DETERMINATION RULED

I thought I could, I thought I could.  In other words, I didn't succumb to the temptation of putting Crossed Flags aside to start Magdalena's Double Horses early.  It was steamed today and might start binding today during The Five; maybe.

Here are the other two sections already completed ~ The Golden Eagle from the center of the antique triptych rug.  

The Eagle resides on the wall in the office along with art prints and Naval documents associated with my step-father CWO E.C. Patterson.  Once Crossed Flags is steamed and bound I'll need to rearrange the wall to include one or both of the other two rugs.  

The third and right side of the original antique, The Shield, presently lives on top of the cabinet to the left where the flags are placed.

Here is a photo of the hooked but not bound Crossed Flags.

And although I've posted this numerous times before, here is the original antique Patriotic Triptych rug.

Am thinking that although I'm still very patriotic, me thinks my hooking of patriotic rugs may be done for this year.  But I've learned to never say "never".  Hope each of my hand crafty friends have enjoyed what they have been working on.

Saundra

MULTI TOPIC CHIT CHAT

Remember the Dollar Tree?  Me too, the old one; and remember when it changed to the $1.25 Tree.  Today I went there hoping to find a small witch broom in the Fall/Halloween section to use at the top of the Witchy Woman piece to hang at the front door.  No witch's broom was there but did pick up a 2027 calendar which last year I paid $1.25 for.  This year the price is $2.  Yes, still inexpensive but noticed Dollar Tree carries more expensive items now well beyond $2.  Wonder if they will change their name since Dollar Tree name is no longer valid?

I didn't grow up in a 'throw away' society but rather a 'make do' one.  So decided to replace the elastic in a perfectly good pair of working shorts.  They were comfortable but the elastic was shot.  Now they are good to use again.

The sink hole was finally repaired.  Just hope I don't need to call them back in another 5 months due to another sink hole appearing in the area.  This was the before but with the almost 3 week wait the hole got a little bigger.

Here is a photo right after the repair and guess they placed sand on top to absorb any wet asphalt and help harden it.  

Then came a storm in the afternoon and washed away the sand so it now shows the repaired area a little more clearly.  Kept my feet in the photo so you could see the size of the repair.

Witchy Woman is all hooked and will do the binding/covering back during The Five. 

Now the back ~ looks like I have a few ripples to fix before the other sides are stitched.

There's just one rug my frame now, Crossed Hearts.  The heart is completely hooked and am plugging hooking away on the hit and miss background.  Next project still not drawn on linen but present plan is to hook Magdalena's Double Horses first.

Lastly, do you need or want a little hooked something for Halloween?  FOR SALE, "Hester", a design by Lori Brechlin and hooked by me, which was in Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  $148 plus shipping.  Contact me if interested.

That's it folks.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

HORSE with SIDE SCROLLS

It's all hooked and am working on the binding part.   It is a recognizable antique which I adapted and since I didn't have enough orangey red like the original, decided to go with this. Well, actually, if you've been following me you know I reverse hooked the first color hooked in and chose this more brownish color.  Not my favorite horse rug I've hooked but finally got this one crossed off my 'to hook' list.

Felt like a change on the rug at the entrance to the kitchen so removed the two white chickens and replaced it with this geo floral.  Oh my but I did enjoy hooking this in 2025 and am enjoying it even more on the floor vs. rolled up and stored.  

Last evening for about an hour I kept glued to the local weather while they monitored many nearby areas where there were rotations of potential and eventually realized tornados.  Thankfully, they bypassed Seaford.  Humidity is better today and no tornado threats.  Hope your evening is as comforting.

Saundra

YIPPEE KI-YAY

The last loop was pulled last evening just before bed on June 30th!  Could have had the last loop pulled earlier were it not for me looking for my next rug project.

Below shows a bit of the binding tape I'll use ~ red, white and blue which is the reverse side of the tape used on the Boy Pulling Wagon.

To refresh your memory, here is a photo of that rug.  I thought the numbered side would give a youthful look to the back, if anyone ever decided to check out the backside.

Many of us will be experiencing extremely high temperatures the next few days.  If you plan to be outside be sure to use sunscreen and hydrate.  

I've no plans except to have a plumber come fix a leak coming from the base of the toilet.  OY, such is the joy of owning your own home.  OH!!!!!  And another freaking thing.... the range...the temperature sensor and bake element were replaced and I'm STILL having issues.  So Tuesday I'm asking the repairman who I trust to come back and give me advice.  Maybe he will suggest having a new range delivered.  Just another day in paradise, lol.

Saundra

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BINDING THE EAGLE

April 15th I started hooking on the eagle and posted the first photo the next day.  After taking this photo I see the narrow strip of wool in the eye needs attention as some of the loops are dropping between the other loops.

For the rug to be complete it needs to be bound and labeled.  The binding has started but the label will be delayed until there are a couple more labels to fill a complete sheet of fabric coated printer paper.

The cotton flag tape I'm using to bind was gifted me by Polly Minick when doing work for her a few years ago.  It was a Moda item called Flag Day Farm and when googled, it was not listed on the Moda site.

A new rug will be on my frame, the one I already drew in case I needed a quick relief from the Eagle.  It is Spot the pup; I think he is cute as the dickens and hope to make it sorta scrappy.

And I have a special request to post some photos of dolls I used to make, so that will be an upcoming post too.  Might even open up my bins to see what is left over from my vending days and post those with prices on my blog.

OH, I've been in touch with Polly Minick recently and learned she has some Patriotic rugs in the Country Home summer issue.  Walmart didn't have the latest on the shelves yet.  Am hoping she has some new patriotic designs in there.

My morning is getting away from me but I've got to run to buy some bottled water, then if it isn't raining might do a little yard work before the rain begins.

Saundra

MISC. CHIT CHAT

It's official.  Zach, among others, were sworn into the NAVY.  Can't wait to get his FPO address so I can write him.  Am sure he will be happy to receive word from home.  Zach will be allowed internet and phone access sometime later but not sure how often.  But when he does he will surely use that time to talk to his parents.

The horse rug is bound and the label attached.  As I didn't want another row of color for the border other than what I hooked, my binding was cotton binding tape.  The label looks rather jaundiced compared to the hooked rug. 

Thought it was time to replace my privacy screen for night time rug hooking and decided to use the Out of Hand challenge rug designed by Kelley Belfast which I hooked 2016.  My sheep has a bell and decided to do proddy daffodils.

Remember the rain phenomenon I wrote about on March 17th?  Well it's still happening, and today noticed 3 spots today.  The one on the deck is still occurring but some days fewer droplets and smaller wet spot.  If you  look just above the deck you will see a circle where rain drops were beginning.  Yup, I need a new deck but recently had a new roof and in April will have my long driveway repaired and sealed.  So a new deck will just have to wait but will have it washed and sealed this spring after the green pollen has appeared and left.

At the bottom of the picture below I've circled the three areas were rain drops are occurring.  At a distance away you can see the the other two circled.

The Shelbourne Bouquet is getting frustrating so think a plus one is forthcoming.  But will try to forge thru a little longer.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

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THE BLIZZARD

It took over 3 weeks for the previous snow, which turned into white rock hard ice, to disappear and now this.  Below is the view out my front door toward the driveway out from the property.  The snow totals reported say Seaford has received 19" of snow.  Have heard on local radio more snow is expected.  But I can't tell if what I'm seeing in the air is fresh snowfall or blowing from the trees.

Next is a view from the kitchen toward the deck.  Notice how the tree is bent with the weight of the snow and a few of the small limbs have broken.  Yesterday I cleaned the deck of all the branches from the previous snowfall.

And from the garage side you can see this limb is almost touching the ground.  Wouldn't surprise me if it snapped off.

Walking around the house looking out the windows there are a LOT of small and big limbs to be picked up.  Some in my driveway which will need picking up before I can leave the property; that is when I'd consider venturing out.  So much for global warming.

I live in Sussex county where numerous power outages have been reported.  Thankfully I have power, at least for now.  Local radio station, in talking to a major power company indicated it may take days before everyone would have power again.  And with the heavy snow on trees, another limb could break lines causing more outages as they work to restore others.

While I still have power will enlarge a pattern for someone and put it on linen.  Not sure when I'll venture out to ship it but at least it will be ready to go when that time comes.  And of course will do some hooking, binding a rug will continue as well as sewing on a few more labels.  Lots to keep me busy inside.

  
Saundra

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RUG LABELS and MORE

Just printed out a sheet of labels for a few rugs hooked in 2025, the rug just hooked but not quite bound and the rug I'm working on now.  Friend Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) prints out her labels one at a time.  But I'm so afraid of wasting the fabric backed printer paper that I do the whole sheet at a time even if some rugs have been hooked for months.

Although I've previously posted instructions on how I make them, there are always new people visiting my blog (uh, I think and hope, lol) so if you want to  find out how I make the labels click HERE.

Sheila has completed the hooking part of her Hearts Hook-Along and just has the binding to do.  Yup, 'tis true.   She decided to 'cut corners' and make the shape of hers a little different from the others' who participated, while staying true to it's design.  I like it and she should be proud to have hers a bit of an 'original'.    Thanks for joining Sheila.

Now  to my bad news.....unfortunately this area is under a 'blizzard warning'.  Latest report says perhaps 8-14" of that white stuff.  So much  for the 'global warming'. 

Am hoping the weather model they used for the amount of snow is wrong.  So it is gonna be a 'wait and see' kind of sh*t show.  But this is the report just in at 7:10 p.m. Saturday night.

But I've plenty to keep me occupied inside ~ I can hook, sew labels on rugs, or continue binding Shadow Sleigh Ride.   Wishing you a happy weekend and very little snowfall.

Saundra

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BINDING ENSUES

The hooking is done so binding process ensues.  I don't have a favorite or consistent binding technique, so this time the rug calls for a wool whipped edge, me thinks.  Friend Robin feels I'm making double work for myself by doing the two-step process of pre-whipping with thread then again with wool.  But I find it easier not having to fidget with getting the roll tucked in while whipping.  

The plans for distant trees didn't work as planned.  A couple places appear to be trees but imagination is required to see others.  Yet am happy this design finally got hooked and can cross it off my list.

Binding isn't as fun as hooking a rug but I've made peace with the task.  Afterall, I can't enjoy the rug if it isn't completely finished.  There's already a place in mind to hang it where it will be visible daily.  It will replace the Angel and Crow so that one will retire until I find another location for it.  I think Mother with the Fishbowl would approve.

It was a month ago today that I posted my start of this rug, you can see that post HERE.  Well, back to pulling loops on my pattern until 5 p.m. when it will be wine and binding time.

Oh, but first, I just checked the level of propane left in the tank and I need to order another fill.  The last delivery was  made 1/13/26, and today is the 10th.  Since that time I have burned through 197 gallons of propane to the tune of $679.93 PLUS whatever electricity was used to generate the fan and heating via heat pump when temps are above 39 degrees.  Of which there have been few.  Oh well, it's only money, right?

Saundra

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RUGS ON DISPLAY

This antique rug is a familiar one which is being auctioned again and expected to get between $3,000- $4,000 for it.  You can check out the auction HERE.  It has also been on my 'to hook' list in the past and think I'll put it back on.  Sheesh, I'll have to live at least another decade or longer to hook all the rugs on my list.

Said to be hooked around 1870 and measures 38 x 44.5.  

Dog, which I think is a Boxer, hooked early 20th century (19 x 40).

This is an attractive floral circa 1900.  With the size of 10 x 12.5 it may have been a chair pad, or perhaps a stool cover.

Farm landscape with cow and barn and dimensions of 19 x 35.5.  No mention of date and have no idea if those are initial at the bottom right or something else.

This could easily be a view from my kitchen window in the spring ~ a deer eating tree leaves.  Dated 1922 with dimensions of 37 x 56.  It is hooked with cotton and various other textile strips as I saw the back on the auction site.  Awesome to see how much detail she got with those strips of rags.

Having a blog seems like work sometimes, but also has its perks.  I've met people thru my blog I'd never have an opportunity to know without it.  Because of my blog, a woman searched on line for initials on a rug which was part of a group she purchased at auction.  Those initials were BEM.  

Her main focus were the other two rugs as she knew the people ~ Cleland E Selby and Suzanne both of whom were rug hookers.  But she wanted to know about this "BEM" name.  And so she found me on the internet as I've written about Barbara Merry numerous times.  

As I look at the bottom rug in the photo below, I'm thinking the 'S' in the lion's tail and those around the lion's mane are the initial of Cleland Selby.

Am glad Donna found me as she shared this photo of a rug I've not previously seen hooked by BEM.  Plus, I learned about the Selby's.

Turns out Donna is also a rug hooker and has taught her granddaughter how to hook.

An update on the Hearts Hook-along I hosted ~ Jo Smith has completed the hooking and now just needs to steam and bind it.  She was the last to join the hook-along but came thru quickly with her finish.  The wide wool surrounding the hooked rug is what she will use for binding.  And just in time for Valentines Day Jo.  Congratulations.  

Snow storm predicted here for the weekend but finally inches not fully known.  Sometimes it ends up with just flurries but not so sure that will be the case this weekend.  But I'll play it safe and prepare for the worse.  And I always have wool and hook to keep me occupied.

Saundra

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DOWN TO THE WIRE

I've still haven't decided on my next rug pattern yet, but Dahlia is all hooked.  Last evening I started binding it since there's no new pattern on my frame and needed/wanted something to work on.  Talk about hooking down to the wire.  Hate when that happens.

Today my task will be to decide on and enlarge a pattern for my frame. I sorta think I've made up my mind and here are a few which are being auditioned.  The blue birds I posted previously.

This antique floral below was on my 'to hook list' several years ago.  Guess I didn't draw it because the top part of the rug was not visible.  And will be a pain, not impossible tho, to just duplicate what's on the bottom on top of  the design. 

Big dog little house is very interesting with the tiny critters above and side of the house and hooking the background would certainly not be boring.

Of course this year, the 250th anniversary of America, the design below would be apropos.  But haven't decided if I'd follow this same color plan or change it up a bit.  Red, white and blue are our colors.

And last, a blast from the past I'd almost forgotten about, horse drawn sleigh.  So I've dusted it off and put it in the file as a potential project.

Guess I'd better get off'n this contraption and made a decision as I can't go another evening without a rug on my frame.  Which means I've still a mess to clean up around the hooking spot before that can happen.  

 
Saundra

LAST POST OF 2025 (edited)

The Hearts Hook-along has been underway for 3 months.  After the idea of a Hearts Hook-along was born, the start date decided was October 1st.  And I didn't even cheat by starting earlier.

Kim made her first hook-along presentation just now and it is looking festively like Valentine's Day to me.  All she has to do now is the border.  You go girl!

Sue chose to take a different approach to her hook along design.  Hers is very close to the finish line now.  We've all watched her redesign and re-hook sections of the rug to reach this near finish.  Bet she will have this all hooked before 2026 rolls around in a few hours.

Jo chose to stay true to the original antique design.  She has all the outlines and some motif's complete.  Will be fun to see what colors Jo will choose to fill in those remaining areas.

Michelle also did a little redesign with the heart in hand.  What a perfect heartfelt image she has created from the original.  Michelle is caring for her mother so this will always signify an expression of love.  

In case you missed the previously posted finishes, here they are again.  Nancy finished her rug in the October, the month the hook-along began.  She drew it to fit the top of a bench her husband built. 

Margaret completed her rug, including binding, November 2nd.

The following day, November 3rd I'd finished hooking but the binding would be completed days later.   Now I regret using bland outline colors and wish I'd gone with a bold dark outline.  Oh well.

EDITED ~ Sheila did hook more and sent me this updated photo of her achievement.   She accomplished lots more and it is looking fantastic!!!

Elaine's first and last update in November shows me she's really looking forward to spring.  Guess she couldn't take those knitting needles out of her hands.

Lauren had her rug all hooked, bound and labeled in December.  Good for her to not have this as a UFO going into 2026.  And those bold outline  colors are what I wish my rug looked like.  

Well kiddos, 'tis New Years Eve.  Will soon be chopping up celery, onion, garlic and green pepper for my traditional black eye peas dinner.  This year I'm forgoing the greens and corn bread.  Won't be making any New Years resolutions either because I'd end up not keeping them anyway.

I will enjoy the evening at home alone hooking and will not stay up and watch the ball drop as I hope to be sound asleep at that time.  Well, that is until my first of a few pee calls, 😏.  May you enjoy the evening no matter how you wish to celebrate.

Saundra