ALL HOOKED

The last loops have been pulled on the geo/floral but not completely bound.  But I'm confident that task will be completed before the new year rings in, unlike the last rug of 2024 going into 2025.  You can read about that HERE.

Lauren, Rugs and Pugs, won't have that problem as her Hearts rug is fully finished ~ hooked and bound.  Nicely done my friend.

Now I've got to get busy on a new project which you'll have a chance to meet in a day or two.  Meanwhile, I'll be binding during The Five each week day.  Anyone want to join me?  Robin, do you have another in queue?

Saundra

 

One Down, One to Go

Thankfully the scrappy Shaker horse is all hooked.  At least I attempted to make it look scrappy.  Must admit when first starting the piece, it was quite fun to leave tails up, not worry about how close or far away the loops were pulled or how high.  It was the background which did me in.  

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) finished hers early and I drew mine the same size as hers.  And Sue (Vernon Junction) is really close to finishing hers.  So after folding the foundation over and binding this one, it will just be me vs. Ezra's Farm left to settle up.  

Plans are to throw Ezra back on the frame to finish next.  For maybe a day and half had something new in mind to hook as my next project.  But haven't done the sketch yet and interest is becoming less and less.  I will still do the drawing just in case I change my mind and interest charged up once again.

My heart and prayers go to those who died or still missing in the Texas floods.  And for those children who were swept away from camp and who didn't have their parents to console them even for a second as the flood washed them away.  And to the parents of those children enduring unimageable thoughts.  God bless them all.

Saundra

'TIS OCTOBER

We are already one week into October, how is that possible?  This is my favorite month of the year ~ cool nights and warm days, changing colors of leaves, pumpkin spice and everything nice.  The inside of my house is cooler than outside so I've started wearing long sleeve tee shirts and sweatpants.

It won't be long before my gal pal Lauren climbs in her attic to retrieve her Halloween décor and start decorating ~ or perhaps that's already begun.  I used to decorate heavily for all holidays but no longer.  Gave all my Halloween items to a local friend who hosted parties at his house for the event.  Well, I did keep my hooked rugs and the Jack-O-lantern I made so do still have a couple items to put out soon ... maybe.

The Merrie October 31st is a Lori Brechlin design I hooked and the paper mache' Jack is the one I made, as I did the white wool applique pumpkin.

Perhaps in a couple days I'll have some progress to show you on the Giant Flower pattern.  And have nothing else in queue as there's plenty of hours left to finish this one.  But will continue to look for the one which rocks my world, lol. 

Tomorrow the new range will be delivered between 10-2 and hope no other appliances or electronics go bad anytime soon.

God Bless folks in Georgia, North Carolina and now again in Florida.

Saundra

www.woodlanjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Do You Have This?

Do you have this issue of ATHA magazine?  It is the Oct/Nov 2023 issue.

If so turn to page 45 to see Lauren's (Rugs and Pugs) Fall Trio she submitted.  So our girl has been published!

Plus, there are two great free pattern inserts, one is a turkey and the other a snowman with a shovel.  Actually I feel ATHA magazine is more informative and interesting than Rug Hooking magazine has become.   If you would like to join ATHA click HERE.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

IN FULL VIEW

Here is the 1776 Eagle pattern in full view.  I decided to make my stars 5 point stars as in the US Flag.  Changed the date from 1907 on the original antique to 1776.  But had questioned if I wanted the date of Independence from England (1776) or the date the Constitution was written in 1787.  You can see what I chose. 

Also decided to add the leaves at the bottom ~ but had also thought of having a wavy ribbon instead.  I sent Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) both line drawings to see which she preferred, and the leaves won.  

Am not sure how I want to hook the wings yet so will probably try something on one side and my other idea on the other wing to see which I prefer.   Below is the original antique.

Hope your week goes well and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

IT'S OFFICIALLY METEOROLOGICAL SPRING

Yup, there are buds on numerous trees in the yard, the forsythia bushes and most of the daffodils have full blooms on them.  The down side is that soon the grass will need to be cut.  If you'd like to know the difference between meteorological and astronomical spring you can find out HERE.

The other day Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) asked if I'd decided on my 'plus one' rug to work on.  My reply to her was that the 'stars' rug was still fun to hook and didn't feel the need to get away from it.  But as soon as I started complaining of 'stars wars' I'd soon be drawing another to work on the side.    

Here's my lackluster accomplishments so far but loops pulled nonetheless.  It is a smallish 17 x 30 so had hoped to achieve more on it.  Oh well, it is still here to work on at my leisure and rug hooking should be enjoyed, right?  Not fast, but fun.

Tomorrow is going to be another wonderful day with temps in the 60's.  I worked in the yard for a while today raking up those dreaded gum balls and tidying up the driveway entrance.  But much more needs to be done to get ready for the real work yet to come.  Mind you, not the hard work friend Julia (Of Petals and Wool) will tackle and I have no plans to even try to compete with her. 

Have a great evening and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com           

   

TIME TO SHOW WHAT'S ON MY FRAME

It's really anti-climatic at this point because not much has been hooked.  Yet isn't that always the complaint from me and Lauren (Rugs and Pugs)?  Seems we never accomplish as much as we'd hoped.  And sadly that is even more true for Lauren now because I don't think she has pulled a loop in weeks/month since she is preparing for vending at Sauder.

On my frame is Deer and Blue House, an antique adaptation which I drew measuring 21 x 30.  I'm hooking with mostly #9 with some #8.5 and a few #8.

The overdyed wool being used for the buck was an older natural wool purchase from Dorr and it is rough to pull thru the linen, even the #8 cut.  It must have been a coat weight wool, but have my Hartman hooks with the big shank to forge thru the linen to make it work.

In case you're wondering, I do the dashes and dots on the pattern where there's a change in value in the background.  I do it for me as well as customers in case they want to show the gradation in background color.  I usually ask the customer and sometimes the person wants to hook an all solid background and 'do their own thing' which is absolutely understandable.  Just want to give the option.

Horribly hot and humid here so time outside is limited.  My local wonderful weatherman said we will lose one hour this month as now we lose 2 minutes per day in daylight.  And it isn't even 'fall back' time change yet.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Rug Show

Despite what Lauren says, I do have something to show on the Cottage rug, but thought you deserved a little treat, little variety and not the same ol same ol.

For your entertainment I'll show a few antique hooked rugs.  First up is a rug depicting a Horse, Dog, heart and bird.  It measures  34 x 37 and hooked late 19th or early 20th century.  From the collection of Barbara and Charlie Hunter.

Had to chuckle at the description of this next rug.  It sure appears to me to be two dogs.  If you tap the photo and read the note at the bottom the description is "Folk art hooked rug of facing goats".   Goats?  First of all goats don't have tails like that.  The dimensions are 28 x 35. 

The rug below has a central 6 point Star, flower buds and scrolls.  It has been worn but no frayed edges.  

Here is a view of the back to see original colors.  It measures 23 38.

Two cats with hit and miss background hooked late 19th early 20th century; dimensions are 18 x 35.

Another 6 point star but this one also has tulips in the design.

Primitive black horse with no date or dimensions.  To me it appears to be stars randomly hooked with similar colors of different values in the corners.

Hagerstown Pup, sorry, no other info on that either.

A Sandpiper original antique hooked 1920 so is in public domain.  The original measures 17 x 28.5.  If you click on the photo you can see where some loops are missing.  

It's a sauna outside folks so I'll be spending most of my day inside with the A/C.  Happy hooking

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

New Submissions (Edit #2)

Jo finished her needle punch piece which measures 3.5 x 5.5 punched with Merino lightweight yarn.  The rabbits were hooked with Valdani #8 pearl cotton and is mounted on a vintage wood box.

Look at this wonderfully primitive rug hooked by Angela.  The rabbits are hooked with t-shirts, the rest is wool and she did a crochet edge.

Claire's rabbits are wearing ruffles and bowtie and holding their lunch of carrots.  She created her own interesting background of blocks and it looks like she also did the beading technique at the edge.

After reading about the Dancing Rabbit Hook-along, Kris (Spruce Ridge Studios) emailed me saying, "You had me at granddaughter".   That post  inspired her to draw the pattern with her granddaughter and grandson in mind.  I adore your version Kris, me thinks you'll need to hook two rugs ~ one for each grandchild.

Kris said she chose blue and yellow  for the boy bunny as a salute to the University of Michigan.  Her grandson was an extreme preemie and spent 2 months in the pediatric NICU there.  This rug will forever hold a special meaning to the entire family, particularly when the grandson gets a little older and understands.

If you would like Kris to color plan your dressed up rabbits you can click on her link above.  She can get close to the same colors she will use for her rabbits, however, it may not be the exact same colors as she is using wool from her own personal stash and some wool which hasn't been milled in a while. 

Was surprised when reading her blog that Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) decided to join after all.  She declined at first because she had previously hooked it.  So I borrowed stole this photo off her blog.  And I know where she is going with her design because the saved name gave it all away Lauren, lol.

For those of you reading my blog for the first time you can read about the Hook Along HERE.  It has been underway since February 18th and a few folks have already finished.  I've put mine aside to work on my other rug but will pick it up again soon.

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

Back to Granny's Place we Go

Yesterday Diane (Woolnwares) inquired where Denise and her update went.  So I forwarded that message to Denise and was sent a current photo.  Diane, you are a No-REPLY blogger so I was unable to reply to your comment on my blog, but thanks so much for following and particularly your comment.

Seems as tho Denise made some changes and like what she has done with the background color.  This is the current photo and would be Granny approved since it is similar to the color Granny used as the foundation for her cow blanket of this design.

Here's Denise's before the man and background color change.  

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) has been busy hooking background and only has the flowers to work on but she hasn't decided what colors yet.  Decisions decisions, but for sure whatever she decides they will be fantastic!

Elaine has been busy hooking motifs and background too.  She mentioned hers is hooked with mostly yarn but the background is with wool strips.  Would love to see the true colors and the tree a little better but is difficult to see thru the fog on the lens, sun glare or whatever is happening to the photo.  

And now to my progress..... Like Lauren I struggled with color choices for the flowers too ~ should I hook all the same, hook different colors for each?   Here's my choice of flower colors which were different, Elaine also chose to hook her flowers differently and am looking forward to see what Lauren decides to do with her flowers. 

Stay tuned to see what we do next.  Aren't you sorry you didn't join us????  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

HOOK-ALONG UPDATE TIME

No update on mine this time as I've decided to pull a few more loops on Blue Bowl of Flowers to give participants' time to work on their Granny piece.   

Sheila decided to do a dark background and realized it would be too close in value with the purple dress so she reverse hooked it.  She said next time she'll choose her background color first.

This is a current photo with a new frock and a hooked chicken.

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) decided Ole Jack needed some attention but did send me this photo to share.  

And am very pleased to have someone new join the group and am quite honored she would even consider playing in the wool with us.  Welcome Betsy (Heavens to Betsy).  She has been working steadily to have accomplished this much in just 2 days.  Her pattern measures 20 x 24 and did her own adaptation of a Granny Donaldson design.  Love the heart and that famous shaped antique cat.   Glad to have you Betsy.

Kim Is moving right along on her project too.  As I'd mentioned in my first post about starting this Granny hook-along, it was my belief that this was Karen's version of a Granny Donaldson design.

On the weather front thank goodness the weather folks called it wrong.  Had 8-10 inches rather than the 12-18 they predicted.  Now the sun is shining and melting the snow which will then freeze making driving unsafe at night.  Not to worry tho as I'll not be going anywhere.  

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

A Couple Hook-along Updates

Appears Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) has been burning the midnight oil as she has accomplished a lot on her Granny Donaldson rug.  Which means she must be done hooking her hearts.  

Here is my progress so far.  It was so tempting to just keep hooking the background down to the leaf but then that temptation could continue until the dang thing was done.   

Not sure if I'll continue to work on this tonight or pull loops on the Blue Bowl of Flowers.  But you know I'll be pulling loops for sure.  

Sounds as if there will be another major snow storm along the east coast again this weekend and I'm not done doing what I can to clean up the tree mess already here.  Monday and today I lopped off limbs and carried them back into the woods in hopes of making the trees less heavy so they can be hauled there also.  What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?  RIGHT??? 😐  What I cannot haul will require my asking a neighbor to chain saw into smaller pieces so I can haul them back there too.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Another Update

Yesterday afternoon Denise sent me a current photo of her Granny (Kate) Donaldson rug adaptation.  It appears she is going with a softer/neutral background color and am sure everyone will enjoy seeing the various  choices each of us decide. 

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) is moving right along on her rug too.  How perfectly round those little faces are ~ Lauren and Denise have set the standard high.  Visit her blog to see the wonderful wool which made this tree and her comment on the child in the rug.

And now for my update.  As expected Lauren and Denise set the standard of perfect faces high and I didn't pass.  And, why can I not take a straight photo?  It always seems to be lower on the right side and the camera also has a delay so guess my waiting, holding my breath, etc. makes my arm slip down.

Honestly I did replace that orange leaf but the one above still looks too bright.  Perhaps I need to hook the leaf in the middle and see if it mellows out.  Here's the before.

It was frigid today and silly me decided to walk the mile (to and fro) to get the mail with the cold wind whipping.  Temperature was 28* F (-2 Celsius).  A little more snow predicted here but thankfully not as much as the 12" received previously.  But it is COLD.  I made a big pot of Minestrone soup yesterday so that and a salad will be my dinner.

Happy Friday and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

A Couple Updates and Confession

Just before noon today (Sunday) Kim sent me an update on her rug as she was going to be busy the rest of the day on the house remodel.  Am sure it was hard to walk away from the Granny project but the reward of a newly remodeled home far outweighs the tug of pulling loops.  This is Simple Gifts a design by Primitive Spirit which I'm sure was Karen's Granny adaptation.  

Then later in the day Sheila sent me an update on her mat.  She said purple wasn't her favorite color but her mother loved it.  Sheila also mentioned that she might change some colors, and I know all about pulling out loops as I've done that myself many times.  So perhaps when Sheila's mat update appears again it might look a tad different.

Before hooking on mine I grabbed several worm baggies (some call them noodles) I refer to them as worms since worms seem to multiply whereas noodles don't, lol.   

Okay, now to the elephant in the room.....I have a confession.  If I don't say it Robin (Cranky Crow) or her 'joined at the hip' sista Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) will blab all over the comment section and even post it on their own blogs that I'm a cheater.  So here goes:  I couldn't wait until Saturday to start this project because if you've read my blog you saw I'd wanted to hook it for weeks.  But I patiently waited until early Friday evening to start and this is how far I got.  Not that much, right?

Wasn't sure I wanted to use that wool for the tree but before bed decided to wait until morning to pull out the loops to see how I felt.  I'd used that same wool for other tree trunks and it was introduced to me by Barb Carroll for a rug and I've used it many times since.  But still was unsure.

Saturday morning with new eyes and new attitude decided to continue with that wool and this is how the rug looks now.  Am not crazy about that orange leaf to the right but will wait until more loops are pulled to decide if it needs a replacement.

The bird on top was hooked only with worms and had a vision for the tail with the directional weave and think my vision turned out well.  Below is a photo with the red wool which was purchased years ago from The Wool Studio and the tree trunk wool came from Heavens To Betsy and is called "Turkey Feathers".  Don't think either of them have carried the wool for several years and thankfully I've more left of each.  

When the other gals send me a photo of their work I'll share a photo of theirs.  And remember, don't believe a word that Lauren says about me...I've told the truth the whole truth and nutt'n but the truth.  And it was Robin who started that whole mess 😁.

Happy Sunday and happy hooking.  Can't wait to get back to Granny....TA TA.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

So Far a Group of SIX

With me included we are a group of SIX .....Here's the team list so far but maybe we'll have more join after reading this post.  

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) enlarged her choice of a Granny Donaldson project and think she has it on linen already.

Elaine, my Canadian pal, chose a design and is hand drawing her own adaptation, am excited to see what she comes up with.

When Sheila saw my initial post about Granny's Cow Blankets it renewed that spark for rug hooking again and am very happy she is joining us.

Kim (My Field of Dreams) chose Karen Kahle's version of a Granny Donaldson rug titled "Simple Gifts".  

Denise is also joining in ~ her pattern was shipped yesterday and the receipt said it should arrive on the 15th.  Sure hope the post office doesn't disappoint.

So there you have the line up of participants....so far.  I've done a little research to find hooked versions of a Granny design and found a few.  Maybe these will help in color planning your rug.  This one below looks as tho the background was still in progress.

I found this photo of a hooked Granny rug on Pinterest.

And here it is again below and was hooked by Sheila sometime ago, wonder which design she chose to hook this time.

Below is a dark background and close to the design above.  Nice to see how rugs look with different background color choices.  Hmm, but I do see what looks like a pitchfork on the right?

Here is a photo I took at Barb Carroll's rug camp and the huge rug was still in progress.  Wish I had a photo of the finished rug.

Even found a needle punched version of a Granny Donaldson with soft colors.

And lastly is the Simple Gifts pattern I hooked a few years ago which I believe was Karen's adaptation of a Granny style but with a border and corners like Magdalena was known for.

If you would like to revisit my earlier blog post where I featured all of Granny's Cow Blankets you can find it HERE.  Would be fun to have more folks join in.  Since we will begin this Saturday the 15th I'll email all participants on Monday the 17th and ask for a picture so I can show them all on my blog.  Not to worry gals, if you want to post yours on your blog or post them on Facebook that's cool, but I'd love to have all of them to showcase here too.

Have fun color planning and this should be an easy project  I already know what color my background will be.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com