Back to My Rugs

'Twas the year 2013 and another delightful rug camp with Barb Carroll on the now sold Ligonier estate.  The rug I hooked in her class was a Woolly Fox design named Oh Deer.

While at Barb's I fell in love with a newly hooked rug by Barb named Westmoreland Ponies.  Well of course I had to buy some of the wool she used in hers and then later hooked it at home.  The pattern is offered by Woolley Fox but it is also a free pattern in an older issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.

While perusing active blogs noticed Karen Kahle providing a tutorial on hooking a spiral chair pad.  Thought it a way to use up some worms so drew one up and hooked it.

Another rug hooked that year was Big Dog Hollow by Briarwood Folk Art.  Kathy wanted to hook my E.S. Frost sheep so we traded patterns.

Below is Long Island Farmhouse, a design by Lucille Festa.  Still  in my stash is another of her designs named Moon Over Vermont that I need/want to hook. 

Drawing for Polly Minick I was given permission to hook any of her designs at will.  Since I was drawing Two Chickens patterns for her upcoming class decided to hook one for myself.

With chickens still on my  mind and in the mood to design a small mat drew up this "Mother Hen" original, and sold it.

From my pattern stash it was time for me to hook Henny Penny, a Woolley Fox design... ya see a theme here, lol.  

Since I save pictures of antique rugs decided to replicate a design the auction house called Red Bird and the rug was found in Pennsylvania ~ thus the name Red Bird of PA.  Naturally that red bird had faded.

And a year can't go by with hooking a Magdalena rug....Lollipop Bouquet is among one of my most fun to hook even tho I was somewhat skeptical since it had 66 circles.  Yup, I counted them before starting to hook.  But was fun because those colors came out of my worm baggies.

Before Halloween I wanted to hook a sweet mat designed by Barb Carroll called Jack.  It is in an old issue of Rug Hooking magazine.

Hope you have enjoyed seeing more of my old hooked pieces as it has been fun for me to reminisce on the enjoyable hours of hooking.

Saundra

Yup, More of My Hooked Rugs

Below is a design by Woolley Fox and a FUN rug to hook. It is called Oh Deer and hooked it in class with Barb Carroll.  I'm sure you see the signature Barb purple in the piece.

That year I also hooked Big Dog Hollow offered by Kathy of Briarwood Folk Art.  She wanted my E.S. Frost Sheep pattern and asked if there was a pattern of hers I wanted as a trade.  So I chose this one which is an antique adaptation.

Another fun rug to hook was Lucille Festa's Long Island Farmhouse. That condor on top of the house just makes my day, it hangs in my living room where I see it daily while hooking other projects.

Hey, you notice a theme where every rug is a fun rug for me to hook?  It really does make me happy to pull loops each day.   And sometimes between projects I just need something small to do, particularly if it uses up wool worms/noodles.  So on one of Karen Kahle's blog posts noticed a spiral chair pad she was working on so drew one up....love it!

The Henny Penny pattern by Woolley Fox had been in my stash for quite a while and figured it was time to hook it.  That lighter background is Irish Eyes, a wool offered by Heavens To Betsy.  It is also the wool Being used for the background of Gossip.  If you like it contact Betsy to see if she has more left, it is a great wool and reversible values.

Fall will be soon coming even tho it is hot as hades in Delaware. So you may want to hook this handsome fella.  It is a design by Barb Carroll and was a free pattern in the September/October 1997 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.  Of course I put in the signature Barb purple where I could.  Am looking forward to putting this beauty out this fall.

Okay guys and gals, it's time for me to pull a few loops on Gossip and enjoy a glass of pinot noir.  Hope you are enjoying your Saturday.  

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

YIPPEE ~ OH DEER

Have finally put this beauty to bed, so to speak.  It has been completely bound using Barb's technique in her book Secrets of Primitive Hooked Rugs and is placed in my kitchen in front of my sink. 

Yes, you read that right.... in front of my kitchen sink.  First, I'm careful but IF I were to spill something on it I'd immediately take care of that problem.  Besides, the wool has already been washed, right?  So soap and water can't hurt it.  Oh Deer will replace the Eat Crow rug which was hooked in 2003 and needs to have the edges whipped again.

Now there is still the Henny Penny (oh man do I adore that one too), it needs to be steamed, trimmed and bound.  But I'm still excited hooking Westmoreland Ponies so will work on that for a while longer.

And there is yet another thunder storm underway as I type and MORE RAIN!!!!!!!!!!! so will finish this and get off the computer.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

Binding Oh Deer

Tis sad but true that I'm still binding Oh Deer.  The excuse is that I've been extremely busy drawing patterns.

There are numerous ways to bind rugs and I've tried most except for the braided and crochet edge method, perhaps one day I'll try those techniques. Usually my plan is to hurry and get the undesirable task done quickly.  But when at Barb's last month decided to see how she bound Sante Fe Crossing.  AH HA!  I'd forgotten about that method even tho I had used that techique before it had been a while. 

Barb shows the method in her booklet "The Secrets of Primitive Hooked Rugs".    In this picture you can see that I'm whipping yarn to the edge of the cotton binding close to the last hooked row.  Then when that is done I'll tack down the edge facing the inside back of the rug.  Look how well the colors match the wool.

This whipping will not extend beyond the last row of hooking but rather will lay beneath the rug and just under the last row.  As you can see it is a varigated colored skein of yarn and all the colors work well with the rug.

In the picture below you can see the skein of yarn and how well it goes with the wool colors in the rug.  Yeah, it is color sensory overload with the plaid of the sofa, the hooked foot stool, yarn and Oh Deer, but you get the idea and understand how lucky a find the yarn was.

And here is the pile of patterns that has been keeping busy again.  Just as it a appeared that I was done this morning, .....not so .  Before these were boxed up I received an order for 3 new designs which I enlarged and have since drawn up 2 of the 3.  I'll save the last one to draw out tomorrow over coffee and ship.

Meanwhile, I'm having a bad case of the shakes and think I'll start hooking on the new project tonight.  Won't have much to show since I've wool to cut but it's a thrill to have something to look forward to hook again.  No wonder I like having more than one project going.  Both my rugs are done and there is nothing fun.... only binding.  Time to change that.

Have a great evening and thanks for visiting me.  For any newbie hookers, please feel free to write me with questions.  Don't know that I'll know all the answers but I know that I've been where you are right now and can help you thru that.

Saundra

A Patternless Frame

It is driving me wacky to see my Snapdragon without a project on it.  See how lonely and reject it appears?

You can see the next project waiting in the wings all rolled up with most of the wool.  Oh, and I've had comments about my pattern drawing and if it hurts my back.  You can see the pattern laying on the 'craft' table I purchased from JoAnne Fabrics a few years ago.  It has to large leaves which fold down but I keep the table set up and when it is not being used for pattern drawing it holds my Townsend cutter. 

And this is all I've accomplished on the binding so far on my Oh Deer.  I've only just turned the corner on one short end.....sigh.  And that would leave the wool whipping of the end but also the inside stitching of the tape.  But THEN there is still the Henny Penny to be bound.

So honestly folks, how long do you think I'll last before a pattern is on my Snapdragon again?  I'm beginning to get the 'shakes'. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Saundra

Done But NOT Bound

It's a good thing there is another rug design and wool ready to start just after these beauties.  Matter of fact even tho I hate binding rugs just might chill out and bind both of these before starting the next one.  

Here is the Oh Deer rug which was started at Woolley Fox  rug camp.  Truly it isn't this bright in person.  It is always marvelous hooking a rug at Woolley Fox and those rugs are always special to me since they are shared with a small group of my hooking friends and particularly with Miz Barb!!!!!

Actually, the Henny Penny was started before Woolley Fox but just finished it after the Oh Deer upon arriving home.  This is one photo setting I chose which makes the background look a bit tan.

Here is another picture which also doesn't show the true colors.  Oh well.  All you hookers know that pictures and monitors just don't show up properly.  Guess you guys will just have to go to Cape May rug camp first week to see these in person.

And I've my next project in the wings waiting for these two to be bound first.  You'll love my next project I'm sure. 

Hope you all had a great weekend and sleep well tonight for those of you who go to work in the morning. 

Thanks for dropping by and hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day with dads, sons, and extended family members.

Saundra

Detour from Dye Pot to Oh Deer

While I really did have good intentions on pulling out my dye pot and showing you results today, it never happened.  So figured it was as good a time as any to take a current picture of Oh Deer.  Only just a little more to do on this 24 x 33 rug ~ hey, Lauren, aren't you proud I remembered to post the dimensions of the rug?  Yes the colors are a little brighter than I envisioned but most of the wool was chosen from the wool I took to camp so it did come from my collection.  Oh well, it is nice to have something colorful underfoot and to brighten a room.

Once the rug is finished my plans are to brush a little of the walnut dye in places, particularly on the white in the purple texture on the sides.  Barb did specifically tell me to let a little of the white show.  But I want to tone it down a notch.

The reason for the dye pot detour was yard work.  Since we are to have about 3 days of rain it was imperative that I dig up the rest of the lirope lining the sides of my side walk.  The rain will begin this evening and with so much more yard work to go was glad to get that part out of the way.  Yeah, will have to decide whether to plant grass or some other low maintenance to fill the space.  But that lirope was becoming too much of an annoyance to me.

And now it is time for me to start my pot delicious pot of Ribollita soup, and that will be the only pot on the stove this afternoon. 

The wool has been soaking since yesterday and dye pot tomorrow is the new plan.  Frankly, since it will be raining tomorrow it will be a perfect time to dye.

Sorry to disappoint those of you looking to see the dye job, but check back tomorrow.  And, by the way, it is not a major dye day, I am dying something to go in my next rug and it is only about half a yard that I need.

Thanks for dropping by.  Be kind to one another, kindness is contagious.

Saundra

Life after Woolley Fox

Getting back to routine kept me away from hooking as much as I'd have liked but here is Oh Deer 11 days after it was started.  Now that some of the background has been hooked closer to the deer, the rug doesn't appear to be as bright.  Or at least it doesn't look as bright in my home as it does in the picture and may have appeared brighter with the light linen next to the deer and with the primitive dark it tames it down a tad. 

My friend Lauren tries so hard to get me in the habit of informing everyone the dimensions of the rug I'm hooking and I always forget.  Since she kindly reminded me again this morning, the design measures 24 x 33.  Thank you Lauren, I'm sure everyone else who has visited the site or will visit would wonder the size as well.

Today there's more yard work to do and hope to accomplish some before it gets too dreadfully hot out there.  Spring took a long time coming but sure did kick it up a notch from spring straight to summer heat and humidity, that's for sure.

Can't wait for summer red ripe juicy tomatoes to come on the vines of the local farmers.  Since I live on a very acidic soil with lots of pine trees my growing of tomatoes has not been successful here.  Summertime I could live on corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes.  Many times that is all I eat for lunch or sometimes for dinner. 

Tomorrow I plan to post another tutorial of sorts, for binding a round mat.

Saundra

OH DEER

My choice of design to hook at Woolley Fox camp was Barb's Oh Deer rug.  I saw it in 2012 just after she hooked it.  I was spell bound and knew it was going to be a future rug of mine.  Barb enjoys the color planning process and tries to use as much wool a student brings as she can ~ but of course the colors have to work with one another so sometimes it means buying a smidgen of wool to pull it all together. 

This is what I've accomplished so far.  The color palate is a brighter than I normally hook and anticipated it would be a little more dull and primitive.  So for sure this will remind me of the over the top laughter and fun times we had for 3 days with Barb and our gal pals.  Perhaps the happiness influenced her brighter fun colors.

Since arriving home, unfortunately there has been less fun pulling loops and more time spent on laundry, yard work, and other responsibilities.  Plus spending lots of make-up time with my boy Ben, who gave me a very warm welcome home... he missed his mommy.

I was in a turmoil as to which Woolley Fox design I would work on once arriving home ~ would it be the Henny Penny that was started just before camp or the Oh Deer?  Well, the Oh Deer won out.

Today I spent some time with my son, DIL and grandson Zach and their friends.  Hope you all had a happy and safe Memorial Day.

Saundra