Project #2 on frame

With Project #1 hooked (the seasonal swap) it was time to work on the second in priority on my list of things to do to meet deadlines.  I still have the swap mat to steam and tack backing down but I'm still ahead of schedule.   This Sincerely Jane Challenge rug isn't really due until March so am doing okay time-wise on this one too, I just want it done.

So now I have to come up with colors for the last remaining triangles.  I'm trying not to use a color which would be close in proximity to the same color hooked in a square but must say it is getting more difficult now because the colors repeat themselves in either the blocks or the border triangles.  Therefore the wool strips used just might be a row or couple blocks distance anyway.

And just this afternoon was asked to assemble a hooked eyeglass case for someone.  I have assembled purses before but this is a few inches smaller than the purses.  Therefore, since that is relatively small piece thought I'd better hook one and assemble mine before experimenting on someone else's work and take a chance on ruining theirs.  I'd much rather ruin something that I'd hooked than theirs.  So later today or tomorrow I'll draw out a design and then start hooking the glass case.  Since it is rather small am hoping to have a great way to assemble for when the Priority package arrives on Monday or Tuesday.

So the SJ rug is getting close and then I'll have all that yucky binding to do.  I'd much rather hook than bind rugs but wouldn't pay someone to do it for me so will have to suck it up and do it myself.

Sincerely Jane Challenge Rug

The monthly update pictures are due in a day or two so thought I'd better hustle and pull some loops to make a little progress since the last month's update.  So I finished the last two blocks at the bottom...it's getting close to completion, yippee. 

Now all I have to do is hook the remaining border triangles, steam and bind it.  I'm quite happy with the softness of the look and colors I chose and extremely happy that I chose a smaller size for the project.  I cannot imagine the work some of the gals have who decided to hook the entire Jane Stickle quilt dimensions.  Whew, that would be quite a task but sure would make quite a statement as a room rug.

For those of you who are just now joining or reading my blog, this challenge originated on the Yahoo Rughookers group and was inspired by the Jane Stickle quilt she made in 1863.  The challenge was just a personal challenge so that we could choose the size rug we wanted and pick any of the square designs we wished to put in our rugs. 

Brenda Papadakis wrote a book called Dear Jane and kept a journal to Jane as she followed Jane Stickle's quilt pieces to replicate the quilt.  Brenda also made those exact pattern designs into precisely shaped 4 1/2" square designs and provided those pattern pieces in the book as well.  Since the book Dear Jane is copyrighted we could not use that name for our challenge, thus calling it the Sincerely Jane challenge.   I chose patterns which could accommodate a #8 strip but used #8.5 for the sashing.  Here is a picture of the book from which I chose the pattern pieces.



You will notice that my border triangles aren't as deep as those on the original quilt.  Since my rug is smaller in size than the quilt I was afraid to make the border triangles deeper would over power the look of the rug itself.

So now I'll put my Frost Sheep back on my frame and work on that for a while.  Soon I'll need to draw out an 8" square design to hook for the Sensational Seasonal Swap which also is hosted by Yahoo Rughookers.  If you are interested in joining please check it out on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers/. 

Progress of the Sincerely Jane Challenge Rug

Since it is that time again to post an update of my progress on the Sincerely Jane Challenge (adapted from a quilt made by Jane Stickle) on the Rughookers group thought I'd better pull it out and actually make some progress on it.  At least one of the gals has completed her humongous rug already, so since mine is small in comparison there's really no excuse for me to dilly dally around.  But of course I have still been hooking but on other things.  It is  getting close to completion with still a few months left before it is to be finished so am doing okay in the progress department I guess.

I've tried to use some of the same wools throughout even tho it would have been easier to introduce new colors.  And who knows, it still isn't too late for me to pull a new color into the rug just so the same colors don't repeat themselves too close to each other.

Although I'm not really fond of geometric designs this one has grown on me.  I'd fully intended to offer it for sale in my booth when I do my next show and also list it on my web site.  But will see how I feel once it is all done.  One thing I knew was that JoAnne made this challenge seem so fun and interesting that I just had to participate in it. 

It will be loads of fun to see the final rugs posted on the Rughookers group and hopefully they will be in an upcoming issue of Rug Hooking Magazine since an article written by JoAnne was in a former issue in the Across the Borders segment of the magazine.

Now that I've finished my daughter-in-love's Snowman Mat and have worked more on the challenge piece guess I can now put my Frost Sheep rug back on the frame and work on it.  Heck, I still haven't finished my Log Cabin rug yet but I know exactly what I'm doing on that one so thought I'd better 'keep the flow' of the sheep rug going before I forget what I need to do.

Sincerely Jane Update

It is that time when we participants post an updated picture of our Sincerely Jane Challenge rug on Rughookers@Yahoo.com and thought I'd post it here first.  For those who are following my blog you saw the post where I wanted to change a border rectangle at the top of the rug.  Well, I sure am glad that was done because it seems to flow better now.

When taking on the challenge I wondered if I would do a darker background, do a vaariety of different colors in each square to replace the natural or just how to go about color planning.  My decision was to try and follow Jane Stickle with the natural background and sashing throughout.  Yes, it isn't very creative on my part as for a 'challenge' but I sure did like what Jane originally did so decided to follow her lead.

When first joining the challenge I was concerned that maybe it wouldn't be completed in time and I'd look like a slacker ~ I tend to hook on my camp rugs first.  But just because they are only 4 1/2" squares, once one is completed you feel as though there has been a great accomplishment and one more step to the end.  Plus the fact that the rug was designed by me (using Jane's square designs) but was up to me to select the number of squares I wanted in the rug to determine size and shape.  So what's not to like about this great challenge.

Be looking for the official give away post of Heavens to Betsy wool .... coming up in a day or so.

Sincerely Jane changes

Yesterday I posted a picture of the rug and spoke of wanting to change one of the triangles in the border at the top.  It just didn't have a good rhythm due to a bump in the road.  I pointed out that on the left side I needed to remove the one blue angled piece and make it a diamond to match the right side.  So took care of that and hooked another block on the bottom row. 

Here is the before which I posted in yesterday's blog:

This is the way the rug looks now:

So I've still got 6 months to finish this and it will be done by April 2012 with time to spare, that is if I don't lose my focus.  In the meantime I'm still working on my log cabin rug, and in less than 2 weeks will start yet ANOTHER rug at a short rug camp in Ocean City, MD with Lucille Festa. 

OY!  another potential UFO, oh well, cold weather is coming and having lots of rugs to work on will be a nice cold weather project.  Yes, I could always clean, but hey..... why clean when you can hook?

Sincerely Jane on the Frame

Each month about this same time, I hurriedly pull out the challenge rug to pull some more loops to show some progress.  In order to decide what color to hook next thought perhaps I should take a picture of it to assist in my decision. 

Here is how she looks now.  And, I see something I want to change now that I've looked at the photo.

If you look at the top border and at the 3rd light colored triangle hooked in blue, that is what I want to remove and make it a diamond.  That way it will be more rhythmic in d e sign (for lack of another word).  And on the short ends will have a star and diamond in the center with angled hooking in the ends.

Back to Sincerely Jane

It's that time to post an updated picture of our Sincerely Jane Challenge rugs on Rughookers Yahoo group so yanked my out to work on a couple trials in the border.  One of the gals has completed her huge rug already.  I drew mine with fewer squares and I'm glad because this size suits me much better, plus I can work on other hooking projects  also.  Here is what mine looks like now.

My plans were to just have one row of the light hooked around the border but might try another row to see if it pulls the rug together better.  The challenge ends in April 2012 so there is plenty of time for me to work on other projects and still get this one done in time. 

For those of you who did not read my previous post a few months ago, the Sincerely Jane challenge was a result of someone posting a picture of a quilt made based on the one made by Jane Stickle in 1863.  Brenda Papadakis kept a record of her journey making a quilt and developing the patterns for the quilt.  The book was aptly named   "Dear Jane" and since the book is copyrighted we could not name our challenge the same so call it Sincerely Jane. 

Also on Yahoo Rughookers group I've joined the Sensational Seasonal Swap and have started working on that one since we have to ship to our swap mate no later than the middle of November.  It is not necessary to commit to hooking all four seasons but think that I'd like to do that since the size is only 8" x 8" square.  We are to work on the winter season for this first swap and the next would be a spring theme.  The designs can be anything we choose and we know our swap mate's names so have an opportunity to get to know them during the process as we e-mail back and forth.

The dimensions are required to be an exact 8x8 in case a recipient of all 4 mats would like to attach them four in a row or two on top and two on the bottom.  So we don't have to bind but rather have an 1" excess which we turn under and base.  That way the recipient can decide if they want to bind them individually or as I described earlier.  And our swap mates will change with each season just in case someone decides to not continue with the next seasonal swap.  But I'm in for all 4 seasons.

Sincerely Jane Challenge piece

Obviously I have a flat learning curve because this is the 4th time I've typed and saved a message and didn't click PUBLISH.  So obviously this is going to be shorter and just cut to the chase.

Here is my Sincerely Jane challenge rug and am in a quandary as to what to do with the border so have put up a poll and would really love your feed back.

Here are some of my thoughts, which also appear on the poll.

~ pull out all the triangles and do a hit and miss border for 3-5 rows.
~ pull out the light triangles and hook only lines randomly
~ pull out the light triangles and hook only star and diamond shapes
~ pull out all the light triangles totally and hook those in dark & medium value too
~ keep going as started.

Or, if you have other suggestions would love your feedback.  If there is not a suitable answer for you on the poll, feel free to write me your thoughts at saundra125@comcast.net.

This-N-That

What does wool, birthdays and hooking have in common?  Well, mainly because it is Betsy Reed's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETSY!!!!!!!  And in case you didn't know, in celebration of Betsy's birthday, they are giving a magnificent generous 15% discount on orders over $30 ~ check out this link as soon as you finish reading my blog http://www.heavens-to-betsy.com/.  Hey, it is so very easy to get an order of over $30 together because we always need more.  But you must hurry because the offer ends July 20th, and don't forget to give the code.  And, selfish me didn't post this until I placed my order and have already received notification that it is on it's way.

I've updated my Sincerely Jane challenge piece just a little and this afternoon I'll work some more on my Frost sheep rug and give an update on that one in a day or so.  I now wish I had made my rug one more block wider but still the 4 blocks down.  I think it would have made the triangle pieces a little more balanced but it is too late now.

Since the piece doesn't need to be completed until April 2012, and I chose to do a smaller version, I'm way ahead of schedule.  It really doesn't take much time to hook the squares.  Someone on Rughookers Yahoo asked the question how long does it take to hook the square.  Unfortunately I've not taken the time to do that because I'm so easily distracted watching a movie on TV or General Hospital that I will often pause, watch that story line and then realize I hadn't pulled a loop in 5 minutes.  So here is my rug; I believe that if you double-click on it that it will enlarge a bit.

Back to Betsy...... Something that was a LOT of FUN to do was order the 'remnant bag' assortment.  I have done that twice and it was such fun to get an assortment of wools that I had never ordered but learned that I loved them.  Well, of course as soon as I washed and use one of them had to order more of it.  So what a way to experience a wool and not have to buy a whole yard of it in case you decide it's not for you.  So, don't forget to check out Betsy's sale http://www.heavens-to-betsy.com/

Sincerely Jane Update

Thanks to Jill of Ontario, who informed me that I had the wrong date for the Sinerely Jane Challenge.  April 2011 has come and gone so the challenge is on until April 2012.  So if anyone wishes to join in, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers or write  Rughookers@yahoogroups.com and someone can help you.  Thanks Jill!!!!!

It seems like forever since an update to the Sincerely Jane rug challenge was posted on here.... then again I wonder where the heck the whole month of June went.  Perhaps the reason it seems that time is whizzing by is because I've been working like a maniac on rabbits, dolls, drawing out patterns, all the while trying to also get myself ready for the show on Saturday and keep some semblance of tidiness in my house and yard.  Oh, and trying to hook a little on my rugs for a little down and fun time.

And just when I was seeing a future with a little down time to sit and hook for more than 5 minutes I received an e-mail from the teacher who recently purchased those two Edward Tulane rabbits.  Seems they were very popular and have been asked to make yet another one.  I'm sorta guessing it might be for another teacher, in which case, it could be that I have until September to get him done.  Sure hope I'm right on that.

So for those of you who have been following my blog, you already know the story of the Jane Stickle quilt which was then made into a hooking challenge on the Rughookers Yahoo group.  For those of you just learning about it, look back into the archives here and you will find out the whole story of how this challenge came to be.

Yesterday when I realized I hadn't posted my first of the month update on Yahoo Rughookers on my challenge rug I pulled it out and quickly hooked one block just so there would be an indication of some time spent on it during the last month.  Thankfully I chose to make a small rug as some of the gals have decided to do the entire Jane Stickle quilt size for their challenge piece.  Whew, that is a little more than I would have wanted to take on, particularly since I'm really not a huge fan of geometrics..... I like looking at them but not fond of hooking them.

There is an article in the current Rug Hooking Magazine which was written by JoAnne Harris, who is the organizer of this challenge.   So if you are interested in learning more and perhaps even joining in the challenge yourself, get the article and read it.  You could also join Rughookers on Yahoo and join the challenge as it won't end until April of 2012. 

Sincerely Jane Update

Today is June first so all challenge participants are to post a current picture of their progress.  So I just did the corner which still might have to be changed.  I toyed with the idea of doing a hit and miss with the huge corner of 2 plus triangles, considering that a way to anchor down the look of the rug.  But didn't think it would look right. 

So I decided to do 2 triangles on either side with a narrow section with some sort of design in it.  Frankly I don't think that blob of wool hooked into the corner looks right so will probably, eventually pull it out and do the whole corner in the light wool.  UNLESS someone has a light bulb moment they'd like to share with me that I hadn't thought of.  And I am open for any and all input.

I took two pictures ~ one with flash and one without.  One shows the colors too bright and the other a tad darker than they really are.  So think 'somewhere in between'.

Well for sure those corners ARE my greatest challenge.

And now, an update to my dear new floor stand.  I wasn't able to use it last night after all.  When I purchased my Snapdragon mine was the first one made to accommodate a wooden swivel ball for the Rughooking101 floor frame.  I provided Sue with the dimensions of my yoke and circumference of the ball and voila....my Snapdragon was born.  I've been happy for several years using it on the other stand until I saw the adjustable one my friends had.

So, when I assembled my Snapdragon on the floor stand, the yoke and base of the frame were flush.  The reason is that the wooden ball used on my other floor stand is 5 3/4" in circumference and the black rubber ball on the new floor stand is 4 3/4". 

So I wrote to Snapdragon to see if I could get a new yoke and perhaps even a new wooden base.  I was told that I can purchase that and they provided instructions on how I would replace the aluminum legs from the four corners of the top.  Hmmm, why not just replace the wooden base as the metal framing is just fine; that way I won't be tampering with a more fragile part of the four corner assembly.

I've written to them again for enlightenment but know that Sue had an appointment this afternoon so guess I won't find out the answer until later.  But it just seemed like an unnecessary expense to buy all new metal framing when I like the distance this one has but only need the yoke and wooden base. 

It's so terrible to have a new toy and not be able to use it. But sheesh, it isn't as if that is my only option of a frame.... you gals know how that is as we have ALL the toys and back ups for the back ups.

Border changes of Sincerely Jane

I started pulling some loops on the border as I had it initially drawn and it just didn't look right.  So instead of having it a 2" border with closer zig zags I made the border 3" deep and decided to do what Jane did on her quilt and made them the same width as the blocks.  I think it looks a little more orderly, symmetrical and more pleasing to my eye.

It will take a little creativity to find something to do with the lighter sections as I'll soon run out of ideas for a small design to fit in the small cone shapes.  But guess I can just repeat myself with all ideas have been exhausted.

This will be my last post to my blog for about the next 5 or 6 days as I'm leaving this morning for a magnificent rug camp with the Queen of hooking...... Barb Carroll.  Hopefully I'll take some pictures of us gals and Barb and will share some with you when I return, wind down and catch up with things around the house.  It is always fun to pack for a camp but not so much fun unloading the van. 

So all you hookers and quilters out there, I'll be checking in on my blog within the next hour but will read all your comments when I return.

Border thoughts on my Sinerely Jane

This morning I woke up rethinking my Sincerely Jane border.  So with felt tip pen in hand I went out another inch to make the border wider, thus making the points longer and more in keeping with Jane Stickle's quilt.  And, I really could extend the points a little longer.

As you can see on the cover of the book, the ice cream cone border is much more pointy than I originally drew my pattern.  Now, I won't do the scallops but think that because of the shape of the points that the edge will naturally get a wave effect anyway.  I can imagine it being a nightmare trying to bind the edge of a hooked rug with the ice cream cone scoop.

So, all you hookers and quilters out there, what is your opinion.... should I extend my present border 1", make it a little deeper even, or keep the  border as I had it?  Would love your input.

Sincerely Jane Update

Since my design and size of the Sincerely Jane rug is suitable to me I'm way ahead of schedule as far as finishing.  Seems to me it is only 3 months into the challenge so I can slide a little. 

That said, it just might be that I decide to slack off and get way behind when I start my rug camp With Barb Carroll in two weeks.  I'm sure I'll come home gung ho to work on that rug (which is a BIG secret) but will tell you it is an adaptation of a very famous antique design....  AH HA!  Do I have your attention now????  You will just have to wait.  TEE HEE..... I just love the tension in the room with hookers sitting on the edge of their seat anticipating the next breath or next picture of a rug or the smell of wet dyed wool. 

But for now here is my SJ challenge rug. 

I'm having problems deciding on colors or textures to make it interesting but still trying to stay true to the theme that Jane Stickle had with her quilt.  I want the muted look but have tried using textures to give the look of calico or homespun cotton.

Initially my thought was to use a dark background because that makes everything pop and look exciting.  But then got into the the whole Jane Stickle thing and decided to do a lighter and more mellow color for the sashing and background.  Something to be said about our foremothers for sure.  She made a beautiful piece of history.

 Still uncertain about the border and truly feel comfortable in waiting until the rest is hooked before deciding. Besides, IF I want to make longer cone shapes I can always sew a piece a fabric along the outer edge so that I can hook further out into the linen. But since I don't know what I want or what the piece needs I'll just wait. However..... if any of you gals have thoughts and opinions I'd love to hear your ideas.

Sincerely Jane Challenge Rug

I've hooked a couple more squares on my challenge piece.  For those of you who are just now catching my blog for the first time, this is a challenge piece that some of us members of the Yahoo Rughookers are taking on.  It is based on a quilt which was made by Jane Stickle in the 1800's and we have decided to do our version of it in hooked form.

Some people have taken on a humongous personal challenge as they are making the full size rug whereas I'm making one much smaller to suit me.   I have chosen blocks which I felt could be hooked in #8 strips and am using #8.5 wool strips for the sashing. 

It doesn't get boring because the colors change as do the individual block designs so it maintains its interest.  Since I had started another hooked piece I am switching back and forth from rug to rug.  The other piece I am currently hooking is Karen Kahle's Home Tweet Home.

Here is what Sincerely Jane rug looks like now. 

Now I'm going to start repeating some of the same wool colors after this second row is complete and I am saving the border until all the blocks have been hooked so that maybe I'll have a better idea as to how I want to proceed with the border.

Sincerely Jane Update

I was holding my breath today as I drew the border from my math (gawd I was horrible at math in school and never got better with age) attempted to figure out the measurements for my border which I've decided to go with.  This will not be a border like the original quilt but will give the feeling of it I HOPE. 

I finished the second block today and drew my border so all is good with the world. 

Sincerely Jane Update

My progress so far is a little slow but then I'm not doing a humongous rug like some of the others are in this challenge so figure I've plenty of time to hook the rest in the next year.  Yes, the next year. 

Since some of the challenge participants are doing full size quilt size rugs of 225 segments, it would definitely take a year to do.  I didn't want that kind of commitment but yet I knew that this was a challenge too interesting to refuse.  I think that JoAnne had a lot to do with that.  She is one positive, creative group gatherer.

I still do need to decide what kind of border I want before going any further.  Otherwise it will not only be difficult to draw because the hooking will distort the linen, but the border will ultimately have an effect (is it affect or effect??? hmmmm) on my rug.  So before I go any further I need to play with a couple ideas. 

But, that is no problem because I'm working on a Karen Kahle pattern Home Tweet Home and still have my Magdalena Eagle which needs to be bound.  Heck, I still haven't even prepared the backing of that one for binding yet.  Uh, not to mention that my house needs a completely good cleaning from wool dust ....sigh.