Today I had the urge to work a little on the Red Lion rug. It has been pulling at my heart strings since setting it aside to work on the camp rug in Ocean City.
At camp last week I was number #11 in the list of students for the color planning of the class rug. The choosing is done fairly with people pulling a number out of a box. That was okay since there was time Sunday evening and Monday morning to pull a few loops on my lion before starting the camp rug.
Here is Red Lion so far. It is an adaptation of an antique and this pattern was purchased from Norma Batastini of Heart and Hand.
Was surprised at the number of people at camp who had positive comments about this rug and word spread so people from other classes came down to see what it looked like.
The background is a mix of primitive black wool and old yucky worms saved but works great in a background for a 'make do' look. Below is a picture of the original antique rug.
My sweet teacher Kris gave me such a compliment about my primitie background that I'm still holding those words dear to my heart.
Tomorrow's weather will be quite mild for the season. It is a follow-up visit to my eye doctor to check the left eye progression. He may also dialate my right eye heavily to check it for my next surgery in December. Honestly I can't wait since my eyes don't sync together nor do my trifocals works any longer either.
Have a great evening everyone and please be kind to one another.
Figured it was time to take the rug off the frame and look at it critically. It is difficult for me to really see if the rug pleases me when it is right under my nose while hooking. The original antique has blocks of hooked areas in the lion which I'm embracing.
Wasn't sure which wool to use in the areas so have tried a certain wool in the forward rib area just above the light rows ~ that section was a light block. Then later used a darker wool in the hind section and part of the tail. Not sure what wool will be pulled yet; think I'll just keep hooking and checking it from time to time to see what makes me happy.
To refresh your memory, here is what the original antique rug looked like.
My background won't have the dramatic color changes the original has but will definitely have light and dark areas to give the flavor of faded areas.
Going to have the first frost tonight, according to the weather man. The temp inside the house now is 64 and am hoping to go to bed without heat and sleep under a cozy comforter. Then in the morning just might need to turn the thermostat from 'off' to 'heat' in the morning.
Saundra
Doesn't seem I'm making much progress on anything. I worked this morning sewing the binding tape on the Goode witch and then pulling a few loops on Red Lion.
Here is what Red Lion looks like now. It is smallish at 17 x 24 so am disappointed in myself.
Tomorrow morning over coffee will do more binding on the good witch as I really want it on my harvest table SOON.
Quite a change in the weather...from short sleeves and shorts, to long sleeves and sweat pants.
Happy Saturday evening to you all.
Saundra
Sure wish I was a faster hooker so there was more of an impact when showing my updates on hooking projects.
This is my adaptation of the antique which is considered a dog shaped lion. To save you time here is a picture of the original Red Lion antique.
Most times I do try to replicate the original antique but couldn't seem to accept...as a friend described it....a tomato soup colored lion. Plus rugs need to fit and be loved in my home.
Must admit I'm having a problem using purple in the paws/claws of the lion as well as the mane. There could still be more reverse hooked pieces in both. Yet purple IS in the original antique rug. Tap it to enlarge and check it out.
HEY.. it feels so good to have something to hook. Just hate those days when nothing is on the frame and recently had those days.
Enjoy the last of the warm summer weather here in Delaware. BUT... I STILL have water in my back woods and misquitos were still chasing me and Ben down today.
Saundra
Pulled a few more loops today and if I'm not known for anything else I'm known as the Queen of Tweak; a title given me by Kim. This is what the rug looked like this morning but the ear wasn't defined well enough for me.
So decided to lay an alternate piece of wool in it's place to see how it would look.
Heck, why not pull out the other wool and use the alternate. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I'd changed my mind and put back the wool which was ripped out.
Do you remember me mentioning previously that I'd taken a picture of the wool planned for this rug? Okay, put on your sunglasses. Why does this happen??????
Both the rug photo and this wool photo were taken at the same distance from me to the floor. Although, the muzzle of the lion wool is not in this photo. The two larger pieces of wool are what is used for the body of the lion.
Used for the muzzle was a very narrow strip of the last of a dirty gold and wish there was more of it. Thankfully there was enough to do the muzzle but now have to find more from whom it was purchased.
Hope you are all enjoying this unusually warm temps in my part of the U.S. There is still a lot of water in and around my yard and hope the heat and sun will help dry some up before the cold sets in.
Good evening everyone.
Saundra
Finally am pulling a few loops; not a lot but it feels good to have the hook in the hand again.
Took a picture of the wool I've chosen to hook my lion (of course that is always subject to change as you know) and even took a picture of the wool. But the flash made the wool look SO BRIGHT that I chose not to influence your thought on the wool choices yet. Maybe next post will show you that shocking photo.
While at Cape May I purchased the Red Lion pattern from Norma Batastini of Heart in Hand Rughooking. As it is an antique could easily have drawn it out myself, but hey, it was already done for me so why not buy it there ~ no muss no fuss.
The Be Goode Witch has been prepped for binding but hasn't been started yet.
Had one last pattern order to draw today (E S Frost Sheep with Birds) and must stay it is quite a challenge to draw a pattern when the two eyes aren't in sync. But I've another eye surgery coming up soon (don't know when) so the pattern needed to be done.
Needless to say I took my time drawing. You sewers know that old addage "measure twice cut once"? Well today it was look twice, maybe thrice and use Sharpie once.
Have a great Sunday evening.
Saundra
