A follower commented that the first crow rug on a previous post was her favorite. That pattern would be Eat Crow, by Ann Hallett. When I purchased my pattern it came from Rittermere-Hurst in Canada. Sorry, but I don't know where that pattern could be purchased now.
So this was Rose's favorite... now check out that oatmeal background which has darkened with use for sure.
This is the reverse side of the rug. So you're wondering what the big deal is, right? Well before I learned how to hook secret messages that were legible reading from the flipped rug, I learned how to do secret messages which were camouflaged and only the hooker knew it was there.
This is what I would see if I stood in front of a mirror. It is the hidden word Panzer in the upper left corner of the rug above the crow's head. This rug was for my crow-chasing thought he would sprout wings goofy Rottweiler.
But that technique could also be used if you didn't want your initials and date to show up in front, but that info would be detected from the back. OR, you could just hook that information in the front using the same background wool.
For me it was just a fun experiment and something I thought I'd share with you.
Happy Saturday.
Saundra
I think this is the fastest I've hooked a rug, but then it isn't as large as some I've hooked. Oh Deer (24 x 33) was started At Woolley Fox the morning of May 20th and I finished it on June 9th. But there was lots of catching up from post camp laundry, drawing patterns and yard work which intervened with my finishing it earlier. Yesterday I steamed it but it still hasn't been bound.
As soon as the last loop was pulled on Oh Deer and even before it was steamed yesterday, I retrieved the Henny Penny rug which is what I'm working on now. And it is fun getting back to it. The break was nice but now am enjoying working on it even more. That is why I like hooking on more than one project at a time.
This one won't go on the floor right away; once bound it will be rolled up and saved until it goes to Cape May for the rug show. Then when it comes home think I'll put it on the floor in front of my kitchen sink where it will get a little mellowing out.
Presently there is a Crow and Corn rug that has been there since 2003 which shows very little wear. Yet to me it is more attractive than when it was first hooked. Can you believe it has been there for 10 years? If I could complain about something it would be that I am frustrated with the way the yarn whipping separates over time ~ you can see it particularly to the right side and bottom of the rug. So think it is time for this fella to have a rest.
Could be it will be under foot at the sink once again one day after I repair the whipping. The crow had a special meaning to me beyond my finding the design attractive. My departed Rottweiler Panzer (the goofy boy) was mesmerized by crows and would leap up like he thought he could take flight after them. He did the same thing with turkey buzzards in our area. Bruce and I would laugh at his antics while his more serious mother Shumba was the more serious of the Rotties. But then her son never left his mother's side so he had mommy to be the protector over him and he could be the silly boy.
But something that I'd not thought about for a long time...... the day that we lost Panzer and came home from the vet office, there were probably half a dozen or so buzzards sitting in our trees. It was if they were saying goodbye. And, from time to time I will find a huge feather dropped and always bring it home because it is a Panzer buzzard feather gift. OMG, as many years as it has been since his departure this still brings tears to my eyes.
Oh well, may as well finish it by posting a picture of the Rottweiler Memorial rug I did of Shumba (foreground) and Panzer.
And the bottom picture is the one from which the rug was designed. The top picture is Panzer and his mother playing with a lost baseball.
By the way, Ben reminds me of Panzer sometimes. Ben has Panzer's affectionate side and some of his silliness but not nearly as goofy as Panzer. And, there will never be another Shumba, Panzer or Shadow. Ben is a wonderful companion and feel so lucky to have adopted him and he has his own special personality as well.
Thanks for dropping by and reading my dribble. Just remember that lots of big dogs get bad raps because of the way they are raised and bred.
Saundra
Oh my but what happened to the last several months which seemed to fly by? And, all too soon it will be the winter holidays. Not sure I'm ready for that yet, but am ready for the cool nights and sunny days of fall.
Okay, I had several fall related pictures to share which were on my flash drive, but the folder which held "Saundra's Stuff " just disappeared last night which may have been due to operator error. So since I still own this rug just did take a picture of an old rug hooked way back in 2003. You can see the Indian Corn that the magnificent crow is picking away at. I LOVE Crows (yeah Te're you do too since you ARE a Crow by name).
This was a pattern that was offered by Rittermer-Hurst in Canada and is a design by Ann Hallet. I just love this rug. This was the pattern taken to Cape May the very first year attending there and it was in a class with the wonderful Patsy Becker. I couldn't wait to take a class with that rug hooking legend. She was not in good health at the time but she was ever vigilant in keeping to her task as a hooking teacher. I recall that was also the first year that I met Dick and George and what fun they were. George is the most wonderful story teller!!!!! He used to post on Rughookers and I miss those elaborate and funny stories.
Dick was also in Patsy's class and remember him as being helpful with the difficulty of language translations with a brand new Japanese visitor and new hooker. He and she were Communicating with hands, and what it takes to make communication with others. I've been in the same situation with other people from different countries and while it is a challenge it is a beautiful way to connect.
The Crow rug has been in front of my kitchen sink on the floor since it was completed in 2003. YES folks, these wool rugs are resilient. Yes, I've spilled things on it and have immediately taken it to the laundry room and washed it with mild soap and water, let it dry and you see how it is after all these years.
Well, I have yet another picture of one of my rugs to add to the NEW folder of 'Saundra's Stuff' which I lost the other day.
So happy you stopped by.
Saundra
