....for the next journey to begin. I've finally made up my mind which design I'll start with and if that is fun have a second one lined up. I drew this out small and think it measures 12 X 18. Because the original antique has a pinkish halter and reigns think I'll name this one "Lady the Donkey".
Here is the Belgian linen I drew it on which is light weight like burlap but a stronger thread and weave ~ less brittle.
Am hoping to NOT cut any wool but use wool from my worm bags. I pulled a few to start with which are in the white basket. The top is an old piece of vintage paisley which was in the pile of free wool at Cape May last year. I cut it in thirds lengthwise and hope there is enough for the bridle and reigns. And if not, Magdalena would have made do with whatever else she had that was close in color...or not.
I'm not suggesting this is a Magdalena design, merely what hookers would have done years ago to 'make do'.
Am not ready to start hooking tonight...uh, I AM READY but still need to finish binding Stars and Diamonds. That ugly task takes longer than a couple hours and I cannot stand to be sequestered so damn long.
Going back to work attaching the outer edge of the cotton binding tape and hope to have that done before Tuesday. That is the day of my doctor's appointment and will do the inside stitches in the waiting room.
Happy Sunday everyone.
Saundra
Since my hit and miss mat is all hooked and nothing on my frame decided to pull out a smallish (9 x 25) Paisley Star Tread sold by Fraser. Numerous times I'd thought of selling the pattern since it should be hooked with a narrow cut but something made me keep it....who doesn't love paisley???
First I attempted to hook accommodating the spikes in the paisley; pulled out the loops and put it back in my stash. Next morning decided I needed a fix with what few hours allowed in a day to relaxation. Remember I'm getting ready for rug camp, have to clean, cut grass and get the house ready for my Ben/house sitter. And yup, pulled out that pattern again as that was the only one which spoke to me to work on now and while awaiting color planning at camp.
As you can see above I've chosen to do traditional curved paisley shapes instead of the jagged shape. Plus am trying to use up more worms but certainly won't be able to use any strips wider than #8 for this.
Haven't had time to really think this out but am considering making the paisleys using the same theme red exterior below and to right and below and to right again on the third row.
Then perhaps a different color (blue, green or gold) to either side of that slanted line. Obviously you can tell I'm way out of my element here but I'm going to play along until I'm working on my camp rug and put this sucker away as a UFO. At least there will be something to pull out and work on when there's nothing else on my frame again.
Saundra
With NED all corralled and steamed he is resting and waiting for the final finish. Meanwhile and since there was no new rug design on my frame decided to pull out an old and only UFO.
This was started after a previously hooked rug was finished and no new rug on my frame planned. So decided to do a hit and miss mat with worms. Then got bored and tossed it aside ~ this is/was the only UFO I have.
So, okay..... I pulled a few loops and below is where I am.
Tonight I'll pull a few more loops but tomorrow it will go back to UFO Land because I need a real rug to hook and am sick of worms. So this is the UFO I STILL have.
Which means, of course, all these worms need to be separated and placed in their proper place.
What will go on my frame? Don't know yet. Tomorrow I'll show you the ones in my stash that might take that place.
Happy Sunday.
Saundra
Jennie (Over the Hill and Running) asked if I had any UFOs since it appears that I'm diligent in finishing projects. The answer is yes. Last winter decided to use a small piece of linen to draw a 12" square. Plans were to use worms and make a hit and miss chair or table mat.
Didn't like what I'd hooked, got bored and it has been hanging around since. One day between rugs I'll pull it out and probably pull out strips and do something else.
That is the only UFO here UNLESS you consider Simple Gifts by Karen Kahle still needs to be bound completely. I worked on it a little yesterday in the doctor's office waiting room and on Monday in the dentist waiting room. Like Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) since binding is not fun, it is a perfect time to seize the opportunity.
And, still have some of Ned's border to finish and then bind. But then feel my grandson's rug and Ned (Woolley Fox) were being hooked in tandem so don't think they classify as a UFO.
However....... in the past I had two rugs which stand out as long term UFOs but now finished.
As a relatively new hooker saw a cute design by Claire Murray named Strawberry Patch on eBay. Price was good and thought it a good idea to try hooking with yarn. Learned quickly that yarn was a beast to hook with (for me) . Not only that but the too clean, too bright colors didn't fit in my house since I have antiques. It would look adoreable in a child's room or a chipped white cottage room. Uh....I'll definitely sell it if anyone is interested. Anyway, after hooking the bunnies and a couple flowers put the rug away for a couple years.
The next to go on a very long hiatus was this geometric rug design I drew up. Well of course my thought was to use up all those worms which seem to multiply like rabbits but soon got bored. Think this was tucked away for like 5 years until getting motivated to use up more worms.
So my plan of action was to hook one block per day then hook something fun. Soon a lot of the rug was hooked and was motivated to finish it. My friend Evelyn had told me she thinks this one is a keeper and to not sell it.
If you look closely at the 'granny geo' you will see this was an early hooked rug of mine too. At the time of starting it didn't know how to make sharp corners and many of those designs take on a shape of their own and are rounded. I enjoy that rug now but it isn't on the floor....yet.
Have a good evening everyone. Am HOPING to post a finished (hooking that is) of Zach's Sports Rug tomorrow. That is, of course, if I get off this dang computer. Stay cool.
Saundra
This was hooked by me using worms from my baskets. It is an antique geometric pattern which has been around and duplicated for many years. I call mine "Granny Geometric" since it reminds me of the granny square afghans I crocheted in my younger years.
Those of you who have been following me for a while know this project was stashed away for about 5 years at one point. I'd just gotten bored. Then decided to bring it out of hiding. Eventually my followers and friends encouraged me to continue to finish it.
Happily it is done, bound and my friend Evelyn Lawrence told me to never sell it. Not sure why she said that other than she must love it and thinks it looks like an antique.
Okay then... So who would like to make their own hooked afghan piece of history? This is the line drawing I used to trace out my rug. You can choose your own dimensions by just using this grid. You should be able to right click and print this picture, I think.
In the picture below I've placed a measuring tape so you can see the dimensions used for my rug. BUT...... you could enlarge or reduce these to fit your wishes. If you wanted to do a needle punch then reduce the size.
Also, If you look at this rug again (below) you could hook those end half-shapes just dark to simulate a saw tooth border, or hook it like I've done with a straight border all around.
Today was a rough day trying to finish cutting the rest (almost the rest) of my massive yard. With the riding mower DOA and today the motorized wheels of my push mower dropped dead also. I'm at a loss for next week when the yard needs mowing again.
I hear you loud and clear Kim..... "Oh the joys of home ownership".
Have a great evening everyone.
Saundra
Today I've felt like a slug sitting and hooking while watching and enjoying shows recorded on my DVR. Okay, yesterday I worked outside and was exhausted so deserve today.
This is my update on the antique adaptation "Cherries and Candy Stripe" and I'm really having fun with it. Not only am I using some of my left over strips (and yeah making more I'm sure) but getting those old looking dirty colors in there to give it age is somewhat of a challenge but also FUN!!!!!
In the original antique (pic in a previous blog post) there was a gold stripe along the border in places but I've chosen to use beige....actually an over dyed wool to replicate dirty wool.
If you double click on the picture you will see dotted lines on the linen. That is what I've put on my design to know where the off-colored wool goes to give it the antique look in the background for that blotchy look I so love.
This is such a fun and relaxing journey for me and hope you are enjoying it during this calm and peaceful holiday season. Also wish each of my internet friends a happy and healthy new year as that is coming up next. Oh my.... already?
Saundra
