Binding Mission Accomplished

Thankfully I met my deadline to finish binding two rugs before the new year.  And tho we were not doing a challenge, my blogger friend Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) beat me to the punch.  Now we are ready to move onto new hooking projects going into 2017.

Below is the Red Lion, an antique adaptation purchased from Norma Batastini of Heart and Hand.   Tho a terrible photo flash of a picture below it does have the blotchy background I love so much.  

For comparison of color, the label shows the original color of the red lion.  AND....you can see the difference in color of wool on the back compared to the photo above.  

Out in the Garden is a design by Maggie Bonanomi.  I used the same brown wool as in the lion rug.  This first photo shows up much brighter because of the flash (as in the Red Lion above).  

Here is the label attached to the back ~ and this photo shows a much better true coloring on what was used for hooking.

I'm so looking forward to working on the Stubbs antique and even tho it was started in 2016 will be recorded as a rug from 2017.  

However, I've been thinking about what rugs will be in my future. There will be a camp with my beloved Barb Carroll in May, then Cape May in September and camp in November.  So already am thinking what to work on at each camp.

Have a great evening.... HEY... do you have your black eye peas or your pork and sauerkraut yet???  What is YOUR New Years Day tradition?????

Saundra

Red Lion

YAHOOOOO, pulled the last loops this afternoon, pressed it and trimmed the excess linen backing.  Next step is...ugh, binding it.

As is usually the case with my photos, the rug isn't nearly as bright as it is showing here in the photo.  And the background is actually a little darker too.  You can scroll down in past posts to see a picture of the original antique.

Hooking this was fun, particularly when it came to the background. Normally I find backgrounds boring but with the attempt to make it look old by using ugly (lovely) leftover wool worms in various widths it was a challenge and made it like working a puzzle.  

Obviously this type of hooking doesn't appeal to all people but I have also hooked some rugs with bright colors, some whimsical rugs and a narrow cut realistic rug (#3 cut of my departed Rotties).  Love my Rottweiler Memorial piece but wide cut primitive antique look is what makes my heart sing.

So now my camp rug, Out in the Garden will go on my frame this evening.

Guess some of you are scrambling to prepare for the festivities this Thursday.  I'm very fortunate (as is my sweet DIL) in that my son is doing all the cooking on Thursday.  Then Cathy and I will clean up after. But hey, we got the best of the deal because my son cleans up after himself as he goes along.

Enjoy your evening.

Saundra

Sunday Evening Chit Chat

Today was a blistery chilly and windy day ~ guess I'm being a bit redundant with my verbs.  Frankly I'm not ready for the winter, Thanksgiving (which is next Thursday) or Christmas.  I want either spring or fall back.  Well, that ain't gonna happen.

I've decided to continue hooking on the Red Lion rug until all the loops are pulled then will go back to the camp rug.  Just now when I took a photo decided to do a test.  The photo below was taken close to the rug as I wanted to see if it changed the appearance of the rug than the photo taken further away. Sometimes I've wanted to get close to the rug to get the whole rug in focus.  And it DOES make everything look brighter.

The photo taken further away is more closely to what I see on my frame.  What I did tho was 'crop' the photo so there wasn't a lot of excess around the pattern.

Will be happy to see this big red boy hooked and bound then move onto my camp rug.  Matter of fact, believe it or not I'm looking forward to binding this one.  Of course 'tis the season' for me to have various health check ups and will take it with me to work on binding while sitting in the doctor's office.

Have a great evening and hope you are looking forward to settling in for a long winter with hooking projects.  I've got a pile of patterns to keep me entertained and lots to wool to do them with.

Saundra

Red Lion Update

Still not not done tho and at this rate Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) will beat me to the finish line.  Click that link above to see what she just started.

Here is a photo of the original in case anyone is just reading this the first time.

My boy Ben had a follow-up sonogram on his spleen and it isn't quite as large as before and the spot of concern isn't there either.  He has had this ongoing issue since 2013 so the vet says he will keep a watch every few months and if required will remove the spleen. 

While at the vet there was a gal there with a young male Rottie and when Ben spotted him wanted to visit.  Wasn't sure how receptive the pup would be so didn't engage.  I think Ben misses his pal Phantom.

Have a good evening.

Saundra

Time Management Crunch

OMG, where has the time gone??  Here it is only 7 days before my next rug camp and I'm not done with the Red Lion rug.  Well, the lion is all hooked....or is he?  

Hooking up close under the OTT light over my right shoulder the colors seem okay.  For sure wanted the dark blocks hooked in, wanted the purple in the mane and toes as well as light in the mane.  But comparing the two is making me wonder what changes to make.   

Most of me is saying... hey, this is an adaptation and once on the floor or wall it will look just fine. That would make life easier for me for sure.

Haunting me is that in 7 days I've another rug camp.  Which means I've got to clean this house, gather items for the new camp project, make soup for the Ben/house sitter (yeah, my ex for those of you who know me).  

At this time it appears I'll be working on this in the hotel the night before rug camp.  So, no way I'm reverse hooking or making changes ~ at least for now.  Plans are to just keep hooking and deal with it later.

Oh, in case you're wondering the size of this rug is 17 x 24.  Not a biggie but was hoping it would be done before rug camp.  Meanwhile, tomorrow is a day to spend in the wool room and begin the gathering.

Happy Saturday.

Saundra