What to Hook at Camp

Early November there is another rug camp and I haven't quite decided what to hook.  A few weeks ago this antique was my plan.  But now I'm getting wishy-washy about it so will go window shopping my photos and Pinterest again.

So here goes to peruse my photos of antique rugs to see if something inspires me.  Have had this Farm Scene from the 1900s in my files for some time.  It was to have been found in Lancaster County and thought to be hooked by the Mennonites.  You can see I like those dirty drab old rugs.

This 1877 Urn hooked rug has been on my 'to do' list for as long as I've been hooking and still haven't hooked it.  Love those vivid rich colors.

Below is a design I was interested in hooking at one time and even drew it up for someone else to hook  I drew 2 sizes and would go for the smaller one measuring 28 x 40.  Hmm, or maybe I'd make it a tad smaller?

At one time this antique below was the next to be hooked.  Then something happened as I was drawing it out and completely reversed my plan.  That spark hasn't returned but thought I'd post a photo of it anyway.

This rug hooked 1845 caught my eye as I was perusing my photos but don't think it will be one I draw to hook in November.

Actually I'm not passionate about any of those posted.   Perhaps I need to pull out my Kopp book and other older books with antique pictures in them.  Clock is ticking.

Saundra

Oldies But Goodies

As many of you may have read my blog already, the reason my journey with rug hooking started was looking at the antique rugs, and antique adaptions which were in Country Living magazine. 

Here are a few more rugs to whet your appetite.  This is clean and simple with elements that I'm attracted to..... birds, flowers, star, circle.  It has everything shouting primitive. 

Animals are a great rug to hook because everyone loves them.  So whether a gift or for your own house it is a winner.

For beginners the very basic flower rugs may be the easiest.  We hookers call these Padula flowers.

 

This must be a memorial for Arthur with what appears to be young deer and large padula flowers and vase.

Then there is the delightful Grenfel antique rug which I've never had the opportunity to see in person.  One day perhaps I'll have that experience.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll have something more to show you other than my Santa update....maybe.  But still stay tuned because you just never know what will happen here.  THANKS for you new followers!!!  You ROCK!!!!!

Saundra

New Vintage Rug Finds

When I have a little time I like searching auction houses for hooked rug designs.  So guys and gals, I've some naive and primitive vintage rugs to show you.  I absolutely LOVE this design and one day would like to do an adaptation of it. 

This rug also appealed to me.  Perhaps it was the hit and miss border, the great way this hooker worked with neutral colors, main color red in center and random red in the hit and miss border makes the eye visit and pull everything together. 

And who doesn't like Sunbonnet Sue?........

Or doggies?

I don't save copies of all the rugs as some just don't appeal to me.  Am sure that there are many more rug pictures that I haven't posted on my blog and perhaps one day you'll get to see them all.  If you're like me, you never tire of looking at old rugs.

Have a great evening and for those of you who will experience a warm up for the weekend, enjoy.  It may be raining here but the temperatures are a far cry better than what we had a few days ago.

Saundra

Why Do We Hook What We Do?

My desire to learn to hook was my love of the antique rugs in issues of Country Living magazine.  Knowing I'd probably never be able to afford an antique one nor a newly hooked one, decided to teach myself.  So it was the naïve, primitive, wide cut rugs that I was enamoured with.  Therefore that is what is usually on my frame.

I have friends who hook a variety of styles with the intent on challenging themselves and broaden their hooking experience.  My friend Lynne Fowler is working on a piece called Steamy Windows, which I have not seen yet but hope to see in November.  Knowing her I can only imagine it will be awesome.  Laura Pierce's Girl Blowing a Bubble blows me away with how she got the translucent rainbow colored effect in that bubble amazes me. 

Another would be Joan Strausbaugh who hooked her Thumbprint using lights and darks, wish I could remember the other 'out of the box' pieces she has hooked which I've seen in person.

My friend Char hooked an incredible wedding rug with the names of the family members of both sides hooked into the roots of the tree and would love to see a rug she started which is the ends of tree trunks from the back of a log truck. 

There are many more hookers I could name as there are many who challenge themselves, work outside their comfort zone in the name of creativity .  These type people are who I consider artists.

Me?  I don't bother challenging myself as I hook what I enjoy and designs which grabbed my attention at that time.  Okay, I take that back.... once I did try working outside my comfort zone and learned a very valuable lesson.  My class was with a teacher who I respect, love her work and had high hopes that she could pull me outside my box.  She tried but I felt like a fish out of water floundering around. 

That is NOT a statement about her teaching ability but rather the narrowness of my creativity.  I just felt awkward stretching and using bright colors.  The rug did get finished, I didn't like it for my house and sold it.  A woman at a show was gravitated to it and didn't question the price, bought it on the spot.  The customer was very excited to go home and hang it on her wall that afternoon.  Sadly I didn't even take a picture of it.  I'd like to see again, tho I know my taste hasn't changed, just want a record of it.

Speaking of antique rugs, thought I'd post a few here for your enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh I've lots more antique rug photos as I'm looking thru them now to see what may strike my fancy to hook at a workshop in November.  I think I've made my selection but that will be for another day's post.  Have a great afternoon and hook on.

Saundra