Chicken Challenge Changes...

...say that real fast 3 times.  I just love it when people give me their opinion.  Lots of times I asked for it but even if I don't, your thoughts are truly appreciated even unsolicited.  Sometimes another eye sees something that mine don't.  While the advice may not always be used, it is always welcome.

Goodness there were a lot of comments on the feet and did read them all.  Yet when I saw the picture on the computer monitor my eyes were happier with the light feet as well.....so today I made that change.

Plus, I pulled up my big girl panties and made another change.  While I was enamored with the rooster antique and had wanted to put the flowers in the upper corner using my wool closest to what the original hooker had....uh... just didn't do it for me.  So today the leaves on the flower on the top left were pulled out and hooked using the green wool as in the trees at the bottom.   

Wish there was more accomplished on the Chicken Challenge rug to show you but I had a Domestic Zoo pattern to draw out today as I'd recently sold the last one.  Hey, gotta keep those hook'n hands busy.  I know that when I want a pattern "I want it now".  So I aim to please.  Plus, these sales help subsidize my hooking habit....so thank you Rhea.

Now I want to discuss GUILTY PLEASURES.  And this is my confession time so hope there's input from my readers about theirs.  I have a food guilty pleasure but this isn't about that.  When I'm hooking there is usually something I'm watching on TV that has been pre-recorded.  Today I just watched the final episodes of The Bachelor.  OMG!!!!!!  I cannot believe that Nikki accepted his 'final rose'.  And the one I was most worried about ended up being the one I was most proud of  ~ Claire!  Good going woman (Claire)! 

Yes I DO understand that what the show is about is a short-time fantasy which doesn't last beyond the show.  So then it becomes reality.  But I (maybe we) have seen real love and marriage develop from the show.

All us females want our prince charming...the man on the white horse.  I do believe it does exist as my step-father was one to my mother (God Bless you ECP).  But what a piece of crap Juan Pablo is.  Okay, I could rant all night in my frustration but Nikki will eventually have to learn on her own as did I.

Can't wait to read messages about the changes I made on the CC rug, guilty pleasures or The Bachelor.

BTW, my food guilty pleasure is pasta.  OH but I could eat pasta and red sauce (known as gravy by Italians) 7 days a week.  I don't, but could.  Now I want some but it is soup and salad for tonight.

Have a great night everyone.

Saundra

Chicken Challenge Update

One would think that since I don't have a day job since retirement that I'd have more time to hook and this Chicken Challenge rug would be done.  HA!  Not so.  Seems that it takes longer or I'm slower.  And, for some reason this year's time change has affected me. 

However, this is where I am right now and would really love your input on the feet of the chicken.

So, guys, do I go with the light colored foot on the right or the pale red of the flower foot on the left?  There's a reason to even consider the red feet being a more informed hooker.  That would make the eye travel from corner to bottom and capture everything in the rug.  BUT, since I'm adapting two designs into one it could be that the trees below carry the eye down and red feet are not needed.

 

Have a great evening everyone.

 

Saundra

My Chicken Challenge Debut

Now don't go get that excited because it isn't done.  But I've come along well since the sneak preview a few weeks ago. 

For those of you just now reading my blog, this is the chicken challenge line drawing from an original antique which three friends of mine saw in an antique store.

This is what the original looked like.  By the way, those dark lines are some planned to get a line drawing and some were when the pen went wacko.

Okay now ~ I definitely wanted to participate in the challenge but wasn't happy to do yet ANOTHER hit and miss.  I'm presently working on a geometric which is basically a hit and miss with each and every block.  But since I wanted to participate in the challenge and.......

.....there was another 'fowl' pattern that had my attention for many months so decided to incorporate them into one that I'd hook.  I mean... it is MY challenge rug, right?  I've been panting and wanting to hook this divine fowl for some time.  OMG, isn't he a beauty??????

So this is what I've accomplished so far.  Notice that I took the flowers from the antique above and put them where the hit and miss was.  I'm still deciding what to do about the feet of the chicken.  The Rooster above had all light colored feet as the body, but I'm wondering if I need the color from the flowers so the eye travels from corner to bottom to corner so the whole rug is noticed.    

 

AND, for you newbies the change in background color could be a few things.  Either the original rug was all the same color but over time some wool faded.  Or, the woman who hooked it "USED WHAT SHE HAD AND MADE DO". 

OMG, those are the words I plant in my head when I'm hooking a rug and don't know what color to use next to make it look old.

If you would like to learn more about the Chicken Challenge click on this link:  www.woolwrights.com. 

Have a great weekend everyone.

Saundra

The Geometric Progress

It seems that I've really made some progress, albeit slow, on the geometric.  Never thought I'd embrace hooking this since it was started about 10 years ago, but it really has been enjoyable watching it grow using ONLY my worms.  Yet must admit that the boring time is twisting and knotting a bunch of a certain color wool to find similar values or same wool.  Such a time waster. 

But can now see the end getting closer and looking at it gives me comfort.  The rug reminds me of a Granny Square Afghan that has given me comfort in years past as I was warmed by the weight when covered and had a cold.  Here is my progress now just after pulling it off the frame. 

Now I'm moving onto the Chicken Challenge Rug as I need diversity.  The geometric will be on 'stand by' and within eyesight so it is not forgotten.  So perhaps tomorrow I'll have a little something to show on the Chicken Challenge Rug.  It does feel so good to hook on something of my choosing.

Have a great evening everyone.  And Lauren sweetie, I hope you are feeling better.

Saundra

Sigh of Relief and Fun Hooking

Oh my but I feel a huge sigh of relief that the commission rug is out the door and making it's way to its final destination.  So believe it or not it was fun to hook on the geometric again.  This is the same rug that I started at least 10 years ago, pulled out and put back numerous times and stated that I hated working on.  Yet today it was a sight for sore eyes.

Have a great evening everyone, it is din-din time for me.

Saundra

Hit and Miss Rug Show

Since my two in-progress rugs haven't made any progress there's nothing new to show you there.  Actually I'm still being held hostage by the commission rug but it should finally be done today ~ that is IF I ever get off'n this contraption.  I've been searching Pinterest looking for anything hit and miss so that I can join in a new group recently started on Rug Hooking Daily  called the Great Stash Deworming Marathon.  So enjoy the show.

These two you saw in the other post. 

 





 

Trust me, there are more I saved but lunch is calling me and then to  hook.  OH! something I found on Pinterest that I thought very  interesting is this photo of the young John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy at Martha's Vineyard.  Look below their feet.....what looks to be a hand hooked rug.

At least I don't feel like I've abandoned my pals who follow my blog and this will buy me more hooking time on the 'you know what'. 

Saundra

Enjoy the Rug Show

Other than hooking a rug and getting kisses from my Rottie Ben, there's nothing that gives me more pleasure than looking at pictures of rugs.  So I'm posting some antique rugs I've recently found on the web.  And what better rug to start with than a Magdalena Briner Eby rug.  You can purchase all known Magdalena rugs from Woolley Fox.  With exception of Domestic Zoo, which she doesn't sell but I do.  Barb is presently having a sale on some Magdalena designs now at 50% off while they last.

 Interesting that even tho it is a busy rug with hit and miss the critters and post don't get lost.

 Don't think I'd ever seen these three cats before.

 The simplicity of the circles are soothing to the eye but think I'd probably get bored.  Well heck, if I didn't get bored hooking the 66 circles in the Magdalena Lollipop rug guess this would be okay.

 Hmmm, maybe I like this rug with circles better (below).

 Soft and nicely faded colors.

 

What's a rug show without a chicken.

 Found this on Pinterest and must be someone's adaptation of the antique.  I love the soft and gently used hit and miss in it.  It keeps the antique look yet adds a little color and interest to the rug.

After posting about this beauty I learned the adaptation was hooked by Kathy of BriarwoodFolkArt.  She sure did nail the antique look for sure.

 Tonya (Mad Hen) sells an adaptation of this rug below.



Enjoy your weekend and hope you enjoyed the show.

Saundra

Apology and No-Reply Blogger

I apologize to those of you who had hopes of winning the giveaway but didn't. When I first retracted Debbie's win (per her request) I did a poor job of properly explaining why she wasn't getting the booklet.  Then went back to update the blog to try and explain better but those who had already read it probably wouldn't go back to see the correction so the damage had already be done...so to speak.  

Some of you are scratching their heads wondering what the deal is with a no reply blogger I'll show you what I get when I tried to contact who I now know as Leta and not just pudgypooh.  (See below which is copied and pasted here).

From: "pudgypooh" <noreply-comment@blogger.com>To: saundra125@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2014 11:24:31 AM
Subject: [Saundra of Woodland Junction] New comment on Winner of the Giveaway is........

pudgypooh has left a new comment on your post "Winner of the Giveaway is.......":

Hi Saundra,
I am so disappointed that my entry was not accepted. I have clicked on my profile and it shows my email. I just don't know what I am doing wrong here. :O(
Anyway it is nice to know I almost won your great give away. I will continue to follow your blog but I guess I will no longer bother to enter any of your giveaways.
Thank you for trying.
Leta

 

Since I couldn't reply to Leta I double-clicked on the word 'pudgypooh' and it took me to what I know as her profile page (click on it to see what I saw).  There is no e-mail address so thought the Blog name of Woolensails must be her so contacted Debbie St. Germain.  Debbie said she hadn't entered and had so many projects already started and wouldn't use it so best to give it to someone who had entered.  So I drew another name.

 

At this point I'm not sure what you must do in order for you to NOT have a no reply.  All I can say is there are numerous people to whom I can reply yet several will come up as no-reply.  I also tried to respond to Rina to explain this debacle since she was surely thinking I was being unfair, but she is also a no-reply so she wouldn't have received the message.  Rina, hopefully you'll read this and understand.

 

Apology to all and to all a good night.  Have a good weekend everyone.

 

Saundra

Winner of the Giveaway is.......

CORRECTION.....Debbie of Woolnsails isn't the winner after all. Let me explain....Debbie wrote me saying she hadn't entered the giveaway and suggested that since she had so many other projects going that I choose a name of someone who entered.

 Here I was trying to be a good soul and I couldn't reply to Pudgypooh since she is a no-reply blogger, clicked on that name.  It directed me to her profile and the only blog listed was Woolnsails.  So thinking it must the right place notified Debbie she was the winner.  Then Debbie wrote saying she didn't enter.  Well there you have it, no more will I enter a no-reply blogger or attempt to find them.  Ps.  Pudgypooh, Once again I tried to respond to you last message but it is a no-reply that comes up and the message doesn't make it back to yo.

So, now the winner is...... Kellie of Indiana. 

Congratulations Kellie, and can't wait to see which project you decide to do first.  Hope you'll post it on your blog whenever you do finish one.  Please e-mail me at saundra125@comcast.net and give me your snail mail address.

I'm still dragging my feet on the commission so don't have anything to show you today.  Am hoping to have something productive to show you on something .... anything....tomorrow.

TGIF to you working folks, and enjoy your weekend.

Saundra

It's not too late for the Giveaway

IT'S NOT TOO LATE to sign up for the Giveaway.....Remember this applique piece from my previous blog post?  After the post I went in search of the pattern and found it.  And because I'm not into quilting or applique much any more have decided to do a Giveway to a lucky someone who still enjoys it. 

Here is a picture of the front of the booklet.  But of course it is yet another Indygo Junction pattern as I love all things designed by Sarah Sporer and Jan Patek.

 

Here is inside the book and the design made for my mother.

All the templates are intact in the book.  Before making the one for my mother I copied all the templates on THAT particular design so that the book wouldn't be ruined.  Plus, all those templates I used will be included so that you won't have to ruin the book if you do this same design.

 

Okay.... so here are the rules:

 

The winner must be a FOLLOWER (so I suspect my Followers will increase from 215 upwards).  Only shipping to US only (sorry guys in Canada and elsewhere), and most importantly I must be able to reply to your comment.  In other words, check your 'profile settings' and see if your e-mail address is listed there.  If not, you will come up as a "no-reply" so you cannot receive my e-mail.  Therefore your name will be deleted.

Leave me a comment saying you want to enter the giveaway and I'd really like to see it go to someone who plans to use the booklet to make something.  The name will be drawn Friday February 28th.

 

Have a great evening everyone and good luck for you guys who want this delicious booklet by a great designer.

 

Saundra

More Applique Stitcheries I've done

I've shown you the monthly stitcheries but forgot all about others I've done.  Actually this design was at the top of the pamphlets for those 12 month series put out by Indygo Junction previously shown.  Since I was returning HOME after 8 years living the city life this HAD to be on the wall in the house under construction.  And so it was.

Once upon a time (and I hope I get my juju back one day) I used to make dolls.  Primitive fabric, clay, Edward Tulane Rabbits and even way far out elinor peace bailey type dolls.  But my very favorite were the primitives.  So this wall hanging was to go in my sewing room using a branch from the property on which the house was built.

Another I did for my mother, who has passed.  My mother loved her coffee.  It is hard to see but there is a coffee cup, candles and pictures of family on a table.  Those are pictures of her parents, me and her together much younger, my brother and her brothers.

Sorry that I don't remember the designers of all these designs.  They each and all are enjoyed by me.

Since I'm busy working on the commission I've no hooking to show on either the chicken challenge nor the UFO geo....sorry.  Hope you won't forget about me. and will come back to visit. 

Saundra

Chicken Challenge Rug Inspiration

I've been wanting to hook a certain vintage rug for a while now but was in the midst of other projects.  So when the Chicken Challenge came about figured it possible to incorporate the two 'wants' into one.  I wanted to participate in the challenge but also wanted to hook that antique rug.  Here's what I've hooked so far.  Yikes, wonder why the linen background photo looks like that????

Since I've had my fair share of hit and miss lately, and the UFO geo which is essentially a hit and miss, the last thing I wanted to do is hook the chicken challenge similar to the original antique.  Yes, I love the antique but am not fond of hooking hit and miss.  This is the original antique rug.

This is the antique rug which was the inspiration behind my chicken challenge rug color choices.

From the antique rug above I chose the corner flowers to put on my challenge but tried to keep the integrity of the rest of the challenge rug intact.  But this rug beckons me and I so want to hook it like it is here.  So perhaps one day I'll have my wishes.  I just LOVE that rug.

Have a great weekend.  OH!  My commission rug arrived today so I may be MIA for a few days since I'll be busy.  Hmm, have an idea about things to post about tho.....stay tuned and have a great weekend.

Saundra

Chicken Challenge Start Up

I'm not making much of a great showing at the start up on the Chicken Challenge rug.  My friend "Little Miss Smarty Pants" Lauren of Rugs and Pugs is WAY ahead of me.  She says I'M a fast hooker yet she is the one working overtime at her day job while I'm retired and have accomplished less. Good for you gal, glad you had a great time at the hook in.  So here is my minor contribution to the CC (Chicken Challenge) endeavor.

Tomorrow I'll show a more accomplished update (I hope) and will explain why mine is going in the direction I've chosen.  But of course gal pal Lauren might have hers done by then.

And Rose of Three Sheep Studio asked the dimensions of my geometric rug.  Uh, Lauren, I cannot believe YOU didn't ask.  This is how the UFO GEO was left and IF it is hooked as it is drawn the dimensions will be 21 x 35.  For sure it will be 21" wide.  How long will it be?  Even I don't know yet.

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Saundra

 

Switching Projects

Oh my but I do make one mess when hooking a rug.  Since I'll be switching projects thought I'd move the UFO geometric to the love seat where it will be visible and ever ready when I feel the desire to pull a loop. 

This is how the work area on my sofa usually gets to look like.  It was in the colorful tote which held the geo over these last months and years, with wool strips all mixed together.  When I decided to work on it again I then pulled wool strips which I spent hours separating into colors to use also.  If you look in this picture you can see wool strips on the back of the sofa, strips on the sofa arm, there are also strips on the coffee table to the left of the sofa.  Oh, I love leaning back on my hooked pillow.

Another view of the wool mess from a different angle.

So when I started cleaning up discovered still more random lost wool worms hidden under the baskets.

Well, now everything needs to be separated by color once again.  But it will probably have to wait until after the geo has been put to bed again ~ not done ~ just to rest for a while longer.  For now it is resting on the love seat in the living room while I await the commission piece I'm to hook.  Meanwhile, I'm hoping it doesn't arrive today because I'd like to start working on my Chicken Challenge rug.  It is beckoning me and feel as tho I've hooked enough blocks on the geo to reward myself.

As soon as I have something ready to show on the Chicken rug I'll post a picture.  And, I'd also love to see updates on rugs from those of you who are doing the Chicken Challenge rug too.  If you don't know what I'm referring to or have just decided to join in, click HERE. 

Have a great day everyone.

Saundra

In Limbo.... Sorta

As I'm waiting for the commission rug to arrive have decided to start pulling wool for my Chicken Challenge Rug.  At least it will give me a nice warm woolie feeling in preparing to hook it.  This is what my first thoughts are right now but still have a few other colors to pull.  Hmm, different seeing the wool in a photo with a flash vs. in person.

Although I've been busy drawing out 20 small patterns today I did manage to pull a few loops on the UFO GEO.

Now this is a lesson that personally hit home ~ so you newbies might want to take note.  I started this geometric rug several years ago when I was still learning techniques of rug hooking.  Not that there is a right or wrong, but where you pull the loops does make a difference.

If you look carefully at the rug above you will see some sharp corners and some blocks which end up being rounded or at least squiggly.  That is because I didn't know how to make a good SQUARE corner.  Instead I was hooking and turning and the corners became more rounded.  Honestly, I'm not sure which I like best.  Some of those early blocks seem more endearing to me than the sharp squared off corners. 

So to make a NICE SQUARE corner, for instance at the very perimeter corners of your rug, you want to hook one loop further down the line, turn and then go one linen thread inside toward the rug design and hook the length of the rug.  Ditto at the next corner.  That will give you a very nice sharp corner.

I'd really be interested in hearing your favorite on my geometric as to the squared or squiggly .  But at least now you know how and can choose to make a difference just by moving your loop over one row.

Have a great night everyone.

Saundra