STARTING FRESH

My hooking area is cleaned up with wool worms separated (again) and put into their proper color bags, so I'm starting fresh.  Bet it will look like a rats nest once again after just a couple hours of hooking.

Last loops were pulled on Li'l Lamb so there are officially 3 pieces to be bound.  Tomorrow I've a doctor appointment so will take Deer and Blue House with me to work on while I wait.  After that plans are to work on binding at least one hour per day; no way I want 4 rugs piled up needing binding.  

For those who have been waiting....here's the Li'l Lambkin.

Hmm, those tiny fibers you see are from the cheese cloth I used.  In the Li'l Lamb I used cotton knit, vintage seam binding, nylon stocking, rayon jacket lining, cheese cloth, and yarn.  Fun, fun, fun.

Those of you who have joined this present challenge I will happily share your pictures on my blog when you send them to me.

Must say I did enjoy this textile challenge  more than the last because all the fabric used was much easier to pull than the woven cotton and homespun I used for the Tattered Tulip last challenge (below).  

Now I'm ready to go back to regular wool hooking since I've probably hundreds of yards here and much more than I can hook in my lifetime.  So  just why did I buy two more yards from The Wool Studio?   Guess you could call  it an addiction.  

Happy Hooking everyone.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

2021 in REVIEW

Don't worry, I won't write about the occupant of the White House, Covid restrictions for us while the open southern border allowed over 2  million unvaccinated illegals to enter the US, nor will I talk about other things political.  Instead I will show you a review of the hooked pieces I accomplished during 2021.  Would you believe there are 14 of them?  Some are small, some medium and none are huge as Jo, Jeanne or Tanya hook.  So here goes my review....

First rug finished in January 2021 was the antique adaptation White Horse and Scrolls.

Next was Tattered Tulip, an antique adaptation, the design I chose when a group of us participated in a Textile Challenge.   Tattered Tulip seemed to be the most popular design.  You can read more about that challenge HERE.

Plus, our group venture even made the August/September 2021 issue of ATHA; thanks to all of you who joined in. 

Patriotic Shield was the next project to go on my frame and is part of an antique triptych rug.

Continuing on my roll with small designs the next project was Black Tailed Jackrabbits, another antique adaptation.

Another small piece (now you see how I accomplished 14 pieces, lol) was Potted Plant, another adaptation.

Honoring the memory of fallen Police Officer Cpl. Keith Heacook of Delmar, DE I hooked the Thin Blue Line.  The Thin Blue Line flag is representative of the thin line police officers traverse daily between life and death as they go about their duty.  Thanks to all of you for your service to keep us and our communities safe.

Since my other departed pets had their memorial rug it was time for me to hook one of beloved Ben.  He was hooked with mostly #8 and #8.5 but slivers of wool were hooked in some places for detail.

I'd previously hooked a Patsy Becker design named Jewel Basket but that was early in my hooking experience so decided to buy another pattern from Wool and Goods and hook it again.  

Next I designed and hooked a pattern named Ox Farm and am quite pleased with it.  You can find this pattern and the antique adaptations HERE.

It was time for me to hook another Magdalena design as I still haven't hooked all her designs.  On the frame next was Rooster, Duck and Horse.

My design and another small one, I named Sunflower Duo.

For Cape May rug camp last September I purchased Stacked Birds, a design by Margaret Shaw.  You can contact her to request the design HERE.

The next rug on my frame was this Antique Horse Adaptation.

Another Magdalena design was calling my name so drew and hooked Bird Dog.  It is presently being whipped with wonderful variegated wool from Kindred Spirits.  This is a different dyed wool than was used to bind the horse rug above.

The yarn is nice and thick so doesn't need to be doubled.  You will have to request her variegated wool yarn as she only has photos of the solid colors on her web site.  If you send her a photo of your rug she will dye special for you the colors in your rug.

Since Winter Buddies won't be done by the end of tonight it will be listed among the 2022 rugs.  But don't fret as when it is completed there will be a photo finish on my blog.

I'll be sound asleep when 2022 rolls around and pray that 2022 will be a better year and if not I'll have my sights set on 2024.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Rugs Hooked so far in 2021

These are the rugs hooked so far this year.  Well of course the first one would be the White Horse and Scrolls antique adaptation ~ sure do love horses.  If interested I'll draw this whatever size you want.

After finishing the horse I offered a textile challenge to anyone who wished to join me.  The Tattered Tulip was chosen as my project like most all the other participants.  If you are a new reader of the blog you can read more about our adventure HERE.  We were also featured in the August/September issue of ATHA Magazine.

Initially my  plans were to hook this Patriotic Shied using something other than wool.  But stopped in my tracks and chose the tulip instead as it was smaller and decided to hook the Shield with soft wool.

Next on the frame was another antique adaptation Black Tailed Jackrabbits.

Then another small project to put on the wall near my hooking spot ~ Potted Plant antique adaptation.  

Sadly many of our Police Officers have died in the line of duty but some have been killed just because they were law enforcement.  Yet those are the people that IF you were in fear for your life you would want to come to your aid.  I was saddened by each and every news report of such events.  But when Cpl. Keith Heacook from a neighboring town was murdered viciously, that is when I drew out The Thin Blue Line flag.

Something more uplifting was chosen next ~  a Ben profile memorial.  I hung it on the wall over his ashes as soon at it was bound.  He is  hooked mostly in #8.5 with some other sizes as needed.

Patsy Becker's Jewel Basket was the 8th pattern on my frame and the second time I hooked it.  First pattern was purchased the year I took a class from Patsy, but a couple years ago purchased another from Wool and Goods who carries her designs.  I did tweak just a smidge.

More recently I designed and hooked Ox Farm; it will go to Cape May with me.

And finally, all hooked and bound Magdalena's Rooster, Duck and Horse will travel with me to Cape May as well.

I've shown you all the rugs which have been hooked since September 2019 when I last attended Cape May so now need to cull the number down to a realistic number to take.  So far I've got the number to 13.  I believe there was a year when I took 10 rugs and they were all in the show but don't know if I'll be that lucky this year.  If not I'll need to make a cut before the show opens to the public.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on the small Sunflower Duo and Lisa's Grey Horse.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

That Textile Challenge (Updated)

Original plan was to post completed photos of all the challenge pieces today.  But you can just scroll thru previous posts so I'll just show the latest finishes. 

Elizabeth sent me a photo of her Tulip this afternoon, great job gal, and love the colors of the wool used to whip the edge!

While perusing other blogs I stumbled upon Donna's Tulip so swiped a photo from her blog.

Karen was so excited to start her journey with this challenge just after having a cast removed from her arm and before PT.  Unfortunately she had to stop hooking due to the pain from an injury.  Don't worry Karen, take time to heal that valuable rug hooking hand/arm and send me a photo when it is finished, whenever that is.  This was all she was able to accomplish before the pain became unbearable at the beginning.

After Jane took a picture of her Scrappy Cat she realized it needed a a couple tweaks.  She added a border at the edge and gave it a face lift.  Here is "Walter's Scrappy Cat" redux.  Thanks for the update Jane.

Thanks to all of you who participated in this Textile Challenge.  Think it helped fill in time during this lockdown and provide not only entertainment for each of us but a connection to others albeit long distance.  I appreciate your continued viewership.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Winding Down

Soon we will all be doing yard work and cutting grass, our time will be limited so lets get these challenge pieces finished so I can share them on my blog.  

The Textile Challenge was opened February 13th.  While not everyone may have joined that day the challenge has been underway for just over 3 weeks.  Monday I will do a blog post of participants' projects.

The majority of people chose the Tattered Tulip since it was an smallish piece, 3 people chose Magdalena's Pup, 3 decided on Scrappy Cat and one person chose Hearts in Circles.  There were those people who finished their piece early and wanted to do another challenge so chose something else.  Out of that whole group there were only 2 people who haven't responded.  Yet the rest of us had a great time with comradery and sharing.  

Elizabeth drew her Tulip pattern measuring 15 x 17 so is a little larger than mine was.  She is using light weight cotton, sari silk and tie silk.  And you can definitely see where wool was used; and oh what a difference wool makes, eh Lauren, lol.  We sure do cherish our wool now don't we?

Maria just sent me her update on Magdalena's Pup and this makes me want to hook one now too and even with alternative textiles (did I honestly just say that???)  

She also sent a photo of what she's hooking in her piece ~ yarn, t-shirts and hose.

Jane also sent me her finished Scrappy Cat she named "Walter's Cat" since that cat would always greet her when cutting the grass and it had bowed front legs.

Jane sent a photo of some of the textiles used at the bottom and elsewhere loosely in the rug.  She said she used these on the wrong side to make the colors muted and also pretended she was a 13 year old hooking in the dark with whatever was available.   Oh if only we could revert back to that unharnessed innocence whenever we wanted ~ where the sky could be green or pink and animals blue?  Hmmm, is that an idea for a future challenge anyone?

Happy Saturday and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

The Beat Goes On

Am truly surprised and honored by the response of people wanting to participate in this Textile Challenge.  Some even enjoyed it so much they wanted a second serving, but me thinks my friend Lauren won't be one of them 😁.  You did a fantastic job on this beauty despite what you think Lauren.

The finished dimensions of her piece is 12 3/4 X 15 1/2; she  used Sari ribbon, woven cotton, paisley, 1 strip of velvet, 2 different wool yarns and an old t-shirt.  So you can see the great wool yarn edge better, here is a close up.  Also note a random color hooked in at the bottom left.  That is exactly what our foremothers would have done when they ran out of the textile they were using for the background.  That gives it character and I love it!

Denise finished her Scrappy Cat and asked to do Magdalena's Pup next.  Some of the cottons she used in this piece she previouslyl cut to do a quilt; but said she's enjoying it much more in this piece than the quilt that almost was.  Sweet looking feline you have there Denise.

Kimm also finished her Hearts in Circles antique adaptation.  She stained hers with coffee and said coffee stains darker and faster than tea.  But Kimm I think it looks lovely.  Maybe you'll try it again in different colors or using tea. 

Rhonda completed her challenge piece and while she complained about not being a good photographer it seems none of us ever get the true colors when photographing our work ~ that's a constant complaint of mine.  Looks good and primitive just how I like it.

Donna started hers yesterday and is making good headway.  She is using quilting cotton, sari ribbon, some yarn and stretch jersey, which, she says Deanne calls 'sexy jersey'.

Pamm finished her velvety tulip today and it is a stunner.  She said the pink and green (which is showing up as a gold/green on my monitor) is hand dyed but the purple velvet has white on the backside and that is what is causing those little threads.   She also said doing this challenge makes her appreciate how easy it is to hook with wool.    Pamm, couldn't agree with you more about the wool ~ and, FYI, all of us who participated had those dang threads with the cotton we used too, not to worry.    

I've been asked how people are finishing their pieces.  I just folded back the linen and tacked down, then did the Betsy Reed style of primitive edge.  

To do that I cut 3" strips of like cotton background and twisted it into a ball to wrinkle it until ready to do the edge.  I had a ball of vintage pink and ecru thread to do the whipped edge.  Not fancy but adds to the primitive nature of the challenge.

This morning I began my normal ritual of searching for Covid vaccine in my area then shocked finding availability at my local Walgreens.   Was able to secure an appointment for tomorrow with the 2nd dose in 28 days.  A couple hours later received a phone call from Walgreens saying they had 3 pharmacists on duty and did I want to go in today.  Heck yeah!  So I had my first Pfizer shot today around 1:44 p.m. and will have the second on March 31st.

Happy Hooking and stay safe.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

ELEVEN DAYS INTO THE CHALLENGE (Updated info)

This is day 11 of the alternative textile challenge with 6 people having  completed their Tulip and both people completing Magdalena's Pup.  

Update:  Chris posted a very interesting question to all you participants.  She wondered if you plan to steam your piece.  She's worried since both ribbon and pantyhose are in her piece they may melt or singe.  Chris, I can only speak for myself and I don't have either of those textiles in my piece.  I don't plan to steam, but since it is supposed to look old anyway, mine is on the floor in my kitchen between the sink and where I prepare food.  It will get pressed when standing on it and if anything spills on it oh well.

Cathy of Acorn Hollow has completed her Tattered Tulip and her sentiments were like  mine....happy to have it finished.   She used ribbon, old curtains, skirt lining, vintage bark cloth and vintage lace.  She enlarged hers 10 x 10 and said it was much harder than she thought.

Lauren has accomplished a lot since her last posting.  But me thinks she can't wait for this to be done so she can go back to her wonderful warm wool.  Your colors work well together ~ I especially like that olive green in the background.  Oh, and great colors.

Chris couldn't wait to cut up her old pantyhose and put them in her Tulip rebelling against having to once wear them.  She said the nylons hooked  "as smooth as buttah".

Kimm also accomplished more on her Hearts in Circles design.  She said the pink and tan appeared too bright so she coffee stained it.

Jane sent an update on her Scrappy Cat, said she had just enough of the stripe brown and tan jersey to put some in the head.  A remnant of a rayon paisley skirt was used to outline the cat.  The background is a variety of knits. 

Here is a picture of some of the fabrics Jane spoke of. 

Pam sent me this photo  a day or so ago and I emailed her saying the photo was distracting and to take another.  Explained that with the sun and the shadow of her hand it destroyed the beauty of her work.  But since I've not received another photo thought I'd post it anyway since her hooking and the velvet is wonderful.  

Breaking News, this just in.......

This afternoon Maria Barton asked to join our group and has chosen Magdalena's Pup as her challenge.  She said once while hooking a Horse and Scroll she added some cotton but she'd never hooked an entire piece with alternative textiles and can't wait to do the challenge.  She has, or had, an active BLOG and welcome her to the group.  

Donna, who also has a BLOG  has joined us as well and has chosen the Tattered Tulip.  And, would you believe that Margaret, who has already finished her Magdalena Pup wants to do the Tulip challenge also???  

Wow, am quite surprised by the second wind this challenge has taken.  I'm having a glass of wine so don't hold me to what I'm about to say 😊 but maybe, just maybe I'll do another challenge along with the rest of you and choose my textiles more realistically and more hand friendly.

Tomorrow I'll post something else other than challenge updates to give everyone a break.  But will post something for sure.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com