will share Evelyn's rug after mine is all hooked.

The first Magdalena rug I hooked was in 2009 when I decided to tackle Domestic Zoo, the runner.  Since Barb Carroll didn't offer the design (she had Bills Buddies instead) Evelyn suggested I offer it and have sold dozens of the patterns since then.

In 2010 I hooked two Magdalena rugs, Dog and Crows above and McCue Eagle below.  

Since I switch out my rugs the McCue Eagle is at my front door at the moment.  It is nice to enjoy the designs of Magdalena and my efforts.

The following year, 2011 decided to hook a small version of Magdalena's Dog.  This is used to decorate my sofa table or harvest table when I want something different to display but not for the floor.

Then there was a Magdalena dry spell until 2014 when I went bonkers hooking Magdalena designs.

Above is Lollipop Bouquet which was a LOT of fun.  Frankly I was dreading all those circles and seems to me there were 66 of them (going to memory) because I counted every dang one of them wondered what the hell I was thinking.  It was a fun fun rug to hook.

Next hooked was Magdalena's Folk Art Horse;

Then Magdalena's Farm;

And Old Ducks above;  

And Harvey's Magdalena was hooked 2015, above.  So guess it was about time for me to hook another one of Magdalena Briner Eby's rugs.  There are a couple other designs of hers I'd like to hook one day and should make that an annual event for me.

If you would like to read about Magdalena and the research done by my friend Evelyn, you can purchase the booklet HERE.

Should you want either Domestic Zoo or Magdalena's Goat pattern drawn on Dorr natural primitive linen please contact me HERE and I'll give you what information you wish.

Have a great Sunday.

Saundra

Goat, Deer or Lamb

The auction site listed the rug as "a portrait of a lamb..." and no mention of Magdalena Briner Eby as the hooker.  So the local auction house was not familiar with history of hooked rugs.  As soon as I saw it knew immediately it was a Magdalena rug, sent a photo to my friend Evelyn.  Obviously at least two other people recognized it as a Magdalena also.  If you click that link and scroll to the bottom you can see the bidding war between someone on the Internet and perhaps someone at the location of the rug.  

Okay, so is it a lamb as the auction indicated, a deer as a follower indicates or a Goat?  

So what is a lamb?  A lamb is a young sheep and would not be born with horns.  A young sheep is considered a "lamb" until the age of 1 year then considered adult.  Lamb's tails naturally hang downward.  So the listing auctioneer was wrong in calling it a lamb.

Below is a photo of a mother adult sheep who needs shearing and her baby lamb.

Notice the tails are longer and are in a natural relaxed downward position.  

The sheep (adult lamb) above is adult with horns.

Above is a white tail deer with it's antlers, not horns, and a slimmer muzzle.  White tail deer inhabit that part of Pennsylvania where Magdalena grew up.  In a natural position the tail hangs downward, unless they sense danger then lead deer will put its tail upward with the white showing to alert the group and to flee.

Okay, so neither of the above looks like the primitive shape Magdalena hooked, so what about the goat?    

Ah, the goat has hair, not wool and the tail naturally curls upward. Look at the curvature of the horns, the stockiness of the legs vs. the slimmer legs of the deer and sheep.  Sure looks like a goat rug to me.

Below is a Magdalena hooked rug named "Farm" which appears in the booklet.  Notice the similarity in the shape of the horns, the 'bouncy' goat behavior of the legs.  Yup, a goat.  Plus Magdalena lived on a farm and tended to the farm animals.  Thus she was familiar with the shapes of the animals she tended.

In the Magdalena booklet it was mentioned that the photo found was not known to be the front or the back of the rug.  The original rug above was purchased by an antique dealer from the family and as of the writing of the book was the only goat rug found to have been hooked by Magdalena at that time. However, the dealer Thomas Thomas said he had seen other rugs with goats on them.  So now there are two and I'm elated to be a part of the finding.  

Below is my hooked version of Magdalena's "Farm".  

Notice the goat shape in this rug is the same shape as the Goat I am hooking.   Also note that Magdalena got artsy, for lack of a better word, on the horns.  Actually, I find that more note worthy than whether it is a lamb, deer or goat.  Why did she choose to show the detail of the ridges on the horns?  

Have a great evening folks and eventually this evening I'll be able to pull a few loops on my Magdalena.  

OMG, I just looked at my 'stats' on my blog posts.  Since posting this story about this Magdalena rug I've received the most visits EVER.  In the last three posts I've had over 1,000 visits.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

My Other Rugs Hooked with Barb

Seemed only fitting for me to use purple text again when talking about Barb.  In the previous post you saw the first rug hooked with Barb, which was Kinderhook Basket.  The next rug hooked at camp with her was Woodland Deer, another Woolley Fox design under the category Keeping the Past Alive.  You can see the purple in numerous leaves spread about the trees.  

I actually used Barb's idea when hooking a design from one of Barb's books.  The pattern was called July Cabin and instead of flags on the trees I changed to be more like the trees above since I so loved how it turned out.  Here is that rug, the book is titled American Folk Art Rug Hooking and has 18 projects inside.  

You can see that I really got into the 'purple' stage by making a purple moon.

An E.S. Frost Sheep was a 'must have' for me and there were a couple versions but the one with scrolls is the one I knew Barb could help me with.  Even tho scrolls were very intimidating it seemed my home needed to have one.  So figured if anyone could hold my hand thru the job it would be Barb.  Doesn't this look rich and old with the worn spots?  It hangs over my fireplace.

Next rug hooked at a Barb class was Brave Hunter; yes, another Woolley Fox design.  Now here is another story you may find interesting.  There were two of us in class who just happened to be hooking that same design.  Each turned out way different due to our individual wool color choices taken.  Here is mine and I can see the purple even without tapping on the photo to enlarge it.

In that class was sweet Deb Burcin and based on the colors she took to class this is the prize that Deb hooked.  Deb says this is one of her favorites not only because it was hooked in Barb's class but because the deer/moose was hooked with purple and green and the antlers were from an orange plaid skirt.

The following year I hooked Lion in the Woods, a pattern gifted me by my friend Evelyn Lawrence.  It is an antique adaptation offered by Port Primitives.  WHAT??????  Could it be we missed putting purple in this rug?  I enlarged it and don't see any purple.  Maybe I'll have to pull that rug out and hook some in somewhere.  

Oh Deer was the rug I chose to hook in class with Barb.  I'd seen Barb's version while at her camp and got bitten by the bug.  That happens to me a LOT.  Case in point is that while at Barb's I purchased wool to hook Olde Hearts, another Woolley Fox design.

The following year it was Magdalena's Farm on my frame with Barb.  I love Barb and all of Magdalena Briner Eby's designs.

During the year I designed an antique adaptation called Chum, which I offer as a pattern.  It is my feeling the same person who hooked Ned is the person who originally hooked Chum.  So it was Chum which was hooked with Barb the following year.

And this year I'm working on Simple Gifts which is still in progress and will keep you updated.  My only regret is that I didn't attend a Barb Carroll class earlier.  IF you are interested in having a class with Barb you can contact her HERE.  Don't know her schedule but if you contact her I'm sure you will hear back.  

Have a great evening everyone and happy hooking.  BTW, I hook summer as well, for my hooking isn't just a winter project.  With summertime chores it does curtail the amount of time spent with a hook in my hand but enjoy the journey anyway.

Saundra

Magdalena Rugs I've Hooked

In yesterday's post I mentioned hooking a lot of Magdalena rugs; but not nearly as many as Evelyn Lawrence has.  Evelyn has hooked all rugs attributed to Magdalena Briner Eby that are known to be her design from the 1800's.

The first of Magdalena's designs I hooked was 2008 when I foolishly drew out only one half of the design of 1885 Horses.  What the hell was I thinking?  Well actually do know... I didn't want to hook such a big rug and it appeared long.

So the following year, 2009, what do I hook?  Uh, Domestic Zoo, the largest of Magdalena's rugs or any other rug I hooked so far.  After having seen Evelyn's in a rug show at Cape May I was smitten. 

In 2010 hooked Dog and Crows.

Also in 2010 I hooked McCue Eagle.

In 2011 decided to draw a smallish size of Magdalena's Dog and hook that.

Don't know what happened between then and 2014 when I decided to hook Lollipop Bouquet.  Must say it was with a little hesitation I decided to hook it.  Why the hesitation??  Because there were 66 circles which I was dreading.  But of all the Magdalena rugs I've hooked think that one was the most fun.

Then was on a roll during 2014 because I hooked Magdalena's Folk art horse mat size....

...Magdalena's Farm......

.....Magdalena's Olde Ducks.

In 2015 I decided to hook Harvey's Magdalena.  Goodness, what am I going to hook next?  There are so many cool Magdalena rugs left to hook.

Guess I've got to pull out Evelyn's book to see what should be next on my list.  For those of you who may not know, and may have an interest in replicating Magdalena Briner's rugs here is a great book.

 

Evelyn Lawrence had been researching (and continues to do so) Magdalena's legacy as the most prolific rug hooker of her time.  This is a book well worth the read and the knowledge.

 I apologize for not giving you a link to buy this book but blogger is being a huge pain in the arse tonight.  So due to my frustration level will leave it up to you to figure out how to purchase it.

 

Have a great evening.

 

Saundra

Woolley Fox Needs a Little Help From Friends

As you are all aware the pattern side of Woolley Fox has been sold to Katie of A Nimble Thimble.  She is in the process of updating the web site and has realized not all the patterns are represented by hooked samples.  Barb and Katie are kindly asking that you send digital pictures, along with the correctly spelled name and city/state of the person who hooked them.  

To see a list of the patterns which are needed for the web site click on the link below.  There is also an email address where pictures can be sent which is located at the bottom of that list.  If any of your friends have hooked any of these rugs, please contact them and suggest they take a picture and send it in soon.

http://www.animblethimble.com/rug-pictures-needed.htm

Hey guys and gals, having a picture of the rug you hooked on the web site is a badge of honor .  Makes no difference if you hooked it on your own or in a class with Barb.  So 'look at the list and check it twice' (sounds like Santa doesn't it?) and get those photos in so we can see the new web site unfold. 

Heck, can't stop my blog without a picture of a hooked rug or two so will post two of the many Magdalena rugs I've hooked..... Magdalena's Farm and Folk Art Horse.

Have a great evening everyone, and please be kind to one another.  Hey, Barb, did you notice I used PURPLE text????  Just for you m'dear.

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