RUG HOOKING CHIT CHAT

Am sure many of us have way too many magazines on their shelves or somewhere in the house and I'm guilty of that.  I promised myself to not subscribe to Primitive Quilts and Projects when my subscription was going to lapse.  I failed to keep that promise and subscribed again going until 2025.  Foolish I know.

Just received my Winter 2023 issue and on the cover top left look at what it says  ... "Our final print issue".  

So until my subscription ends in 2025 they will be sent via email.  At least I can save any interesting hooking patterns without adding magazines to my overwhelming stash.  

In the latest issue of Rug Hooking Magazine there is an article on a book excerpt about Louisa Creed.  Not sure if you remember but I showed several rugs hooked by Louisa and her departed husband Lewis.  You can see those previous posts HERE.

Again I've promised myself to not renew my subscription when this subscription ends.  Hope I keep that promise.  One subscription I will continue to support is ATHA as it offers more than the other two IMHO.
Uh, anyone want to buy a particular issue of RHM or Primitive Quilts and Projects?  If so contact me.

Just sat down to pull a few loops as I was busy most of the day and want to make a little progress on the sheep.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

Yesterday vs. Today

Yesterday the temperature was in the low 50's and sunny.  When I woke up this morning it was dreary and raining with temps at 41.  The rain stopped, the temperature dropped and it is now snowing like crazy and 36* outside. 

That's not the only difference between yesterday and today.  Yesterday I was in a funk all day despite the nice weather.  The only things productive were dropping off fabric, patterns, books and magazines to the thrift shop on the way to the grocery store.  

Had plans to list some items on ebay but just seemed like too much energy involved for not having the items sell.  Wanted to draw a pattern to hook for my wonderful DIL but wasn't in the mood.   Also wanted to do a blog post but wasn't in the mood to do that either.  

So thought I'd plop my butt on the sofa and watch TV while pulling a few loops but ended up surfing more than hooking and got bored with that.  Seemed nothing suited me.

Today I cleaned off my drawing table and drew out this pattern for my sweet daughter-in-law love which will be a Christmas gift or maybe birthday but doubt I'll have it done by then as it will be a part-time project.  Found the Tonya Robey pattern in a Primitive Quilts and Projects Winter 2014 issue and as soon as I saw it knew my DIL would love it.

Also drew a little something for me to work on as a break from the horse and scrolls rug.  Perhaps if I'd had a pattern on the side to play with it would have been enough to pull me out of that funk.  Won't show you what it is just yet, want it to be a surprise and it will give me something to blog about on another day.

CARRIE ~ thank you for your comment but I cannot respond to you personally as you are a no reply blogger.  What that essentially means is that when you signed up in blog land you did not give your email address in your profile.  Thus no one can contact you unless they know it.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Halloween Mat and Mundane Chit Chat

The best part of this post is this mat I hooked 2015.  His name is Hester and is a design by Lori Brechlin which was a freebie in an issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  Robin I believe this background color is the same dye recipe.

Looking at it now think a thin row of darker value needs to be hooked around the hat.  Uh, hope I do that while it is fresh on my mind...but will I get to it after the last couple days I've had with little sleep?

Okay, I've had a couple bad days but haven't bitched about it until now.  Hmmm, guess that's not true since my patience was lacking with the hooked and stuffed pumpkins.  So maybe it DID start before today.

Everyone gets a spot that needs to be scratched and you don't give it a second thought.  Unless....that spot takes on a new itch feeling.  During sleep a spot on the top of each hand itched and I scratched not awake to understand.  After being rubbed during the night twice or three times the reality of a problem becomes apparent~~~~poison ivy.

A few years ago I had it so bad my body looked like raw meat and was on cortisone pills and topical steroids.  My GP told me once I was so allergic that if anyone was burning leaves with poison ivy in it or cutting grass and wind was blowing my way I'd get it.

I live in the woods and am my own grass cutter.  In spring I go identify the spots and spray.  The last couple times I've cut grass I've worn long pants and long sleeves despite the humidity.  Guess I should have come in and taken a shower because the itch started on my hands and under my chin.  Areas of exposure from the breeze blowback.

It started on top of my hands and a small spot under my chin. After two sleepless nights and still using alcohol rub to dry the area then apply caladryl the contact dermatitis grew.  It is working up the chin along the nose and toward the eye, downward the neck, on my midriff and a spot on my back.  Thank goodness I was able to get an immediate appointment with my primary care physician.

Last night I tied a bandana around my neck so as to not spread the oil of the poison on my pillow case but my neck looked worse this morning.  Thus the rush to get to the doctor.   Now I'm on Prednisone for 14 days and will continue my vigilance with the alcohol rug and caladryl.  I've washed the sheets, will wear long sleeves and gloves to bed and tie that newly washed bandana around my neck again.  

I'd hoped to get my high dose flu shot today but my doctor said since my immune system was compromised and had an active allergy it was not wise today.  So now I've got to wait until this crap is gone.

Hooray for anyone who had the stamina to read all my medical history..or should I spell that...hysterics.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Three Years Ago

That was a very productive year hooking 14 pieces; but then several were small mats.  Hannah's Hen is the first on the list.  It is a design by Woolley Fox.  Shown below on my antique school master's desk.

Antique adaptation of a Magdalena design is known as Harvey's Magdalena which hangs on a wall in this room.

A crow design by Heavens to Betsy I made into a pillow. 

Right after finishing the pillow decided it might be fun to have another crow pillow so designed a Magdalena inspired crow which ended up hanging in my kitchen instead.

An antique cat rug inspired this small piece ~ the edge is finished with the Betsy Reed technique.

The rug below is an antique adaptation and was color planned by Barb Carroll.  And yes, the antique rug showed the dog having claw like toes.  I didn't know whether to hook the dog with regular paws or toes.  Barb suggested I hook it like the antique.

Another antique adaptation which I LOVE is one I named Cherries and Candy Stripes.  It has my favorite blotchy background.

Mr. Cotton Tail is a design by Brenda Gervais.

The rug below was an Out of Hand Rug Hookers challenge which I named Puppy Love.

That year I finally decided to hook a pattern from my stash ~ actually it was a kit purchased years prior from Tonya Robey who once owned Mad Hen.  The first photo is with a flash.

What a difference.... the photo below is without a flash now taken on my back porch.  One shows an orangy red and the one below a blue red.  Neither red is how it actually looks in person.

That year I did 3 fall/Halloween themed pieces.  First was Hester, a design by Lori Brechlin which was a pattern offered in Primitive Quilts and Projects.

Also Hobo Joe, a design by Lucille Festa.  She showed her sample as a cut out but I chose to hook a mat for the table.  You can see I used the same green over-dyed wool for both.

And at a Cape May rug camp with Kris Miller, I hooked this wonderful pattern by Lori Brechlin called Nantucket Broom Ride.  We three gals did a good collective job, didn't we Kris and Lori?  

Actually, there was one more contributor to the success of this beauty.  That was my dear friend Barb Carroll who came to my rescue when I had a cellulitis bacterial infection.   Sweet Barb sent a few purple choices, red for hair and green for the flowing scarf.  Yup, that did it!  Thanks for the 'get well' package dear friend.

And last but not least, this was the year I designed a rug for my son's addition to his home.....his "Man Cave" rug.

Happy humid Sunday folks.  But at least it isn't raining.  

Yesterday I mentioned to someone I was going to cut grass before the humidity set in today.  She wrote back asking if the water had subsided enough to cut the grass.  The first photo inside the fenced yard shows still a puddle of water but surrounding that is mucky mud.

It is hard to see, but just beyond the fence the water has receded but beyond those trees and my clothes line is full of water and tons of mosquitoes. 

In the picture below you can more easily see the water and the shine into the woods of the sunlight's reflection on the water.

Was able to walk in this area just beyond my garage side without getting my feet wet, but to show the water level I opened up the in-ground propane tank and you can see water.  There are leaves floating around in there but was afraid to stick my hand in to remove them for fear of damaging a wire, gear, etc.

So yeah, still have lots of water here unfortunately.

Saundra

Snow Crow

Okay guys and gals, I've mentioned before how I LOVE crows.  Today I finally looked thru my new issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  

And OMG, I saw the cutest white crow that needs to be on my next 'to hook' list, particularly since it is a winter holiday design.  

This is a design offered by Lori Brechlin and Lori, I adore it!!!!  Plus I don't have a white crow with a top hat.

Saundra

Checking Out the Border

Thought that before any more of the gold border is hooked I should see what it looks like on my monitor.  The last couple times showing Ned may have neglected to say it was a pattern by Woolley Fox.

Think I'll set Ned aside for the evening and hook some background on my grandson's rug while I look at Ned.  There are a few areas which are bothering me; well, maybe those areas would be those triangles on each end.

My initial thought was to have the middle on each side the same and have the four corners different.  So I chose the blue for the right bottom to balance the blue strips representing Ned's mane.  Then top righ used the grey faint stripe of the butterfly and flower.  

Hmm, BUT... if I put the grey faint stripe on the left bottom corner it is too close to the butterfly and flower and not sure if I'd like that color on the top left directly across from the other corner color.

Am pondering putting the blue in the four corners and keeping the green/purple plaid in the middle.  Or put blue in all 6 triangle shapes.

Me thinks working on my grandson's rug for the evening is a good thing.

OH!!!!!!!  In yesterday's mail I received the fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  And this beautiful crow is one of the patterns, a design by Pat Cross.  Well you know it will soon be on my frame since it is a crow. And Walter is a mighty handsome specimen indeed.

Accomplished a lot today doing things not enjoyable:  pulling weeds, cutting grass with push mower and riding mower, trimming limbs and bushes (still LOTS more to do), cleaning out fish pond filters, filling bird feeders.  But hey, as an adult and homeowner it isn't always cake and ice cream is it?

But tomorrow I can have a free day to do as I please.  Hope you enjoy your evening and hope tomorrow is a happy one for each of you.

Saundra

Happy Hallow's Eve

This neighborhood used to have young kids who would dress up and visit homes in this small community, now they are too old so doubt that I'll have anyone visit tonight.  Even my grandson is of the age where he wants to go out with pals so their moms drive them around then they gather and share the bounty at the end of the evening.

Below is a Netty LaCroix witch I made several years ago and subsequently sold at a show.  Loved making her dolls.

Then here is a pattern called Hobo Joe, designed by Lucille Festa as a cut out and I chose to hook the background and added his chest.

Before him I hooked Hester which was a free pattern in Primitive Quilts and Projects.

Last year I designed and hooked Mache Jacks just before Halloween.  I don't own an antique jack-o-lantern but always wanted one.  My blogger gal pal Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) has some and you should see her decorations.  Bet she has lots of candy to hand out too.

And of course my latest and greatest treasure just finished is Nantucket Broom Ride, a design offered by Spruce Ridge Studios from the art work of Lori Brechlin.

The last few days I've been very busy doing patterns and have been remiss in acknowledging some newbie hooker questions.  I've written to the gal to let her know I've not abandoned her, just busy.  And tonight's post was easy since the pictures were readily available and didn't have to think much, lol.

Kim, sweetie, hope those clowns don't come near your house.  

BOO to all of you.
Saundra

Natural Wool ~ For Sale and A Recipe

First I'll speak about the recipe called Soft Green which is in one of my favorite dye books Beautiful Wool by Laurice Heath.  The Soft Green recipe uses Cushing Dyes; 1 1/2 t. Bronze Green, 1/2 t. Khaki Drab in one cup boiling water.  Then from that 1 cup you apply the dye one tablespoon at a time in your pot over natural wool until you achieve the intensity you want.  

Remember that well water vs. city water, as well as physical location does have an affect on how the final wool turns out. So be sure to add only 1 tablespoon of dye at a time, you can always add more.

The background wool used in both Hester and now Hobo Joe is this green below which was overdyed on natural wool.  The ticket I attached to the wool indicates the recipe used was Soft Wool, 4 T from Beautiful Wool.

When I dye wool I'd usually do a couple different dye pots and put 4 T of the solution in a pot and the other maybe 3 T of dye.  Normally I start with one tablespoon and add to see what I like.  You can always add more if it isn't dark enough.  Here is the background on Hobo Joe, close to the end.  

Here's Hester, a design by Lori Brechlin and was a free pattern in the last issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  Looks like I used up the lighter pieces of wool from the same dye for this mat.  The outside border and base was from an as is textured piece of wool.

Now about that natural wool sale.  Below is a picture of one yard of UN-washed natural 100% wool.  If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you can read the tag.  

NOTE:  I have received orders from folks who are a NO-REPLY Blogger making their order in the 'Comment" section.  I cannot reply to you since you are a  DUH, "no reply' blogger.   You can learn about how to fix that if you search my blog.  So IF you want to place an order follow the instructions and click on the HERE that is provided below.  

I am not over dying much natural wool these days since there are so many colors left in my stash to use up so really need to clean some of this wool out.  The natural is $15 per yard and I've several yards.  

As you can see there is more on the bolt.  At this time I'm not ready to sell my as is textured wool but that might be next because when I walk in that wool room I become over whelmed.  

If you are interested in the natural wool sale, again it will be $15/yard, unwashed and shipping will be added.  If you'd like to inquire as to postage tell me how many yards you are interested in, your address and I'll give you a price on shipping.  Then you can decide and either send check, money order or could send you a PayPal invoice.  To place an order send a message with the information HERE.

IF any of you are interested and going to Cape May NEXT WEEK I can deliver the wool to you there and no shipping of course.  Just let me know what you want so that I can have it packed in my car by next Saturday.  

I will ship wool out until next Friday and then if there is any wool left to ship it will have to wait until I return home from Cape May.

It's storming here again so should get off this computer.  Have a good weekend folks.

Saundra