Horse Trainer Update

Hooking on this rug isn't going nearly as quickly as I'd intended.  Plans were to start either my grandson's next Christmas gift rug or start something 'heart' related for Valentines Day.  Don't think that is going to happen.

This is all I've accomplished since the last update.

Still a lot of background and border to do so am happy that I saved the Trainer for fun.  He's even more special since he was hooked with left over worms.   Admittedly it was a mess to pull out all the green worms on my lap to find matching green herringbone for his pants but was definitely worth it.

Hope my readers are warm and snuggled in.  I left the house today for the first time since Friday as there was that ...uh..... arctic Canadian gift from my friends (snow and COLD).  Today we didn't even reach the high temp of freezing.  According to the weatherman we will get in the 40's tomorrow.  Thank goodness.

Still love my Canadian friends but you are welcome to keep your gifts.

Saundra

A Quilter's and Hooker's Coffee Table Book

At the publishers right now is a wonderful hardcover coffee table book with magnificent hooked rugs by Polly Minick and stunning quilts by Laurie Simpson.  Publication date is expected April 4th, 2017.

Their works will be showcased in a variety of settings with vignettes giving ideas which may work with your own decor.  The colors will be in blue and white with clever decorating tips and insight on adding diversity with a two-color palette.  

There will be an array of one-of-a-kind quilts, rugs and textiles you won't see anywhere else.

Okay, now the drum roll........... for those of you who PRE-ORDER your book by April 1st you will be in for a drawing ~ two drawings actually. There will be a hooked rug by Polly Minick as one gift and something made by Laurie Simpson.  Wish I was eligible, but sadly I'm not eligible for the drawing since I have been in the employ of Polly for several years.  Yet that time was gift enough for me.

Contact POLLY HERE to pre-order.  All she needs is your name, address and email. No money will be due until the book is shipped and she will notify you.

There are 144 pages, full color photos, hard cover, and US price is $34.99.  All of you who read my blog are either hookers, quilters or both.  Treat yourself to year round eye candy to keep on the coffee table for inspiration.

Have a great evening everyone and hope those of us with snow are warm.  Thankfully I didn't lose heat or electric during the snow storm. Now back to hooking on my Horse Trainer.

Saundra

Winter Wonderland and Hooking

If I had person (husband) to do my shoveling and make things safe for my walking outside, it would be great.  But I keep hearing Gloria Gaynor's words of that part of a song..."Do you think I'd crumble  Did you think I'd lay down and die? Oh no not I, I will survive..." 

Here are a few pics taken before nightfall.  Kept sweeping with a broom when the snow was light and fresh, then it became shoveling as the inches built up.

Wanted Ben to have a clear walk from the back porch so tried to clear that, plus the pond cover needed to be continually kept clear so the cover didn't collapse.

Just now heard the news and Seaford had 8" of snow.  The wind is blowing so it will drift.  

The picture below is from the front porch where I shoveled and was soon filled in on the walkway where those foot steps are.  

At least the day was spent hooking...okay, brushing and shoveling snow too.  But here is my horse trainer all hooked.  Uh, why is it the dogs need to get into the action and want to lay on the rug mommy is hooking?  Ben was ready to plop down on my rug but mama protested.

Here is a shot of my handsome horse trainer.  I'm totally happy with him.

Would you believe his coat and pants were hooked from my left over strips?  Matter of fact the majority of the border blocks were hooked with left over wool strips. 

Hope you have a great evening and everyone is warm.  Tonight I'll work on background fill in.  The snow has stopped falling but the wind will take it wherever.

Saundra

Closing In.....

Finally I'm closing in toward the trainer.  Have been impatiently waiting to hook that man ~ but we were taught to save dessert for last.  He will be the dessert yet there will be more to hook around him.

Also closing in is snow for this area.  Tomorrow morning at wake-up thankfully there is to be only a dusting or 1" as I've my final eye doctor appointment which is 40 minutes away.  But tomorrow  night we have been warned there will be a huge amount of snow and may wake up to several inches on Saturday.  So far no predictions of amount because it is still 'iffy' as to the flow.

Hope you all have a great weekend and my friendly Canadians can just keep your snow.  Yeah, I could always become a snowbird and move to Florida for the winter but don't have the money, the inspiration nor the companion to go with.  So I'll just stay here with my boy Ben.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

Vintage Rugs Show

So who among us doesn't enjoy looking at vintage rugs?  Ah, just as I thought....we ALL love looking at vintage OR newly hooked rugs.

Especially for Kelley, above is an old design with two cats and a sawtooth border using random colors which could be pulled from left over wool. 

Giving equal time for you dog lovers is the two dog rug above using hit and miss along the border and leftover wool in the dogs.

This is an oval art deco rug hooked around 1930.  You can see some of the dye lot variances and don't know if it is latch hook or not since that information was not disclosed.

The piece above has a barely visible bird in a leaf grouping and 8 point stars and scrolls at the border.  Yet another great antique to use up those scraps in your favorite colors.

There is something about this blue/purple dog with butterflies which melts my heart.  There's a feeling that the hooker lost a friend and surrounded it with fluttering butterflies.  

Above is an antique with nice soft faded colors against the dark background.

The rug above is a pig pulling a wagon.  The only information that it was hooked with nylons and cotton.  No date or location of origin.

Okay guys and gals, I want to pull a few loops so will be back tomorrow.  Didn't get many loops pulled today with other duties to perform.

Saundra

A Blast from the Past ~ Embroidery

While looking at Lori's blog  a couple days ago, was enamoured with her stitchery and had memories of when that was a favorite pastime.  Of course that was before becoming addicted to rug hooking.  

So will show you some relics which were kept for sentimental reasons. Back in the day I used to make many of the clothes for our family.  I made swimsuits, snap crotch footie pj's for my son and even a wool 3 piece tailored suit which my husband Gary proudly wore to work with IBM.  FYI, now I don't even want to hem pants or sew on a button...I digress....

So back in my late hippy days (early '70s) I sewed and embroidered a shirt for Gary and me.  This is when the gauze cloth and bright flowers were in.  

Yeah, you're seeing double because there really are two there.  Gary's was on the left and had no embroidery at the bottom... he was a man ya know...so no fru fru there.  But wanted mine to have a little extra trim at the bottom.  Hey, laugh all you want but we really wore these things out in public.  

But hey, last spring and summer I saw gauze clothing back in the stores here in my little town so this style is back in; or was back in ~ fashion always seems to recycle

Since gauze was hot and in style made myself another blouse but this one wasn't my favorite as I didn't like the string gathered neck and wasn't into altering it.

Denim shirts and jeans jackets have been in style for eons so I embroidered an eagle head onto the back of Gary's jeans jacket.  My son was 13 at the time his dad passed and wouldn't fit into it decided to cut the eagle out and kept it.

My son recently looked at the eagle and knows when he has chosen the right item that I'll stitch it onto anything he wishes.  Or, perhaps he might choose to frame it, who knows.

Lori, thanks for guiding me thru memory lane by your nifty stitchery.

Saundra

Stubbs Rug Update

One would think I'd be more than halfway done hooking my rug but sadly the trainer still hasn't been started.  But today started designing my grandson's new Christmas Rug and have pulled wool before it is on linen.

For those who may be interested, the dimensions of my rug is 22 x 48. And if you're wondering what that star is all about in the top left, it is not part of the design but rather the spot used to hook a #9 cut star someone asked me to demonstrate.  Figured may as well use the linen on my frame.

Just visited Lori Brechlin's blog and admired her stitchery.  Her post has inspired me to show you a relic I stitched back in the 70's.  And...it is a piece of clothing, lol.  Stop back to see tomorrow. 

Have a great evening, sheesh, January 2, 2017.  Wonder how many checks I'll have to change the date on before I remember what year it is?

Saundra

Happy New Year !

Wishing all of my readers a very happy and healthy new year ahead.

Per usual I welcomed in the new year behind closed eye lids and no one in my quiet neighborhood set off firecrackers to welcome the new year. Or if they did I was obviously so far into slumberland I didn't hear it.

You'd think I'd know by now to never say "never".  In 2015 I designed and hooked a Man Cave rug for my son as a Christmas gift.  It was started early in the year so that I could work on something else and still have it done for Christmas that year.  Didn't have any plans to hook another sizeable gift rug in 2016 but my grandson Zach loved his dad's so figured he deserved one as well.

Zach's favorite sports rug was also started early in 2016 so it could be taken off the frame with fun hooking between shifts.  Don't get me wrong, both rugs were hooked with love but when it is a gift find hooking more worrisome.  When it was all finished and bound I said to myself..."never again will I do a gift rug for anyone".

HA!  Never say "never" Saundra.   My grandson's face was so delightfully happy with his Christmas gift that grandma now has decided to hook his favorite soccer team logo for next Christmas.

The above photo of my grandson Zach will be part of the label on the back of it when finished.  This project should be a piece of cake compared to the other Christmas gift rugs ~ there's no detail which requires narrow cuts, just regular wide cut hooking.

May all your loops, stitches and punches be perfect in 2017.  And thanks to all of you who follow and read my blog.  Comments and questions are the icing on the cake too, so don't hesitate to ask questions.

Saundra

Hooked Rug Review from 2016

Here is a review of all the rugs and mats which were hooked during 2016 and posted in order of project.  Those who recently joined may not have seen them but regular followers may have seen them numerous times in various stages of progress, reverse hooking and tweaking.

In the beginning of 2016 this is what was on my frame.

It was originally drawn as "Flag Day Sheep", a Woolley Fox design but I changed it up a tad.

Above was an antique adaptation of an antique which I call "Horse with No Name" and it had straight hooking.  Just a small mat but was fun to hook and use worms.

Still in the mood for small mats and adaptations decided to use the horse shape from an antique rug but added the bunny since there was space.

And then the Out of Hand Rug Hookers group decided on a new challenge lead by Kelley Belfast.  

Kelley designed a pattern with daffodils, sheep and two out buildings. There was certain criteria to be part of the 'giveaway' and the winner was voted on by the participants.  It was quite fun to see all the different and artistic works from hookers who have different color  and cut choices.

Next on my frame was a design by Barb Carroll called Rainbow Cabin. This pattern had been in my stash for a while so decided to use up my patterns.  Uh..... if I were to have a 'do over' I'd make those white areas dark logs and the thin dark rows the light.  What the hell was I thinking???  Oh well.  To Kim.... NO, I'm not going to tweak it!!!!!!!!

After the Rainbow Cabin decided to start a Christmas gift for my grandson.  So his Christmas gift was started very early on to give me time to set it aside and hook something different.  

But going to rug camps I'd start something different and hook on Zach's rug while waiting my turn for the teacher.

The above pattern by Karen Kahle called "Simple Gifts" was a pattern purchased at a rug camp from someone wanting to downsize.  Since I had no clue where to start or what colors I'd want decided to take it to my mentor beloved Barb Carroll.  Looking at it makes me happy and like looking at a brand new bright day ahead.

Then came NED, another antique adaptation offered by Woolley Fox. Poor Ned went thru many tweaks until I was happy with him.  In retrospect tho, wish I'd done what Lauren did and change the butterfly to a flower.

Above is a design called "Turkey and Tallowberries" which is a design by Lori Brechlin and offered in pattern by Kris Miller of Spruce Ridge Studio.

Another design by Lori and hooked in a class with Kris Miller is the "Do Good Be Nice" design.  That Goode witch takes time out of her day to have her nails done.

The last two rugs started and finished in 2016 were the last two written about yesterday. .... Red Lion adaptation......

...and Out in the Garden.

Wishing all of my followers a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2017.

If anyone has questions about hooking please ask...If I don't know the answer I'll research for you to give you the answer.  Happy Hooking.

Saundra

Binding Mission Accomplished

Thankfully I met my deadline to finish binding two rugs before the new year.  And tho we were not doing a challenge, my blogger friend Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) beat me to the punch.  Now we are ready to move onto new hooking projects going into 2017.

Below is the Red Lion, an antique adaptation purchased from Norma Batastini of Heart and Hand.   Tho a terrible photo flash of a picture below it does have the blotchy background I love so much.  

For comparison of color, the label shows the original color of the red lion.  AND....you can see the difference in color of wool on the back compared to the photo above.  

Out in the Garden is a design by Maggie Bonanomi.  I used the same brown wool as in the lion rug.  This first photo shows up much brighter because of the flash (as in the Red Lion above).  

Here is the label attached to the back ~ and this photo shows a much better true coloring on what was used for hooking.

I'm so looking forward to working on the Stubbs antique and even tho it was started in 2016 will be recorded as a rug from 2017.  

However, I've been thinking about what rugs will be in my future. There will be a camp with my beloved Barb Carroll in May, then Cape May in September and camp in November.  So already am thinking what to work on at each camp.

Have a great evening.... HEY... do you have your black eye peas or your pork and sauerkraut yet???  What is YOUR New Years Day tradition?????

Saundra

Time for a Lookie Loo (updated info)

It's been a few days since I've seen an update on my PC monitor and decide what needs to be reverse hooked.  I took two photos with different settings.  If you tap on either they will enlarge but the first photo is the one with more pixels.

Sadly I've not yet started hooking the trainer since there is more border and background to make it to the halfway mark.  Would like to save fun for the other half of the rug so will wait.

Checking the progress now as I had a concern with a few border blocks ~  those would be the yellow at the top, orange and blue to the right side near bottom.  Yet, looking on the PC it doesn't bother me so will continue.  HA, have still been known to rip out wool at the last minute.

Plans are to have red at all four corners to sort of anchor the design.

Rose of Three Sheep Studio wondered what my background wool was. For those of you who missed my post about that you can read about it HERE and see the wool used for the holding lines of border.  But for a quick view here is the background wool.

We are just a couple days away from a brand new year.  My goal BEFORE 2017 is to have my last two rugs bound and label attached. You all know how binding is NOT my favorite task but want to start the new year with NO rugs left to bind.  Thankfully I've only two to do.

So you guys and gals out there.... how's about gathering your unbound rugs and start now.  You could watch the ball come down New Year's eve and bind your rugs.  Would love it if you'd send me your finished pieces and I'd be happy to post them on my blog.

Saundra

Quilts I've Made

Several of my followers are quilters ~ who do what I consider the proper quilting.  While I've made some quilts and small quilted pieces, do not consider myself a quilter.  None of mine have had the free-arm machine or hand stitching.

The photo above was originally taken to show the Wee Folk hooked rug which I'd just placed over the bed.  The summer quilt, used as a bedspread, was designed with two rottweilers in the center and log cabin since we were building our home.  The quilt is still usable but has much wear since the dogs were allowed to sleep on the bed.  Rules in my house changed after than and Ben is NOT allowed to sleep on the bed.  

Above is another view of the center.  The worn out stitching said "HOME Palace of the Heart 1997" so it is quite an old well used quilt.

Below is another summer quilt spread also using larger homespun squares but with smaller sections stitched for the stars, homes, trees, etc.  This was as tedious as this woman would get, lol.  But again was not free arm machine stitched or hand stitched.  Just randomly stitched thru to the under side which was probably a king size sheet.  This is also a very worn and constantly being repaired since I'm not ready to toss it.

The heavy quilt below is a winter quilt and has been tied with buttons and thread. It's never been used but is in the room just in case.  As you can see there are very large squares and nothing much to brag about except for maybe the applique at the top.

Then quilts above were the extent of my large pieces.  However, if you've followed me long enough you have seen those monthly quilt squares to welcome in each month.  In October I believe that I posted Happy Haunting, which is a cute quilt applique for Halloween.

Above is one quite appropriate for me at the time since I was a dollmaker even before becoming an addicted rug hooker.

Below is a gift made for my mother several years ago.  You may need to tap the photo to see it properly.  It is to be wallpaper for the background, a table with table cloth and framed photos of family, cup of coffee, roses and candles.  

Mother's parents are in the large photo to the back right, my baby brother and her brother at a young age to the right.  Me and mother on the left in the back as well as jut to the right of that.  Mother's older brothers in front of us and her as a young woman in the grouping to the far left.

To those of you who stitch teeny tiny pieces to build a quilt, (and Jennie is one), you have my respect and kudos for such tedius work.  Rest assured that I'm not that person, lol.

Have a good evening everyone.

Saundra

The Day After Christmas

Didn't get any hooking done today as Grandma was on a mission to purchase fabric and make a soccer themed valance for my grandson. Yesterday it was obvious the childhood valance needed to come down since Zach is now 13.  

Picked up the fabric, came home, ate lunch and proceeded to make his valance.  He didn't want curtains....just the valance.  Dang...forgot to take a picture of it after I hung it.  Anyway, my grandson is elated with his 'day after' gift.  And this was a wonderful Christmas for me.

Thought I'd show you my progress, or lack of, for the present project which is an adaptation of Julia Eastman Stubbs rug.  I've chosen the horse trainer part on the far right side of her design.

Heck, I'm not even halfway done and as much as I want to hook the trainer figure the border around the corner should be hooked first before enjoying the challenging part (dessert).

Happy calm and relaxing day after Christmas to everyone.  And in a few days we will be welcoming in a new year.  I'm excited and confident in the next few years ahead for the growth and protection of our country in every way.  Here's looking forward to a wonderful 2017 for all of us.

Saundra

A Christmas Gift

Christmas Day I couldn't wait to deliver my grandson's gift to him and stood with my camera in hand to take a photo of him opening it.  

As soon as he unrolled the rug I could see a huge grin on his face which stayed there while he placed the rug on the back of the sofa for viewing.   As I'm taking this picture he tells me, "I really like it Grandma".  And I knew he would because he admired his dad's rug last Christmas....the Porter's Man Cave rug.

Immediately Zach took me to his bedroom and showed where he wanted it hung....over his desk.  On the top shelf of his desk is a signed Orioles baseball cap, a school award and some floating darts given to him by his cousin.

As I looked at his room saw some old valances I'd made eons ago and told him they needed to be replaced.  I asked what he wanted and he said soccer fabric.  He loves playing soccer and his favorite team is the Barcelona, Spain team.   

Don't know that I can buy that fabric in the USA but he said black and white soccer ball design would be fine.   HOWEVER.... grandma has a plan for another project for my beloved grandson for next Christmas.

Hope all of my blog friends and those beyond had a good Christmas holiday.  

Warm hugs and Christmas cheer to you all.

Saundra