Hooking Magdalena Style

The other day I read some one's question on Facebook on how others achieve a Magdalena scrappy look.  I don't profess to be an expert but will try to explain how I do mine.

First I study Magdalena's original rugs, particularly the design I'm ready to hook.  Although I've never seen one in person there are photos one could find on line or from books.  Take for example, these two Olde Ducks rugs hooked by Magdalena.

That is a photo from Evelyn Lawrence's dedicated research on Magdalena Briner Eby and her work which is in this BOOK.

And here is a hooked version I did.  

Left over wool worms (a/k/a noodles) are the best way to achieve that scrappy look.  What helps also is to use short pieces of a similar color and close value to finish a line or fill in.  I have also dropped an odd piece of wool on the floor only to pick it up and hook it somewhere in the rug ~ after all, Magdalena used what she had.  Tap on the photo to enlarge and see what I'm talking about.

Another example is Magdalena's Eagle which also appears in the book.

Below is my version trying to accomplish the look of Magdalena using the wool in my possession.  The light/white is showing up brighter in the photo as it was taken outside in natural light.  But I use what I call 'dirty whites' to hook.  And if you have the book it shows odd colors Magdalena used ~ like at the eagle's neck just under the eye is an odd  purple which blends nicely with the brown.  

Here is a closeup photo I took of my rug where you can see the different wool at neck.  It is little details like that you can see with the assistance of the booklet and studying Magdalena's rugs.

Another Magdalena is this trio.

And my version below.

Since I love crows decided to design my own Magdalena Style Crow.  Magdalena used red for legs, noses and eyes on animals ~ kind of her signature.  She also would hook a berry at a crow's mouth and or beak.

I could show more of my Magdalena hooked rugs but will save you boredom.  As soon as the Star Geometric is done next on my frame is going to be yet another Magdalena rug.  

Click on the BOOK link above to purchase the booklet as it is a great reference for Magdalena rugs.  It isn't a 'tutorial' book as that part is left to the rug hooker's discretion to get his/her own rhythm.  But the photos of the original Magdalena's and photos of Evelyn's replications and information makes for a perfect reference book.  Good luck and hope I've been able to help.  

Saundra

Happy New Year

Wishing all my cyber friends a happy and healthy 2015.  Also hoping you accomplish as much hooking or punching as you desire and that all of your loops are perfect.

I sewed on the label for Magdalena's Folk Art Horse.  If you double click the picture it will enlarge.  And if you would like to know how to make your own label click HERE.   Furthermore, if you are wondering about frames, cutters, etc. just type search words in the small box at the top left of the blog.  In the event you have a question that may not have been covered, please let me know and I'll do a blog post about it.

Have started binding Olde Ducks and already have a label made for it so will attach it to the back of the rug once binding is complete and pressed again.

Have a great afternoon.

Saundra

Olde Ducks and Chow Mein

Quite a contrast of topics, eh?  Well the last loop of Olde Ducks was pulled today ......maybe.  Although I try to stay kinda true to Magdalena's colors in her rugs (using what is in my stash) sometimes I need to make changes to suit me.  This might occur with this rug.  Here is a picture with a flash.

Here is a picture without a flash and it looks somewhat better in this photo.  The area of concern is around the mother duck's beak. 

If you look at the two pictures of Magdalena's original rug you will see there was a lot of light wool around the beak.  At first I did hook darker wool between the beak and chest of the duck but pulled it out to stay truer to Magdalena.  Now I'm second guessing my decision.  I'll look at it again tomorrow and decide later.

Now, to the yummy Chow Mein lunch.  Going to the trouble to make a meal pays off in the long run as I've now lunches or dinners to pop in the microwave for a couple days. 

Before even chopping the onions and celery I started my brown rice since it takes 45 minutes for that to cook.  Could have had Chow Mein noodles but figured brown rice was a healthier choice.  Here is the recipe:

CHOW MEIN
3 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 cups sliced celery
1/2 cup butter (I used less of olive oil)
   SIMMER 10 minutes

ADD
1 1/4 cups chicken broth (I used frozen turkey broth from Thanksgiving)
Can of Bean Sprouts (fresh is better and what I used)
1 small can bamboo shoots (drained)
1 small can mushroom pieces (I used fresh)
    SIMMER 5 minutes

You can add left over chicken, pork, turkey, etc.  I added left over turkey from Thanksgiving which I'd frozen. 

THICKENING
2/3 cups chicken broth
4 TBS. corn starch
4 tsp. Soy Sauce (I used lower sodium)
2 tsp. sugar (I used 1 pk Sweet and Low)

If it gets a little thick then just add a little water to make measurements come out to your desired palate.

After cooking it I was too hungry to take a picture of my plate so just chowed it down.  However, before scooping the delicious leftovers into a container this is a picture taken in my electric wok.  Oh, this is a great gift to yourself or someone else.  I love my electric wok.  No, I don't sell them but if you still have gifts to buy it might be a good choice along with a recipe book. 

Tomorrow I'll add a little more turkey since there was some left over but it started getting too thick and I was hungry THEN.  Tomorrow I'll add a little moisture when the turkey is mixed in.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Let the Next Journey Begin

That journey would be my next antique adaptation Cherries and Candy Stripe.  No, I haven't finished the Olde Ducks yet but since I'm always looking forward to the next rug just had to start the process.  And since I promised to share the journey with you thought I'd begin with this.

I've started pulling wool and the strange thing is that once my next pattern was decided and drawn on linen a bundle of wool fell off the shelf.  You wouldn't believe the luck, but it was the perfect color for some of this design and it fell by a fluke.  That would be the dulled mottled red color you see in the pile to the right of the stripe.  That stripe will be my exterior holding line all around the perimeter of the design....uh, I'm thinking.  The blue, over dyed cream and white/tan cream worms will also be used.  Frankly would like to use reds and blues out of my worm bags also to give it the aged look. 

First the pattern was drawn on linen and where you see those dashes and dots is where the background coloration was on the original antique.  That will be to guide me for that delightful discoloration in antique rug backgrounds I find so endearing.

Then another line was drawn 1/4" from the edge of the design for me to attach my binding even before binding.  Also, drew another line 1" away from the edge of the rug design where the protective stitching will take place.

The protective stitching was done first at the 1" away from the design.  As it will be a narrow runner for my harvest table and have no desire to enlarge the pattern or the border I did the two rows of straight sewing then a zig zag row between those straight stitched rows to connect and protect the edge when the excess is cut away.

Next I sewed on this cotton stripe as the binding fabric.  Remember, this is NOT intended for the floor so it should be great as it will blend in with the colors of the border plus it looks faded and olden.  Besides, the wool chosen for the holding line will work great as the 'middle man' (er woman) between the cotton and hooked border.

Sadly I'm not starting to hook this baby yet as Magdalena's Olde Ducks need to be completely hooked first.  Not bound immediately I'm sure, but at least all hooked.  Just had to do something in preparation of the new rug on my frame. 

If you wish to follow along in the journey, FOLLOW me and check in periodically to see what is going on.

Have a great Saturday evening everyone.

Saundra

Olde Ducks

Well I missed posting yesterday, December 1st, but was just too exhausted from working in the yard on such a mild day.  Knowing rain was coming today knew Ben's playground needed to have as many leaves raked as could be filled in the dumpster, and also needed to have final grass cutting and mulching done for a clean area for the boy.

So while a lot of hooking didn't happen on the Olde Ducks here is my progress.

As I looked at this picture see things that are way off from Magdalena's original.  Yeah, was taking a few liberties here and there and even thought about pulling out some loops.  Instead will use walnut dye to age the undesirable light wool.

Some of the wool in the ducks was cut wool from yardage and some worms.  That middle baby duck really needs walnut dye as it looks like way too much new wool.  The background and rest of rug so far has been hooked with all my left over worms. 

Oh but those worms really need to be reduced and hope this rug will help. 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Magdalena's Olde Ducks

This is the rug started in the class with Betsy Reed in Ocean City, MD.  It is a rug Magdalena hooked in the 1800's.  As I was semi-following Magdalena's palate (but using what I had) didn't really need hand-holding but it sure was nice to be in Betsy's class to enjoy her company and her to give me input when I was stuck. 

Here is a picture of where I am right now.  Yeah, I know..... not much accomplished.  But remember I also recently finished the cute Jolly snowman and bound the Folk Art Horse. 

Anyway, the only wool cut so far for this rug was from the three pieces you see here.  The rest of the wool is and will be from my worm bags to give the rug an aged look.

And oh my what a mess these individual bags become when they mingle.  Magdalena used a lot of red, darks and lights in her rugs.  I'm guessing that the Union Suit reds got used a lot when they no longer were functional. 

I derive a lot of pleasure using my wool worms.  But as mentioned above they usually end up I a hot mess knotted ball.  That is because I'm a slob and lose control of my colors. 

So how did Magdalena hook??? Did she hook a section with what fabric pieces she had at that moment?  Did she hook the pieces as they became available?  That would explain how she never ended up with a hot mess of a ball of wool worms. 

Although I wouldn't want to live back in those harder times I sure would like to visit or be a fly on the wall for an overview of live back then.  Hey, wouldn't that be fun for us hookers to be a part of a 'life back then' experience ? 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Rug Camp in Ocean City, MD

This was the view from our room.  All the rooms at the Dunes Hotel are ocean view rooms.   It is very calming to hear the waves and will put one to sleep.  The deck is the first place Deb heads toward after she drops her bags.

Just look at the sunset last Sunday about 5:15 p.m.  Should have taken a picture a tad earlier and it would have been awesome.

When going to this camp it is like old home week of a sorority as some of the same gals attend each year.  And then you get to meet new gals which is always a good thing because the sorority grows.  This was Heather's first rug.  She purchased and started the kit a few months ago and managed to get it all hooked at this camp.  Great job Heather!

I just met Heather this year and think she will be back again, that is her to the left.  In the middle is sweet Grace and on the right is another sweetie, Renia.  

Grace fell in love with my Chicken Challenge piece so I sent her the paper pattern via snail mail since she doesn't have a computer. 

The Chicken Challenge was offered on the Woolwrights blog.  

There is Betsy in the cream colored sweater hand stitching a snowman waiting to be stuffed. 

My roomie Deb is speeding away on one of the two patterns she took to hook.  See the delicious plaid wool in the foreground ~ it is called Jemstone and after seeing it in person I had to have some too.  Yes, that is a Betsy wool.

 

Isn't this Mountain Retreat design cute? 

Sue was hooking this sheep design.

And in September at Cape May someone else was hooking the same rug.  It is such fun to see how others hook the same design in their color preferences.

The sheep below is being hooked by Renia.  The lights she chose for the sheep really work well as they don't compete, only a subtle difference and I like the look.  I purchased a Crow pattern with a patchwork background and like the colors Renia has started with and hope my patchwork background will be as nice.

This is Peg's colorful geometric and she's made great headway.

Again, my roomie Deb's Trick or Treat Smell my Feet rugs.  They are offered by Spruce Ridge and are adapted from Lori Brechlin designs.  These pictures were taken Wednesday evening so the picture on yesterday's blog shows more progress.  I wanted to post these pictures so you can see the different technique Deb is using.  These were some of the techniques we learned in Ali Strebel's class in Cape May.

My table-mate Patty is hooking 'Bottoms Up'.  An example of hooker camaraderie is when Susan gave Patty a piece of wool.  Patty asked how much she wanted for it and Susan said, "just pay it forward".  So the next day Patty came in, reminded us of what had transpired the day before and handed each of us a scratch off lottery ticket.  How cool was that!  Sorry to say I'm still not a millionaire.   

Diana, to the left, hooked the bear that Susan is holding up.  Betsy is explaining something but can't remember what it was. 

Pam finished a snowman (the one Betsy was sewing a back on for stuffing) so she started this pumpkin rug. 

Ahh, there is our newbie hooker Heather with her finished sheep.  Great job Heather and guess we will see you again next year......I hope.  Just love Sue's electric blue top. 

 A revisit to Renia's sheep.

 This is the Magdalena Olde Ducks pattern I am working on. 

Tomorrow I'll post a few of the rugs which were on display for the impromptu rug show.  This mini camp doesn't do a big rug show so there's not the participation you see at other rug camps. 

 

Have a great Saturday afternoon and evening.

 

Saundra